Jayhawk1971

The more time passes, the more I am convinced that DCS is actually conceived to be a multi-generational project, like the Cologne Cathedral. Let's hope ED will get this sorted out before their PTO assets pack is released. I wouldn't want to see AI SDBs and Helldivers having to be set to level-bombing Japanese carriers, just because the AI takes its own sweet time dive bombing.

Yep, I fully understand that. I just hope they (ED and RZ) get that sorted out (in the customer's favor) eventually, and soon. C-130 sound great as well!

I'll save the track on my next attempt.

I just finished my second play-through late last week. It was even better than the first time. The new "ATP" (Sniper) is both better and more challenging at the same time (it works differently, with initially worse resolution, unless you stabilize the sight, then wait, until you get a digitally enhanced picture.) I fared much better on the second play through, and not because "I knew what was coming". I forgot most of what was about to happen since the last time I played the campaign. I just was more proficient in the Viper this time around, and got more free braincell capacity to be more tactical. I like all of Greg's campaigns, but this one so far is probably my most favorite (Speed & Angels being a very, very close second), because I like storytelling in SP campaigns. Now, one thing really made me sad: seeing all those beautiful Strike Eagles on that ramp, "unused" (= not being playable). I kept thinking to myself, wouldn't it be great if some very talented mission maker such as @Sedlo (who already has made a very good mission for the Mudhen) would make a Strike Eagle mini-campaign centered around the F-15E's role in Arctic Thunder (like, say, 5 missions)?

Hi, I've been away from the Phantom since the release of "MiG Killers", and if there is a module in DCS with highly perishable skills, it's the F-4! I just finished a campaign in the Viper, which has got to be the most polar opposite to the Phantom there is (until the release of the Eurofighter and F-35). Anyway, I do struggle somewhat with fuel consumption, due to trying to catch the AI flight lead, I seem to have burnt a lot of JP4/8 (1981, must still be JP4, right?), much more so than in "Zone 5". And is there a way to hit TOT precisely without going to burner? Also, does anyone have any pointers how to set up countermeasures? Best chaff/flare settings for the "Smokey Sams", and SA-2/ SA.6/8? Any lessons learned/ best practices from those who have finished the campaign, or has built the campaign ( )? So far, I have finished the fam flight, and mission 1 (made it back to the ramp and flamed out right when de-arming was finished, because I opted not to AAR, due to naively believing I could make it back. I crossed the FEBA back into friendly territory with just a smidge below 5000 lbs (4900-something). But I had to wait for flight lead to appear over Mount Irish, thereby wasting more fuel going in circles than I thought). I'll definitely re-fly the mission.

Err, the campaign takes place in 1981. I was 10 years old back then. I wouldn't call that "modern".

The lo-res map almost reaches Piacenza (but not quite). IMO this airbase should be included, since a Tornado module is in development, and the German Air Force had Tornados stationed there from 1995 to 2001. ECR and Recce.

I absolutely love the new visor/helmet in VR, and I wish every module - including 3rd party (looking at you, Heatblur!) - would have it, but I agree that options are always the best way with such things. A simple toggle on/off in "special options" shouldn't be too much to ask.

Just a quick heads-up to those like me who did not know that the Laser in the Sniper ATP always reverts to "train" mode by default. So, apparently, every time you power up the pod, after the BIT, you have to go to the DED Laser page and toggle the mode from "train" to "combat". Even if you power it down during the mission; when you power it on again, set laser to "combat". I did not know and wasted about 1.5 hours and four GBU-12s.

Some have reported that in VR the outline of the visor/helmet makes them dizzy, but I have had zero problems in that regard (Vive Pro). I think the wider the FOV, the worse it could potentially be. I for one really like the new visor.

The sun visor ED implemented for the Viper and the Hornet with the latest patch. I finally can see something when trying to AAR with that bright glare! And for some weird reason I can not really explain, due to the blurry peripheral outline of the helmet, I feel more "there"; not just a hovering camera, but the frame gives me a sense of "reference", which makes everything feel crisper, which in turn makes my flying crisper/ more precise.

