A2A Simulations P-51D Mustang

[ARM505]

First impressions of the A2A (very quickly typed, pardon errors please :) ):

 

Cockpit is very 'alive', ie moving anything makes a realistic sound (even throttle, prop, mixture levers), fuel/mag selectors etc etc etc Throttle lever has breakable 'gate' wire (something like that). Moving joystick also makes control noises. Excellent sounds in general. Needles have some weight to them, bouncing a little as you switch the battery master on, plus with airframe bounces (all typical A2A stuff I suppose) Mixture lever has a little metal gate control - in fact, it's a lot easier to see how the controls actually work in the real cockpit - for example, the radio channel dimmer is in fact just a little plastic sliding thing that slides over the lights at night, you can see the little lever arm for the fuel cut off valve move etc. Very polished and neat functionality, even down to the arm rest that folds down on the throttle arm side.

 

Start was normal (except....did the DCS model get the fuel cutoff valve a different way around? Going from memory, so it seemed odd, will check), counting 6 blades, mags on, once she caught (very nice sounds again, no instant change from cranking to running, a very realistic starting sound, and yes, I've seen a Mustang start!) the mixture went from cutoff to run and she spluttered to life. Did I mention the sounds? Both internal and external are excellent IMHO.

 

The taxi was exactly as I expected, and frankly I found it a lot easier than the DCS P51. Nice cockpit vibrations, including some low RPM shakes from the engine (it was still quite cold, at idle it was still a little rough) Absolutely nothing feels canned or scripted, it really feels like a very dynamic interaction.

 

The take off (and indeed all the flying I did, baring one particular thing I tested) feel very similar to the DCS variant. The take off is also a little on the 'exciting' side, with a lot of pedal needed to counter the yawing, and you need to be one step ahead of the plane, trying to anticipate pedal requirement before things get out of hand. Once airbourne, the I cleaned it up and flew a basic circuit, with some reckless flying on the downwind though! Control effectiveness and 'input per rate' seemed similar at first 'feel' to the DCS model, I can only guess that these two separate companies, both with access to the real thing, have come to the same model via different paths, a testament perhaps to their respective accuracy? My one gripe with the DCS model is the amount of drag created when sideslipping. The A2A model seems more plausible in this respect to me - in the DCS model, sideslipping creates massive amounts of drag, far more than I would expect. Of course, I haven't flown the real thing, so you can ignore that opinion if you will. Again, the A2A sounds are absolutely fantastic.

 

Setting up for landing was along the usual lines, and the touchdown (my fault) was pretty terrible - trying to hustle it into a shortish and narrow strip. One bounce and a few wobbles later (definitely didn't get 'stuck' down, as some complain about FSX!), I got it settled nicely enough, and could start to apply brakes. Nice progressive feel from the differential braking, a good thing too since I was almost off the one edge of the runway. At the lowest idle, we get the little puffs of smoke and a little shaking from the motor. Once I stopped, I shut it down where it was, after applying the brakes. Again, very nice slow down of the motor with excellent sounds, also some cool down 'pinging' sounds from the motor.

 

That was a very quick first impression. All in all, its an excellent simulation of a P51 IMHO - it's a very worthwhile addition to ones sim hangar, and easily justifiable even if you already own the DCS model. It somehow seems to have more of the nitty gritty details that a real aircraft has, compared to the slightly 'soulless' feel of the shiny new DCS aircraft that you are given every flight. Of course it has all the usual A2A features of persistent servicing etc, plus instantly adjustable weights etc. DCS's focus will always remain combat (albeit not a very populated world for the P51 at this time), and in this respect it cannot even be compared to FSX of course. Nonetheless, the A2A model simply cannot be written off because 'it's made for FSX', or 'it doesn't have guns' IMHO. The flight and systems modelling is top notch. I never felt a moment where I was thinking 'oh there's a typical FSX horrible moment with the flight model/name your FSX bane'. In fact, the two products have a very similar feel when it comes to flying (a good thing!) It is an excellent simulation of a Mustang. When it comes to just flying around enjoying the aircraft, I prefer the A2A model. That could change of course as the DCS model progresses towards it's final release form.

