ndicki

I seem to be the only one saying this, and yet I can't be the only one who is having trouble with it. My computer isn't that recent, but nor is it totally out of date. The problem is simple and concerns models which do not have gradually decreasing levels of detail in the way that the stock models do. The more recent models in particular are extremely complex, high poly-count files which look very good, but if they reduce the computer's graphics to the state of a slide-show the moment they appear in a historically credible number, then they won't get used. I have a hangar full of aircraft from all periods which simply do not fulfil the purpose for which they were built, namely air fighting. They slow the graphics down far too far. They may be all very well for flight simulation, but if that is what I wanted, I'd be flying FSX. The solution, creating lower LODs, may require more work on the part of the modellers I know, but it will be work which will guarantee the accessibility of their model to the greatest number of users, and that is surely an aim we all would share. Having said this, I admit I can not use 3DS MAX myself, and wouldn't know where to begin. I am very grateful to those who do make us our models, and I greatly respect their work as I hope they respect mine. Consider this not as an attack - it most certainly is not meant as one - but as constructive criticism and encouragement which will make SF2, World War Two SF2 in particular, better and better.

And yes, I have (just) realised that the starboard codes should not be inverted...

While we're all eagerly anticipating the REAL Spitfire MkI that Cocas is doing, I thought I might as well push on anyway. After doing No.19 Sqn for September, this is No.610 (County of Chester) Sqn in August. You will of course recognise the oversized roundels and codes typical of the Squadron at this time. Again, all aircraft represented will be authentic, with the correct serial numbers and corresponding individual letters. In most cases, the name of the pilot who flew each particular aircraft will also be supplied. Still WIP, so be charitable, but I thought these screenshots were too good to pass up!

Thanks! More on the way...

View File Spitfire MkIa, No. 19 Sqn RAF, September 1940 Spitfire MkIa, No.19 Sqn RAF, Fowlmere, September 1940 No.19 Squadron was the first RAF unit to be equipped with the Spitfire, which entered service in August 1938. The squadron was based at the time at Duxford in Cambridgeshire, now famous for its Warbirds. By September 1940, the squadron had been reissued with 8-gun MkIa aircraft after a month-long rather unsuccessful operational trial of the 20mm cannon-armed MkIb. Squadron Leader Brian 'Sandy' Lane led 19 Squadron during the later part of the Battle, flying P9386 'K', recognisable by its yellow ex-OTU spinner. Other noteworthy members include Flt Sgt George 'Grumpy' Unwin, one of the original members of the squadron at the time the Spitfire entered service (X4179 'H'); Sgt Bernard Jennings flying X4474 'I' and Flight Lt Walter 'Farmer' Lawson with X4170. Serial numbers in this pack correspond to aircraft used by 19 Squadron during September 1940, although many of these aircraft were on strength only for some days, for obvious reasons. Where possible, I have tried to ensure that the individual letter and serial number correspond to reality. For use ONLY with SF2 including the Israel Expansion Pack. This will NOT work if you do not have the stock TW Spitfires installed and working. Includes 2048 and 1024 size skin sheets. Credits: Model by Third Wire Flight Dynamics by ShrikeHawk based on TW Spitfire MkIXc Cockpit by Kesselbrut Skin, decals, data.ini modifications, formations, sounds and assembly by ndicki Guns by AvHistory Submitter ndicki Submitted 04/30/2011 Category Spitfire  

In the meantime, my MkIa is in, with ShrikeHawk's FM, full decals for aircraft which actually did serve with 19 Sqn during September 1940, new formations.ini, new gunfire sounds with all 8 Brownings firing, and so on and so forth...

Looking very promising! keep up the good work!

Great stuff! I'll fiddle about with it during the day and when it's ready for upload, we're off! Glad you've done the 109 as well - I flew against the SF1 version yesterday, and they were behaving very strangely at times!

If you can make them to the same visual standard as the stock MkIX, or better, with well-stepped LODs and so on, I'd be more than thrilled to bits! The MkIa and Va can use perctically the same model, as the MkIb and Vb. We'd need a Vc with Vokes filter too, and to be totally boring, a non-trop Vb or Vc with clipped wings and six-stack exhaust stubs... But just one or two of the most desperately-needed ones would be absolutely fantastic! Can I suggest using the TW mapping on them as far as possible? It'd same a great deal of messing about, because to all intents and purposes, I can then do almost any skins you'd like quite easily. I'm even dreaming of my favourite - the MkXIV... It's complete except for the actual engine/prop dynamics. If you PM me with your e-mail, you're welcome to try it out and do the flight dynamics!

