I Can`t decide on what to buy. The F-18 with Super carrier or the AH-64? I have the A10-C II and maybe something different from a tank killer will be best?

[Caldera]

Nan,

BUY them all!

The only module that I have regretted buying is the AV-8B Harrier, only because of a personal preference due to how dirty the canopy glass appears.

Caldera

Edited May 31, 2022 by Caldera

[pii]

On 5/24/2022 at 1:33 PM, unlikely_spider said:

I'll add to the advice provided by the above posters:

1) if you would like to fly a jet from an aircraft carrier, then I'd suggest the Hornet and Super carrier over the AH-64

2) if you would like to fly a helicopter, then I believe the AH-64 provides more of a helicopter experience than the Hornet and Super carrier

Let me know if this helps, I will be willing to address follow up questions.

lol I wonder what would happen if you could hook up the AH64 to the carrier catapult wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[LeCuvier]

I have a little experience with the F/A-18C which I find more complex than the Hog but also very versatile and fun to fly.
I have clocked a lot of flight hours with the KA-50 helicopter and feel quite comfortable with it. So I believed that the Apache would not be too difficult.
I was wrong. Flying the Apache is nothing like flying the Black Shark. There is the complexity of the two-seat helicopter, and the handling is quite different.
I use a VRP MongoosT-50 stick (no extension) for the cyclic, and the TM Warthog throttle for the collective, plus MFG Crosswind rudder pedals. This is not ideal for flying a helicopter but it works surprisingly well with the KA-50. This helicopter has a very effective stabilization system which helps me compensate for the shortcoings of my stick and throttle when used for a chopper.
Unfortunately this set of controls does not work well for me when I fly the Apache. This might in part be due to the fact that some of the stabilzation functionality is WIP, and in part to my incompetence. This thing would probably be more fun to fly with proper cyclic and collective sticks, but I'm not going to make that investment. I hope that the Apache will become more manageable as the development progresses, but for the time being I don't fly it much.
I have also come to the conclusion that I will not buy any new module before I have taken it through the trial period.

Edited June 11, 2022 by LeCuvier

[ARM505]

Carrier ops is a massive thing in and of itself. Since a young age, I've wanted to have a sim that does this in a realistic way, this is the earliest that my expectations have been met. To sit in VR, on that carrier deck, with the canopy open, the wind rushing across the deck, the sun glinting off the sea.......it's incredible what they've done. The Apache is great, it should definitely be on your list, but operating a high performance aircraft off a boat stirs the soul.

 

Side note: I still kind of suck at operating a high performance aircraft off a boat. The challenge is never ending.

[gav88888]

Got both the 18 and Apache, and tempted to get the A10 just to fill the gap between them. Enjoy them all.

[Lace]

You've posted this in the Apache thread, so I'm going to offer an opinion which may be unpopular here - I don't like the Apache.

There, I said it.  I'm not criticising ED's incredible effort in producing the module, it really is one of their best, but as a single player experience I am not a fan of the platform.  I find it overly complicated and the George AI is poorly implemented in VR.  Perhaps this has been improved since release but I haven't been back to check.  The Apache is not a light nimble helicopter and is quite dull to fly compared with some other DCS Helicopters.  If you have a regular MP gunner, I am sure it would be a very different experience, but I found myself going straight back to the Gazelle and Mi-8 for my rotary fix.

As for the Hornet - it is probably the module offering the widest breadth of combat flying variety.  Carrier or land-based, A/A or A/G, BVR or phone box, stand-off smart weapons or rippling Mk82s, CAS, SEAD/DEAD or anti-shipping.  The Hornet is the one module which really can do it all.

[Hammer1-1]

Moving from fixed wing to rotary is akin to a lifestyle change. I will admit that learning the AH64 was one of the easier modules, thats only because I was very familiar with the other helicopters in the sim and already knew how to fly helicopters for the most part. If you know the A-10C fairly well, then you can learn the tech side of the AH64 fairly fast but learning to fly it is something else. Its also one of those modules that really require having a second person flying with you. Just keep that last piece of info in mind.

[dburne]

On 6/14/2022 at 10:24 AM, Lace said:

You've posted this in the Apache thread, so I'm going to offer an opinion which may be unpopular here - I don't like the Apache.

There, I said it.  I'm not criticising ED's incredible effort in producing the module, it really is one of their best, but as a single player experience I am not a fan of the platform.  I find it overly complicated and the George AI is poorly implemented in VR.  Perhaps this has been improved since release but I haven't been back to check.  The Apache is not a light nimble helicopter and is quite dull to fly compared with some other DCS Helicopters.  If you have a regular MP gunner, I am sure it would be a very different experience, but I found myself going straight back to the Gazelle and Mi-8 for my rotary fix.

As for the Hornet - it is probably the module offering the widest breadth of combat flying variety.  Carrier or land-based, A/A or A/G, BVR or phone box, stand-off smart weapons or rippling Mk82s, CAS, SEAD/DEAD or anti-shipping.  The Hornet is the one module which really can do it all.

Agree on the Hornet, I so love flying carrier ops off the Super Carrier. Great fun. I love flying SP campaigns like this.

But also starting to really get into the Apache now so I am sort of dividing my time between the two. Have spent a lot of hours just training in it, and this mainly from the Pilot seat.   I would say though still the Hornet is number 1 for me at this time with the Apache being a nice diversion and change of pace.

Edited June 16, 2022 by dburne