Came across interesting vid on YT with some shots of the RIO cockpit.

That was fantastic damson, wow. Thanks for posting.

While the first pic is technically a F-14A, it is a flight test only bird and not representative at all of what a Fleet Alpha front cockpit looks like. Second pic is a Fleet Alpha or possibly an A+, as is has the older integrated HUD/VDIG display. Visable on top of the glareshield is the "horseshoe"' which was the mount for the HUD camera. The later Bravos had a new HUD that used the more traditional combiner glass setup.

-CJ

Hey All.

Since it will be a while before leatherneck simulations releases the DCS-F-14. In order to maintain my craving to fly the tomcat, well I went ahead and picked up, Aerosoft's F-14X. I have to admit, I got it to get me ready for the DCS Tomcat. But, this came with TACPAC enabled F-14X and it makes FSX awesome indeed. I never considered FSX to be a combat flight sim, but this is an awesome feature that these folks included with the F-14X. The start up procedures are straight forward and an excellent automated checklist that brings you through the start-up step by step. And the cockpit is fully clickable, flying it was another learning curve, I'm trying to work out the engines in flight on the F-14A so that it wont flame out on me. I just have to be a little patient and take it easy. Flying this thing is so damn cool it's hard for me. Other than that, I already did a cat shot and trap on a very detailed USS Kitty Hawk. The manuals come in PDF, which I'm going to get them printed. I still have not had the chance to engage any of the air to air weapons, but that is next on my list. There are additional scenarios which include a KA-6D for aerial refueling, when I run dry up there. : And a couple of air intercepts with a T-95 as well.

Over all, I have to say that, so far I'm impressed. I have a long way to go due to the complexity of this aircraft. But it will get me through until the release of the DCS-F-14.


http://www.aerosoft.com/cgi-local/us/iboshop.cgi?showd490!0,,12805_1

https://www.facebook.com/AerosoftF14?fref=ts

Man, the F-14 is a straight up bad ass. Here's some eye candy from their Facebook page:








Heat2151
USN Retired
"Mr, We could use a man like, Ronald Reagan again, those where the days"

Yeah, I've been meaning to get back to this bird myself.

It'll be nice to already know the basic procedures for the bird when she moves to DCS. Tacpack is also good for at least setting up basic training scenarios (eg. tracking targets and lobbing Phoenix missiles at them)

I tend to stay away from FSX flight models

Yeah, most of them are sheer crap, but as surprising as it may sound, there's still some excellent stuff made for FS2004 even. There's f.ex. this Hurri IID made by Robert Sanderson almost 10 years ago; and if memory serves, it really is an excellent plane, spins correctly and everything. I don't know what kind of sorcery the guy had to perform with the MSFS physics engine to make it work, but he did; and his Stearman crop duster is an awesome plane too!

Dammit, look what you did, reminiscing about it makes me want to reinstall M$F$ now

This thread needs more VF-103

FSX is an unstable mess, prone to VAS and fatal errors.

And, no matter how many "hacks" you apply to it, be it TACPACK or FSX@War, it is NEVER going to be a valid modern tactical combat sim. Never.

For that you have 2 choices: DCSW and FalconBMS.

Bring on the hardcore Bug!!

Hey Helo,

I hear you, ever since, M/S dropped it's support. It has been plagued with it's share of issue's. The positives for FSX fans, is that their is a large network of companies making excellent payware add-on's and aircraft that are pretty damn good. With the introduction of FSXSE did help with the stability issues.

While we wait until the up and coming release of EDGE 2.0 and any other options: more campaigns or modules. I'm flying the F-14X, until we get get the DCS-F14 at the end of 2015.

Heat2151
USN Retired
"Mr, We could use a man like, Ronald Reagan again, those where the days"

This.

As of this writing , FSX (and P3D's) versions of the Super Hornet, Tomcat, F-15E, F-22, F-104, AV-8B, (list goes on and on...) beat the living tar out of their non-existent equivalents in DCS

Point being: the only way your launching a simulated Phoenix from a simulated Turkey is:
A) FSX/P3D
B)Strike Fighters (TW) series of sims
C) Be on the LN dev/beta test teams

The problem with DCS, is ED keeps selling everyone on what it can be, but runs away when anyone asks when it will be.

Hopefully it's just a matter of time, but we really need a couple more Leathernecks and BSTs to jump in and accelerate things a bit.

Keep your FSX Tomcat. Fleet Defender offers all the training I need



http://store.steampowered.com/app/328930/

I'm with Cob66. Fleet Defender was the BOSS!

--T

MicroProse Lives!

Fleet Defender Gold, Top Gun: FAW PC wasnt bad as a SimLight, Along with USNF

Top Gun really disappointed me to the point that I never finished it.
F-14 FD was my favorite Tomcat sim. The early Jetfighter games did it ok, the Jane's one was ok, and I really like the ones in SF2 (both stock and 3rd party), but only FD really nailed the avionics.

Also, stopping those waves of bombers and cruise missiles was a legitimately engrossing experience!




The Jedi Master

Loved seeing the Fleet Defender video! Brought back a lot of good memories from early days of simulations and had me looking through Steam for some of them. I think my first was Falcon AT and one of my favorites was Tornado (forgot who made it)

I believe it was DI ( Digital Integration? ) ahhhh, fond memories.

Edit. Yes my memory hasnt completely failed me...yet.

DI Tornado - Utube

Ahh the memories. Just looked at B-17 MIghty Eighth. THe tornado really would be a fun DCS plane

Definitely! The multi-crew would be amazing in that one as well.

I know it's sacrilege, but I might even prefer that over my beloved A-6 Intruder.

Cue up the sad Country Music...

I'll give you my wife
and all of my dough
I'll give you my Dog
and through in my truck
Just give me the Cat
With a RIO in the back
And I will never, Ever!
be leaving my SHACK
Yeeehaw