This week’s DCS World Weekend News Update has arrived and while a lot of the news contained within has already been reported on throughout the week, we did get to see some new images of the DCS: P-47 and the DCS: Channel map which are both looking superbly detailed. Let’s have a look!
Thunderbolt inside and out
New images of both the DCS: P-47’s cockpit and exterior are out and these are, once again, some of the clearest images of the Thunderbolt that we’ve seen so far.
Eagle Dynamics reports that work is being done on animations, textures, the flight model, and the gunsight. Interactive training missions are also being created and its likely that we’ll see those training missions on launch (or perhaps soon after).
The DCS: P-47 is due to arrive very soon and it certainly looks that way based on the latest images and comments. It may arrive before Q1 2020. Stay tuned!
More of the Channel map
This week we’re getting more images from the DCS: Channel map including plenty of new photos of Dover the the famous white cliffs along the coast. Eagle Dynamics reports that they are detailing more areas of the map, adding landmarks, and doing some research on the ‘Chain Home’ radar stations – part of the defensive system that Britain employed so successfully during the Battle of Britain and beyond.
No eta on this map yet although the areas we’re seeing detailed – a very detailed which surely suggests that this map is well along in its development.
Stormbirds 
How does the P-47 compares to the P-51? Is there any detailed article about it somewhere?
LikeLike
From what perspective? Performance? Role? Etc.
LikeLike
Role, performance, special abilities or features that each of them has, etc.
LikeLike
I could probably write a book about that there’s so much to discuss.
The P-47 Thunderbolt is a big, heavy, powerful, purpose designed as a high altitude interceptor but the D-30 that Eagle Dynamics is modeling was increasingly used as a fighter-bomber flying at low altitude and hauling large numbers of bombs. Only a single fighter group retained the P-47 in the fighter role after the P-51B/C and D took over.
The Mustang is more agile and somewhat faster over the range of altitudes and the Thunderbolt is a high altitude beast and a tough low altitude attacker.
LikeLike
OK first i will say im a P-47 fan… the P-51 was a happy mistake… now that out of the way.
The P-47 is in fact compareable to the P-51 while at low alt its slower its manuvering capabilities are a bit better due to wing shape.. at high alt its faster… (no take a close look pony pals) its also more stable and responsive up there. it has heavier firepower and armor along with a radial engine that can take a beating (this is not moddled in IL2) but it has realy short legs and with over 75% fuel its a dog. on the other hand many books from both perspectives (P-51s and P-47s) do state that the low alt proformance of both aircraft are closely compairable. But and i will say this as clearly as i can. The P-47 had the highest Allied kill count in europe and the longest combat time in eruope. And i will point out that yes the end of war 109s realy gave it a hard time. 90% of its air to air victories were against the cream of the luftwaffe not the know nothing greenies the P-51s took on at the end. Ok Pony pals before you get into a froth. remember the D model got the largest % of air to air kills. This model didnt show up till mid to later ’44 and dont forget pilot quality at that time. while the P-51 had an impressive kill ratio its kind of like fighting modern F-15s against vietnam era Mig-21s. mostly based on pilot skill. while the Migs could kill a F15 … it was a hard uphill battle.
Anyway thats my two cents. and as summary.
The biggest differance was the plane for the job. at the beggening the 47 was the air to air beast… as it fell away and its range caused problems teh P-51 showed up … there was not a really long period were both were in combat together as fighters as the P-51 replaced the 47 and the 47 was moved to ground attack ..so just remember unless you have flown both and tested both you dont realy know and even when you do its still an opinion … (and no i have not flown either)
LikeLike
Thanks for the replies, very informative. Given the P-47 got into the Bomber role, does it feature a bomb sight as well? Bombing without a bomb sight can be a bit of a pain to control.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No bomb sight for the P-47. A shallow dive bombing method was the typical way to put bombs on target.
The gunsight in these later models was modified with additional marks to help line up targets for rocket attacks as well.
LikeLike
To be honest, the new photos of the Thunderbolt cockpit don’t really knock me off my feet. The glasses of the instruments just look a bit overdone (but also on other warbirds) and all in all most of the photos or shots I’ve seen of Thunderbolt cockpits are different.
It’s hard to describe, but despite a bit of flaking paint in one or two places it looks so strangely sterile. Also the warnings on every corner are a bit missing, which makes the dashboard look a bit barren.
The exterior can shine more, although I will never understand why they didn’t pick an earlier version that would fit the scenario.
Of course, this is a purely subjective point of view that nobody has to agree with. ^^
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s still work in progress so I think we’ll have to wait and see a bit.
The reflections on DCS warbirds do tend to look a little overdone in screenshots although they seem to hold up better once you’re actually in the aircraft.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks great to me, maybe the instruments have too much dirt or reflection but I’m sure it is because of the screenshot. Did you check the rest of the screens posted in the screenshot section? There’s more of them: https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/downloads/screenshots/572/
LikeLiked by 1 person
I flew VR for the first time last night and finally experienced DCS and IL-2 GB in all their 3D glory. The P-47 is my favorite Warbird, and the IL-2 version cockpit felt just like being strapped in the real thing. Leaning into the gunsight on a strafing run and then banking in a climbing turn is an intense, fully immersive experience! DCS, for me, from a technical standpoint, is more awkward to interact with in VR but the environments and effects are incredibly beautiful. I’m really looking forward to the DCS P-47 and having all its levers and switches at my virrual fingertips.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Also, it looks like the DCS P-47 is going to have the 64″ engine, and given their engine modeling, it looks like it’s going to be a usable 64″ much more than what we’ve got in IL-2 at the moment.
Between this, FS 2020, and Battle of Normandy, 2020 is going to be an *epic* year in flight sims 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I want that map!
I’ll pass on the P-47 until it’s on sale, but I’m getting the map the second it’s out. Looks like it will be a resource hog, but I’m happy just to sightsee until I upgrade my rig some more.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m getting it as well! There will be a pack with the map and the P47 so I’m getting that. Over Reddit there’s too much negativity regarding WWII stuff and I am happy to see that there’s a lot of positive people here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
While i cant wait for the P-47 and time table on the F4U?
LikeLike
I wouldn’t expect the F4U until fall. They have shown some impressive stuff but they have also decided to redo some work and I suspect it will take some time.
LikeLike
Can’t wait to get my hands on the Jug. I’ve been exited for this module ever since it was first rumored. The P-47 has always been my favorite WWII Fighter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
While new WW2 DCS stuff is always great, it seems a bit redundant to have a map which is both quite similar to the already existing 1944 Normandy map and doesn’t have any early war planes for the battle of Britain. From what I understand, there wasn’t a great deal of air warfare going on over the Channel after 1941, so it seems like the current roster of mid-late war aircraft are a bit out of place over the English Channel.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There were daily operations over the Channel and N. France / Low Countries, but few are famous or of great significance (Dieppe aside, maybe the Scharnhorst Channel dash). However, it is where the UK and US cut their teeth on offensive operations
LikeLiked by 2 people
Good point, it is nice to have that western action in the timeframe where the allies were still fighting to gain air supremacy so that is interesting indeed.
LikeLike