311Gryphon

I second that. Thank you.

I'm not expert by any means. I get shot a lot and I find it quite tricky. One thing to remember though is that you won't get a warning from an IR missile until the warning system detects the rocket motor. Somewhat like when your wingman fires an AGM. So if you go in on an attack run and there is a Strella down there you aren't going to know it. Likewise if a plane slips in behind you without radar and fires an IR missile the first notice you'll get is the warning that there has been a missile launch. The next step is the one that I can't get down. If you have no radar warnings and then you get a missile launch warning I think you are fairly safe using flares and maneuvers to defeat the missile. I never can think that fast or remember the right way to hit my CMS. That's obviously only part of the problem though. There is still the issue of friendly units firing and if they are all AI you don't get much warning at all. But the same is true for enemy units firing at other friendly units. They aren't firing at you but you don't know that. With radar guided missiles it is sometimes easier because you get the warning and the system pretty much knows if they are targeting you, but the IRs just give me problems.

Good luck to all the entries! Nice looking screens. Thanks Eagle Dynamics for making it easy to get good ones with 1.5!

I would have but it wouldn't start the DL so I looked elsewhere. I tend to be pretty suspicious of downloads but the one I posted links back to the MS page. It worked, which the MS page didn't. So go figure....

I had this happen to me but I realized I wasn't logged in correctly. Once I logged in correctly it automatically popped up the modules I owned and allowed me to chose which to install. It may not be your issue but double check. Good luck!

If anyone else is having trouble getting it to download, I got mine from here: http://getintopc.com/softwares/utilities/visual-c-plus-plus-2013-redistributable-package-free-download/ For some reason the DL wouldn't even start on the MS page. I tried it multiple times, multiple ways, and in Chrome and IE (thought maybe they wouldn't allow it from Chrome). It never worked either case.

I know this isn't that difficult of a procedure and is well documented here and easy to follow, but for some reason I really like testing in flight engine restarts and I made a video in case anyone just wants to see it. Thanks!

From their Q/A: "Q: What is JESTER AI, exactly? A: It is a proprietary system that primarily simulates the RIO crew member. It will allow you to quickly and efficiently fly and fight in the F-14, while minimizing your workload. JESTER AI will be fully voiced and highly streamlined. The system will be designed to be moduler, and can thus be quickly adapted to other multi-seat aircraft in development. " and: "Q: Why not GOOSE AI? A: Goose is dead, man."

Or which button is weapon release and which is the trigger?

I'm not sure if you can do it in game or how. They may be recording the flight from in the cockpit, then recording the external view while watching the track, then doing picture in picture in their video editor.

The first range is max range and is technically the maximum kill range on a compliant target, or a target that does not attempt to evade the missile. At that range, all the target has to do to evade is wait for it to get somewhat close and out of energy and make some minor maneuvers. The second range (sometimes there are more range indications but the one you'd like to get within) is the "Turn and Run" range. In theory, you can fire at this range and they can turn around and push full throttle and they can't outrun your missile. They can evade it; however. Within that range is your highest probability of kill with radar missiles. You are correct, it is difficult to maneuver and stay locked on because you have to have your radar hitting the target with radiation AND getting that signal back to your receiver to track the target. When you point your plane in such a way that the radar cone doesn't hit the target you can't track them. The trick, I think, is to maintain the best situational awareness that you can and learn to use the radar system well. I've seen some videos that show good ways of maintaining and aggressive nature, keeping targets on your radar as much as possible, and not getting shot. It still takes a lot of practice; however (practice that I don't have). In most cases it seems that if you understand the limitations of your system and the limitations of the enemy system, know where the enemy (or enemies) is (are), and stay patient and stick to your plan, then you can find more success. You can wait for their initial launch, let the missile come on while maneuvering enough to make it miss, possibly fire a missile at the enemy to make them attempt to evade, and try to get closer to get a higher PK shot. This is tough for me because my tendency is to fire too early or wait too long to evade.

