Simulated Aerial Combat Roundtable

[Eagler]

When watching a game but then forget it is just graphics in a game...



Can't knock the graphics DCS has been able to obtain

Eagler

[AKIron]

Idiots play DCS (redux)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AjDann5gAA

[Bruv119]

sitting in the mossie cockpit at night with the UV lights on gives me the chills.   How did they even do it for real?

can't wait to land an F4U on the essex class carrier at sunset.   

[edge12674]

sitting in the mossie cockpit at night with the UV lights on gives me the chills.   How did they even do it for real?

can't wait to land an F4U on the essex class carrier at sunset.   

THIS!

[Eagler]

THIS!

Was it SOP to have the fore deck loaded with planes when they were trying to land on a cv or is this just an oversight from Hollywood?

Eagler

[edge12674]

Was it SOP to have the fore deck loaded with planes when they were trying to land on a cv or is this just an oversight from Hollywood?

Eagler

I think it was.  I watched a couple documentaries on WWII carrier ops and they show the fore deck loaded.  That might be when recovering multiple aircraft, since movement to the elevators would be even more in the way.

[AKIron]

Amazing how far computer sims have come. I enjoyed the low level missions in this one back in '93. I'll definitely be picking up the Tornado module.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzpd4lbfOo0

[AKIron]

Wow!

https://f4.manuals.heatblur.se/intro/introduction.html

[Lusche]

Funny thing is that in the dreams I am not "playing", but actually in the aircraft.

Mine are totally weird... I'm both playing the game on my screen and being In the game, like real life, at the same time.

[RichardDarkwood]

Wow!

https://f4.manuals.heatblur.se/intro/introduction.html

very close to release

[edge12674]

This video gives one an idea of where flight sims are now and you can compare the Spit9 in DCS vs. IL-2 and AH.  Like that it shows the effects wake turbulence can have on a gun solution.

[Animl-AW]

Simple binary question. Imagination required.

IF,  the graphics in DCS, IL-2 and AH, were equally the same. Which one would you play most?

[Animl-AW]

This is an attempt to move a discussion on the current state of AH vs. other aerial combat sims to a more appropriate forum. 

I still hope that HiTech will come out of semi-retirement and update AH, but it has been about 10 years since the last significant update.  This is not a slam on HT, the man has earned his retirement and I sincerely hope his quality of life continues to improve.  This discussion is also not intended to offend other AH players, but rather to share as consumers, what our experiences have been with our favorite hobby.

I played AH for 20 years and before that followed HiTech over from AirWarrior.  I have made many friends in AH and still keep in contact with my squadmates here. 

For me personally, I decided to try out DCS and IL-2 due to dwindling numbers, a lack of "fighter pilot aggressiveness" in the MA, and stale game play. 

Despite its age, AH still has several features I wish other sims would incorporate.  Namely a good PTO plane-set and multiplayer buffs.

Comparing DCS multiplayer (WWII only) vs. AH, I have found DCS has better flight modelling, a better damage model, better graphics, better weather/clouds, and more realistic voice comms.  The increase in fidelity has renewed my passion for aerial combat.  I have a new found appreciation for WWII pilots who not only had to fight the enemy, but also keep the weather and their own aircraft from killing them.

I have found the DCS community to be very helpful to newbies and there is a plethora of manuals and YouTube tutorials to help the learning curve.  One thing I did not expect from the community was the number of real life current and retired combat pilots that play the sim and share their training.  The PVP, PVE, and solo playablilty is also robust, so I have more freedom to play when and how I want.

What are your experiences with other aerial combat sims vs. AH?

AW had real WWII pilots playing. Earl was very helpful sharing his knowledge as s test pilot, who flew a lot of what AW had. There were quite a few actual private and military pilots. Some are still in AH.

There are basically 5 FM designs. Not all AC in DCS are on the same FM. Depending on the time era and the AC creator.

>IMO< I think many who play strictly DCS or IL, would have a hard time competing against many AH players. They are put through extremes daily. Many of the best combat sim pilots come from AW and AH. Hence, player skimming for talent.

[AKIron]

If all I cared about was graphics I'd play War Thunder.

[Animl-AW]

If all I cared about was graphics I'd play War Thunder.

Didn’t consider that, because they are steering to ground wars. In fact a new ad mentions tanks 1st, AC second. A lot of players unhappy with their new direction, which includes emptying pockets. Personally, I just know what I read, I don’t play anything else.

But that wasn’t the question. If graphics are all the same, which would you play? Its down to actual game play. Just curious, I have no comeback for answers.