I was in the USAF 80-84, and I think your assessment of the F-15E within it's time frame is pretty accurate. The F-15E was a huge step forward in it's day, and was a part of what brought Russia to the negotiating table. The USSR was scared of the F-15E and it's precision long range strike capability, to include the possibility of dropping nukes with practical impunity to their air defense capabilities, in all weather. For those of you too young to remember, the F-15E sent a shock wave through the entire air warfare community. At the time, the Strike Eagle was the undisputed king of precision penetration strikes, and the crown jewel of the USAF. We were all pretty darned excited for it! :) In addition to it's formidable capabilities, the launching of the F-15E allowed the F-111, which it replaced, to be converted to the EF-111 electronic warfare variant, as the Aardvark was no longer needed for the long range strike role. This expanded the USAF's EW capabilities even more dramatically. Yes, time as taken it's toll on the uniqueness of the F-15E's capabilities, but in it's day, it was the cutting edge of what could be done, and upgrades have kept it viable as the best deep strike fighter in service even today, IMO.
Great Impressions. Thanks for your insight Iain. More excited about the F-4 Phantum II and F4U Corsair. Happy the F15E has been added to the DCS "Museum of Flight".
100% agree that it is going to be the Guy In Back that sets this module apart and makes it a unique experience in DCS. The opportunity for teamwork and the ability to share a complex workload that would task saturate a single pilot will be a fun angle to explore.
As a USAFA cadet in 1992 I got an F-15E incentive ride with the 492nd FS, 48 FW at Lakenheath. Some F-15Es had just arrived and they were replacing the F-111s. (I got my Strike Eagle ride because I drew it from a hat!) You can’t think about the Strike Eagle without understanding that it’s a F-111 replacement. Thanks for pointing that out.
Great breakdown! :) the strike eagle will always hold a place in my heart as the first Sim I ever flew with Microprose Strike Eagle for the C64... but I cant justify the asking price at the moment. I have plenty of aircraft that can (like you said) perform the same missions, and they all kinda run over each others feet in my mind when cockpit workflow comes in to play. its a beautiful bird, and Razbam really knocked it out of the park in terms of systems simulation.. I will most likely pick it up if / when it goes on sale in a few years.
The FA18 was my first DCS jet to learn and I thought it was hard, lol. The F15 is breaking my brain. It took 2023 to make me realize how fantastic 1978 was in hindsight. I would go back and break my own fingers to keep me away from that new Asteroids game on El Camino.
That's one of my favorite things about DCS! You're kind of transported to the era that the module you're flying is from, and you get to see usually the best tech they had to get the job done.
Great video, I always love your research on the background and purpose of a particular design. From what I have seen so far the Mudhen seems to be a (self escorting) deep strike platform first and not necessarily what we now know as a completely multirole capable aircraft. It can do plenty of roles, but some capabilities are missing (SEAD, no Rockets and Maverick) and others seem to be a bit more cumbersome than necessary (CAS). From what I could gather even the base Eagles seem to have a few pounds for Air to Ground, but that was never used and advertised by the USAF. The Israelis had no such reservations and used their F-15C/D during Operation Wooden leg to deliver Gbu-15 and Mk-82 bombs. Unfortunately I don't know if and how the Israelis modified the aircraft. However even unmodified F-15A/B seem to have had basic CCIP and CCRP bombing modes and ground mapping radar, though that was removed early on in the production of the C/D versions.
Awesome video! Love the Hornet and the Mudhen. I agree from the DCS angle the experience is very close. But I'm just happy I have the opportunity to see that experience through these amazing jets. I also hold the unpopular opinion of also wanting a Super Hornet down the line!
Come to think of it, one thing I've been enjoying about it is I just realized I don't have any other fast bomb truck in DCS so it's filled a void I didn't realize I had.
Lovely historical overview! 4:13 Eagle overlap with Viper and Hornet was just what I've been asking about. *^5* _(I'm still looking for an actual first impression of this release.)_
Enjoyed your video, Off topic - I'm older than most, and from NORAD/ADC, spent my 4 yrs in USAF on the F-106 not available in DCS or anywhere. We used to practice on the F-4 Phantom and the YF12A (SR71)and chasing Soviet Bears back across the border. New to DCS looking for advice on what to order with that 1st 50% order with DCS, with sufficient funds and using the dual configuration VIRPIL Constellation Alpha Primes.
