DCS P-51D QUESTIONS

19 hours ago, Mihail_Lazarev said:

I tried to figure out what A2A's simulations are, and as far as I understand, it is an organization that makes realistic aircraft models for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Is it correct?

It turns out that I can only fly in Microsoft Flight Simulator in this Mustang where the battery is discharged. Am I right in understanding this?

Yes. A2A's Simulations is a software company that, in my opinion, make the best General Aviation aircraft for FSX, Prepar3D and MSFS. However, for MSFS they only have their civilian Comanche, which is a work of art. The P-51 is only available for FSX and Prepar3d.

19 hours ago, Mihail_Lazarev said:

 Can you please tell me which model you think is more realistic in DSC or the one with the discharging battery?

 Tough question. We have to first define what is "realism". I'll break down in five categories:

- Graphics: DCS graphics are way better than those of FSX and P3D, of course. In my opinion, if you apply Reshade in DCS, the graphics get even better. 

- Flight Model: I believe DCS flight model is better than those of the A2A's Mustang. A2A's aircraft all use an external flight model processing, outside of FSX and P3D, and then inject the results in the sim. All of the FSX and P3D aircraft use look-up tables, the A2A aircraft use a dynamic look-up table, that change flight parameters based on weight, aircraft attachments, drag, temperature, air density, etc. The problem is when injecting in FSX or P3D, since the results are injected in a single vector on the aircraft. It results in a better flight model than your average FSX /P3D aircraft, but still the aircraft feel like flying on rails. Landing the A2A aircraft is very easy when comparing to the DCS one.

The DCS P-51 modelling has a lot of things going on. DCS, if I'm not mistaken, uses look up tables too, but the results are applied in different vectors all over the aircraft. Surely, someone with more knowledge can correct me if i'm wrong. But the end result of the DCS flight modelling is that it reacts to the inputs you make. If you input too much throttle, too fast, the engine torque/propeller torque will rise, the aircraft will tend to roll to one side, it will get out of trim and will be unbalanced. Also, landing the DCS P-51 can be a daunting task. In the past it was more difficult because the new suspension system was not yet implemented. But even with the new suspension now available, you still have to fly by the numbers, ease your way over the runway, have a good throttle and pitch control. Learning how to land this bird is challenging.

- Engine management: A2A takes much care in immersion. And their engine management seems better, since in their P-51 you can get to maximum available power and the radiator opening will auto-regulate. It takes a long time for the engine to overheat. On the other hand, DCS P-51 engine overheats very quickly. It seems like the auto regulator of the radiator does not work. Prior to entering combat or ground attack, you must open the radiator all the way, otherwise the engine will overheat and breakdown. But if you the radiator manually, the engine will cool down very rapidly, getting too cold. It seems this way, at least for me.

Again, maybe the A2A's and DCS models are different, with different radiator systems and models, but I find easier to trust the engine in A2A's than in DCS.

- Immersion: this is the category where A2A is above and beyond DCS, at least the DCS older modules. The A2A's P-51 feels alive, everything in the cockpit shakes at low RPM, the brakes squeal differently with different applied forces and the sound is more captivating. When starting the engine, you can feel, by the sounds and shakes in the cockpit, the engine not wanting to move away from its inertia, fighting the system, then sputtering to life, with fire and smoke effects. It is amazing every single time. And if you don't follow the procedures, the engine will flood and not start. And you have to wait for the vapors to leave the engine and then you can try again. And is a procedure for flooded engines that you must follow. It is great. Also, the A2A's aircraft simulate wear and tear. If you abused the engine or the brakes in the last flight, you will have problems in your next flight. This detail makes you really take care of your bird.

However, the DCS one, although with some shaking effects, feels sterile. Every time you try to start the engine it will start. There is no challenge or need to strictly follow the procedures. That is in my opinion, at least.

The first DCS modules that I noticed them feeling more alive were the Apache and the Hind, where things shakes, rattle, the aircraft complains if you input too much movements on the controls.

- Combat: DCS is made for combat. FX and the P3D ones are only cosmetics, you can not fire the guns or drop bombs.

Anyway, these were my 2 cents. I hope I helped you learn more about the two of them. I like the DCS P-51, and its training version, the TF-51, because they are challenging to fly. But What I really love is the P-47, because being an newer module, has more details that make it feel more alive.

Thank you very much for your very detailed answer. It will definitely help me figure it out.

Let me ask you another question.

 When I turn on the starter in the P-51, some kind of glow appears both inside the plane and outside. This glow is noticeable even during the day in the area of the pedals.

I just can't imagine what it could be. In my opinion, it's either a bug or a very unsuccessful attempt to reproduce engine flashes (although this lighting appears when there is no fuel and detonations in the engine)
 

3 hours ago, Mihail_Lazarev said:

Thank you very much for your very detailed answer. It will definitely help me figure it out.

Let me ask you another question.

 When I turn on the starter in the P-51, some kind of glow appears both inside the plane and outside. This glow is noticeable even during the day in the area of the pedals.

I just can't imagine what it could be. In my opinion, it's either a bug or a very unsuccessful attempt to reproduce engine flashes (although this lighting appears when there is no fuel and detonations in the engine)
 

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I'll have to check it out. Maybe the engine exhaust flame effects are clipping through the floor. If you look at the engine on the outside view, you'll see the engine exhaust with flames. At night, dawn or dusk the effect is much more noticeable.

Like I said, the P-51 is an older model. And ED has been improving their old models. They added the exhaust flames effect for all of their Merlin engined aircraft, but haven't updated the cockpit models yet.