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F-16 Falcon expansion for Microsoft's Flight Sim
July 9, 2003 (by
Lieven Dewitte) -
The Viper has landed in this expansion pack for for Microsoft's Combat Flight Simulator 3 and Flight Simulator 2000.
The Falcon has long been a favourite of flight sim pilots and Lago's attention to detail strikes deep into the heart of simulation territory with this awesome recreation, designed using the very latest flight sim technology.
Included in this package are 29 different variants from around the world, including A, C and D models and some pretty vivid 'Tiger Squadron' paint schemes. External GMAX modelling is as slick as you'd expect, with animated exhaust pipes, pilots that move their heads and remove their visors and of course that distinctive bubble canopy glinting in the sunlight.
Eight separate 2D panels, which can be switched at a keystroke or through clickable icons, provide a totally immersive and realistic cockpit environment that is thankfully not as daunting as you might expect from such a mighty jet. Veterans will find every switch and button modelled using XML gauges and, subject to obvious limitations within Microsoft's sim, all fully-functioning too. With the included HUD, MFD and air radar you can even practice home-defence intercepts of wayward FS2002 airliners!
The smooth-scrolling 3D virtual cockpit is wonderful to behold and is essential if you're contemplating using the in-flight refuelling. Beware though; lining up with the VC10 tanker is not as easy as the pros make it look. Probably best to go easy on the throttles until you have this art practised, as too much afterburner can bring your fuel range down to a mere 12 minutes...
In Combat Flight Simulator 3 the aircraft include weapons and damage profiles (guided weapons excepted of course) and are bound to give those pesky Luftwaffe 109s a fright or two! Or why not try dog fighting the RAF Tornado?
An excellent and comprehensive electronic manual gets you up and flying in no time. The only thing missing in this package is a sick-bag!
While no guarantee can be made by Just Flight or Lago until final release of Microsoft's new release, a free update for FS2004 compatibility is planned for release in August.
The Combat Flight Simulator 3 version has a limited set of weapons.
More info: Screenshots (external link)
Included in this package are 29 different variants from around the world, including A, C and D models and some pretty vivid 'Tiger Squadron' paint schemes. External GMAX modelling is as slick as you'd expect, with animated exhaust pipes, pilots that move their heads and remove their visors and of course that distinctive bubble canopy glinting in the sunlight.
Eight separate 2D panels, which can be switched at a keystroke or through clickable icons, provide a totally immersive and realistic cockpit environment that is thankfully not as daunting as you might expect from such a mighty jet. Veterans will find every switch and button modelled using XML gauges and, subject to obvious limitations within Microsoft's sim, all fully-functioning too. With the included HUD, MFD and air radar you can even practice home-defence intercepts of wayward FS2002 airliners!
The smooth-scrolling 3D virtual cockpit is wonderful to behold and is essential if you're contemplating using the in-flight refuelling. Beware though; lining up with the VC10 tanker is not as easy as the pros make it look. Probably best to go easy on the throttles until you have this art practised, as too much afterburner can bring your fuel range down to a mere 12 minutes...
In Combat Flight Simulator 3 the aircraft include weapons and damage profiles (guided weapons excepted of course) and are bound to give those pesky Luftwaffe 109s a fright or two! Or why not try dog fighting the RAF Tornado?
An excellent and comprehensive electronic manual gets you up and flying in no time. The only thing missing in this package is a sick-bag!
While no guarantee can be made by Just Flight or Lago until final release of Microsoft's new release, a free update for FS2004 compatibility is planned for release in August.
The Combat Flight Simulator 3 version has a limited set of weapons.
More info: Screenshots (external link)
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