If it's any consolation, I have 1 gig of memory like you and use GWX 2.1 with the merged campaign applied and it takes about 6-7 minutes for my saves to load up.
Nemo
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"I'm afraid there is no disguising the fact that King's obsession with the Pacific and the Battle of Washington cost us dear in the Battle of the Atlantic".
Sir John Slessor GCB, DSO, MC, DL
AOC-in-C Coastal Command RAF
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