Models + Flight Sims.

davejk,
I've been playing Janes Fighters Anthology on my XP system with no difficulties (other than the game being rediculously difficult, of course.) It may not be the original, but it does include USAF '97. I'm also a big fan of the "old-school" sims like Falcon 4.0, Mig Alley, Apache vs Havoc, and European Air War. Basically, if it's got good graphics and realistic controls, I'll play it.

very cool guys, thanks.

I do have Janes F-18 and it reminds me alot of the F-15 Sim they had put out....I believe it was done by the same guys actually. Anyway as far as Janes, I loved their work, Great Sims!!!
Fighter Anthology, LongBow2, F-15, F-18, WW2 Fighters, USAF and even IAF. Until EA sold the Janes series names out to some crappy company and broke up the original Janes team to do other projects. I was so sad for the Sim community when that happened. Now I have a great computer with windowsXP and the only Janes games that seem to work right are WW2 Fighters, and F-18. I miss playing USAF. Anyway I have been looking for something new like IL2 Forgotten Battles or even CFS3.
Has anyone seen LOCK-ON from UBI SOFT? This looks to be the next mother of all modern day sims:

http://www.lo-mac.com/

check the movies and some features...looks great. Hope it plays great. Anyhoot I figured I would find some of you Flight Sim fans on this site. I figure hey I love building models and I also love well done flight sims....theres got to be others like me out there. Anyway thanks guys!!! I am probably going to get IL2 Forgotten Battles!!!!!

-davejk.

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.

I play CFS1 as I have not bought any of the later versions.. Seems to be a good game. But SSI came up with the Su27 Flanker 1 and 2 which I feels is one of the best flight sims ever.. Of course I do feel that Falcon 4 is a good one too......

Cheers,
Nandakumar

The three that I have on my computer right now are:

Red Baron 3D - quite old now, but still a lot of fun in my opinion.

WW2 Fighters - get to fly a few of my favorite WW2 birds. It would have been nice if the campaigns could have been done similar to Aces Over Europe, and if there had been a Pacific version. Trupr is right - graphics rock for a five year old sim.

Flight Unlimited - Still not bad for a DOS/early Window sim. Get to fly my two favorite aerobatic planes - the Pitts & Sukhoi.

Jim

davejk -
You can't go wrong with Jane's F/A-18, but get the patch from EA, and then check the net for add-ons, plenty of skins, 3d models etc. It can be played anywhere from arcade to full realism, which does have a learning curve.

Falcon 4.0 is still king of the fast jet sims, but you'll need a few patches to get it up to speed. At a minimum, you'll need the last one from Microprose 1.08US and to get really "real" the latest aftermarket patch is called SP3, it's 80 MB and yes, it's free. Very steep learning curve if you go that route, but it's worth it.

Check these sites for more info:
www.frugalsworld.com
www.simhq.com

but be careful, a lot of the stuff there is hard core, and emotions do flare.

berny13 - Actaully I liked Fleet Defender!!!! The new Thrustmaster HOTAS "combo" has been out for about a year, and goes for $250 - 280 US. Learning curve here too. Best bet would be amazon.com if you're looking.

BTW - I agree that anyone interested in scale model aircraft would almost need a working knowledge for current day flight sims to get a a feel for the A/C they're modeling, and vice versa.

Hope this helps.

Archer out.

I don't play many modern flight sims. I prefer getting in close and seeing the pieces fly when I let loose with some .50s or cannon. I have all the MS Combat Flight Sims and the 2nd was really nice. It's set in the Pacific Theater and landing a Cat or Hog on a pitching carrier deck is challenging. Great graphics and definable flight params/weather conditions. The 3rd one has a really nice campaign and is more geared towards ground attacks.
Jane's WW2 Fighters is very sweet. Graphics still rock considering it came out quite awhile ago. I haven't gotten into IL2 much.
For some online fun check out Fighter Ace. Nothing really quite like flying with friends against other human "pilots".


"Once you have flown, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward. For there you have been and there you long to return." - Leonardo Da Vinci

IL-2, Forgotten Battles, European Air War, Battle of Britain............got 'em, play 'em. Nothing quite like the feeling of saddling up in a ME 262 and taking on a B-17 Bomb Group.........especially in invulnerable mode!!! :) Tons o' fun. :) - Ed

Berny,

I've got or have played several games which use the hat switch for view changes, but I was asking about using the mouse for the same purpose. IL-2 is the first game I've come across with this feature, though I seem to recall maybe the original Jet Fighter had this same setup? I dunno. It took me some time to get used to it, but it's really almost as good as actually turning your head! Way-cool arrangement.

