mppd

I just had to share this with everyone. Here is a quick description on how I did the UVM mapping on the Mig-21FL I am modifying from bpao's original Mig project. I thought that the end result was very good with little distortion, with an unconventional method for sure. I divided the fuselage into four parts (clone and delete un-needed polygons), retaining one still named "fuselage" so as to not lose all of my links for all parts to it. (I also duplicated that single part and froze it in place to not lose my locations for it). I did the same for the spine - split into two parts. I then rotated the 6 parts 45/90 degrees to all appear as the .bmp shows in a top view - then did the UVW map for all at once. Finally rotate parts back into place, snap into position based on saved "fuselage" part (frozen during this operation). Re-attach pieces to "fuselage", weld vertices, and we're done. This worked for me!! No readjusting each map, etc. Mike D.

I have had poor results from cylindrical mapping - and I think that the result is distorted a lot more than what I came up with here - planar mapping at 45-degree angles. Mike

I really like this plane! Not big on most foreign stuff, but always thought that the Bucccaneer was very neat looking. Always got a kick out of Desert Storm - all of our forces were instructed not to paint anything on the planes that might be objectionable to our Arabic hosts, no Playboy magazines in the barracks, etc. - and here come the Brits with their Buccaneers with girls all over the noses!! Ya got to love it!! Mike

Do you guys have this link about Buccaneer's in Desert Storm: http://www.blackburn-buccaneer.co.uk/0_Gulf-missions.html http://www.blackburn-buccaneer.co.uk/Buccaneer_Index.html? This site has complete histories for each plane, unit, plus illustrations. Mike D.

If anyone with Max experience can help me, I'd sure appreciate it. I have a mostly completed Mig-21FL - based upon the source file for a started PF kindly sent to me by bpao, with part hierarchy and naming conventions based on a data.ini file concocted mostly from the max file kindly supplied to me by AmokFloo. It is not mapped yet, and a few parts need to be finished (main gear well and doors) - but I was hoping to see its shape in game at the stage it is in now before I finished parts and mapped it. Animations work in max - with new fwd airbrakes. The airplane simply does not appear in game after compiling into .LOD - usually a data.ini issue I thought. I have not had enough experience with all this to diagnose the problem, and could sure use some help if someone can spare the time. Thanks, Mike D.

Russ, I sent you a PM with my final max file - gear doors are finished I think...really need to see it in-game to fix anything else I think. Thanks for the help. Mike

Max 8 - will be glad to send you what I have - working on main gear doors now. As I said, not mapped yet - I figured that was the LEAST of my problems!! Thanks, Mike

There were reports of F-4Ds and Js beind transferred to the IDF during the 1973 war, but no real evidence has ever emerged that this was true. Sorry to be such a spoil sport - the historical stuff just hits a sore spot!! Thanks for the laugh though.... Mike

Here's an enlargement of the nose - obviously an original unretouched image....not. Who's kidding whom? I used to do Photoshop photo retouching for a living when I used to have a real job - want me to make it look more authentic? I have some UFO photos too if you guys want to see 'em... Mike

Well, I got interested in the base after starting skins for the Razbam A-6A (which I need to finish one of these days) and noticed that if I did finish them, there'd still be nowhere to fly them from!! Thanks, it would be much appreciated. You scenery guys are awesome! MPD

331, These really look super, just super. Ever thought about the Marine Corps base at Nam Phong? It is not yet modeled in the sim, nor in the YAP/YAP2 setups. Thanks, Mike D.

Delete the .LOD file supplied with the mod and use the F-4C/D .LOD files supplied in the simulation after the Patch (copy to correct folders and re-name as necessary). You may need to extract them from the objects .CAT file using the CAT extractor utility available here at the CA forum. These pre-patch .LOD files are not compatible in a post-patch install. (TK fixed the leading edge flap issue on the F-4s with the patch, so the supplied .LODs are no longer necessary). Mike

Capun's Skunkworks website has several civvy aircraft - worth a look see. C-130s used also for fire fighting in USA. I'd like to see this - also some Northeast USA terrain to fly some of this stuff. Mike D.

