The Mission

At last, it has happened. As a result of a sneak attack, Aliens have taken the Straits of Hormuz and have captured the essential Military bases and naval shipping with the full intention of crippling the world's oil supplies. In the face of this Alien aggression the ability of the United States naval air force is in question. You must now take part in "Operation Hormuz" to show the strength and determination of the US carrier forces to respond to land launches rocket attacks that are now wiping out international shipping.

You will be flying a McDonald Douglas VTOL ground-attack derivative of the BA Harrier used so effectively in the Falkland War. Weapon systems will include cannon, bombs, heat-seeking air-to-air and air-to-ship missiles; with flares for your own protection against enemy heat-seeking missiles. You will fly over hostile enemy shipping, heavily protected by MIG 21 fighters, before engaging the first rocket base, where the silos can only be destroyed by accurate dive-bombing.

You will then rendezvous with your carrier in hostile water, to re-fuel and re-arm before proceeding with the next six bases further along the gulf. In addition to your aggressive role, you must intercept all incoming anti-ship missiles aimed at your carrier. Your initial squadron will be of three planes, though one of these will be lost from your carrier each time you fail to intercept an incoming anti-ship missile. In contrast to this, extra planes will be added to your squadron depending on the accuracy and aggression of your own attacks. Your carrier will finally be sunk by any missile that hits it after all the planes on it have been lost.

Attack the most lightly defended base first! - Can you destroy all seven bases without the loss of your carrier?

It all depends on you!

Game Controls

At the start of the game press key K to select joystick controls or adjust the keyboard to your own preference. The standard controls are...

Quick Start Instructions

Move joystick up, then right, to take-off. Engage a weapon system (1 to 4). Practise rolling (up and down joystick/keys) and looping (left and right joystick/keys) before engaging enemy. Watch the radar display (bottom left) for enemy fighters and shipping. A bleeper and flashing light will warn against incoming missiles - press key F (drop flare) to avoid them, then counter-attack with your own. Watch out for low-flying enemy Exocets (anti-ship missiles) aimed at your carrier - you must shoot these down with your cannon or heat-seeking air-to-air missiles. Proceeding right till you find the first base. Use bombs to take-out all the silos before proceeding further right (other side of the headland) to the rendezvous point with the carrier. To land on the carrier first dive at the sea, letting the plane's automatic controls level off just above the waves. As you fly over the deck you will automatically slow down, then gently press the down joystick/key control to land. Wait while the aircrews re-fuel, repair and re-arm your plane before heading off on the next leg of the operation.