Stuka Dive Bomber

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Review: Stuka Dive Bomber

Although it may not have earned the critical success of Microprose's European Air War or Jane's WWII Fighters, Microsoft's Combat Flight Simulator always held an ace up its sleeve. Just like its civilian sibling, MS FlightSim 98, CFS provides unparalleled support for third-party add-on aircraft and scenery. A recent example Stuka Dive Bomber-an authentic, esoteric little number from Data Becker.

As its name implies, Stuka is pretty much a one-trick pony. The package adds a solitary aircraft to the CFS stable - the infamous Junkers JU-87 Stuka Dive Bomber -in 10 flavors ranging from the JU-87 A "Camouflage" to the JU-87 G "Tank Buster." However, apart from cosmetic differences and paint jobs, precious little variance can be found between the flight model and performance characteristics of each aircraft.

The JU-87 is an absolute pig of an aircraft to fly and is completely outmatched by every other fighter in the game. But the screaming wail that emanates from its fearsome dive siren will probably be worth the price of admission all by itself for true aviation history buffs. (The program's installation CD also includes an enhanced scenery file featuring five major military airports in and around Berlin as well as an historically accurate and remarkably detailed instrument panel.)

The chief value to Stuka lies in its realistic depiction of one of the most storied and feared warplanes of WWII. CFS fans will probably derive satisfaction from perfecting the Stuka's trademark nosedive bombing technique.

But they'd better not expect to add any notches to their gunbarrel if they take one of these aging relics into a multiplayer dogfight on Microsoft's Internet Gaming Zone. The P-51s and Spitfires that populate The Zone will rip it to shreds.-- Andy Mahood / GamePro