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#3575688 - 05/19/12 08:27 PM Re: OFF Essentials (Links, Tips, Tweaks, etc) [Re: Uther]  
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A little clearification about the functions of Auto-Pilot and Trim #5

World War One - there was a existing form of Autopilot, that depended on Magnets and pullies, as most of these Birds had NO electrical system, outside of a switch for the engine magneto. But if not set-up right you'd find yourself in an unfriendly country if your petrol lasted that long. And it was much too expensive to install in an aircraft bound for battle.

[EDIT Polovski: Autopilot works fine in OFF Uncleal, CTRL+ALT+A. This is a level flight AND HEADING autopilot, although technically it doesn't exist in WW1 of course See FAQ.]

PS . . some British pilots, late in the war, had battery powered map reading lights

Auto-Trim . . While some find these Birds difficult to fly, it was their very unstableness that separated each one from the next. There was NO Auto Trim on any aircraft. But there's been conflicting reports, of Pilot Controlled Elevator Trim on the SE5a in 1918
And if you nose around cockpit of a Sopwith Triplane, under the seat you'll find an elevator trim adjustment wheel. Unknown if the pilot could reach it in flight
Some aircraft had Grounds Crew adjustable trim, on reports of flight manners, from the pilot.
Some had no adjustabilty period
Judgement call on it's use

In real life pilots would take her up for a short flight, just so they could give instructions to the Grounds Crew. It might take 2 or 3 of such short flights, to get everything dailed in.

That Picture of the Young Officer, reporting for duty, on the Flight Line . . . is pure Hollywood

To be fair, I'd say trim once, at the start of the flight, then hands off

Some use Auto-Trim as a sort of Autopilot. You still need to be there, but you can read a book, glancing at the moritor now and then. Not Holding the Joystick
Best done at 17,000 . . where chances of being 'disturbed' are less

Last edited by Polovski; 05/21/12 05:05 AM. Reason: Corrected fact about OFF controls

There's no such thing as Bad Weather, only unsuitable clothing
Inline advert (2nd and 3rd post)

#3575702 - 05/19/12 08:54 PM Re: OFF Essentials (Links, Tips, Tweaks, etc) [Re: Uther]  
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Some Settings #6
INVINCIBLE - Sounds good but it ain't...you can't even land....the instant your wheels hit ( Poof ) 2000 feet

AUTO RUDDER - Stay away....makes you fly like a brick....left over from CFS1

AUTO MIXTURE - The Newbies friend, it'll handle the Mixture adjusting rather than the pilot... if you lose all power above 5000 Feet chances are it's your mixture

AIRCRAFT STRESS - Some Aircraft have a weak lower wing, it's OK when new, but after battle damage you can dive and lose a wing, check Yes for a steel wing

#3575706 - 05/19/12 09:04 PM Re: OFF Essentials (Links, Tips, Tweaks, etc) [Re: Uther]  
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GAMEPLAY #7
Quick Combat is where you practice and 'Hone' your skills

You control all the variables, please remember 'every airfield' is considered enemy. Two minutes after you take off, don't be surprized if they shoot at you when you attempt to land


In a P51 you flew at 400mph, and had six heavy machine guns, whatever you hit, you destroyed. Now you fly at 110mph, with one .30 cal machine gun, maybe two. Your target is mostly wood and canvas, if you fail to put a few bullets into the Pilot, the Fuel Tank, or the Engine. It could be a long day
It's a rather small aicraft, easily missed without the labels. Roughly 1/2 the size of a Spitfire, both in wingspan and overall length
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro9be9ceRtk

There is NO way to load more bullets



Your supply of ammo is limited, but you've got more than enough to shoot down six aircraft. So get close, and only fire when you're sure you'll hit. Short Bursts Only

Also New for Phase 3 Gunjams just like the real thing. You have the choice to not use them in Workshop, you can also opt for unlimited ammo

They were installed basically because that's the way it really was, in that time period

5 shots for a single gun is a good size burst, 10 you're living Dangerously

I've had my gun jam up, and I was being a Good Boy

Perhaps a bent bullet, or a flattened case, thing's happen. And I had a German Pilot in my sights, ready to send him to his maker, and my gun jammed. As it turned out, I died

Sometimes the jam will clear by itself, sometimes it won't. Some members have claimed success with performing High-G manuvers.

