Aerosoft's F-14 Tomcat.....a small update

***Daube*** · November 19th, 2014, 02:08

TacPack brings to FSX the simulation of weapons and radars. It allows the FS aircraft designer to integrate some realistic weapons and corresponding weapon systems (for example, laser guided bombs with laser targetting screen in the virtual cockpit). Basically, it brings all of the military side that was lacking from the military aircrafts so far (with some extremely rare exceptions, like the MilViz F-15 that had is own independent weapon system).

TacPack does not bring any campaign. However, it provides some menus in Freeflight, exactely like AICarriers for example, to force some targets to appear for you to shoot them (or for them to shoot you, if you ask for a SAM site for example).
The freeware project FSX@War will try to bring a campaign with appropriate war region and all of the tools and objects (vehicules, buildings etc...) to design missions etc...

**JohnC** · November 19th, 2014, 05:47

Expat: TacPack also allows you to spawn target drones and SAM sites to practice systems and ACM. The drone can be set to follow follow several behaviors such as straight and level (great for checking/learning weapons systems), follow (it'll try to get on your tail), or weave (it will try to dodge you).

Here's something that's included with the F-14; as before, it's works in the stock package and is enhanced by TacPack (not just weapon firing!).

**expat** · November 19th, 2014, 06:38

Great vid - looks like fun. Looking forward to this.

***Dimus*** · November 19th, 2014, 08:21

Impressive! Will these AI functions be available in P3D v2.x?

**JohnC** · November 19th, 2014, 12:14

Still going through final checks, but it's looking mostly good. One short fall is that the "wandering pilot" scenario calls civilian aircraft that stock in FSX but are not present P3D.

**Odie** · November 20th, 2014, 09:33

Originally Posted by Dino Cattaneo

Awesome!
Albeit I am quite happy with my own Tomcat... well, the "proper" Tomcat is the -A (with high-viz VF-84 markings for me)!!!
Excellent work!

Same sentiments here, Dino, on your great Big Cat and VF-84.....Jolly Rogers!

**delta_lima** · November 20th, 2014, 11:48

Thanks Yoyo and JohnC for outlining the functionality available w/ and w/o Tacpack.

dl

**YoYo** · November 20th, 2014, 12:55

4 new screenies of early "A" version and some kind of scenario showed by John.

+ landing on the deck: http://youtu.be/MzBqTKx_zc8?list=UUs...8ULlLtFmJ01BMg .

**delta_lima** · November 20th, 2014, 13:23

Great updates - thanks!

Will there be any TARPS pod included, even if as a dummy, non-operable loadout option?

No biggie if not, but would sure be sweet for the recce-nerds here ....

dl

**Odie** · November 20th, 2014, 13:30

Originally Posted by delta_lima

Great updates - thanks!

Will there be any TARPS pod included, even if as a dummy, non-operable loadout option?

No biggie if not, but would sure be sweet for the recce-nerds here ....

dl

Back in the early 90s, Carswell AFB here in Fort Worth had a massive airshow and VF-31 had a Tomcat on static display. They had flown in with a TARPS pod and in speaking with the crew, they definitely did not like having it aboard. It was good to see one up close after only seeing it in pictures and drawings.

**YoYo** · November 20th, 2014, 13:48

TARPS is present for sure, just textures of TARPS are under construction so no new pictures. Here is an "old" picture: http://images67.fotosik.pl/388/3146c7b5deba336f.jpg .

**delta_lima** · November 20th, 2014, 14:01

Originally Posted by YoYo

TARPS is present for sure, just textures of TARPS are under construction so no new pictures. Here is an "old" picture: http://images67.fotosik.pl/388/3146c7b5deba336f.jpg .

Cool - thanks YY.

Apart from the FRN Etendard IV-P and Flying Stations' Bucc S.2 w/pod, with no native RF-8G, RF-4, and Massimo's RA-5C a ways off, there's not much by way of tactical recce birds, particularly naval ones .... so the TARPS pod is very much appreciated.

cheers,

dl

**Ian Warren** · November 20th, 2014, 14:43

I really do like that .. thing I hate with the video, I keep going for the POV or go for my track IR .. bloody dumby me

... This really is coming out as a superb package

**Dino Cattaneo** · November 20th, 2014, 23:08

Apart from the quality of the Tomcat - which seems pretty great - this is shaping up to be a very complete package!
I'd like to think that my own freeware F-14D drove the Aerosoft team to create a broader, better and feature rich product :-) .... but in any case this is looking AWESOME!

**MDIvey** · November 21st, 2014, 02:55

Dino I think you are right.... I was a little disappointed when Aerosoft announced they where doing an F14 (because the ones already available including yours where so good) and my initial thoughts where I wouldn't bother with this one... but as I've seen it develop I've been converted and will get this for sure. Your D will stay installed though... they kind of complement each other for any Tomcat fan.

