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#4059811 - 01/04/15 10:28 PM A3 - Helicopter stuff... (updated 1/12/14 with Hueys!)  
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BeachAV8R Offline
Lifer
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I continue to remain impressed with Arma 3 as a whole..and specifically the helicopter stuff (both default and DLC). I've been playing hours and hours of Arma 3 the past few weeks, both single player and online, and absolutely love the environments, lighting, and the improved flight model that came with the DLC and that has been being improved since. Is it perfect? No..but I think it strikes just the right balance between too complex and approachable by novices. It doesn't please people at both ends of the spectrum, which means it's probably just about right for most people. Particularly considering Arma is a land warfare game/sim, so the fact that we have any advanced stuff regarding helos is a plus in my book.

What I really like about A3 and the community is that they are really branching out and making A3 into a bunch of things for a bunch of people. More and more civilian rescue type missions are coming out, and there are all kinds of mods and improvements that are really making the gameplay fun for all types of players.
This morning I gave a new mod a shot where you fly a helicopter equipped with a fire fighting tank. It was really cool to see this type of mod....

LINK!







A3 has probably the best visuals for helicopter flying of any sim out there right now. Low level detail level is fantastic (the very small geographic area is likely the large reason why so much attention could be paid to the islands)...



Near the fire..hit the dump button.. You have to make several trips to get a fire out..



Refilling the water tank...







Second up..is an absolutely awesome mod for the Taru DLC by NorX which adds some interesting functionality to the Taru pod system...

LINK!

So I just set up a very simple mission with the empty Taru, and a bunch of the Taru modules on the runway. In the stock DLC, you can pick and choose which type of Taru you want to fly (empty, cargo, troop transport, medical, refueler, repair) but you can't attach or detach the modules on the fly. Until now! Why BI didn't include this functionality in the DLC is beyond me...but it is awesome!



So I have a squad of troops and I order them to mount the troop carrier module. Normally, you would already have to have the module attached to the Taru to actually be able to take it anywhere...



I fly over, engage the winch, and sling load the module...



With the mod installed, you get additional options in the scroll menu..one of which is "Attach the pod". Selecting that winches the pod up to the helo and with a clunk, it attaches!





If you fly over 80 meters, it is safe to then release the pod, and it will deploy a parachute to safely drop whatever pod you are using to the ground...



When you are testing though...you should probably check the wind direction!



An "oh crap" moment for sure...



Fortunately, I give the command to dismount the pod, and everyone survives...<g>



So trying a bunch of other options. This time I go, sling load the pod, winch it up and attach it, then land. It is good to see the squad can still mount it in this configuration (as one would expect..)..



I also shot one of my AI in the legs hoping I could order him to proceed to the medical Taru pod. He will go to it, but I can't get him to heal at it. I can get him to enter it..and one would think that entering the pod and laying down would heal him up (perhaps a modder can make this so). With human players, you can approach the module when it is attached to the helo, and heal at it. I don't know if a human player can heal at a detached module (I'm betting they could, since you can refuel at a detached refuel module)..



Even when sling loaded, the squad will mount and dismount the Taru pod...



Deploying the pod looks like a bit of a disaster for the first couple seconds..but the parachute billows out and it starts to gently drift down. I suppose you could air drop the poor squad onto an enemy position, but that would be pretty terrifying for them. Fortunately, they can and will fire from the pod...









Down safely..but not a very level spot!





I pick up the empty pod, take it up on the ridgeline, set it down and order the squad into it again... Gotta love A3's lighting, dust, and beautiful settings...



Really enjoying A3 in all respects, and really enjoying the helicopter DLC and the stock helicopter stuff...

thumbsup

BeachAV8R


Last edited by BeachAV8R; 01/12/15 11:21 PM.


Inline advert (2nd and 3rd post)

#4059817 - 01/04/15 10:43 PM Re: A3 - Helicopter stuff... [Re: BeachAV8R]  
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HarryR Offline
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That looks great fun. Thanks for FF link.


To..
#4059844 - 01/04/15 11:43 PM Re: A3 - Helicopter stuff... [Re: BeachAV8R]  
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Magnum Offline
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That's F'in awesome... and no way would I trust you or anyone else to transport me that way. wink

#4059867 - 01/05/15 12:27 AM Re: A3 - Helicopter stuff... [Re: Magnum]  
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BeachAV8R Offline
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Originally Posted By: Magnum
That's F'in awesome... and no way would I trust you or anyone else to transport me that way. wink

Oh c'mon..! It's not like you're strapped into a roller-coaster ride a thousand feet in the air while the enemy fires at you while a semi-competent helicopter pilot puts you in harms way... Nah..!

