Big news coming from DCS World third party developer Aerges as they have just announced that their next DCS World project will be the F-104 Starfighter. That is not all as we’ve got a small update and news on the latest work being done on the Mirage F1 bringing the two-seater BE variant to life.
Mirage F1BE takes form
Six new screenshots show off the work that Aerges have been doing on their third variant update for the Mirage F1. The Mirage F1BE is most similar to the basic-CE version that we’ve had since the modules launch with the BE adding in the second seat. This version was primarily used for training and Aerges is planning to launch this with multiplayer two seat support. A sight repeater gives the rear seat the ability to see through the forward gunsight – a unique feature not previously seen in DCS.
Aerges report that this variant is in final testing before public release so I expect it will be along for us to fly soon.
Here comes the Starfighter!
In unexpected news, Aerges have also announced that their next project is the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter. The 1950s era American jet interceptor was used in Vietnam and flew with many air forces in various configurations. Intended as a high altitude interceptor, the Starfighter was used for a huge variety of other roles including low level strike.
Aerges are turning their expertise on the C-101 and Mirage F1 around to produce this new module. Here’s what they have to say about it:
Our target is to put to good use the knowledge acquired in the development of the C-101 and the Mirage F1 modules to create the most accurate simulation of the F-104 ever made, with the same passion that we’ve always tried to dedicate to our work.
Aerges
It sounds like a logical follow-on from a flight simulation technology standpoint and Aerges have proven themselves quite capable of building great modules within the Cold War era. The F-104 will fit nicely into the emerging mix of types from this time period and will surely make the dogfights on the various Cold War era servers even more interesting.
Keep an eye on the Aerges Facebook page for news on this new project.
Stormbirds 
Oh yeah… an F-104, baby! 🙂
The only problem is the multi-year wait. 😦
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I’m building my cryotube, you should do the same 😂
Clock is set on April, 2058
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LOL that does seem like a solve for a lot of these projects!
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🤭 the only one 3rd developer that could make a full fidelity F 104 is IndiaFoxEcho, for a reason in Italy were employed both the G version and the S version, the most important ones ever built. Aerges will never gain the official infos to make a full fidelity. For the moment we’ll enjoy the mod version by VSN!
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That’s an interesting position to take. I can’t say that I agree although I do agree that IndiaFoxtEcho have done great work in MSFS and DCS World.
Aerges have also proven themselves a capable developer and they likely have local resources to draw on including the Canadair built F-104G at the Madrid museum.
Never seems unlikely…
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Spain operated F104G for a short time, Aerges team is from Spain and they focus on aircraft Spanish Air Force used to operate.
I don’t think they will have any problem with access
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There is one up the road from me at Lignano. Many moons ago – a very sad sight – I drove passed a load of fuselages piled and apparently forgotten next to the road out of Fumicino.
F-104 is a great, if very niche, addition. Google the jaw-dropping scandals surrounding Lockheed and exports. Kray-zee.
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WOW – I’m game!
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I’m looking forward to the Starfighter, but I wonder what this announcement portends for the hinted-at Mirage F1M?
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Nothing to fear there right now. It’s not a hinted at aircraft but rather a confirmed part of the Mirage F1 release and I’m very much looking forward to it
I suspect that the Aerges art team are already well along on that project leaving the way for the programmers. Which means they have capability to start on the next project.
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F-104, hmmmm, Sold to the world, but withdrawn from Vietnam, and only used in a couple of USAF squadrons, d’ya think they knew something about how good, it wasn’t. I’ll be interested to see the cockpit, always been disappointed with the sim representations of the cockpit, the always seem wide & flat. It’s a might buy for me
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It was not really a Vietnam platform, if you see what I mean. It was exported on jaw-dropping political pressure and corruption.
But I suspect that I will buy it.
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Lockheed really managed to sell quite a few even as the USAF soured on the airplane. It’s a fascinating airplane!
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I remember it’s deployment in Vietnam, there was a mention of it on the news. In those days the BBC always had a ‘Vietnam 2 minutes’ at the end of the news. Then I read later that it was returning to the U.S. I also recall an account of an F104 being shot down by an F86 in the Indo/Pakistan conflict. The F-86 used the F-104′ abysmal turn rate to keep inside it and give it a squirt. I wonder now, if the USAF worked out that the Mig-17 or 19 could do the same. Great point defence against incoming bombers, but not a dogfighter IMHO
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I heard the joke about the F-104 was “banking with intention to turn” such was the slow turn rate. Should offer an very different experience from fighting in some of the other jet fighters. That and landing at 80% throttle….
I’m down for a challenge!
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Kelly Johnson designed it after personally traveling to Korea to interview USAF fighter pilots.
Clearly, the guys who were doing the fighting wanted a pure interceptor rather than a dogfighter, and that’s what he built for them.
And as for “how good it wasn’t”, I’d say that for an aircraft designed in the 1950’s to have served until the 2000’s proves that it was indeed rather good – when used appropriately, and by properly trained pilots.
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No one would discount that a great designer made what was asked for, but the USAF, didn’t really use it. Lockheed however did a great sales job. For Canada, protecting the northern hemisphere against a bomber threat, similar to our EE Lightning, just the thing. But for Germany, a step too far, too quickly (and not correctly funded, as you said) . It’s a case of, once it’s bought…can’t take it back for a refund. I did a detachment with F104s at Villafrsnca, Northern Italy, they too looked hard worn in 1979. Politicians finally decide what gets bought, hence we didn’t get TSR 2. Politicians don’t have to fly it. IMHO a great aircraft, Which Lockheed sold to all comers, wether it was right or not, at the right price.
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“Lockheed really managed to sell quite a few even as the USAF soured on the airplane. It’s a fascinating airplane!”
Like F-35. Except much more interesting, faster, better RoC, higher ceiling. Etc.
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You do recall there was a significant bribery scandal involving Lockheed connected with overseas sales of the F-104?
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Yes. I was alluding to that very thing.
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Included a Japanese pornstar. I am not making that up.
I do not trust LM on anything they say.
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Now that part I did not know about. Wild!
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Was there ever a licensing issue with Lockheed for the F-104?. Because I remember Strike Fighters: Project 1 from TK’s Third Wire Productions had a F-104 but all of his subsequent iterations didn’t.
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Starfighter? From Aerges?
SOLD!!
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Yeah that’s an easy buy for me as well! Looking forward to it!
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Some of the best flightsim fun I ever had was with the old CaptainSim F-104 for FS2004. (That was before Captain Sim became an evil company,) I could just do takeoffs and landing for an hour or two and have a blast.
I have the F-104 for FS2020 but I don’t enjoy it nearly as much for some reason.
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I’m sure a DCS one by a dev like Aerges would be very interesting to experience.
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Excellent
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