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Lads, he has an Apache Ah-64D in the works, I'm talking about that.

I think your reasoning is abit flawed...The Apache is the most recognized brand name out there when it comes to attack aircrafts, and then I'm not talking about the limited current customer base ED currently has. I'm talking about the mainstream audience. Ask the people if they know what an Apache is or IL-2....!!! They know this helicopter as 'The most advanced helicopter there is', which fights for freedom and the war against terrorism daily. None of the mainstream audience know what a BS is, the only modern helicopter simulator, which runs on a somewhat recent game engine. Everyone would like to fly an Apache, even the hard to acquire mainstream audience, because it is simply Cool. Create an Apache simulator (especially the D version) on a current gen engine and one has one hell of a golden goose. One of the reasons that BS is not a big success in the mainstream market is simply because no one knows about this helicopter. And its weapon systems are quite dated. It is simply not Cool enough. That applies to flight sim and mainstream market customers. You just need to have a look at the old days and see how popular the Janes Longbow 2 software was, and that was without the Apache being a public brand. In this business we are talking about numbers, in the end of the day it is about making a profit and providing security towards company existence. Don't tell me ED is not interested in expanding its gaming division and making a big amount of $$$. The Apache will do that, the other modules won't be able to push ED as much...I'm willing to take a bet on that. If ED is soo good at business and their business model, I would presume they would be alot bigger than they are now. One does not stick its head in the sand. One opens the eyes and looks critically at its own paradigms and is open for different ones (views). Especially when one hasn't reached the top, yet, but has the qualities to do so...that is just being smart.

Which Shkvakl functions are those, mate? What do they do?

Ok, I must be missing something... what is precisely stunning?

Seeing the earlier remarks it wouldn't be wise for me to state such a thing. Do your own search and one will find...

Well, ....that is abit a shallow and one-sided conclusive reply, not? Look up some statistics on how many people know about what an Apache is, compared to any jet (except the space shuttle or the 737), it is every day in the freaking news! It is like the Coca Cola of anything that flies and has attack capabilities :D Business wise - the Apache would be the most valuable choice for EDs financial interests.... Anyhow...time will tell...

The same applies for the BS, or did the Russian Army pay for its development (if so, I missed that part)? I can't believe the army wouldn't be interested in an Aoache AH-64D model simulator.

I think I'm right, we'll compare numbers when the time comes :D Btw, my statement is not false. How many copies were sold of BS? Would you dare to compare numbers to those of an Apache release, given the same time span? Same applies for the A-10C. Maybe you should look further than just the current customer base? If ED could win the hearts of the casual gamer (by offering the Arcade mode -that was well done) and educates them. It would mean golden years for EDs gaming division. Trust me that all the other aircraft in the world won't do that....except the Apache.....but hell, what do I know...The Apache would be most wise, spoken from a business perspective: Mark My Words!!!

It is, mate, ..... might be a breach, I don't know, but it is out there.

No, I seriously doubt that,.....I think if you create AH-64A or D you've a sure winner on your hands, which appeals to a much broader audenience. You could really achieve a much broader and deeper appeal, even upto the casual gamer, thereby expanding your current customer base. Trust me when I say that releasing (say) a F18 simulator won't have the same appeal as releasing an Apache Ah-64A or D simulator for the global market. The Apache will be talk of the day, and reaching even the most casual gamer. The F18 won't. I also think, from a business perspective spoken, that it would have been much more wise to release an Apache AH-64A or D before the Black Shark as its appeal for the market is much lower. There are already many jet sims out there...on a high level (OF, FF etc). From a sims perspective it is more interesting to learn how to fly a rotor than fixed wing aircraft. Anyhow, one can hope, not? :music_whistling: Marketing wise, the Apache brings gold...you'll see it when the A-10C will be released. It will go down well within the current customer base, but I don't think you'll expand alot. The Apache will do that for ED.

Hey stopy putting feathers in their a......, let them work and improve on it!!! They are work in progress pictures, soo natrually we expect them better in the near future :D I'd like to see some ingame video, instead of some pics, to get a taste of Yumminess!!!

Well, ...what is your problem, son? :joystick:

Thank you for the clarification...I can put my mind at ease now...:thumbup:

Love your signature...Quite honestly, I'm most looking forward to rotor modules, but for a fixed wing module, the A-10C seems one of the most desirable.

