Strike Fighters 2:Vietnam
Encyclopedia
Strike Fighters 2 : Vietnam is a PC game (Combat / Flight Simulator
) based on Wings Over Vietnam
set during the Vietnam War
over South East Asia, and covers the time period between 1964 to 1973.
The game includes a wide variety of jets and weapons which can be employed in various mission types such as MIG-CAP (MiG
combat air patrol), strike, air support, Iron Hand, and reconnaissance.
The game is based on the Strike Fighters: Project 1
engine and was developed by Third Wire Productions
.
Although it can be installed as stand-alone, this title can also be installed merged with Strike Fighters 2
to provide a wider selection of stock airplanes to fly and fight against.
. The game was primarily rewritten to work on Vista and Windows 7 but this also means the game can take advantage of Microsoft's DX10/11 graphics engine. Although sticking to the "Lite" tag as previous Thirdwire games the developer has improved the flight models, and Artificial Intelligence to the point that the series is moving towards more realistic simulation with every iteration.
s are simulated rather than modern computer-aided aiming reticules. Dive bombing and level bombing techniques have to be worked out by the game player if they are to have success at completing missions.
US Air to Air missiles in the game consist of early versions of the AIM-9 Sidewinder
, AIM-7 Sparrow
, and AIM-4 Falcon
which are simulated to be as unreliable as the real missiles were. So regardless of having a "good lock on the target" there is a good chance the missile will miss. Just like the real accounts from the war suggest most of the dogfight
s are close in affairs with the nimble MiG
s against the heavier less nimble US Aircraft.
The map of Vietnam has been scaled down slightly so that there is less time spent flying to a target, and also because air-to-air refuelling is not included in the game.
During a mission the player will fly in a flight of aircraft in which the computer-controlled planes keep in formation as you fly to a target. This flight can be issued commands; attack other aircraft or ground targets, fly home if they are damaged, or jettison their drop tanks. As you fly many other computer-controlled aircraft will be up in the air and can be viewed as they engage in dogfights or bomb targets.
True to the Vietnam theatre the player's aircraft will be met with a high level of radar guided Surface to Air Missiles (SAMS), and a variety of lethal Anti-Aircraft Artillery (AAA). The main SAM is the soviet SA-2, of which early and later versions are included in the game increasing lethality accordingly.
The player can select a campaign from either Operation Rolling Thunder
(1965 to 1968), Linebacker I (1972) or Linebacker II (1972) which are similar in name and aircraft involved to the actual campaigns from the conflict.
Single Missions are also available, which can be customised to allow the player to practice with specific aircraft and weapons.
Mods include new vehicle models, flight physics and AI behaviour, campaigns, missions, sound and graphics media.
The computer-controlled North Vietnamese aircraft:
(1998) by MicroProse
and Longbow 2
(1997) by Jane's Combat Simulations
.
Flight simulator
A flight simulator is a device that artificially re-creates aircraft flight and various aspects of the flight environment. This includes the equations that govern how aircraft fly, how they react to applications of their controls and other aircraft systems, and how they react to the external...
) based on Wings Over Vietnam
Wings Over Vietnam
Wings Over Vietnam is a PC game set during the Vietnam War over South East Asia and covers the time period between 1964 to 1973....
set during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
over South East Asia, and covers the time period between 1964 to 1973.
The game includes a wide variety of jets and weapons which can be employed in various mission types such as MIG-CAP (MiG
Mig
-Industry:*MiG, now Mikoyan, a Russian aircraft corporation, formerly the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau*Metal inert gas welding or MIG welding, a type of welding using an electric arc and a shielding gas-Business and finance:...
combat air patrol), strike, air support, Iron Hand, and reconnaissance.
The game is based on the Strike Fighters: Project 1
Strike Fighters: Project 1
Strike Fighters: Project 1 is a PC game that primarily centers on a fictitious conflict in the Middle East between the Kingdom of Dhimar and the Empire of Paran from the late 1950s to the early 1970s...
engine and was developed by Third Wire Productions
Third Wire
Third Wire Productions Inc., , is a C corporation based in Austin, Texas, USA; it is an independent software development company founded in 1999 for the purpose of creating multimedia entertainment, such as flight-simulation and strategy games.- Products :Third Wire is the developer of many...
.
