Welcome, fliegers, to challenge #5! I’m going to leave this one up longer because of some of the particular details of this challenge. Please check the start-date below so you know when we go live. I’ll leave it to the Sarge and Michael to explain everything…
drew pilots from all over the world. The assistance and camaraderie that you get from something like this or Olham's DiD campaign if you are new to WOFF will help increase your enjoyment of the sim and make you a better pilot as well.
For this challenge, you will be filling the role of a flieger in Jasta 12, JG II! You will be selecting your rank for this challenge, keeping in mind that based on your choice, you may fly up to three different types of aircraft over the course of the challenge. While you are making your pilot, you may want to click forward a bit to see how your plane selection will change over the month. You will also be responsible for designing a custom paint job for your scout. Don’t worry, there are lots of people on the forum who will help you. It can be as simple or complex as you like!
In order to participate in this challenge you must: 1. Declare your interest and intent in this thread on or before Saturday, August 23 2014. 2. Create a pilot using the manual squad creation option flying for Germany in Jasta 12 with a start date of March 1, 1918. 3. Commit to flying 4-6 missions per week with this pilot, but no more than one per campaign day. 4. Report at least every weekend in this topic thread with his current successes or failures. 5. Create at least one custom skin for one of your planes. It can be as simple or complex as you like! 6. Faithfully communicate to your brethren the falling of your avatar when such event actually transpires.
Please enter your pilot at this link: Survey Link Please update this survey after every few missions, or at least once a week!
This is kind of a "Who's Line Is It Anyway" sort of affair where we try to have fun and the points don't really matter. We will declare a winner and there will probably be some kind of a prize but the main thing is just to have fun with good people. (If anybody wants to sponsor a prize, please pm me!)
Reporting can be by any of the following methods: -Text is good -Pictures are better -Videos are what this sim is made for!
There were some great reports and pictures and vids in the last challenge, so look over them if you want some ideas!
This is single elimination, so one death and you are out. Keep in mind that even if you are not playing "dead is dead" in the workshop, at the end of each mission it will still tell you that "Sadly, your pilot has died" if his injuries were fatal so you don't need to switch your settings for this. If you land behind enemy lines with less than DID workshop settings, use these guidelines: in or on the edge of No Mans Land, you escape. Within 5 miles of the front, 50-50 (flip a coin). More than 5 miles behind the lines, you are captured, war over!
When you set up your pilot, click on "Manual Squad Deployment" in the lower right hand corner of the enlistment page. Set up the following screen so it looks like this:
Scoring:
Missions: +2 point each Time survived: +2 points each week Confirmed kill: +3 points each Becoming an ace: +5 points (only once) Promotion: +5 points each promotion Medals: +3 points each Survive to end of Challenge: +10 points
Some aircraft generalities to help with your selection: The Fokker DR I is a turnfighter. It’s not fast, but it climbs well and no one should be getting on your tail! The Albatros scouts are somewhere in the middle. They can turn okay and are a bit faster than the Fokkers. The Pfalz is more of an energy fighter. It can dive well, has some speed and is rugged, but not quite as maneuverable.
This challenge will have a have a hard end date of Sunday, September 14. That gives us three weeks and a day. You can have a maximum of 19 missions total. Then we can tally the points and declare a winner. You are certainly free to continue to fly your pilot after that if still alive, but for point determination, we need a cut-off date.
Permissions: You may use whatever aids you are used to using. The official setting for rear guns will be “Less Acc”. Please set your weather to “Historical Weather.” Flight model should be realistic and you should have weapons jams and limited ammo and all that jazz... The point is to have fun and we had outstanding support and sportsmanship from all fliers last time and we would love to see some new faces! Feel free to lead your flights if you want!
As far as time advancement, please follow these guidelines:
Allow time to advance as normal except fly no more than one mission per campaign day (time advance manually as necessary)
For every month of campaign time, you can advance two days on the calendar. (48hr pass to visit mum) For every promotion, advance five campaign days. For every five kills, advance 3 campaign days. For becoming an ace, advance 3 campaign days (cumulative with 5 kills above)
Keep in mind this is a challenge, not a competition! Your first job is to stay alive! (Note to self: Stay Alive!, skip mission 10) I'd love to see most of these pilots go on to great careers after our challenge is over! Good Luck, er, Gueten Lucken! RR
Official challenge start time is Saturday, grab some QC time in those scouts and we’ll be (W)OFF!
I will update this area with pilots and scores as the challenge progresses, so you can always check here for the latest info…
List of Pilots: Slick Wilhelm Rick Rawlings MudWasp CatKnight Robert Wiggins Rover 27 Bucksnort gaw1 RAF Louvert Kaische Olham elephant MFair carrick58 loftyc Shiloh
Strikethrough indicates a pilot's demise, d.n.p. = did not participate, number to the right of the pilot is the final score
Last Updated 9/08/14 at 10:45 PM Pacific time
Last edited by Rick_Rawlings; 09/09/1406:02 AM.
The older I get, the more I realize I don't need to be Han, Luke or Leia. I'm just happy to be rebel scum...
Wow, creating my own skin is one heck of a challenge for me. !!! If I can make a skin, I'll be amazed! Either way, Thanks for posting the skinning tutorial. I'm sure I'll watch it a few dozen times as i try to make a skin.
They're both me. I am the only voice actor I have that will work for what I am willing to pay... I am putting you down for in, with headache-free assistance at no extra charge!
The older I get, the more I realize I don't need to be Han, Luke or Leia. I'm just happy to be rebel scum...
I found a way to save the video. Always been interested in skinning, but found text instructions not that helpful for the way I learn to do things. Now I'm off to grab the tools/files/programs I'll need. Thanks Rick
Rick, I will of course be in but probably not as active as in the past as I am dealing with a sick cousin in hospital right now and have to travel a bit. I should be able to do 4 per week. Nice to see you back. Hope you had a great time off. I could use some leave myself what with the DiD campaign, my cousin and now your Challenge.
Best Regards;
(System_Specs)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Trooper PSU: Ultra X3,1000-Watt MB: Asus Maximus VI Extreme Mem: Corsair Vengeance (2x 8GB), PC3-12800, DDR3-1600MHz, Unbuffered CPU: Intel i7-4770K, OC to 4.427Ghz CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 240M Liquid CPU Cooler Vid Card: ASUS GTX 980Ti STRIX 6GB OS and Games on separate: Samsung 840 Series 250GB SSD Monitor: Primary ASUS PG27AQ 4k; Secondary Samsung SyncMaster BX2450L Periphs: MS Sidewinder FFB2 Pro, TrackIR 4
Thank you for putting together all crucial skinning aspects. Excellent idea and it's already a challenge. The intro and the tutorial are very enjoyable.
Hey, with such pleasant voice why not make a commented let's fly WOFF series?
Hey, guys, glad you are on board! Don't sweat the skinning, we'll get through this together! A basic color change or a decal is pretty easy, and combining the two gives some good results. The tiger plane in the intro video was one I put together using a pattern I found online.
Just remember, every time you add something new, do it in a new layer!
Robert, thanks, Maine and Utah are pleasant changes from Las Vegas in summer. I hope everything works out for you and your cousin.
Rover 27, thanks for the kind words, I don't know what I could say in such a series that was not already done better by Snoopy in the Charlie Brown movies!
The older I get, the more I realize I don't need to be Han, Luke or Leia. I'm just happy to be rebel scum...
I will pass on this one, starts too early for me (cannot fly seriously before 10th of September and will be then already struggling to fly one mission every day in the DiD campaign. It will be migration time and I will be outside with my cameras during the day !) Have fun everyone !
Gigabyte Z87P-D3 - CPU I5 4670 Haswell @ 3.6Ghz - 8 Go Ram - GPU HD 7850 2Go OC - SSD Samsung 128Go - HD 2 x WD Black 1 To - 27" Iiyama Pro Lite - Logitech Extreme 3D Pro - Saitek Pro Flight Yoke - Rudder Pedals - Quadrant - Cessna Trim Wheel - Track IR 5 - Logitech G35 headset ... and a big coffee maker ! Flying in FSX/Air Hauler, Wings over Flanders Fields, Rise of Flight, IL2 1946 Hsfx, Condor soaring.
Rick, first off I would like to thank you for a very fine visual step by step video. Like Mudwasp, and we must be equal in the computer dummie department, I have read a lot of tutorials but get lost. Give me a contract to read and I will pick it to pieces like a surgeon, but not computer stuff. As a visual person I think your video may do the trick. Thanks for this piece of info.
Planting season in the south but if I can get a plane done by the start date, I am in. Thanks again!
Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear or a fool from either end. BOC Member since....I can't remember!
Joined: May 2012 Posts: 4,879RAF_Louvert
BOC President; Pilot Extraordinaire; Humble Man
RAF_Louvert
BOC President; Pilot Extraordinaire; Humble Man
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4,879
L'Etoile du Nord
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IN!
