F / A-18 interceptor

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F / A-18 Interceptor is a military flight simulator from 1988 for the Amiga . It was and is one of the most popular flight simulators for the Amiga, which is mainly based on the very realistic flight physics for the technical possibilities available at the time and on the fact that the game runs very smoothly despite good graphics and sound. For a long time it was also unique to be able to land on an aircraft carrier , or to have to land on it to successfully complete a mission.

Today's flight simulations for the PC are of course far superior to this game due to the technical possibilities, but this game still exerts a special charm for many players from back then. Special gimmicks contribute to this, such as flying under the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco Bay or locating the Electronic Arts office building. The game for the sixth and last mission is known and feared: The objective of the mission, to destroy an enemy aircraft carrier, confronts many pilots with an impossible task. Even the programmer Bob Dinnerman cannot remember how to successfully complete the mission.

Game setup

Basically, F / A-18 Interceptor is divided into three game modes:

  • Free flight without an opponent
  • Training of various flight maneuvers as well as landing on the aircraft carrier
  • Missions

There are four options for take-off and landing. So the player has the choice between three airfields and an aircraft carrier. However, this choice is only possible in free flight. However, there is an exception to the first available mission, which is started from an airfield and where the player can decide for himself whether he lands on this or the aircraft carrier again.

Furthermore, the player can choose between an F-18 and an F-16 as an aircraft . Here, too, the same restriction applies as with the choice of the airfield: The choice only exists in free flight and the first available mission. However, there are no differences in flight behavior, only the graphic of the aircraft in the external view is different.

Three different weapons are available as armament. It is always the same and cannot be changed. It consists of four AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, two AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles and an on-board gun with 500 rounds of ammunition. Reloading and refueling is possible at every landing site.

Development team

  • Design and programming: Bob Dinnerman
  • Design assistant: Moses Ma
  • Sound and Music: Dave Warhol

Missions

There are a total of six missions, which can either be selected by the player himself or selected by the game at random. At the beginning only one mission is available, the other missions are unlocked one after the other after a successful mission. In addition, a successful landing on the aircraft carrier in training mode is required to participate in the missions.

1. Visual Confirmation Mission

A radar signal with an unknown signature was detected. The objective of the mission is to identify this signal. Intercepting and shooting is not necessary for successful completion, but it is also not counted as a failure. As a rule, two enemy MiG-29s appear as potential opponents. What is special about this mission is that the player can choose the place of landing (aircraft carrier or take-off airport) and his / her aircraft type.

2. Emergency Defense Operation

An enemy aircraft is approaching and poses a threat to Air Force One on its way to San Francisco Airport. The objective of the mission is to either destroy or stop the enemy aircraft until Air Force One has landed safely. As an opponent, the player encounters one or two MiG-29 interceptors.

3. Intercept Stolen Aircraft

Terrorists stole two F-16 test aircraft from a military base. There are new ECM radar jammers on board. The player's task is to force the two planes to land. In the event of fire, you may shoot back. The two F-16s are escorted by two MiG-29 fighter planes. After a short formation flight with the two F-16 fighters, they turn around towards the base. If this does not succeed, the two aircraft can also be shot down to complete the mission successfully.

4. Search and Rescue Operation

Several enemy aircraft were located. One of the company's own aircraft was shot down during the interception maneuver and the pilot disembarked near the Farollon Islands using the ejector seat . The objective of the mission is to save the pilot by dropping a life raft. If the situation so requires, an enemy aircraft may be shot down. A particular difficulty with this mission is the dropping of the life raft, which has to be dropped with pinpoint accuracy. Since only one of these can be taken on board at a time, many players despair of this mission. In addition, the constant landing and reloading of a new life raft after a false drop is a time-consuming affair. The mission is considered completed as soon as the life raft has been correctly lowered.

5. Intercept Incoming Cruise Missile

An enemy cruise missile was located on the approach to a military base in the greater San Francisco area. The aim of this mission is to intercept this cruise missile. This missile attack is supported by enemy combat aircraft. This mission also has a special degree of difficulty due to the very short time to detonation, the extremely low altitude of the cruise missile and the resulting problems when shooting the same. The enemy air support consists of one or two MiG-29 fighter aircraft. The mission is considered accomplished as soon as the cruise missile is destroyed.

6. Carrier Sub Mission

An enemy Shadow Sub Carrier was identified as the origin of the enemy aircraft . This is to be sunk. Additional opponents are several MiG-29 fighters. This mission is the most difficult of all available. The problem is, on the one hand, that no dedicated air-to-ground weapons can be carried on board. The player therefore feels compelled to sink the enemy aircraft carrier with air-to-air missiles. The exact number and position of the required hits is also not known. Among other things, the solution to hit the rear of the enemy carrier with at least two missiles is circulating in forums. Contrary to the objectives of the mission, however, it is impossible to sink or damage the aircraft carrier. In 2011 a video was published on YouTube that shows that the mission can be successfully completed simply by shooting down the enemy planes.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. Interview with Bob Dinnerman, January 2004 ( Memento from August 10, 2007 in the Internet Archive )
  2. F / A-18 Interceptor - Carrier Sub Mission (Mission 6) * completed * (YouTube)