BeachAV8R

I figured the mission was complete so I headed back north taking in the scenery which included much of downtown Kobuleti on fire. I spied some armor in a field just east of the city and almost rolled in on it, but realized the gun tubes were pointed north. Friendlies! I could see how things could get confused during close-air support!! Back safely at base. I was having trouble keeping my wingman out of that SAM range, so I sent him home early and he survived. I don't know if there is an "orbit here" command, but I could have used it to pin him to a location until needed. Post strike debriefing showed I killed 2 of the 3 tanks, a ZSU and a truck. I consider it a success because I didn't get shot down. According to Wags, these two were cakewalk "warm-up" missions. I'm sure I'm going to get my tail waxed as the campaign progresses! But have I mentioned I'm LOVING FC2?? Man, it is so much fun.. BeachAV8R

The second A-10 campaign mission has us pushing the lines a bit further north. In the last mission we successfully struck a tank platoon that was positioned on the southern approaches to Kobuleti. In this mission we'll hit another tank platoon that has taken positions on the abandoned airfield just north of Kobuleti. Another flight of A-10s works the area to the east of Kobuleti...they are using the low ingress, in your face approach. Approaching the target area the instructions come over the radio... Followed by a confirmation with yellow smoke marking the target area...(If I were the enemy, I'd start avoiding areas with yellow smoke. Bad things seem to happen around yellow smoke.) Feeling my oats, and still not having learned the lesson that "stand-off weaponry is your friend", I roll in on the airfield. With the boards out to control my speed in the dive I hit the pickle button and two Mk-82s come off the pylons.. Oh..this is sweet! Boom! He has GOT to be dead right? Right?? Negatory! Like I said - I don't know if you can kill MBTs with dumb bombs.. The later debrief will show I hit him, but didn't kill him. On my first pass I noticed a few tracers whiz by and I track them back to the source: a "Zeus" located square in the center of the field. Well, that makes aiming easy! Meanwhile, I release my wingman to start some carnage, but he wanders a bit further north of the field and sets off a battery of SAMs (don't know what type?) and he comes within a hair's width of being shot down as the missiles bracket him but just miss. That will put some fudge in your drawers! Meanwhile, me being the SMART guy that I am (snicker), I stay north of the field (thanks for the heads up wingie!) and lob Mavericks at the targets. Soon I have a few vehicles burning, but my math isn't adding up. I thought there were supposed to be 3 T-72s but I can't find the 3rd one... Stupidly, I had noted the presence of a truck down there, and on one of my passes I ignorantly launched a Maverick at it when I could have easily killed it with something else. Waste of a missile... Later, when I looked at my screenshots, I realized the other T-72 was off to the west of the field just slightly, well camouflaged apparently! Cont..

Doing some high altitude recon I spot another series of tanks loitering along one of the other roads leading into the town. They are very hard to see, but using some geographic reference points helps locate the targets once I roll in. Let's try those Rockeyes again! Errr..not so much.. How about Mark-82s? Hmm..still not so much. I pretty much figure you would have to score a direct, smack on shot with one of those to kill a main battle tank. So..stupid me, I'm hungry to kill one of those guys, so I roll in with the Avenger. Rounds slap the ground all around the tank, but I can't set it ablaze. But my greed and stupidity lure me down low into the hornet's nest and another ZSU opens up on me and brings my little mission to an end. As my wing tears off I hit the eject button and just manage to get the chute open as I hit the ground. Escape and evasion anyone?? My mission results are fair. I get a mission success, although I don't consider any mission where you don't bring yourself home to be a success. I did get hits on the T-72s with both the Mk-82s and the cannon, just not enough to put them out of business. Fantastic stuff! Looking forward to the next mission.. BeachAV8R

