Furball Magazine have posted their latest entertaining "News From The Front". Here's a snippet:
"I never really thought about it when this journey started... but it's been exactly one year since News From The Front first appeared on Furball Magazine. It was born a few months before that, first appearing at the website of my online squad, the Virtual Hellenic Air Force. But I don't think I'm it's too much to think that it's been a year since the column made its debut to the wider military flight sim community."
Old(ish) news but Frugal might have missed this one with his busy schedule...new images of the Lancaster model in this interesting non-commercial sim. B17 II for for the Brits anyone?
"The following images have been released that display the Lancaster model currently being developed, note that this is a model in the works and is not complete in these pictures. These shots are not new, they're about a month old, we will post updated images soon."
I have posted 15 new screenshots sent to me by Tsuyoshi Kawahito (T.K.) of Third Wire Productions. These include the F104 and some of the terrain objects as well as a night shot.
Due to the workload behind the scenes and various other commitments within the Flight Sim Community I am finding it very difficult to keep the news up to date. I am therefore looking for a News Editor that can commit to at least an hour per day to update the news. You will need to have a good knowledge of the sim community and a desire to help your fellow simmers. Knowledge of html is an advantage but not a requirement. The position is on a volunteer basis.
I have posted a guide to Starting the Jet in efalcon 1.09. This guide includes screenshots and should help you get off the ground if you are new to eFalcon.
For those that missed it. Chunx updated his column with more news of the daily drudgery in his 9-5 :-) Here's a snippet:
"We spent about 30 straight minutes playing "Tap-a-CAP" today. Most of the time my pilot and I were at speeds over 450knots, down on the deck, trying to blend into the valley walls and desert drab. Most of the time it worked. We spent a lot of time on the 'g' limiter, punishing our bodies with 7.5 times their normal weight. On one engagement, we got in unobserved from the CAP's 5 o'clock. They saw us when we were just inside two miles, closing fast from below and behind. My pilot said, "okay, I'll take the one on the left. You got the one on the right." I told him, "roger, but as soon as you shoot this guy let's switch and start prosecuting the guy on the right." The CAPers turned tightly into us, and we called, "Fox-2 on the western fighter." As that CAPer went into a hard break turn to avoid our virtual missile, my pilot and I switched assignments."
Sorry for the lack of news but this has been a tough week. We came dangerously close to being shut down as a result of our success. We were just pushing too much bandwidth. I have moved the forums onto a new server to spread the load and we should now be ok. I'd like to thank all the people that have offered their support during this difficult period.
Furball Magazine have posted their latest "News From The Front". Here's a snippet:
"Now, I may have been off the mark before, but this time you got to admit it, I was right on the dot last time about eFalcon 1.09 coming out. Didn't I tell you "within the month"? Well, it's here to download, and almost everything about it sounds great according to the forums. Haven't been able to try it out myself though... yes, I admit it, it's been almost two weeks and I STILL haven't found the time to download it. Feel free to throw rocks on me..."
SimHQ have posted a review of the Intel Pentium 4 1.7 GHz. Here's a snippet:
"As you can see from the benchmarks, this new processor is very quick and powerful. This is the first time we have ever seen CFS2 at over 30FPS in 1600x1200. Very impressive! The big advantage of this new range of CPU speeds for your average simmer is that our favorite simulations LOVE CPU power, and we're getting to the point that for a fraction of the price, you can have close to the same performance as some military-grade simulations!"
Dogfighter have posted Puma's latest log. Here's a snippet:
"Today is bridge-busting day. Our targets will be the Sangju Bridge, the Andong Bridge, the Jinan Bridge, and the Heunghae Bridge. Hopefully we will take down all the bridges in the first 24 hours of our involvement in this war. I will lead a two ship, Gator 11 and 12, against the Sangju Bridge. My Weapons Systems Officer suggests four MK-84 2,000 pound bombs, but I like to carry more bombs for secondary targets and targets of opportunity. I override my WSO and order twelve MK-82 500 pound bombs for the job. This should give us enough firepower to take down the bridge and then attack anything else we find in the target area."
Carigamer have posted a review of Flanker 2.5. Here's a snippet:
"A new feature in Flanker 2.5 and one that needs to be applauded is the Naval battle component. You can set waypoints and behaviors for fleets in the game in user created missions. The ships will engage each other with their long range standoff weapons and this can produce some extremely intense battles even when fleets are as much as 100 miles away. This adds a completely new dimension to Flanker and much of the action in multiplayer sessions and single player missions will now invariably take place over the ocean with 2.5"
SimHQ have posted a preview of a new sim called 1946: Hitler's Revenge. Here's a snippet:
"What if the German scientists had time to perfect and produce the next generation of aircraft and rockets? Many of these were in final prototype stage at the end of the war. In a matter of months, many such as the Natter rocket interceptor, twin-engine Dornier 335 fighter, AS9V-2 saucer, and Horten IX jet powered flying wing would have been in production in enough numbers to make a difference."
