LATEST NEWS

AJS-37 Viggen and F-14B Tomcat - Free Trial June 19 to 25th


By MigBuster, June 18, 2020
      In cooperation with the third-party partner Heatblur, a free trial event for the AJS-37 Viggen and the F-14A/B Tomcat will take place between the 19th of June and the 25th of June.        
• 0 replies
• 1,174 views
• Add Reply



Il2 DD Update Dev Blog 253 "Hurricane pit"


By 76.IAP-Blackbird, June 14, 2020
253   Hello Everyone!   Summer has finally come to us, but this is not a reason to relax and slow down - the work continues. Work is going on in many directions at once, especially now, when in the next big update, we will see two major events. First, the readiness and release of the American P-47D-22 "Razorback" fighter, which will mean the beginning of the Early Access stage of Battle of Normandy. Second, this is the completion and release of the German tank destroyer Sd.Kfz.184 "Ferdinand", which will mark the completion of all the planned tanks in Tank Crew. Although, this does not mean we will stop working on it, more improvements will be made in the coming months, several are being designed and prepared now.   Several aircraft, six in total, both for BON and a Collector’s aircraft, are currently under development. The P-51B, P-47D-22, C-47, Spitfire Mk.XIV, Typhoon Mk.Ib and  Hurricane Mk.II are all on the production line at once, many of them are in a fairly high degree of readiness. For those who keep asking about the status of the Hurricane, today we will show you a couple of Work in Progress screenshots of the cockpit:     Creating new aircraft is not the only thing our team is busy with right now. Having finished work on the airframe damage model airframe and control linkages, we smoothly proceed to the development of a more detailed model of fuel systems and their damage. After completing the next iteration of improving lower level logic for air combat AI fighter aircraft - maneuvering and aiming, we have moved on to improvements in matters of the upper level - the choice of targets and operational solutions. Work on the creation of the “Battle for Normandy” map has been launched on all fronts, its borders have been defined, a prioritized list of cities and airfields has been compiled, work has begun on the creation of ground equipment, and a list of development sites is under final approval before production begins. All these works are proceeding in accordance with the approved development plan and, at the moment, we have no serious deviations - we hope that this will continue in the future.   In parallel with this, work continues on updating the flight crews for all previous projects, and a German pilot in early winter uniforms will be ready soon. And at the same time, owners of the U-2VS airplane, we have some good news: a special and famous pilot model is ready for this aircraft in three uniforms (summer pre-1943 and 1943+ and winter). However, such news, of course, is better to see than to read:     You can discuss the news in this thread
• 0 replies
• 1,223 views
• Add Reply



