Question re FSX F-111 Choices

[expat]

All the Phantom Phesting here has morphed for me into a further re-discovering of Vietnam/SEA ops. Phantoms, Thuds, anything in SEA camo. This week I stumbled on the freeware F-111's.

This one is impressive and bags of fun to fly - particularly as its Terrain Following Radar really is predicative and works! Great to run from your "secret" base in Thailand up to Hanoi and back. Having good terrain mesh makes it extremely rewarding.

https://sites.google.com/site/shess0757/

I have am toying with getting the payware Virtavia (50% off until Saturday) and have researched and read some honestly so-so reports e.g., here:

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/showthread.php?83517-Freeware-F-111-vs-Payware&highlight=f111%2A

so really wondering if the Virtavia payware will really add much to the freeware one that has all these bells and whistles. I really like it when a freeware project punches above its weight. On the other hand, I have too many payware aircraft that disappointed and don't leave the hangar.

[ColoKent]

I have to say that I have the Virtavia F-111, and it is okay (typical light systems modeling, with no stores control). On the other hand, I have the GKS F-111, and it is phenomenal. It has a heavier (and to me at least), more real feel to me than the Virtavia bird. The stores panel allows you to choose between fuel tanks, Snakeyes, and a few other types of munitions. It seems hard to operate at first, and takes time to master it's systems....but I love it. Just my .02 cents worth.

Kent

[Daube]

I have the GKS as well, and I totally love it on the graphical point of view. The flight model seems nice as well.
The systems however, I'm not sure how complete they are. I haven't made so much tests yet with this bird, just a few test flights.
If I remember correctly, shortly before the release of the GKS F-111, it has been said somewhere that it won't have any terrin following radar.
But then, a few fixes were released later. Was this radar part of the fixes ?

[expat]

Thanks. Am aware of the GKS payware model.

The Steve Hess freeware project had a v.2 release just a couple of days ago but his web site is now disabled. Previous versions linked below. Be interested to hear from anyone who has used this one.

http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/content.php?13492-Review-F-111-Aardvark

[Ian Warren]

I have all three < 111 paywares, GKS great with animation (wing-flex) and equal due to high texture is the Just-Flight/AH F111 in that modelling is and are more accurate(and variations), putting Virtavia in a third, all great but the 'V' on special, be a great deal.