Herr Prop-Wasche

Oh, definitely. After people discovered that the FM and DM's in RB3d could be modded, the Delphi forum seemed like it was always ablaze with flame-wars over the FM of someone's beloved Spad, DrI, etc. I definitely do NOT want that to happen here. I also trust that OBD will take a look into this issue and come up with a reasonable solution. They seem very open to constructive comments and seem keen to implement most changes that appear reality-based and that improve upon the sim. In fact, they appear to be more open to 3rd party input than any other develepors I have ever run across! OFF is in good hands.

Olham, I can't imagine the bravery of those pilots, to strap themselves in front of two tanks of extremely corrosive and explosive chemicals. You wonder if they fully knew or were told how dangerous it was to fly the Komet! It is too bad about the great distances involved in order to see all of the things we would like to see. Maybe if we started an exchange program? You can come over to see our collection of WWI and WWII airplanes, and I can come over to Germany and see the frauleins and drink your wonderful beer!

A former Daytonian! There are a lot of them now, unfortunately. From the Air Force Museum web page: "Inside the aircraft's skin are these words, perhaps written by a defiant French laborer: "Manufacture Ferme" means "Plant Closed." "Mon coeur est en chomage" translated directly means "My heart is not occupied" (as opposed to France being occupied by the Germans)."

Dear OFF aficionados, My Intermediate QC Damage Model for OFF BHaH v2.0, Now with Enhanced Damage Effects is now available for download at: http://forum.combatace.com/index.php?autoc...amp;showcat=355 From the readme: Enjoy!

IDM2_0QC.zip View File Intermediate QC Damage Model for OFF BHaH v2.0 Now with Enhanced Damage Effects! by Herr Prop Wasche INSTALLATION: Simply right-click the IDM_2_0.zip file and extract to the OBDSoftware\CFSWW1 Over Flanders Fields folder. DO NOT unzip the file into the aircraft folder itself! If prompted, simply click "Yes to all" when asked if you wish to replace files. If you later decide to go back to either the normal or hardcore damage models, simply run the appropriate DM program from OBD. Submitter Herr Prop-Wasche Submitted 07/07/2009 Category Aircraft Models

I agree with you. The Spad is certainly NOT equal in turn rate to the Camel or the Tripes. On the other hand, I also don't believe that it had one of the worst turn rates of any scout in the war. Instead, I believe it should be roughly equal to the Se5 in rate of turn. BTW, in the game, the Se5 is probably a little too good in the turn, so maybe both should be adjusted! Mr. Tallman states that the Spad VII is "more limber" than any other Allied plane, with the exception of the three above mentioned. I don't currently get that feeling in OFF. It seems very sluggish to me. With its poor roll and accelerated stall characteristics (the latter NOT mentioned by Mr. Tallman in his report!), the Spad currently feels more like the proverbial "bull in the china shop" to me. Can't we at least consider making it less "bullish" and more "racehorse" like?

Finally: Developed from a 1938 design by the Messerschmitt company, the Me 262 Schwalbe was the world's first operational turbojet aircraft. First flown under jet power on July 18, 1942, it proved much faster than conventional airplanes. Development problems (particularly its temperamental engines), Allied bombings and cautious Luftwaffe leadership contributed to delays in quantity production. On July 25, 1944, an Me 262 became the first jet airplane used in combat when it attacked a British photo-reconnaissance Mosquito flying over Munich. As a fighter, the German jet scored heavily against Allied bomber formations. U.S. Army Air Forces bombers, however, destroyed hundreds of Me 262s on the ground. Of the more than 1,400 Me 262s produced, fewer than 300 saw combat. Most Me 262s did not make it to operational units because of the destruction of Germany's surface transportation system. Many of those that did were unable to fly because of lack of fuel, spare parts or trained pilots. TECHNICAL NOTES: Armament: Four 30mm MK-108 cannons and 1,000 lbs. of bombs Engines: Two Junkers Jumo 004s of 1,980 lbs. thrust each Maximum speed: 540 mph Cruising speed: 460 mph Range: 650 miles Ceiling: 38,000 ft. Span: 41 ft. Length: 34 ft. 9 in. Height: 11 ft. 4 in. Weight: 15,600 lbs.

