DCS

[Robli]

I wonder when they announce some kind of Vietnam map. 

We have the Huey, Chinook is coming, Kiowa is coming. We have the Mig-19, Mig-21, F-5 and Phantom is coming. Also Skyraider, Corsair II, Super Sabre are in development. Haven't checked if these are Vietnam era variants, but this list of aircraft just cries out for some kind of Vietnam map.

[Lusekofte]

2 hours ago, Robli said:

Chinook is coming

People is overjoyed with the chinook , but I think I read we are going to have a semi modern one. I might confuse it with C 131 witch going to have glass cockpit. 
For my sake I wish for a Vietnam era chinook 

2 hours ago, Robli said:

Mig-19, Mig-21

We are going to get Mig 17 too

[Lusekofte]

3 hours ago, dburne said:

 

If you have never seen the movie " We Were Soldiers" with Mel Gibson it is a good watch on the first days of battle there. Lot of good Huey action.

Seen it several times. Lost paradise campaign reminded me of that movie

[Guest deleted@83466]

4 hours ago, Lusekofte said:

I really love flying around in it. Everybody say it is so easy, is it really? I try to fly it historically and as nice as seen on Vietnam documentaries, it is a challange , it is also a challange getting home with one not too badly shot up

 

I sure didn’t think it was easy to fly at first.  I’m pretty decent with it now, but it took me a ridiculous amount of practice before I could even make an approach and maintain a hover within something smaller than a football field.  Everybody who wants to fly any DCS Heli should start with the Huey to learn the fundamentals,imho. 

[Alexmarine]

7 hours ago, Robli said:

I wonder when they announce some kind of Vietnam map. 

We have the Huey, Chinook is coming, Kiowa is coming. We have the Mig-19, Mig-21, F-5 and Phantom is coming. Also Skyraider, Corsair II, Super Sabre are in development. Haven't checked if these are Vietnam era variants, but this list of aircraft just cries out for some kind of Vietnam map.

 

Pretty sure only the Huey, Phantom (but really by a little margin), Skyraider and Super Sabre are actual Vietnam era models. Maybe the F-5 too. The MiG-17 on red side, if you don't take the additional pylons

[Lusekofte]

36 minutes ago, Alexmarine said:

 

Pretty sure only the Huey, Phantom (but really by a little margin), Skyraider and Super Sabre are actual Vietnam era models. Maybe the F-5 too. The MiG-17 on red side, if you don't take the additional pylons

We can live with chronological misfits as long as there are a kind of balance and resemblance to history. I do not mind if I meet Viggen in South East Asia

[Gambit21]

34 minutes ago, Alexmarine said:

 

Pretty sure only the Huey, Phantom (but really by a little margin), Skyraider and Super Sabre are actual Vietnam era models. Maybe the F-5 too. The MiG-17 on red side, if you don't take the additional pylons

MiG 19

The 21 with limited loadout will do for now.

 

A-4 (mod…for now)

A-6 coming, F-8 coming, F-14A for “what if” timeframe extension (and it wouldn’t have to be by much)

 

We’re looking good for Vietnam. Like I said earlier in the year a Vietnam map announcement most certainly is coming, and essentially we’ve had a ‘soft’ announcement already.

 

You can bet it’s begun, so when the official “it’s on” announcement happens - we’ll just have to wait and see. 

2 minutes ago, Lusekofte said:

We can live with chronological misfits as long as there are a kind of balance and resemblance to history. I do not mind if I meet Viggen in South East Asia

Viggen is getting a bit weird. 

[Varibraun]

As my newb exploration of DCS continues, a few questions for the DCS warbirds crew with IL2 experience as I work on my dogfighting and try to get familiar with what appear to be more sensitive controls in DCS:

 

P-51 - The DCS version "fights" me more than what I am accustomed to in IL2.  Specifically, it wants to kick out reverse in my tight combat turns (this is not meant to start a discussion of which FM is more accurate) reminding me of the FW-190.  Since I am practicing mostly in "Instant Action" mode, I don't know if this is simply a flight model difference or if the notorious P-51 full fuel tanks are a factor?  So my question is whether anyone knows how much fuel is included in the tanks in the airstart (and is there an adjustment like in IL-2) or if this really isn't the issue and it is simply the FM difference?

