Pally

Power and Finesse: Tomcat over Nevada, and Normandy. It's been awhile. Here is some from me. Thank you Heatblur [/b]and Eagle Dynamics. =========================================================== Sunny Morning Over Nellis AFB, Nevada. My two personal favorite paint scheme: VF-31 (low visibility?), and NSAWC (Topgun). =========================================================== Road Trip with Jester. Me: "Jester, find bathroom, set scan range to 50 miles, azimuth center, elevation low-middle, mode Pulse. Jester: "UNABLE". Me: "Dude, seriously?? I've been holding it since the INS alignment." Jester: "UNABLE". Me: "... *set Jester to 'do not talk'." =========================================================== Historical Flight: Tomcat Over Sunset Normandy "Kitty on sand (litter box?)." Breathtaking details of Normandy. Lens flare, grass, and bike. This is DCS World. Thank you, Nick! p.s: oops, please pardon the fps counter on top left corner.

Sokol1_br: Yup! Finally made time today for it. I set Windows 10 to "power save" mode and lowered my video card to 75% power and 75 degrees max temp to balance output and thermals.

Hi all: I know this isn't a flight sim related topic, but I believe this is worth it. It is about using our PC, and or laptops, to help further medicine, specifically for finding vaccination against COVID-19 through distributed computing via Folding@Home. I recall in my early 20s and being part of a protein folding group using my first rig (an ASUS A7N8X with an Athlon OC'ed XP1800). The purpose of the folding project was to provide computational power from our personal computer in a collective manner to find vaccines and anti-cancer drugs. In other words, we gamed, and all the while contributed to some good (albeit, independently and at our own pace). To some who may be unfamiliar, the idea of Distributed Computing was to crowd-source computational power where workflow could be made more efficient by means of distributing a large project into bite-size chunks doable by our individual PCs/laptops. Reasoning that Super Computers though are powerful, they are also prohibitively expensive to operate. Well, it has been almost two decades now. I am an RN (Registered Nurse in the U.S) by profession, and when time permits, a part-time "full-time" DCS enthusiasts. Now, in the past few months, as so many had already became aware of the awful impact of the COVID19 on individual health and global economy. I am motivated to find more meaningful way to go about public health beyond doing my job at work. As such, I am motivated to make this post in our forum to create a positive action avalanche: That we, as DCS enthusiasts, possess in our hands an arsenal of computional power which runs our beloved DCS; conversely, those very watts and bytes also put us in a unique position to calculate protein sequences to further COVID19 vaccine discovery. Guys and girls, ladies and gents, cross nations and gender, age and boundaries, (or even Stable vs OB) the power is in our hands, and we have this power very well within our reach, everyday. From every patient lag to lead pursuits, to every rounds and every FOX calls, offline or online, we can contribute our PC(s), and or laptop(s) to help the "Fold" to win. This is indeed a different kind of folds, though not about nor for honor; rather, it is for us, for us all. We can "Fold to Cure" (I'm sure there are better words, or slogan for it, if so, go for it). In the end, this will worth our collective time and effort. I am doing this and so can many many more. The opportunity to push back this COVID19 is here, and through our capable machinery I firmly believe we can further a positive and global impact. In others words: UNITE AND ENGAGE. Thank you for your time. In sincere regards, "Pally" For more information, please see below: What and Who is Folding@Home https://foldingathome.org/ Popular Mechanic's post re Folding@Home https://www.reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/comments/fhb5e4/coronavirus_specific_gpu_projects_are_now/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share Reddit's "r/pcmasterrace" https://www.reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/comments/fhb5e4/coronavirus_specific_gpu_projects_are_now/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share What is distributed computing? https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/computer-science/distributed-computing