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Three RFC Brass Hats were strolling down a street in London. Two walked into a bar, the third one ducked. _________________________________________________________________________
Former Cold War Warrior, USAF Security Service 1974-1978, E-4, Morse Systems Intercept, England, Europe, and points above. "pippy-pahpah-pippy pah-pip-pah"
No problem, MFair, you don't have to have your plane done before we start, any time during the challenge is fine!
Also, to go back to what Rover 27 was saying, the naming convention is somewhat weird, based on some skins being carried over from OFF, I would guess, especially with the uprated DV and the DVa. I recommend picking a base skin, creating a new layer, making a big black line on it and then save it the way the tutorial suggests, go in game and make sure you can select it in quick combat as the plane you want before you spend too much time on any one skin.
The older I get, the more I realize I don't need to be Han, Luke or Leia. I'm just happy to be rebel scum...
Case: Cooler Master Storm Trooper PSU: Ultra X3,1000-Watt MB: Asus Maximus VI Extreme Mem: Corsair Vengeance (2x 8GB), PC3-12800, DDR3-1600MHz, Unbuffered CPU: Intel i7-4770K, OC to 4.427Ghz CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 240M Liquid CPU Cooler Vid Card: ASUS GTX 980Ti STRIX 6GB OS and Games on separate: Samsung 840 Series 250GB SSD Monitor: Primary ASUS PG27AQ 4k; Secondary Samsung SyncMaster BX2450L Periphs: MS Sidewinder FFB2 Pro, TrackIR 4
The two cats with joined tails is a sort of symbol for my wife and I. It gave her a reason to smile.
Looking closer, I probably could have done a better job where the fuselage meets the tail. Still, I like how it came out.
I left the lower wing alone, but the upper I painted brown as a sort of camoflauge. The darker stripe (eraser) started as a mistake, but I liked how it looked so I copied it on the other side of the wing.
I guess this should be a "Must-join" for an old skinner and Albatros-Lover like me. I may not have the time to fly very much, but I'll do my best. Count me in. I will soon present my skin for this show.
Vice-President of the BOC (Barmy OFFers Club) Member of the 'Albatros Aviators Club' - "We know how to die with Style!"
For even more immersion, here is a photograph of the airfield of Jasta 12 at Toulis, which was borrowed from the fine BUDDECKE website (see link below). In the line-up we can reconise Albatros scouts mixed with Fokker Dr.I.
Toulis hasn't changed much - see nowadays satelite image from GoogleMaps.
Mudwasp and CatKnight, you have made this a personal challenge! Good job. CatKnight, I would have thought the cats would have helmets and a sword. They would truly be "CatKnights". Mudwast, love the black and red, my two favorite colors.
Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear or a fool from either end. BOC Member since....I can't remember!
Would not miss it Rick! Always enjoy your challenges. Hopefully I can post my "decorated" kite tomorrow. Just don't expect too much
I'm not finished "decorating" mine yet. Didn't spend too much time doing that as I was concerned about my ability to properly save the skin and get it to show up. My hunch was correct.
Reporting for duty Sir! Well, here is my mount, such as it is. Little bit of over spray on the rudder but as I am about to pull my hair out I will leave it at that for the time being. Thanks again Rick. This has been something that I have wanted to do for a long time.
Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear or a fool from either end. BOC Member since....I can't remember!
OOOOH! some nice new skinning talent in the wings I see!!! I must get to work on mine asap or I won't be ready.
(System_Specs)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Trooper PSU: Ultra X3,1000-Watt MB: Asus Maximus VI Extreme Mem: Corsair Vengeance (2x 8GB), PC3-12800, DDR3-1600MHz, Unbuffered CPU: Intel i7-4770K, OC to 4.427Ghz CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 240M Liquid CPU Cooler Vid Card: ASUS GTX 980Ti STRIX 6GB OS and Games on separate: Samsung 840 Series 250GB SSD Monitor: Primary ASUS PG27AQ 4k; Secondary Samsung SyncMaster BX2450L Periphs: MS Sidewinder FFB2 Pro, TrackIR 4
Thanks Mudwasp. Seems we two computer dummies might learn a skill or two, as long as Dr. Rick keeps giving great tutorials. Robert, as far as mine, we will call it a skin, talent is a bit of a stretch! It was frustrating as hell but I think I can build on it now. BTW great skin Mudwasp!
Last edited by MFair; 08/20/1402:18 AM.
Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear or a fool from either end. BOC Member since....I can't remember!
Case: Cooler Master Storm Trooper PSU: Ultra X3,1000-Watt MB: Asus Maximus VI Extreme Mem: Corsair Vengeance (2x 8GB), PC3-12800, DDR3-1600MHz, Unbuffered CPU: Intel i7-4770K, OC to 4.427Ghz CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 240M Liquid CPU Cooler Vid Card: ASUS GTX 980Ti STRIX 6GB OS and Games on separate: Samsung 840 Series 250GB SSD Monitor: Primary ASUS PG27AQ 4k; Secondary Samsung SyncMaster BX2450L Periphs: MS Sidewinder FFB2 Pro, TrackIR 4
Love that Yellow tail and nose Robert. Bucksnort's camo job reminds me of a leopard. CatKnight's kind of reminds me of a colorful Parrot for some reason.
Joined: May 2012 Posts: 4,879RAF_Louvert
BOC President; Pilot Extraordinaire; Humble Man
RAF_Louvert
BOC President; Pilot Extraordinaire; Humble Man
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L'Etoile du Nord
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Leutnant Thomsen is ready for the challenge.
Leutnant Gerhard Thomsen, already a decorated flieger, had been working in two-seaters for the last 24 months, most recently flying LVGs and Rumplers with Fliegerabteilungen 48b, attached to the 119 Infantry. After the hell that was Passchendaele concluded in November he’d had enough of acting as fodder for the British scouts and put in for training and reassignment to a jagdstaffle – any jagdstaffle. His wish was granted and he now stands ready to serve in J12, to once more do his part für Kaiser und Vaterland, only this time in a speedy new scout plane rather than a lumbering old two-seater.
The boys are still busy out in the hanger getting the Leutnant's new mount ready for battle. A photo of said mount will be posted soon.
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Three RFC Brass Hats were strolling down a street in London. Two walked into a bar, the third one ducked. _________________________________________________________________________
Former Cold War Warrior, USAF Security Service 1974-1978, E-4, Morse Systems Intercept, England, Europe, and points above. "pippy-pahpah-pippy pah-pip-pah"
Gee - so many Albatros pilots? I had expected some would choose the Fokker Dr.I or the Pfalz. But I am happy to see so many comrades in the same plane type.
Here is my pilot. Doesn't he look as if he couldn't hurt a fly? Well, the enemy pilots will see...
The skin still needs some work on, and there is a second in the make, with the green-mauve camo - I guess I will use that with the D.V, and the Lozenge with the D.Va - if I should get that far...
Vice-President of the BOC (Barmy OFFers Club) Member of the 'Albatros Aviators Club' - "We know how to die with Style!"
Joined: May 2012 Posts: 4,879RAF_Louvert
BOC President; Pilot Extraordinaire; Humble Man
RAF_Louvert
BOC President; Pilot Extraordinaire; Humble Man
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4,879
L'Etoile du Nord
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Some very nice custom paints showing up here for the challenge, well done Gents, and in particular when several of you haven't done any skinning before.
Olham, I like the Eye of Horus on your mount, I've used that one before myself.
The crew is nearly finished with Gerhard's Alb and they rolled it out of the hanger this morning so that the Leutnant could have a look and give his final approval. The coat of arms depicting the Frisian warrior represents the city of Rüstringen which was established when Gerhard was a boy from the merging of his home village Neuende with the neighboring villages of Bant and Heppens.
It has a certain 'circus' quality to it, don't you think?
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Three RFC Brass Hats were strolling down a street in London. Two walked into a bar, the third one ducked. _________________________________________________________________________
Former Cold War Warrior, USAF Security Service 1974-1978, E-4, Morse Systems Intercept, England, Europe, and points above. "pippy-pahpah-pippy pah-pip-pah"
Wow! Looks great, you two! Olham, that's the one thing I miss about moving from the other forums, I so rarely get to see the steely eyed glint of my over the pond comrade staring out at me! Great picture!
Last edited by Rick_Rawlings; 08/22/1407:14 PM.
The older I get, the more I realize I don't need to be Han, Luke or Leia. I'm just happy to be rebel scum...
Olham & Lou, your skins look as good or better than the ones in the skin pack! Nice pilot pic Olham.
I'm a little suprised no one is in a DRI
Very, Very nice inteed Gents. It's too bad we can't see each others crafts in flight during our missions! Oh well, the screen caps and vids will do just fine!
Olham, I may be the only Pfalz DIIIa flyer!
Last edited by Robert_Wiggins; 08/21/1403:03 PM.
(System_Specs)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Trooper PSU: Ultra X3,1000-Watt MB: Asus Maximus VI Extreme Mem: Corsair Vengeance (2x 8GB), PC3-12800, DDR3-1600MHz, Unbuffered CPU: Intel i7-4770K, OC to 4.427Ghz CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 240M Liquid CPU Cooler Vid Card: ASUS GTX 980Ti STRIX 6GB OS and Games on separate: Samsung 840 Series 250GB SSD Monitor: Primary ASUS PG27AQ 4k; Secondary Samsung SyncMaster BX2450L Periphs: MS Sidewinder FFB2 Pro, TrackIR 4
Looks like we are awash with talent! The Devs may come knocking at some doors!
