Originally posted by Gryphons
Been tryin to find Wings over Vietnam at used game stores for months, not an easy find. not in canada anyway 
was wondering if it has online play and how realistic the game is?
I don't know if there are Best Buy stores in Canada, but that's where I found it (Long Island store). I had a $20 coupon, so I paid just $10 for the game.
As to realism, there are good points and not so good points. Flight models seem accurate, at least based upon my very limited stick time in TA-4Js. Graphics are very good, except the ground lacks detail when flying low. The AI MiGs are of little consequence as long as you pay attention to missile carrying types. For dogfighting, the AI isn't a challenge. I have shot down 7 assorted MiGs using guns in an F-8E. Firing a Sidewinder into a formation doesn't send them scattering, even after a hit. You can sit behind them and pick them off at your leisure. Likewise for the Sparrows, albeit at a greater range.
However, firing an older AIM-9B Sidewinder at a maneuvering target is an exercise in futility. This older missile can't follow a maneuvering target worth a hoot. In fact, most of the USAF Sidewinders are unimpressive when compared to the Navy's more capable versions, such as the AIM-9H, which has limited all-aspect capability. Navy Sidewinders were not compatible with USAF launch rails. Guns are modeled as well as can be expected. All US fighters are armed with 20mm cannon. Some with the M61 and the F-100D carries four M37s. These are more accurate than the Navy's M10, and have a higher rate of fire.
Your biggest risk comes from SA-2 SAMS. You have to be sharp to avoid these. Your ECM gear can briefly jam the radar units, but only until they change frequencies and re-acquire. You can kill the radars with anti-radiation missiles, but you invariably are shooting at the radar after they have launched SAMs. So, it's shoot and maneuver like a madman. Once you kill the radar, the SAMs should go ballistic having lost the reflected signal needed to track you. However, sometimes they do not lose the lock and you must still evade.
There are enough different aircraft to keep yourself busy for a little while. Those that can be flown are:
F-100D: Superior maneuverability. Modest speed and acceleration. Good guns. No air to air radar.
F-105D: Very fast... Poor maneuverability. Can still get kills, but you work hard. A super-fast tactical bomber, with some air to air capability. No air to air radar.
F-4B: Early Navy model. Lacks the slotted elevators found on USAF F-4s.
F-4C: Early-war (1964-65) models are armed with the ancient Falcon missile.
F-4D
F-4E: All Phantoms are similar. Only the F-4E has a gun built-in. All others must carry a centerline mounted gun pod. Tremendous acceleration and climb. Very good in vertical, but not a turner by any measure. Huge bomb load.
F-4J: Incorporates slotted elevators. Better missiles than USAF counterparts.
A-4C: All Skyhawks handle well, and turn as good as the MiG-17. All have modest ground radars.
A-4D
A-4E
A-4F: Only A-4 to have ECM suite.
A-7A: Both A-7s require constant correction for pitch, and there's no trimming modeled. Early A-7s have a remarkable instantaneous turn rate, but wallow at low speeds and lack the thrust to regain energy quickly.
A-7B: More thrust than the A-7A... same odd handling in pitch axis.
A-6A: The A-6A has buggered handling when in landing configuration. Use the 2nd patch A-6A ini file rather than that from the 3rd patch.
F-8E: This is a real killer. Fast, good climb and excellent maneuverability. Modest radar range and capability. Markly inferior to Phantom in this regard.
Those flown by AI:
B-57B
B-52G
O-2
MiG-17C
MiG-17F
MiG-19S
MiG-21F
There are also about two dozen different ground vehicles depicted, including the T-54, M48 and M113 as well as radar trucks and SAM sites and all manner of Soviet built triple A weapons and vehicles.
Landing aboard a carrier is not as simplistic or easy as AH2. You will have to practice.. a lot.
If you can find the game, it's worth trying. While not as sophisticated as Lock On, it's the only game that offers you the air war over Vietnam.
My regards,
Widewing
