Fly around in an A-10 Thunderbolt II on Windows Phone 7

By Joachim Jacob, Warthog News editor

The "Hog" is the latest type of aircraft, provided from Infinite Flight for their Flight Simulator for Windows Phone 7.





See:
Fly around in an A-10 Warthog on your Windows Phone
Infinite Flight 1.9 brings Boeing 747 and A-10 Warthog
Infinite Flight - The first Flight Simulator for Windows Phone 7!
Infinite Flight: Flight Simulator for Windows Phone 7

Question:
Anyone Windows Phone 7 user and Warthog News visitor who will tell us a little bit more about that?

'DCS: A-10C' Reminds Gamers What a Real Challenge Is

ÜBER SIM: Digital Combat Simulator: A-10C/ recalls the days when video-game sims meant painstakingly accurate simulations rather than highly detailed arcade actioners. Prepare to crash-land!

By Dave Prince
MetroPulse
Posted May 25, 2011 at 8:37 a.m.

Somewhere out there in the vast sea of possibility dwells an alternate-reality version of myself who managed to get off his ass and actually do something with his life, instead of opting for the sexy rock-star lifestyle of the alt-weekly video-game reviewer.

Actually, multiverse theory says that a lot of those guys technically exist, but I'm not talking about all the boring accountants and insurance salesmen here. No, the guy I'm thinking of joined the Air Force right out of high school, making pilot in record time and getting his pick of assignments from a military branch glad to have his service. This guy is currently flying missions over Afghanistan in a Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II. Despite the vaguely anti-establishment sentiments that come with the aforementioned alt-weekly lifestyle, I envy him.

Commonly known as the "Warthog," the A-10 is a close-air support aircraft that's more flying tank than jet fighter. Built around a primary weapon as large as a Volkswagen, which shoots 30 mm shells with enough cumulative force to actually stall its twin turbofan engines in certain situations, the A-10 is an ugly, angry-looking thing, a snub-nosed straight-wing testament to precision-controlled militarized destruction.

I found out about the trick where the A-10's cannon stalls the engines firsthand, by the way. Cross-universe communications are out of the question (and I'm certainly not going the really hard route and actually joining the Air Force), but thanks to the magic of Valve's Steam PC gaming distribution platform, I found the next best thing. Russian developer Eagle Dynamics' Digital Combat Simulator: A-10C was recently released on Steam, giving this very niche product from an equally obscure developer a level of exposure wider than it could reach on its own.

The game is, for better or for worse, a picture-perfect simulation of the iconic air-to-ground aircraft. Focusing on the intricate details of pilot aircraft management, it combines a complex physics model with a level of graphic detail that borders on the photorealistic. The result is as real an environment of close-support engagement as can be had without a few years' worth of in-depth training. This makes DCS A-10C a double-edged sword. Its meticulous attention to even the smallest of details is a relic of a bygone age in which the simulation was king; it could be argued that this single-minded focus is a distraction today when even DCS A-10C's peers in the simulation genre all too often forgo such detail in favor of a lowbrow, action-movie feel.

This argument would not be without merit, but at least in my experience, DCS A-10C falls squarely into the "for better" category. I installed the simulation. I fired up the first of 13 tutorials. It took me 30 laboriously guided minutes just to turn the plane on. Two or three tutorials later—when I was actually allowed to take the thing into the air—I planted my virtual Warthog into a simulated Eastern European cornfield within 30 seconds. The next few runs didn't fare much better.

It was awesome, but not for the reasons that games usually are. DCS A-10C obliterates the line between "game" and "simulation." It's not strictly fun in the classical sense; like the air combat simulators of yore, its focus is on precision rather than victory.

The hoops you jump through are the ones that get the Warthog up and running, and for the layman, the greatest accomplishments lie not in feats of arcade-like reflexes, but in the mental gymnastics required to remember the steps needed to launch countermeasures before an enemy missile finds its target. (Less detailed modes are included for the Warthog underachiever, but playing those rather misses the point.)

