=DROOPY=

Solid answer. @NoodI I am not a trained aviator, but it probably handles only just slightly better than a fully loaded tanker truck on an ice covered road. If only the A-7F would have came to be...

And I would also like to submit VA-72's ODS 'sister' squadron, the VA-46 Clansmen:

^This... Plus a low-vis gray jet from the same squadron, Desert Storm please. VA-22 Fighting Redcocks- 1988:

Yeah... the whole 'Not a pound for air-to-ground' really depends on what Commander is issuing the ATO's. Would *you* go to General Tommy Franks, and tell him there's absolutely *no way* your precious fighters are able to strafe enemy positions w/ US troops in contact if called upon and your in the area? That would hands down be career suicide, no matter the branch or rank, and the squadron/Air wing/ branch air arms humiliation, would be difficult, if not impossible, to overcome. They would no doubt be on the top of the deactivation list if it even *looked* like defense spending needed to be reallocated.

Agreed... I might actually take the time to study it, as opposed to jumping in and trying to act like I know what I'm doing.

Because you were so caught up in your own arrogance, that you didn't even bother to look at the photo that started the 'wings' discussion before you posted your snarky comment. The USMC emblem is the Eagle, Globe and Anchor. If you would have looked carefully, .you would have seen what the USMC comment was referring too. Please take a moment and read and understand the conversation before taking to the keyboard. We would all appreciate it. Thanks!

He's AF. Navy/Marine aviator wings are wider/more pointed at the tips..

@BIGNEWYI'm still a bit ignorant about about computer hardware, so what is the "5.30Ghz Turbo" ? That one lost me... Thanks in advance!

Thats SO Hawt....

I thought the replication of the famous 'B-52 low altitude carrier pass' was cool... I was secretly hoping that the bombers were going to be flyable, but ..in reality...I'll have my hands too full of F-4 and F-15E to worry about keybinding 4 and 8 engines to my TM Warthog anyway... And I'm fine with that.

IRL, during periods of good weather, the ATC in the tower will state, "Airport is at your 'X' o'clock and 'X' miles.." I most often here them say it at night due to proximity to a satellite airport in the area. I'm also one that is very anxious to have more realistic ATC comms.

Heck Yeah! What an update! Not to mention the fact, that the A-7 used for gathering audio, likely flew over my childhood home in OKC several times. Seen lots of A-7's in my day from the 125thTFS! Very cool!

Fantastic! The whole point of this thread was really just to get input to see if others were experiencing same, basically to make sure the issue is not on my end....as it likely well could be. Apologies to all if it was interpreted as 'complaining', because it was intended to be anything other than that. I'm a 'glass half full' guy.. So I did not assume that it was automatically ED's fault. I play exclusively SP, running a very 'basic' system, just above minimums, no VR, using ( I believe ) a 46"(?) 1080p tv as a monitor. I do find your comment regarding the HMD/HUD interesting. I'll check it out... Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Thank you very much @BIGNEWYand @NineLinefor at least checking it out... Much appreciated! Cheers!

Just curious about how the gun reticle acts. Any one else encountering this when they go 1v1 against the AI? I ask, because I don't recall having this issue before the AI FM was updated to a more 'human' behavior. When I believe I should have a solid firing solution, I'm having to guess as to where the rounds will hit, and more often then not, I miss. Is this a replication of jamming by the AI? On a another note, I'm not getting the 'pipper' (small circle) until rounds are being released. I was under the understanding that I should see it on 'step 1' of the trigger pull, then 'step 2' shoots the gun. Your thoughts? I thoroughly enjoy flying the Hornet, but the the new AI, combined with the reticle issue, really raises the challenge. I almost always run out of fuel before I can get the kill. CrazedGunReticle01.trk

Any updates?

You do realize the whole point of the gunship gray color is to minimize the chances of getting spotted by the enemy in low light situations right? Which is what the Strike was originally designed for. Low level, night time, all weather capability. Wait... did I miss the memo that military war machines need to be painted to satiate the fashion show crowd?

Those A-4 Skyhawks though... Yikes!

In my small and humble opinion, we don't need it.. The 'pornography' of death desensitizes you and makes you flippant to how precious a living soul really is. All you have to do is look at entertainment/social media/news to see that. How many times already, have you seen someone in a situation that could/does lose their life, and instead of someone having the spine to rush in and help, they whip out the cellphone and start filming... Those people are the true bottom feeding scum of society. Not sorry... It is not wanted nor needed in DCS... Go play somewhere else if that's what you seek.

"Possible pilot deviation.... Flying at a unauthorized low altitude, in excess of 350kts, while also presenting a danger to landing/departing aircraft, as well as occupied structures in the area. Prepare to copy a phone number..."

I join in on the appreciation train as well..... With all the things that life throws our way in the day-to-day, and this crazy world we call home, it is appreciated beyond words that even a low-end CPU owner as myself, can still "escape" and chase the childhood dream of being a fighter/attack pilot, 'delivering' freedom as much as possible. (Cheerfully raising my frosty mug of beer to you)

I was wondering why, even after a couple of *adult beverages*.... I was thinking the basket was *so* much easier...

Try using 'LIRF' on LiveATC.net... Usually the 'flow' is: Clearance Delivery Frequency: Pilot requests/receives flight plan clearance. Once ready to taxi, switches to Ground frequency. Ground: Pilot requests/receives permission to taxi to runway (via specific taxiways instructed by Tower controller) Runway: Upon reaching end of runway, pilot switches to the Tower frequency and reports to Tower controller, who then provides further instructions, i.e 'hold short' , 'position and hold', or 'cleared for takeoff', based on traffic volume. Once in the air and reaching a standard altitude, tower will then usually instruct pilot to switch to 'Departure'. Edit: Forgot to add, whenever a ATC/TRACON gives you instructions, you almost always have to repeat back what they instructed. It's a safety thing, to eliminate any confusion as to what you, as the pilot are supposed to do.

What's the busiest civil airport to your location? https://www.liveatc.net/ Look up the 4 letter ICAO Identifier and enter it into the search box... If you are near an airport that sees a regular flow of traffic, you *should* be able to pull it up. In my case, KOKC.. I can listen to all the Freq's in use: Tower Ground Clearance delivery Approach/Departure Each airport has a diagram chart that pilots use to navigate the movement areas. You can find those pretty easily with a Google search using the 4 letter Identifier. If it's the taxiway/runway signage, and ground markings you are wanting to learn, let me know and I'll post a 'cheat sheet' of that as well.

First of all, from one vet to another, TYFYS! I've never worked on or around the mighty Phantom, but growing up I read tons of reference material about them. I read that the triple MAV (6 total) loadout wasn't used quite as often because of the drag penalty they created. Is that correct?