Let me put it like this:
First off, I just deleted and reinstalled Il-2 1946. I patched it to 4.10_01
Never underestimate the value of a fresh start.
I also just installed Ultrapack 3RC4 and Dark Blue World. Disabled the UP mods in JSGME, all that good stuff.
Tested Il-2 in both. Works okay.
Now then, to the meat of it...
Instructions on how to install a new plane into il-2 are not complicated. But here is the skinny.
I put the mod's main folder (the one with 3do in it, for clarification) into the DBW folder, which is in my main Il-2 folder.
I then add the needed lines to the air.ini, plane, and weapons. No problem there.
But this works about one-third of the time. The rest of the time, my games crashes at the dreaded 70%, forcing me to get rid of the mod, even though I do the same thing every time.
Any insight? With my new install, I have not installed any new planes. Scorched earth to be sure, but this is probably the best stage if I want to get this right.