I'm using a Logitec Freedom 2.4 wireless joystick. WinXP service pack3.
One thing is for sure. It does NOT work without the first game patch. If I install the 2nd game patch it doesn't work right either.
I had it working many moons ago after installing the 1st patch and silly me installed the 2nd one. It wasn't until I reformatted my hardrive and reinstalled the game and patch 1 ONLY that I got it to work again.
In the external game settings>Player 1 control settings, I remapped the buttons for functions like fire, 2ndary fire, landing gear, etc to buttons of my choice. I left the hat assigments alone but the ONLY other changes I made as far as controlling the plane was Turn left and Turn Right. This joystick has a twist action for rudder. I set turn Lt&Rt to twist Lt&Rt. Although I set these assignments by twisting the stick, in the default joystick column it says Slider up and slider down.
Why I have no idea and I don't use the throttle slider period but for some reason the settings names it slider.

Anyway, it flies GOOD this way and when I twist the stick it acts like a rudder should and it's SOOOOOOO much easier to hit targets.

Pretty dissapointing it takes so much crap to get it working but good luck guys. I hope this helped someone recoup thier money on this game.
It is a blast once it's working.