I second to that as well. To everyone involved in the production and management of DCS, I want to give thanks to all of you. Developers, programmers, graphic engineers, and PR team (Bignewy, Nineline, and sorry to whomever that I missed) had given so much time and effort in making DCS to what it is today. I joined in last March, and haven't looked back. This is an academic-level entertainment that delivered endless, and timeless value. Because of DCS, and Heatblur, I am able to look up and learn technical aspects of interception that I knew so little. While through Karon's AWG-9 radar write up had I appreciated the worth of basic trigonometry to find antenna elevation coverage if given distance and tilt angle (it's been decades since I used SOHCAHTOA). Lastly, the SMEs, Subject Matter Exerts, such as "Spiceman", and "Victory205" had added another layer of immersion and education unobtainable anywhere in such an inclusive manner via this DCS forum, while additional knowledge can be found at the Hoggit Fighter Wing from Reddit. So another thank you, and this round is for the community, and the SMEs. In the end, DCS is a one and only kind of thing. I believe it is a game we would love to have many years ago when we were in high school, and many more adults nowadays will love it for not only by how it looks, but the raw man/woman hours behind creating each and every modules, from the mathematics and graphics implementation, then the endless module-testing hours to find what works, as well as what doesn't work. This level of perpetual improvements from a company earned my trust and respect because they DO deliver. So thank you, Nick, Matt, "Chizh", "Nineline", and "Bignewy" for bringing DCS to us. Also my hats off to the late Igor, and Alexander, for they have created an unparalleled legacy in computer simulations that we are so fortunate to know now as DCS World. Thank you.

Hello DCS team: Thank you for the latest update. I like how the night skies and in-cockpit lightening are more "glowwy" then before. I noticed the BDA text box now pops up on the right side of the screen. Also the text box is much more opaque then before. Is there a way I can change those two aspects of the BDA? If not, I hope to at least bring this to the team's attention. Thank you again!

Target Ground Speed Scale up/down shifts in DDD. THANK YOU for sharing this discovery. It caused me some grief thinking that how come the left scale in DDD (be it in search or STT mode) are not proportionally divide. :cry: Well, you got it right. :thumbup: It is 600 knots per tick, and each tick shifts up or down depending on ASPECT switch position. To illustrate once more, per your findings, (recalling each tick mark is 600 knots) that when ASPECT switch is set from BEAM to TAIL (remember BEAM is +1200 top most, -1200 is bottom most, and 0 occupies center) that the entire number line shifts upwardly; therefore, the former BEAM +1200, +600, 0, -600, -1200 knots become their respective TAIL +600, 0, -600, -1200, -1800 knots. This shift essentially "bumped" the BEAM +1200 knots off the top to become a TAIL +600 knots, while it also drags upwardly the BEAM -1200 knots from the bottom to become a TAIL -1800 knots. Thank you, again!

The way the DLC flapping up and down on that Tomcat looks just like how they were in the rear view mirror. No axis for my DLC; although it would be a cool feature. "GOBBLE, GOOBLE..." sorry, I had to. :lol:

Okay, I need to experiment with that next time. I did not thought of the DLC spoilers are indeed a drag device. lol. Thanks for the enlightenment.

Extranajero and Tomcatter87: I agree that the DLC up/down feedback is rough. First thought was the pilots had a wheel dedicated just for the DLC control, meanwhile I got a mere X56 HOTAS (not even a Virpil F14 stick). I binded the POV (silver colored round hat) where UP for spoiler up, and DOWN for spoiler down, as well as RIGHT to activate/countermeasure. It was very imprecise; nonetheless, it got the job done just fine. The feedback it gave was not tactile by stick, but visually by E-bracket cuing when to hold down vs let it go. So far, it is more precise then using pure throttle control to adjust lift, but I do agree the feedback was rough. If I focus on keeping my flight path marker where I wanted, the "E bracket" up or down drift would cue me nicely in when to press DOWN to restore lift (or let it be to trash my lift temporarily to sink). The ability to lo I hardly had to press UP since from the mirror from which showed the spoilers once activated remain in the "semi up" position. I did not see a need to trash my lift in such a hurry (at least I have yet to encounter such situation). In the end, the whole DLC set up--although looked and worked a toy--it nonetheless did its job. It kills lift once activated, and restoring lift is easy as holding the DOWN for a few seconds and observe the "E bracket". If I was heavier (more fuel, and or stores on board), then I recalled having to hold it a bit longer, or that if I didn't pay attention and throttle back too much (the X56 throttle isn't too precise as it sort of "move by itself" if I set the throttle tension wheel too tight). I'd say I was getting used to the hardware position of the X56 throttle vs in-game engine rpm output. I had gotten long use to it now. It still felt like I am "playing" my lift via the DLC once I had lined up all the way to touch down.

