What's the best Flanker for FSX?

[SeanTK]

In what may come as a surprise, I don't have any members of the Flanker family on my system (outside of the currently uninstalled DCS, which I need to reinstall).

I am aware of the following:



ALS-Sim/Flight1 Su-27S "Flanker-B"
Bear Studios Shenyang J-11B / Sukhoi Su-27SK / Su-27UBK "Flanker B+" package
Bear Studios Su-30MK/MKK "Flanker C/G" package



Basic system specs:

i5-2500K overclocked to 4.8GHz
Nvidia GTX970
16GB DDR3 RAM
FSX: Acceleration
Win7 x64


I was partial to the ALS-Sim model since the VC looks the best of the above and it's from the late 1980's Soviet-era which is interesting to me, but I've heard of problems with the anti-piracy software.
In looking at the Bear Studios models, I've heard of systems and support issues of varying degrees.
So....in your estimation, which one is the best? Also keep in mind that I only use models that are made for FSX (FSX-Native).

[JohnC]

I spent three months during a 'no real job' period of my life making the flight mechanics for the ALS-Sim Su-27. It was one of the deepest post-stall simulations I've tackled to date (only surpassed recently by the Aerosoft F-14).

No pressure intended (I do not receive any royalties for the work), and I don't have anything negative to say about the any of the other renditions. If you're willing to consider other sims, the DCS Su-27 is phenomenal.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fmw3f083_s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fmw3f083_s)

[StormILM]

I was involved in the ALS SU-27 Alpha/Beta Testing from day one to the end and can say that clearly it's the best choice overall. It's perhaps a bit dated in standards now but I hope that it may be re-visited for an update to a more current standard including wing-views and various other improvements upon it's already good quality. I feel it's worthy of an update but as is, it's still a fine model.

[Peg o my heart]

meanwhile, Bear Studio's, You can actually simulate how the weapons work, and they have excellent models. The VC coule have been better thou

[Ferry_vO]

Don't have the ALS Flanker, but I do have all three Bear Studio Flankers. The Su-30MKK pack would be my favourite, though the other two packs are great too. Framerates are good, and the flight model feels convincing. Turn off the AoA limiter and you can do all those crazy air show maneuvers! The default textures are not the best perhaps, but repaints are available. There's plenty of sytems modelling, but the manuals can be a bit hard to read.
Some have reported strange behavior with the autopilot, but I never found a problem. posiibly because this is not an aircraft to fly straight and level. :biggrin-new:

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Ferror/Flightsim/fsx2014-05-2823-15-15-86_zps4386d82a.jpg~original (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/Ferror/media/Flightsim/fsx2014-05-2823-15-15-86_zps4386d82a.jpg.html)

[Daube]

Ferry_vO, could you post a screenshot of the switches that you use to disable the AoA limiter ?
I tried all of the switches which are around the throttle, but none of them had any impact on my AoA limit...

[747jet]

Do NOT buy any of the Bear Studio things! I bought the J15 flanker some time ago. I tried over one week to get the AP working. Nobody could help me, there is no support anymore for Bear Studio crap. The manual included the plane is a big yoke.
So if I was you, do not buy it. Or try it at Just Flight. If it does not work, ask for a refund

[DaveB]

Ferry_vO, could you post a screenshot of the switches that you use to disable the AoA limiter ?
I tried all of the switches which are around the throttle, but none of them had any impact on my AoA limit...

Daube..
The manual describes it on page 21 (Sect 11) as being button 4. It's below the throttles;)
EDIT: Here ya go..
http://daveb.cbfsim.org/public/aoalim.jpg
You have to roll the throttles forward to see that panel. Up (default) is on.. Down is off.
ATB
DaveB:)

[flaviossa]

As i have the ALS Flanker but can´t use it due Flight1 DRM problems with Win8/win10, do you think it´s viable to contact the developer (Mark) of the ALS Flanker and, providing my purchase data, he can make available a installer without the Flight1DRM? Flight1 is toooo slow (I´m talking about years) to provide an alternative/fix to the DRM issues until now.

[Daube]

Daube..
The manual describes it on page 21 (Sect 11) as being button 4. It's below the throttles;)
EDIT: Here ya go..
...
You have to roll the throttles forward to see that panel. Up (default) is on.. Down is off.
ATB
DaveB:)

Ah ok, I'll give it another try as soon as possible. Thanks for the screenshot, very appreciated :)

[SeanTK]

Thanks for the valuable insight, everyone. I'm going to see what things look like over the upcoming holidays (read: sales) and I am now strongly in favor of the ALS-Sim Flanker.

[noddy]

A forgotten gem.

http://imageshack.com/a/img907/3096/caKc4q.png

[expat]

Which model is that one?. One of the better looking Flanker models is the FS9 Alphasim Su-33. It ports well into FSX and there are some nice repaints for it. VC is ok but it has the usual AS simple systems/functions. Problem is, I don't think it is still available.

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o126/chris_hastey1/Welcome%20Back/fs92013-04-2914-22-54-18.jpg

[noddy]

http://imageshack.com/a/img903/8184/1imZyh.jpgMy shot is of the ALS Flanker.