Edgardo F. Alessio pasted some very nice screenshots from Flanker 2. These are all images of the Tomcat. Hehe just wish that baby was flyable. MMmmmmmm Tomcats.
BBall has posted a fresh batch of IL2 screenshots on our IL2 specific forum. These shots show the damage modeling in the sim. They show a series of shots of landing on a snow covered road and various in flight difficulties.
Joel Bierling has released F4Patch 4. There are three new parts to this release. These are update to the older 3.x releases.
F4Patch_Standard_40 - Main group of patches. F4Patch_Cockpit_40 - B-1B, F-4, Mig-29, F-14, C-130, and 5 different F-16 cockpits F4Patch_Sound_40 - Sound pack
The older packages that are still current are: F4Patch_Skin_32 - Skin pack (will be updated soon) F4Patch_F4A_Mig29 - F4Patch compatible F4Alliance Mig-29 release.
WHAT'S NEW: Fully compliant with the eFalcon.exe 1.09 release. All the latest patches. Added new Welcome screen on startup. Added WelcomeFilter Option to have a filter appear on the welcome screen. Added delete .f4p command to right click. Added ability to remember the selected filter on a Refresh. Added option to back orig files up to a backup directory instead of using an orig file distributed with F4Patch. Added option for Expand package to create a desktop icon for F4Patch. New Create Installation Package UI. Added plugin support for adding commands to the Tools menu. Added desktop icon option for exe packages. Added [ShellInfo] section. Added [ShortcutInfo] section. Added "ToolCommand" option to put the .f4p into the Tools menu. Added filter support for filtering on the patch name ("NameFilterInclude", "NameFilterExclude"). Uses regular expressions. Added option to remove the Expand Package function from packages. Added OnAddApplyID, OnAddUnapplyID, OnRemoveApplyID, OnRemoveUnapplyID to add and remove other patches when a .f4p is selected/unselected. Added include all plugins in package option.
Head over to Joels site to grab the files by clicking
HERE
eTeam have released eFalcon 1.09 Remember to read the installation instructions carefully! There is also a 1.09 FAQ posted on the eteam site that should answer most of your questions. The download is pretty big (8.25MB). This is because it contains the Official 1.09 Cockpit and the required RP Patch.
F4 Weather has been released. Here's a description of this utility for Falcon 4:
"F4weather is a tool that allows you to apply different "typical" cloud patterns (with corresponding wind directions, windspeeds and temperatures) to falcon4 missions. It can be applied to saved campaigns, TE's and training missions.
A number of typical korean weather patterns come pre-installed, giving you different types of cloud cover and wind speed/direction. There is also a cloud pattern included for the Balkans; more can be created using the advanced features (see below). I'll release more and improved add-on patterns in the future. You can then simply copy them into the F4weather-folder."
I have posted my preview of eFalcon 1.09. Here's a snippet:
"I hear Betty call Jammer, signifying that my jammer has just been activated in response to the Mig 23's FCR. The ASEC cue in my HUD starts to flash and I launch the missile calling "Fox 3 medium". At precisely the same moment the Mig launches at me and as the launch warning sounds my jet starts to pump out chaff and flares following the program I set before take off. I'm now in a game of missile chicken supporting my missile until it goes active whilst the Migs missile is streaking towards me. The moment my 120 goes active I padlock the incoming missile, pull back the throttle, roll inverted and pull hard back on the stick whilst my jet continues to pump out countermeasures as if they were going out of fashion."
eTeam have posted an eFalcon 1.09 multiplayer report. Here's a snippet:
"Throughout the entire flight there was no lag at all! This was with five pilots running eFalcon 1.09 (and two running eFalcon 1.0799). From past rigorous multiplayer testing all the way back through 1.07, we have all agreed that this flight definitely went smoother than any previous Tactical Engagement with five pilots than any of us had flown! We also proceeded to have the host exit BEFORE the other pilots to see if a crash-to-desktop occurred as it had before almost every time -- nope! Absolute perfection!"
SimHQ have posted a Sub Command Interview. Here's a snippet:
"We’ve incorporated features from both 688(I) and Fleet Command. We’ve included all the sensor and fire control stations found in 688(I), but are also making it possible for the new sub sim player to turn some automated crewmen on and play the game from the Navigation map similar to Fleet Command. We’re hoping to lure in additional novice sim players and help them get accustomed to the complexities of the game at their own pace. However, we recognize that the hardcore sim players are our prime audience and we will not "dumb down" the realism for the sake of easier play, but rather, we will allow the player to customize the experience to his/her liking."
