Cold War 1947 - 1991

Server News:

 

- The SA342Mistral Gazelle has been removed from the Syria missions Kiryat Shmona and Behind Enemy Lines.

- Work on a new mission in the Syria map has started today. All missiles will be available except for the nuke bombs.

- In the new mission either Israeli F-15C's or F-16C's or F-18C's will be added. The latter starting from the super carrier as Blue ally forces (not Israeli).

- As for these modern jets, the AIM-7F or M missiles will be available and some type of IR missiles (but not the M or X if possible). Testing will be needed.

- The role for the possible F-16C/F-18C would be CAS mainly! Stop Red T-55's and T-72's crossing the Jordan river.

- To counter that, MiG-29A's will have access to R-27R, R-27T and R-60M missiles.

- If these modern jets turn out to be too much, we simply take 'em out of the mission. No big deal.

Sounds great! That brings even more variaty.

I like, especially if those modern jets are rather limited in numbers (limited slots)?

...

I like, especially if those modern jets are rather limited in numbers (limited slots)?

They always are. No worries.

Server seems to have crashed? Two towns was just about to finish i think.

Server seems to have crashed? Two towns was just about to finish i think.

Coming back up!

EDIT:

Server' back up.

The problem with this becomes that anyone who wants to join during that mission needs the mod, needs to have the same version the server is running, and then the inherent problems with the Skyhawk itself appear: it will be a worse nightmare than the Gazelle is. The FM and damage model are just not where they need to be to put that thing into a PvP environment. It's all well and good to say, well it's a strike aircraft, but I think at this point we all know that it only takes one person to realise how potent it is against other aircraft and suddenly you're back to F-5s running strike missions because all the strike aircraft are off playing Red Baron.

 

In the future, I hope this is resolved, but in its current state - it's just going to become a future cause of lengthy arguments in this thread and people souring on the missions including it.

I hear they're working on the EFM.

A-4E:

 

Again, I'm going to have to apologise for not approving of the idea. I can't just force players to download a mod they don't want to. Regardless of how easy that is to do. I myself don't use mods at all. So I understand those who don't either.

Playing devil's advocate... You already do... Persian Gulf, Syria are mods which we are forced to download (same version) in order to play the mission, and furthermore, they actually require expenditure of bones.

I'm good either way, but wanted to throw my support behind the A-4 mafia!

Right, but bear in mind that anyone on the current DCS version should also have the current versions of those maps. As soon as you introduce anything outside official content, you're going to have people who don't know how to install mods, who can't find where to get them from, who can't read a simple set of instructions, etc. Things like that work best on a closed community PvE server (like, say, Hoggit's CW campaign) because most of the players there come from the same place the mod does, and either have it already or know where to find it.

If the EFM fixes the FM issues, it might be worth investigating in future. I hope the DM sees some love too, as it's a bit hot or cold right now, and emergency landings kill you 100% of the time no matter how gentle they are :(

Ka-50 - the helicopter was developed through the 80s but only entered service in the mid/late 90s - it was one of those late Soviet projects like the Su-33 and modernised Su-27s, and the ill-fated Yak-(1)41. It was in progress, but its adoption took forever. Funnily enough this has now become normal for aircraft pretty much everywhere... I think the ADF's Tiger ARH and MRH-90 have only recently achieved IOC despite being in development through the 90s, and they still spend most of their time grounded.

With the 16 and 18, I think you can use the game's random failures function to force a 100% certain failure of the HMCS to remove that feature, as even without the HOBS AIM-9X it makes their lives a lot easier than they would have been back then. I'm not sure though, might need some testing. They'll still have fancier DL than they did back then, the glass pit for the 16, and more powerful engines for the 18, but it shouldn't be a big deal.

Any chance we can add the GBU 12 to the F5?

If nothing more it will be a fun little distraction to use, it requires teamwork and coordination to employ as well (f5 has no lasing capability so will require a buddy on the ground to lase targets).

If the EFM fixes the FM issues, it might be worth investigating in future.

Confirmed! A-4 availability once EFM drops! Let's go bois TWO WEEKS! :smilewink:

With the 16 and 18, I think you can use the game's random failures function to force a 100% certain failure of the HMCS to remove that feature.

Nice idea, hope it works

Could we bring in x2 Mig15’s on the Syrian missions, fun plane to take out there time to time.

Any chance we can add the GBU 12 to the F5?

 

If nothing more it will be a fun little distraction to use, it requires teamwork and coordination to employ as well (f5 has no lasing capability so will require a buddy on the ground to lase targets).

Sure, can't see why not.

Could we bring in x2 Mig15’s on the Syrian missions, fun plane to take out there time to time.

There are MiG-15's in both missions already.

