Warriors of the Bundesluftwaffe

[KiwiBiggles 114]

 

 

Hi fellas!

 

This is my first campaign building thread, so go easy on the noob dude.

 

Here's where I'm at: I got SF2E a few months back, tried some missions and even customised 'em a bit (minor co-ordinate INI edits in debug mode: http://combatace.com...bject-waypoints). Since then, I picked up some more content (yay memorial day sale!) and now I have SF2E/SF2I/SF2V/SF2NA/Exp1/Exp2 merged and patched to May 2012, with separate mods folders each for SF2E, SF2I, SF2V and SF2NA.

 

 

So far, so good! I'm really rapt with my SF experience and content. I was even given a great gift of the A-4K DLC - very cool! My computer is a little low end for SF2NA I think - the frame rate is a little slow at less than 30fps - but I wanted to have it for future hardware updates ( "I can dream Harold!" ) and hope that some of the NA features might enhance the other versions in the meanwhile?

 

Over the last week, I created a substitute mod folder for my SF2E exe and installed NF4+ - a little nervously since it's still all new to me and I wasn't sure how the latest patches affected things. I cranked up my very first campaign, 1956 Cold War in an F-100C and... WOW! How great is SF2/NF4+ in campaign mode!! I'm having an absolute ball with it (I haven't come across any problems with NF4+ at the May 2012 patch level?) and I'm noticing cool little features all the time - like aces in the campaign and managing the squadron roster. TK is a little slack in the manual department, so I'm still not fully up to speed on exactly how everything works, but I gather his philosophy is that he likes his customers to 'discover' stuff as they go along... OK - I'll buy it, and it is kinda fun to discover little surprises along the way.

 

Now, a long time ago in a sim far away, I created a neat little campaign for the 1956 Bundesluftwaffwe: http://www.mission4t...iewtopic&t=9283 - which is where the pic above came from. I really enjoyed the experience of creating that campaign, but as I'm blasting around the Fulda Gap in my F-100C, it's pretty obvious that NF4+ would be a GREAT platform to try reinventing that campaign.

 

I'm a big fan of the post-war Bundesluftwaffe and veterans like Erich Hartmann, Gerhard Barkhorn, Johannes Steinhoff and Gunther Rall. So, this thread is dedicated to these NATO legends of military aviation, and to making their aircraft and units flyable in the NF4+ environment so I can get into the dangerous skys of West Germany with my heroes!

 

I don't really know what already exists within NF4+ in the way of Luftwaffe pilots and units, but when I started my 1956 F-100C campaign I didn't notice an option to fly for the Luftwaffe, so presumably it's something I'm going to need to add - although I do have a LOT more exploring to do in all that content! I'm also going to finish the F-100C campaign first so I at least have some first-hand experience under my belt - but in the meahwhile I've downloaded some modified campaign files to study and will hopefully post some questions here. The idea is to be a bit prepared beforehand, so when I dive in to make my first campaign it will be a fairly smooth process. With luck, I may even end up with a bit of an add-on campaign for NF4+ that other fellas can try. I considered the DLC campaign customiser, but I think INI edits will be the way to acheive the desired end result, so that's the route I intend to take.

 

 

Finger's crossed!

Edited June 11, 2012 by KiwiBiggles

[KiwiBiggles 114]

OK. So far, I see that I need to check out the NATIONS.INI for the map first.

 

Then I need to look at CAMPAIGNEXXX.INI and CAMPAIGNEXXX_DATA.INI - and clone a new campaign from these files, making sure to get any new squadrons/airunits in the correct blue and red numbered sequence. I've found a few threads with some good examples of what to do, so I should be ok with that.

 

I think the next thing I'll look at is the structure of the mod plane files. I'm particularly interested in matching up any new squadrons/airunits with the decals and paintschemes in the mod... let's say the Canadair CL-13Bs by Ravenclaw. I've seen (at least I think so?) AI German Sabre's in NF4+ while playing the F-100C campaign, so at least some of Ravenclaw's mod is included already in NF4+?

