Falklands map - wish list, ideas for its growth, and knowledge base

[minar]

A bit of history. I have been interested in the Falklands war since I was in my teens. My mother was mainly into painting ceramics but she also built scale model aircraft for shop windows and by doing that she got my older brothers free model kits from the shop owners. She was very good at it and that was in the 70s so it must of been a very rare thing at that time to see a woman in here 30's building very detailed models of C-130s, B-17's and all those other 1/48 kits from monogram.She hung many from the ceiling in my brothers rooms as well. Memories of my cousins and brothers backyard battles with firecrackers...burning plastic shermans and panzers all over the yard (such a waste) but it really did look like a battle as they lay burning or blown apart. This helped spark my aviation love affair. I too ended up building models, both aircraft and armor and then got deep to the history.I always had an interest in the Falklands and other less spoken about wars or conflicts that featured less famous aircraft (like the OV-10, Pucara, Wyvern, and Skyraider)

Years ago I ended up building the old Tamiya FRS-1 and researched the historical planes so much that I made sure it was painted correctly and the air frame markings were accurate for a plane that was there. I went on to also build an S. Etendard  (3-A-202) that was famous for its successful ship attack. So of course I was very happy to see DCS create this terrain.

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So to the point of this thread,

First off of course we have aircraft currently close to what was used in 1982 like the Mirage 2000 (its still not a mirage III) and Harrier, but these are modern and use modern avionics that did not exist in the early 80's.

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Core modules or user mods we have to use currently,

 

MB.339

The pucara mod is there but it has not been updated in a long time, its still very usable for this theater.

The Gazelle core module is there already which the British used in this war

We have a superb A-4 skyhawk mod complete with Argentine markings already which is being improved here and there.

We also have the British carrier mods used in this conflict.

The C-130 Hercules mod which hasn't been updated in a while but a fully functional aircraft

Core module UH-1h for Argentina

Bell twin huey mod for the core UH-1H, for Argentina

Not sure but I am certain ground assets already exist for this war.....Argentine Amtracs, British Scimitars and Scorpions, Land rovers, Rapier Missle batteries and an assortment of bofors AA and others. This was mainly an Infantry war so that makes it easier. Maybe Combined Arms module is useful in this area of mechanics.

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What the new map needs bad is,

A dedicated core module of the British FRS 1 Sea Harrier or RAF GR.3 with the weapons and avionics from that period. (I guess the current harrier module could fill in until we had one)

For the love of the god (you choice of deity)....a Super Etendard PLEASEEEEEE (I want to carry and use that exocet flying feet above the waves) This is a legendary aircraft.

Mirage III's  or IAI Dagger (Again I guess the Mirage 2000C with limited ordinance could fill in until a core module was created)

Secondary priority,

Canberra PR9/ MK.62   (both sides used Canberras, very long range)

Seaking HAS 2 or HC.4? Ferrying royal marines, SAS and cargo or slung artillery pieces from ships would be fun.

 

*My priority for badly wanted core modules though would be the Etendard and an Early harrier.

Some would probably say a Skyhawk. but the fan made mod really is well made in that we have a well made flyable air frame with a great cockpit and working ordinance to fill that need for now.

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In closing,

Anyone have any information on whats coming for South Atlantic map? Ive been digging but do not see many threads on it. Add your thoughts and links here if you wish.

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For fun.........

My 1/48 scale FRS-1 build in the conflicts scheme and markings, as seen below, despite having AIM-9's, as proven in Vietnam years before, it shows the importance of having guns in fighters. No matter how advanced that missiles become.

(air frame history, 2 kills )

21.05.82 3.12 pm.  A-4Q Skyhawk of CANA 3 Esc also shot down near Swan Island in Falkland Sound Lt Marquez was killed. - Flt Lt Leeming RAF of 800 NAS using 30mm cannon XZ500/(1)30

21.05.82 3.30 pm.  A-4Q Skyhawk of CANA 3 Esc damaged over Falkland Sound by small arms fire from HMS Ardent and again in same incident as above. Unable to land at Stanley with undercarriage problems and Lt Arca ejected. - Lt Morrell RN of 800 NAS using 30mm cannon XZ500/(1)30

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 14, 2023 by minar

[Gunfreak]

As you say this was an infantry war.

