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Was somebody waiting for a bus ???

Sitting on the dock of the bay...

Su-33 Flanker D in parani colours by GKABS and team.

Russian Beauty

next PR UK base... RAF Fairford.

Island Hopper

Apache pilots watching DA's Buick.......

It's doable but it requires first some additional 3D meshes. Currently the hierarchy is : Fueslage_2 / LeftCanard Fueslage_2 / RightCanard If you would had : Fueslage_2 / "LeftPivotCanard" / LeftCanard Fueslage_2 / "RightPivotCanard" / RightCanard you could use the "LeftPivotCanard" & "RightPivotCanard" (whatever the names) as control surfaces, and use them as leading edge flaps "DeploymentMethod=AUTOMATIC_ANGLE_OF_ATTACK". I think it would bring some issues when on ground, with the canards moving without reason when the plane is stopped. (or maybe not, depending on the settings)

Boeing AH-64 Apache rockets pod moving up and down to direct the rocket shooting angle, this is amazing this is the first time I noticed that.

Willing, Able, Ready

Getting used to the Kuznetsov. It was a bit tricky since I'm used to a flightpath marker but I managed to make it

East German Tomcats.

probably about time for me to get my own WIP thread. kickin off, who can guess where these two are stationed?

I am probably getting over-obsessed with the visual movement of the control surfaces. Having watched several videos of the actual aircraft (not DCS videos that one can find plenty of), I am getting to a few conclusions about the way the canards work on the Su-33. 1. I did not come across any video proving, that the canards are actually used for roll control. In fact, a video of the Su-33 during a pre-flight check shows the rear horizontal stabilizers moving in different directions to provide roll control, but the canards remain in a fixed position. So, for me it is no roll control action of the canards. 2. A video of an actual Su-33 performing a high-angle of attack manoeuvre after an aborted landing aboard the Kuznetsov shows the canards moving downward as if to prevent the nose of the aircraft going any higher, while at the same time the rear horizontal stibilizers remain in a neutral position. I am not sure, but that may be an automatic movement of the canards, related to the angle of attack of the aircraft. 3. I do not have acess to an actual flight manual for the Su-33, but the DCS one indicates canard deflection from +3.5 degrees to -51.5 degrees. Videos of the actual aircraft support that information, though it is not possile to measure the exact angles of deflection. So, for me MaxDeflection=35 and MinDeflection=-35 are not correct. I have not figured out yet how to replicate point 2 above, but for points 1 and 3 these entries work: [CanardL] SystemType=CONTROL_SURFACE InputName=PITCH_CONTROL MovingSurface=TRUE MaxDeflection=-5.5 MinDeflection=51.5 ControlRate=2.0 ModelNodeName=LeftCanard ReverseModelOrientation=FALSE SecondaryInputName= SecondaryInputFactor=-1.0 MaxControlSpeed=416.0 [CanardR] SystemType=CONTROL_SURFACE InputName=PITCH_CONTROL MovingSurface=TRUE MaxDeflection=-5.5 MinDeflection=51.5 ControlRate=2.0 ModelNodeName=RightCanard ReverseModelOrientation=FALSE SecondaryInputName= SecondaryInputFactor=1.0 MaxControlSpeed=416.0 I have deliberately entered MaxDeflection=-5.5 instead of -3.5 (as the DCS manual suggest). With MaxDeflection=-3.5 the movement of the canard is nearly invisible and MaxDeflection=-5.5 results in better visual replication of the actual aircraft. If anyone knows how to implement point 2 above, I would greatly appreciate sharing the required entries.

When making a new gunsight, you know you're done when you're blaming again the handling of the aircraft instead of the lack of successful hits.

RIP, see you in Valhalla NIELS

I'm terribly sad to hear these news. It's been a while since last time I heard from Marty via email... I'm as shocked and saddened as much as I'm honored to have known him. One of the kindest men I've ever known. I'm keeping all posts from him with care. Our chats and his positive posts and comments made my day more than once. I lack the words to truly express how I feel about this loss. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones, and to the guys of the CombatACE community who, like me, had the pleasure of chatting and collaborating with him. Rest in peace, Marty.

yeah well that gun looks F CKING HUGE when its pointing at you! (for those that are wondering, i had to run out to a field site on Bragg on fine day in my personal car. lets say the crew wasnt expecting a 99 Buick LeSabre out where they were flying, and that chain gun tends to follow the motion of the nose gunners head!)