The same kind off manuvers as you might make, with an aircraft shooting at you, while your guns are jammed.

Anybody that played RB3D, looks for the "U" Key as it unjammed your guns, you can press it as much you want, it ain't gonna help

When you 'THINK' you're good, try Campaign. All missions begin on the runway. You have a main purpose, Question is What is it?
Stay Alive
Do your Duty
Earn lots of Medals

The average Pilot in World War One, lasted 17 Hours . . CAN YOU ?

Every 5 Kills ( confirmed claims) they give you a medal.


You could drop an enemy aircraft at your CO's feet, the claim report must go to Home Office. Where it's at the mercy of the pencilpushers. How long ? A week, maybe two, just hope they didn't lose the report, it has happened.

As it stands now, you've got to provide alot of information on that claim report. If you want life to go alot smoother. Write down the names of your flying mates now, on some scrap paper, for possible use later

Sometimes they will reject the victory, you will be informed, what they say GOES

The only time you can earn a Kill of a balloon, is when it's your assigned target. ANY other Balloon is treated as a ground target

Be prepared you're gonna KILL a bunch of Pilots, when your pilot gets himself Killed in Quick Combat, he's dead in Campaign also. Do yourself a favor, Put QC as his first name. So then there's nobody else to blame

It depends on what you call cheating death, because there's cheating, then there's cheating

I play with a pilot that can Never Die, which is fine if you follow some self-imposed rules. OFF has nothing to do with it, you'll live forever as far as the Manager is concerned.

Anytime your Hospital Stay EXCEEDS 24 Days, you face a manditory permanent retirement. It won't be mentioned, however you've worn the goggles for the final time.

Example: Go down in a ball of flames from 8000, 27 Days in Hospital, time to retire, you know he died, I know he died, but according to the manager he went to the hospital for 27 days

It has it's rewards as well, a crash landing deep behind enemy lines, you spend 21 Days with the nurses, sleeping on clean linen.

Upon your release, you become a P.O.W., but you alway's escape within a few days, to Fly Again

You can survive quite a while, or cheat and last forever and nobody knows but YOU

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Last edited by Uncleal; 05/20/12 03:26 PM.
#3575712 - 05/19/12 09:18 PM Re: OFF Essentials (Links, Tips, Tweaks, etc) [Re: Uther]  
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KEYBOARD Use in OFF #8



Those functions marked with an ******* should be converted to single keystoke in Control . Because at a moments notice, you don't want to be messing around with 3 keys, also it's one heck of lot easier for your joystick to accept a single command, than a multi-stroke

There are many single key commands, not used in OFF that can be utilized this way
Flaps Up & Down .............. F & V
Gear ................................ G
Brakes ..............................B
That's 4, right there, I believe there's 9
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Mixture Full Rich . . . . . . . . Ctrl+Shft+F7 **************
Mixture Increase . . . . . . . . Ctrl =
Mixture Decrease. . . . . . . . Ctrl -
Mixture Idle Cutoff . . . . . . .Ctrl+Shft+F6 ************KILLS that engine Dead, with one press ( whatta fitting use for 'B' )
Aircraft Labels . . . . . . . . . .Ctrl+Shft+L ************
Virtual Cockpit . . . . . . . . . .Unassigned ****************
Float View . . . . . . . . . . . . Shft+F6 ( personal choice, for exterior view )
Disappearing Cockpit . . . . . F3.. . . . Place yourself in the V.C, first, want Gunsite .. F5
Start Engine . . . . . . . . . . . E
TAC Screen. . . . . . . . . . . Shft+T. . . Drag to Lower Left Corner . . it's an immersion Killer Up There
TAC Targets . . . . . . . . . . . T
TAC View Range . . . . . . . . Ctrl+Shft+T ************
Fly-By View . . . . . . . . . . . Shft+F9
Auto Trim . . . . . . . . . . . . Ctrl+A ( Austrailian Autopilot )
Select Weapon . . . . . . . . . Back
Fire Weapon . . . . . . . . . . . Enter
Machine Guns . . . . . . . . . . Spacebar
Bomb/Rocket View . . . . . . . F9 *****Trackir Conflict
WARP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .X
Cancel WARP . . . . . . . . . . .Ctrl+X
HUD w/Gauges . . . . . . . . . .F5
Gauges Cycle. . . . . . . . . . . Ctrl+Shft+1/2/3/4/5
Emergency Brake . . . . . . . . Ctrl+Shft+B
Dive Brakes Strutter . . . . . . D
Bomb Bay Doors Strutter . . . Shft+B
Windshield on N17 . . . . . . . .Shft+C
Reload Lewis Gun N17 . . . . . Shft+C also the SE5a. Doesn't actually reload anything ( Just for Show)
Advance 1 Waypoint . . . . . .Shft+W
FPS and lots of info . . . . . . .Z. . . . . Red Jumble of numbers. . Upper Left of screen . .That's where the gauges get all their data from
Maps in Cockpit . . . . . . . . . F7
Bombsite in SHORT . . . . . . . F7 . . . Phase 3 Doesn't Feature a SHORT
Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M. . . Very Crude, give general idea of direction.
Pilot & Iron Sights . . . . . . . .F6 . . useful when trying to shoot the Lewis Gun on the Bristol Scout
Rear Gunner . . . . . . . . . . . .F8
Zoom IN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]
Zoom OUT . . . . . . . . . . . . . .[
Why Bail Out - Got NO Chute
WINGMAN COMMANDS
Attack . . . A
Rejoin . . . .R
Help . . . . .H
Split . . . . .S



