General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: RichardDarkwood on March 11, 2026, 07:23:32 PM
Title: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: RichardDarkwood on March 11, 2026, 07:23:32 PM
The La-7 was released today into early access in DCS.
Anyone else grabbing it?
Title: Re: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: Devil 505 on March 11, 2026, 08:16:13 PM
Got it for IL-2.
Title: Re: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: RichardDarkwood on March 11, 2026, 10:44:45 PM
https://youtu.be/sCJEXef1piQ?si=yvA-i5_jA544LYAD
Title: Re: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: edge12674 on March 13, 2026, 09:27:09 AM
Got it and have flown it some. Flight dynamics are pretty close to AH. Engine management is pretty straight forward for a warbird. The need for the pilot to manage hydraulic and pneumatic systems is different, but minor. Cold start is interesting and again brings home the differences in cockpit layout of the different countries. You gain a further appreciation of those that flew it.
Title: Re: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: CptTrips on March 13, 2026, 10:03:14 AM
Are a significant portion of the IL2 WWII crowd likely to make the move?
Title: Re: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: Devil 505 on March 13, 2026, 10:17:33 AM
I'm not very excited for Korea. My current machine won't handle it at all, so there that. But even then, I feel that it won't be fun in a multiplayer environment. The single player campaigns might be fun, though.
And I think that most IL-2 players are feeling the same. The game looks amazing visually, but it's got limited appeal.
Title: Re: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: CptTrips on March 13, 2026, 11:02:31 AM
I'm not very excited for Korea. My current machine won't handle it at all, so there that. But even then, I feel that it won't be fun in a multiplayer environment. The single player campaigns might be fun, though.
And I think that most IL-2 players are feeling the same. The game looks amazing visually, but it's got limited appeal.
I would have preferred to see them use that new engine for a new Battle of Britain game.
Title: Re: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: Animl-AW on March 13, 2026, 11:40:52 AM
I'm not very excited for Korea. My current machine won't handle it at all, so there that. But even then, I feel that it won't be fun in a multiplayer environment. The single player campaigns might be fun, though.
And I think that most IL-2 players are feeling the same. The game looks amazing visually, but it's got limited appeal.
I think you’re right. Some of these game soent so much time on graphics that they spread to thin on game play.
Ya kinda know a game has good game play when the players ignore graphics. Same happened in AW.
Korea has never been a hot draw in any game. It’s very limited compared to WWII. I could be wrong, but I see it as wasted resources. But it’s Russian run. I may b a bit anal, but I’m not going to give money to Russian anything anyway.
DCS, if thats what you like you should do that. For me it’s more about game play. HT nit over complicating cockpits and engine management for the average player kept game play more in focus, more inclusive.
Our problem is aged graphics and subs, the game itself is fine. Graphics aren’t horrible though. At 4k they look great. So it depends on the resolution you use. Fresh terrain files, fresh FX, and propellers on all planes, up the poly count you’re in the ballpark. It could hurt older players with slower PCs though, careful what ya wish for. Some have made a life out of AH, they would be lost without it.
I look at DCS WWII planes exteriors, the only diff is propellers and polly count. But they don’t look better unless you get up close, which is never done in flight.
I’m just not willing give up game play for graphics and engine management. Personal prefrence
<shrug>
Title: Re: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: RichardDarkwood on March 13, 2026, 03:35:04 PM
Got it and have flown it some. Flight dynamics are pretty close to AH. Engine management is pretty straight forward for a warbird. The need for the pilot to manage hydraulic and pneumatic systems is different, but minor. Cold start is interesting and again brings home the differences in cockpit layout of the different countries. You gain a further appreciation of those that flew it.
Very interesting startup procedure.
It has the same brakes as the Spitfire which is Meh :frown:
Title: Re: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: Devil 505 on March 13, 2026, 06:53:26 PM
I look at DCS WWII planes exteriors, the only diff is propellers and polly count. But they don’t look better unless you get up close, which is never done in flight.
Sorry, but difference in poly count makes a huge difference on the planes and the terrains. Never mind the much larger textures being put on those shapes. Some of our 3D models are over 20 years old now and limited to 1024 pixel textures.
