Is the mouse control in IL-2 viable?

[(OKU) Paradox]

I've had some great fights in War Thunder and want to try IL-2 proper, but a flight stick isn't an option right now. I've heard that mouse controls were introduced into certain IL-2 installments, but I can't find much coverage on them anywhere. Are mouse controls at least passable for some casual dogfighting?

[-OrLoK- Слава Україн]

you can but its less tha optimal.

I had an associate who flew mouse only but they soon upgraded to a cheap HOTAS

[-OrLoK- Слава Україн]

also, in sp (mainly) you can turn on lots of "helpers" which means you'll be able to shoot loads of stuff down!

[Vamandrac]

I wouldn't recommend it. This game is more simulation that War Thunder, but if you are looking to get a flight stick down the road you could always pick a module or two while its on sale.

[(OKU) Paradox]

Thank you! I appreciate the advice!

[Hand of Vecna]

I fly in mouse mode quite often. It's not the best for sure, but it will work.

There are some significant differences between IL-2 and WT, however, as I'm sure you are now aware. I was able to configure mouse control in WT to accommodate the familiar WASD hand position and could easily control the rudder and flight surfaces independent of the camera position with the help of 'the instructor.' That type of control does not exist with the mouse in IL-2. Your mouse pointer does everything to control direction.

The worst feature of this setup is that if you look away with mouse, you cannot control your plane, and it will default to leveling out as you are looking with the mouse. You also can't really control a nice wide turn, you kind of have to scrape with your mouse indicator. You'll see, it will be great.

Other than that, there are two things that I have noticed that are less than stellar. First, there is no black out or red out indication while you are flying in third person view (F4 mouse mode only), which is much more pleasant in mouse mode for the reasons indicated above. Slappy Klein, LeBaron Von Deitz, and Gordo Horn are only a few of my German Fw-190 pilots who met their end after losing consciousness in third person view.

Second, some planes are impossible to take off with in mouse mode. It will be very obvious after you get in one and try to take off. Those planes require an air start to use.

[Zvitatzki]

mouse control works perfect in IL2 this makes this flight simulator a dream to me

i cant play all the others like dcs due to lack of control mouse / keyboard