by Leonard "Viking1" Hjalmarson and Bob "Groucho" Marks

  News and Views

Viking1: USAF has a flexible view system, and you can fly with fixed cockpit, virtual cockpit, and no cockpit view with HUD. You can also fly using an outside view with HUD (F8), an arcade style option for those atmospheric but less dangerous moments.

F117 Outside HUD

F15 Outside HUD

The padlock view works well, and you also have options to padlock your target or your wingman. Again, these are fairly standard features but sometimes are missed in the rush to get a product to market. The virtual cockpit slews very nicely, and the reflections are in full color!

USAF also includes player to target views and the ubiquitous player to threat view. The latter allows you to look across your aircraft to an incoming missile. I hope that at some point in the future JANE'S sims will also include a switching internal/external padlock option such as that used in MiG Alley. But the essentials are all here.

More Screens

USAF lends itself to screen shots. I've taken a few from other missions to give you a sample. The terrain in Vietnam is VERY different from the terrain in Iraq!

F4 Phantom Cockpit

Click to continue

The F4 in Vietnam

F22 after landing.

Graphics is a strong suit in USAF and greatly adds to the sense of immersion. Virtually everyone who flys this simulation remarks on the incredible detail in the terrain, and the generally impressive objects and aircraft. Clouds are also quite awe-inspiring, and dawn or dusk is literally beautiful.

Pilot Records

JANE's has taken the requests of virtual pilots very seriously, and has gone the next mile in making it possible for pilots to compare their abilities and experiences. The ability of USAF to record your mission statistics is simply unsurpassed, and you can even share them with other pilots via the web. Check out the image below.. you can even graph your performance!

Aside from the sense of community that this kind of feature creates, it also helps the player care about his success. That's good, because it generates involvement in the game which in turn translates into more fun. And if USAF is anything, it is FUN.

Go to Part VI: Conclusion and Ratings