[KiwiBiggles 114]

Also need to go looking for where the pilot names reside. It would be pretty cool to carry over the veteran's WWII scores... should make them appear in the campaign as aces???

[+hgbn 91]

JG71 - CL-13B Sabre - in Ahlhorn

JG72 - CL-13B Sabre - in Leck

JG73 - CL-13B Sabre - in Pferdsfeld

JG74 - F-86K Sabre Dog - in Neuburg (1961)

JBG31 - F-84F - in Nörvenich

JBG32 - F-84F - in Lechfeld

JBG33 - F-84F - in Büchel

JBG34 - F-84F - in Memmingen

JBG35 - F-84F - in Husum

JBG36 - F-84F - in Hopsten

AG51 - RF-84F - in Erding

AG52 - RF-84F - in Erding

[+hgbn 91]

Also need to go looking for where the pilot names reside. It would be pretty cool to carry over the veteran's WWII scores... should make them appear in the campaign as aces???

 

Yep, if I remember correctly Eric Hartmann is already added in NF4+

[+Soulfreak 6,506]

I think it´s time

to update my Thunderstreak skins....

http://combatace.com/files/file/11551-thirdwire-f-84f-mega-skin-update-pack/

[+JonathanRL 974]

but I gather his philosophy is that he likes his customers to 'discover' stuff as they go along... OK - I'll buy it, and it is kinda fun to discover little surprises along the way.

 

Belive me, that one gets really tiresome, really fast. At least if you start making Campaigns from scratch

[+Brain32 265]

Heh...I wish we had the kind of graphics from that screenshot, Il-2 looks so much better...

[KiwiBiggles 114]

@ hgbn - thanks, great info!

 

 

@ Soulfreak - cool! I'd be really interested in any new Bundesluftwaffe skins. I'll have to check out later eras too, like the Starfighter and Phantom eras, and the G.91 too.

 

 

@ Brain - I'm a big fan of IL-2. Maybe we can get Oleg to sell TK the terrain engine and Full Mission Builder! I'm really liking SF2 though, can't remember having as much as my F-100C campaign in a long time! I always seem to be working on my IL-2 installs rather than playing them, but I love 'em all really.

 

 

@ JRL - I know you're a bit of a wizard with campaigns, so I'm hoping to pick your brain a bit!

 

 

 

Anyways, since I got home to my gaming rig I did a bit more poking around and I've found the 1956 Cold War campaign files (it's Red Tide btw) - both in NF4+ and the stock ones which I've extracted to compare. Hopefully I want to make a very modest contribution by coming up with a wee update. I'm proposing to work it forward to June 1959 (when Erich Hartmann became operational with JG71 "Richthofen" at Ahlhorn). Still looking for the pilot files though...

[KiwiBiggles 114]

I'm having a good look at Arthur666's Red Thunder 2 files as well, since it's pretty similar to what I would like to do.

[+Soulfreak 6,506]

He he....

I´m your man.

Did all F-894F skins for the Luftwaffe.

They have to been updated to latest patch level.

I also did all Fiat G-91R.3 & T.3 Skins for the Luftwaffe, but that project is not finished yet.

And I´m working on many F-104G Skins...

[KiwiBiggles 114]

okie dokie: namesgerman.lst is what I figure I'm looking for...

 

echo...

somewhere in here...

 

 

[KiwiBiggles 114]

He he....

I´m your man.

Did all F-894F skins for the Luftwaffe.

They have to been updated to latest patch level.

I also did all Fiat G-91R.3 & T.3 Skins for the Luftwaffe, but that project is not finished yet.

And I´m working on many F-104G Skins...

 

 

Sounds great!

 

 

Keeping track of patch levels is something that worries me a bit. NF4+ seems to be working fine in my install... but I'm pretty sure it's not up to date patch-wise from what I've read (?) on the other hand if anything is broken I haven't noticed it yet. Hoping some one will point out any pitfalls...

