AcroGimp

I've only just started the Red Flag campaign (first 3 sorties down) but it is great so far, really enjoying it. There are several converted missions as well like Sedlo's Red Flag strike mission, really any mission where Hornet and Tomcat share weapons overlap you can convert it to fly in the Cat. And like Draconus says, mastering Case II and Case III departures and recoveries is a massive undertaking since you don't have HAL 9000 interpreting and smoothing out all of your control inputs. Tomcat is hands down the best module in the eco-system IMO. DISCO

Thanks for the explanation fat creason, can/should we expect continued fine tuning? Really liked the last version but I defer to SME input. DISCO

Agree with others, very disappointed with latest patch (UNLESS it was based on significant amounts of SME input and not in reply to more casual 'gamer' demands for a less challenging FM). This would seem to be at odds with previous statements that the level of feedback being provided was 'understated if anything'. I loved the way the Tomcat communicated energy state in the last patch, it was the only aircraft in the entire DCS ecosystem that truly 'talked' and felt 'alive', and this update has, disappointingly, neutered the vast majority of that wonderful feel and critical feedback. Certainly hope there is a return to something more like the previous feel, again, unless this change was based on significant SME input. DISCO

Thanks AeriaGloria, yes AutoTrimmer is off for all aircraft and Takeoff Assistance is off for the Yak-52. DISCO

Hey guys thanks for asking. I have not prepared an update video because the last few times I flew the Yak it still seemed inaccurate, so much so it is not enjoyable for me. After the recent OB update I figured I would try again and see what I found. So here it is, good, bad and ugly. Understand this was based on half a dozen short flights due to time availability. I tried with the stock settings and the recommended setting in the Rudder Fix thread on ED Forums, neither are remotely correct IMO compared to my Yak. This was Sim not Game, Takeoff Assistance was off. The Good: Engine power seemed more accurate than I recall from previous. Roll performance is still about right. The pitch moment and drag from flaps I would say is finally correct. Last time I spent considerable time in it the inverted flight performance was correct. Upright spin behavior was good. The Bad: Prop reaction time during the runup (cycling from full forward to full aft and back) is still about 3X too slow. The nose dive from brake application is still exaggerated by 2X, and the real plane is significantly easier to taxi. I don't suggest using the aileron or rudder trim settings recommended here in the ED Forums, totally inaccurate at least compared to my Yak. The deceleration with removal of power in the break is too extreme. Tumble performance is not quite right but has improved. It did not seem to require normal pitch and roll inputs during the hammerhead, and the upline is still a little short, 1 to 2 seconds. The Ugly: I flew at 170 KPH and 300 KPH, two very different speeds, both feet on the floor, both resulted in ball centered which is nonsense. There is only one single engine prop plane that behaves like that, because it has a complicated Trim Aid Device that automagically positions rudder trim to compensate for power, speed and rate of change in all 3 axes (USAF/USN T-6A/B). At the top of a loop where a significant amount of left rudder is required to keep the plane from torqueing off IRL I input normal rudder and almost caused a roll off. This suggests that DCS is either not simulating, or perhaps not accurately simulating Torque and Slipstream/P-Factor effects, at least for this module. I'll try and spend more time for a more in depth review and possibly record another video as well as experiment with trim settings in the LUA to see if there is a setting or combination of settings that more accurately reflect the real plane's performance. DISCO

Definite purchase, Forrestal will be great but the SuperCarrier and revised ATC are going to take immersion to a whole new level. As with all things, why not both? DISCO

Keep in mind it is a steered physical dish, so rate of angular change is a consideration as well as the actual gimbal limit DISCO

I have spent a lot of time over the past few weeks getting back into the Tomcat after taking a bit of a DCS break, and all I can say is how amazed and how grateful I am at the effort that has gone into and continues to go into the Tomcat. It is simply a stunning achievement. The team at Heatblur, supported by their SME's, has crafted a fitting tribute to the Big Fighter that is hands down the most amazing simulation ever created. The B Model Tomcat is just the right mix of old and new, analog and digital, it captures the old school charm and grit of the excellent Community A-4E while offering the combat capability of the Hornet, all wrapped up in that iconic, sexy swing-wing shape that requires a steely-eyed and steady hand. Words cannot express the joy and sense of awe I experience every time I fire up DCS and take the Big Fighter out for a spin in VR - I am almost 50 yrs old and 16 year old me is finally getting to live out those dreams of being a Naval Aviator inspired by The Final Countdown, Top Gun, and countless airshows in the 80's and 90's. The feelings of accomplishment from successfully trapping 25 tons of pure American badassery are indescribable, as they also are when taking the temperamental beast out into the air combat arena - no computers to help, no magic arcade mode, just a faithful recreation of the last of the handflown flighters. Since getting into DCS a couple years ago I have enjoyed the F-5E-3, the Harrier, the Hornet and the Community A-4E-C, but everything pales in comparison to the Turkey - the almost prehistoric effectiveness of its weapons and sensors, the surprising maneuverability, and the power, the brutal fight dictating power. Sure, the Hornet is easier to use and has a wider variety of weapons, and yes the Hornet is far less likely to actively try to kill you, but what fun is that? F-14B Tomcat, it's like being invited to an SCCA Rally by your friend with the track prep Miata, and showing up in a 454 Chevelle SS. With eternal gratitude to the Heatblur team... Bravo Zulu gentlemen, job well done indeed! DISCO

The fundamental issue that seems to have not been adequately considered is impact on Multiplayer Servers with both ashore and afloat operations. This approach, as explained, means that large MP organizations have to force their membership to choose to EITHER force everyone to buy the HD CVN even if they fly Hueys in the Army or Hawgs and Vipers in the Air Force and will literally never use it, OR force the navy guys to give up the enhanced naval operations when flying on the MP server - neither of these are good or even acceptable options and defeat the purpose of having a dedicated server. No one is denying that ED is a business and needs and deserves to be paid for development work, the concern is where the line is drawn with respect to impact on the actual user community that is actually funding it through our actual purchases. Everyone knows that ATC within DCS, like weather, dynamic campaigns, the mission editor and a few other core features are severely lagging when compared to alternative applications - and we would all I believe like to see these issues fixed/improved. I think we all recognize that module sales is the primary mechanism for funding that - the concern again is how this particular module's implementation, as proposed, can be easily seen as further fracturing and balkanizing the user community rather than promoting and growing it.

