Lucas_From_Hell

Definitely possible, but I'd expect the met guys to do a better job and would properly have a word with them as soon as I'd be back :D The dynamic weather should make this interesting.

One thing that's been overlooked (and frankly is pretty easy to forget, I didn't notice it in over 10 years of ED sims, but nonetheless): control of the helmet's visor, plus implementation of it in the first place. Each pilot has a different preference regarding it and it'd really be helpful in a few cases (like flying with the sun on your face). Not my idea, it's been mentioned before on a different thread but thought it'd be worth it to bring it here anyway. :)

ILS approach at night during a storm? Parachute-assisted landing on my feet for me. :music_whistling: Would they launch under such conditions unless extremely necessary though? Sounds pretty risky to have pilots landing in such straining conditions with added pilot fatigue and possible combat damage (given the nature of the missions we fighter/attack cowboys/girls usually fly :D), no?

Pretty much. Try it with the Su-25A/T, come slow and steady and deploy the drogue chute as soon as you can and use the ramp to make sure you stop safely, it's not too hard. The job's made much easier when you have an aircraft which was design for the job, with reinforced landing gear/airframe, ILS and an arresting hook (and more forgiving as well - go-arounds aren't much of an issue, whereas with a drogue chute deployed, overshoot the deck and that's the end of it). Plus, I feel like all AFM aircraft are much more pleasant to handle and do small inputs than their SFM counterparts, but maybe it's just me.

The Belgian Air Force F-16 demo pictured by Ross :D

Beautiful pics Ross, I can safely say you're my all time favourite aviation photographer, fantastic work :thumbup:

The things I would do for a Mark IXc... Beautiful aircraft, and it would fit well with the Dora and the Mustang after all :D PS: A Spitfire could also be a pretty good push towards an European T.O. map (although they ended up in use pretty much anywhere, in and after the war) :music_whistling: RAZBAM's developing a study sim for the Harrier GR.9 to be released after their AV-8B+ module. There has been an announcement from Metal2Mesh (who are partners in RAZBAM and are working with them on most of their modules) that a Tornado GR.4 is "already signed up for DCS" (see here: http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=1759638&postcount=347). Although no information on the level of fidelity was released yet, I'm inclined to say, judging by M2M and RAZBAM's usual work, that it will also be a high-fidelity module just like any other. Things are looking good for British aircraft. Besides RAZBAM/Metal2Mesh, the fine team at VEAO is bringing us the Hawk (which is in a pretty neat stage of development :thumbup:) and the Typhoon as well. A Spitfire would be the cherry on the cake :D EDIT: For those interested, a review of RAZBAM's Flight Simulator GR.7/GR.9, for an idea http://asn.aerosoft.com/?page_id=22992

I ought to disagree, nitpicking is what makes a simulator fully realistic. Flight models are indeed a very important part of a simulation but they are, by far, not the only thing that matters. A lot of people fly DCS more for the flight systems than for the flight model (otherwise we'd all be settled with Flaming Cliffs' Su-25A/T AFM) Most of the time people don't go hunting for those things, they just notice them at random while admiring something. I find it very healthy that people give this kind of feedback, it makes the sim more immersive and life-like over time. The developers of DCS and DCS modules are aiming for a 100% accurate reproduction of those aircraft, not 99,997% or 99,9999%. Sometimes things like engine limitations or classified military information get in the way unfortunately, but there isn't much they can do about that. However, when it's a minor thing like a 3D-model issue, I'm sure they're pretty glad to fix it :)

Later models of the AV-8B can carry the AGM-88 HARM, including the AV-8B+ RAZBAM's modelling :) Thanks for the photos, interesting finds :) Perhaps it's babysitting the ALARMs until they bring a Tornado over? :D

I'll risk a guess and say ED made several learning curves available (from über simple to modelling all systems realistically), stepped up the graphics together with the realism to make it more appealing, introduced aircraft people knew little about before in good detail in the West (initially the Su-27, and then other Russian planes), the Lock On plane set catered most of everyone's needs at the time - fighter, attack and carrier-ops. The map was flexible, AI units made room for great scenarios, the mission editor was always fantastic... ED became so good that the Air Forces they simulated went after them to make military-grade simulators for them, which brings in a fair lot of money in contracts. In short, good vision :)

Possible conversation between pilot and mechanic: "Bird strike." "What?" "It was a bird strike." "But-" "Bird strike." "Sir, you landed on her-" "No, no, it was a bird strike, end of story. Now hold her by the arms and help me carry the body."