(System_Specs)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Trooper PSU: Ultra X3,1000-Watt MB: Asus Maximus VI Extreme Mem: Corsair Vengeance (2x 8GB), PC3-12800, DDR3-1600MHz, Unbuffered CPU: Intel i7-4770K, OC to 4.427Ghz CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 240M Liquid CPU Cooler Vid Card: ASUS GTX 980Ti STRIX 6GB OS and Games on separate: Samsung 840 Series 250GB SSD Monitor: Primary ASUS PG27AQ 4k; Secondary Samsung SyncMaster BX2450L Periphs: MS Sidewinder FFB2 Pro, TrackIR 4
Lou, that is a nice touch of history with your pilot Thomsen (yeah, I also liked "Das Boot" ). "Rüstringen" used to be a Frisian Gau, and a peninsula in the middle ages after a loss of land in the great floods. The largest remaining area is now named "Butjadingen" and lies east of the bay. A Town named Rüstringen was, as you pointed out alread, formed later.
Since my own pilot is from Norden, East Friesland, we are both Frisians and thereby almost like neighbours, Lou!
Yeah, I did remember that someone had used the "Horus Eye", but had forgotten who - thanks for the reminder. But I had always wanted to use it anyway (so forget any copyright sue)! I also used a similar arms with a red-dressed Frisian spearman on my Albatros; taken from the arms of Wilhelmshaven which is right south of Rüstringen (town)(although the were actually only created in the 30s - but the spearman, as the Rüstringen arms show, is older). However - the "Circus Quality" on your skin could hardly be topped, Sir, and now I wonder, if my skin shouldn't be a bit more "Circus-ish"...
Good to have two Pfalz with us, Robert and Rick! Great sturdy plane for dive- and balloon attacks! Not as good as the Alb for tight turning though - remember. Looks colourful enough for a "circus", Rick - nice design!
Carrick, are that the arms of Brandenburg you used?
Last edited by Olham; 08/22/1410:07 AM.
Vice-President of the BOC (Barmy OFFers Club) Member of the 'Albatros Aviators Club' - "We know how to die with Style!"
Joined: May 2012 Posts: 4,879RAF_Louvert
BOC President; Pilot Extraordinaire; Humble Man
RAF_Louvert
BOC President; Pilot Extraordinaire; Humble Man
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4,879
L'Etoile du Nord
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Nice looking kite you have there Rick, should serve to strike fear into the hearts of your enemy.
Olham, I hadn't yet flown a WOFF pilot from your area of Germany and decided it was high time. Howdy Neighbor!
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Three RFC Brass Hats were strolling down a street in London. Two walked into a bar, the third one ducked. _________________________________________________________________________
Former Cold War Warrior, USAF Security Service 1974-1978, E-4, Morse Systems Intercept, England, Europe, and points above. "pippy-pahpah-pippy pah-pip-pah"
Joined: May 2012 Posts: 4,879RAF_Louvert
BOC President; Pilot Extraordinaire; Humble Man
RAF_Louvert
BOC President; Pilot Extraordinaire; Humble Man
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4,879
L'Etoile du Nord
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Thanks Rick. Painting that upper wing was a nightmare because of the wrap distortion in the center and at the tips. Took a LOT of patience on my part but I have it pretty well dialed in at this point.
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Three RFC Brass Hats were strolling down a street in London. Two walked into a bar, the third one ducked. _________________________________________________________________________
Former Cold War Warrior, USAF Security Service 1974-1978, E-4, Morse Systems Intercept, England, Europe, and points above. "pippy-pahpah-pippy pah-pip-pah"
MudWasp, I did one skin check in "Campaign" mod, before I carried on in QC. I will delete the pilot and create him new anyway.
Lou, as an East Frisian you cannot say "Howdy" - we say "Moin moin!" (which is short for "ick wünsch di en moien dag" - I wish you a fine day")
My pilot pic will remain, but I will use the name "Wolfram Mahlow", cause the capital "W" and "M" give me a good reason to come up with an old zig-zag design, which I have now finished. For a "Circus" I thought I needed another, more extravagant skin. It was pain to make the ends mostly meet - still some fine works to do, I suppose. But here is a first look:
Vice-President of the BOC (Barmy OFFers Club) Member of the 'Albatros Aviators Club' - "We know how to die with Style!"
Olham Nice to see you join the Challenge and I bet the DVa was a deciding factor.
With all the extravagant paint jobs on the skins, I'm feeling like an under achiever. I missed out on the key word "Circus" and so went more historical. Maybe all you guys will draw the attention of the enemy and they won't see me!
(System_Specs)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Trooper PSU: Ultra X3,1000-Watt MB: Asus Maximus VI Extreme Mem: Corsair Vengeance (2x 8GB), PC3-12800, DDR3-1600MHz, Unbuffered CPU: Intel i7-4770K, OC to 4.427Ghz CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 240M Liquid CPU Cooler Vid Card: ASUS GTX 980Ti STRIX 6GB OS and Games on separate: Samsung 840 Series 250GB SSD Monitor: Primary ASUS PG27AQ 4k; Secondary Samsung SyncMaster BX2450L Periphs: MS Sidewinder FFB2 Pro, TrackIR 4
Not all pilots have colourful skins, Robert. And I like it that you kept it more historically correct. I also used the black tail of Jasta 12 for that reason. Your theory might work - maybe the Entente flyers would first go for the "paintshops".
Vice-President of the BOC (Barmy OFFers Club) Member of the 'Albatros Aviators Club' - "We know how to die with Style!"
Lou, I was thinking of doing a similar upper wing design - it would suit my fuselage. But you said it was a PITA? Not so sure anymore - the fuselage was PITA enough...
Vice-President of the BOC (Barmy OFFers Club) Member of the 'Albatros Aviators Club' - "We know how to die with Style!"
Joined: May 2012 Posts: 4,879RAF_Louvert
BOC President; Pilot Extraordinaire; Humble Man
RAF_Louvert
BOC President; Pilot Extraordinaire; Humble Man
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4,879
L'Etoile du Nord
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Originally Posted By: Rick_Rawlings
Did you do each stripe separately or did you do one side of the wing and mirror the layer? Enquiring minds want to know!
OK Rick, here goes. Just remember you asked.
In order to keep all the subtle wing detail and texture I chose not to do the stripes as an opaque overlay but rather as a colored layer of the existing top wing found in the WOFF Alb skins. To do this I first grabbed a clip of the red top wing surface from MvR’s Alb found in the ‘WOFF’ skins folder. Using copies of this clip I then changed the hue and the intensity to achieve the yellow and blue I wanted for this project, placing the yellow layer on top of the blue layer.
Next, working in a transparent layer, on top of the yellow layer, I snapped the edges of the diagonals using 2-pixel-wide lines in the same average color as the blue layer beneath. I laid out these lines for the portside first then duplicated the layer and flipped it horizontally in order to have a mirrored layout. I then made minor adjustments to both of these layers until the point of the center inverted ‘V’ was exactly in the middle of the wing and slightly back from the leading edge. After this I merged the two layer together, saved a copy of the merged layer for the ‘just in case’ scenario, and then merged the ‘lines’ layer onto the yellow layer. At this point I had a yellow top wing with narrow blue diagonal lines on it.
Now comes the magic. Using the ‘wand’ tool, I highlighted the areas that I did not want yellow in this layer and simply deleted them. Viola! You have a top wing that has alternating blue and yellow diagonal stripes and you still have all the subtle details and textures. BTW, I did the 2-pixel-wide lines in blue so that any tiny bits left behind by the ‘wand’ tool would not be seen as they would match the blue layer beneath.
I then added another transparent layer to snap the narrow black dividing lines between the colors. A few adjustments to color intensity and the top wing stripes were done, or so I thought until I took a test run in the sim and found all the wrap distortions on the wing. At this point all a person can do is either scrap the idea altogether or start making minor adjustments until the distortions are nullified. I went with the latter option as I am a glutton for punishment.
I should mention that the crosses and aileron hinges were laid on top of the finished wing in their own layers so that I could fine tune the placement of these items.
And yes Olham, it was a PITA. BTW, love your zigzag Alb. Very neat!
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Last edited by RAF_Louvert; 08/22/1404:52 PM.
Three RFC Brass Hats were strolling down a street in London. Two walked into a bar, the third one ducked. _________________________________________________________________________
Former Cold War Warrior, USAF Security Service 1974-1978, E-4, Morse Systems Intercept, England, Europe, and points above. "pippy-pahpah-pippy pah-pip-pah"
Nice! I followed most of that Are you in GIMP or Photoshop or something else? I hope you plan on keeping that as part of your regular stable, cause it is quite a looker!
*edit: Oh, and is the Lower Wing just Manfred's, but hue shifted?
