I love the SF/SF2 series,don't get me wrong but it just seems that its basically the same game every release with just a few planes and a map that "may" be new.Seems the list of flyables is beginning to shrink to.Only 2 flyable aircraft for $29.99? You could get much more in a mod for SF2.

Yup i agree, thought i would be getting more.

Oh well.

What you get is..... New avionics, Terrain System, Effects, Carrier ops, F-14 etc. What you are paying for is a better future for the series. The new community mods that will be coming out for this in the near future will be worth the price alone. A few bugs to wrinkle out course but that is normal for flight-sims these days. TK is the only "open", modable flight sim out there. I have the full sf2 series and fully support his independent open, non drm business model. It also has a strong community to boot. It might seem a little pricey but keep in mind game devlopement doesn't come cheap.

Yep - TW have put a lot into this one with some massive changes so its going the right way - the task forces are fantastic - there are so many changes - the AI and SAMs and merciless no wonder it took 3 years to do.


I will just add in some HD campaign screens and jobs a goodun.


For the future I would want him to work on more ground target variety to spruce up campaigns a bit.

Im very happy for what I got for my $30.00.

You dont just get " 2 flyables".

You get the Tomcat, its weapon systems , integration with the AWACs, A7E, USN, Russian Navy and Naval Battles that rival a mini Midway. New Terrain engine ( that needs further development- guess Iceland was the easiest tio implement first), new Water effects etc.

People are happy to pay the same for 1 plane in FSX.

I have bought all Strikefighters 2 versions and DLC as I find them value for money, support an open independent developer and remember the mods at Combat Ace etc make this sim unique. You can use your imagination and fight in europe using NATO fighters the same war as we are fighting in the north atlantic. You can fight over the black sea using tornados, jaguars etc. You can improve the looks of each theatre with terrain mods,etc.

With what has now been added to the Sim, I could see a Norway/ Scandinadian conflict next with Naval conflict supporting the fight for Iceland. Imagine if the Royal Navy was also introduced in that era.


So yes, North Atlantic has some bugs, but we know from exprience that Thirdwire will squash them.

All we have left is Strikefighters2, DCS for the more complex of simulation and Cliffs of Dover who we all hope rises from the Ashes( but im not holding my breath)

Can someone explain how the new AWACS feature works in this game? How is it different from tactical command from previous editions?

It appears to function a lot like Red Crown from the previous games with one majot departure, I believe you can use Hawkeye information to target your AIM-54s at targets from WAY off.

So what, select AIM-54s and.... ?

Extend your radar range to 400nm, you will see the AWACS targets. Select your AIM-54. Switch to a radar target and designate it. You will see a number appear next to the target. You can target up to six (as many Phoenixes as you can carry) and start letting them fly.

PFunk, Thanks, for the heads up, tried it but just when I was ready to release the aim-54's, "Boom" I blew up, just like that !!Man, another bug. Other than the the rest of the strike package, their was no one behind me. Anyone out there, have any advice.

Heat2151
USN Ret, 08

There are a considerable number of bugs in this title. It's going to take ThirdWire a while to ID them all and then fix them.

At least one F14 blew up "just like that" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG_myJ1fZJY

Were you fling transsonic and in a turn ?

The log should tell you in debrief - getting hit by flak can also have that effect.

Sounds like you were flying near (20miles or so) the Soviet task force - the RWR does not pick up all SAM launches at the mo so be careful - been had a few times.

He will change this for the game players but it does make it more challenging - and probably more realistic - next thing TK will tell me my ELINT platforms have to get the signals for the RWRs to work - that would be interesting.

Slightly off topic-ish: In IRL, when a Tomcat launches AIM-54's does it use SARH or does the missile receive guidance commands from the aircraft? If the latter, is mid-course updates an option? Are there any major differences in how the missiles are guided between the various Tomcat versions (or rather, radar/fire control systems)?

It goes active around 10 nm, iirc.

Are you saying the 54s will not just fly but hit something 400nm away? If so, that is absurd.

Nope. Max range for the phoenix in the game is ~75 miles. When the target is in range the "Hot Trigger" LED will light up in the cockpit below the HUD. The reference to 400 miles shows how the E-2 updates your radar picture out that far.

Cool. Thanks! That sounds more like it!

Are you kidding me? This is the biggest step forward in third wire history. The advances that this represents are huge!! I have just about every possible aircraft I could want in my thirdwire=+ third party mod/payware stable. The last thing I need is one more aircraft that is limited to the same old game engine... Id gladly hand TK a lot more $ to continue making revolutionary improvements in game play.

My only wish is for some simple multiplayer action so me and the rest of my squadron buddies from Aces High could get some jet multiplyer light sim time. Oh well.