I can't find a setting to enable or disable external cameras. But some servers have them disabled, so it must be possible. How does one do this?

Within the server settings, you cant in single player, Which is a shame.

I looked in the server settings, too. Can't find it.

It's not within the difficulty settings. It's part of the main server settings.

It's called "spectator mode", that covers spectators AND external views all in one.

Ahhh, thanks. I'd wondered briefly if that were it, then I thought, "No, they wouldn't lump those two together." Guess so, huh?

Yep. We hope one day external enemy view will be separated from external "own plane" view. Because to prevent people SPYING on enemy planes and their location and aspect, we need to turn off external views altogether.

Sorry, I ain't part of 'we!'

I'm fine with the way it is. Obviously you want to disable at least enemy spectating to prevent unscrupulous types from using the 'AWACS' view for setting up an ambush...I had too many experiences early on in the ToW server when spectating was allowed where I'd take sneaky, devious NoE routes to bomb a target only to be pounced by multiple bogies some distance from the target who were waiting for me. Once or twice I could pass off as luck or good strategy but it happened a lot, and one of the team was often conspicuously absent, likely flying off out of harm's way with level autopilot on and acting as the AWACS plane.

But I'd never want to see 'own plane' external views allowed in a server intended to be realistic. Part of the realism is the limitations to your view out of the cockpit, and if external views are allowed it's a simple matter to swap between in cockpit and external views to check for enemies. F2 looking rearwards can check a huge area that would normally be blocked by the plane, and can be rotated all over to get an almost spherical view.

F11 stationary camera could be used to watch your own plane fly away and see if anyone's following a few seconds later, kinda eliminates a clever opponent's good stalking if you can catch him this way.

No doubt clever and motivated people could come up with many more exploits they could use external views for than I've mentioned...they don't care about strategy or intelligent planning, they're after (cue heavenly choir) The Almighty Points, which is their primary obsession.

No thanks. Wayyyyyyyyyyyy too arcadish for my taste.

[MF] Gunloon

Hi Gunloon,

I think it's an option for the server to consider. Personally I find checking my 6 with hat switch is enough to ward off those from bouncing me, and looking above with TIR. Those who forget to do that will just as easily forget to look behind them I think.

The reason I like viewing my plane is because the planes just look excellent from all directions. If it could only be enabled on friendly territory (where historically Archie would normally draw a line to an enemy with flak anyway), or only when no enemies are within 1km it would be great. But too complicated for the devs.

But I DO understand your point, being an ACE in those times was about tactics, preparation, and lining up the attack. Not whose aim was the best or their dexterity in jerking the stick accurately during turns. Although a combination of the two is lethal.

I have spent enough hours in my SE5 trying to use it effectively on the Japanese server, when as soon as I switch to Syndicate things just go 10 times better for me!

Also though I think the EVIL padlock has a lot to do with it, there is no way of hiding from them when that will follow you..