Il2 Update 4.007


By 76.IAP-Blackbird, June 14, 2020
Update 4.007   Dear friends,   We've decided to release the new update 4.007 relatively soon after the previous one, because the fixes and improvements it brings, while not being major, are nevertheless important for the project as a whole. We have heard your feedback on the view system improvements, added new options to the multiplayer functionality, which govern the usage of graphical mods, in addition, we did additional research on the workarounds for the Direct 3D functionality not supported by one of the graphics cards vendors. Damage modeling has been improved to take into account the control systems damage (rods, wires, etc.). We have also added a new German pilot model in the early summer uniform. The full list of changes follows:   1. Ju 87 D-3 dive bomber has been upgraded to 4K external texturing thanks to Martin =ICDP= Catney, including two additional official skins;
2. Aircraft control systems DM has been upgraded. The probability of losing control in a certain control axis depends on the control wires or rods configuration of a particular aircraft and existence of a reserve control channel (or its lack thereof);
3. Workarounds for the remaining graphical artifacts on AMD cards (like black contour around the aircraft when viewed from its cockpit) have been implemented;
4. New multiplayer server option “Restrict Injectors” allows the server hosters to restrict access for users with graphics injectors like Reshade or 3dmigoto;
5. Five new mappable (RCtrl+NumPad_Del,1,2,3,0 by default) zoom commands have been added that allow quick zooming to various degrees (minimal, maximal and 3 intermediate levels). Zoom value set by a mouse or joystick axis or keyboard keys is not affected by the new quick zoom and after releasing a quick zoom button the FOV will return to the one set by an axis. These new commands work in either 2D or VR mode. The old 'VR zoom' command has been deprecated (its equivalent is the new maximum quick zoom, RCtl+NumPad_0);
6. There is a new setting in the Camera options that governs the speed of the new zoom commands;
7. Tank commander binoculars give three times more powerful zoom than before (they give a minimal FOV that is technically possible in the game);
8. The current FOV (Field Of View) value is shown next to the in-game FPS counter (that is activated by Backspace key by default);
9. Gunsight FOVs have been corrected for all tanks;
10. German fighter pilots of the Battle of Moscow, Battle of Stalingrad and Battle of Kuban have a new visual model and a sidearm during Summer (new Winter model, also with a sidearm, will be added later when it is ready). Because of this, the default camera position and user-customizable snapviews (.svc files) were changed on Bf 109-G14, Bf 109-K4, Me 262-A, Fw 190-A3, Fw 190-53, Fw 190-A8 and Fw 190-D9. The updater should overwrite the old files for these planes with the new updated ones for you, but in case this action was blocked by antivirus software on your PC and you see a wrong view in the cockpit of these aircraft in the game, please copy the new default .svc files for these aircraft from \data\LuaScripts\snapviews\defaults to \data\LuaScripts\snapviews manually. If you haven't customized the view positions on other aircraft, you can just copy all the files from  snapviews\defaults to snapviews folder;
11. Bomb holders on both Bristol Fighters appear correctly depending on the ammo loadout;
12. Pedals on both Bristol Fighters appear correctly in a neutral position;
13. The issue that made the detached parts of Flying Circus aircraft invisible in the multiplayer has been found and fixed;
14. Fw 190 D-9 canopy glass appear correctly at medium distances;
15. Fw 190 D-9 oil on windshield visual effect has been restored;
16. Destroyed static KV-1 model won't have white tracks when viewed from a distance;
17. Tank turret turn indicator won't visually 'jump' when passing the back position;
18. APHE rounds stopped by the armor won't damage outside objects;
19. Train wagons won't appear detached from the locomotive in some missions;
20. Guest crew members in multiplayer will correctly hear the sound of the tank turret turning;
21. Guest crew members in multiplayer will correctly hear the sounds of the hatches closing or opening;
22. Certain HE rounds explosions can be heard from an aircraft cockpit;
23. The arm model has a correct sidearm in it in VR mode;
24. The arm model won't drop a shadow when there is no body rendered;
25. The arm model has the correct size in VR mode;
26. Missing road segments that sunk inside the terrain have been corrected on Kuban map;
27. Random CTD in multiplayer fixed in case when other player tank have been spawned.     Please discuss the update in this thread.
• 0 replies
• 1,017 views
• Add Reply



KC-135 Stratotanker


By Skyviper, June 9, 2020
  Give me fuel give me fire give me that which I desire .... sorry. The KC-135's history and the history of aerial refueling is an impressive one. From maneuvers considered to be stunts to the advances in technology, this video will do it's best to tell you the history of aerial refueling and the KC-135 in our season finale. We want to thank everyone for their continued interest in QAF. As we work hard to bring you another batch of videos we'll also feature videos centered on a variety of subjects that we hope you'll enjoy. You comments helped us improve and motivate to make the next "season" of QAF even better. Thank you all for your time. When researching this I was surprised to learn that a SAC legend played a key role in the development for aerial refueling.    
• 0 replies
• 1,256 views
• Add Reply



DCS News (5th June 2020)


