Watch out for that Flanker!
Developer: Flying Legends
Publisher: SSI
Release Date: October 25, 1999 (Sept/Oct)
Official Website: http://www.flanker2.com
Some history first please!
When NATO (US) satellites first spotted the Su-27, it was quite apparent that the new plane Sukhoi was developing was a direct threat to the US F-15 Eagle. With a sound aerodynamic design, two enormous engines, a very large internal fuel capacity and powerful radar, it was agreed by the West that Sukhoi had the makings of a truly great aircraft.
![Flanker 2.0 Preview [ Titlescreen @ 640 x 480 ] > View Full-Size in another window.](images/1-s.jpg) Titlescreen
|
|
![Flanker 2.0 Preview [ Don't try this at home @ 640 x 480 ] > View Full-Size in another window.](images/2-s.jpg) Don't try this at home
|
|
What is so special about the Su-27?
The first derivative of the Su-27, which was code-named T-10-1, made its first flight on May 20th, 1977. The plane made a successful first flight on that day and four prototypes were built by Sukhoi. However, after two deadly crashes and decreased performance of the airplane, Sukhoi decided to drop the T-10-1 and redesign the plane. It was discovered that T-10-1 would have been inferior to the American F-15. This was the fate of the Flanker-A.
![Flanker 2.0 Preview [ F-16C ready to strike @ 640 x 480 ] > View Full-Size in another window.](images/3-s.jpg) F-16C ready to strike
|
|
![Flanker 2.0 Preview [ Hotdoggin the Su-27 @ 640 x 480 ] > View Full-Size in another window.](images/4-s.jpg) Hotdoggin the Su-27
|
|
While the old Flanker-A continued to be used for electronics and engine testing, the newly designed Flanker-B or "T-10S" flew for the first time on April 20th, 1981 or nearly 10 years after the introduction of the first production McDonnell Douglas F-15A. The newly designed Su-27 was thought to finally be superior to the American made F-15 and so production of the new "Flanker" (designated Flanker-B) was accelerated. While Moscow did not know it yet, the Su-27 was to be become Russia's most feared fighter aircraft ever.