More: The German Me 163, a rocket-powered defensive fighter, was one of the most unusual aircraft of World War II. Fortunately, its potential impact was minimized by technical problems and the small number produced. The Me 163 was the end result of a long line of tailless research aircraft designed by Dr. Alexander Lippisch. The first Me 163A prototypes were tested in 1941, but powered flight testing of the more advanced Me 163B was delayed until August 1943 due to engine and fuel problems. Although the Komet's rocket engine gave it a exceptional climb rate, range was severely limited by its high fuel consumption. Furthermore, the fuels used were extremely hazardous and sometimes exploded without warning, killing a number of pilots.

For Olham, The Fw 190D-9 on display was assigned to the JG3 "Udet" Geschwader. One of the Luftwaffe's most famous fighter units, JG3 was named for Ernst Udet, Germany's leading ace to survive World War I. The airplane, captured and brought to the United States for testing at the end of WWII, is on loan from the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum. TECHNICAL NOTES: Armament: Two 20mm MG 151 cannons in wings and two 13mm MG 131 machine guns in nose Engine: Junkers Jumo 213 of 2,240 hp with methanol-water injection Maximum speed: 426 mph Cruising speed: 280 mph Range: 520 miles Ceiling: 40,000 ft. Span: 34 ft. 5 1/3 in. Length: 33 ft. 5 1/4 in. Height: 11 ft. 1/4 in. Weight: 10,670 lbs. combat-loaded

Gents, The bi-annual WWI aircraft fly-in will again be held at the National Museum of the Air Force in Dayton, Ohio from September 25-27, 2009. The three-day World War I Dawn Patrol Rendezvous features vintage original and reproduction WWI aircraft, radio-controlled models, era automobiles, period re-enactors and a collector's show. I live in Dayton and plan to be at the show on at least two of the three days. I hope that other members of the forum, as well as WWI enthusiasts in general, will be able to join me. If anyone would like information about travel directions, accommodations, and dining, please be sure to let me know by PM or on this thread. Here are some pictures from past shows:

Thanks, Olham, even if you did have to shoot at your beloved Albatross!

Devs, Looking at this report, would you be willing to consider some changes to the FM of the Spads? This report appears to indicate that the Spad VII, as currently modeled in the game, may be insufficient in two or three areas: 1) Aileron response/roll rate. According to the article, "SPAD’s had push-pull rod-controlled ailerons; this was a real innovation, and it contributes greatly to the light feel and quick response of the aircraft." Also, "Immelmann’s are effortless, as is quick changes of direction in the roll plane. It doesn’t turn as well as any of the Sopwith’s or Dr.1, but with lots of rudder and practice it can get round quite quickly." In OFF, the roll rate of the Spad VII is quite poor, making even wing-overs and half-rolls difficult to execute. 2) Stall speed and stability in the spin. From the article: "The Hisso idles beautifully, and power-off stalls occur at 47 mph, with a positive and quick nose drop... A speed of 55 to 65 mph was adequate for the approach, and I touched wheels first on the concrete at about 48 mph." These speeds are much too low in OFF for safe flight and in a landing approach. Typically, I have to maintain a speed of 70-80 mph while on approach in order to avoid losing aircraft control and possibly stalling. Later in the article, the author talks about the Spad's characteristics in a spin: "pinning the SPAD VII is pure delight. Of all the aircraft in our collection, the SPAD VII promotes the most confidence [when taking flight liberties]." In my experience In OFF, recovery from a spin is more difficult in a Spad than in almost any other aircraft. Can this be adjusted? 3) Turning ability. Here, I am a little more suspect of the writer's report. He states that the Spad VII turns better than many other planes in WWI, including the Se5: "In limited combat I found the SPAD noticeably more manoeuvrable than the Se.5, better than the Pfalz D.XII and better in some respects than the Camel or Nieuport...The SPAD is more limber than anything except the Camel, Triplane or Dr.1 and the engine is pure reliability." Even if one takes the writer's statements with a grain of salt, it seems that the turning ability of the Spad in OFF is highly underrated. I'm certainly not advocating that the Spad should be changed to become as good a turn fighter as the Sopwith Camel or Tripe or the Dr.1, but IMHO, it should at least be made to be closer in turning ability to the Se5. OFF and the above report appear to be in agreement re climb rate. In OFF, the .air file indicates that the Spad VII has a maximum climb of 1200 fpm. In the above report, the writer states the Spad VII climbs from take off to 9842 ft. in 8 min 10 sec., a climb rate of approx. 1205 fpm. I realize that the writer is most likely flying a reproduction with modern engine parts and materials and not under real-life combat conditions. Still, the Spad series in WWI was recognized as a very successful scout. Even the French, who were used to the quick turning Nieuport series, quickly adopted the Spad and foisted the Neiuport 24's onto the Americans. If the Spad was so poor, why not give that plane to the Americans? In summary, I think the Spad VII and XIII in OFF could be improved in three areas: better roll rate, significantly lower stall speeds and improved stall stability, and improved turning ability. I'm not trying to bash the OBD developers. They have access to historical materials that I could only dream of and are probably aware of information that may directly contradict what is in the above writer's report. However, everyone agrees that much of the available info about almost all WWI airplanes can be highly suspect and contradictory. So, unless we have clear evidence from tests or direct observation (not just opinion) that directly contradicts the above report, then I think we should err on the side of caution and consider tweaking the FM of the Spads a little bit. This will also have the added benefit of making the French and American campaigns a little more enjoyable.