Olham, your's is quite dazzling too!
Last edited by Rick_Rawlings; 08/22/1407:09 PM.
The older I get, the more I realize I don't need to be Han, Luke or Leia. I'm just happy to be rebel scum...
Joined: May 2012 Posts: 4,879RAF_Louvert
BOC President; Pilot Extraordinaire; Humble Man
RAF_Louvert
BOC President; Pilot Extraordinaire; Humble Man
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4,879
L'Etoile du Nord
.
Originally Posted By: Rick_Rawlings
Nice! I followed most of that Are you in GIMP or Photoshop or something else? I hope you plan on keeping that as part of your regular stable, cause it is quite a looker!
*edit: Oh, and is the Lower Wing just Manfred's, but hue shifted?
Oh good, I was hoping it wasn't an incoherent rambling.
I use Paint.NET which is a free graphics editor that I have extolled the virtues of on many occasions over the years.
Yes, I will most definitely be keeping this mount as a permanent addition to the stable.
And yes, the lower wing top surface is also a clip from MvR's kite with the hue adjusted accordingly.
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Three RFC Brass Hats were strolling down a street in London. Two walked into a bar, the third one ducked. _________________________________________________________________________
Former Cold War Warrior, USAF Security Service 1974-1978, E-4, Morse Systems Intercept, England, Europe, and points above. "pippy-pahpah-pippy pah-pip-pah"
I had so many problems saving things correctly, I'm afraid I'd steer him in the wrong direction. My hunch is that Gimp 2.8, the version I downloaded, is a little different than Gimp 2.6 which is what was used in the tutorial. I pmed him anyway. Hope I don't confuse him...or me ...lol
I do recall not saving in 24 bit was one of my issues. I had to click on an "advanced" tab which showed all sorts of bit choices. Then I remembered hearing you say in the tutorial 24 bit was native.
I had to take a few "frustration breaks" and rewatch the youtube that I saved/downloaded.
My desktop was a cluster eefff'd mess at several points in time...lol
I always admired the ESC 88 or 89 Nieups with the yellow jacket on the side and decided to make a German version. I'm also partial to a black and yellow color scheme going back to the 1970's Pittsburgh Steelers teams that were so dominant when I was a kid. This skin is largely borrowed with some modifications.
Once we get going is there any chance we could zip them all up in a single zip file called "The Circus Skins" or something like that and offer them for download somewhere like CombatAce? I've got free space on Dropbox we could use for this if nothing else...
Just an idea!
Dogfighting is what you do "after" you drop your bombs and blow something up! Can you say "JABO!"
I was actually thinking about it. Maybe even the good guys over at Old Brown Dog would throw it up in their user mod section. Seems like it would be good publicity
The older I get, the more I realize I don't need to be Han, Luke or Leia. I'm just happy to be rebel scum...
Black flak smoke alerts us to trouble. A-Flight seems uninterested and carries on. My flight leader takes us to investigate. Soon we are tangling with airco DH5s and some type of SE5. Just missed lining up on initial dive on a DH5. Pulled a loop and had him back in sights. Crippled him so that he crashed into the ground. I believe Hauptman helmut destroyed the other DH5
Seems to have been just 2 DH5s and 1 SE5. The SE5 fled and we couldn't catch him. We proceeded to the airbase and patroled above for some time. I decided to land there as fuel was very low. Will take more fuel on next outing. My Pfalz seems to burn fuel rather quickly. I filed one claim.
Great start! Also, MudWasp was kind enough to float some dough for a little prize for our challenge! (And you thought knowledge was prize enough!) He left the choosing to me and I have picked this rather apropos MvR mug, realizing how important the beverages are to most of our flying!
Thanks MudWasp!
The older I get, the more I realize I don't need to be Han, Luke or Leia. I'm just happy to be rebel scum...
This is my pilot, Feldwebel Franz Stadler, Pfalz jockey.
He was informed, that he certainly may arrange some marks and paintings on his Pfalz, but only after showing in some flights, that he is worth the work...
Congrats for your victory, MudWasp, and thanks a lot for the award, guys!
I have also absolved my baptism of fire, in early morning drizzle, and a French Nieuport 24 pilot will not return to the mess table today - may he rest in peace. He and his wingman had tried to sneak up on us, but Lt. Neckel spotted them despite the bad vision. He and Bock took on the wingman, while I turned with the other. He was squirming like a toad, and it took me some time to get into position - but then I hit him with a terrible burst.
Now he tried to fool me. He must have seen Tchaikowsky's "Swan Lake", and he played the dying swan perfectly - I almost fell for it. Near the ground he then caught up and tried to escape southwest. But he had no chance - my advantage of height was too big, and I easily caught up with him and shot him down south of Crécy-sur-Serre.
Here is a warning to all our new pilots: there is a fence, when you approach the field from the east; it is running along our incoming direction - better beware; the French build solid fences!
Vice-President of the BOC (Barmy OFFers Club) Member of the 'Albatros Aviators Club' - "We know how to die with Style!"
I would like to start today ,but I cant seem to get Print Screen to work any more. ? The Pilot Book images dont seem to make it to the Paint editor or Gimp 2.6 ? I dont know what I did wrong.
The paint jobs look great. I did 2 or 3 Albatross a/c baby steps using Gimp . Then a train wreck occurred. I did a Pflaz D-3 ran it through the 2.6, put back in the game and its all white ! I am still trying to figure that one out ?
Well........I've been over the jumps 4 times and am heartily sick of trying to have my skin (lame as it is....a clip art seagull) show up in the game....so with permission I'll start in the artistically deficient squadron with the default skin. I'll keep pegging away at it when the mood serves.....meantime....first mission....first kill.....and we're off!!! Can't believe the beautiful skins you guys have come up with....wish there were a way to make the squadron see them all at once. cheers....gaw1....aka, the infamous hully gully
Please help me with painting advice! What happens when you export your skin from GIMP as BMP and choose 32 bit in advanced options? In my case when I open it with DXTBMP the image is all purple, although the BMP file shows ok when opened in other viewer or editor. I have to save in 24 bit then it's ok. But wouldn't 32 be better? Does it even matter? Thanks. I'm about to share my first skin with you guys
Dude, that's awesome! I especially like the blue offset behind the bird stencil!
Oh, and for the record, I am saving mine I believe as 32 bit and it seems to be working. Maybe Olham or Lou will chime in with their understanding of why certain formats work or not...
The older I get, the more I realize I don't need to be Han, Luke or Leia. I'm just happy to be rebel scum...
Change of heart. Ernst Flieger will be flying the DV instead of the Pfalz.
(System_Specs)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Trooper PSU: Ultra X3,1000-Watt MB: Asus Maximus VI Extreme Mem: Corsair Vengeance (2x 8GB), PC3-12800, DDR3-1600MHz, Unbuffered CPU: Intel i7-4770K, OC to 4.427Ghz CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 240M Liquid CPU Cooler Vid Card: ASUS GTX 980Ti STRIX 6GB OS and Games on separate: Samsung 840 Series 250GB SSD Monitor: Primary ASUS PG27AQ 4k; Secondary Samsung SyncMaster BX2450L Periphs: MS Sidewinder FFB2 Pro, TrackIR 4
Well, first combat flight for me in a scout today. I am so glad to get out of that Roland, this Pfalz handles like a dream to me in comparison. I was selected to fly in the formation of the great von Tulschek himself! I had my kite painted and was ready to go at the appointed hour. We were going to fly south to support our infantry attacking just to the east of Soissons, an area that I had been to many times on the defensive with my observer Friedrich, but now I was on the offensive! As a predator!
We took off in good form with lovely weather; great puffy clouds that I never lost interest in, even in the middle of a war! We were out in force and I felt sorry for any enemy that should encounter us:
As we climbed and began to head south, oddly enough, I began to feel nervous. Even though I had flown over 100 sorties before, I was worried that now that I was in a scout, I would go down to the enemy guns before I had a chance to prove myself! Still, I was pleased with my new mount, and the paint scheme I had devised. I hoped it would give the enemy pause, buying me a few precious seconds to aim my guns and fire, ensuring he went down instead of me!
I was secretly relieved when we failed to encounter any enemy planes and returned across the lines unscathed. Well, there is always tomorrow! On my return to the field, I verified the fence that my compatriot, Vizefeldwebel Mahlow warned me about. You can never be too careful!
The older I get, the more I realize I don't need to be Han, Luke or Leia. I'm just happy to be rebel scum...
Joined: May 2012 Posts: 4,879RAF_Louvert
BOC President; Pilot Extraordinaire; Humble Man
RAF_Louvert
BOC President; Pilot Extraordinaire; Humble Man
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4,879
L'Etoile du Nord
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Hurr-aay, hurr-aay, hurr-aay. Step right up ladies and gentlemen, step right up! War is a circus, and in the center ring is the battle for life and death featuring Leutnant Gerhard Thomsen!
Leutnant Thomsen scored his first kill today and did it all without a net. A big round of applause ladies and gentlemen for Gerhard! Be sure and come back for the Leutnant's next performance when he will again astound you with his amazing aerobatics and attempt once more to cheat death!
