March 2021 - Calm before the Storm

Hi folks,

We are now approaching mid-March, so I thought I would share a few details about what my plans are for this month.

First, I want to thank you all for your kind words and warm reception for the Hornet guide update. I know it took me a while to get there, I know it will likely be outdated when the Hornet gets further updated in the not-too-distant future, and I know I'll have to revisit the plane (again... and again).

Second, a lot of work is ongoing behind the scenes on the DH.98 Mosquito guide. I am going through a few pilot manuals (including one for the FB Mk VI) and I've already started drafting a few sections using the 3D cockpit of the Just Flight Mosquito for Prepar3d. There are a few differences with the cockpit of the Mosquito simulated by Eagle Dynamics (at least according to the screenshots released in their Newsletter), but it allows me to create a template that I can work with until the ED Mossie reaches virtual shelves. The upside of doing this is that it helps me save weeks worth of work by "pre-writing" a few sections in advance, or at least shorten the gap between the module release and the guide release. The downside is that most of what I have is not in a state where it can be shown in a post on Patreon. I will provide more details when the time is right.

Third, I feel that we have to talk a bit about the planned DCS AV-8B Harrier guide update.  I'm being asked about it a few times a week, so here's where we are right now. RAZBAM is currently doing one of the least enviable tasks a flight sim dev can have: updating/re-designing multiple systems, which include the targeting pod and the DMT (Dual Mode Tracker)... which are critical components of the plane that affect most weapons. Until the system logic is set in stone, there is no point in working on a guide update since the logic can still change from patch to patch. When the Harrier's system overhaul is complete (or at least in a definitive enough state), then I will likely have to re-write most of the sensor and weapon sections. This is something that should take a considerable amount of time to do correctly. In the meantime, there are still a few existing guides that need to be revisited, overhauled or updated (F-5, MiG-21, JF-17, F-16, etc.) and there is a lot of research that can be done for upcoming modules (Mi-24, Apache, Mirage F1, Kiowa Warrior).

Last but not least, I've decided to do at least 1 civilian aviation guide this year (maybe 2 if time allows it). Which ones? Let the wild speculation begin!