swambast

Hi GKABS, as always thoughts and prayers your way and remember 17:81 to guide you and brighter days to come.

Wow, what good timing to see this as I’ve been out of action for a few months, but felt it important to respond to this. The original YAP project has a complicated history, and as someone who has been around since the very beginning, I’ve seen firsthand the issues that arose. Assets stolen directly from CombatAce modders and others, used without permission from nearly every category including terrains, aircraft, ground objects, effects and so on. In addition, it included numerous model rips from commercial games, “Russian” hosting sites, and so on. You also had many incidents where YAP artists/contributors were not being fairly paid, their intellectual property being abused and so on. Then monetization of the project leveraging existing freeware and stolen assets greatly complicated things. It was frustrating to say the least and obviously at that time caused a community divide. But time marches on. With John’s passing, a new leader took over and I’m going to be the first to acknowledge the march towards improvement. He has taken significant strides to address these piracy and theft concerns, and build something more respectful and ethical. Many mistakes have been corrected and problematic assets removed when possible. It’s not perfect, there is still cleanup needed and questionable models still exist. But let’s be completely honest here, shall we? Even sometimes renowned projects and assets here face the same challenges with “interesting model acquisitions.” So I bring that up in transparency, since it wouldn’t be fair to single out YAP-RW for that. While there’s still room for improvement—some of their modeling team certainly do better in maintaining higher ethical standards -- at least the leadership has demonstrated a clear willingness to course-correct and take greater care. I also appreciate the new protective clause they’ve added: "All models/assets in our project cannot be used anywhere else without our direct permission. They remain exclusive to this project as John would have wanted, allowing us to better manage artist permissions and prevent future concerns." This statement not only honors the project’s legacy but also helps establish better boundaries to protect the artists and their work. While the journey isn’t perfect, the team’s effort to rebuild YAP-RW with integrity deserves recognition. A hearty congratulations, the amount of effort put forth is amazing, especially the care given to the missions. Count me in. They’re on the right path, and I hope they continue to refine their practices and earn the broader trust and support of this community. Swambast

I'm confused by some of this, what version/year are you trying to create? Here is a SP-4 version, which I believe would be quite similar.

Thanks much for the consideration yakarov79, really appreciate it! If you ever get started on this, let me know - I'd be happy to support as needed with some of the modeling, texturing, etc. or whatever. This Raven is such a unique and interesting model that has rarely been done anywhere else. For the F-8 please let me know timing if you can; I am trying to push forward (although slowly) on the Gulf of Tonkin project I mentioned earlier as it's a smaller scope and probably just like you I'm extremely constrained with modding time. I already have some options from some generous modders for Crusader high-res texture skins, flight model enhancements, etc. so it would be wasteful to have that completed if you have a planned release coming soon. If not, no worries I can push forward and release as-is. Yep, I'm starting to better understand your whimsical ways... All the Best, and thanks for the consideration.

@yakarov79 Ever consider doing this rare and often overlooked Hiller OH-23 Raven?

Wow Dels, always first class quality work, looks amazing and that is quite a roll-out of goodies! I especially love how you have an exceptional ability to manage "polys for performance", and a new high-fidelity cockpit is so welcome and needed, what a great surprise - wonderful update indeed!

Thank you - you know who you are - deal was just completed!

If you speak Japanese or can refer me to someone that does, can you please send me a PM or email, need some assistance - thank you!

Gepard, that is absolutely the foundation to a great start - an enhanced terrain region that completely covers the "incident" - WOW! Count me in, happy to support however I can although I'm far from a terrain wizard, but could certainly help with _target.ini dance and coastal objects for sure including some of the 3d models required for coastal areas. I supposed more research would be in order to determine what other objects would be needed, but logic might suggest shipping yards, ship docks, any coastal defense areas, etc.

UH-1 shot down over Vietnam 1964...whirlwind of imminent death...

A return to where it all began… For what began as a routine patrol in international waters escalated into a high-stakes skirmish that would forever change the fate of so many. The events of that day paved the way for the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, especially thrusting the United States deeper into the “Vietnam War.” In the space of just moments, a conflict that would claim millions of lives and divide nations and citizens throughout the years was set in motion by the exchange of fire between a single destroyer and three enemy boats in the remote Gulf of Tonkin… The historical impact of this event is obviously evident. There have been previous efforts to re-create this scenario, but I always felt like shortcuts were taken or a “close enough” attitude prevailed. Therefore, for years I’ve had this idea parked on my wish list, of one day re-creating this scenario with greater authenticity and immersion. In keeping with the spirit of openness and transparency as shared previously (see my Vietnam-Era Lovers: Vision for Unification post) I’d like to propose an open-ended community redux project. One in which those that are interested in supporting the project can find a role, previous team issues set aside and a steady focus on enhanced quality standards, high-fidelity 3d models, high-res terrain tiles and more. I thought this scenario would be a perfect option, especially since some of our most talented modders are buried in real-life demands, and this re-creation is actually very limited in scope. At its core, we would really only require the following: USS Maddox (DD-731) Sumner-class destroyer USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) Essex-class Aircraft Carrier F-8 Crusader – U.S. Navy fighter jets from the USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) carrier group. North Vietnamese P-4 Torpedo Boat What do you guys think? Let me know your thoughts, availability and general interest and any other comments you’d like to share. Thanks for the opportunity to put this out there. Feel free to publicly post here or send me a PM, whatever works best for you.

