FastCargo

In the SF2 series, you should NEVER put modded files in the stock directories, period. That is the critical difference between the Gen 1 and Gen 2 versions of ThirdWire sims. This includes any files you extracted from the CAT files. FC

Man, that pit is AWESOME! FC

Yeah, I noticed that... http://forum.combatace.com/index.php?s=&am...st&p=319033 FC

Folks, You want a good, unbiased look at PC game piracy, read this article: http://www.tweakguides.com/Piracy_1.html Now, spend the time and read the WHOLE thing...it is several long and detailed pages. It clears up a lot of the misconceptions about DRM, copyright, piracy, etc. Don't fixate on any one part, take in the whole article. Very well researched, and full of references, links, and statistics. FC

Found this in my archives...yes, this is a real picture...and yes, this jet was flown like this until it could be painted... FC

No...never was assigned there. Of course it's possible to be a T-38 FAIP, I teach those guys all the time. As far as it being a bad thing, not really. It used to be that being a FAIP tended to put you behind your peers out there in the CAF (Combat Air Force) in terms of upgrades, etc (ie a LT going directly to F-16s from SUPT would have a 3 year jump on a guy who goes directly to a T-38 FAIP slot, because the T-38 FAIP will still have to go through all the same training his F-16 peer did). However, that really isn't true anymore because at some point, about darn near everyone gets pulled out of their weapon system to do something else, either a SUPT tour (what we nickname 'white jet' tours), Air Laison Officer (ALO - ie go play Army) tour, staff, or God forbid, a UAV tour. Because a FAIP has already done his white jet tour, he doesn't normally face that issue. So it all kind of evens out in the end. However, I wouldn't actively try to become a FAIP unless your only other option is a UAV (shudder...). Yes, we touch upon some weapons training in SUPT, but serious study doesn't really occur until IFF. FC

Hell, don't worry about that. My senior year at the zoo, I got a ride in a F-16D at MacDill AFB while I was home for spring break...didn't get that shot right either. FC

The more things change... FC

There are vast amounts of information out there on how to build models, though a lot of them seem to be for much more detail then a beginning modeler needs. To start, I would recommend: 1. Supplies: A) Sharp hobby knife, preferably one with switchable blades. B) Assortment of sandpaper...fine to extremely fine. C) Modeling putty. D) Masking tape and rubber bands...an assortment. E) Clear paint...dull and/or gloss enamel. F) Paints for your model...spray for larger areas, bottles for details. Spray primer (again, enamel) is a must. G) Decent pair of tweezers. 2. Assuming an injection molded kit, wash all parts in mildly soapy water. Most injection molded models have a bit of oil left over from the process. Let them dry throughly. 3. Do NOT 'break' parts from the sprue tree...cut them out. 4. Practice spray painting...learn to do nice, even, thin coats with no dripping or running...practice on anything. 5. Anything you wish to detail paint, first use the knife and fine sandpaper and get rid of any excess plastic (sometimes called 'flash'). Then, wash, dry, and paint with primer. Things to paint before assembly are one or 2 piece small items, such as landing gear, ejection seats, cockpit interiors, etc. If some things you need to assemble first (landing gear wheels), then assemble them (making sure you don't put together something that you realize later you need to take apart due to another step in the general model assembly). If you assemble items to paint, you will probably need to use masking tape/rubber bands to hold them together until they dry. Then you'll probably notice the 'seams' will appear not to match well. Use the putty to 'fill in' the seams, then the sandpaper to get rid of the excess and smooth the area. Lightly clean with a damp cloth, then dry (getting rid of lint). Then spray with primer, and detail paint. 6. Follow instructions to assemble the model. If, as you assemble, you come across parts that should be detail painted first, follow the previous step. With any gluing, if you have painted before you assemble, make sure you scrape off the paint where the glue is to be used. 7. Decide as you assemble if you need to do the 'putty, sand, clean, paint' before continuing the model. An example would be to assemble the main body of the Starfighter, then putty and sand, then glue the wings and tail on, putty and sand, then clean, dry, primer. 8. If you can, leave the canopy until last and use masking tape to tape off the clear areas. Then glue on...and if you're keeping the canopy down, lightly putty, sand and clean if needed. 9. Also, it's almost always better to mask and spray vs brush and pray if you can...I find I get better results. However, this may or may not be within reach of your abilities. 10. Once the model is completely painted, cover it with a glossy clear coat (except for the clear areas of course). Decal after that...you'll find it helps the 'clear' part of the decal blend in and disappear. Once the decals are done and dry, cover the model in another coat of glossy clear, dry, then dull clear if desired. 11. Remove all masking and your model should be done! Realize this is a rough beginners tutorial. Most serious modelers have many more techniques that will trump my advice, but may seriously increase effort, time and/or investment. Also, realize that your model will take several days...usually I allow a full day between putty and sanding, and between coats of paint to allow full curing...assuming it's not very cold/humid. FC

Heh, reminds me of someone... FC

Do I look tired in that pic, or is it just me? :) FC

Figured you'd like it...lots o' stuff fixed...establishes a baseline for the F-15D, F-15E, F-15 ACTIVE, and F-15SE... Been working on it all week. FC

First flight of SF2 compatible F-15C Eagle. FC

If your video card is overloaded with Green Hell 2 you'll get that...notice your trees are distorted too. FC

This kind of thinking is short sighted. You do not buy weapon systems to fight the current war. You buy future systems to fight the next war. The F-35 is for the next war, not the current war. FC

Hey, I just finally got to look at those pics...VERY nice. I like that paintscheme! FC

Check your options panel. FC

Edited loadout.ini I would imagine...the engine doesn't get THAT creative. FC

Look them up in your Options panel. FC

When this sim is 'on', it really can be awesome. I remember during a campaign, I'm on takeoff roll (at night) when I see the Chapparel unit next to the runway let loose with a missile...then the AAA unit lights up. As I get my wheels in the well, bombs start going off everywhere it seemed like...a flight of Floggers was attacking the base! I manged to get airborne and eventually exact some revenge...but not before watching one of my wingmen literally get blown up with a missile during the takeoff roll! FC

Folks, the Pave Tack on the F-111 is integrated into the model. However, in normal flight, the Pave Tack is 'stowed' (like the real aircraft). The bombbay key is used to 'deploy' the Pave Tack which activates the animation for it rotating into position...and a separate ini entry makes the Pave Tack sensor appear to 'actively' seek targets if you are looking at the aircraft externally. So don't screw with loading it...otherwise you could cause problems on the F-111. FC

There is song done by Dick Jonas, a former F-4 driver talking about the Thud: All you have to do is look at a Thud to figure out why it takes so much runway and turns like...well, it doesn't. FC

This isn't Ace Combat, where aircraft have stupid amounts of power and turn rates. All aircraft, especially on hard mode, should feel like they have mass...which means they may feel heavy. In addition, flying at 250-300 knots is the low end of manuverability...ESPECIALLY for the bigger 60's era aircraft. Finally, if you have any sort of stores on the aircraft, that will affect your turn rates. FC

Or the original poster make it so that no one can comment. That's how I post my videos on YouTube...no comments allowed from the rabble. FC