I have to disagree, see below: Well, I'm just wondering, because we can get an extremely detailed cockpitmodel of the AH-64 for less than 150$ (roalty free). The AH-64D manual is up for grabs on the internet. We can speak to retired pilots. I have a full 360 degree cockpit reference of pilot and gunner seat of the AH-64D (Very High resolution...) The exterior is already fully modelled. It shouldn't be too hard to adjust the existing flight model? Should it? I mean, they made the software modular, that means that its functions would be somewhat general to some extend. I'm just thinking out loud. I don't know how ED set up its modding tools... Maybe when there is enough interest, which I'm convinced there is, we could ask ED to support a mod made AH-64D...under some kind of licence model. How many people would be willing to work on such a mod? Alot I think, more than EDs team all together at a fraction of the cost... And ED would only benefit from it as it would require a copy of their software/licence.

Are you stating differently? :music_whistling:

I would choose the Apache above any other aircraft, and I bet alot of people do the same. A whole lot!

Come on, ED, don't break our balls by releasing another fixed wing aircraft after the A-10C! The Apache will provide your company with alot of publicity and will pull back alot of oldies, like myself, who used to love playing the Janes Apache series. It will even pull in a group of customers which are now totally not into flight sims. A fixed wing aircraft won't do that. In my opinion it would be best to do rotor/fixed/rotor/fixed etc.

Nice site, looks great, I would suggest building an Apache AH-64A also as it seems that is what ED is focusing on. Although I would be interested in the AH-64D version for EECH.

So, we start seeing Work in Progress pictures as of early 2010. That means what? A May release? I was hoping alot sooner :(. Anyhow, the pictures look great...

It's all good for me...mate. Just stating that if ED would want to pursue it, there are possibilities. It is not just the manual, retired pilots are speaking out in the open on the bird. Anyhow, A or D, it really doesn't matter for me personally. I love both versions. Besides that, it would leave something for the modders to do. :D

Well, that is not totally true as the whole Longbows manual can be found on the internet. Don't ask me about the legal status and where to get it, but the full detailed manual can be found: TM 1-1520-251-10, Operator's Manual for Army Model AH-64D Helicopter, which technically would mean that you, ED, could make it. And there are plenty of retired Longbow pilots out there, who flew in recent conflicts (Iraq/Afghanistan) writing books, who (probably) would love to help out in recreating the most authentic simulator. They are writing openly about it, youtube galore, I can't see why you can't simulate it. Besides that, I think with your current contacts in the military and aviation, they would be more than willing to help out to represent their equipment/product. Anyhow, an AH-64A would do fine also, although the Longbow would be the bread and butter sort to speak. I seriously hope that you are presenting an Apache after the A-10.

Hi Lads, I've had a closer look at the Longbow which is already present in DCS BS, it is simply stunning. As DCS will focus on the A model, my question is: Can we somehow make a mod and fly that gorgeous Longbow? It is already fully modelled (exterior) in the game. This is my line of thought (below was a reply of mine somewhere down in this very thread. I thought that a bit of clarification was needed. That is why I put it here, on top): Well, I'm just wondering, because we can get an extremely detailed cockpitmodel of the AH-64 for less than 150$ (roalty free). The AH-64D manual is up for grabs on the internet. We can speak to retired pilots. I have a full 360 degree cockpit reference of pilot and gunner seat of the AH-64D (Very High resolution...) The exterior is already fully modelled. It shouldn't be too hard to adjust the existing flight model? Should it? I mean, they made the software modular, that means that its functions would be somewhat general to some extend. I'm just thinking out loud. I don't know how ED set up its modding tools... Maybe when there is enough interest, which I'm convinced there is, we could ask ED to support a mod made AH-64D...under some kind of licence model. How many people would be willing to work on such a mod? Alot I think, more than EDs team all together at a fraction of the cost... And ED would only benefit from it as it would require a copy of their software/licence.

Wow, I just browsed 30 minutes through this thread. Looking amazing, what do you think your ETA is? As I saw you started in 2007. Much, much respect. If you're ever going to do an Apache, let me know it, because I've never built one, but this inspired me for a future hobby. Now, lets hope ED releases an Apache module after the A-10.

Thank you for your input. Appreciating it! Just tested it. It is a very nice stick, I'm very pleased. Grtz