Southside Bucky

Hi Bandy. Nice effect! 'Scuse my ignorance...Is this for FE2 only?

Yeah, if you don't mind. The previous versions are tucked away in the OEF Albatros thread...Took me a while to find 'em! I'd also agree that the AI Triplanes need pegging back a notch or two, but other than that they're both just about done if you ask me...Great fun in a furball, flying in or against either of 'em.

Bit of a shame, but whaddaya gonna do?...You're governed by the limitations of the game. It's certainly no great showstopper as far as I'm concerned Peter. You only really notice the left pull when flying in a straight line and barely touching the stick anyway. Yeah, I thought so too...The friskier, the better, as far as the Camel's concerned, I reckon. :yes: So, do we go back to the previous (Frisky) version, or is there more work to do before you're happy with it? Regards. Bucky

Hi Quack. I know you've got paint jobs coming at you from all angles ATM, but I was just wondering how these were coming on?

Wishing you a speedy recovery, and very best wishes on your imminent new arrival, old boy!

Hi Peter. Just a few thoughts and observations: ATM, the Gyro effect has both the Camel and Dr.I pulling to the left...I think it should be the opposite way. The Camel's right turn could also be a tad quicker, IMO. Or is it because the Triplane seems just a little bit "uber"?...I'm note sure. Essentially though, you're doing a great job in capturing the essential flight characteristics of these two...I imagine they're probably two of the trickiest FM's of all? Keep up the great work! Bucky

Oh, I see!...Ganging up on the Limey, eh? Or...(Cue music) *Sings* (in a cockney accent) "Maybe it's bekawse ahm a Lundenah"...

Dunno how the hell you worked that out, man, but that is one brilliant fix! Cheers for that. Bucky

HOLY MOLY...IT WORKS!!!! That has just added a new dimension to this game...Utterly brilliant! Great to know that the skins are nearly done, Quack. You've done such an incredible job on 'em...You're the guy we have to thank. :yes: More power to you mate !

One skin per plane...Good decision! So just by way of a suggestion, you understand: For the single side mounted Lewis version. I think the most appropriate skin would be a generic version of 1611, that is; clear doped with roundels in all the usual positions, but not including the serial no. 1611 For the upper wing Lewis version, go for the 'Eastchurch' skin. (Red rings and flags) For the two Lewis 'D' version, use a 'clear doped' skin of your choice. Then go for a PC10 scheme on the Vickers gun version. Hawker's 1611, and any others you're gonna do, available seperately. Sorted?

LOL! Sorry, man...I know all the variations on this must be driving you up the wall! Just to be clear: I think it's generally accepted that Hawker's 1611 had roundels on the wing undersides. As for the skins, I'm not sure what your intentions are regarding the final product for the A-Team download. Do you intend to include more than one skin in each plane's pack?

Incidentally, Quack. A few posts back you asked about Bristol Scout Squadrons? No unit was ever fully equipped with it...It was distributed in small numbers to just about every British squadron on the Western Front from mid 1915 to mid '16.

Okay...After a nice long lay-in , here's just about all the photos I have that'll be of any use to you. First up is Bristol Scout D, N5392. Seems to be overall PC10. This A/C was based at Manston, England, and was used against Gotha's that attacked Sheerness on July 7th 1917. Another 'D'. Serial No. N5393. An RNAS machine of No.2 Wing, Probably early 1916. Looks to be mainly PC10, whith grey panels and cowling, white wheels. RNAS Scout D, No. 8996. Fought against the Turks in Mudros. Overall PC10 or (more probably) PC12 except for the clear doped fuselage sides and grey panels. Another Home Defence machine. Scout D, 8956. Overall PC10. Scout D, 7053, used for gun experiments. Scout D, serial unknown. Slightly worse for wear in overall PC10. A hybrid C/D, with parts from both. A late D (November '16) Used for training. Scout C, 469?, with two side Lewis guns. Hope they help. Bucky

