Recon Wars - Pilot's Experience Logs

Post some of your thoughts and pics!

For those that know me a bit longer than others will remember this and other that don't, I hope you don't mind. I'm not a huge fan of talking about myself... if I meet you face-to-face... I like to listen and laugh, and not a fan of 1-upping, so I don't elaborate much on my life experiences. But in truth, if you ask more, I will tell more... and that's how I like it. LOL.

So, to my credentials list short... by trade and occupation, I am a licensed aircraft mechanic since 1991, and I work on heavy commercial jets for a very well known International carrier. Been doing it on and off for nearly 30 years. I also fly small aircraft, although I'm not a licensed pilot. I have a lot of pilot friends that allow me to fly their planes a long with them. I have probably around 20-30 hours of undocumented seat time in various low, high and open cockpit small airplanes. Bi-Planes, fabric, metal...whatever...

I mention these aspects for very important reasons. WOFF (BH&HII and all previous) has become my flight sim of choice. I have logged thousands of hours in all variations of M$ Flight Simulators dating back to the SubLOGIC variations on Commodore 64's. Bare with me... there is a point to all of this... it's really about my skill level and how I try to take this as serious as possible when I fly. I am not new to actual flight or simming for that matter.

It was late in the evening last night and I was working on the Pfalz for a little bit... so I took a break, and popped over to our forum to see if any news came up. Sure enough, there it was... the new patch "Recon Wars" (which I hope becomes a fun nick-name to the new update) will be a welcomed if not revered addition to this magnificent game we have!

I quickly downloaded it, and read though the instructions... wow... this sounds devilishly insane... I jumped into a French Escadrille (yes... you read that correctly! I looked like a duck at a chicken farm) and took off for the front on a simple "note' mission over enemy troops positions. Not more than 20 mins along this fray into the jaws of death my flight was jumped by a Hun Jasta (with some amazing and colorful skins mind you!!). I think it was Jasta 32b as I was in the Marne sector where I thought I would be safe for a little while. Oh... hell ... no. WOW... I was tossing that plane all over the sky, jinking and diving to give my observer a chance to get off a shot. Rear guns blazing away, I can hear the engines of the Albatros right up my ass. Well, as I looked over my left shoulder to make an evasive maneuver, down we went. Head shot. I was out. I didn't even get a chance to get to the target.

Now... I know this does not explain anything about the point of the mission... I get that... but what it does show is that the mission has purpose now. There was a feel like I had something to do, and I needed to get it done. I prepped for it, read everything, wrote down the sector, and the short-cut keys for quick reference... but never got a chance to do anything. THAT is my point. This game is beyond anything I have experienced before. I fly my planes now, like I fly in real life and they react as they should. In a J3 Cub, you are space limited, cramped up and feeling like your sitting in a fabric covered coffin... I felt like that in the Strutter. It handled very well as expected for a WWI two-seater. I did all I could to avoid the inevitable death I was facing. I had my map sector next to me to verify I was flying the compass correctly. I had notes as to what I was looking for... much like I would have in real life. I was set on doing the job as I was assigned as close to what real-life would have been like. Obviously, as much as we have just shot 2-seaters down like sitting ducks, there was a side to them that we never saw until now. And that side it not just piloting skill... it was preparation. Understanding the core reason for the mission, that lives depended on you... and you HAD to get that mission done!

This leads me to believe with confidence that this new Add-On "Recon Wars" is going to set a standard for realism for many years to come that no other sim will ever get close to. WWI was hell... Recon Wars puts you smack in the middle of the boiling kettle with no where to hide,

Download it and get up there!!

OvS

Thanks James - pleased to read this.

WM

Great post James, there definitely is much more focus on the job you have to do now.

One thing, if you fly a few more missions and find it is still too tough in your area, remember you can reduce forced encounters to medium or Off,
(mentioned in item 35 in the RECON WARS Notes or the "History of Changes" on the BH&H II downloads page on the website.

It's cold and snowing outside on the early morning of 20th January 1916. 'B' Flight, No.2 Squadron has been tasked with a reconnaisance mission and the CO has chosen me to fly it. Just me, Weller (my observer) and our more-or-less trusty BE2c.

I'm not quite sure that the Old Man has quite got the new hang of the new drills for tasking us Corps Squadrons, flying the two seater 'working aeroplanes' on which the BEF has come to rely so heavily, especially for reconnaisance and artillery observation. 'Fly low...and return immediately to report on visual observations of any enemy aircraft incursions'? Does that mean we return immediately after reaching the target area to report, even if we see nothing? Or more plausibly, remain in the area but return immediately once we see anything? And if we can see it while flying low, won't our ground troops be able to, despite the weather? And won't our report be so out-of-date as to be useless once we've returned to make it?



Ours not to reason why; no doubt things will settle down once we get used to the new regime. Off we go to the sheds to sort out our kite. We're advised not to take any kit so I leave behind notebook, R/T set and camera. I could perhaps have shipped a few illicit bombs to chuck at the Huns while I was over but that would not have been very sensible. In fact I have a feeling that no loadout options showed up here, but I might be wrong.



The snow is howling through the wires as we struggle away from Hesdigneul.



Our flight plan allows us plenty of time to gain the four thousand or so feet recommended for the mission to the Lines east of Bethune.



It's still a long slog in frightful conditions. Note that the external camera, previously attached by default but now an optional loadout item, is no longer fitted to its mounting next to the rear cockpit.