Last edited by Uncleal; 05/20/12 03:32 PM.

There's no such thing as Bad Weather, only unsuitable clothing
#3575715 - 05/19/12 09:26 PM Re: OFF Essentials (Links, Tips, Tweaks, etc) [Re: Uther]  
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Interesting Fact #9
This may be known to many, but a revelation to others



The pilot having the ability to fire his machine gun forward, without shooting his own propeller

off, wasn't always the case. Fly our Bristol Scout, with the angled Lewis Gun. Or the Nieuport

11, with the Lewis on the top wing, not the easiest to reload.

A French pilot in 1915 name of Roland Garros, fitted heavy steel deflector wedges on his

propeller where the bullet might contact, then fired his Hotchkis machine gun, at the surprized

Germans. He scored 5 Victories, before he was shot down and was captured before he

could burn his ship. Then his secret was known by both sides.

The next advancement was by the Germans, the interrupter gear, which mechanically stopped

the gun from firing when the propeller was in the way.

The Fokker EIII was a very poor aircraft, it was slow, a terrible climber, not very agile, it was

a wing warper, hard to fly. But it had an interrupter gear, which made it a deadly weapon

But in war, aircraft get shot-down, it was a secret no-longer

And the race was on
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There's no such thing as Bad Weather, only unsuitable clothing
#3575717 - 05/19/12 09:30 PM Re: OFF Essentials (Links, Tips, Tweaks, etc) [Re: Uther]  
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OFF Tips and Cheats #10



Explination of the TAC screen

We know that in 1917, Radar was not yet invented. Think of it as 'Superman's Eyes'. It will be visable or not, on your demand ( Shft+T )

There are many screens possible, for varied targets. In OFF we are only concerned with Aircraft. Cycle Screens ( T )

The Field of view for the TAC can be cycled 8/4/2/1 in Nautical Miles, the radius of the screen ( Ctrl+Shft+T )

The number at 6 O'clock is your Field of View

The number at 12 O'clock is the distance to your next waypoint in Nautical Miles.

As an 'unknown' aircraft approaches, it will appear as a 'White Blip, when it gets closer the Blip will change color. Red or Blue, enemy or friendly.
Also you'll know His direction. About the only thing it doesn't tell you, is His altitude. Sometimes he Will appear to be at the center of the screen, yet the skys are clear? . . He's above you . . You are the center.

The TAC as a navagation 'cheat'. In Campaign Only, there is a Blue Neon line, on screen. That's Your Direction of Travel. It will guide you, between waypoints, if YOU keep that line Vertical, You can't get lost PERIOD

As you get nearer to your waypoint, the line will become shorter, till it finally disappears. Only to reappear, full length, guiding you to your next waypoint.