Tech Extreme have posted a review of Flanker 2.5. Here's a snippet:
"Probably the biggest and most important addition that the Flanker 2.5 upgrade brings to the table is the addition of the Mig-29K multi-role fighter to the player-flyable hangar. A navalized and heavily upgraded version of the original Mig-29 interceptor, the Mig-29K is designed to fill the demanding role of strike and defense fighter for the Russian Navy. The Mig-29 can be considered the equal counterpart to the American F-16C Fighting Falcon in terms of agility and strike power."
GameSpot have posted a review of the Saitek P8000. Here's a snippet:
"In B-17 Flying Fortress, where you're asked to move about between stations and execute numerous actions at virtually every location, the unit does offer some advantages. Its customizable templates let you see exactly what you're activating or operating before you depress the key. Its Shift button lets you double the number of assignable commands of each and every key and button for total control over even the most strenuous mission. And certainly bailing out of your plane is far easier with a single button press than a Ctrl-Shift-B three-finger salute."
I have posted Chunx' Prowler photos. Sorry that they are a day later than promised, this was due to circumstances beyond my control. I think you will find that they were worth the wait though :-)
Unfortunately I lost my connection to the Internet last night right in the middle of uploading the Prowler photo's from Chunx. Doubly annoying as I was intending to fly some Falcon 4 with Chunx last night. I still don't have a functional connection, but will get those photos up as soon as I have. My ISP still have not been able to locate the problem so I have no clue at this point when my connection will be back up. Hopefully it will be sometime today.
Over the last few days I've been busy on a number of things, the most notable being testing on eFalcon 1.09. I've also been hard at work on a 3D cockpit to match the awesome official 1.09 2D cockpit by Tim "Nighthawk" Admire. You can see some screenshots of the 3D cockpit on the official eteam site by clicking HERE
So what's in store for the rest of this week? Well tomorrow I'll be posting some more of Chunx' aerial photography. This is gonna be a special batch for fans of the Prowler. Thursday I hope to be posting a preview of 1.09 (the preview is about 2/3rds done so far). I've also been working on a few tutorials for Falcon 4 which I want to get finished before the week is out.
BBall is currently working on his next logbook article and is also aiming for a column update this week. All in all it should be a pretty good second half of the week. I'll also try and bring the news up to date :-)
I have posted Chunx' latest logbook article entitle Final Jeopardy. Here's a snippet:
"We began our descent from altitude, and asked "Twist" to join up on us to see if there had been any visible damage to the jet, or if we were leaking any fluids. He quickly complied and I could see him rendezvousing on us from our right side and high. I alerted the area controller that we were declaring an emergency, had lost an engine, and would be looking to take an arrested landing at NAS North Island. I put in the navigation channel for N. Island into the TACAN and dropped a nav waypoint for same into the INS. With course lines dialed in and steering cues in the HUD, my pilot was all set to follow the navigation cues and line up for our single engine landing…or so I thought."
NoCharlie has updated his column with some humerous Military Home Truths. This gave me a few chuckles. Here's a snippet:
"1) If the enemy is in range, so are you. 2) Incoming fire has the right of way. 3) Don't look conspicuous: it draws fire. 4) The easy way is always mined. 5) Try to look unimportant, they may be low on ammo. 6) Professionals are predictable, it's the amateurs that are dangerous. 7) The enemy invariably attacks on one of two occasions: When you're ready for them. When you're not ready for them. 8) Teamwork is essential; it gives the enemy someone else to shoot at."
Sim Arena have mirrored the Typhoon Demo. It's not playable but it's worth the download if you are interested in this title and have a good connection.
Thrustmaster have posted an article about the WarBirds III Beta Trials. Here's a snippet:
"Damage to an external surface affects the FM. It is difficult to control an aircraft that has taken significant damage to a wing, for example. Furthermore, damage can weaken a structure without destroying it. I took some hits from an Me109 in a P51D and was having trouble maintaining level flight. When I started a sharp roll my wing snapped off."
Dogfighter have posted a review of the Hercules Game Theater XP. Here's a snippet:
"I then hooked the GTXP system up to my Altec Lansing four point system. This is comprised of two ACS-48 satellite / subwoofer systems. I like the idea of two subs and it is more flexible than a traditional single subwoofer setup and the four identical satellites are solidly built. The sound quality was very impressive. The positional audio is the best I have heard to date (the Turtle Beach Santa Cruz brings up a close second). Most combat simulations do not make as much use of 3D audio as first person shooters do. I do not play FPS games but I do enjoy Thief II. The sound effects from this game were just spooky at times. The echo of the guard’s boots retreating down the hallway was so real that I could use sound to gauge my movements in the dark."