After a few minutes I'm back in business (the fastest canopy replacement job ever!) and as I taxi out I see one of the recovering F-16s taxiing in. Sadly, he lost his wingman over the target area. This time I take a bit more of analytical approach to the target. I look at my map and see that my targets are just north of the bridge that crosses the second river. That will help me identify the area since by now the yellow marking smoke has ceased. This time I head out to sea to the east to give myself a safe and easy run in toward the target area. This time I'm going to use my stand-off capability with my Maverick missiles. That works! I see the glow of the enemy tanks right where they are supposed to be. I fiddle with the controls and lock one of them up. Rifle! Breaking back around to the north to parallel the coast I watch my missile track in. Boom! Take that ya' bastage! I come back around and am really starting to like these Mavericks! After I destroy the three tanks I get a mission success message and am cleared to depart the area. Hmmm..but I still have all this cool weaponry hanging from my aircraft.. I pick out another target just north of the tanks and I luck out and snag myself a ZSU-23..! Now THAT is satisfying! Cont...

So I started the A-10 campaign included with FC2. Here is the first mission from that campaign.. The mission is to depart our airfield and fly just a short distance north to destroy an enemy tank platoon that has taken up positions on the other side of a river. My wingman and I depart our airbase for the short 5 minute hop to the battlefield. Accompanying us is a flight of F-16s. As we approach the target area a voice comes over the communications channel indicating where our targets are, followed by an indication that the targets have been marked with yellow smoke. It is difficult, almost impossible to make out the small tanks among all the ground clutter, but the yellow smoke at least gives a good reference point. On my first pass, I stupidly decide to use my Rockeyes.. After the canister splits open the bomblets are tightly packed.. But fan out as they continue flying through the air.. The target area contains more than just T-72s though, as a burst of AAA rips through my right wing taking out my right engine. I'll never learn that flying low is a bad idea! Meanwhile my cluster bombs land harmlessly between two of the tanks.. I convert some of the energy to altitude and assess the situation. I can limp along at about 220 knots, and I've lost an engine but my hydraulics seem to be in good order. I accidentally hit the CTRL-C key instead of the cancel warning key though and I lose my canopy (embarassing!). The flight back to base is very short and I'm anxious to get back into the battle. I had released my wingman to "attack air defenses" so I'm hoping he is softening up the area for my later return. As my wingman exits the area a few minutes after I do, he has taken some damage and trails fuel from the right wing. Meanwhile, back on the ramp I've ordered my weapons replenished and wait patiently for my damages to be fixed. Cont..

That report was made using one of the included SP missions from FC2. I'm sure the mission designers will be cranking out some spectacular stuff in coming weeks and months. Looking forward to that! :)

Yeah..I'm still getting my bearings again flying FC2, so I'm making some stupid decisions. Stand-off weapons do you no good if you end up having to dump them because you got banged up by the AAA or missiles. I also need to learn to take quicker shots and not press further onto the target. Always hoping for that extra fraction of a second...lol..gets me into trouble!

I couldn't man..there was a ceiling above me and I was just skimming the bottom of it. I'm afraid of flying IFR.. ;)

I haven't no.. I'm pretty clueless on the workings of the radar. I've got to go through the FC2 video tutorials and get back up to speed. http://lockon.co.uk/index.php?end_pos=1852&scr=default Right on. I've often wondered how effective some of the more manual operated aircraft would fare on the modern battlefield. I mean..heads down time or fiddling with switches is a sure way to drive your machine into the ground. I've always been an advocate of the two-crew system..just seems to help to have someone to assist in the Situational Awareness department.. BeachAV8R

Thanks guys. Now..I'm just trying to imagine what that A-10 cockpit will be like with the DCS Black Shark level of realism. Flipping switches, the full start procedure, setting the weapons and nav panels, etc..etc.. Oh man..how awesome is that going to be??? BeachAV8R

My fuel level however, starts to diminish rapidly as the multiple leaks drain my supply. I'm only able to make about 220 knots but soon enough I'm near home base. As I descend onto a long final I lower the gear. I've got this made! But then, in a moment of moronic inattention, I release the backpressure on the stick as I'm going way too slow. The nose drops quickly and there isn't enough hydraulic force to snatch the nose back up. Instead, I plow right into the approach lights in front of my horrified support flight. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. This is the first real mission I've flown in LOMAC/FC (FC2 now!) in a long time, so I was surprised at how much fun it was. It is a very well crafted mission and keeps things interesting. I probably should have used my standoff weapons more effectively and taken long range shots at the AAA and other defenses before moving in with the iron bombs, rockets, and gun, but hey - that wouldn't be as fun now would it? FC2 is looking great! I can't wait to fly another mission.. BeachAV8R Apologies for the poor writing - I sort of churned this one out very quickly..

