Which is best?

[JRM]

Hi

 

I already bought the f18 and it looks good but I think I need something with more thrust, therefore I need to know which aircraft is more suitable for my.

 

 

Currently F16 and F14 are in my favorites but can't decide which one to buy.....I need advice

[Tom Kazansky]

Hi

 

I already bought the f18 and it looks good but I think I need something with more thrust, therefore I need to know which aircraft is more suitable for my.

 

 

Currently F16 and F14 are in my favorites but can't decide which one to buy.....I need advice

 

 

Here is a nice drag race:

 

 

 

 

Without the Viper yet but the F-16C is still WIP anyway.

 

 

(Keep in mind that the MiG-29 driver forgot about his gear :megalol: )

 

 

Here is one with another Fulcrum

 

 

Edited November 24, 2019 by Tom Kazansky

[BuzzU]

The Viper would win that race if it's finally modeled as it should be.

 

I'd like to see a climb race too.

[Donut]

I have the Tomcat, Hornet, and Viper...

 

I have done a few acceleration and climb tests and the F-16 wins in everything accept final top speed...that goes to the Tomcat.

 

If you are choosing an aircraft based only on performance, the F-16 is hard to beat...just be aware that it is extremely early access compared to any other aircraft in DCS right now.

[JRM]

Here is a nice drag race:

 

 

 

 

Without the Viper yet but the F-16C is still WIP anyway.

 

 

(Keep in mind that the MiG-29 driver forgot about his gear :megalol: )

 

 

Here is one with another Fulcrum

 

 

 

 

THX BRo

 

MIG29 Drag acceleration is impressive, its Mig29 Fully cockpit and systems interactive?

[Tom Kazansky]

THX BRo

 

MIG29 Drag acceleration is impressive, its Mig29 Fully cockpit and systems interactive?

 

 

No. It's a Flaming Cliffs 3 module. It's a shame but modern Russian clickable modules are a often discussed thing.

[BuzzU]

No. It's a Flaming Cliffs 3 module. It's a shame but modern Russian clickable modules are a often discussed thing.

 

It sure is. Give me a full-fidelity F-15 and i'm a happy camper.

[OnlyforDCS]

Not sure what the question is. The F14 is in a much more complete state and is a more hands on aircraft to fly. It's also a tandem aircraft, requiring a crew of two. The AI Jester does an excellent job of handling many tasks and is only getting better, but the F14 really shines when flown with another human being in the back seat. (Or the front)

[Tippis]

Viggen. So there.

[statrekmike]

At this particular time, the F-16 module is still quite incomplete. Some will still have fun with it regardless but it is objectively not "mission ready" in the sense that you can't really fly realistic missions with it in a realistic fashion. There are still a lot of big functionality gaps, incomplete system implementations, and missing weapons.

 

Again. This is not going to impact everyone the same way. Some are happy to just do pretty basic stuff with it but others (like myself) are simply letting it sit in their virtual hangar collecting virtual dust until it is a bit further along and more suited for missions. The F-16 will get finished. I have no doubt of that. I just don't know if it is at a point where I can recommend it at this particular time.

 

The big reason I am making something of a big deal about this is because I feel it is far better to learn a complete (or mostly complete) module rather than learning and unlearning workarounds as a module gets developed.

 

The F-14 module is a different story. Aside from a few specific things (TWS auto mode for the radar, some TID functionality, etc), it is pretty much complete. There are obviously some things not finished (like the F-14A version that comes alongside the F-14B) but as far as things go, the F-14 module is very much "mission ready" without hitting major functionality gaps.

 

One thing to keep in mind about the F-14. It is a fantastic, brilliantly made module but operating it is very much a team effort between the pilot and the RIO. Heatblur did create a fantastic RIO AI (called Jester) that can handle the backseat stuff while you fly but even with the Jester AI in the back, flying the plane (from the pilot's perspective) won't be the same experience that you might get from a single seater where you have a lot of control over EVERYTHING. You will be relying on Jester (or a buddy of your choosing) to manage the radar, the LANTIRN pod, the countermeasures, navigation, some radio functionality, and even your air to ground weapon settings while you focus more on flying and hitting the weapon release button when required. It can be great fun but for some, the splitting of workload in such a way may be off-putting if they want to handle everything directly themselves.

 

The other thing to keep in mind a bout the Tomcat is that unlike the F/A-18C, it was built primarily to be a fleet defense fighter and as such, it isn't exactly the "jack of all trades" that the Hornet is in terms of weapon selection and even mission variety. Realistically, the Tomcat focused more on air to air (with AIM-9's, AIM-7's, and AIM-54's) and dropping laser guided bombs with the LANTIRN pod. It can do unguided bombing and even rocket attacks but it isn't the most practical airframe for such work (at least in real life). The Tomcat is a ton of fun to say the least but I have noticed that some types of DCS players struggle to deal with some of its specific eccentricities. It is a harder plane to fly (at least in some ways) and is more about understanding your specific role as the pilot. I love that part of it but others might find it limiting compared to single seat options like the Hornet or the Viper.

 

At the end of the day, you should not worry so much about what internet strangers would get and instead focus on what you PERSONALLY want. What aircraft inspires you the most?