Falcon 4 Allied Force

SteamWake · 01-04-10, 12:52 PM

I just loaded this title again after a loooong break from it.

All I can say is while the graphics are not up to todays standard it is still the best I have seen at 'placing you in the theater'.

Theres a big dang war out there and its right before your eyes and ears.

I like the way the AI will assemble strike packages complete with escort, strike and BDA follow ups.

I finally (more or less) have a handle on the radar modes and package delivery aspects. But the SAMS are still kickin my butt.

Anyhow anyone out there still playing this title?

Skybird · 01-04-10, 03:24 PM

Here. Started again last year. Still the best of it's kind. Only two sims I know that play in this league: F4, and SBP.

SteamWake · 01-04-10, 06:12 PM

Well no wonder I couldent find the F4 stuff... heh dident even know this section existed. Thanks for the move mods.

I'm not up to playin mp fore I will have my ass handed to me.

The learning curve on this title is up there with eve online.

But still the coolest thing i think is being the second wave in a planned strike and seeing the first waves bombs going off as you approach the target.

Seeing a flight of 4 Migs any praying you aint on there menu for toady

Skybird · 01-04-10, 07:05 PM

The battle immersion only is surpassed by SBP, imo, but the system complexity of avioncis is second to none.

If you use a widescreen, note that replacement cockpits for widescreen are (commercially) available. They are very, very good, and much more detailed.

Be careful that you pick the right versions.

http://www.cockpits.nl/

Since there are three versions of the Viper in Allied Force, you need a different pit for each of them. It costed me money - but I did not regret it.

the Hi Tiles also are recommended.

http://www.hitiles.com/indexF4AF.htm

SteamWake · 01-04-10, 08:47 PM

I'm not so sure I want to spring on disposable income on these enhancements.

I am trying to enjoy the game as is. Though right now I suck at it.

On a funny side note my home airstrip got bombed out and had to wait a day to see any action.

I choose an A to A mission to 'pay them back'. Found a few pidgeons 120's lockon just need to close .... Kabooom... ~warning warning~

flak got me

I was able to punch out but lets just say my diet changed.

Skybird · 01-05-10, 05:34 AM

Learn how to tune the campaign, and plan your missions and that of the AI yourself (also for other squadrons). It makes your life easier, and costs you much fewer planes. The campaign AI is far from optimal. If you see on campaign map AI flights having no more ammo, manually send them home. Also send them home when they have only Sidewinders left. Arm all AI flights manually that are under AI control. the AI often fails miserably in weapons loadouts.

In the above, I mean you should arm and plan ALL AI lfights yourself - not just those belonging to your package, or flights of your squadron. Check all flights of all squadrons.

In air battles, keep your distance. In ground battles and campaign planning, use the same reason you would use in reality. SAM's and radars first, factories and civilian structures last. Early in the campaign, just CAPs in your territory, and close to the front. Some hours later in the first day, careful first strikes around the front. After 18 hours or so, start medium range strikes. Hitting depots has no effect in the game, save your flight for something more useful.

Be careful about taking out all air bases in the beginning. Not only is that often a costly enterprise, but the AI keeps on producing aircraft, which then get stpockpiled while being grounded. If you miss to revisit hit airbases frequently, all those stockpiled aircraft suddenly scramble in one swing into the air when an airbase is repaired (3-6 hours or so), and you face the often mentioned, much feared "Wall of Migs". In the beginning it is better to kill his airplanes in the air than hitting the airbases on the ground. This detail works different than in reality. the reduction in his air capacity is more lasting. that is why in campaign in the first 5-6 hours or so you should give 100% priority to CAP over your own airfileds and near the front, and do no other kind of missions. the first hours are mig-hunting exclusively. After that, go on Mih-hunts inside his territory, coupled with SAM-hunts. After SAMS and major radar installtions taken out, go for the airbases. and then, for the remainder of the campaign, it is constantly hitting airbases and economic targets. Protection from Migs then is almost no more needed, do not waste too much ressources on CAP then.

Always keep a CAP over your airbases. The AI does not do that, you must do it manually. Place their patrol zone 30-50 miles ahead of the airbase, along the expected enemy approach route. Give CAPS AMRAAMs, not Sidewinders.

Use those campaign sliders and zone priorities and readjust them every couple of hours. I do it in 4-6 hours intervals.