In my haste I'm not wings level when I release and the bombs are slung a few dozen meters off target but the frag pattern is enough to set the first MiG ablaze while the second MiG is trapped. Wheeling around tightly again I select the Avenger cannon and lay a stripe down the taxiway but despite close ricochets I miss. Coming off the target I select my Maverick station and note that enemy anti-air fire is picking up as tracers whiz by the canopy. I get a solid lock on the remaining MiG-29 with my Maverick and sent the rifle on its way. As the target explodes more tracers come across from the left and I take note of their position as I bank hard right and head out over the ocean. As I do, my wingman advises me of a missile launch at 6 o'clock..! Sure enough, an enemy helo has just taken off and launched an air-to-air missile at me. My flares spoof it but I'm right pissed at that! As I close on the enemy I can't seem to get a tone on my Sidewinder until the last second. As soon as it locks, I hit the pickle button just as his cannon fire rips across my fuselage. My missile takes only a brief second to close the gap and the Havoc goes down in flames. My left engine is on fire and my hydraulic system shuts down as I stream fuel from holes in the left wing. My nose has dropped as I try to haul the aircraft back around to the west and the safety of the ocean and I'm barely able to exert enough control authority to bring the nose up just a couple hundred feet above the ocean. With my HUD out, my left engine destroyed, and no hydraulics, I know my fight is over and I stay over the safety of the ocean as I point my nose toward home base. My airspeed is dangerously low and I elect to dump my remaining ordnance to lighten the aerodynamic and weight penalties. With the HUD out I rely on the old steam gauges for airspeed and altitude information. The F-16 flight is already recovering at home base. As I limp home I cross the front lines again and I'm surprised to see a cannon shell arc up at me and hit my right wing. The nerve!! I didn't even see who shot me, but fortunately my engine continues to run.

The mission was to destroy weapons hauling aircraft and destroy a depot at Sukhumi airfield. Our 4-ship A-10 flight would be accompanied by other flights to provide support and additional strike capability. Targets would include enemy cargo transport aircraft and a massive bunker complex. With a short 15 minute flight to the target area I watch the forces marshal around me. F/A-18s provide bombing support. While F-16s provide additional punch and limited SEAD. Midway between airfields the battle rages below as friend and foe exchange fire across the frontlines. The 4-ship flight of F/A-18s arrives in the target area very near the same time as we do. With zoomed view (hey - A-10 pilots used to carry binos according to "Warthog" the book!) I can make out the airfield and quickly locate the IL-76 transport planes. Since the transports are such "soft" targets, I opt for a rocket attack and single pass destroys both freighters. Breaking hard over the ocean with no idea of what the enemy anti-air capability is I also spy the bunker facility below me. Coming back around I select the Mk-84 bombs slung beneath the belly. With a shallow attack due to the overcast layer I put the dot on the dot and hit the pickle button. The bunker goes up in a huge explosion and then continues with secondary explosions for many minutes afterward. The destruction of the bunker obviously sets off a "trigger" event and two MiG-29s start taxiing for takeoff. Meanwhile the bunker complex continues to blow up sending plumes of debris far into the air. As the MiGs roll down the taxiway another strike (I believe it was the F/A-18s) arrives on the scene and craters the runway. I set up a hasty attack with my Mk-82s because I know if the MiGs get airborne I'm a dead man.

