Is this module worth a look?

[TheJay15]

So I've been looking into some DCS helicopters and had obviously heard the praise directed at the Huey. I then remembered that this module exists and has existed for quite some time yet no one seems to pay any attention to it. I am simply wondering if this module is worth a look or if I should pass it by in favor of the Huey and the new upcoming DCS helicopters?

 

Also does this helicopter plays a roughly similar role to the Huey, that of utility/ gunship, or is it more of a transport helo?

[Charly_Owl]

Yes, absolutely.

 

I recommend you check this if you have doubts

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=144126&highlight=chuck

[TheJay15]

Oh my! this aircraft is exceedingly Russian. It's the Mig-21 of helicopters it seems.

 

So is this helicopter less combat oriented than the Huey? I would assume so seeing as it has no actual "gunship" configuration.

[Charly_Owl]

Oh my! this aircraft is exceedingly Russian. It's the Mig-21 of helicopters it seems.

 

So is this helicopter less combat oriented than the Huey? I would assume so seeing as it has no actual "gunship" configuration.

 

Au contraire, my friend. If you look at the "WEAPONS" chapter, you will see that you can install 6 weapon pods ranging from bombs, various guns, grenade launchers, rocket launchers... the Mi-8 has plenty of firepower. It just doesn't have side-guns like the Huey. It doesn't make it any less capable.

[Cibit]

Man this thing outguns most things. It can carry huge payloads.

 

It is also a most awesome aircraft and modelled better than anything else in DCS IMO:music_whistling:

 

Get it you won't regret it

This will get you started

;)

[TheJay15]

It doesn't seem very sensible to bomb with a helicopter haha.

 

So this is definitely an interesting module but how is it for learning to fly helicopters (I only have limited experience with ARMA and FSX). Is it easier or harder to learn than the Huey?

[Cibit]

Please don't think experience in flying helo's in arma will give any insight into either the huey or Hip;). If your prepared to put in the hours flying and reading up then they are both wonderful machines. Easy to learn, don't think so but everyone has different capabilities, pleasantly difficult may best describe them:thumbup:

[TheJay15]

I wasn't implying that flying in ARMA would give me insight I was simply stating my previous experience. I have never really gotten into helicopters before and I am looking to see which one I should start on.

[Charly_Owl]

I wasn't implying that flying in ARMA would give me insight I was simply stating my previous experience. I have never really gotten into helicopters before and I am looking to see which one I should start on.

 

In my experience the Mi-8 is slightly more forgiving flight-model wise since it has a lot of excess power in comparison to the Huey. But both helicopters have their own sets of challenges to take into account.

 

In all honesty I'd get them both: the UH-1 and the Mi-8 both surpass the vast majority of helicopters FSX and Arma have to offer in every aspect.

 

The Huey and Mi-8 can be used together in joint operations. Multiplayer is a real blast with either machine.

 

[ame]

[/ame] Edited March 4, 2016 by Charly_Owl

[Cibit]

I wasn't implying that flying in ARMA would give me insight I was simply stating my previous experience. I have never really gotten into helicopters before and I am looking to see which one I should start on.

 

Sorry never meant anything by it:) I enjoy a hot LZ in KOTH:thumbup:

[TheJay15]

Alright I'll put it on my "to buy" list along with the Huey.

 

On a side note is the Ka-50 a good module? I thought about getting it but I wanted to learn in a traditional helicopter rather.

[streakeagle]

I love the UH-1H the most. Grew up with that helicopter flying overhead. Have hung out the side door of one cruising low over the Hudson River. It is simple to operate but hard to fly.

 

The Mi-8 is just as good, but radically different. Much more complex. Easier to fly in some aspects, harder to fly in others. My preference for flying the UH-1H is purely out of childhood affection.

 

The Ka-50 is too modern and easy to control to be too much fun for me to fly. When it was the only helicopter available in DCS, I put some time into it. But ever since the UH-1H came out, the Ka-50 has gotten very little time. I like UH-1s and F-4 Phantoms, not F-16s and AH-64s.

[Zimmerdylan]

If both the Mi8 and Huey are on your buy list. I personally would pick up the Huey first. It's a lot more versatile in it's roles it can play (IMO). I have both the Huey and Mi8, and although I like both modules, I find flying the Mi8 to be less exiting than the Huey.

I think that it is the DCS module that I fly the least of all of them. It is a good module and worth buying. But then.....I have almost all of them. And the ones I do not have, I will probably purchase. It's always a matter of $$ and priorities.

[TheJay15]

Yeah I've decided I'll get the Huey first and learn to fly that. Figure if I can handle that I can handle anything.

 

I guess I've picked out the Mirage and the Huey to be the first DCS modules I'll really "master".

[FraserNZL]

It doesn't seem very sensible to bomb with a helicopter haha.

 

 

hey bud in times of war you can bomb using anything look at some of the vids on Syria atm they are using mil-8 and mil-24 very effectivly

[Belgeode]

So I've been looking into some DCS helicopters and had obviously heard the praise directed at the Huey. I then remembered that this module exists and has existed for quite some time yet no one seems to pay any attention to it. I am simply wondering if this module is worth a look or if I should pass it by in favor of the Huey and the new upcoming DCS helicopters?

 

Also does this helicopter plays a roughly similar role to the Huey, that of utility/ gunship, or is it more of a transport helo?

 

What? No one pays attention to it? You could have fooled me. It is my absolute favorite helo in DCS, even more so than the Huey (Huey and I have a love hate relationship).