How can this... (https://i.postimg.cc/c4qxFhYB/Devil_Emil_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rzJ2mSfD)
Be expected to compete well against this? (https://i.postimg.cc/gJ8y4yh2/Devil_13_Early_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/bDY2wtL7) (Yes, I skinned both of these examples.)
That IL-2 Emil has a skin that is 4K.
And this is not even taking into account lighting and fire/smoke effects that hamper this game visually too.
Sorry, but difference in poly count makes a huge difference on the planes and the terrains. Never mind the much larger textures being put on those shapes. Some of our 3D models are over 20 years old now and limited to 1024 pixel textures.
Sorry.. misread your post. Long day.
What I should have said the difference is even more from inside the cockpit.
Title: Re: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: Lazerr on March 13, 2026, 07:10:37 PM
Sorry, but difference in poly count makes a huge difference on the planes and the terrains. Never mind the much larger textures being put on those shapes. Some of our 3D models are over 20 years old now and limited to 1024 pixel textures.
How can this... (https://i.postimg.cc/c4qxFhYB/Devil_Emil_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rzJ2mSfD)
Be expected to compete well against this? (https://i.postimg.cc/gJ8y4yh2/Devil_13_Early_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/bDY2wtL7) (Yes, I skinned both of these examples.)
That IL-2 Emil has a skin that is 4K.
And this is not even taking into account lighting and fire/smoke effects that hamper this game visually too.
Sorry, but difference in poly count makes a huge difference on the planes and the terrains. Never mind the much larger textures being put on those shapes. Some of our 3D models are over 20 years old now and limited to 1024 pixel textures.
How can this... (https://i.postimg.cc/c4qxFhYB/Devil_Emil_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rzJ2mSfD)
Be expected to compete well against this? (https://i.postimg.cc/gJ8y4yh2/Devil_13_Early_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/bDY2wtL7) (Yes, I skinned both of these examples.)
That IL-2 Emil has a skin that is 4K.
And this is not even taking into account lighting and fire/smoke effects that hamper this game visually too.
Sorry, but difference in poly count makes a huge difference on the planes and the terrains. Never mind the much larger textures being put on those shapes. Some of our 3D models are over 20 years old now and limited to 1024 pixel textures.
How can this... (https://i.postimg.cc/c4qxFhYB/Devil_Emil_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rzJ2mSfD)
Be expected to compete well against this? (https://i.postimg.cc/gJ8y4yh2/Devil_13_Early_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/bDY2wtL7) (Yes, I skinned both of these examples.)
That IL-2 Emil has a skin that is 4K.
And this is not even taking into account lighting and fire/smoke effects that hamper this game visually too.
AHIII is 10 years old now and it wasn't looking very fresh then either. Time for an update.
Well my point was distance of viewing the plane itself. Most times it takes your eyes to focus on poly (2 sec) is when you're on their 6 or winging. The terrain in modern graphics is stunning for sure. But at 2k out from an AC it's hard to notice the poly count difference.
There is no doubt in anyone's mind that we need a graphic update, but we've been saying that for what seems eternity.
Props on every plane, not just your own, makes a difference in graphic immersion. A pet peeve of mine.
There is a lot of headroom left for upping the graphics, even with slower/older machines.
I can whip out fire and explosion FX graphics in fairly short order. And frankly, the program I use, IMO they look more realistic than IL-2, which are also aging. Even in DCS, I can still tell it's a game FX.
It used to be computer catching up with graphics, in our case it's the opposite.
Back in the day, we all had similar competitive graphics. You could chat about other games and game play was the issue. Today you can kill a game like ours with it because everything else has better graphics. That's a shinny hook to everyone. I honestly think, if we came up to competitive graphics those other games may lose some players,........ EXCEPT the sub gets in the way. The game play is just better here IMO.....even as dweeby as it gets at times.
We are beating a dead horse to a second death on the subject. On 200 I was told HT is wanting to get back into it, but my response was I heard that frog fart in the water before,... Do it, or don't, but don't mislead us, that is a sin.
I'm just not sure Vulcan is the route. We trade DX stability for more options of other box games. Anyone can correct me, but I think for stability purposes it should stay DX. If ya want a more rounded game with Vulcan be ready for glitches. Pick your poison.
