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Hi, the Eagles seemed to turn OK. I missed just the one "reply", the press space bar.....? I didn't realise I had missed it until I saw the Tornados leaving the area without any ID of any targets? I finally hit space bar after 30 minutes and down to 1800 lbs fuel. Then the Tornados began reporting the enemy ID's? By that time they were back at Nellis. I figured that perhaps the missing space bar acknowledgement, messed up all the mission timings? The whole area then went active with bogeys and all sorts of positions! After crashing, I re started the whole campaign. Enjoyed the fly in again and the recce of the Red Flag area. I heard some more speech that I'd missed the first time!! However, after two perfect first missions, I got a score of 85? Previously it was 100! Also noticed after landing after the recce, I couldn't select Tower and space bar wasn't giving me the acknowledgement! Maybe that's why I only got 85? I am sure I was on the correct freqs but just missed the vital acknowledgement to activate the Tornado's on their ELINT! All great fun! Cheers.

Mission #2 was a botch. Had to re start the campaign. After missing a radio call, a space bar hit, during the wp#4 to wp#5 patrol. Nothing happened for 35 minutes. The Monsters, Tornado's, flew their pattern and RTB. However after hitting the space bar, after 35 minutes, the Tornados suddenly began reporting all their targets, trouble was, they were back at Nellis? Seems like, after hitting space bar late, the mission kept running its program, from where it thought the mission was, but the aircraft were all out of place? By this time I was Bingo so had to RTB. Then all hell broke loose over the FEBA. The F15 and F16 mopped up the Phantoms and Migs. I crashed after running out of fuel! LOL The moral of the tale is, don't miss a space bar hit, keep on the correct freq. The mission seems to run on a time from space bar hit, clock. Get that wrong and your sunk! I will try again tomorrow. Regards David

So, after the flight in to Nellis and the first mission completed, introduction to the range, here's my first impressions. Its a brilliant! The only thing I noted was, after landing (tour of Red Flag area) I received a radio message from AWACs about the Aggressors, who came up for a play. Apparently, when I was showboating with an Aggressor Tiger, there was some AWACs message that wasn't played right away. It got played after I landed. But that's the only minor glitch! There are so many messages, its totally compelling and makes the campaign come alive. The first flight over the range really put me there. I especially enjoyed the banter about area 51 and the way the Eagle driver didn't want to talk much about it, especially when the French leader got cocky and mentioned "conspiracy theories!...LOL!! Well done Baltic Dragon. Now I'm off to do mission 2. Lets see if I can protect those chaps in the Dambuster squadron from Lossiemouth! Tally Ho! Regards David

Will do. I can record them for my You Tube channel, with Tacview as well if required. Ferry in, first mission done. Very good!:D First few seconds had me panicking since my high school French was 50 years ago...:megalol: Regards David

Thanks for the kind words of encouragement. But believe me I have tried. There's something wrong with my head?:cry: The Mirage is a dream to fly. It's FBW in the latest DCS version is superb, but that dam basket floats around all over the place, seemingly my mind looses control of my coordination as soon as I get close to the basket! I can fly straight and level exactly 6 feet behind the basket. As soon as I close in, mysterious forces conspire to float it around! If there was a boom refueller, with a guy who slots it into your aircraft, like the F16, or Hog, I would be fine! Cheers.:joystick:

Yes I know what you mean re reading all the notes! I'm having a look at the mission notes in the PDF link in the forum. The biggest puzzle are all the radio frequencies, when to change, but I'll work it out. As for refuellings...lol forget it! I tried for ages and each time ended up with high blood pressure, maximum frustration, no fuel, hours of wasted time and hearing that dam voice, "cleared pre contact" in my nightmares!!! I have done the DCS Red Flags for the A10 and Eagle, so looking forward to yours. I think these campaigns are very important to DCS. They make the sim come alive and force you to really understand your weaknesses, the enemy strengths and learn the aircraft 100%. The latter point is the whole reason behind Red Flag, so we are spot on there. I have tried to create some missions that run with random elements, to make them challenging, so I appreciate how much work goes into these projects. I'll let you know how I get on. Cheers. David

Thanks, that's great. I'll buy it tomorrow for my day off! By the way, I didn't know you could order the wingmen to refuel? That interesting! Regards David

I have just enjoyed re running all the training missions for my Mirage. I haven't flown it in a while and with the updates its a super sim! The last mission in training, a preparation for Red Flag, was very good. Before I buy the Red Flag campaign, for the Mirage, I need to ask a question. My question is, do any of the Red Flag missions require refuelling Tanking? This is one thing I avoid, because I am unable to do it! Regards David

Would be a purchase for me! It would require some AI (crew) since the aircraft had five crew members. This was the Cold War nuclear defence. So we could use the Normandy UK map. If they don't want nukes, then the twenty odd thousand pounders could simulate a cold war Warsaw Pact advance into France! Black Buck would need a Falklands Map (another purchase from me....can use the Harrier there!) To simulate all those refuellings! Oh and an Ascention Island Map! Just simulate that "Howl" from those engines!!! Regards

