![]() ![]() Coordination is relatively straightforward and the jet seems to behave well on all axis in basic flight configuration. Once cleaned up and into the air the F1 flies beautifully. Its relatively low drama for a jet of its era. Here you hold that attitude as the jet flies itself off the runway. Takeoff is done with full flaps and, once a minimum speed is reached, back pressure on the stick allows the nose to lift off. Only then does the jet really begin to accelerate after which things happen quickly and smoothly. It takes a few seconds for the engine to fully throttle up and there’s a notable delay as the afterburner finally kicks in. On the runway its recommended that you turn off the high-gain nosewheel steering. It gets a bit wobbly if you overdo it and so taxiing does need to be a patient thing that you do with care lest you tip the airplane. On the ground the F1 is reasonably easy to taxi, however, I have had to spend a bit of time getting my axis curves right on the rudder and brakes to ensure that I taxi it smoothly. In short this is an interceptor first but even this CE version which is perhaps the most limited of the bunch has a wide enough array of capabilities that it could satisfy any type of pilot ranging from those wanting to dogfight to the medium range striker. Even the laser guided GBU-10, 12 and 16 is on the list although the aircraft cannot self lase. There’s also the ability to carry bombs, SNEB 68mm rockets in Matra rocket pods, and there are two DEFA 553 30mm cannons with 150 rounds per gun to help round out the weapons. The wing pylons and centerline pylon can also be equipped with the bulky yet powerful R530 in both IR and radar (EM) configurations. Spain used AIM-9 Sidewinders for its wingtip F1 armament but we also have the option to fit the Matra R550 Magic I for the wingtips. When it comes to weapons, Aerges have ensured that we have a good mix of options. The CE version we have does not have a probe for aerial refuelling but the forthcoming EE and M versions will. The type has a maximum speed of Mach 2.2, a ceiling of 66,000 feet and a combat range of 229 nautical miles with an extended ferry range of 1,800 nautical miles. It’s SNECMA Atar 9K-50 turbojet can produce 11,020 lb/f of thrust dry and 15,900 lb/f with the afterburner engaged. The Mirage F1 has some impressive specifications. It’s fought in a number of conflicts before and since and despite gradually being retired by many nations, the F1 still is flying in the aggressor role with companies like Draken International. France’s Desert Storm deployment saw that country’s air force temporary pull back their reconnaissance F1 force over concerns that their jets would be confused with Iraqi F1s operating in the interceptor role. There were so many F1s out there that there were instances where the F1 would end up being used on both sides of the conflict. With over 700 built and an export market that ranged across a wide range of countries. We’re expecting three more variants at a later date, however, for today nearly everything I’m commenting about is about the F1CE. ![]() Although it is specifically a Spanish version, this jet is extremely similar to many of the other F1C models out there including the French version. Designed in the late 1960s and introduced in the mid 1970s, the Mirage F1 proved to be a tremendous success for Dassault as the company and the French government were able to offer the jet in a variety of configurations to a large selection of customers.Īerges has based this DCS version on the Spanish export version of the Mirage F1CE (C for interceptor, E for Spain/España). The Mirage F1, designed by Dassault, is a French built fighter and fighter-bomber. ![]() It’s enough to provide an early access review of what we have and then have a look at what’s next! What we’ve got I’ve been trying out many of the weapons, the systems, landing it (sometimes badly) and generally attempting to see what this is all about. ![]() I’ve put several hours into the DCS: Mirage F1 at this point and I’m ready to provide a review so that I can help answer many of your questions surrounding if this is a module that you want to buy. The latest aircraft to release into early access for DCS World is Aerges’ DCS: Mirage F1. ![]()
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