I am far from an expert on the subject; however, my understanding is that quite a few things can influence whether an IR missile gets a kill or not. The missile is not that agile, especially after the fuel is burned off and it is losing energy. Therefore the aspect ratio of the target can matter quite a lot, as can the maneuvering of the enemy. Where they are in relation to you, which direction they are travelling, distance, etc all matter greatly. Next, the heater signature has to be adequate and I would assume needs to remain adequate through the missiles flight. Ground clutter, the sun, flares, etc can all have a negative influence on the missiles ability to track. Then there are problems with maneuvering at the moment of weapon release. This is tied to the first point. If you are in a high G turn when you release the weapon it just may not be able to track just like if you have a target crossing in front of you it may not be able to track either. These are certainly not all of the important factors, but your chances of getting a kill go up when you can get in good position to the enemy, behind the enemy, within range (the closer you are the more energy the missile has when it gets close), with out confusing heat signatures when possible, and not in a really high G maneuver. I've had quite a few missiles completely miss a target when I'm not patient, don't wait for good tone, fire too far away with good tone, don't do my job of maneuvering to good position before the shot, etc. I hope this helps!

Also a lot of folks have to cycle the throttle to get it to go into the start up cycle. Specifically, your throttles are below the detent (off). You grab the one you want to start, pull it up and over the detent to idle. Nothing happens. You put it back to off then back to idle again and the engine goes into the start sequence. I'm not sure why but I have to do this every time I start the plane. I'm not sure if that is your problem but if you are just having an issue with the engine starts that may be it.

I tried searching for this but didn't find any results. When I attempt to add any helicopters to the map in the mission editor it kind of freezes the editor. I can't actually place the helicopter and about half the unit edit box stays on screen. Other units and menus won't open at that point. I can select the File menu and select Exit, it brings up the save on exit dialog, but I can't actually exit. I have to task manager my way out of DCS completely. Is this a known issue or do I have something corrupt in my files? It's been happening for a couple of months and I assumed it was a known issue being worked on. Some time ago, maybe a year ago, this wasn't a problem. I made several missions with helicopters in them and no problems were noticed then. Thanks.

Luftwoller, I don't fly the MiG 21 (yet anyway) but I've had similar frustrations in other planes. As I found out later, most of the frustrations were my own fault because I didn't really understand the systems. I will agree that airplanes are extremely hard for me to see in the game. That isn't entirely the game's fault; there are a lot of factors that determine how things look in a game and games are limited with how they can deal with distant objects. I hate flying with tags turned on but I'm rarely successful with finding things without them even when I know where the things are. I would say that a combination of the limitations of visibility in the game and system work is to blame here. Keep working on working with the systems in the MiG and you'll overcome most of the issues as you get better and better at using them. Good luck and happy flying!

I can somewhat see both sides of that issue. I lean towards the "the more the merrier" side and love any new planes that come out and I don't really care what they are. I can put them in a mission if I want but I don't have to. I think the issue some folks have is that if there isn't a good option to pit against the P-40 then there is no reason to fly the P-40 because you can't put it up against any kind of realistic opponent. There has to be an option to put in the game that is at least close to realistic and a decent match up. Having said that, I for one am not too picky about the historical accuracy of the match ups. I just want it to be close and I don't want to get my hind parts handed to me every time I go up. Keep up the good work though, Ells! I love all the progress!

I think YouTube has been my best resource. I'll admit I haven't read all of the manual (and won't) but I use it for reference once I know what to look for. YouTube can lead you astray early on because there are many that don't do it right, don't explain it well enough, or are using old versions of the game and some things have changed. However, between this forum, the manual, and YouTube you can get to a very rewarding place in your DCS career.

