MACADEMIC

Where to sign up for the newsletter? MAC

Okay, but EB's post spoke of 'shortly', not soon. So, you native speakers out there, what's the meaning of the word shortly versus the word soon? And what time range can be considered as reasonable under 'shortly' in the world of software development? I hope it's not the famous 'two weeks, be shure'!* :) MAC * Oleg Maddox, IL2 Productions

Any news, updates? When is this coming?

Awesome! MAC

I'm not really one who needs a lot of convincing, but this is good to hear. MAC

That's mostly what I meant to say, and very much hope this will be so. Even if DCS would have only opened the door to this possibility, I'd still consider this a move into WWII simulation as they're making planes from that period. MAC

As the topic starter, I'm fascinated by some of the negative opinions about the P-51D announcement around here. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who will come to ED/DCS for the single reason that they will release this product, so this means more and new business for ED. More business means more funds for developments means more business means more funds...as long as ED stays true to their acclaimed principles of delivering high fidelity simulations, how should a successful expansion have negative consequences for the fan base, whatever area of aviation they fancy? To the contrary. I personally wish that the P-51D will be a huge success and allow ED to grow, produce more aircraft faster and provide all the optimisations that are being asked for. Where's the problem? MAC

A great offer, thank you! I'd love to fly the Fighter Collection's own 'Miss Velma': http://fighter-collection.com/pages/aircraft/tf-51d/index.php MAC

Excuse my ignorance. Is a map editor available for DCS? MAC

Thanks for the clarification. Just wondering, for any DCS product, is it possible to use an iPad as an addtional external display, such as here? Would be very interesting to have the virtual pilot in cockpit with his map on the kneeboard, and have an iPad with same map on one's own kneeboard... MAC

As I understand the map will display the own position? In this case, will there be an option to disable the own position display, so one has to navigate by landmarks, dead reckoning? Also a forced Off/Switch in MP? Thanks, MAC

Thanks, sounds very good! MAC

From the latest FAQ issue: --------------- Hm...I very much hope this will not be like an iPad strapped to the pilot's leg? It would be okay for flying around in a modern day setting, but for creating a WWII feeling in user designed missions it would be rather an immersion killer. Perhaps there could be an option to replace a moving map with a conventional/historical one on the kneeboard, no flashy icons on it, just selfmade markings (course plotted, targets marked) in a realistic style? Ability to zoom in on the map, flip it over, refold it (that's quite an art in real life) make new markings in flight...just as the guys in the old days would have used a map. By the way I'm aware of the option of clicking away the 3D pilot, but wouldn't want to do that as I feel this adds to immersion. Thoughts, opinions? MAC

That's something I'd also be very much looking forward to. A proper mission briefing, some historical looking flight maps where you have to plot your routing and mark your target - no flashing electronic target on it. To put your map on your kneeboard and be able to consult it in flight. True immersion, if you get lost because you make navigation errors, well bad luck, you're on your own. MAC

Looking forward to some more videos! ;) MAC

Looks very good, tracers, damage...just what happened with that wing after it came off? MAC

Hi all, I'm new to the DCS universe but have been glued to this forum since the P-51D announcement was made. Being more interested in WWII warbirds I only know DCS for it's reputation for producing very high quality modern day aircraft simulations, and have watched some instructional videos which seem to confirm the validity of that reputation for me. Seeing such a divided response throughout this community on the announcement of the P-51 (really seems like it's 50/50), I'd like to offer an 'outsider's' point of view on ED's move and what this may mean. I believe it's a very smart move on ED's part to develop the P-51D. It allows ED to put 'their toe in the water' of the large WWII simulations market without having to commit to more than faithfully producing this aircraft. The P-51 is such a legacy of an aircraft that a lot of people will want to fly it even outside of a WWII combat context. I've read a lot of messages from community members here saying that while they wish ED had not put resources into a non-modern day aircraft, they'd still get it just to fly it. There's people who presently fly on other platforms not so interested in the combat aspects (AoA, X-Plane) who'll want to fly it due to the high fidelity it promises and come to this platform. And then there's the WWII aviation enthusiasts like myself who likes his WWII combat flying but would definitely move to this platform just to experience 'the real deal' in terms of systems and flight model, even if it was just a one off airplane from that genre that ED had produced and no WWII combat scenarios would follow. However, I do not see why (successfully) putting the toe in the water should not be followed by firmly putting a foot on the ground. All seems to be in place. A combat simulation platform. A highly qualified team. The resources of the Fighter Collection. And a market that is eager for something authentic, high quality and working. There are many ways to heaven. In the future, the dividing lines between the various aviation game developers will not be so much the time periods they are focused on, but the level of depth and autenticity versus broadness they will offer. Excellent times for people who love flight simulations! :yes: MAC

Hi all, Really new to the DCS platform and my interest was really sparked by the announcement of the P-51D coming out later this year. Of course I know of ED/DCS's excellent reputation in creating faithful to the original flight models of the aircraft they build, but could I ask some of you 'old hands' out there for a quick summary what the platform enables it's users to do? So, for example: - do you have Multiplayer? - if so, how many players may play on one server? - is the host free in setting up conditions, location, weather, etc? - is there a quick/full mission generator? - AI? if yes, how good are they? - PvE missions? - anything else that stands out versus other platforms (e.g. IL2)? Sorry if all of these are really obvious to you, but it's not for me. Thanks in advance! :thumbup: MAC

Very excited about the news of DCS moving into the WWII aircraft arena. Not a DCS customer yet, but will be watching this very closely. MAC P.S.: Great community here.