Been looking at the Harrier at the DSB website, I saw it advertised on the front page here. Has anyone taken the plunge? What do you think of it? I would be interested in both the pros and cons.Thanks,Kev

I don't know anything about this product, or even who "DSB" is, but I would bet that it's using the "airplane" flight model of FS9 and therefore cannot hover - i.e. it might fly very slowly but not sit there at zero knots. The flight modeling in FS9 is such that you can have *either* helicopter flight dynamics *or* airplane dynamics.(goes and finds DSB site) Aha! It seems that I would've won the wager - note that the description says "down to under 10 kts forward speed"... So as far as I'm concerned it's a bit of a flawed product, albeit with that being due to FS9's own limitations.That said, in practice Harriers are rarely hovered, and are flown more as STOL airplanes than VTOL ones, so maybe that won't bother you.This brings up one of my most fervent hopes for "FS10" - support of vectored thrust. The aircraft that I want to see done for Flight Simulator more than anything is the Bell/Agusta BA609 tilt rotor, and until vectored thrust is supported, no-one will be able to really do it right.Dave Blevins

I think it's a great product. I own several of DSB's aircraft and love them! There is a really good discussion about it here listing the pro's and con's.http://alphasim3.com/Forums/viewtopic.php?t=1077On the second page a fellow harrier buff did a great job tweeking some of the cons.As for the comment about being flawed, show me a product out there that isn't. This hobby isn't meant to be perfect, just provide hours upon hours of entertainment!!!

Depends on what you are looking for in the product. I rarely fly military, but love the Harrier due to the one I used to fly in CFS2 all the time. I saw a small review on the Alphasims forums the other day and went ahead and got the DSB one...and I am very happy with it!Given the restrictions in FS for VSTOL flight, they did a good job of faking it, I have been doing carrier ops since getting it and can land on a dime. The exterior is really nice, good textures and realistic looking as well as a good amount of detail, plus excellent FPS performance. I wish the VC was more detailed, but it's nice and functional.There are a few small bugs, but I heard they are making a patch for them and they don't keep you from flying it. Considering the fiasco with the Caravan purchase, I'm really happy with this one. Plus I found a really nice desert camp repaint from Sean Dorian this morning, looks great!So if you are not expecting a full detail sim like the RFP 747 and like the Harrier it's a good addition to the hanger IMHO.Here I am taking off in 10-20 feet from the carrier this morning, pretty sweet!Regards, MichaelKDFWhttp://www.calvirair.com/mcpics/mcdcvabanner.jpgCalVirAir Internationalhttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/121569.jpg

Thank you all for the replies. After reading through the links, and reviews, I think I have made my decision to purchase. I am not a big military jet jocky myself, only because FS9 is not a combat sim. However, that doesn't mean that I don't like to go blasting through the canyons, or put on my own private airshow. I own the Aerialfoundry F/A-18 and have enjoyed it since. Sounds like the Harrier will fit the same bill.Thanks again. :DKev

Hi Michael,Can you explain how I use the nozzles effectively? I understand you have to have full flaps before F6 and F7 will operate the nozzles. However, I can't get them (the nozzles) to stick incrementally. If I release the F7 key the nozzles swing back to the horizontal position. Perhaps this is how it should function, but it makes control very difficult as I can't seem to maintain the nozzles in any intermediate percent position.Thanks!Mike

Hi Mike, I just used the flaps and found what worked and didn't. I found that full flaps and you are in a hover depending on your throttle, if you go to low, you sink, you just have to be easy on the throttle to keep a controlled decent. Keeping the same amount of throttle and reducing flaps one notch and you get slight forward motion and a very slight bit of climb, next notch of flaps, more climb, but still not normal airspeed, the next notch of flaps up and you start to go to normal flight.In the pic I posted above, I started with full flaps, held the brake and applied throttle enough to have a little force and upon release of the brakes, I went forward and up in about 10-20 feet, then up one notch on the flaps and you are starting your climb..Regards, MichaelKDFWhttp://www.calvirair.com/mcpics/mcdcvabanner.jpgCalVirAir International

Hi Michael,Ah, now I understand :)It appears that there may be a problem with the visual model implementation of the nozzle positions. Also, I note that when you apply full flaps and then continue to hold down the F7 or F8 key the red pointer on the panel gauge starts to move. Unfortunately, like the nozzles when seen from outside, it won't stick in any position and, on releasing the key, just swings back to 3 o'clock. I wonder why the designers didn't just simply tie the movement of the nozzles and gauge needle with the flap positions?I'll try your advice. Should be easier now that I have a hand to spare..lolRegards and thanks again,Mike

Hi Mike/Michael,I am able (and willing) to explain this nozzle/flaps behaviour in full detail; just be patient for a few days :)Cheers, Rob Barendregt

Are the effects of intake momentum drag modelled? This causes lateral instability at low speeds because because intake momentum drag acts ahead of the centre of gravity and the fin only has a small stabilising effect at low speeds. This effect restricts the amount of sideslip allowable before the aircraft became unstable laterally.Eventually an autostabliser system was fitted working through the yaw reaction controls. The allowable sideforce was displayed on the HUD and the rudder pedals were fitted with shakers. These operated when the limit was approached, but shook only the pedal the pilot needed to use to reduce sideforce.

One thing I have noticed is that the elevators flap like crazy when I am close to hovering and trying to keep the nose down. Anyone else notice this? I am sure I am doing something wrong.In one of the links above, I found the code to be able to make the vapor and exaust appear automatically. Thank you for posting the link to the the other forum. :DKev

"It appears that there may be a problem with the visual model implementation of the nozzle positions"...in fact it appears that I may be wrong about this (Sorry! :(). I was flying both the GR.7 and GR.9 variants this evening and noted that the nozzles do move incrementally in concert with the flap positions. However, they don't start moving until you have tapped F7 two or three times.I eagerly await Rob's further input and clarification.Mike

Hi Again,You may have seen my other post about the Harrier.Maybe you now understand my reluctance for immediate explanation.But if you want to know more behind the details on operation of VSTOL after reading my README of rcbhc-15.zip, don't hesitate to ask. Cheers, Rob

hey,please send any feedback report to [email protected]'m sure they'll be appreciated!(I just did and got a nice email back from David about an upcoming patch).p.s.Is EGXT showing up allright on your pc? on mine I miss all aprons static aircrafts, taxiways and many buildingsLuca Zappala'

Is the patch going to include REMOVING the allegedly STOLEN Code of a FREEWARE AUTHOR??? :-lol :-lol :-lolSee Here:http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...id=263374&page=Grab My FREEWARE Voice recognition Profiles here:[a href=http://library.avsim.net/esearch.php?CatID=fs2004misc&DLID=58334]Cessna 172 Voice Profile[/a][a href=http://library.avsim.net/esearch.php?CatID=fs2004misc&DLID=60740]FSD Avanti Voice Profile[/a].You will need the main FREEWARE Flight Assistant program to use it, get it here:[a href=http://library.avsim.net/esearch.php?CatID=genutils&DLID=39661]Flight Assistant 2.2[/a]