Gunny, I think I understand what you're asking. The co-ordinates for the placement of something within a model, which is a separate mesh file, is controlled by the Hier.him file.
If, for example, the stick is
modelled as part of the cockpit then the only way to change it, is to abstract that whole part, and as Mikes says, you would have to export it as an .obj (I use Mshconverter 18), into a external programme eg 3DS.max. Re-model it or add to it etc, then compile it as a mesh part with the right name, not sure what prog you need for IL-2, then you would have to alter the Hier file to place it in the correct location in the ac.
If the model has a
separate stick modelled, you could either make one and name it as the old one, the Hier.him file would see the naming of it and place it in the correct location. Or if there is another model with a separate stick, you can just rename it as the old one and it will show at the original stick location.
Just a quick example, the attached pic shows a Bf109 with the original spinner, then with the spinner simply replaced with a BP Defiant spinner. Same name, and the hier.him file places it in the correct location. BUT, if you wanted it to look better etc, you would have to abstract the spinner part, re-model and compile it back to IL-2. This is how a lot of the early frankenplanes were done.
Have a play!
Cheers
Shessi