Looking for a plane with a similar "vibe" as an AV-8B or Mirage 2000C

[lascaris]

I really like the feel of the Harrier and the Mirage. They are both pretty capable while taking a bit more effort than AMRAAM spamming while being not quite as complex as a Hornet or Viper. I'm looking for some recommendations for aircraft with the same kind of feel as it seems pretty obvious that with Razbam bailing that the two modules will eventually have glaring bugs in their operation (beyond what Razbam never fixed in the first place.) I own Hornet, Viper, and A-10 II along with the Harrier and M-2000 but have no issue buying another module if it's something I'd like.

[diego999]

I'd say Mirage F1.  

It's more primitive than the M2000 but the same philosophy is already there. Plus, the upcoming F-1M will be similar to the M2000 avionics wise. Performance, naturally, will not.

[Mike_CK]

Check out the F-4 phantom. Plenty of switches and systems but no MFDs. Like the F-14 (and unlike the Mirage 2000), there is no flight control system so you are really flying it…and you have to. Older systems so missiles are more challenging but still fairly modern. Plus it does air to air and air to ground equally as well. Certainly more A/G capable than the M2000 and more A/A than the harrier. In fact, there are a ton of air to ground weapons including walley/GBU-8 TV guided bombs, mavericks and even a 1st gen Pave Tack targeting pod for LGB.

hard to get more personality than the F-4!

[Convoy]

Heatblur has you covered. If you want a Navy aircraft, the Tomcat is the answer. Want to fly something more oriented towards ground attack, the Phantom and Viggen got you covered. No spAMRAAM, no FBW, the best looking models in the game, although the Viggen looks dated now. So depending on what you want, Tomcat or Phantom. 

 

[Mr_sukebe]

As above Mirage F1 or Phantom.  
Both require more pilot engagement and they are very charismatic.

[Bremspropeller]

There's no other module that will give you the Harrier vibe, which sits at a very sweet spot with it's PGM capabilities and the VSTOL capabilities while being limited to non-radar shennanigans. "Going in" with the Harrier at night at low level after taking off from an entirely too small boat and tanking is a lot of fun and no other module can offer that.

The upcoming F1M will have pretty much Mirage 2000C RDI AG capabilities and somewhat similar AA capabilities (with less performance and a pulse radar, once that is implemented). The F1 won't have self-contained PGMs (all you got is LGBs anyway), but bringing a buddy in a different module sometimes is half the fun anyway.

The F-14 and F-4 will also get you very far downrange in terms of fun and capabilities, but you'll also need to bring a buddy - this time occupying the other seat. Jester is okay'ish, but both modules only really shine with a signifigant other...

I'm biased towards the F1, but keep in mind it'll offer four aircraft in one package, which no other module so far does.

Edited 11 hours ago by Bremspropeller

[Horns]

14 hours ago, lascaris said:

I really like the feel of the Harrier and the Mirage. They are both pretty capable while taking a bit more effort than AMRAAM spamming while being not quite as complex as a Hornet or Viper. I'm looking for some recommendations for aircraft with the same kind of feel as it seems pretty obvious that with Razbam bailing that the two modules will eventually have glaring bugs in their operation (beyond what Razbam never fixed in the first place.) I own Hornet, Viper, and A-10 II along with the Harrier and M-2000 but have no issue buying another module if it's something I'd like.

If A2G is your thing I'd say the Viggen might be worth your while. It's older with less complexity and no MFDs, which means no learning endless MFD pages. It was my first FF module, and I really liked that everything was based around low, fast flight, so my entire experience was refining that one way of flying. I really got a buzz out of going supersonic so low I had to *gain* altitude before releasing AIR bombing. It also took most of the difficulty out of target spotting, it's a lot easier at low altitude.

[lascaris]

Thank you all for the suggestions. The more I think about it, I probably will pick up the Tomcat. I was in the USN from 77-85 including 3 1/2 years on the JFK so it'll be a throwback to my youth

[Supernova-III]

Given that the Harrier is:

• the attack aircraft in its primary role
• close a2a capable
• SEAD/DEAD capable
• still the iron bomber
• fast and subsonic

I can conclude, that the Su-25T is the closest aircraft according to these points. Removed SEAD/DEAD, Su-25 is next. No other attack plane (in its primary role) combines the speed and wide armament nomenclature. But if we are talking about the vibe, Su-25T has a different one. And is Su-25 is another different thing.

 

Edited 3 hours ago by Supernova-III

[Hiob]

Don’t underestimate the Bombcat. It is very capable as a ground pounder, has a big payload, and I’d say for basic A2G you can get along with Jester. Even though of course a human RIO is always a bonus.

And the F1 is just a glorious module with lots of distinct personality. (And quite easy to operate)