From BMS to DCS F-5E

Flight Sims
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I have been a long time BMS F-16 player but want to go to DCS but getting the buttons mapped and long learning curve on many of the modules seems more that I want. I thought of the F-5E as it is somewhat modern, and seems like a jet that can be learned fairly quickly.

Was wondering of those that have this jet, what are your thoughts.
Also, what do I need to get from DCS besides the F-5E. I see that there are some campaigns that can be purchased sperately so I am also leaning towards that as well

Are there user made training missions available too
especially navigation

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My first off-the-top-of-my-head suggestion is use the two free weeks to trythe F-5E. Much better than buyer remorse.

This not only gives you the time to setup your controls to your needs, that obviously will remain if and when you decide to buy the module (you can also buy it before the two weeks expire- you have quite some flexibility), but also allow you to stress test it online and in general do anything you need included all the missions that come with the module.

Sadly no idea about the specifics of user made campaigns.

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To me the F-5 is a simple, fun, ride. Not being ‘fly-by-wire’ it is like flying a really fast Skyhawk. With guns and bombs. Easy on your PC too.

  1. DCS is more of a “make your own fun - Nick Grey” thing.
  2. The DLC campaigns can be nice. Not too expensive. I personally don’t use them anymore as they are like a movie/book: very entertaiing, once.

I’ve fully engaged point 1 since I prefer the freedom. It just costs me time [bulding it].

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This!! Too few people use the trial!

After your F-5 trial, try the Mirage F1 as well. What it lacks in manoeuverability, it makes up for in raw power: speed, payload, ceiling are all vastly superior to the nimble F-5.

There is also the free A-4E Skyhawk which is excellent, particularly if you like air to ground or carriers.

All of these are fun to fly jets that are light on systems and buttons.

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If you came from BMS and want to go to DCS, if your will is mainly going to dcs and not because you want a different aircraft, why not go to the DCS F16? that aircraft you well know annd the learning curve will be easy.

And Yes, you can buy campaigns, theaters etc etc, coming from BMS to DCS you should be prepare your pocket to some reliefs, aside of very rare few community made mods, the core aircraft and theaters its all payware and not very cheap.

Thanks that multiple times ED do sales, and use them.

Also you need a much more powerful pc than the requirements for BMS.

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Lots of modules feature auto-start. You just press the key combination and go and refresh your beverage. By the time you’re back the program will have went through all the clicky bits and you have a functioning aircraft ready to go. This way, you can have fun flying, navigating and doing combat with your new module without needing to learn how to start up the entire thing on your first day of ownership. This would massively reduce the amount of binds you need to know and use until you feel ready to learn more.

user made missions are usually uploaded to the website: User Files There are missions and campaigns, made by users, that are dedicated to the F-5E. There’s an F-5E navigation mission that focusses on training your TACAN knowledge that I could find.

The simple and in my honest opinion best answer to that question would be: Whatever you are interested in.. Interested in 4th gen? Naval birds? Warbirds? Attack helos? Transportation and logistics? If it’s something that piques your interest, you’ll be more motivated to study it. Curious about something? Trial it, like others have already suggested.

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As @Freak the A-4E Skyhawk is a free mod. Fun to fly and easy to learn.

The Marinas and Caucasus maps are also free, and just about all the other modules have a two week free trial period so you will have plenty of time with those to figure out if DCS is for you and it won’t cost you a dime.

The thing to be aware of is the amount of space it will take up on your Drive. The modules are only 5-10BG each but the maps, if you get them all will pretty much fill a 1TB drive.

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The F-5E is a fine module. It’s one of the earliest DCS modules and was recently revamped optically. Still it’s not on the same level as for example Heatblur’s F-4E from last year.

Navigation is pretty simple. You have TACAN, I think an ADF and nothing else. There is no INS. It’s a simple jet.

Single Player missions are little too much on rails for me but other people like them.

Make sure to try out some cold war multiplayer servers.

I would recommend you consider buying an additional map if you like what you see. Syria and Cold War Germany are quite popular and really good.

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