And here we are yet again folks. Pipe dreams. It's become an irritant to me and probably everyone.
You can't buy the dedication AH players have. Even the former players are still waiting, or they wouldn't be here.
What stands out to me in your comparison is the terrain more than the AC. Ya know how often you see that close up in the game>? Rarely.
It is what it is, until it's not anymore.
HT doesn't respond to shaming him into things. It seems it just has to be his idea to do so. If you shame him the answer is no.
It would be a rotten shame if we didn't get at least one last graphic update. <shrug><kicks rock>
Title: Re: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: RichardDarkwood on March 14, 2026, 04:28:56 AM
CptTrips was kind enough to throw together a mission for the La-7.
Swarms of Ju-88's that you can either attack or defend via air spawn.
Server name: Catalina Winemixer by HeloHounds
Title: Re: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: AKIron on March 14, 2026, 10:07:09 AM
It has the same brakes as the Spitfire which is Meh :frown:
Since my pedals don't have toe brakes I like the differential wheel braking in the Spit. Just takes a little getting used to. Wish they were all like that.
Title: Re: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: AKIron on March 14, 2026, 10:52:40 AM
For those that don't know the Spit didn't have toe brakes. It had a lever on the stick. Pull it back with no rudder applied braking applied to both wheels evenly. Apply rudder and the braking was then applied more to the left or right wheel according to the amount of rudder in that direction.
Title: Re: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: edge12674 on March 14, 2026, 11:53:01 AM
Just remember that the DCS La-7 has a compressed air tank that is used for engine start and brakes. It has to be refilled on the ground, so it is a good idea to have the ground crew use their air tank for engine start and go easy on brake applications.
Another little quirk is that the landing gear and flaps are on the same hydraulic system and you can only actuate one at a time. After actuating gear or flaps make sure you place the control handle back into "Neutral" or your risk burning out the hydraulic pump. Russian aircraft.....makes you realize how pampered US pilots were. :cool:
Title: Re: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: Animl-AW on March 14, 2026, 01:39:13 PM
Notice
Wooddick doesn’t post here unless he thinks he causing a disturbance to bbs, game or frankly just irritating someone.
Don’t get comfortable wooddick
Title: Re: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: AKIron on March 14, 2026, 06:01:15 PM
Just remember that the DCS La-7 has a compressed air tank that is used for engine start and brakes. It has to be refilled on the ground, so it is a good idea to have the ground crew use their air tank for engine start and go easy on brake applications.
Another little quirk is that the landing gear and flaps are on the same hydraulic system and you can only actuate one at a time. After actuating gear or flaps make sure you place the control handle back into "Neutral" or your risk burning out the hydraulic pump. Russian aircraft.....makes you realize how pampered US pilots were. :cool:
The Mig-21 has a gear lock handle you must release before you can get the gear up. I damaged the gear getting it up too slow on takeoff more than a few times.
Title: Re: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: RichardDarkwood on March 14, 2026, 06:10:03 PM
Just remember that the DCS La-7 has a compressed air tank that is used for engine start and brakes. It has to be refilled on the ground, so it is a good idea to have the ground crew use their air tank for engine start and go easy on brake applications.
Another little quirk is that the landing gear and flaps are on the same hydraulic system and you can only actuate one at a time. After actuating gear or flaps make sure you place the control handle back into "Neutral" or your risk burning out the hydraulic pump. Russian aircraft.....makes you realize how pampered US pilots were. :cool:
Gotta be HOT start or no start at all
Title: Re: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: RichardDarkwood on March 14, 2026, 06:11:14 PM
The flaps and the landing gear in the DCS La-7 are hydraulic and both must be put in neutral when not it use.
Title: Re: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: edge12674 on March 15, 2026, 08:21:28 AM
This is how the high poly count matters.
Title: Re: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: CptTrips on March 15, 2026, 08:43:42 AM
Cinematics are beautiful especially if you like looking at buildings, streets, trees and bushes, and so on. But in the heat of battle, who's looking at detail? It is too bad games are judged on that detail that totally get lost if your playing the game.