The lines are not wide at this point and we've hardly reached them before Archie starts plastering the skies all around us. It quickly becomes so fierce that I throw in some evasive action.



By the time I reach the target area, I have the wind up so thoroughly that I turn for home after spending just enough time to determine that there are no enemy aircraft to be seen. If that's exploiting ambiguity in my orders, well I'd rather argue the toss with the CO than with Archie.



I haven't gone far when I realise we are no longer alone. My observer is watching with interest a shower of anti-aircraft bursts to our left rear, between us and No-Man's Land. Hostile or friendly, that's the question.



I check the map and our flight plan. Confusingly, the latter now shows a brand-new leg, up to an airfield to the north-west. What to do?



I don't take long to decide that the honour of the squadron requires us to turn back and investigate those AA bursts. They could be what I was sent here to watch out for. We'll soon find out! I heave the BE around.



...to be continued!

Thanks 33Lima...if the map changes to a single waypoint to an airbase then basically it means that you should return to the nearest base.
This has always occured but i guess not many have noticed.

Just some info on this mission type for those interested..in bad weather you cannot carry out high alt recons due to poor visibility so loadouts are not required.

So you are simply sent out to do eyeball observations on these days at low alts.

See item 28) in my notes. And what options you have

HTH

WM

[SOLVED] Good Advice in the notes, WM. But does anyone know how would you tell if the mission was a success or not? Unfortunately, I do heavily depend on the game to let me know if I failed or succeeded in my mission. .... for those of us that are too lazy to use our imagination...

28) All Squadron Operations for Player and AI are now affected by Weather. This affects Mission Types and Altitudes and is switchable in Workshops.
On Heavy Cloud or Raining/Snowing Days where the weather is not quite bad enough to call off operations then:
1) Operations for all Squadron types generally become more defensive in nature (mainly within Friendly lines).
2) They also take place at lower alts and Recon Photographing and or Artillery Ranging for Reconnaissance Squadrons cannot be undertaken.

Edit: My question was answered. Thank you, WM for the clarification.

Full outcomes evaluation, detail screens are available and notes are recorded in your pilots dossier. Moreover total talies are maintained.

See pics on our website and in some threads on the forum.

Read items 13) ,14) and 29)

Or better still play it and see it....no need to imagine it...its all there and logged.


WM

yippy... I finally got a recon right!

Foto recce over infantry position. Perfect weather too.
Seems best not to focus on ground units themselves but to actually fly through the middle of the Infantry position rectangle and then shift-p
4 out of 5 plates accepted.

Excellent lederhosen, yes indeed that's a good way to do it. That's also one of the tips in section 12 of the Recon Wars notes

RECON WARS Notes or the "History of Changes" on the BH&H II downloads page on the website.

Tried a few missions and failed.... so, I need a LOT of practice it seems.

When I save the mission as a scenario, I can't equip the camera when I launch that same mission in the scenario section. Also, I don't get those extra buttons for recon report/review mission at the end of the scenario to see if I passed or failed. Is there any way to get the scenarios with the same functionality/report debriefs as the campaign?

No its campaign only at the moment...I simply ran out of time.

I will implement QC and Scenarios in the expansion next year.

WM

Bloody Clouds !!!

Had a foto run today at 1300m.....no fun with Archie these days.
It was cloudy and that made me wonder if this mission was worth even trying.... but like the pilots of old, I hoped that cloud breaks and holes would appear.
They did, but just I would expose a plate, mist would appear and ruin my run. But we can't give up, that's not cricket old sport !
Archie is getting better meanwhile. Can't hang around here for ever so I so I say f-it and take 4 plates with the mist. Turn for 5th run and Archie gets my engine, blast and #%&*$# it all.
Was able to land near the next airfield, but to know avail, my plates were useless.

Great fun though.

Meanwhile, back near the Lines east of Bethune...

...I skirt around the anti-aircraft barrage that seems to fill the sky all around me, as I approach. I still can't tell if the target is friend or foe - it feels like some of the fire may be directed at me! As an aside, I have the early-war balloon flak mod enabled but also previously increased the rate of fire in the German and allied flak guns to .6 - I think I will now need to back that off, bit didn't retain the original xdp files so if someone can tell me what the stock setting is, I'd be grateful!



Suddenly, tracers reach out towards us. Two Fokkers emerge from the maelstrom of Archie and bear down on us, shooting as they come!



In desperation, I shove down the nose, turn west and race for terra firma. If the Fokkers don't get me, it seems Archie will, be he ours or theirs! But the Huns too have had enough. I feel a wave of relief as I see them turn away to the east and back to Hun-land.



My observer watches our tail, as if expecting some Hunnish trick is in the offing. But the shooting falls away astern and begins to die back. We've escaped!



I follow our revised flight plan back up to that friendly aerodrome to the north-west. But a new danger becomes apparent. My kite's fuselage, lower wings and tailplane have been shredded by bullets or fragments and I have to apply a lot of left stick to keep her level. My motor is running smoothly enough but the extra drag seems to be reducing our speed to a crawl.



After what seems like ages we reach the airfield and I make a cautious half-circuit and approach. It feels like the BE could fall away at any moment. As I cut the power to land, I need even more force on the controls to prevent the right wing dipping, including a lot of left rudder. The machine is crabbing in nearly sideways and I fear the worst when the wheels touch.



By some miracle there's no crash and we roll slowly to a halt. In a complete funk, I turn off the engine without taxying up to the sheds, fearing disaster in some form could still claim us.