You don't come away from it with the sense of outlandish achievement you'd get from rescuing a princess from a giant cartoon turtle. Instead, a session of DCS A-10C missions—whether you complete your objectives or, like me, you're scrambling for the ejector seat controls—leaves you with the feeling that you've learned something. It's the same rush that certain kinds of people get when they re-enact long-dead wars or watch (according to my wife, entirely too much of) the History Channel.

I don't expect to be a passable Warthog pilot by the end of the week, or even by the end of month, or the year, or ever. And that's exactly how it should be—I expect to be insultingly, irredeemably bad when presented with something as realistically complex as a turn as an A-10 pilot. If that's not your cup of tea, then look elsewhere for your kicks. But if you want a taste of a real challenge, DCS A-10C delivers.

Source

Get the DCS A-10C Warthog Flight Manual (English) for free

This outstanding manual is also very interesting for every "Hog" enthusiast. It includes some general info about the A-10, and especially, a huge lot of the A-10Cs cockpit instrumentation.

You can download the full manual (669 pages) free of charge right here, giving you a taste of what's on offer.

Games On Net :: Reviews: Über Review: DCS: A10 Warthog

Games On Net :: Reviews: Über Review: DCS: A10 Warthog

DCS: A-10C Warthog Released!

The cover shows a shark-mouthed A-10 from the 23rd Fighter Group. Oups! In reality, an A-10 with the serial number 81-0903 doesn't exist. Full size

Monday, 21 February 2011

The Fighter Collection and Eagle Dynamics proudly announces the release of DCS: A-10C Warthog flight simulator. This second series of DCS line includes flyable famous US A-10C aircraft, 3 campaigns, 26 missions, improved graphics and AI, an advanced mission editor and many more features.


PRESS RELEASE

"DCS: A‐10C WARTHOG" Released

DUXFORD, UK, February 21, 2011 – The Fighter Collection and Eagle Dynamics now offer "DCS: A‐10C Warthog" as a digital download for $59.99.

Purchase "DCS: A‐10C Warthog" at:
http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/shop/dcs_a10c

"DCS: A‐10C Warthog" is a PC simulation of the U.S. premier Close Air Support attack aircraft. This is the second aircraft in the DCS series, following DCS: Black Shark, and raises the bar even higher in the DCS series.
Warthog brings the most realistic PC simulation of a modern fixed wing combat aircraft in regards to flight dynamics, avionics, sensors, and weapon systems. You also have the option to play Warthog in "Game" mode for a casual game experience. Fly missions in the Caucuses region of the Black Sea against and with a wide
array of air, land and sea forces with new and improved intelligence. Create your own missions and campaigns with the included Mission and Campaign Editors, and fly with and against friends online using the included online game browser.

Key Features:
• Fly the A‐10C "Warthog" in either realistic or game modes.
• Fly missions in either Georgia and Russia.
• Interactive training missions shallow the learning curve dramatically.
• Rich campaigns and single missions included.
• Multiplayer cooperative and head‐to‐head.
• Feature‐rich Mission and Campaign editors allow user created content.
• The most realistic flight dynamics ever done for a PC simulation.
• Huge array of land, air and sea units to flight along and against.
• Ability to command ground forces during missions with radio commands.
• Fully interactive Forward Air Controller (FAC) that helps you find targets.

Website:
http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/series/warthog

System requirements
Operating system: 64‐bit Windows XP, Vista, and 7
Processor: CPU: Core 2 Duo E6600 or AMD Phenom X3 8750 or better
Memory: 4GB
Hard disk space: 7 GB
Video: Shader 3.0 or better; 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600GT DirectX 9.0c or better
Sound: DirectX 9.0c‐compatible
DirectX®: 9.0C

About The Fighter Collection:
The Fighter Collection, as well as developing software for the entertainment and serious game markets, also operates, rebuilds and maintains Europe's largest collection of airworthy WWII fighters and is based at Duxford Airfield, in the UK. For more information visit our websites: http://www.fighter‐collection.com/

PDF file

Source

See also:
"DCS: A-10C WARTHOG" Final Released
Developer Interview: DCS A10C's Jim Mackonochie

