These three planes are free downloads. Make sure you download the according version you need.
http://www.theheavenlyhangar.com/ahmembers/specials.html
The panther is an early jetfighter aircraft. The VC is rudimentary only, but if you usually fly sports aircraft or airliner only, the spongy handling is a funny change. The 2D cockpit gives you the functions you need. This model is about the feeling to fly a plane like this.
The Messerschmidt has a sub-standard VC, too, but is more fun to fly, I find. It gives you a nice impression of the flight physics of this plane. For free, this is a recommended download. Good sounds, btw.
However,
the real sensation is the Hawker Hurricane, which has a complete and good VC, great sounds, great looks, and you really should not miss to get this beauty - for free, to remind you again. Plenty of liveries, ski- and 2-blade-propeller prototypes available. Good deal for your money. Pardon - did I say money? It's free, I told you! The hurricane can easily been regarded as a complete professional package developed for commercial business. If WWII planes are your thing, and you use to fly IL-2, don't miss this one.
I can't nail it down to the details, but the Messerschmidt and the hurricane somehow indicate to me that the flightmodels in IL-2 somehow feel - don't know how to oput it, they feel incomplete in comparison. Less complex. Tamed.
P.S. Tested all three in FS9.