 

I do videos from time to time on youtube about it. It's so much fun to fly and quite challenging, but I cannot imagine DCS without "Big Bertha".

 

I also have the Black Shark... I may have flown it once or twice. The Huey I have flown maybe 7 or 8 times... but the Mi-8 Hip... I fly CONSTANTLY!

 

I recommend it! The campaign is really good too!

[Flamin_Squirrel]

I got the KA50 ages ago, back when it was just 'Black Shark' and before DCS World existed. Years later when the Huey came out I didn't bat an eye lid. I had a helicopter already, and they Huey wasn't a helo I was particularly interested in. Never the less I bought it a few months later in a sale... and ended up loving it, even more than the Shark.

 

DCS modules have so much detail that each one can't help but have different characters. Each one brings something different, even if it might seem similar to another. Get them all! :joystick:

[Grogshop]

I found it hard to fly initially (hint: VRS...) but at the same time utterly compelling.

The amount of times I went from cold start, took off, and crashed on my first landing attempt, and then hit 'restart' to do it all again....

Frustrating? absolutely. But totally worth the money.

[kilix]

yeah, I'm struggling with VRS all the time. I've flown the Ka-50 quite a lot, to the point, that I don't even think about VRS, flying to avoid VRS is in my muscle memory now. Mi-8 is a different beast, so I need to learn this skill again. But I love it so far. Amazing detail, and an amazing character this helo has.

 

I also love the fact, that it is possible to research this helicopter much deeper than it is possible to research the Ka-50. There are many many countries operating it and also RL Mi-8 pilots are on this forum. So, manuals and all the intricacies of the inner workings are easier to get to. AlphaOneSix, special thanks to you for your "How it works:" documents. It makes it much more enjoyable (at least for me, I need to know everything there is to know about a subject I'm interested in)

Edited March 4, 2016 by kilix

[Flamin_Squirrel]

Simple tip to avoid VRS: make shallow approaches like you would in a fixed wing aircraft. This will keep you out of the low speed/high descent rate regime that usually proceeds VRS.

[msalama]

Ah, the Big Millie. She's absolutely great! Just get her, I'm sure you won't be disappointed :)

[DirtyFret]

Mi-8 is definitely a beauty in many ways.

 

Simple tip to avoid VRS: make shallow approaches like you would in a fixed wing aircraft. This will keep you out of the low speed/high descent rate regime that usually proceeds VRS.

 

This methodology worked for me perfectly. Developing muscle memory with which you control the cyclic, rudder and collective simultaneously comes with flying hours ( I am still a bit on the rough side with this )

[kilix]

Mi-8 is definitely a beauty in many ways.

 

 

 

This methodology worked for me perfectly. Developing muscle memory with which you control the cyclic, rudder and collective simultaneously comes with flying hours ( I am still a bit on the rough side with this )

 

Yeah, I realize that.

Developing muscle memory with Ka-50 was possible, so it must be the same with Mi-8. Just practice, practice, practice.

[firmek]

As I've got a Mi-8 recently I can share feedback from a perspective of someone fresh in to the module.

The reason why I've picked it rather than Huey was mainly due to personal preference as also the fact that Mi-8 is more complex thus should provide more content. One of the first observations which I immediately had was that having a good stick/throttle and rudder is essential.

As for the module itself:

 

Positives:

1. The internal as also external visual 3D model is amazing. I would even dare to say that it’s one of the best out there

2. As Mi-8 is an old design the systems are simple but at the same time their modeling is top-notch.

3. I don't have any real pilot experience but the flight model seems to be extremely detailed and include many nuances of the rotary wing aircraft. Flying Mi-8 is challenging with a really steep learning curve. This however makes doing a progress much rewarding.

4. I didn't start the campaign yet but there are many of positive reviews of it.

 

Issues:

1. There are only 3 training missions shipped with the module and 2 out of them are not working for me. This may be due to DCS bug related to replaying saved tracks - so nothing in control of Belsimtek. Considering however the fact how difficult it is to fly Mi-8 the lack of proper training content in the sim can be considered as an issue.

 

Minor issues

1. The manual is still in a draft version. It contains a lot of information but as such there are some sections which are still missing and IIRC the manual is not shipped with the install (but is available as a separate download).

2. The install should come with English cockpit by default. There are however great cockpit mods available for download.

3. Availability of training videos and other materials is rather sparse compared to other more popular modules.

4. In DCS mission editor the Mi-8 can't be used by many countries that operate it in real word. It is even funny to some extend as it is often possible fly Ka-50 but not Mi-8.

 

Overall it's a fantastic module, one that can give an impression that devs did not only invested a lot of work in but also gave it a kind of a soul of its own. It's also a module that provides enjoyment from flying, perfecting manouvers and appreciating the flight model rather than blowing staff around. As for my experience with Mi-8 so far I'm really into it and would give it 9.5 out of 10 :thumbup:

[Cibit]

What? No one pays attention to it? You could have fooled me. It is my absolute favorite helo in DCS, even more so than the Huey (Huey and I have a love hate relationship).

 

I do videos from time to time on youtube about it. It's so much fun to fly and quite challenging, but I cannot imagine DCS without "Big Bertha".

 

I also have the Black Shark... I may have flown it once or twice. The Huey I have flown maybe 7 or 8 times... but the Mi-8 Hip... I fly CONSTANTLY!

 

I recommend it! The campaign is really good too!

 

If you don't like his DCS vids he has some weird ones with huge breasted warriors;)