Southside Bucky

Hi again, Quack. Can't get my scanner to work, so I've had to photograph these. Here's the picture in question. Note the top wing. Here's a photo (Took me bloody ages to find!) taken from almost the same angle, of Fritz Jacobsen of Jasta 73, standing in front of a Fokker D.VII. This photo appears on page 44 of the Albatros Productions book, 'Fokker D.VII. Anthology 3'. Compare the top wing with the one in the Kustner pic. Note the similar proximity of the wing to the fuselage. Dr.I top wings were much higher in comparison. Then there's the 'D' shape centre section cut-out that both wings have...Also, I think from the angle the photo was taken, you would see at least a little bit of the middle wing if Kustner was sitting in a Triplane. Incidentally, one other thing that confirms the top photo as a D.VII is the tubular rod like device attached to the centre section cut-out. That's a long barrelled flare gun...A feature seen on quite a few Jasta 18 D.VII's. Not something you'd ever see on a Triplane.

Long story short...That "Dr.I" is actually a Fokker D.VII. There are quite a few caption errors in Leaman's otherwise excellent Triplane book.

Man, that was close! I was about to say those stripes should definitely be straight, but then I had one last look through the book I was referring to ('Fleigertruppe 1914-1918, Nr.2', by A.E.Ferko), and I found a postage stamp sized photo of the plane in question... The stripes were exactly as you have 'em! There's another, quite poor quality photo of the same a/c in the book, taken from some distance, and you'd swear those stripes were straight! Saves you a bit of work, eh? While I'm here, you might like to have a look at this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/190230490X/sr=1-9/qid=1252971871/ref=dp_image_text_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books&qid=1252971871&sr=1-9 I have to say, I've never seen a photo of it, but on the inside cover of that book, it states: "Cover painting by Barry Weekly: Ltn Kurt Monnington of Jasta 18 intercepting DH9's of 104 Squadron on 23rd October 1918." Another beautiful set you've created there, by the way!

Yeah, I'm with you there...It's one of those newfangled ideas that seems unlikely to me. Just my opinion though!

Hi Quack. Regarding the Jasta 6 type striping: I've had a look through a couple of books, and the only Jasta 18 D.VII photo I can find with black 'n white parallel striping on the stabilizer is one you've already done: The one with the three pointed star...Aircraft No.2 in your top right screenshot. What reference did you use for that plane?

Yep!...Very impressive. Lovely attention to detail. You obviously know your stuff! Looking forward to seeing what you come up with next...Oh, wait a minute...That's the Fokker D.VIII! Way to go!

