DukeIronHand

Hmmm...sounds like somebody knows something!

I've added my two cents here on the, apparently, different AI. Not bad - just different! Others have commented on how it's changed but... upon further thought didn't one of the Devs say in another thread that the AI itself wasn't touched in HitR or did I misunderstand his comment? If so then what is causing the appearance of different AI behavior? Some FM change?

Well said!

I agree 100%. Of course where the happy medium is going to end up is unknown. The current AI (Note: I have not flown a whole lot since HitR - stupid real life stuff) strikes me, in alot of cases as (here it comes) "realistic". As if the AI is thinking of their artificial lives that are on the line. There are plenty of historical accounts of the various formations circling each other, taking nibbles, then one side breaking off, or trying to, after some loses or a perceived bad situation, especially when a comrade becomes a fireball. Of course there are plenty of accounts also of mindlessly attacking with no concern to the odds or apparent survival also. Programing AI changes can be tricky with sometimes unknown, and unintended, consequences - guess we'll have to see how the OFF Team decides to go. But "always attacking" AI, IMHO, is quite phony.

Good morning to all. I have HitR expansion added to the latest patched version of OFF. When I start OFF I see the HitR splash screen. The install seemed to go fine. However in a thread here (UK Widowmakers thread about wind buffeting) it included two shots of the OFF Manager screen. The first one (that I can't blow up for some reason) looks different then mine - I think. My OFFManager.exe is Version 40.01.0001. Is this the correct version when one has HitR installed?

Huh...I read the same in the Workshop screen but our OFFManger.exe version number appears to be different!?! EDIT: Lost my connection in mid post. Ok thanks Sandbagger.

Gads...quick response!! It says "Phase3 V1.41i"

One obviously cool feature in HitR is the ability to use a different AC paint job then your flight mates. Now I have a reason to d/l and use some custom skins. Mighty nice work from the community especially the prolific FRO79 - if I recall his name correctly. Whatever happened to the idea, put forth by BulletHead I believe, to organize the skins section? Be nice also if all the skins were just in one big .rar file!

Ach...very true!

Vote cast...note OFF is in two categories.

Thanks. The narrator is quite a card - "We'll rough 'em up a bit" Looks quite dry and cozy! I know its modeled after the real thing but I betcha the real 1917 lads wished they had that set-up...

Nice find!

I am a little confused by the "wind buffeting" that is mentioned in the expansion. Isn't that modeled now in the Workshop? There is a Wind checkbox there now - what exactly is the difference between that and "wind buffeting"? I know I don't use the current wind setting as I read that it does not affect AI aircraft.

For the non-users of TrackIR... I have tried mapping keys to my joystick but I am not sure if they are working. Sometimes they seem to and other times not. My HAT switch works OK but it is not enough to help me The explantion (title or name) of the key commands (in the configuration menu) seems logical enough but I am not acheiving the results that I desire and am hopelessly confused in dogfights trying to track aircraft around me. Like one of the several Padlock commands - it does not seem to work for me or I am not using it right. What exact (as they are called in the configuration menu) key commands/view commands are you using when you dogfight to maintain situational awareness??

I read somewhere that pilots (dunno about observers who have better access to the Lewis) preferred the 47 round drum as the 90+ drum was more liable for jams and misfeeds.

Many thanks! Am d/l'ing the first zip now. Please post whatever aviation material you have.

I've clicked the banner two or three times just to get to the screen shots.

What a system! You are correct though. I was was in "Wonder Woman" view once and had a gun site. Once. I never have been able to figure out how I did it but I can't duplicate it. C'mon Christmas and TrackIR...

Well certainly the OFF team has worked wonders with the CFS3 engine - no offense intended.

Well, just got done with a little more enjoyable dogfight experience...I cheated my arse off...but it will have to do until the TrackIR arrives. All of a sudden - not sure why - the brackets, padlock view, and the targeting cone started working. Do you have to be in the Virtual Cockpit (or a certain viewing mode) for these cheats (guess there is no other word for them) to work? Once I know how to get them I can wean myself off them - I hope.

Oh...and nice setup with the "cockpit" there. You have given me some ideas. I see we have the same chair anyway!

Thanks again Check Six - your explanation was great and helps settle my mind! In that the screwy view system is not me making a mistake or having joystick problems. It's CFS3. Oddly, IIRC the CFS2 view system was certainly usable - in fact every flight sim I have ever had I managed to maintain SA with joystick/key commands only. Maybe I just need more practice to make this one second nature. Uncleal is right though- the CFS3 view system apparently blows the big one. Anyone got a spare kidney?

Thanks Check Six - thats exactly what I was looking for. I use a Logitech 3D Extreme Pro but a X52 (probably) and a TrackIR 5 are on the near horizon. Couple of questions though: Is the "Toggle Views" the setting that brings up the gunsight view? How exactly are the "Next Target" "Previous Target" working view wise? Does your "cockpit head" track toward the target? Does a target have to be "designated" first? Like padlocked or the use of the "Brackets" command - which does not seem to work for me. IIRC the "Player/Target View" toggle switches to an outside view of you to the enemy?

Whew... Clearly it's time for me to get a TrackIR! I can't keep enemy AC in sight for nothing. Not too much problem with other sims but with OFF...geesh...maybe because I am not use to the CFS3 view commands. 1) Money is not an issue. Is TrackIR 5 better then version 4? I only know about the 4 and 5 versions from reading posts here and elsewhere. 2) Is there only one place to purchase, i.e., the manufacturer or do some wholesalers have them cheaper? 3) I take it OFF and Track IR get along just fine? 4) Finally...and perhaps this part should go to the Help forum but: Do all the view/targeting commands in the menu that are displayed when assigning controls actually work? I have keys/buttons assigned but not all seem to work. Or I am doing something wrong. Thanks.

Finally had a day all to myself - no pressing work and family gone for the day. At last I really waded through all that is OFF - menus, settings, campaign screens, etc. Only thing left to do is to assign keys commands to my joystick. Which, to be honest, I am kind of dreading based on past experience. Anyway... Decided to wait on that and jumped in a quick campaign mission (from a test pilot) flying with Jasta 11 on 4-26-17. Bright, beautiful sunny day. Blues skies, puffy white clouds, awesome, detailed, and gorgeous terrain and aircraft, and...well you have all probably seen it yourselves! Even bagged me a RE-8 that friendly flak pointed out for me. Was all done, sitting in my chair sipping tea, and...and I reached for the mouse and deleted all my RB3D installs. Sort of like shooting your favorite old dog but it had to be done. To be honest since acquiring OFF I have not played it much, having a feeling this day was coming, but still...the darn thing has been on all my CP's for what? 12 years? OFF had finally arrived for me lock, stock, and barrel. OFF is certainly the new king of WW1 flight sims and will always have a place on any computer I own.