ericw43

gaw sir, no reason to apologize. I was also intimidated by TrackIR when i purchased it. I have downloaded numerous profiles and found a few I liked and then tweaked them using Gerry's youtube instructional video. It has taught me alot. Currently when not playing OFF I am making Track IR profiles and spending way too much time building a model of the A6M5 zero fighter:)....... while I await OFF2. Have fun always Eric

I have only been using TrackIR for about three months. I found this video to be extremely helpful: I can now make my own profiles. After reading the manual a few times and then watching the above posted video, I began to comprehend it better. Have fun, Eric

The terrain in the second screen shot is outstanding sir! Eric

Thanks for sharing the picture. I am eagerly awaiting OFF2! Even though I am new to OFF Phase 3. Eric

I believe Asus motherboards have POST state LEDS on the board itself for CPU, DRAM, VGA and HDD. They will remain lit when a POST fails. I had to open the case on the system after I built it because it would not POST and the POST state LEDS helped to identify the problem. One thing you mention is the system would ocassionaly reboot itself and that you replaced the cpu heatsink six months ago. It may be that the thermal compund is not dissapating heat well and may need to be re-applied to the heatsink. If your motherboard does have POST state LEDs and the POST state LED is illuminated for for a cpu error, I would definately start with re-applying thermal compund to the heat sink. If you do re-apply thermal compund, please make sure to use a good paste/compound. I have always used Arctic Silver. I'll check back later in hopes of you resolving this issue or to see what progress you have made in identifying it. Eric

I agree with Steve. For an all encompasing strategy game that entails the economy, politics and people involved, Gary Grigsby's game is excpetional.

Oh and I will be sharing the photos you posted here with my firend Charlie! Thank you again. I know he is more into WW2 aircraft but he does have a Spad that he built.

RIch, I appreciate the links sir and information. Those are huge replicas in scale that you have created!! When I was younger I competed in ROAR (Radio Operated Auto Racing). I still have a Futaba pistol grip radio and the suspension class car I used. It used an HP engine from Germany with a single Glo Plug and two servos; one for the steering column and the other for the throttle/brake. But I digrees sir we are speaking of aviation, my apology. If you lived closer to me I would bug you to see your aircraft:) I know nothing of RC aircraft except from a friend of mine that I speak with that is a retired LT. Commander from the Navy. Modeling has always been a hobby of mine and my father and I concentrated more on ship modelling (wooden ships) as opposed to aircraft. The reason being that my father liked boats. Three years ago I purchased a Badger 150 airbrush and a real nice compressor. Then I purchased two aviation kits. One was the visible B-17 and the other from Tamiya was the 1/32 scale Mitsubishi A6M5 Zeke/Zero. Unfortunately neither of these kits have ever been opened because I moved to South Florida and due to working 50 plus hours a week, I did not have the time. I moved back to Pennsylvania last year due to my dads failing health and to help mom. I sitll have two lathes in our basement, a machinists lathe and a hobby lathe from Shearline, a bench grinder, a sander, a drill press and many other tools and accessories that my father and I used in the past. Due to getting back into flight simulation software a few months ago, I am also getting the desire to also get back into modelling. I purchased some items from Model Shipways in the past and when I went to their website a few days ago, I saw the pictures of the Model Airways WW1 planes. I have learned so much from modelling and my favorite aspect of it was ....research. I was lucky to have a father that taught me techniques and procedures of the use of lathes and other tools. Especially filing:) Every kit we built was historically researched and I learned so much about history from reading/research. We did alot of modifying/scratch building to ship kits to make them more authentic. I am 44 years old sir, still working and in the process of hopefully finding a new employer. I thank you for sharing the pictures with me of the aircradt you have built. They look incredible. If you lived closer to me, I would be a pest sir:) Please keep in touch with me and thank you for your time. I appreciate it and the information you have shared with me. Eric

