(19) FM Tweaks for WOFFue

Hello gents', did some tinkering over the last few days for a few of my "placeholder" aircraft that should be available shortly at the following link:

https://combatace.com/files/file/16799-fm-tweaks-for-woffue/

There you will find enclosed in the attached zip file four tweaked FMs for engined-up aircraft currently not present in WOFFue: a 150hp Fokker Dr.1, a late Albatros D.II 180hp, a Nieuport 25/27 165hp variant, and a tuned up late Sopwith Tripe. Please read the enclosed "Read Me" file for more info. on the FM tweaks. The FM tweaks are JSGME program enabled, for convenience. Simply move the four aircraft folders that you will find into the MODS folder of your WOFF user directory, toggle on/off with the JSGME enabler, and go fly. A big thank you to all the WOFFue modders and the good folks at OBD Software for making such an enjoyable sim. Those who fly these four and similar models in First Eagles 2 will become comfortable quickly with the FM tweaks, since they are similar across both sims. Representative pics. included below.

Happy flying,
Von S

Some more info. after further and exciting testing of the FM tweaks:

- to maintain a good, fast, sustained climb in the 150hp Dr.1, try to keep your speed above 110kph (it can climb as low as the 80s kph but climb rate will eventually drop off at those speeds)

- try landing the up-engined Dr.1 in fields and taking off quickly to avoid the many fences that are present (you will notice a short takeoff roll once the tail comes up)

- might require 2-3 degrees right rudder to fly straight in the up-engined Dr.1 at full throttle since there is more torque and prop wash

- had a tight dogfight, for example, in the up-engined Dr.1 against the up-engined Nieup. 25/27...a very tight fight, we both got some shots into one another but the fight was inconclusive...the N. 25/27 eventually decided to leave (was able to climb after him but not able to catch him on the line, with his extra speed)

- also had an exciting dogfight in the up-engined Alb. D.II against the up-rated Sopwith Tripe, again a tight fight but managed to bring the Tripe down eventually (possibly it was flown by a novice or veteran flyer instead of an ace)

- you will also notice, as per the Read Me file, that these up-engined types use fuel a bit more quickly than their stock variants, so manage flights/fuel accordingly

- slightly lower drag values on these types so prepare earlier, idle engine, etc., for touch down (especially if landing in tight spots)

- types hold power and speed better at various altitudes than their stock variants (average drop in speed about 3 to 7 kph per each 1000 meters alt. approximately, until close to their ceilings when there should be a noticeable drop off)

Von S

Von S

As an "ole" FM modder from RB3 days..looking forward to trying this out.

Hello Captain, I still have a separate install of "Hell's Angels Gold Edition" in WineSkin, running your Royce II FM tweaks. Great stuff, your FM mods were a nice middle ground between the historical Greybeard ones and the sometimes overly sensitive ReDux Gold tweaks that showed up later. I still run RB3D occasionally.

The FM tweaks for WOFFue are subtle modifications but they should help with these engined-up types. I won't be doing any extensive modding for WOFFue (too busy with my FE2 tweaks) - but I thought I'd share these tweaks with the WOFF community.

Happy flying,
Von S

S!

Thank you

Hoping for more !

Thank you Jeanba for the kind words. I have double-checked several of the other FM files (xfm) for WOFFue and have decided to do four more tweaks:

- a 100hp engined-up Pup flown only by the RNAS (the current one is the 80hp variant)

- a tuned-up Fokker E.II(a) as we have in FE2 (those were more maneuverable than the E.III series, with shorter wingspan among other characteristics)

- a slightly-engined up Albatros D.1 at 170hp, possible as a field mod and can be flown late into 1917

- a Hisso 220hp, geared, 2300 rpm SE.5 (while rare, it should have better performance and speed than even the Viper-powered one - FE2 only has the Viper but the SE.5 model in WOFFue with its four-bladed prop will work well as the 2300 rpm variant)

- have checked the top speed on the Spad VII by the way, it is around 220 kph, so there is no need to do a 220hp variant as we have for FE2 since the speed of the Spad VII already seems an approximation of the engined-up, rare variant

- similar situation with the Nieup. 23 and Nieup. 28, top speeds are already impressive so no need to tweak for a 23bis and a Nieup. 28a variant

Happy flying gents',
Von S

For the Spads, there was a mod on combatace :
https://combatace.com/files/file/12193-hpw_spads/
But I don't know if it is still "up to date" ?

