Hello Everyone - new cadet, no wings.

[zippo2glide]

Hi All,

I'm new to this forum and joined because I'm interested in all forms of aviation but with a particular interest in WW2 combat aircraft/flying. Ever since I read "Biggles" as a child, I have fantasised about being a fighter pilot or even a member of a bomber crew.
My first flight was at the age of 4, in a BOAC Britannia to Cyprus, where my father was posted with the RAF and until fairly recently, paragliding was my hobby - somewhat slower than a "Spit" I accept.
Currently residing in the UK but will be going back to Australia in the not too distant future - a POHM abroad. I do not have IL2 ClOD but I do have FSX with a simulator setup in Australia and whilst in the UK, have started to get "simaddiction withdrawal". So to feed the need, I have been researching air combat simulation, which brings me here and leads to my first questions.

Is CLOD only available in it's most up to date version online at Steam? I know the original release was unfinished & has been "modded" to be what it should have been. I have reservations about Steam as a gaming platform, having read about difficulties downloading, activating etc; including restrictions/admonishments applied to individuals for making what appear to be honest mistakes.
Is there a Wiki/article on this site, explaining where to purchase and which version, how to optimally install and modify, that I can refer to?
Is CLOD available on CD, where would it be best to buy it and which distributor? - I have seen it from 1C company or Ubisoft and if purchased in this format rather than a download, could it be updated to the current standard and if so, where and how?

Looking forward to getting some advice and until next year, will be setting up offline before joining you in the virtual skies.
Fly safe

[ATAG_Highseas]

Its steam only for Blitz. Though I think you can play single player not without steam running.

I guess you could buy a disc and then mod the game up to pre blitz. but why you woudl want to I'm not sure. Certainly you can't fly the ATAG server unless you are using Blitz edition.

so you would be single player only.

I'd say just go for it. Steam isn't some wicked Witch. Least not that I've found.... but then I also live in a gingerbread house so maybe I have residential immunity




Jump on in... and enjoy.

oh and WELCOME !

[SharkBait]

Hello Zippo!

Welcome to the forum - it looks like you stumbled upon a great community.

If you appreciate Battle of Britain era aircraft and related combat scenarios, CLoD is a great place to look. To answer your questions more directly...

-CLoD Blitz is only available on Steam as of now. This version has cleaned up a lot of the installation issues, and comes with all previous updates in one neat package. Unless your system specifications are inadequate, it should work fine right out of the box, so to speak.
-Please refer to this thread written by one of the Team Fusion Simulations (the group that is working with 1C to revamp CLoD) members: https://theairtacticalassaultgroup.c...ad.php?t=27403; It's a pretty exhaustive write-up on any potential issues you may face during installation.

Let us know if you have any additional questions - we hope you will join us!

Cheers,
SharkBait

[ATAG_Lewis]

Welcome to the Community and Forums zippo2glide ...~S~

Checkout the 'Beginners Guide'...for info and tips...It will save you a heap of time in getting up to scratch.....and its a really fun learning curve too...

Beginners Guide

Windows Management Guide

Also try youtube for startup procedures on all the aircraft...

I recommend getting in the online server as soon as you can take off if that's ultimately where you'd like to fly...I flew single player for 30 minutes before I took the plunge...The ATAG online server is a great environment to learn and there's not really any damage you can do in there as a new player.....It is also mission based just with real players trying to foil your objectives...If you are concerned then pick an airstrip furthest from the front line (there always is one or two on every map) and get some alt before you go hunting...You'll get tagged a lot but there are tricks you learn out of pure desperation in those first few weeks that you'll be able to use later...I know cos I still use the same tricks I learned then too because they work...and never underestimate the stall to get you out of a tight fix...That sometimes works too...

TeamSpeak is optional but you'll learn a whole lot faster with it even if you say very little once you are on the server...You are quite welcome to just listen if you feel more comfortable with that....so you don't actually need a mic either...Try it and see!


Here are a few fun, helpful and interesting links amongst these forums you might want to bag for future reference...

Most Watched CLOD Videos

Easy Allied CEM for New Players

Joystick and Hardware Thread

ATAG Forum Age Poll Results

Nvidea Control Panel Settings

Downloads

Contact spotting is massively important in any flight sim...Seeing that enemy before he sees you is a race you don't want to be second in...Check this link to see if you can tweak your rig any better...

Contact Spotting Test

Don't forget to keep up with the latest on the TeamFusion new aircraft and patch news...You could well be AMAZED!

TeamFusion Facebook Updates

And finally...Please take the time to have a read of some of the stories of military family adventures by a few of the members of this forum...and maybe share yours with us...~S~

A Tribute to Those Who Served

Any questions then you've come to the right place....

Good to have you with us buddy...and remember its all about the Fun!!!

...Lew...

===================================

Any UK members please let us know where abouts in the UK you are...Just for reference...Its always good to know just incase there happen to be folks who can help you or you can help locally...buy a joystick from or even just a chat in a pub with someone who is likeminded...

UK Based Player Location thread

Thanks...~S~

[ATAG_Laser]

Hi there Zippo and welcome to our community.

I hope the comments above have answered your questions.

Don't let the Steam thing put you off. Cliffs of Dover Blitz is a great sim to fly, the only one as far as I am aware that you can fly in the Battle of Britain, and with the release of 5.0 you will be able to fly in the dessert with the Tobruk edition, so exciting times await should you decide to get Blitz and join us (Which of course we hope you do)

So come on in and join the fun buddy, you know that you want to

[zippo2glide]

Hi All those who replied,

Many thanks for your inputs and welcome messages.
It will be many months before I can start simming again as it is all in storage in Australia but your comments have allayed my fears about Steam. Thanks
In the meantime, I will have to do further research in relation to my setup and initially will be in single player, offline mode.
I will occasionally check in on the ATAG site over the next few months.

Cheers
Paul