Hi Guys, new to DCS and considering the P-51.

[wrmiller19]

Please don't laugh, but I have spent most of my flight sim time in Falcon 4 (free falcon) and FSX flying the Accu-Sim P-51.

 

I have a decent system, Alienware, with Saitek stick/throttle quadrant/rudder, and IR 5 head tracking.

 

So...everything I'm reading says how more realistic this sim is (read difficult?) and am a little anxious about spending the money for the P-51 if I can't fly her.

 

I did have some difficulties with the Accu-Sim at first, but after 3 hours or so feel fairly comfortable in it. I am kinda proud of the fact that I have never crashed her, although I'm fairly certain I damaged the landing gear a time or two... :cry:

 

I guess the basic question is: How big of a step up is this bird? Should I save my money and stick with the suck-and-blows? (former Marine avionics NCOIC for CH-53 squadron...sorry)

[Krebs20]

Well, I promise you will crash this P51. You will also become a better virtual pilot with it. The engine noise and cannons should be enough for you to consider buying this bird. Your missing out with the FSX addons.

If your in doubt. Download DCS work for free. Make a simple mission in the editor with 2 P51s against each other and watch the show. If that doesn't convince you to buy it, nothing will.

[104th_Crunch]

And you get blow up stuff really good with the DCS P-51! Don't worry about it. If you have enough patience to learn the Accusim P-51, you will do fine with the DCS P-51. You won't regret a thing.

[wrmiller19]

And you get blow up stuff really good with the DCS P-51! Don't worry about it. If you have enough patience to learn the Accusim P-51, you will do fine with the DCS P-51. You won't regret a thing.

 

Cool! Yea, I was kinda disappointed when I loaded my guns and some rockets, only to find I couldn't use them! :huh:

 

Will buy it tonight when I get home from work! :D

[Pyroflash]

Cool! Yea, I was kinda disappointed when I loaded my guns and some rockets, only to find I couldn't use them! :huh:

 

Will buy it tonight when I get home from work! :D

 

Good show, and I'd advise reading the manual that can be downloaded for free before you buy.

 

http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/downloads/documentation/dcs-p-51d_flight_manual_en/

 

This should give you a good idea on how the systems and such are implemented in the DCS: P-51D. I think you will find it to be very immersing, and remember, there is no shame in using the takeoff rudder assists during your first few sorties.

 

Also be advised that the aircraft performs very differently with different CG settings and stores configs. So it is probably good that you get a feel for how the bird flies in different configurations.

 

By all, I think that suck and blow aircraft are cool and all, but blow and blow aircraft are more fun :).

Edited October 2, 2012 by Pyroflash

[VH-Rock]

Hi wrmiller19,

 

This P-51 is certain to be a big step up but, and I promise you, this Mustang can be tamed! Sure, at first, it's a little complicated for people who have never flown a high fidelity simulator - the fact that you have flown the accusim version may prove to be beneficial for you when mastering the various procedures.

 

There are plenty of people around, myself included, who will be willing to give you helping hand to get you started flying the P-51 in DCS. She's a beautiful bird and, once you've gotten past 1 or 2 'quirks', you'll love her!

 

I know I post this video around way too much, but this was after a week of flying the first beta version of the sim. I'm sure you'll get the hang of it!

 

[wrmiller19]

Thanks guys! I will download the manual, promise. :)

 

Oh, and I've already discovered first hand what different loadings do to handling: The look on my face was probably priceless the first time I took off with the fuselage tank full!

[TimmyD]

It's a fantastic thing to fly and I am not a great pilot. Once you get used to her being on the twitchy side you learn to think before pulling outrageous moves unless you're 'Rock'....lool

 

Get it, fly it and enjoy it!

[VH-Rock]

Once you get used to her being on the twitchy side you learn to think before pulling outrageous moves unless you're 'Rock'....lool

 

Haha, what we do is achievable by everybody if you're willing to put the time in mate :) It just takes a lot of patience and a lot dedication

[leafer]

That was some brilliant flying, Rock! Must be your joystick! :D

[wrmiller19]

Trying to buy the P-51 software, but the download section doesn't show it?!?!

 

Edit: Nevermind, followed the link in the received email and it took me to the right place. NOTE: following the link from the 'purchased' web page doesn't take you to the P-61 download page. FYI...

Edited October 3, 2012 by wrmiller19

[Pyroflash]

Trying to buy the P-51 software, but the download section doesn't show it?!?!

 

Edit: Nevermind, followed the link in the received email and it took me to the right place. NOTE: following the link from the 'purchased' web page doesn't take you to the P-61 download page. FYI...

 

For future reference, you can download all modules, regardless of purchasing status, from ED's download page.

 

http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/index.php?end_pos=136&scr=products&lang=en

[wrmiller19]

Wow!