Nice! Just working on a Podcast episode about the Century Series fighters. A little before my time - but not much. Feel free to drop by the Discord (link in the description) if you want to talk about options for that first purchase.
Great and interesting video. I'd recommend lowering the game sound in comparison to your voiceover and adding some timestamps. Other than that great job.
Hello lain, i'm thinking about buying this module. One thing i wonder is, it's cruise and flying characteristics is same like F15C or F18 ? I'm asking it because when i fly F16 and A10 i hate trimming to much, in that matter F18 is very easy to fly and almost no need to trim. i wonder F15e is flying like F15c or F18?
Well, I don't own the F-16 so I can't tell for sure. The important thing is that the F-15E is not Fly-By-Wire while both the 16 and 18 are. In cruise that doesn't make a lot difference. In my experience the ease of trimming has more to do with the sim-mechanics for the plane than anything in the flight model. Different developers just seem to have different trim rates for the same button press duration. The F-15E is also a very heavy aircraft - this combined with the lack of fly-by-wire makes it feel quite different than the 18 at the edges of the flight envelope - like take off or landing. It is not nearly as forgiving. Now, comparing it to the F-15C is probably not really valid because the C is an FC3 plane and it's flight model is not as well developed.
For me I'd rather get this over the F-16 and F/A-18 as it's an F-15 more my style as a heavy fighter although the F-4 phantom will likely be a day one get for me as that and the A-10 are my best planes in general... But anyway as the strike eagle it just carriers more stuff then the C varent which will great as a DCS module I do want full controls in a cocpit and EFM and I don't mind the added weight of a back seater... But yeah imagine the miods for this thing like an even better F22 and F-15EX! So Overall I'm really excited for this guy but I have to say $60 should be the price for at least a dacde or so... But will one day when the bugs are worked out will it be worth the same as the F/a-18 and F-16 yes in DCS money but now in gamer money. But anyway I'll wait to get it in it's first diwcount and would have preordered it if it was $10 cheaper and an option but oh well.
DCS is beginning to look like the old "Bennie Baby" marketing ploy. What's the next best thing coming? How about fixing and finishing what we already bought?
@@SsgtHolland I am into flight sims for flying, not combat. Open BETA? Does that mean owning a Open BETA for nearly 20 months and never getting a fix or update?
Maybe they should work on the simulation part, so that the planes land, they don't go into the ground and back up with no damage! I bought the FC3 and that's all I'll buy from them. It's a game more than a simulator.
You buy the FC3 and you are complaining about DCS being more a game than a simulator? really? i think you should take some time to read what you are buying before it's done...
I was in the USAF 80-84, and I think your assessment of the F-15E within it's time frame is pretty accurate.
The F-15E was a huge step forward in it's day, and was a part of what brought Russia to the negotiating table. The USSR was scared of the F-15E and it's precision long range strike capability, to include the possibility of dropping nukes with practical impunity to their air defense capabilities, in all weather. For those of you too young to remember, the F-15E sent a shock wave through the entire air warfare community. At the time, the Strike Eagle was the undisputed king of precision penetration strikes, and the crown jewel of the USAF. We were all pretty darned excited for it! :)
In addition to it's formidable capabilities, the launching of the F-15E allowed the F-111, which it replaced, to be converted to the EF-111 electronic warfare variant, as the Aardvark was no longer needed for the long range strike role. This expanded the USAF's EW capabilities even more dramatically.
Yes, time as taken it's toll on the uniqueness of the F-15E's capabilities, but in it's day, it was the cutting edge of what could be done, and upgrades have kept it viable as the best deep strike fighter in service even today, IMO.
Great summary! Thanks for taking the time to add to the discussion!
You and Greg's automobiles and airplanes share similar energy and vibe.
High praise indeed! Thanks.
Thank you! I spent so long looking for a video like this, explaining where the F15E fits in with the other aircraft. Well done!
Thanks. Glad you found what you were looking for here.
Thank you so much for this video, I really, really enjoyed how you did the "documentary" part in the beginning. Very nice to listen to.
Glad you enjoyed it.
Really love your video, especially for the historic background of the Strike Eagle in the beginning. Very well done!
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it.
I do believe "what I think about this after I thought about it for a while" is called a review :)
Great Impressions. Thanks for your insight Iain. More excited about the F-4 Phantum II and F4U Corsair. Happy the F15E has been added to the DCS "Museum of Flight".
