I've been campaigning (threads and emails to devs) for a Johannisthal DIII ever since I found out they were releasing the OAW (which is great and I love it, don't get me wrong), and all I got was a bunch of, in essence, "Yankee go home" replies. The stock answer was "nobody is interested in flying a 160 hp machine"--and then shortly thereafter they released the Albatros D.II--a 160 hp machine. This was prior to 777 taking over from neoqb.

As I've said before, tarting up OAW DIIIs in famous Johannisthal skins and claiming the OAW flew in Bloody April is as historically realistic as a Battle of Britain sim skinning some Bf-109Gs and claiming they were Bf-109Es. The G is similar to an E, but it wasn't flying yet. The OAW DIII is similar to the Johannisthal DIII, but it wasn't flying in April 1917. However, they make what they want and, after all, nothing is stopping me from making my own sim and producing one! That won't happen, though, of course.

Based on past responses I don't expect an "official" Johannisthal DIII to be made available for sale. My sense from the various replies to my requests is that not only aren't they interested in it, they are against it. Hey, fair enough, again, it's their sim. At least with this mod--even with no chute cover and the wrong engine--we have something at least approaching the classic German fighter that so many Pour le Merite aces (MvR, LvR, Wolff, Allmenroeder, Schaefer, Voss, Udet, Berthold, Tutschek, Bernert, etc) flew and the one with which Germany dominated the skies through the first half of 1917--before the OAW version arrived.

Edit: As of typing these words, 2,309 views from people "not interested," and essentially this hasn't been a skin thread since the first page.

JFM, RoF was a very different beast when your requests were first made, and that is the big crucial factor that makes it all different now. Back then there were some essential types they hadn't made yet. It was very logical to me (back then, as you may remember, I thought your request was fine, but not "top of the list") that they focused on other stuff, including making the sim run well for most customers. Now that "the essentials" have been squared away there's "breathing space" for improvements. A programming team has to prioritise and priorities have changed.

RoF has come a long way - because (most of) the community supported it and stuck with it in the early days! - and now, with historical campaigns really being fleshed out, I have a good feeling about the Johannisthal. Heck, we're getting a Harry Tate...

Hey, Jason may even pop by and comment on this...

Very good points, Freycinet. Indeed, it is a much different sim today (and now that you've refreshed my memory I do remember your input). And I've supported ROF all the way, even during the first year when it and my computer hated each other--I own all the planes, pre-ordered every one that could be pre-ordered, and own all the mods save for I think three Sopwiths that just offer lights or the Aldis (I get so close I don't need gunsights).

That's great about the RE8--it's needed! As much as I'd love to have an "officially released" Johannisthal Albatros D.III, if they can only make one plane at a time I'd put the BE2c and FE2b/d ahead of it in priority.

Well said.
I couldn't agree more!

Back to work, I found two more details that need to be addressed...
First a pretty easy one, the Albatros logo on rudder should be "flying forward" on both sides.
So the starboard one, (I think), must be flipped over.
Second, Blowhard reminded me that there is another leftover from the OAW model not yet addressed,
a crease on the side parts of the hood that should be eliminated...isn't it Jim?
This means some extra work on the skin, alpha and bump...

Are my Albatros logo's not correct? Oops!

That wouldn't be much work mate to correct the creases. If its true then I can get that done quick. Rather wait on Jim tho before I do.

Back to the skins!

Couple of early Jasta 11 schemes based on descriptions given by Edy Lubbert on March 6 1917.

Ltn. Carl Allmenröder: Field Gray Albatros



Ltn. Kurt Wolff: Plum Purple Albatros

Some unexpected skins there!
And always masterly crafted to add...

I'm pretty positive about the crease, but let's better wait for Jim's final confirmation.
My pics are always a far cry of those provided by Jim but have a look, anyway...

Looking great!

Yes, Elephant is right about the crease, seam, line, whatever you call them. They are on the OAW machines but not the Johannisthal.

OAW:



Johannisthal:

Geez! Who said being anal was a bad thing? You guys are great! It never ceases to amaze me who much work and effort some individuals put into something and then share it with the community asking for nothing in return except constructive criticism... Helps to re-establish my faith in humans getting far too cynical in my advancing years for my own tastes.

Frey, I bet Jason has already read this thread a bit, he really does get around but doesn't always throw in his two cents.

Damn you E! Workin' me like a slave! Haha.

Ill get started on he crease when I get home. Shouldn't be a problem.

Jim, thoughts on the above colors? For Allmenroder's "grey" I went with feldgrau or actually a grey with a tinge of green. As for Wolff's "plumb" Albatros, would it be more or less saturated? Darker or lighter in your opinion?

By the way, when I release this pack I've come up a name for our band of historical nuts...

TEAM JOHANNISTHAL

Cool eh?