dotChuckles Posted January 2, 2011 Posted January 2, 2011 (edited) Dear ED. I have been an avid simulation enthusiast since before the PC existed as a home gaming platform. Beginning way back in the 80's with my fathers prized possession, a Commodore 64 which cost him a small fortune at the time. Once he had taught me how to boot from the tape drive, he never got a chance to use it again as it was impossible to get me off it. I remember when I was first allowed to get the bus into town by myself at the age of ten , I would, on a Saturday - once I had at least watched the Raccoons and a good dose of Trevor and Simon on Going Live - with my very carefully calculated pocket money (set at an amount that would let me buy a new budget C64 title every two weeks) toddle off in to town. There I would spend hours carefully flipping over the cassette boxes on the shelves at the Virgin Megastore on Princess Street while listening to the music on the in store PA (usually always played a loop of Adamski, Madonna and Snap for some reason). Only once I had spent a suitable time, perused every box and debating for an eternity... this one has arcade quality graphics... but this one has realistic sound... but oooh, this one has a big spaceship on the box... I would select my game, hand over my three one pound notes and quickly jump on the Number 5 bus to go home and jam it in the cassette deck and see if it would load. Frequently, they wouldn't. But, back then really does seem like a simpler time. I remembering playing games like Castle Master, Ghosts 'n' Goblins and the classic Ghost Busters game. Arcade games were a big part of my childhood too. Going to Megabowl with my Dad, throwing a couple of frames, having a hamburger from Wimpy and then emptying his pockets of change playing Gauntlet and Golden Axe. It genuinely brings a tear to my eye when I think about it, and how the world will never be quite as colourful, the music as good or the feelings as carefree. But this was not intended to be a nostalgia piece about being a kid in the late 80's... there is a point coming. I promise. Indulge me another paragraph or two if you will... A few things occurred shortly after this time... The first was being taken to the Leuchars Air Show. Aircraft before then didn't really mean much to me, they were big things that flew over our house, made lots of noise and took people on holiday. After the Leuchars show though... they were powerful, roaring machines of excitement, carving graceful arcs in the sky before plummeting down towards me and splitting my ears open in a high speed pass... Ever since then the whine of a turbojet still sends shivers of excitement down my spine and raises the hairs on the back of my neck. The second, was the Gulf War. My room was full of posters of Tornado's, Harriers, Tanks and IFVs. I had a map on the wall where I had carefully drawn in the positions of all the major forces that I had managed to glean from the news papers. Models of the F-117 hung from my ceiling beside Mig-23s, Jaguars, and a wonderfully detailed GR1. Now lets be clear here... war is an awful thing, it brings suffering to millions and should always be the last resort... but to an 11 year old boy... It's about as exciting as anything can ever get. Even more exciting then my increasing curiosity with Sarah Green and her very thin shoulder padded T-Shirts... Phew. The Third, ok ok, I know I said indulge me another two paragraphs... but hear me out. The third thing was the UK television première of Top Gun. Now this was before VHS machines were affordable, or any kind of fancy TV recording... if you missed it, that was it. Films like these were event telly. Everyone watched it, and everyone was talking about it in the playground the next day. It's impact on me was epic. These three things had created a perfect storm in my head... I knew what I wanted to be, without any doubt in my mind, I wanted to be a pilot. Specifically, I wanted to be a Tornado pilot. Unfortunately I had a whole lot of growing up to do and quite a bit of school to go through first... By this time, technology had moved on... we now had a CBM Amiga. I had never seen graphics like it. 16Bit colour, amazing sound. But no good flight sims yet unfortunately. Once