By MigBuster, June 9, 2020
  5th June 2020   Dear Fighter Pilot, Partners and Friends, After close to 40 man-years of work, the new Channel Map for DCS is now available to download. The Terrains Development Team have delivered this beautiful multi-purpose map with a new level of object detail and geographic accuracy. From Dunkirk and the Battle of Britain until the end of the war, the thin stretch of water saw more aerial activity than anywhere else in Europe. This week, a long-awaited addition to our Warbird line up is taking to the air. The P-47D Thunderbolt was a very successful and well-loved fighter. This remarkably rugged and dependable aircraft offers superb gameplay over our World War II battlefields, especially as it was also a highly effective ground attack fighter. Please note, if you are a WWII Backer of a suitable level, you can receive DCS: P-47D Thunderbolt for free from the Personal section, you can also gift the module, if you would like to do so, please contact Support via a support ticket. Over the past year, we have been working on updating the characteristics of air-to-air weapon systems. Your demands and feedback help us to push the level of accuracy in this area of our simulation to a new level. Please take the time to read about our new physics model with the AIM-120 AMRAAM report. We have been working hard on highly requested F/A-18C Hornet features. Check out the development roadmap and watch Matt Wagner’s videos. We hope these videos will help kick start your knowledge and smooth the learning curve. Thank you for your passion and support.   Yours sincerely, The Eagle Dynamics Team   The Channel Release A DCS World Terrain DCS: The Channel Map is now available in Early Access. Our map of the South East of England and North Eastern France encompasses historical airfields, urban areas, roads and railways, ports and other features that make it the perfect setting for the World War II air war in Europe between 1940 and 1945. This highly detailed map also provides a wonderful opportunity to mass deploy ground assets and to re-enact epic air battles and enjoy ground operations not yet seen in DCS World. Take advantage of Early Access 20% discount on The Channel Map.   P-47D Thunderbolt Early Access Release This week we Introduce the heavyweight Republic P-47D Thunderbolt, which first took to the skies in May, 1941. Nicknamed the Jug, it was a real workhorse of the Allied victory, weighing nearly twice as much as the British Spitfire. Fully loaded, it could deliver about half the payload of a B-17 Flying Fortress. The P-47D was popular amongst pilots, with an astounding safety record, a roomy cockpit and an enhanced visibility bubble canopy. The Republic Aviation factories in New York, Indiana and Buffalo assembled 15,600 units between 1942 and 1945. The Pratt & Whitney R-2800-59 Double Wasp radial engine enabled the Juggernaut to keep up with the nimble and lightning-fast North American P-51D Mustang. Thunderbolts were sent to Britain, France and even the Soviet Union, where they largely served in interceptor roles. The new DCS: P-47 Thunderbolt is designed to work on the latest DCS World 2.5.6 and is not compatible with previous versions. It takes advantage of our latest graphics and texture technology, enabling you to push the limits of your system, whilst maintaining good frame rates. We hope you will enjoy this update to the World War II era product range and look forward to your constructive feedback, which helps us deliver better products. Make sure you take advantage of the Early Access 20% discount.   AIM-120 AMRAAM Development Report As stated in previous news, we have spent a lot of time performing Computational Fluid Dynamics research. Almost 250 different calculations for every missile variant have been made. Our results have enabled us to simulate aerodynamic characteristics with a much higher level of accuracy. In contrast to the old missile dynamics model, the new one includes stability and control characteristics. We have calculated missile mechanical properties such as center of gravity and moment of inertia before ignition and after burnout. More major updates include; revised data for rocket motor performance, ballistics and range. Development of a velocity-altitude adaptive autopilot. Frequency response with the addition of deflection acceleration feedback. The construction of the electromechanical fin actuator assembly and Step response reaction control system. Autopilot and lofted trajectory for long-range shots. Please read the full air-to-air missile development report.   F/A-18C Hornet SLAM, AG Radar We would like to thank everyone who participated in the F/A-18C Hornet roadmap poll. It has helped us plan the next list of deliverables for 2020. Read the full list of features here. This week we introduce the first iteration of the air-to-ground radar for the F/A-18C Hornet. This first version models MAP mode and allows you to search for and designate target locations. Later, we will be adding other modes like the EXPAND levels, Ground Moving Target, SEA, and Terrain. In the next update, we have both air-to-ground and air-to-air updates for the Hornet targeting pod. This includes more realistic AG tracking modes and FLIR tracking of aerial targets in cooperation with the radar. In this week's update, we explore the inclusion of the IN ZONE LAUNCH ACCEPTABLE REGION (IZLAR) for the JDAM. This provides additional delivery information and will be tied to the later inclusion of pre-planned IZLARs and multiple attack points. Watch the video here. We hope that these videos help you learn the new features of the F/A-18C and look forward to your feedback. Thank you for your passion and support and as always, fly safe.   The Eagle Dynamics Team
• 0 replies
• 1,331 views
• Add Reply



Il2 DD Update Dev Blog 252 "P-47D22"


By 76.IAP-Blackbird, June 6, 2020
Hello friends, As you know, the recently released update 4.006 brought many important and interesting changes. Our work continues and soon we will start to prepare the new update 4.008 that is planned to include P-47D-22 "Razorback" fighter for Battle of Normandy and tank destroyer Sd.Kfz.184 "Ferdinand" for Tank Crew. You may have noticed and wondered why the mission number isn't 4.007? The answer is that we plan to release an intermediate update before that, it will add some important functionality and new features. They will be based on your feedback mostly and will bring some features long-awaited by the community. The update 4.007 is already in beta testing and we hope it will be ready in the coming week. Among other changes it will include 4К quality external texturing by Martin =ICDP= Catney for the legendary Ju-87D-3 from Battle of Stalingrad, here are some screenshots of it:     Speaking on the update 4.008, which is planned for late June - early July, we have also something to show you already. Another legendary plane, P-47D-22 "Razorback", will begin the Early Access for Battle of Normandy:     You can discuss the news in this thread
• 0 replies
• 1,667 views
• Add Reply