Could one replace that old model with the new one though? I'd love to see that "thing" revamped as well, the new model is great. The An-2 also could use some love.

Beautiful shots :) P.S.: Going off-topic, am I the only one who didn't see this before? :doh: Seems like we're getting a Tornado GR.4 as well :D:D:D See here: https://metal2mesh.com/store/index.php?main_page=page_3 Also, for those having trouble finding in-game external screenies of the AV-8B+ on this thread (I am, at least :music_whistling:), here's a compilation of shots: http://metal2mesh.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=30

Wouldn't it be wiser for the helicopters be carried on/under the aircraft's wing/fuselage instead? Not sure if the rotor could be running but at least they blades would be mounted.

All are pretty different indeed :) Just thought the AV-8B+ would work as a "fake" Sea Harrier (kind of like how the UH-1H is working as a 412) as both are radar-fitted fighters (oh the desperation), while the GR.9 is, as mentioned, Ground & Recce (a role which should be pretty interesting to perform as well). As far as I know, it did carry the ALARM (and Sea Eagle too), although it seems to be impossible to find a single photo of it carrying them. EDIT: Beat me to it :)

Thought so. If in desperate need I suppose we could just repaint those AV-8B+ and pretend they're good for it :D

Cheers :) I haven't been able to find anything supporting that it has. I found this though, interesting 1997 document with specs for HMDs of that time. It mentions the AV-8B which was testing for JAST, which eventually went into the JSF programme (page 113) but that's as far as it goes. http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a331767.pdf

Just to confirm, the RAF Harriers are not AAMRAM/ALARM certified, are they? So, advanced NATO mixed USMC & RAF/RN deployment. The AV-8Bs+ perform SEAD, CAP and Escort duties while the GR.9s go in and do the dirty job. UH-1H two-ship on stand-by for CSAR. Would that be realistic enough for a nice MP session? :D

Great story BBall, really heartwarming :)

Nah, thank you for that! This degree of picky input is exactly why DCS is so amazingly realistic, so it is forever welcome :D

They're developing a GR.9 for DCS, to be released shortly after the AV-8B :) Maybe you can help them with a professional opinion later into testing? :D

Cheers :D I'll install it as soon as I can get my rig together. The situation's so bad I can only run Flaming Cliffs 2/DCS:BS 1.0.2 on it, DCS: World is a disaster. Need to reinstall Windows to get the 64-bit version going (processor is 64-capable but factory install is 32 for whatever reason), get a new GPU, add at least 1GB of RAM and a new stick or HOTAS set. So far flying with a 5-year old Logitech Extreme 3D Pro only which was found dusting after 2 years without use until means allow any progress, never seen so much spiking in my life. It's gotten to the point that a slight pressure to the left would give you a violent roll to the right if you don't add some mean deadzones and set saturation. Frustrating enough, but flying the FC planeset is enough distraction for the time being at least. I'm craving the A-10 badly though.

As soon as DCS Vapour is released, we will start seeing threads on how Red vapours is thicker than Blue vapours and how it is against MP balance and vice-versa :D

First posted by msvegas, but always worth bringing up, this little gem - BEST A2A HUD FOOTAGE YOU WILL EVER. EVER. SEE. :D So intense and raw.

A Hind would be perfect. Either the good old Mi-24, a Mi-24 with night-attack capability or a Mi-35M (although it's probably impossible since they're pretty fresh). Those things are f***ing tanks, there is an insane amount of armour on most of the aircraft and cockpit (including titanium rotor blades) covering you up to .50 from all angles, pilots are well protected in case of nuclear/chemical warfare, it can take off and fly with only one engine running, you can carry ammunition/mechanic on the back if needed, or even do troop/supply transport while retaining combat capability. It's a fantastic aircraft. Even the AI manages to get good results with it, every time I see a Mi-24 get shot up it somehow miraculously lands (without breaking the gear mind you) and the crew gets away safely :D