Why the F-8 Crusader is one of the best options for the future

[carss]

Here is why I think the F-8 Crusader would make the best option for a carrier based DCS addon.

 

1. Most of it's information is available

2. It's flight manual is also available...........([ame=http://www.f8driver.org/F8Driver.org/2012_files/F8D%20%26%20E%20NATOPS%20Manual.pdf]http://www.f8driver.org/F8Driver.org/2012_files/F8D%20%26%20E%20NATOPS%20Manual.pdf[/ame])

3. Weapons system info is easily available.

4. One of the most prized carrier based fighters that rivaled the F-4 and a favorite of many.

5. Perfect rival for the Mig-21Bis, since they both fall in the same catagory, same generation and similar performance

 

I really hope someone makes the F-8 in the near future for DCS. It would make the perfect carrier based Nam era fighter bomber!

 

[ame]

[/ame]

 

[Camembert]

Fair enough. Doesn't look like that bloke in the red jumper is as keen on them as you though?

[Mud]

Fair enough. Doesn't look like that bloke in the red jumper is as keen on them as you though?

 

Hahaha, that was me, wanting to launch Phantoms ;)

[Espéce De salaud]

Fair enough. Doesn't look like that bloke in the red jumper is as keen on them as you though?

 

He had to shield his eyes from the beauty

[Northstar98]

+1 Good choice - would go well with an A-7

[Fri13]

Here is why I think the F-8 Crusader would make the best option for a carrier based DCS addon.

 

1. Most of it's information is available

2. It's flight manual is also available...........

 

As far I know, it doesn't matter if you can get hands on the flight manual or any other information unless it is from official channels and you get permission for it.

Example AH-64D flight manual is available, but ED just can't use it because it was leaked manual by someone.

 

Information being available != righteously/legally usable information.

[carss]

As far I know, it doesn't matter if you can get hands on the flight manual or any other information unless it is from official channels and you get permission for it.

Example AH-64D flight manual is available, but ED just can't use it because it was leaked manual by someone.

 

Information being available != righteously/legally usable information.

 

Well what about more modern planes like the F-15, Mirage 2000 etc? Plus the F-8 Crusader isn't even in service anywhere anymore. They're so rare to even find in one piece

[Fri13]

Well what about more modern planes like the F-15, Mirage 2000 etc? Plus the F-8 Crusader isn't even in service anywhere anymore. They're so rare to even find in one piece

F-15C was licensed by Ubisoft and it is still just a FC3 level. And I think there is the military training module as well available. Mirage 2000C is older variant and likely as well developers licensed it.

 

And even if some aircrafts are not anymore in service, some of the systems can be, or be the previous versions.

Example A-10C module doesn't have everything modeled and some systems are classified and left away. ED can't even say what features are out. But experienced pilot likely could find out what is missing.

 

Sure all these legacy planes could be done if there is enough data but if you open yourself for an legal suit, it isn't smart thing...

[Nooch]

I'm a Crusader fan so yeah +1 :D

[carss]

Example A-10C module doesn't have everything modeled and some systems are classified and left away. ED can't even say what features are out. But experienced pilot likely could find out what is missing.

 

Sure all these legacy planes could be done if there is enough data but if you open yourself for an legal suit, it isn't smart thing...

 

Well, like how they have a few things left out of the A-10 which are classified, why not do the same for the F-8, if classified is the case we are looking at?

[Fri13]

Well, like how they have a few things left out of the A-10 which are classified, why not do the same for the F-8, if classified is the case we are looking at?

 

That is my point ;)

 

Because I do not believe that we should demand 100% accuracy or realism. After all we have just a computer simulator that is required to be running on PC, and then we don't have the limitations that real aircrafts has and pilots feel in the cockpit (like you can't really flip switches and press buttons in high G maneuvers or even look around so easily).

 

And when it comes to aircraft systems, they don't need to be totally perfect, many things can be done to just imitate the functions. Ie. dropping a bomb on ground doesn't require we start simulating every fragment, every rock and tree flying around. It is enough to simplify the possibilities by even adding randomization to impact damages.

 

But then we have some crucial elements like a radar, that should work semi-believable manner. Like how a distance does matter when the aircraft is on edge of the detection range and it just appears and disappears before getting closer to get more solid echoes.

