Only game I ever refunded. The control pad is the problem, and tbh I don't think the hotas would save it, as it's designed to be paired with a controller. I have the same problem with everspace. The actual game is fairly solid in structure, but limiting to just an arcade blast'um. For £15 it's certainly more polished than most, and worth picking up at that price if that's your bag.
Id buy it again in an instant if they added the gesture controls, like in X rebirth. It would be possible to mimic the original tank controls extremely easily.