One Cheat for the people with poor eyesight ( ME ) is to turn Labels Off (Ctrl+Shft+L ) soo the view isn't ruined by 6 British Trucks.
But leave the TAC on, as an early warning system.
When Enemy Aircraft appear on my TAC screen, Labels Hot, TAC off
Time To Party !!

NOTE: If you drag that TAC screen, to the Lower Left Corner of your screen, you just might be inclined to Leave it up

In the stock location it IS an immersion killer BAD
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There's no such thing as Bad Weather, only unsuitable clothing
#3575721 - 05/19/12 09:34 PM Re: OFF Essentials (Links, Tips, Tweaks, etc) [Re: Uther]  
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Different Ways of Killing Your Engine #11



It really makes No difference in the game, because if the enemy didn't set your aircraft on fire in the air, there's no way you're going to burst into flames on the ground. However IF in 1917 you stopped your prop from turning under power by retarding your Magneto 3 times. Your engine will indeed stop running, but now you will continue pumping a mixture of aviation fuel and air, or aviation fuel and Castor oil to a Red Hot Air cooled engine without it running. NOT A GOOD IDEA

On a modern aircraft engine, when the engine stops running, the fuel pump stops pressurizing, and everything comes to a halt.

But in 1917 with some aircraft there was NO fuel pump, air was pressurized by the pilot, via a bicycle pump deal atop the fuel in the tank. Which can explain your engine just stopping, without a fuel leak. An air leak, like from one bullet hole, means you can pump till you're blue in the face, but that engine is gonna stop.

The only SAFE way to stop that engine is via Mixture Idle Cutoff, problem being that's 3 Keystrokes (Ctrl+Shft+F6). Which is a definate candidate for a little work in Control Options

I'm just amazed at how many people, recommend the Magneto method to newbies. Then rave about Immersion

I guess it just comes easier to me, I've never flown a modern engined aircraft


There's no such thing as Bad Weather, only unsuitable clothing
#3575727 - 05/19/12 09:40 PM Re: OFF Essentials (Links, Tips, Tweaks, etc) [Re: Uther]  
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<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Gauges .......... HUD ..........Z . . #12



There are a complete set of Gauges, included is a compass that appears as it would have in WWI they are usable but they obliterate the Immersion, with it is the printed HUD ( F5 )



Along with the gauges, the printed HUD contains some goodies
1) a more accurate digital fuel gauge, than the dial Gauge in your cockpit.
If before combat it shows 87%, but after combat, it shows 84%.
You've got a leak friend, nothing to get excited about, but I'd start looking for someplace to land. You could attack another enemy aircraft, and run dry at 9000 feet. YOUR CHOICE

Some folks say it's cheating. But I say the WW1 pilot, could smell a minor leak, you Can't
2) The ONLY ammo counter in the game. Sometimes it's nice to know when you only have 23 bullets, Before you attack 2 aircraft

The Printed Part CAN be dragged anywhere you want ( even off screen). But you need to attempt the drag, by the Left side edge ( anywhere else, it ain't gonna budge)

Those Gauges can be thrown over the side, selectively, they cycle as to function, then one by one vanish, and will stay vanished until You cycle them back
( control + shift + 1/2/3/4/5 )
You can
drag the gauges, one by one and place them wherever you want, and they'll remain there until you move them

( Z ) yields much more than F. P. S. used for Tweaking the Running.
It appears to be a mass of numbers, which shows up in the upper-left corner of your screen. That mass of numbers contain lots of information.
It Speedo, Altimeter, Rate of Climb in Degrees + or -Latitude, Longitude and Compass Bearing in Degrees ( if you consider the TAC as a cheat, perhaps you might favor this )
A Timer . . usefull when your mission is to Patrol an area 13 minutes

That's where the gauges GET their information, I leave it up all the time, but I 'cheat' alot. The only time it leaves my screen, is for a Dogfight

It can't be dragged anywhere, what you see, is what you get

There's more than one way to sink a ship. Not so much for Archie damage, but definately after an enemy encounter where shots were exchanged. There exists a highly accurate Digital Fuel Gauge, as part of the HUD
( F5 ) . . once you have jettisoned those silly gauges, the only Useful Gauge is the compass. So that only the printed part remains. Nevermind constantly monitoring your fuel gauge for signs of a leak, above 3/4. then below a 1/2. Chances are . . it's too late to do anything once the leak is discovered. With the digital gauge, you have 72.6% and two seconds later, you have 71.2%, you have a leak pal, nothing to get crazy over, but it ain't gonna get no better.

