CheckGear

Boom. You just described the DCS fan base in a nutshell. :thumbup:

Not too far in the future, we'll have the following: - F-14A - KA-6D - Forrestal-class CVs - A-7E Is it just me, or are we assembling a full-scale 1980s air wing here???

Thanks!

Bump. I was just about to start a thread on the F-14A. We haven't heard anything about it in a long time. I'm sure they're still working on it quietly in the background?

Easy there, nugget... you need to earn your way into the ready room! :lol:

In this universe, does Saddam Hussein invade Iraq a month later? :)

I totally get what you're saying. That said, use Guam/Marianas as a map for a war game, perhaps between two U.S. carrier strike groups. Similar to a RIMPAC. Not everything has to be Blue-on-Red.

I say this - Guam/Marianas is a stop for any carrier strike group on a WESTPAC deployment. When I was there, I saw USS Carl Vinson stop in Guam and one of its escorting Ticonderoga-class cruisers stop in Saipan. Use it as a training ground.

DCS: Mountain Bike :lol:

Am I the only one excited about this new map? I spent a lot of time in Saipan and Guan during my last job. I loved both islands and I can't tell you how thrilled I am that I get to visit these islands again!

And then the Top Gun: Maverick trailer comes out a week or two later!!! What a time to be alive!

It took me over a week to finally make the time to post this. That was straight-up the finest trailer produced by Eagle Dynamics yet! It was right up there with the Top Gun: Maverick trailer, in fact, better! The anticipation I have for this module is right up there with the F/A-18C, F-14B, and F-16C. I can't wait!!!

Dude... that's nowhere near as realistic as DCS. :lol:

Lots of set-up involved. Going to try to see if I can make it happen this weekend. It'll save me the trouble of paying over $3,000 for a trip to Russia and a 40-minute flight on an actual MiG-29!

The different engine alone results in different performance. Interior avionics are different as well. After Top Gun 2 is released, you know interest in the Super Hornet will explode among DCS fans! And when the Block III variant enters service, that demand will skyrocket to Mars.

F-15S Space Eagle??? :lol:

With what aircraft did you do this? Is it possible to get over 50,000 feet with external fuel tanks? Or do those have to be left off as well? Also, at what speed (Imperial and metric) am I flying in excess of Mach 1?

Some of you may know about an adventure travel company called Incredible Adventures that offers, among other things, a chance to fly a MiG-29 to the "edge of space," or, as they consider it, 70,000 feet. I've always wanted to do this, but these programs are way outside my price range. Then, yesterday, I realized, "Hey! I have DCS: World! And it's got the MiG-29? I can fly to the edge of space and back from the comfort of my own home with only what I've paid thus far for this simulation! So I tried. I attempted to do as the Incredible Adventures website says they do - build up some speed and attempt a vertical climb for the heavens. The Fulcrum definitely has incredible climbing capability, but I lost a lot of airspeed. After reaching 30,000 feet, I maintained a steady climb to 40,000, but struggled in doing so, due to the lack of airspeed. I thought being at higher altitudes allowed for faster flight, but apparently, this isn't the case. Acceleration was very slow and I could never build up enough speed to make another mad dash upwards. Finally, I made it to 50,000 but, again, struggled to stay there. After flying for a while, I realized I probably wasn't going to hit 70,000. It was disappointing, but the view from 50,000 was breathtaking. Darkness above, blue below, with telltale signs of Earth's curvature visible. Anyone else attempt this? What's the highest altitude you've been able to achieve in any aircraft in DCS, MiG-29 or otherwise?

Even something as basic as lining up straight onto the catapult track takes a lot of practice.

Is that doing a straight vertical climb right after wheels up?

No, it's pretty clear it wasn't a carrier take-off.

Once in the air, I lit the 'burners and put my B- Tomcat in a straight vertical climb. I felt like a rocket! I went from angels 15 to angels 30 in what seemed like less than a minute. But feeling the aircraft buckle and strain as it made the climb was very unsettling. NOTHING like it! I can't remember what I did, but once I lost complete control of my F-14 after launching from the carrier as well. I might've set the trim to high or lit the 'burners also. Don't bother. He's just another DCS fan who ignores the obvious.

Another interesting fact I learned playing DCS: F-14B is what a difference afterburner makes. Take a look at how quickly this F-14 takes off: That's an F-14A with the TF30, so it needed to use afterburner on take-off. But goodness, look at that giddy-up! It took less than ten seconds from burner ignition to the F-14 having enough velocity to get off the ground! Then it goes into that vertical climb! Unbelievable. Anyway, the F-14B doesn't require afterburner to take-off, but that means it also takes longer to get off the ground. Just something interesting I noticed.

Then it's 50-50. The F-14B spent equal amounts of time alongside the TRAM and the SWIP. But iff we can only have one, based on what you're telling me, it's the TRAM. But yes, I want both as well.

Not really. The F-14B spent most of it's time in the '90s. The SWIP Intruders spent most of its time in the '90s as well. TRAM would complement the F-14A; SWIP complements the F-14B.