I knew it!
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LOL @ the “does a Maul really need 120 kts to rotate?” video that @Kludger linked. When he was showing speed trees, I was thinking to myself, yes, they are nicer trees, but in sum, the scenery looks utter barbaric compared to DCS Normandy. It reminded me of a couple of weeks ago, when I was trying to locate in P3D the cold war bases in Suffolk, RAF Bentwaters Woodbridge, where I lived as a child. Not only did the roads and waterways not match anything on Google Maps, but the scenery looked very much like Sonoma wine country. Nevermind rural England. Orbx to the rescue, but the decommissioned bases were not there, even though they exist IRL. Anyway, glad to have Orbx more or less functional with P3DV4, but when I think at the future investment to get it all back again, I know it’s going to hurt, one way or another.
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Yeah - that is an important point. The video mentions that ORBX mostly installs with no problem (maybe some objects and moving stuff might not always work), but if 99% of my aircraft and scenery that works in P3D v3 will port over (without having to buy it again), it will be something I would consider (maybe). I wonder if there is a way to somehow make v4 see the v3 folders (some sort of symbolic link deal) so that I wouldn’t have to re-install everything into v4 if I do eventually get it. The long install process of a dozen or more ORBX sceneries is 80% of the pain of going to a new version of anything.
I think it’s clear the MS guys actually formed Orbx, and are subsidzing the development of multiple MSFS variants to double the sales of their scenery packs.
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Otherwise known as the “Gabe Newall”
Actually, upon further thought, much like our recent presidential election, I think I understand what’s going on here. After reading @Gunnyhighway’s thread, the Russians decided to act. On behalf of Eagle Dynamics, the FSB infiltrated both the LocMart and DTG studios at the highest level, compelling both to go public just ahead of the Normandy release. Stampeding back to WW2 combat sims we go!
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It’s actually quite surprising that someone hasn’t taken the alpilotx HD mesh data and converted it, a simple ortho tile downloader (a la Ortho4xp) and some autogen OSM based W2XP thing and wrapped it up for FSX/P3D in an easy to use package (not actual scenery, just some open source tools that do it). Technically that’s actually not that difficult and would spoil Orbx’s day completely in being about 70% as good but then $0 (putting the grey area of using 3rd party Google/Bing map providers for local downloads aside for one moment).
I’d do it, but suspect I’d get a Liam Neeson-like phone call almost immediately. Hmm 
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Orbx manager 1: Why’d he do it? I just don’t understand
Orbx manager 2:
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First 60 days you can get a refund on v3 and repurchase v4:
http://www.prepar3d.com/support/refundpolicy/
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On a side note, i downloaded FSX:SE for the first time tonight, in hopes of trying some of the aircraft that are being ported to DCS.
I already requested a refund. 20 minutes was all it took.
What aircraft that are part of FSX:SE are being ported to DCS? None of the default ones are for certain. The only ones that might be ported would be high end aircraft from Razbam or Mesh2Metal or something like that.
Perhaps @Gunnyhighway meant the F/A-18 Hornet that’s in the base FSX Steam Edition (it includes the old Acceleration stuff)?
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Ah…yeah, if you are using FSX to prepare for DCS: Hornet, then you’d definitely one the VRS Hornet, not the default one… That actually would be good at learning systems and stuff for DCS…
The VRS Superbug is a Block I Super Hornet with a few Block II features thrown in for hoots (the DDIs, for example), which is generally aligned with the Hornet ED is delivering us. There are some distinct differences, such as the LCDs, touch screen, and the color options on the DDIs. However the Sensors (APG-73, ATFLIR, etc.) align pretty closely, as do the available weapons. All and all it should be a pretty good way to figure out how things work.
Not that I’ve been doing leg work on this subject… 
Certainly not putting together a guide or anything
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I was mainly interested in the f-14x, the razbam Harrier and the f-18. Ill just have to wait till they come out on DCS though, FSX was god awful. Granted I only tried the standard f-18 that comes with it and a few of the larger jets, it just didn’t feel very realistic. I turned all the settings to ultra high and realistic, and it just didn’t do it for me.
Unquestionably, DCS World physics are far more enjoyable. For that matter - any of those modules in X-Plane would be more enjoyable. Systems-wise, it would help with the button pushing and stuff…and I do think the VRS Hornet uses some external flight model calculations, but overall…yeah, DCS is going to be a much better experience all around.
MilViz just officially released an update to P3Dv4 for all of the Phantom II products, E, S/J. and Advanced Series module for the F-4E. I checked the VRS forum and web site and no further info on if/when the TacPack will be updated.
F-4E Phantom II update details
We are happy to announce that this update brings compatibility with Prepar3D version 4.
Also, if you happen to be a customer of the F-4E TacPack Addon, the F-4E Advanced Series Addon, or the F-4J/S release, those have also been updated for P3Dv4 compatibility. Emails will follow over the course of the next day or so to announce those individual updates, but please be assured that all download files have been updated. If you are a customer of any of those products and wish to download them in advance of the update notifications, you’ll need to have kept a copy of your previous update emails; any product links received in the past will still function to download the latest version.
