[conemaugh]

I know I must not be the only one, but how many of our collectors also try their hand at combat simulators for the PC? If, so -- what is your favorite?
Currently I am enjoying Wings Over Vietnam with the Yankee Air Pirate add-ons. I also just bought IL2 Sturmovik but alas, I may need a hardware upgrade to run it correctly.

[Folgore]

IL2 1946, which includes the entire IL2 lineage, is a great sim, and it's not so new that needs a really high-end rig, although it does appreciate a decent machine. I'm kinda looking forward to Oleg Maddox's next flight sim, Storm of War: Battle of Britain... but I know my computer won't be able to run it. Apparently Oleg's shop is also developing a Korean War flight sim based on the Storm of War engine, but again: it'll need a high-end rig. And these games could be complete vaporware -- Storm of War was originally slated for release in 2006!

I've been considering buying Wings Over Vietnam so I can fly the A-7 and F-8... how is WOV with the service pack and latest patch? How well are carrier operations simulated? I know Yankee Air Pirate adds a lot, but it's currently unavailable -- apparently the guys behind YAP are re-doing it and expect the new version to be out in about a month. But again: the best-laid plans of mice and game developers...

[stwhite]

I play IL2 1946 and Battleground Europe (aka WWII online). I've played WWII online for over 6 year and I still love it. Nothing beats, launching a stuka on a tank hunting mission. The best part about it, your foe is HUMAN! Usually I will circle town as i check the ground. Of course their tracers always give them away, then it's all over. One direct hit from a 250kg SC bomb equals game over

[conemaugh]

YAP adds a lot to WOV -- better realistic and HISTORIC missions. The flight simulator is not bad either. You really have to understand how each weapon works to make it fully enjoyable. The Owner's manual leaves alot to desired so a lot is by trial an error. Dogfighting is a chore given that the early heat seekers are squirrely, at best. I have the first 80 YAP missons - issued in blocks of 10. No real hang-ups on frame rates either. The missions are real tough (Viet Cong AA is deadly by shear volume alone). One of the more difficult parts of WOV is identifying the target.

Carrier opperations are not bad with YAP.

[Hornchurch]

Used to play "IL.2 - Forgotten Battles" regularly, when it 1st came out.

The Joystick is sitting on top the P.C. (Tower) gathering dust, as I ain't used it in 18-months !

Loved the P.47 attack-mission (which I completed, with top cover)... but could NEVER master the La-5 vs Hs.129 game - as after 'creaming' all the '129's no matter HOW aggressive (or, elusive) my La-5 was, I ALWAYS ended up with a wing-shot-off whilst going head on with their Fw.190 top-cover (& no, I couldn't bring myself to "dumb-down" the opposition skill level settings !!! I play fair !).

The Finnish Buffalo game was fun, but too easy - & Hurricanes are great but the glycol strike made it hard to avoid being shot down.

Always, Always went for a seriously rude Me.109 G.6 (AS) & configured an MK.108 to maximise damage.

Can't remember whether it was 'Forgotten-Battles' or the earlier 'IL.2', but one game that I won but was hard going, was the '109 escort mission in heavy rain attacking Pe.2's & escort with a 'Rookie' wingman.

Though I was gonna break the Joystick, turning at max, whilst at low-level before re-joining wingman in the rain !!!!!!!!!

Also done a campaign (Russia) as a '109 Oblt. & got about 75% thru it.

Great fun game for it's time & very absorbing.

Makes me jealous, thinking about (just) how good these quality flight/fight sims are gonna become, in the next 20 years !!!!!!!!!

[brunowbe]

I don't think it's a hardcore simulation, but Blazing Angels on the Nintendo Wii is a blast. I've had it since October and still play it regularly. If anyone is a casual game player and wants a good cheap game ($19 or so), check it out, it's not a serious simulator, although it can be pretty challenging. Think of it as Call of Duty or Medal of Honor type game in an airplane. You can use 30 to 40 or so different planes as well.

[kingpin]

I have played most of the PC flight sims.. My favorite is playing online on Fighter Ace. It is cool to dogfight with real people. I play territorial combat the most, it is where all 5 countries battle against each other and occupy others territories.. Glen A couple of screenshots from the game