Einstein and I did a lot of testing the last few nights exploring exactly what you can and can't do with the Taru and some of the other stuff. We had a blast last night for a couple hours just playing with remotely controlling the UAVs. At one point we had done some laser guided bombing with each of us designating for one another with independent UAVs. Well, I was out of ordnance and thought I might be able to refuel at one of the static re-arming capable Taru's. Unfortunately, it was on the back row and as I tried to taxi back there I got stuck.. By my buddy Einstein came along in his r/c Stomper and helped me out!



A3 was surprising us at every turn. What an awesome sandbox...

BeachAV8R



#4059881 - 01/05/15 01:32 AM Re: A3 - Helicopter stuff... [Re: BeachAV8R]  
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BeachAV8R Offline
Lifer
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And another video of Einstein taking out a helo with a GBU from the Predator (Greyhawk?) with me designating from one of the little quad-copter UAVs...



BeachAV8R



#4060120 - 01/05/15 06:23 PM Re: A3 - Helicopter stuff... [Re: BeachAV8R]  
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Great stuff!

#4060131 - 01/05/15 06:46 PM Re: A3 - Helicopter stuff... [Re: BeachAV8R]  
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Stratos Offline
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Seems you're having real fun. Thanks for sharing the pics and the links!


-Sir in case of retreat, were we have to retreat??
-To the Graveyard!!

sandbagger.uk.com/stratos.html
#4060140 - 01/05/15 07:20 PM Re: A3 - Helicopter stuff... [Re: BeachAV8R]  
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KeyCat Offline
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thumbsup

Thanks for sharing the links Beach, wasn't aware of them and will defiently try them out!

/KC


>> It's all about teamwork! <<
#4060647 - 01/07/15 11:02 AM Re: A3 - Helicopter stuff... [Re: BeachAV8R]  
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Stratos Offline
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Can you imagine the Taru dropping fire slower from oe of those pods? Just mixng the fire fighting mod with the new Taru!!


-Sir in case of retreat, were we have to retreat??
-To the Graveyard!!

sandbagger.uk.com/stratos.html
#4060890 - 01/07/15 09:31 PM Re: A3 - Helicopter stuff... [Re: BeachAV8R]  
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that looks amazing Chris, great work!


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#4061011 - 01/08/15 07:37 AM Re: A3 - Helicopter stuff... [Re: BeachAV8R]  
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SteveHarris Offline
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awesome stuff!! thanks for sharing!!

#4063144 - 01/12/15 10:56 PM Re: A3 - Helicopter stuff... [Re: BeachAV8R]  
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BeachAV8R Offline
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So I tried out the newly available UH-1C/D that was posted to the Steam Workshop. From what I understand, it was a mod or model ported over from Arma 2, but I still think it looks fantastic. The cockpit isn't as sharp as the A3 helos, but it is passable. And unfortunately it does not feature the advanced helicopter dynamics, which is a darn shame. That said, it is still fun to fly around. I was playing Air America and Apocalypse Now tunes in my head...

Link to Huey Pack: HERE!

Sling loading some fuel barrels...or is that Robert Downey Jr..?









Mind the trees - you can collide with them...



The troop transport variant...



And the one with the rockets and door mounted Gatling gun...



Rockets away!









One of the really cool things about Arma is the fact that the helos blow the smoke and fire around. As you pass through it, it loops up over you just like you would expect. It is a very cool feature...





The downwash blowing the fire and smoke away...



Deploying troops...



Hey pilot-guy..go help out..!





There is also an AH-1 included...











Beautiful helicopter..



I'd stay down if I were you...



In hot..!





Might as well shoot back..!



Back in the Huey...









Anyway - no missions that I've seen for it quite yet (I was just messing around putting things in with the Mission Editor). A3 sure is beautiful for helicopter operations though. It would also be nice if someone figured out a nice flight model for it...

BeachAV8R



#4063482 - 01/13/15 07:25 PM Re: A3 - Helicopter stuff... [Re: BeachAV8R]  
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BeachAV8R Offline
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From "Into the Lungs of Hell" AAR: HERE!













BeachAV8R



#4063623 - 01/14/15 03:56 AM Re: A3 - Helicopter stuff... [Re: BeachAV8R]  
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BeachAV8R Offline
Lifer
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BeachAV8R



#4063821 - 01/14/15 05:26 PM Re: A3 - Helicopter stuff... [Re: BeachAV8R]  
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Lovely shots!

Are you running any mods? ( other than the already mentioned helo ones? )As I havent played in a while but the mid range textures look a lot better than they used to.

Must fire this up again soon.

#4063835 - 01/14/15 06:12 PM Re: A3 - Helicopter stuff... [Re: BeachAV8R]  
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enigma6584 Offline
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Just outstanding shots! You definitely have the dramatic eye for these things.

#4063940 - 01/14/15 09:28 PM Re: A3 - Helicopter stuff... (updated 1/12/14 with Hueys!) [Re: BeachAV8R]  
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Force10 Offline
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Wow!

Excellent shots Beach! I love the Huey...now if only the Unsung or VTE team would release a full blown Vietnam era mod with troops etc. it would be heaven.


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