macrossMX

That would be no different than having the option of either loading a CFT or not. But unlike the mirage where the addition is switching out the drag chute for a CM pack, adding a drag chute on the F-16 would require a major change on the 3D model so I doubt it will be feasible.

At least in terms of loadouts, those were tested and we're shown to work even if the loadouts might create some problems for the plane. If you want a true frankenviper, load a USAF F-16 with conformal fuel tanks. Was first tested in the US and exported to all F-16 owners around the world, but the USAF never ordered any in defense that the fleet of tankers will make the need for it redundant.

The A8 would be capable of ground attack with it's variety of bombs and rockets. And if I recall, it can also use the double barrel mg151gunpods which will bring a tremendous weight of fire against a convoy of trucks and halftracks. It also helps that the radial A8 is more resilient to bullets than the inline A9 when doing ground attacks so the A8 would have an edge in ground attacks. Both the A8 and the D9 are capable of handling a variety of air threats and both still fly by the BnZ philosophy. Though the extra cannons on the A8 will make it easier for deflection shooting, or even head on passes. Armed with the mg151 gundpods and only the most foolish will dare stare down the barrels of the Butcherbird. It will be likely that the F8 would be free plane at best, or a discounted paid addition for those who own the A8 at worst. Personally aside from having better ground attack capabilities, the F8 feels quite limited than the A8 in multi-mission flexibility. For me the A8 feels more like a German P-47 while the F8 feels more like a massively improved Ju-87.

Soon Razgriz will awaken from it's 4 year slumber and take to the skies once more as a hero to the DCS community. Good job on HB on completing the F-14, looking forward to taking it our for a spin once it's out.

we are near the home stretch now. Looking forward to get behind the stick and the radar of the fat cat once it arrives.

I’m only wishing that at some point we can get some of those extra stuff. Besides I’m perfectly fine with the current roadmap for the F-16 as is.

Why not. I know the US never clear the F-16 to use CFT, but just like how heatblur is adding the crazy bombloads for the F-14 as a fictional loadout, what is stopping ED from doing the same for the F-16 as a fictional loadout if the US actually did adopt CFT for frontline use (ideally for SEAD)

make sure your plane is under 19000lbs. The heavier you are the harder it is to do vertical landings. Try doing some maneuvers in hover mode to get a feel of the plane before you attempt a carrier landing. And silly as it sounds, keep the water settings to takeoff when you land. The added power and cooler engine should help you land easier, but just do it quickly since T/O setting burns water fast. I have reach the point where I can easily land on FOB helipad with little problem (loaded under 50% fuel by the way).

Will there be a chance that we will get the later versions of the VF-154 livery. You cannot go wrong with a black tail with red streaks (it inspired the default livery for the F-14 in ace combat 6 after all).

Hope in the next video magz will demonstrate the tomcat’s ability as a dogfighter by combining all the different missiles (AIM-54, AIM-7,AIM-9) and the M61A1. I can assume there are still some work needed to be done for the jester once you are in the merge, but this will make for an intense demonstration of the fat cat in action.

Honestly, the idea that the tomcat is even capable of going out on a bombload like this is a real surprise for me. For the longest time, I always thought the tomcat is normally loaded with 4 PGM and nothing more. Payload might be light and I am fine with flying a tomcat in bombing missions, but the ability to load a whopping 14 mk82s and drop tanks would make the tomcat a dream when it comes to long distance carpet bombing with 3 other buddies with you. And for those who want to fly the tomcat as authentic as possible, no one is forcing you to load that many bombs.

Out of curiosity, is it possible to operate the glove wings manually?

I know VF-154 flew only the A models, but will they plan on adding a VF-154 livery for the B models.

Forget the AIM-7 compatibility, what about the ability to load conformal fuel tanks. Considering that this is a USAF focused F-16, I doubt they will add that but we can at least hope. Or maybe they will eventually add other foreign F-16s that can use the CFTs like Greece or Poland.

I would prefer reenacting the Ghosts of Razgriz. Sand Island Squadron forever.

Considering that the mirage was built as an interceptor first, and how its weapon systems are catered to that role, I’m not at all surprised if the 530 performed as poorly as most people say. Though from my experience getting killed by it, it all comes down to the user’s ability to maximize the missile’s performance (go fast, launch from up high) and the defender’s ability to detect the missile and react accordingly.

Let us not forget that the 120’s active radar sometimes do run the risk of pitbulling onto a friendly aircraft. I can count the number of times I get into a merge and suddenly get a rwr missile alert because someone decide to fire a 120 while I’m engaged. And as FishbedL says, the AIM-7 is a much more interesting missile to used because there is more emphasis on the human factor than the 120. Plus the added benefit of a self imposed challenge when facing up against other planes with superior versions of the sparrow like the 27ER or even the 77. For me, I prefer the AIM-7 and other kinds of semi-active homing missile because it puts a greater emphasis on the plane’s performance over the weapons that it carries. Though I will admit that active homing and off boresight missiles are a nice and fun addition and I do use them at times.

So that means the tomcat will be limited to just 4 bombs. But But considering the trailer have shown the tomcat carrying those multi racks, it would not hurt to add them even if it is never used officially.

At least with the iron bombs, you can have a formation of tomcats carpet bomb an area. not sure if we’ll ever get the F-111 in DCS, but a tomcat loaded with mk82s would make a nice high speed bomber for carpet bombing against airbases or any large target you want to bomb.

Aside from the obvious of learning the systems, learning the flight characters of the plane, my first real use of the Tomcat would be to go on a high speed Bombing run or do CAS with a buddy with my 4 paveways. Only then do I go Razgriz with it on A2A with its 2 heat, 6 sparrow loadout.