Wrench

There was a thread around here the other day that got me thinking, then acting. Does anyone know who built this bird??? And who did the original skin (that I've repainted and messed with)? Pappychsix?? Had this sitting on the HD since early 2006, but nothing has ever happened with it. So..been fiddling with it since Saturday; go the weapons dialed in, reskinned, decaled, some etcs (like adding the 2nd engine, and adjusting the AB & exhaust emitters). Still need to make the BuNum decals, and add all the lights and a bunch of little tweeks.. Looking at the data ini, I keep thinking it was Fox Monter, as a LOT of the stuff seems to point back to the F3H Demon. THere are many flaws with the model; no moving control surfaces, some 'shimmering' around the airbrake meshes - which disappears when airborne; using the F4B pit as it's closest Needs further data ini tweeks; flight model adjustments, and other systems works. But it don't fly too bad right now ... in fact, it flys much better than it should!! (reading pilot reports in the Naval Fighters #27 -F7U Cutlass - which has some charts) Load wise, its sort of a combo of the -3, -3M and A2U (which was never built). So, who's is it??? Wrench kevin stein

Just finished making the BuNum decals last night...made a few changes on the skin; I'm still not really happy with it. There's a few bits I couldn't figure out the mapping for, for panel lines on the cockpit hump, anti-glare panel between the radar and windshield, a few small details like that. Speaking of the decals, I'd love to add the modex number to the front nose gear door, but can't find the mesh name!! Other than that, the decal placements are 100% as per BuAer. It's about as finished as I can make it. So, expect it out in a few days. I'll be including my layered psd templates, so some better skinner can tweek it out. It'll be the 2-gunned, missile armed 3M. There are still some flaws in the model itself, but it IS a beta version. Mabye someday Marcello will finish it off (and NOT change the mapping!!! ) So, as long as Marcello is cool with me releasing to the General Public 'as is', I'd consider it a done deal! Wrench kevin stein

You'd need to create a copy of the CV, set as a regular WARSHIP in your GroundObjects folder (ie: an new folder). In the data ini, you'd remove all the references to the flight deck, cables, etc. Leaving the radars and weapons, engines, etc. intact. You could even set it as Cargo_Ship, and it might show up in anti-shipping missions. In the main ini, say we're using the Coral Sea, you'd need to do some renmaing...in the main ini: [GroundObjectData] ObjectFullName=CV-43 USS Coral Sea (NL) ObjectDataFile=CV-43NL_DATA.INI NL for "Not Landable" Rename the data ini to match as above, after remving the flight deck You'd rename the folder "CV-43_NL", the main ini to "CV-43_NL". Since your modificated data ini residies in the NL folder, it won't interfere with the working Coral Sea. A Similiar method could be use, if you wanted them parked in port. Transfer the lods, bmps, etc, into the terrain folder, then add an entry for it in types ini (see my Libya Upgrade that was recently released for examples). This makes them 'terrain objects', just like any other building. I personally haven't tried this, but it seems no different that creating a nation-specific aircraft. We're just making a 'usage specific' boat WRench kevin stein

Ok it's almost tommorrow here in sunny California, so.... black skinned "Flying Nightmares" There's an error in one of the decals on the VC-3 skin...who can spot it??? (btw, Waldo ain't anywhere in this picture!!! ) Wrench kevin stein

Oppssy!!! A little correction here...the pic shown above is NOT VMF(N)-513 "Flying Nightmares"...after checking all my Squad/Signal In Color, In Action and the USN Carrier Air Unit's books, the white/red polka dot scheme belongs to VMA-332, flying F4U-4Bs, circa July 53. However...exploreering the folders, hidding inside is an all black skin, that the aforementoned books shows a drawing of for 513 Now that that's sorted out...have to find the author of the bird. I've got a VC-3 skin/decals nearly done, hexedited/repainted Geo's Hellcat tank to Dark Gloss Blue, and will probably make more decals for the 513 skin. Now, if I could figure out the BuNums...there might be enough meshes for THAT decal as well!!! Probably need to visit Baugher's site, and hope he has them! WRench kevin stein ps: pics tommorrow. btw, VC-3 is/was Guy Bordelon's squadron

This is the aircraft in question: Already done up in 513's colors. It's an old bird; the LOD is dated 12/27/2004...so it's been around for a while, and is definately NOT a Mirage Factroy product. In the back of my mind, I keep thinking it's Crab_02s. Once creatorship has been established, I can do some fiddling with it and maybe release it for whom ever originall built it, if/when permissions are recieved. YOu can see it's got all the goodies; the radar is built into the wing, flash hiders on the guns, the extra antena and the aux rudder extension. I guess this could be called 'yet another one from the vaults!' The pilot is the HI-Rez USMC Korea one; the one that can't be shared. I'd also have to bug Geo about editing/repaint the Hellcat tank, as it would be the center line one, albeit now in dark blue. Wrench kevin stein