 

FM's - I prefer the drag modelling of the A2A model at high yaw angles, otherwise I cannot comment further other than that they feel quite similar with my system and control setup (TM Cougar, floor mount, extended, Saitek pedals)

Sounds - I must give A2A the prize for this, they are excellent. As Wags has said however, the DCS model's sounds are not all final/used, so we will have to see

Visuals - Externally, both are excellent. Internally, I find the A2A model details more clear, and it has more of a 'working cockpit' feel to it. Again, we're dealing with two excellent products, so it's not like one is 'bad' at all.

Systems: A2A is of course a finished product, and DCS is not. Suffice to say, the A2A bird is very complete - my first flight didn't find anything that didn't work as expected. This is really A2A's forte, and they do an excellent job.

 

This is of course only a comparison of the actual aircraft. The worlds around them (FSX vs DCS) are a story all on their own of course.

[rattler]

ARM505:

 

Nice write up, if you discover more please update. cheers and thanks.

[rattler]

I have nothing FX/Accu-SIM related on my PC atm. Very interested to try the version. That said, how much will it cost me to get it up and running?

 

You don't have FSX and the P-51D is an add on to FSX. Two different worlds. What would I have to do if I didn't have any DCS and wanted the A-10. I guess the costs would be similar.

[rattler]

Let me rephrase: Could someone link me/PM me the install procedure. Goodness knows my google-fu is not weak but this is a hard nut to crack atm.

 

Sure, purchase FSX and install then purchase P-51D and install no problem.

[ALDEGA]

What would I have to do if I didn't have any DCS and wanted the A-10. I guess the costs would be similar.

DCS A-10C is a standalone product, just as the other flyables.

[EtherealN]

Rattler, first of all you're wrong. Stop trolling or face the consequences.

 

Secondly, how about answering the man's question?

 

Viper, looking at amazon.co.uk, you're looking at £8-16 for FSX, then $30 for the aircraft itself. This is assuming it does not require Acceleration, which AFAIK it does not.

[MTFDarkEagle]

Rattler, first of all you're wrong. Stop trolling or face the consequences.

 

Secondly, how about answering the man's question?

 

Viper, looking at amazon.co.uk, you're looking at £8-16 for FSX, then $30 for the aircraft itself. This is assuming it does not require Acceleration, which AFAIK it does not.

It does not "require" ACC, but I've read it's better to have it for other add-ons. And, you get carrier ops, which is not possible without acc.pack.

 

Viper has already contacted me via PM and we're sorting it out :)

[159th_Viper]

Yeah, I'm bending Eagle's ear atm :)

[MTFDarkEagle]

Yeah, I'm bending Eagle's ear atm :)

Oh dear.. Eagle... I haven't been called that in a longo-while :D

[159th_Viper]

Was contemplating Captain Haddock......Eagle was shorter :P

[MTFDarkEagle]

Was contemplating Captain Haddock......Eagle was shorter :P

:drunk: :beer:

[cichlidfan]

Haven't flown it yet, later tonight, but the manual is quite nicely done. Real nice explanation of the K-14, too.

 

Btw, this is how I print and bind a manual.;)

[rattler]

DCS A-10C is a standalone product, just as the other flyables.

 

That was the point to vipers question. If you don't have FSX then you purchase, if you don't have the P-51D add on then you purchase, same for DCS with some slight differences, one of which is you don't have to keep buying FSX Core for each add on.

Edited May 28, 2012 by rattler

[hitman]

Viper, looking at amazon.co.uk, you're looking at £8-16 for FSX, then $30 for the aircraft itself. This is assuming it does not require Acceleration, which AFAIK it does not.

Didnt I already mention this? :music_whistling:

[HiJack]

DCS Core is free rattler. But the name is DCS World

[rattler]

DCS Core is free rattler. But the name is DCS World

 

Ok, I stand corrected. I just thought seeing as one does not have DCS when you purchase DCS-A10 you also purchase the DCS core, which would be in the price. If DCS core is free then ED/TFC with their series is very reasonable in price. Thanks for the info, I did not know that. Appreciated HiJack.

[rattler]

Rattler, first of all you're wrong. Stop trolling or face the consequences.

 

Secondly, how about answering the man's question?

 

Viper, looking at amazon.co.uk, you're looking at £8-16 for FSX, then $30 for the aircraft itself. This is assuming it does not require Acceleration, which AFAIK it does not.

 

Page 11 has a link to purchase accu-sim P-51D.