Title: Re: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: edge12674 on March 15, 2026, 10:12:55 AM
When you turn off icons and have to rely on visually identifying aircraft it changes combat.
A friend and I dove into a huge furball over a base take last night. The furball consisted of 190s, 109s, I-16s, and La-7s. My friend got shot down quickly.
I downed three enemy and was saddled on the fourth when I ran out of ammo (no ammo counter like in AH). A quick look at my six showed three 109s on my tail. I extended and dragged all three to my home field as my buddy was lifting. He engaged two of the 109s and I stayed on the tail of the third one to keep from getting shot down. My buddy got one and was shot down, leaving me to fend off the two remaining 109s. After losing a large chunk of my left elevator I did a long circular drag around my field. When I had enough distance I dropped flaps and gear (takes longer than AH due to having to do one at a time) and did a rough landing, damaging my right main gear. I scrambled into a hanger narrowly missing being strafed on the ground.
The game play is there with the added bonus better graphics and aircraft system modelling.
Title: Re: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: AKIron on March 15, 2026, 12:09:04 PM
No icons definitely a game changer. But you've got to have some method of discerning between friends and foes if you're going to let same type aircraft fight each other. Could do it with liveries.
Title: Re: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: edge12674 on March 16, 2026, 09:04:41 AM
No icons definitely a game changer. But you've got to have some method of discerning between friends and foes if you're going to let same type aircraft fight each other. Could do it with liveries.
There are certainly liveries that allow that, but my friends and I prefer to fight Allies vs. Axis.
Title: Re: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: AKIron on March 16, 2026, 09:19:00 AM
Brother and I have done some 1 vs 1 and the most fun was in jets, specifically the F-16. You're fast so you get out of easy sight quick with no labels. Radar is in standby. Neither wants to be the first to transmit as that gives your bearing away instantly on the rwr.
Title: Re: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: AKIron on March 16, 2026, 10:34:16 AM
Finding the enemy and keeping up with their location as you maneuver was and is a very important aspect of air combat. Labels/icons on pretty much nullifies this challenge imo.
Title: Re: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: AKIron on March 16, 2026, 01:30:45 PM
If you've never played without icons you cannot appreciate the difference of playing without. If you have then you understand that with icons you don't really need to continually visualize the 3D battlefield and where the players are and will be in your mind. With icons you can keep a general idea and glance at big swaths of sky and easily spot the large enemy (and friendly) icon. And if you lost even the general area you can still cover a lot of sky quickly. Without icons you cannot. You either keep track of the iconless aircraft or spend very valuable time finding it. This definitely gives situational awareness a different meaning.
Title: Re: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: DmonSlyr on March 16, 2026, 02:08:25 PM
I agree with the icons thing, it definitely takes SA to whole a new level. Especially with planes like the P51 and 109 fighting each other. From a distance its extremely tough to make decisions when you dont know the plane types in the current furball scrimish. For me though, I stare at computer screens all day, so staring even closer at the screen trying to determine plane type as im closing on a fight and then maintaining visual the entire time is very tough on my eyes. Thats why I still like some type of icon (preferably not the players name) and also a hat switch for visual if needed. The track IR is okay, but I find it tough for aiming if your gunsite isnt re-centered.
Title: Re: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: AKIron on March 16, 2026, 02:21:54 PM
I press my trackir recenter button often.
Title: Re: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: Oldman731 on March 16, 2026, 03:21:52 PM
If you've never played without icons you cannot appreciate the difference of playing without.
True!
We used to turn off icons in AvA. It brought home a lot of real-world considerations, not present when you can pull into a climb and know that you'll be able to do a few twists and look back later to pick up the icon of the plane following you.
People complained, however, so that went away.
- oldman
Title: Re: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: Eagler on March 16, 2026, 03:47:24 PM
The icon setting in MNM should be used in MA imo..
Eagler
Title: Re: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: RichardDarkwood on March 16, 2026, 06:00:14 PM
When you turn off icons and have to rely on visually identifying aircraft it changes combat.
A friend and I dove into a huge furball over a base take last night. The furball consisted of 190s, 109s, I-16s, and La-7s. My friend got shot down quickly.