Nice looking winter terrain..and of course the MiG-29S cockpit.. I know..not sporting at all.. Ooooover the top... Dude. Where's my CAP? The big stick.. God..I love the A-10..sure can't wait for the DCS level one to come out! On the way to the practice range.. For some rocket practice.. Flaming Cliffs never looked so good.. Takes some practice letting the little rocket piper settle while not jerking the stick when hitting the button.. Love the heat blur off the engines... Time to go to the Big Gun.. Just like DCS Black Shark - the ricochets from the bullets.. Alright..my new kid is officially starving. FC2 is that good.. :D BeachAV8R

<x-posted from SimHQ> Man..I've been spending a good bit of time with Black Shark, so I haven't had a TON of time to mess with the beta releases of Flaming Cliffs 2.0..but man, what I have been missing! It is absolutely gorgeous! And so much fun (again).. Just playing a little bit of the A-10 quick mission and got shot up and lost my engine, so went back to base and repaired, refueled, and rearmed. Then..I think because I had my "birdstrike" slider all the way up..I lost an engine on takeoff and had to limp around the pattern to get repaired again. So much fun.. Parked on the apron awaiting repairs and refueling/rearming.. Notice the fall foliage palette.. Climbing out of base on the way to re-strike the targets..(because I suck so bad!) Ah..TrackIR loves Eagle Dynamics sims... Gonna drop some Mk-82s on those mofos.. Except..this is what happens when you "bunt" your nose during a bomb drop..the bombs come back up and hit you...doh!! Man..so much fun. I gotta get on some multiplayer. Oops..gotta go change a diaper.. :thumbsup: The Su-33..probably the sexiest aircraft in the game.. Poor S-3.. Alright..I admit I forgot to lower my landing gear (things were happening quite fast)..but I don't know if I had it quite as bad as my wingman who stayed in formation all the way down the slot.. Please ED..please..!!! Or Please ED..please!!! :D The carrier taking measures..

I'm running Black Shark on Windows Ultimate x64..and all seems well. One question though..do I need to do that affinity stuff (I have a quad core) with Windows 7?

Just curious how everyone is handling avionics prior to their mission. I've leafed through the manual..but haven't looked very hard. I'm curious if the electrical system has some sort of voltage protection to protect against power spikes during engines starts..or is it advised to have all of the avionics and NAV equipment off during engine starts? In the airplanes I fly for a living we have to have the avionics off for starts. I know lots of aircraft that have APUs can run their avionics with APU power, start the engines with the avionics on, then just open the generator bus from the engine gens and shut off the APU with no ill effects. What is the real recommended procedure for the Ka-50? Also..once the engines are running, is it OK to turn off the forward and real boost pumps? I'm just getting back into the Ka-50 after a long absence..so excuse my ignorance.. :dunno: BeachAV8R

