First Eagles WW2

[+Coupi 4,388]

Fan... tastic stuff!

[+Geezer 3,569]

Italian trimotors are really nice, specially the Caproni Ca.101!

 

The Caproni was being relegated to second line transport and squadron hack in 1940, but was occasionally used as a bomber in Africa.  The only recorded victory for an RAF Gauntlet in WW2 was shooting down a Caproni in Italian East Africa.

 

http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/gauntlet.htm

 

Edited January 11, 2015 by Geezer

[+LloydNB 212]

I see the Ca.101 and CR32 in colonial red and white skins (for identification in the bush).

 

I really love the Bombay!!

[+Geezer 3,569]

Got started on the late war version.  The planned CR42 graphics pack will probably be a separate release, and contain samples and layers of art so modders can make their own camo and markings.  Gonna try pushing the envelope with this model.  Applying low-res decals to hi-res skins looks terrible.  BadFrank was very helpful in suggesting a method for having multiple aircraft models, each with their own camo and markings.  It won't be as flexible as the standard game system of decals, but it will look more realistic and be accessible to any modder who knows how to use a paint program.

 

Gonna have to make a 1940 British/Italian bomb pack someday.

 

 

Edited January 12, 2015 by Geezer

[Wilches 1,172]

Your CR.42 puts the IL-2´s in the shade! Are you working on cockpits too?

[+Geezer 3,569]

Thought I'd expand on the multiple color scheme concept.  After a few months of operations, many squadrons displayed a variety of paint jobs and markings due to field repairs and replacement aircraft from different manufacturers.  The result was an interesting mixture of camo and markings that would look really cool ingame.

 

 

 

 

As the best way to dodge the low-res decal bullet is to paint the markings into the skin art, why not vary the camo too?  That kills two birds with one stone, but requires multiple models ingame.  For example: CR42_01, CR42_02, CR42_03, etc.  Now, how to get the game to display all of the models at one time to achieve the mixed look in a formation?

 

BadFrank provided the following solution:

 

Manually you can mix the player flight with different planes.

 

But not for AI flights

 

Here's an example for a mission:

 

[MissionHeader]
AircraftType=F-4D_67
MissionMap=VIETNAMSEA
MissionType=SWEEP
StartTime=11:18:14
StartDate=06/23/1975

[MissionData]
FriendlyAirActivity=2
EnemyAirActivity=1
FriendlyAirDefenseActivity=2
EnemyAirDefenseActivity=1
PlayerMissionID=1
PlayerPositionID=1
MissionNumber=4071
GeneratedMission=FALSE
AdjustStartPosition=TRUE
AdjustBaseWaypoint=TRUE
CreateStaticAircraft=TRUE
CreateHelpFlight=FALSE

[Weather]
WeatherType=SCATTERED
WeatherAlt=3000.146484
WeatherThickness=55.168800
HasHighLayer=TRUE
HighLayerAlt=6623.291016
FogAmount=0.750000
ContrailAlt=7716.316895
StartWindDirection=79.000008
StartWindSpeed=2.059011
WindGustingAmount=1.544258

[AircraftMission001]
Name=AUSTIN
AircraftType=F-4D_67
Size=2
Alignment=FRIENDLY
RandomChance=100
MissionType=SWEEP
TargetArea=Kep Airfield
ObjectiveID=2
RatingForSuccess=50
StartOnGround=TRUE
CarrierBased=FALSE
Position=557000.000000,205000.000000,3000.000000
Heading=-19.811478
Speed=232.212509
StartTime=0.000000
BaseArea=TEST TEST TEST
LandArea=TEST TEST TEST
Waypoint[01].Command=TAKEOFF
Waypoint[01].Position=557000.000000,204081.500000,0.000000
Waypoint[01].Size=100.000000
Waypoint[01].Speed=200.059998
Waypoint[02].Command=DEPART
Waypoint[02].Position=550452.190214,197533.692422,3048.000000
Waypoint[02].Size=1500.000000
Waypoint[02].Speed=200.059998
Waypoint[03].Command=WAYPOINT
Waypoint[03].Position=551864.218034,643584.624477,3000.000000
Waypoint[03].Size=1500.000000
Waypoint[03].Speed=232.212509
Waypoint[04].Command=INITIAL_POINT
Waypoint[04].Position=508176.889340,788861.534846,3000.000000
Waypoint[04].Size=1500.000000
Waypoint[04].Speed=232.212509
Waypoint[05].Command=OBJECTIVE_POINT
Waypoint[05].Objective=TRUE
Waypoint[05].Position=520000.000000,814000.000000,3000.000000
Waypoint[05].Size=1500.000000
Waypoint[05].Speed=232.212509
Waypoint[06].Command=WAYPOINT
Waypoint[06].Position=545138.465154,802176.889340,3000.000000
Waypoint[06].Size=1500.000000
Waypoint[06].Speed=232.212509
Waypoint[07].Command=WAYPOINT
Waypoint[07].Position=604135.783622,662415.373039,3000.000000
Waypoint[07].Size=1500.000000
Waypoint[07].Speed=232.212509
Waypoint[08].Command=APPROACH
Waypoint[08].Position=556438.181831,232771.475854,1524.000000
Waypoint[08].Size=1500.000000
Waypoint[08].Speed=135.827988
Waypoint[09].Command=LAND_LINEUP
Waypoint[09].Position=557000.001619,214260.000000,762.000000
Waypoint[09].Size=1500.000000
Waypoint[09].Speed=84.018669
Waypoint[10].Command=LAND_TOUCHDOWN
Waypoint[10].Position=557000.000000,205918.500000,0.000000
Waypoint[10].Size=50.000000
Waypoint[10].Speed=75.459999
Nation=USAF
FormationType=USFighter
PilotTrainingStandard=EXCELLENT
Loadout=AirToAirLongRange_68
AmmoPercent=100
FuelPercent=100
TracerMixRatio=6
Texture=USAFCamo1
Squadron=25TFS
Aircraft[01].AircraftNumber=0
Aircraft[02].AircraftNumber=1