 

OK, briefly scanned the manual (pretty much the same as A2As), and tried a solo training mission after getting my X52 controls set.

 

I found the takeoff to be easier (no offense guys!) than the A2A, with less 'walking the rudder pedals' required. Once clean and trimmed I think this girl is more responsive to input than the A2A. I think I had this stupid grin on my face the whole time I was up.

 

Did a short stint around the airport and and river (wasn't about to mess with those power lines!!!) and landed. Piece of cake.

 

Except for when I tried hitting the toe brakes (too early?) and promptly put her on her nose, mangling a beautiful prop and doing who knows how much more damage. :cry:

 

I'm hooked! :D

 

Sorry for banging her up guys. Maybe I should soften the toe brakes a tad?

[ctec1]

Hi Wr,

 

I own the A2A Mustang also. I find the A2A version easier to handle during the takeoff roll. One thing you might want to check is in "options/special/P51D", make sure auto rudder is disabled and while your at it check takeoff assist.

 

I thought the A2A was a handful until I jumped in the DCS bird. Glad youre enjoying it:)

[EtherealN]

Those takeoff assists and things aren't necessarily to be considered "cheats" though. One of the most important sensors as a pilot is your butt, but with a desktop sim you just don't have that one.

 

But of course, if you're into challenges, few things can match the feeling of achievement you get when you have managed a good flight with no assists on the P-51. :)

[wrmiller19]

Hi Wr,

 

I own the A2A Mustang also. I find the A2A version easier to handle during the takeoff roll. One thing you might want to check is in "options/special/P51D", make sure auto rudder is disabled and while your at it check takeoff assist.

 

I thought the A2A was a handful until I jumped in the DCS bird. Glad youre enjoying it:)

 

 

Ohhh...yea. :doh:

[VH-Rock]

Thanks leafer :) Actually people laugh at me! I'm still using a standard X-52, not an X-65 or a Warthog. But, as I see it, why change hardware when what you have works perfectly?

 

wrmiller19, I'm glad to see you purchased the P-51 and got her up. As ctec1 said, check the take off assists and make sure auto rudder and game flight mode are off.

 

She's just great fun to fly!

Edited October 3, 2012 by VH-Rock

[WildBillKelsoe]

regarding the mustang, I'm a convert. I hated the idea at first, not publicly, but, deep down. I thought ED gone berserk, no more electronics, and shenanigans? WTFFTW??

 

Then I started reading more about the victories of WWII, how those P-51s were developed on such short notice. Their impact on saving lives of bombers and their endurance flight all the way to berlin. Then watched Tuskegee airmen, (RED TAILS :( Still not convinced..

 

Then got stumped by 2 dev notes about engine management with WEP and the manifold pressure and couldn't have known that from a dead-eye elephant's d*ck. So, I attempted reading more about the engine and used wikipedia to understand terms like supercharger, intake manifold, reduction gear, camshaft, etc..

 

[i am a dentist, remember? so I wouldn't understand any mechanics in life, not until recently, and still picking up].

 

Then I decided to roll it and buy.

 

Nuff said. Oh, and I own Blackshark 1.0 Steam, BS2.0 1.1.1.1 , and A-10C 1.1.1.1. I recently purchased Combined Armpits, but never tried it, nor the Su-25Tite, all for the purpose of supporting ED.

 

I even bought two iterations of Mig-21 DD and bonus DVD version. Itching badly for that one.

[bloomstomb]

Hey.. If you have ever been into flight sims, past or present, DCS products will prove to be shockingly good.

[WildBillKelsoe]

Hey.. If you have ever been into flight sims, past or present, DCS products will prove to be shockingly good.

 

Actually, it will completely change the view of flight sims concept with world and the upcoming 3rd party modules. ED took the right step. I know the aircraft will be DCS fidelity.:thumbup::smartass:

[wrmiller19]

Having flown a few more times (still in training/solo mode) I find that there are some significant differences in this as compared to A2A. I do like the engine sounds of the A2A slightly better, and the fact that if you throttle back too far can have you fouling the plugs and having to 'clear her out' so to speak. Complete with smoke coming out the exhaust.

 

On the other hand, I like the fact that I don't have to worry about fouling the motor/plugs on this one when trying to land. Just one less thing. :)

 

I notice a crisper response to control inputs in this sim. Like that! And then there's the ability to actually strafe a building and actually put some lead into it! :D

 

In the A2A camp, I like the ability to go into the hanger and check on the status of various systems and see if I'm stressing the motor too hard. If I do though, I can always do a complete overhaul to set things right again. Something like this would be kinda cool here.

 

Overall, I foresee myself flying both in the future. DCS for when I want to blow things up, and A2A for when I want to fly in the civilian world. Especially when they get the civilian version done so I can do cross-country and IFR in a P-51.

 

Now I'm gonna go blow things up... :D