Commodore User
1st July 1985Jump Jet
This is Anirog's Falklands inspired answer to Fighter Pilot. The F15 Eagle is replaced by Britain's VTOL Harrier Jump Jet.
The first thing to note is the different controls and style that a jump jet has when compared to a normal fighter. Whereas the F15 and other jet aircraft gain lift from the wings and thrust from the jets, a Harrier's jets can be altered to point in different angles. This is reflected in the program.
The initial display is of your jet on the carrier waiting to take off. Lifting off is simple and once you have gained enough height, you will see a split-screen. Move off the screen and you see a nice seaview with scrolling clouds and lapping waves. It's advisable, though, to practise landing back on the carrier before you stray too far in search of trouble.
Instrumentation is, of course, crucial as in most flight programs. As you see from the screen shot, you have all the normal dials for altitude and fuel and artificial horizon and so on. Don't forget to lift your flaps and undercarriage after leaving the ship and, most important of all, you'll have to change from vertical thrust to 45 degree or forward thrust. Now you're ready to hunt the enemy down.
This is where the similarity to Fighter Pilot is most apparent. Your enemy is indicated on the radar by a small yellow triangle. Bank the plane round until the triangle is directly under the vertical line on the radar and set up your sight and arm your missiles by typing M. You have to bear in mind that the enemy has as good a weapons system as you do you can't mess around too much.
Once you're within a couple of miles the triangle disappears off the radar and you have visual contact. Follow your target quickly and smoothly. As soon as you have him even half in your sights, fire.
Graphics aren't as great as they might be, although they are more visually interesting than your average flight simulator. The novel aspect, though, is the sound produced with Anirog's own Voicemaster. You get 'Mayday! Mayday! I'm baling out!' and 'Welcome home!' when you land back on the carrier. All in all, a good simulator but one which adds little to Digital Integration's Fighter Pilot, except a change of scenery.