That could get VERY complicated - and it still wouldn't really look right, because the nose is too long. You'd have to remove the carburettor scoop as well, and replace it with either the tropical Vokes or Aboukir filter, or simply the earlier small intake. I'll finish my input, anyway, and pass it on if anybody can take it further.

Now then, let's see if you've got your wits about you... Leading the flight is Squadron Leader Brian 'Sandy' Lane's P9386 'K' - as you can certainly tell......... Can't you?

Actually, if you can make the pilot grunt under the gees, can you make the engine grunt too? Always worthwhile thinking sideways a bit... Meanwhile, I've been busy. This is from 19 Squadron - I've got the serials of a number of MkIa aircraft that were issued to 19 Sqn during August and September, as well, so even that will be correct. Contrary to appearances, there's still quite a lot of work to be done, but the uppersurfaces panels and riveting are done, the gun-positions done (only the outboard one in each wing can stay unchanged), new 8 gun sound effects, tracers, etc, etc. More than meets the eye!

So what is it that causes that funny "grrrrumph" noise that you hear all the time?

Not sure that's possible in SF. Pity, really - another thing CFS does better. But the one thing CFS (I mean even the sort of heavily-modded CFS I run, not CFS from-the-box!) does badly is actual fighting. You can cruise around the sky quite happily without much risk of being shot down by the other lot. SF is much more convincing in this respect! Edit - First Eagles does something like that, now I think of it. The rotary engines do have a funny "grunt" noise which I think is linked to loss of power owing to gravity... I think. Bit complicated for me here!

No. All MkXIIs were fitted with C-type wings and B-type armament. Rather than have the .50 Browning stubs visible in the wrong place (in the E-type armament fit, the 20mm cannon are in the outboard of the two cannon positions, while in the B-type they are in the inboard one) I removed them completely, giving it a B-type wing as opposed to the correct combination of C-type wing with B-type armament. Confused? In any case, the B-type armament of 1x 20mm and 2x .303s per wing is what you get here, and it is the right one. Don't get confused with the MkXIV, which came originally in C and later in E flavour!

Looking very good!

Meanwhile, here's a clipped-wing, retracting tailwheel model with B-type armament and no rocket stubs. A MkXIIc?

My pleasure!

I must admit, I'd be glad to see a Thunderbolt - for the RAF in SEA, and as Messerschmitt-fodder in Europe and the Med! ;-)

Can the FM be tweaked so your carburettor cuts in negative G manoeuvres? We had great fun working that one out in CFS3...

Looking good! But don't finalise the gun muzzles until I've done the wing panels. It's easier to move the x,y,z co-ordinates around than it is to redraw the wing panels, which by necessity have to fit the wing shape correctly ! Also, Kevin's kind offer notwithstanding, I'll be doing my own decals. It'll get too complicated otherwise, you'll see...

View File Spitfire LF.MkVIIIc, SEAC Spitfire LF.MkVIIIc, No.607 Sqn RAF, 1944-45 No.607 (County of Durham) Sqn began flying on the Spitfire MkVIII in March 1944. The serial numbers included all correspond to LF.MkVIIIc aircraft built in late 1943 to early 1944 and shipped out to India. Credits: Model and flight dynamics by Third Wire Cockpit by Kesselbrut Decals, placement and data.ini modifications by ndicki The canopy is activated by toggling "shift 0" - RAF procedures dictated that the canopy should be open and locked back during take-off and landing. As the MkVIII had a retractable tail-wheel, I have removed the MkIX-type fixed tail-wheel. For use ONLY with SF2 including the Israel Expansion Pack. This will NOT work if you do not have the stock TW Spitfires installed and working. Submitter ndicki Submitted 04/25/2011 Category Spitfire  

Thank you! And it's just got better - the tail-wheel has now gone. MkVIIIs had retractable tail-wheels, so it shouldn't be visible in flight. Nothing I can do about the rudder, though, I'm afraid. Uploading now!