I think the F-16/F-18 have no place on the server

Even if stripped of their weapons, their avionics alone give them a huge advantage

The SA is amazing, you look on your screen and know immediatly where the enemy is, their JHMCS allows them to immediatly lock and IFF almost anything they see (I hear you, MiG-29 has one. It's only a circle tho, and is not anywhere NEAR as useful), and the ACM radar modes mean you basicly don't have to spot. Radar does it for you

On top of that the 18's instantanious turn rate and high AOA control is almost unmatched. Both the 16 and the 18 are very very good rate fighters.

Long story short, they are truly modern fighters with avionics from 2000's. If this was a PvE expierience, and we're suppouse to pretend they are early models of the planes, that would be fine, but considering the nature of PvP, players will hold onto every advantage they get.

If they are suppouse to fill an A/G role, (which i personally don't think needs filling in on blufor. Between the Hog, Harrier and Viggen, there's more than enough options), giving them only dumb munitions would mean they are almost useless in the role, as they either have to drop from high alts, or be shot at by strelas, where as giving them mavs and harms, and some GBU-12 would be truly devastating to redfor's forces

Remember how the mirage performed on the server? It'll basicly be that, but on stereoids in A/A, even if they don't get any missiles. As for A/G, it's actually compareable to a harrier, but it will hand your ass to you on a silver platter if you try to intercept it

The 14, 15 and 29 can have a place on the server, tho with limited stores, and in limited numbers. Their avionics (especially Tomcat) fit the era, with no SA pages and in tomcats case, a dodgy DL at best.

It is much more difficult to keep track of what's going on in these planes, as they don't literally display where everyone is in real time, and takes actual skill to fight using them. Since it was added, there has been a number of Tomcats that are killed by MiG-19's and MiG-21's.

Those 3 planes also have a bigger focus on A/A (again, tomcat is an exception here), which wouldnt have a huge effect on the ground fight, except if they are escorting strikers

I want to reiterate that this is my opinion, but having flown dozens of hours in the 15, 16 and 29, and hundreds in the 18 and the 14, i feel like it has some truth to it

On top of that, i do like the push for more modern aircraft, but this is just too much

Cheers, and thanks again for keeping this server alive! :thumbup:

Ps. I think Israeli F-15's working with US Navy F-14's going up against Syrian MiG-29's would be a cool scenario, but as always, I m gonna leave it up to you Alpen

You definitely have a point there.

Regarding the 7Fs... I think people need to get used to them. All the ones I saw fired yesterday tracked fine, I barely kinematically defeated one and ate two more. Jester is probably part of the problem, but you also have to bear in mind that the Tomcat's radar doesn't do its best work looking down and it's also relatively easy to notch (as is the 29). I don't know how it stacks up in terms of numbers or Pk against the R-27R - maybe someone who has the fancy version of Tacview and knows what to look for could test that - but I don't think it's near as bad as people think it is.

When you're flying with Jester in the back you need to manage your expectations. With that said, honestly, I don't see an issue with letting the Tomcat and MiG-29 have their heaters back despite being all-aspect. It'll make things a little hard now and then for the older jets, since they don't have countermeasures, but the F-5, Viggen, and 21 shouldn't have too much trouble IMO.

Of course, if we go back to all-aspects for everyone, that won't be an issue. I'll miss the gunfights, though.

Again, I did say if they're too much, I'll simply remove them. And I did say some testing will be done before finalising things. And I did say they might be added but not for sure. And all that for the trouble they bring along with them. I'm aware of that. And I know Blue has a variety of airplanes capable of striking. But I also know Red keeps on winning no matter what Blue throws at him. Red was outnumbered by 1:2 yesterday for quite a while and you'd think Blue would win in Behind Enemy Lines and still Red managed to conjure up a comeback. There's a reason why I'm giving Blue a bit more. Because Red seems to dominate as of late. In fact, over all the years, Red has mostly been outnumbered and still won more missions than Blue. And still, I said things like "I might", "we'll see", "testing is needed" etc.

So when I'm adding or removing a module or a tiny detail that might seem over the top for you, there's this history aspect of the Cold War server behind it that most of you are unaware of and how things have been developing through out the years. That's when I end up reacting in such a seemingly exaggerated way.

As always, we test it out, evaluate, and then react. Same thing with the F-15C/F-16C/F-18C issue.

Server News:

 

- The SA342Mistral Gazelle has been removed from the Syria missions Kiryat Shmona and Behind Enemy Lines.

- Work on a new mission in the Syria map has started today. All missiles will be available except for the nuke bombs.

- In the new mission either Israeli F-15C's or F-16C's or F-18C's will be added. The latter starting from the super carrier as Blue ally forces (not Israeli).

- As for these modern jets, the AIM-7F or M missiles will be available and some type of IR missiles (but not the M or X if possible). Testing will be needed.

- The role for the possible F-16C/F-18C would be CAS mainly! Stop Red T-55's and T-72's crossing the Jordan river.

- To counter that, MiG-29A's will have access to R-27R, R-27T and R-60M missiles.

- If these modern jets turn out to be too much, we simply take 'em out of the mission. No big deal.