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Three RFC Brass Hats were strolling down a street in London. Two walked into a bar, the third one ducked. _________________________________________________________________________
Former Cold War Warrior, USAF Security Service 1974-1978, E-4, Morse Systems Intercept, England, Europe, and points above. "pippy-pahpah-pippy pah-pip-pah"
Mwahahahaaa!!! Did you work for "Ringling, Barnum & Bailey" before the war, Lou?
Vzfw. Mahlo comes running to Thomsen's just landed Albatros:
"Mensch, Thomsen, I hear you also got one - a SPAD? Great! I could try and fool you and say, the drinks are on you this evening. But then I prefer to be honest: I also got one - a Nieuport 24. Then Weinreich also got one - a DH-5. I guess this could become a very nice evening! Let's meet in the mess!"
Vice-President of the BOC (Barmy OFFers Club) Member of the 'Albatros Aviators Club' - "We know how to die with Style!"
Thanks Rick and everyone. I did get the screenshot going again and will reset to 24 bit. In the mean time lets Fly ! Just luv the paint jobs so cool looking and circus like.
carrick.....love that pic! I used the same.....figured the guy had a bad encounter w/ his dash just before the picture was snapped. So....6 kills....means Ace 3 days and 5 kills 3 days....advance 6 days??? Is that correct? Thx...
Sheesh!!! this challenge is murder!!!! Every mission is a plague of Spads, Camels, and even marauding SE5as.....almost everybody is dead or damaged by the time I limp home....and I'm trying to be a decent squad mate! But what's the choice? 3 Alb's vs 6 Brisfits for a main course, with another half dozen Camels on the side, and a splash of SEs on the way home??? Dive away and slink home....my only kills...damaged EA encountered leaving the field. Yikes!!!
Vizefeldwebel Ernst Flieger, career with JASTA 12 based at Toulis Aerodrome flying Albatross DV Uprated.
1 Mar 1918 @ 08h15 Airfield defence of Loup-en-Champagne
Hptmn Adolph Ritter von Tuschek lead Kette zwei on the patrol with myself and Paul Blumenbach accompanying. Kette eins consisting of Emil Koch, Merman Becker, Herbert Bock and Ulrich Neckel followed at a distance. We had low cloud cover of Towering cumulous from 2000 to 4000 m. The patrol was quiet and we didn’t encounter any enemy aircraft which suited me just fine since this was my first flight with the Jasta. Paul had engine trouble and had to drop out of the flight. We all returned to base safely and Paul’s machine will require one day maintenance to repair the engine.
YouTube Video:
(System_Specs)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Trooper PSU: Ultra X3,1000-Watt MB: Asus Maximus VI Extreme Mem: Corsair Vengeance (2x 8GB), PC3-12800, DDR3-1600MHz, Unbuffered CPU: Intel i7-4770K, OC to 4.427Ghz CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 240M Liquid CPU Cooler Vid Card: ASUS GTX 980Ti STRIX 6GB OS and Games on separate: Samsung 840 Series 250GB SSD Monitor: Primary ASUS PG27AQ 4k; Secondary Samsung SyncMaster BX2450L Periphs: MS Sidewinder FFB2 Pro, TrackIR 4
The last three days have been nerve-wracking. Get up at dawn, suit up, pour coffee down my throat only to have the mission scrubbed at the last moment due to the miserable weather. The only break from the tedium I got was by sneaking scraps from the mess into my dog, Fritz. He at least seems as cheerful as ever... Finally today, we were set to go. The mission was a patrol near Soissons, just like the other day:
As we took off, the weather was clear, but ominous storm clouds were in the distance in our direction of travel:
I was wondering if today would be the day I would get to find out if I had the stuff of a fighter pilot, or maybe I would not be coming back... It turns out, I wouldn't have long to find out. Before we had even passes Laon, was saw black smoke puffs below us. Enemy craft being persecuted by our anti-aircraft guns! As we dove on them, I saw about a half dozen SPAD fighters, their big squared-off shoulders and straight wings rising to meet us. I dove behind one of them and peppered him with my guns before he could evade. He tried to turn, but I hit him several times. His plane went into a slide stall down and I did not see him again. By this time, another SPAD was gunning for me. I made a series of ineffectual passes with him before I noticed one of our scouts in trouble from another enemy scout. Breaking off my fight, I chased after this interloper. I got one good burst into the cockpit, which must have incapacitated the pilot, as his craft went into a spin and crashed hard into the ground as I watched from above. I then chased back after the other SPAD I was fighting with before. He was too far above and ahead of me to catch him, but I figured I could at least give him an escort back to the front lines. As I think about it now, I can almost see the whole fight play out in my mind...
Making my way down to the ground, I did some reflecting. I had dispatched two enemy scouts with less than 60 rounds of ammo and scared another one off. It all happened so fast. I would have to remember that, lest the tables be turned in the future...
The older I get, the more I realize I don't need to be Han, Luke or Leia. I'm just happy to be rebel scum...
Mission #1 for Vzwbl. W. Dog: We were assigned to patrol over Laon and protect our depots and factories there. A nice, easy flight down there, and nothing going on. So, we turned our backs and headed home. Of course, that's exactly when we hot bounced from behind. Shame! But darn it, that was our only shame, as we turned and engaged! I got behind one that was flying away, and in my frustration, I let off a few long distance shots. Well, I must have hit, because he turned back toward me. His fatal mistake, it turns out, as my next volley sent him fluttering down. I don't know what I hit, but it must have been something good.
(Damn it, I finally have a score in one of these challenges - wahoo! Now, to just stay alive...)
rick......yeah.....a heap of kills, 10 now....and almost no surviving mates. I expect I'm the worst team player ever but i swear, I try to keep in touch w/ the rest of the crew and chase bad chaps off my wingie's tail. I have to cram a lot of missions time in the days I have available. I use a lot of aids, except labels, to keep an eye out so no doubt i'm waaaay over advantaged. In any event, I'll report in for better or worse if that's acceptable? cheers all.....
2-4 Mar All missions cancelled due to heavy snow storms
5 Mar 1918 @ Patrol enemy front lines west of Rheims
Koch lead the flight with Becker, Bock, Me, Arnold, Linck, Allmeir, and Hebel accompanying. Heavy cumulous from 1500 to 3000 m. The flight was quiet with no enemy machines encountered. We landed safely back at base.
(System_Specs)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Trooper PSU: Ultra X3,1000-Watt MB: Asus Maximus VI Extreme Mem: Corsair Vengeance (2x 8GB), PC3-12800, DDR3-1600MHz, Unbuffered CPU: Intel i7-4770K, OC to 4.427Ghz CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 240M Liquid CPU Cooler Vid Card: ASUS GTX 980Ti STRIX 6GB OS and Games on separate: Samsung 840 Series 250GB SSD Monitor: Primary ASUS PG27AQ 4k; Secondary Samsung SyncMaster BX2450L Periphs: MS Sidewinder FFB2 Pro, TrackIR 4
rick......yeah.....a heap of kills, 10 now....and almost no surviving mates. I expect I'm the worst team player ever but i swear, I try to keep in touch w/ the rest of the crew and chase bad chaps off my wingie's tail. I have to cram a lot of missions time in the days I have available. I use a lot of aids, except labels, to keep an eye out so no doubt i'm waaaay over advantaged. In any event, I'll report in for better or worse if that's acceptable? cheers all.....
Yeah, do the best you can!
Robert, love the lettering on the tail, how did you do that, text editor or decal or something else?
Last edited by Rick_Rawlings; 08/24/1402:58 AM.
The older I get, the more I realize I don't need to be Han, Luke or Leia. I'm just happy to be rebel scum...
rick......yeah.....a heap of kills, 10 now....and almost no surviving mates. I expect I'm the worst team player ever but i swear, I try to keep in touch w/ the rest of the crew and chase bad chaps off my wingie's tail. I have to cram a lot of missions time in the days I have available. I use a lot of aids, except labels, to keep an eye out so no doubt i'm waaaay over advantaged. In any event, I'll report in for better or worse if that's acceptable? cheers all.....
Yeah, do the best you can!
Robert, love the lettering on the tail, how did you do that, text editor or decal or something else?
I use Corel Photo Shop Pro X4 which allows for text overlays as vector graphics layers which can be sized and applied to the appropriate location. There is a tremendous number of fonts to choose from. The font I used is Kunstler Script
(System_Specs)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Trooper PSU: Ultra X3,1000-Watt MB: Asus Maximus VI Extreme Mem: Corsair Vengeance (2x 8GB), PC3-12800, DDR3-1600MHz, Unbuffered CPU: Intel i7-4770K, OC to 4.427Ghz CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 240M Liquid CPU Cooler Vid Card: ASUS GTX 980Ti STRIX 6GB OS and Games on separate: Samsung 840 Series 250GB SSD Monitor: Primary ASUS PG27AQ 4k; Secondary Samsung SyncMaster BX2450L Periphs: MS Sidewinder FFB2 Pro, TrackIR 4
Robert, love the lettering on the tail, how did you do that, text editor or decal or something else?