I had my epiphany about being a pilot, all the games I bought were to do with aviation. On the C64 I particularly enjoyed F-16 combat pilot and F-19 Stealth Fighter. They hit the spot and further increased my drive to get into the cockpit for real. However, one month Amiga Format ran an article... It was about an upcoming flight simulator. Tornado by Digital Integration. I couldn't believe it... there was going to be a sim about my favourite aircraft. I couldn't wait. I counted the days. I would phone up Special Reserve once a week and ask if it was out yet. Then one Monday morning a parcel arrived in the post. It was here. It had cost me weeks of pocket money... but IT WAS HERE! I ripped open the brown cardboard box. Inside was the sexy black packaging, the top down shot of three Tornadoes over a landscape and the raised text with gold edging. TORNADO. I can still recall the feel of that box in my hands now. I opened it... inside was the thickest manual I had ever seen. It smelled fantastic... of fresh print and glossy paper. I flicked through it. Full of facts and figures and pictures. It made my 13 year old heart leap. I was going to fly my Tornado. I wanted to boot the disc up then and there... however it was Monday morning School was here and I had to get through it. It was quite possibly the slowest day I have ever experienced. But you know where this story is going... I got home and got to fly my Tornado. I spent hours and hours with it. I learned loft bombing techniques, how to use terrain, deploying J233, everything. I soaked up every technical detail and system I could. I knew it inside out back to front and sideways. I may have only had a two button digital joystick (no ability to control roll rate) but I made that aircraft go exactly where I wanted it to. In my mind, I was John Peters, thudding towards an airfield to hand out payback with John Nichol in the back. I was stopping the Russian hordes on the East German border. I was there, everything about that sim put you there, from the photography in the menu screen to watching the MFD in the rear cockpit as you pin-point struck another target with a Paveway. It was golden. I was flying the aircraft I was obsessed with and it just felt right. Every element was there. I flew that sim all the way through school. I had the Gulf add-on too. And while I was flying Tornado, I was pushing towards my RAF career. I joined the ATC and I had already soloed in a glider and a Bulldog by the time the Amiga was in the attic and we had bought a PC. Of course I re-bought Tornado for the PC, and using a COM port had successfully managed to go head to head with a friend. Around the mid to late 90's other sims came and went, but nothing ever matched the feeling of playing Tornado. They never felt like I was there. Eventually the time came where I had to put my money where my mouth was and attempt a career in the RAF. I will cut the boring bit and just say that I did extremely well, performed excellently at the aptitude tests... I think it was all the simming, and gave a good account of my self in the interviews. It was just the medical that I failed. Fast Jet career over. I got over it -- Eventually. Life moved on, I kept simming, and now I have a job in the media which I love, so it all turned out ok in the end. But with the blow of never quite making it... I found sims just never quite did it for me again. A few came close, Janes F/A-18 and F-15 deserve a mention, Falcon 4.0 of course too. Even when LOMAC came out... they were all great... but they weren't Tornado. Black Shark certainly engaged my brain... but it didn't have the DI Tornado factor. So we arrive at DCS A-10 (see I was getting to the point eventually). The A-10 has never held a special place for me... I've always thought it was cool, and A-10 Cuba! was fun back in the day, but for me it was always just an aircraft. However, knowing the level of detail and accuracy that was put into Black Shark and respecting what ED were doing in the industry, I thought I would give it a go. So I jumped in a few days ago at Beta 4. It downloaded, the shaders compiled, it ran, buttons could be clicked, systems programmed, aircraft flown. Then something strange happened. It was about my third day with the