I don't know if a whole campaign is even necessary, or if it couldn't be managed by one or two additional missions in future campaigns? I mean, most of the basic characteristics are probably covered by the module tutorial missions, I'd assume. And some of the more model-specific intricacies and procedures could be taught in an intro mission, or two. For example, the video you made about what Bud Anderson wrote in his book, about doing wheel landings instead of the doctrinal three-point landings, to expedite recovery operations. Those things could be taught in an intro mission. And players could then also apply those lessons when playing the older campaigns, as the knowledge is transferable. Or something along the lines of the Battle of Britain movie, where Robert Shaw's character takes the green pilot up for some combat lessons ("DAKA DAKA DAKA"). So, the player could join the squadron as a replacement, fresh out of advanced training and sent to either ETO or PTO, and has to get shown the ropes by the veterans? Another thought: IMO, rather than lessons about, say, engine management, warbird-specific, real world procedures and combat tactics might be more interesting/ necessary, because those are not being taught in the standard tutorials, nor in the manual. Don't get me wrong, I would very much welcome a training campaign. I just don't know if it's worth the effort if you could realize some of your other projects instead. Now, if DCS had WW2 Tonopah, and P-39's......

I finally nailed this mission as Greg envisioned it, because I finally managed to properly align the Maverick (the tip with the radar installation at 11 o'clock on the ramp paid off), which led to me actually managing to lock the Flap Lid, and destroy it, on the initial run-in. Previously, the seeker was nowhere near where it should have been after handoff, and I couldn't see crap with all that smoke from the SA-10 launches. So I just thought "screw it" and blasted the whole site with the CBU on the first run. I bought Debden Eagles and Red Flag 82-1, and should be playing those, but the new visor implementation and Sniper pod made me curious, so I got pulled back into a replay of Arctic Thunder.

WARNING: Spoilers! The video should start at the relevant timecode for Runway "B".

Yeah, I was determined to save the track file from mission 6 when I checked lead for holes and found two pristine bombs hanging from his wings, but after landing I just forgot (I clicked "end mission" out of habit). Next mission where I have to bomb something I'll pay attention, and save a track file!

On mission 7 now, no more collisions (that I was involved in ). I am hanging back a little, letting the AI do their thing from a safe distance. Pre-emptive combat spread, if you will. I also started to watch Wolfpack's videos, and they also taught me a lot about the ww2 AI. Really like the campaign so far, especially the reality of it all, just the missions as they happened in real life. Great concept! Also reading Len Deighton's "Goodbye Mickey Mouse" (again), to get me in the mood. (just skipping the more "melodramatic" chapters). I'm even getting the hang of landing the P-51 properly (slowly, but getting there). Three-point, that is. Wheel landings, not so much. [BTW, AI still doesn't seem to drop their bombs, post recent patch. Thankfully, I'm pretty accurate with my bombs, and make the whole group look good ]

I like the new visor very much (in VR, Vive Pro), and also the "wearing a helmet" feeling. I agree that he visor's edges could be more blurry. I do find it reasonable though to make it optional. The idea to link it to the pilot model is IMO good: if you have pilot model enabled, you get the peripheral helmet, if you have it disabled, you get just the visor tint if you "pull the visor down". Shouldn't we see a blurry oxygen mask?

Hi, this campaign is only my second foray into DSC WW2, first having been BNBoB. But there I was flight lead, so friendly AI was more predictable. The reason I ask is because it seems to me that Warbird-AI is even dumber than Jet-AI, and I would like to ask for some "best practices" dealing with it. The trigger for this post: I was blotted out of the sky by White 3 (I strongly assume) during mission 4, after striking the marshalling yard and while being in the process of forming up on White 1 and 2. I was not even close to them yet, over a mile at least behind and to the right, way outside of what would be 3's position in the formation. I didn't see 3, so I assumed he had been shot down by ground fire. Anyway, I was just flying along, when - bam - 3 crashes into me from behind. Just like that. I was flying straight and level, and not at all in "his spot".* [I double-checked that is was the correct flight by temporarily switching labels from dots to text] In the past I was occasionally rammed by jet ai as well, but at least I could see why (it was always in rather close formation, while refueling, and once during a battle damage check). But never out of the blue, in the middle of nowhere, not even close to being in formation with anyone. So, could anyone please give me some advice where to fly, or what "zones" to avoid? I could of course write to ED and ask them to fix their AI, but at this point that is like telling the rain to stop being wet; better to learn the quirks of the AI and work around them. * Obviously, I somehow must have been in the way of the AI's "rejoin flight path", but how am I supposed to know what that path is? Was it just a really unfortunate coincidence, because you probably couldn't do that deliberately, if you tried: guessing the exact same intersection of flight paths, both horizontally and vertically?

Alright, from my end, I'm good to go: ED, initiate transfer.

Yes, for me the game changer was the new kneeboard. Very immersive.

THX I'll try that.

IDK, when I compare the VR headset (Vive Pro) to flatscreen, my impression is that VR is more "contrasty", blacks seem more crushed. It is noticeable at night (in game) and with dark cockpits, like the F-4.

And for OLED VR lenses?

For all modules....

Very cool, thank you for posting it here. Also, very creative intro! (Did you film yourself on a treadmill? )