howie87

+9999

As far as the agility of the MiG-21 goes, it's not a dog fighter. It was built as a high altitude, Mach 2 interceptor. Rear visibility sucks because you should be looking for the B-52 in front of you not the F-16 behind you. The delta wing gives it low wave drag, a good rate of climb and nice high altitude performance. It will also bleed speed like crazy in a high G turn by acting as an enormous airbrake. If you get the jump on an unsuspecting adversary and you happen to be lower than them, faster than them and behind them, they're in trouble. Other than that, you're going to be at a disadvantage. As a low altitude strike fighter though, I think you could have some fun with it. I'll be strapping on a fuel tank and doing some bomb-lugging terrain-hugging in the NTTR. While you'll lack any sort of precision strike capability, you'll certainly make an interesting target for teen series fighters to find and take down.

I think situational awareness is a major factor here. Basically, when you see something nasty on your RWR, don't fly right at it. Also, as already said you should be flying a MINIMUM of 10,000ft AGL if there is ANY chance of a manpad in the area. That won't stop them launching at you but should give you enough time to kick out some flares and GTFO there if they do. Mavericks are you friend. If you know there's something nasty out there and you know where it is, reach out and touch it. If it's REALLY nasty, avoid it (either by keeping your distance or terrain masking). Learn how to effectively use countermeasures and the ECM pod in case you do get into trouble. If something launches at you, don't just drop one or two flares. My default 'IR SAM' program pumps out TWENTY in just over two seconds.

If you can call >45 days imminent...

Is the AFM of the 21 on the same sort of level as the A-10 or F15 or is it more like the Su-25? Basically AFM, AFM+ or PFM? Even though we know it's an EFM really!

I'd love to set up some red flag type exercises when we get the NTTR. I like the idea of 21's at low altitude performing a strike and a two ship flight of F-15's trying to defend. When we get the F-18 we'll have even more options. I think the 21 would have the advantage in speed and acceleration so it could be more useful then.

You might want to rephrase that. I'm English and couldn't understand a word of it.

I guess Rudel must have finished the final texturing of the external model if he's moved on to playing "Batumi Space Program" ;)

Wasn't it a Saturn V?

Tacview is invaluable. Probably the greatest tool ever created for DCS.

I like to reach out and touch something with an AIM-7, crank and keep the bandit right on the edge of the radar, drop a little altitude and keep my eyes out the window to watch for the splash, then roll in and follow up with an AIM-9 on the wingman. Works well I if you've got the drop on a lower threat target.

Well, there could still be small patches. As long as it doesn't go to 1.2.9 or 1.3.0..

I'm VERY interested to see what other project Leatherneck have been putting so much work into after the MiG-21. Have they gone on record and said it's not the Phantom? I hope they make the MiG-23 though as they have said development would only take ~6 months as 60-70% of the code from the 21 could be reused. Then we'd finally have a swing wing in DCS and more competition for the western fighters. Personally though, I'd love to see an F-5E Tiger-ll. That would make a great opponent for the MiG-21. After all, that was the design brief ;)

I've seen one for sale for $69,500 in flying condition! I really hope leatherneck lets us throw our money at them soon or I might have to apply for a loan and buy a real one.

Yeah... So you can start saying "Why is the MiG-21 not released yet?" when 1.3.0 comes out. Probably a few more months before that happens though so get comfy.

Basically, yes to everything apart from disengaging nosewheel steering. You don't need to disengage it as it only moves 15 degrees in either direction outside of manoeuvre mode. This is fine for takeoff/landing if you're easy on the rudder pedals.

I assume this is the same as the beta RC3? Any further additions?

In the F-15 there is a very small dead zone just before the afterburner kicks in. Set the throttles to 96% (Max) and push forwards a tiny bit... No afterburner. Push forwards a tiny bit more and you get afterburner. I believe this was done to simulate the dentent for those who lack it on the hardware side and I think it works well. For me it was actually better than setting up the real dentent. You get a feel for where the afterburner kicks in quite quickly. You also get an ear for it too as it makes a distinctive noise as it lights.

I would be crapping logs in a MiG-21 against an Eagle!

PFM's: • Use a wider array of wind tunnel tests CFD methods for aerodynamics parameters calculations. • A higher level of aircraft construction details for forces calculations. For example: our landing gear model includes individual kinematics of retracting/extending is used to calculate its movement, servo-piston forces, etc. In such cases, we truly use real lengths, arms, etc. This also includes such items as a realistic simulation of airflow along the airframe due to the propeller or helicopter rotor thrust. • Realistic simulation of Flight Control, CAS and Autopilot systems. • Realistic simulation of Hydraulics, Fuel, Electrical, Engine and other systems influence flight characteristics. • Unprecedented access to test data packs. Basically every control/lifting surface is modelled according to real world data as far as lift and drag coefficients go. Then all the real world limits are imposed on that surface (max/min extension/retraction rates etc depending on hydraulic/electrical power available). On top of this, the engine model is working out how much thrust it can produce at a given air speed/altitude/temperature from real world data for each power setting. Then there are the automated control and autopilot systems which are modelled along with their authority limits and electrical/hydraulic availability. All this information is constantly being calculated in real time from complex algorithms. I'm sure there is a lot more than this going on behind the scenes as well, such as fuel/weight/balance and critical angle of attack calculations and all this data is tweaked slightly by the team in certain areas to perform more like the real aircraft based on feedback from real life pilots. That is why aircraft in DCS fly more like real aircraft than in any other simulation you will probably ever fly.

It is implemented. You can see the weight change in the load out screen.

A) weight and drag B) Yes C) Moderately. More effective than than they were before 1.2.7 anyway.

Are we waiting for EDGE before this can be released or is that not required?

I think it should stay OFF if it has no power, SBY on standby and OPR when operating. Will have to check myself though.

Have you got one equipped on the aircraft? It will only activate if you are being painted and activate it with CMS Z in manual/semi modes. It will activate by itself if you are in Auto mode.