Von Baur, I use to work in Bloomsburg three years ago. Then I moved to South West Florida. Being born in Philadelphia, I know Germantown too:) I grew up in South Philadelphia (9th and Catherine Sts). Olham sir, for strategic Civil War games I agree with Shiloh, Sid Meirs Gettysburg and Antietam were great but they are very old. Matrix games has released a game named Forge of Freedom a few years ago. I purchased it and never got into it. Why I do not know. Forge of Freedom is very strategic and it also contains a tactical combat engine. Similar in the idea of a Total War series game. Forge of Freedom is a very deep game and contains a very large instruction manual. It is not the most user friendly interface but if you take the time to learn it, the game offers alot. Matrix Games also published Gary Grigsby's War Between the States. It's very strategic and contains little in the way of tactical battles. There is also AGEODs American Civil War The Blue and the Grey. AGEODs game is more on an operational level. John Tiller made many Battleground Civil War titles that are older and tactical. If you are looking for what I consider the best tactical Civil War title, I reccomend this: http://www.scourgeofwar.com/index.shtml Scourge of War Gettysburg. What I found interesting in this title is that each man is represented on the battlefield. It's a very immersive game and very difficult. It's a very good map too and does an outstanding job at re-creating the battlefield accurately. A few weeks ago they released an add on that requires Scourge of War about the battle of Antietam.They have also released a map pack for Pipe Creek. So if you are looking for a developer that concentrates on detailed tactical Civil War battles and one that is going to continue to support and make more titles, I highly reccomend them. The developers of Forge of Freedom have been working on a new Civil War game titled "Brother Against Brother: The Drawing of the Sword." I understand it is getting close but there has been no release date confirmed. Matrix games is currently working on getting out the "Conflict of Heroes: Awakening The Bear" title. I understand it is about a month from relase. I know it's a bit off topic being WW2 but I am really looking forward to this. The board game from Academy Games is one of my favorites and I understand that the sofware developers have worked closely with the board game creators in making this title. Have fun, Eric

Yes this is correct sir. Gen. Lee wanted to keep pushing into the Susquehanna Valley and aim towards Harrisbrug. The Susquehanna Valley is rich in farm land so the Confederate troops could have abundant food supply while on their offensive campaign. Confederate scouts did actually set up two cannon in Camp Hill on the Susquehanna River and did fire some shells into Harrisburg. Harrisburg provided the Union with a vital Rail link to the west. During this time in the war, the Confederacy was having major defeats in the western theater of the war. Lee was hoping to capture Harrisburg and cut the Union troop rail supply line to the western theater off in hopes of giving Confederate forces in the western theater more support and relief. Divide and conquer; Harrisburg is centrally loacated in the state of Pennsylvania and a vital transportation hub. The reports of Confederate forces on the outskirts of the capital, Harrisburg, caused alot of panic. People began evacuating Harrisburg by rail to other rail cities further north such as Sunbury (where I presently live). I know if you drive along routes 11 & 15 south toward Harrisburg, the Susquehanna River is right next to the state route as is the rail line. I actually drive this highway often to see my sister who lives in Gettysburg. Confederate forces also made it as far west as Chambersburg, PA, which is located approximately 25 miles west of Gettysburg. I believe these forces were cavalry from JEB Stuart and they raided a barracks for shoes located their. And as was previously stated Gen Custer held these forces up as they were arriving from the west and were trying to reach Gettysburg. Many historians (and even Confederate officers) believe the lack of Gen Stuarts cavalry at Gettysburg severly hampered the Confederate forces and was a deciding factor in there defeat. Eventually Stuart's cavalry did arrive but a bit later than what Lee was hoping. Everytime I visit the battlefield, I learn something new. It's quite an interesting place that is visited by people from all over the world. A very informative museum to me was the electric map. I havent visited any museums in Gettysburg for a few years but I understand that the Electric Map was closed in 2008. Have fun, Eric

