Bandy

Peter, I think it is very important to know the thinking behind the FMs anybody creates, to understand that you're as serious about it as you are. I've recently gotten into trying out some WWII/Korea era campaigns in SF, and find some of the FMs all over the place (and I can't even see my way to start tweaking them to balance things). For me at least, it is fantastic that this isn't turning out to be the case with FE --but it easily could have been-- though some people may find it hard to stomach such "influence" in the hands of one person. Thus, it is great that the community is getting involved and voicing opinions, and that you are so welcoming of this constructive critique --heck, even demanding it!!! Most would agree that better things come about when heads come together... BUT don't forget that many of us find it difficult to squeeze in the time to fly with life, and our other day jobs, getting in the way. QUESTION: you mentioned that it is difficult to work in particular quirks of aircraft, since the AI find it hard to handle them, BUT how much do you try to make the aircraft FM act like how the real aircraft did fly according to historical accounts? Tough question, I know, since all we have are these written accounts (historical opinions are notoriously biased) from the time, and these are written about a certain aircraft mostly without the benefit of hindsight ie: comparing it with better aircraft down the road. Thus, an opinion that this AC handled/climbed "the best" is influenced by memory of previous AC, but not by those to come. And then, how do you tease out individual pilot skill from these accounts? Perhaps I am being overly analytical here, but that is my day job Anyways, I think all of the third party work and posts in the forums are doing wonders for the game and community at large, and I will endeavor to provide comments from the peanut gallery whenever possible. Best regards, BB

@ baltika, I've asked this in another thread [so sorry for the minor break in forum protocol] BUT do you think there is an advantage to running WWII campaigns in First Eagles??? Can it be done??? Wrench has mentioned in his sticky tutorial on the topic of era specific installs that it should be possible, but has anyone actually done it successfully? Afterall, TK has introduced a lot of new code into FE, especially the AI, so can older 3rd party PROP-craft that are made for a JET-sim work in a new Prop-sim??? Inquiring minds (with a dearth of in-depth knowledge... :blush2: ) want to know before they waste their irreplaceable sim time trying something impossible...

Since a WWII campaign involves prop-craft, is there any advantage --or problem-- with using FE ??? I've read Wrench's tutorial on the subject at CA: http://forum.combatace.com/index.php?showtopic=19630 ...and he says "these instructs are built around WoE, but are the same for any of the other in the series: SFP-1, WoV, or even FE..." [paraphrased] As I understand, TK has introduced advanced AI coding in FE, so it would be great to use that game for "in-your-face prop-jock dogfights", BUT is FE compatible with 3rd party PROP aircraft MADE for the 3rdWire JET sims??? Has anyone used FE for WWII campaigns effectively???

I was flying Bucky's excellent Bishop mission for the umpteenth time (seems different nearly every time) and decided to take a wingman with me. I usually fly this mission hedge-hopping (to sneak up on the defenses) but my wingman would not follow me below 500 feet despite numerous uses of Tab>3, and so he collected all the flak that I usually avoided... Two questions then: Is there a way to change the AI's lowest operational altitude on a ground attack run? I seem to remember seeing something somewhere relevant to this in the AI settings, but can't remember if it is aircraft specific... How do you get them to hedge hop, even just on a relative level? And is there some way to get the AI to use their rockets???

All works in KAW except the carrier missions. Regardless of ALL the fixes I've tried listed in all the posts here, my AC explodes immediately after loadup... Does it work for anyone else???

Really looking forward to trying this out, and not sure why it hasn't been covered before. But need to find the time somewhere just to get it installed... !!! >>>A workaround is to set the SupplyForOffensive= flag to a ridiculously high value, but surely we want some offensive phases? <<< Sorry to show my ignorance, but where is this line found, and what value do you recommend for the workaround? I'm more into flying the complex missions that a campaign brings, rather than worrying about ultimately winning it [i always get shot down or crash into something anyways...], BUT having the RAF in France during BoB is not what I'm after Thanks for the hard work!!!

Ha, ha, I don't think I had FE more than a week back in Nov or Dec when I tried to land on Hinchinbrook's zep... a la Willy Coppens mishap... Just had to find out myself if it could be done, and sadly nope, you can't do it in FE, but wouldn't it be FUN!!!

FC, If I am not mistaken, these appear to be a series of missions, rather than a campaign. So, these are individual mission files from a forthcoming campaign then? Providing the link is a good idea, you'll hopefully get a well-rounded response from a range of pilots and experience. I will endeavor to provide comments from the peanut gallery!

I agree vDM, the 3rdWire DIII appears to have a little too much of a crisp edge along the bottom margin of the fuselage compared to the DIII pic you show with the B&W rings around it. BUT the 3rdWire DIII also has a slightly rounded bottom as can be seen in the last image posted by TK (look at the curve to the oil stains or seams). So the argument (as I see it) is about whether that lower fuselage margin is too abrupt or not... I'm not going to loose much sleep on this...

