Recent posts

#91

Enigmas of the Mystical / Re: A feel good thread

Last post by GDS_Starfury - April 20, 2024, 01:15:02 PM

this will be Windy walking out the door to retirement.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1781645516104782304

#92

Current Events / Re: Russia's War Against Ukrai...

Last post by GDS_Starfury - April 20, 2024, 01:10:30 PM

#93

Current Events / Re: Russia's War Against Ukrai...

Last post by Crossroads - April 20, 2024, 01:08:54 PM

https://twitter.com/DarthPutinKGB/status/1781745758166823102

#94

Current Events / Re: Russia's War Against Ukrai...

Last post by Tripoli - April 20, 2024, 12:45:47 PM

CNN is reporting the Tu-22M3 BACKFIRE was shot down by an S-200 (SA-5 GAMMON) system.
 That would explain it being shot down almost 200 miles from Ukraine.  I'm surprised/impressed the SA-5 actually hit anything.  I also assumed the Ukrainian SA-5 were out of action, as it is a largely static system, and most of them should have been hit by the Russians by this point in the war.  My guess is the Russians got cocky and thought they were largely immune from being hit at that range, and either weren't properly using their defensive ECM systems or they are sending out strike aircraft without operational defensive systems, believing the long range made the risk acceptable. 

 https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/19/europe/ukraine-air-defense-russian-bomber-dnipropetrovsk-intl/index.html

[Addendum] Apparently, I missed this little detail regarding the use by Ukraine of SA-5s: According to Wikipedia (and yes, I'm embarrassed that Wikipedia showed me up on this point) Ukrainian armed forces claim to have used an S-200 to shoot down the A-50  over the Sea of Azov on 23 February 2024.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S-200_missile_system

THere is speculation that the S-200 that shot down the Tu-22M3 was modified.  The Guardian, citing an "intelligence source" is reporting that the Backfire was hit by "a modified S-200".  (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/20/ukraine-war-briefing-kyiv-claims-bomber-shot-down-at-308km-range-after-crash-in-russia).  No further details on the source, or details on the modifications.   A friend of mine who is exceptionally smart, and whom I served with in the early 2000's in C7F is speculating that the seeker head of the S-200 may have been modified. On a possibly unrelated point, Poland has been modifying the S-200 series for export for some time and in March 2024  Poland received permission to purchase the AIM-120C-8 https://www.thedefensepost.com/2024/03/13/us-missile-sale-poland/, so they may have both the experience and technology to modify the SA-200 with a new seeker.  I'm not claiming this is the case.  I'm merely following breadcrumbs....


See also https://kyivindependent.com/ukraines-obsolete-s-200-missile-systems-reportedly-back-on-track-to-hit-russian-targets/

#95

Computer Gaming / Re: MSFS 2020

Last post by Redwolf - April 20, 2024, 11:59:02 AM

I still don't get how I am supposed to operate the Airbus 320 that is included with the game. There's no pdf manual. Just for starters I don't know V1 and V2 without some documentation. Maybe I should buy one of the for-pay mods...

https://www.flightsimulator.com/aircraft-manuals/

Payware manuals should contain more info (e.g. Airbus tutorial by Aerosoft for FSX) :
https://aerosoft-shop.com/shop-rd/manuals/airbus-a318-a319_vol6.pdf

Thank you.

#96

Computer Gaming / Re: MSFS 2020

Last post by Redwolf - April 20, 2024, 11:50:08 AM

I'm not much of a flight sim guy but have been considering this one because it's on sale on Steam for 40% off...$36.00 and might be fun for a non-serious but curious flight simmer. What say you to this? A good introduction to flight sims? And while I'm at it...just what is 'fly by wire' that's been mentioned often on this thread?

It is fairly beginner friendly.

Fly-by-wire aircraft these days have all control input go through a computer that prevents you from doing things obviously stupid that would lead to e.g. a stall.

#97

Computer Gaming / Re: MSFS 2020

Last post by Jarhead0331 - April 20, 2024, 11:49:01 AM

I'm not much of a flight sim guy but have been considering this one because it's on sale on Steam for 40% off...$36.00 and might be fun for a non-serious but curious flight simmer. What say you to this? A good introduction to flight sims? And while I'm at it...just what is 'fly by wire' that's been mentioned often on this thread?

Most modern aircraft work on a "fly-by-wire" system. Pilot inputs on the yoke or stick do not directly control the flight surfaces of the aircraft, like elevators, ailerons, rudders, etc., as was the case with older traditional aircraft. Rather, they are detected by a computer, which translates the inputs and then moves the control surfaces accordingly. 

With fly-by-wire, there is no direct connection between pilot and aircraft. Some purists dislike this, but it does make piloting easier and most cases, safer.

#98

Computer Gaming / Re: MSFS 2020

Last post by Pete Dero - April 20, 2024, 11:46:46 AM

I still don't get how I am supposed to operate the Airbus 320 that is included with the game. There's no pdf manual. Just for starters I don't know V1 and V2 without some documentation. Maybe I should buy one of the for-pay mods...

https://www.flightsimulator.com/aircraft-manuals/

Payware manuals should contain more info (e.g. Airbus tutorial by Aerosoft for FSX) :
https://aerosoft-shop.com/shop-rd/manuals/airbus-a318-a319_vol6.pdf

#99

Computer Gaming / Re: MSFS 2020

Last post by Rayfer - April 20, 2024, 10:51:36 AM

I'm not much of a flight sim guy but have been considering this one because it's on sale on Steam for 40% off...$36.00 and might be fun for a non-serious but curious flight simmer. What say you to this? A good introduction to flight sims? And while I'm at it...just what is 'fly by wire' that's been mentioned often on this thread?

#100

Computer Gaming / Re: MSFS 2020

Last post by Redwolf - April 20, 2024, 10:30:11 AM

I still don't get how I am supposed to operate the Airbus 320 that is included with the game. There's no pdf manual. Just for starters I don't know V1 and V2 without some documentation. Maybe I should buy one of the for-pay mods...