Poised for 'the Scourge'

[Olham 164]

Thanks, Lou - just saw them, and downloaded them. I have also found one in the web,

which is an American field map from WW2, which goes from Reims in the NW down to

Colmar in the SE. A very good map. I am just completing it with the German and French

airfields, which may take some time. When it's ready, I'll send you a ZIP file of it.

 

Here is the link to it:

 

http://www.history.army.mil/books/wwii/lorraine/photos/maps/MapII.jpg

Edited November 16, 2010 by Olham

[Slartibartfast 153]

Thanks, Lou - just saw them, and downloaded them. I have also found one in the web,

which is an American field map from WW2, which goes from Reims in the NW down to

Colmar in the SE. A very good map. I am just completing it with the German and French

airfields, which may take some time. When it's ready, I'll send you a ZIP file of it.

 

Here is the link to it:

 

http://www.history.army.mil/books/wwii/lorraine/photos/maps/MapII.jpg

 

Herr Olham could you release it to everyone in the Downloads section for one I would use it happily... will make my wanderings much more fun... I could get lost with style then...

[TaillyHo 2]

Cheers, chaps! (TaillyHo - hiding in the 'Old Speckled Hen', pouring over his maps)

 

Quite overawed at the level to which you guys are taking this sim (and this thread!).

 

After my near-death experience (post #20 above), I haven't climbed back into the Scout - and it feels somehow appropriate to have a brief pause to acknowledge the 14-day hospitalisation period. Reading these last few posts I feel both thrilled at the prospect and depth of experiences still to come in OFF, and intimidated by the steepness of the learning curve.

 

With the maps, are you guys approximating the TAC-defined mission routes and 'waypoints' to the extent that you still 'complete' missions (I understand you have to do that to get promotions etc) - or does the route you take to and from not matter too much, so long as you reach the 'target'? I mean, on Lou's embedded map above - does the red route marked exactly represent the lines and waypoints one would otherwise see on the TAC for the same mission, or have you (Lou) determined your own route based on observable physical features you expect to be able to match between your map and what you actually see in the OFF world?

 

BTW, I've seen talk about reality settings of up to 140% (?) How or where does one 'see' what the current settings translate to in this regard? I'm not brave (stupid?) enough to dive in to a full DiD 140% campaign, but I would like to know - in effect - how big my 'training wheels' currently are, and work out a path I can start taking baby-steps along as I get more experience/ confidence.

 

Thanks for the great stuff above - and yeah, Lou I can see why you might be a little proud of your 'cockpit' there!

[Javito1986 14]

TaillyHo, the "total thrill" is to have all aids switched off. No Labels, no TAC, no Advisory messages - just you and your noisy craft and your wingmen.

 

 

 

 

 

I'd like to do that but the problem as I see it is that the monitor imposes unrealistic limitations on you. At least mine does. I can't scan the sky as clearly as I would if I was there, using my fixed views to scan the sky doesn't give me the necessary freedom of ocular movement. This is going to improve a lot when I get my TrackIR but I still worry that I won't be able to distinguish aircraft beyond a certain monitor-imposed distance.

 

What I'd really like is to get a TrackIR, then configure my stick so that I can zoom incrementally. It's too cumbersome at the moment to zoom via the [ and ] keys. I figure once I can do that I'll be in a better spot and can more comfortably take off the visual aids.

 

 

[Slartibartfast 153]

Must admit I dived straight into DiD but thats how I have been flying since I started flying combat sims in 1985. Normally all Sims I have flown I have not had too many problems with but this one is outstanding in that it makes me work for my kills, and I don't have to work on how to die... the AI is quite capable at doing that one for me...

 

Also if you have a problem the wonderful guys and girls here do a sterling job of helping you out...

 

Also it helps with the immersion into the game as to baby steps sorry I don't know how to help with training wheels... as I approached OFF with the same mentality as they did in WW1 about 10 flights in QC in Freeflight and then off I went to the Front... and to be honest I am amazed everytime I fly no matter what the outcome.

 

One thing I enjoy is the Paul Baum saga helps to see it from the other side so to speak and no matter for who you fly it makes it worthwhile to fly knowing if you have problems or something the wonderful people here will read it and offer you advice or if it is you providing the advice its readily read.

 

My Thanks to the OBD guys for creating this wonderful wonderful time consuming Flight Sim...

 

To all the rest of you Olham Widowmaker Raf_Louvert etc etc etc I could type all day and not be done my thanks to you all...