 

AI level and settings - Again in "Instant Action," I don't see any way to adjust AI level.  My fights there can be dramatically different, so I am assuming it is a random AI draw for each fight, but I just want to be sure there isn't a way see what level AI I am fighting (or to change it)?

 

AI behavior - I know that the DCS AI doesn't "fly" the actual AC/FM like a player, so do you generally find it harder or easier than IL-2 AI?  At least so far, my impression is that I am having a harder time clearing my 6 and the AI seems to (sometimes) maneuver tighter/more aggressively than IL-2.  I am interested in what the experienced folks here think about whether the AI is sometimes flying outside the AC parameters or maybe pushing further to the edge?  (Again not meant to start a discussion of "better" between the sims, I am having to be more alert in DCS especially against the K-4, and so am trying to see if I am simply adjusting to the different FMs or if the AI is a little more sneaky - or both).

 

AI Improvements - I have seen some mentions of DCS having AI improvements in the works (see GS video below from 10/22).  Has this already been implemented, and if not, does anyone know if these are coming to WWII?

 

Thank you for helping to keep a P-51 pilot coming home! 

 

 

 

 

[Gambit21]

Warbird BFM improvements are coming...they started with the jets.

 

 

[DD_fruitbat]

58 minutes ago, Varibraun said:

As my newb exploration of DCS continues, a few questions for the DCS warbirds crew with IL2 experience as I work on my dogfighting and try to get familiar with what appear to be more sensitive controls in DCS:

 

P-51 - The DCS version "fights" me more than what I am accustomed to in IL2.  Specifically, it wants to kick out reverse in my tight combat turns (this is not meant to start a discussion of which FM is more accurate) reminding me of the FW-190.  Since I am practicing mostly in "Instant Action" mode, I don't know if this is simply a flight model difference or if the notorious P-51 full fuel tanks are a factor?  So my question is whether anyone knows how much fuel is included in the tanks in the airstart (and is there an adjustment like in IL-2) or if this really isn't the issue and it is simply the FM difference?

 

AI level and settings - Again in "Instant Action," I don't see any way to adjust AI level.  My fights there can be dramatically different, so I am assuming it is a random AI draw for each fight, but I just want to be sure there isn't a way see what level AI I am fighting (or to change it)?

 

AI behavior - I know that the DCS AI doesn't "fly" the actual AC/FM like a player, so do you generally find it harder or easier than IL-2 AI?  At least so far, my impression is that I am having a harder time clearing my 6 and the AI seems to (sometimes) maneuver tighter/more aggressively than IL-2.  I am interested in what the experienced folks here think about whether the AI is sometimes flying outside the AC parameters or maybe pushing further to the edge?  (Again not meant to start a discussion of "better" between the sims, I am having to be more alert in DCS especially against the K-4, and so am trying to see if I am simply adjusting to the different FMs or if the AI is a little more sneaky - or both).

 

AI Improvements - I have seen some mentions of DCS having AI improvements in the works (see GS video below from 10/22).  Has this already been implemented, and if not, does anyone know if these are coming to WWII?

 

Thank you for helping to keep a P-51 pilot coming home! 

 

 

If you start in the air you cannot change the loadout, if you are starting on the ground you can, fuel and weapons loadout.

 

You can actually load the instant action missions into the mission builder, you just need to find where they are saved, can't remember off the top of my head and copy them over to your own mission folder. It may well be that the AI are set on random in the missions. You can then make any changes and fly them from there if you wanted to.

 

As @Gambit21 said, the WW2 birds haven't had the AI improvements yet, just the jets, although it is coming.