Thanks I'm looking forward to the F-4 and the Corsair as well.
100% agree that it is going to be the Guy In Back that sets this module apart and makes it a unique experience in DCS. The opportunity for teamwork and the ability to share a complex workload that would task saturate a single pilot will be a fun angle to explore.
Totally agree. Looking forward to giving that a try.
As a USAFA cadet in 1992 I got an F-15E incentive ride with the 492nd FS, 48 FW at Lakenheath. Some F-15Es had just arrived and they were replacing the F-111s. (I got my Strike Eagle ride because I drew it from a hat!) You can’t think about the Strike Eagle without understanding that it’s a F-111 replacement. Thanks for pointing that out.
No worries. Thanks for the comment
❤Thanks for this presentation! I felt like I was watching a Greg’s Airplanes and Automobiles type show but about DCS modules. Well done Sidekick!
High praise indeed! Thanks for the feedback. I have been a long time viewer of your stuff and I value your opinion.
Great breakdown! :) the strike eagle will always hold a place in my heart as the first Sim I ever flew with Microprose Strike Eagle for the C64... but I cant justify the asking price at the moment. I have plenty of aircraft that can (like you said) perform the same missions, and they all kinda run over each others feet in my mind when cockpit workflow comes in to play.
its a beautiful bird, and Razbam really knocked it out of the park in terms of systems simulation.. I will most likely pick it up if / when it goes on sale in a few years.
Yeah, probably best to buy it in a few years when the systems and weapons will be more fleshed out anyways.
The FA18 was my first DCS jet to learn and I thought it was hard, lol. The F15 is breaking my brain.
It took 2023 to make me realize how fantastic 1978 was in hindsight. I would go back and break my own fingers to keep me away from that new Asteroids game on El Camino.
That's one of my favorite things about DCS! You're kind of transported to the era that the module you're flying is from, and you get to see usually the best tech they had to get the job done.
I believe this version of the F15 was the 2003 one
Iain, many thanks for the review. I found it really useful and not full of the usual hype.
Glad it was helpful! Separating fact from hype can be a bit of an issue. It's kind of why it took some time for me to get this video done.
Great video, I always love your research on the background and purpose of a particular design. From what I have seen so far the Mudhen seems to be a (self escorting) deep strike platform first and not necessarily what we now know as a completely multirole capable aircraft. It can do plenty of roles, but some capabilities are missing (SEAD, no Rockets and Maverick) and others seem to be a bit more cumbersome than necessary (CAS).
From what I could gather even the base Eagles seem to have a few pounds for Air to Ground, but that was never used and advertised by the USAF.
The Israelis had no such reservations and used their F-15C/D during Operation Wooden leg to deliver Gbu-15 and Mk-82 bombs.
Unfortunately I don't know if and how the Israelis modified the aircraft. However even unmodified F-15A/B seem to have had basic CCIP and CCRP bombing modes and ground mapping radar, though that was removed early on in the production of the C/D versions.
Interesting. Thanks for the info.
Awesome video! Love the Hornet and the Mudhen. I agree from the DCS angle the experience is very close. But I'm just happy I have the opportunity to see that experience through these amazing jets. I also hold the unpopular opinion of also wanting a Super Hornet down the line!
Super Hornet would be great.
That was a great summary of the why of the Mudhen and its capabilities. Great video! (And it made me go and research Doppler Beam Sharpening)
Excellent! Glad you enjoyed it.
The big attraction for me was having an AI WSO tee up JDAM targets for me. I know that's a ways out but someday!
This is a great video, you sure did your homework. Well done!
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it!
Awesome video. I hope you will continue making more videos about the Mudhen!
Thanks. I plan to.
Come to think of it, one thing I've been enjoying about it is I just realized I don't have any other fast bomb truck in DCS so it's filled a void I didn't realize I had.
Lovely historical overview! 4:13 Eagle overlap with Viper and Hornet was just what I've been asking about. *^5*
_(I'm still looking for an actual first impression of this release.)_
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for the feedback
@@Sidekick65 _Dangerously close to _*_kvetching!_* ;-p
cheers
Very interesting video as always. Thank you very much.
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it.
Excellent video!
So glad you enjoyed it.
