Geezer

More test shots...

Ingame shots of Nieuport 17 progress.

Perhaps guys could vote on what kind of cigarette our hero is smoking?

Progress on detailing the front fuselage and Vickers gun.

Making slow but steady progress. This is going to be a high-polycount aircraft.

With time off for Christmas, VonS and I have gotten a lot done with improved files and models. Progress shots below of the N17, plus some shots of contemporary rotary-powered aircraft - rotary engines were filthy!

Merry Christmas to you too! Some ingame shots of a French paint job.

Got the N17 working ingame.

We are also experimenting with improved pilots. Shot of first test batch below. Odd numbered pilots have a "normal" scarf. Even numbered pilots have a winter scarf. Per VonS' suggestion, the torsos are somewhat narrow so they will fit in all existing aircraft.

Heh, I love the research you have done on this. Gotta great story about Anzani radials. Back in the 1970s/80s, the Santa Paula, CA airport was a haven for old civilian aircraft, much like Chino was a haven for old military aircraft. One sunny afternoon there, I had a conversation with an old geezer who owned a 1920's single-seater that was a rough equivalent to the Piper Cub. I don't remember the type, but I do remember it's Anzani three cylinder radial. The owner had welded retaining braces to the cylinder heads because they had a habit of blowing off the engine! He said he had been forced down three different times because of the Anzani blowing cylinder heads!

Yep, its a Nieuport 28 engine I dropped in for a quick test - to get a feel for constructing the nose. Meanwhile, I've been working on a new batch of WW1 pilots.

Experiment...

George, I continue to marvel at the wonderful maps you produce - especially since you are color blind! Amazing...

Testing the N28 cockpit, and accidentally got some Pfalz D3a takeoff shots.

LOL!

The Nieuport trio:

Hum a few bars to La Marseillaise while going forth to do battle with the Evil Hun.

Making good progress on the artwork, especially the engine-turned cowling.

I've looked over Stephen1918's armed observer files - clever idea! Rather than modify the pilot, it looks like the ideal solution is to build the observer/gun combination into the 3D model? Perhaps two versions? One with a Hotchkiss MG and one with a Berthier rifle? Has anyone gotten ini files, simulating a rifle, to work ingame?

Superb stuff!

LOL, I haven't thought about it yet. Stephen1918 developed some innovative refinements with his rifle and grenade files, but I have not had time to experiment with them. At the moment, I am using a Hotchkiss as default but there is no reason why some other form of armament can't be used instead. I have some WW1 small arms somewhere on a backup disc, similar to the 1938 small arms shown below.

Really nice work!

A few more shots.

Been working on the N17/24/27 stuff and got the first one - the N27 - into the air. Furball over France!

You're quite welcome. I combine my professional knowledge of aircraft and visual design in one hobby, so its a lot of fun for this old geezer.