QuickPit V2 now combined with Virpil's excellent WarBRD Base, CM2 Grip, T-50 Throttle and desk mounts. DISCO

When I started flying DCS a little over a year ago I quickly moved from flat screen to TrackIR and then onto VR Oculus Rift - but I wanted to get away from always having to use the mouse which was a real immersion breaker for me. On a rainy weekend about 9 months ago I built my first cardboard QuickPit, inspired by Lukas at Dogfight Boss. It was very basic but allowed me to place two Thrustmaster Cougar MFD's in roughly scale locations in 3D space, it was a lot of fun and lasted a lot longer than I expected. But as with all things, I eventually decided I wanted more, so I bought a Koolertron 48 key programmable keyboard and turned it into a semi-scale UFC.... Then I decided it was time to break out the box cutter and hot glue, and to make a better mousetrap, and the result is QuickPit V2 - it is essentially 1-to-1 scale so the buttons are close enough in 3D space that I hit my intended button, including the UFC, about 95% of the time, and I have some touch references I can use that help me be more accurate - it is fantastic in VR. Cutting and mock-up The real thing....$29M 2 Amazon Boxes, 7 hot glue sticks, a couple full color prints, $180 worth of Cougar MFD's and programmable keyboard and about 6 hours of labor later.... Disco

vVMA-131 Diamondbacks still have a few recruiting slots available. With the release of the amazing Tomcat vCSG-1 now has all currently available Naval and Marine Corps jets in active duty. If you are looking for an organization dedicated to serious fun that highlights the capability of the little jet that could as part of a larger group that includes Harriers, Hornets and Tomcats, operating on the same dedicated server come check us out at our Discord - https://discord.gg/RbjNpP To get the juices flowing and give a sample of our operations here is a TacView summary of the Rattlers operating in an Armed Recon capacity decimating a RedFor motorized rifle target as part of an ongoing multi-group Weapons and Tactics Instruction training program. Armament was 8 x Zuni on Pylons 1 and 5, 10 x Mk-81 on Pylons 2 and 4, and a bag of gas on centerline, total mission time was 1:40 - nothing was left alive (15 vehicles, ~200 men). If getting right down in it and mixing it up with bad guys is your cup of tea we are your tea party. vVMA-131 Diamonbacks, home of the last real strike pilots.

3 Scooters flying an Armed Recon flight vs an armored reinforcement group during CSG-1's recent Weapons and Tactics Instruction 19-1 Evolution 2. We launched with 10 Mk-81's, 8x Zuni's and a 300 gallon centerline tank each. Final tally, 12 BTR-80, 3 ZPU-2 and all crew. DISCO

I can verify same issue. DISCO

kurtz667, be sure you have the latest version, the Huffer Cart logic has been changed to allow carrier operation - you may need to grab the current alpha version from developer team. DISCO

You can also set an air launch near an airfield, land, refuel and rearm and then depart the airfield. DISCO

The Dev Team is aware and they are working the issue. Continued great support from these guys. DISCO

Norbot I am not speaking on behalf of the Dev Team but watching their Discord I would offer the following: - cold start and rearming on the carrier-deck - Exists in current Beta and should be part of 1.03 - functioning IFF (a simple one would be OK :)) - You could always request that via their Discord or Github - functioning 'Volume' knob for the Shrike with some sound when it has acquired a radar-target (don't know if the real A-4E was equipped with that) - Believe this is in work by one, possibly two parties - functioning 'Seat Up-Down' knob - You could always request that via their Discord or Github - working handle to arm the ejection-seat - You could always request that via their Discord or Github - working 'Oxygen' knob - You could always request that via their Discord or Github DISCO

Scooter and CBU-2A weapons test, Gunsight -200 MIL, Airspeed 350 KIAS, Altitude 400' AGL, CBU-2A releasing 17 tubespulse. Entirely too much fun! DISCO

FWIW, the real Christen Eagle is a pussycat on the ground - that one was one of Frank's objectives in making a 'better' Pitt's style aerobatic biplane, improved ground handling. That said, Curtiss would say there were no twitchy airplanes, only twitchy pilots.

SmokeFan, Carrier Strike Group 1 (https://www.csg-1.com/ and Discord: https://discord.gg/RHxJWm) has a dedicated Scooter Squadron, VMA-131 Diamondbacks (our recruiting Discord https://discord.gg/kSRScR). We still have a few open pilot slots for the right mix. DISCO

Moving scratchpad back to upper left hand corner in 2D fixed the visibility issue in VR - great mod! DISCO

I thought maybe the issue was the A-4E-C but tried in Harrier as well, the cursor moves to the specific location when scratchpad is activated but it seems the scratchpad itself is not displaying in DCS, but only in VR. Going to try again but really puzzled why it works fine in 2D but not VR. DISCO

No issue apparent in the scratchpad log or DCS log - I will test later today and see if I can figure it out. DISCO

I moved it to the center of the screen in 2D so should be clearly in view regardless. I do have a debugging window up constantly in the right hand side for some code I am working on, could it be that? I'll try it back in the upper left as a starter. Whether I get it to work or not thanks for doing this, this is a LONG overdue function and seems well executed. DISCO