Enjoyed your video, Off topic - I'm older than most, and from NORAD/ADC, spent my 4 yrs in USAF on the F-106 not available in DCS or anywhere. We used to practice on the F-4 Phantom and the YF12A (SR71)and chasing Soviet Bears back across the border. New to DCS looking for advice on what to order with that 1st 50% order with DCS, with sufficient funds and using the dual configuration VIRPIL Constellation Alpha Primes.
Nice! Just working on a Podcast episode about the Century Series fighters. A little before my time - but not much. Feel free to drop by the Discord (link in the description) if you want to talk about options for that first purchase.
Great and interesting video. I'd recommend lowering the game sound in comparison to your voiceover and adding some timestamps. Other than that great job.
Very good video! Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it
Very good breakdown. 👍
Thanks. Glad you liked it.
if your job is putting big bombs on little targets from a long way up.... I'd want the Strike Eagle too. It's the sexiest aircraft for the job.
Agreed!
Thank you Iain.
In other words you shouldn't! XD
Jokes aside, buy it if you want it. No objective reasons needed or present.
Thanks very informative video. Slight correction - 24:10 think you meant F15 not F18 there.
Yup. Unfortunately YT doesn't provide the opportunity to edit videos once they are posted. Good catch, though.
Hello lain, i'm thinking about buying this module. One thing i wonder is, it's cruise and flying characteristics is same like F15C or F18 ? I'm asking it because when i fly F16 and A10 i hate trimming to much, in that matter F18 is very easy to fly and almost no need to trim. i wonder F15e is flying like F15c or F18?
Well, I don't own the F-16 so I can't tell for sure. The important thing is that the F-15E is not Fly-By-Wire while both the 16 and 18 are. In cruise that doesn't make a lot difference. In my experience the ease of trimming has more to do with the sim-mechanics for the plane than anything in the flight model. Different developers just seem to have different trim rates for the same button press duration.
The F-15E is also a very heavy aircraft - this combined with the lack of fly-by-wire makes it feel quite different than the 18 at the edges of the flight envelope - like take off or landing. It is not nearly as forgiving.
Now, comparing it to the F-15C is probably not really valid because the C is an FC3 plane and it's flight model is not as well developed.
wow. thank you for the fast reply, i realy appreciate. Thank you sir.@@Sidekick65
Very nice Video
Thanks.
Great video!
Thanks!
For me I'd rather get this over the F-16 and F/A-18 as it's an F-15 more my style as a heavy fighter although the F-4 phantom will likely be a day one get for me as that and the A-10 are my best planes in general... But anyway as the strike eagle it just carriers more stuff then the C varent which will great as a DCS module I do want full controls in a cocpit and EFM and I don't mind the added weight of a back seater... But yeah imagine the miods for this thing like an even better F22 and F-15EX! So Overall I'm really excited for this guy but I have to say $60 should be the price for at least a dacde or so... But will one day when the bugs are worked out will it be worth the same as the F/a-18 and F-16 yes in DCS money but now in gamer money. But anyway I'll wait to get it in it's first diwcount and would have preordered it if it was $10 cheaper and an option but oh well.
Great video but where is the next history of iron bombing?
It's "In Work" as we used to say. Still finishing up the research and writing. After that it goes quickly...
DCS is beginning to look like the old "Bennie Baby" marketing ploy. What's the next best thing coming? How about fixing and finishing what we already bought?
Just buy Ace Combat. You will be much happier. Or look up what Open Beta exactly means.
@@SsgtHolland I am into flight sims for flying, not combat. Open BETA? Does that mean owning a Open BETA for nearly 20 months and never getting a fix or update?
@@David-sitka-oldduffer Which module you own has not been updated for 20 months?
Maybe they should work on the simulation part, so that the planes land, they don't go into the ground and back up with no damage!
I bought the FC3 and that's all I'll buy from them. It's a game more than a simulator.
You buy the FC3 and you are complaining about DCS being more a game than a simulator? really? i think you should take some time to read what you are buying before it's done...
Are you talking about the multiplayer lag?
I have never experienced something like that in single player, FC3 or not.
I don’t wanna be harsh, but you’re definitely doing something wrong. Most people say DCS is too complicated for them, not too simple
Weird flex but ok
The fact that a "strike" vehicle released with nothing but amraams and dumb dombs is kind of disappointing.
It was disappointing but now we have LGBs and JDAMs so that's fine.
in my opinion its just a really ugly jet compaired to something like the su27 or f16