Emp_Palpatine

Hi there guys. I remembered a topic here, "my KLU adventures". So I had the idea of starting my own in the same way. Well, if all goes smoothly from now, in a few weeks, combatace will have a new serviceman among its ranks. Namely myself. I've pondering the idea for two years from now actually. But I deemed my self not in shape enough, both physically and mentally (you know, the "will I be able to do this?" stuff) to do the step forward. Up until last fall when I made my mind and applied to the Navy.. Well, as I am supposed to have quite high qualifications because of my Master Degree and other bulls**ts (I am always quite sceptical regarding such assumptions linked to my so called diplomas), I've been oriented towards two specific position as an officer in French Navy, nicknamed "La Royale" (the Royal): - First one is called "[Naval] Operation control", a bridge based one. - Second one, the one I prefer, is "Air operation control". As I can't be pilot due to my sight and poor sciences and stuffs like this abilities, that's the closest to the planes I can dream of. Basically, working with the Carrier Air Group in planing missions. Heck, had I been 12 years older, I could have worked with such legend as the Crusader! Obsolete indeed, but what a beauty! So, I applied last september and waited (recruiting processus is quite long). I was finally called for an interview with a recruiting officer last November. Things went quite ok, and the Enseigne de vaisseau de première classe, i.e. Lieutenant, that met me was quite charming. Indeed she was, probably a trick to lure pure and innocent men like me. I was quite worried, because of my age (I tend to 27, wich is the maximum acceptable age) and a few other things. But questions were quite standard and she did not tried to trick me. Only checking my motivation, and if I was quite aware of where I was signing in. Following this, I was called for the medical examination following month! Step one, accomplished! Step two was a cake walk too actually. I worried before, because my sight especially. It's not that poor, I can live without my glasses. But it's far from perfect. I'm not applying to the Marine Infantry or to be a pilot, where you have to be perfect, but one of the two position has aminimum requirement. The nurse that dealt with me was once again charming and friendly. I am quite afraid of medical stuffs and white blouses, but she was very reassuring. Gods, I hate them hospitals... But I was declared, after a check by the Chief doc' "Bon pour le service", i.e. fit for service. Well, Chief doc' wasn't that friendly. She was very protocolar and I instinctly stiffened when she spoke. Was the first time I was quite militarily dealt with. And as I like discipline and visible hierarchy, it was no problem for me. I hated, the office "we are all friends" mood, with casual wears and stuffs. It has a name: hypocrisy. Regardless, I out of that world now, and I'm fit for service. Step 2 check. And now, we are nearing step 3: Last month, a recruiting commission scrutinised our applications forms and files (those were quite thick indeed, from parents details to intelligence enquiries, among other things) and shortlisted some of the candidates. And I've indeed been called for the last batch of examinations, along with others. Of course, there is more candidates than there is positions... Tomorrow, I'm leaving for a week in Toulon, one of France's war harbor. I will face some medical testing again. My english will be tested too (NATO, interroperability with our allies and stuffs), we'll visit docked units (if any... F.Navy is quite stretched nowadays, from Libya to A-Stan, antipiracy duties, Côte d'Ivoire...), meet the ones that proceeded through the recruiting last year and have interviews with officers and psy evals. I'm not that worried with the interviews as I've been formed to such things in my studies. English does not worry me too much too. My writing sills aren't that good, but it's an oral exam, and if I'm too believe an australian friend, I'm ok, despite my "charming french accent". I am able to watch movies or english speaking channels without subs, so I'm fluent regarding reading and understanding and speaking. If there is no essay, it will be a go. Psy evals are the big question mark. We'll see. This is the last step, and all will be in God's hands. If all goes well, and I am selectionned, next month I will be called to be asked to join my unit sometime in June. If I am able and find the time, I'll try an update from Toulon. Either way, be sure you'll be updated by the time I'm back in Lille. (As a side note, being called to Toulon for someone from Lille is like being called to Florida for a guy from Boston. Quite a way, and hot as hell! )

Oh my...

Another question: dealing with fires. Back in the old days, most of the times you were hit, you just bought the farm. Well, things have changed apparently and there are much more variety of damages. Hence my questions: I've been set ablaze several time by AA or SAMS. Well, whatever. I've seen the AI dealing with those fire, managing to put out them fires. I can't, and it ends most of the time in a big fireball or with me hanging with my chutes. How does the AI manage this?