 

As to the difficulty fighting them, it really does depend on there level, on ace, they are aggressive indeed.

 

Some more F-15 screenies, cockpit looks fantastic,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 13, 2023 by DD_fruitbat

[Lusekofte]

Well. I figured I take a jet for a ride. So I started the Viggen. I guess it is years since last time. Took some ships out. Forgot that cassette and had to take startup lesson. 
god that training session was complicated

then back to myself and started it and forgot that numbercode you suppose to put. Manage somehow to get that. Cool plane

[Gambit21]

1 hour ago, Lusekofte said:

Well. I figured I take a jet for a ride. So I started the Viggen. I guess it is years since last time. Took some ships out. Forgot that cassette and had to take startup lesson. 
god that training session was complicated

then back to myself and started it and forgot that numbercode you suppose to put. Manage somehow to get that. Cool plane

 

Great...just don't sell me that it works in Southeast Asia and we'll get along just fine. 

[BladeMeister]

:-)

Still in training.

S!Blade<><

 

 

[DD_Fenrir]

And there was me thinking the Hind couldn't get any uglier!

[DD_Fenrir]

10 hours ago, Varibraun said:

P-51 - The DCS version "fights" me more than what I am accustomed to in IL2.  Specifically, it wants to kick out reverse in my tight combat turns (this is not meant to start a discussion of which FM is more accurate) reminding me of the FW-190.  Since I am practicing mostly in "Instant Action" mode, I don't know if this is simply a flight model difference or if the notorious P-51 full fuel tanks are a factor?  So my question is whether anyone knows how much fuel is included in the tanks in the airstart (and is there an adjustment like in IL-2) or if this really isn't the issue and it is simply the FM difference?

 

 

The P-51 has a laminar flow aerofoil so we can expect lower critical AoA values with far less feedback that the stall is imminent then in contemorary aircraft, particularly with combat loadouts; fuel loadout could be a factor.

 

Best way to check is to pause at mission start and check the gauges - 2 in the floor just ahead of your seat either side of the cockpit and one over your left shoulder behind the seat. Unlike GBS, the fuel systems in DCS are fully modelled and the tanks independant; if you see any fuel level in the tank over your shoulder you'll know that could be part of the issue.

 

However, I suspect your issues may stem from not having rudder and aileron fully coordinated.

 

The DCS Pony REALLY rewards good stick and rudder discipline. With timely and appropriate rudder synchronsiation with stick input you will roll faster and when established in tight turns and in slow speed climbs being on top of your rudder will delay stall onset.

 

There are moments which can feel disingenuous - I have often found myself established in tight turns with a smidge of rudder into the turn to keep the ball centred, but with a touch of aileron to the outside of the turn to correct for forces that want to lift the outside wing and roll you futher into the turn. This latter effect is normal (happens a lot in gliders) because your outer wing is travelling faster than the inner wing which means the outer wing is making greater lift than the inside wing which causes a rolling moment. It is small but noticable. Be aware of it.

 

At high power settings - normal for combat - she'll naturally want to flick left at the stall, mainly due to torque; if you tend to flick to the outside of the turn (particularly in turns to the left) it could be because you're blanking airflow over the outside wing with the nose because you're not coordinating properly with your rudder.

 

So the short version - practise your rudder and aileron coordination, watch your slip ball and move those feet! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 13, 2023 by DD_Fenrir

[sevenless]

Strike-Eagle Cockpit looks fantastic!

[Art-J]

@Varibraun In DCS Mustang, when creating custom missions in the editor, the game gives you default fuel load of 68% (wings full, fuselage empty), so I'd hazard a guess Instant missions are probably set up the same (?). As mentioned above, you can always strain your neck and check all three tank gauges to make sure ;).

 

All stock missions are stored in Mods\aircraft\P-51D\Missions folder. As Fruitbat suggested, copy the ones you want to your own C:\Users\[your user name]\Saved Games\DCS\Missions folder and tinker with them in the editor to test other fuel loads, AI skills and whatnot.