August 2, 1964…Beneath the intense Southeast Asian Summer sun, the warm waters of the Gulf of Tonkin shimmered in a deceptive calm, unaware of the turbulence that was to come. Aboard the USS Maddox DD-731, a steadfast Sumner-class destroyer, the crew remained on high alert during the first leg of a covert mission under Operation Desoto Patrol. Its objective was to deploy signal intelligence equipment to stealthily gather intelligence on North Vietnamese military activity. At 3:00 PM, the silence was abruptly broken and the mission in peril as radar screens came alive with hostile blips indicative of three rapidly approaching torpedo boats. Suddenly, the Maddox found itself in a precarious fate, as enemy vessels closed in with torpedo pods glistening in the sun. The Maddox responded by firing three distant warning shots overhead as the now identified P-4 torpedo boats broke within 10,000 yards. The warning shots broke the stillness, yet the tide refused to turn and the P-4s commenced their attack runs instead. Sensing an escalating threat, the Maddox radioed a desperate call for support, connecting with the USS Ticonderoga. The comm channels of the USS Ticonderoga, an Essex-class aircraft carrier denoted CVA-14, crackled with life. USS Maddox (DD-731): "Maddox to Ticonderoga, Maddox to Ticonderoga, over." USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14): "Ticonderoga receiving, go ahead Maddox, over." USS Maddox: "We are under threat by three North Vietnamese torpedo boats. Radar contact, visual identity confirmed. Range 1-0 thousand yards and closing fast. I repeat, imminent danger. Request immediate air support, over." USS Ticonderoga: "Roger, Maddox. Threat response protocol initiated. Scrambling fighters now. ETA ten mikes. Hold your position Maddox, over." USS Maddox: "Copy that, Ticonderoga. Tracking and engaging enemy with 5-inch guns. Possible enemy torpedoes in the water. Awaiting immediate air support, Maddox out." Suddenly, the USS Ticonderoga erupted in motion – colorful human support warriors sprinkled in random directions across the aircraft carrier deck, wide-eyed pilots scrambled up ready ladders with something to prove, and the roar of F-8 Crusader Pratt & Whitney J57 turbojet engines shot thunder in the sky. The F-8 Crusaders streaked off the carrier deck, hitting full afterburner seconds later leaving whirlwind shockwaves in their wake as they hurled towards the Maddox at supersonic speed. Meanwhile, the Maddox swung its bow in violent fashion over the waters, initiating full evasive maneuvers and jockeying into attack position, while her 5-inch deck guns blasted fire overhead and her crew eyed the deep for enemy torpedoes questioning if they were real or illusions. A heat blur on the horizon and perfect timing denoted the arrival of the F-8 Crusaders. Suddenly, the Heavens parted overhead, and birds of prey swooped down with lethal precision as 20mm cannon shells ignited the air. A symphony of 5-inch shells from the Maddox, 12.7mm enemy P-4 machine gun fire and 20mm cannons swirled in the afternoon skies looking to inflict punishment. But it was the 20mm Crusader firepower, with its angry and hungry strafing patterns, that took a bite out of the P-4 steel hulls, reverberating sounds of splintering steel and orders for immediate retreat. The combined fire from the Maddox and the F-8s proved too much, two of the P-4s hobbled along with damaged frames and egos. The third P-4 encircled the limping vessels, swiftly moving into lead position and escorting a full-speed retreat. August 2, 1964…And beneath the intense Southeast Asian Summer sun, the warm waters of the Gulf of Tonkin longed again for calm waters, but instead would remained parted by ships of war and churning foam for another nine years until the signing of the peace agreement…and only then this shallow body of the Pacific Ocean could begin to truly shimmer and shine once again.

Are you sure you don't have inverted normals or overlapping faces either? Check Normals and see if you can unify. Don't forget to close all your mesh modifier stacks and ensure they are "Editable Mesh." Also, to rule out texture issue, perhaps try attached. Happy to try to work with version of source file as well. WTR_CompletelyClear.tga

GKABS, I've seen similar effects happen when there are disparate smoothing groups. Try smoothing all at L1 or Autosmooth, collapse the mesh stack and then re-apply the material texture. Also, are you sure you don't have a double-sided mesh or any polys have been flipped - that could cause it too.

Totally agree with that. For fairly simple items, I would suggest learning Blender or 3ds Max so you can make them yourself, just like some of us had to take that journey (yes, I'm talking about myself and still constantly learning from those more proficient).