The latest add-on for Microsoft's Flight Simulator X (FSX) and Flight Simulator 2004 (FS2004) is the second volume of Military Helicopters. Military Helicopters 2 presents the Flight Sim enthusiast with a large range of the most modern rotorcraft in service around the globe. This software features seven famous rotorcraft each rendered in authentic paint schemes...

Fans of modern helicopters get to control the following:

UH-1H Huey - UH-1 Iroquois, commonly (or officially in the US Marine Corps) known as the "Huey", is a multipurpose military helicopter, famous for its use in the Vietnam War.

VH-3D Marine One - Marine-1 is a VH-3D. The VH-3D is a twin engine, all-weather helicopter flown by Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1) and supports the executive transport mission for the President of the USA.

AH-64D Apache - The multi-mission AH-64D Apache Longbow is the next-generation version of original AH-64A Apache with its fire-control radar marking it has longer-range weapons accuracy and all-weather/night fighting.

Eurocopter Tiger - An attack helicopter developed by a consortium of different European countries, each is configured for different roles from armed reconnaissance, air to air combat to the devastating tank killer!

SA-342 Gazelle - Developed in the mid-60s by the French Army to be a multi-role scout/light transport/light support/anti-tank helicopter. The design was soon licensed to the British who developed their own variants for the RAF, Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Army Air Corps.

CH-46 Sea Knight - The CH-46 "Sea Knight" helicopter is one of the largest helicopters in the US Navy inventory and is a twin-turbine powered, dual-piloted, tandem rotor helicopter with the ability to excel in various flight manoeuvres where other helicopters have limited ability.

UH-60 Blackhawk - A front-line utility helicopter used for air assault, air cavalry, and medical evacuation units. It is designed to carry 11 combat-loaded, air assault troops, and it is capable of moving a 105-millimeter howitzer and 30 rounds of ammunition.

Each helicopter comes with a variety of paint schemes for you to choose from.

I have to be honest here and admit that I'm not the biggest fan of using helicopters in flight sims. The main reason for this is that I'm completely hopeless at getting them to do what I want them to. I can take off and start to move in the direction I want, but when it comes to hovering above my landing zone I always manage to send the aircraft into a spinning frenzy that defies aerodynamic laws and is also impossible to rectify.

But, there's no mistaking the fact that once again First Class Simulations has provided impressive attention to detail with this package. As usual we get the interactive cockpit that allows us to flick switches, but there are also neat little add-ons including a gunner strapped to a mounted machine gun.

If I had one complaint, it was that the booklet notes were not very detailed. So I couldn't tell if there were interactive elements to these helicopters (like opening and closing doors). However, after pressing just about every key, I came to the conclusion that there probably weren't any additional features to the craft - not that that would make flying them any more impressive.

For those that enjoy piloting helicopters in Flight Sim this is an essential purchase.

8

Pete Boomer