This video nicely summarizes the effects of combat flight simulation in my simmer life...

Started early with SWOTL in the late nineties, then CFS 1, 2 and even CFS3, a few other WW3 sims, and finally in 2013, DCS World, followed by IL-2 then War Thunder and recently Aces of Thunder.

Of them all the one that I liked the most and ended up turning me into an addict was War Thunder, and one of theses days I will probably reinstall it :-)

And I never tried VR !!!

Combat Flying Changed How I See GA Flying - YouTube

Edited yesterday at 08:05 AM1 day by jcomm

After years of flying combat sims and even flying as a member of a virtual WW II fighter squadron (virtual VMF-124), I "retired" to civilian flight sims. It is a different world, stress is mostly caused by weather, terrain, AI aircraft proximity, and the ever present danger of a crash to the desktop. I actually find GA sim flying to be relaxing, but I still sometimes get a hankering for high-g maneuvers.

Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffe. I have a favorite story from that game.

When I was in the 6th grade, the school library had a book on the Me-163 Komet rocket powered interceptor. My best friend and I loved it.

When I got SWOTL, I got my chance to fly it.

Even with just 8 minutes of fuel, you could do a lot. I was able to do several passes on the B-17 enemy aircraft, then glide back to base when out of fuel.

One time I flew back to base and just sat at the end of the runway and watched. My wingman came in too high, bounced off the end of the runway and blew up. RIP, Hans.

Sometimes it's the littlest things that make the biggest memories.

Hook

1 hour ago, LHookins said:

Sometimes it's the littlest things that make the biggest memories.

Yes! I loved SWOTL also, being able to try out those different aircraft. When I was in grade school, my favorite TV show was “Twelve O’clock High” and SWOTL allowed me to “participate” in that action.

5 hours ago, stans said:

After years of flying combat sims and even flying as a member of a virtual WW II fighter squadron (virtual VMF-124), I "retired" to civilian flight sims.

Same here. In the end I realised I got more of a kick out of formation flying than 'kersplosions and when 2020 came out I decided to become a pacifist😃.

I have to say I'm amazed that Jcomm likes War Thunder.

To replicate WT's flight model; take one large cardboard box, cut a couple of holes in it. Sit in the box, put your arms through the holes.

Flap....

14 hours ago, jcomm said:

Of them all, the one that I liked the most and ended up turning me into an addict was War Thunder, and one of theses days I will probably reinstall it :-)

If I feel the occasional need to blow stuff up in a fighter, I go to......