Evoman

That is a pretty good start to get the ball rolling! I hope DCS makes the necessary changes so these missions could be improved or better yet lure a 3rd party to develop some well planed missions and support for fire fighting in DCS. These type of missions would attract the attention of many including myself to buying helicopters. Now I just need to buy a helicopter to try this out.

While the other maps mentioned would be okay these are the maps I would buy on release. 1. Vietnam 2. Korea I think the Korea map would be a good seller given the past Korean war for which we already have the aircraft and for modern what if scenarios with current tensions in the area would interest many more.

I like the idea but for sea rescues they will first have to fix the problem with sinking into the water. Maybe an automatic inflatable life vest could remedy the issue along with green dye to aid in finding the down pilot. Here is the perfect example from Top Gun. Which by the way I fear there could be quite a few F-14's going into flatspins if not flown with caution to avoid it.

It seems there will always be new comers to DCS that have not done some deep researching as to why there are not more modern aircraft in DCS. Does anyone know of either a good written outline or video explanation to refer these people to? If not one needs to be made. It could just be a new thread with the outline explanation along with all of the latest info about the topic.

The issue with the Lightning is that its a pure interceptor, meaning it was only intended to quickly intercept a hostile aircraft take it out and come right back. So it has a short range because it guzzles fuel and it can only carry two missiles at a time. So this jet would not be that useful in DCS unless it just waits around at the base until the target is with in range then take off then, intercept the target and come back before you run out of fuel. Check out this video of a privately owned lighting at 16:54.

From what I have learned it is extra difficult to get data and clearance for Russian military airplanes. There was another recent thread on this same wishlist section about russian airplanes and some one had made this comment: "Gaijin (a flight game company) used to complain about having to get security clearance to access data about 1940s prop planes, an issue you don't have here at all." https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=218078 But in case you did not know the Mig-23 is currently in development and it will become the most modern full fidelity Russian jet available in DCS. Something a little newer is better than nothing.

If they started to do more test flys before you buy trials I think more modules would sell more. There are a lot of people out there might not even consider a certain module because they are simply unfamiliar with it. That happened to me with the Viggen. It was not after I had seen a few reviews that it started to appeal to me. So next time it went on sale I took a chance on it and love it now. But there are a a lot of people out there that might not take chance.

I figured it would be a late variant but that still won't matter to the majority of the F-4 customer base that either grew up around that Vietnam era or what to re-enact missions from that era. I bet if a poll were to be held of which maps people would like to see developed for DCS, Vietnam would rank in the top 3.

I can certainly understand how the F-16 would fit better with the current framework because of the new Persian Gulf map. But I bet if there was a Vietnam map it would be a close tie.

I was a bit bummed to hear the F-4 has been delayed in favor of the F-16. But at least the F-16 fan base will be at peace and we will stop seeing them rant and cry over it like no other. In the meantime the F-14 Tomcat will keep me busy long enough to hold out waiting for the Phantom.

Thanks for posting the source and detail of why the F-4 is on hold. At least the Yak and the Hornet are mostly out of the way. But I bet there will be just as many upset folks interested in the Phantom as there are people interested in the F-16. Even though the Falcon is a great simple jet it is still not as legendary as the Phantom. In the Radio Control world the new the Freewing EDF F-4 Phantom that was released early this year has become one of the top selling models for its price range of all time.

Yup so far DCS will be getting the F-4E. And that is the only version I foresee getting for sometime. You can find more details about it here. https://belsimtek.com/news/1787/ https://belsimtek.com/news/1792/

That sounds like a good Idea. But I doubt they would do that many aircraft for such a package. But at least the the F-4E Phantom is currently in development and it will be initially be available with basic systems functionality. But they do plan to upgrade it over time. And since there is already a Mig-21 the F-4 would have its nemesis. They only thing missing would be a Vietman map. You can read more details about it here: https://belsimtek.com/news/1792/ And for the Korean War we already have the Sabre and the Mig-15 so all that is needed is the Korean map.