01-04-10, 12:52 PM	#1
SteamWake Rear Admiral Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 13,224 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Falcon 4 Allied Force I just loaded this title again after a loooong break from it. All I can say is while the graphics are not up to todays standard it is still the best I have seen at 'placing you in the theater'. Theres a big dang war out there and its right before your eyes and ears. I like the way the AI will assemble strike packages complete with escort, strike and BDA follow ups. I finally (more or less) have a handle on the radar modes and package delivery aspects. But the SAMS are still kickin my butt. Anyhow anyone out there still playing this title? __________________ Follow the progress of Mr. Mulligan : http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=147648

01-04-10, 03:24 PM	#2
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 40,500 Downloads: 9 Uploads: 0	Here. Started again last year. Still the best of it's kind. Only two sims I know that play in this league: F4, and SBP. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

01-04-10, 06:12 PM	#3
SteamWake Rear Admiral Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 13,224 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Well no wonder I couldent find the F4 stuff... heh dident even know this section existed. Thanks for the move mods. I'm not up to playin mp fore I will have my ass handed to me. The learning curve on this title is up there with eve online. But still the coolest thing i think is being the second wave in a planned strike and seeing the first waves bombs going off as you approach the target. Seeing a flight of 4 Migs any praying you aint on there menu for toady __________________ Follow the progress of Mr. Mulligan : http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=147648

01-04-10, 07:05 PM	#4
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 40,500 Downloads: 9 Uploads: 0	The battle immersion only is surpassed by SBP, imo, but the system complexity of avioncis is second to none. If you use a widescreen, note that replacement cockpits for widescreen are (commercially) available. They are very, very good, and much more detailed. Be careful that you pick the right versions. http://www.cockpits.nl/ Since there are three versions of the Viper in Allied Force, you need a different pit for each of them. It costed me money - but I did not regret it. the Hi Tiles also are recommended. http://www.hitiles.com/indexF4AF.htm __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

01-04-10, 08:47 PM	#5
SteamWake Rear Admiral Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 13,224 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	I'm not so sure I want to spring on disposable income on these enhancements. I am trying to enjoy the game as is. Though right now I suck at it. On a funny side note my home airstrip got bombed out and had to wait a day to see any action. I choose an A to A mission to 'pay them back'. Found a few pidgeons 120's lockon just need to close .... Kabooom... ~warning warning~ flak got me I was able to punch out but lets just say my diet changed. __________________ Follow the progress of Mr. Mulligan : http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=147648

01-05-10, 05:34 AM	#6
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 40,500 Downloads: 9 Uploads: 0	Learn how to tune the campaign, and plan your missions and that of the AI yourself (also for other squadrons). It makes your life easier, and costs you much fewer planes. The campaign AI is far from optimal. If you see on campaign map AI flights having no more ammo, manually send them home. Also send them home when they have only Sidewinders left. Arm all AI flights manually that are under AI control. the AI often fails miserably in weapons loadouts. In the above, I mean you should arm and plan ALL AI lfights yourself - not just those belonging to your package, or flights of your squadron. Check all flights of all squadrons. In air battles, keep your distance. In ground battles and campaign planning, use the same reason you would use in reality. SAM's and radars first, factories and civilian structures last. Early in the campaign, just CAPs in your territory, and close to the front. Some hours later in the first day, careful first strikes around the front. After 18 hours or so, start medium range strikes. Hitting depots has no effect in the game, save your flight for something more useful. Be careful about taking out all air bases in the beginning. Not only is that often a costly enterprise, but the AI keeps on producing aircraft, which then get stpockpiled while being grounded. If you miss to revisit hit airbases frequently, all those stockpiled aircraft suddenly scramble in one swing into the air when an airbase is repaired (3-6 hours or so), and you face the often mentioned, much feared "Wall of Migs". In the beginning it is better to kill his airplanes in the air than hitting the airbases on the ground. This detail works different than in reality. the reduction in his air capacity is more lasting. that is why in campaign in the first 5-6 hours or so you should give 100% priority to CAP over your own airfileds and near the front, and do no other kind of missions. the first hours are mig-hunting exclusively. After that, go on Mih-hunts inside his territory, coupled with SAM-hunts. After SAMS and major radar installtions taken out, go for the airbases. and then, for the remainder of the campaign, it is constantly hitting airbases and economic targets. Protection from Migs then is almost no more needed, do not waste too much ressources on CAP then. Always keep a CAP over your airbases. The AI does not do that, you must do it manually. Place their patrol zone 30-50 miles ahead of the airbase, along the expected enemy approach route. Give CAPS AMRAAMs, not Sidewinders. Use those campaign sliders and zone priorities and readjust them every couple of hours. I do it in 4-6 hours intervals. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.