Just Flight F-111 Aardvark Download Version Released (Payware)
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Not even close if I compare textures and VC. F111.com is still in beta.
Agree with you there Matt.
I hope it gets your talent applied to it at some stage.
Cheers.
skyhawka4m
Charter Member
same here ....I want to hear reviews of all three before deciding.
jmig
SOH-CM-2024
I purchased the Just Flight F-111 and took her for a short flight. My initial impressions are positive, provided what you want is to see firsthand what a F-111 is like to fly. The cockpit details are impressive. The plane accelerates like a bat out of hell, and seems to handle and fly as I would expect an aircraft of its size and weight to handle. The ejection sequence is a little unrealistic. Until you deploy the parachute, a separate action from ejection, you simply have a flying capsule. It will climb and roll just like the airplane. Still, how many military flight models allow ejection? So, I will reiterate my earlier opinion. If you want a nice looking F-111 that seems to fly like the real F-111, it is a bargain at $30 USD.
Now for the not so good part. If you want to drop ordinance and fly TFL, you are out of luck with this model. Just Flight states that since FSX is a civilian sim, they didn't equip the model with workable ordinance. I consider that a euphemism for, "We didn't want to put in the time and energy to make the ordinance workable so, we will claim it is a civilian sim." Poppycock!
One, FSX is a "Flight" simulator not a Civilian simulator. It is a Flight Sim. Iris, Milviz, VRS, and maybe others have proven that it is quite possible to drop bombs, shoot down AI aircraft within FSX.
Two, the USAF calls these airplanes, "Weapons systems." They are not just airplanes. They are designed and actually work quite well as a system to deliver weapons (ordinance) on a target. FSX and flight simming in general has come a lone way from the days when a purchaser would be happy if the gauges looked real and function correctly. I would have been willing to spend $50 for a F-111 which had a working radar and ordinance delivery capabilities. This one does not have those capabilities. I am disappointed in this respect.
The above is my opinion on current FSX military aircraft. Not everyone wants to drop bombs or shoot down unsuspecting airliners.
If you just want to fly the F-111, the Just Flight model is a good airplane and worth the $30. If the F111.com model is a simulation of a weapons system, I will buy it. If not, then I already have a nice looking F-111 to fly around when the mood strikes.
Now for the not so good part. If you want to drop ordinance and fly TFL, you are out of luck with this model. Just Flight states that since FSX is a civilian sim, they didn't equip the model with workable ordinance. I consider that a euphemism for, "We didn't want to put in the time and energy to make the ordinance workable so, we will claim it is a civilian sim." Poppycock!
One, FSX is a "Flight" simulator not a Civilian simulator. It is a Flight Sim. Iris, Milviz, VRS, and maybe others have proven that it is quite possible to drop bombs, shoot down AI aircraft within FSX.
Two, the USAF calls these airplanes, "Weapons systems." They are not just airplanes. They are designed and actually work quite well as a system to deliver weapons (ordinance) on a target. FSX and flight simming in general has come a lone way from the days when a purchaser would be happy if the gauges looked real and function correctly. I would have been willing to spend $50 for a F-111 which had a working radar and ordinance delivery capabilities. This one does not have those capabilities. I am disappointed in this respect.
The above is my opinion on current FSX military aircraft. Not everyone wants to drop bombs or shoot down unsuspecting airliners.
If you just want to fly the F-111, the Just Flight model is a good airplane and worth the $30. If the F111.com model is a simulation of a weapons system, I will buy it. If not, then I already have a nice looking F-111 to fly around when the mood strikes.
noddy
SOH-CM-2024
I love swing wings. The B-1 and F-111 are 2 of my favorite military jets to fly. Operating the wings adds to the workload,planning and lets face it, cool factor. I have been staring at this one but does it bring to the table 30 bucks more than the Virtavia? I was just flying the Virt last night and still very happy with it.