Some Pilots ( ME ) Leave it up always, when it's tucked into a corner, you'll never notice it. It also features the ONLY ammo counter in the sim.

The rationale behind it's use: The WWI pilot could smell a leak, we can't

Last edited by Uncleal; 05/20/12 03:21 AM.

There's no such thing as Bad Weather, only unsuitable clothing
#3575728 - 05/19/12 09:45 PM Re: OFF Essentials (Links, Tips, Tweaks, etc) [Re: Uther]  
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Video Performance #13

Makes No difference if you're running a Pentium 4 in AGP, or a Quad in Vista 64. The maximum slider setting for Terrian is 4, some of the newest most powerful can run maxed out, but it'll look just as good on 4, plus you won't encounter any unexplainable problems down the road.
Also if you check your FPS ( Z ), it'll be higher on 4

A bit of troubleshooting you can do yourself. Firstly if things start looking strange, back off on all your sliders

If you can play Quick Combat, but NOT Campaign
Your Computer MUST think in English, however it also must be REGION USA, UK, or South Africa. Take Heed you guys in OZ


Quick Combat is where you practice and "Hone" your skills, as you control everthing.
Campaign is meant to be real.

However there are some members, who can't spare the time to start a Campaign, and never leave QC. . . . . . schitt happens

And if you want just repeated mano y mano dogfight action CFS3 QC is the ONLY place you can setup such activity
There are also folks, brand new at this who jump into campaign with both feet, and kill alot of pilots, it's your's

Many Newbies play Quick Scenarios. I never have, these all work, but in Phase 2 they didn't. Old habits are hard to break
The most common complaint is being killed very soon without a shot being fired. You're part of a 12 aircraft formation, 11 of them are at full speed, you're not. You are getting run into by your own chums. My solution is to dive for a second as soon as it starts


The Configuration accesable from desktop is CFS3 not OFF
The Configuration you want is accesable from OFF Workshop

OFF loves speed, Quads are good for building bridges. My Q6600 is only 2.4Ghtz, marginal for OFF, I run 4-3-3-4-1, 30 FPS
My Newer Unit is at 3.6Ghtz at 5-4-4-5-5, 60 FPS
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Last edited by Uncleal; 05/20/12 03:44 PM.
#3575730 - 05/19/12 09:50 PM Re: OFF Essentials (Links, Tips, Tweaks, etc) [Re: Uther]  
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OFF Slider Locations, and assorted settings #14

Clic on Graphics Config . . white area, LR . . Workshop

Give it a while to work. . it can take 90 seconds

When it's done it'll list your video card

File > Custom settings > End of the world notification > OK

There's your . . Graphic Detail Sliders

Note: Never Exceed 4 on Terrain, 5 might look great Today,

but down the road . . you might have Big Time Problems

That 1st slider, the Overall ain't connected to schitt in OFF.

It's a leftover from CFS3. Some list it, others don't

It's been prooven that the Clouds will Only Hide You from the

prying eyes of AI aircraft on 5

So I say put it on 5 - if it doesn't turn it into a slide show leave it there



I don't know about you, but I see no visual difference

between 1 and 4. Some run on 3 . .Why ???

Clic on Window: That's where all your Overrides and assorted

settings are to be found

If you wish to experiment, proceed slowly, and write everything

down

Each time you're done with a catagory, clic on window again.

Till you return to Image Quality, clic on OK > at the bottom

You'll find yourself back where you started

DO NOT X your wayout, you'll lose your settings, it Defaults

File > Exit
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#3575733 - 05/19/12 09:55 PM Re: OFF Essentials (Links, Tips, Tweaks, etc) [Re: Uther]  
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DOING WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IN CONTROLS #15
up OFF > Go directly to Workshop > along the bottom is CFS3 QC ( clic on it) > Go to Field > clic on HANGER ( Menu Drops Down ) > clic on CONTROLS

