Navigating by Paper Maps

[Olham 164]

The virus jumped over from RAF_Louvert, who seems to be flying after paper maps rather

than using the ingame map or even the TAC.

 

It does work in parts - some of the rivers and roads seem to be more or less right.

Some places though don't seem to be where they should be according to the maps.

But I managed to at least fly after paper maps with occasional pop-ups of the ingame one.

There, I mostly check, which airfield that is below me, and after some time (if I survive long

enough), I know my area better and better.

 

You don't need to be too afraid to get jumped by the enemy without TAC - it's rather that I

seem to be missing many a fight, because I just don't know that there are enemies near.

I recommend to start flying after maps on the German side - simply because you will have

warnings about enemies by the black Flak puffs. You will hardly ever get totally surprised,

although it can happen - like that flight of RNAS Triplanes, which suddenly were everywhere

around and above me. It is happening very rarely though.

 

Just concentrate on keeping your wingmen with you, and on the flight path, and you will be

amazed, how much more realistic it will feel!

If you print your maps out letter size and put them into thick, clear plastic sheets, you can

draw your own flight path, following rivers or major roads. I bought me a water-resistent

pen for that, which I can later wipe off with pure alcohol.

 

I wonder, if anyone else does similar things, and how you like it. Highly recommended.

 

PS: to the DEVS: for such navigating, but also for better general orientation, it is very much

necessary to have roads and rivers according to the RL ones. Is there a chance this could

be worked on?

Edited March 8, 2011 by Olham

[Wayfarer 5]

Olham, I think you have said elsewhere, but which maps do you actually use?

[Olham 164]

The Great War / Western Front map, that RAF_Louvert provided in the downloads section.

I make excerpts from it, just like I need them.

Edited March 8, 2011 by Olham

[Bletchley 8]

If you fly in this way you will find that, very quickly, you don't even need the paper maps very much. You will soon come to recognise the landmarks within quite a wide radius of your home airfield (the odd shaped woods, lakes, towns, roads, airfields, rail and rivers), and can navigate accordingly. You can even do without a compass if you are aware of the time, and the position of the sun in the sky. It all seems very difficult at first, but knowing where you are (or getting lost) does add an extra dimension to the game. I only use the in-game map if I first land at a friendly airfield (to ask for directions), and then fly out again :)

 

Bletchley

[Olham 164]

Good idea, Bletchley!

And you're right: after some time of flying from La Jolly Ferme, west-northwest of Verdun,

I knew all the lakes and forrests around there very well.

Edited March 8, 2011 by Olham

[RAF_Louvert 101]

.

 

It is wonderful to see that others have been discovering the advantages and excitement of flying in OFF with the paper maps. It's the only way to fly. Bletchley is quite right, after a while in the same AO you won't need the map at all. Also, as Olham has mentioned, there are numerous maps available in the OFF downloads. And there is also my updated Alsace-Lorraine map available, if you happen to be flying in that section of the front. I have made numerous corrections and additions to it so that it is even more accurate in terms of the in-sim landscape.

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy!

 

.

[Lewie 7]

I've downloaded the Alsace Lorraine map myself, and it's really quite detailed, it even shows the forward airbase that the Escadrille Americaine used for long trips, the one that Kiffin crashed at after the Oct 16 Obendorf raid. Corcuiex I think it's called.

 

Great detail. I also have the original paper maps that Flying Corps Gold came with, which were supposedly well researched and based on period Obs photos. It covers the Somme and Arras fronts, and Verdun.

[carrick58 23]

Wow, U guys added another dimension to the Game, Well Done!

[RAF_Louvert 101]

.

 

I have added the very large 1918 National Geographic Western Front map to the OFF downloads section. I realized, after Olham had mentioned it, that I had only ever posted it as a link to a download I had parked at my old website. But it is now available with the other WWI maps, for those who might wish to use it.

 

Enjoy!

 

.

[Wayfarer 5]

. I also have the original paper maps that Flying Corps Gold came with, which were supposedly well researched and based on period Obs photos. It covers the Somme and Arras fronts, and Verdun.

 

I also still have the Flying Corps maps. There are discrepancies, but I 'd guess that mirrors the real life situation. The font lines are somewhat different to those in my 1915 campaign, I think they are more applicable to 1917. I hadn't thought of using a plastic cover and non-permanent pen to map out your route, but I'll definitely try that.

Edited March 9, 2011 by Wayfarer

[von Baur 54]

I started using Rabu's paper maps almost a year-and-a-half ago flying online with Vasco's Volunteers (DH2 campaign out of Bertangles West). Most of my campaigns since then have been for FA62 begininning mid 1915 and I use it for that, too. In fact, I'll refer to it to give a detailed location of where my kills fell in my claims report and I was getting over well 50% confirmations (including confirmations witnessed by obs balloons and ground troops). I'd even started revising the Douai area to more accurately match the game until my hard drive crashed and burned. The only downside is the in-game map differs so wildly that it's difficult to transpose that in the briefing to the paper maps to accurately mark your waypoints. That's why I keep repeating as my primary request for P4 to have a detailed in-game map that matches the game's terrain. I don't even care about airfields, just so the towns, roads, rail lines, rivers, lakes and preferably even woodlines coincide with what we see from the air.

[almccoyjr 7]

I hadn't thought of using a plastic cover and non-permanent pen to map out your route, but I'll definitely try that.

Get the "heavy" clear plastic ones; they'll last a lot longer and clean easier. I'm on my second "grease" pencil. Works great!

 

plug_nickel

[+Polovski 457]

WM has worked a lot on scenery and maps but I cannot comment on total object accuracy - hopefully if he sees he can comment. Some stuff as always is under wraps currently too.

[Olham 164]

Of course you cannot say, what you are doing and changing in detail.

I just post ideas every now and then, which I would really like to find in a future version a lot.

Hoping, it might be worth to consider for you.

 

Total object accuracy at airfields would not be needed, I think.

Roucourt for example would just need a chateau, a wood, a church and a factory with a chimney,

placed the right way, to make it distinctable.

 

I just received the book "In the Footsteps of the Red Baron", which contains aerial photos today,

plus drawings, how it looked then. I can recommend it for such purposes.

[von Baur 54]

WM has worked a lot on scenery and maps but I cannot comment on total object accuracy - hopefully if he sees he can comment. Some stuff as always is under wraps currently too.

 

 

Excellent news.