PS Just bought it so if anyone wants my usual unsugar coated mini review first impression kinda post let me know.
PS Just bought it so if anyone wants my usual unsugar coated mini review first impression kinda post let me know.
jmig
SOH-CM-2024
I would be interested in your impression of this one vs the Virtavia version.
In all aspects I prefer the Virtavia.
Hope this does not come as a slam or overly negative. But there is another F-111 out there and one on the way so comparing them is unavoidable. On its own the JF is a good,solid addon. That said....
I replaced the soundset with the Virtavia. The engines sounded like you were standing in front parking it rather than sitting in it. Accufeel sounded the same canopy opened/closed. I have a nice Bose surrround setup and the whining,whistle is loud and I suffered ear fatigue in just a few short flights.
The vr pit is well done but there are no popup other than a stock gps. Even with trackir it can be frustrating constantly looking over your shoulder to get to some ap controls. I have not had time to troubleshoot or really dig into it but I have issues with the heading hsi . You touch the knob with the mouse pointer and get a tooltip with your desired heading. I see no bug or other numeric indication so thats all you have. Same with the course. You have to be just in the exact right place or you lose the tooltip and in a moving plane its frustrating. The hsi is also mislabeled with a heading of 250 on the marking before 180 iirc. I tried shooting some ils approaches but fumbling with the heading bug combined with no hud ils I gave up. There is one small hsi/ils gauge betreen the copilots legs but I cannot imagine trying to use it while flying. There are ALOT of switches,knobs in this plane so take what I report as preliminary. Anyways, my neck got tired of bending around trying to take in all those switches and contortions needed to run the ap so I took the AP and radio lines out of the Virt panel cfg and added them to the JF f111. Much, much easier to operate. Now I can easily change alt,speed,head,course from popups. I also replaced the sounds with the Virt.
The fm is ok. The Virt just feels more mature,solid. Yes that VERY subjective. As with alot of the FSX jets with very high top speeds,mach 2 for this one, there are some problems. You can go burner,rotate,get your gear flaps up and be at 500 knots 1/4 off the runway. Break mach 1 soon after. I guess problem is the wrong word as the Virt is the same. In other words the spped can get away from you quickly while you are fumbling around the pit. I wish there was some damage modelling ala A2A but as is the wingsweep from what I can tell cannot be damaged.
So all in all imo the JF really does not improve apon the Virtavia. Operating the AP was frustating. The hud is not as well done or as easy to see. Maybe it will grow on me but after adding the ap,radios,sound set from the Virtavia, I still prefer the fm,hud and external models of the Virtavia.
I plan to spend some more time with the basic systems and thin manual tomorrow. Its just a very busy cockpit and I can see why it takes 2 guys side by side to operate it. If the other upcoming F-111 is as systems heavy and realistic as it looks, its going to be a handfull.
If anyone reads this and wants to save me some time I have some questions.
Does the heading gauge [hsi] have a bug or numeric display to show your desired heading input other than the tool tip?
Can you change the HUD brightness,color? If so how?
Can you change the HUD modes to nav, ILS? All I see are 2,default and a bombing sight.
Hope this does not come as a slam or overly negative. But there is another F-111 out there and one on the way so comparing them is unavoidable. On its own the JF is a good,solid addon. That said....
I replaced the soundset with the Virtavia. The engines sounded like you were standing in front parking it rather than sitting in it. Accufeel sounded the same canopy opened/closed. I have a nice Bose surrround setup and the whining,whistle is loud and I suffered ear fatigue in just a few short flights.