Despite all the palaver, our BE is reported as only lightly damaged, having landed at la Gorgue.



The mission and weather being as they were, the new recce debriefing has nothing much to add.



Well, that one scared the virtual pants off me! For exactly that reason I'm looking forward to further campaign missions in this great new addition to WoFF BH&H II!

Only other observations are that I need to revert to stock flak rates of fire; check if any loadout options can be selected, if none are recommended; and I reckon a mission to report on enemy aerial activity from the air then fly back and report it doesn't make a lot of sense - to report ground activity would appear more reasonable.

You will only get a 'real recon' mission with a recommended loadout when the weather clears up... or you can turn this off in workshops.
'Bad Weather Affects Operations'

Pleased you are enjoying it.

There are two types of 'No Recon Possible" due to poor weather missions (weather hampers operations) : -
1) Report on any AC Incursion sightings
2) Report any Ground/Troop type movements.
In both events there is really nothing to do alas due to the poor visibility.
I think in real life you would just sit around...waiting for good weather

You can skip this in two ways , T+ to better weather - or turn off 'weather affects operations' in Workshops but then as I say you'll be asked to do the impossible - perform recon in poor weather.

I am open to suggestions on what the text in these 'no recon possible' days should be...its a bit of a conundrum.
Otherwise a recon pilot could be made to just fly in good weather and we skip the bad days completely - I know many users hate that too!
But bear in mind whatever changes I do, if at all at this stage, need to be quick and simple as I am working on WOTR again


I am looking into flak rates - in the meantime you can also scale them down in workshops - ground gun accuracy/RoF.

WM

Edited to explain more for anyone interested in campaigns: Recon Missions and edited again....

I'm one for all flights being cancelled in bad weather. These little planes would never fly in ANY kind of snow, they barely fly at all on a nice day. The weight on the wings and ice would collapse them immediately.

So as frustrating as it was back then to have to wait.. my vote is for the same now. No Flying OPS of any kind in weather like you see above. Better to wait and fly another day, then have to train a whole new class of pilots.

Loving the mod already... it's very intense!

From my point of view, I didn't know that "weather is hampering our operations" meant "no recon possible" which translates to "impossible mission to complete successfully". And if I decided to go with the mission, It would be a failure and I'd be flying around without a definite purpose. So, I guess, from the briefing room, if alternate targets "Report on any AC Incursion sightings" OR "Report any Ground/Troop type movements" were made available, then I can choose to fly that mission instead and have a chance at a successful mission.

Thats how it is at the moment....

WM

I agree but there are so many users that don't like the 'all flights cancelled'.....we have been asked to remove that for years!
As I say IMO they would just stay grounded until better weather...no way a BE is going up in snow so yes agreed!

If we go with Recons are grounded in anything but good recon weather it will be overridable by the workshops setting 'Bad Weather Cancels Ops' so I guess I should just implement it and you guys can choose what you want

WM

I don't understand then, because when I get days with "no recon possible" and I try to click on alternate target or optional flight in the briefing room, I don't get a choice of "Report on any AC Incursion sightings" OR "Report any Ground/Troop type movements" missions

Sorry no its not user selectable...its either/or and decided for you by the commander.
So some will be AC Incursions and some will be Ground troops but as Recon pilots you are told what to do.

And I have just made V1.22 that you can now elect to not even fly them at all.

HTH

WM

Version 1.22

1) Improved Flak Textures
2) Fixed an XML compatibility issue in Simulation.xml
3) Workshop settings for either disabling, enabling or allowing the user to decide 'on the fly' what to do in bad weather in campaign, now extends to allow users to control what he wants to do on Poor Recon Weather days.

Thank you, but now I'm confused again..

So, I assume with this new patch that I could be assigned (by the commander) an alternate mission and target in the briefing room (please see pics).

Wait for the patch and you will see?

Also please read all the notes and also play the game as it is to get a better understanding of how those workshop settings work at the moment?

WM

I think that's a good call Mark. It would actually come down to that anyway. You might get a pilot that says heavy rain no issue, as long as winds are light... and another that simply doesn't want to get wet. But looking at all the pics, and everything around Recon crates... there's no means of protection against wet weather...so highly doubtful they flew in any kind of inclimate weather.

I like the personal decision idea. That makes a lot of sense.

Ta James and it is now exactly as so for 1.22.

It will be a few days before it releases as I am looking into a few other things.

Best

WM

Thank you WM for continuing to make patch 1.21 even better with the forthcoming 1.22..loving the recon update I’m hoping to post pics soon. Good to see you posting here hope you have a quick recovery from Covid.

I'm a great believer is playing the game the way it is made. The only add-ons I use are skins, just adapt to the FM's of each plane and fly as they are designed.

Testing this addon for quite a while. It's a completely different ballgame now with twoseaters. Having a purpose, real tasks and real outcomes. It's exciting to get the pics as good as possible to not make your dangerous mission in vain. Also after making them, doing the best you can to bring them home in one piece.
It's nice to have all this dogfighting and racking up kills, but now also the real workhorses, the real purpose of WW1 aviation can be recreated. A thing not seen in any flightsim, yet. Especially since you have this immersion and real feel to be helping the guys down there, by providing HQ with good pics, doing some W/T to take out positions, dropping notes at a nearby HQ etc.
One thing I quickly noticed is, now you know why so many have been surprised and ended up shot down. You are so occupied by doing your important job. And if you run, if you have been chased away without result, then you have the genuine feeling of having let down the poor chaps below.