sim and I was just taxing on to runway 31 at Batumi. I was looking around tracking the centreline as I took the turn, I quickly looked down, flipped the Anti-Col lights on and the Nav to flash, looked back up and my virtual eyes adjusted to the new brightness after having looked into the dark cockpit. I adjusted the HUD, hacked the clock and advanced the throttles... and there it was. A little feeling in the pit of my stomach. A little flutter. Could it be? No, of course not. I climbed out and proceeded with my custom mission, a little target practice with a trainee FAC. I hit the CP and checked in for my 9 line... but there it was again. WTF? A while later while orbiting the range looking down at smoking vehicles, a GBU-31 hung up on a pylon and being given the all clear to depart, I was slightly sweaty with an elevated heart rate from trying to remember all the check-lists for prepping stores delivery in DSMS... it was there again... a feeling that just couldn't be ignored. This was as good as Tornado. I immediately felt guilty. It was like I had just been unfaithful to my partner. No... it couldn't be as good. But it was. For a moment I had felt as if I were there... and the part of me that is an excitable 13 year old with an imagination and dreams of being an RAF pilot surfaced for the first time in nearly 20 years. Coming back round the headland to Batumi, lining up for a visual approach, flaring and almost feeling the A-10 settle into the ground effect, I greased it right between the touch down markers. Yes... yes... this felt as good as Tornado. I taxied off and parked up, turning systems, TACAN and radios off I reflected. No, DCS A-10 hadn't just unseated Tornado as the best simulation of all time in my mind... but bloody hell... It's right there next to it. PS... As a foot note to all that if you ever did decide to do a Tornado GR1... you can have my first born. I mean, I have even considered my options for espionage in order to get you the documents that are still classified... Well, a man can dream. Edited April 8, 2016 by dotChuckles 11 [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]
159th_Viper Posted January 2, 2011 Posted January 2, 2011 Enjoyed that :) Ta Novice or Veteran looking for an alternative MP career? Click me to commence your Journey of Pillage and Plunder! [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] '....And when I get to Heaven, to St Peter I will tell.... One more Soldier reporting Sir, I've served my time in Hell......'
ED Team Wags Posted January 2, 2011 ED Team Posted January 2, 2011 DI's Tornado has long been one of my chief inspirational titles. Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/wagmatt Twitch: wagmatt System: https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?p=3729544#post3729544
bradleyjs Posted January 2, 2011 Posted January 2, 2011 DI's Tornado has long been one of my chief inspirational titles. Great story! Yeah, loved that one too.. In fact, funny you even mention it, I was just thinking about that sim on New Years day... - I liked how you had to make the TOT and then climb and "Loft" the bomb on target [timing was key to mission] ... for it's time, it was a really geat sim of its day! :smilewink: Just wonder, when "Beta 5" will be released ... ok, ok, being patient here... :huh: Alienware Area 51 R5 - Intel i9 7980XE (4.7 GHz), 32GB Dual Channel HyperX DDR4 XMP, Dual NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Graphics 11GB GDDR5X SLI, 4.5 TB combo of SSDs/HDDs, Alienware 1500 Watt Multi-GPU Power Supply, Alienware 25” 240Hz Gaming Monitor, Alienware Pro Gaming Keyboard, TM HOTAS, TM Cougar F-16C MFDs, Saitek Pro Flight Rudder Pedals, TrackIR5, Win10 Pro x64
Tone71 Posted January 2, 2011 Posted January 2, 2011 Great story, brings back memories. I remember pre-ordering F29 Retaliator from Special Reserve (had forgotten about them, until you mentioned it); had to wait possibly the longest 9 weeks of my life for that to arrive (no Beta goodness back then!). Windows 10 Home, Intel Core i7-9700K @ 4.6GHz, Gigabyte GTX 1070 G1 Gaming (8GB VRAM) on 34" LG curved monitor @ 3440x1440, 32GB RAM, TrackIR 3 (with Vector Expansion), Thrustmaster Warthog HOTAS, Saitek Combat Pedals, Thrustmaster Cougar MFDs.
