Zilch

I like the Ferris scheme:

Even without Mavericks, with all systems working, this plane will be totally badass. I've almost killed so many MiG-21's in PVP with it as-is, it's not even funny. Of course, as they say, there's no points for second place..."Almost" killing the MiG is like "almost" dodging the missile. I could blame the systems, but with some more practice and skills, even with a fixed sight and no missiles someone better than I am could really skewer some Fish(beds).

mattebubben, that is just the information we needed. Thanks! Let's hope it becomes a (simulated) reality for us. Until then, back to the manual bombing practice mission...heaven knows I need the practice.

It's nothing like that. I honestly want the F-20 in DCS more than probably any other aircraft. I'm not a troll-like, snide or disingenuous kind of guy. This is something I'd really like to see. I just think the F-5, as is, would be just fine if the Sidewinders tracked, the AA-1 gunsight worked, and we possibly got Mavericks (which I think are part of the real life F-5E-3 package.) Don't read into it too much. :)

I'm reading a lot of "upgrade the F-5E-3 to the super modified export/modernized version this air force has." My opinion, if we're going to do an upgraded F-5 style airframe, it needs to look like this: Of course, it's not going to happen, but here's to wishing. Who wouldn't want this amazing cockpit? Anyway...as far as our F-5E goes, I think it's great how it is. Mavericks would be cool, since the E-3 carries them as I understand it, and fixing the AIM-9's and gunsights to work as the real ones do will suffice. Otherwise, the burden is on us to make this plane work against opponents as-is using its strengths. It's easier to fly an uprated airplane than to hone your skills, but if that's what you're after you can fly the F-15 or Mirage. This F-5 is the plane you fly when you want to really knuckle down and get better at BFM and enjoy a pure dogfight. It's one of the last real stick-and-rudder jet fighters around, and I'm happy to fly it as one.

I read somewhere that the screen we have is actually a dual mode one that, in reality, is capable of displaying TV images from the Maverick, but that BST can't seem to find a working version to simulate from. I hope that's true...a pair of Mavericks on this would rock.

Only two missiles just means you need practice with the gun, which is, to me, the best A2A gun system in DCS. Accurate, precise, and hard hitting enough to kill several MiG's (or ground vehicles.) Refueling probe? Nah. Mavericks? Maybe. This is actually a feature of the simulated aircraft and would be a fantastic addition to our experience.

Time to bust out Tacview...

Hi, Since we're talking about bombing, why not discuss the CBU-52? The manual has release parameters for the Mk 82, 83, 84, and M117, but not the CBU-52. I could assume the bomb has roughly the same trajectory, but the behavior of the bomblets is what I'm curious about. The container opens up four seconds after release, so I would assume that a higher release would disperse the bomblets over a greater area. However, this also gives wind a much higher chance to act on the pattern. Has anyone had a chance to look into this munition's behavior?

Well, at least there's hope on the way with the missile rework.

For some reason, I get a much better hit rate against even Excellent AI (about 80-90%) than against human opponents (0%.) Is this some AI/local voodoo, or are human opponents more likely to pull more G?

I can't wait until my shift is over...only got a couple of simple A2A sorties before I had to call it quits. The F-5 feels like it can be an excellent light strike mud mover, too. With some CBU ad that super precise gun, it'll probably be more potent than expected. Belsimtek, you guys are rad as hell. I'm in love with the F-5.

It's all a matter of tactics. Stick to your plane's strong suit and play against the other one's weaker traits. The F-14 and F-5 both surprised opponents who underestimated them.

It's like a poor man's F-16A, I think. The original concept for the LWF was a small, fast close-in dogfighter armed only with wingtip AAM's and a gun in line with Boyd's EM Theory. Actually, I think Boyd didn't even want it to have radar. The Falcon we know today has had a ton of equipment and roles added to it that move it away from it's original concept. So, maybe think of it like that.

I'm gonna keep at it...this campaign is just too damn cool to give up on! Just finished the A-10 one, it's top notch.

I love this campaign, but in Mission 3 I'm having issues. Per the briefing, it's a fighter sweep followed by a CAP until fuel and weapons require RTB. I flew the mission, it all the waypoints (except WP 5, which is Bullseye) and managed to shoot down or damage every Red Air fighter in the sky. I egressed when, per briefing, I was at bingo fuel. Landed, stopped, shut down...mission failed. What specific circumstances is this mission looking for?

I'm still working on that 109K. I can hit it, but not kill it before I run out of ammo or he slags me.

You guys are rad! Flying the P-51 is some of the most fun I've ever had in gaming. Glad to hear there's more on the way.

This is a truly professional module. I'm about to finish it and am actually kinda sad about that...F-15 up next! And then, I'll re-fly this one again. The same mission never works the same way twice.

This campaign is *rad as hell.* It's as awesome as sriracha sauce on spicy tuna sushi!

What I've been doing is conducting some TGP recon of the area before my ingress. After a while, you'll be able to pick out the MBT's from the "other things," which are usually AAA or SAM's with their poky things up top. Then, after checking in with JTAC, when I'm fairly sure I've locked up a SAM (stay more than 5 miles away!) I use the "CONTACT" radio option with the JTAC. Your pilot will say "Contact (vehicle type) at (coordinates.)" That way you get a positive ID on the target and know what to kill first...I usually hit the SAM first, AAA second, and then it's game time. As far as the actual attack on the SAM, with the SA-19 they have a range of about 5 miles. Your Maverick has 7 miles, which gives you a 2-mile thick layer of the 3D onion peel in which to conduct your attack. Set SAM as SPI outside of 7 miles, ingress, within 7 miles select MAV and then force correlate, and you have 2 miles to lock that seeker onto the SAM and call "Rifle" before breaking away ASAP and turning tail. You can slow down if you like to increase time within this 2 mile onion layer, but be aware that doing so obviously bleeds energy you may need for evasive turns. Even if you edge within the 5 miles a bit and get a missile fired, by the time it reaches you, it's possible you're outside of the MEZ and it runs dry...flare, chop throttle, dive and evade as needed to shake the missile. Also...watch out for those damn MiG-29's! A Blue Air CAP in the area is no guarantee that you're safe! I ended up having to plug two of them in one mission after they caused my flight to abort our attack...killed one, damaged the other, but they still "won" because the mission was a bust due to my control surfaces and computer being blown to kibble. Keep your head on a swivel and watch that RWR! EDIT: Video linked! There may be many like it, but this one is mine. :)

Hiya, I have what seems like a consistent CTD event when I am transiting between waypoints 2 and 3 in Mission 6. I'm using the stock loadout, if that matters. System specs in the attached DxDiag.txt file. DxDiag.txt

Another instance of it happening in Mission 6. My flight got jammed up taking selfies on front of the Tornado flight on the ramp.

I would do disgusting things to have that simulated, along with Mavericks. It would be like a speedy Warthog Lite!

Bump, same problem. Mission 3, Hawg 2-2, my wingman, decides to park in front of the F-15's and take selfies in front of them indefinitely. This keeps the CAP and SEAD flights grounded, which I assume means that if I fly the mission as fragged, I get fragged myself by Red Air and IADS.