Check Six

"Hmmmm little white box in the mail.....Now what could be in here...porn? WOW its a BH&H disk" So I got a DVD box in the mail on Thursday, postmarked Denmark. And guess what my lady friend thought?? Yep, you got it...PORN! Actually it was the entire Series (season 1 & 2) of the 1976/77 BBC TV Series "Wings". I watched about 5 or 6 episodes yesterday and today at work. It's not bad actually...poor quality of course, apparently being dubbed from an old VHS tape or two. But the subject matter isn't bad. Chugging around in an old FE2c in mid 1915, trying to figure out how to defend themselves effectively (there's one troublesome hun who even has a machine gun installed on their plane...AND the observer's cockpit is in the rear of their aircraft, giving him a good field of fire and all). Gor Blimey! And "our hero" is a sergeant pilot who used to be a blacksmith.

Well, you know what they say...one volunteer is worth ten conscripts. God bless the Aussies who were volunteers. All of them, to a man. Don't know if Canada enforced conscription or not, but what the hell...God bless them too.

That was my next guess. Though Singer being English, I would have gone with a hamster in the wheel.

Vicshere, Welcome to the wonderful world of Over Flanders Fields. First of all, we should get you airborne, see how you like her. http://www.overflandersfields/ Get to the downloads page on that website. There you will see "Super Patch Ver 1.32 Download". Download that, then further down the page you will see "Mini Patch Ver 1.32f". Download that. Both of these upgrades have an installation wizard, so it's all very easy. Once you have those two patches, you're ready to go for a quick flight around the aerodrome. Enlist a pilot, choose fighter or bomber, select "pilot never dies" in "quick combat" and take whatever aircraft you like up for a spin in "free flight" mode. After that, you can see if your graphics card handled the heavy demands of OFF, and you can go to the "workshop" page, and begin to select the difficulty you wish to start out at. Selecting or deselecting whether you wish a realistic flight model, or an easier one to start out with. (Don't be embarrassed about selecting a total beginner package...most here did exactly that before gradually progressing to a full DiD (Dead is Dead) standard, although some have flown OFF since the very beginning, Phase 1, and so selected the total realism of DiD, no TAC Radar, no labels, realistic flight model, hard damage model, and all the rest. Mess around with the selections there until you've got an easy flight model to start with, and have a few flights in "Quick Combat" mode. Once you're reasonably happy with the graphics settings etc, and can fly a rudimentary circuit or two, try a campaign if you wish. If at any time, you have any questions, no matter how stupid you think they might be (remember, we ALL were learners at one stage - and the guys here are really helpful)...please, just ask. Blue Skies.

Well, you didn't tell me it was not a camera film winding device, so I can assume I got that right. The other suspect might be Leica manufacturer.

I can only hazard a guess like the others. I guess that the propellers on the front are not very efficiently designed, and so are not used to measure air speed or air flow, nor to use the amount of air flow for any measurement of any kind, but merely to form a mechanical drive. The first photo (I think) gives the best clue to the use of the device. Without the tripod accessory mounted on top of it, it appears to have a view port that leads into the body of the device. This would be connected through optical devices to the tube protuding through the bottom of the device, pointing the camera directly down, not oblique photography, but directly overhead. The gears inside are reduction type gears, giving a constant forwards and backwards motion of the arm ending in a crescent shaped pendulum. This operates an arm which in turn operates a switch on the top rear of the box (small silver coloured device). Ok, here's my guess. This is an automatic film winder, used to take a series of photos in sequence. An educated guess as to manufacturer is Zeiss (as it appears to be quite advanced for the dates in use, and they were world leaders in technology of photography in that era). As I guess it is used for direct overhead photography, I guess it is used for photographing landscapes, either for mapping purposes, or producing several photographs of trenchlines etc.

Ernst, Welcome to the OFF forum. I'm unable to help you as you haven't posted your computer specifications, and even if you did, I'm not all that savvy on graphic cards etc. What I can do is recommend you visit the overflandersfields site, click on the "requirements" page (or click on the link I posted for you below), and perhaps that will answer your question. http://www.overfland....com/sysreq.htm If you cannot work it out from there, please get back to us and post the specifications for your machine. There are many guys here that will understand and be able and willing to help.