SABENA - Such A Bad Experience Never Again!!!🤣🤣🤣

Again I wish it was like DCS, where you can spawn in one of those places and taxi to the runway and such. Nice work.

I should have taken these shots on July 4th but too late now...

Su-33 Flanker-D

My bad. I was too eager to start playing with it! Edit: Oooh, yes.

testing the GBU-8A/B with IR seeker

could not miss the Honduran F4u5

I will post here the progress with these models for now F4U5NL (Argentine Navy) a usnavy serial skin, supercorsair F2G with usnavy serial skin, and the F2G racing variant with the elongated intake.

you know the main props i like are the 4 on Herks and still....

It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we now tearfully announce the loss of our greatest contributor, our biggest fan and a wonderful person…Marty James Nielson ("NIELS" around here). “Utah Air National Guard, Senior Master Sergeant, Marty James Nielsen left the airspace of this world on his last refueling mission with God's angels on May 21, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. Marty was born on July 7, 1960, the first of three sons to James Nielsen and Nancy (Fullmer) Nielsen. Marty grew up in the Glendale neighborhood of Salt Lake City...he joined the Utah Air National Guard, where he served honorably for 30 years as a boom operator, refueling military aircraft in mid flight, and as a crew chief." Marty was a constant supporter and advocator of the When Thunder Rolled Project since Day 1. He was always willing to help out wherever possible with enthusiasm and passion and was an official team member. Marty provided helpful research support, but more importantly, was one of the masterminds behind our target area creations. He became known as the target placement king; having a keen appreciation for detail and creating some of the most meticulous target areas ever created for this sim such as the North Vietnamese rail yards (the last he was working on before he passed). Many of our custom assets were directed by his requests. And we would happily create them; he always put them to great use and genuinely appreciated them. Moreover, among many development lows resulting in slow downs, Marty was always there providing motivation, encouragement and willing to help out whenever called upon. His presence and influence alone greatly contributed to getting back in action, delivering the goodies he needed to do his placement magic and feeling blessed to have such an amazing supporter with us. I personally enjoyed my discussions and collaboration with Marty, and felt so fortunate that our paths would cross sharing a common passion and hobby together. A foundation in Military Service, Family and Faith further helped unite us. My last communication from Marty was as follows: Thank you for the reply Steve and the kind words. Got home yesterday from the hospital. Struggling a bit today can’t guarantee much progress. I will do my best in the next few days…Godspeed my friend. Bless you and your family. Marty Well my friend, I know it’s too late for you to respond…but you have ALWAYS done your best for this project, for me and for the greater good. Today we lit a candle in your honor. Today we immediately thought of you when we heard the words: “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Right back at you: Godspeed Marty, Blessings to You and Your family…and until we meet again...rest in peace and thank you for the impact you had on my life, it was a true honor to know you. Post Script and Lesser Thoughts Beyond just the WTR Project, many members here have interacted with Marty in various ways as he was an avid fan and supporter of this community. I’d ask for each of you to please remember him and his family in your thoughts and prayers, his enthusiasm and appreciation for all the collaboration and modding work here will truly be missed. Feel free to share in this post any fond memories or other thoughts you may wish to share, he would love that. In Marty’s memory and honor, we will be memorializing him within the WTR Project. We have finished our tribute plans for him and are currently collaborating with an artist to make this a reality which includes Marty featured as the KC-135A Tanker Boomer, a renown F-105/Thud Pilot (among his favorite aircraft ever) and even more. We will post more details as that tribute continues. With Marty’s passing, he takes with him most of the WTR target area lay-outs we planned and nearly finished. Obviously, this is a significant set back and therefore another progress update will be delayed until late Summer. As usual, if you have an interest in helping please send a Private Message. Take time to reflect on this loss, how Marty might have made your day in some way. Time is short and yesterday is not promised, so remember to love and appreciate today...take this moment right now to thank someone for their love and support. All of you, be well. In sadness for the loss, in gratefulness for the friendship... Steve (aka "Swambast")

Deepest condolences to his family, he will be in our toughts. Rest in peace. S!

https://combatace.com/forums/topic/98270-in-grief-and-sadnessour-greatest-lossgodspeed-marty/?tab=comments#comment-805524

Condolences. Sad to lose fellow members.

Wow ! what a shock, I had no idea of him even being ill. Another great guy lost, always a pleasure to work with. RIP my friend.