The MIG-29A is brilliant! Congratulations Eagle Dynamics to a great release!

[The Gryphon]

Hi all,

I have only tested the MIG-29A for 2 hours (the module has only been released for like 4 hours ) so this is my first impressions! 

But I am VERY impressed with the MIG-29A! Why am I so impressed? Am I here to create hype? No I am impressed because this is a very very good module and let me tell you why!

The PC performence is amazing. The cockpit and body of the aircraft is 3D-modeled and textured to the most modern and highest standards,

and still the PC performence is super good! I run a RTX 3080 with 32 GB of ram, I always play in VR (and so I did during my first impressions testing) and FPS / Framerate was ROCK SOLID 72 FPS (and with ALL my modules in DCS my BEST FPS is 72). This means the MIG-29A has as good PC performence as older modules like the F-18 but with with higher cockpit detail then F-18, nicely done Eagle Dynamics! 

The flight module is very FUN. It is like a mix between the F-16 and the F-18, it is very repsonsive but not twitchy or nervous at all! 

The engine sounds are very good aswell. You can hear all the rpms from the turbines, from the bottom and all the way up, and the sound very powerful! 

The only thing I am missing is more training missions, but being a pre-release module I know they will come in time.

If I can sumup my first impression in one single word it would be: FUN. This bird gets a smile on your face for sure  

[Tango3B]

Yes, I can only agree. I've just had my first flight in the 29 and I have to say that I'm absolutely thrilled. She feels fantastic, sounds absolutely great and looking at the systems, I think that quite a lot of stuff it is already there. This is actually amazing. And think of it, all of this in an Early Access release. Let me put it this way...you lovely people at ED can pat yourselves on the back tonight. Not only is the module absolutely brilliant, the team that worked on it has delivered. Hats off to them. By the way, I've also immediately ordered the NS430 to go with it. If you're going to have the MiG, then you'll have to have everything available, right? Right. So yes, what can I say, it's great that this is finally another successful release. Great work, guys.

[Vakarian]

I will join with the commendations. I was worried at first as I did buy FC3 version to get slightly familiar with the FM but I found it really twitchy.

Now I tried the FF version and I was pleasantly surprised by just how nice it feels and FFB implementation is wonderful as the stick feels amazing. Trim follows it nicely, it responds to my input as if I had 2000 hours in it  Don't know what you did, but whatever you did it's great. Performance is also not bad, using the default English cockpit (not the reduced ones) and I didn't see any stutter, hiccup, jitter, whatnot. There are some bugs here and there, but in the grand scheme of things nothing major. Can't wait to actually start learning the systems and using it in missions.

[Divadov]

hace 25 minutos, Tango3B dijo:

Yes, I can only agree. I've just had my first flight in the 29 and I have to say that I'm absolutely thrilled. She feels fantastic, sounds absolutely great and looking at the systems, I think that quite a lot of stuff it is already there. This is actually amazing. And think of it, all of this in an Early Access release. Let me put it this way...you lovely people at ED can pat yourselves on the back tonight. Not only is the module absolutely brilliant, the team that worked on it has delivered. Hats off to them. By the way, I've also immediately ordered the NS430 to go with it. If you're going to have the MiG, then you'll have to have everything available, right? Right. So yes, what can I say, it's great that this is finally another successful release. Great work, guys.

Sorry for ignoring, about NS430 would tell that MIG-29A has not map position system?

Edited yesterday at 08:03 PM by Divadov

[Tango3B]

30 minutes ago, Divadov said:

Sorry for ignoring, about NS430 would tell that MIG-29A has not map position system?

So what I meant with the NS430 is that you can also simulate later, retrofitted variants that were typically used somewhere within NATO. The NS430, which I already had for the C-101, is actually extremely easy to use and an absolutely wonderful tool for adding the GPS component to the traditional navigation of the MiG-29. And yes, there's also a kind of map mode and various other features. You can basically create your own waypoints, use a database, and basically have all the features that a reasonably modern GPS offers. So, of course, I wanted to include it, especially since it looks pretty cool on the MiG's instrument panel. But yes, I would recommend it if you want a more modern navigation variant for certain scenarios. The NS430 is really quite a useful tool. I hope I was able to answer the core of your question somehow.

[Tango3B]

55 minutes ago, Vakarian said:

I will join with the commendations. I was worried at first as I did buy FC3 version to get slightly familiar with the FM but I found it really twitchy.

Now I tried the FF version and I was pleasantly surprised by just how nice it feels and FFB implementation is wonderful as the stick feels amazing. Trim follows it nicely, it responds to my input as if I had 2000 hours in it  Don't know what you did, but whatever you did it's great. Performance is also not bad, using the default English cockpit (not the reduced ones) and I didn't see any stutter, hiccup, jitter, whatnot. There are some bugs here and there, but in the grand scheme of things nothing major. Can't wait to actually start learning the systems and using it in missions.

Well, you're absolutely right. The performance is fantastic, I completely forgot to mention that. My computer is now four years old, and I've just ordered a new one. Not because of DCS, of course; that was for other reasons. But even on the old one, the MiG runs absolutely brilliantly. And a quick word about the simulated flight model. The simulated flight model that ED is using here is possibly the best they have available. ED themselves mentioned some time ago that the data available for the MiG-29 flight model in question is fantastic, and that they can simulate a very authentic model with it. I think that's very clear, especially in light of today's release.