Although it can be installed as stand-alone, this title can also be installed merged with Strike Fighters 2
Strike Fighters 2
Strike Fighters 2 is a PC game that primarily centers on a fictitious conflict in the Middle East between the Kingdom of Dhimar and the Empire of Paran from the late 1950s to the early 1970s. Although the countries and conflict may not be real, the aircraft and weapons used are completely accurate...
to provide a wider selection of stock airplanes to fly and fight against.
Background
Strike Fighters 2 : Vietnam is a vastly enhanced simulation based on Wings Over Vietnam and released in 20092009 in video gaming
The year 2009 saw the release of many video games, including several sequels.-Events:-Scheduled releases:List of games scheduled for release in 2009 in North America....
. The game was primarily rewritten to work on Vista and Windows 7 but this also means the game can take advantage of Microsoft's DX10/11 graphics engine. Although sticking to the "Lite" tag as previous Thirdwire games the developer has improved the flight models, and Artificial Intelligence to the point that the series is moving towards more realistic simulation with every iteration.
Game play
Despite the "Lite" tag, a fair amount of realism has been built in; 60s-style bombsightBombsight
A bombsight is a device used by bomber aircraft to accurately drop bombs. In order to do this, the bombsight has to estimate the path the bomb will take after release from the aircraft. The two primary forces during its fall are gravity and air drag, which makes the path of the bomb through the air...
s are simulated rather than modern computer-aided aiming reticules. Dive bombing and level bombing techniques have to be worked out by the game player if they are to have success at completing missions.
US Air to Air missiles in the game consist of early versions of the AIM-9 Sidewinder
AIM-9 Sidewinder
The AIM-9 Sidewinder is a heat-seeking, short-range, air-to-air missile carried mostly by fighter aircraft and recently, certain gunship helicopters. The missile entered service with United States Air Force in the early 1950s, and variants and upgrades remain in active service with many air forces...
, AIM-7 Sparrow
AIM-7 Sparrow
The AIM-7 Sparrow is an American, medium-range semi-active radar homing air-to-air missile operated by the United States Air Force, United States Navy and United States Marine Corps, as well as various allied air forces and navies. Sparrow and its derivatives were the West's principal beyond visual...
, and AIM-4 Falcon
AIM-4 Falcon
The Hughes AIM-4 Falcon was the first operational guided air-to-air missile of the United States Air Force.-Development:Development of a guided air-to-air missile began in 1946. Hughes Aircraft was awarded a contract for a subsonic missile under the project designation MX-798, which soon gave way...
which are simulated to be as unreliable as the real missiles were. So regardless of having a "good lock on the target" there is a good chance the missile will miss. Just like the real accounts from the war suggest most of the dogfight
Dogfight
A dogfight, or dog fight, is a form of aerial combat between fighter aircraft; in particular, combat of maneuver at short range, where each side is aware of the other's presence. Dogfighting first appeared during World War I, shortly after the invention of the airplane...
s are close in affairs with the nimble MiG
Mig
-Industry:*MiG, now Mikoyan, a Russian aircraft corporation, formerly the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau*Metal inert gas welding or MIG welding, a type of welding using an electric arc and a shielding gas-Business and finance:...
s against the heavier less nimble US Aircraft.
The map of Vietnam has been scaled down slightly so that there is less time spent flying to a target, and also because air-to-air refuelling is not included in the game.
During a mission the player will fly in a flight of aircraft in which the computer-controlled planes keep in formation as you fly to a target. This flight can be issued commands; attack other aircraft or ground targets, fly home if they are damaged, or jettison their drop tanks. As you fly many other computer-controlled aircraft will be up in the air and can be viewed as they engage in dogfights or bomb targets.
True to the Vietnam theatre the player's aircraft will be met with a high level of radar guided Surface to Air Missiles (SAMS), and a variety of lethal Anti-Aircraft Artillery (AAA). The main SAM is the soviet SA-2, of which early and later versions are included in the game increasing lethality accordingly.
The player can select a campaign from either Operation Rolling Thunder
Operation Rolling Thunder
Operation Rolling Thunder was the title of a gradual and sustained US 2nd Air Division , US Navy, and Republic of Vietnam Air Force aerial bombardment campaign conducted against the Democratic Republic of Vietnam from 2 March 1965 until 1 November 1968, during the Vietnam War.The four objectives...
