Caesar

Did you remember to set compatibility with Windows 98? If you don't take this step, the editor won't open in XP.

The F-14 Agressor files should all be just F-14A_xxxxx.ini in the F-14AGR.ini file, as they designate the other .ini's in the folder denoted by the same name (all other .ini's in that folder are F-14A, rather than AGR.) As for the weapons, I've been having the same problems; I'm guessing it might be a nation issue. When I designated a seperate Tomcat for post-revolution Iran, I wasn't able to access USN weapons and had to make custom Iranian Sparrows, Sidewinders and Phoenix missiles (through copying and modifying/renaming in the weapon editor.) Good luck with modeling the -32, -35 and EF!

File Name: 1972 VF-124 Gunfighters File Submitter: Caesar File Submitted: 1 Jul 2006 File Category: SF F-14 Skins This is the paint scheme for the Gunfighters during their early Tomcat years (~1972-1978). Click here to download this file

Are you within the min or max ranges of the missile? Is your radar on? Generally, locking a target up isn't an issue with weapons. Select radar target, and then track is radar commands. Unless those commands got unbound to their keys somehow, there shouldn't be a problem with getting a lock. From there, it's the missile preformance envelope, Rmin & Rmax, where the missile can be fired within. Also, at what g are you firing from? If none of this helps, check the Knowledge Base here, which should have a segment on radar operation and using radar guided weapons (AIM-7's, -54's, -120's, etc.)

After two weeks, ten Calculus classes, and a horrid vertical tail decal botch... She's finally taking shape. Now I gotta do those confounded things that say what number the plane is...you know...uh...numbers? Yeah, the numbers! (400-~435 I think.)

Thanks very much, I just finished my calc class today, and got all 70 numbers done for the left and right side of the nose; gotta do 35 more for the right flap; there were none on the left at the time (1972) and do a few more touch ups. It oughta be done by sunday.

What I did was just backed up my folder before I did the SP4 patch (i.e. burned the whole thing onto a DVD) then did a clean install, patched, then pasted the old folder's aircraft, effects, sounds and a few other non-critical folders back into the patched one. I installed the latest weapons pack, though, rather than move over the old one, but by keeping the planes, pilot records, and effects on back up, it made the process a lot faster than completely reinstalling every single plane/effect.

Having read that, I think it'd be appropriate to say the following: Wow...what a hole...

Is there another Foxbat on the way? I thought the Foxbat already available was also done by Wpnssgt (among others)? As far as I'm concerned, there's two types of aircraft: Tomcats and targets (okay, that's a bit unfair, I just like the quote .) If someone does model a -37, you'd better believe I'm gonna try to smack it in the teeth 120 miles out with a Buffalo rather than get in a dogfight, but as you say, if there isn't definitive data on a Su-30MKI, modeling a -37 is probably out of the question for a while. For now, I'm waitin' on the -27, which will offer a fair bit more of a challange than the MiG-21's/23's I usually encounter...and I'd like to hop in the seat and see how she handles as well. On another note (still pertaining to the subject,) has there been any progress on the Su-47 that anyone's aware of?

Uh, if you're talking about the Su-27, I dont' have a thing to do with that project, just brought it up to explain that there are more Russian planes in the works. I too am excited about its (hopefully near future) arrival, though.

Certainly wouldn't mind :) ; getting more planes into the mix is more fun.

Well, there is an Su-27 in the works by someone (sorry, I can't remember whom )...which I can't wait to take on with my 'Cat . Give it time, and more Eastern planes will be on the scene, though I have to agree that there's already a good chunk out there. MiG's -15, -17, -19, various -21's and -23's, a -25, at least 2 -29's, and then Sukohi's, Tupolev bombers, and that's not all...it's not like there's only a few Eastern/Russian planes to fly. More modern Russian planes wouldn't be bad, but getting the maneuverability data on a plane like the Su-37 or -47 or MiG-1.44 has gotta be a pain-and-a-half, so I'm not holding high hopes for anything any time soon...