Hi guys. All German early two seaters looked the same, right? Well that's a simplification, but it's true that some of them were very similar in shape. After some research, checking out all the German two seater, 'Windsock Datafiles', I realised that by using the A-Team's excellent add on Aviatik C.II (which is actually a C.I, BTW), you can utilise it as both an LVG C.II, and a very passable Albatros C.III. For those that don't know how it's done, follow these steps VERY carefully, otherwise they won't show in-game: 1. Make a copy of the Aviatik C.II folder, then rename it; LVGCII 2. Rename the Aviatik DATA.INI from AviatikCII_DATA, to; LVGCII_DATA 3. Rename the Aviatik Config file from AviatikCII, to; LVGCII 4. Open the newly named Config file, then either copy and paste or edit with the following: [AircraftData] AircraftFullName=LVG C.II AircraftShortName=LVGCII AircraftDataFile=LVGCII_data.ini CockpitDataFile=AviatikC2_cockpit.ini HangarScreen=Aviatik_Hangar.bmp LoadoutFile=AviatikC2_loadout.ini LoadingScreen=Aviatik_loading.bmp (Make sure you delete the original text this has just replaced) 4. Open the LVGCII_DATA.INI and replace the 'MissionData' section with this: [MissionData] NationName=GERMANY ServiceStartDate=07/1915 ServiceEndDate=05/1916 AircraftRole=ATTACK AircraftCapability=DAY Availability=VERY_COMMON Exported=FALSE ExportStartYear= ExportAvailability= PrimaryRoles=CAS,STRIKE,ARMED_RECON,RECON SecondaryRoles= NormalMissionRadius=210 MaxMissionRadius=250 Ceiling=4500.0 MinBaseSize=SMALL HasRadio=FALSE (Again, make sure to delete the original text section.) Now, the next part is up to you, but I decided to allow this plane only one colour scheme. The most accurate, as far as I'm concerned is the skin titled 'Orange Square'. I deleted all the others. By doing this, it sets the plane apart from the Aviatik (so long as you don't use 'Orange Square' for the Aviatik, of course!). Finally, run the game to make sure your new LVG C.II shows up in the 'Available Aircraft' menu. If you want to fly it, an optional 'extra' would be to find a 1024 X 768 bitmap picture of an LVG C.II, rename it; Aviatik_Loading, and you'll have a nice loading screen for it too. I haven't done that because I only use these two seaters as AI. Follow the same steps to create the Albatros C.III, but replace the 'MissionData' text in the DATA.INI with: [MissionData] NationName=GERMANY ServiceStartDate=12/1915 ServiceEndDate=03/1917 AircraftRole=ATTACK AircraftCapability=DAY Availability=VERY_COMMON Exported=FALSE ExportStartYear= ExportAvailability= PrimaryRoles=CAS,STRIKE,ARMED_RECON SecondaryRoles= NormalMissionRadius=210 MaxMissionRadius=250 Ceiling=4500.0 MinBaseSize=SMALL HasRadio=FALSE IMO, the Aviatik skin that best suits the Albatros C.III, is either 'Alb' or Rumpler clv, so again, you might want to delete all the other skins, like I did. And as I said previously: Make sure that the Aviatik's default skin is different from both the Albatros and LVG. I thank you...

You had me going there, Mike! Thought I was going of me nut! For some inexplicable reason they've been put in the 'Add-On Planes' Section. Here ya go: http://forum.combatace.com/index.php?app=downloads&showfile=4955

Really?...Please tell us more.

While both you artisans are here, can I put in a suggestion or two for some scheme's that I think would be nice additions? Yeah?...Thank you! The Roland C.II It'd be nice to have a plain sky blue one, rather than just the 'fish scales' option. Also, nice as that purple and green camo skin is, a green/brown version would be more historically accurate for the Roland. Then how about some 19 and 23 Sqn SPAD VII's?...Preferably the clear dope schemes with the 'black dumbell' and 'triangle' squadron markings. You know I hate to come across as pushy...But if y'don't ask... PS. Of course, these would be additional to the Bristol Scout request I already put in a few days ago, Quack!

Hi Saltfiskur. Excellent work!...It's great to have yet another skinner onboard with an obvious eye for detail and historical accuracy. Keep 'em coming! :yes: Bucky

Dunno, 'bout Gibralta, but it makes a reasonable 'stand in' for northern Italy. Now I can start using Laton's excellent Hansa-Brandenburg DI, AnsaldoSVA5 and the other relevant Italy/Austro Hungarian war planes. Any chance you could have a go at producing a Tyrol mountains terrain some time in the future? Thanks again for yet another excellent addition to the game.

Huh?...How could they ban ya? You being such a gentleman 'n all... Stary, those mountains are utterly magnificent!...You're THE MAN! :yes:

Hi Dsawan. The Martinsyde G100 and Martinsyde Elephant were basically the same aircraft. That is, both single seaters. The only difference between 'em was the Elephant had a slightly more powerful engine. Personally, I didn't change their horse power ratings because I only use those a/c as AI. If you or anyone else feel like changing that, I can tell you that the G100 was rated at 120hp, and had a top speed of 95mph. The G102 (Elephant) was fitted with a 160hp engine, and had a top speed of 102mph. Just for the record, here's both complete 'Mission Data' sections. As you can see, the only difference is the service dates. G100: [MissionData] NationName=RAF ServiceStartDate=03/1916 ServiceEndDate=06/1917 AircraftRole=ATTACK AircraftCapability=DAY Availability=COMMON Exported=FALSE ExportStartDate=06/1916 ExportAvailability=RARE PrimaryRoles=RECON,ARMED_RECON,CAS,STRIKE SecondaryRoles=SWEEP,ESCORT,CAP,INTERCEPT NormalMissionRadius=50 MaxMissionRadius=100 Ceiling=4810.0 MinBaseSize=SMALL HasRadio=FALSE Elephant: [MissionData] NationName=RAF ServiceStartDate=06/1916 ServiceEndDate=12/1917 AircraftRole=ATTACK AircraftCapability=DAY Availability=COMMON Exported=FALSE ExportStartDate=06/1916 ExportAvailability=RARE PrimaryRoles=RECON,ARMED_RECON,CAS,STRIKE SecondaryRoles=SWEEP,ESCORT,CAP,INTERCEPT NormalMissionRadius=50 MaxMissionRadius=100 Ceiling=4810.0 MinBaseSize=SMALL HasRadio=FALSE Regarding your problems getting the Albatros C.III to show in game, all I can say is make sure your text matches PRECISELY...Watch the spacing in particular. For example, the actual aircraft folder should be: AlbatrosCIII Not: Albatros C.III Hope that helps. Bucky

Hi guys. Just to let you know that I've uploaded a new collision sound sample I made a few days ago. A scream of terror, mixed with an almighty collision sound that kicks in when you crash to earth or with another plane. Get it here: http://forum.combatace.com/index.php?app=downloads&showfile=9778 I hope you like it. All the best. Bucky

Yeah, I think it adds a bit of humanity to the game...In a macabre kinda way. It'd be good if we could find a way to add an "OOOF!", or a "URGH!", when the players pilot gets hit too, but I don't think that's possible. The old 'Red Baron 3D' game used to have that gradual 'red mist vision fade out' once your pilot took a bullet...Excellent effect that was. Anyway, thanks for the feedback guys...Always nice to hear your opinions...Good, bad or indifferent. Bucky

Diamond Geezer!

Sorry, man...I shoulda known you wouldn't let that little innacuracy go! While I'm here though, can I make a little request? I was wondering if you could possibly have a go at the Bristol Scout sometime in the not to distant? Even if you just give it a bit of weathering or something, it'd look a lot better than it does ATM.

Hi Stary. Just to let you know, the 2nd file you uploaded gives me smoke with a green tint. The first one's brilliant though, so no worries! Thanks again. Bucky

Most excellent, as usual, Quack! Can I make one small suggestion though?...And I only mention it 'cause I know you like to get these things right. :yes: I think the F2b wing roundel colour ratios look a bit non standard. Maybe the blue needs to be a liitle bit wider? Oh, and the fuselage roundel seems to lack a white outer ring? Also, Is there any chance you could do an F2b in overall PC10? That is, without the grey front end. Sorry, that's three suggestions, not one...

On a related note, I just thought I'd let you know that I've uploaded a couple of new 'PropLoop' sound files. One of which is intended to be used with early war a/c like the LVG C.II and Albatros C.III. Get 'em here: http://forum.combatace.com/index.php?app=downloads&showfile=9806

Success! I tried three times using IE...No go. I tried three times with Firefox...Same. It went through first time using Google Chrome. Thanks again for your help. Bucky

File Name: New, Alternative PropLoops. File Submitter: Southside Bucky File Submitted: 04 Sep 2009 File Updated: 05 Sep 2009 File Category: First Eagle Sound Mods This is the 'PropLoop' sound file I'm using these days. I just thought some of you might like it. Also, I've included an engine sample that better suits the early war, in-line engined aircraft...Adds a bit of variation. Use it with the following planes: Aviatik C.II BE2a BE2c BE2d DFW C.II Farman MF7 FarmanMF11b FE2b Pfalz EV RFC MF11 RFC SF11 Installation instructions included in the 'Read Me'. Hope ya like 'em. Bucky. Click here to download this file

I'd say, get the expansion pack, then the Nov08 patch. After that, go get all the add-on planes and mods you want, then bring it all up to date with Peter01's latest flight models package. Be seeing you... Bucky