77Scout

I am sure Bullethead will be flying from the cockpit (nobody who is serious about simulation would use chase view), but is simply zooming the view all the way 'out'. Zoom is done with the '[' and ']' keys.

I had a check of the aircraft files, and there is no such designation as 'fighter'; all the fighters are all actually tagged as 'fighter_bomber' so that answers my own question. Three planes are designated as 'tactical_bomber'...the FE2B, Sopwith Strutter, and Hannover. Three planes are designated as 'level_bomber'...the RE8, DFW, and BE2c. I wonder what the behaviour difference between a tactical bomber and a level bomber would be?

There is a gunner sitting ahead of you and he has two guns (forward and back) and he will do all the firing. You are the pilot so you just fly the plane. You have no gun. If you are role-playing being the pilot you won't switch positions, but if you do chose to switch roles the keys to do so are as Uncleal noted above, and when you are sitting in the gunner seat there is a computer pilot flying the plane.

A few questions.. Will editting the Fe2B_sqd.xdp change all FE2B in the game to fighter-bombers, or just my squadron? I would actually like to put some 'fight' into all the FE2B's throughout the game. They are just to docile and easy to shoot down. How would I do that? Also, is there a reason to use the fighter-bomber designation rather than aassigning a pure fighter AI for a pure fighter squadron?

You have to do what works for you of course Siggi, but I will chime in again and side with Stiffy as I too fail to see that the present system would be easiest for you...seems like you have to juggle two sets of stats for each pilot and there is a bunch of extra math for everyone. In my mind (and perhaps only there, ha ha) the simplest system would actually be have everyone together all on one list (both bombers and fighters) and just add a column (or icon) for 'fighter/bomber'. Then there would be only one complete set of stats for each pilot (not two) and you get to see everyone all together. This would also allow reporting of only combined grand-totals (no adding/subtracting between the two lists) and easier to see how everyone is doing. Come to think of it, if you add a column (or icon) for crumpet/kraut then your four lists can be trimmed down to just one list. Just throwing out ideas

Will do on the reporting. A couple of suggestions below, but honestly I am not sure if I am interpreting the web site stats correctly, so apologies if I am all screwed up. It seems a bit confusing to me that the same people are showing up in both the bomber list and the fighter list at the same time. I would find it easier to check everyones progress if people were only in one place at a time (i.e. when moved to the fighter list they would be dropped from the bomber list, and visa versa). Also when transferring to the fighters, are peoples stats are being started back at zero? Do we have to look in two places (bomber list and fighter list) and then add the two stats together to get someones total kills and time, or have I got this wrong? I would find it simpler if, on the website, peoples time and kills would stay with them when they move to fighters. (Wouldn't this also save Siggi some math...easier if we all just report grand totals, so no need to be subtracting bomber time and kills from the total stats?) We are able to transfer to fighter squads in-game with all our statistics intact (by editting the dossier file), so seems like an easier way to go? Also, I think this would be the case in real life (i.e. stats don't reset when you transfer). I am having great fun with this DiD campaign...it was a great idea Siggi!

In case some people dont know, the in-game map can be zoomed in or out to suit with the '[' and ']' keys (same keys you zoom the cockpit view with), and the view also moved around with the arrow keys, which might partially address one of the map complaints above.

Thanks for posting. That's a good one. Sad that they can keep the old birds like the day they were new, but even brave men must grow old and pass on.

More likely your computer has some strange features. If OFF had a habit of losing files we would probably all be experiencing it. I myself have never had so much as a glitch in many years flying Phase 1 to 3

Dropping bombs is actually a 2-button process, as you have to select the next payload first (backspace) before the drop-ordinance button (enter)will do anything.

Great news. I particularly like the wind noise and buffetting to be added!

Altimeter is "look at the ground and see how high you are" Airspeed is "look at the ground and see how fast you are going" Yep, it's that simple (grin).

Civil Engineer doing consulting from my home office, one man company. No boss and since two years ago no marriage-boss (wife) either. Living free and easy (grin).

Maybe in Phase 4, the OFF Manager could work with the time values from the 'mission review' data to avoid this problem.

I always fly full-DID and hate the TAC with a vengence, but even a die-hard like me has to flip on the TAC for a few seconds if i am going to tell wingmates to attack a ground target. Can't be avoided sometimes. If you keep it to a few seconds of 'TAC on' I think nobody will quibble, but maybe others have a better work-around?

If you are gliding you hear the faint wind sound but it never changes...diving and picking up speed gives no increased wind sound, so no feedback or sensation of increasing speed. Basically, I don't think the wind sound is tired to the speed of the plane. Currently I think the wind sound it is just part of the motor sound file so basically controlled by the throttle. Having wind sound tired to speed of the plane would be great but not sure it is do-able.

Ready to go. I am very excited to start this campaign...makes your pilots life seem that more real and important to protect. I will start doing some prep...making good paper maps of the area around Wasquehal and maybe flying a few training flights in the DFW (a machine I am unfamiliar with so far). I will do my best to get through and do the required recon and bombing of enemy targets when assigned. No shirking here. Can't trust those Brit flyers to do the same...they will probably just do sightseeing flights to Paris to get their 17 hours (77Scout ducks and runs for cover ).

You can sign me up...sounds fun. I am happy on either side.

Hmmm...does softTH software use the <esc> key for something and so is in conflict?

The Pup is good, but downing 8 DIII's is a bit ridiculous (although I have seen where many AI crash due to bad piloting down low, and we get the credit). Is this with labels and TAC turned off, so the visibility limitations of the Pup are imposed? If not, I would suggest perhaps increase the difficulty by turnng that stuff off.

Bullethead sums up my thoughts nicely. If we are starting at the end of the runway the plane has long since been started, checked, and taxied into postion.

The landing bit is particularly phoney. Parts of the video are very obviously computer generated....good graphics for a computer sim but pretty lousy if trying to fool us that it is real life.

Or use 'Scroll Lock' to toggle the joystick hat to panning view, but Trackir is really the way to go.

I'll answer the weather question: Yes you should get days were flights are cancelled due to weather. It is fairly common in the winter. Have you got weather set to historical in the workshops...that would probably need to be set correctly. If they still make you fly in the rain then it is just one of those super important missions I guess :)

As stated, no need for a second monitor, just screenshot the map one time before leaving for your first flight and print it for future reference (zoom as suits your taste). I use quick hand-drawn maps; that works too. Yes, the airfields are the best landmarks for navigation...easy to spot from long distances. Add in the cities and the frontline and there is no need to worry about roads and rivers for navigation. It is not difficult, and easily doubles the feeling of being there. Yes you get lost sometimes or hit the wrong target...just how it should be in real life. The inflight map is of course a no-no...totally tells you were you are as already stated. I use it only if i land first at a friendly airfield or town (simulates landing and asking directions) then head off again. Just my opinion, but if you aren't navigating, you are to some extent playing a game rather than a simulation, but realize not everyone wants to do it or has the time.