Briggs, Welcome to the world of OFF. You have chosen the best WW1 flight simulator. Totally immersive. You have visited the correct site. If you have ANY problems, post them here. Many very helpful people here that are willing to help you if they can. OK. Answers to your questions... 1. Regarding catching up to your flight... You may need to mess about more with your mixture to get ideal conditions, but this won't help you catch up. We all fall behind our flight. The reason is that the AI aircraft in OFF are not subject to wind effects, and so can climb slightly better than your aircraft, and are slightly faster. Some tips though. You CAN catch them up by Warping (X). Some purists or total immersion enthusiasts here will scoff at the idea, as "the pilots in WW1 didn't have warp", but as a newbie, you'll have enough trouble flying and fighting without having to worry about what is considered "cheating". You can utilise all these "helps" until you're adept, and know what you're in for, then gradually remove them one by one. OK. So, you're following your flight, they start climbing, and you can't achieve their climb rate, nor catch up to them. You can wait until they're well above and ahead of you, hit "X" (Warp), and you will be behind and to the right of your flight leader. If you choose to fly total immersion, or wish to practice staying in formation, you can exit warp at any time by hitting "Ctrl+X" (exit warp). You should be careful though, of your throttle setting as you enter or exit warp. If you enter warp at full throttle, when you exit warp, you will overtake your flight, and it's difficult again to regain your position. I try to enter/'exit warp at about 70% throttle. See if that works for you. So you can catch up that way. If you're concerned that you're way too far behind, and in danger of being "picked off" by some enterprising enemy, you can quickly hit "X" and then wait a second, then hit "Ctrl+X", and you'll be at their height and in formation. If you think you don't want to do this (ie if you consider this to be "cheating" you can put your nose down slightly, pick up speed, then pull up until nearing the height of your flight. You'll probably have to do this a few times until you catch up and are at their height, and even then you might not reach them. Also, if you glance at your map (M), you might notice that in a few miles, your flight will reach a waypoint, and then turn to the right. This will enable you to catch up, especially if you anticipate the turn. Check your TAC (if you don't consider this cheating) and the top figure will show how far till your next waypoint. 2. The figures for the stall speed, best climb speed, best glide speed etc for any aircraft will supply you with a bazillion combinations from any one of reliable sources. For instance, go to Jane's Fighting aircraft of WW1 (a reputable reference work indeed), compare the speed at various altitudes with any number of other books, and you'll get many discrepancies. There are many reasons for this...aircraft manufacturers quoting higher performance figures to get higher sales or more bragging rights, test aircraft that are "tweaked" by a master mechanic, or others that are incorrectly rigged, poor weather during some testing, a pilot choosing a climb rate for his last aircraft to test the climb rate of the current one, different models of aircraft (was that for the "b" model of the "c" model?) etc etc. Your best bet is here... http://snomhf.exofir...FFaircraft.html Homeboy is a regular here, and an invaluable source of information. He has taken it upon himself to test the OFF aircraft. Not go poring through massive reference works and culling the rubbish information and figures...he hops in OFF aircraft, as they are modelled in this sim. Tests their climb rate, turn rate, speed at altitude etc. Please, be patient. He's only one man (albeit a very clever one), so the figures are, of course, incomplete. But this is by far the best figures you'll get on the aircraft you're flying here. OBD Software have been through the same dilemna...when they model the aircraft, and are trying to find out what speed a certain aircraft will do, they are confronted with many different figures. Which one is right? With Homeboy's figures, whether OBD have chosen a certain performance parameter that is not quite right, Homeboy's figures are accurate for the aircraft that you will be flying. 3. Umm....sorry Lucas. I can't help you with this one, as I fly with "automixture on" (Check Six covers his ears to drown out the howls of CHEAT! CHEAT! LOL). I'm sure someone can and will help you out. Good Luck. Lucas, you didn't come across as cranky or irritated especially considering some responses on many other forums. It doesn't matter, mate. If you are cranky or irritated by something that you think is wrong with this sim, please voice your opinion here. There are many developers that visit here almost every day, and if the other users in this forum can't assist you by telling you which parameter to tweak or adjust or de-select etc, they will help if they can here in the forum, but will show you how to contact their support if you are unable to get joy from this forum. Very, very helpful people and developers here. Mate, if you have the slightest problems, ask here, and we will try to help. Most users here LOVE this sim (as I do), and will do anything they can to help others to fine-tune their sim for their computer, so that they might achieve the same sort of love for OFF that we have.

Von Paulus, I'm guessing you're right. I read here (somewhere) that using a comma as a decimal point causes problems, and this might be a common practice in Europe. Don't know if the search function problem is fixed on this forum yet, so it might take a bit of digging around. Try changing that first, see if it works. Good luck with your problem.

Dej, That's worth two points alone just for the wealth of information you supplied us all with, regardless of whether you're right or not Thanks. PS. Have you been looking around for a new RNAS avatar?