[AircraftMission002]
Name=A002
AircraftType=MiG-17F
Size=4
Alignment=ENEMY
RandomChance=100
MissionType=CAP
TargetArea=Kep Airfield
ObjectiveID=1
RatingForSuccess=50
StartOnGround=TRUE
CarrierBased=FALSE
Position=552000.000000,786000.000000,5500.000000
Heading=-48.814075
Speed=190.017853
StartTime=2323.077637

BaseArea=Cat Bi Airfield
LandArea=Cat Bi Airfield
Waypoint[01].Command=TAKEOFF
Waypoint[01].Position=552000.000000,785081.500000,0.000000
Waypoint[01].Size=100.000000
Waypoint[01].Speed=143.380005
Waypoint[02].Command=DEPART
Waypoint[02].Position=545452.190214,778533.692422,3048.000000
Waypoint[02].Size=1500.000000
Waypoint[02].Speed=143.380005
Waypoint[03].Command=WAYPOINT
Waypoint[03].Position=517706.742065,779093.419030,5500.000000
Waypoint[03].Size=1500.000000
Waypoint[03].Speed=190.017853
Waypoint[04].Command=INITIAL_POINT
Waypoint[04].Position=511735.180532,787477.910953,5500.000000
Waypoint[04].Size=1500.000000
Waypoint[04].Speed=190.017853
Waypoint[05].Command=OBJECTIVE_POINT
Waypoint[05].Objective=TRUE
Waypoint[05].Position=520000.000000,814000.000000,5500.000000
Waypoint[05].Size=1500.000000
Waypoint[05].Speed=190.017853
Waypoint[06].Command=WAYPOINT
Waypoint[06].Position=545190.280637,825712.306696,5500.000000
Waypoint[06].Size=1500.000000
Waypoint[06].Speed=190.017853
Waypoint[07].Command=WAYPOINT
Waypoint[07].Position=554293.259591,820906.579314,5500.000000
Waypoint[07].Size=1500.000000
Waypoint[07].Speed=190.017853
Waypoint[08].Command=APPROACH
Waypoint[08].Position=544347.242499,812124.924774,1524.000000
Waypoint[08].Size=1500.000000
Waypoint[08].Speed=95.472000
Waypoint[09].Command=LAND_LINEUP
Waypoint[09].Position=552000.001619,795260.000000,762.000000
Waypoint[09].Size=1500.000000
Waypoint[09].Speed=67.822495
Waypoint[10].Command=LAND_TOUCHDOWN
Waypoint[10].Position=552000.000000,786918.500000,0.000000
Waypoint[10].Size=50.000000
Waypoint[10].Speed=53.040001
Nation=NVietnam
FormationType=SovietFighter
PilotTrainingStandard=NORMAL
Loadout=AirToAir
AmmoPercent=100
FuelPercent=100
TracerMixRatio=6
Texture=VPAFSilver1
Squadron=
Aircraft[01].AircraftNumber=10
Aircraft[02].AircraftNumber=61
Aircraft[03].AircraftNumber=55
Aircraft[04].AircraftNumber=21
 

 

[AircraftMission001] stands for the each flight

You have only 1 line for the Plane type and only 1 for the texture

But you have lines for the numbers:

Aircraft[01].AircraftNumber=10
Aircraft[02].AircraftNumber=61
Aircraft[03].AircraftNumber=55
Aircraft[04].AircraftNumber=21

 

[+Geezer 3,569]

Your CR.42 puts the IL-2´s in the shade! Are you working on cockpits too?

 

Thanks.  Yep - shots of Gladiator cockpit below.  Like most modelers, I really don't like making cockpits and view them as a necessary evil.  What I hate most is all the fussy file work that is required.  Maybe someone is willing to do that?  If so, drop me a PM.