Also to note, there are now many more single AI twoseaters doing their recon and artillery jobs. So as a fighterpilot, if you are going lone wolf, you can do it for the purpose as they did in real. Not to run alone into enemy squadrons with plenty of AC but to go on a hunt, like many aces did. Mccudden didn't fly often alone to fight half a dozen enemies at once but to pick his prey carefully. To spot, stalk and hunt those other lone twoseaters. So this addon also benefits fighting campaigns a lot. I'm really loving it :-)

Cheers

.... I totally agree. Just one more puzzle piece left to complete two seater careers (and fighters, too)..... RAIDS.... Day and Night.... where you join about half dozen other squadrons to strike at one target! ... or you're on the opposing side trying to react to a sudden RAID!

Quite right Creaghorn, well put. Great pictures.
When flying it makes you appreciate those 2 seater crews more. You now appreciate more why the crappy BE2c was used often, because it's so stable it's really great at it's job (useless at fighting though). Also it brings a lot more tension now in flights trying to decide to hang around to get good result, or break for home.

yes, hats off to all those young teens who did this sort of work day after day. No wonder they had so many binges.

@OvStachel:

"I'm one for all flights being cancelled in bad weather. These little planes would never fly in ANY kind of snow, they barely fly at all on a nice day. The weight on the wings and ice would collapse them immediately.

So as frustrating as it was back then to have to wait.. my vote is for the same now. No Flying OPS of any kind in weather like you see above. Better to wait and fly another day, then have to train a whole new class of pilots.

Loving the mod already... it's very intense!

The Black Baron of Boistrancourt returns!!

I'd rather die fighting, than live for nothing. - Gen. G.S. Patton"


Yes, I agree!!
When I have bad weather in WOFF with all the dark big clouds, rain or snow, wind, thunderbolts, I asked often myself: "If such a bad weather is flyable with these first machines, which weather would be not flyable then?"
So I have the "WOFF optional cloud mod 4.2 by @BB also as a second light version without heavy clouds in my mod-folder (you can read the way at the end of the readme). And additionally I have used the "historical weather mod 2.2" by @BB with more cancelled flights because of bad weather so far ( with "Recon Wars" I don't activate this mod the first weeks, because I want to see the results of default "Bad Weather cancels Flights").

So I have turned on "Bad Weather cancels Flights", for my kind of flying / playing the best way, I believe.


Greetings!

I think it's best people use the new options in the Workshops now before modding. You can have "Bad Weather Affects Missions" ON or OFF. You can also have Bad Weather Cancels Flights On/OFF or even "optional" where you the player choses on the fly at the time. So all those cases above BuckeyeBob mentions are catered for.

I hear you Pol!

Had a fantastic flight today!

An early morning Recon, FA 3 Lb, Mar 1915 flying the trusty Aviatik B.1. Slow and lumbering, but stable and easy to fly. Mimics the feel of a Piper Cub.

Based at a new drome just west of Menen, our flight of 2 departed northwest to take some notes of a large enemy troop position southwest of sector. Our troops at the line needed vital intel as to what they were up against, in numbers and arms.

The flight was smooth, a nice crisp late winter morning, not a cloud in the sky. In our slow moving B1's, it took what seemed like a lifetime to get to a safe altitude to make the trip "over the mud". As we climbed, I could see some British Moranes out there as well. Minding our own business, they were no threat to us other than what information they were gathering. I read in yesterday's paper that the French are trying to mount MG's on some of their Moranes. Good Luck! Wait till it shoots off your prop. What a dumb idea! Imagine a machine gun mounted on a plane! What for??

We continued on to target and the flak was getting a little rough. It's a good thing they're not very accurate. Those pom-pom bursts look nasty and they're very close! I spotted my assigned target and climbed a little more to get a good look. Circling over the area, I jotted down a few notes on the first pass.. then another pass.. and then a final loiter. Altogether it took 3 passes. You would think with a mount as slow as an Aviatik I'd get it on the first run! Not easy at all.

I climbed out, met up with my leader and we headed off to the drop point. I spotted it a distance away and descended to a lower altitude.. albeit a little early... the local boys down there took a ton of pot shots at me and tore up my wings a little!! I got down low and dropped the bag with my notes. Wow, what a dump! I'd hate to be those guys living in the mud around a blown-up factory!! Not me!

Shortly after that, I broke-off and headed home. On the way I decided to pass-by a friend of mine that was in a forward Obs Balloon position. I keep telling him to get out of that thing and come join me.. but he loves what he does... well... so do I! A nice soft landing back at Menen and a glass of Schnapps for afternoon break. Success! The forward HQ radioed my CO's office that they got the intel I wrote down for them! I sure hope it helps! Going back up in about an hour... they're mounting a camera on the side of my crate, This should be interesting!

Great write up James, looks like a pleasant day out. You'd think those enemy troops were trying to kill you or something.

Pol, the scenery was always something you guys strived to push to perfection. With this new addition, it all comes together. We may not have all the bells and whistles of a modern sim with lighting effects and shading.. but what we have is the most amazing realism I've ever felt in a sim. Our sim compares to DCS to where you really feel like there is a point to what you are doing. Not just hunting enemy now, it's all about that young kid in the front of me, getting us to the target area, staying high... you have this strange sense of actually being a part of the war in a way I've never felt in any WWI sim before... even our own. This is a whole new page and I hope many of the players explore it. They need to see what this is like. Not only was I constantly scanning the sky, but I was watching for the flak, hoping it would not hit me. The Pom-poms were perfect in size and strength from what I've read. It was a nuisance that could kill you, but odds are it wouldn't.

