Geezer

Interesting. How many cats could be lined up behind each other? I'm simply curious about how closely the sim could approximate WW2 carrier take-offs. In any event, it sounds like this would be feasible. I'm skilled enough to make and skin the models, but not the rest - would someone be willing to then carry the ball if I hand it off to them? As carrier mods are being developed for WOI, this could complement those efforts. Also, I only have FE and WOI.

Thanks - that's the kind of input I was hoping to get as I did not know how the TW carriers worked. By line abreast I meant that there were two launchable planes side-by-side, not necessarily that they launched simultaneously. Found some info that indicates the Kaga was pretty close to it's WW2 configuration by 1937: Kaga So...how many aircraft can a TW carrier launch? That would detremine how many remaining aircraft would be tied to the animation, which go away when launching is complete. Can several launchable aircraft line up behind the catapult location for launch, or is it one catapult = one launchable plane?

Thanks. As I have to guess the size and proportions, I like to test them in an airfield scene based on a modified FE ground tile. Most 1930s airfields were unpaved and had a rough and ready look similar to wartime forward airfields. Have added some barracks, a maintenance shed, plus some smaller hangars and a cammo net revetment.

One of my buddies said not to forget the beach bunny. Progress shot below...the Joe Pilot figure will have a cigarette and maybe a pet dog.

Thanks. Maybe I can get it as a Christmas present?

That's exactly what I needed to know. Will make two versions. I'm making a few vehicles to learn the pitfalls of UV mapping compound curves - once I've figured out how to map complex shapes, I'll start the Curtiss Hawk II. Thanks - maybe the Pearl Harbor version of the Woody could have a surfboard? Shot below of a reference I found for Woodies - many of them appear to have been special-built by custom contractors. I checked my refs, and found that most Polikarpovs used by China had small serial numbers - many had no fuselage numbers at all. In the .pdf of the Polish pub you sent me, an I-153 has a small-ish 2706, while an I-15bis has an even smaller 305 on the fin.

Thanks. Gotta question for guys like Wrench, who place ground objects on maps. I've been fooling around with a crewman and hose for the fuel truck. Would it be better to make the hose and crewman separate, or should they be part of the truck model?

If my comments were interpreted as criticism of the model, I apologize. It was not my intent to criticize anyone's modding efforts. BTW, I also love 1930s aircraft.

During most of the 1930s, French designers seemed to compete to see who could produce the ugliest bomber. In the late 1930s, French designers gradually came to their senses and produced a number of bombers that were "less ugly" than previous designs - a few were downright good looking. During the German occupation, Marcel Bloch secretly joined the resistance and took the codename d' assault - when he formed a new aviation company post-war, he used used his codename. Hence, Dassault Mirage. The Farman 221/222 defined ugly:

That's where I was at the same time - repairing the B-52s. Somewhere a bit South of Anderson was a dirt track (only suitable for motorcycles or 4WD vehicles) that led off SouthEast-ish into the jungle. Down the track was a clearing that still had a knocked-out Sherman slowly rusting away in the tropical heat. I hated that island...

Looks like the Marianas? I was stationed on Guam during the late 60s, and there were still Japanese guns emplaced in caves covering the main harbor near Agana.

The simple answer is "YES". I have already done some preliminary research on the I-152 and Ki.10 Perry, and intend to get around to them in my efforts to cover the 1930s - the glory days of the biplane. I'm also considering the Gloster Gladiator and FIAT CR.32. I started learning how to make 3D models as a interesting hobby, and it just kinda growed on me - I originally got involved with modding as a texture artist. I am working on the long tedious process of making multiple UV maps of the aircraft, using the multiple map approach of FE. I occasionally get sidetracked by stuff that provides faster results, such as ground objects, but my main focus is the biplanes and early monoplanes of the mid-1930s. These aircraft were still used in the early days of WW2, so there is no telling where this personal project will lead me. I don't have SF1 because Third Wire's future improvements will focus on FE and WOI (which I do have). When I get some aircraft to the point where they are test-flyable, I will ask on the forums if anyone is interested in adapting the aircraft to SF1. I'm a relative newcomer to TW modding, but my impression is that most of the differences between an SF1 model and an FE/WOI model are the associated files?