 

Or like the F-8 aircraft, it would likely be great on FC3 cockpit level and then get AFM for the flight modeling. Maybe ED should consider to allow more semi-working cockpits like in KA-50 where we have like 10-15 buttons and switches that doesn't work or doesn't do anything.

 

But then you hit to question, how accurate things should be?

Ie. the oldest wish that KA-50 would get Air-to-Air missiles because it was capable to carry them, or it would get the RWR as it was able to have it. But the difference is that the specific individual unit they got access to, didn't have those, but some others did. Mig-21Bis was modeled from what, a unserviced aircraft at abandoned for a decade? Like look the textures inside the cockpit, dirty windows etc. It is from aircraft that is past its end of the time. It can be very accurate for the developers at the time they had taken photos, that was like 2014 or something. But I don't believe that aircrafts came out like that from factory! I don't think the aircrafts were in that condition after 10 years in service! Or that in service no one ever cleaned the windows, even in the limited visibility the cockpit had, to lower it even more with so dirty windows that you couldn't see is the dot on ski an aircraft or is it just smudge in windshield!

 

So you ask, how much does it really matter that when we are talking about prototype/development that the specific unit in the DCS is exactly like the specific prototype/development unit in reallife, that likely doesn't even exist anymore? After all, ED did not model every cable and every screw to KA-50 for the functions that already exist! Like they don't need to know how the wiring goes or how the software works. They could very well just ask around (as KA-50 was done with the Kamov) and then do very good educated guesses even and simply add those features, even when there is no real aircraft that had all those, or there was one they didn't have access to!

It is question like would you model aircraft based the specific unit at the development time and in its condition, or bend the rules and make textures and cockpit as new and then as slightly weared down in service?

 

But that is with prototype/development versions, you should be allowed to have some flexibility to the modeling.

And that doesn't work with the specified versions of the aircrafts like lets take ie. Su-27S we have in DCS. We can't accept that it would get capability to fire R-77 missile because it would require Su-27SM update. Even when it is just a couple rows of code (as modders has done it too) to allow R-77 be carried and launched etc, it just doesn't work so then. Just like developers couldn't take Mig-21Bis and suddenly add some functions from Mig-21Bison that is capable carry R-27 missiles and has datalink to Su-27/Mig-29 and able to launch missiles without own radar just over datalink. For that purpose Letherneck should model Mig-21Bison.

 

So now about F-8 Crusader, if they can have the specific version, I would very well accept lots of space around the possible limitations. Like if they get to see couple airframes that each has missing some special instruments and information what they were are just based to ex-pilots descriptions, then I would give a green light and let them to make things up for it.

 

I would like to ask from even most hardcore simmer in DCS, that do they really believe that A-10C is so accurately and fully implemented that there is no difference to a real thing? I can see that Mi-8MTv2 is highly modeled, but I have no idea about real thing. I have just developers word that real pilots has tested and found it great. But even I know that pilots memories are not trustworthy, that's reason why we have checklists even today for surgeons in operation rooms because even they leave now and then an instrument inside or even operate a wrong part of the body (why they walk to you before operating and asks even for confirmation is the arm they are holding the correct one, and marks it with the pen) and pilots needs to use checklists to remember to do everything even after years of flying those things.

 

So how can we expect to be needing everything possible that even real pilots likely doesn't remember or need? I don't know what is realistic or what isn't. But I do see if something has glitches like aircraft does stick on the airstrip like magnets or helicopter on ship slips on deck like there is no friction etc. And those are the things I do care as they just feels wrong.

 

I would even like to see more aircrafts in SFM and FC3 cockpit (still yet as 6-DOF) if it speeds up the development time so we can start getting more of different aircrafts/ground units. I would even very well welcome a DLC to upgrade those units in future for AFM/PFM and fully/semi-clickable cockpits, even in different tiers.

Edited April 10, 2016 by Fri13
Dirt

[Jaktaz]

As far I know, it doesn't matter if you can get hands on the flight manual or any other information unless it is from official channels and you get permission for it.

Example AH-64D flight manual is available, but ED just can't use it because it was leaked manual by someone.

 

Information being available != righteously/legally usable information.

 

Where is the Apache manual?

[Fri13]

Where is the Apache manual?

Just use web search engine "Apache AH-64D Flight Manual" etc.

 

You will find the about 1200 paged flight manual.