The vr pit is well done but there are no popup other than a stock gps. Even with trackir it can be frustrating constantly looking over your shoulder to get to some ap controls. I have not had time to troubleshoot or really dig into it but I have issues with the heading hsi . You touch the knob with the mouse pointer and get a tooltip with your desired heading. I see no bug or other numeric indication so thats all you have. Same with the course. You have to be just in the exact right place or you lose the tooltip and in a moving plane its frustrating. The hsi is also mislabeled with a heading of 250 on the marking before 180 iirc. I tried shooting some ils approaches but fumbling with the heading bug combined with no hud ils I gave up. There is one small hsi/ils gauge betreen the copilots legs but I cannot imagine trying to use it while flying. There are ALOT of switches,knobs in this plane so take what I report as preliminary. Anyways, my neck got tired of bending around trying to take in all those switches and contortions needed to run the ap so I took the AP and radio lines out of the Virt panel cfg and added them to the JF f111. Much, much easier to operate. Now I can easily change alt,speed,head,course from popups. I also replaced the sounds with the Virt.
The fm is ok. The Virt just feels more mature,solid. Yes that VERY subjective. As with alot of the FSX jets with very high top speeds,mach 2 for this one, there are some problems. You can go burner,rotate,get your gear flaps up and be at 500 knots 1/4 off the runway. Break mach 1 soon after. I guess problem is the wrong word as the Virt is the same. In other words the spped can get away from you quickly while you are fumbling around the pit. I wish there was some damage modelling ala A2A but as is the wingsweep from what I can tell cannot be damaged.
So all in all imo the JF really does not improve apon the Virtavia. Operating the AP was frustating. The hud is not as well done or as easy to see. Maybe it will grow on me but after adding the ap,radios,sound set from the Virtavia, I still prefer the fm,hud and external models of the Virtavia.
I plan to spend some more time with the basic systems and thin manual tomorrow. Its just a very busy cockpit and I can see why it takes 2 guys side by side to operate it. If the other upcoming F-111 is as systems heavy and realistic as it looks, its going to be a handfull.
If anyone reads this and wants to save me some time I have some questions.
Does the heading gauge [hsi] have a bug or numeric display to show your desired heading input other than the tool tip?
Can you change the HUD brightness,color? If so how?
Can you change the HUD modes to nav, ILS? All I see are 2,default and a bombing sight.
bazzar
Charter Member 2018
I thought it might be helpful to outline some of the features of the Just Flight model. I am no believer in comparisons because models are built under entirely different conditions, for wildly fluctuating budgets and in very different timeframes. Also it is not really my position to comment on other productions unless as a customer. Which I am by the way.
We are producing a demo version currently so people can try this model for themselves.
Also, we are working on a collimated, conformal HUD replacement as an option for those that prefer that kind of HUD.Not everyone does.
However, if people want more info in comparison with what else is currently available, here goes:
The wing gloves and leading edgeslats operate correctly first, before the main flaps.
The swing-wing system is modeled and coded to be accurate and does not rely on flap control, it is independent of it. Also the Just Flight F111 swing-wing system directly affects performance realistically.
If a weapon or pod is added to the outer pylon on the "C" version, the wing will not swing back beyond 26 degrees as per the real thing.
Please check over levels of detail in the Just Flight F111. Every decal, placard and notice is legible all over the airframe. Check out the sheer amount of modeling and animation in the wheel wells as an example of what has gone into this model.
The soundpack is a professionally produced fully sampled set by Turbine Sound Studios. If it is changed out an owner will miss out on all the subtleties like the auto-rocket that fires when you eject.
TFR is simulated as best we can. It does react to height and proximity of higher ground but of course, FSX cannot "see forward" so therefore will not warn early enough. You can simulate a system based on GPWS but again, it is only effective directly over the obstruction, when it would be too late. If another developer does produce true TFR then it will be as important as Accusim and my hat will go off to them.(and probably into my mouth)
As to cockpit navigation and pop-ups, there is a whole suite of camera views designed specifically for the pilot to get ot vital controls and instruments simply by cycling throught the views. That is why there are no pop-ups.
A massive amount of systems modeling and coding has gone into this package. Including correct engine start procedure with option of ground or on-board cartridge starting.