You never played Phase 1 or 2. . . . I see said the Blind Man. . .
Start you're looking at the OFF Control Listing, in it's Stock Form, it's identical to CFS3
When things start coming up, and they come at you quickly. You don't want to mess around with 3 keystrokes
.................................................. .................................................. ......................................
The first 3 are mixture (Auto Mixture in Workshop) . . Takes care of them
Then is . . Mixture Idle Cutoff ( Kills Engine Dead) Problem is it's 3 Keys, and you ain't got any brakes
Soooo Scroll down to . . Mixture Idle Cutoff and Highlite it
Clic on Delete Assignment
The 3 Keystrokes vanish. . Mixture Cutoff Remains. . .It remains Highlited
Clic on ADD assignment
A small Window will appear, asking you to enter command, . . .'B' no need for a capital, just plain old 'b'
Then it'll hand ya some Stuff about B is for brakes..... Just OK it
From Now on . . Mixture Idle Cutoff . . is. . B
.................................................. .................................
Next is . . Aircraft Labels . . . . L . . .that's dashboard lights
TAC screen is 2 strokes. . . give that an 'F'
Virtual Cockpit . . . V . . .it sits you in the cockpit looking foreward ( unassigned at installation )
Float View . . . is 2 strokes . . give a . . G . . . exterior view of your aircraft
.................................................. .....................................
When you're done changing Stuff around, go to the. . . Officers Mess ...that will eventually bring you back to Desktop, and you're done
With the Multi/strokes gone, you have the CHOICE of putting them on the stick, or not
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#3575736 - 05/19/12 10:00 PM Re: OFF Essentials (Links, Tips, Tweaks, etc) [Re: Uther]  
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TALKING TO YOUR WINGMAN #16

There was NO radios in these little birds, all communication with fellow pilots, was via hand signals, so the closer to you he was, the better of a chance of seeing your signals

Unfortunately, there's also a better chance of him running into you, when dogfighting

There's 2 choices of Formation: Normal and Tightest

You want him to be especially able to witness your shooting down the Balloon, in the Balloon Mission. So there it's a good idea to repeatedly even feverishly

Press ( R ) . . Rejoin to get his attention

NOTE: Any Balloon you just saw it, so you shot it. Is only thought of as a ground target. You'll get no medal for it . And even after you shot down the proper balloon head straight home avoid any enemy contact

whenever possible, as you might fight your way clear, but your Wingman Must. Dead Wingmen make terrible witnesses


There's no such thing as Bad Weather, only unsuitable clothing
#3575739 - 05/19/12 10:05 PM Re: OFF Essentials (Links, Tips, Tweaks, etc) [Re: Uther]  
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Clouds #17

The Clouds in OFF are like No Clouds you've experienced in any other sim.
Wispy, Misty Clouds are OK.
But stay out of those thick, excellent to seek safety in, take a shortcut through the cloud, Clouds.

The Big Pillowy ones contain some violent up drafts, down drafts, and crosswinds.
747s experience turbulance in these clouds.
P51s get buffited
You in your canvas and wood aircraft, stay the Hell out of Clouds

If you're running to save your butt, being chased by six aircraft, duck into the first heavy cloud you see, but when you do, hold your crucifix in your free hand. If you have a better rate of climb than they do, I'd try that first.

Some people Disable the Clouds in Config. Overides, even that doesn't help sometimes
Aircraft Skins . . . Norm = Default
High Looks Great But = NO visable Damage, not even a bullethole
To my eye, those Clouds LOOK the same, with that slider on 1 or 5. Some think there's a difference, and run on 3


A little tidbit your Flight Leader is AI, he can climb without slowing, his mixture is always perfect, he's not affected by Head Winds.

Here's another reason to be the flight leader; As you follow your flight leader, he disappears into a cloud, you follow him and get your wing's torn out ?

Ya All Keep in Formation

Last edited by Uncleal; 05/20/12 04:02 PM.

