Good fit for a mud mover?

Fairly new to the DCS world but I'm finding I enjoy mud moving and SEAD missions over dogfighting. My favorite planes so far are the A10A, SU25T and the A-4E-C. I really enjoy flying the A-4 but not many servers have it.

I'm wanting to get a plane with a HF cockpit, but I think the A10C may be a bit to advanced at this time.

Would the F-5 be a good fit for someone who likes to primarily move mud with a little A2A on the side?

Thanks

If you like to drop bombs with fixed sights... as far as mud moving goes, it's just like A-4 but with pointy nose.

The only real mud mover is the A-10C. It's not as complicated as you might think. You don't have to know everything about it in the first flight. There are good training missions and you will have fun with it quite soon after your first few flights. The F-5E isn't really fun to fly in the A/G role.

I agree. The A-10C is a mud mover through and through and has the most interesting mission types. You'd already be familiar with it though, if you already fly the A-10A.

The Viggen might fit the profile of what you want.

as far as mud moving goes, it's just like A-4 but with pointy nose.

:thumbup: If you want a "mud mover" with similar A-G capabilities to the A-4, but supersonic and with A-A radar, the F-5 is your plane.

I think the F-5 is a fantastic mud mover, a mini Thud :). I use it for strikes and interdictions, larger scale targets like buildings - oil refineries, factories, bridges, rail yards, communication towers, warehouses, trains, supply columns. Never single units, not really cut out for that, but is good practice though, hitting a single unit with a pair of mk82's.

- Some snakeeye practice.

The F-5 can carry a decent bomb or rocket load, but compared to anything but WW2 planes and the A-4, it's very manual and very basic. Personally I don't enjoy it a ton, you have to be very exact or your bombs will not land on target.

If you can afford it, the F/A-18C is going to give you the most bang for the buck. Even in it's unfinished state it has more capability than most other modules. It is easy to learn, and hard to master. Perfect for investing a lot of time as more features are added.

If your budget doesn't allow for that and you want to move mud and perform SEAD, I recommend the A-10C, Harrier, or Viggen.

The F-5E is amazing, and worth owning if you have the resources to afford it in your library, but it is extremely limited compared to other modules in the ground attack area. It is marginally better than a P-51 or F-86 with regards to delivery of rockets and bombs because it can carry more.

If you already like the A-10A, the "C" will add all the icing onto that cake that you are currently missing (fully clickable cockpit, and all the fun precision guided munitions). You can very quickly learn how to bomb, shoot mavericks, and use the targeting pod without having to dive deep into the systems.

The Harrier is also a good option. While it is not fully complete yet, it is complete enough to pound the ground with a similar load out to the A-10C, and it is a decent within visual range dog-fighter that can defend itself. It is a gamble on how long it will take to mature to completion, but I see people flying and enjoying it every day despite the rough edges. If I wasn't addicted to the Tomcat, I would still be flying the Harrier along with all the other modules depending on my mood.

The Viggen is unique and awesome! It is a striker that is best suited for a fast (edge of Mach) nap of the earth approach/attack. It can also carry 4 mavericks and a couple heat seekers to make things interesting. The last patch introduced a bug that can cause the game to crash when you try to use the Viggen. So if you decide to get it, be prepared to wait until the next patch cycle to use it.

Let's not overlook the M-2000C. It's dumb bomb load is comparable to the F-5, but has a much better radar and can carry SARH missiles in addition to the heaters.

Let's not overlook the M-2000C. It's dumb bomb load is comparable to the F-5, but has a much better radar and can carry SARH missiles in addition to the heaters.

not to mention is still more accurate with dumb bombs because of CCIP & CRRP delivery modes.

hell even the F14 Tomcat has pretty good mud moving capabilities given its main role of "Fleet defender" itl even come with Precision strike capability due to being able to self designate laser guided muntions with lantirn pod.

Though all in all the most versatile platform even for A/G is the Hornet right now..

The F-5 won't be too different from the A-4 considering fixed sights that require depression tables. Its payload is much smaller, though.

Honestly, I find the F-5 to be more of a theory trainer than anything else. Rudder coordination for graduating up to something like the Tomcat, or playing with bombing physics using the fixed sights.

Surely the right solution is the Viggen. Completely different to the A10 for how it delivers, but still a brilliant strike aircraft.

Thanks for the input.

Considering how much enjoyment I get out of the A10A, I decided to put some effort in to learning the A10C. Just something about the Hawg that always puts a smile on my face.

Thanks for the input.

 

 

Considering how much enjoyment I get out of the A10A, I decided to put some effort in to learning the A10C. Just something about the Hawg that always puts a smile on my face.

I'm sure you made the right decision. :)

Thanks for the input.

 

 

Considering how much enjoyment I get out of the A10A, I decided to put some effort in to learning the A10C. Just something about the Hawg that always puts a smile on my face.

It´s your choice, of course, but it´s a limited plane since it has zero A-A capabilities. At the end, even prefering one role over others, I think is way more funny to fly a plane that can perform several roles. It adds variety to the simulation. Usually, people gets tired of making always the same kind of task.

Thank to those recommending the F5.

Decided to get both the A10C and the F5. Haven't started studying the A10C yet, but I've been working with the F5. What a blast! Love me some GBU12 laser guided bombs. Zoom and BOOM! Good fun.

I'm on the bottom rung when it comes to A2A though. I've got a long way to go till I learn how to dogfight a Mig29 and stand any chance.

the f-5's greatest strength is its very small spot size, so you will find yourself having better luck against people than the ai in the wvr arena. work on setting up engagements such that you can avoid the bvr fight and you'll be in a good spot.

the dogfight is the leastmost of methods for killing people, don't overemphasize it. put your effort into thinking about how to avoid it.

Honestly, the F-5E does come into its own in the ground attack role. I'll usually opt for it over the A-10 since I can scoot in fast, unload bombs or rockets, then scoot right out dumping flares. The only time I'll pick the A-10 is if a very very fine degree of accuracy is required in the form of Mavericks or LGBs.