IL2 is a heavily modded game. unlike SH series wheres its alot of mods used at your preferance, IL has megamods that covers all the bases. U can then use the jgsme to adjust as u wish. check out:
http://ultrapack.il2war.com/index.php/board,7.0.html
the new version shouuld be out next week. this mod adds even more planes, prop and early jets.
check out the ghost skies server for action also.
http://www.ghostskies.com/
regardless of version what u fly, UP, HFX, vanilla i would join a sqd. flying as a member of a group is fun and u can learn alot. all depends on theatre and what planes u like to fly.
http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums/a/frm/f/48310655