There's no such thing as Bad Weather, only unsuitable clothing
#3575743 - 05/19/12 10:09 PM Re: OFF Essentials (Links, Tips, Tweaks, etc) [Re: Uther]  
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Uncleal Offline
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Assorted facts about the settings in Workshops #18

Workshop LR corner, is the Ground Gunner Accuracy. On Normal ( Default ) = do you feel lucky today
Hard = Everybody in the valley wants you dead, and that includes the soldier with a rifle
Easy = Machine Guns ONLY

Workshop. . . . . .Ground Object Density . . Medium = Default
High = High Powered Machines
Low = Guess !!! ( the trees will always look better on High, but there are no trees at 9000 )

Workshop . . . . Aircraft Skins . . . Norm = Default, fine for the High Powered Machines
Low = When you have too, you have too
High = NO visable Damage of Any Kind EVER, not even bullet holes. But the aircraft look GREAT, with a low-end machines the FPS suffer
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<


There's no such thing as Bad Weather, only unsuitable clothing
#3575749 - 05/19/12 10:17 PM Re: OFF Essentials (Links, Tips, Tweaks, etc) [Re: Uther]  
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Uncleal Offline
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Sopwith Camel the Widowmaker #19

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6PnKUEFX8g

In the proper hands, it was a great weapon, if the pilot lived long-enough to learn it. In 1917 she killed so-many pilots, she was called the widowmaker. If you can get it up in the air, too steep a climb, it stalls. A tight turn at low speed, it stalls. A sharp turn to the left it climbs, a sharp turn to the right, it dives. If it turns too long, to the left, it stalls.
When you turn quickly to the right, if you're not expecting the dive, it's a killer.
High Rudder must be used in turns, when the aircraft is sideways, the rudder is used as a huge elevator.
It'll then turn tighter then anybody.
It then becomes a very dangerous weapon, with the twin guns, and the great sight.
IF you're still alive that is

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ch7Z4UurPSk

I'm a fan of the Sopwith Triplane, excellent visability, great low speed manuverability, but it's single gun, but that's enough if you hit your target.. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . This one is for NO Reason it's fun to watch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88p2xSOrEK8&feature=related

Same story for this one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jHRuEkvO8E&feature=related

Last edited by Uncleal; 05/20/12 05:40 PM.
#3575787 - 05/19/12 11:49 PM Re: OFF Essentials (Links, Tips, Tweaks, etc) [Re: Uther]  
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Uncleal Offline
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The Finer Points of WARP #20





Assuming, you're already cheating with the TAC, it'll tell you how many miles to your Next Waypoint. It's your call, but below 20 miles, I'll fly it. However it's a great way to reach mission altitude quickly.

If it states say: 23 miles, you may elect to Warp the first 18, and fly the rest. You achieved 15,000 the easy way, now you want control.
Easily Done . .with the Cancel Warp Command ( Control+X ). By the way, the EIII is not known for it's climbing ability

Sometimes you are awakened Mid-Warp because of enemy activity in the area ( you're Not getting penalized, for using Warp ) they would've been there anyway, but you might've missed seeing them.

In 1915 and early 1916, there weren't all that many aircraft in the skys to begin with, plus you might have pulled duty in a quiet sector. Relax and enjoy the lack of activity while you can, see how your controls work, and get a window seat

Mid 1916 and later, still quiet. Use those Labels and the TAC, they're probably there, but you don't see them. As they're rather small,

This video will show just How Small ( Sopwith Camel flys in formation with a Spitfire )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro9be9ceRtk



By 1917, you can pretty much bet on enemy contact, every mission. By 1918 you'll wish your Father, never met your Mother

Last edited by Uncleal; 05/20/12 04:38 PM.

There's no such thing as Bad Weather, only unsuitable clothing
#3575793 - 05/19/12 11:51 PM Re: OFF Essentials (Links, Tips, Tweaks, etc) [Re: Uther]  
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Uncleal Offline
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Auto Trim ( Aussie Autopilot ) #21

Technically there is NO autopilot, because there is No electrical system.

Autopilot Devices Did Exist in 1917, however they were much too expensive, to take to WAR

NO aircraft could adjust their trim in flight, some could only be adjusted by the aircraft mechanic on the ground, some didn't feature the ability to adjust the trim PERIOD

I've heard talk of late in the War, SE5a's could adjust their elevator trim while in flight

Who said flying these crates was easy

If you can spend the time, but you don't wish the stick time, it ain't legit but it works SOMEWHAT, SOMETIMES
Point the aircraft in the proper direction, nose high, in a slight climb.
Then repeatedly press Ctrl+A, until you get the desired results
Sometimes it dives
Sometimes it climbs
Sometimes it Flys in circles
Sometimes it Flys straight, all by itself
Guess it's all in the touch . . Practice makes Perfect