Thank you for that link Jeanba, did not notice those files. It seems that they are for OFF Hat in the Ring, but I will compare them with the latest Spad xfm files. Perhaps some fine-tuning is possible. Having said that, I will be careful with "de-tuning" since I don't want the Spads to become slower than the impressive speeds on the N.28 for example (above 200kph) - this would then require de-tuning of the N.28, and may lead to a multitude of de-tuning tweaks across many xfms. I will respect OBD's decision to have uptuned some of the variants (I'm sure there is a variety of reasons why this is so in WOFFue) and will work on some of the placeholder aircraft as already done in my first set of FM tweaks. And I will indeed comb over the Spad files since I know those are some of your favorite types.

Von S

NOTE: For the broader WOFFue community, keep in mind gents' that top speeds in WWI would often vary even among the same type of aircraft, also depending on field mods, wear and tear, and maintenance quality or lack thereof - so slightly higher speeds across a few of the stock xfm files are still within reasonable historical assumptions, and they fit well with other types flown in WOFFue. For example, top speed on the Spad 13 is about 230kph - this is fine in relation to the top speed of about 205kph on the Nieu.28. Reduction of the N.28's speed to about 196-198kph would probably work better with reduction on the Spad 13 to about 218-222kph, another often reported series of values, and so on (which becomes an endless series of tweaks and re-tweaks). Also important is not to upset the AI maneuvers since they were likely trained on specific types, power outputs, etc.

Thanks for these VonS,im looking forward to trying them out. cheers pal

Thanks for the nice words Adger, much appreciated.

Jeanba, have now checked over the modded Spad files for which you provided the link, for OFF Hat in the Ring. It appears that those FM mods were done using the "air" and "cfg" files that were previously moddable - both of those files, while still present in aircraft folders in WOFFue, are now locked. This leaves the xfm files as the ones to tap into for FM tweaks. I will run through the Spad xfms once I've done testing how the AI responds to my tweaked Alb. D.1, Fokk. E.IIa, Pup, and Se5.

Von S

could be an intresting read on what is being made and figured out for Woff specific.

https://combatace.com/forums/topic/81898-woff-fm-thread/

Thank you for that link Dutch - have looked at the Alb. D.V/Va modifications there. From what I've been able to find, the D.V/Va FMs were improved further for WOFF Ultimate Edition - while those FMs were for an earlier version of WOFF.

Quick update:

Alb. D.1 now modified to 170hp in-field upgrade

Sopwith pup modified to 100hp (still testing it)

Fokker E.II now up-tuned and is effective against the DH.2 if flown correctly (more maneuverable now and better speed/climb)

Currently working on:

Spad 7, to be split into 150, 180 and 220 hp variants

Also will re-visit the Se5a (was trying to modify the xfm for the Se5, then the Se5a, to a geared Hisso 220 hp with 2300 rpm variant). In both cases crashes would result in WOFF (the modded xfm wouldn't be called up in WOFF). If this is the case I will leave the Se5a alone but will try one more time to tweak the FM.

Von S

It's always been my impression that the SPAD VII was 150 and 180 only. The SPAD XIII came in 200 and 220 hp varieties.

Hi Sailor,

Yes indeed, standard engines on the Spad 7 were either the 150 and later the 180hp variant. There are also more obscure variants of the Spad 7, the Russian DUX plant variant, with lower ceiling and stiffer controls (those used pine instead of spruce, and featured coarser linen among other things). I think most of the DUX-built ones had 150hp powerplants. Also some British-built variants (by Mann Egerton & Co.) - featuring 140 or 150hp engines - again with lower ceiling and stiffer controls - but built more strongly than the French variants.