[Ferry_vO]

Which model is that one?. One of the better looking Flanker models is the FS9 Alphasim Su-33. It ports well into FSX and there are some nice repaints for it. VC is ok but it has the usual AS simple systems/functions. Problem is, I don't think it is still available.



No it isn't available anymore. It was made by the guy behind ALS sim which is why I prefer the Bear models, as I was afraid the good old Alphasim systems (Or lack of..) would also be included in the ALS models. I like the more in depth systems of the Bear models.

[DaveB]

Sean..

I don't have the ALS model but knowing who made it, that alone is enough to make it a serious contender.

My interest was in the Naval versions hence me going for the BS J15.. that and the fact it comes with a carrier plus the Su33. What I can say is this.. if you like fiddling with switches, the BS models have plenty. There's a great deal going on in the cockpits of all the BS models.. far too much for me it has to be said. The 94-page manual will keep you busy for a long time!:biggrin-new: There's an option to go for English graphics (as you can see in my screenshot above) which I had no compulsion in using. So many switches and all in Russian.. not for me!
I've never had the AP working to my complete satisfaction but like Ferry.. I don't fly this sort of model to have it sit on AP so I've never worked really hard to understand it's operation. As has been said.. the flight models are a great deal of fun and the models themselves are easy on FR's. Anyone who can master all the BS models functions deserves a medal!!
Due to the Northern fleet getting Su30's to replace older aircraft.. I bought that one too. A little disappointed to find the 'advertised' tailhook isn't modelled (BS seem to have used a common 'description' file for all their models and these haven't been edited as well as they could have been) but the 30 covers 3 versions (if I remember right) and comes with an equally daunting 90-page manual.. 2 in fact!

Support at BS seems to be lacking though I've never tried to contact them myself. I've a few BS models now and they are what they are. If you have one.. you've a fair idea what you'll get with the others. I think it's unfair to say 'Don't buy them'. Their paints aren't the best I've seen though depending on which model you get.. there are a number of repaints available.. mostly for the original Flanker it has to be said. If you're unsure.. wait until they start popping up in the sales so any disappointment can be offset by what you end up paying for them.;)
ATB
DaveB:)

[Peg o my heart]

Spot on Dave. "Dont buy this dont buy that" scenario sounds too negative. I have the BS and i am far from mastering it. Its VC isnt the best ever existee but its the best one out there. And, the weapons work OK

[glh]

​Some candidates:

http://simviation.com/1/search?submit=1&keywords=Flanker&x=12&y=10

[Daube]

The freeware flankers are all in FS9 format at best, and none of them have a virtual cockpit as far as I remember.
This is why I went for payware.
I went for the Bear Studios one(s) because they were more recent, so I assumed they would be more complete. The virtual cockpits are very far from FSX standards, but they are very interractive and the system depth is not so bad, so this compensates a lot. The flight model seems quite good as well and I loved the behavior on the ground (with that ultra soft front suspension).
I wanted to buy the "normal" SU-27 from JustFlight but at that time, there was a bug which prevented my purchase everytime I tries. So I could only take the J-15 and the SU-30.

Since I still need a "legacy" Flanker, I would be very interested to get more feedback or screenshots about the ALS one, especially for the virtual cockpit and the related systems depth.

[noddy]

http://imageshack.com/a/img908/6348/YIz7bD.jpg
ALS Flanker

http://imageshack.com/a/img910/4549/Owia0w.jpg

Bear Flanker

For the life of me I cannot remember how to load weapons?

[Daube]

Noddy, I believe both Flankers on your shots are the Bear Studios one...

From my side, I reinstalled the J-15/Su33 and the Su-30, to refresh my memory about them. I have not installed the english cockpit yet.
However, one important thing to say is that the Su-30 (package is also named "Strike Flanker") only includes the tandem seats Flanker, no single seat.
The J-11 contains the single seat versions for both the Chinese and the Russian birds.
Also, as far as I saw there is not loadout manager. The loadouts are directly included in the model selection.

Dave, I gave that AoA limiter button a try, and indeed I could perform a Cobra, finally. However, the plane was lacking a bit a responsiveness. It was very slow to increase the angle of attack, as if I were still in CAT III. Is there some switch I missed ? Ah well, anyways I have made a proper install, so I can take a look inside the manuals.

Also, some of the Su-30 variants feature the orientable engine nozzles. Unfortunately, they have no effect of the flight model, unlike the real plane.

Still, the J-15/Su-33 is quite a beautiful beast :)

http://sapdaube.free.fr/p3d/daube_image0076.jpg

http://sapdaube.free.fr/p3d/daube_image0077.jpg

http://sapdaube.free.fr/p3d/daube_image0078.jpg

[DaveB]

Nice shots mate:encouragement:

Agree.. while the AoA switch allows the Cobra, it does seem a little slow actually performing the manoeuvre. There is no load manager as far as I can see. It is, as you say, a matter of selecting the paint with the required loadout. I've used the tip in the readme to get a clean config but there's nothing additional in there about loadouts.

Spent some time doing traps in the Su33 this afternoon and even landing light.. it seemed to wallow around as it came to a stop. Don't remember it doing this before. Will give the J15 some stick tomorrow:biggrin-new:

Incidentally Sean.. I also run an i5 2500K but unclocked (3.3-3.7) and the BS models run just fine;)
ATB
DaveB:)