Oh, snap! Sorry BuzzU, I had no idea you are already good with the Hornet (no wonder you found my comment funny. I meant no offense!) I got happy about the Tomcat, and jumped on the opportunity to reply. My bad!, buzzU. I'm still learning. I have yet to have CCIP nor CCRP from the DCS Hornet. Lastest recall of those two things where from Jane's F/A-18 from two decades ago. Gonna read more and keep learning. Hornet is next though. :)

Wish I found this thread earlier. Well, why the Tomcat you asked? Oh, "here we go again [ . . .]". May I galdly vouch for the case of DCS Tomcat? Yes, I will gladly. It is a icon that features two crew playable tandem seats! I liked the Falcon (Viper) for it's insane turn radius and turn rate, also the Hornets user friendly cockpit, and then also the Spitfire and Mustang's nostalgic feel; however, which modules allow two players to occupy a workspace, or gaming moment, simultaneously? None other then the Tomcat. You get to fly as a paired crew in a single cockpit. More to that, correct me if I am inaccurate, Heatblur's work in this Tomcat paved new way to implement two crews module. So iconic fighter aside, lady's and gents, you got fly and fight--not just along side, but back to back--with an online crew member. It is a heck of an experience! (To be honest here, due to time constraints, I could not do online hops, yet). Flight model is another reason. I have read of this analogy several times, that the Tomcat is like a muscle car, and that it has no qualms letting the pilot to fly it way out of parameters, even to get him or herself in deep trouble (departure to lawn dart). So, yeah, there is no famous "Bitxhing Betty" calling "Pull Up, Pull Up", nor "Flight Controls, Flight Controls". What is given is the AOA indexer, and airframe buffet as parameters feedback. Backseat Jester does help, sometimes, or he'd punch out early if he could (and to that, he did). ;) Moving to the Air to Ground experience. If you are familiar with the term and procedures for CCIP and CCRP, then you will find the Tomcat fit fine for the former, but a bit awkward in the latter. The Tomcat CCRP equivalent is the Computer Target mode, for which to work it requires you to self designate an impact point by means of slewing the targeting diamond up and, or down along the bomb fall line (BFL). There are ways to use waypoint set up to assist with seeking out an exact target, but nothing like the gimzo enjoyed from the Hornet. These may seem to be limitations that are a deal breaker to be the AG experience, but perhaps those very limitations gave way to our deeper appreciation to the two-crew operations before the arrival of the next-gen Hi-Tech systems so had us spoiled. (Be awesome to have an F-18D... just say'in.) Be awesome if we can lock up a ship from the AWG-9 and then launch a Phoenix to it, or that to employ JDAMs. May we ever be so lucky. ;) Words are not enough. So I will step aside, and let the videos below to paint an even better picture of this powerful, majestic, and iconic DCS module--The Heatblur F-14B. Last but not least, that song in second video is part of the Heatblur's Defender of The Fleet album composed by Meteor, and can be found at Bandcamp. https://meteormusic.bandcamp.com/album/defender-of-the-fleet-heatblur-f-14-original-soundtrack, and per site, "[n]ote: If you already bought the Heatblur F-14 module you can get this album for $0USD, if not, please consider putting $1USD as minimum. Thank you!" So, yeah, a rocking soundtrack to go with an iconic module. That's a musical (literally) bow atop an awesome present!

