Run c:\Program Files\Ubi Soft\IL-2 Sturmovik Forgotten Battles\il2setup.exe
On the video tab choose Maximum Settings
Edit c:\Program Files\Ubi Soft\IL-2 Sturmovik Forgotten Battles\conf.ini
Down at the very bottom under the [Render_OpenGL]
Make sure the following (a lot are defaults; some are not):
HardwareShaders=1
Shadows=2
Specular=2
SpecularLight=2
DiffuseLight=2
DynamicalLights=1
MeshDetail=2
VisibilityDistance=3
Sky=2
Forest=3
LandShading=3
LandDetails=2
LandGeom=2
TexLarge=1
TexLandQual=3
TexLandLarge=1
VideoSetupId=2
Water=3
Effects=1
ForceShaders1x=0
PolygonOffsetFactor=-0.15
PolygonOffsetUnits=-3.0
Going up a ways to the [game] section.
3dgunners=1 (you'll have to create this one)
HighGore=1 (splattered pilots in a _few_ cockpits)
http://www.montleon.com/images/grab0005.jpg
Ultimate graphics candy. Doesn't run all that smooth; definately usable; but responsiveness occasionally leaves something to be desired. Water 3 I guess is available only on some nVidia cards with SM3.0 so standy for that not to work perfectly... notice I have Water 3 set and my water still doesn't look as good as his. And my card supposedly supports it (6800 Go Ultra 256 MB):
http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=Njg0