File Name :: F-14 No.12 Author :: Caesar Category :: SF F-14 Skins File Version :: Description :: This is the scheme for test Tomcat #12 or "1X" which replaced Tomcat #1 after it crashed. View File

Haha, just about everyone I know has taken that confounded class twice or more. This is my second attempt after a year's break from math in general, but I'm actually pulling an A right now (we'll see how it turns out...) As for pics, I appreciate any help for skinning accurately. I got quite a cache o' 'Cat books myself, but the era I've been skinning for is dominated by VF-1, VF-2 and VF-124. Less so, VF-14, -24 and -32, though -211 had a fair number of pics for me to work with. I have a few of -143, and -101, but as for -111, I've got just about nothing. The closest thing I could find was in "F-14 Tomcat: Shipborne Superfighter" in which there is a pic of a Sundowner bird on its tails (90deg-vertical). Thing is, it looks pretty plain: just a big "NL" on its tail in red and bordered in white, with a sharkmouth, number and squadron notation on the ventral fins. It looks more like an early '80's scheme than those worn in the '70's. Of course, it could be the Sundowner's first scheme as Tomcats began toning down around 1978 anyhow. But again, if you can find anything, that'd be great, and thanks for your offer. -"C"

Thank you very much for the compliment, Currently, I'm working on VF-124's 1972 scheme, but skinning has had to take a back seat to my Calc class, which ends next week. Unfortunately, I completely biffed the tails when I did take some time out to work on it, and that turned into a waste, so maybe this weekend I'll be able to go at it again. On the drawing board are VF-143's 1974 scheme, VF-101's 1974 scheme and hopefully VF-111's 1978 scheme, but it's hard to find pics of -111 in '78; plenty of '80's shots, but few from the late '70's that I could find. Those will come after I finish 124, which itself may not be done for a week or two, but I'm still at it! Thanks again, -"Caesar"

Congratulations on the recovery! I thank you all at Combat Ace for the hard work you've done to build and keep the site going...even sustaining attacks from hackers! You guys are great. -C

Glad you found that bit of data; makes it easier on my part . I've actually still gotta get the TARPS pod up and running on my 'Cats myself, just haven't had time til right about...now. Vale, -"Caesar"

Nope; with the TARPS pod equipped, the Tomcat can't carry belly Phoenix or Sparrow missiles. The possible exception of carrying Sparrows up front was somewhat viable, but if they were fired (which first, isn't healthy for the pod) the aircraft would have to make an aft center-of-gravity landing. It wasn't clear to do this. What was generally done to balance the plane was to either install the Phoenix pylons unloaded, or use dummy AIM-7's. During Operation Desert Storm, the right-hand -54 pylon usually carried an AN/ALQ-167 ECM pod/chaff dispenser.

I generally do MP over LAN; during summer I'm on dial-up, and for the rest of the time, I'm at college, so classes get in the way of online play for any game. I also like flying the newer planes (F-14 esp., also F-15, F-16, etc.) which to the best of my knowledge are not supported in standard online play. So, when I play, it's usually single player or LAN with my friends.

Hey all, I'm currently working on a 1975 VF-24 Red Checkertails scheme for the F-14 Tomcat and I had a few questions. (I may be slow to reply to suggestions/comments due to a dial-up connection) Firstly, pertaining to the Checkertails colorscheme: I've got the tail and fuselage fine, but does anyone know if the radome was painted with the yellow/white stripe for the Checkertails (now Renegades) in '75? I managed to find a few pictures which shows a "clean" radome: it's light gull grey like the fuselage/wings, with the wavy white pattern below. But, on a few prints, the Checkertails 'Cats have the radome painted with the yellow/white stripe a-la VF-1. Being that I lean more towards pics than prints, if I can't get a definite answer I'll probably leave the nose clean, but if anyone knows, it'd be nice to find out. Secondly, I haven't been able to figure out how to get the plane to have the numbers 2xx instead of 1xx. My two former skins were 1xx planes and I just used the base fighterplane numbers. I've already modified the numbers.lst file for 200-212 or so, but on the plane, it still shows up as 1xx numbers. Anyone know a potential cause for this? Or for that matter how to do custom decals for numbers (the Checkertails had black numbers with a red outline, and that'd be nice to do.) Thanks in advance for any replies, -Caesar

Thank you again for your replies, Paul. The main issue I ended up having was that I couldn't figure out what a .tga file was; on my former skins, if I wanted something like carrier markings, I just painted them on and then used the games' stock decals for other markings. After some scanning I found that bit of info as well. I found that I can make .tga files in PSP8 (though, from what I understand, PSP8 is more difficult for decals than Photoshop or PSP7), and that I'll be able to get the numbers looking good with some practice...but first, Calculus (ah, summer semester .) With most sincere gratitude, -Caesar

Well, I agree with you: in many circumstances, DIY is usually the best way to learn. I had been wondering about the radome for a while and figured I may as well ask about the numbers. I'll figure out the number situation on my own. Still wondering about that radome, though...it's looking more and more like it'll be clean. Thanks for the reply, -Caesar