Advanced Series module updates
A summary of the changelog is as follows:
Flight Model:
- Post-stall and spin model improved.
- Improved stores aerodynamics effects. A more complex and realistic model has been implemented affecting aircraft stability.
- Improved the flight model part affected by A/C configuration changes (flaps/slats).
- Lift due to pitch rate derivative added.
- Improved ground effect model. Now, the aircraft will be much closer to the T/O performance figures (Nosewheel liftoff and Takeoff speeds).
- Landing gear damage model revised and slightly increased strength. The main gear will stand sink rates up to 1200 ft/min.
- Improved tailhook “collision” model.
Engines Model:
- Overall engine dynamics improved; in particular at extremely high altitudes (zoom climb envelope), high AoA windmilling, airstarts etc…
- Fixed a bug preventing engine shutdowns in the first seconds after engine startup. Now the engine can be shutdown normally at any moment.
- Fixed a bug causing incorrect (and higher) thrust output when returning to Dry from AB position.
- Several minor bugs fixed.
- More accurate MIL thrust model at high altitudes.
- More accurate Specific Fuel Consumption model at dry thrust regime.
General Systems:
- Engine inlet ramps animation fixed: ramps position will now only depend on inlet temperature.
- Improved hydraulic system model.
- AOA indexer flickering with the aircraft stopped on ground fixed.
- SLAT IN light fixed. Now it only will light with electrical system On.
- APU caution light now fully functional.
- WHEELS light fixed: it will only light if flaps are extended.
Visuals:
- GPU disappearing with loadout changes fixed.
- Afterburner flickering fixed.
Effects:
- Fuel tanks collision damage model and effects added. Only low-fuel/no external tanks belly landings should be attempted.
- Drag chute sound effects added.
- Stores jettison sound added.
- Improved cockpit sounds (panning added).
- Oxygen mask sound effects added (no hypoxia implemented).
Miscellaneous:
- P3Dv4-64bit compatibility.
- ADV module initialization improved from saved flights (aircraft flying).
- New Instructor mode messages added (high EGT, external tanks airspeed limitations, etc…).
- Slightly reduced birdstrike probability.
- Fixed stability issues causing CTDs when selecting another aircraft.
Manual:
- Manual typos fixed.
My wife bought V1 for my birthday years ago. It didn’t run very well on the rig I had then. Or, it didn’t run as well as FSX did, so it didn’t get much in the way of play time.
I have the Steam version of FSX now and it pretty much does everything I want it to, and Just Flight still makes aftermarket stuff for FSX:SE, so I’m set. I may be weird, but I’ve always considered JF to be the gold standard of aftermarket content for the FS series.
I’m interested to see what they’re doing with P3D. Is it still mostly civilian aviation in nature? I know LM is using this as a training tool. It can’t do combat, can it?
I like FSX SE…I mean, it is still one of the most “complete” simulators available, has a ton of content for it, missions, fun training stuff, and a mind boggling amount of aircraft. P3D v4 is still heavily civilian when you consider the add on market. P3D is also used for military and commercial training in specialized ways…though I’m sure most of those guys are using it with interesting modifications.
I honestly don’t know much about the combat side of P3D. Again, I’m sure there are contractors that have modified it to do what they want (like Eagle Dynamics does for military contracts)…but I’m unschooled on just what it can do. I do know that I really like P3D v4…it runs well, the lighting is great, the default scenery is pretty good, and it is very stable for me.
I went off them recently, having suddenly found that all the JF discs I’ve bought over the years don’t work any more because MD dropped securom support in Windows. I thought the decent thing for JF to do would be, as a minimum, to offer discounted download versions to those affected (the discs I bought are shown on my long purchase history at my JF account), but unfortunately their attitude seems to be “tough luck!”.
As someone who bought loads of their stuff, done beta testing for them etc, I now think very carefully before I buy their products (though I do still buy them - only if I can’t get it elsewhere).
Although I have P3Dv4, I rarely use it. All I’ve done so far is test what works with it and what doesn’t. Started two Air Hauler companies, but haven’t done more than check rides in them as yet.
The way I do it is, I use FSX SE for one thing, and have no FTX scenery installed in it, but other commercial scenery packages which don’t like working with FTX, with AH2 fleets operating in those areas. Then I have P3Dv3 - my civvy sim of choice, mostly due to VR implementation, with FTX PNW and UK in it - and AH2 companies in both those areas and the majority of my add-on aircraft in it (and the only one on SSD for quick loading of flights).
P3Dv4 is on a standard SATA hard drive, and works well from it but takes eons for stuff to load (I’ll put this on the SSD when it is up to snuff in VR), and I have FTX Australia and NZ on it - oh, and now N. Germany - and AH companies in those areas.
The idea being, I have different types of aircraft in each of the different AH companies, so I can jump into the relevant sim for whichever type of flying suits my mood, in a different area, so I am less likely to get fed up.
Works so far 
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