[Ribbon-Grey]

Mission 03: Narrow Margin
AC5 - Campaign Walkthrough

<insert map here>

Mission Outline:
Defend the harbor and protect the Kestrel.

Enemies:
Air: 23
Ground: 0
Naval: 7
Targets: 0

Reccomended Aircraft and Special Weapon
F-5E Tiger II with UGB

Mission Walkthrough
We can finally order our squadron around! Order Edge and Chopper to Disperse, and go after the numerous A-6Es that are attacking the aircraft carrier in the harbor. You can get behind the Intruders easily, and they drop rather quickly. Once the first group is down, another comes in from the west, low and fast.

Try to get behind them, and do the same thing. They'll probably get a few shots on the Kestrel, but don't worry about it. It's a pretty tough boat. Anyway, keep knocking down the A-6 attack groups until they stop coming. It's a pretty easy fight, but be careful you don't crash as you're quite close to the ground for most of the fighting.

After the cutscene, you've got a different ballgame to play. The Kestrel is in open waters, and is being attacked by enemy aircraft and ships. Finally, you can use your bombs. Order the squadron to use their Special Weapons, and go after the Nimrods that are coming in after the Kestrel's fleet. They take a few missiles, and again be careful not to crash into them when you're attacking.

There are two ways you can proceed; one, stay near the Kestrel, and take out anything that comes close, or move out and destroy the planes and ships before the Kestrel gets close. I would recommend the second one, as you'll get a higher score and more credits to buy planes with.

Take out anything immediately near the Kestrel, then move out and wipe out the outlying ships. Be cautious as they have SAMs onboard, but fly in from behind fast and drop your bombs from point-blank range so you can wipe out the deck guns and the ship at the same time. After the ships are gone, go out and engage the F-4s and Mirages that are coming in from the northwest. As soon as you wipe out one group, the next will appear. Do the same, then hit the two missile boats that appear in the southwest.

In either case, once the Kestrel is far enough through, you've won.

Enemy Ace Location
ZIPANG (F-14D) - In the second half of the mission, ZIPANG hangs around the western edge of the combat area. Make sure to take him out before the Kestrel comes in contact with the blockade.

Unlocked Aircraft and Weaponry


Post-Mission
You're stuck with the F-5 still.


Navigation
Proceed to Next Mission

Sources:
Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War

[Traben]

(Just for the sake of promoting the "discussion" aspect of these walkthroughs)

I would recommend taking out the Vulcans first, then immediately knocking out the blockade. That way you eliminate the biggest threats and you can chase after Zipang for the rest of the mission!

[Ribbon-Grey]

This is for going after a good score, not a fancy-schmancy paintjob.

[Traben]

Ace location added.

[Green Giant]

(Just for the sake of promoting the "discussion" aspect of these walkthroughs)

I would recommend taking out the Vulcans first, then immediately knocking out the blockade. That way you eliminate the biggest threats and you can chase after Zipang for the rest of the mission!

Ah... There aren't any vulcans in AC5, don't you mean the Nimrods??

[Traben]

My mistake! I played through the mission again yesterday, and that was indeed the case.

[Green Giant]

There are Vulcans in AC5, in fact, it's the only game they appear in! Moreover, they only appear in 16A, not mission 3.

I knew that... I meant that there aren't Vulcans in this mission...

[JianDaoXiao]

Ace location added.

You need say this too:
Also do not shoot down all the enemy ships quickly, because the mission finish if you make that. But take down quickly all the enemy aircrafts, and them wait until the ace appear.

[Traben]

That is not entirely necessary to mention because the mission isn't over until the Kestrel breaks through the blockade, whether there are still planes in the air or not.

[Green Giant]

That is not entirely necessary to mention because the mission isn't over until the Kestrel breaks through the blockade, whether there are still planes in the air or not.

I think what JDX is trying to say is, If you destroy the ships too quickly, the mission will end before you can engage the Ace Plane Zipang

[Ribbon-Grey]

Just an update: Major work will be done to this walkthrough this weekend, but I haven't had a chance to work on it of late.

[Green Giant]

Since some of the missions have maximum scores, we should post them, and on the others we should post the known highest score.

[El Tweako]

*Dear God, I hope I'm not slain for this*

Isn't it actually Narrow Margin?

[Green Giant]

*Dear God, I hope I'm not slain for this*

Isn't it actually Narrow Margin?

You are coreect Tweak... It's fixed.

[JianDaoXiao]

Ace Combat 5 Mission 3 Map


Mission 3 Update:

[Speedstreamer]

F-4E Phantom II with SAAM

I don't think that's right. I haven't played in a while, but I don't think you unlock the F-4 that mission, nor does it have SAAMs

[Green Giant]

I don't think that's right. I haven't played in a while, but I don't think you unlock the F-4 that mission, nor does it have SAAMs

You are actually correct. You don't unlock the F-4E until after Mission 04: First Flight.

Just to verify this, I started and entirely new game lastnight.

Also, the F-4E Sp Weapons are Napalm.