Hi Tailspin, RE: modifying the Gotha pit, what exactly needs to be done to it for it to work on the Staaken? Is it just a matter of changing some names and positioning (X, Y, Z), or something much more involved? I guess I should just try it myself, but it would be nice to know what I'm getting myself into (if you know what I mean). Some weeks it's hard to find any time to boot up the office cockpit, and spending any free time on tinkering (let alone loading all these mods!!! Not complaining mind you...) just doesn't appeal as much as soaring and the chase...

On the loadout screen (just before you start to fly) you need to select bombs in order to carry them. Then the choice is there for you to activate them with \ key and then bombs away!!! Yes, the observer is not under your control...

Anyone else finding the Lerhone engine sound alittle too muffled from the cockpit? Or is it just my file? As I mentioned earlier (though perhaps too far into my post, and was missed) the NME Fokker engine drowns out the Lerhone.wav, even at a distance... (Oops, just saw your response SSBucky, should have thought of just swapping the engine sound file myself...).

Hey FC, I'm not sure if there is any way to game code this idea, but is there any way to make a campaign so that the start date is flexible??? You know, like how one can choose the year in the single missions... Probably not, but thought it would be a neat feature for the "clients"... Looking forward to your offering, as always!

Hi, After flying the AC on a few missions on the weekend, I like the FM and it seems well balanced against the Fokkers, though I'm having a devil of a time managing to shoot anything down!!! Just having much trouble figuring out where the bullets are going... The iron sites are certainly odd to use, especially with the "Realistic Pilot Head Motion" mod in use, but it just adds to the challenge. I love it all!!! *** I got the AC sounds working from the get go, BUT I find the MS-N engine is too quite, and is overwhelmed by the Fokker engine sound even when they're at a distance. Does anybody else hear this as well???

Laton, Not sure what's up, but I'm not seeing anything with the 2 links you provided to access the AI mod... is it down presently? Ooops, for some reason the download wasn't showing up on the desktop till I exited the browser-- No problem so far :blush2:

Good things come to those that wait. Really glad to see this in the downloads, it looks awesome!!! Thank you

Sorry gentlemen, haven't kept up with this thread, and was away for a while from computers and telephones... Nice. Then again, no fllying Yes, a reduced power DFWC1 works just fine as far as I can tell, but I gather you've figured that out... Great work, the spinning/looping DFW has been an issue waiting for resolution for a long time...

Peter, the SPAD VII you speak of is the A-team aircraft I assume? There is that other version of the stock 3rdWire SPAD XIII with reduced power. Thanks for the great work! BUT (he asks tongue-in-cheek) are you ever going to be satisfied with one of your FM's???

Bucky, Flew it last night, and as mentioned by Charles, lots of low level antics. Great Fun! I had an odd arrival though, the static aircraft were not on the field, so I just decided to hedge-hop in and shoot it up a bit. I took out all but one Maxim before I realized that aircraft were suddenly taking off (I heard them more than saw them). Ended up taking three of them down after a prolonged and rather hairy low level stall fest, had one NME softlanding, and then tried to strafe the rest of the parked craft, but they do not seem to act like ground targets. Even that one MG left unscathed made it tough, so I bugged out after seeing no further effect. I remember flying IB's static AC missions, and there was one in that pack where you were approaching an airfield, and depending on timing, which varied from mission to mission (even if you had to refly ) you might just see it take off or just as often encounter it at 1000 ft. I suppose there is a random element involved that cannot be taken into account, but none-the-less makes it just as interesting the next time. Thanks!

p10ppy, What ever happened to your project??? I hope it comes to fruition, as you've gotten it to an amazing level so far... Hope you are well.

Bucky! Really looking forward to this! Bishop is a childhood hero for many a Canadian boy (maybe lost to recent generations now...), and despite the bad publicity he got a few years back (The kid that couldn't miss), that controversial issue has largely been debunked. He was a loner, so didn't make many friends... Anyways, many thanks a head of time, as I can't fly from my work computer

My, my, that looks like a Snipe! Been waiting for that bird for a while now... Rather cryptic thread though, surreptitiously stirring up interest???

I too am glad to see you back, as I have always enjoyed your perspective and input on making the game more interesting and fun. You have a fresh way of approaching things laterally that may irk some people, but they certainly are viable ideas, as you have proven with your creations. I hope you will begin to participate more in the FE forum as you once did, and look forward to the "Bortdafarm" modder forum should you decide to start one.

FC, there was a thread a while back trying to establish a working chronology, check it out: http://forum.combatace.com/index.php?showtopic=18276&hl= Doesn't contain all the AC you plan on using, but still may prove useful. It didn't receive as much attention as I thought, but then again, some data may be slightly controversial and perhaps people didn't see the exact need for it, yet... I'm sure a consensus can be reached, even if some dates are implemented just for game convenience.

Some good pit photos. It may be hard to tell from here, but that is brushed metal. Should make for a very interesting texture. Let me know if these suffice, or I can get you the reference.