You guys just nailed it. You can't fly these missions on auto-pilot like fighter missions. You have to pay attention, approach at the right angle, loiter at the right bank angles... keep your altitude at the right height so your flying must be better...throttle up, down, pitch... it's al there.

This is really flying! And on top of it all, the scenery around you is simply amazing!

BTW... DCS World (Digital Combat Simulator World) - I compare our sim to that one because you really need to know what the hell you're doing way before you ever think of entering combat or flying missions. You need to know your plane, the terrain, how to fly it, the enemy... everything. Recon Wars just hit that level with this new addition. Sure, I'm not banging MiG 15's in my Sabre with these missions, but I sure as hell need to know how to fly to get the job done. It's that feeling you walk away from that makes you come back. There are only so many times I can shoot down an enemy plane before I kinda start thinking I need to move on to another era or another plane. Recon Wars has me thinking that already.. how can I make this machine better... when is the next plane type coming so I can at least protect myself!?! I love dogfighting, but I never thought about the enemy I am shooting down. Now I am the enemy I was shooting down... and wow.. it's not fun on this side of the gun. LOL.

Great post, OvS, that highlights many of the differences between the careers of a scout vs. a two-seater pilot.

The mindset between being the hunter vs. being the hunted is quite different.....

+1

I actually like the new settings a lot, and that it does get frustrating even seeing that the weather is bad. I mean... that's REAL flying for you. You would NEVER take one of these crates up in any weather other than overcast and above. And even overcast can be an issue depending on the ceiling. Wind shear at tree-top level.. no flights. Rain.. no flights. Fog... no flights. But that's real life. No way in hell you're flying in snow. or even heavy rain. I think what's been done with the new option is perfect.

So I like the choice method. I feel like it gives you that chance to experience even the decision making process to go or no-go.

Nice work Winder!

Well, a couple of days of crappy March weather had us grounded and no ops. So finally the weather cleared and up we went at 10am!

Some more outstanding scenery shots from my latest Note Taking mission. Was marginally successful... only 2 of the 5 pages were good. Clouds were large and fluffy, but added to the difficulty because I could not get a good look at the troops.

Yet another aspect to consider. You have to fly around them and make sure you have a good view!

What you could do is set that option to light activity etc, when you know you are in the very poor weather months at least (winter).

OK let's keep the modding comments out of this thread please.
The sim has many otpions fine for the vast majority of people. As per usual representing real life war in a sim, is extraordinarily difficult as you also have to cater for PC performance and all sorts of other things that get in the way but overall WOFF does a great job. Most people with reasonable PCs do not need to remove flights, of course.

I'm slooow-ly getting the hang of this, or at least less useless at it.

January 29th 1916 presents a fine, clear morning for a photo recce mission over the Lines - sorry but I for one eschew US modernisms like 'recon' and 'intel' - and off we go from Hesdigneul.



Up ahead is a Bristol Scout from 'A' Flight. Behind us is home sweet home, whose acquaintance I hope to make again, soon.



It's a long climb to just over seven thousand so we may as well get going.



It's at times like this that one wishes one was driving one of those trucks, down there and not flying this frail aeroplane, up here.



My concentration approaching the objective - an enemy HQ just behind their forward trenchlines - is rather spoiled by an outbreak of Archie. It takes us a while to identify the target of this gunfire as the 'A' Flight Bristol. Thanks for giving me the wind up quite needlessly, I tell him mentally.



After two rather wobbly runs over my objective I've used up all five photographic plates and I'm diving for our side of the Lines, hoping somehow not to have made a mess of it. Apart from Archie, we are unmolested. It seems the Hun fliers in this sector favour a late and uninterrupted breakfast. Can't say I blame 'em.



Losing height gradually, we reach safety...



...and are soon over Bethune, from which it's a short hop back to Hesdigneul.



To my surprise and relief, my hop is considered to have been a success. But it's been hard work, requiring concentration and careful flying from a rather clumsy pilot.





Fortunately there were no Fokkers up there to catch us napping, which they so easily could!

She's a beautiful bird and no mistake. Such grace and poise. Those curves and pipes. It's too much. Why, if I was younger man ..... ahem, well done on your successful recce Lima. I think it's fair to say Winder has done a sterling job with this major update. Top shelf.

Just finished my first Art Obs show. Was absolutely convinced that I was more than close enough to the target - and the visibility was excellent, height nearly as recommended and not too low - but was told all my messages related to the 'wrong location'!



The mission review showed all the messages were sent close to the waypoint at the furthest apex of my long flight plan (whose WPs I omitted to adjust), which must surely have been the target.



We sat through all that Archie for nothing!

Lima

I noticed in your log for the previous recce that there was a comment about 4 pgotos followed directly by a comment about 1 photo and no indication as to whether or not that one photo was any good. What does that mean?

Regards

I didn't understand that either, Rick. Likewise the 1 Feb debrief career totals to date, showing 1 photo taken. 'B Flight progress' is also just a stub.

Great pics. It's likely you weren't quite in the right place.

On the previous mission notes;
It actually states;

Recon. Photos taken: 4
then
Accurate Recon. Photos taken: 1

So pretty clear there?