He's been asking TK some animations questions, with some screenies of it Max over at the 3rd Wire forums. As to the -5N Corsair, I remember somebody working on one several years ago. Maybe Crab_02 or Mirage Factory (with all those nice Corsair's they've already put out.) I know they have a -4 and -7(FN)....might have to look into this at some point. If there isn't one, it wouldn't be a difficult stretch to make -5N or 5NL using Wolfs; albeit some 'minor' differences; aux rudder, extra antena on top, good radar equiped cockpit (the mod of the F-86D that Lexx did for me not withstanding) I have a -5N here, but I don't know (meaning remember) who built it, and when!!!! So, I can't do anything with it, releasewise until we know. Wrench kevin stein

The artworks are superb!! Some of those would make great loading screens, let alone desktop wallpapers!!! The sci-fi art...oh, man!!! Kzinti Lesson is a great one!! (wonder if other remember what the Kzinti Lesson was!??). I remember the short story where that comes from, unless it represents an incident in one of the Man-Kzin Wars. Great STuff!!! WRench kevin stein

As promised, a quickie look at the XF-91 It's very early in it's development stages, so just ignore the skin -it's a stand in. Wrench kevin stein

The models, LOD, are built in 3dMax; other programs can be used; like Anim8or, but they still need importing into max for finalization and exporting, using TK 3rd Wire exporter. Skins are made from UVmaps created in Max (I think!!!) with some plug-in who's name I forget, then the multi-layered skin template is usually made in Photoshop. I'm sure Gimp could be used as well; I use PS, so I can't speak to GIMP. I do know it handles layers and can create the 32-bit tgas (with Alpha channel) for making decals. And GIMP is a free-ware. Having created some skins from scratch with the UVmap as a guide, I can tell you is truely NOT FUN!!! Guestimating panel and rivet lines, matching countours for camo patterns -that's sometimes hard enough to do on known planes with existing templates- it can be a long, involved process from scratch. With exiting aircraft, as the F-4, with the templates availble (TK's), already have the 3-tone pattern, so it's easy to follow and figure out the mapping (ie: mapping is how the bits all combine on all the bitmaps to make a smooth painted-on finish), if you wanted as a fer instance, a 3-tone desert camo for Petroland The real key: Experimentation. Paint it up, put it in game, look at it, see what works and what dosn't. Time consuming? Sure; but sometimes the end result can be VERY worth it! If you want to start skinning, start with easy, known aircraft with recognizable patterns; either natural metal (ok, that's a cheat!), or simple 1 or 2-tone camo paint schemes ala WW2 birds or early 60s stuff. I hope this helps somewhat! Wrench kevin stein

Agreed..."What If..." stuff is soo cool!! Notice the tilt-wing, in the background in the last pic?? X-13 direvitive, maybe?? Wrench kevin stein

File Name: Republic F-84B/C Thunderjet File Submitter: Wrench File Submitted: 1 Jun 2008 File Updated: 1 Jun 2008 File Category: F-84 Republic F-84B/C Thunderjet For SF/WoV/WoE and probably WoI This little mod is a tweek to RussoUK's F-84E, with a new lod with the bubble-top non-reinforced canopy. It represents aircraft from the 59st FS, circa 1948. Russo made the new lod for me several years ago, and this has been languishing on my HD for some time; I figured NOW would be a good time to finish it off and release to all you good folks! The new skin, with redrawn panel lines (but no rivets - this was done before I learned how, and wasn't going back to add them!), Serial numbers are accurate, for B and C models. Squadron marking, the yellow color bands, are as close as I could match the few color photos I could find. The auto-speed canopy has been disabled, as this no longer works in WoI (and by inference, when the SF/WoV/WoE patch arrives), but I somehow managed to fool the game engine by assigning it to the arrestor hook; so, the canopy will open when you hit the "H" key. A new WoE-style hangar screen, and a new loading screen are also provided. The loadouts are designed to work with the Bunyap Weapons Pak of 6/06, but can be used with the Mirage Facrtory Pak. I've suppllied the necessary lods, bmps, inis and instructions for adding the older, WW2 style weapons to the TMF Pak. Also, for both, there is an edited version of Zur's F-86 drop tank, for use with this aircraft. So, get your Weapons Editors warmed up. For whichever version you wish to use, you'll still need to add the fuel tank (see Notes below) It should be noted this is 1of 2 Thunderjet mods I'm releasing; an Historic version, this one, and a "What If..." for WW2: 1946. They are designed to be mutualy exclusive, and are available as seperate aircraft downloads. This Historic version would be a perfect addition to a 'Cold War Gone Hot: 1948' scenario. As is the other for a hypothetical WW2 that runs into 1947, or later. As usual, PLEASE read the enclosed readmes; it'll make your life just that much easier. Etc, and so forth; blah, blah, blah, and so on! Happy Hunting! Wrench Kevin Stein Click here to download this file

