choosing new plane.

[john9001]

I have the F-15 now and to take advantage of the sale I want to add another plane, all around, ground and air to air capable. Looking at F-5E and the M-2000C. NATO type.

 

Advice appreciated.

[sze5003]

I just got the f5 last night. Still learning and need to understand the radar better. One thing though is you must know how to use the nav instruments. Flying the f5 will make short work of any other jet that has a digital HUD. You need to know how to use tacan and fly the course as there are no waypoints that I found. You become a better pilot flying the F5 first.

 

Bombing and fighting is mostly manual. And it's hard, there's no indication of when to release so you have to pay attention to your altitude, heading and speed. Air to air is mostly visual..I don't get the radar and haven't set up my controls properly so I'm having a tough time in the tutorials.

 

It flies very nicely and requires a decent amount of trim. It's not hard to learn the basics though. I'd say it's easier than the mirage.

 

I would recommend getting both the f5 and mirage. The mirage has an annoying 8 min alignment but I think you can have it auto align if you are just doing your own missions.

 

It's an interceptor with a fly by wire system so it's easier to handle. New flight model requires lots of trimming below 330 knots. It can carry 2 medium range s530's which are not fire and forget and also 2 magic 2 misses which are IR missiles. As soon as they lock in range you can fire and be on your way.

 

It also does A/G via dumb bombs with ccip or you can use laser guided bombs but you need someone to lase for you or you can lase via setting up ins points where you set the ins at one waypoint and set up the target waypoint in correlation so that the laser is picked up when flying over the target point.

 

I recommend playing the mirage campaign if you get it. It's like a more in depth training that has some surprises and is beautifully done by Baltic dragon.

 

Can't go wrong with either jet honestly. The f5 will make you more aware in other planes as you will be so used to not relying on the HUD.

[MurderOne]

I enjoy both of those. With that said, the F-5 is more primitive, and you're limited to 2 AIM-9 and guns for air to air. But, it IS a fun plane. The 2k is definitely more advanced, and thus, more complicated to run. Each has their advantages and disadvantages, both present their own challenges, and both are enjoyable rides.

[Slick Fork]

I have both, but way more time in the Mirage.

 

I like the F5 but it's a LOT of work. It's not a fighter you can hop in and just have a relaxing time; you're constantly trimming, with no load it's a little snakey, no FBW system and a much more primitive radar. All of these are both good and bad things depending on what you want to do when you climb in on any given day. It can be both fun and infuriating at the same time, but it I am absolutely a better virtual pilot for flying it as it punishes bad habits and rewards good ones. The only thing I TRULY dislike about it is its lack of any kind of autopilot. Even just a straight and level hold would be a godsend when you need to put your head down and check something (I've flown into a few mountains...)

 

The Mirage is more advanced and more capable. You get double the amount of air to air missiles with the addition of the SARH 530's, and similar capability in an air to ground role. It has a nice autopilot and navigation system and the FBW system makes it a little better mannered. It's faster than the Tiger and a little better behaved at high AOA dogfighting. My big gripe with the Mirage is only 4 missiles.

 

When I want to have fun and get back to basics, I fly the Tiger; when I want to get things done I fly the Mirage.