Andy Bush at SimHQ has written a review of a book about about General Billy Mitchell and his contribution to American air power. In this first part, Andy sets out the format of his review and introduces "Billy":
"William "Billy" Mitchell was born on December 29, 1879 in Nice, France but grew up on the family estate in Wisconsin. His father was a US Senator from that state and his mother enjoyed a comfortable inheritance. Mitchell entered college at an earlier than normal age but left at age 18 to enlist in the US Army as a private in the Signal Corps. His father’s influence was quickly felt as Mitchell was commissioned as a Lieutenant in his first year of military service. In his letters home, Mitchell made clear his belief in the emerging importance of the US as a major force in the world and his desire to be part of that development. Mitchell obtained an assignment to Cuba in 1898 but arrived too late to see action in the Spanish-American War."
"Since the release of SP3 is getting close, we have decided to not accept any new beta testers for a while.
When SP3 is out the door, many of us will take a break (we've deserved it ;-) ). When we come back to focus on SP4, the F4UT organisation will change. When we're reorganized, new members will be welcome again."
Brownsnake has also decided to redesign the site for the release of SP3. He's posted a couple of fine looking examples and would appreciate feedback.
"LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 22, 2002-- I Entertainment Network, (OTCBB: IENT - News) announces today that it will launch three new massive multiplayer retail and internet products at the E3 show in Los Angeles, CA, May 22nd to May 24th.
International game publishers will ship each of these products for the fall retail season. IENT's CEO, Bill Stealey, can be found at the Simon and Schuster booth in the West Foyer at E3. Simon and Schuster will ship one of IENT's titles for the Fall retail season.
IENT will release its new World War II Tank game, "K.I.C. A.S.S." (KA). This new massive multiplayer online simulation game (MMOSG), originally called, "Knights in Combat, Armored Simulation Series", takes advantage of the new graphics technology developed for the award winning, "WarBirds III" flight simulation. This product features all the major ground vehicles of World War II and immerses the player in exciting and realistic combat between the Allied and Axis Armored Divisions.
Two new flying games, "WarBirds Korea", and "Dawn of Aces III", will also be launched at the E3 show. WarBirds Korea features the first jet combat the world had ever seen including F-86s, P-80s, MiGs, and many of the ground vehicles of the period. WarBirds Korea also uses real satellite topographical data for the Korean peninsula. WarBirds is the only product on the market that can display 256 square miles of 1 to 1 real world terrain. Dawn of Aces III brings to life the birth of aerial combat from World War I when Spads and Fokker Triplanes ruled the sky! Dawn of Aces allows players to experience the excitement of the first combat aviators the world ever knew. With wings of canvas these predators of the sky engage in combat aptly described as a knife fight in a phone booth. Get in close and react quickly to get the kill!
"These new products will introduce a large and growing number of retail players to IENT's online subscription service and should produce significant increases in both offline and online revenues enabling IENT to achieve its revenue growth goals," says IENT CEO, JW "Wild Bill" Stealey. "Also, we are already planning three additional retail products for release in 2003."
All of these new products use the IENT's Patented latency management system, (Patent No. 6,042,477), to minimize the effects of time latency in multiplayer online games. This Patent provides players all over the world a consistent Internet gaming experience and allows players from Europe, Asia, and the United States to play together in the same arenas while minimizing Internet latency problems."
V2.0 of the IL-2 utility is now publically available at Check-Six!. As with eearlier versions, some anti-virus apps may believe the install to be infected. "Skypat" has assured us that this is not the case.
Aurora, Colorado – May 20, 2002 - G2 Interactive, Inc., a Colorado-based Interactive Entertainment publishing company, has brought on board as technical advisor Frank Corley, current A-10 fighter pilot. Mr. Corley has 29 combat missions over Iraq in Operation Desert Storm, and has flown the A-10 in Operation Deny Flight over the former Yugoslavia and in Operation Southern Watch over Iraq. Mr. Corley was also lead A-10 pilot for the Air National Guard’s initial development of the A-10 Full Mission Trainer (FMT).
G2 Interactive recognizes Frank Corley as having a unique perspective on fighter combat. He will be assisting the G2 Interactive team by offering his insights and analysis for the upcoming flight simulation product of the Falcon® line entitled Falcon®: : Operation Infinite Resolve.
------ About Frank Corley Frank Corley is a command fighter pilot with over 2500 hours in the F-4G Phantom Wild Weasel, the OV-10 Bronco and the A-10 Warthog. His experience includes three years on the staff of the Air National Guard Headquarters, where he was instrumental in the development of the current A-10 flight simulator, the Full Mission Trainer (FMT). Prior to service in the Air National Guard, Mr. Corley was a fighter pilot with the U.S. Air Force, where he flew the OV-10 Bronco, the Forward Air Control plane whose mission has been taken over by the A-10. Mr. Corley also flew the F-4G Wild Weasel in combat over Iraq during Operation Desert Storm, where he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery in combat. Frank Corley is a graduate of the US Air Force Air to Ground Operations School, and the Mission Commanders training course for leading “gorilla” packages in combat. In 1995, Mr. Corley was selected as a Congressional Fellow by the American Political Science Association (APSA), where he joined the staff of U.S. Congressman Robert Ehrlich, and worked on funding issues for military flight simulators among many other issues.