http://www.simhq.com/_air13/air_434a.html ;) Very good news! BeachAV8R

Regarding the PC Pilot review. Yes, I was an unpaid beta-tester, although I have to admit that I wasn't a very good one because I didn't offer a whole lot of constructive criticism throughout the beta process. I was more of a "watch & observe" guy that enjoyed seeing the professionals at ED work with the beta testers to really nail down a solid product. My online (forum) time has been severely curtailed the past few months, but I'm still writing regularly for PC Pilot. PC Pilot has traditionally been home to largely Microsoft Flight Simulator content, with a sprinkling of other simulator (both civil and combat) coverage. When they asked me to start writing for them last year it was due to the content I had been writing for SimHQ which was largely geared toward both MSFS and combat sims (obviously). I've probably written 6 or 7 reviews for them so far with scores ranging from 75% up to 95%. If you read the review I wrote on DCS: Black Shark you'll see that I somewhat slanted the coverage toward the PC Pilot audience by repeatedly stressing what a good flight simulator that Black Shark is (and it is). For most of the subscribers and readers of PC Pilot it isn't unusual to drop $30 or $40 for a quality payware add-on aircraft for FS2004 or FSX. Considering that Black Shark is a stand-alone product that not only includes one of the most intensively modeled aircraft ever, but also includes all of the programming that makes it flyable (aerodynamics, terrain, editor, etc..), the cost of Black Shark and the value of what that represents compared to just an add-on for a base product like FSX is pretty phenomenal. Some of the PC Pilot readers are not interested in combat flight simulators at all for reasons that run the range from pacifism to mere disinterest in blowing things up. And to all that would smirk at that - I would just point out that some of those Flight Simulator guys are pretty hardcore into their civil aviation stuff, replicating the reality of peacetime flight to excruciating detail. To me, that makes them as cool as the the combat flight sim guys. So, with that in mind, and the target readership fairly well established, I encouraged the PC Pilot readers to pick up Black Shark even if they weren't interested in the combat side of the sim because it is such a damn good helicopter flight simulator period. You could literally spend weeks just learning the navigation systems and flying around VFR through the beautiful scenery depicted in the Black Shark campaign area. Learn to fly IFR, do flight planning, deal with in flight emergencies and poor weather. That is why I gave it a 95% - because it does offer a value above and beyond what the pure combat enthusiast is looking for. And who knows, once they get into driving the Ka-50 around they might get the temptation to try out the weapons and single player missions and we sure could use more combat flight simulator enthusiasts in our hobby. I've seen reviews posted online and on the message boards that range from 65% to 100% for DCS: Black Shark, and I feel each of the reviewers has legitimate points and legitimate reasons to assign their personal value to the product. Given the scope and depth that ED has modeled into this product I personally think Black Shark is in the very top ranks of combat flight simulators ever. Sure, we all remember Longbow 2 with fondness and heck, I'm still playing Jane's F-15 once in awhile - but in our memories we also probably indulge in a bit of fantasy and can't truly grasp how far we've come. We've become inured to great graphics, great missions, avionics, etc..because we are reaching ever more points of diminishing returns. Remember the old original Gunship for the Commodore 64 where 7 or 8 little white dots represented the infantry? I played that game for hours and hours each night with the suspension of disbelief that those dots were actual troops. Now, the graphics do a lot of the thinking for us. That doesn't make the development any less great, or the products any less worthy of high praise when it is warranted. ED has a great track record. They haven't always pleased everyone, but they are professionals and have a great passion for our hobby (thankfully!). I've witnessed the development of Black Shark over the past couple years and the final product, while not perfect, is pretty darn good and represents a great value with the promise of more to come. Hope you enjoyed the review - and I might as well throw out a plug for PC Pilot (http://www.pcpilot.net/). It has some really good content, and even us military flight simmers can stand a little education on communications, navigation, techniques, etc. There is a lot of crossover between military and civil aviation, so enjoy a little of both. Regards, Chris "BeachAV8R" Frishmuth PS - And I hope to soon get back to writing some content for SimHQ again soon, I've been on hiatus for a bit dealing with some issues but I haven't forgotten where I came from.

If ED wants to contact PC Pilot to try to arrange that they could give it a shot. But again, I'd guess that PC Pilot would prefer you buy their magazine, or at least go to a bookstore and read it there so that you might be tempted to buy it for the other content within. Regards.. BeachAV8R

You and me both brother! A successor to Jane's F-18 would sure be nice! :thumbup: BeachAV8R

Yeah..I *think* you can order an online version of the magazine maybe on their site? (Don't quote me on that..) http://www.pcpilot.net/ Yeah..looks that way. I submitted way more shots than appear in the article, along with the captions, and they choose the ones they see fit to publish. Since the shots appear relatively small in the magazine for the most part, I suppose they want general action shots since the finer details in the cockpit might not show up on a small thumbnail type image. That is speculation on my part though. I provided them close-ups of the ABRIS and other avionics, but they didn't use them. I think the format they settled on is fantastic though..and really shows a lot of the different facets of Black Shark (and really only skims the surface!!).. BeachAV8R

I've been told that the issue of PC Pilot that I wrote a DCS: Black Shark preview for has hit the newsstands in Europe. Usually it takes a couple weeks for the magazine to make the transit over to the United States. It is issue #56 and features a 4 page spread with some information about Black Shark and some new screens. I've purposely compressed the scan to make it unreadable since PC Pilot is in the business to make money.. ;) Just wanted to give a heads up for those interested in picking it up. And I'd ask that nobody scan in full size (readable) images of the article - the copyright holders would not appreciate it (nor would I). :thumbup: BeachAV8R

Hey C3PO - good to see you around..did they let you out of the cave for a while to take a break from your project?? I'm dying to know... :D As are all of us! Best of luck.. BeachAV8R

LOL..reminds me of that saying: "How can we miss you if you never go away!" :D