A (very) small number of Spad 7 types were retrofitted with 200 or 220hp Hissos - probably no more than a handful - but I couldn't resist including it . It should theoretically have a top speed somewhere around 215-225 kph, and a better climb/ceiling than the 220/235hp Spad 13 (less weight among other things).

With the Hissos it tends to get even more confusing since there were sub-variants with different compression and a variety of combos. being experimented on (low-compression 220hp, higher-compression 220, higher-compression 200, etc. etc.) - needless to say there's no need to mod every single power plant - I think three should be good (150/180/220 hp).

Still working on those...hope they don't crash WOFFue (had no success loading modded xfm files for any of the Se5/Se5a variants so will leave those alone - perhaps some of their FM info. is hard-coded or locked into WOFFue). But I did manage to tune-up the Nieup. 23 into a rare 23bis variant...will include that one...only flown by the RFC/RAF...and supposedly sporting improved 110-120hp LeRhone engines with better air-intake valves (ram-air??)...should give it about 125hp output.

Von S

Hello gents',

For those who enjoy flying some of the engined-up/placeholder aircraft in WOFFue, ver. 2.0 of my FM tweaks will be available soon at the following link:

https://combatace.com/files/file/16799-fm-tweaks-for-woffue/

The initial upload included an engined-up Fokk. Dr.1, a tuned up late Sopwith Tripe, an engined-up Nieu. 25/27, and a late 180hp Alb. D.II.

Ver. 2.0 expands the tweaked FMs to include three versions of the SPAD 7 (150, 180, 220hp), also a late tuned up Sopwith Pup, the rare Nieu. 23bis, a tuned up Fokker Eindecker IIa, a tweaked Nieu. 28, and a field mod of the Alb. D.I. All aircraft folders are JSGME program ready - simply drag them over to your MODS folder of your WOFFue install, toggle on/off using the JSGME program, and go fly. More detailed info. regarding the modded aircraft types is included in the "Read Me" file attached with the package. (NOTE: Only load one of the SPAD 7 variants at a time via the JSGME enabler, since WOFFue only holds one SPAD 7 folder that can be modded.)

- suggested start dates if you want to fly these up-tuned variants not only in quick combat but in campaign mode too, for historical realism:

for the Dr.1: March of 1918 to about Oct. of 1918

for the Tripe: June of 1917 to about Jan./Feb. of 1918

for the Alb. D.II: about Nov./Dec. of 1917 to Nov. of 1918

for the Nie. 25/27: about June of 1918 to Nov. of 1918

for the Nieu. 28: early 1918 to about Aug. of 1918

for the late Pup: about July of 1917 to Jan. of 1918

for the field-modded Alb. D.I: late 1916 to late 1917

for the Nieu. 23bis: about late summer of 1917 to spring of 1918 (but very rare type, used more in the middle eastern theater)

for the tuned up Fokk. E.IIa: fly from about Aug. of 1915 to late 1916

for the Spad 7 150hp: about Sept. of 1916 to May/June of 1917

for the Spad 7 180hp: about March of 1917 to summer of 1918

for the Spad 7 220hp: early 1918 to Nov. 1918 (very rare type)

Happy flying,
Von S

err I get "user type not permitted" when attampting to download. I am registered though

Seems they're a bit slow approving the file...hoping the file will be up on CombatAce by tomorrow morning (today evening your time). Will double-check in the morning.

Von S

Any plans for the different engined Spad XIII’s?

If there's enough interest in these FM tweaks for the engined-up/placeholder types (and I think there is) - I'm willing eventually to do a ver. 3.0 of the FM tweaks and cover several more aircraft. The Spad 13 I will comb-over: currently there's a 235hp Spad 13 represented, but no 220 and 200 hp variants. Perhaps some of our skin modders for WOFFue will be able to come up with a rounded wing-tip version of the Spad 13, to go well with a tweaked FM for the early 200hp version.

