The SAAF Forum

Hi Grizzly,
I agree with Rocky. I almost have the entire SAAF fleet on my PC, let's do this in order of training: Harvard, Impala, Mirage F1AZ/F1CZ (Kirk Olsson [no drag chute] and the Arthur Piercy one [with drag chute] ), Cheetah E and C, Buccaneer, Puma, Flossie (C-130 Hercules), F 86 Sabre and Mirage IIIEZ. Then also Kirk olsson's F16 Viper, and I had an excellent F14 tomcat somewhere, but deleted Windows by accident - long story...
I also have scenery for SA - Ysterplaat AFB, Waterkloof AFB, Swartkop AFB, Cape Town international, Johannesburg International, Robben Island, Fisantekraal in Cape Town area and Cape Town city and Harbour as well. All files are VERY well done. I also have various others like SAA Boeing 737-800 and Kulula MD82 etc.

I have to recommend a specific joystick though. I have a Logitech wingman Extreme 3d Pro. This is my 2nd one! I had another, but I played it into the ground, then bought a Force feedback (Logitech Wingman force 3D). I don't think I'll ever again use a Force Feedback stick. It is too loose when it is centered, and a pain to control because of that. You never get it centered enough and it is always turning sommewhere without your input. You have to set the dead Zone to ridiculous levels, and the sensitivity was also a pain. After all the hassle,, i got to fly withh it quite well, but I haven't used it for a year /2 since getting my new Winmgan 3D Pro again. I will live and die by this joystick - it has a throttle type throttle (you sometimes get something like a little roller which I hate, or a level like on my Force feedback), and the throttle gives me a more realistic feel. If your parents or yourself are loaded, try an expensive set like the f16's where you have a throttle separate from the stick, and you can play HOTAS! I just can't see myself spending R 1500- R2000 on a joystick alone.
You'll have problems finding MS FS2004 in the shops though - it's very cheap nowadays, but you'll probably need to do a lot of looking, or otherwise ask a shop to order for you.
If you're in South Africa and don't have ADSL internet, let me know - I'll mail you all the FREE add-ons. It is close to 1 Gig now.
One last tip - go through the flight lessons - even just Student will do. You'll forever struggle to land a plane if you don't get the hang of the flare first, becuase you don't fly it softly onto the ground - trust me.
Shout them down flight simulators: if you can get your hands on Jane's USAF - my favourite all time fighter FS - still have it and still play it sometimes - MS Combat Flight Sim is also good. I also have Lock On and it is very nice - but very difficult to get to know the weapon systems - the training is quite good though - I just prefer to play MS FS 2004. (even if I have MSX like Rocky does)
There are other FS out there, and I've heard people preferring the other to MS products. they are also the cheaper ones - so try a few. Over the years I played a lot, and it only gets you to pick the one right for you. ENJOY.

Hehe yeah well ryno nailed it on the head!

Ryno, Jane's USAF was a classic loved that one, got to general rank and had like over 500 hours flight time, played it on hard and was awesome...anyway...

Ryno only 1 gig addons, buddy I have 11 CD's filled with FS2004 addons, hehe I am a bit overboard I think!

I agree with ryno with the Joystick, I also have a logitech Extreme 3D Pro and like he says the best for money's worth!!!

Ohh and by the way guys I am working on a repaint of the Citroen Commercial C3 and the Aerosud demonstrator Mirage F-1AZ, it is like 95% complete, struggled a lot to get the lines and stuff to line up since Kirk's Mirage textures not that easy to repaint

So watch this forum, will upload the Mirage like Tuesday or Wednesday at the last!

I know it is gonna be a looker

Blessings

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Per Aspera Ad Astra
"Through Adversity to the Stars"

Rocky - I also got to General - twice. because I had to reinstall Windows at one stage. It's a pity USAF doesn't work COMPLETELY with WinXP - I found you have some menus and settings missing in the menu - you need to know the game to know what weapons are where on the blank buttons when you do load out.
I think I am Major now on the third computer, (YES, of course I play it on hard), and I also completed ALL the Campaigns. Iraq and Vietnam etc.
The biggest plus about USAF was the training missions - it showed you exactly what to do to use the weapons - wish Lock On was so good in the training department.
I have a DVD full of Add-Ons - but I want to sort them out to the best add-ons, as there were some that was not so good - and I have a lot of MS FS2002 stuff as well.
I don't have ADSL - 3G on MTn, so expensive to download unlimited add-ons. I have the Astra as well - tried to fly it last night with the Force Feedback - what a bad expeirnece - just reminded me why I don't use that joystick anymore - to it's defence: it is not calibrated, and I struggled for a while to get it calibrated - but never got it done - just too much hassle.
When are we flying online some time? Am desperately looking for someone to fly low level formation with in Kirk's Mirage F1. Want to take off from FACT and do tree top level to Overberg, or do formation landing at Langebaanweg...

Thanks alot for all the info guys, helped ALOT. As for the joystick, will probably go for the logitech Extreme 3D Pro then, my dad has the cash for the other one but seems to find investing money overseas more fun than spending it (though i guess that also has its uses)

i fly on the free netwings.org server from time to time..

its not bad.. and you shouldnt worry about capping yourself as long as you dont use something like team speak, it should be ok to do a flight or two.

but personally i find that multiplay is a bit disappointing after recording and flying formations with the recorder. its much smoother and you can replay it to your hearts content (sure the same route may get boring.. but try to build a formation of F-1s at low level and tell me you're bored). then its pretty cool to fly with the recordings played as traffic and watch your formation turn and burn low level over the virtual bush.




kirk's F-1 is particularly good for this.. but i've done it with sabres and imps and spammies....

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When in doubt, use a hammer. The bigger the doubt, the bigger the hammer.

Kirk's F1 is partocularly good for ANYTHING - damn, that guy can do aircraft - he's won so many developer awards, it's nuts - his Viper, Sabre and Mirage F1 to name a few.
I think you convinced me to use the recorder now Portamus. I always wanted to fly over network, but after your comment, I can be my own wingman... Niiiiiice.