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Paul Norman's Super Huey simulated the UH1X helicopter. Now a simulation of the new improved version of that legendary chopper, the UH2X, has appeared in the guise of Super Huey II. The new helicopter has over fifty different gauges and indicators, and a sophisticated computer system. There are also six new missions incorporated in the simulation which provide a variety of situations and scenarios.

Through logical movements of the joystick, the chopper can bank and yaw left or right and change its pitch so that it climbs and dives (increasing or decreasing its speed as it does).

The primary control gauges show your altitude, velocity and the engine and rotor rpm, and are the most used while flying the helicopter. Secondary controls include a computer (complete with VDU) which can carry out a variety of highly useful functions including computing your current position, reporting on your current navigation signal, fuel supply and condition of base areas, and can estimate the time to helicopter failure if damage has been received.

There is also a comprehensive radar system which can be used in conjunction with the computer to find out your current position, plot a course or find the location of a trouble spot, rescue target or other aerial target.

The rest of the controls are automatic display areas which show the numerous functions of the helicopter. These come into action when the situation necessitates their use. If things get too bad, the helicopter will completely shut itself down and everything explodes, giving you a chance to land using the auto rotation technique.

The six missions incorporated in the program are: Renegade, Gulf Of Terror, Brush Fire, Oil Fire, Arctic Rescue and Bermuda Triangle. The first two are action scenarios in which you have to activate the weapons system of the helicopter (twin 9mm machine guns and Air-To-Air missiles) and go to war.

In Renegade, a UH1X helicopter has been stolen by a madman who has threatened to destroy all the bases. Naturally, this can't be allowed to happen, so using the onboard radar system you must track down and confront him in a kill-or-be-killed situation. The second of the action situations employs you as a reconnaissance pilot, checking on shipping movement and possible terrorist activities along the Gulf coast. There are gunboats and submarines patrolling the area and hostilities could flare at any time...

The second set of scenarios are mercy missions which require you to, amongst other things, rescue civilians and deal with uncontrolled fires. Brush fire gives the pilot the chance to use the UH2X's new fire-fighting abilities. Flying low over the hottest parts of the fire (using the computer to work out and display them on the radar), you must drop cannisters of CO2, rather like a bombing run. If you're too slow the engine will suck in the rising hot air, causing it to overheat and shut down.

The second mercy mission entails just about every aspect of flying a UH2X, as you fly in to rescue the workers on an oil rig which has been set ablaze by terrorist forces. As well as fighting the fire you also have to pick up survivors and monitor the area for any further hostilities. Another rescue mission takes place in the adverse conditions of the North Pole as you fly out and rescue a party of scientific researchers who have become lost in a blizzard.

The final mission is Bermuda Triangle, an observation mission where you follow the course of a craft which has recently disappeared without a trace. You've heard about the mysteries of the Devil's Triangle. Now go and find them out for yourself.

Each mission begins with a few seconds of digitised speech, giving you a clue or setting the scene for the task which lies ahead. After that, you've on your own...

The first Super Huey program was brilliant. The exciting 3D graphics, brilliant sound and thrilling missions put it in a class above other flight simulators. Now the program has been rewritten with better graphics and some really neat missions, which have far more action than the first.

Bermuda Triangle is a really great idea and one which works really well - wait until you start discovering its mysteries! The Gulf Of Terror is a personal favourite - there's lots to do, especially when war is declared and all the ships start lobbing STA's at you!

If you've always thought flight simulators were boring, then take a look at this one and you'll see how wrong you were.

To be honest, I've never been enthralled by psuedo flight simulations. However, Super Huey II has a great deal going for it.

The controls are relatively easy to operate and can be mastered without too much difficulty. The actual flight simuation part of the game can become slightly tedious, but just when you feel like switching the whole thing off, a mysterious dot appears on the landscape and livens up things no end.

The action can be quite fraught at times, but very satisfying when you come out safe. Overall, this is one of the best flight simulations available. Don't miss it.

I found Super Huey II slightly disappointing at first as the UH2X isn't as easy to control as the UH1X and on the whole it doesn't feel as exhilarating to fly as its predecessor.

However, Super Huey II does feature six detailed and demanding missions (compared to Super Huey's three) which are ar more absorbing and provide a greater lasting challenge. Not a vast improvement over the original - more of a step sideways in fact - but definitely worth a look if you enjoyed Super Huey or like a decent simulation cum arcade game.

Presentation 93%
The simulation has been designed so that it's easy to fly and the instructions are very informative if you suffer flying problems.

Graphics 81%
Effective 3D, great cockpit layout and some neat visual effects.

Sound 86%
Amazing helicopter sound and rough but effective speech.

Hookability 81%
Easy to fly, but the missions require perseverance before they can be appreciated.

Lastability 90%
The six missions are varied and tough and will keep you airborne for months.

Value For Money 86%
A couple of million quid cheaper than the real thing, but just as much fun.

Overall 89%
One of the best flight simulations available on the C64 today. An essential buy for any budding pilot.