DCS World: F4U-1D Corsair uitgekomen (Early Access)

Geheel onverwachts is opeens de F4U-1D Corsair voor DCS World uitgekomen als Early Access.

Deze prachtige zogenaamde ”carrier based” fighter-bomber staat vooral bekend om haar zogenoemde omgekeerde Meeuwenvleugel ( inverted gull wing), deze was nodig om ervoor te zorgen dat de grote propellor de grond niet raakte. Het nadeel was overigens dat het toestel hierdoor tijdens een scherpe linker bocht eenvoudig in een stall terecht kon komen, desondanks werd dit toestel ook wel de Thunderbolt van de Pacific genoemd als respectvolle verwijzing naar de robuuste p47 thunderbolt fighter-bomber. Deze werd vooral in Europa werd ingezet als (minder bekende) escort jager en vooral tegen gronddoelen waar dit toestel net als de Corsair grote successen boekte en als ”onverwoestbaar” bekend stond.  Hier nog te koop voor 47.99 USD, later zal ze 59.99 USD kosten.

Early Access Features:

• High-quality external 3D model
• 6 Degree of Freedom fully clickable cockpit with latest visual effects
• Flight Dynamics based on official reports, CFD research and pilot feedback
• Engine and propeller control systems
• Fuel system and optional external tanks
• Electrical system
• Hydraulic and pneumatic systems
• Radio-navigation systems
• Structure-based damage model
• Carrier capable aircraft

Early Access Armament:

• 6 0.50-inch (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns
• 8 5-inch (12.7 cm) High-Velocity Aircraft Rockets (HVAR)
• Tiny Tim 11.75″ rocket
• Bat bomb ASM-N-2
• External fuel tanks and bombs up to 4,000 lb (1,800 kg)

Essex-class aircraft carrier (WWII era)

The Essex-class aircraft carrier, a pivotal component of US naval power during World War II, stands as the most numerous class of capital ships of the 20th century. Comprising 24 vessels, the class featured both “short-hull” and “long-hull” configurations. Fourteen of these carriers actively participated in combat operations during World War II. Remarkably, none were lost due to enemy action, although several sustained significant damage from aerial assaults. Essex-class carriers formed the backbone of the U.S. Navy from mid-1943. Supplemented by the three Midway-class carriers introduced shortly after the war, they remained central to U.S. naval strength until the advent of supercarriers in the 1950s.

Designed to accommodate a larger air group and unconstrained by the limitations of pre-war naval treaties, the USS Essex, the lead ship of the class, was notably larger than its predecessors such as the Yorktown-class carriers. It was over sixty feet longer, nearly ten feet wider, and more than a third heavier. Significant improvements were made to machinery arrangement and armor protection compared to earlier designs. These enhancements, coupled with the installation of a greater number of anti-aircraft guns, considerably augmented the ships’ survivability in combat.

The original aircraft complement, colloquially known as the “Sunday Punch,” represented the carrier’s primary offensive capability. This air group typically consisted of 36 fighters, 36 dive bombers, and 18 torpedo bombers.

Essex-class aircraft carriers were extensively equipped with advanced radar systems, including height-finding radars, air-search radars, fighter-direction radars, and fire-control radars, in addition to sophisticated anti-aircraft directors. Their defensive armament suite included 12 5-inch (127 mm) guns, between 32 and 72 40mm Bofors guns, and between 55 and 76 20mm Oerlikon cannons, providing robust protection against aerial threats.

WWII Imperial Japanese ground units

The module comes with following units:

• Type 3 80mm AA gun
• Type 88 75mm AA gun
• Type 89 I Go medium tank
• Type 94 Isuzu truck
• Type 94 25mm AT/AA gun on Isuzu truck
• Type 96 25mm AT/AA gun
• Type 95 Ke Ni light tank
• Type 98 So Da armored personnel and ammunition carrier

These units – along with the Essex – are available to all DCS players.

Additional module content:

• 8 training missions
• 7 single player missions
• 42 instant action missions (Caucasus, Channel, Marianas, Nevada, Normandy, Gulf, Syria)
• Illustrated manual in English language.