Hi,I've focused pretty much on civil aviation simulators (FS9 / FSX) over the past decade, but I'm now thinking of getting a new combat simulator to try.Problem is, I really don't know what's good nowadays.I shortly tried Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X. but that's way too much of a game.The last combat sim I flew with was Janes F/A-18, which I considered to be very good.I have been thinking about DCS A-10, but I'm not sure if this is what I'm looking for.Anyone any suggestions or comments?Thanks.

DCS A-10C has been getting a lot of attention from me, lately. This is a sim that takes time. It's a true study sim! If you're not willing to learn the start up procedures and weapons systems, and/or you don't have a HOTAS stick, I don't recommend it. I'm in love with the sim, though. Startup procedures didn't bug me too much as I'm used to it in FSX/FS9. I've mastered delivering weapons with my X52 Pro, which was no small feat.There are lot's of "wow" moments in A-10C. For instance, the engine('s) parameters fluctuate in deep stall/high angles of attack from the disturbed air over the wings.Rise of Flight is another great sim. Especially the multiplayer.

DCS A-10C has been getting a lot of attention from me, lately. This is a sim that takes time. It's a true study sim! If you're not willing to learn the start up procedures and weapons systems, and/or you don't have a HOTAS stick, I don't recommend it. I'm in love with the sim, though. Startup procedures didn't bug me too much as I'm used to it in FSX/FS9. I've mastered delivering weapons with my X52 Pro, which was no small feat.There are lot's of "wow" moments in A-10C. For instance, the engine('s) parameters fluctuate in deep stall/high angles of attack from the disturbed air over the wings.Rise of Flight is another great sim. Especially the multiplayer.

+1 for DCS it really is the best sim out there.regards

Thanks for your feedback guys.Guess it will have to be DCS then :(

If you're after a jet sim, then here's what's currently out there:The DCS series, A-10 in particular represent the current king of old fashioned hardcore study sims. Make sure you read up on exactly the features first as a few people expected an old school A-10A and not the modernised A-10C which is featured. Also bear in mind the DCS series has one glaring shortcoming - a lack of dynamic campaign. This can potentially dramatically shorten the longevity of the sim.It's also worth checking out Lock On: Flaming Cliffs 2, from the same developers as the DCS series. You get a selection of aircraft (MiG-29S, Su-25, Su-25T, Su-27S, Su-33, F-15C, A-10A) albeit the flight and systems modelling are a couple of notches below the DCS series. Again, there is no dynamic campaign.One sim that is very often overlooked is Free Falcon 5. This is a development of the classic Falcon 4, and as the name suggests is free to download. It's really the ultimate evolution of the Falcon series and has finally achieved what the original Falcon 4 developers wanted to do back in 1998. You'll find a level of systems modelling similar to what is in the DCS series, but it's integrated with the most amazing dynamic campaign which models an entire war in real time. The FF5 developers finally managed to fix the Falcon 4 campaign engine and make it work properly. If you can get past the now dated graphics it's still one of the best flight sims available and compares very favourably with the DCS series thanks to the systems modelling and dynamic campaign.You can also check out the Strike Fighters series from Third Wire. This series is from the guy who brought us European Air War, so if you are familiar with EAW you will know what to expect - a classic survey sim. The SF series is aimed at recreating Cold War jets from the 50's, 60's and 70's. Flight and systems modelling are definitely on the lighter side of things, but they've captured the essence of air combat in the era very well. The individual SF titles are priced pretty cheaply, and if you want you can install them into one single sim that has all the aircraft and all the theatres. There is a dynamic campaign, and there's also a very active modding community making new aircraft, maps, etc.If you want a WW2 or WW1 sim then there are also quite a few options available, let me know if you're interested and I can elaborate.

I spent years studying Falcon 4 so glad to here an upgrade mod is out. Doesn't the graphics seem out of date now, and does it have TrackIR support?Regards

It's not so much a mod, it's a complete sim. You don't need the original Falcon 4, you just download the FF5 installer and away you go!I'd link you to the FreeFalcon website, but it's asking me for a username and password so perhaps they're having problems right now?http://www.freefalcon.com/Among other things FreeFalcon 5 has an updated graphics engine but you can still see it's Falcon 4 underneath the bonnet. The graphics are passable, nothing special but they get the job done.They've got new 3D cockpits which are clickable and support TrackIR.They also added a host of new flyable aircraft with unique cockpits, but they all still use the F-16 HUD and MFDs. In fact there's not much left of the original Falcon 4 they've not revisited.The highlights for me are: - Improved systems simulation and detail. For example you can perform a ramp start using the correct checklist. - Modern GPS guided weapons are now available. - The campaign mode works as it is supposed to.EDIT - just found out the FreeFalcon forums were hacked a week ago so the site is down while they sort everything out.

You could try Battle of Britain II; Wings of Victory if you want the heritage experience, that's pretty good. From the forums, it looks as if WW2 veteran fliers (including Luftwaffe vets) get into that sim.http://www.a2asimulations.com/bob/