As. Digital Combat Simulator, for a single player. 1. AI. My wingman/flight obaying instructions, not creaming themselves into terrain obstacles and using air to ground/air to air weapons reasonably! Enemy AI in possession of flight models that reflect the aircraft they are in, rather than superhuman manouverability and detection ability. Selection of AI as "average" to mean "average". Many years ago, the Black Shark wingmen were surprisingly good. Since then things have gone down hill? I am lucky if my wingman in in the Viggen or Mirage carry out an attack order. They either crash, fly in circles or RTB. If I mention weather, ATC, night lighting...then that's a lot of development for the base platform. Inevitably, detailed cloud layers, weather, dynamic lighting will affect frame rates and performance. Without some sort of engine re write? Personally, for a combat simulator, weapons systems and AI performance is more important. If I want to fly about pretty landscapes I will fire up P3d. When I want to create complex combat missions and fly them in anger, it must be DCS! Regards.

Just wanted to say thanks for the article. I just jumped back into the SU 27 after not flying it for a while. After all the new kit, it was really good to fly this impressive sim again. The IR Optical targeting with that clever IFF trick (flash the radar on and off) is truly remarkable. Just using what we are given weapons wise, is a challenge itself. With hilly terrain, it's entirely feasible to knock out an Eagle/Hornet armed with Amraams! Fly low, terrain mask and then pop up and bushwack em! I wonder if there will be a full clickable cockpit version in the future?;) Cheers.

I have all the modules. Of all of them, only two have a special appeal, namely the Black Shark and the Mig 21. One goes slow and low, the other is exactly the opposite! You will not go faster or higher in anything else, the Mig 21 is very fast! Both are lethal in the right hands. Only the Mig 21 has that feeling that your in the aircraft to either kill or be killed. You can die just as easily by bad piloting as you can by "enemy" ordinance. Its a real pilots machine. It's unforgiving, with no FBW to help. Try yank and bank in this aircraft and it will bite you! Forget all the PC stuff, this is a man's aircraft!:smilewink: In the latest DCS 2.5.3 release version, it's an almost perfect aircraft sim. Earlier DCS World versions had a few bugs, but in the latest DCS the Mig 21 shines. I love it, because it commands respect and requires skill and expertise to fly and fight in it. Every flight's conclusion leaves you with a memory! Finally, you can do CAS in it. This baby will be in and out of the FEBA before the enemy has time to jump in their foxholes! Happy days!:thumbup:

VC. I lost the weekend before I had time to check the take off routine. Left Shift +W, Left Shift +I, then Left Shift +E..after you go full afterburner. The wire not releasing is a bug, as far as I am concerned. You shouldn't have to wiggle left and right to un hook it!! In the short time I had the module, flying it around the Persian Gulf Map was a nice experience. Albeit a little unrealistically too good. We all know these modules are more for carefree fun flying, rather that ultra realistic flight dynamics from the Hornet and/or A 10c. But there is something really nice about the Russian jets! Especially that HMS in Optical lock mode!!! However, I don't fly the Hornet much, since its missing all the Air to Ground ordinance the real aircraft has. Additionally the Air to Air radar is missing nearly all the features....TWS/TWS+RWS/VS/STT. The modes that are there seem bugged? But that's my fault for flying the VRS F/A18e Superbug for a while.....;) regards to all.

The F/A 18c Hornet is, in my opinion, still a work in progress. Air to ground is limited to iron bombs and rockets. Required ordinance would be, LGB, Maverick, JDAM, HARM, JSOW and ALCM. Or at least some Paveways, so we can drop them with JTAC targeting, like the Mirage. Lightning Laser designators, FLIR and MFD dislay would be nice! Air to air, well the radar, I believe, is being worked on. In order to use the Amraam well, the radar modes need to be fully implemented. RWS, TWS, VS. TWS is required for the Amraam to be ripple fired at multiple targets. Then the AIM 120 becomes really interesting. When the strike capability of the aircraft is finished, I can foresee some interesting missions in the excellent Mission Planner. For now, the Viggen, Harrier and Mirage are my go to strike aircraft. Of all the weapons available to the Hornet, I would like to see the Harpoon implemented, after all, it's a Navy Strike Aircraft!:music_whistling: In the "e" (another sim), carrying 2 Sidewinders, 1 Amraam, 2 HARMs and 4 JSOWS or JDAMS, or Paveways, I can attack a SAM/AAA defended enemy and return to the carrier. Taking out any stray CAP on the way home. Would be a nice Xmas present?:smilewink: Regards David

Thanks guys, glad its just not my system. I do hope we get all the Air to Ground weapons....and the FLIR...TV...and Laser Designators. Even some LGB's that we can drop for JTAC designation would be nice. Oh and then there is the not so small matter of Harpoons for Naval attack, HARM, for taking out defences and some Mavericks? Regards David

Yes, external view wire is attached. Throttle on and wire holds the aircraft back...snagged! Throttle off and wire pulls the aircraft back. The take off is proving a death trap: I take it "W" is wheel brake (I have Saitek pedals with brakes also. Cant find the emergency afterburner? Inlet grills...LAlt+i....do these actually do anything? Ships doing 30 Knots into a 20 knot headwind and I still get to meet Davy Jones Locker,LOL! I have to give up on the Kuznetzov take off, wont work for me? Could be the "Trial" SU33 is faulty? Anyway gave it a go!