Welcome to Phase 3. I never flew Phases 1 or 2, so I'm a relative newbie myself. All I can add is go to the overflandersfields site http://www.overflandersfields.com/Downloads.htm and download the Super Patch V1.32 and the latest Mini Patch V1.32f. There will only ever be two patches to download from now on, each mini patch including all the improvements of its predecessors. Read all the stickies on the General Help page as well as the stickies here on General Discussions page. Being a previous OFF Pilot, I'm sure you'll be airborne pretty quickly. One last word of advice...before you take off, make sure that you're strapped in TIGHT, because this is one hell of a ride. Get ready for a new experience. Phase 2 to Phase 3 is apparently a quantum leap.

There is a great book called "Naval Eight", (surprisingly about Naval 8 sqn - bet you didn't see that coming) that has chapters written by different duty officers. There is a chapter "The Flight Commander" (or is that Flight leader...sorry, it's at home, and I'm at work), but the chapter that might interest you about ground crew is "The Armourer", and in that chapter, the squadron armourer describes his daily duties, events etc that he thinks noteworthy. It's a pretty good read to get the "feeling" of a squadron from the men doing various jobs around the place. Whilst a book written by a leading Ace (or even a "wannabe Ace") is a rollicking good read usually, full of excitement and blazing huns, and furballs of extraordinary feats of courage and near-misses etc., this book is about a squadron, and not a Squadron Record Book, which whilst invaluable to those of us who are amateur historians, are usually VERY DRY reading. Borrow a copy from your local library, or buy a copy if you can.

Firecage, That was mostly good information from the usual suspects that bother to reply to rookies that come here, but here's another productive thing you can do to prepare yourself... http://www.overfland...m/Downloads.htm Visit that link and download the Super Patch V1.32 and the Mini Patch V1.32f. Have both of those ready to install after you've installed OFF:BHaH. Just a piece of information, you don't need to have M$ CFS3 installed on your computer to run OFF. You just need to supply some files that are upgraded to version 3.1. Insert OFF when you get it (sooner than you think...mine arrived in Australia in 6 days only!). Autorun will start launching the install wizard, the program will ask you how you wish to provide the required CFS3 files. If it is installed on your hard drive, you inform the wizard that is how you wish to provide the files. If it is not installed, you can choose to inform the wizard that you wish to provide files by inserting the CD/DVD for CFS3. If your version of M$ CFS3 is not upgraded to 3.1 version, the wizard will inform you that you need to install CFS3 and upgrade it to 3.1 standard. Once all loaded up, install the Super Patch and the Mini Patch, and you'll be airborne in no time. Like a lot of posters suggested, read through all the "stickies" on this page plus the "General Help" page as well. Download and print a copy of Homeboy's Key Command Guide. If you have a programmable joystick, you can search around for user profiles for that device. If you have any money left, buy TrackIR 5. Invaluable, and definitely the most useful tool for aerial combat. If you still have money left, buy a set of rudder pedals. If you still have money left, you have to buy drinks at the bar.

Was just checking out the Omaka Aviation Heritage Museum, which houses Peter Jackson's toys. http://www.omaka.org.nz/index.htm Astonishing. Billed as the larget collection of WW1 aircraft anywhere in the world. Sopwith Camel, Sopwith Triplane, Fokker Dr 1, Fokker D.VII, Se5a, Etrich Taube, Morane Saulnier BB, Halberstadt D.IV, Nieuport 24, Nieuport 27, Airco DH 5, Airco DH 4, Airco DH 2, Fokker E.III Eindekker, RE8, Albatros B.II, Siemens-Shuckert D.IV, Pfalz D.III, Breguet 14 A2, BE2c. Peter is reportedly going to re-make "The Blue Max". I beieve he is the only director in the world who could pull it off, what with his collection, his manufacturing capability, his vast resources. I believe only Peter would do the re-make correctly. Recent WW1 aviation films have sadly crashed and burned at the box office, but any film by Peter Jackson...ANY FILM...will rake it in by the truckloads. He also has the ability to get any star he wants for the lead roles. Fingers crossed gentemen. PS. Edited to include an article I just read in today's newspaper that Tom Cruise just visited PJ. It is unknown what they talked about, but PJ is working on a remake of "the classic WW2 epic Dam Busters", the J R R Tolkien classic "The Hobbit" and a film about Belgian comic-strip hero Tin-Tin. Sadly, no mention of "The Blue Max".

I posted this as a reply to a thread on the Aerodrome, and one poster quoted the great actor Michael Caine, who said that if you re-make a film, you should re-make a flop. I agree. It's difficult to live up to expectations, or to follow in the footsteps of great men. I hope he makes a unique film too. If he visits for our Annual General Meeting, I'll drag him aside and have a quiet word.

