|
|
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Restore the Vertical Relationship in your life., 24 Oct 2004
The Harrier deserves a way to serve flight simulators, as it is such a unique and successful machine (even the US bought this foreign design!), and only a flightsimmer who doesn't like aviation wouldn't have a Harrier. So here is the definetive Harrier collection, which is actually a Falklands campaign in disguise. Not a bad thing too, as there was so much air activity in the Falklands, which the Harriers and SHARs dealt admirably with.There is actually loads of possibilities, as scenery from RAF bases to US carriers and half the Falklands task force is included. Just flying any of the 20 Harriers is a challenge, as vertical landings on a ship are very tricky, though not half as bad as the helicopters (a Sea King from 1982 RN colours is also here) due to the limits of FS. The entire Falkland islands are included, with 3 bases to fly to/from or to attack with bombs, rockets or cannon fire. From what I have gathered, the scenery is completely accurate (haveing never been in those remote islands!), right down to the buildings at Port Stanley airport and Goose Green, plus the rocky outcrops and the general lack of trees. The entire San Carlos Falklands task force are moored appropriately, and you can even pilot a boat in CFS1 to see the ships and landing beaches close up and slow. The missions are historical, and there are enough Argie planes to take the Harriers and Task force ships on. Two Sky Hawks (Air force and Navy versions), a Pucara close support attack plane (with damaged ones littering Port Stanley airport along with an Argentine Chinook in the scenery), and the Mirage/Dagger for supersonic flights. CFS2 has an Etendard with exocet, though it plays no part in the missions. There is nowhere for the Argie planes to land after fleeing the Falklands , unless they outrun the Harriers and dash to Port Stanley. The Harrier missions begin and end on HMS Invincible, or at the prefab airstrip at San Carlos. Both Falkland Harriers are displayed in appropriate camoflage, the GR3 remaining as it did for European operations. Then there are a mass of export versions, from the USMC AV-8a, AV-8B and the Matador of Spain, Italian, Indian, Thai and prototype versions, all with differing cockpit instrumentation. THe flight models follow the vertical/short take off and landing very well, and, yes, you can VIFF effectively in combat situations. Only the Sidewinder missiles don't seek and heat in CFS! All the planes can be used as targets in quick combat, and there are even escort ships for the really brave tpo attempt to land on (such as HMS Fearless assault ship, SS Canberra, or a RFA container ship/ refueller etc.) I haven't seen any other Harrier sims except the Royal Navy Aviation Collection which has ONE older liveried Sea Harrier. This is more than enough harriers for one flight sim.
|
