Sbob
SOH-CM-2024
So, I've had this love/hate view of the Starfighter and I finally took the plunge this weekend.
The F-104 looks like it came from "Buck Rodgers" but I also knew it would also be a handful to fly.
The real F-104 could fly at the Speed Of Stink and you had to keep an eye on the ASI, as long as you didn't turn.
There are *maybe* three payware options out there that are still available. Virtavia, Captain Sim, and possibly Cloud Nine.
So far, I've installed two of them.
Captain Sim- I bought this pretty cheap directly from the Capt, Sim web site. What you get has some issues BUT it also has a great selection of repaints available. Overall, this package just feels old. Like the MDLs and cockpit are almost a port-over from FS2000. You get a really nice RADAR display for the cockpit which looks convincing once you figure out how to power it up (although it really doesn't do anything, it looks neat) and a cool "pipper" type of gun sight in the HUD. You get two basic models, single and duel seat, and a nice representation of different paint schemes including bare metal. You also get one of those German "Configuaterer" programs to set up different load outs and flight dynamics. Usually, I hate these programs but this one is effective, stable, and pretty easy to run. You'll also need it if you want to try out the tandem cockpit trainer or else the virtual cockpit won't load. Over-all this is a really nice package however there are some trouble spots. The sound package tries hard but it really sounds dated. While you get the 104's howl (due to the location and shape of the engine inlets), this effect sounds REALLY binary. Goose the throttle and here comes the howl, but then its gone like an after thought. Some wrenching on the Sound.cfg file might smooth this out.
Its usually around this time you find the other trouble spot. The flight dynamics are "too good". Wrack the -104 into a nine G turn and hold it there. No problem. Set up for finals at 150 KTS and grease it on to the runway. Which is great, but its also hopelessly WRONG. Granted, M$ never considered those stubby and sharp wings of the -104 which makes them almost impossible to model, but Capt. Sim's Zipper feels more like an F-16, which it defiantly wasn't. The Starfighter was more of a "point and shoot" interceptor than a dog fighter.
Still, this package is a very good option if you're just getting into jet fighters.
Virtavia- While I'm a big fan of Virtavia/Alphasim, I had held off buying this package. This was one of their products that never really caught on with the community.
But, I was able to find the package at SimShed and dropped something in the range of $25 (to compare, the Capt. Sim package is available for $10) to buy it. To be honest, I really wanted to check out their sound folder and they said it had a really nice RADAR display (it does, but only for FSX).
In brief, its a very limited package that falls into Virtavia's "cold mashed potatoes"/"lather, rinse, repeat" slot (as sometimes happens) but the flight dynamics ARE a handful, and this is a very good thing.
Pull back the stick too much and you'll find that its much more effective than the air brakes. Keep pulling and the plane will tell you "Sorry, that's all for me today. You may want to review your bail-out check list".
The real plane was the scourge of 2nd Lt's and you REALLY want to bring some experience to this little beast. For takeoff, pattern work, and landing you REALLY want to add about 60 KTS to what you normally do. Set up for Final wayyyy out in the boondocks and you'll do fine.
Aside from the lack of repaints, my main disappointment was the sound folder. Its fine for cruising around but the characteristic "howl" is very muted when things are supposed to get spicy. Both Capt. Sim and Virtavia get the sound close (in different ways) but neither can push it over the goal line, so to speak.
One thing I want to try is dropping in the sound folder from the KBT Mitsubishi F-2 (Viper-san) and listen to how it behaves. The problem isn't in the .wav files for these two payware packages, rather its in the sound.cfg files. Maybe using the KBT sound.cfg with the other wav's will lead to a better experience?
So, typical Virtavia/Alpha quality in terms of 3DO, textures, and dynamics but a couple of weak areas for a payware title. One minor problem is that it is apparent this package was mostly built for FSX. There's a bunch of Camera Def lines in the Aircraft.cfg you can dump and you'll want to tweak the main gear contact points height from 6.50 feet to something closer to 6.00 feet.