OT - "Off Topic"... Shouldn't it be OF - "Off Forum" This is, after all, an OFF Forum. Rise in price indeed. At $4, $5, $6, $7.....whatever they charge...multiply that until you have 39 aircraft. DO THE MATHS PEOPLE! If you call it $3 (and we all know they are more...maybe even double that) times 30 + aircraft, that's ANOTHER $100. And they are promised. If the company folds, no more aircraft, no server, no online play = NO PLAY = Drinks coaster. It's not rocket surgery

http://www.ww1aero.org.au/The%20Hanger.html A trailer for the short film "Crossing the Lines" by Peter Jackson used as a background to the Australian War Memorial's latest display "Over The Front". With his attention to detail, his resources, his team of computer generated graphics wizrds, his current collection...yes, all the pieces fit right in. Yes, it will make money. A LOT. And raise public interest in our favourite "hobby".

Whoa! From an RNAS affectionado like Dej or myself, that's about the best compliment that can be given. For those of you unfamiliar with what he meant by "out-Little-ing Little", have a read of this... An outstanding effort Hellshade. Thanks for the vids. Maybe others can post their vids here too. I don't have Fraps, nor am I good enough to post my vids here, but there are two others that come to mind... the "Boelcke's Dicta" vid that someone posted to YouTube, and maybe Homeboy's training vid on wingovers or Hammerheads and the Immelman turn, both excellent viewing too.

Hellman, Yes, this is a great community here. Very helpful guys. Love your new avatar. Looks Great. Some excellent skins here... http://forum.combatace.com/index.php/topic/41806-ace-skins/ Enjoy.

Good work SJ. Glad I made the inquiry about Flaming Onions. "Ask and ye shall receive"

The map in question was started by one of our members here who thought it would be nice for us all to see where everyone lives. Just send Olham a private message and let him know your home town, and he will include you in the map. http://forum.combatace.com/index.php/topic/44370-off-pilots-map/ Some set it at Heavy...cos that's the way they roll. Others try to get it historically correct, so that if you should be heavily outnumbered during Bloody April, that's the way they set it. Others prefer to set it at light until they are more confident or more skilled etc. Really, your choice mate.

Well, there IS something you need to do to enable TIR in OFF... You need to add a keystroke assignment to "Virtual Cockpit". Get a pilot enlisted, then go to Quick Combat and wait until your aircraft is sitting on the field. Then hit "escape" and a drop down menu will appear. Select "Controls" and another menu appears. Scroll down the key assignments for everything until you reach "virtual cockpit" and you will see that it has no key assignment. Select an unused key ("V" works good for me), then click on "Add assignment" and a box will appear and ask you to type in what key(s) you wish to use for this command. Type in "V", then "save as.." You MUST save it as "Mine" (I forget the file extension). Another good tip is if you then profile your joystick and use one of the buttons or hat switches to select "virtual cockpit", add "F12" (Centre TrackIR) command, so that when you enter virtual cockpit and therefore enable TrackIR, it is centred, ready to pull the trigger and make your enemy meet his maker. You may want to make an OFF profile in TrackIR to make it more sensitive to your rapidly twisting head movements (therefore more aggressive) if you've been using it for any other game/sim.

Erik, I look forward to the end product. Thanks for letting us "weirdos" that want to fly those "ol' fashioned birds" of canvas and string have a forum here.

Photo Number 19 is a cockpit photo of a Sopwith Camel F1. Shipped with several different types of engines... 130HP Clerget 9B Rotary 140HP Clerget 9Bf Rotary 110HP Le Rhone 9J Rotary 150HP Bentley BR1 Rotary 100 HP Gnome Monosoupape 9B-2 Rotary 150HP Gnome Monosoupape 9N Rotary Manufactured by Sopwith Aviation Company Source: Windsock Datafile 26, figures for Clerget Engined Camels. Came in several versions ... Sopwith Camel F.1 Single-seat fighter "Scout" aircraft armed with twin synchronised Vickers guns (easily visible in the photo). Sopwith Camel 2F.1 Shipboard fighter scout aircraft with shorter wingspan, one Vickers and one overwing Lewis gun. Used the Bentley BR1 engine. Sopwith Camel "Comic" night fighter. Pilot seat moved to the rear. The twin Vickers guns were replaced with two Lewis guns on the top wing mounted on Foster Mounts. Sopwith Camel F.1/1 tapered wing version Sopwith Camel T.F.1 trench fighter version which had downward angled machine guns and armour plating. Entered service in June 1917 with No 4 Squadron RNAS. 5,490 were built.

Correct, Lou. Vieux Charles is indeed in the Musee de l'air et l'espace in Le Bourget, Paris. If any of you get the opportunity...GO! One of the best aviation museums in the world...if not THE best. PS...Not fishing for any points. My work schedule and remoteness really prevents me from doing any good at this. If I'm at work and can browse leisurely, I don't have any of my reference material. If I'm at home, I'm relaxing or sleeping in preparation for my next shift. But still....great competition, I enjoy reading the replies.