KWard

I would and will buy modules for any and every US carrier aircraft from the 60s onward, but there's an extra reason for me to wish for the A-4 in particular. You see, there are two aircraft I'd like to have that we will never ever get for DCS: the T-6 Texan and T-2 Buckeye. Because those are the aircraft that generations of Student Naval Aviators learned to fly in, and I believe in taking the time to do things right. For the Texan, DCS offers a decent substitute in the TF-51, but there's nothing right now that could sub for the Buckeye--an easy-to-fly easy-to-learn-on carrier-capable jet trainer. Closest we have now is the F-5, but it can't do carriers. The A-4 would be a great sub for the Buckeye. From the aviators who actually flew it I've heard nothing but praise for its flying characteristics, and IIRC it actually was used as a trainer on occasion.

A modern-day Dauntless, huh? Okay, I'm sold. Also, lol at the part about accidentally dropping a buddy store along with the bombs.

droooool Okay, I will definitely buy the P-51 plans assuming I can afford the asking price. And await the F-14 plans with bated breath. I don't know if I'll have room for a full-size build, but I guess we'll see.

Thank you very much, VpR81. I have been considering the S1--among other options, and I still haven't made a decision yet--and I had been wondering and worrying about how to modify it for a center stick.

For my part I just want to share a flattop with all the aircraft that populated carrier air wings when I was ten years old and dreaming of being a Tomcat driver, back in 1983. F-14, A-7, A/KA/EA-6, C/E-2, and SH-3. I want the complete set. ^_^ And if someone ever does Zeros for the Marianas map, then maybe we could re-enact The Final Countdown. Only without the cop-out ending. :pilotfly:

Whelp, you just sold me on the idea. I would buy an E-2 module.

I saw in another thread that you're working on an F-14 as well? I'd be interested in that, and maybe the P-51 as well. But I'm not familiar with autocad--do I need it to view/use the plans? Or other specialized software?

The RSeat S1 top plate is strong enough to support the stick without any additional reinforcement?

None of that says "milestone" to me. Having multiplayer at all was the milestone there, and it's already achieved. Any new aircraft module is going to have some differences from existing modules. After all, it's a different aircraft. Different range, different weapons stations, different model of radar. To be not just a new module but a milestone, it will need to be something different. Open up a new era (WWI biplanes?) or environment (space shuttle?), a new mission (photo-recon, EW, COD, sub-hunting?), first of a new type of aircraft (drones, floatplanes?), or break through some existing barrier (can't make redfor jets, can't have more than two engines). That's what I consider a milestone. And very few of those are also "eagerly awaited" by more than a very few. Maybe also electronic warfare, if ED can pull that off, or having multi-engine aircraft. But something more than just a new aircraft.

After binging this whole thread in the past few days, it seems to me that a full-fidelity redfor jet is the thing by far most eagerly awaited, and "we have resolved the legal issues that prevented it" would certainly constitute a milestone. In fact I'm having a very hard time imagining what else would meet BOTH criteria. The Apache seems to be the second-most wanted aircraft--going by this thread, at least--but I don't see how it would constitute a milestone with one attack helo already available and another well on the way. Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it also doesn't meet the third criteria, that it be something not already announced. I can think of a couple other things that would qualify as a milestone, but none that I've seen a lot of people clamoring for--drones, for instance, as Kev2go mentioned. And plenty of aircraft that a lot of fans want, but I can't see them as milestones. For instance, with the F-14 already available, what about the F-111 would be a milestone? Or the F-4, for that matter? Unless you broaden the definition of "milestone" until any new aircraft qualifies. Am I missing something? What else would be "eagerly awaited", "a huge milestone", "brain-melting", and not previously announced?

If I could ask for only one aircraft ever that isn't already available, it would be the P-40. Preferably the Tomahawk IIB used by the Flying Tigers. With a map and campaign to match. Although I expect the E or F variants would probably fit better with the Marianas map.

Things I never knew I always wanted #17: flying a Kingfisher off a battleship.

I can't find it again, which is very frustrating, but I could have sworn I saw a statement in the VKB forums a couple weeks ago that if the F-14 grip sells well, they would do an equally accurate F-14 throttle.

My interest in fighters began with a couple books in my elementary school library. One about the Flying Tigers and one about the battle of Midway. Despite the cool story behind the Flying Tigers, I was drawn more to naval aviation because I saw it as more challenging. Tailhook drivers do everything a land-based pilot does...and then land on an airfield the size of a postage stamp. That's MOVING. By flying over it at full speed with a hook hanging off their butt. To me, landing on a carrier is the ultimate aviation challenge. Nothing else tops it. Now this was in the early 80s, when the teens were the new hotness in fighters. So of course I gravitated toward the F-14, because it was the tailhook of the bunch. Also it just looked sexier with its curves, compared to the rather boxy straight-tailed F-15. And it felt like the Tomcat was the heir of a tradition stretching back to World War II, through the Cougar and Panther and Bearcat and Hellcat all the way to those same Wildcats that flew at Midway. And then, after three or four Monogram model kits and a side trip to Annapolis during a family trip to DC (not to mention hours in the Air & Space Museum), Top Gun came out and I lost my mind. Yeah it's full of inaccuracies but I didn't know that when I was 13. :P