Tag: DCS World

Polychop Simulations released their DCS World Gazelle module a few weeks back, and I’ve been in flight sim heaven.  I’m still learning the finer points of target identification in the Gazelle, but I’ve gotten rather good at it operating the Gazelle’s systems in combat.

The new aircraft is the fully licensed Sa-342M Gazelle.  It’s a day and night light attack helicopter that stared in the movie Blue Thunder and had a cameo in Die Hard with a Vengeance. (Jeremy Irons crashes one in the films climax)  It did have some cosmetic work done for its Blue Thunder role like many movie stars do for their parts.  So it’s hard to recognize it.  However, just look at the tail and you’ll see it is pure Gazelle.  Anyway, the chopper is 39ft long, and has a max speed of 193mph.  The cruising speed of the helicopter is around 164mph.  However, the Gazelle used in DCS is weighed down a bit with hardware.  So, it’s a bit difficult to get it up to those speeds.  Keep in mind that a fully fueled Gazelle with two crew members is just under the max takeoff weight.  If you want a full combat load, you’ll have to dump some fuel for a safe flight.

Each aircraft seems to have it own unique quirks.  The Huey has mast bumping,  the Mig-21 has that limited alcohol supply for the radar (or pilot), and Mi-8 is just heavy.  The Gazelle’s quirk is that the helicopter is nimble as hell.  Well, that and keep an eye on the engine torque.  My very first flight consisted of me pulling the collective too hard, and I’m fairly certain I over-torqued the turbine (Keep an eye on that dial).  So, I broke the engine before getting 5 feet off the ground.  The Gazelle fell back on the pad, and I stood there stumped.  The turbine was going, but the collective did nothing.  Looking back, I don’t recall where the needle was on the RPM dial, but it was running.  While I had failed in my first takeoff, it showed me just how much detail went into this aircraft.

The graphics model, flight model, and systems modeling have as much detail as I’ve come to appreciate from recent DCS World releases.  I was a bit unhappy with some of the early Beta releases from some 3rd party studios, but Polychop released a module rich in features.  It’s an early access release with training missions and a campaign that I’ve been enjoying.  They modeled many of the Gazelle’s real world features, and the only thing I know it really doesn’t model is the IFF system, and I can understand why.  (Super secret stuff there)

As far as I can tell being a non-pilot in the real world, the flight model is good.  The Gazelle enters a vortex ring state real easily though.  (You’ll see it in action at the end of my video)  One nice thing about the Gazelle being so nimble, it actually is possible to get out of a VRS at rather low altitudes if you catch it in time.  It’s nimble enough it should be pretty easy to doge anti aircraft missiles as well, but I’ve not yet put myself in a situation where a Tunguska is locking me up.

Some welcome new toys with the module include a radar warning receiver, a wonderful inertial navigation system,  autopilot trim, and HOT3 missiles.  It’s really nice to have some kind of radar warning in a smaller helicopter.  I’ve been flying the Mi-8 and Huey so often, I forgot how nice they are.  I’m not really sure if the Black Shark has one or not.  I know it has the laser warning thing, but no radar warning equipment.  Anyway, the trim works a bit differently from the other choppers, but I like it.  I can zero out the trim perfectly using my joysticks high hat, and I’d recommend you do it this way to avoid scary situations.

It is an early access release with a lot of neat toys, but Polychop still has plenty more toys on the way.  The developers are planning on releasing many more weapons for the Gazelle.  A cannon, rockets, and a sniper team are all on the drawing board.  The HOT3 is a nice weapon, but if there is a chance I’ll get to hurl some laser guided rockets, I’m all for it.  The sniper team is kind of an unusual choice for a weapons system, but it could open up some REALLY cool scripted missions down the line.

Something I should point out about those missiles though.  The HOT3 missile is great in many aspects.  It’s fast, and it’s dual charge warhead penetrates an awful lot of armor (even reactive armor).  However, it can be easily out-ranged by newer light and heavy armor.  So you can plink T-55s all day, but be very wary around T-72s & up.  They can shoot guided missiles out of their cannon, and they really hurt when they hit.  While the tanks may out range you, the HOT3’s speed gives you a rather nice edge.  If you can get your shot off before the tank does, your missile will impact before the tank’s missile hits you.  This wouldn’t matter with a radar or heat seeking missile, but a wire guided missile can’t hit you if the person looking down the sights had been blown up.

So how is it?  It’s freaking great.  The Gazelle is a difficult chopper to fly the first time since it needs much gentler control input to do what you want.  Although, it flies really well once you get used to it.  The Gazelle also fills a unique niche.  If you like the idea of shooting wire guided missiles at things, it’s really the only aircraft in town at the moment.  Although, Polychop are planning on releasing the BO-105 which will carry even more missiles.  I’m most likely going to have to skip that one though.  There are too many good modules coming out this year, (Hopefully) and the gaming budget will not allow me to get them all.  The 80’s child in me REALLY wants that F-14.  Although, maybe Polychop will notice me sucking up to them and give me a review copy.  (Hahaha!)

On a serious note, if you’re a rotary wing junkie, I would honestly recommend picking up the Gazelle.  However, I would not recommend it for your 1st DCS World helicopter though.  The choppers take some getting used to flying, and the Gazelle is very unforgiving.  I’d hate to see a new pilot get frustrated with what is an excellent module.

Check it out for yourself

**Edit on Aug 19th 2016

They have patched the flight model quite a bit since I first flew the Gazelle.  It’s a bit easier to fly as of now.  It is not as easy to fall out of the sky while making sharp turns for one.  Also,  my tip for flying using the high hat trim no longer applies.  It’s better to use the altitude autopilot switch.  This will lock your current altitude, and you use the collective to adjust your speed.  It works fantastically.  As of now, I’m sure it would be possible for a new helo pilot to handle the Gazelle.  Oh yeah, the gun and rocket combo are now available as well.