There was a way to alter time, but that was in Phase II. Not recommended now, because you'll piss-off the Manager


There's no such thing as Bad Weather, only unsuitable clothing
#3575794 - 05/19/12 11:53 PM Re: OFF Essentials (Links, Tips, Tweaks, etc) [Re: Uther]  
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Uncleal Offline
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Screen Resolution #22



I know this doesn't make any sense whatsoever, but it's true, OFF runs smoother at higher resilutions.
Don't take my word for it, leave( Z ) up, your FPS gauge

Normaly what Limits you is your monitor, because today's Video Cards can go way up there

My 22" LCD can support 1680 X 1050 sooo that's what I ran in the past

I can't afford a new rig ( Faster ) soo I recently picked up a 27" LCD, which runs at 1920 X 1080, I could scarcely believe the results. I picked up 7 FPS and the scenery looks outstanding.

However I must admit, I'm lucky I only run OFF. Because anything else would look pitiful at that high a resolution


There's no such thing as Bad Weather, only unsuitable clothing
#3575799 - 05/20/12 12:03 AM Re: OFF Essentials (Links, Tips, Tweaks, etc) [Re: Uther]  
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Uncleal Offline
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I gave this answer about a month ago, to a rather angry chap, who just had his ace pilot, interned for the duration. You might like it. #23

You can eliminate that bit of nastiness, and always escape the POW camp. By selecting Pilot NEVER Dies, in Workshop. However you MUST volutarily Retire your pilot when the time in Hospital exceeds 24 Days

Example: Make a forced landing over enemy territory, 17 Days between the sheets, then escape the camp over the weekend.

However, you get shot down in a ball of flame, from 9,000. That's 27 Days in Hospital . . . . . .Instant RETIREMENT. You know he died, I know he died, but according to the manager he just went to the hospital

'Die Roll on Death' is just as the name suggests, life or death is a matter of luck. Sometimes your number comes up and you are killed in a minor mishap, the same type of mishap, you would normally walk away from with a severe limp. I like to think, I banged my coconut really Hard. Yet other times you'll make an attempt at landing, crash badly, and survive with just 3 weeks in hospital. Knowing full well nobaby should live, but you do. Good place to be if you have an angel on your shoulder.

'Dead is Dead' The choice for excellent pilots, or the schitthead who thinks he's an excellent pilot. There is NO margin for error. Come in a little hot and snap a tailskid, even a bullet weakened tailskid, you Die.
If you desire to proove something, the only thing you're going to proove, is you're good at making pilots

#3575801 - 05/20/12 12:06 AM Re: OFF Essentials (Links, Tips, Tweaks, etc) [Re: Uther]  
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Uncleal Offline
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What can cause a bit of confusion, are the keyboard commands to use your SECONDARY WEAPON ( No aircraft from Hun land has one )( except the Bombers ) #24
OFF features two Keys: Select Weapon = Backspace, and Fire/Drop = Enter
This is a leftover from CFS3, as the P51 could load out with 8 rockets, and two 500 pound all at the same time
That particular problem doesn't happen in OFF

Since you only need to Select Weapon ONCE, I think of it as Arm Weapon. And while it's on my joystick, it occupies one of the lower keys

Another function that could proove interesting is Rocket/Bomb View = F9. It allows you to view the weapons impact, or miss the target.
However you must learn how use the function, you'll kill a few pilots, so don't use your most senior, first time out

It seems to be normal, as everybody seems to think that their rig is the most powerfull thing on earth. Consequently they 'Max' out the settings, identical to the CFS3 settings, run for awhile CRASH and 'Throw the Baby out with the Bath Water'.

I was running CFS3 on straight '5's', Two machines ago, with my 5700 in AGP

OFF desires SPEED, it doesn't give a damn about power

I'm running a QUAD right now, but at only 2.4Ghtz. . .It's marginal for OFF

I've my Graphic Sliders at 4-3-3-4-1 I average high 30's FPS and smooth

I recently tried 4-4-4-4-1, it looked great, first two missions, then I repeatedly CRASHED into the Briefing Room

Slid back to my old settings 'No More Crashes', Never Looked Back, and that was the end of May. 09


There's no such thing as Bad Weather, only unsuitable clothing
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