I am new here and having a great time with this simulation (even though I only own it for two days ha). My father and I have built two wooden ships/models when I was younger. One was the USS Constellation and the other a Norwegian ship named "Wasa". My father was a machinist and he always appreciated sailing ships and history. We started building plastic ship models when I was a child. One the USS Constitution and the other the HMS Victory. Then one day my dad saw wooden ships and said "wow" and my mom said "oh no" hahahaha. We went three times to Baltimore Harbor to see the USS Constellation and spoke to historians in hopes of gaining more accurate data when building the ship. My dad machined each dead eye individually, I found rigging interesting and studied knot tying used by the US Navy and other navies throughout the eras. We learned how to use spoilers and straking for planking and other techniques. We purchased a kit from Corel of the USS Constellation. We used the instructions and what we learned from researching and made many alterations to attain a more historically accurate representation. It took my dad and I almost five years but we completed this endeavor. I still have some photos of the finished project and it was a hobby that he and I had way too much fun doing. Eventually we sold the model to a lawyer and I am extremely unhappy that we did so many years later. The amount of time, countless hours and work make it one of the most regrettable decisions I have made. I learned how to use a lathe to turn fittings, how to use a file and other tools and it is an incredible hobby. So now I purchased OFF phase 3. Today I opened a manual located in the OFF installation directory named "FS'. This is I believe a .pdf file. While reading this file I went "oh man!" Once I began reading past the keyboard commands and the science of flight charactersitics contained in this file I found data speaking of rigging, compression, bending, torsion, shear stress, the nature of wood, etc etc. Oh my god! INCREDIBLE documentation and thank you. The individual that researched this data is amazing and I appreicate it. Then I thought....these are dedicated and well researched developers that are including information that is worth more than the price of just the software. I would have paid $19.99 for just this file sir:) I am very grateful. The amount of knowledge in this file is astounding. It even speaks of wood quality, spars, struts etc. Being that I enjoy modeling I wanted to ask if any of you have experience with the following: http://www.modelexpo-online.com/page.asp?lp=7008 These are wooden model kits of WW1 aircraft such as the Nieport 28 and Albatross D. Va It has been a while since I have had the time to sit down and work on a project such as this due to my job (which I need ot leave). If you have the time to respond and give me any input, I would appreciate it. Since I have purchased OFF, I find myself not playing this damn simulation and instead getting more involved in research. I thank you for this. The research and documentation that has gone into this program amazes me and I cannot wait for OFF phase 4. We should have a OFF club meeting:)! Thank you so much and keep in touch with me please, Eric

You guys are really nice and I appreciate it. It looks like I will be purchasing a set of rudders in the very near future. I know CH products and Saitek make pedals that have recieved overall good reviews. I have found a company in Germany that makes rudders but they are a bit pricey. http://www.dhs-electronic.de/index2.php?id=100&lng=en Do any of you have any experience with this companies products? And if so, are these devices overpriced as opposed to something from Saitek or CH products? I am open to suggestions. One other quick question. This Thrustmaster 1600 m stick. It just feels stiff to me and the X and Y axis movement doesn't feel smooth. I know it uses HEART/ HALL effect technology which means the potentiometers do not wear down with time but is there an alternative that you reccomend? I just find this stick to be not as responsive as I wish. Yes, my grandfather.....cool guy. He was born in 1882 in New York City (110th st and Amsterdam Ave). He went into service during the Philippine Inserruction in 1901 at the age of 19. We still have a ceremonial cane that was awarded to him by a Datu (chieftain) for saving the life of his son, a prince. I still have his war diaries at the house and they are barely legible from this time period and from WW1. He had a great life and lived to the age of 108! I was talking to my mother this evening about him. At the time he was living with us in Philadelphia. I remember that it was raining and cool in the month of April. The roof of our home needed reapairs and he decided to climb up on the roof and work on it! My mom and dad both were working and I was going to school at University of Pennsylvania. I arrived home from school around 3pm and saw him in the rain and cool/damp air on the roof. When he saw me he said "hey eric, your dad needs to get me some shingles and nails and I can fix this s**t with no problem." Then he said "are you busy?" I told him no I have nothing to do so he came down from the roof and we went inside the house. We talked about school and he made me a sandwich:) Then he wanted to watch me play Red Baron and drink a beer with him. That night he was sitting with me and said "I feel tired and cold". That was the last time I spoke to him. The next day I got home from school and my mother said that he was in the hospital with pneumonia. The next day we lost him. According to doctors he contacted pneumonia and malaria sat in. While he was in the Philippines he was struck with malaria and doctors have told us that it can re-occur in individuals later in life. My mom saw him the day he left us and he said to her "how is eric doing with school?" and "tell him I will be home soon and to keep doing well with school." Sorry for digressing but it's great that a simple game (which is awesome by the way!) makes me appreciate and remember. I wish you all well and thank you. Keep in touch and thank you! Eric