I use Corel Photo Shop Pro X4 which allows for text overlays as vector graphics layers which can be sized and applied to the appropriate location. There is a tremendous number of fonts to choose from. The font I used is Kunstler Script
Nice! It reads really crisp, certainly better than my Rother Nought shot!
The older I get, the more I realize I don't need to be Han, Luke or Leia. I'm just happy to be rebel scum...
I flew a March 5th patrol mission, but WOFF hung up after I landed when it should have gone to the debriefing. So I rebooted my computer and tried it again. This time it was a ground support to the same general area.
We had just started gaing altitude near our home base when i spotted black flak smoke very close! Checked my high 6 and saw a plane diving on me. I fliped and dove reversing direction and saw it was a DH5. Got him in my sites quickly and he was toasted.
My Pfalz struggled to keep up with the rest of the flight's Albatri. My gosh they flew high! As we approached the front I was straggling, but still had them in sight when they swung left and engaged enemy aircraft. The EA turned out to be Spads. Took me a good 45 seconds to enter the fray and landed rounds in two of them before I followed one down lower and finished him off.
Suddenly bullet strikes hit my plane! I put the Pfalz nose down, roll left, and pulled up hard reversing direction. Lucky for me one of my squad mates was on the Spads tail. He did enough damage to the Spad to make it flee the fight trailing smoke. He chases the spad and I see a plane diving on my six again... No altitude for that reversal previously pulled so I try to circle and gain altitude to pull that trick again. It's a DH5 trying to take me out. I pulled the reversal after the third circle chase and ccame up with a deflection frontal shot. Set his engine smoking and pulled upward, then rolled and got up close below him to finish him off.
After his wigs blew off bullet strikes again hit my Pfalz and yet another DH5 has come to tango in the mud. He must have some altitude as I see he has speed heading away from me at my 9 0'clock. I turn to follow and see which direction he breaks. He pulls a sharp left and tries for a head on. I land several rounds into his nose, he turns, wobbles, and i close in for the kill. I can clearly see his prop isn't spinning when I pilot kill him.
Now I search all over for any planes. Seeing none I head in the direstion of home. My tach is fluctuating now... between 1200 and 1000. I made it to an airfield, probably Marchais.
Debrief showed 4 downed planes for me, 9 others for the flight. Two of our HAs crashed and were "lightly wounded". The plane count took a beating. Mine was moderately damaged. Only one plane was fine.
This is odd, 5 victories confiremed, but four listed. My hunch is the hung mission and terminating WOFF did something strange. No biggie...stuff happens.
Haven't played for so long and having all sorts of problems I didn't expect...
First, I can't see (select) my custom made pilot pic. (saved as .bmp 24 bit, named either as Pilot0 or Pilot101).
Second, I can't see my custom made skin, although I can select it, in game's been replaced by default one. (saved as DXT1 no alpha, named: off_Alb_DV_later_t_Jasta 12 1917_Kasperle)
The strange thing is that I can see my other (previously made) custom made skins...
elephant, I had exactly the same problem two days ago! I could change to older selfmade skins, but not to the ones I had made that day.
What brought the change for me was, that I discovered I had been flying with wrong graphic card settings - AA and Anisotropic Filtering were left to the application, and other stuff (it was set up for another game).
When I had changed the graphics, it worked. Now I know - it doesn't seem to make sense. But that's how I got rid of it.
Could it be something with the graphic card's memory? No idea - but I recommend to change some graphic settings and check, if it works then.
Vice-President of the BOC (Barmy OFFers Club) Member of the 'Albatros Aviators Club' - "We know how to die with Style!"
Thanks Olham, but for the record, I have my AA and Anisotropic filtering set via NVidia inspector, overriding the game's ones. I'll try to mix things up, later... My free time for now is over, I have to take the kids to the beach...
MudWasp, the "ace" part only belongs into historical ace skins, so the sim knows where to find those. Elephant and I have made dozens of skins and should know by now, what works.
I had his problem some days ago, and it didn't make any sense. The switching in the graphics though finally did the trick - no idea why.
Vice-President of the BOC (Barmy OFFers Club) Member of the 'Albatros Aviators Club' - "We know how to die with Style!"
Rick, I wonder if I switched the days correctly. I have advanced time a day, but then the weather was too poor - no flying. That went on until the 5th of March. So I flew that day. Is that okay?
However - we were sent to intercept intruders, far north of Toulis. It turned out the were Scout Experimentals, same height, and 5 vs 5. The fighting soon spread out, and I found myself alone with one. But he was also alone, and we both performed some hell of a downward spiralling. In the end, when he had to level out, I got him. His behaviour makes me think he might have been a newbie. He tried a landing, and I let him do, but he hit a tree line and nosed over. Later we heard he survived and was taken prisoner. Only one of us had to put his kite down badly damaged, while we shot down three of the intruders. But it will not always be so easy - the S.E.5a is much faster and still quite manoeuverable. Good pilots in that crate can make our lives hard...
Vice-President of the BOC (Barmy OFFers Club) Member of the 'Albatros Aviators Club' - "We know how to die with Style!"
That's correct, Olham, I had bad weather those days too! Love the montage!
Gert Loecke Mission #3
March 6th, 1918 Toulis Aerodrome
11:00 hrs.
Today I went up for my 3rd mission, another poke across the lines to support our troops. As usual, we wouldn't make it that far...
As we headed south, I struggled to keep up with Leutnants Neckel and Bock, who were flying the faster Albatros scout. I had by now realized that my Pfalz, while kilometers ahead of my old two seater, was behind the curve of the current scouts. Being slower and less maneuverable than the enemy was going to be a problem. Soon, I saw below us the familiar black shell bursts that signaled enemy aircraft. They were being chased by Schwarm Eins, so we decided to drop in too. I dove on an British scout, the SE5 model, and got some hits on him, but he was able to out turn, out speed and out climb me. I was attacked by another of his flight and hit a bit, but managed to get away. This enemy also decided to leave. As he headed south, I could do little but rattle off some ineffectual rounds in his direction...I am not mad at my English opponent. He tried his best and I tried mine. If either of us had been better at our jobs, the results would have been more decisive. Still, I am envious of his ability to leave the fight when things get too hot...
When I landed, I inspected my craft for bullet holes. Fortunately, none came too close to me. This time...
The good news was that my two SPADS from the last mission were confirmed and I received a medal! I will make sure to give Fritz an extra piece of beef tonight.
Of course, I should probably reflect on my fight to see what lessons could be learned. Hm...
The older I get, the more I realize I don't need to be Han, Luke or Leia. I'm just happy to be rebel scum...
Rick, I found you have made a good attack on the S.E.5a. Even the real life aces often didn't get them. A tip for the chase, if I may: if I want to shorten the distance between our two craft, I often dive a little steeper than the running opponent. Even if I come out lower, when I catch up with him, I can sometimes pull up short and hit him. Then they often turn to take me on, and I have them in a turnfight again.
Congratulations on your EK I, mein Herr! Your cross and my Ehrenbecher might be reason enough for some drinkies this evenig!
Vice-President of the BOC (Barmy OFFers Club) Member of the 'Albatros Aviators Club' - "We know how to die with Style!"
I use that maneuver too. Usually works good on 2 seater opponents as I'm out of their rear gunners arc of fire. Watch out when they turn cause then the gunner can get on target.
Incoming!, Man the Battle flight machines!. Enemy fighters sighted. 9 of us got off in schwarme climbing for height. I spotted 2 or 3 Spads, but what to do ? All of the schwarme was diving and zooming guns booming. If I dive, I will become a Mid Air crash so I stayed high as my wingmates disposed of 1 Spad. The other headed at full for speed home.
Today we were tasked with patrolling behind our own lines. Bock, Neckel, Blumenback and I headed east then south to begin our patrol when I spotted 5 black-silhouetted planes with the sun as a backdrop. As they got closer I could see that they were Camels. Then the real fun started when I spotted 5 Spad VII's right behind us. The odds were 10-4 against us but we were in the fight whether we wanted it or not.
I dove away a bit while our three engaged. Then, I picked a target and went after him. No matter what I tried I was always fighting 2 e/a so it was tough to gain an advantage. I saw Blumenback go down in quite an abrupt manner. Finally the scrap starting breaking up as everyone seemed to be parting ways. I saw my opportunity as I trailed a Camel. Just as I pounced a Spad came up behind me and shot me up pretty good. I felt a searing pain in my left shoulder and could see blood-spatter on my goggle. I felt strong enough to fight however and stayed in it.
I ditched the Spad and he headed away for the lines when I spotted a Camel below who was doing the same. I pounced on him and fired bursts as he turned to fight. Each time he would disengage and run for the lines and each time I would pepper him from distance. I finally knocked him down north-northwest of Toulis with no witnesses around and headed for home. Blumenback was injured but will survive. The other guys got shot up but with no injuries. We escaped a 10-4 rout with no losses and a claim to boot.
