WhiteBoySamurai

Starting work on the Crotale. The launcher texture is borrowed from my Lafayette and is just temporary. The copy is identical to the original (at least externally), using the same Hotchkiss 4-wheel truck. I'll include a separate version for France and international users in the pack. Finished the Type 89 multiple rocket launcher. I hate to admit it, but this is kind of a neat vehicle. 40 rounds + 40 more in an on-board reload system. They can really mess up an airbase.

whiteknight, for this pack I'm doing a few mobile SAMs: The slightly older HQ-61, Crotale copy HQ-7, and modern gun/missile combo Type 95. The missiles are already done for the first two. I would like to build an HQ-9 launcher, since I'll need that same missile for certain PLAN ships soon, but I can't find any good reference material for the radar systems they use.

While in Hiroshima this year, I visited the Kure Maritime Museum (呉市海事歴史科学館), also known as the "Yamato Museum." Kure was (and is) a major shipbuilding city, and the museum there is a treasure trove of history. Here are a few photos I took there. That's the decommissioned submarine Akishio across the street, attached to the JMSDF Kure Museum (which I also went to). The traffic barriers are armor piercing shells. The pier just outside the museum is a 1:1 mockup of the Yamato's deck. I took this from the forward anchor position, facing where the #1 turret would be. Only a small fraction of the ship is represented, but it's still huge. This is a 41cm (16") gun salvaged from the battleship Mutsu. One of the first things you see when entering the museum is the famous 1:10 scale model of the Yamato. She is glorious. The museum has a lot of static displays as well. Type 2 torpedo. Kaiten suicide torpedo. Kairyu midget submarine. Zero Model 62 fighter-bomber. Type 91 AP and Type 3 AAA-incendiary shells for the Yamato's 46cm main guns. Two more shots of the Yamato. There were many other exhibits, including the history of the city of Kure, naval battles of the IJN, the evolution of shipbuilding, and a multitude of smaller-scale model ships. If you happen to visit Japan and have any interest in warships or military history, I highly recommend this museum.

A couple more vehicles nearing completion:

This May I took a trip to southern Japan. Marine Air Corps Station Iwakuni was hosting its 40th annual Friendship Day, a huge airshow to display solidarity between the US and Japan. Thanks to my friend Nengajyou Aki, I had the best seats in the house. Here are some of the photos I took.

Sorry I've been away for a while. Travelling, working, new SO, etc. I completely rebuilt the 600gal wing tank I had been working on for the F-2. The dimensions are as accurate as I can get them based on photos and diagrams. I re-purposed a skin by ace888, since it fit so well. I'm currently building some modern PLA vehicles. These will get a lot of use in the Taiwan and South China Sea terrains. I started these a while ago, but was quickly overwhelmed by the sheer number of variants and sub-types of these designs. So I'm sticking to the most common/interesting ones. When I'm finished with this ground vehicle pack, I'll get back to working on ships.

I was hoping to get through the week without any more awful news, but I came home today and saw this-- Two police officials were stabbed to death in their home near Paris. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36524094 They were not only partners, but a couple. RIP. Their son survived, fortunately. Like the perpetrator in Florida, this psychopath also declared allegiance to ISIS, and had connections to jihadist groups.

I'm guessing Heck is referring to the huge domestic terror attack that just happened. http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/orlando-nightclub-massacre/florida-nightclub-massacre-deadliest-mass-shooting-u-s-history-n590476 http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/orlando-nightclub-massacre/terror-hate-what-motivated-orlando-nightclub-shooter-n590496 At least 50 innocent Americans were murdered by this piece of trash. May they rest in peace.

Sounds great, Wrench! Looking forward to it.

Last Friday morning I had the day off and was just getting up when I heard F-15s and F-2s in the air near Komaki, which is only a few kilometers from where I live. That's a bit rare, since we mostly have C-130s here. I didn't know what their mission was until much later in the day when I heard the news. I just wish I could've gotten a photo; I might have been able to see it from my house. Japan originally wanted the F-22, so naturally they would design an aircraft with similar layout to meet the same requirements. It's small because it's still in the "technology demonstrator" phase. And also, unlike her neighbors, Japan doesn't do knock-offs. They're second only to the US in original patent applications. And even for existing tech, if something can be made lighter, more streamlined, more energy efficient, and easier to use, Japan will do it. I'm expecting the X-2 to follow that trend.

emresukhoi, you're making my little Ka-29 look amazing. I hope you release those skins. Here's a screenshot I figured was appropriate for today. Philadelphia Experiment gone wrong, I suppose...?

I have an announcement to make. As you probably know, the biggest complaint I've been getting about my ship models is that they aren't cute enough. I know, I know. Every day, I receive hundreds of PMs urging me to make my ships more lovable and ladylike. I wasn't sure how to fix this issue until I discovered the wildly-popular Japanese media franchise "Kantai Collection." So, starting this April 1st, I will begin revamping all my existing ships and building the entire IJN fleet for Strike Fighters 2... as cute anime girls. Now that's more like it! But how does that translate into a 3D game? Well, I'll be collaborating with modellers from Sega, so here is what you can expect: To be honest, I'm not sure how to get that cell-shaded effect, or how to do those adorable animations in the SF2 engine. And frankly I have zero experience in modelling human figures. But I won't let that stop me. I promise that I'll give the CombatAce community what it wants!

Obvious things first: Could it be a disk space issue? Or fragmentation? Bad sector on hard drive? Maybe run chkdsk and see if anything turns up. Also, make sure the path in the Options.ini file is correct. Try changing the image format or a different folder and see if that helps. [screenShots] Directory=C:\Users\***\Saved Games\ThirdWire\StrikeFighters2 Europe\ScreenShots Format=JPG

Abukuma is being uploaded now. Here she is with the rest of the fleet. This class was originally planned to have a RAM launcher in the space between the superstructure and main gun. ("For but not with" is a common phrase for the USN and RN these days, isn't it?) I've been told that they are finally going to be added starting next year or the year after, so I've included the refit version of the ship as well. Actual dates are subject to change. I think I'll get back to work on some OPFOR ships next.

View File Abukuma class destroyer escort This model represents the Abukuma class destroyer escorts (DE-229~DE-234), in service with the JMSDF from 1989 to present. They are designed as cost-effective general-purpose escorts with an emphasis on anti-sub and anti-surface warfare. "Destroyer escort" is the JMSDF's equivalent term for "frigate." The Abukuma class features a 76mm gun, Phalanx CIWS, two 4-canister SSM launchers, ASROC launcher, and ASW torpedoes. Installation of a RAM launcher is also planned for the near future. A full names list and authentic decals are included. This ship is best used in conjunction with my Kongo, Takanami, Murasame, Asagiri, Hatsuyuki, and other upcoming Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force capital ships. Submitter WhiteBoySamurai Submitted 03/19/2016 Category Frigates

This ship is ready for painting. I think I'll be able to finish in less than a week.

Yep, I'm aware. Those Eagles were among the first mods I downloaded for SFP1 back in 2008. But I try not to think about it too much since it makes me feel old... Anyway, having all the bells and whistles would be great, but I'd be happy to see even a few incremental improvements that don't require major 3D/texturing work.