Tom's Cat
-
Yep, flying a fighter jet in FSX feels like painting with a sledge hammer. Crude and unwieldy. Good animations and cruise performance though.
As there aren’t any tables for Tomcat specific aerodynamic surfaces in the AFM (unless someone knows how to script them) the best we can do in this case would be for the 3D model guys to add animations for the control surfaces (like they did in the current F-14A with the glove vanes).
I stand corrected lads. I actually bought their F-14 and flew it over weekends for the last 2 weeks. As someone who read quite a bit on the subject while working the FM/AFM it looks to me like they did a very good work. More then good actually. I flew it along a friend of mine and the authenticity of it flight dynamics is staggering. She flies for an aerobatic team and is a good stick, but she found the big Turkey extremely hard to handle. I can tell you, this baby needs experienced hands to bring you back home alive. And i mean hands experienced in Tomcat handling, not these new fly by wire birds. I did get her on the carrier from the 3rd attempt, but i still struggle to make consistent landings. I used to catch the 1st wire constantly but recently i manage to trap 2nd and 3rd in about 50% attempts.
I took her up against weaving and randomly moving drones too (i bought the tackpack as well), flying both Phoenix/Sparrow intercepts and Winder/Gunzo “dogfights”. Those buggers are tiny and hard to hit, especially when doing their erratic weaves but it can be done. And if you listen to Hoser and pop your wings on manual, it can be done even above angels 30. You won’t even compressor stall your engines if you know what you are doing. I tell you, it feels good, both the handling and the flight model.
One thing i don’t like is the limited modeling of the AWG-9. It has the basic mods modeled (like RWS, TWS, PD SRCH, PD STT…) but it lacks manual antenna pointing feature. It also lacks the vertical scans for the “dogfight” mode. Overall though, it’s probably the best F-14 experience since the Fleet Defender. Pity it’s not a military sim, so there is nothing to fight really.
P.S. I mostly tested the F-14A block 90-100, as this is the bird i am most familiar with.
-
First post updated.
-
-
@Cloud:
That’s sad!!
I sent you an email, did you not get it?
C9
I did actually - busy with work atm. Will get back to you!
-
I did actually - busy with work atm. Will get back to you!
No prob.
Take care,
C9
-
…free from Falcon politics; free to discuss here…
Indeed.
The words Falcon and Free have always combined well with regards the F-14.
Better luck than you’ve had up until now with your future Falcon endeavours, dude.
Be Free…!
Aragorn.
-
Well I love it when many people commit hours toward something many will enjoy only to have to be for naught. I understand the reasons, but this speaks to nothing but wasted time now. It’s alright, even with a new model and pit, the radar would never simulate something with much more power and control. Thanks for trying Stingray.
-
If you need my help, you know where to find me.
-
3.2 years of discussion and work, and this is where we end up.
It consistently amazes me that any Falcon developer ever gets involved with these projects, knowing the odds are firmly stacked against them.
-
Double post, although it did warrant repeating.
-
This post is deleted! -
-
Thanks for all your efforts stingray SIX_TWO! Tomcat will always live! I still hope that the effort for a realistic F-14 will go on for BMS… In any way possible!
-
Long live the Cat!
-
Question….will the FM updates and fixed hardpoint edits(fixed constant roll) make it into BMS 4.XX?
-
Well best hopes are Leatherneck simulations now. If BMS wont have the cat DCS will in the future.
-
Question….will the FM updates and fixed hardpoint edits(fixed constant roll) make it into BMS 4.XX?
I can talk to Mike and provide the last version of the FM we used alongside the cockpit project. That surely fixes the roll issue and implements the improved FM which will be pretty damn accurate for the F-14A with the TF-30s.
No idea if it can make it into a future BMS release…
I am still trying to get the E/M charts for the B/D version which are supposedly available within the US through official channels.
If anything materialises I’ll let you know.
-
Well best hopes are Leatherneck simulations now. If BMS wont have the cat DCS will in the future.
I know the F-14D project for DCS, been following that on some ED forums. Started in March '14, no proof of life since then. There’s also been some talk on some german forums about it, think it was the same project. Started out of a cancelled IRIS F-14D development. That (external) model looked good but was nowhere near completion…no idea if that team’s still around.
I guess Aerosoft demotivated lots of folks but they can still be had by folks who do it for free I’m pretty sure.
If my naming developer and other simulator’s names violated some rule I hereby preemptively offer my sincerest apologies.
-
I know the F-14D project for DCS, been following that on some ED forums. Started in March '14, no proof of life since then. There’s also been some talk on some german forums about it, think it was the same project. Started out of a cancelled IRIS F-14D development. That (external) model looked good but was nowhere near completion…no idea if that team’s still around.
I guess Aerosoft demotivated lots of folks but they can still be had by folks who do it for free I’m pretty sure.
If my naming developer and other simulator’s names violated some rule I hereby preemptively offer my sincerest apologies.
I kinda doubt DCS will go for a dedicated Tomcat anytime soon, and even if someone makes an F-14D for that platform i get the feeling it will be a bombcat for all intents and purposes. Who knows though……
-
I kinda doubt DCS will go for a dedicated Tomcat anytime soon, and even if someone makes an F-14D for that platform i get the feeling it will be a bombcat for all intents and purposes. Who knows though……
Happy to say, DCS has an official Tomcat by the the MIG 21 studio (not sure if Im allowed to say names)
Following is directly quoted from their annoucement (with names removed)::
SWINOUJSCIE, POLAND - March 3rd 2015 - F-14A/B (A+) Tomcat coming to DCS World
The F-14 Tomcat is a fourth-generation, twin tail, supersonic naval interceptor aircraft, developed for the United States’ Navy VFX programme.
After it’s debut flight in 1970, and subsequent fleet introduction in 1974, the F-14 became the primary fleet defense and air superiority fighter for the U.S. Navy.
The legend of the F-14 only grew after the hollywood smash-hit “Top Gun” - in which it was heavily featured.Key Features of DCS: F-14A & B include:
Highly Accurate 6-DOF (Degrees of Freedom) Cockpit
Highly Accurate avionics and weapons system modelling - including the vaunted AWG-9 Radar system and AIM-54 Phoenix missiles.
AIM-54 Phoenix Simulation with a CFD based AFM
‘JESTER AI’ - A Proprietary AI System for fully voiced, dependable and smart RIO/WSO
Highly Accurate Flight Model - Based on Real Performance Data
Both -A and -B Model F-14’s
Multiplayer Multicrew capability. Fly together as RIO and Pilot!
Animated Crew Members - Closely Integrated with JESTER AI
Highly Detailed External Model, Animations and Textures
Highly Accurate Aircraft System and Subsystem Modelling
One Free Theatre bundled with the Aircraft
Full, lengthy single-player campaign
Full Suite of Documentation, including game manual, quickstart guides, and more.
Fully voiced and interactive training missions, teaching you to fly and fight.
…and much, much more!Currently we hope to complete development and enter BETA testing on the first version of the F-14 by the end of 2015. Subject to significant change.
End Quote.
I was really hoping to see it here in BMS and itd be great for some dynamic naval campaigning. Will have to settle for the DCS variation. On the plus side, multi-crew