Highway to the danger zone!

[DaveB]

On my way to Wales in the Aerosoft F-14







I didn't really want this as I prefer the F-14D but.. some tempting screenshots by a member at SoH added to the last of my JF points and I have the Kitty Hawk I wanted plus this little beauty (I couldn't find the hammer of justice!!) In the event.. I'm glad I cracked and finally bought it. The model is simply beautiful. Lovely lines.. sharp paintwork.. immersive FD and two cockpits to die for (pilot and REO). I flew from Culdrose to Valley (via the loop) with ASN 'live' weather and an AI F-14 in company with absolutely no problems. Why the hell couldn't JF have done this with the Tornado
ATB
DaveB

[DaveG]

I knew you'd give in eventually!

[DaveB]

I really did try hard and I was doing really well too until Joe posted those shots. Having just convinced myself I could do without it.. I added to basket My JF points brought it down to £18.99 (from £32.99) AND.. I left a few points in there too. I don't like to be void of points

Makes you wonder though doesn't it. What has the Tornado got that the VRS Superbug, MV F-15, M2M Mirage and AS F-14 don't?? All of these are sophisticated models in their own right yet they run well. The MV F-15 is the heaviest of the four and probably has the most crap HUD but even that runs head and shoulders better than the Tonka I'd better let this go.. it's turning me old
ATB
DaveB

[Airspeed]

Dave! More foreign fighters in British skies, and no anti-aircraft smoke in sight....

[Paul K]

One of the nicest looking aircraft ever built, I think. I've shied away from buying it though.

Great pictures, Dave - after your troubles with the Tornado, how are the frame rates on the Tomcat ?

[DaveB]

Hiya Paul

FR's are very good mate. I'm locked at 30 and it dosses around there most of the time. I get a texture load lag 'outside' sometimes but this is to be expected.. the vast majority of maps are 4096 and my rig is set to 1024. Inside.. not a problem. Panning around the cockpit (either one) is nice and smooth and this is in 'Ready to taxi' mode so everything you'd expect to be on is on. The cockpits are excellent too. There's a lot going on in there believe me!! Good job I don't know what most of it is or it'd be scary I've stalled both compressors a few times but as I don't have any failures selected (and there are many).. I see the warning lights but it lets me fly on. It's very elegantly programmed
Start routine when the aircraft loads takes a minute to run while the software notes my setup and runs the systems up quickly but basically.. you sit back, get comfy and watch the cockpit light up around you. Dare I say it but this thing will start exactly as the real thing should you be a switch flicker. With all the failures selected.. it will bite your @rse like the real thing too

As a comparison.. if you have the Milviz F-15.. the Tomcat runs better.. smoother both inside and out. Inside is graphically better in the Tomcat. All the instruments are easy to read and smooth in operation. The HUD in the Tomcat is far superior.. the one in the F-15 looks like a kid made it If you have TacPak.. the Tomcat is already setup to run with it. The MV F-15 has it's own system which I've never tried but is not TP compatible as far as I know. They'd undoubtedly charge you $10 more if it was

It sounds a bit like I'm slagging the MV F-15 off and I'm not.. it too is a lovely model. I don't think it's as polished or as well optimised as the Tomcat. For that matter.. I don't think it's as polished or well optimised as the M2M Mirage or VRS Superbug either.. both of which run better than the F-15 on my rig. All of these are heavyweights.. the F-15 is just a big heavier.. in true Milviz tradition

Mike.. yes mate, the Royal Midlands Air Force has been force to 'buy foreign' again due to unsuitability of home grown equipment. Fortunately.. I have a good maintenance routine to keep the Sea Vixen and Hunters at alert 5
ATB
DaveB

[Aharon]

Second screenshot is GREAT

[DaveB]

Thanks Aharon.. I like that one too

ATB
DaveB

[Paul K]

Dave B, thanks hugely for the review, particularly as you are able to compare it to the JF Tonka. The Tornado doesn't much interest me in the real world, so nor does it in a sim, but I was curious to know how the two aircraft compare. This F-14 is firmly on the 'very possibly' list - it is just such a gorgeous aircraft.

Great info, as always, so thank you again for taking the time.

My preference is for vintage & slow, with the Alphasim F-105, Dave G's Hunter and the Razbam A-7 about as hairy as I can handle, jet-wise. But models such as the Tomcat, and the Aerosoft Lightning F.3 ( plus F.6 in the pipeline ) do have an appeal, especially when they are modelled so well.

[DaveB]

Hello Mate

Yes.. that's the key isn't it. When something is modelled and coded so well.. that in itself can become a draw.. even for something you wouldn't normally be interested in. You mention the AS Lightning.. something I had, until now, not considered.. primarily because for the infrequent urge I have to fly one, the JF model does fine. There is, however, something to be said for having the best version available. If you're not going to fly something often.. why not make sure it's the best. You may have (inadvertently) steered me into another purchase

I really must stop coming here
ATB
DaveB