Doc3908

I played with both the stable version (v.1.3) and the latest beta version (v.1.4.b.12) of the Community A-4E-C today. Did some flights both from the SC and from the old Stennis. The new (beta) version of the A-4E works (sort of) with the cat on the SC, but there's no communication and there are at least two bugs I came across (see the video below). The stable version of the A-4E is wonderful, but only works with Stennis (though I did manage to take off without the catapult from SC). At any rate, here's the video for those who care to see it...

Hey, Thinder, I tried the A-4E (v. 1.3) on SC and it sort of worked - back up until you're almost touching the JBD. Hold the brakes, full throttle, let go of the brakes. Once off the deck, you will sink towards the waves, but if you do it right, you'll be able to recover and fly on. It gets much better, though! After I tried the above, I found the original A-4E-C thread. The developer has come up with a new beta version (1.4b12), and that (sort of ) works with the SC catapult, so no need for all that back-up-and-pray stuff I described above. It's a beta version, so it probably has bugs, but if you just want to practice SC shots and traps, you should be happy. The only issue I saw is that after lining up perfectly in the groove, the plane drifts significantly to the right. It's almost like the carrier is making a turn while you're 3/4miles behind. Not hard to correct, but a bit annoying. I'll post a video later to illustrate what I mean. I'll report it as a bug (wasn't there in v. 1.3), but I wonder if other people are experiencing this issue as well. Anyway, happy flying with whichever version you choose. :) Doc

Wow, I totally missed this whole discussion. I was just trying to launch off the SC with the old version of the A-4E (1.3.1 I think)... and it worked - without the catapult. :) Skimmed the waves on take off, but made it - twice. :) Can't wait to try to the new version now. Thank you for your wonderful work, Heckak!! Your A-4E is truly one of the most enjoyable mods in DCS.

The A-4E can still launch from Stennis, trap, launch again. It even has the new FLOLS overlay when you're in the groove. I did a little video last night - will post later. The problem is that there's no way to communicate with Stennis. The only radio menu options are to talk to the ground crew after you land, and they simply ignore you. I'll try today with the new supercarriers and let you know if I managed to get it to work.

Just read your post, Razo+r. Thanks - I'll give it a try later tonight!

Yeah, that was my mistake. I was trying to get them all - even after my AI wingmen quit and went home... :) Excellent tips! Personally, I find that the FW190A8 is not exactly a powerhouse that readily climbs, but I'll see what I can pull off tonight. I usually try to attack from the front and below... Well that's where experience pays off. For me, having sixteen B-17s, four P-51s and eight FW-190s in the air at the same time is a big scramble. I can't focus enough on the B-17s to take such accurate shots while constantly turning around (physically, I play VR...) to see if those P51s are not on my tail. I guess practice makes perfect... Thanks for the excellent points Zhukov and 3mta3. Doc

Wow! I always thought those big, lumbering B-17s were easy targets for small, fast, maneuverable fighters. Trading planes 1-for-1 doesn't seem like a good deal - certainly not for the Germans. Makes you wonder what those pilots - on both sides - were thinking as they climbed into their airplanes...

Hi guys, I've been trying to fly the stock instant action missions that have me going up against a bunch of B-17s. I get destroyed EVERY TIME. I do a head-on pass, take out one B-17, and that's it. Chasing behind them in the A8 is a suicide. I try coming in from the side but it's much harder to hit anything and they rip me to pieces as I fly past. And it takes forever to line up for another head-on pass. So... can anyone give me some pointers on tactics for attacking the B-17s and actually surviving??? :) Thanks, Doc

+1

At this point I'm thinking about rolling back to 2.5.5 stable. That was fantastic. I'd really hate to lose Supercarrier, but I've just about had it with the 2.5.6 disaster.

They just tweaked the FM on the CE2. I'm holding off for now because the lighting is screwed up in the new OB update, but I'm really curious what's been done in terms of FM... Thanks for your help and encouragement, GucciJetDRVR! Doc

That's the answer I was looking for. Thank you so much, Sydy!! Doc

I have 2.5.6 open beta. My question was about the version of 2.5.6 OB - version 2.5.6.49798 vs. version 2.5.6.50321 which was released yesterday (6/3)... I can find nothing about that in the product description.