 

May the skies be blue around you and may you fight with dignity in these virtual skies that we all inhabit

[RAF_Louvert 101]

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Olham, that is an outstanding map Sir! I look forward to receiving your rework of it.

 

 

TaillyHo wrote:

With the maps, are you guys approximating the TAC-defined mission routes and 'waypoints' to the extent that you still 'complete' missions (I understand you have to do that to get promotions etc) - or does the route you take to and from not matter too much, so long as you reach the 'target'? I mean, on Lou's embedded map above - does the red route marked exactly represent the lines and waypoints one would otherwise see on the TAC for the same mission, or have you (Lou) determined your own route based on observable physical features you expect to be able to match between your map and what you actually see in the OFF world?

Yes TaillyHo, I use known landmarks to map my routes, and that is the purpose of the "Cook's Tour" of your AO, to find those landmarks and distinguishing features. As to hitting the in-sim waypoints in order to be promoted, I have not noticed this to be much of a factor in the campaigns I have flown with the "paper" maps and customized routes. It seems that as long as I get relatively close to the waypoints the sim sets and complete the missions I get promoted in a fairly realistic amount of time. I believe promotions may also be contingent on number of kills, medals awarded, targets destroyed, and other such factors.

 

 

TaillyHo wrote:

BTW, I've seen talk about reality settings of up to 140% (?) How or where does one 'see' what the current settings translate to in this regard? I'm not brave (stupid?) enough to dive in to a full DiD 140% campaign, but I would like to know - in effect - how big my 'training wheels' currently are, and work out a path I can start taking baby-steps along as I get more experience/ confidence.

There used to be a scale that showed in the Workshop giving you a %Realism setting, but that has since gone away as it was fairly arbitrary. The new realism settings outline by BritishEh and/or the DiD standards are better guidelines to use if you wish to more closely follow what our RL counterparts had to endure in the course of their duties. As to baby steps, perhaps you'll be interested in my book:

 

 

Available at questionable booksellers and less-than-reputable newsstands everywhere.

 

 

TaillyHo wrote:

Thanks for the great stuff above - and yeah, Lou I can see why you might be a little proud of your 'cockpit' there!

Many thanks Sir. The French WWI aviateur's uniform has been an ongoing labour of love for quite some time now. I am close to having a proper pair of red trousers to complete the ensemble very soon.

 

 

Javito1986 wrote:

I'd like to do that but the problem as I see it is that the monitor imposes unrealistic limitations on you. At least mine does. I can't scan the sky as clearly as I would if I was there, using my fixed views to scan the sky doesn't give me the necessary freedom of ocular movement. This is going to improve a lot when I get my TrackIR but I still worry that I won't be able to distinguish aircraft beyond a certain monitor-imposed distance.

 

What I'd really like is to get a TrackIR, then configure my stick so that I can zoom incrementally. It's too cumbersome at the moment to zoom via the [ and ] keys. I figure once I can do that I'll be in a better spot and can more comfortably take off the visual aids.

 

Javito, if you have a relatively good monitor you will be surprised just how far you can see with the "naked eye", in particular once you have your TrackIR up and running. Also, your idea of programming hot keys on your JS for the zoom in/out functions is a good one and one I employ myself.

 

 

Slarti, I am very glad to know you too are still enjoying Paul Blum's story. I know I certainly enjoy writing it. And again, you are more than welcome Sir.

 

 

Cheers!

 

Lou

 

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Edited November 16, 2010 by RAF_Louvert

[Olham 164]

Good one, Lou! I'll add one to that below!

 

Guys, don't panik! Not about 140% realism or any other settings. Give yourself the time to learn.

I honestly admit, that it took me about 3 months, to get familiar enough with the flying and fighting

plus TrackIR. Through the "Krauts vs Crumpets" Campaign (and the deaths of several pilots)

I got used more to flying without the available aids. But I recommend to use them, as long as you

need most of your attention for the handling of the crate and view and mission objective.

The further you advance, the less will you nee of that - but don't expect get there without being a

rookie first. Why do you think the guys on RAF_Louvert's picture are grinning so mean at the arriving

greenhorn? Because they have all gone through it themselves. No exception.

 

Of course, you may as well buy my new book, available right in time so short before Christmas:

 

 

[RAF_Louvert 101]

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Oooooh, Olham could you sign my copy, "To Lou, the most awesomest virtual WWI pilot I know anywhere on the entire planet."

 

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