BUT...By all means, if anyone has something to contribute, please PM me! All contributions always welcome - this is NOT an exclusive club here! Thanks everyone. Mike D.

Did everyone get the password for the new forum that needs it? Didn't mean to leave anyone out that is a part of all of this! Thanks to Dave, Kevin, Fates and anyone else that went out of their way to help provide a special space for us. Thanks, Mike

Wow, you guys have really taken off with this! I could not be happier...well, I'll be happier when we have an accurate Mig-21FL and ghostrider's skins on it! Hope to finish the 3D stuff tonight on it, and map it tomorrow. Would like to see it converted into a Mig-21MF and later versions eventually. Thanks again for all the interest and hard work that everyone put into this. I knew that something good would come from pulling some interested and talented folks into this project. Mike D.

Same here Dave - best wishes to you. Hope it is a happy day for ya. Mike D.

Is there a Mk4 Gunpod in the weapons packs? I don't ever remember selecting one. There are several photos in the Squadron-signal Marine F-4s in Combat book. Two barreled I think...?

Thanks. Here is a pdf file with some good maps for all the terrain builders: http://www.ndu.edu/nesa/docs/Gill%20atlas%...l%20version.pdf

Do you happen to have that Air International issue about the 71 war? In the same issue was an artical on "India and the Mig-21" that I remember. If I can get the issue number I can try to dig it up a real copy somewhere on the Internet perhaps. Thanks

I'm really pleased that there is enough interest in this project that it's actually coming together. I could use the fighting colors on the Mig-21 - can you post me a link? I was able to obtain one of the -21 walk-arounds on pdf from the MF's private forum, and after seeing it, I had to hit the local hobby shop for a real copy of both parts 1 and 2 - very good reference sources. (I had a copy of the fighting colors and the -21 in action long ago but they were destroyed in a cellar flood - I'm slowly replacing some of the books and mags I lost). Also looking for scans of the Air International articals on the 71 war and India and the Mig-21 - can't find the issue. Thanks for everything guys.

Just make sure that all of the airfields and cities are all in the correct places...No, I'm just kidding!!!Considering that my original little campaign took place on the SFP1 desert map, this is just outstanding! I appreciate all the effforts of all you guys - scenery stuff is way beyond me. I saved the Mig-21 mapping for wings, stabs and such, but since the fuselage and vertical tail changed so much, those will be remapped. I have trouble getting good results with cylindrical mapping, so I'll break it up somehow into planar maps somehow. I'm still tweaking details though. After downloading so many photos off the Net and checking out the two Squadron-Signal Mig-21 walk-around books (highly recommended) I need to fix a few more details. I'm trying not to get bogged down in TINY details, but I don't want to give everyone a piece of $#%& either. I think the speed brakes (at least the forward ones) need to be reshaped, and once I do that I'm thinking that the animations will probably be fouled up for them. I may need some help from someone...I can create parts with no problems, but making them into an AIRPLANE is quite another story... THanks, Mike D.

Kevin, Thanks for the offer for a special forum area, but I think we're getting along between the PMs and using regular E-mail for larger files transfer. I'm fairly well along with a new Mig-21FL (Type 77) that is based on bpao's work. When finished, it will need new textures since I can't reproduce the Third Wire mapping techniques. Hope to have it finished in a few days (the 3D part that is). I still need to PM bpao to find out what permissions I will need to release it here - it is not an official Mirage Factory effort as it will not have a special cockpit or their special touches, just a cobbled together visual model with only me to blame for any detail mistakes. Thanks for the help with the terrains by the way, I really appreciate everyone's pitching in - it is not my area of expertise, that's for sure. AS I said before, I'm no campaign builder - I'll be just happy to fly these 60s vintage fighters against each other. Mike D.

The nose radome can be eliminated and a new recon nose added on - can anyone provide a nice profile drawing of this recon nose? Thanks, MPD

Yeah, we were sort of looking for a Mirage IIIRP recon bird for the India-Pakistan conflict. Mike