Tailspin

Gotcha Bort! Did you think I didn't know it was you from the beginning? Thing is, anytime you want to you can post here under your original handle and be welcome. But leave the phony persona behind.

I guess the jig is up, huh?

Standing on your tail when trying to reverse your turn is not a stable trait IMHO.

I agree that the flight characteristics of the early birds like the Eindeckers, Parasols, etc. were difficult at best. However I think that started changing with aircraft of the N11/DH 2 class and changed again even more with the Albatros. This is why I differ on whether the "flighty" and unstable characteristics of the earlier planes are appropriate where the Albatros D series is concerned. I'm not suggesting that any of these planes early or later were "stable" by modern standards. I'm speaking in relative terms.

Oh. I meant Bort's. Yes, I agree. However, given the size of the control surfaces I find it difficult to believe that the plane was so unresponsive to forward stick input. A lot of WWI aircraft were noted to be "tail heavy" in that they required constant forward pressure on the stick to fly level but that doesn't necessarily mean they were unresponsive to more forward pressure.

"the only difficulty is in getting the nose down from straight and level flight." I think this is the difficuly in question and, perhaps, where it might be a bit overdone. Turning and reversing turns, once you learn how to manipulate rudder and throttle to keep the nose oriented, is manageable. Regardless, its nice to have a discussion on FM's without all the drama. As I've said before, I tinker with everyone's FMs, not just yours, to suit myself and my interpretation of the available information. Thanks go to TK for making that easily possible.

http://www.theaerodrome.com/aircraft/germany/albatros_di.php When Jasta 6 was re-equipped with the D.I in the fall of 1916, Vizefeldwebel Carl Holler was noticeable impressed: "Its rate of climb was excellent. Because of its heavy in-line engine, it had a tremendous diving speed which gave us great advantage when attacking the enemy flying below. Now we did not have to wait very long to obtain a few victories. In short order, one after another, two of my comrades obtained a victory." I think the term "kites" refers to the manner of construction, but you are correct...what does it matter? Its easy enough to fix and the models are nice.

The DI had a heavy, cast iron, inline engine and was renowned for its diving ability. I doubt very much that it was a "floater".

Thanks for the kind words, Peter. When this sim was introduced I wanted to be sure to let people know about its modability and since its so easy to restore the sim to its "original" state that anyone could mess around with the files without fear of "breaking" something. It also helped to keep down the detractors as the phrase "If you don't like it, fix it yourself." really did apply in a lot of cases. Still, a lot of people think that FE is all about modding and not about the game itself. I just don't get that. It has been very quiet on the forums lately. Don't know if people are losing interest or just busy flying all the new planes and terrains. TK is hinting that the new release is nearing completion so things are likely to pick up in a few weeks and there are still some good planes in the works from the usual suspects.

Have you looked though the add-on ships section in the Thirdwire series downloads section here?

Funny you should mention roll rates and doing your own FMs, Peter. That is what I have been doing all along to certain A/C that I didn't think were up to par. At first it was rudder response on the original Thirdwire models. Then I moved on to increased roll on some on planes I thought were undermodeled as far as general maneuverability is concerned. I do it by increasing Cldc or coefficient of lift due to deflection of the control surface of the ailerons and or lowering CDdc. Those were the N11 and N17 in particular. Like you say, not knocking Tex's flight modeling, just tweaking performance to my own personal interpretation of the available data and accounts. Learning how to tweak a FM has its advantages. Take the Fokker EI, or the lack of an EI I should say. I've had an EI since you redid Bort's EIII FM and I got it by copying the EIII, changing the file names and .inis and simply lowering the horsepower rating, empty weight, and changing the max speed SL to match the EI data. The model is close enough (half meter wing span difference, etc.) and the reduced power and speed seemed to do the job. As for balancing the models against each other, I admit I wasn't too crazy about the idea at first. After all they weren't very balanced against each other in reality...especially early on. The Eindeckers were clearly superior at their introduction. The N 11 and DH 2's were clearly superior to the Eindeckers. The Albatross D I and II were clearly superior to the N 11 and DH 2. The Pup and Tripe chased the DI and DII from the skys and so on. It was well into 1917 before it seemed that parity on both sides was finally reached and maintained for more than a few months. However, IMO, you are right were it comes to gameplay and having good dogfights (ie, FUN) between player and AI. Its a good idea whether its "realistic" or not. I think its clear your ideas are still grounded in a historical perspective of the particular aircraft you are working on. Your efforts are working. When I say I enjoy your work I don't think I am alone.

IMHO you're doing a fine job Peter. The only problem I'm having is keeping up with the changes and keeping the ones I like separted from the ones I don't.

Player to enemy AI collision detection works well. Those b*stards will fly right at you! AI to AI collision is not modeled according to TK the developer. Some AI planes tend to loop or dive at low altitudes and actually hit the ground before pulling out...sometimes with no apparent damage. Not really a "show stopper" as far as most are concerned. There is a lot more good going on in the game to worry about a few minor detractions.

Hi! Welcome to CombatACE. Models can be found here in the CA Downloads section under Thirdwire Series/Add-On Aircraft/WWI Aircraft. The ATeam website: http://cplengineeringllc.com/SFP1/Skunworks1.html You have to contact the ATeam for a password to download. Email capun1950(at)yahoo(dot)com And here at Bortdafarm's site: http://www.ebort2.co.uk/FE.html

From TK: http://bbs.thirdwire.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=4319

You can bet the farm that it will turn into an anti gun thing. The scumbags are all too predictable. Personally, I'm not going to be unarmed...not in today's world. As for answers? Too much reliance on unmanned physical security systems is a mistake and a waste of money. Too easy to defeat. You need a least two armed guards in each building with a secure communication link between them and and all the other areas.

Yep, the focus will be on the "evil high capacity killing machines" used by the murderer when it was VT that deprived those poor people of the basic right of self protection. A CCW on campus might have saved lives. Laws or restrictions don't stop criminals.

Bort has a place just for blog members that he usually puts his new stuff on for a few days before releasing it to the "general" public.

Well I'll be. Ole Bort does have a Alb. DI up now. Wasn't there yesterday. You getting priviledged info, there MM?

I agree that ground collision detection needs work. I've seen some planes smack the ground pretty hard and they bounce off and keep on flying. Solution? Shoot their wings off. They don't bounce so much then.

On a long enough flight fighters will form up into a nice echelon and fly that way until they reach the IP. Then they will spread out again for the fight.

Hi Mike1997, welcome to CombatACE. The original SPAD XIII had nasty stall/spin characteristics. I think it got toned down in subsequent patches though. As for the flying charateristics of the DVII... Fokker DVII

Yes, welcome to CombatACE Fritz.

I don't see one unless you mean the repainted re-FM'd DVa. I was aware of that. AFAIK nobody has made a model for the DI or DII yet.

Cool...re the list. I don't think the ATeam has an Alb DI. They have a DIII though.