Com-Central.net

I took the Sandy up for a quick flight last night, and I like it. The engine sounds are very good. To me it sounds like a big radial engine, as it should. The plane handles nice for a large fighter/bomber. I know it was a beast to fly, but I didn't have any trouble, and it is sweet to land. It almost didn't want to, and it slows to a nice slow speed for touch down. Thanks!

- JG300-Stoopy

I think simpler is good.

OK, I'll simplify some of the static aircraft for the uploaded MP version.

But no compromises on this. In fact, the crew had to take the day off because they ran out of concrete while building the terminal. The construction crew foreman sent along a few pics to illustrate the progress, though. It's going to be stunning!
(just Google-Image search for "Phu Bai" to see how stunning)

I think simpler is good. Detail is great but for a multiplayer mission, there will be even mmore going on and other textures from the "live" OH-6's, UH-1's, and CH-47's also placing demands. Detail is great but smooth frame rates add to the realism just as much as detail....and, it's a bummer if your landing at the end of the mission is blown due to low FPS.

Case in point: In PROPS, we have P-51's taxiing around without landing gear or wheels, and black canopies (except your own plane, which you enable detail on locally for yourself) specifically to keep poly's and detail down and frame rates high. No one even notices or comments on the missing landing gear after the first time, becuase smoothness brings with it, it's own contribution of realistic feeling to the show.

Just my two cents.

- JG300-Stoopy

Ascout, you probably know all about it but I did see this in a newsletter I get: C-130 scenery macro in US Army colors (probably better than the one I painted up a while back, even tho the descripion calls it "cameo" as opposed to "camo"):

"Filename: c130_as.zip
FS2004/FS2002 API macroUS Army Cameo C130 for scenery designers. This Vietnam era aircraft is still in use today by our military as a heavy lift transport airplane and also as a gunship. As a gunship it is fitted with rapid fire miniguns and even a howitzer as well as electronics that allow it to operate in all types of weather. As a gunship it is a fearsome weapon that is nearly unstopable. By Al Simms "

I downloaded it and will put it on the FTP server in the "Vietnam" folder if you don't have it already...just in case.

I believe that's Al's and I do have it also. I was thinking to use the one I have (the proprietary one given to me that you painted) because it's better detailed and the biggest aircraft on the tarmac there.
BUT...I also have a choice to make regarding static helicopters: I'm using Al's Chinook macros because they work for the task and not demanding of memory...He also has UH-1 macros that are much less detailed than the "proprietary" ones I use now that are highly detailed (and probably ask more of one's system). I like the detailed Huey's, but am contemplating using Al's for spaces in hangars and revetments, and fewer detailed ones out where they are more conspicuous. I have about thirty aircraft of different types around the airfield.
I won't kid you, there is a noticiable frame hit particularly when viewing the field from ESE to WNW across the north side of the field..but one report I received said this seemed to be more associated with Marty's Camp Eagle (because it got much better when it was disabled), which lies in the distance 5 miles away on that axis of view. My computer is be no means a "high end" system by today's standards, and I can live with it...so I'm not much disposed to water down the scene to accomodate frames (there are a lot of structures along that north side). I'm building it the way I want to fly it.

Whaddaya' think about the simpler heli's in the revetments?

Ascout, you probably know all about it but I did see this in a newsletter I get: C-130 scenery macro in US Army colors (probably better than the one I painted up a while back, even tho the descripion calls it "cameo" as opposed to "camo"):

"Filename: c130_as.zip
FS2004/FS2002 API macroUS Army Cameo C130 for scenery designers. This Vietnam era aircraft is still in use today by our military as a heavy lift transport airplane and also as a gunship. As a gunship it is fitted with rapid fire miniguns and even a howitzer as well as electronics that allow it to operate in all types of weather. As a gunship it is a fearsome weapon that is nearly unstopable. By Al Simms "

I downloaded it and will put it on the FTP server in the "Vietnam" folder if you don't have it already...just in case.

- JG300-Stoopy

Wellsir, we can try to squeeze it in if it can be done, just won't plan on addressing it in this mission....it could be there for some "Fight of the Intruder" kind of thing in the future I suppose.

.

While that kinda' stuff didn't operate from Phu Bai, I can surely conceive of some missions with an emergency diverted landing there (for repairs or fuel) followed by a departure. The runway is just over 6,000' and I've landed (in the sim) a wide variety of high performance A/C there without a problem. Get those leaks plugged before heading back to Da Nang or a carrier. Make it a "Bingo" base or sum'thin'. You can get to Da Nang in 15 minutes or less, depending on what fixed wing you're flying and if you care about the cost of fuel....

Can hardly wait to get this up and running !!

Big Compliments to all involved !!

As for the BIG E, maybe later on a expansion pack part "C"


fled

Wellsir, we can try to squeeze it in if it can be done, just won't plan on addressing it in this mission....it could be there for some "Fight of the Intruder" kind of thing in the future I suppose.

FYI the prototype installers come out to 37MB for "Part A" which is everyting but the SE Asia terrain mesh....which is seperate since some folks already have it and although is HIGHLY MASSIVELY recommended, is still optional at about a 100MB download in "Part B" (with unnecessary areas of Thailand and Laos removed, even).

Both installers for Part A and B are making their way up to the FTP server for some early testing by the way.....still have other stuff to include, maps, briefing, final Phu Bai, all that. But all the essentals are there for trial flights and MP testing.

rgr, future expansions is the goal, as for the moment we should stick to get this show airborne


fled

I definitely imagine some carrier ops are in the future for military flights. The flight planning and mission setup for this particular exercise has been for an entirely "feet dry" operation over land, so we could install it but would never see it unless you want to revisit and revise the current parameters of this flight, or I imagine it would be installed to support another future activity?

me thinks the "Com-Central Development Team" forum is the best place to tinker and iron that out Stoopy

Looking forward to get my hands on the other goodies !

btw, I also have a Big E here stashed, would that be an idea to place that somewhere of the coast in the area ??



fled

And here's the first test from the installers (Part A is essential aircraft and helos, Part B is the SE Asia SRTM terrain mesh).

Laying down some close air support on a suspected mortar/machine gun nest near the Ruong Ruong Valley LZ....marked by yellow smoke. The Skyraider here is a Navy "Spad" from probably the wrong theater and era that wanted to join the effort anyway.

Excellent!

In the meantime, a question/suggestion....

The install files will be ready for testing (of course, not done until we're happy with everything, but somewhat ready for a quick look-see) very soon.

When we get to that point, I imagine we may have several folks who would like to test the whole thing out, and especially in MP.....with maybe at least one person doing the helo flight plan, and another doing the Skyraider flight plan.

That would make several possible people to PM with download links. OR, we could use the "Com-Central Development Team" forum to share those links to the limited folks who would join and see that forum. Is that a good idear ya think?

- JG300-Stoopy

- A "hook" for Phu Bai included in the install file structure for automatic inclusion at such time when it is deemed ready by the designer/artist.

The art-teest is pleased to report he installed 8th RRU trailers from Al Simms today that are dead ringers for the real item. The terminal, custom built, is under construction....I MAY have it before leaving for Brasil, but that ain't up to me....

It should be a knockout!

AH!

Will do sir!