My new Alb DVa is being painted with a nice yellow and black color scheme and once I'm out of the hospital in 7 days, I'll get a chance to fly her.
The sky is filled with my enemies. I begin to dream of little black dots filling the sky everywhere. I chase them here and there, never quite able to catch them. Then I awaken to find life not much different!
Front line patrol today, lead by Hauptmann Tulschek again!
They cut an impressive v of Albatri as I, as usual, struggled to keep up with them.
We had made it to Reims and were headed back north in what seemed to be an uneventful mission when we were jumped by a flight of SPADS. We dueled at 4000m as enemy and friend alike swirled in a small area of sky. Like a fool, I got fixed on one target when another shot up my wingtip. I was able to extract myself from those two and attack a scout pursuing Blumenbach. I damaged this enemy enough that when he tried to escape, his engine was not working properly. Slowly I gained on him, firing periodically. At last, he made the turn for the final showdown. Wounded predator against wounded prey. After we fought to the ground, I sent him plowing into a field for my third victory.
But each victory is dicey, and I must be careful lest they go the other way. Let me imagine it for you one more time:
The older I get, the more I realize I don't need to be Han, Luke or Leia. I'm just happy to be rebel scum...
Right off the bat I noticed there are some airbases along the way and near the zone. Later on it turns out to be a key factor in my survival.
I know I've trouble keeping up with the rest of the squad, so I climbed high near base and then descended on them as they set out to the muddy front. What a beautiful morning.
Soon I've falling far behind and can barely see them. My anxiety level rises and checking my six becomes an obsessive compulsion. Suddenly the specks that are my squadmates start getting bigger. They turned around and are headed towards me. I check my six again and see planes diving on me! I race towards my squad but need to make a move now or be dead meat. I roll and pull as hard as I dare on the stick and make an upward charge and gun burst on the diving plane, now obviously a Spad. A quick hammarhead and I'm on him. I get some rounds in him and he dives. I dive too knowing that there is a friendly airfield nearby. Soon we are in a looping DF.
I catch him in an apex, cripple him and attack again
Time to finish him off.
Suddenly bullet strikes hit my Pfalz! Damm two more Spads are after me. I dive and search for that airbase. Found it, barrel rolled and headed to it. Bullets hit my Pfalz and make a metalic sound. I twist, turn, dive harder, level off a tad and bang...I'm seeing red.
I filed a claim on the Spad and am in the hospital for 4 days.
Good that you could escape, MudWasp! The sturdy, fast diving SPAD must me the Nemesis of the Pfalz.
On my second sortie today I shot down a SPAD - and managed to make a video of it. Sorry for not listing the music in the end titles - YouTube removes it usually, due to German copyright laws, and when I list the tracks, they know even faster. The pieces are the first half of "Lights" by ARCHIVE, and the first bit of "I am the Morning" by OCEANSIZE. Enjoy!
Vice-President of the BOC (Barmy OFFers Club) Member of the 'Albatros Aviators Club' - "We know how to die with Style!"
Nice, Olham! I have a T.V.that I can stream youtube on, so I got to watch 60 inches of big screen SPAD kicking action. I'm not going to lie, I was a little nervous about your lower wing in some of your dives, so I was relieved to see him go down. Great video! Moar please
The older I get, the more I realize I don't need to be Han, Luke or Leia. I'm just happy to be rebel scum...
1 March 1918 Lt Werner von Schnorchbocken from Aachen Jasta 12 Albatros DV
08:16 Patrol Friendly Airfield at Saint Loup en Champagne
The first day of this challenge turned out to almost be my last day! It was a beehive of enemy aircraft out there. B Flight saw no contacts in route to our patrol destination other than the three aircraft of our trailing A Flight.
However, within moments of arriving at our patrol destination over Saint Loup en Champagne a flight of five SE5 came into view with two other sets of contacts further out at which point my flight leader decided to land at an altitude of 12,000 ft! So into the gently descending circle we went as the SE5's tore into us. This of course broke up our formation and a fight ensued. As I turned back into the SE5's I heard a couple of bullets hit my craft and looked up to see four Camels dropping on our heads also.
Immediately 2 of our 5 Albatros went into death spirals, so now it was 9 against 3. A moment later my engine quit, and looking up I realized the first pass by that Camel had holed my fuel tank...it was empty!
So I would be landing shortly. As I went into a glide over the airfield below the 9 British planes seemed uninterested in me and I was able to land just short of the airfield unmolested. That holed fuel tank probably saved my life as all other members of B Flight were shot down with no victories to show for it.
Sorry guys, no pics, as everything happened so fast I didn't get a chance to even think about pics!
Dogfighting is what you do "after" you drop your bombs and blow something up! Can you say "JABO!"
MFair, Beautiful screen shot! Bet you take good family pics.
But the tail still looks black to me. What am I missing?
I got tired of NOT having a black tail. My other mount did not have one. Finally decorated one all by myself without my computer whiz daughter to help.
Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear or a fool from either end. BOC Member since....I can't remember!
To Rick: there is a simulation warning coming on, when I produce high G. I left it on, cause we have neither a belly- nor a bum-feeling like a real pilot would. Okay, maybe I'll do another soon.
To MudWasp: Do it, while the music is still there - they may remove it. And yes, I have carefully rolled into wooden hangars. Must try it with a tent - maybe in the next video.
To Bucksnort: You really used it - what a name; like a Hollywood Black Baron! LMAO!
To MFair: nice one - now you are an "original member" for Jasta 12! Nice sunrise - or sunset?
Vice-President of the BOC (Barmy OFFers Club) Member of the 'Albatros Aviators Club' - "We know how to die with Style!"
This is ridiculous! I cain't even go to the bathroom without a Camel, Strutter, or Spad shooting at my ass! Great videos and reports guys. Internet is malfunctioning on my game pooter so pics and videos will have to wait.
Wolfram has flown 3 missions. He bagged a Spad on his 1st outing and while celebrating 6 Strutters almost took him out. Thank The Lord the Phalz can take some hits. His second outing was a free for all but no kills. This last mission found him battling Spads and Strutters. Once out of that fix he made it back to home field only to be jumped by 3 Camels. Tried to make a hot landing and one of the dang things collided with me trying to fly up my ass. He crashed and I made a landing somehow. Hospital for 14 days but alive!
Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear or a fool from either end. BOC Member since....I can't remember!
Our first mission was to defend the air field at Puisieux Ferme/Laon from a potential attack. JG II would meet the attack out in force. Or so was the plan.
Hautpmann Adolf Ritter von Tulschek led my flight of six Albatros. All five of my compatriots informed me they were *H*eavily *A*rmored, and I should just do the best I can to stay alive. Four more craft would serve as Top Flight including two Pfalz D.IIIs.
We quickly cruised up to 6,000 feet, with our flight forming two groups of three on the left, and 'Top' flight paralleling us on the far right. It was a good day, sunny with high cumulus clouds.
Then, abruptly Top Flight broke formation. I tried to see why, but it was several miles away and I couldn't really spot them. Friendly Archie told me they had company. I saw one plane - ours or theirs? - drop from a considerable height and hit the ground very, very hard. Then nothing from them for the rest of the morning.
We reached the airfield and just began our patrol when von Tulschek wagged his wings to get everyone's attention and veered westward. I followed, and no less than six Spads showed up to test our mettle.
The next few minutes were a true furball. There was no point in trying to get a good firing solution on anyone, so we all traded brief bursts. At one point I thought I'd gotten lucky as one dove. I followed him down, but he leveled out at 500 feet and turned from home. Twice Spads got on my tail, but I managed to spin fast enough to avoid them.
Finally they broke contact. I followed one for awhile, but when it was clear the Spad was simply too fast I turned back for the airfield. There I found two specks circling. Thinking them friends, I flew right into the welcoming arms of two SE 5s.
I managed to get behind one and fired several good bursts, but then his friend absolutely shredded my tail. Time to leave. What followed was a race at approximately 200 feet over the city of Laon, the buildings whipping past my lower wings. They couldn't lock on me, but I couldn't find an open stretch of land to settle down in. Finally they tired of the chase and went home, while I limped into Puisieux Ferme.
We suffered one casualty: Top flight lost a Pfalz D.III - perhaps that's what I saw in its final dive. Perhaps it's time to retire the old birds.
March 2
Today a shipment of the upgraded Albatros DVa arrived to replace our old crates. I was given one of the first three - which is a little odd, as I would have thought either Haputmann von Tulschek would have first crack or they would retire the Pfalzes. Instead, where as yesterday we had 10x Albatros uprated and 3x Pfalz, now it's 7, 3x Albatros D.Va, and 2. I should be uncomfortable piloting one if command's plan is to fly the Pfalzes until they go down. Flights cancelled for today.
March 3 Gefreiter von Buelow was awarded a victory for our action on Friday (the 1st), and the Iron Cross first class to boot. I hope to get one before this is over.
March 4 Feldwebel Bieberman returned from leave, bringing our total number of active Pfalzes back up to 3. More importantly, the Russians have surrendered! This means fresh troops moving in to the French front. Hopefully they can counter the Americans who are bolstering our enemies.
