It’s been only a few days now since the release of the DCS: MiG-19 and there are some issues cropping up about the module. Those issues are now being addressed directly by RAZBAM. Let’s look at a couple of issues and what comes next.

The flight model, not quite there yet

One of the biggest issues when you get to a new flight simulator module is how well the aircraft flies. This takes on a number of parameters ranging from the scientific to the “does it feel right?” and in both cases the MiG-19 is not quite there yet.

CptSmiley, RAZBAM’s flight model developer, posted an update on what the team is working on with regards to the MiG-19 with a number of different areas still needing to be addressed:

In summary, here are the issues we are currently looking to tackle:
– Improving level flight military power behavior (in general too high for most of envelope)
– Improving adverse yaw behavior (not sufficiently modeled)
– Improving dynamic stall behavior (not sufficiently modeled) – along with spin behavior
– Improving accelerated stall behavior (not sufficiently modeled)
– Investigating transonic control modeling
– Increasing drag at high angles of attack
– Improving turn rate (slightly too low currently across flight envelope)

CptSmiley on the DCS World forums

In addition to the list he also posted a chart showing where their flight model deviates from the data they have available. The chart shows military power acceleration with the flight model and real data compared.

Lighting in the cockpit

As now seems traditional for RAZBAM, the cockpit for the DCS: MiG-19 is quite dark. It’s probably the best textured and detailed cockpit that the team has done to date but its very hard to see the work and more importantly, many of the switches, because of how dark it appears.

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In the best lit situations it looks pretty decent although some of the switches refuse to stand out. In the worst lit situations the black on black combines almost impossible to see. This is, in part, an issue with the actual MiG-19, but its also an issue with how the textures are being represented in DCS World.

RAZBAM has been busy improving the lighting in the M-2000C and the AV-8B and it looks like they need to improve things here too. Fortunately, that is also being addressed.

In an update on an optional weathered cockpit that is now available on the DCS World User Files, developer OverStratos had this to say:

We wanted to include more cockpit liveries with the MiG-19P, but because of concerns of size for the module we will make them available via free download for you to use. Also, a much better illuminated cockpit will be included in the next DCS update.

The livery available below is currently only in Russian, but if the community like the way it is made, we will include English and maybe other languages as well.

OverStratos on the DCS World forums

Furthermore, a hotfix is now available and you can replace the current lighting scheme with an improved one. See this thread here for details.

So, now what?

The next few updates for this module will probably be key for this module. The DCS: MiG-19 has tons of promise but it was also supposed to be a finished module from the start. It’s not quite that yet.

On Friday, when the module hit the store, it was listed as early access by Eagle Dynamics and I think that categorization is justified. I cannot blame anyone who feels a bit disappointed at where this module is versus where it was supposed to be.

Ever the eternal optimist and brushing aside what the MiG-19 was supposed to be at launch, there’s plenty of potential still here. RAZBAM is nothing if not persistent at slowly improving their modules. I just hope they can address the major issues here quickly. Coming out and saying there are issues in the first place, as they have, is a good first step.

I’ve debated with myself for a bit and I’ve decided that I will hold off on my first impressions piece on this module for several more days. I want to wait until I can provide a clearer picture of where this module is right now and there’s a lot to still consider. Stay tuned for that!