Jester: "JSOW! JSOW!!" Similar issue with Jester, but a funny one. I was testing flags and SA-15 emitter on/off in mission editor. Created a flight of F-16Cs to wipe the floor with JSOW (WCMD variant). Moments after the JSOWs came off the rails of the F-16Cs, Jester yelled out loud: "Okay, here we go... missile, missile". I thought the mission creator had more complexity in controlling a SAM emitter function then what I had expected. I went to external missile view, and chuckled at none but several salvos of JSOWs--all without a single SA-15s in the sky. Mind as well he yelled: "JSOW! JSOW!!" Jester, you silly joker you. You still the best, buddy. :megalol:

Guys, I just caught a glimpse of it last night, and finished watching it just now. The beauty of the cinema photography is now forever mesmerized in my mind. It is a documentary of the Supermarine Spitfire and her pivotal role with the RAF in the Battle of Britain. It featured several RAF pilots whom were still alive during the making of the film. It was very well made. I respect history, but this one, specifically, as each RAF veteran spoke of their experiences, and the joy of a 100 year old ferry pilot who met once again the very Spitfire she flew (and signed) as an AFA (Air Transport Auxillary) during WWII. All this had me teared.

+1 to Super Hornet, too!

1.) Just because you CAN does not mean you SHOULD. Learned quickly that from pulling back hard for the first time for the heck of it had morbid consequences. The screen immediately went black, and external view showed a the bird with both wings traumatically amputated from ultra high-G input, to which caused fires, spilled fuel, and sent the whole bird spiraling uncontrollably to the ground. There was no ejection. I just watched like a passenger on a derailed roller coaster ... 2.) Is this the ONLY module with a working TWS? I kept reading how the F-18C could not get the TWS working, yet. I know nothing of the F-18C, and I do appreciate the beauty and attention to details. If that is the case with the TWS, however, then I feel really lucky. I have the module, but am too involved with the F-14B to mess with another lady. ;) 3.) The level of detail for this module is out of this world. Hats off and my gratitude to Heatblur and Eagle Dynamics. Anyone recall the pixelated U.S Navy Fighters days? How about Jet Fighter II? We, all of us, truly came a long way. :) 4.) High fidelity simulators (flight sim genre or otherwise) are resource intensive. We can't have everything, yet, but we can dream and help finance it; furthermore, it is often through the hard work of those very few and determined individuals that turn our dreams--into reality. Y'all have my greatest gratitude, and I feel so darn lucky. 5.) Having a backseat calling out SAM launch, and "missile, missile, nine o'clock" increase my survival rate. So much that I had reconsidered against flying single seaters. Tunguska doesn't say a word went throwing multiple SA-19 at you, unless you can see their faint smoke trail before the booster drop off. 6.) Go VF-31 Tomcatters!!! **they are the VFA-31 now with no 'Cats on board. I know, and feel kinda sad.** 7.) Rubber bands!! I rubber band the X56 flight stick to increase stick rigidity to prevent excitement-induced- wing-ripping. Refer to item 1.). 8.) I will most likely ask for an F-14D Super Tomcat. Come'on man, I mean, it has a real HUD, a Digital Flight Control System, and updated MFDs! :) 9.) That getting your fighter jet of dream in a high fidelity flight simulator can have you do things one not often considered. I decorated my rig's side glass panel, and dedicated a small area at the rear of my car to fashion with several memorable Tomcat and related vinyl stickers. **currently seeking genuine DCS World stick for my rig, but no luck so far.** 10.) Meteor, from musician Jorge Reyes, commissioned by Heatblur to create the soundtrack opened me to a new world of synthwave. I could no longer see the Tomcat module without the scores from the Defender of The Fleet Soundtrack. Excellent job, and thank you, Nick for bridging a beautifully crafted flight simulator with an equally match soundtrack. Personally, it was truly a gift with a bow experience. Thank you. 11.) Bubble canopy, or a lack thereof. I learned to fly and deal with the the metal frame that sat right at the one and eleven o'clock position, which constantly block my view for turning in final, as well as lining up for a high-angle snap shot. Well, when you love something, or someone, you take both the good, and their nuisance. I sure appreciate the F-16 more then just her 450 kts and 10 degrees nose-low slice now!

