Deigs

I'm just starting out as an aircraft technician for the ARA (Army in the land of Oz), and I read this book which can be found in some good 2nd book stores, or amazon. Learning to Fly Helicopters by R. Randall Padfield. If you can find it, it's a good introductory read.

Firstly, thanks guys for the new videos. I’m a big fan of DCS and have wanted to download Glowing Amraam’s ‘Edge’ for a few months now. Cheers for the high resolution video. I only have 2 questions because the Q&A has answered all I could think of. 1. In the new Low Land Tiger Meet video "LLTM Preview", you have some cool monitors all linked up through what I’m guessing is a Matrox TripleHead2Go Digital display device, but that cool massive touch screen… What is it? Can you buy it? Is it easy to set-up? I have never seen one before in a PC videogame set-up. 2. I understand that The Fighter Collection has been playing with the A-10’s for military training purposes, and will be transferring some of that cool technology to Digital Combat Simulation for the next installment for DCS: A-10. Knowing full well that you are busy with Black Shark finalization for the immanent release date; can we get an A-10 screen shot, any news at all on this A-10 part of the series? Thanks guys. Keep up the good work.

The Tornado, and for a few reasons. I think it would fit within the 'timeframe' of the DCS series (it's a bit old now); It's primarily a ground attack fighter; There are squadrons operating or have operated around that region that is already mapped in DCS (i think, but don't hold me to that); Many nations have used the Tornado, which would make that installment far more marketable; And the final and most importable aspect, the multiplayer aspect in online videogaming of having a pilot and RIO in the same ship is going to be the best element of DCS . When this happens in the Apache AH 64A installment it will be a strongpoint that few sims have ever done successfully, and one that a few avaition geek buddies and I will be using till we grow old and the arthritis kicks in. The realism for the Tornado is obtainable, the technology isn't classified to such silly degrees as the more modern fighters, and who wouldn't love hoovering along at 500 miles an hour doing low-high-low ground attack runs... And when was the last time a Tornado was a playable aircraft? Never. And if the F-16 is chosen (again) for a study sim, I'll still be happy to play it, but quite dissapointed that the developers wouldn't tread new and foreign ground to make something the community hasn't seen before... I know this is a 'what if' forum topic but hopefully someone out there is reading this and taking notes. Vote 1: Tornado. Also, for the Tornado fans out there... There is a great book called Tornado Down by John Peters & John Nichol, of their accounts of getting shot down in the 1st Gulf War. Awesome reading.

SWEET!!!!!. My printer will thank you for this fine addition. I think the best manual I have ever encounted was the one from Falcon 4. It wasn't a hardcover, but it was ring-bound (which is cool because it opens easier on the desk then a hardcover). Thank you guys for the update. Can't wait for more Producer Notes on the website. Keep up the good work.

I think I asked something like uksub wrote a few weeks back, but when I sobered up I knew it wasn't possible. The great thing about Black Shark is the level of detail and realism in the systems and controls that the DCS lads are putting into it. That could never be reproduced for the AH64D because (like Groove pointed out originally) of it's classified nature. I would rather fly something that is as close to the real thing, then "we think the system, weapons, radar might do something like this?". Just the thought of having the AH 64A Apache (to be released 9 months after Black Shark) to the current level of the Ka 50 makes me count the remaining months.

Helicopter simulators are my gaming bread n butter. I love them. So, on the release of DCS: Black Shark (counting down the weeks) I was thinking of updating my current dodgy Logitech Wingman Pro, which I have had for about 5 years, to something more relevant. The immersion factor of gaming with these devices is an important aspect of enjoying this grand hobby of ours. So my fellow gamers, what joystick do you recommend for enjoying chopper sims? I found the ‘MRVC Helicopter USB Controls’ at http://www.simcontrol.co.uk/newheli.htm . It looks pretty cool and I am saving my pennies for this, but is there anything cheaper (it's about 1500 pounds), better, or recommended that would surpass this rig? I'm also keen to see what the developer's and beta testers use on the daily grinding (lucky sods) on playing DCS: BS? What do you use?

Nah, in the FAQ it's listed as the AH-64A. But don't get me wrong here. Apache's rock and it's the most antcipated add-on to DCS for me. The D version just has less buttons, more cockpit screens, and the longbow rader to hide the full ship rather then using the nose mounted radar which would expose 1/2 of the chopper while scouting. On that note... having the OH58D Kiowa (maybe after the A10A???) doing the recon and calling in the Apache in a multiplayer hunter/killer setting would be sooooo cool.

Would like to see more choppers in this poll. AH-1 Cobra, AH-6 Littlebirds, Blackhawks, Tigers, AC330 Super Puma's, anything with rotor's. The most exciting thing about DCS series in my eye's is that it's starting out as a helicopter study sim, something us rotorfanboys haven't had in a very long time. Wanna fly the F 16? Then play Falcon 4. I say (in my humble opinion) leave the Lock On planes in Lock On. LOMAC isn't an old game, so it doesn't need to be updated into DCS till way later. Try something new. If the developers are going to add planes with a 'ground attack' element, then why not the Tornado? If popularity and sales is an issue (like all game developing) then why not try the FA 18 super hornet, or the old school F-14D Tomcat and do a heap of carrier missions and J-DAM strikes. Since Janes: F18 there hasn't been a cool carrier sim with any realism. Also the Apache AH64D model would be more fun to fly in then the A model, but thats just from my readings. I see the best thing about DCS is that it's trying to be something new. Encourage that.

Some awesome pics there, Kusch. I am really looking forward to the AH 64 DCS pack.