Compared to the Su-27, Su-33 or F-15, the MiG-29 has been left behind when it comes to the flight model department and its now one of the oldest flight models in all of DCS World. An upgrade to the PFM (professional flight model – Eagle Dynamics highest fidelity) is coming but we haven’t heard very much recently but there are a few clues.
Oh hey there MiG-29
Back in the early part of the year, Matt Wagner was doing some live streams featuring the new Persian Gulf map and at one point he looks over his shoulder and says something to the effect of “oh hey there MiG-29” and then carries on. While it was later denied to be a tease of anything imminent, it was definitely one of those classic moments where Matt is thinking well forward to something they are or will be doing later.
More recently
Posted yesterday on r/hoggit, user minoslas posted an update including a video showing off some new and updated 3D models for DCS world. That in itself could be a story but what I’m excited about is that the MiG-29 was showing up in the change log.
I’m not actually sure what was changed on the 3D model (it may be a small detail or a 3D model change that hooks into some code and isn’t something visual) but minoslas also posted a list of added or changed files.
Here are the added files:
(f) + \Sounds\Effects\Aircrafts\MiG-29\APU.wav
(f) + \Sounds\Effects\Aircrafts\MiG-29\APU_End.wav
(f) + \Sounds\Effects\Aircrafts\MiG-29\Cockpit\APU_End_In.wav
(f) + \Sounds\Effects\Aircrafts\MiG-29\Cockpit\APU_In.wav
(f) + \Sounds\Effects\Aircrafts\MiG-29\Cockpit\Shutdown_In.wav
(f) + \Sounds\Effects\Aircrafts\MiG-29\Cockpit\Startup_In.wav
(f) + \Sounds\Effects\Aircrafts\MiG-29\Shutdown.wav
(f) + \Sounds\Effects\Aircrafts\MiG-29\Startup.wav
And files that were modified:
(f) ~ \Sounds\Effects\Aircrafts\Engines\Mig29InEngineL.wav
(f) ~ \Sounds\Effects\Aircrafts\Engines\Mig29InEngineR.wav
(f) ~ \Sounds\Effects\Aircrafts\Engines\MigAroundEngine.wav
(f) ~ \Sounds\Effects\Aircrafts\Engines\MigFrontEngine.wav
(f) ~ \Sounds\sdef\Aircrafts\Engines\MigAroundEngine.sdef
(f) ~ \Sounds\sdef\Aircrafts\Engines\MigBackEngine.sdef
(f) ~ \Sounds\sdef\Aircrafts\Engines\MigFrontEngine.sdef
These are all now in the latest beta although I don’t know if there actually being used for anything right now.
And then there’s MAC
Modern Air Combat was announced in early July as coming this fall advising a raft of aircraft from the modern to the Korean era including the three variants of the MiG-29 as part of the package.
MAC is effectively an updated version of Flaming Cliffs with a better brand name and a clear draw at the Lock-On: Modern Air Combat heritage. The launch trailer also prominently features the MiG-29… and I doubt that would be something they would do strategically without hopefully having a plan for the aircraft’s flight model.
It may be a while yet to come or it may be just around the corner but I do hope that the MiG-29 gets some attention. It’s a bit hard to fly the simpler flight model when aircraft like the Su-27, F-15C, and the new F/A-18C fly so beautifully.
There’s also that small matter of releasing the MiG-29 as an individual module… Or doing a DCS World level variant of the same aircraft. Maybe one day!
Stormbirds 
MAC looks Awesome, especially the Sabre/Mig15.
I have only have gotten back into flight sims about a 1.5 years ago, with the IL2 BoX series. I personally find it the sweet spot for realism/immersion, and everything I see and read about the DCS series of games very intimidating.
I ask the Big Brains of the Stormbird community, Is DCS worth getting into? Will MAC be more casual friendly?
Cheers and Thanks!
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I apologize for the awful writing, didn’t proof read prior to posting!
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Very little escapes Shamrockonfive, so he’ll probably give a more comprehensive answer. I’ll just venture that this is probably the purpose of FC4, you’ll see a previous article with more on that: https://stormbirds.blog/2018/05/26/new-dcs-flaming-cliffs-4-info-and-an-editorial/, there was also a related discussion in Crash Laobi’s interview with Matt Wagner (link in the comments of the article).
Reading your comment rings a bell, it’s easy for me to launch IL-2 when I just want to start a casual flight or mission, but DCS usually requires a more serious commitment, unless it’s just to quickly test something on a module I’m comfortable with. I need to make sure I have more time ahead and some patience to dive in, it’s definitely more study-level. Both suit me but not always, and depending on the mood 🙂
Of course there are more involved missions and campaigns in IL-2… but then also for DCS for which I usually go though some part of the manual and/or training before doing the mission.
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Thank you Mischiew. the FC4 article (now MAC I guess) really hits the nail on the head. It seems like exactly what I would like to buy into.
This community rocks!
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As Mischiew has already covered fairly well, Flaming Cliffs 4 is what MAC really is all about. The current Flaming Cliffs 3 aircraft set is two things: 1) An incorporation of the old Lock On: Modern Air Combat aircraft upgraded and repackaged. 2) An entry point for the series that has simplified systems modeling while still allowing for some pretty exciting modern air combat scenarios. I find the F-15C just as challenging in combat as the F/A-18C…. Just in different ways.
DCS is absolutely intimidating. It’s something they have tried to dispel a bit through features and through their marketing for MAC. It’s a high fidelity flight sim and it definitely breathes in that space more than IL-2 does.
IMHO, if you’re interested in modern air combat of any kind, then definitely give DCS World a look. The Su-25T (and TF-51D) are free to play so you can try it out at any point. Just like IL-2, there’s a learning curve no matter what and it takes time.
I’ve been at DCS for a couple of years now and only am I now starting to feel like a semi-competent pilot. It’s been fun though! The depth is appealing when you’re ready to tackle it in small chunks.
Read more about MAC in the article I wrote here: https://stormbirds.blog/2018/07/13/eagle-dynamics-announces-new-modern-air-combat-title/
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So took DCS out for a spin…… Wow….. that is all. I dont think I am ready to learn how to fly a SU25T from scratch but I will definitely keep my eyes on Stormbirds not just for IL2 updates! My only question is, do you guys purchase through steam or through the DCS site like IL2?
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Even more than with IL-2, I’d avoid Steam with DCS unless you have to (for payment options) as it really isn’t their priority storefront. I’ve bought everything directly from Eagle Dynamics and that seems to work best. Some older modules still use Starforce DRM but they are transitioning to an account based system similar to how IL-2 handles it.
You didn’t ask about modules but if you’re wanting to start out then keep an eye out for MAC or FC3 (if you want more right now). I’m also a huge fan of the DCS: F/A-18C module. Its not finished yet but its my go-to. Others will say the A-10C or the Mirage or the MiG-21… or one of the helicopters. It’s quite a spectrum of interests covered and that’s a great thing.
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I definitely want to give this series a try, but as you mentioned in another discussion this hobby/addiction of flight sims will bankrupt a man if he lets it. So I think I will wait out for MAC and then go from there, but as a Canadian the F/A18C is Def appealing.
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Yep, I second what was said, I directly buy from ED to stay independant from Steam and its interface, to have quicker updates (actually I’m on what they call the beta branch, a bit less stable but with fresher content, AFAIK it’s not possible with Steam).
And also, I think that ED gets a bigger share of the money than on Steam, but I’m not entirely sure and have no idea of the difference – it’s usually the case though.
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DCS is available on Steam, but, it usually lags quite a bit behind the DCS site in available content.
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