Jester sometimes give out a hysterical laugh when shxt really hit the fan. I wish I could record that of him. Awesome! Also he is known to punch out after the Tomcat ate a few SAMs. I can't blame him.

Top Jockey: I think you can hit "search" in the keybinding within the DCS mainframe. Then search for "padlock" as a generic term, from which all four other types will show up. They are, if I recall correctly: Padlock bandit, Padlock cancel, Padlock terrain, and Padlock missile. p.s: padlock missile may have another derivative called padlock threat missile.

Cobra, IronMike, and Heatblur team: Thank you, again! I would have said that earlier; I just caught the thread about what's to come. Y'all have my appreciation!

VF-31 Tomcatters . Draconus, everyone, and IronMike: Hi fellas. I am a VF-31 Tomcatter fan, and after some searching on the web, I found two pictures for the mission loading screen and base wallpaper. They were found from the internet, hence all rights below to respective owner, and or artist. I used Windows 10 to convert the JPG into PNG format, as required by DCS World in order for the image to show. The wallpaper one, Base-menu-window.png, is the VF-31 Tomcatters sporting the, per the Lithograph from Aircraftprofileprints.com (n.d), retirement scheme of 2006 aboard CVW-8, CVN-71 USS. Roosevelt. That memorable "last time, baby" paint scheme is also available as an in-game livery (check with DCS World's download section). Now, I know the wallpaper one is indeed an F-14D, but I was too sold on the Felix logo, and their "We Get Ours At Night" to let that get to me. Meanwhile, the mission loading screen, Loading-windows.png, is from the perspective of looking back at a VF-1 Wolfpack RIO while three fellow Tomcats flanked in echelon formation. Visit here for a little more info about the VF-31 operational history with loads of F-14 pictures. Without further ado, here are the images, and respective PNG ready for downloading. Base-menu-window.png (2.6 meg) PNG of above for download: https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/ZhzmHoT9ZJPIWmbWq2FvBA8xLXqou8shGhZ9FpejDJc Loading-window.png (6.2 meg) PNG of above to download: https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/pscnUHJYAF7ZMDTkvmv4BCQ9SAEmjSSYwnQaLd1lavm Lastly, I do not have the intermission loading screen yet, but the VF-102 Diamondbacks by Draconus above is sure inspiring for creating a matching one for the VF-31 Tomcatters. Hope this satisfy some fans of the Tomcatters. p.s: Thank you HeatBlur and Eagle Dynamics! :thumbup: **Make sure you make a backup of the above, or whichever PNG you replaced, because after ever DCS/DCS Open Beta updates of which will revert all PNGs back to their original.***

Re: In-game tutorials Regarding in-game tutorials, I will vouch for Wag's in-game voice-over tutorials as a AAA title all by itself. In DCS, you are allowed to perform an "active pause". Meaning that that animations are paused, but the cockpit controls are still functional so as to allow you the luxury to comprehend the information provided, think what to do next, and then execute the action. Be forewarned that the active pause can cause serious and erroneous aircraft behavior once you un-pause, if in event you manipulate the flight controls (too much, especially) during the pause. Active-pause for self-learning is extremely valuable. I digressed, in-game tutorials are excellent, but again, only vouch for Wag's and Heatblur's in-game tutorials--specifically its is the F-18C for the former, and latter, the F-14B. Lastly, I recall you mentioned you cannot wait to use the mission editor. You can learn a tremendous amount by doing so, since you know what to expect, and can repeat the lesson over and over to hone a particular skill set. Enjoy DCS!

