chucksguides

October 2025 - Is this thing on?

Hi folks!

A lot of stuff is going on behind the scenes. With the recent release of the MiG-29A Fulcrum, I simply could not resist to try it out. I'm sorry, I just can't help it! I am currently scribbling notes and doing a "quick" guide for b...

September 2025 - Hook'd Up

Hi folks!

This month, work continues on the Chinook. The research phase is still going well but I am not quite where I want to be. There are still many things I want to learn about, mainly because I think it's such an interesting and unique ...

August 2025 - Cargo for Whirlies and Spinnies

Hi folks!

I have decided that the next project will be the CH-47F Chinook. While the OH-58 Kiowa Warrior is in a more complete state and would probably be an "easier" module to tackle, it felt too similar to the AH-64 projec...

July 2025 - Slow down, buckaroo!

Hi folks!

With the recent release of the F-4 Phantom II guide, I have reached an important milestone: the library has now more than 15,000 pages. I've been writing about flight sims since 2014, which sometimes feels like a lifetime ago. I do...

F-4E Phantom II Guide Released!

Greetings, everyone!

The long wait is over, the F-4E Phantom II guide is finally here. The page count is above 930 pages.
2025-07-04 10:00:13 +0000 UTC View Post

Secret Documents #218: F-4E Guide - Air-to-Air Refueling

Hi folks!

As per tradition, here comes the most annoying part to demonstrate in DCS: air-to-air refueling.

Feel free to consult the attached...

Secret Documents #217: F-4E Guide - Navigation Part 3

Hi folks!

Let's wrap up the navigation section with a tutorial for low-visibility landing and JESTER AI navigation features.

2025-06-13 11:00:10 +0000 UTC View Post

Secret Documents #216: F-4E Guide - Navigation Part 2

Hi folks!

The F-4E's inertial navigation system came at an interesting time in aviation history. While only a single waypoint could be memorized (technically two waypoints if you count TGT 1 mode), Phantom crews had to be creative to work wi...

June 2025 - Running out of perfect

Hi folks!

The F-4 Phantom's guide's completion is within reach. The Navigation section is coming along nicely, and the list of items to complete is becoming smaller by each day. The revision pass will take a bit of time... if there are any v...

Secret Documents #215: F-4E Guide - Navigation Part 1

Hi folks!

This week, we will start talking about navigation basics with the Phantom. We'll start with general concepts and the usual navigation aids. It is a versatile aircraft with a surprising amount of functionality for its time, and inte...

Secret Documents #214: F-4E Guide - Controls & Autopilot

Hi folks!

This week, we finally learn to map various controls and how to use the rudimentary autopilot of the F-4E.

Feel free to consult th...

Secret Documents #213: F-4E Guide - Radio Communications

Hi folks!

How do you communicate in the Phantom? Let's find out!

Feel free to consult the attached pdf to see the draft.

May 2025 - Talk the Talk, Walk the Walk

Hi folks!

This month, work continues on the F-4 guide's radio communication, autopilot and controls sections.

As a side note, I have also begun to fly a bit in the virtual skies of Germany. This is a very, very impressive map with an i...

Secret Documents #212: F-4E Guide - Powerplant & Fuel Systems

Hi folks!

This week, we will talk about the engines and fuel systems. The F-4 has some seriously impressive performance for the time. Despite its unconventional appearance, this "flying brick" held many world records; a world altitude record...

Secret Documents #211: F-4E Guide - Flight, Limits & Emergencies

Hi folks!

This week, we will talk about flight controls, aircraft limits and emergency procedures (also known as "bold face" items).

Feel free to c...

Secret Documents #210: F-4E Guide - Defensive Systems

Hi folks!

This week, we will talk about the Phantom's defensive systems. Chaff, flares, RWR (Radar Warning Receiver), ECM (Electronic Countermeasures) Jammer Pod... the usual suspects are all in there.

2025-04-11 11:00:16 +0000 UTC View Post

April 2025 - Lighting the Cans

Hi folks!

This month, I keep throttling up towards the completion of the F-4's guide. I am planning on completing the following sections:

• Powerplant & Fuel Systems

• Flight, Aircraft Limits & Emergency Pro...

  2025-04-04 11:00:10 +0000 UTC View Post

Secret Documents #209: F-4E Guide - Sensors & Weapons

Hi folks!

I thought some of you might like a consolidated version of the sensors and weapons sections, especially after I've done a first revision pass. Enjoy!

2025-03-26 11:00:10 +0000 UTC View Post

Secret Documents #208: F-4E Guide - Weapons - Part 6

Hi folks!

Time to clear the skies with the Phantom's air-to-air weapons. History remembers the F-4's prowess in air combat from the Vietnam War. I am sure some of you might have heard of Operation Bolo, a daring mission against the VPAF wher...

Secret Documents #207: F-4E Guide - Weapons - Part 5

Hi folks!

This week, we talk about SEAD, also known as Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses. Forget about those fancy AGM-88 HARMs used by the F/A-18... the Phantom works with something... err... older and overall worse in every aspect. Ever he...

Secret Documents #206: F-4E Guide - Weapons - Part 4

Hi folks!

This is one of my favorite parts to write about so far: the "weird weapons" sub-section. How were air-to-ground missiles when they were first introduced? Well, most of you might already know about the AGM-65 Maverick... but what ab...

March 2025 - New Retro Toys

Hi folks!

This month, work on the weapons section continues. We will talk about more advanced types of ordnance like missiles and TV-guided bombs. Once that's done, we will continue with everything air-to-air related.

So far, it will b...

Secret Documents #205: F-4E Guide - Weapons - Part 3

Hi folks!

The air-to-ground saga continues. This time, we will use laser-guided bombs, anti-runway bombs, rockets, the internal M61A1 cannon and SUU-23 external gun pods.

2025-02-28 12:00:03 +0000 UTC View Post

Secret Documents #204: F-4E Guide - Weapons - Part 2

Hi folks!

This is it, folks, that's the part where things go boom! (proceeds to burst into an unhinged, maniacal laughter) We'll start with the simple stuff: dumb bombs and cluster munitions. We have a bunch of delivery modes at our disposal...

Secret Documents #203: F-4E Guide - Weapons - Part 1

Hi folks!

The F-4E has an impressive list of toys to play with. However, I thought it would be important to explain a few things before using them. Bomb delivery methods are... a complex subject to say the least. Many of the more complicated...

February 2025 - Rolling Thunder

Hi folks!

This month, I finally give the people what they want... Phantom weapon tutorials. This jet is mainly remembered for its air-to-air role in the Vietnam War, but some of you may not know how much capability the aircraft really has wh...

Secret Documents #202: F-4E Guide - IFF (Identify-Friend-or-Foe)

Hi folks!

Before we start launching missiles left and right, let's make sure we can figure out who the friendlies and the baddies are, shall we? Plot twist: it's not as simple as it sounds.

2025-02-05 12:00:09 +0000 UTC View Post

2025 - Back to the Future?

Happy new year, everyone!

Looking Back - A Year of Unfinished Business

2024 is a year that is difficult to describe. It's been a year of incredible highs and absolute lows. Among other things, I managed to finish the...

Secret Documents #201: F-4E Guide - Pave Spike Targeting Pod

Hi folks!

When it comes to clunky old sensors, the AN/AVQ-23 "Pave Spike" targeting pod really takes the cake (at least in DCS). Those of you who are used to modern pods like the LITENING or the LANTIRN will realize how easy you had it. Jok...