MTFDarkEagle Posted January 2, 2011 Posted January 2, 2011 Very nice read buddy :) Enjoyed that very much! Lukas - "TIN TIN" - 9th Shrek Air Strike Squadron TIN TIN's Cockpit thread
CarneyUK Posted January 2, 2011 Posted January 2, 2011 Great read!! Certainly get's everyone's memory's flooding back of days gone by!! Couldn't believe there are still video's on Youtube for it :thumbup: "The sky is not the limit.....it's my playground!!" @paraglidecass
dane48 Posted January 2, 2011 Posted January 2, 2011 That was great. I relived many of those moments. Thanks for posting and may we all enjoy this wonderful sim for many years "To most people, the sky is the limit. To those who love aviation, the sky is home."-----anonymous
slowhand Posted January 2, 2011 Posted January 2, 2011 Great read, those where the days..I think I still have the Software,manual and fold out keycards for DI Tornado in the attic. along with my old com64,1541 floppy drive and boxs of software...:pilotfly: [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] SMOKE'M:smoke: IF YA GOT'M!:gun_rifle: H2o Cooler I7 9700k GA 390x MB Win 10 pro Evga RTX 2070 8Gig DD5 32 Gig Corsair Vengence, 2T SSD. TM.Warthog:joystick: :punk:, CV-1:matrix:,3x23" monitors, Tm MFD's, Saitek pro rudders wrapped up in 2 sheets of plywood:megalol:
Mustang Posted January 2, 2011 Posted January 2, 2011 Great post :) Being a child of the 80's in the UK myself, i can relate to alot of what you say :thumbup: (and i was a regular shopper at Special Reserve too :D)
bradleyjs Posted January 2, 2011 Posted January 2, 2011 I guess that we are all a bunch of "old timers" around here ... LOL -- feels good to know that we're all in good company! Cheers! Alienware Area 51 R5 - Intel i9 7980XE (4.7 GHz), 32GB Dual Channel HyperX DDR4 XMP, Dual NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Graphics 11GB GDDR5X SLI, 4.5 TB combo of SSDs/HDDs, Alienware 1500 Watt Multi-GPU Power Supply, Alienware 25” 240Hz Gaming Monitor, Alienware Pro Gaming Keyboard, TM HOTAS, TM Cougar F-16C MFDs, Saitek Pro Flight Rudder Pedals, TrackIR5, Win10 Pro x64
sobek Posted January 2, 2011 Posted January 2, 2011 I guess that we are all a bunch of "old timers" around here ... LOL -- feels good to know that we're all in good company! Not by my standards, after all, i was only assembled in the 80ies :) Good, fast, cheap. Choose any two. Come let's eat grandpa! Use punctuation, save lives!
dotChuckles Posted January 3, 2011 Author Posted January 3, 2011 DI's Tornado has long been one of my chief inspirational titles. Wags, if Beta 4 is anything to go by... You are on your way to creating it's equal or better. Thank you all for your kind words :-) It was a great time back then for games. I just think it's a fantastic thing to be finally flying something that captures my imagination and interest in a way that games could before I became old and cynical. [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]
MTFDarkEagle Posted January 3, 2011 Posted January 3, 2011 90-ies for me, but I can completely relate to the original post ;) Lukas - "TIN TIN" - 9th Shrek Air Strike Squadron TIN TIN's Cockpit thread
Spartan1-1 Posted January 3, 2011 Posted January 3, 2011 Good read chuckles thanks. SPARTAN1-1 Спартанец1-1 Dell XPS 630i / Windows 7 / Intel Core 2 Extreme CPU Q6850 @ 3.00 GHZ / 4 GB Corsair Dominator 1066/ NVIDIA 8800GT X 2 / Track IR 4Pro / X52 + Pedals Dell Studio XPS 1647 / Windows 7 / Intel i7 620 @ 2.67 GHZ / 4 GB RAM / ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4670
