OK where do I start? I'm talking about paid for games.


I love my WW1 sims and also the odd WW2 sim. Many years ago I flew more modern plane sims back when with had cardboard key layouts to go on our keyboard (since they stopped is when I've had trouble learning new jet sims and all the keys)! More recent sims I've folded due to the complexity, however I'm sure there is a great plane for a jet sim learner.

ALso what's Combined Arms (think that's what it's called) like as a wargame?

Are there any add ons that add infantry as targets?

There''s no WW1 in DCS. If that's what you want, go checkout Wings Over Flanders Fields: Between Heaven and Hell II.

Combined Arms gives you some ability to play as and control grounds forces. It also lets you act as a JTAC and call in and direct airstrikes.

As far as modules, they're complicated, so I wouldn't recommend getting too many to start with. For WW2 there's a free trainer version of the P51, I'd start with that. If you like it, get the actual combat version. The BF109 and Spit can be tricky on take off and landings.
For modernish planes the F18 is a good jack of all trades that will let you dabble in everything the sim has. After that they get kinda specialized: A10 for ground attack, Viggen for deep strike/antishipping, F16 for air to air.
F5 is easy to pick up, but has a crude radar and can only carry a pair of sidewinders so it can be tough against some other more modern aircraft.

No cardboard cutouts, but Chuck's Guide's can help with binding all your controls and I'll often have it pulled up on a tablet or second screen while flying: https://www.mudspike.com/chucks-guides-dcs/

Concerning DCS, I would skip on the WWII modules since there are currently no fleshed out campaigns, pilot careers, etc. In my opinion, the much better option is IL-2 Sturmovik: Great Battles. That sim will give you the total WWII experience.


As for the modern jet modules, are you more of a ground pounder or air to air pilot?

For modern jet aircraft in DCS, I'd recommend the F-5 as a starter aircraft.
It's moderately capable in AA (dogfighting with guns and heat-seeking missiles) and AG (dumb bombs and rockets). It has very simple systems, but they form the basis for a lot of more complex aircraft (basic radar, basic RWR, etc.).

Infantry are in the base game, it's up to the mission designer to add them in. They are generally quite hard to kill (small, and maybe tougher than they should be), but are good targets for gun/rocket attacks.

There are also the L-39 and C-101s as actual trainer aircraft, but I'd probably stay away from them. The real advantage of trainer aircraft in real life (harder to kill yourself in) is not that important in DCS, so jumping straight into a "real" plane is fine.

Thank you for your suggestion FlyingToaster.

I would like to know if the F-5 can be used to practice air-to-air refuelin, too. This is quite common in other simulator and when using more complex aircrafts

Nope, no AAR in the F-5
I think the AAR capable aircraft are:
Probe/Drogue: Mirage, F/a-18, F-14, Harrier
flying boom: F-16, A-10