A question, though... I have a lot, a looot of recon mission assigned in campaigns. Especially with French air force units in Israel like F84 & Mystère IV. But also in IW campaign with Shakeen. So I checked the campaign files and data files, and recon for those units is set to 0. What's wrong there?

Thanks for these pics, awesome! I love the 2nd one, but I'm fond of the old 1930's US Roundel/tail markings.

Works like a charm, thanks guys.

Sweet!

Happy birthday Kevin, and thanks for all you've done!

My bad for the guns, looks like I messed up my controler buttons regarding fire while changing my settings... They seem to be working correctly.

Very interesting indeed!

Thanks for your answers, Eric. Regarding the F84 guns, I tested them in SFE2/NF4+, no problem so far.

Well, you guys will think that I post only for whining about bugs. Sorry, but I found another issue, this time with this awesome mod: Well, there are also no engine sounds. And when firing the guns, nothing happens. Like guns aren't there. Looks like I've got some problems with the F-84.

Thanks Eric. @IanH: looks like we do have the same tiles. But mine are by far less colourfull (check my screenshot with the GDR Fulcrum or the bugged windmill on top of page). I used standart NF4+ ones. The one you posted are Stary's ones? Are these the standard ones of NF4+?

Another thing I came accross: As you can see, something is messed up with the wingtips attach points. There seems to be two attach points there, hence the fusionned Marta-Belouga. And are you sure my tiles are normal? I frankly find them quite strange, even summer ones... Not much green and very whitish spotted.

Thanks!

Thanks for your answers. Regarding the manual thing... Well, it's true I should have started there. RTFM! I've read it way back in 2004 when I bought SFP1, but so much changes... Oh, another question/remarks: - Am I dreaming or... Does the "ASK FOR HELP" command to red crown now works?! I've seen friendly fighters spawning out of the blue when using it! FRACKING AWESOME! - The AI has been quite improved, hasn't it? Now my wingmate do score kills and I've been downed quite a few time, even in gun dogfight (it was rare, back then). Is therefore the "normal" difficulty for AI pilot still the recommanded setting? Back then, it would help AI wingmen... Still accurate today?

Sweet Frank! Merci beaucoup.

Well... I somewhat found my bearings back quite easily. But I've forgotten two things I quite ashamed to ask: - How does track & scan radar mode does work? - I've tried a bombing run with a LGB and failed miserably. So, how does "smart" armament work again in SF2? Thanks chaps!

I'd rather add the MF ones, by the way. How is it possible to do that? And also regarding moving these pilots backward?

Well, there is one all the same in my NF+ install, Column. As well as a 1986 campaign. I installed NF4+ & all 4 updates, in the right order, on a clean install. Hence my surprise at your say.

And by the way, I would like to try to replace NF4 stock M2000 by the Mirage Factory one. Is this complicated? How do I do this? Thanks!

Thanks a lot, very helpfull. I'm using NF one, no problem in other games. I'll need some help indeed in order to move the pilot back...

Hi guys. I just installed Nato Fighters4+ & all 4 updates. Awesome work and additions, as usual. Thanks all of you (with a special thought for the one we are missing ) for these. But I've come accross some oddities. Don't know if some of them are WAD, if I fracked up somewhere during installation or is my rig is so crappy that it causes some of these. I of course followed religiously and step by step the read-me. All was installed in my (merged) SF2E-exp2. First one: Definitely something wrong... Any fixes? Second one: This MiG-15 has no engine sound and the pilot is too much in front. His head is in the hud. And AI does not drop tanks in combat too. Third one: Is this supposed to be the standard 1986 campaign skin for the M2000? Cause it's kinda strange (well, that's Yugoslavia flag on the tail...). And there are far better skins in the package. How can I make them default ones? And last question: Are tiles supposed to be that white-stippled? It's probably all right, but things were greener in my memories. And bonus question: http://combatace.com/files/file/11188-512x512-tiles-for-ca-starys-hr-sf2e-germanyce-terrain-update/ Does this work with NF4+? That's a lot of questions. Thanks in advance guys!

Didn't even took off when Israel bombed their nuclear reactor two years ago. Looks like that actually Israel just switched off Syrian defences during the attack.

Oh yeah, that story! The biggest EPIC FAIL. EVER!