[+Soulfreak 6,506]

The F-104G skins i´m working on are all for may12 patch level.

But the F-84F skins, there i have to look 1st what to modify...

[+Baltika 84]

Hi KB,

 

great campaign idea

 

 

Ace pilots are added in the campaign_data.ini file, to whichever air unit you want them to appear in.

 

Here's the format:-

 

// Jagdgeschwader 53 'Pik As'

 

[AirUnit088]

AircraftType=Bf109G6

Squadron=I/JG53

StartDate=02/11/1943

ForceID=2

Nation=Nazi Germany

DefaultTexture=Camo

StartNumber=0

BaseArea=Bizerte Airfield

RandomChance=100

MissionRate=1.0

MaxAircraft=36

StartAircraft=27

MaxPilots=36

StartPilots=27

Experience=100

Morale=100

Supply=60

UpgradeType=NEVER

MissionChance[sWEEP]=90

MissionChance[CAP]=90

MissionChance[iNTERCEPT]=90

MissionChance[ESCORT]=90

MissionChance=0

MissionChance[CAS]=30

MissionChance[sEAD]=0

MissionChance[ARMED_RECON]=30

MissionChance[ANTI_SHIP]=0

MissionChance[RECON]=0

Supply[001].WeaponType=20mm Cannon Pod

Supply[001].Quantity=120

Supply[002].WeaponType=Sc-250

Supply[002].Quantity=240

Supply[003].WeaponType=Tank300_Bf109G

Supply[003].Quantity=120

KnownAce[01].LastName=Freiherr von Maltzahn

KnownAce[01].FirstName=Günther

KnownAce[01].RankID=5

KnownAce[01].NumMissions=200

KnownAce[01].AirKills=68

KnownAce[01].AircraftNumber=1

KnownAce[02].LastName=Schiess

KnownAce[02].FirstName=Franz

KnownAce[02].RankID=1

KnownAce[02].NumMissions=200

KnownAce[02].AirKills=67

KnownAce[02].AircraftNumber=8

KnownAce[03].LastName=Müller

KnownAce[03].FirstName=Friedrich-Karl "Tutti"

KnownAce[03].RankID=3

KnownAce[03].NumMissions=600

KnownAce[03].AirKills=140

KnownAce[03].AircraftNumber=4

 

 

 

Make sure you have AllowRandomAceCreation=FALSE under the [FORCEXXX] header, also in the campaign_data.ini.

 

The names_german.lst file just contains lots of german names from which the game will create the pilot roster for your flyable squadron.

 

Slainthe,

 

Baltika

[+Soulfreak 6,506]

How do the IL2 entries compare with the ones in Strike Fighters 2???

[+Baltika 84]

How do the IL2 entries compare with the ones in Strike Fighters 2???

 

I have no idea, I'm just advising on the SF2 campaign_data.ini entries.

 

This is a campaign for SF2E with the NF4+ pack installed, yes?

 

 

The above example is taken from the Wings Over Afrika WW2 total conversion mod for WoE, for which I built several WW2 North Africa campaigns using the WoE engine.

Edited June 12, 2012 by Baltika

[KiwiBiggles 114]

@ Baltika - Thanks! That's just what I was looking for.

[KiwiBiggles 114]

@ Brain - I'm a big fan of IL-2. Maybe we can get Oleg to sell TK the terrain engine and Full Mission Builder! I'm really liking SF2 though, can't remember having as much as my F-100C campaign in a long time! I always seem to be working on my IL-2 installs rather than playing them, but I love 'em all really.

 

 

 

 

Can't remember having as much FUN as playing the F-100C campaign in a long time - is what I meant to type.

 

 

Sometimes there's a disconnect between my brain and the keyboard...

[+Soulfreak 6,506]

Got a question,

I´m currently updating the F-84F.

I now need some help with creating bump maps.

Is there someone who can help me doing bumb map textures???

[+hgbn 91]

Carlo I can take a look on it.

[+Soulfreak 6,506]

That´s great! Thank you Henrik!