No, they weren't overpainted. The roundels just weren't applied to the upper wings on 1611 (not at the time that famous photo was taken anyway). The same would also apply to any RFC Scout you might do with the 'Union Jack' flag on the fuselage, although you could put the flag on the underside of the wings if you wanted. The Naval Scouts you've done with fuselage flags and upper wing, red ring roundels are okay though. Yeah sure. Will do. Have to wait till tomorrow though...It's coming up 2:30am and I've been up since quarter to six... ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Yeah, it was way ahead of its time...It could and should've been built in greater numbers, with an upper wing Lewis fitted as standard. If it hadda been, I think history would have remembered that mid 1915 period as the "Bristol Scourge", rather than the "Fokker Scourge". Trouble was, at that time, because of the lack of any kind of interrupter gear to allow a forward firing gun, Britain's aircraft developers thought the way forward was with pusher types: The Vickers FB5, DH2, FE2a, and the FE8 were all in service or being developed during that period. Hindsight's 20/20 I suppose... Thanks for taking the time 'n trouble explaining that 'DragArea' tip. I'll try it out over the weekend. Have a good'un BTW.

Hi Peter. I've only had the time to try out the two early Bristol Scouts. Without wanting to come across as being critical or pedantic (You know how highly I regard your work :yes:), I found them to be just a bit too capable. Hard to put into words, but in a nutshell I think they might be just a little over-powered? The early 80hp Gnome engined version had a recorded performance of around 92-95mph at ground level, which would equate to around 85 or so at 10,000ft. However, those performance figures would be for an unarmed machine. Bolting on a side mounted Lewis to the fuselage would take a good 5mph or more off those figures, I reckon. Lanoe Hawker wrote a letter in June '15, stating: "I have a beautiful little toy, a new Bristol Scout that goes at 80 and climbs 5 or 600 feet a minute!" Just my opinion though. Bucky

No, I can't decide either...They're both equally beautiful. 'Aint there some way we can have both? When speaking 'bout the roundels, I forgot to mention that the white outer ring should be retained on the early RNAS 'Red Ring' type. As for that damage modelling; it's really quite superb, if maybe just a little too much? It might be more realistic if it was just a tad more subtle? I really can't get over how truly excellent this model's turned out to be...And to think it's been sitting around as a beta for more than a year!

Quack...They're quite simply stunning, mate! Taking into account the base model you started with, I reckon they're the best skins you've ever done. Brilliant job, well done! Just a few trivial little pointers: Hawker's 1611 had no upper wing roundels. The wing roundels should be just a little bit larger...Almost the whole width of the wing. If possible, can you get rid of the white outer ring on all roundels? Thanks again for doing these...You've made a not so very old man very happy

Almost?...If it didn't get any better than that, I'd be well happy! You've probably seen 'em already, but I've posted some Scout photos over at the A Team forum that you might find useful. Keep up the awesome work, man!

Yeah, that's a real shame, but yours are most excellent as well, so it 'aint like we're gonna have to "make do".

Incidentally, Quack, regarding the blue numbers supplied with the 'Default' Pup: They are (almost) correct for 66 Sqn 'B' Flight. The numbers should be outlined in white though.

I was about to delete the old Pfalz D.III because it was exactly the same model as the D.IIIa...No need to now though, thanks to your excellent little mod. Cheers, man!

Sorry, man...I suppose it was a bit cryptically off topic. I read your comment about early war campaigns and planes and just went off on a tangent. Dunno why ...It was late and I was a bit work weary I think.

Yeah, mid '15 to early '16 is where I'm at right now...I made a quick mission depicting Lanoe Hawker's three combats on 25th July 1915, that earned him the VC. It uses the Bristol Scout with the side mounted Lewis, vs the early two seater's like the Aviatik. C.II. Unfortunately, it's too specific to my personal game install to be able to upload it, but man, I just can't stop playing it...A proper challenge, but great fun, and the new terrain (Gawd bless ya, Jan!) just makes it, as you said; "incredible". Quack...Is there any chance that you would consider wheeling the Bristol Scout into your paint shop sometime soon? It's an excellent model and deserves a paint job to match. No pressure though...When yer ready!

Thanks for the confirmation, Trek....I was wondering about that. I would urge you to use the required skins though...Historical accuracy is soooo satisfying! :yes: Regards. Bucky