Thank you everyone. My reputation must proceed me, everyone is talking about drinks:) Excellent, I like it. I did have a moment of trouble. The first time I went into a mission, I received a message that said basically...wrong disc installed. This was my fault because I was unaware that the MS Combat Flight Simulator 3 Disc needed to be in the cd drive. Dummy I am sometimes! Actually....too often as I get older. Once I overcame this, the program started and I was in an Eindecker/EIII. First, I was shocked at how great this program looks. I use to play another WWI flight sim that I recently stopped playing. After reading many comments from users of both sims, I was under the impression that OFF was not even close in graphic quality as the other sim. I still do believe the other sim has an edge in graphic but there are some areas where I believe it does not. OFF is a fantastic looking game! I am able to play it with all settings on 5 with no frame rate issues. I also felt like I was flying in the air and that there was a war going on beneath me on the ground. I also note that A.I. wingmen appear to be much more superior or rather smarter:) They follow objective flight paths and don't go on a 40 km chase after an RE8 behind enemy lines which then leads you with not enough fuel for the ride home! Brilliant. During my first mission I observed the fighting between A.I. opponents. I've always found the planes in the other sim to appear to be a bit too fast. Everything seems speeded up to me in that game. These planes in OFF look more to me like real WWI planes in the flight model. This is all just my opinion. I am not a pilot nor have I have flown in a WWI era plane. So, I have nothing to base this on other than what my grandfather told me when I was younger, books and very rare video footage. My grandfather was an infantryman/machine gunner in the trenches and was a participant in the Meuse-Argonne.We lost him in 1991 but he was able to watch me play "Wings" on the Amiga and....."Red Baron" from Dynamix. He loved this stuff and technology. He would sit and watch me play and make comments about his memories and experiences. Due to failing health, my parents insisted he move into our home. Mom and dad would get extrmely angry at he and I because we would be awake at 4am playing games. My mother would often shout out "Would you two be quiet and turn that damn plane down." HA! He would look at me and say "I don't understand how your father and mother are married; your mother is such a pain in the ass, an old man like me cant have any fun."I am sure the ales, scotch and bourbon attributed to our noise. It got even worse when my dad would join us. It is going to take me many days to learn key commands. I see the file to print out on the OFF homepage. I'll do my best to map commonly used commands to my joystick. I am suing a Thrustmaster 1600m. I can use the stick but it does feel a bit "stiff". Perhaps I should consider something from CH Products? I may also look into purchasing rudder pedals. I do have TrackIR 5 up and running. I'm in no hurry. This is a great hobby for me because I enjoy history. So everyday I learn something new and take my time. Take care and have fun, Eric

Thank you sir. The night is still young. I will download the hat in the ring expansion eventually and will purchase OFF2. I appreciate the time and commitment you have given to the development of this product and hope you continue to make more! We need more guys like you Eric

I did not expect the cd of OFF: BH&H to arrive so quckly. I beleive I ordered it less than five days ago! I already have MS combat flight sim 3 installed and downloaded the superpatch and the minipatch. I am very excited to finally have the opportunity to play this simulation and I am sure will enjoy it immensly . Unfortunately, I have to go to work tomorrow ha! Have fun, Eric