A full set of ordnance can be selected at will using the special load-out screen. No we have not made them droppable but that was our decision. "poppycock" is what you may wish to call that but it is our position (for personal reasons) which Just Flight supports and we would hope that people would respect our decision even if they don't agree with it . We built the F111 to be a flying replica of another classic aeroplane. It is built for a simulator which does not support weapons use and was never designed as a combat simulator.
Anyway, with the demo and HUD option coming soon, people will be able to decide for themselves, I guess. I know what went into this product and am very, very proud of the results.
We are producing a demo version currently so people can try this model for themselves.
Also, we are working on a collimated, conformal HUD replacement as an option for those that prefer that kind of HUD.Not everyone does.
However, if people want more info in comparison with what else is currently available, here goes:
The wing gloves and leading edgeslats operate correctly first, before the main flaps.
The swing-wing system is modeled and coded to be accurate and does not rely on flap control, it is independent of it. Also the Just Flight F111 swing-wing system directly affects performance realistically.
If a weapon or pod is added to the outer pylon on the "C" version, the wing will not swing back beyond 26 degrees as per the real thing.
Please check over levels of detail in the Just Flight F111. Every decal, placard and notice is legible all over the airframe. Check out the sheer amount of modeling and animation in the wheel wells as an example of what has gone into this model.
The soundpack is a professionally produced fully sampled set by Turbine Sound Studios. If it is changed out an owner will miss out on all the subtleties like the auto-rocket that fires when you eject.
TFR is simulated as best we can. It does react to height and proximity of higher ground but of course, FSX cannot "see forward" so therefore will not warn early enough. You can simulate a system based on GPWS but again, it is only effective directly over the obstruction, when it would be too late. If another developer does produce true TFR then it will be as important as Accusim and my hat will go off to them.(and probably into my mouth
)As to cockpit navigation and pop-ups, there is a whole suite of camera views designed specifically for the pilot to get ot vital controls and instruments simply by cycling throught the views. That is why there are no pop-ups.
A massive amount of systems modeling and coding has gone into this package. Including correct engine start procedure with option of ground or on-board cartridge starting.
A full set of ordnance can be selected at will using the special load-out screen. No we have not made them droppable but that was our decision. "poppycock" is what you may wish to call that but it is our position (for personal reasons) which Just Flight supports and we would hope that people would respect our decision even if they don't agree with it . We built the F111 to be a flying replica of another classic aeroplane. It is built for a simulator which does not support weapons use and was never designed as a combat simulator.
Anyway, with the demo and HUD option coming soon, people will be able to decide for themselves, I guess. I know what went into this product and am very, very proud of the results.
Chaps,
There isa demo of the current F-111 build available from the product page here - http://www.justflight.com/product/f111-aardvark-download
It's limited to 1000ft AGL
There isa demo of the current F-111 build available from the product page here - http://www.justflight.com/product/f111-aardvark-download
It's limited to 1000ft AGL
IanHenry
Charter Member
Thanks for that, I'll give it a try. I don't particularly like the F-111, but I am becoming increasingly tempted by this one. Having said that I did buy the Virtavia one and found it to be exceedingly average.
Regards,
Ian.
tommieboy
Charter Member
I'm in the group that doesn't have a ton load of time to actually sit in the cockpit and fly, let alone drop a bomb, so I do appreciate a simple load-out screen (as provided in this release).
Tommy
trevytt2004
Charter Member
Hmmmm, is it me or have all 3 developers of the F-111 ( 2 released so far) overlooked the F-111F variant with the pavetac pod?
Looking at the virtavia offering, there isn't one there, and now just flight have done the same......no 'F' variant to allow some Lakenheath repaints.
Not too sure if the f111-fsx version will include this variant either.....why?????
Maybe hoping for too much but i thought at least one developer would see what the other's aren't doing and fill the gap.
Hoping the guys from Virtavia/JustFlight & F111-FSX.com see this thread and take this on.
