I'm just getting starting with IL-2, trying to get the hang of it, but I've got a very interesting quirk I wanted to check with you guys about.
Whenever I start my engines and begin to gain speed, my planes always seem veer to the left on the ground before taking off. I actively have to counter-act that with the Rudder to keep it straight. As soon as I take off, I also have to compensate by banking right through the whole flight.
I get this on two different computers, both with the joystick (Thrustmaster Hotas X) plugged in and without it plugged. First I thought it may be joystick calibration, but I get no such behaviour on Enemy Engaged or Freespace 2.
I don't need to tell you guys that this is extremely annoying, especially so because this is a hard game to start... I really could use all the stability I can get to learn the ropes...
(I have tried the game as a Multiplayer > Create Game > Dogfight 2 > Mission Type 2 > Dogfight5 and then several craft, e.g. Hurricane MKiii)

I would still look into joystick calibration with the game you are trying to run it on. Also do you have any other things plugged in that may be interfereing with the joystick, gamepad or the such? If so try only having the joystick plugged in.
You may also want to check out [url=]http://www.gog.com/en/forum/il_2_sturmovik_1946/joystick_help[/url] incase thats of any help.

Thanks for the tips guys... it seems I'll need to look further into this (read manual etc) as this simulator really is somewhat bewildering and utterly unforgiving...
@Ralackk: As for joystick configuration, seeing as in windows all joystick config is centralised (and by looking at the sliders there all is ok, there's no "noise" or lean), the joystick should be good everywhere. Furthermore since I get the problem regardless of the joy being plugged in on two completely different computers (one desktop, Win XP, nVidia card another laptop, Win 7, ATI card), I am more inclined on some sort of "timing" problem or something.
@Wolfox: I'm ashamed to say that I could not try your suggestion. I can't get a Me-262 off the ground. Pressing "I" does nothing... so I looked and I mapped Select Left/Right engines to a key. Then I selected Left engines, press "I", select Right engines, press "I"... the HUD and sound informed me that the engines were starting, but then one of them just blows up! I know I'm totally newbie'ing out here and missing something really obvious... but I haven't got it yet. *blush*
Anyway, I was able to ameliorate the problem when taking off by locking the tail wheel (!). It still veers ever so slightly but it's much better. Still begs the question.... why? Why should I need to do something as mundane as that? Or, maybe, why don't other people need to do it?
[EDIT] Just looked in the steam forum and found this. On the 4th post the guy there actually has a scientific explanation for it. Blimey!