Coming Soon To An OFF Download Section Near You

[RAF_Louvert 101]

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Greetings All,

 

A few days ago in the Screen Shots forum our own Herr Olham tasked me with the following mission request:

 

My wishlist (if possible):

 

My craft: Albatros D.II (or any other Albatros)

Escorted craft: Gothas (or other big ones)

Enemy interceptor: your decision

 

Mission target: a target, that would be of such importance, that they'd send the big ones plus escort

Mission distance: not further than it would make sense for Albatros escorts, including combat time.

 

With all this in mind I set to work building a mission that would not only fill the bill but also be historically plausible. Here is the mission description that will be in the completed download:

 

Sunday, 23 September, 1917: Vlisseghem Flugplatz, Belgium

 

Savage British attacks at Menin Road have strained our brave troops to the limit. After falling back to a new defensive line they are now holding their own and continue to fight with true mut. Our informants in England tell us that the British are about to deploy a new form of gas weaponry in this general area of the front and have been massing the deadly canisters in a rail yard near the outskirts of Ramsgate. It is rumored they plan on dropping these upon our troop marshalling positions at Izegem, and may be bringing them across by heavy bomber at any moment.

 

Your flight of Albatros D.III scouts have been given the vital task of escorting a wing of Gothas from Kagohl 3 over the North Sea to bomb the rail yard and it’s lethal stock into oblivion. You will take off from Vlisseghem at 15:35 and circle the field once to form up, then fly easterly towards Nieuwmunster Flugplatz to join with the Gothas. Climb to working altitude as you make the crossing and provide cover for the bombers along the way. You will have a full fuel load which should give you an additional 20 minutes of flying time, remember this if you get into any fighting, and be sure to lean out your mixture as much as possible to conserve benzin. You will no doubt encounter defenses over Ramsgate so keep a sharp lookout for enemy planes as well as AA. Once the Gothas have delivered their bombs you are expected to see them safely back home. However, if you do run across any enemy heavy bombers in the area it is a safe bet they are carrying the new gas canisters. You should do everything in your power to see they don’t make it across, for if they do countless numbers of your countrymen may well suffer a gruesome fate.

 

The Kaiser realizes this is a lot to ask of your small jagdstaffel, but His Imperial Majesty has complete faith in your ability to succeed in this most vital mission. Gott sei mit Dir.

 

 

This mission will require that you have the Gotha bomber, (superbly crafted by Seacondor and Winters), which is available in the OFF Downloads in numerous missions, one of which being "Gothas Along the Thames!". You will also need stumpjumper's outstanding Handley Page 0/400 bomber as well, and that too is located in the OFF Downloads, (Aircraft Models section).

 

I still have some fine tuning to do on this little project, but I should have it available for download soon.

 

Cheers!

 

Lou

 

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Edited September 17, 2010 by RAF_Louvert

[Olham 164]

So you really made a mission, Lou! Well, I didn't doubt it really, knowing you a little by now.

 

If I get the two aircraft downloaded, where do I have to place them then?

Edited September 15, 2010 by Olham

[Olham 164]

I found neither the Handley Page nor the Gotha in the "aircraft models", Lou ?

 

Edit/PS: found the Handley Page - it has a cryptic shortcut instead of a file name, that even people

without great knowledge about WW1 aircraft like me would recognise.

 

But where is the Gotha?

Edited September 15, 2010 by Olham

[RAF_Louvert 101]

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Olham, you are correct about the name of the Handley Page file being rather cryptic. For others who might need it here is the link to stumpjumper's file:

 

HP 400 Aircraft File Download

 

 

And here is the link to a mission I built some time ago which includes the needed Gotha files in the zip:

 

Gothas Along the Thames!

 

Cheers!

 

Lou

 

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[Olham 164]

This will be only my second mission I ever downloaded and used, Lou, so I'm sorry for being a blockhead there.

The other download was long ago, and I forget such things very soon - I'm no computer freak.

But I just saw, that you have written a detailed instruction.

 

One question: must I also install "Gotha pylons..." (whatever that is)?

 

And is it possible, to add aircraft and other files via "Generic Mod Enabler" ?

[RAF_Louvert 101]

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Olham, I believe the instructions are inin the mission download, but here they are just in case:

 

 

Gothas Along the Thames Install Instructions

 

 

Place the "Gothas_Along_the_Thames.xml" file into your Over Flanders Fields "Missions" folder.

 

******

 

You will now need to unzip and install Seacondor and Captain Winters Gotha plane files and Gotha weapons and pylons files, (if you don't already have them in your OFF game). Follow the install instructions included in the zip files, but if you are asked if you want to overwrite any existing files be sure to say "NO".

 

******

 

You must now install the OFF searchlight files, which I have also included here for you.