Hi, Does anyone know if you can install and play the P-47 mod without installing the latest open beta update (2.5.6.50321)? I installed it and, after an hour, reverted back to the 2.5.6.49798 open beta version. I'd like to try the P-47 but not until they fix all the lighting issues in the latest OB update... Thanks, Doc

Hi, Open up the command tool in Windows, then switch to your DCS/bin folder (e.g. "cd \Games\DCS\bin" or whatever your folders are called), then type either of the following: DCS_Updater.exe update 2.5.6.49798@openbeta OR DCS_Updater.exe update @release The first one brings you back to the previous version of open beta (which is what I did). The second one reverts you from open beta to stable (which is the same as the open beta 2.5.6.49798 ). Hope this helps. Doc

Totally agree. I just reverted to the previous version of 2.5.6.

I pull up 90deg into the vertical watching the mechanical sight thingy on the left wing, trying to keep it on the horizon. Then I give a bit of left aileron and use rudder pedals and elevator to try and keep the plane pointing straight up. Invariably, it falls off within a 1/4 to a 1/2 turn... Very frustrating. I have no problem with ANY other aerobatic maneuver, but torque rolls are beyond me no matter how many times I try...

I wouldn't mind seeing some more WW2 Russian planes - La-5/7, Yak-1/3/7/9, IL-2, MiG-3, etc. Right now the only (pre-)WW2 Russian mod is the I-16, which I love dearly but which doesn't seem to be getting any support lately.

Hi, Any news on a fix for that rain? I just did my first F-14 case 3 approach and, once on deck, it was almost impossible to see where I'm taxing... Thanks for all your amazing work!!! Doc

Supercarrier: My first Case-3 recovery

Thanks!

ROFLMAO! Fantastic!!! Where is this dam btw? Gotta try it with every plane now... :)

Here's my experience (using easy comm): On the first approach, I fly the full pattern - call "Inbound", then, when I get close, I call "See you at 10". At that point they tell me to contact tower. In the Tomcat, the tower call is automatically triggered (Jester???) when I'm within a couple of miles from the carrier. Then before I roll into crosswind I call "Flight Kiss Off". Afterwards the only comm happens when I'm in the groove and call the ball. Usually it shows up as a easy-comm menu option, but I have it bound to a hotas button (more on that later...). After trapping, then hooking up to the cat and launching, I do the clearing turn (left or right depending on which cat I'm using), then fly the BRC course for about 5-7 miles. At this point I call "Inbound" again. Now here's the weird part. While I'm being instructed to call "See you at 10" when I get close, the tower calls me automatically and says "Signal is Charlie". This is probably a side effect of using easy comm. At this point I have a choice: I can turn left and enter downwind directly or I can fly out and around then enter on the upwind (300kts/800ft) and fly the full pattern. My question was regarding proper procedure. In practice I usually just turn downwind (similar to a bolter pattern as Bunny Clark suggests). The other weird thing is that on the second approach, the easy-comm menu does NOT have the option to call the ball. I use the hotas switch to call the ball, but it's weird that the option disappears from the comms menu.

Hi everyone, Can anyone give me some pointers on how to fly torque rolls with the CE2? I've read the manual and tried to follow what they are saying, but no matter what I do, I keep falling off to the side when the aircraft slows down sufficiently. Best I've done was probably a 180deg. torque roll before I fell off sideways. Thanks! Doc

Hi, When practicing case 1 recovery, how to I handle the second (and third, etc. ) approach? In other words, after I trap (case 1) and hook up for a launch, how do I fly the next approach(es) - do I fly the clearing turn, then 7 miles along BRC, then all the way around for a full upwind-crosswind-downwind-base-final recovery or, after flying 7 miles along BRC, do I immediately turn downwind and trap again? Thanks! Doc