------ About G2 Interactive / Force 12 Studios G2 Interactive, Inc. and its wholly owed development group Force 12 Studios offer a wide range of interactive entertainment products. G2 Interactive will produce and market a diverse mix of titles including games for the IBM PC, Macintosh, and console-based platforms. Force 12 Studios will concentrate on developing both high fidelity and easily accessible simulations; the first being a continuation of the world-renowned Falcon® line of products, known as Falcon® V.
For the latest information about G2I's products and career opportunities, visit G2 Interactive's website at www.g2interactive.com. Information about Force 12 can be found at www.force12studios.com.
I have posted the worlds first preview screens from Falcon V and some screens from Operation Infinite Resolve. Expect more to start appearing on sites around the web soon. Here's a taster.
Force 12 Studios present: Falcon: Operation Infinite Resolve
Product Description:
Falcon® - the legend continues. Since its inception, Falcon® set the standard by which all other military simulations were measured. Once again Falcon® forces the benchmark to the limit with Falcon®: Operation Infinite Resolve.
Take a deep breath because you are about to take off into the most realistic military flight simulation ever created. Stunning graphics, realistic flight dynamics, and powerful weapon systems allow you to simulate modern air combat like never before.
Once you strap on the F-16, it is no Sunday outing. And with the addition of the flyable A-10 Warthog, you will be able mix it up at ground level with the A-10's wide array of weapons, including the awesome GAU-8 30mm cannon.
No more searching for your next adrenaline hit - you've found it with Falcon®: Operation Infinite Resolve.
Key Features:
- Fly mud-moving missions with the A-10 Warthog - down-and-dirty!
- New Korean theatre campaign scenarios – fly missions against global terrorist networks.
- Enhanced combat realism now reflects modern combat - air and ground battles are more realistic than ever!
- Photo realistic F-16 and A-10 cockpit and avionics; immerse yourself in the power of flying the real thing!
- Awesome dynamic campaign capabilities!
- Full single mission and campaign editors included to create your own scenarios to play or share.
- New Pilot Training Program emphasizes ease-of-learning and combat awareness.
- Narrated Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (ACMI) tapes allow easy visualization of aircraft maneuvers.
- DirectX 8.1 compatibility and hardware acceleration allow faster graphics rendering than ever before!
- Hear new special effects and experience them through 3D sound.
"After spending a good deal of time listening to the sound, I decided that the Merlin sounds in BBMF are about as good as I have heard, capturing the peculiar resonance that makes the engine's sound so instantly identifiable. It is definitely worth while listening to the start up sequence on the Lanc as the engines cough into life and all in all, in some ways the sound is the best bit of the package. The Lancaster is truly deafening on full song, though the Dakota isn't quite as good; the samples seeming to be a little short, as I could definitely hear the effects cycling. Some idea of the noise this package pumps out can be gathered from the fact that I woke Barbara up twice during a late night mission session - and my wife sleeps like the dead."
The add-on product for IL-2 Sturmovik is currently in development and will be released in Fall 2002!!
The add-on will be called IL-2 Sturmovik: The Forgotten Battles and will focus on two new map areas – the Finnish front and Balaton Lake in Hungary. For both of these there will be a new campaign, ten single player missions and five multiplayer missions. There will also be a third map area covering L’vov (Ukraine and Poland)
And new aircraft I hear you ask? Well it will include at least 14 new flyable aircraft and 11 new AI aircraft!
On top of this there will be new 3D modelled buildings for each of the new map areas.
Please note that while we are making every effort to include all the aircraft and features listed in this announcement nothing is absolute. Because of the complexity and variability of software development, the possiblity exists that there may be deletions, additions, or or modifications to the final product.
A new section has been added to the menu on the right of the IL-2 home page which will be updated with all the development news as it comes in.
For a full list of the features of IL-2 Sturmovik: The Forgotten Battles click here
You will also find several screenshots showing off some of the new aircraft. I hope you like them!
In addition I have also started a thread in the general discussion forum with this news. Click here to discuss!
I will bring you more screenshots and development information as I get it.
I thought you and your readers might enjoy these images of the three-quarter scale Spitfire replica Microsoft Game Studios commissioned for its booth at next week's Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles.
It's a sign of Microsoft's commitment to Combat Flight Simulator 3 that this lovely Spit will be flying above the Microsoft booth at the year's biggest computer games show. In these shots, the replica is about 95 percent finished, complete with streaking and oil stains for authenticity.
In preparation for the SP3 release, Jagstang has created an Cougar HOTAS config. Here's some of the features:
"• Realistic F-16 programming where possible with sp3 commands. • Advanced Throttle programming that enables engine shutdown and relight plus auto braking at min throttle and custom detent dead zones • Hold functions on the DMS hat to allow view programming without losing realistic DMS functions. • Advanced programming of the FOV (pinky) switch to allow realistic use while also allowing S3 modifier. • Advanced programing of speed brakes so that keystrokes are only sent for long enough to close the brakes. This stops the buffer from becoming saturated by unwanted close speedbrake commands because the switch is in the close position. • Dual sensitivity radar cursor control • Special care taken to stop unwanted chorded keystrokes effecting another function."