I downed three enemy and was saddled on the fourth when I ran out of ammo (no ammo counter like in AH). A quick look at my six showed three 109s on my tail. I extended and dragged all three to my home field as my buddy was lifting. He engaged two of the 109s and I stayed on the tail of the third one to keep from getting shot down. My buddy got one and was shot down, leaving me to fend off the two remaining 109s. After losing a large chunk of my left elevator I did a long circular drag around my field. When I had enough distance I dropped flaps and gear (takes longer than AH due to having to do one at a time) and did a rough landing, damaging my right main gear. I scrambled into a hanger narrowly missing being strafed on the ground.
The game play is there with the added bonus better graphics and aircraft system modelling.
In what server?
Title: Re: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: xanax on March 16, 2026, 06:04:54 PM
No, its not. Go play your game with no icons, this is not dcs.
You don’t need icons when you can barely find a fight in the first place.
Title: Re: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: Bruv119 on April 02, 2026, 09:40:41 AM
the third party "Octopus G" made this LA7 module and not DCS themselves, he also did the I-16, Neither aircraft fit the historical narrative of the most populated WW2 server so it's a bit of a waste in that sense. The next toys to come appear to be the F6F and A6M zero for some sort of pacific carrier scenario. At least they made the Marianas map free to play in preparation for it. The thing with DCS is that the multiplayer aspect is left up to the playerbase to do as they please. That then has plenty of positives and negatives and some are happy to just entertain themselves in singleplayer or small scale squad operations.
I would push for a level bomber like the B17 , Lancaster or JU88 to be flyable, at least that would encourage some Non AI bomber raids and give mission planners something else to work with.
Title: Re: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: AKIron on April 02, 2026, 10:25:40 AM
the third party "Octopus G" made this LA7 module and not DCS themselves, he also did the I-16, Neither aircraft fit the historical narrative of the most populated WW2 server so it's a bit of a waste in that sense. The next toys to come appear to be the F6F and A6M zero for some sort of pacific carrier scenario. At least they made the Marianas map free to play in preparation for it. The thing with DCS is that the multiplayer aspect is left up to the playerbase to do as they please. That then has plenty of positives and negatives and some are happy to just entertain themselves in singleplayer or small scale squad operations.
I would push for a level bomber like the B17 , Lancaster or JU88 to be flyable, at least that would encourage some Non AI bomber raids and give mission planners something else to work with.
The Marianas map was always free. They recently modified it to fit WWII and both are free.
Title: Re: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: RichardDarkwood on April 06, 2026, 04:51:25 AM
the third party "Octopus G" made this LA7 module and not DCS themselves, he also did the I-16, Neither aircraft fit the historical narrative of the most populated WW2 server so it's a bit of a waste in that sense. The next toys to come appear to be the F6F and A6M zero for some sort of pacific carrier scenario. At least they made the Marianas map free to play in preparation for it. The thing with DCS is that the multiplayer aspect is left up to the playerbase to do as they please. That then has plenty of positives and negatives and some are happy to just entertain themselves in singleplayer or small scale squad operations.
I would push for a level bomber like the B17 , Lancaster or JU88 to be flyable, at least that would encourage some Non AI bomber raids and give mission planners something else to work with.
According to my source which was spot on with the La-7 release date, says that the F6F and the A6m along with the pacific update will be out in June of this year.
Title: Re: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: Tumor on April 07, 2026, 06:31:47 PM
Isn't the Zeke supposed to be AI?
Title: Re: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: AKIron on April 08, 2026, 03:02:32 PM
Title: Re: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: Animl-AW on April 08, 2026, 05:46:37 PM
Complete aholes. No one likes you here, you have no reason to post here, everyone sees what your punk butt is doing.
4 punks doin what punks do
Title: Re: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: Animl-AW on April 08, 2026, 05:49:03 PM
idiot
Title: Re: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: RichardDarkwood on April 08, 2026, 06:12:03 PM
You should be full release Boring as sin sim, nowhere worth the money if you want an actual fight. There’s always that glorious 20 min on run way, engine management and barely a fight. How exciting
Been sharing personal info lately?
Title: Re: The La-7 Has Been Released
Post by: LCADolby on April 09, 2026, 10:47:53 AM