LOL. I love this thread. Luftwoller, First let me say, welcome and good luck! Second, I feel like you do at times in terms of elitism. That's in every community (online or offline although online tends to be worse). Elitism drives me nuts because elitists have to, by default, forget they were once in the position you were in. There are a few everywhere but I can honestly say I've had more help and encouragement in these forums than not. I've found a few threads here and there that got my blood boiling but for the most part they are full of helpful and friendly people. I don't know that I have much in the way of help, but I'll hopefully give you a touch of encouragement. I bought A-10C and P-51D March 25, 2013. I quickly discovered that my friend's old four axis Thrustmaster joystick wasn't going to cut it and found a sweet deal on a used Thrustmaster Warthog and Saitek Pro Combat Flight Pedals. Then I got tired of messing with FacetrackNOIR (I wear glasses and it didn't like those) and splurged on Track IR 5 Pro. Then I got angry due to the fact that I could start up the A-10C really well I couldn't use any of the weapons. I watched videos and went through the tutorials repeatedly but it was just tough for me to get it all to work. I flew quite a bit with my friend and he would blow stuff up and I would orbit and eventually get angry and try to do a gun run on a BMP and get shot down. Every time. About a month ago we had our first successful co-op mission and the next week we had an even more successful one. I did quit playing out of frustration for about six months in there, but it has taken me over 2 years to finally get to the point where I could use the more important A-10C systems. I also managed to eventually get the P-51 off the ground and fly it half way decently. I still can't dogfight in it but it's a start. On top of that I managed to shoot down a few MiG-15s in my F-86 a few weeks ago too (after a year and a half). I still can't land the UH-1 very well. Now that I'm reading this back it sounds discouraging. But my point is, it probably won't take you that long if you dig in and eagerly and intentionally set out to learn the systems. I don't have much time to play and most of the time I feel like playing something mindless opposed to the relatively hard (but rewarding) work that is DCS. So keep it up and feel free to ask any questions you have. If you feel lik PMing me do so. I don't check the forums but once a week but I'll answer anything I can or try to point you in the right direction. :thumbup: EDIT: I forgot what year it was up above....I haven't had the Saber that long, got it August of last year.

+1 to this. If I can get the TGP slewed to the general area that a target is in I can generally find it but I have to be able to get it close using the TAD or HUD first.

I've never been very impressed with that aircraft until watching that video. Awesome!

Nice flying!

I'm going to be "that guy". Supply and demand. If they're the only place to get it they can charge what they want. Immoral? Maybe. Illegal? Not at all. I hate it too when that happens though. I also applaud you for looking for a different alternative and I learned a little from this thread. So good luck and thanks.

Well, it cycled through WP 8 nicely. I watched the mark on my HUD bearing tape and when it slid past the WP cycled and I turned to WP 9. I flew straight to WP 9, it slid past, I got the radio chatter, etc, but the mark was still on the side of the HUD tape. I'm not positive it is a bug, but if altitude doesn't matter for the way points and I went straight for it, I'm not really sure why it wouldn't trigger. I have to stress that I have never once gone straight for the runway after WP 8, but only after I thought I hit WP 9. Thanks for the help guys. It doesn't feel "resolved" but hopefully anyone having this issue can just pay attention to their bearing tape or the HSI and get it sorted.

I struggled a bit as well because I'm used to the TGP in A-10C. Some of the tanks aren't hard to find, you just need to slew the MAV seeker into the area then see if you can slew it up on one of the tanks. It wants to lock onto the buildings and trees and things so it may take a few passes. The real trick is that one of those little buggers is up under a tree near the edge of one of the buildings. I don't recall how many passes I had to make before I could get him locked up, but it is doable. I think you're probably close to the breakthrough if you know where the tanks are and how to get your missiles close. Just play with slewing them around, and don't be afraid to use your map if you have to. It can help you get oriented. You can also use your HUD to slew the MAV for "coarse" adjustment then put your face in the MFCD to do the "fine" adjustments. Good luck.

I'm going to have to try Shadowplay. I bought FRAPS but it does eat up some frames and the resolution is just never that great. I saw a DCS video recently that looked every bit as good as if I were actually playing and FRAPS just can't do that.