Carlos_Tex

Hmmm, you bring an intereting point. The A models had tons of production blocks with different systems. I think that i would prefer maybe an 82 model Tomcat, if i'm no mistaken it was around that time they started delivering or installing TCS on the Tomcats (maybe Caeser can help me here). Either way it doesn't matter Early A or later A Tomcat if Leatherneck delivers a Tomcat module with the same level of quality they did with the MiG-21 i'm in. I think a MiG-23MLD would probably be the best one to give the Tomcat a good fight, any previous model would be a better match against a later model F-4 which i'm hoping that we'll have in the future as well. As a matter of fact if i could choose i would go for a Navy F-4B or an Air Force D model with those pesky Falcon missiles.

As it is right now they have hinted so hard at a Tomcat that people are only waiting for the official announcement. Hints like: Top Gun, Jester, Goose, a pic showing a part ofan AWG-9 antenna, cats and ducks, or even more recently "You've lost that loving feeling" and even the Black Lions VF-213 squadron logo is part of Cobra's avatar... This is just too obvious. Not to mention that in the future banner the plane looks like an F-14 landing shot. When i last posted here i mentioned i would be jumpng in if a proper Tomcat was made. I never actually believed it would be done because of the multi-crew aspect and the Tomcat being a behemoth of complexity to model but Leatherneck works close to the metal and they released an amazing MiG-21. If someone told me there would be a Tomcat on DCS i would think that maybe only ED would do it. But amazing as the MiG-21 is, i have nothing but huge faith in their ability to deliver! So a Tomcat, if we discount all the multi-crew development issue for now the question is....which model? I don't know why but i feel a itch for the A model. I think it just suits better the MiG-21 timeframe, the natural MiG-21 would the the F-4E or the F-8, or even the F-5 at a lesser extent. The idea of flying a F-14A with those fussy engines and mastering the flight model and the AWG-9 is just too intense. The B would be great too, to be able to use all the aerodynamical features of the airframe without fear of choking and stalling the engines. The D model did so well in the the last Tomcat days for the Navy that people today still hypotesize the what if scenario of what could a properly updated Tomcat do against the Super Hornet, this at least if the decent thing was done back in the day and actually test one against the other and then let the Navy decide. But for DCS i don't know, the most modern planes are only FC level of detail so at the moment i would prefer a way older Tom. The greatest news is that they have 2 more planes in advanced development stages. If the Tomcat is indeed coming in i would love to see 2 more fighters that would fit the 1970's timeframe. Another Soviet plane like the MiG-23 and a european fighter like the Mirage III would be great. I like Centurion's sugestion of a Draken, it was an amazing plane, albeit its weak missiles (which for the fun factor can be great!). If Leatherneck keeps developing within a time frame that suits their prodicts nicely i believe they'll become by far the most successful third party DCS developer by far.

I could help with C++ programming, although i never checked documentation regarding planes for DCS so i have no idea how much of an advanced work it is. EDIT: Anyone in the community that can do LUA scripting?

Yes you are correct. Sincerely, i'd rather have a F-14 made by ED themselves instead of IRIS which seems to be vaporware. They announced 3 projects like 3 years ago and none is out. Don't really care about them anymore. What makes me lose hope is that other serious developers might not consider the Tomcat because supposedly IRIS is making one. At least partial good news is that because they're making F-18C, they have to improve the Nimitz and carrier ops, so that might open a better window for the F-14 too. The F-18C is in the timeframe of the F-14B so maybe. I just wish they wouldn't lose so much time on helicopters and at least focus on a specific timeframe instead of being all over the place. I'll crack myself up if they announce a Sopwith Camel...

Myself i lost all hopes of seeing a F-14 on DCS, it's a 2 seater so i guess that makes things a little more complicated. So if at least a F-4 or even a F-8 Crusader are released, i'll probably be jumping in.

Shooting down a F-15C with a MiG-21bis is a major accomplishment even against AI. It's good to keep down in the weeds, but you'll burn precious fuel. Although the MiG-21 is a rocket with wings and can climb quite fast, so can the F-15 and you still have to get your missiles behind him. As far as i know the best you'll have in the Bis is the R-60. You'll have to dodge at least a Sidewinder before getting into the merge. And against human skill that's another story. With that being said i think the MiG-21Bis will be a fantastic addition. I just wish a F-4 was also in the works. Since the F-14 is not gonna happen anymore, i'll be jumping in if the plane additions are more consistent and not all over the place. I have some hope in Belsimtek developer. Although they are focusing a little more on helicopters, they have been delivering consistenly. I just wonder what they are gonna do after the Cobra. Leatherneck is a big hope too. The MiG-21 is absolutely fantastic and i also wonder if they have plans for a follow up plane. In the meantime here's a video for the Bis:

Interesting idea for a campaign, but even in a what if scenario something like this would be very problematic since your background story has small inconsistencies. It is true that the conservative government of Spain was afraid of a communist Portugal, mostly because a communist Portugal could a haven for a ressurgengy of Spanish communists. But even so there were a few issues: - NATO was the only one who could intervene in Portugal with military forces; - Communist Portugal would not have great support of Soviet Union, for several reasons; - Portuguese people would be very hostile against a Spanish invasion, but not against NATO presence; - Spain was not part of NATO and Spanish forces on Portuguese soil would mean a total violation of NATO's directives; - Majority of Portuguese population and several army factions would resist against communism (as they did); In my opinion even for a what if scenario it doesn't seem very plausible. Maybe a Portuguese Civil War would be, but because of what i mentioned above Spain's participation wouldn't be more of protecting their borders and allow for NATO to use their military bases. Just my two cents, but anyway, good luck for your project!!

... that Mobile Strike Fighters Israel is not available on Apple store anymore? I really don't care about mobile versions, but i was wondering if TK is having trouble with the people at Apple. Strike fighters Attack is now available for the other devices, Android and Kindle, so these last weeks i've been thinking that TK is working it for IOS too. Or is Apple boycotting Israel? Or maybe this means nothing at all and it's just a temporary problem. But i noticed and felt quite weird. Wondered what you guys might think.

Naahhh mate, my personal wish is only for a F-14A_82 with a working TCS by Third Wire. And that could be used for TISEO F-4's as well. I was talking about a more diversified experience while we play the game. Plus, when you mention the new planes we get, think about the Su-9. Does it fit in any of the PC scenarios we currently can play? It was only tasked with Anti Air defense in Soviet Union nothing more. Unless Third Wire releases SF2: Mother Russia, you wouldn't see it in the PC version. My point is that since SF: Mobile is pretty much Air to Air, we can potentially see new aircraft that is added to these mobile versions be reused in PC version as AI only. Also, part of my point, is that it is unlikely that we see aircraft that had primarily a Air to Ground role being added even as AI Only to the PC series unless it comes from a dedicated PC game or Expansion Pack. That's why i mentioned it was more likely to see Flagons (same role as the Fishpot), Foxbats (it's already in the mobile version), Fulcrums (same as Foxbats) and Flankers (though kinda in the limit of the series timeline) than Su-17 Fitters or Frogfoots. No doubt it's cool we are getting new models. I actually thought there was gonna be a MiG-19PM, since the Alkali missile was introduced. I didn't read the Pack description properly only later to find it was an Egyptian modified Farmer. So the mobile series is afterall bringing some benefit to the PC version. I'm like Grim Viper, enjoying more these AI plane packs than the repainted flyable ones. I guess it's because i feel they actually bring something new to the game. And i'll repeat what i've been saying in the TW boards for a long time. I would easily give 50$ for a new flyable than a bunch of repainted ones for an average of 3$. 25 flyable DLC's times 3$ is something like 75$ total. Except the problem is that no one wants to spend 50$ at once, but won't mind spending more than that in 6 months. And more and more eventually. But all in all, TK is executing well in DLC department. Can't wait till next monday!!! EDIT: BTW Tie fighters are waaayyy overrated. Ever wondered why they are called TIE fighters?:

Absolutely!!! Makes for a more diversified experience. Thing is, it seems that he is using assets from the mobile games. As these mobile games only support Air to Air for now, we will only get fighters, fighter bombers seem more unlikely. So maybe Flagons, Foxbats, Fulcrum's and Flankers are much more of a possibility than Su-17 Fitters or Frogfoots. Still it is nice to see the Soviet planeset increase.

Don't say that, you're scaring me!!

Things i don't like in the AI: - They have no clue about what they are flying and who they are flying against. They just turn. So they do pretty well in MiG-17, Hunters, etc... They suck flying F-4's and MiG-21's. Tomcats too. - No sense of self preservation. They are cyborgs that only want to complete their mission. If you find an AI that is going back to base, you can try and shoot him, put your aircraft right in front of him and nothing happens... It's like you are not there... Of course these are all common AI problems, because yeah they're AI. And let's face it, it is by far one of the most difficult things to program. At least, it would be nice that AI had routines, for instance if player is flying a Hunter and AI is flying a MiG-21 the AI won't keep trying to out turn you, instead will use speed and go vertical. I guess AI programming is the job TK considers the most costly.

What do you guys think about quality of models and textures of these new AI planes? Are they close to the flyable planes standard?

TK could at least bring the red jets like the MiG-25 and the MiG-29 as AI to the PC version.

The Phoenix did show some quality problems with AIM-54C rounds, cracks on Rocket motors, but this was a production problem and stuff like this can happen. That does not mean the Phoenix was a poor weapon system. It just did not have the opportunities in USN service. The Iranian experience tells us that it was indeed a valuable weapon system capable of defeating the most dangerous air threats.