Game:

Digital Combat Simulator World (2008)

Duration: 3:01

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After the Viper's release I was doing some research on the fighter planes combat maneuverability. I was eagerly anticipating the release of this module since almost everything was pointing at the F-16 being an exceptional dogfighting machine, and it looked like a no brainer that the new Viper vs. F-16A video would definitely be shorter than the MiG-29A vs F-16A one. Why not pit the F-16C against the MiG? Because the AI-controlled MiG doesn't put up much fight, so it was natural to try all the machines against the most capable AI fighter.

Boy, little did I know... Not only couldn't I shoot down the F-16A (both planes clean configs + 50% fuel), even the MiG presented quite a challenge... for the first two tries, at least.

A more interesting fact was revealed while testing the Mirage module. It almost turned to be the second plane I can down the F-16A with. The problem is my gunnery skills and the fact that the gun pipper would barely ever make it into the HUD, so I had to fire mostly without seeing the target, always missing this small thing by just so very little... Well, one of these days I should be able to do it :)

Anyway, an unexpected discovery I made in the process of testing the Mirage in dogfighting is that there is actually a better AI fighter than the F-16A. It's the Mirage 2000-5. At the end of the day the only machine I was able to shoot it down with was again the MiG-29A...

So, my current pure turning fight best two circle performers top is as follows:
1. MiG-29A
2. Mirage 2000C (I wish we had the 2000-5 too)
3. Either F/A-18C or F-14B (I don't think I trust its flight model though), or Su-27
4. The F-16C Viper goes only here, sadly...
5. Su-33

F-15C is yet another BFM disappointment... How can it perform this badly having very little wing loading and great thrust to weight ratio is beyond me.

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