This site was last updated 10/19/08

Welcome to my Web site!

Welcome to Puma's log.  This site was created for the benefit of those who love fighter aircraft and the computer combat flight simulator Falcon 4.0. Hopefully you will enjoy the stories on this site. All are accurate (as accurate as my memory will allow :-)) briefings of missions I have flown using Falcon 4.0.  Currently there are really three choices for Falcon flyers, FreeFalcon, Falcon with Service Pack 4 and BMS (SP4.2/BMS), and the latest retail version Falcon Allied Force (FalconAF).  All offer something.  Many swear by SP4/BMS it is stable and provides a good balance of graphics and game-play.  FreeFalcon offers enhanced graphics, tons of skins, and great game play.   The current standard is FalconAF which has several dynamic campaigns in the Balkans and Korea.  This means that the missions are not scripted and the war goes on with or without you.  Of course your performance has a disproportionate impact on the final outcome but battles will be fought all across the theater and not just in your area of operation.  There is lots to like about FalconAF over the other flavors of Falcon.  The biggest advantage, at least for me, is the one click install.  No more patches, and installing various parts of the game in a very particular sequence.  This technique, known as the Falcon Dance, has been eliminated in FalconAF.  This simulation is an absolute steal at $29.  Online play is very solid and there are many squadrons to fly with.  In almost a year of flying I have yet to encounter a CTD.  Alas, the Artificial intelligence is better, albeit not perfect but better.   The constant assignment of BARCAP missions seems a thing of the past. I could go on and on but there is a series of great reviews right here: http://www.simhq.com/_air5/air_168a.html 

On the negative side, some of the planes are not skinned.  Like no skin for the AN 124 nor the F18E.  How could they not skin the F18?  I am sure that this will be fixed at some point but it is an annoyance right now.  Also you only fly the F16.  Actually, you can fly other planes with a few tricks but you are relegated to the cockpit of the F16.   This is not the case for the other flavors of Falcon were all the planes are flyable and excellent cockpits are available from Aeyes.  Check these out: http://www.cockpits.nl/

If you are having trouble winning in campaign mode don't feel bad.  Falcon 4 is very deep and the learning curve is huge.  My strategy guide may provide some ideas on how to win in given situations.  It was written some time ago and specific to the Korean theater but the concepts remain valid and applicable to all theaters.

The other half of this site consist of photographs and information about current military fighter aircraft as well as famous fighters from World War II.  It is not comprehensive by any stretch but it is a starting point for anyone interested in information on these planes.  I hope you find this information useful and informative.

News:  October 03, 2008.  Wow, I have not flown Falcon in a long while.  Actually, I have found my old squad on Aces High and been pretty much flying that exclusively.  In the stories section you will find our latest squad operations.  I also picked up TrackIr sense I have been away and what a difference it makes. It is very intuitive and easy to use, it brings a whole new dimension to the simulation experience.

I even updated the website for our squad, check it out if your interested.  THEHAZE

Puma-