Crosswind Simulations: Stormbird

On their now long outdated web site, you can find the following information: "Crosswind Simulations is a company devoted to the development and production of Extraordinary Flight Simulators. We strive to bring our customers affordable games that do not compromise on graphics, accuracy, and realism.

"Our first release will be Stormbird, a flight simulator based on the WWII German jet, the Me 262 and rocket interceptor,Me 163. Stormbird will be shareware and pricing is projected to be under $35 for the game and $10 for expansion packs to enhance gameplay. For more information on Stormbird, check out the site, e-mail us directly, or join our mailing list that will keep you informed on all developments.

"Developed by people passionate about flight simulators, Stormbird was conceived out of a desire to make the most historically and at the same time, adaptable flight simulator. Additionally, the simulator had to involve each user from the highly advanced to the beginner. Since the game could be distributed via CD ROM and or downloaded via the Internet, production costs could be reasonable if not Extraordinarily affordable!

Stormbird includes: Five Me 262 Variants with several weapon options (See Aircraft section for more details); Me 163B Komet; Dynamic Campaigns; Mission Builder; Historical Missions; "What-If..." Missions.

All good and fascinating information, so I wrote to Brent Ward at Crosswind to ask him what is up? The short story is that there have been some complications, but Crosswind is on track and we can look forward to an update very soon.

Click to continue

IL2 Sturmovik

IL-2 Sturmovik

This last spring I asked Oleg Maddox of Maddox Games about plans for bombers in IL-2 Sturmovik. He replied:

In add-ons we plan a lot of planes and there will be present famous Russian middle range bombers Pe-2 and Tu-2. Pe-2 was also used as a heavy fighter and was a very dangerous enemy, especially for the bombers and Stuka's. Pe-3, which really was a re-engined version of the Pe-2 was very similar to the English Mosquito, but with more powerful weapons and good armor. (The Pe-2 was the first aircraft in the world (1939, in series, not experimental), which had electric-buster control of the flight.)

IL2 Sturmovik

When IL-2 succeeds, one of our add-ons can be with the Pe-8 - a four engine long-range bomber similar to B-17. The Pe-8 was created in 1938 and in a series was built from 1940. The first real battle experience was in August, 1941 with the first bombing of Berlin and some other German cities. (Click HERE for an image showing damage modeling.)

Pe-8's lifted off from Moscow and bombed Berlin, then returned to Moscow without any landing during this flight. Escorting of Pe-8s was with long-range twin engine bombers, called AR-2, flown all years from 1941-45. The best operation of Pe-8's was the destruction of Koenigsberg fortifications and communcations at the end of 1944.

Some other bomber types, like the TB-3, weren't used in the war as a bomber because it was too old (1933-35.) But several operations with this plane involved the TB-3 flying as a great bomb itself with a radio control from an escorting plane, or from ships in the sea and ground radar control.

While at E3 in May we had a chance to see IL-2 in action. Development has continued and the graphics engine is looking better and better. Goals for realism and accurate flight modeling remain high and we expect to hear good reports from ECTS.

Go to Part VI: WW2 Online