Ok everybody, I've just downloaded the free version of the game and it is fantastic! However, not knowing that much about WWI aircraft, I was wondering if anyone would like to give me their two cents? Have you found any planes that you absolutely love and would recommend? I'd like to make some smart purchases to start off with.

Thanks for any input.

Fan

Welcome to your new addiction.

SE 5a if you like the Entente. Fokker DVIIF if you like the Germans. I suggest buying the Iron Cross Edition - Google it. As you'll get a great deal on a bundle of a/c.

In addition to the Spad 13 and Albatros D.Va, I would recommend:

Albatros D.III (more interesting to fly than the D.Va)
Fokker Dr.1
Pfalz D.XII

The other German scouts are kind of a snooze fest. At least, I find it difficult to get them to stall.

Nieuport 17
Spad 7
SE5a
Sopwith Camel
Sopwith Triplane

Are all fun choices for Entente.

For two-seaters I like the DFW and the RE8.

Do note that all rotaries are tricky when compared to in-lines so they are tougher to master:

Fokker DrI
Fokker EV/DVIII
Nieuport 17
Sopwith Camel

Thanks for the suggestions...I am having an absolute blast with this game. Had my first dogfight this morning and I used the rudder pedals more than I've used them in 20 years!

Learner planes..

Pfalz DIII (this plane and the DVa are ones I feel I can push around with little worry)
Sopwith Tripe (Abit ugly though)

Two seater...

Brisfit

I like the Pup bit it's easy to rip it's wings off. Camel is great but reduce the fuel makes a world of difference..I always reduce fuel to around 75% on all planes.

I also recommend getting ICE because it bundles a lot of planes together at a great price. From there, you can see which types you like and which you hate.

Then come back here and tell us your likes/hates and we can tell you in turn which others to get and which to avoid.




The Jedi Master

LOL...I know what you mean regarding rudder pedals. When I first got mine I wondered how I flew without them all those years. Regarding what planes to get: Depends on what you are interested in...some bombing? Pure dogfighting? ROF does such a superb job of simulating all these different planes and their unique characteristics that any choice will give you satisfaction. For me personally, I've been on a late 1916-early 1917 kick...through June of 1917 so I've been experimenting and learning the Albatros DII and DIIIs, the DFW CV is a beautiful recon, artillery spotter. One the allied side I'm flying the Nieuport 11s and 17s a lot along with the RE8 for recon artillery spotting. It is like going through a great buffet...so much to choose from and only so much time to eat.

Welcome to the club by the way.

I'm a lefty so it's the simple twist-rudder on stick for me!

I agree that ICE is the best bang for your buck, unless you wait for a sale and can snag the Ultimate Upgrade for the price of ICE normally. That being said, I grabbed my ROF stuff around my birthday, filled out a pretty decent stable, and really only fly a hand full of kites. My favorite is the Fokker DVII. Its a pretty forgiving plane that you can throw around pretty well (hammer turns [Immelmens in WWI] and wingovers). Haven't really played with the VIIF and my experience is wholly single player (a bit too intimidated to hop into MP), but its my favorite kite. No matter what I think any choice is the right one if you are playing ROF, its the most fun I've had in a sim in a while. There is just something about the elegance and poetry of these early aerial combats that I love.

+1

I would also say the same for this simulation itself. There is something about this sim, more than just the aircraft simulated. The sounds, the visuals of the clouds, dawn, dusk etc. Looking down at the artillery barrages taking place in no-man's land, feeling the devestation around you. You can actually feel the air rushing against your face when you move your head to the side. Everything is put together so well and compliments everything else. Personally, I think the people who brought us this sim are wizards.

I'll second the Pfalz D.XII suggestion, it's ugly as the wrong end of a mule, but great fun to fly, mid range manuverablity, but nice and fast at altitude, and a good precise gun platform, and great for boom and zoom style attacks.

I agree about the clouds and the plane visuals and feeling of flight..but there is another Sim that does the feeling of WW1 far better than RoF does..with it's very poor (bordering on immersion killing) representation on No Mans Land..Sadly we don't have PC's that could really give the feeling..couldn't get close to the other Sim and how it manages it due to so much power being given over to the planes themselves. From an MP view point thats great, but from a single player lets fly in WW1 view point it falls down. Now BoS is being made I have a feeling RoF will never get to the point of really recreating a living world\war going on around you, it was something I thought may have been possible in a few years from now..I just don't see it going on that long though to get to that point.