While the ground forces are under AI control they are there for you to see and interact with and you will see them fighting when you fly over battle areas. Ground attack missions will include the use of bombs, rockets, and napalm.

MiG Alley: Gear Down

MiG Alley includes the modeling of the Forward Air Controller (FAC), and you will sometimes be directed to your target with smoke markers. You can even interact with the FAC after a bombing run if you need another go.

Naturally MiG Alley will offer full radio comms with your wingmen and ATC. While the menu system isn't complete in the beta I have some of the voice is in place and is nicely done. The final will have more voices in place so that you can distinguish your wingman and a separate flight.

Better yet, I've been experimenting with Game Commander and have found it is PERFECTLY suited to this type of comms control. In fact, in MiG Alley I've been testing it with views as well as comms and have found it very reliable. The difference is astonishing. Instead of worrying which key to press or which stick button I've programmed the command to, I just say "RIGHT" or "LEFT" or "ZOOM COCKPIT" and the program responds.

MiG Alley

The feeling of flight in MiG Alley is great, although the early Sabre jet is not a forgiving aircraft. I've encountered some nasty spins, but I've also taken out a few MiGs without much practice (on high realism but low AI settings, that is.)

The light source shading is perfect, and I feel that I am looking at a real aluminum skin instead of a simulated aircraft. The terrain is beyond Flying Corps Gold, but objects are still sparse in the late alpha I have. On the other hand, landing in a cross wind is quite a challenge!

MiG Alley Mustang

For more exclusive MiG Alley screens click HERE

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IL-2 Sturmovik

IL2 Sturmovik

I asked Oleg Maddox of Maddox Games about plans for bombers in IL-2 Sturmovik. Here is his reply:

In add-ons we plan a lot of planes and there will be present famous Russian middle range bombers Pe-2 and Tu-2. Pe-2 was also used as a heavy fighter and was a very dangerous enemy, especially for the bombers and Stuka's. Pe-3, which really was a re-engined version of the Pe-2 was very similar to the English Mosquito, but with more powerful weapons and good armor. (The Pe-2 was the first aircraft in the world (1939, in series, not experimental), which had electric-buster control of the flight.)

If IL-2 succeeds, one of our add-ons can be with the Pe-8 - a four engine long-range bomber similar to B-17. The Pe-8 was created in 1938 and in a series was built from 1940. The first real battle experience was in August, 1941 with the first bombing of Berlin and some other German cities.

Pe-8's lifted off from Moscow and bombed Berlin, then returned to Moscow without any landing during this flight. Escorting of Pe-8s was with long-range twin engine bombers, called AR-2, flown all years from 1941-45. The best operation of Pe-8's was the destruction of Koenigsberg fortifications and communcations at the end of 1944.

Some other bomber types, like the TB-3, weren't used in the war as a bomber because it was too old (1933-35.) But several operations with this plane involved the TB-3 flying as a great bomb itself with a radio control from an escorting plane, or from ships in the sea and ground radar control.

B17 II: The Mighty Eighth

Me 109 in B17 II. Notice the shell casing.

The visuals are very impressive, at least equal to Ka52 Team Alligator. We watched the aircraft rise and fall slightly on the thermals, an amazing effect when combined with conn trails or smoke.

View from the Fortress.

Click for 1024x768.

A few other effects caught my eye: watching the gun turrets swivel from the outside view, with both guns firing, was impressive. As most of you will know, the graphics engine in EAW did not allow for this type of detail. Click on the title above for our E3 summary on this one.

Go to Part IV