Top Gun!

[+Gocad 26]

Yes, yes, it was just a matter of time that someone would bring this up (again, in fact USAFMTL has already made one eons ago). But with the release of upgraded SoCal terrain by Wrench such a campaign seems to be quite doable. In fact it was just the terrain that was missing...well, that's at least my point of view here.

Of course, Wrench's SoCal isn't really set up for a Top Gun campaign, after all, no time to play games when there's a real war going on.

Restoring peace in Southern California isn't very difficult, though, and the same could be said about rounding up the participants. Tomcats, Phantoms and Crusaders (Surprise! ) here and Super Echos and perhaps a few Tigers there.

BAM! Another campaign done. Unfortunately this is where the problems begin. Sure, getting all the items is easy, after all, terrain, planes and skins exist already, of course, you would need the permission of the respective creators to use (and edit) them for this campaign.

 

The problem with such a camapign, however, would be that it's necessary to limit the capabilities of the aircraft involved, otherwise it quite hard to simulate the issue dissimilar air combat training focuses on...dogfighting, that is. Guns only.

This can be done by modifiying the loadout file of the aircraft, but doing so makes them unuseable for everything else. There are two workarounds for this problem, either create a standalone-install for this campaign or create custom versions of the aircraft. The former may be the easiest way, however the question would be whether this scenario is interesting enough to do that. The second option would not require a stand-alone install, but the modified aircraft might turn up in other random single missions.

 

Finally, there is the question whether a Top Gun campaign does really make sense, because every mission would have the same objective: Fighting with aggressor aircraft. And to be honest, I don't think that this something you would want to do over and over again.

 

Bottom line: Yes, it can be done, but for me the question is, whether it's really worth doing it.

 

So, what do YOU think?

 

Edited March 31, 2008 by Gocad

[Mladuna 0]

Hey that's not such a bad idea. Maybe that stand-alone install could also have a series of training missions for the newcomers to familiarise themselves whit the Wings over series and practice combat whit AI.

 

The AI (even that from WOI) would need some improving (a new UberAI patch) for us experienced guys to have some challenge there.

 

Of course the menu and loading screens must be full of Top Gun "the movie" references.

 

Or, maybe not. (remembers the volleyball scene URGH!)

Edited March 31, 2008 by Mladuna

[+allenjb42 4,114]

I've got a DACM install with the various US terrains and Ranges. I've got a load of USN and USMC aircraft as the good guys and the aggressors as the bad guys flying for the USNA nation that was included in some release ages ago.

 

I fly A2A and A2G and enjoy going up against something other than MiGs. The F-14A agressor certainly gets your blood pumping when you're flying a strike in an A-7E and it pops up when you press T!

 

Hasn't Top Gun merged with another training unit that specialised in training navy strike units anyway, so a campaign need not focus on just A2A? And why not include missiles? You still need to train to avoid them don't you? 'Train like you mean to fight' I say.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Never thought I'd get a chance to re-use those screenies!

Edited March 31, 2008 by allenjb42

[+Dave 2,318]

I have an entire TG install that wpnssgt and I did a about 2 years ago. With screens, music and everything. Its on disk somewhere.

[sparkomatic 7]

I have an entire TG install that wpnssgt and I did a about 2 years ago. With screens, music and everything. Its on disk somewhere.

 

 

Oh...my...that I NEED!!! Eh...does it come with a young Kelly McGillis?

[+Typhoid 231]

Oh...my...that I NEED!!! Eh...does it come with a young Kelly McGillis?

 

THAT should be the main screen!!!!!!

 

:yes:

[+CrimsonRoamer 1]

The problem with such a camapign, however, would be that it's necessary to limit the capabilities of the aircraft involved, otherwise it quite hard to simulate the issue dissimilar air combat training focuses on...dogfighting, that is. Guns only.