 

The gc_searclights.xml file goes into your Over Flanders Fields "Facilities" folder, and the gc_searhlight_blue folder and gc_searchlight_white folder go into your Over Flanders Fields "Vehicles" folder.

 

******

 

And finally, you will need the airraid_siren.xml file I have created and included here as well, and it also goes into your Over Flanders Fields "Facilities" folder.

 

******

 

Many thanks to Seacondor and Winters for the Gotha; Eurofinn and www.groundcrew.com for the searchlights; and to all the OFF contributors who made this possible.

 

 

May 17, 2009

 

RAF_Louvert

 

 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

 

Gotha ALHPA Model

 

Intermediate work in progress Gotha Bomber WWI.

 

Gotha Bomber - flyable model for CFS3 or OFFF WWI.

Credits:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

original Gmax model by Seacondor.

 

texture mapping and skin by Capt. Winters.

Flight Model is a stock CFS3 FM ammended by trial and error, to get it to fly and interact

with AI behaviour in an exceptable manner.

 

INSTALLATION:

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below is a dscription of how to install this plane into OFF, for CFS3 its the same just

navigate to the CFS3 game directory instead of the OFF directory.

 

Aircraft:

Unzip the aircraft to a temp folder, then place the Gotha folder into the main aircraf

directory of either CFS3 or OFF install. delete the bdp file from within the new gotha

folder.

 

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\CFSWW1 Over Flanders Fields\aircraft

 

Weapons:

unzip to a temp location then place the folders into the main weapons folder of either CFS3

or OFF.

 

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\CFSWW1 Over Flanders Fields\weapons

 

Pylons:

unzip to a temp location and then place the files (not folder) into the pylon folder in your

CFS3 or OFF install.

 

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\CFSWW1 Over Flanders Fields\pylons

 

 

The plane will show under the country Germany.

 

It has two gunner positions, pilot and bombaimer postions. the VC is only rendered in Gmax

colours.

 

we hope you enjoy this intermediate build until the final model is finished off.

 

 

 

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[RAF_Louvert 101]

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Greetings All,

 

I'm getting very close to wrapping up this project and hope to upload the finished product by tomorrow morning. I have created a map for those who might like to print it out and try flying the mission without using the in-sim version, (something I hightly recommed in general when flying OFF as it really adds a whole new immersion level). I will include this chart in the download, and I am posting it here as well.

 

 

 

 

I have flown this mission quite a few times now in the process of getting it dialed in, and it is quite challenging to actually achieve everything asked of you in the mission briefing...and make it back home alive.

 

Cheers!

 

Lou

 

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[Olham 164]

My god, what have I asked for!...

You mentioned to lean the mixture so I can make the whole tour without dropping into the sea.

Well, I never use "mixture controll" - how do I lean the mixture right, what key, and to what amount?

I won't be able to fly it before sunday; so take your time, Lou - and thank you for the job!

[Ras 0]

Maybe I can hlep a little. I haven't used this for some time and it is somewhat tricky, but to lean the mixture you use the "ctrl key and the -" key (that is control and the minus key....to make it more rich it is the ctrl key and the + (plus) key. I've killed the engine while doing this but it never seemed to make me gain altitude easier as Ii thought might be the case. I am sure there are others that use this more expertly all the time and can add to this. A heck of a mission you've got going there Lou

[Olham 164]

Yeah, I think from all my "bigmouthing" here, he assumes I was a very good fighter pilot.

Personally, I'd much prefer to peel the spuds that day.

But orders are orders!

 

I understand, that "to lean" means to make the mixture less fat (reduce oil) - which should make the engine hotter.

Is that really a method used to save petrol?

The worst horror-death I can imagine would be to drown. No idea why - to burn can't be any nicer. So to fly such a distance over the sea,

where I may even have to fight - horror! You will give me nightmares, Lou!

[RAF_Louvert 101]

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Olham, you are a great fighter pilot, of that I am sure. And no fear about leaning back your fuel mixture Sir. Just keep hitting Ctrl- until your engine coughs and sputters, (it might even die out). Immeditately start clicking Ctrl= until it smooths out, then go another five clicks richer and you will be fine. When you get up to working altitude you can lean it out another three clicks or so, but if you happen to forget to do that you will still be OK. Or, you can just use the auto-mixture setting in the workshop which is what most folks do, I assume. Personally I prefer to have the control over the fuel mixture as well as the magnetos, which is why I have hot keys for these functions programmed on my JS.

 

Oh, and BTW, I have just uploaded the mission to the OFF Downloads section and as soon as admin approves it it should be available. Or if you don't wish to wait you can grab it here:

 

 

Olhams_Gotha_Escort_Mission.rar

 

 

 

 

I hope this won't cause you too many nightmares, Olham. But, some white knuckles perhaps.

 

 

Cheers!