Thanks. Got a supply building, a headquarters building, and a car done today. Growing up in California in the 60s, I couldn't resist making the car a 1937 Woodie.

Thanks. Stuff like this goes fairly quickly because the textures already exist - they just need adapting to the model. I am interested in pushing the graphics envelope for FE and WOI to levels similar to the latest sims - hopefully I won't knock the game engine down to its knees! Shots below show progress on small line shack and large hangar.

Thanks. I've started another building - a small line shack. The textures used on the hangar were free and can be found at Free Textures Note that manipulating the textures requires Photoshop skills, but the "raw material" found at the website is excellent.

I was able to get a lot of texture time in last night, using photos from the internet.

Yep it's a Russian-style starter mechanism mounted on an Isuzu TX40 truck. I could find a lot of blurry photos, or model boxtops (with the wrong vantage point) of the Japanese rig, but nothing detailed enough for a model - so I modeled a Russian starter rig. If anybody can supply me with GOOD photos, I'd be happy to alter the model. I read in Bloody Shambles volume 3 that taking out Japanese starter trucks was considered a priority when attacking Japanese airfields, as it could effectively ground an entire Sentai. Several aircraft types were used by both the Chinese and Dutch: Martin 139, Curtiss Hawk 75, and the Curtiss CW-21 interceptor. The Dutch also operated Dornier 24 flying boats for SAR. Somewhere I have an article that describes a dual ring of airfields the Dutch constructed across the Indonesian islands - some of them were little more than meadows with stockpiles of fuel and munitions hidden under trees, so it took the Japanese a while to locate them all. This has interesting potential for mission builders as the Dutch were briefly able to operate from "secret" airfields.

Here's a "darken the skies" shot of Martin 139s. And another "darken the skies" shot of Chinese Hawk IIs and A-12s used in the 1937-38 fighting near Shanghai.

Yep - the Martin 139 bomber (export version of the B-10) was the most widely used modern-ish Allied bomber when the Japanese attacked in 1941. The Dutch bought 120 for use in the East Indies, plus Siam (Thailand) and China bought another dozen or so. Shot below shows one of the versions used by the Dutch. I'm also working on a Yokosuka B4Y "Jean".

Thanks. The shot is a composite of different models. I have just finished UV mapping one hangar as a separate model - I will do the same with all three buildings (plus develop more). The gunners on the roof are separate models - I am also planning on placing them on trucks for convoy AA escort (see shot below).

I have seen p10ppy's excellent work and highly recommend that you wait for his 3D model. However, I have a simple 1916-era Lewis and gunner that I would be happy to donate if you would like something to tinker with until then.

I am back working on 1930s stuff after having my computer damaged during the move to a new city. The Curtiss Hawk II is nearing completion. The Curtiss A-12 is pretty much done. I have also started work on a Yokosuka B4Y Jean.

Yep - the Martin 139 was the export version of the B-10, used by China, Siam (Thailand), and the Dutch East Indies. I don't claim to understand the trade-offs between the various TW sims, but the latest ones (FE and WOI) will get future developments and improvements that the earlier ones won't. Didn't I read someplace that TK did not plan on more upgrades to the earlier sims? Correct me if I am wrong here. If you are willing to gradually convert your earlier work to the newer sims, maybe we could kinda/sorta cooperate as I will eventually expand the Chinese coverage into WW2.

I forgot to mention that I have previously posted as Geezer - I've used Geezer and Veltro205 interchangeably for years. I forgot my old CA password and now have a new email address, so I re-registered as Veltro205 this time. I'm also working on a generic 1930s cockpit for these birds (shots below). I enjoy the hell out of 3D modeling and texturing, but the intermediate step of mapping is a stone drag - I've begun mapping the Northrop2E but will now concentrate on getting the Hawk II and Nakajima into First Eagles for basic testing. Then, I plan on making a Ki.30 Ann, Martin 139, and G3M Nell. As I work slowly, that should keep me busy for the next two years!