The first number of photos is how many you took, the 2nd is how many successful recon photos were taken.

Perfectly clear now thanks Pov.

Is there an 'edit .xml file-type' way of increasing the range 'transmitting a/c to target' for art obs missions? Unless (which is of course possible) I badly mis-read the flight plan on the in-flight map - which I relied upon as I wasn't very clear from the TAC - I believe that I was certainly close enough to observe the fall of shot onto the target in that last mission, even if the visibility hadn't been quite so good!

Looking forward to the next show, and to 2-seater careers in other squadrons and air services.



This expansion is virtually a whole new sim, within a sim! Time to upgrade to BH&H II, if you haven't already!

Hi all,

yesterday evening I have had my first ReconWars-missions with my bomber/recce-campaign: Aviatik C1, 02.16, FFA13, Verdun (with "bad weather affects operations" and " Bad weather cancels flights").
And the first one was a photo-mission. All has functioned well!
Only my abilitiy to take photos ... ... terrible! "Too low, wrong location".
It is difficult to keep the direction, the altitude and to take the photo at the right moment. And always you must look around. But indeed you get a better feeling for the pilot-job, you have to do, the purpose of it and the dangerous situation. Great job OBD!!! This is an absolutely stand alone feature!
Today evening I will fly the next missions.

Greetings and Thanks for it!

Photo-Reconnaissance again , ... what a disaster !!
"Not level, poor visibility, wrong location, blurred, over exposed, ... !"

2 notes, I could registrate:
+ The AI-pilot trys to reach the ASL-altitude, but for the photo you need the right AGL-altitude (right?).
+ before I have started the campaign today evening I was in QC and flew with ALB-DII over Alsace/Buhl-Lorraine . Then I have started my campaign from yesterday and have used "Review Mission" to repeat the last mission from yesterday. But -I was wondering- the review was the repeat of my QC-flight over Alsace a few minutes before (is it okay?). Then I have flown my first campaign-mission from today evening, used Review Mission and have seen the correct repeat of my last campaign mission.

Okay, next mission ... !
...
..
...
My first useable photo, only one, but "the beginning has been made!"


Greetings

Glad you are getting the hang of it, it takes a few runs sometimes for it to click - your brain, not the camera shutter .

Don't worry about the AI they are just along for support. When you are getting near target, you need to come out of autopilot if you are using it and fly directly to the target waypoint. In flight, you can bring up the map (M) and check the altitude in there too. Just climb to that altitude. There is a slight leeway, so it doesn't have to be exact, but best to try your best to be as close as possible for maximum chance of a good photo or recon.

Check the map. Look at the first waypoint over the lines - zoom map to max will help (cycle with key combination Control Shift M).. Fly over the first waypoint and when you think you are in the middle area do your recon thing, photo etc.
Depends on weather settings too, make sure you have bad weather affects missions ON in Workshops otherwise you may get to do photo recon at low altitude in poor vis, which won't work!

The mission replay is your last mission so if you fly QC you would lose a previous recording.

33Lima: You can't edit the distance yourself no.
From the notes
R/T Messages Must be sent within 150 to 1650m (Visibility Dependant) of Objective point and not at a low altitude - > 1000m.
Low Altitude results in poor signal transmission that are too weak to be received properly.

So in theory plenty of room there, but if the weather is cloudy hazy etc then you need to be much closer. I try to be as close as possible anyway.

Hallo @Pol,

thanks for answer and the tips!
Yes, I have "bad weather affects operations" ON.

I have tested the different altitude ASL and AGL, you can see with "z". And the system registrates the AGL-altitude, when you take your photo (logical in my opinion). So, if the average-altitude for the mission is 2500m f.e., and the AI-pilot flys to the target, he will climb up till 2500m ASL-altitude. Your AGL-altitude is llogically lower. If you deactivate the AI-pilot to take the photo it is better to climb up again till the AGL-altitude 2500m at first.

SORRY, I have still one (maybe stupid) question:
what does this mean exactly after photo-reconnaissance: "Not Level"?


Thanks for answer again and Greetings!

Ok, by 'level' it means you need to keep your aircraft level. i.e. do not have much "roll" or "pitch" on your aircraft.

Thanks!!
Exactly that I have thought (the stable position of the aeroplane in direction and altitude, only minimal stick-movements), but I was not sure.

Greetings!

It's 3rd February 1916 and rather than being able to enjoy a decent lunch in the mess, we're off to the Lines to range the guns onto Hun positions west of Lens. Must be important because Ferdy Waldron is escorting us in a second BE2.



At least the weather is co-operating nicely. We're soon clattering away from Hesdigneul.



I've adjusted the flight plan to my satisfaction...



...and as usual am planning to gain height over Bethune.



And there it is. You'd hardly think there's a war on, the scene looks so quaint and peaceful.



Nearing the Lines, the illusion of peace and order soon falls away like a mask.



For navigation I rely initially on both map and TAC...



...but the latter seems to lose track of waypoints and wants me to turn back before reaching the target. So I rely on the map for navigation.



I carefully overfly what I think is the target and start tapping out the calls to the battery we're working with. By this time, we're being well plastered by Archie, so it's quite hard to concentrate on the job in hand and fly with the necessary precision. I'm aware that I'm sending messages in rather quick succession, too much so for strict realism. Methinks a longer forced interval might allow for the whole process between aircraft and battery, given that you aren't forced to wait for the guns to adjust their aim, fire, the fall of shot to be observed and the resultant message composed. also I do wonder if the range to the target should be a good deal longer - even if it is already the 'slant range' to allow for altitude.