[Beagly]

I can only re-iterate what others before me have said, and that is that its a fantastic module and release.

I can't fault it at all, its a very fun module, handles well, fly's well and overall just feels really well polished in the cockpit experience from day one. 

Now this might be just be me..... but by sheer accident I have just realised if you click and hold on the mirror there adjustable!!! Now it might be that other jets with mirrors are also adjustable but I never noticed it and in the new MIG 29 its an awesome little quality of life.

The only tiny thing for me which is bugging me personally and its probably a true to life thing / lack of understanding thing. But on start-up when you initiate navigation prep, is there anyway to see the progress, or that its currently happening. I've twice managed to start a jet and despite following the manual as best I can.... after 10 mins the little green quick prepare light hasn't kicked in. I'm sure its me, but the current manual doesn't give enough detail on what steps I took to mess this process up and what to do if I did screw up the prep. 

But other than the normal issue between the keyboard and chair this module has been an utter blast.
 

This has after a few hours of play become my favourite module in my collection

[Alpiinoo]

Agreed. Fulcrum is beautiful and wonderful to fly.

[kotor633]

Hi,
For me, the Mig-29A is the new standard in DCS. I'm completely blown away by this module. ED, you've done a fantastic job! The only thing that still bothers me is the EA manual. Why, for example, is there nothing here about DTC? I really hope there will be an alignment with the F-16C/AH-64D manuals soon (and we don't have to wait so long like we did with the Hind). These two manuals should become the standard for future manuals in DCS. My opinion.
And please publish a roadmap for the Mig-29A as well.
ED, you've managed to make a grown man look forward to a new toy like a little kid again!

[Dača]

I agree. I once said that this will be the best module ever from ED. Quality wise. I was not wrong. Of course there are still some features to be added and some polishing. But for first day of early access it is amazing!

[The Gryphon]

15 hours ago, Tango3B said:

 The simulated flight model that ED is using here is possibly the best they have available. 

I fully agree! I own almost all ED airplanes & to me the MIG-29A sets a new standard when it comes to flightmodel. This is my personal opinion but I have to say the MIG moves and behaves in the air like a jetfighter should. I felt the same way with the Kiowa when it comes to helicopters. It felt heavy but very reponsive at the same time, not twitchy, no oscilation, very good response to thottle inputs, balanced acceleration and so on. L-39 is another great example of a solid flight model. The MIG-29 belongs with those two aircraft for sure.

[Civetta_ITA]

2 ore fa, kotor633 ha scritto:

And please publish a roadmap for the Mig-29A as well.

Yep, I think so me too...

[Cab]

57 minutes ago, The Gryphon said:

…the MIG-29A sets a new standard when it comes to flightmodel.

This is interesting because I thought it was supposed to have the same flight model as the FC version.

[falconzx]

1 ora fa, Cab ha scritto:

This is interesting because I thought it was supposed to have the same flight model as the FC version.

So, is it or not?

[Cab]

46 minutes ago, falconzx said:

So, is it or not?

That’s for ED to answer

The FAQ seems to indicates there are no improvements over the PFM of the FC MiG-29

 

Edited 7 hours ago by Cab

[falconzx]

But impressions on this topic seems not to be aligned with that FAQ statement. Is it a placebo effect generated by better sound and textures? Anybody did some real tests?

Edited 6 hours ago by falconzx

[Raven (Elysian Angel)]

1 hour ago, falconzx said:

So, is it or not?

It will probably have some refinements here and there, but the PFM is relatively recent: it was the last FC3 plane (ignoring the Su-25) to get a PFM.

That being said, the landing physics are vastly improved over the FC3 version, that much is clear.

[CaptJodan]

Maybe a lot of us played the FC3 version a while ago and they did updates since then that made the FC3 version different/better?  That would be my case.  I used to fly the FC3 Mig, but despised it.  It never felt like it flew right.  This feels different/better.  

Or it could just be the better sound/textures/FF aspect.  But it does feel different.  I was very skeptical that I'd like this module when I bought it, but I'm pleasantly surprised.  It's a lot of fun in a knife fight.  

[Wizard_03]

38 minutes ago, Raven (Elysian Angel) said:

It will probably have some refinements here and there, but the PFM is relatively recent: it was the last FC3 plane (ignoring the Su-25) to get a PFM.

That being said, the landing physics are vastly improved over the FC3 version, that much is clear.

Totally agree.

[The Gryphon]

I can't really explain why I like this flightmodel so much, I guess it is very subjective how each simpilot experience a module and its flight behaviour. 

I never played FC3 MIG-29. So it might be that ED modeled the FC3 flight model very well and I happen to like that type of flying. 

I have been flying the MIG-29A Fulcrum for 8 hours now and it really reminds me of a F-14 Tomcat, but a bit more nimble and agile. 

The MIG-29A also feels like it has a early cold war fly-by wire system, it does not have auto-trim like modern jets, so you need to trim after each throttle imput but the trimmer

works so well so it really not a burden. It also feels like a cold war Spitfire, because it can circkle in the air without loosing to much speed and even when 

it does loose speed its body with all that lift ->makes it turn the nose really well at low speeds. The MIG-29A is a pretty small airplane but it has 2 (!) powerfull engines,

so even down to low speeds it gains it back very fast (with afterburner it can climb straight up). I guess all this combined makes a so much fun and why I really like it