I will send you the temps i use this evening.

Still have to do Temps for the stock tanks...

[+hgbn 91]

Do you want specular maps too?

[+Soulfreak 6,506]

specular i can take the original ones.

But the bump mapy from TW don´t look nice i think. Not so much of the texture bumped mapped....

[KiwiBiggles 114]

Now that I'm a bit more educated on what to look for, I've noticed a few interesting things in the NF4+ Red Thunder campaign. It is modified from the stock campaign, including several West German AirUnits and KnownAces, including Erich Hartmann (with his WWII tally!) as HGBN said.

 

Here's Jagdgeschwader 71:

 

 

[WGermanyUnit002]

UnitName=1/JG 71 'Richthofen'

ForceID=1

UnitID=77

StartDate=10/26/1962

DescFile=woe1Start.txt

StartText=woe1Start1.txt

AircraftType=CL-13B_62

 

[AirUnit077]

AircraftType=CL-13B_62

Squadron=JG71

UnitName=1/JG 71 'Richthofen'

ForceID=1

Nation=WGermany

DefaultTexture=1stJG71

Startnumber=1

BaseArea=Ahlhorn Airbase

BaseMoveChance=0

RandomChance=100

StartNumber=JA-101 SN-1647

MaxAircraft=16

StartAircraft=16

MaxPilots=16

StartPilots=16

Experience=100

Morale=100

Supply=50

MissionChance[sWEEP]=40

MissionChance[CAP]=50

MissionChance[iNTERCEPT]=10

MissionChance[ESCORT]=0

MissionChance=0

MissionChance[CAS]=0

MissionChance[sEAD]=0

MissionChance[ARMED_RECON]=0

MissionChance[ANTI_SHIP]=0

MissionChance[RECON]=0

UpgradeType=NEVER

KnownAce[01].LastName=Hartmann

KnownAce[01].FirstName=Erich

KnownAce[01].RankID=5

KnownAce[01].NumMissions=500

KnownAce[01].AirKills=352

KnownAce[01].AircraftNumber=JA-101 SN-1647

 

I'm pretty excited about that ( ok - I don't get out much ) but I can see an opportunity there since the CL-13B_62 is employed and I think I could use Ravenclaw's early CL-13B in a 1959 Red Tide 2 scenario.

 

 

I need to do some more research, but I suspect some of the Luftwaffe units I'm interested in wouldn't have been operational in '59, so I need to make a decision whether or not to move the date out. On one hand, I could posit Red Tide 2 along the lines "Following the events of Red Tide in 1956..." in which case it would be reasonable to assume the readiness of the Luftwaffe would have been brought forward somewhat? On the other hand, that might cause problems with the userlist.ini(?) and paintscheme(?) and suchlike service dates - in which case I should work with them and adjust the date of the Red Tide 2 campaign to suit?

 

 

Thoughts?

 

 

The other thing I'd like to do is include all the AirUnits and KnownAces from NF4+ Red Thunder and Arthur's Red Thunder 2, so that there's some continuity for the player?

 

I'm also thinking there's some WWII aces from the allied side (who served post-war) that might be cool to include, guys like Al Deere, Johnnie Johnson, and Stanford Tuck - although a bit of fiction might be needed to get 'em in: in 1959 Tuck was famously great mates with Adolf Galland, but retired, Deere was flying a desk at Staff College, and Johnson was commanding bombers at Cottesmore. Roland Beamont was a test pilot. Pierre Clostermann flew on active service for the Armee de l'Air over Algiers '56-7 before retiring for good. Still, hard to imagine keeping these guys out of a good scrap, especially if it was round two!

 

Interestingly, Sailor Malan was back in South Africa by this time, and was active in the fight against apartheid, which just goes to show the character of these men from both sides of the battle lines in WWII:

 

http://www.scielo.or...ipt=sci_arttext

 

http://www.bnap.tv/R...is_11_11_11.pdf

 

Cheers

 

Kiwi

Edited June 13, 2012 by KiwiBiggles