Messages sent, I turn and run for home, throttle wide open. Just when I think we have got away with it, a round bursts close below us and we're in serious trouble.



I'm not sure from the TAC if myself or the observer have been hurt but either way, I need to get us down where help is at hand. It's lucky for us we're just over our own trenches.



I'm mightily relieved when I manage a forced landing in the mud before either of us has passed out. The motor conks out just as we're rolling to a halt.



Relief turns to pleasure when we're told our mission has been rather successful...



...with all five R/T messages rates as 'Accurate'. And it appears no-one has been seriously hurt, after all.



The Recce Wars (ok, Recon Wars!) expansion really does deserve being so described, as it adds great new depth and immersion to a side of WW1 air war simming that has been rather poorly catered for - up to now! That this add-on should be turned out in such a short time - and turn out to be so good, and free! - is a remarkable tribute to the developers. Bravo!

Fantastic stuff Lima, what an incredible job the OBD boys have done.

Nice AAR,,,

It's the late morning of 5th February 1916 and my 'B' Flight is carrying out the order that's come down from Wing for No.2 Squadron to bomb enemy frontline positions north of Lens.



We're putting up five BEs, each with four little Cooper bombs. 'A' Flight is putting up a solitary Bristol Scout to provide distant cover.



One thing I especially like about WoFF is how the sense of 'being there' is enhanced by the subtle fogging with distance, which really brings out beautifully the gentle undulations in the landscape.



See what I mean?



I've modified my flight plan so that as usual, we'll be gaining height over Bethune. The first step is up to around five thousand.



Time to level off for a bit as the others still haven't quite caught up.



Here they come - two on my left rear...



...and two on the right, all bucking and swaying realistically.



So up we go again, now just north of Bethune.



Down below, the little town looks as peaceful as ever, seemingly untroubled by the war being fought on its doorstep.



By about four thousand, we're level with the clouds, which are back in force after several clear days.



They'll cover our approach, and we can always descend below them if they're over the target when we arrive. Climbing again, I settle onto the leg that will take us over the Lines, before turning slightly right for the bomb run. Won't be long, now!



...to be continued!

The others are straggling a bit as I make the gentle right turn that will take us over the target - enemy positions just behind the Hun front lines.



I settle onto what I hope is the direction of the target, hoping the clouds won't block our view...



...and throttling back so the others can close up. Fortunately, so far there's neither Fokkers nor Archie to bother us.



Suddenly, just when I'm over a clear target area and about to bomb, our formation breaks up, with BEs sliding off in different directions. Are we under attack? It seems not, but I hear the whistle of bombs as one of the boys lets fly. Spooked, I do the same, though I'm almost certain that my bombs will overshoot.



I don't see any explosions on the ground and orbit, while trying to recall the others. At this point, Archie joins the party. Bit of a shambles, this show's become.



Two other BEs soon rejoin and I lead them back towards our side of the Lines.



We slowly pull clear of the Acrhie. But then I notice a fresh outbreak astern. This will be my two stragglers, I'm thinking, so I start to orbit again, so they can catch us up.



At this stage, I've no great hopes for a successful mission - I'll settle for bringing all my boys safely back home!

...to be continued!

33Lima one thing, when you say you are having trouble with the TAC waypoints.

That means you did not nail the waypoint correctly, so it's still there. It is still telling you to go there. So if you have gone past a waypoint or ignored it intentionally etc, do advance to next waypoint (Shift+W usually) the TAC will be correct and will then show you the next waypoint.

Thanks for the tip Pov; tho I'm fairly sure that - while it's not apparent in the sequence suggested by the screenshots - when I reached (or passed) the WP before the one for the target, the route marker line suddenly switched, not to the target waypoint or the 'initial point' that I had reached or passed, but back to the waypoint on the way home, about ten miles to the west. It was at this time that the formation broke up for some reason, possibly the AI assuming I had relinquished leadership, tho the basis for such an assumption was unclear to me.


If this happens again, I'll pay more attention and if the source of the error isn't between the keyboard and the seat, take screenshots at the time it happens.

Eventually, and much to my relief, all four BEs are soon back in formation with me...



...and I lead us all back to Hesdigneul.



The journey home is uneventful, though my observer, stout chap that he is, isn't taking any chances with being caught napping, even well over our side of the Lines. Which is how I'd want it to be.



There we are - home and dry.



I overfly our aerodrome and give the signal to land. The formation breaks up as the others comply.



I fly a half-circuit and come in to a safe landing, ahead of the rest of the flight.



The debriefing indicates that all four BEs dropped their bombs, though only two - not including my crew - are claiming hits. It could have been worse!

Campaigns in two seaters - the 'working aeroplanes' whose work was actually the raison d'etre of whole the air effort - were rather lackluster in WW1 sims - until now. Recon Wars is a whole new ball game and entirely deserves to be labelled as an expansion. I'm hooked!

Yes that can be it if you are leading and make a steep turn or appear to veer too far or too quickly - they think you are broken off and a new leader forms. Also sometimes you can accidentally issue a split command.

Lieutenant Harry Bellingham 5 RFC flying out of Abeele Aug 1915.