There is a keyboard command to cycle through your waypoints in case you wish to skip some of them, to bug out and head home, for instance. Mine is Shift-W, but I have remapped my keys, so I don't know if this works for you or not.

Thank you for the advice about the Spad. Try not to turn fight. But, if you shouldn't turn the Spad, what is the best way to reverse direction? Half-loop, Split-S, or something else?

I just can't learn to fly either of the Spads. I guess I'm more familiar with the turn fighters, but the Spads don't seem able to turn at all. Any kind of turn and I am quickly going into a spin--even when I try and keep my eye on the speedometer (yes, i cheat)! With 26 kills in the Spad XIII, I'm beginning to think that Eddie Rickenbacker was the greatest pilot of the whole war! Maybe ever!

Brief update on my damage model work: I have finished testing the DM of approximately half of the planes and am mostly satisfied with the results. Once I finish testing the other half I will be ready to upload a zip file for use in QC. I also plan to send a copy of my work to OBD for testing. Most of my work has been with the threshold values of the xdp files, although I have made a few tweaks to the damage points of some of the planes, as well. I do have a favor to ask of the Spad drivers. Two of the planes I have made a few damage points mods to are the Spad VII and XIII. Although I can fly against AI Spads, I cannot fly the beasties very well myself. No matter how I try, I always wind up stalling. This makes it very hard to test how they fare against AI pilots damage wise. This is important, as I have upped the wing points slightly to make the Spads a tiny bit tougher than they are at present. I have seen good results with the AI Spads, but I get shot up too easily to make a fair analysis of how they do against the AI. If anyone can help me out by downloading the following two Spad xdp files and flying both with and against them and reporting back, I would appreciate it. Rename the files from .txt to .xdp and install in the respective Spad folder inside the aircraft folder in order to use. Make sure to back up your original Spad VII and XIII xdp files first!

Thank Heavens! Or is it black magic???

You are welcome!

After the plane crashes, you need to unlock the padlock to get your views back.

Thanks for the update! I have no problem with the registration idea, we can't let the blasted pirates scuttle our chances for P4! The changes/modifications sound great, too! Cloud buffeting and the too early exit when killed (and I get killed a lot) are my only major gripes. One additional small suggestion, which should be easy to implement. For the dialog boxes, like the weather info box, in addition to using the mouse to click "Done" to dismiss the box, could you add a command to allow us to use the "Enter" key? I find that using the enter key is frequently faster and more convenient than fumbling around with the mouse.

Damage model and bullet strength also effect visible damage.

You might shoot an email to OBD support. They are very helpful and prompt with their replies.

Are you using one of the alternative DM's? If there is an error in the xdp file the affected plane will refuse to load and BHaH will lock up, requiring you to terminate the program using task manager (XP).

Hellshade, in addition to cycling your target type, you can also cycle the distance of your TAC from 8 to 4 to 2 nm by pressing the Ctrl-T key.