So I would like proper infantry models.

British with their FN FALs and Bren guns in DPM These would also work for other 70s/80s cold war scenarios on other maps.

 

Falklands also using FAL, but different uniforms. If they also made M16 versions they would work great as generic cold war infantry. 

Edited July 14, 2023 by Gunfreak

[minar]

2 hours ago, Gunfreak said:

As you say this was an infantry war.

So I would like proper infantry models.

British with their FN FALs and Bren guns in DPM These would also work for other 70s/80s cold war scenarios on other maps.

 

Falklands also using FAL, but different uniforms. If they also made M16 versions they would work great as generic cold war infantry. 

 

Good mention of needing DPM camo and Fals. Both sides had essentially the same rifle. SAS have always used M16's over the Fal or L85 so yes, those are there.

[Hotdognz]

As a map the SA map needs big airbases as the main thing to make it grow in use from a player point of view, the maps too big for the amount of major airbases it has and they are all crammed in the bottom half or a long way from each other, I believe Razbam should take some creative license for this map and make a couple of larger base somewhere up north, with out these it will stay a niche product which is a shame as it could be one of the best maps in DCS with its varied terrain and area.

But also I agree with you the main purpose of this map was to promote the Argentine vs UK war of the Falkland's and for that to work the DCS world needs correct ground models and plane models, unfortunately with the way ED have DCS set up its a hard task as they do not support the 3D modeling community in any easy way as to make the use of 3rd party assets easy to implement.

[MAXsenna]

@Hotdognz

I absolutely agree with your second paragraph. 

The first one I could agree with, if it was optional. Some us do only SP. BUT, as you write in your 2ND, if ED were to support modders even better. And let modders be able to mod maps/terrain. Who's to say a user placed super base couldn't be viable on the map.  

In any case. Wouldn't this be better of in the SA forum? 

Cheers! 

Edited July 15, 2023 by MAXsenna

[diego999]

In terms of aircraft, the Mirage F1CE is reasonably close to the Mirage III. It even has the same loadout used in the war (single 530, two Magic I). The 2000 is much more advanced radar wise and it carries way better missiles.

We still need the Sea Harrier and the Super Etendard though.

In my scenarios I replace the Pucará with the Bronco mod. Works for me.

[War_Pig]

I'd like to see a slightly alternative history campaign where a few small changes in the setup manage to put the Argentinians on a more even footing at the start of the conflict, in order to make the playthrough perhaps more interesting to the player.  Namely, the Argie's aircraft carrier doesn't end up hiding in port the remainder of the war (perhaps the Argies are a bit more pressing in their ASW warfare in order to suppress the Brit's nuclear sub threat).

The campaign could even alternate between flying Harriers and Skyhawks, and depict events from the viewpoint of both sides.

I think our current Harrier is a sufficient stand-in for the GR.3 flown by the RAF No.1 Sqdn (unfortunately flown off the Hermes, which we don't have yet, and not the Invincible which is available to us), or even the Sea Harrier FRS1 as flown by FAA 800 & 809 NAS (who basically ignored the Blue Fox radar and operated with them off while on CAP, unlike 801) if we can disable a few systems like the DMT and restrict loadouts.

We have a suitable (excellent!) A-4 Skyhawk, as noted above, and as you say the Mirage F1CE is a good stand-in for the III, or even the 2000 if we restrict loadouts and AI engagement range to simulate older radar.

I know we don't have the Super Etendard, but we do have the Viggen which could perform the same mission.  Perhaps the Argentinians became the only export customer for SAAB, instead of buying more French aircraft?

I'd considered even using the Mosquito as a stand-in for the Pucará, since they're basically just ground targets, or clubbing baby seals in the air.

[carss]

I believe Razbam is working on a bunch of air and ground assets for this map including an AI Canberra. This Canberra will work for other theaters too not just the Falklands but of course that too!