This review is based on Microsoft's Combat Flight Simulator (Beta
Version) Pre-released build dated 16 September 1998. It will not
contain any references to the Final Release version, though there
are not believed to be any substantial differences.
icrosoft's long
awaited Combat Flight Simulator has arrived. In a sense, the
simulator could be thought of as "Flight Simulator 99" as its roots
in Microsoft's civilian simulator line are clear. Many of the
features and the overall look will be familiar to FS98 pilots
especially since FS98 aircraft can be imported and flown within
Combat Flight Simulator.
North American P-51D Mustang firing rockets.
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Combat Flight Simulator comes with a very well prepared and written
instruction manual that will guide the pilot through all phases of
installation and flying the simulator. The manual is large and
thick and contains complete information for pilots, not just in
using the sim but also in combat tactics. Like all manuals, it does
contain typographical errors and erroneous information. For
example, in the Communications Section describing various radio
transmissions, you will hear "Bandits! Nine o'clock low!" described
as planes below and to your right when in fact this term would
describe planes to your left.
INSTALLATION
The installation of Combat Flight Simulator from the CD-ROM is
straight-forward and is in keeping with other Microsoft products. At
the time of installation you will be given the choice of either a
Typical install or a Custom install. The Typical install gives you
all the functions of the simulation and will require approximately
244MB of disk space. The Custom install will let you pick and choose
which of the simulation elements you want to use and will take about
208MB of disk space.
AIRCRAFT
Republic P-47D Thunderbolt exterior view.
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The simulation has a variety of aircraft that you will be flying.
The Default Aircraft are the fighters of World War II used by the
Allied Forces and the Germans. The British RAF consists of the
Hawker Hurricane I, the Supermarine Spitfire IX and the Supermarine
Spitfire Mark I. The USAAF aircraft consist of the B-17G, the C-47,
the B-25J, the P-51D and the P-47D Thunderbolt. The Germans are using
the Dornier Do17Z, the FW-190A, the Heinkel 111H, the Ju87B Stuka,
and a variety of Messerschmitt BF-109s. In addition to the Default
Aircraft, you have the capability of importing your favorite
Flight Simulator FS98 aircraft. You can use your 737's, 747's and any
other FS98 plane you would like. This opens interesting possibilities
such as trying a modern combat jet versus WWII era fighters. All
imported aircraft have full weaponry capability and can fire rockets
and drop bombs just as the original aircraft do.
GAME MODES
North American P-51D Mustang exterior.
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The Combat Flight Simulator provides several different situations, or
Game Modes. I would recommend that each player start with the
Training Missions. These Training Missions will teach you
classic aerial maneuvers necessary for combat. They also give video
demonstrations of how each of the Training Missions is accomplished.
I would complete each training session before attempting to fly the
actual enemy engagement missions. Even in the training missions, it
is easy to become a casualty of war.
Free Flight: This mode is most enjoyable because no one is
shooting at you and you can really take your time in looking over the
scenery and getting the feel of the aircraft. This mode lets you use
Combat Flight Simulator just like Microsoft's previous civilian sims
only over the spectacular 1940's European scenery.
Quick Combat: If you want to forget the historical details
and just get right to the shooting, this is the way. Quick Combat lets
you select your plane, your opponents, the location and then once
started puts you immediately in the air with the enemy coming straight
for you. Combat continues until you quit or get shot down and you are
scored on your combat victories.
Single Mission: It is in this mode that you are most likely to
become a "Victorious Ace" or just another rookie pilot who lost his
life for the cause. These are the missions that give you white
knuckles and sweaty palms. Here you will use all the skills you
possess to avoid being shot down in flames. Whether you are going out
on a "Rodeo" mission to try to lure the enemy into the air, or just
out looking for ground targets to strafe, you have to stay alert, or
you will have "bought the farm".
Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IX cockpit (800x600 3D mode).
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Campaigns: The campaigns you fly are all historical events
that took place during the "Battle For Britain" and the "Battle For
Air Supremacy Over Europe". As a Luftwaffe fighter pilot, you will
be required to bring down as many Allied bombers and their fighter
escorts as you can. Or, as an Allied fighter pilot, you will be
required to shoot down many German attackers to protect your bomber
fleet.