I agree that more modern aircraft don't translate well to a FC3 level model because of their complexity. But now that I think about it I think that it would be a good idea to start of older simpler aircraft as FC3 and later on transition it to a full fidelity model since it would have more chances to be completed. I also flew the F/A-18C and even though it is a bit complex to learn that's what makes it interesting in first place in DCS. If not I would be playing other arcade style combat games just for the fun factor. And even though I liked the Hornet I won't be looking to buy it anytime soon simply because I wont be flying it much after the F-14 comes out. All my time is going to be dedicated to learning and training in the Tomcat. But I may pick up the hornet in a future sale when it drops to a good price to pass up on.

If they ever added Firefighting missions to DCS the Black Hawk could also be put on firefighting duty by just being able to carry a water basket. Check out this video of a Black Hawk helping out to control a wildfire.

I just happen to see this video about a UBOAT simulator game in development that might be close to what you have in mind. It is really well done it has some great ideas that could some day be used in DCS. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LB4Otj64O8I

I agree, doing photo reconnaissance with either a Vigilante or its predecessor the A-3-2P Skywarrior would make for some far more interesting and fun missions especially operating off aircraft carriers.

I just discovered a great twin jet candidate that was not only used as tanker but also as a strategic bomber, electronic warfare platform and tactical air reconnaissance platform, the A-3 Skyworrior. It was used buy the Navy so it was capable of operating off aircraft carriers. There was also the Air force variant called the B-66 Destroyer. This video has more info. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WroFJEYUE0Q

I have another suggestion for a bomber that would be far more versatile than the B-47, The A-3 Skyworrior. It was designed originally as a strategic bomber but later it was adapted as an electronic warfare platform, tactical air reconnaissance platform, and high capacity aerial refueling tanker. And to top it off it served with the Navy so it was capable of operating of carrier decks. Check out this video for more info. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WroFJEYUE0Q

It would be awesome to have in DCS since it could also operate off carrier decks. Unfortunately it's systems might still be too classified even though the current E-2C are starting to be replaced but newer E-2D's. However there could be a chance of doing the older E-2B Hawkeye. Check out this video of a reporter that did story on the E-2C and even then he was limited in what he could show of the radar operations.

I have also been looking more into these Grumman models because it's one of the few airplanes that could be useful in various roles. The S-T2 Tracker would be the perfect starter tanker because of its size. Plus like you said the AWACS E-1 Tracer variant would be far more feasible to replicate because its systems are obsolete and declassified. Plus all of the other variants except for the S-T2 are capable of operating off carrier decks.

I agree that the AWACS E-1 Tracer variant would be far more feasible to replicate because its systems are obsolete and declassified. Plus the whole line of these Grumman airplanes would also be very useful in DCS such as the cargo variant designated E-1 Tracer and C-1 Trader and my favorite the S-T2 Tracker which is a firefighting variant.

I kind of understand your confusion now. My vision of firefighting in DCS is as separate missions intended only for firefighting in the civilian sector or as the air national guard that has been called to aid in a forest fire. This would also allow the ability to plan different missions as scenarios. I could see this becoming very popular with various firefighting organizations looking to train and prepare them selves better.

I have seen plenty of comments on these forums and others of people that are not really interested in flying combat missions in combat aircraft. But they do recognize that DCS is one of the best simulators out there. So why not bring to market something different to the Civilian sector of aviation that no other simulator offers right now to attract new people. So to answer your question this means more sales and business for DCS that also means more money to support DCS efforts to keep improving the simulator that we all love. If you step back and look at it from a pure business prospective it has a lot of PURPOSE! Plus it would not be that hard to implement it by using the caucasus map and Huey because they are already part of DCS to see how well it does. Everyone stands to benefit from it in some way even if they are not interested in firefighting.

Here is a great video of the first female helicopter pilot to fly firefighting missions. It shows just how demanding this type of flying really is.