Since the latest update (Stable 2.3), I see the radar elevation shows equal altitudes. e.g. 8/8, 9,9 etc. I am unable to separate the elevation scan, e.g. 8/15, 9/18 etc. Is this a bug or just me? Regards David

Thanks for answering VC. Unfortunately my "3 wire" stays on the hook after the trap. I tried this three times...same result? The hook goes straight up after landing, with the wire attached. No way to lower the hook once landed? Thanks for the procedures re Ski Ramp launch. Regards. David

Enjoying the SU-33. After trap, on the Kuznetzov, I can not release the wire? Alt+G has no effect, the hook is up but the wire is still attached? Add to the above, the Ski Jump on the Kuznetzov, just pops you up before diving into the sea? How does the launch work? There is no Cat, so I guess the thrust is insufficient for a launch? Love those Russian Jets? Thanks.

The c has fewer stations, same weapons! Rhino has colour DDI/mfd. Rhino has many more stored waypoints. Rhino has more fuel....but is heavier! Rhino has SAR Map, if you can model synthetic aperture radar ground mapping! For a good read here is a Link article: https://fightersweep.com/5334/ask-fighter-pilot-hornet-vs-super-hornet/ Both are air to air champions and bomb trucks! Cheers.

Thanks for taking the time to address my questions point by point. I see a STT "type" symbology depiction on the DDI but the indication stays at RWS. The vital inclusion of TWS multiple target selection (for Amram) will no doubt take a while? I surmise it's a matter of being patient and awaiting the "work in progress" to complete. There are many missing features in the release 2.5.2 version, as seen in the placeholder notifications when you select the mode. Not everyone has the beta version so are not privvy to the latest inclusions. I have enjoyed DCS for years, beginning with Black Shark. I don't recall that being released in a beta state after I purchased it. This release first and apply the model features later seems to be a sign of the times. At the moment each time I fly the Hornet, I am disappointed and frustrated. It's no where near finished, is it?:music_whistling: Probably best to hangar it for a year or so, alternatively move to the beta branch. Thanks.

I am running release DCS World 2.5.2. August 15 patch does not address the missing radar modes? With current weapons, biggest problem is; Amram in RWS does not change to STT upon lock, instead radar stays on RWS with the target locked. Should this not change to STT, when locking from RWS? Ideally Amram is used in TWS mode and multiple targets selected in priority,1,2,3,4,etc. then ripple launch the Amrams....Is this a work in progress? Sparrow, when launched from RWS "Lock",which again should be STT, does not go to "Flood" mode, instead stays on RWS. Amram selected at 5 Nm radar does not acquire target in AACQ mode. Amram at 7 Nm, 150kts closure, takes 20 seconds to go active and misses the target, target not manoeuvring and not emitting any countermeasures...? PRF modes not selectable. With no IFF or ECM on the aircraft, there is no way to identify enemy aircraft in BVR. The F10 map is the only way. In the absence of IFF return the APG radar has software that can compare the radar cross section/return and provide a target identification on the radar DDI, H.I.T.S would be nice? Sorry if these are already in the "beta" version, I am only reporting what I see in the "release" 2.5.2. Best regards.

I am with you on the IFF issue. BVR (without cheating with F10) is a bit of a gamble. In the absence of a friendly IFF return, the APG radar, together with the IFF, determine that it's an enemy. Modern radars ( Superhornet) have radar cross section software that compares the return and gives a "type" on the radar DDI. This stuff is clearly "classified", but can be simulated as the "HITS" mode. Typically with a "21/23/29/31.." etc. If we ever get to the modern data link from AWACS/Rivetjoint,, we can know the position of all the enemy! Not just aircraft, but ground troop movements and threats!:smilewink: But we would need a Typhoon or F35....LOL:music_whistling:

Is anyone using the trim effectively? I find the trim function in this sim is too slow to use. Once in the groove, I just achieve AOA with indexer centered, hit ATA and fly the bird on to the deck. I can't see the "Ball" because it's just too small, some sort of ball graphic is required to do this as real world aviators do? I mean they call the ball and focus on that alone with small glances to the wires, so something like the joystick position indicator, as a "ball" would be fine and dandy! Cheers.

My update just would not complete, probably the same behaviour as yours. I really don't understand what is occurring with these "stable" updates. The good news is today an update seems to have completed. Today I again got the update ready notification, to 2.5.4, so I accepted it and this time the update completed. It completed very quickly and seemingly without ant downloading or torrent download. The update, appears to been the mini Hornet update. It has updated the the Hornet to include the radar updates etc. Noteably, all my key assignments were erased, thus I needed to re assign my HOTAS etc. I am still seeing 2.5.2 on the DCS screen? But at least the update appears to have worked this time. Best regards.