 

You can't tell me a man such as viper who has been flight simming for god knows how long does not know the answer to his own questions. This is trolling. I am sorry, if this was someone new to flight simming, he would get all the information needed to acquire FSX and or any other add on to FSX he would require. Viper is a vet. to flight simming and probably knows more than most of us, not just ED/DCS. I am quite sure he knows all about FSX, X-Plane and many other sims and how to get them. Just as you just showed how you knew where to go for the information. Do as you wish. This is childlish.

[Nate--IRL--]

Ok, I stand corrected. I just thought seeing as one does not have DCS when you purchase DCS-A10 you also purchase the DCS core, which would be in the price. If DCS core is free then ED/TFC with their series is very reasonable in price. Thanks for the info, I did not know that. Appreciated HiJack.

 

Rattler if you'd like to try it - Download DCS:-World from link below - It's completely free and contains a flyable Su-25T from the flaming cliffs series, with the rest of the DCS environment fully functional.

 

http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/index.php?scr=product&ProductId=18&end_pos=135&lang=en

 

EDIT:- Don't bother installing the P-51 unless you want to purchase that.

 

Nate

[159th_Viper]

You can't tell me a man such as viper who has been flight simming for god knows how long does not know the answer to his own questions.

 

You want the truth?

 

Here it goes: I bought my first ever PC in late 2005. Flew IL-2 Sturmovik until 2006. On a whim googled fast-jet sims one day and stumbled onto LockOn and have been flying LockOn/DCS ever since, dabbling in ROF and COD (with probably 3 hours of flight-time between them).

 

I have never purchased FSX nor even contemplated it's install. I had no idea where to even start, hence the question. If you are trying to tell me that it's easy for a person with zero FSX experience to know that it takes 5 product installs just to get up and running with the accusim P-51 then you are a better man than me: Personally I honestly had no clue.

 

Then again, why am I even explaining this to you........

[rattler]

You want the truth?

 

Here it goes: I bought my first ever PC in late 2005. Flew IL-2 Sturmovik until 2006. On a whim googled fast-jet sims one day and stumbled onto LockOn and have been flying LockOn/DCS ever since, dabbling in ROF and COD (with probably 3 hours of flight-time between them).

 

I have never purchased FSX nor even contemplated it's install. I had no idea where to even start, hence the question. If you are trying to tell me that it's easy for a person with zero FSX experience to know that it takes 5 product installs just to get up and running with the accusim P-51 then you are a better man than me: Personally I honestly had no clue.

 

Then again, why am I even explaining this to you........

 

Sorry Viper, truely am. You seem to have a wealth of knowledge when questions are asked on this forum. I apologize to you for making an assumption. You still are a wealth of knowledge however you came across it. If I had known for a sec. that you only fly the Lockon/DCS series and have not looked into the others, I would have given you all the information you needed.

 

Tis, true that the FSX deluxe needs a little help for sure and if you were interested, I could have put you in touch with a person with a wealth of knowledge on FSX. Please accept my apology.

 

You can get FSX working well with some tweaks to the FSX.CFG file and it will fly the P-51D just fine. That said if you would like the nice Environment it can fly in then yes you have to purchase some add ons for ground texture and weather features. After that it is up to you how far you would like to take FSX and yes it does mean more purchases. i would say about 4 add ons would give you a sweat look.

Edited May 28, 2012 by rattler

[leafer]

Some people just play one sim I guess.Ive been simming for ever but never FSX or Falcon and all its mods etc.

[rattler]

I might get slammed for this, but I still think FSX looks better than DCS. It has more objects and traffic as well, more calculations so it runs slower.

 

well I think everyone has to tweak FSX to get it running smooth. It can run smooth. I have a middle of the road system and I can run pretty much maxed on the settings.

 

However the FSX.CFG file has to be tweaked and unfortunately or fortunately however you want to look at it, a couple of add ons with their settings makes FSX come alive for most computers. they give better grapics and weather themes, compared to the defaults. DCS will probably get around to better ground graphics but right now I think they are looking and working in other areas. FSX is a Flight Sim. so Graphics was a bigger priority than it would be for a Combat Sim. However DCS is not as bad as the lockon series.

[hitman]

Microsoft used MSPaint to detail FSX.

[Nate--IRL--]

Microsoft used MSPaint to detail FSX.

 

Dont knock MS paint ...................

 

 

Nate

[hitman]

Dont knock MS paint ...................

 

 

Nate

This is art for fun. FSX is a Microsoft product. Remember you cant spell fart without art.