Dog Fights

[Master gamawa 0]

This one is for the retro Dog Fight fans.

I was bored a few days ago and didn't want to fight, so I decided to do some chilled out flying.

I put my self in a Camel airplane and flew around the map. Flying in the Camel can be a challenge for someone that's used to flying jets, because that little plane is slow, stalls when you overdo it and loses altitude easily if you are not careful.

So, I put the Indiana Jones soundtrack on the background and flew around Sahrani, trying to land in difficult places (like the little islands on the southeast part of the map) and it was a very relaxing experience.

Taking off with the Camel is not hard, as long as you do the right thing. After you reach a speed of 50, while still on the runway, you have to pull the plane's nose down to make it go parallel to the earth for a while. Keep the plane's wings horizontal and wait there till you get around 90-100 km. If you don't do that, the plane's speed remains around 50 and you cannot take off.

Once you get to the right speed push the mouse forward (that depends on your keyboard set up) and fly!

This little detail (hey I am not a pilot, ok?) kept me off the Camel for a long time. Which sucks because this plane is awesome.

-Get used to taking off and landing before you continue doing what I did.-

I thought I was pretty good at flying the Camel and I decided to put my skills to the test.

I put a few empty camel planes on the airport and a bluefor pilot as a player. I also put an empty repair truck, an empty ammo truck, an empty fuel truck and an empty m113 ambulance unit on the secondary runway of the airport to use in between missions.

Then I proceeded placing squadrons of Opfor Camels (Flying, no waypoints) over every major city on Sahrani. You can try squadrons of five or six enemy planes (or more if you feel like dying more often) and begun the interceptions.

It also helps putting a few empty vehicles (car or bike) near the areas where the fighting happens, in case you have to abandon your plane: You will need something to get back to the airport to get another plane.

MY GOD!

How can this game be better than dedicated flying games?

I flew around like a madman, guns blazing, diving, twisting and turning. ACES HIGH! Evading enemies under bridges and flying low in gorges to make the enemies crash on the mountains, star wars style!

Of course the Camel plane cannot carry more than 500 rounds. I had to be very careful with my targeting because the enemies show no mercy when you turn your tail to go back to the airport to rearm and repair, which you WILL do often during large missions.

That's it. The simplest missions ever can be the most fun. You don't even need waypoints or scripts. Just place the units on the map and play!

For added visual joy, install the 'Arma Effects' Addon which makes planes go down in flames.

Also, I am one of those lucky people that own more that one Arma combatible PCs. I have a Lan of four PCs which makes things even more interesting. I told my friends how to fly the Camels and we started some amazing aerial dog fights. Covering each other, screaming "THERE IS ONE BEHIND YOU! DIVE! I GOT HIM!", even trying to steal kills from each other like seasoned veterans, laughing our a$$es off.

I wish I could describe how good it was. I can't. But you can try it your selves if you haven't already.

Just take some time to familiarize your selves with this plane, learn the tricks to avoid stalling (and falling to your death) and you are in for a great gaming experience.

Just try it. No guided missiles, no supersonic speeds, no electronic mumbo jumbo and radars. Just you and your will to live. Old school! Good times!

Stop reading and get in the editor NOW, DUDE!

ps: How about a Camel Coop server?

[TiGGa 0]

That's why I like older planes. I think modern planes are too sterile for me. You lock on a target miles away and press a button to launch a missile...

No blood, sweat and tear like in a prope dogfight with WW1 and WW2 planes.

[Master gamawa 0]

You know, I still enjoy the odd A10 death from above thing (launching FARs is pretty cool), but nothing compares to the feeling of accomplishment a Camel gives you when land after a long and successful dog fight.

I am thinking of placing a fan on my monitor to blow against my face while I fly.

And goggles.

And a cigar...

[celery 8]

It would have been cool to have a download link to your mission, however primitive it is. I once played on an American non-dedi server with a quite nice Camel coop mission where you have to scramble against dozens of enemy fighters. It seems that the mission was never released but luckily I still have it in my cache. The mission is a little rough on the edges (the maker, Rexxenexx, was still probably testing it) but totally playable if you're not expecting any end triggers or fancy intros.

Here is the download link for CO 08 Camel Run. I don't think the author would oppose if someone wants to finish the job. Also don't forget my Camel Rage and CTF Camel Style if you crave for live opponents.

[Master gamawa 0]

Well sure... I am at work right now, so I can't, but the thing is that this mission is SO easy to make, even the laziest gamers can do it.

I also change it around every few games and fight over different territory. Sometimes I place a squadron over the south-east islands (for some Midway or Iwo Jima flavor), sometimes over the oil fields on the southern desert (less lag), sometimes over the mountains on the north. It's not a fixed thing or something I put a lot of effort it.

I wouldn't be proud uploading it... you know. It's just green and red planes on the map. It's the game its self that makes it worth playing. Not my idea of how the mission should be set up.

Also, my idea may sound boring to some players that want to do more than brutal dog fighting. Fortunately the editor allows for many different approaches, like attacking boats or stationary targets, convoys, even infantry.

The good thing about those missions is that they don't need a lot of work and that can suit anyone's needs with a little bit of tweaking.

[RN Malboeuf 12]

yeh, i remember Red Ace Squadron too that's a pity there're no ww1 planes in the make - it could be fun