 

Official patch notes some months ago indeed said the AI improvements went to modern jets first, however, folks report that some tweaks might actually got to warbirds as well (just not being mentioned in patch notes, which are ALWAYS incomplete in DCS). It seems that AI ranked up from imbeciles to ordinary idiots as far as their defensive maneuvers repertoire is concerned, so if true, that would be already something.

[DD_fruitbat]

4 hours ago, DD_Fenrir said:

And there was me thinking the Hind couldn't get any uglier!

 

It looks like a purple cow!

[Varibraun]

4 hours ago, DD_Fenrir said:

So the short version - practise your rudder and aileron coordination, watch your slip ball and move those feet! 

 

Thank you Fenrir for taking the time to put together such a thorough helpful post.  I will it take to heart to work on my likely sloppy footwork in DCS compared to IL-2 where I have it down by instinct at this point (P-51 is my favorite ride).  

 

4 hours ago, Art-J said:

In DCS Mustang, when creating custom missions in the editor, the game gives you default fuel load of 68% (wings full, fuselage empty), so I'd hazard a guess Instant missions are probably set up the same (?). As mentioned above, you can always strain your neck and check all three tank gauges to make sure ;).

 

Thanks Art...I am such a dope that in VR it never occurred to me to simply turn around to check the tanks at the beginning of the instant fight.  Based on your info and Fenrir's thoughts, I am now pretty certain the problem lies behind the stick and not in the fuel tanks.  I will turn around and check tonight just to be sure.

 

4 hours ago, Art-J said:

It seems that AI ranked up from imbeciles to ordinary idiots as far as their defensive maneuvers repertoire is concerned, so if true, that would be already something.

 

At least on some of my 2v2, P-51 v. K-4, I can say at least for my current DCS skill level, the K-4s seem to be better than this idiot, especially if I let one get behind me.  Definitively not all of the fights, I sometimes see them just turning and waiting while I continue to land rounds (which is why I think I am getting a random AI draw).  I can pretty much say that in IL-2, I can set up any similar 2v2 and never sweat too much of anything except a lucky shot at the merge from the K-4.  This weekend, I am going to follow the advice given by @DD_fruitbat to start to play around with the AI levels in missions to see how that is ramping things up.  

 

Thanks to everyone who commented to help me out, I am having a blast.  Just flew the 2nd mission of Blue Nosed Bastards last night and all went well (2 190 kills) until I forgot that the gunners on the Ju-88 weren't quite as near sighted as their compatriots over in IL-2 world.  Ended up ditching in the Channel once my coolant drained away.  Great fun! 

[DBFlyguy]

Ton of info again in their newsletter this week:

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/news/newsletters/710da5ca8e2b65946661b86f07269410/

 

Looking forward to the new pilot models and supercarrier updates!

 

 

[Alexmarine]

@Varibraun remember that you actually have to cycle manually between the left and right wing tanks at some constant intervals or the balance of the plane will steadily shift towards one of the side, which can be impairing for manoeuvering 

[DBFlyguy]

It's gotta be close!!!

[dburne]

I have a question if anyone would be so kind to help me. I modified the Channel Map cold start Spit mission and saved it under a unique name. Basically all I changed was the weather and time of day. Now all I want to do is move my plane from it's current parked position to a position closer to the take off runway. Currently it is pretty far away and I spend a lot of time taxiing before I fly. 

 

That is all I need, yeah I can dig out the manual and start reading but if anyone can just briefly tell me what I need to do - I have looked in the Mission Editor at this mission and can not even figure out which is my plane.

