Aircraft variants

[Squiggs]

I would love to see variants of existing modules. I have a strong interest in the Mi24 - currently we have a P model. I understand why ED chose to do the P model because of the 30mm cannon being more useful against more things than say the D model with the smaller chin mounted gun. But I would love to also be able to fly a D variant and this would be much better for multi-crew (at the moment the gunner doesn't do a whole lot). There are probably other aircraft people have a passion for and would like to see variants of. The variants would be easier to develop than a brand new airframe as the bulk of the airframe already exists so only the new systems and any weight distribution characteristics would need to be modeled. Obviously this is restricted to variants that are more or less similar - the current UH1 and the UH1Y Venom would be too different for example.

 

This bit is going to be controversial, and it would be great if we could get these for free but business is business. I'll use the Mi24 as the example - my idea is as follows:

Both Mi24P and Mi24D modules exist as separate modules. If you have neither, you can choose to buy either one at full price. Say you have the P and want to buy the D, you get it at half price (and vice versa). You get the guaranteed sale from those passionate about the airframe, but might also suck in those who get one and then go "oh well I get the other one at half price".

[Tank50us]

The primary issue with the variant idea is that there are usually significant changes made from one model to the next, and each change can drastically affect the flight model, cockpit operation, or both.

Using the Hind D vs P, just the change in nose gun alone would still require a change to the flight model, as well as a change to the forward part of the pit. While the changes aren't super big, they still require a bit of development time to accomplish. Especially when you consider the work needed to go into the Hinds CPG.

[upyr1]

I've got mixed feelings about variant modules.  I'm not going to say no to them, for example, I would love to have love to have a proper period correct Hind for the Afghanistan map. Early model F-teens. I am always thankful when a module contains multiple variants. On the other hand, I also want to see other aircraft and vehicles added to DCS. 

So you always have to think which would do more for DCS? 

The F-16A or the F-105D? 

just like we also have to think would a new module or a new map or even bug fixes work? 

I'm not saying they shouldn't be done just the DCS Community's theme song was written by Queen, it's called I want it all

I've said it before, I would love to see ED and the other developers come up with a variant module pricing model where the price is based on the amount of work necessary to produce the variants. 

[bies]

True. Mi-24V, F-16A, F-15A/C, AH-64A, Mi-8MT, CH-47B/D, MiG-21F-13 etc. would be awesome. And some 3rd parties like Aerges, Heatblur, Polychop are already making different variants, which is great.

The core of the current problem with variants is, the criterion to chose between variants with available documentation, is not to chose the variant fitting the rest of DCS enviroment - but to model always just the most modern we have access to, even if it means it won't fit ANYTHING in DCS, no other AI or flayable aircrafts, no ground or sea assets, no campaigns. Unfortunately often it means the modules in limbo.

Edited July 19, 2024 by bies

[snocc_]

completely agreed, i think paying for different variants where there are enough major differences involved like the mi-24P to D example is reasonable and helps the devs help us

its generally very hard to recreate any real conflict scenarios in good faith in DCS and it would be really helpful to have more variants of our current airframes to alleviate the tensions currently felt even in some of the most popular scenarios people want like vietnam, the iran-iraq conflict or even ww2 and the normandy campaign. It would be an especially wise move now that competition like il-2 korea and other possible post ww2 installments to the il-2 series are popping up and threaten to steal a large chunk of the playerbase interested in these kinds of scenarios