I will be posting Chunx's latest logbook article tomorrow. As it has been fairly quiet today I thought I'd treat you to a little preview:
"All is going well and we are about to take our first radar-guided missile shots when I hear that “Final Jeopardy” noise in my headset. Now normally this tone isn’t heard by the RIO since it isn’t ported to his side of the intercom circuit, but for some reason it bled over from the pilot’s intercom circuit to mine, just loud enough to be picked out from the background noise. In the Tomcat, that sound alerts the aircrew that its time for another kind of “Final Jeopardy.” You see, that sound is the Engine Compressor Stall Warning Tone, and having that go off when you are supersonic in a Tomcat flown by a student pilot is NOT a good thing. Not good at all."
Check back tomorrow for the full story :o)
Read his previous logbook articles by clicking
HERE
Thrustmaster have posted an interview with the team working on FS2002. Here's a snippet:
"As noted above, we’ve tried to add a variety of features and improvements that make the world in Flight Simulator seem more realistic and alive. Now you can see contrails from high-flying jets. Auto-gen scenery fills in the world with detail wherever you fly. The ATC system and realistic traffic mean you’re no longer alone in the sky. And the superb scenery textures make you feel like you’re flying above real terrain."
I have posted Donut's Skyfix Version 2. This is a new version of the tod.lst, partly inspired by the excellentVietnam theater add-on. Donut also provided a batch of screen shots so that you can see the skyfix in action.
Avault have posted a review of the ACT LabS Force RS Racing System with Shifter. Here's a snippet:
"We did some hardcore driving with the included Need for Speed III as well as our current racing fave, Roll Cage Stage II from Psygnosis. After hours and hours of gameplay, we were just awed by how well this system worked. First and foremost, we have to say that the steering wheel itself is incredibly comfortable. The cushioned, leather-wrapped wheel is just the right size and holds up well after long stretches of tense, perspiration drenched high-speed racing. The F1 shifter paddles were rock solid and easy to use -- never once a distraction. Steering was tight and consistently and evenly responsive. It was a marked improvement over the jerky, over-reacting wheels that we have used in the past."
CFS2 Online have posted a review of the Harrier Jump Jet Add-On for CFS2. Here's a snippet:
"The weather in these missions are amazing reflecting the true weather encountered in the Falklands during this conflict, With Daggers on your tail flying at low altitude in thick fog these missions will test your skills to the max. Then suddenly breaking through the low- level cloudbanks into glorious sunshine or diving on to enemy shipping cutting through fog to intercept you target. Using the amazing abilities of the jump jets is great fun hiding behind shipping await your target to fly over head popping up on his tail letting rip with your guns, missiles and rockets. And once you've completed your mission try landing these things when your shot to pieces!"
SimHQ have posted a review of the book "The Forgotten Soldier." Here is a snippet:
""The Forgotten Soldier" is a detailed autobiography of Guy Sajer’s experiences as a German soldier on the Eastern Front from July 1942 until his capture by the advancing British Army in April 1945. During the course of three campaigns he is caught up in some of the most intense battles ever fought including Kharkov, The Donetz, Belogorod, Konotop, The Dniepr, Prussia, and Gotenhafen. Sajer picks up the story on his way to initial basic training in Poland in 1942. He is very young, very naïve, and the men who are with him are only marginally more worldly. The casual brutality of the Wehrmacht training is followed by assignment as a truck driver to the infamous Rollbahn-the long supply tail of the advancing Germans."
Furball Magazine have posted their latest "News From The Front". Here's a snippet:
"Not much more info on jet sims... just a note that Jane's Combat.Net will stop working by next month. Big surprise there... all they're saying at Electronic Arts is "gee, sorry for that, why don't you just come over to the Air Warrior: Millennium site and satisfy your hunger? It's not that expensive..." Hmpf. And WHEN DID AW:ME GOT RELEASED? I didn't see a single announcement about this anywhere! Am I just plain dumb? No, I am not dumb, I play adventure games, remember? But I get the impression that EA really hates flight sims..."
You've probably noticed things looking a little quiet lately. I had a very hectic week at work last week coupled with my wife and kids being down with the flu. This meant I had little time to update the site last week.
Incase you missed it though BBall updated his column with the final part of his preparation for returning to work. Here's a snippet:
"The “bitching Betty” (or in our case the bitching Bob) was screaming out “Windshear!, Windshear!” at our very ginger altitude of 300’! We were on our climb profile departing Milwaukee headed for Memphis. The tower had given us an ambiguous warning as we taxied onto the runway, “Northwest 371, cleared for take-off runway 01, winds are 030 at 12, last arriving aircraft reported a 10 kt loss of airspeed at 300’, mid-field boundary winds 030 at 18, north boundary winds 130 at 20.” The aircraft was at a mere 145 kts (our V2+10 climb profile for 185,000 lbs), and she was wallowing around like a sailor at last call. The F/O was calling out altitudes and vertical speeds…. but we were descending… and this was not good."