 

I would really appreciate any tips,

 

 

[Alexmarine]

@dburne tbh, I didn't touched DCS for a long time by now so I am sure I am forgetting stuff but my simple guess would be to check which Spitfire has the "Player/Playable" state checked on to see which one is yours, then change the "start in parking stop x/start on taxiway" to "start on runway"

[dburne]

8 minutes ago, Alexmarine said:

@dburne tbh, I didn't touched DCS for a long time by now so I am sure I am forgetting stuff but my simple guess would be to check which Spitfire has the "Player/Playable" state checked on to see which one is yours, then change the "start in parking stop x/start on taxiway" to "start on runway"

 

Ok will have a look thanks. I want a parking spot to start cold, just need it closer to my take off runway.

Thanks,

[Gambit21]

1 minute ago, dburne said:

 

Ok will have a look thanks. I want a parking spot to start cold, just need it closer to my take off runway.

Thanks,

You need to change the parking spot number in the aircraft properties.

 

 

…and fly the Tomcat.

 

 

[dburne]

Every plane I click on in there just says Spitfire IX new static object. I don't see any labeled player.

4 minutes ago, Gambit21 said:

You need to change the parking spot number in the aircraft properties.

 

 

…and fly the Tomcat.

 

 

 

Tomcat did not exist in WWII silly.

I can't seem to find player plane though.

[Alexmarine]

@dburne no idea then. Maybe the player Spitfire is loaded at the mission start and so it is only a virtual stance in the editor? Though I don't know if the editor system works like that... Surely someone is more versed than me in the editor and will be happy to help 

[Lusekofte]

If you use Reflected campaign there is little to no editing possible. Only stock campaigns is editable 

[Gambit21]

33 minutes ago, dburne said:

Every plane I click on in there just says Spitfire IX new static object. I don't see any labeled player.

 

Tomcat did not exist in WWII silly.

I can't seem to find player plane though.

You’re not clicking on/looking at the correct object. 

9 minutes ago, Lusekofte said:

If you use Reflected campaign there is little to no editing possible. Only stock campaigns is editable 

He didn’t indicate that he attempting to edit a campaign.

 

 

[dburne]

37 minutes ago, Gambit21 said:

You’re not clicking on/looking at the correct object. 

He didn’t indicate that he attempting to edit a campaign.

 

 

 

That is correct. As stated it is single mission - Spit Cold Start on Channel Map. I have saved under a different name and changed time and weather, now I just want a closer parking spot to my take off runway. They are pretty far apart now. I still want a cold and dark Spit in parking spot to begin, just want it closer.

That does not appear to be as easy as changing time and weather.

[Gambit21]

8 minutes ago, dburne said:

 

That does not appear to be as easy as changing time and weather.

It is.

 

 

[Gambit21]

I’m not at home or I’d post a screen.

[DBFlyguy]

For you F-5 guys

 

[Gambit21]

Fantastic!

Huey too.

 

 

I mean, I hope.

[Lusekofte]

Not flown F 5 since I learned it first time when it came. 

[Blooddawn1942]

The F-5 desperately needs an overhaul. By now it looks dated, nevertheless it's an incredible module! 

[Gambit21]

4 hours ago, Lusekofte said:

Not flown F 5 since I learned it first time when it came. 

 

 

 

 ?

[Gambit21]

7 hours ago, dburne said:

 

That is correct. As stated it is single mission - Spit Cold Start on Channel Map. I have saved under a different name and changed time and weather, now I just want a closer parking spot to my take off runway. They are pretty far apart now. I still want a cold and dark Spit in parking spot to begin, just want it closer.

That does not appear to be as easy as changing time and weather.

 

 

 

 

You're welcome.

Now pretty please, with sugar on top - go fly the goddamn Tomcat or Jug.

 

 

 

[Lusekofte]

38 minutes ago, Gambit21 said:

 

 

 

 ?

I had a story that suppose to follow that ….

I guess it is like jokes when points are left out. 
Anyway, I was so thrilled and happy when it came. I learned how to operate it in every way. And then just stopped flying it. 
It is such a pleasant and easy module with lot of capabilities. I guess SU 25 and a chopper distracted me