The Knowledge Base is your best friend: I'm A Link -->Extending Usable Years for 3rd Wire Sims <-- CLICK ME!! aka: editing the single mission and options inis Wrench kevin stein

Basher: the Admins just gave you an ENTIRE new thread just for YOU! Don't start any new threads, but use the new one to post you questions and such into. This will concentrate them all in one area, and not be such a bandwith hog. Thank you Wrench kevin stein

starfighter2: I sure did! I now express, for all to see, my very public THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!! There's a few there I don't have! Look at the date of the F-84A.lod -- it's 2006!! I"ll check with Capun bout the PB-1W; as it's a DAT product, and may have to be released through them. Hopefuly, I can get permission for a public release Hope you all enjoy the T-Jets!! Wrench kevin stein

File Name: Republic P-84 Thunderjet (WW2 What If...) File Submitter: Wrench File Submitted: 1 Jun 2008 File Category: Allied Fighters Republic P-84 Thunderjet "What If..." WW2 version -For SF/WoV/WoE and probably WoI (maybe?) This little mod is a tweek to RussoUK's F-84E, with a new lod with the bubble-top non-reinforced canopy. It "represents" P-84 Thunderjet aircraft from the 61st FS of the 56th FG in the "What If..." world of WW2: 1946 aka SWOTL2. Russo made the new lod for me several years ago, and this has been languishing on my HD for some time; I figured NOW would be a good time to finish it off and release to all you good folks! The new skin, with redrawn panel lines (but no rivets - this was done before I learned how, and wasn't going back to add them!), has the marking of the 61st FS, still carrying their standard WW2 ETO markings as of 1947. Included are several historic nose arts as seen on their Thunderbolts. I've tried to match aircraft call letter with the approiate art work. Serial numbers are accurate, had the A model gone into full production. A new WoE-style Hangar screen is also included. The auto-speed canopy has been disabled, as this no longer works in WoI (and by inference, when the SF/WoV/WoE patch arrives), but I somehow managed to fool the game engine by assigning to the arrestor hook; so, the canopy will open when you hit the "H" key. It should be noted this is 1of 2 Thunderjet mods I'm releasing; this one, a "What If..." for WW2: 1946, and a Real Life ™, Historic version, which is simply called "F-84". It represents the B/C model, and is available seperatly, as they are designed to be exclusive to their eras. == YOU MUST HAVE THE BUNYAP WEAPONS PAK TO HAVE THE WW2 STYLE WEAPONS!!!! == PLEASE read the enclosed readme for full, detailed instructions, and more of the usual nonsense in the Notes section Happy Landings! Wrench Kevin Stein (yeah, I know I resued the same screenie from before...I'm lazy! Get over it!!! ) Click here to download this file

I'd recalibrate the stick, in the Windows control panel, to make sure it's working ok, then maybe drop the control ini in from another install (if you have one) Or make a backup copy of it, renamed to xDefault.ini, delete the old one and try resetting everything in the game's control panel. See if that works?? Wrench kevin stein

Not to sidetrack the thread.... starfigher2: better than farposst and betah??? You'd best shoot me them links bro!!! and thanks! WRench kevin stein