I learned that, if we ever fly again which I'm beginning to doubt, Gefreiter von Buelow shall be my Rottenflieger. Obviously a competent pilot: This war may be over by Christmas after all.
Finally! After the snow petered out around daybreak, Hauptmann von Tulschek has ordered us back into the sky at around 10:00.
Today's flight will be led by Oberleutnant Paul Blumenbach, von Tulschek's second. Blumenbach will lead a flight of four to patrol 'friendly front lines.' Since our patrol will penetrate about 10 miles into enemy territory between Soissons and Chateau Theirry, I wonder if they know something I don't.
Of the four, only I will fly the D.Va, while Blumenbach and the others remain in their old birds. Perhaps this is their way of comparing the two crates to see whether it's worth upgrading? 'A' flight will be a truer menagerie with two uprated, a D.Va, and one of the unlucky Pfalzes. Oddly, my newly appointed Rottenflieger is in 'A' flight today. Oh well.
Blumenbach led us up to about 9,000 feet, with 'A' flight keeping pace some distance behind. We'd turned back and were passing near our own airfield when I heard machine gun fire behind me. Swinging around I could see 'A' flight had broken formation and was in a dogfight.
Blumenbach hadn't seen and was going to ignore the scuffle, but I couldn't with them so close. I spun about just in time to see an enemy SPAD dive in front of me. I was going to follow, but he seemed to have lost control of his decent, for he clipped one of my wingmates. Both craft survived.
Help A fight, support the apparently oblivious Blumenbach. One of the SPADs seemed like it was trying to catch 'B' flight so I pursued him and fired. He stared climbing, so I spun around looking for the rest of his squad.
No one else, friendly or otherwise and as I continued my spin an unnoticed SPAD fired a few spiteful bursts before continuing his retreat.
Oh no, my friend. I don't think so.
I yanked the stick around - fortunately the Alb didn't stall or spin out - in pursuit. I got in some lucky shots, pinging him at 480 yards and forcing him to turn. I turned with him, but he spun about faster and we passed almost nose to nose. Thinking himself safe, he turned back from home.
He almost was: By the time I turned about he was climbing rapidly away. I fired a few forlorn shots above his retreating form, having no real hope and expecting to gob ack empty handed.
At 1000 yards I hit him.
I hit him BAD, because after the mandatory turn I realized he was flying *upside down*. He managed to right himself in time, but this failure meant I closed the range rapidly. At 500 yards, another lucky shot: I think I might come to love the Alb Va. He went belly up again - maintained altitude, but couldn't seem to quite bring himself around. I've flown upside down on occasion just for ha has - not as easy as one might think, as gravity tries to drag you into a Split S. I've never been stuck that way though.
Once more he swung himself around in a tight arc right in front of my guns at 200 yards. I fired a long burst from propellor to tail and he broke into a spiraling fall. I followed him down. For a second it looked like he might level off, but he couldn't and crashed maybe 1.5 miles from Chambry Aerodrome.
I was set to resume the mission, but could find no one. There was one of my companions trying to form up on ME, but no sign of Blumenbach or the rest of 'B' flight. With Chambry so close I simply turned and landed. Not as easy as it sounds, for despite having a perfect approach the airfield is surrounded by trees interrupting any good glide path, but I made it on the second try.
Finally, after a titanic battle with my own inexperience, and with many thanks to Rick Rawlings for saving my bacon...I present Flieger Willy Deifast, complete with my very first humble skin.
I7-9700k@4.9 GHZ 16 GB RAM GTX 2080 8 GB VRAM 2 x 1 TB SSD 32" Dell S3220DGF curved gaming monitor @ 2560 x 1440p @ 165 Hz Sound BlasterX G6 External USB sound card Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro Headphones Thrustmaster TM16000 FCS HOTAS Logitec Pro Flight Pedals TrackIR 5
That looks GREAT, Slick! Welcome to the fight, but be careful, there's lotsa guys out there gonna wanna poke holes in that purdy skin!
CatKnight, great story, but what happened to your beautiful skin you had?
Does anybody know what the default Jasta 12 skin is for the DVa? I can only find a 1917 version, but I am sure I have seen ones with the squared crosses on them. Maybe Lou or Olham can direct me...
The older I get, the more I realize I don't need to be Han, Luke or Leia. I'm just happy to be rebel scum...
Rick: I have no idea. It wouldn't show up on the D.V(uprated)'s list when I tried to select it in campaign. I hope it shows up for the D.Va (I forgot to load it for mission 2). If not, I'll just add it again.
Joined: May 2012 Posts: 4,879RAF_Louvert
BOC President; Pilot Extraordinaire; Humble Man
RAF_Louvert
BOC President; Pilot Extraordinaire; Humble Man
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4,879
L'Etoile du Nord
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Originally Posted By: Rick_Rawlings
Does anybody know what the default Jasta 12 skin is for the DVa? I can only find a 1917 version, but I am sure I have seen ones with the squared crosses on them. Maybe Lou or Olham can direct me...
Rick, if memory serves, Jasta 12 had switched over to the Fokker D.VII by the time the straight cross pattern was fully adopted in mid-1918. There should not be a J12 Alb showing those later crosses.
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Last edited by RAF_Louvert; 08/25/1402:08 AM.
Three RFC Brass Hats were strolling down a street in London. Two walked into a bar, the third one ducked. _________________________________________________________________________
Former Cold War Warrior, USAF Security Service 1974-1978, E-4, Morse Systems Intercept, England, Europe, and points above. "pippy-pahpah-pippy pah-pip-pah"
Rick: The distant planes in my first image below appear to be what the game's using for Jasta 12. Brown front, black rear. 'Iron' crosses (versus the straight crosses on mine.) Personal marks appear to be minor variants, such as a yellow diagonal stripe on the brown. The Pfalz is silver instead of brown, with a black tail.
March 6, Mission 3
This morning Hauptmann von Tutschek led us in the defense of Saint-Loup-en-Champagne, an aerodrome some thirty miles away which ground officers suggested might come under attack. There were six of us: Three in the Uprated Albatros, 2 in the D.Va (myself on von Buelow), and the unlucky Biederman in his Pfalz. Oberleutnant Blumenback would lead 4 uprateds in 'A' flight to offer direct support.
While on the ground, von Tutschek suggested that when he gave his men freedom to paint their crates, this wasn't quite what he had in mind.
I told him the cats brought me luck. He said 'We'll see.'
The skies were partly cloudy, with some distinct low hanging greyness. This wasn't a real factor until von Tutschek thought we should practice spiral-climbing through a cloud bank. We managed it, and it was glorious to see 'A' flight virtually on our tail through the maneuver. If anyone encountered the ten of us - well, I like our odds, even if I'm not as 'heavily armored' as most of my companions.
What wasn't so glorious was watching Biederman steadily lose ground. By the time we levelled off at 9,000 feet he was BEHIND 'A' flight. Von Tutschek slowed to let him catch up, but when he accelerated again Biederman once more fell behind 'A'.
In troubling developments, von Buelow and I began falling behind as well, though not as quickly.
We reached the airfield without incident. Von Tutschek again slowed down to give us poor slackers time to form up, and as we did I noticed 5..8...10 specks down there all circling. Apparently we were going to cover their landing.
Then I realized: Some of them were Brits!
I signalled von Tutschek, who dutifully ignored me. I pondered what to do, when my teammates made up my mind for me. THEY broke formation, so I turned and followed.
It was an odd beginning of a dogfight: We began circling the field as well - at full power, which made our turning arcs wide and clumsy by comparison. The Brits came up to meet us: Sopwith Camels. At least two, and probably more.
I fired a short, hurried burst at # 1 before he dove away. Then # 2 got behind me and...well, it was ugly. Shredding fabric, and I took a shot in the arm (73%). The plane didn't seem too badly injured, but with so many crates in the air it seemed safer just to get down and out of the way.
I hit the deck, twisting left and right to get the Camel to leave me alone. He finally did, distracted by the plethora of easier targets. At 1,000 feet I levelled off, turned and prepared for a relatively hot landing.
As I came in, I noticed two aircraft flying very low. My first thought was "Fool! You're landing on the wrong side!"
Instead, it turned out High Command is testing a new technique where planes can land in mid air! It's hard to see since this is a still shot, but those Hanovers are NOT moving.
The medics put my arm in a cast: Apparently the bullet did a little more damage than I thought. I'm on the 'reserve' list for seven days while I recover.
I learned Biederman didn't make it. His Pfalz was shot down. They *really* should retire the last two.
March 8: After two days in the hospital, I'm driven back to camp. One of their junior fliegers has already flown my plane home following repairs.
When I get home, after reporting in I find a letter waiting for me. It's unsigned, but three guesses who it's from.
Rick, if memory serves, Jasta 12 had switched over to the Fokker D.VII by the time the straight cross pattern was fully adopted in mid-1918. There should not be a J12 Alb showing those later crosses.
Oh, no!!! Now I've got to redo my skin!
Dogfighting is what you do "after" you drop your bombs and blow something up! Can you say "JABO!"