Models + Flight Sims.

It was done by Airfix I believe-- so maybe try to contact them??

QUOTE: Originally posted by mkish I remember a couple of years ago there was a 'scale model flight sim'. I can't remember the name, but I had a demo on my system that was kinda fun. The idea was that you flew around in your scale model, rather than in the real thing. The environment was a 'house' and you'd fly around various rooms, under tables, etc. collecting different items for points. It's a little vague in my memory, but I remember thinking it was kinda fun.... sorta like being a kid again 'zooming' my planes all around the room... M.

It's called "Dogfighter." I first heard about it in Tamiya Model Magazine (sorry, FSM!) Then, a few months back, somebody at IPMS Orange County brought a copy of the game in for "show-and-tell," but unfortunately, he didn't demonstrate it. I'm not into computer games, but I really would like to see that one in action. I would like to know where I can buy it; it seems to be hard to find and I would like to get a copy for my friend Juan in Hawaii. He loves models and flight simulators and I think he would enjoy "Dogfighter." Anybody ever play it? How about a review?

Fighter Ace 3.5 is really cool, for a WWII flight sim! http://fighterace.jaleco.com/

Hi folks have you tried www.simviation.com for free downloads?there are loads of types both civil and military ww1 to present day.....Gregers

Gentlemen,
The best stick I have ever used (and still use) is a Logitech Wingman Extreme Force Feedback. Picked it up at a computer store used for $10. Incredible stick. If you come across one, I highly reccomend picking it up. Works great for most fighter games. Those with small hands or limited space need not apply, as it has a fairly large footprint.

demono69

Ah, yes the Saitek HOTAS stick and throttle combo! I've seen it at Best Buy for around that same price. It looks and feel nice, and I know if I had to pick a new setup that's what I'd get. Do any of you guys know of a flight sim that has the F9F Panther as a flyable aircraft? The Panther is my favorite airplane (see sexiest airplane forum), and I would like to take one up on a virtual combat mission. You all can probably imagine my elation when Revell re-released the 1/48 scale F9!

Hey davejk...

Depends on what you want....

If you are just looking for a basic stick with 6-10 assignable buttons and maybe a twist rudder-- Logitech and Saitek make great sticks for under $50-- I myself have the Saitek Cyborg as it is a stick that both left and right handed people can use....so me being a southpaw, this one is the best for me.

However, if you are looking for something with more programmable functions...and maybe a separate throttle as well-- I would say go to the Saitek X45 HOTAS-- it has many more programmable functions for the jet sims like USAF where there are different systems....or like for FB where there are many many user-programmed key functions. Brand new-- it is just at about $70...although as I said above, I bought a reconditioned one from Saitek for half that price and have been using it for a while now....my only negative about it is it is right handed (as I suppose all real-life plane controls are-- so it took some practice, but I have the hang of it now ;)

Another sim that I have enjoyed is Microsoft's "Crimson Skies". It features 1930's aviation pulp magazine style fantasy airplanes. A lot of fun.

Jim

ok so i have had trouble with WinXp and Janes WW2 Fighters and especially with USAF. Even with the admin programs and utilites they keep crashing. SO I went out and did it gentlemen....IL2 Forgotten Battles, spent sometime on it, checking it out. I am impressed. Very impressed. I realize I need a new joystick. Any good suggestions guys?? Nothing too cazy like over 100 bucks.....what do you all use?

I use the Saitek X45 HOTAS which has a rocker switch for the rudder....it took some getting used to, but I like it better than the twist which I was using on the Saitek Cyborg....but I am still thinking of grabbing some pedals when I have the $$

QUOTE: Originally posted by darkprincexviii I only play Red Baron 3d, as i only like the WWI planes. Hope they make a new WWI flight sim soon

Heya bud...

If you go to the WWI section on openplanesims.com, you'll see a pretty good WWI following and they have done some excellent mods for SDOE for WWI including some driveable tanks and trucks. Not too long ago on that WWI forum, someone put up a preview of a sim in the works on WWI that looks pretty promising as well....

heres some really great links for USAF and WW2 Fighters. Good coverage on the problems with 2000 and XP. All of the free addons and free utilites you can think of. Thats whats so great about really good PC games....you pay 30-40 dollars and you play them for years along with free addons and free multiplayer. Battlefield 1942 and MOH are great examples.

http://www.bobsyouruncle.net/mcflyhome.htm

http://ww2fighters.net/

www.simhq.com

Microsoft Combat flight sim2 is great . Janes USAF is
good too. Just tried Bob Hoover's Extreme Air Racing.
All kinds of aircraft and engine combos.
Low and fast Yeeehah!
fuzzy

Had a Thrustmaster throttle and stick. After that broke, repaired , broke and then discontinued I switched to thrustmaster top gun system. It's good and pretty easy to control. I would really like the new thrustmaster HOTAS but funds woun't support it.

I only play Red Baron 3d, as i only like the WWI planes. Hope they make a new WWI flight sim soon

I've got a Logitech Wingman Force 3D stick which has the handle-twist rudder. It doesn't bother me too much, but for some it may be a problem.

It's easy to twist when you actually want to deflect and vice-versa. I've gotten used to it, but it all comes down to personal preference, kinda like modeling. What works for one may not work for another.

I've adopted a similar philosophy in my gaming as I have in my modeling, in that all I really wanna do is have fun. Total realism is okay every once in awhile, but "semi-realism" is where I've wound up. (That's why when I'm in the mood for an FPS, I LOVE playing Medal of Honor SP or MP. It's just the right combination of realism and pure gaming.)