Jagstang also has an SP2 config availible. Head over to his site by clicking
HERE
Jeff Wrobel has posted an article at flightsim.com that discusses the use of the instructor station in FS2002. Here's a snippet:
"Microsoft has added a wonderful and educational tool to their sim. When you click the icon, that is after you have found it again, you will see what looks to be the same old multiplayer menu. Oh but it isn't at all. You now have the power to do one of two things. You can either take the role as instructor, or you can connect your computer to your flight instructor, or a friend who is willing to help. You now have the power to teach, or learn whatever your heart desires. This is a great tool. I saw a post in a newsgroup that said "I am living away from home and my Dad and I want to fly online, but we can never see each other, even though we are at the same facility." Well now that won't be so. Whether you choose to fly or take on the role of instrutor, you now have many new options available that will keep all involved on their toes."
This great looking add-on for FS2002 is now shipping. Here's some blurb from the launch:
"Ever wanted to see what a PBY Catalina actually performs like? Well, now here is your chance! This donation-ware CD-Rom features 23 separate ‘modern’ day warbird, airliner and fire bomber Consolidated PBY Catalina, Canso and Super Catalina aircraft for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002 Professional Edition. The CD comes with 3 authentically functional PBY panels and actual checklists
Additional information, including historical notes, operations manual, and flying tips for FS2002 are included in web browser (HTML) format. The CD also has a multi-media section with video footage shot of /from ZK-PBY as she completes some lake landings
Proceeds from every CD sold shall help maintain our aircraft ZK-PBY in airworthy condition"
Check out the full details (with screenshots)
HERE
Tom "WKLINK" Cofield at SimHQ has taken a look at the advances made with the on-line sim since it's launch back in 1999. Here's a snippet:
"The standards of hard core realism are well represented in the game. Stalls, spins, engine torque and lift effects are well represented in the game. Certain aircraft are notorious for these effects and can be evil. Spin a Corsair and unless you have a ton of alt you will find yourself reaching the ground in no time. Likewise some aircraft, like the A6M Zero perform like ballerina’s in the sky, small and fragile but capable of just about any movement. I don’t know if the time to alt for a P-47 is correct to its historic counterpart, I don’t really care to look that closely but I do know that a P-47 does climb like a dog in this game, something that is historically correct."
The Official IL2 Site has made the latest update patch available. Here's the list of changes:
"1. Fixed an issue with certain multiplayer host functions reverting to default whenever a new player joins. 2. Fixed inability to start engine in the air in COOP mode. 3. Fixed non-rotated propellers in COOP mode. 4. Fixed an Il-2 rear gunner bug in COOP mode. 5. Fixed an issue with bailing out in COOP mode. 6. Fixed periodical damage on airfield when player restarts (Dogfight mode). 7. Fixed the bug causing the following error message: "Mission loading failed: Mesh 3do/Buildings/Airdrome/HangarT1S1DMG_W/mono.sim not created." 8. AI planes now attack ships. 9. BI-1 control column now correctly mimics the direction of player's input. 10. Fixed the gear sound bug on PZL P11c. 11. Addressed climb and speed data for Il-2s and LaGGs. Fine-tuned maximal speeds at all altitudes for all planes. 12. Corrected engine power for MiG-3ud. 13. Corrected ground physics. Now even PZL P.11c will be able to turn easily on the ground. 14. Fixed bug with View Career Statistics, which caused the Aircraft Lost count to be increased by 1. 15. Corrected position of engine sound for P-39 and BI-1 (it is now behind the pilot). 16. Decreased level of airframe durability for PZL P.11c."
Ostensively for GA sim fans, Roland van Roy has produced thorough instructions on building your own cockpit and all associated controls for a light aircraft over at flightsim.com. Roland's sim of choice is FU3 but his proceedures could be adapted for other sims. Here's a snippet:
"This document contains the full description of all parts (both electrical and mechanical), and some of the basic tricks and tips concerning components, PC keyboards and game ports you need to know in order to make things work with your PC. Except where I listed the source, the mechanics and circuits are my own design, but since they are rather straightforward, it is very well possible that somebody else thought of the same things earlier. In this case, please excuse for not giving credit, as I was not aware of it."
Manfred 'Schumi' Nelles has posted an article on the f4ut site discussing the the advances made to in-flight refuelling in SP3. Here's a snippet:
"Also the flightmodel of the tanker, when giving gas, has been changed so that in-turn refuelings are possible. This means, the tanker will do smooth turns with a low turn rate so that you can even stay connected to the refueling boom when the tanker is heading to its next trackpoint. Also the AI is now able to stay connected to the boom while the tanker turns.
A few nm before the tanker enters the turn, it will warn you to be prepared (tanker operator will say: "Heads up, tanker is entering turn")."
