From: hchong@netcom.com (Hoi Chong)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games,rec.aviation.simulators,rec.aviation.military
Subject: Power User Review: F15III
Date: 3 Jan 93 05:35:23 GMT
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest)

My configuration: 486-25SX, FCS Pro (FCS with variable tension-springs),
CH Virtual Pilot, WCS (version D), 17" screen, SB Pro (with big 
amplifier/speakers), Rudder Control System.  The reason I mentioned my
configuration up front is because I think my opinion differs from others
because of them.

I bought it 2 hours ago, and really enjoyed it even though I have only
played the "Quick Start"!

The plane not only handles real, but also sounds real and looks real
(not only the plane itself but also the pilot's view).  I have not
flown a jet fighter, but I do fly real planes. 

FCS Pro
=======

The "handle reals" include the plane respone, pretty good (select 
reality to maximum).  I felt like I am flying a real heavy jet.  Climb,
dive, turn, etc.  Perhaps this is further enhanced by my FCS Pro anchored
to the table with a D-clamp.  FCS Pro has varible tension springs.  The
further away you yanked the stick away from the center, the more tension
the springs generates.  Note that the FCS Pro *must* be anchored to the
table to complete the realism.

The coolie-hat indeed does work for F15III.  Up once will get you the
HUD + all-sky view, whereas down once will get the all-instrument view,
and down twice will get the rear view.  The standard view is 1/2 instrument
+ HUD (with some "plain" sky to the side of HUD).

The 3rd and 4th buttons of the FCS Pro is used to acquire and lock target.

WCS
===

Also the Thrustmaster WCS helps a big way to making the sim feel real.
Even w/o the F15III WCS ROM, I still get a big use out of the WCS.
Set it to 1-on the-rest-off aka F15II setting, it is pretty good as a
throttle + flare and chaff input device.  The throttle input both 
military power and afterburner with only slight calibration error.
Of course it will be better to have a WCS ROM with F15III setting.

SB Pro (and 2 x 60 watts system)
================================

The sound it real enough, especial with speech.  Of course I am in a
silence room, with 2 x 60 watts amplifier/speakers, which helps.  I really
enjoy the engine sound, so much so that I set the analog mixer on the
SB Pro to "sound effect = 15" while "speech = 3".

Graphics
========

Graphics is the best amongst flight sim (yes, I have 'em all).  It is
not as real-looking as Comanche, but it does not have the big-dot effect
of the Comanche.  It is more like smaller-square-dot, but ok.  The intro
sequence when the plane comes out of the cloud reminds me of the time
I accidentally went into cloud while flying a real plane, brings back
that errie (and possibly fatal) memory.  That is another story.

Oh yes, having a 17" flat screen and a darkened room helps quite a bit.

Quick Start
===========

I took the plane up for a fly around, and then did some daytime and nightime
takeoffs and landings.  Real!

Complaints
==========

It should have use the rudder/padel, if not for flight maybe just
for taxiing.  It would have make it feel more realistic (since I have
the full-size rudder RCS).

There is not side-view, as far as I can tell.  Why?

Do you believe for a moment that I am going to use Virtual Pilot to
fly a high-performance jet fighter?  (although the VP throttle is the
best amongst joystick throttles) 

How about letting us record .VOC file and use them instead of text
for CHAT during modem play?  Since all transmissions are pre-recorded,
the .VOC files (must be short) can be transferred to the other machine
right after modem connection is made, hence no realtime transfer of
.VOC file is made during action sequence.  What do you say, Mr MPS?

And how about a wide-view like in F117A?  No HUD numbers need to be
readible, and no instrument need to be shown.  Sometimes we just like 
to be able to scan a wide angle at a time (maybe use the left/right 
moment of the coolie-hat). 

Conclusion
==========

This plane (notice that I non-conciously used the word "plane" and not 
"flight sim") feels more real than the F16 flight sim.  For some reason
the F16 feels more like a arcade plane, while the F15III feels like a real 
plane (just my opinion). 

Any one care to fly duel or head-to-head in the south bay area (408 area
code)? 
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games