Don't know why, but I picture that scene from "Rocky Horror Show" ... with the 'just one more from the vault'... Anyway, somebody asked on another thread somewhere, what else have I got hiding..so I went looking... for those of us with a SWOTL type install, for WW2 if it proceeded into 1947; provided Republic could gear up fast enough. Supposed to 'represent' the P-84A Thunderjets, if/as used by the 61st FS, 56th FG Still need a few decal touches, etc. (not correct, as A models didn't get tip tanks -- but, figure a fast factory fix for those thirsty jets) And this one, based off that one, but more in a historical vein: A bit more realistic; F-84B/Cs as seen approx 1948; 59th FS (Jet Propelled) as seen at Otis. Need to finish off the decals for the buzz and serial numbers. Had major problems with the drop tanks, finally said f***-it! and used the Sabre tanks. Albeit not quite right, but they look approximately the right size (even though they and tip tanks should NOT have fins - no biggie) A couple of years ago, I asked Russo to remove the canopy frame from the E model, worked on it, and never finished it. Speaking of the canopy, I was even able to assign it to the 'arrestor_hook', so you can open it manually. If there's enough (or ANY) interest, they'll be released a 2 seperate aircraft; for SWOTL/WW2:46, and the more general B/D for The Real World . Both use The Great and Powerful Zur's Sabre cockpit, with some gunsight mods by me (K-14, with 2 sights: A-A and A-G So, what say you? Oh, and Russo, Ok for release??? Wrench kevin stein

Stratos: they're not skins; they're complete BLW airplanes. If they're not here at CA, they'll be on my site. Probably in the 'Fictional/What If' section on the New Aircraft Page. GAF/BLW Spit 9: Spit 22: IIRC, the GAFPilot has Galland's face.... Wrench kevin stein

bwild: (raiser finger to lips) ssshh!!! We don't want EVERYONE to know where we get those great reference books, do we???? We also want to keep this one under wraps, too: http://betah.co.il/BooksCatalog.aspx?top10=yes MUUUUHAAHHHAHAHAAAAA!!! Wrench kevin stein

Heck, over in the KB, in the BunyapPak Loadout fixes thread, are some tweeks for the B-29 and Tu-4; mostly some gun tweeks and fixing the engine eshaust emitters and small stuff. Don't know if it'll be any help...but just thought I'd mention it. Now, if we could just get it to STOP loading flash-bombs.... (yeah, I know, delete the entry from the weapons data...) Wrench kevin stein

I do have the Detail & Scale for the 102, if that's any help to ya! Been trying to get the D&S for the 101's, but having problems with the aquisition site's passwording - have to "find Waldo" in th picture to get the code letters/numbers to activate the D/L I just got the Warpaint for the Wellington last week, so for whoever is gonna skin it, let me know. I can't do fabric surfaces for diddly-squat Wrench kevin stein

File Name: WoI IsraelME Targets Enhancement Pak File Submitter: Wrench File Submitted: 22 Mar 2008 File Category: Terrains File Version: 1.00 Website: No Information IsrealME Terrain Upgrade for WoI This is an expansion of WoI's stock "lsrealME" map, with the addition of Isreali Air Defense units. I've added them in what I believe to be a sensible, logical manner, defending large cities, airbase, factories & POL depots, army bases, and generaly trying to give the civilian population some kind of protection. I've also made sure the Isreali airfields have a "ActiveYear=0" for all their AAA positions; as the game will usually fill them with the nearly useless M-55 Quad 50. Adding other AA units is reccomended :yes::) See next paragraph.... It is reccomended (read: REQUIRED) that you have Pasko's SAMs and Vehicles Pak installed in your GroundObject folder; expecially the Desert skinned vehicles, plus any additional vehicles such as Kesselbrut's ZIL truck pak, Moonjumper's fix for the BM-14-16 (adds working Kytusha rockets) and any other SAMS or AAA, vehicles or whatever strikes your fancy. See "Items You'll Want to Get" below. I've also included several things from it, just because I like having these objects around in-game, as some a set to be used on the map (parked vehicles and such). There is even a new vehicle, the Tiran 4/5 MBT! It is designed to use either the Bunyap or Mirage Factory Weapons Pak; some of the names for the IDF air defenses (ie: the HAWKs and their associated radars) and their 'arrangements', are taken from Nick Bell's 'NATO Air Defense Mod'; these are the names used for the 2 HAWK radars. In addition, I've included 2 new Infantry units - one generic Arab and one IDF, based off Kesselbrut's 'Infanty Squads'. I've replaced the RPG/LAW with an automatic rifle. I've also given you my fully updated gundata.ini and gundata.dat files, which have all the needed guns. I've also included the weapons data for the AT-3 'Sagger" anti-tank missile, so you'll be using the weapons editor -- make double damn sure it's the WoI one!!! Remember - this is for WoI ONLY!!! It won't work on anything else!! So don't even think about tryin' it!!! You all know the drill....I spent a good deal of time writing a real nice, informative, descriptive, step-by-step readme to aid in installing the package.....so read the cursed thing!!!!!! You know what they say....a man can get lost in that desert for 40 years...and no one would ever find him.... Happy Hunting!!! Wrench, The Kevin Stein Click here to download this file