Developer Interview: DCS A10C's Jim Mackonochie

By Bennett Ring
Thu Feb 10, 2011 1:03pm
games.on.net

With DCS: A10C Warthog landing very soon, and promising to be the most detailed modern combat flight sim ever flown outside of a Miramar training facility, Maverick mimics will be busy fondling their HOTAS setups for many months to come. We spoke to Jim Mackonochie from The Fighter Collection, builders of the game, about how this simulator evolved from a product built for the US military, its final system requirements, improvements to the AI and tutorial sections, and even locked down the release window!

games.on.net: Can you discuss how DCS: A10C evolved from work you did for the US military?

Jim Mackonochie: We had permission from the military to develop a consumer version of the A10C, so we were able to implement unclassified systems with considerable fidelity.

games.on.net: How faithful to the real aircraft is the sim? Did you have to leave out any systems or simplify anything due to the limitations of PC hardware or certain systems being classified?

Jim Mackonochie: The sim is faithful to the real aircraft with the exception of certain classified modules, which quite frankly are not relevant to consumers.

games.on.net: The Enemy and Wingman AI in Black Shark had certain shortcomings - how has the AI for DCS: A10 improved?

Jim Mackonochie: In regards to wingmen, you now have much more control of them in regards to where you want them to search, what weapons to use, attack headings and new formations. The mission designer can also use the mission editor to let the wingmen easily detect targets or use realistic spotting. Unlike Black Shark, users should have no problems getting their flight members into the fight. In addition the ground force AI has improved. Vehicles will scatter when attacked.

games.on.net: You've introduced new triggers into the mission building tool - how do these impact the flow of the included campaign? Will each mission play out wildly differently each time?

Jim Mackonochie: The Mission Editor allows a host of ways to make a mission feel un-scripted. These include the ability to have units randomly appear in the mission, creating alternate groups, creating alternate waypoints, and being able to cue the next mission based on the results of the prior mission. Most importantly we feel is the ability to now give radio orders to other flight groups and ground forces. This allows you to now command ground forces to advance on objectives, call in a CAP or SEAD flight to clear out an area for you, etc. This provides a new level of battlefield interaction.

A very interesting introduction is the AI JTAC who will communicate with the player.

games.on.net: Your simulators have a history of having very demanding system requirements - in fact, most simulators in general do. Would you say DCS: A10C follows this trend?

Jim Mackonochie: If you can run DCS: Black Shark, you will be able to run DCS:A10C

games.on.net: With so many complicated systems modelled, how effective do you think the new in-game training tutorials will be? Is it possible for a pilot to learn how to fly the jet without reading the manual, relying upon these interactive tutes instead?

Jim Mackonochie: We think the in-game training tutorials will go a long way to learning the basics. However, as would a real life A10C pilot, reading the manual is desirable!

games.on.net: We've heard rumours of campaigns and maps being released after the launch - can you comment on the future plans for content updates?

Jim Mackonochie: We are currently working on a Nevada map that will be centered on Nellis AFB. This map is designed to be used for training missions and virtual "Red Flag" exercises. This map will be the first map to utilize our new graphics engine. The map will be released as part of an Upgrade Pack later in 2011.

games.on.net: Any firm release dates in mind? Christmas 2010 has been and gone ;)

Jim Mackonochie: The download version will be released in late February. The boxed version will be available, dependant on territory, within 2 to 3 months later. (According to our very helpful Mindscape PR representative, we should see a boxed retail release in Australia in April.)

games.on.net: Anything else you'd like to add?

Jim Mackonochie: Coding has already started on the next aircraft in the DCS series. All I can say is that it will be a USA fixed wing aircraft!
Head over to the official site to pre-order the game now, and gain entry to the existing beta version. We've spent some time with the latest version and it's shaping up to be every simmer's wet dream, even if Kelly McGillis isn't included!

Are you looking forward to DCS: A10C? Got any impressions on the existing beta? Or perhaps you've got some questions about the game for our resident flight nerd, Bennett. Sound off in the comments.

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Please note: Pictures will be uploaded soon.