 

Lou

 

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[Olham 164]

Hihi! I may not make it the first time, but I'm a man who tries again, until he understands what mistakes he made.

My ambition is though, to get it all right at first flight.

I can only fly it tomorrow. So if anyone should fly it before me: please don't tell anything!

[RAF_Louvert 101]

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Well I certainly won't say a thing Olham, other than "Viel Glück!"

 

Also, I will be travelling starting tomorrow at around noon, so after that I won't be able to check in very often on this until I return on Thursday evening of next week. But I will stop by in when I am somewhere with internet access.

 

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[Olham 164]

Okay, thank you for the job, Lou! I wish you a good journey; "Hals- und Beinbruch", as we say here.

Until thursday I should have made it.

This may even get me into trying some other uploaded missions.

[rabu 9]

Would love to see some really good screen shots taken from the mission.. looks great!

[Olham 164]

Are you still around, Lou? I have a little problem.

The Gothat files did not contain an .xml file, but Stumpjumper's Handley Page does.

Now I don't know where that has to be placed?

 

(I told you I'm a computer/install idiot...)

Edited September 19, 2010 by Olham

[RAF_Louvert 101]

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Olham, the .XML file in stumpjumper's download is just a test mission so you don't need to even install that, (it would go into your British Scenarios folder in the Missions folder if you wanted to install it).

 

BTW, since rabu asked, here are a few teaser screenshots:

 

 

A close up of Seacondor and Winters Gotha model...very nice.

 

 

Approaching the British coast.

 

 

Safely home.

 

 

Cheers!

 

Lou

 

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[Olham 164]

Okay, I am ready! Thank your for all this!

I must admit, that my hands are a bit moist. I have never flown so far over water.

And there may be wingmen with me, for whom I feel responsible.

 

I have switched TAC and "Labels" of, although this will not allow me to make my wingmen attack specific targets.

But then, in the air they couldn't communicate very much anyway.

 

I don't expect to survive this, so I created a special "Test Pilot" for the mission.

If I fail, I'll try it again, but only the first attempt is closest to real life - all further attempts are based on some more knowledge.

Wish me luck!

[Olham 164]

Hmmmmm - doesn't seem to work for me. I'm always getting the same message:

 

"Mission file failed to load!"

 

Here is what I did with your files, just to check:

 

This file is placed in the main "missions" folder: Gothas_Along_the_Thames.xml

 

This file is placed in "missions/sceanrios/Germany" folder: Olhams Gotha Escort.xml

 

I am getting a window in "Quick scenarios" where I can choose the mission, but the it fails to load it.

Any ideas?

[RAF_Louvert 101]

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Olham, you don't actually need the Gothas_Along_the_Thames.xml, but if you want it it should go into the British Scenarios folder in the Missions folder.

 

You DO need the Gotha and its related weapons and pylons files, which are in the Gothas Along the Thames download. Be sure to follow the instructions inside those additional folders, which read as follows:

 

 

Below is a description of how to install this plane into OFF, for CFS3 its the same just

navigate to the CFS3 game directory instead of the OFF directory.

 

Aircraft:

Unzip the aircraft to a temp folder, then place the Gotha folder into the main aircraft

directory of either CFS3 or OFF install. delete the bdp file from within the new gotha

folder.

 

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\CFSWW1 Over Flanders Fields\aircraft

 

 

Weapons:

unzip to a temp location then place the folders into the main weapons folder of either CFS3

or OFF.

 

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\CFSWW1 Over Flanders Fields\weapons

 

 

Pylons:

unzip to a temp location and then place the files (not folder) into the pylon folder in your

CFS3 or OFF install.

 

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\CFSWW1 Over Flanders Fields\pylons

 

 

 

You also need stumpjumper's "sjhp400" aircraft folder installed into the same aircraft folder as the Gotha went into.

 

Hope this helps Olham.

 

Cheers!

 

Lou

 

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[Olham 164]

Okay, I had forgotten to delete the .bdp file.

The Gotha folder is placed in the main aircraft folder.

But it contains more files than all other aircraft?

There are a "model", "sound" and "Textures" folder too. Is that right?

 

I just tried it again after deleting the .bdp file, but still no go.

The first of the "Quick scenarios" didn't work either; only the second one I could fly.

For your mission, I always get "failed to load mission".

[Olham 164]

Ah, I think I found the problem - Stumpjumper's HP had slipped into the wrong folder.

(I hate the newer Windows bullsh*t, were Windows try to think for you by opening further folders).

[RAF_Louvert 101]

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So the mission launched for you now Olham?

 

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[Olham 164]

Yes, I was on the field, I suppose it should work now! So I'll try it now. God, am I curious!

Sorry for the comotion, Lou!

[RAF_Louvert 101]

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No problem Olham, I was hoping you would get it sorted out before I have to leave, which is in about 20 minutes from right now.

 

Have fun!

 

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