Degree of Difficulty: The difficulty you encounter will be
determined by your choice of combatant opponent. Rookie means you do
not have has many fighters on your tail as with a more advanced choice. If
you have chosen Veteran or Ace, then you had better be in top-notch
form because you will have many more aircraft to contend with and you
will also be up against better and more proficient pilots.
IMPRESSIONS
Republic P-47D cockpit (800x600 3D mode).
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My impressions of this simulation are slanted more toward the scenery
than the actual aircraft used in the combat situations. I did like the
panels on all the planes because the instruments are very legible in all
modes. I flew missions in both 2D and 3D and by far, the 3D mode is
more suitable for the scenery and actions involved.
There is not too much I can say for the aircraft themselves. I
believe that the FS98 aircraft add-ons are much more pleasing to look
at and have more realistic lines than do the default aircraft. The
Flightsim Devlopers P-51D that I imported was a much better performer
than the CFS P-51D. The same applied to the P-47D and the BF-109s
imported from FS98.
North American P-51D Mustang cockpit (800x600 3D mode).
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On the positive side of the simulation is the HUD display that can be
brought up by hitting the W key. This mode will allow you to
eliminate the instrument panel clutter and have a wider field of view
with full screen and at the same time, give you an accurate
indication of all essential parameters. The upper HUD will give you
a display of the current time, altitude, airspeed and heading. The
lower HUD displays additional information relative to the flaps
position, gear position, pitch attitude and a complete up to the
minute inventory of all bullets, bombs, rockets and cannon ammo as
well as percentage of your fuel remaining. I found that when in a
combat mode, these items come in handy when you find yourself in an
unusual attitude and the enemy all around you.
Another feature of interest is the Tactical Display which will show
all friendly and enemy aircraft that are in your sector. Your
aircraft is located in the center of the display and all others are
shown in their relative position to you. The Tactical Display also
indicates the direction and distance to your target.
Hawker Hurricane cockpit (800x600 3D mode).
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Supermarine Spitfire Mk.I cockpit (640x400 3D mode).
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I flew most of my missions in the P-51D and the P-47D. Both aircraft
flew smoothly and with a realistic feel. During the Training Mission
flights, I found it difficult to concentrate on flying the aircraft due
to the constant chatter of the ground controller. I eventually got to
the point where I could "tune him out" and devote all my energy and
effort to flying the airplane.
Another thing I noticed during the Training Mission and Single
Mission flights was the decreased frame rate. On the ground just
prior to take off I would see anywhere from 1.0 to 3.0 fps. After
getting airborne, the fps would increase just slightly to perhaps 5 -
6 fps. There never was a "high" frame rate. The hesitations and
pausing are quite noticeable but do not seem to detract from the
simulation.
Imported FS98 Boeing 737 blows up.
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USING FS98 AIRCRAFT
It was interesting to see how the imported FS98 aircraft performed. I
used the B737 and the Boeing C-97 along with the Seneca V, just to see
how the procedure was done. It is fairly simple. All you do is click
on the aircraft that you want to import from FS98 Aircraft Folder and
copy it to the Combat Flight Simulator Aircraft Folder. Just be sure
that you also copy the gauge file from one to the other, or you will
find yourself sitting on the runway in England without any instruments.
Each of the imported aircraft will appear in the aircraft listing for
the mission you are going to fly and you can arm it with a selectable
inventory of ammo, bombs, rockets and cannon. I had the Seneca V loaded
with rockets and the Boeing C-97 loaded with bombs. The B737 had
forward firing machine guns and rockets. The flying capabilities of the
imported aircraft do not seem to be affected after the transfer.
CONCLUSION
Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator will be a very popular program
among flight simmers for a long time to come. It is an interesting
and stimulating experience and will keep you on your toes at all
times. Unlike the drudgery of long haul flights in the commercial
jets, this program will keep you constantly alert and on the move.
If you are engaged in low level strafing of ground targets, you must
also watch out for fast rising terrain that could cause a propeller
strike and your demise. This is one simulation that I can honestly
recommend to everyone.