 

 

[+LloydNB 212]

Some Italian bombs would be interesting.  Very crude things that look like they were put together in someone's garage.  All reinforcing straps and exposed rivets.  Some interesting variety in bomb sizes (15, 20, 36, 40, 50, 100, 160 and 250kg).  The Italians also tended to compensate for their training early in the war by carrying a mix of smaller bombs - more chance of hitting the target.

 

Edited January 13, 2015 by LloydNB

[+LloydNB 212]

Do I see a CR42 CN?  I nice addition to have the night fighter variant with the extended exhaust.

[+Geezer 3,569]

Do I see a CR42 CN?  I nice addition to have the night fighter variant with the extended exhaust.

 

Can also be used for night intruder missions - "bed check Charlie."

[+Geezer 3,569]

Some Italian bombs would be interesting.  Very crude things that look like they were put together in someone's garage.  All reinforcing straps and exposed rivets.  Some interesting variety in bomb sizes (15, 20, 36, 40, 50, 100, 160 and 250kg).  The Italians also tended to compensate for their training early in the war by carrying a mix of smaller bombs - more chance of hitting the target.

 

 

Good stuff.  I have two refs that feature scale side views of the CR42 and Caproni Ca133 with bombs, but the bomb sizes/types are not identified.  Do you have any information on Italian bombs?

 

EDIT: I have scale drawings for the British WW1 Coopers bomb (still widely used in the 1940 desert war) and the British 250lb bomb, but can't find any scale drawings for the British 100lb or 500lb bombs.  Does anyone have any info they could share?

 

 

Edited January 14, 2015 by Geezer

[+Geezer 3,569]

Looks like some Italian bombs were klunkier than others?  Shots below of what look like 50kg Italian bombs.

 

 

[+LloydNB 212]

I've read that Italian bombs were relatively big for the weight of the explosive charge. Those shots of 50kg bombs seems to indicate that. I guess it would be related to their rather crude construction.  It seems clear that 800kg bombs could only be used for short range missions due to the limited capacity of Italian bombers.  A mix of bombs from 2kg through to 500kg in a single load seems common.

 

I would take the pictured 50kg bombs as typical in design, with the reinfocing straps only used on larger bombs - say 250kg and bigger.

 

I did a little search in Italian and came up with the following - hope it helps.

 

The last one is from a Royal Engineers report on italian bombs and fuses that gives fantastic detail. See link below.

http://www.talpo.it/files/bombe-da-aereo-italiane-manuale-inglese.pdf

Edited January 14, 2015 by LloydNB

[+Geezer 3,569]

Wow!  Excellent info - thanks.  After eyeballing the bombs with painted slogans and comparing them to the intelligence report, I think they may have been 70 or 100kg bombs.  Interesting comment about the poor weight to explosive ratio - apparently due to thick walls of low grade (therefore heavy) metallurgy.  Italian aircraft in general had a high structural weight due to a shortage of high grade aluminum alloys.  That was the main reason for the small useful load of many Italian fighters, and why they were under armed.  The weight of four to six 12.7mm machine guns would have penalized performance too much.

 

Again - thanks.

[+Geezer 3,569]

Tidied up some loose ends, plus mapped/textured the night exhaust pipes.

 

 

[+LloydNB 212]

Terrific.

 

I would have picked 100kg. The intelligence report is a fantastic resource, even recording the colour of the components (warhead, tailfin and fuse) for everything from the largest HE bomb to the smallest incediary bomb.  I did note that for some bombs the casing thickness is 25mm (1 inch), which is incredibly thick.

 

The 160kg bomb is an interesting one - designed for anti-submarine work to explode at depth.

[+Geezer 3,569]

Progress shots of weathering and details - access panels, seams, louvers, etc.

 

 

[+Geezer 3,569]

Making good progress - the cowling, dust filter, and part of the belly are done, plus I'm starting to make some extra goodies for the planned graphics pack.  In addition to squadron insignia and codes, stuff like yellow fuselage bands, German insignia, and variously colored spinners will be included so enterprising modders can make skins for different aircraft.

 

 

 

Edited January 21, 2015 by Geezer

[+Stephen1918 1,474]

Very detailed plane! Was there any linen on this plane, or did it have an all metal skin?

[+Geezer 3,569]

All-metal structure and sheet metal cowlings.  But, in good ol' First Eagles tradition, it had fabric covered wings, control surfaces, and aft fuselage. 

 

[+gterl 1,211]

nice :-)

[+whiteknight06604 934]

simply stunning! I think I'm in love.

[+Geezer 3,569]

simply stunning! I think I'm in love.

 

Thanks.  After the CR42?  The Gladiator. 

[Wilches 1,172]

I´m in love too! Geezer, are you planning to release them one by one or in a bunch?

[+Geezer 3,569]

I´m in love too! Geezer, are you planning to release them one by one or in a bunch?

 

They are being developed as stand alone aircraft to be released one by one.  While doing that, I'll also develop ground objects, etc so everything can eventually be combined into a mod package.