Matt

**YoYo** · November 21st, 2014, 03:26

Originally Posted by MDIvey

I was a little disappointed when Aerosoft announced they where doing an F14...

So? Did You count how many C172 is on market for FSX and P3D :P. Fortunately the market of addons is free for new ideas and addons. Nobody prohibits to do something even better. Maybe You are dissapointed but Dinos model it isnt competition according me. Its a "D" version, so total different avionics! Here its an A and B version. Dino's products are amazing and Im big fan ( I was and I will be too) of his quality of addons and motivation and he is very friendly - for us, users of his addons. Please do not mix this two ideas of freeware and payware addons. This is the wrong approach if You are "dissapointed" if someone will do different model for FSX/P3D but the same aircraft. Surely we all are proud that Dino speaks in this topic too.

**Dino Cattaneo** · November 21st, 2014, 03:49

Well, my words have been a little misinterpreted... meaning I am more than happy than Aerosoft did the F-14A and B models - and from what I can see they are at a level of detail I can only dream of.
I meant that, from what I can see, one of the best aspects of this project is its scope: not just an "aircraft model" (which, again, it seems outstanding) but a whole "Fleet Defender" experience.
As a freeware developer, I have to limit the scope of my projects - and while my own Tomcat is pretty decent IMHO, it is light-years behind what a team of professionals can deliver. And while it is true that we've seen dozens of virtual Tomcats on several platforms, and it may be true that some users would prefer to see new, more "exotic" airframes, it is also true that this is shaping up to be the best, most complete and realistic Tomcat rendition ever.
Good job, guys!

**MDIvey** · November 21st, 2014, 04:34

my words where misunderstood it seems, but I cant be bothered to try and explain further. I'm a fan of Aerosoft and Dino... enough said.

Matt

**Peg o my heart** · November 21st, 2014, 04:38

my own Tomcat is pretty decent IMHO, it is light-years behind what a team of professionals can deliver. And while it is true that we've seen dozens of virtual Tomcats on several platforms, and it may be true that some users would prefer to see new, more "exotic" airframes, it is also true that this is shaping up to be the best, most complete and realistic Tomcat rendition ever.
Good job, guys!

No. Good job to you Dino. Aerosoft Tomcat is not here yet. Meanwhile, your Tomcat has been the best one even compared to the existing payware F-14s, the fact that it is freeware adds more value to it. Thank you

**YoYo** · November 21st, 2014, 05:15

Originally Posted by MDIvey

my words where misunderstood it seems, but I cant be bothered to try and explain further. I'm a fan of Aerosoft and Dino... enough said.

Matt

Ahh, ok

. TY for explanations and have a good day.

**JohnC** · November 21st, 2014, 07:35

Dino, I would say that for sure you've influenced our project in a positive way. One of the things that's been really pleasing is the mutual respect and good nature between us. Our A/B and D models are a nice compliment to one another, and I know there has been effort on both our parts to make it that way. Your creations are certainly standard setting in the freeware arena, and some (correctly I think) argue that they are payware quality. The whole flightsim community is lucky to have such a talented developer.

***fsafranek*** · November 21st, 2014, 11:47

Originally Posted by JohnC

Dino, I would say that for sure you've influenced our project in a positive way. One of the things that's been really pleasing is the mutual respect and good nature between us. Our A/B and D models are a nice compliment to one another, and I know there has been effort on both our parts to make it that way. Your creations are certainly standard setting in the freeware arena, and some (correctly I think) argue that they are payware quality. The whole flightsim community is lucky to have such a talented developer.

Ditto.

And for as long as this Aerosoft project has been going on every time you updated your D model Dino, it was mentioned in the beta threads. I think they will be a great compliment to each other.

**Dino Cattaneo** · November 24th, 2014, 06:14

@fsafranek

Thanks for your kind words. I fell in love with the Tomcat watching Top Gun (to my justification I was only twelve years old...) and I've seen dozens of virtual Tomcats - from Sega's Afterburner to Microprose Fleet Defender... We are getting closer and closer to real deal. A well deserved homage to one of the most fantastic flying machines ever.

(Now...we could discuss for hours how effective the Tomcat actually was...but nobody can deny it looked fantastic: stylish, aggressive and incredibly cool... :-)! )

**neutrino** · November 24th, 2014, 12:51

A couple of close-up shots we did in Prepar3D® ...

<img src="https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/10557606_882133118483853_359199629041846773_o.jpg" ></img>

<img src="https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t31.0-8/10623848_882133121817186_7261915134175563139_o.jpg "></img>