(1965 to 1968), Linebacker I (1972) or Linebacker II (1972) which are similar in name and aircraft involved to the actual campaigns from the conflict.
Single Missions are also available, which can be customised to allow the player to practice with specific aircraft and weapons.
Open architecture
The game has been designed so that it can be changed by anyone with a passion to do so. This has spawned a large online community who not only play the game but go out of their way to improve the game as much as they can. Most modders works can be downloaded and used for free by any game player.Mods include new vehicle models, flight physics and AI behaviour, campaigns, missions, sound and graphics media.
Flyable Aircraft
The standard game comes with the following flyable US aircraft:- F-100 Super SabreF-100 Super SabreThe North American F-100 Super Sabre was a supersonic jet fighter aircraft that served with the United States Air Force from 1954 to 1971 and with the Air National Guard until 1979. The first of the Century Series collection of USAF jet fighters, it was the first USAF fighter capable of...
- The F-100D version is included for the Air Force in yearly avionics blocks. - F-105 ThunderchiefF-105 ThunderchiefThe Republic F-105 Thunderchief, was a supersonic fighter-bomber used by the United States Air Force. The Mach 2 capable F-105 conducted the majority of strike bombing missions during the early years of the Vietnam War; it has the dubious distinction of being the only US aircraft to have been...
- The F-105D version is included for the Air Force in yearly avionics blocks. - A-4 SkyhawkA-4 SkyhawkThe Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a carrier-capable ground-attack aircraft designed for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. The delta winged, single-engined Skyhawk was designed and produced by Douglas Aircraft Company, and later McDonnell Douglas. It was originally designated the A4D...
- The A-4C, A-4E and A-4F versions are included for the Navy/Marines in yearly avionics blocks. - A-7 Corsair IIA-7 Corsair IIThe Ling-Temco-Vought A-7 Corsair II is a carrier-based subsonic light attack aircraft introduced to replace the United States Navy's Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, initially entering service during the Vietnam War...
- The A-7A, A-7B, A-7C, A-7D, A-7E versions are included for the USAF and US Navy in yearly avionics blocks. - F-4 Phantom IIF-4 Phantom IIThe McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a tandem two-seat, twin-engined, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor fighter/fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft. It first entered service in 1960 with the U.S. Navy. Proving highly adaptable,...
- The F-4B and F-4J versions are included for the Navy/Marines and the F-4C, F-4D and F-4E versions are included for the Air Force in yearly avionics blocks. - F-8 CrusaderF-8 CrusaderThe Vought F-8 Crusader was a single-engine, supersonic, carrier-based air superiority jet aircraft built by Vought for the United States Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps, replacing the Vought F7U Cutlass...
- The F-8C, F-8D, F-8E, F-8H, and F-8J versions are included for the Navy/Marines in yearly avionics blocks.
Non-Flyable Aircraft
The following non-flyable aircraft:- A-1 SkyraiderA-1 SkyraiderThe Douglas A-1 Skyraider was an American single-seat attack aircraft that saw service between the late 1940s and early 1980s. It became a piston-powered, propeller-driven anachronism in the jet age, and was nicknamed "Spad", after a French World War I fighter...
- The A-1H and A-1J for the USAF and US Navy. - A-6 IntruderA-6 IntruderThe Grumman A-6 Intruder was an American, twin jet-engine, mid-wing attack aircraft built by Grumman Aerospace. In service with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps between 1963 and 1997, the Intruder was designed as an all-weather medium attack aircraft to replace the piston-engined A-1 Skyraider...
- The A-6A version is included for the Navy/Marines. - B-52 StratofortressB-52 StratofortressThe Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber operated by the United States Air Force since the 1950s. The B-52 was designed and built by Boeing, who have continued to provide maintainence and upgrades to the aircraft in service...
- B-52D version. - B-57 CanberraB-57 CanberraThe Martin B-57 Canberra was a United States-built, twin jet engine light bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, which entered service with the United States Air Force in 1953. The B-57 was initially a version of the English Electric Canberra built under license. However, the Glenn L...
- B-57B version.
The computer-controlled North Vietnamese aircraft:
- MiG-17 Fresco - MiG-17F version.
- MiG-19 Farmer - MiG-19S version.
- MiG-21 Fishbed - MiG-21F, PFM, MF and PFV versions.