I am not against the addition of the F-15c wich is 1986 and the F-16Cblock50 (1991) but I’m totally against the addition of the FA-18/C block 15 which I would like to remember is a 1992 (I think it’s even more recent but I’m not sure ) variant of the hornet :smilewink:

I guess it is time to learn the MiG-29 and practice my Mi-8

I am not against the addition of the F-15c wich is pre 1980 and the F-16Cblock50 (1991) but I’m totally against the addition of the FA-18/C block 15 which I would like to remember is a 1992 (I think it’s even recent but I’m not sure ) variant of the hornet :smilewink:

If you add the f-18 the su27 the su33 and the mig29s should be in the server, and the server would simply became a server like the blue flags ones, without fox3 and with all the planes available no matter the year of production

Server News:

After running some testing and talking to trusted F-18C and F-16C DSC pilots (good old friends of mine), I came to the conclusion that the F-18C would be a bit too much. Still...

... and while still working on the mission, adding units here and there, zooming in and out, pondering on the old history of the region... it suddenly came to me! Why not just do it!

The new mission will be unlike any other mission before on the Cold War 1947 - 1991 server. Which is why it might be just this one time. And I'll have to break a rule or two for that purpose. I will try and basically (among other things) make everything as realistic as possible. Can't be done, right? At least not 100% with DCS lacking multiple assets for that purpose. I know. But I'll try and use what I have while using other available modules/assets to simulate what would be there instead.

Deploying troops will be the only possibility for Mi-8's and UH-1's through CTLD. Actual sling loading included. Limited numbers of weapons, aircraft and ground units. A surprising change will be included (sorry, I just have multiple ideas flashing through my head right now that I need to get rid of and tease you with)...

... and because of this peculiar scenario and what the region in the middle east (sadly) had/has to offer, I simply couldn't resist.

Just this one mission, gents. It either becomes maybe the best idea ever for the server, or the very very worst. And that alone sounds incentive enough for me to go at it.

Challenging myself a bit, I guess.

Bear with me, please. I need to make sure it runs smoothly so give it a couple of days to stew properly before going online.

The 14, 15 and 29 can have a place on the server, tho with limited stores, and in limited numbers. Their avionics (especially Tomcat) fit the era, with no SA pages and in tomcats case, a dodgy DL at best.

It is much more difficult to keep track of what's going on in these planes, as they don't literally display where everyone is in real time, and takes actual skill to fight using them.

Uhm, the Tomcat has an SA page (it's called the TID - Tactical Information Display). It shows waypoints, radar cone, launch zones, friendly and hostile contacts in real time and much more, just like the Hornet SA page or the Viper HSD. :huh:

I will try and basically (among other things) make everything as realistic as possible.

That's something I'm always in favor of! :thumbup:

Uhm, the Tomcat has an SA page (it's called the TID - Tactical Information Display). It shows waypoints, radar cone, launch zones, friendly and hostile contacts in real time and much more, just like the Hornet SA page or the Viper HSD. :huh:

Yes, I know, hence why I said

"and in tomcats case, a dodgy DL at best"

Link 4 is severely limited when compared to Link 16, and that's assuming the signal is there. Often if you're low and far from the awacs, you won't get a DL signal at all

Is it intended that the Tomcats do hotstart and spawn on the catapult in Search & Destroy?

Not a fan of hotstarts :/

Yes, I know, hence why I said

"and in tomcats case, a dodgy DL at best"

Link 4 is severely limited when compared to Link 16, and that's assuming the signal is there. Often if you're low and far from the awacs, you won't get a DL signal at all

Can't confirm that to the extent you're describing it. I've spend 100+ hours as a RIO on Blue Flag Modern and never really had much trouble getting a good DL signal. Of course, if you're really low, then the signal gets bad, so I just don't go super low and I'm fine.

Is it intended that the Tomcats do hotstart and spawn on the catapult in Search & Destroy?

Not a fan of hotstarts :/

No, it's not! I'm never a fan of that either. External views are on too. I fixed the latter actually. Not sure why they're on though.

Can't confirm that to the extent you're describing it. I've spend 100+ hours as a RIO on Blue Flag Modern and never really had much trouble getting a good DL signal. Of course, if you're really low, then the signal gets bad, so I just don't go super low and I'm fine.

As long as you and your bandit don't mask behind terrain when looking at your awacs, link 4 works fine. the problem is, half the time the bandit isnt even called by awacs on this server, because basically everyone flies low

While link 4 may not have trouble in other servers, on this server specifically, me and my RIO find good 80% of our targets with the AWG-9, not Link 4

Of course, if the fight was to be taken high, Link 4 is somewhat comparable to Link 16, tho still lacking many functions link 16 provides (own flight aircraft markings, bandit numbers and lock indicators, linking into everything with link 16, as oppose to AWACS only or flight of 4 only with link 4 etc)

My point is, Link 4 doesnt give THAT much of an advantage over planes that don't have it. The AWG-9 is a far more useful source of info, if your RIO is good