DCS: Christen Eagle II on Pre-Order and Hawk News

To my great surprise Magnitude 3 has set up their Christen Eagle II for pre-order already. Personally, I'm not going to buy it. I'm more interested in fighter and attack planes. But there are a lot of aerobatic enthusiasts out there and if you're one, then by all means go pick it up. It looks like an interesting plane; just not one I'd be interested in. Quite honestly I didn't expect a new plane to be put on pre-order until Heatblur released their F-14. But Some surprises are pleasant. And this is one of them.

ED just noted in their update today that VEAO has rejected an offer by ED to take over the Hawk module leaving everyone with a plane they cannot use unless you keep an outdate version of DCS on your computer. You would have to have DCS 2.5.3 or earlier in order to run the Hawk. To be quite frank, the Hawk was never that good in the first place and certainly is not good enough to dedicate one full install of an obsolete version of DCS to run that one plane. Why VEAO refused to allow ED to take over updating the Hawk is beyond me. But it certainly does not look good for them or their sister company, Bluesky FS.

Now, ED did state that a full refund is available only for those who bought the Hawk on or after October 1st 2018. Of course that leaves that vast majority of players out (myself included) but at least they are making an effort.

Looking at the bright side (if it can be called that), at least VEAO only took money for 2 products and offered a refund early on for one. It would have been a lot worse if they had developed 4 or 5 modules and then suddenly dropped out of their agreement.

ED has stated that in order to ensure that no 3rd party can dissolve and leave their products unsupported again, a clause has been added to all 3rd party agreements stating that all files regarding the modules are to be handed over to ED for continued support. At least we know this situation will never come up again.

Well, that's all I have for you today. Take a look at the CE2 at the e-store. It's an interesting plane.

Happy flying everyone.

DCS: Some Bad News

Well, I waited until I saw some kind of confirmation form Eagle Dynamics and I got it just last night. VEAO is effectively out of DCS and the T.1A Hawk is now unsupported per their last update. So, if you bought the T.1A (like I did a few years back) then we have been left with a plane we will not be able to use in the near future.

This is especially bad news for those who pre-purchased the P-40 straight from VEAO and did not take advantage of the refund they offered a while back. Unfortunately, those people will not be seeing their money back. ED can't do anything about it as it was not pre-ordered on their store. I had considered buying the P-40 but I refuse to buy it through their store for just this reason. VEAO's dissolution just reinforces my view that I will only buy modules straight from ED (or Steam).

On another note: the release of the F-14 has effectively been pushed back to sometime between January and March. Heatblur stated it was due to them needing to work on several of the F-14's systems before they feel comfortable releasing it to the public. I can certainly understand this and appreciate their desire to have a near-complete module released... but, I'm a tab bit disappointed that the release has been pushed back. Originally Heatblur announced it would be released in December 2017. Now we're looking at late March 2019 at the latest. I'm sure once the F-14 is released it'll be the best module out there. But I am disappointed that the release date has been pushed back for over a year.

Well, that's all the bad news I have for you. On the positive side the F/A-18C has gotten it's Maverick's and GBU laser guided bombs. The WWII planes have also gotten an update to their cockpits and external models. Once my game finishes updating I look forward to trying my favorite Fw-190 D-9.

Sorry, for all the bad news this time. I look forward to when the F-14 will be released and make these lemons into lemonade.

Until next time, happy flying.

DCS Sale

Just wanted you all to know that DCS is having a big sale on all their modules. Most are 50% but some are only 15% - 25% off. Personally, I just picked up the AV-8B for $35. Not bad considering it's normally $69.99.

Here's the list of modules and their current prices:

Mig-29: Originally: $14.99

              Now: $7.50

Yak-52: Originally: $39.99

              Now: $20.00

F/A-18C: Originally: $69.99

                 Now: $59.99

AV-8B: Originally: $69.99

             Now: $35.00

NS 430 L-39 and NS 430 Mi-8MTV: Originally: $5.99

                                                             Now: $3.00

NS 430 Stand Alone: Originally: $10.99

                                   Now: $5.50

WWII Asset Pack: Originally: $29.99

                               Now: $15.00

AJS-37: Originally: $59.99

              Now: $30.00

Spitfire: Originally: $49.99

              Now: $25.00

F-5E: Originally: $59.99

          Now: $30.00

SA342: Originally: $49.99

             Now: $42.49

M-2000C: Originally: $59.99

                  Now: $30.00

L-39: Originally: $59.99

          Now: $30.00

C-101: Originally: $59.99

            Now: $30.00

MiG-15bis: Originally: $49.99

                    Now: $25.00

T.1A: Originally: $39.99

          Now: $20.00

MiG-21bis: Originally: $49.99

                    Now: $25.00

Bf 109: Originally: $49.99

             Now: $25.00

F-86F: Originally: $49.99

            Now: $25.00

Fw 190: Originally: $49.99

              Now: $25.00

Mi-8MTV2: Originally: $49.99

                     Now: $25.00

UH-1H: Originally: $49.99

              Now: $25.00

A-10C: Originally: $59.99

             Now: $30.00

Flaming Cliffs 3: Originally: $49.99

                             Now: $25.00

Combined Arms: Originally: $39.99

                             Now: $20.00

P-51D: Originally: $39.99

             Now: $20.00

Black Shark 2: Originally: $49.99

                         Now: $25.00

Su-33: Originally: $14.99

            Now: $7.50

Su-27: Originally: $14.99

            Now: $7.50

F-15C: Originally: $14.99

             Now: $7.50

Su-25: Originally: $14.99

            Now: $7.50

A-10A: Originally: $14.99

             Now: $7.50

Of course the F-14 is still in it's pre-order discount of $69.99. It'll go up to $79.99 upon release.

Also, all of the terrain maps and campaigns are on sale for the same 15% - 50% off.

The 50% off sale only happens once a year towards the end of November. This year is starts now and goes until December 2nd. So if there's a plane, map, or campaign you've wanted but have been putting off now would be the time to grab it. If you don't then you'll have to wait until next year to pick it up at such a low cost.

DCS: Testing the New Mig-29 Flight Model

Well, the Mig-29 flight model has been out for a few days and I've had time to mess with it. It's good once you learn some of it quirks. It's good in a turn once you get to a slower speed, but if you get too slow you'll have major trouble keeping it flying properly. Also it's throttle is very powerful (perhaps a bit too powerful). I've noticed if I move my slide throttle just a small amount I end up picking up a lot of speed almost immediately. That's a big problem when you're trying to taxi or adjust your speed to land. Also while taxing you need to us just small amounts of rudder. Using full rudder will send you sliding around.

On takeoff you'll need to be very careful. For me, the plane's nose will bob up and down and it get's very difficult to get it under control. I also notices a small problem with the stick input. I'll hold my flight controller perfectly still and the stick (and control indicator when Right Control + Enter is used) shows it's bobbing up and down. Of course the nose will also bob making it difficult to control.

Landing is a pain right now but I saw some good advice by a commenter on one of the Grim Reapers YouTube videos. Instead of following the HUD information and landing around 250 km/h touchdown between 290 and 300 km/h. You might bounce a small amount but you'll make it down safely. Of course, if your plane is bobbing around and seems to be unstable don't try to land. Just raise your gear, put on the afterburner and go around for another try.

For now, I'm hanging up the Mig-29 until a new update comes out where the bobbing and the bouncing is taken care of.

Take a look at the Mig-29's new flight model.

Anyway, enjoy and have fun.

DCS: Pre-Order Your F-14 Now!!!

This is it! As of 2:15am Beijing/Manila time the F-14 is open for pre-ordering. I just ordered mine and I'm very excited for it to be released. The cost for pre-order is $69.99 USD. The full price is $79.99 USD so I'd get on to the ED Store or Heatblur's store right now and get that $10 off.

If you go to Heatblur's store you'll have 3 options. You can get one copy of the F-14 for the same $69.99 discount they have at the ED Store, You can get a 2 pack bundle so you can share it with a friend or family member for $129.99 USD right now (full price is $159.98 USD), or you can pick up the single copy of the module along with a special T-shirt for $89.99 USD (full price is $109.98 USD).

With this module you don't just get 1 aircraft with features missing. You'll receive the F-14B fully completed right on release. After that you'll get the F-14A after it's developed enough to be considered Early Access acceptable. You'll also receive a soundtrack with the module downloaded right into the F-14 file in your DCS folder. Personally, I don't care about the soundtrack. I more interested in the aircraft itself.