When it comes to models, I apply my artistic "talent" and tendancies, but I'm no __________ (insert modeling hero of choice). When I'm gaming, I take pride in waxing the competition any time that I'm able, but I realize that I'm no Flip Corkin or Audie Murphy.

In each respect, I act accordingly and have forgone trying to scratchbuild everything in my models so that they look "just right". Similarly, I've also thrown out the idea of trying to play IL-2 on the "realistic" setting with any regularity. It's just not fun for me for very long. But Like Rebel, if I had it I'd dish out the extra $$$ for some pedals, 'cuz I'd like to try them. I'm also trying to decide whether or not to get a wheel and pedal set for the racing sims, but that's for another forum...

Fade to Black...

Mine has a twist handle. It works ok, but if I had a spare $80.00 lying around I'd get a set of rudder pedals. It's not so much that they work better, but I would like them for realism sake.

Do you guys use rudder pedals or twist stick for yaw control? Which is better?

Well, just got IL-2 : FB and am having mucho technico problemo with it. Regardless, the IL-2 series is still my pick.

Some of these posts have prompted me to dig out a bunch of old stuff and take a trip down memory lane. In most cases, I wish I hadn't. I've been spoiled rotten with IL-2 & MS CFS and had forgotten how bad some of these older programs I have really are! Oh well... FPS games are also a nice distraction...

Fade to Black...

Falcon 4.0, but I'm biased ;-)

- Snacko

I've been playing flight sims off and on since dos and win 3.x. My most favorite is FALCON 4.0 rev8. Janes is my second choice (F15 and longbow). I remember fleet defender and that was a blast. I should dig out one of my old computers and reinstall that one.

I liked B17 fortress, but no longer have six hours to fly a mission.

Hands down for WWII sims-- IL-2 and IL-2:FB are the best modeled-- and with a great mission editor where you can set up land or sea battles as well. I find myself playing around with the mission editor more than actually flying! I like setting up artillery and Katyushas against columns of Tigers and Panthers.....or a convoy of ships with U-Boats about. FB offers the P-47 and P-40 for those of us who like the American birds as well :)

If you aren't into the Eastern Front, there are many options for the westernside of things-- like Spits and Mustangs, etc-- WWII Fighters is good, and I have CFS3 (now uninstalled)-- but my all-time favorite is Screamin' Demons: Fighter Squadron Over Europe. B-17II is great when you want to hop into a heavy bomber-- I always thought it was very immersive and had fun as a pilot, bombardier, or gunner.

I liked CFS2 as it offered all the Pacific planes like the Zeros, Corsairs, Wild and Hellcats, and my favorite- the Dauntless.

The best modern flight sims I would have to say are Janes F-18 and F-18 Precision Strike Fighter. F-18 PSF is published by Xicat Software, and you can get it now for about $10.00. It's a very good game with great graphics and a realistic mission scenario. I also have Microsoft Combat flight Simulator 2. I LOVE flying the Hellcat against all those Japanese Zeros! I personally tie in my computer sims with the models I build very often. There's nothing like flying a tour on CFS2 and then building the Hellcat that you "flew". It's a fun and an interesting diversion from building for accuracy and detail.

I've been playing Comanche Gold (Novalogic) lately and it's quite fun. I can limit the game to work with my joystick. I also have some Jane's and othe rnovalogic games but flight control is nearly impossible with a simple joystick Geuss I better gat a Sidewinder and some rudder pedals.

I have too many to count, but the ones that I find myself playing the most are Microsoft Combat Flight Sim 2 and 3, Visualy stunning and great game play as well as fairly accurate flight models. Janes' USAF, super jet game with lots of planes in the air at once. B-17 Flying Fortress, This takes some getting used to as you have to jump around the plane ....... ALOT!.

Falcon 4.0
(plus open source enhancements)
Hands down, guys, there is NO SUBSTITUTE... Next best to the REAL thing... Did you know that after Microprose discontinued its development, the users (amongst them real pilots and aircraft mechanics) took it over and have come up with the most realistic flight sim ever? Just take a look at them open source enhancements' manuals and you'll see what I'm talking about...

Caine -

Checkout the sites I posted above, the are add-ons to F 4.0 that will give you Hornets, Tomcats and a host of others.

davejk - why do you miss USAF???? Again there are a slew of add-ons that give you new aircraft skins, interfaces, flight models, etc. Try the SimHQ forum above, it's amazing what individuals have done to this sims. It's comparable to building a kit out of the box vs getting aftermarket parts or scratchbuilding; that why I really believe the two hobbies work hand in hand.

Archer out.

IL2 is incredible. Where else can i shoot up Me 323'swith a couple of 37mm cannon! CFS 2 and 3 are alright, but i think microsoft could have done a much better job with types of aircraft, and campaigns. Why have Vampires, and Shooting stars if, you aint gonna have the basic like Fortresses and Liberators?

I would have to go with Falcon 4.0 without a doubt. For some it may be too complicated to play in realistic mode, but if you do you fully understand how hard it is to be a real fighter pilot. Just imagine trying to do all that while pulling G's. Also I think the graphics are outstanding! Some here seem to think it is an "old school" game but it is only a few years old... old school to me is Falcon 3.0!

Speeking of Falcon 3.0 ... its too bad they haven't created a Fulcrum or Hornet addon to 4.0 like they did for 3.0.

Well, my main focus in modeling isnt Aircraft, I love flight simulators. IL-2 and its sequel (forgot the name) are excelent. Also, I like Comanche 4, not for acuracy, but just 'cause its so fun. I also like some old school flight sims like Warbirds and Falcon 4.0.