FastCargo

Could be a one time glitch...see if you can duplicate the problem. Also, screenshots will help. FC

The files in terrain directories that define things things like trees, city buildings, etc. The important thing for you to know is that unless the object is on an airfield, is a target, or is something that can actively shoot at you, you probably can't collide with it. Also, your blocky trees are probably caused by the Green Hell 2 mod overstressing your video card. FC

I can answer both your questions: 1) Nope, standard F-15C with CFTs that they could carry (and did). 2) Probably, I'm still working on details with the data.ini to make it work and look right. Right now, it can do both (internal or external), but there are issues if you start trying to pick and choose your own weapons. FC

My thing is 3d models. Certain things I'm almost obsessive compulsive on (visible holes in meshes or misaligned doors, etc...big pet peeve). Other things I could give it very basic but plasible form and be happy (landing gear). I tend to like doing features or (and some aircraft) no one else has done or tried, or even thought possible. Secondary tends to extend to data.ini files. Not so much in the actual FM area...but most other stuff I've got a pretty good handle on and tend to extend my obessive/compulsive streak. Only now are the avionics entries starting to get away from me as they've become more complex. FC

My, how lizardly you look! FC

Okay, I've had to start deleting posts because the insults are coming out. This one's done. FC

There was one in work some time ago. And rotating bomb bays are easy if you have the animation slots available. FC

That's not inconsequential (the frame rate boost). So, just to be clear, it's textures and effects (and their callouts within a LOD or an ini) that are case sensitive, but other files are not. FC

Hey KB, Could you go over what in the SF2 engine is case dependent, so I know what files I shouldn't change to all caps? FC

That's because it isn't a JSOW... I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you. Actually, you've seen it already, it's just not out yet. Oh, and btw folks, the F-15SE is hella fun, especially when it's in CFT weapons only mode. Though you only have 4 weapons, the fact that you're flying around with F-100-229s wearing nothing but CFTs in a Strike Eagle airframe makes for some fast times. Damn thing is basically a Streak Eagle except it's armed! FC

There have been problems with certain aircraft being released for Gen 2 sims that even after following instructions here do not appear in Gen 1 sims. The problem as Spinners alluded to eariler is that the newer sims can read Unicode and ANSI encoded ini files, whereas the Gen 1 sims can only read in ANSI. The solution is simple....resave the ini files in ANSI format. Here's what should be done: First, backup all your ini files in the aircraft you are converting over. In XP, use Notepad to open the file, then go to the File, Save As... menu. You should see an option to save the file and it should default to ANSI. You will see the ANSI option in the Save As... menu, you may not see it in the Save menu. Make sure you are overwriting the specific file you opened...otherwise things could get ugly quick. In Vista, the instructions are very similiar, except the default is Unicode. Make sure you change this to ANSI or you'll have wasted your time. Otherwise, the instructions are the same. That should be it, enjoy your Gen 2 third party aircraft in your Gen 1 sim. FC

Well, crap on a stick. I just noticed for the first time that Notepad in Vista natively saves text files in Unicode. Never noticed an option until a few minutes ago while working on something unrelated. This confirms what others have noticed. The solution is to open the particular ini files and resave them in ANSI. I will add this step to the 'Converting SF2 aircraft to SF1' thread in the knowledge base. FC

No problem...I probably need to tweak that area of the knowledge base a bit... FC

Also folks, for you ALCM fans, be aware I'm working some minor upgrades to it to allow for proper loft operations (mainly to avoid the 'shallow attack angle' problem where you hit the ground just before the target, though with nukes that may not be an issue...). Awesome work Dave! FC

Falcon, Dude, you're talking about a C-5 as a gunship and you're worried about a realistic loadout? I think it'll be okay to take a little liberty with that if you want... FC

Sweet, Put that 757 in FedEx colors and you're good to go! FC

The top one I could see someone doing...but the bottom one is basically an F-22 with a set of small canards. FC

This also means that if you do it right, there can be RCS changes when using external stores if you put 'hitboxes' around the pylons. Not as much as in real life (ie unlike a stealth aircraft where your signature can change by orders of magnitude with external stores, your RCS in the game would only change in proportion to the size of the hitboxes added to overall hitbox size)...but it does add a measure of 'how stealthy do you want to be' in the loadout. Like in the upcoming Silent Eagle... FC

Silent... and... Deadly. New Style... or Old School. FC

That's some sweetness there! FC

Welcome back Pappy! FC

Not necessarily. Folks who've worked on them could tell ya better, but I know that lot's of F-16s have been retired due to fatigue...lots of hard hours flown. Unlike the older days, where engineers tended to put extra 'beef' on the airframe because the precision wasn't there and they erred to the cautious side, as STORM said, more modern aircraft tend to cut lots closer to the bone on specs...resulting in less overall life due to wear and tear. Anyway, because of this, you'd have to put a LOT of work into an airframe to get it back up to speed...verses just spending a little extra money and getting a brand new airframe. In some cases it makes sense (T-38), but in other cases it doesn't. FC

I think the person who created is (SaE) said that the cockpit is still pretty crappy overall. FC

We won't buy them for the same reason we don't buy the B or C model F-35. All that extra dead weight that gives no advantage to operations on a land based aircraft. The simplest option is buying more new build F-16s. The logistical tail already exists, the training program exists, most of the operators are already familiar with the type. Probably could even get a discount. FC

Guys, Before anyone gets too spun up...I would remind you that there is something called Individual Ready Reserve (IRR). Basically, you could be called up (or volunteer), even though you have been separated completely out of the military life for some time. Depending if this guy had a particular specialty that the US Army was critically short of, they may have more or less simply activated him, threw a uniform on him and shipped him to the desert with a waiver because his he's an expert in a particular field. Yes, it's scary to see in general (ick) but if he's right at the beginning of his IRR service, the Army has time to get him back into fighting shape...assuming he doesn't die of a heart attack beforehand! FC