Geezer

Good to see you are still alive and kicking!

Sorry, but I'm in the process of disengaging from FE. I have a couple more aircraft that I will complete enough to pass on to other guys, but that is probably all. With the SCW mod dead in the water, I am looking at more modern sims with better graphics systems.

Even 'simple' is very time consuming - I have other things to do. What I plan on doing is converting some of my 1930s China war 3D models to either .3ds or .obj format, then let you guys finish the development process. I will not convert models to LODs, nor will I map the models so an artist can make skins. You guys will have to do that yourselves.

Thought I'd add some useful info about terminology that may help you guys. 3D models exist for their own sake in the model space of the 3D program (Max, Blender, etc). Models are built, tweaked, and finalized in that 3D model space, which has NOTHING to do with any game software. Only after the 3D model is "finished" is it then converted to a LOD (Level Of Detail) for use in a game system. The conversion process can sometimes be quick/easy, and other times be involved/time consuming - it depends on the situation. Because of actions the modeler takes to convert the 3D model to a LOD, the two are NOT automatically the same object with different names. Assuming "model" and "LOD" can be used interchangeably can sometimes get you in a lot of trouble because they are actually two different things. Related, but different. I've been thinking about making a small batch of 1930s aircraft models available, but the devil is always in the details. Its actually a lot of work, and - because of format issues - could easlily be a big waste of time if not done right. Specifically, how many of you guys can open a .3ds format model? How many can open an .obj format model? Its a time consuming PITA to make these conversions, so I am NOT going to make both. You guys need to decide which it will be.

Hi, Steve - While I have new priorities, I have not lost all interest in FE - I still check in from time to time. I have some excellent refs for several SCW aircraft, so lemme know when/if you get interested and I'll send them to you. I've also made a start on SCW ground objects - I'll look them over and see if they are compatible with my new priorities. If so, I'll continue work and contact you. Speaking of contact, I've tried several times to re-establish communication with gterl but he does not respond. I hope he's OK.

Thanks. I'm not completely going away - just mostly. If Gterl were to resume work on his SCW map, I would reconsider my priorities as that is also something I have always wanted to do.

OK, I'll start converting them to 3ds files. When I get a big batch done, I'll contact you and let you post them. BTW, they are all 1930s items!

Guys - Thanks for the kind words. I am not completely walking away from TW modding. There are a couple of aircraft inwork that I want to get to LloydNB, Baffmeister, and Whiteknight06604 - eventually. What has changed is emphasis. I have always wanted to make some high-end models, and get them running in a graphically advanced gameworld. So, I am starting to learn the Arma3 ropes for a series of WW2 softskins used in Tunisia and Italy.

Yesterday was my birthday - I hit the big 70. While celebrating with a bottle of wine, I realized I had better get to work on my bucket list. It's time to move upscale and make/texture some very high end models in an advanced game system. Samples below. I'm not saying "goodbye." I'll eventually respond to messages, but won't work on any new Third Wire aircraft.

Agree with ojcar. Take your time, and work 'til you are happy with it.

LOL! It does resemble several 1950s projects. I was an avid reader of RAF Flying Review in the 1960s, and watched the slow destruction of British aerospace. Many of the survivors fled to DeHavilliland Canada, and then fled to the US when Canada destroyed its aerospace industry in the 1970s. I worked with several ex-Brit, ex-Canuck engineers at Northrop in the 1980s.

Be advised that I am no longer involved Gladiator development - I'm fed up with file bashing. LloydNB and Baffmeister have very graciously agreed to continue development of the SF2 versions. Speaking for myself, I will continue modeling and skinning - because that is what I enjoy - but I will only do production stuff on an occasional basis.

If it works and benefits the community, of course! Feel free to post this where the SF guys may see it. Baffmeister and LloydNB are tinkering with some Gladiator releases for SF2, but they are discovering it is a huge amount of "extra" work.

Correct. Also stuff like damage holes, and the additional files for new bombs, guns, sounds, pilots, etc. We've been successful at figuring out most of this stuff, but I wound up doing the majority of the grunt labor so my planned production of models and skins is now eight months behind what I could have otherwise accomplished.

You guys lemme know if you need any more ground objects.

Thanks for the support and suggestion about a private forum. LloydNB, Baffmeister, and I have successfully produced a collection of models, skins, and FMs that raise the bar to new heights, but its been a LOT of work! We're all very good at our specialties, but every hour spent on packaging is an hour not spent on what we do best. We have a number of additional Gladiator and CR42 versions that can be released both for FE2 and SF2, but the packaging work is the big hold up. I don't see any problem with a private forum devoted to BOTH SF2 and FE2, but correct me if I am wrong. Dunno what to call it - maybe "White Scarves And Wheel Spats"? Strictly speaking, it won't be only fabic covered biplanes - there will also be some early generation monoplanes such as the Hurricane, Macchi C200, and Messerschmitt Bf109B & E/jabo.

I am fed up with the time consuming and frustrating part of releasing aircraft. The part I like - 3D models and skins - consititutes maybe 50% of the required effort. Hobbies are supposed to be fun, but the other 50% is NOT fun and I stop doing it today. This does not mean my aircraft won't necessarily find their way to CA's download section, it just means someone else will have to help carry the load to make it happen. LloydNB and Baffmeister have done Sterling work assisting me so far, and have agreed to try and see if they can release SF2 packages. Below is a snippet from our PM thread: "Please continue and release anything you cobble together with my blessing. I will also keep you guys in the loop - you and Lloyd can expect to see a Gauntlet fairly soon. I will get it mapped and flying ingame as a Gladiator MK2, then let you guys finish it. Then, I'll figure out how to make the Hurricane's landing gear work. I like making models and skins, but all that other stuff is so time consuming it prevents me from doing what I do best. I'll ask around and see if I can find someone who can assist me with FE2 releases." That's the bottom line. If you guys like aircraft that look like a modern flight sim, its time to roll up your sleeves and help make releasable packages. Step up and volunteer to help. Otherwise, it ain't gonna happen...

View File WW2 German Flight Crew This pack contains flight crew figures designed to fit Veltro's WIP FW189, but they can be used for most any other German WW2 aircraft. There are two different pilot figures - a fighter pilot and a bomber pilot. There are also two gunner figures that - with some repositioning - 3D model guys can fit into aircraft they are working on. Submitter Geezer Submitted 02/27/2016 Category Prop Cockpits

I just sent Veltro2K a 3D model layout for his new figures, and also posted figure LODs in the SF2 download section.

The film clip does not display on my browser, but it sounds like some really interesting footage.

One of those two Goshawks survives, and is displayed in a Polish museum.

Ed - I scaled your complete aircraft model to fit published dimensions, then merged one of my SCW figures who was carefully scaled to be 6 feet tall. Using the SCW figure as a guide, I sized the new pilot figure, and then dropped him into your cockpit. He fits well for the most part - the armor protects his head and his hands reach the control yoke. The only rough spot is the rudder pedals seem too close to the pilot's seat. The pilot's pose is ergonomically good - not perfect, but good - so my first reaction would be to extend the rudder pedals forward. What do you think?