Military Flightsim Book Project

trevorr610 · September 1, 2024, 4:35pm

I like this idea.

trevorr610 · September 1, 2024, 4:37pm

Call me a noob… where do I find the github? I think I’m overlooking something.

Thanks,

jens_leugengroot · September 1, 2024, 4:58pm

You can find the actual list of all reviews here on Github

trevorr610 · September 2, 2024, 2:50pm

Thank you

jens_leugengroot · September 3, 2024, 1:42pm

I added a first draft for a Falcon 3.0 review as an example

github.com

leugengroot/flight_sim_book_project/blob/main/falcon3/review_falcon3.md

# Falcon 3.0
## Review
### Falcon 3.0
When Falcon 3.0 hit the stores at the end of 1991, the series already had a good reputation in the world of computer flight simulations. It had two successful releases plus mission disks on the Amiga, Atari ST, and IBM-compatible PCs. The biggest criticisms of the predecessors were the too-small game world and the lack of dynamism in the missions.

In their April 1992 issue, Computer Gaming World described the goals for Falcon 3.0 by the design team at Sphere Inc. as follows:
an accurate flight model of the F-16 Fighting Falcon
“state of the art” graphics
* a realistic set of weapons for air-to-ground and air-to-air missions
* a game world populated with competent and challenging enemies and allies
* a game world so large and extensive that players would have an engaging experience and want to return to the simulation repeatedly
* a comprehensive manual that describes all concepts, backgrounds, and the operation of the simulation

With the fulfillment of these goals, Falcon 3.0 can undoubtedly be considered a milestone in the history of flight simulations from today’s perspective. Many of the features that Falcon 3.0 introduced for the first time became standard in the following years. This starts with a thick manual that leaves no questions unanswered, continues with extensive training missions (Redflag in Nevada), and ends with a dynamic campaign in one of the three conflict zones (Kuwait, Panama, Israel).
The actual simulation and campaign system are complemented by squadron management. The simulation keeps track of the successes, failures, and skills of all pilots in a squadron. Training and real missions improve the pilots’ skills. Injured comrades are out of action for a few days. Missions are no longer flown alone but with up to seven wingmen. Commands can be given to the wingmen via keyboard shortcuts, and they respond or comment on the events with digitized voice samples (“Fox Two”, “Apex Inbound!”).

### Addons
#### Operation Fighting Tiger
In addition to a series of bug fixes, the add-on Operation Fighting Tiger introduces three new conflict zones: Japan/Kuril Islands, Korea, and Pakistan/India. The new scenarios feature a range of new ground and air units, as well as new weaponry suitable for the three new conflicts.
In the Japan scenario, players can now also fly the Japanese-developed F-16 FS-X.

This file has been truncated. show original

Rapier · September 3, 2024, 2:55pm

A few notes for a game list:

IL-2 Sturmovik: FB+EAP+PF is not the addon for IL-2 Sturmovik but its successor of a previous (first) IL-2 Sturmovik (Oleg Maddox) where campaigns, each consisting of canned missions that have to be met before you can move on.
IL-2 Sturmovik: FB is the standalone game (EAP is the addon to FB) as well as PF but it can be installed together (merged) and campaign missions are semi-dynamic.
With some other addons like Pe-2, etc. was FB+EAP+PF released as IL-2 Sturmovik 1946 (something like a current director cut edition, all in one package).
FB+EAP+PF/1946 contains much more content, planes, missions, campaigns, etc. than a current IL-2 Sturmovik: Great Battles.

IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad is in reality IL-2 Sturmovik: Great Battles series and the first module is IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad followed by IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Moscow/Kuban/Bodenplatte and finally Normandy.

Super EF 2000 is not the addon for DOS EF 2000, the addon is TACTCOM. Super EF 2000 = EF 2000 + TACTCOM running primarily for Win95 (not DOS) without the capability to install a 3Dfx patch which is available only for a DOS version of EF 2000 with TACTCOM upgrade.

damson · September 3, 2024, 3:19pm

There’s also EF2000 v2.0 which was released in US and consists of EF2000 updated with TACTCOM and 3dfx patch in one package. It also puts USAF markings on EF instead of RAF roundels.

@jens_leugengroot I would like to claim Fleet Defender review - I already started writing it.
I’m also thinking about USNF and its expansions - Marine Fighters and Jane’s USNF’97.

SpaceGameJunkie · September 3, 2024, 4:32pm

So wait, should we submit our text via GitHub? I’ve honestly never used it before.

damson · September 3, 2024, 4:43pm

I bet you could just submit raw text file to jens and he will add it himself to the repository.

If you wish to do it trhough github, you need to register there, clone the repository, commit the changes and create a pull request. It can sound a bit convoluted if you haven’t used it before.

@jens_leugengroot - I submitted my first draft of Fleer Defender review, check the PR

jens_leugengroot · September 3, 2024, 7:40pm

Based on my first Falcon 3.0 draft I made a quick example to show what I have in mind for the reviews.

The main focus from now on should be in my opinion …

to create text/reviews
to create text/reviews (not twice by accident )
find a tool to put everything together. For the example I used macOS Pages, but that is obviously not the right choice. If anyone has experience in layout or desktop publishing…

Hangar200 · September 5, 2024, 9:23am

Not technically flight sims, the Flashpoint series (well…both of them) had “flyable” A-10s and AH-1s. In fact I starting writing a mission where you had to go steal an A-10…and do something with it…not my best work but still.

jens_leugengroot · September 5, 2024, 9:36am

Yeah, I had that in mind too. But we should make sure not to endlessly expand the list and include more and more fringe areas. The focus should currently be on getting texts and reviews for the existing list.

komemiute · September 5, 2024, 9:43am

I would just like to point out one thing about the sim-lite JSF… its Engine was used in a FPS called Project I.G.I
It would be cool if it was mentioned.

NEVO · September 5, 2024, 9:46am

if you are looking for some good list of old sims I recommend this site. it was always good resource for me. dont know who is running the page, but each game has its own (mini) review also.

Simulation Games (old-games.com)

Hangar200 · September 5, 2024, 9:49am

Understand…OP FP was really more of a FPS.

I don’t think I could do a credible review of any of the many of the titles on your list that I “flew”…Hornet 3.0 for example…absolutely loved it but can barely remember much about it…except it was cool.

Deacon211 · September 5, 2024, 4:21pm

Has anyone mentioned VSTOL VR yet? Though, with all fake aircraft, it might not be considered a sim as such.

SpaceGameJunkie · September 5, 2024, 4:50pm

So F-19 is a sim, but VTOL VR isn’t? That’s a weird take.

I’d totally include VTOL VR.

jens_leugengroot · September 5, 2024, 5:54pm

Yep, VTOL VR is a good addition. Especially it’s a good example on how to implement VR in a Flightsim. I’ll add it to the list …

trevorr610 · September 5, 2024, 6:27pm

I’m writing reviews for Tornado and Back to Baghdad. I have a lot of flight time with both as well as some of the resources that came in the boxes. If anyone is already working on either or both, I’d be glad to share my notes.

Deacon211 · September 5, 2024, 8:11pm

Throttle back, Cowboy. You ain’t making the boat go any faster.

I wouldn’t have mentioned it if I didn’t think it worth including. But, I know some people might feel differently and I respect that.

That is my take.