This can be done by modifiying the loadout file of the aircraft, but doing so makes them unuseable for everything else. There are two workarounds for this problem, either create a standalone-install for this campaign or create custom versions of the aircraft. The former may be the easiest way, however the question would be whether this scenario is interesting enough to do that. The second option would not require a stand-alone install, but the modified aircraft might turn up in other random single missions

 

 

No need to modify the loadout, just set-up the campaign so that there isn't any resupply of weapons.

Edited April 1, 2008 by CrimsonRoamer

[+Gocad 26]

No need to modify the loadout, just set-up the campaign so that there isn't any resupply of weapons.

 

That won't work since AI flights are armed according to the aircraft's loadout.ini

Just look at the stock campaigns...enemy units have no weapons assigned to them in the campaign_data, yet they are armed during a mission.

[lazboy 0]

How about something like the Red Flag exercises with various NATO aircraft participating against each other?

 

Lazboy

[Mladuna 0]

That won't work since AI flights are armed according to the aircraft's loadout.ini

Just look at the stock campaigns...enemy units have no weapons assigned to them in the campaign_data, yet they are armed during a mission.

 

I think they are loaded by the Loadout.ini and that's easy to change.

[serverandenforcer 33]

I think they are loaded by the Loadout.ini and that's easy to change.

 

 

One way that can be done is to make multiple folders of the same aircraft, just with diffent names for it for the .ini files, and have their loadout.ini different from each other in a manner that would demonstrate the appearance of a limited weapon supply and what the enemy is left with as the campaing progresses. I have at least 7 different folders of a SU-27 each with it's own skin (so that you don't always have the same enemy AI poping up with the same skin all the time) and have copies of those aircraft with different weapon loadouts so that they don't always have the same weapons to fire at you. It keeps my single missions very dynamic!

Edited April 2, 2008 by serverandenforcer

[jtin 0]

You could also create an alternate weaponsdata with only bombs, and droptanks, etc... just swap it out when you're playing the campaign... IMO, much less hassle than editing each individual loadout.

 

How about something like the Red Flag exercises with various NATO aircraft participating against each other?

 

Lazboy

 

I actually have a Red Flag install that I'm working on... wrote some missions for F-22 CAP against lots of F-16 agressors... only beat them 2 times out of 10.

 

IMO, a training session like Red Flag wouldn't be that good for a campaign, something more like individual missions scripted out... you can control ground units, targets, etc.

 

Top Gun I guess would be OK, if you're just doing A2A.

[Icarus999 70]

This is a great idea, top gun/ red flag style air to air training in a series of missions, air to ground weapons training in another series; then a chance to mix it up and train to fly strike missions under pressure.

This would be of great benifit to newbies like myself who could use some quality instruction in energy management/and taking the fight into the vertical plane, as well as air to ground (dumb bomb) delivery skills.

[topcat II 6]

Sounds good please do!!

[Silverbolt 104]

i think this could be cool for online play

[triplethr3at 0]

I am definately interested. op4 against trainees. we can use op4- a-4, ta-4, f-16,f-18, f-15etc... against tomcat-f/a-18,f-16 eyc..

[markkyle66 0]

Finally, there is the question whether a Top Gun campaign does really make sense, because every mission would have the same objective: Fighting with aggressor aircraft. And to be honest, I don't think that this something you would want to do over and over again.

 

So, what do YOU think?

 

Your statement about the training missions that were flown at Miramar and now Fallon are pretty far off. NFSW was/is not just about getting your nose on the other guy and pulling the triggger. They learn alot about their aircraft and weapon systems and how to employ them. They also learn how to operate as a strike group and get bombs on target and fight their way out. Top Gun or NFWS has traditionally had alot of that, but it does culminate in several mock strike attacks, which have been known to involve AF aircaft actually : ] (very much like Red Flag). I have a book on it and its quiet interesting. I personally would love to see this come to fruition can't go wrong with it ! Get some TA4s in there as well as the F5's

Edited April 23, 2008 by HrntFixr
Please do NOT re-post pics in reply's.

[+allenjb42 4,114]

Here's my Aircraft folder for my DACM install

 

 

And some more action shots