Trev
Looking at the virtavia offering, there isn't one there, and now just flight have done the same......no 'F' variant to allow some Lakenheath repaints.
Not too sure if the f111-fsx version will include this variant either.....why?????
Maybe hoping for too much but i thought at least one developer would see what the other's aren't doing and fill the gap.
Hoping the guys from Virtavia/JustFlight & F111-FSX.com see this thread and take this on.
Trev
hschuit
SOH-CM-2024
Just a brief note. I have downloaded the demo to see how it works. The demo was ok, so went to purchase.
To make it short: disappointing. I would have prefered the sound of the demo version, the point of view, the hud...
Unfortunately i have not seen what the engine indication does. 1400 ITT all the time out of green band, its a kind of on/off indication.
Fuel flow indication is a complete crap. Needle moves only in very narrow area. So, not interrested what the numbers say.
On my system the "now collimated" hud is completely transparent, so in "off" i see only a u-shaped frame. (Which was not in the demo)
I have unistalled the product and will never use this dev anymore.
To make it short: disappointing. I would have prefered the sound of the demo version, the point of view, the hud...
Unfortunately i have not seen what the engine indication does. 1400 ITT all the time out of green band, its a kind of on/off indication.
Fuel flow indication is a complete crap. Needle moves only in very narrow area. So, not interrested what the numbers say.
On my system the "now collimated" hud is completely transparent, so in "off" i see only a u-shaped frame. (Which was not in the demo)
I have unistalled the product and will never use this dev anymore.
I thought it might be helpful to outline some of the features of the Just Flight model. I am no believer in comparisons because models are built under entirely different conditions, for wildly fluctuating budgets and in very different timeframes. Also it is not really my position to comment on other productions unless as a customer. Which I am by the way.
We are producing a demo version currently so people can try this model for themselves.
Also, we are working on a collimated, conformal HUD replacement as an option for those that prefer that kind of HUD.Not everyone does.
However, if people want more info in comparison with what else is currently available, here goes:
The wing gloves and leading edgeslats operate correctly first, before the main flaps.
The swing-wing system is modeled and coded to be accurate and does not rely on flap control, it is independent of it. Also the Just Flight F111 swing-wing system directly affects performance realistically.
If a weapon or pod is added to the outer pylon on the "C" version, the wing will not swing back beyond 26 degrees as per the real thing.
Please check over levels of detail in the Just Flight F111. Every decal, placard and notice is legible all over the airframe. Check out the sheer amount of modeling and animation in the wheel wells as an example of what has gone into this model.
The soundpack is a professionally produced fully sampled set by Turbine Sound Studios. If it is changed out an owner will miss out on all the subtleties like the auto-rocket that fires when you eject.
TFR is simulated as best we can. It does react to height and proximity of higher ground but of course, FSX cannot "see forward" so therefore will not warn early enough. You can simulate a system based on GPWS but again, it is only effective directly over the obstruction, when it would be too late. If another developer does produce true TFR then it will be as important as Accusim and my hat will go off to them.(and probably into my mouth
As to cockpit navigation and pop-ups, there is a whole suite of camera views designed specifically for the pilot to get ot vital controls and instruments simply by cycling throught the views. That is why there are no pop-ups.
A massive amount of systems modeling and coding has gone into this package. Including correct engine start procedure with option of ground or on-board cartridge starting.
A full set of ordnance can be selected at will using the special load-out screen. No we have not made them droppable but that was our decision. "poppycock" is what you may wish to call that but it is our position (for personal reasons) which Just Flight supports and we would hope that people would respect our decision even if they don't agree with it . We built the F111 to be a flying replica of another classic aeroplane. It is built for a simulator which does not support weapons use and was never designed as a combat simulator.
Anyway, with the demo and HUD option coming soon, people will be able to decide for themselves, I guess. I know what went into this product and am very, very proud of the results.