- Shenyang J-6Shenyang J-6The Shenyang J-6 was the Chinese-built version of the Soviet MiG-19 'Farmer' fighter aircraft.-Design and development:...
- Chinese License built MiG-19
The developer of the series
This series of games is designed by Tsuyoshi Kawahito (known as 'TK'), who was also involved in some of the 1990s best selling PC flight simulators, including European Air WarEuropean Air War
European Air War is a combat flight simulation released by MicroProse in 1998. European Air War is the sequel to 1942: The Pacific Air War by Microprose. The stock standard version simulates the Battle of Britain, and the Allied Air offensives in Western Europe during the Second World War in 1943-45...
(1998) by MicroProse
MicroProse
MicroProse was a video game publisher and developer, founded by Wild Bill Stealey and Sid Meier in 1982 as Microprose Software. In 1993, the company became a subsidiary of Spectrum HoloByte and has remained a subsidiary or brand name under several other corporations since...
and Longbow 2
Longbow 2
Longbow 2 is the sequel to the best-selling AH-64D Longbow from Jane's Combat Simulations. Made at Origin Systems with executive producer Andy Hollis and producer Will McBurnett on board, and released on Nov 30, 1997. This sim improved on virtually every level of the first game, and it is...
(1997) by Jane's Combat Simulations
Jane's Combat Simulations
Jane's Combat Simulations was a brand of PC flight and combat simulators released by Electronic Arts . The Jane's Information Group sold the rights to EA so that EA could lend authenticity and accuracy to their growing line of combat games....
.
Related games based on the Strike Fighters game engine
- Strike Fighters: Project 1Strike Fighters: Project 1Strike Fighters: Project 1 is a PC game that primarily centers on a fictitious conflict in the Middle East between the Kingdom of Dhimar and the Empire of Paran from the late 1950s to the early 1970s...
(2002): The initial release centers on a fictional Middle Eastern scenario. - Strike Fighters: Gold (2004): An updated version of Project 1 released to the European market.
- Wings Over VietnamWings Over VietnamWings Over Vietnam is a PC game set during the Vietnam War over South East Asia and covers the time period between 1964 to 1973....
(2004): Set during the Vietnam war. - Wings Over EuropeWings Over EuropeWings Over Europe is a PC game set during the Cold War era where the USSR has attacked NATO forces in West Germany and thus turned it into a ‘hot war’....
(2006): Set in a possible Cold WarCold WarThe Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
conflict. - First Eagles: The Great War 1918First Eagles: The Great War 1918First Eagles: The Great War 1918 is a PC game that focuses on World War I between 1917 and 1918....
(2006): Set in the World War IWorld War IWorld War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
era. - First Eagles: Expansion Pack 1 (2007): Expansion pack for the First Eagles with new planes and campaigns.
- Wings Over IsraelWings Over IsraelWings Over Israel is a PC game covering the three major Middle Eastern conflicts Six-day War , Yom Kippur War and Lebanon War ....
(2008): (Also released as Combat Over Israel) Covers the three historical Israel versus Arab conflicts 1967, 1973, and 1982. - First Eagles: Gold (2008): Includes the Original 'First Eagles' and Expansion Pack together.
- Strike Fighters 2Strike Fighters 2Strike Fighters 2 is a PC game that primarily centers on a fictitious conflict in the Middle East between the Kingdom of Dhimar and the Empire of Paran from the late 1950s to the early 1970s. Although the countries and conflict may not be real, the aircraft and weapons used are completely accurate...
(2008): A standalone update based on the original Strike Fighters: Project 1Strike Fighters: Project 1Strike Fighters: Project 1 is a PC game that primarily centers on a fictitious conflict in the Middle East between the Kingdom of Dhimar and the Empire of Paran from the late 1950s to the early 1970s...
to run on Windows Vista. - Strike Fighters 2:Vietnam (2009): A standalone update based on the original Wings Over VietnamWings Over VietnamWings Over Vietnam is a PC game set during the Vietnam War over South East Asia and covers the time period between 1964 to 1973....
to run on Windows Vista. - Strike Fighters 2:Europe (2009): A standalone update based on the original Wings Over EuropeWings Over EuropeWings Over Europe is a PC game set during the Cold War era where the USSR has attacked NATO forces in West Germany and thus turned it into a ‘hot war’....
to run on Windows Vista.