Will also look at the early Nieups., the Alb. D.III/V/Va, and the Fokker D.7 and 8 for a ver. 3.0 update - might take me several months to get to that however.

In the meantime I hope ver. 2.0 will eventually be posted on CombatAce - it sure is taking a while for the file to be approved.

Von S

Nice projects !

Thanks.
Yes I am very interested in the historical engine variations which played a “major role” in things like the Spad VII and Spad XIII engines changes as the war progressed.

Thanks Jeanba and Duke for the encouraging words - will do a ver. 3 update eventually, perhaps will look at the Pfalz too.

In the meantime, ver. 2.0 of the FM pack is now available for download at the link posted a few posts above.

Happy flying,
Von S

Thank you!

Pleased to report gents' that WOFFue on a Mac (in WineSkin) works beautifully with the latest WOFFue patch ver. 4.18. Frame rates seem to have improved slightly as well, and all mods tested work well, including the FM tweaks posted under this thread. Have updated the relevant, long entry on WOFFue installation on a Mac with the necessary info. Some representative pics. below of ver. 4.18 running well.

Happy flying,
Von S

VonS:
WOFF UE patch 4.18, when did OBD post that patch ???

August 5th! But it only has 1 update that I see in changelog.

Allow new sequence of order numbers to be entered and validated after install, or re-install. includes all the previous updates too

Anyone care to translate that into English for me? Kinda sounds like all it does it allow a different type of order number be used to validate new purchases, perhaps to help signify the difference between WOFF UE and WOTR orders?

Posted recently I would assume. I only discovered the patch a few days ago and happy to report that it works beautifully in WineSkin on a Mac - just as good if not better than ver. 4.15. It seems that the patch update thread here on SimHQ is still listing ver. 4.17 as the latest one. I guess OBD is busy with WOTR and hasn't changed the ver. no. here on the thread. Doesn't seem to be much of a difference in terms of changes from ver. 4.17 to 4.18 - but 4.17 never worked properly in WineSkin...aircraft would begin in mid-air and keep rotating/levitating in the same spot. 4.18 solves the problem and I now recommend it to all Mac users, especially if you're still on ver. 4.12 or 4.15.

Von S

Just guessing - maybe something to do with WOFF UE and possible new content from WOTR??

Stealth patch!

Correct, until Vons mentioned it, I never knew OBD posted 4.18 stealthily.

Soon as I get online I’ll check it out for....dunno what I am looking for.
Guess I’ll see how big 4.17 is to 4.18 and that will give me some idea.
******REMOVE MODS******

Hello gents,

Not a post directly related to the FMs - but if you are running WOFFue on a Mac, the install procedures I've outlined under the relevant post for Mac installs, in the stickies/faq thread, should also work for WOTR. Currently busy with non-sim related things but will start looking at doing a ver. 3.0 update of the FM pack in a couple of months.

Happy flying,
Von S

Looking forward to it.

Hello gents',

Ver. 3.0 of the FM update pack has been sent to CombatAce for approval and posting...should be up in a day or two at the following link:

https://combatace.com/files/file/16799-fm-tweaks-for-woffue/

Ver. 3.0 includes tweaks for the two-gun Sopwith Tripe, tweaks to the Clerget and Bentley Camels and introduction of an early 110hp Le Rhone Camel, also modifications to the early Fokk. D.VII, later D.VII (Mercedes D.IIIaü powered), and the BMW D.VIIf variant that now has a top speed closer to 210 kph as historical. More info. included with the Read Me file in the update pack.

Version 4.0 will follow much later with focus on the Alb. D.III, V, and Va types, also the SPAD 13 variants. That should be it for the updates but I might put out a service tweak later on and maybe skim over the early Nieups. and Parasol types if necessary.

Happy flying,
Von S

Thanks!