shagrat Posted January 3, 2011 Posted January 3, 2011 Fantastic Yep, absolutely brilliant post! I was intrigued by DID's EF2000 - which simulated the LGB drop with lock-point-and-drop for the first time if I remember correctly - with A-10C it's there again: TGP search-lock-designate, coordinate the drop and booom :thumbup: Decades between these two sims, but they both have this gut feeling you mentioned. I remember my first Thrustmaster HOTAS which gave me an edge in MP Dogfights :megalol: ...my buddies soon invested in Thrustmaster, also! Chasing one another through Norways Fjords and Canyons was superb... Shagrat - Flying Sims since 1984 - Win 10 | i5 10600K@4.1GHz | 64GB | GeForce RTX 3090 - Asus VG34VQL1B | TrackIR5 | Simshaker & Jetseat | VPForce Rhino Base & VIRPIL T50 CM2 Stick on 200mm curved extension | VIRPIL T50 CM2 Throttle | VPC Rotor TCS Plus/Apache64 Grip | MFG Crosswind Rudder Pedals | WW Top Gun MIP | a hand made AHCP | 2x Elgato StreamDeck (Buttons galore)
jimcarrel Posted January 3, 2011 Posted January 3, 2011 I still haven't run across a more "slick" mission planner as the one in DI Tornado. Good memories! Win 10 64 bit Intel I-7 7700K 32GB Ram Nvidia Geforce GTX 1060 6gig
Le0kong Posted January 3, 2011 Posted January 3, 2011 90-ies for me, but I can completely relate to the original post ;) Me too, the closest memory i have to that is playing TopGun on the NES. :D Wags, if Beta 4 is anything to go by... You are on your way to creating it's equal or better. ... A case of student beat master. AMD Athlon II X2 240 2.8@3360 MHz | MB Asus M4A78-EM | 4GB DDR2-800 Kingston | XFX HD 5770 @850-900/1200-1300 | 500G Samsung HD502HI | Case CM 335 | CM-EPP 460W | Windows 7 Ultimate (64bit) | Saitek X65F | Freetrack(Wii Remote) | LG 23' W2353V
Scooternutz Posted January 3, 2011 Posted January 3, 2011 DI's Tornado has long been one of my chief inspirational titles. It was my first sim and that is what got me hooked. I could not believe that a sim like DI Tornado existed but it did. A-10C is wonderful and I am just getting started. I have so much to learn. I was hoping for a huge learning curve and I got it. [sIGPIC]https://drive.google.com/file/d/16rUBmmJR7A3YGZVGPGskxG1XtvulGojJ/view?usp=sharing[/sIGPIC]
Bulletstop Posted January 3, 2011 Posted January 3, 2011 Awesome read. I remember playing it and god I loved it so much. It was a glorious time for this budding industry. Bullet I7 4790K running at 4390 with a gigabyte board with 16 gigs of ram with an Asus gtx 660-ti and 2 tb of hard drive space on 2 wd hard drives. A X-65F Hotas with trackir4 and pro combat peddles. A kick butt home built machine unfortunately running a windows 7 OS.
Mad Dog 7.62 Posted January 3, 2011 Posted January 3, 2011 I too fondly remember the DI Tornado....setting up four ship attacks on an enemy airfield, with the 4 tornados coming in from different directions a few seconds apart....sweaty palms as I tried to remember everything that needed to happen to land that puppy....flaps, wing sweep, gear, thrust reversers....it was an awesome sim for the day and I too would love to see a modern version. [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] Gigabyte GA97XSLI Core i7 4790 @ 4.0 Ghz MSI GTX 1080ti 32 Mb RAM DDR3-2133 512GB SSD for DCS HP Reverb VR HMD Thrustmaster Warthog & MFG Crosswind
tusler Posted January 3, 2011 Posted January 3, 2011 Thanks for the memories, and imagine the A10 is still WIP:D Ask Jesus for Forgiveness before you takeoff :pilotfly:! PC=Win 10 HP 64 bit, Gigabyte Z390, Intel I5-9600k, 32 gig ram, Nvidia 2060 Super 8gig video. TM HOTAS WARTHOG with Saitek Pedals
JohnMalcolm1970 Posted January 3, 2011 Posted January 3, 2011 Ahh... fond memories. I hunted around for a list of computer flight sim games to see how many I've owned over the years. I'm not including more modern games - just ones from the early days of Commodore 64, Amiga 500 and my early PC games. A-10 Tank Killer ATF B-17 Flying Fortress Birds of Prey Dam Busters Dog Fight EF2000 F-15 Strike Eagle II F-15 Strike Easgle F-19 Stealth Fighter (Mcroprose) Falcon 4.0 Flight Unlimited Gunship 2000 Janes USAF Knights of the Sky Megafortress Mig-29 Fulcrum Nighthawk: F-117A Stealth Fighter 2.0 TFX: Tactical Fighter Experiment Tornado That's only the ones I could remember... there were more.
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