Austro-Hungarian Aircraft for Flying Circus?

[Aviatrissa]

I just got this awesome new book, full of the weird and sometimes less-than-wonderful aircraft of the Austro-Hungarian empire during WW1, and I was wondering if there was any appetite to add any Austro-Hungarian aircraft to Il-2 Flying Circus.  It seems like a bit of an underserved area considering the variety of aircraft they fielded across multiple fronts during the war.

[Avimimus]

There is a faction among the player base which dreams of a map running from the Gulf of Venice up the Isonzo and into the Alps.

I've actually gradually put together a short list of aircraft variants for this dream expansion (down to exact series numbers)... 🙂 It is unlikely to happen, but we still hold out hope.

[Catch]

19 hours ago, Avimimus said:

There is a faction among the player base which dreams of a map running from the Gulf of Venice up the Isonzo and into the Alps.

I'm pretty sure 1C want to go there once the Korea testbed irons out the bugs with the new engine and they can do the WW1 Italian front justice. Of course, as a caveat nothing in life is certain. C’est la vie.

19 hours ago, Avimimus said:

I've actually gradually put together a short list of aircraft variants for this dream expansion (down to exact series numbers)... 🙂 It is unlikely to happen, but we still hold out hope.

Unlikely? Au contraire, I should think they are now duty bound to do it after your efforts Avi.

[Avimimus]

7 hours ago, Catch said:

Unlikely? Au contraire, I should think they are now duty bound to do it after your efforts Avi.

Oh! No, mon amie, I disagree - I'm certain that if it gets made it will be due to your efforts my dear Catch! My humble efforts are miniscule compared to your boundless faith.

So, to make this work we need two Western Front modules in order to get the Nieuport N.11, Nieuport N.17, Hanriot HD.1, Spad S.VII, Spad S.XIII, and the Sopwith Camel, R.E.8, and the Caudron G.IV. Possibly the Nieuport N.27 was well. This will allow us to populate most of the license produced Italian fighters and include the British intervention in late 1917 - as well as give us an early two seater.

This will allows us to focus entirely on aircraft that were unique to the front!

That is the first step in the plan!

 

 

 

 

[Catch]

8 hours ago, Avimimus said:

Oh! No, mon amie, I disagree - I'm certain that if it gets made it will be due to your efforts my dear Catch! My humble efforts are miniscule compared to your boundless faith.

I think not sir. Whilst I appreciate your compliment (which I may add is a common, charming and hospitable feature of the Canadian peoples in my experience), my powers of research pale into insignificance when compared with that of your diligent investigative work and optimism in all things aviation. Why, I am often surprised in a delighted way by facts and photos unearthed by your military aviation research across all theatres of war. Yes, I wave the flag for WW1, but let's be honest, I am a mere hack dismayed by my own unimportance. One can, if one likes, call that boundless faith. Others may call it downright annoying. Posts have been removed for less. 🙂

But enough of that. I like your plan. It is a well thought out and cunning one indeed. And I think, once the community has identified all the bugs in the new engine, it may proceed with haste, and voilà, a new glorious chapter in 1C's journey back to WW1 will commence. As it should, and as it will be.

[Airborne2001]

Austria-Hungary as well as Italy and Russia tend to be pretty under-represented in WWI flying games. Austria-Hungary coming in particular would feel like a dream come true for me.

 

It's late for me so I'll make it quick for now, but some cool aircraft to consider:

Hansa-Brandenburg D.I

Aviatik (Berg) D.I

Phönix D types

Licence built Oeffag Albatros fighters

Hansa-Brandenburg C.I

Lloyd C.V

UFAG/MARE C.I

Hansa-Brandenburg G.I

 

A lot of the above aircraft had multiple variants with different engines and other changes. When I get time tomorrow I can go in more depth about them.

[Airborne2001]

Okay, here is a fighter plane list (credit to Wings of Linen for most of the photos and information):

Hansa-Brandenburg D.I 

Austria-Hungarys first domestic fighter. A bit unstable, yes, but it was the starting point for many aces. Hansa-Brandenburg aircraft featured engines of 150-160hp and a small rudder. Phönix built ones had 185hp engines and multiple fixes to improve stability, like a larger rudder.

Aviatik (Berg) D.I

The most heavily produced fighter of the dual monarchy. It was noted for its good high-altitude performance, speed, and maneuverability. This aircraft brings a plethora of variant options given that it used engines with power outputs as small at 160hp, and as big as 225hp. Early variants had wing structure issues, though these were rectified in later variants. Another option is the D.II, though this was produced in small numbers with very little combat experience due to a decision being made to license build the Fokker D.VII instead.

Phönix D.I, D.II, D.IIa

(Phönix D.I pictured)

The Phönix D types were well liked for their good speed, strong climb rate, and stability. The stability may have been a bit too much though, and there were attempts to fix it. The D.I started with a 200hp Hiero engine, the D.II followed with structural improvements to better mobility, and the D.IIa gave a 230hp Hiero engine. Another possible variant is the D.III, which was a D.IIa with ailerons on all wings. A good number were built, though they may have been just a tad bit too late to see service (sources differ). Sweden used them a lot though. The D.IV never entered production as other aircraft were preferred.

Fokker A.III

(From Their Flying Machines)

An early version of the iconic Fokker Eindecker fighter. The A.III was initially used as an unarmed scourt, however several were armed and became the Fokker E.I. This aircraft would differ from the E.III in game by having an 80hp engine, a weaker structure, and an 8mm machine gun that is not built directly into the airframe.

Albatros D.III (Oeffag)

The iconic German fighter that was perfected by Austria-Hungary. The lower wing was strengthened (the wings were also made bigger on the licensed D.II), the spinner was removed to lighten the aircraft (not done on early production versions), and it had more powerful engines (among other things). The series 253 was regarded as being one of the best fighter aircraft of the war.

----

This is it for the fighters! There was an evolution of the Fokker D.VII with a 225hp engine, though this may have not seen service. The last fighter to get a production order was the domestically produced WKF D.I, but this was a bit too late to see service. I'll do a post soon for bombers and multirole planes, and then another for naval aircraft.