It's a good day today. And the day of release will be even better. I'd expect a long wait while downloading though. There's going to be a lot of people trying to download it right when it's available and it will likely eat up the bandwidth available.

For those who missed the reveal, here's the video:

I hope this makes all of your days bright.
See you in the skies.

DCS: Big Day's to Come

Tomorrow at 2pm EST or October 8th 2am Beijing/Manila time Heatblur will be announcing the F-14 Tomcat. You can bet I'm going to stay up until 2am to see if they put it up for pre-order. I intend to order it the moment it goes on sale.

But there's more to this post than just a reminder for the F-14 reveal. Eagle Dynamics has finally announced that on October 10th we will finally receive the professional flight model, new cockpit, and more features on the Mig-29 for Flaming Cliffs 3. They will also be making the Mig-29 available for standalone purchase. Honestly, if you only want the Mig-29 then go ahead and get the standalone on the 10th. But if you get the full FC3 module you'll be able to fly the Mig-29 along with the F-15C, Su-25A, Su-27S, Su-33, and A-10A.

Of course, if you want to wait just a little bit longer you could pick up the Modern Air Combat module instead and get all of the FC3 planes along with the Mig-21bis, Mig-15bis, F-5E 3, A-10C, F-86F, and the L-39. As for me, I have FC3 and all the other planes except the L-39 already as full fidelity modules.

I'm sounding like a salesman on this post. 😛 I'm not meaning too, I'm just really excited about the F-14 and Mig-29. I've been waiting for over two year for the new Mig-29 flight model and over a year for the F-14. This is a good year for DCS in my opinion. I hope everyone is as excited about these planes as I am. Once I have the F-14 and the new Mig-29 in hand I'll try making some videos to share with you all.

Along with the announcement of the Mig-29 Professional Flight Model Eagle Dynamics announced a new WWII plane they are making. That's the Fw-190 A-8. I'm not sure why they are making an Fw-190 A-8 since we already have the Fw-190 D-9 but if that's what they want to make, then more power to them. I can honestly say I won't be buying that one. I'll save my money for the F-4E, Mig-19P, Mig-23MLA, and the JF-17. Those should be out within the next year or 2.

Keep an eye out for these new planes and others to come.
Enjoy Heatblur's reveal on the 7th/8th and happy flying.

DCS Free Weekend

There's been a little information going around DCS. Mainly that the Modern Air Combat (MAC) should be released sometime this fall. But, there's bigger news than that out today.

According to Matt Wagner of Eagle Dynamics, the F/A-18C, Su-33, and Persian Gulf Map are free to use from September 28 to October 1. If you're new to DCS and want to try something other than air to ground attacks with the free Su-25T then now is the perfect time.

Just go to the DCS E-store or go onto DCS on Steam if you prefer and download those 3 for free and give them a try. I bought all 3 a long time ago and I can honestly say you won't be disappointed.

With these 3 modules you'll be able to try out carrier landings, air to air refueling, and get a look at one of the best maps in DCS. I know, a desert map might not sound that great since it's all tan. But I promise there's a lot more too it than just that. The textures are wonderful and the amount of work they did on the water is amazing. The city of Dubai is spectacular and the detail is wonderful.

When it comes to carrier landings the Su-33 is easier for me. But the takeoffs are tricky. Just start off with 50% fuel or less and between 0-4 missiles/ECM unit on each wing. Still, the F/A-18C is great. There's no need for limiting fuel or weapons load out and landing is simple enough. Just make sure you have the TACAN and ILS beacons set in the mission editor. I also prefer to use the Auto Throttle Control (ATC) while landing both planes. It's just easier that way.

Head on over to the DCS E-store or Steam and give them a try. Once the time period is over you don't have to buy all 3 if you don't want too. But you certainly can if you liked them.

And just to let everyone know, on October 7 Heatblur will be revealing their F-14A/B Tomcat to the public. I think it's a safe bet that they will also start pre-orders around that time too with it finally being released in November or maybe December. Head on over to www.heatblur.com to see the big reveal. They have a countdown timer running.

Until next time. Happy flying.