Anyhoo, I do remember Windows 3 & DOS. (creak-creak) Though I don't consider myself an old-timer. We'll reserve that illustrious title just for you!

Seriously, though, I still like some of the older DOS games. I used to play a strategy game called Harpoon and it worked like a dream under DOS. Got the later versions for Windows 98 & up and it just doesn't seem to work as well. Crash city. Wish I knew code...

Fade to Black...

If you love WWII IL-2 is MUST HAVE with no question.

F14 Fleet Defender under the old Windows 3X and DOS system. Any of you old timers remember that system? For later it would be Falcon 4. Much better graphics. I haven't played sims after my Thrustmaster throttle went out. I am waiting for the new Thrustmaster combo to be released. Yes, B-wolf, other sims have the multi view. Just use the "Hat Switch" or "Coolie Hat" to pan around the cockpit.

I've gotten away from modern flight sims over the last several years, they just hold less and less fascination for me. WWII & Korea is where it's at in Steve's Dungeon, and tho I have several WWII & Korean War sims only one comes to the forefront.

I can DEFINATELY recommend IL-2. I haven't picked up Forgotten Battles yet, (it's a whole new stand-alone game, not an expansion ) but if it's an "improved" IL-2 game engine, it can't get much much better.

Having never flown any of these birds myself, I can't comment on aerodynamic accuracy. But the flight characteristics are quite singular for each aircraft, (In realistic mode, you best better know how to fly for real if you want to survive!) and the graphics are WAY-COOL, VERY well done, indeed. Things like paint schemes are rather faithfully reproduced, the maps (terrain) are well done (except at very low-level) and the cockpits are astounding, especially in free-view.

In IL-2 you can move your view around freely with the mouse (Are other sims like this? First I've run across it...) and re-center with a tap on the keyboard. Takes some time to master, but it's worth it. Much easier to track a foe in a dogfight this way, for me anyhow.

If you're into multi-player online gaming, you can very easily modify existing or create new paint schemes for any aircraft that is available to fly in IL-2. (These are called skins in the gaming community) I've managed to make a couple custom skins, but I cannot get online to play. Having mucho-trouble with connecting. (I guess for now I'll have to stick to MOH!)

IL-2 Forgotten Battles gives you many new aircraft to fly, including alotta US & Brit birds as well as a few surprises. This feature alone ensures that I'll pick it up someday; but, 'til then, the original game will more than suffice.

Here's some links for IL-2-related sites:

http://www.il2sturmovik.com/ (The official site)
http://www.flugzeugwerk.net/ (An excellent site for skins, mods and alotta other stuff, including custom-flyable aircraft)
http://www.nnavirex.com/ (Another excellent site for skins and mods, in French, but with English available)

For pure fun and enjoyment, consider these as well: Any of the Microsoft Combat Flight Sims, MiG Alley, almost anything Janes and, a most unlikely suspect for a modern flight sim, Operation Flashpoint.

OFP hasn't a true flight sim quality, it's basically a first person shooter (FPS) that gives the player the ability to fly a few aircraft (including helos) and drive many vehicles. The flight controls aren't very complicated or "realistic" in employment, but there is a realistic "feel" to it all. Some of the flyables; Mi-24, Mi-8, AH-1, AH-64, OH-56, Su-25 & A-10. There are also others, just can't recall them. I would recommend OFP only if you want to delve into the world of FPS, though, as that's the main thrust of the game.

Fade to Black...

I agree on Janes F/A-18.. Its a hel of a sim, looks great 'out of the box', as it where. Microprose's B-17 is also pretty good. Very unnerving to hear the flak rattling along the fuselage whilst on the bomb run..

Janes F-18 is the best flight sim you can get right now for modern combat. There is a staunch fan base for it. They have so many free add ons, improving the graphics, the cockpit, the views... it really makes it outstanding.

IL-2 is incredible for WW2. I mean, it just boggles the mind. The sounds, the images, the flight dynamics are incredible. Especially when you need to do missions on testing the new soviet jet fighter, which are exact replicas of what was actually done to test it. That sort of realism is really amazing to me. You are given the same briefing and instructions that were given to the original test pilots. Trying to fly that bad boy after you shut off the engines was difficult.. especially due to the fact you had to burn all the fuel up before landing or you will blow up!