F-5E, then F-14B! Welcome to DCS! Even before I begin contributing to your gaming experience, the first thing I must say is how the maker of this mil-sim took time to LISTEN and CONSIDER their constituents' wishes and requests. This approach to a product is very admirable, and will keep me as their satisfied customer. Personally, I started DCS in May of this year, and the way I approached this with limited time on my hands (two kids, working nights 3 of 7 days, yeah, I had not much time either; nonetheless, I make the best of it... FYI, lots of reading) was learning the basics of the F-5E III, followed by a transition to the F-14B. Please pardon the poor appearance of the URL Youtube link. I could not get it to post the splash screen as intended to peek your interest, friend. Sorry. Now on to the sim stuff. Those research backed manuals! Yes, reading those manuals can and will be daunting. I am / we are uncertain of your prior mil-flightsim experience, but if you have played the sims of 90s, such as USNF, Strike Commander, Fleet Defender... etc, you may find those accumulated knowledge transferable to take offs and landing, as well as BFM and going Air-to-Ground (including SAM/AAA avoidance). In event you had not had those experience, you will find DCS offer an array of "academic" video series produced by DCS senior producer Matt Wagner himself available on Youtube. Check out the F/A-18C module in his channel. He made a plentiful of academic video series to satisfy your curiosity, especially if the Hornet ever peeked your interests (it peeked mine, just haven't flown it, yet). The fan-based education series of DCS videos are of a plenty from Youtube. Here is episode one where he introduce the F/A-18C. Back to your original question re module selection. I would highly to go with Northrop's F-5E III, and then use the knowledge you learned from flying it (attentiveness to nose behavior at various speed/altitude for trimming aircraft, stick discipline for retaining speed, analog gauges reading instead of Flying-By-HUD, and the continual need to glance around the cockpit to maintain overall awareness [even before getting into AA/AG engagements]). Since you mentioned you will be getting into VR, here is a fine video of former fighter pilot C. J. Lemoine talking about his experience with F-5E in VR. The logical second module would be, well, drum rolls... the Grumman F-14B Tomcat. The level of detail and complexity, once you get used to the F-5E, would be greatly appreciated even further. Yes, it has a big manual, but yes again, that is ok. What's the rush? Certainly you can hop back to the RIO seat and fiddle with the AWG-9 and let loose some AIM-54 for some 2000 pound justice, but heck, I will let these videos do the talking/writing ;) The ease of transition in the F-14 were in owe largely to the experience from the F-5. Once you became proficient with landing/takeoffs, simple 1 V 1 against AI to practice Situation Awareness (even better with your VR goggles), it is time to transition to the Tomcat. Both were analog fighters without Fly-By-Wire. Both have limitations, except the big fighter Tomcat has no problem "... letting the pilot kill himself such as ripping the wings off, or enter a powered departure". In the end, the F-5 trained me to fly and visually "feel" the plane by not relying on that HUD. It made me better and appreciate the details of a clickable cockpit from startup, jettison weapons, to shutdown. Going by this two-step series, the F-5 follows by the F-14, personally, made me appreciate ever more the increased complexity of the work of art created by Heatblur in their Grumman F-14 module. They are both breathtaking. Bar none. Again, welcome, and enjoy DCS! More about VR in giving an edge in Situation Awareness during AA engagements. This one is by BeastyBaiter: . Last but not least, Jabber's guide on VR in-game setting, and also recording (if that is your thing):

Sir IronMike and Heatblur team: I do not know what happened, but the Padlocking feature is finally full on working!! I was tracking with my X56 thumbstick (mapped it as a mouse) in event of IR SAM launches. Somehow, I touched the padlocking bandits keybind on my throttle--which keybinded for glance cockpit, and padlock bandit/terrain function--started to track an Mi-8 all by it pretty self. I was stunted! I nearly lost situation awareness as I was too distracted so as to retest whether it was my eyes or that it was truly working. By the way, the terrain tracking function works, too! Thanks y'all! I do not know what to say. I even wrote a quick email to you guys and got a reply related the fact that it should work as always. Perhaps my luck, but whatever it was, I am glad as a giddy that you guys made it work (or that it finally works, whichever, is al-right, brother)!! Again, Thank You!!

I discovered this one recently. That lead got talent. He gave just enough metal to re-spin that 80's classic.