Photo recon of enemy troops, no enemy encountered and a unsuccessful mission (3 blurred 1 overexposed, and 1 wrong location ) and...im having an absolute blast flying recons etc. Bloody fantastic job lads.

Glad you are enjoying Adger, Your 3rd photo was in the right place at least, just unlucky it was blurred.

Some lovely crisp images here from you all.

Cheers Pol, what you and Winder have accomplished is nothing short of remarkable, every update gets better and better..my map reading and recon needs too improve somewhat, I need binoculars instead of glasses

Lieutenant Harry Bellingham 5 RFC flying out of Abeele Aug 1915.

Another recon mission this time with Sargeant Peter Cutting and his Obs to photograph Troop movements...










There's a bit of cloud up i hope it won't hamper our mission




Archie opens up on us and i struggle to maintain my height and keep my wings level. But manage to get my camera working..



Both make it home unscathed and fingers crossed that the photographs taken will be of some use.




Mission a success, 2 of the photos were good enough..time for a good stiff drink in the mess

Well slap my thighs old chap... good effort!

That's the ticket well done. Now we just need a few more 1000 photos.

Quick link to an actual pilot's experiences in a Corps squadron in 1918, log and diary plus lots of extra information on how it was done back then https://gregswar.com/

B.

That's a good link!

I'm really enjoying all of these stories you guys are posting... although it seems there is a definite need for more Boche fliers!!! Lol.

Good point OvS rather a lot of BE2c pics hopefully some of you can fly other 2 seaters on recon missions.

Thanks for the link, B! I will use this to update my Historical Weather mod for 1918!

Going through the log and diary, it's interesting to see how often the word "dud" appears. The word is used to describe not only the weather, but also an engine that is misbehaving or a mission that fails or does not go as planned. Another thing I noticed is that contrary to the idea that aircraft such as the Be2 never went up in bad weather, is how often pilots attempted to go up, at least in rain and clouds (never in high winds, however). Frequently, he mentions missions that were taken in "dud" weather. Often times, these are short missions that only last for 10 minutes or so, before he gives up and returns to base. Some, however, are completed even though the weather is not very good. In other cases, his log or diary simply states, "Dud. Did not fly."

In short, sometimes he flew in marginal weather, at other times he did not.

Nice find!

Good stuff, that ties in with using Bad weather effects Operations to ON (which is default), and Bad Weather Cancels Missions turn to OFF (default) or change to Optional (then you can choose to try to fly or not as he did.

A word of caution, though, if you are using my OCM and decide to turn "Bad Weather Cancels Missions" to Off or to Optional and you try to fly the mission anyway: the weather is likely to be really nasty!

If you aren't using the OCM, the weather will probably be somewhat more tolerable, but no guarantees!

Sub Lt. Rother Nought

No. 4 RNAS

27 miles behind the front

Coudekerque, July 1916

Well, I'm in for it now. I thought joining the air services would be a good way to avoid the war for a long while. Who knew they could train pilots so fast now? The last few days I have been up in a Sopwith Strutter ferrying 2nd Lt. Norton from one bomb-hole to another to photograph each one in turn. Of course, I would be all for firing off all the plates at once and getting out of there and back for a brandy like some anticipatory Yossarian, but Norton insisted on being at the right spot at the right time at the right altitude for every photo, regardless of how familiar Archibald was trying to become with all the sensitive spots of our bus. To make matters worse, every now and again he would jerk the Lewis gun around and stare intently at a spot in the sky as if to intimate that a hun was about to attack before glancing over with that inscrutable look of his, the berk...

I can't wait for tomorrow...



I am going to say this one time and then I'll shut up about it as I know it is not super useful, but this add-on makes me think even more than before that WoTR was a mistake. If you guys had focused on getting this to a new engine what perfection that would have been! Not that the graphics really need much, but having just some modern engine conveniences like dx11, easier modability, a modern control interface for joystick setup, modern map, better engine management, rotary flight model and ground game... I really never liked the two seater experience before but now you can see the enormous potential. Great job on this expansion, like lima said and I'll shut up now!

@BuckeyeBob:
Originally Posted by Bletchley
Quick link to an actual pilot's experiences in a Corps squadron in 1918, log and diary plus lots of extra information on how it was done back then smile https://gregswar.com/

B.


Thanks for the link, B! I will use this to update my Historical Weather mod for 1918!

Going through the log and diary, it's interesting to see how often the word "dud" appears. The word is used to describe not only the weather, but also an engine that is misbehaving or a mission that fails or does not go as planned. Another thing I noticed is that contrary to the idea that aircraft such as the Be2 never went up in bad weather, is how often pilots attempted to go up, at least in rain and clouds (never in high winds, however). Frequently, he mentions missions that were taken in "dud" weather. Often times, these are short missions that only last for 10 minutes or so, before he gives up and returns to base. Some, however, are completed even though the weather is not very good. In other cases, his log or diary simply states, "Dud. Did not fly."

In short, sometimes he flew in marginal weather, at other times he did not.

Nice find!


@Polovski:
Good stuff, that ties in with using Bad weather effects Operations to ON (which is default), and Bad Weather Cancels Missions turn to OFF (default) or change to Optional (then you can choose to try to fly or not as he did.


Okay, on the one side the aeroplanes haven't flown often because of bad weather.
On the other side pilotes have tried it of course.

So in my eyes it is logical, that a flight has been cancelled, if the weather was too bad during the whole flight. If the weather was acceptable during start and bad only for 10 Minutes and then acceptable again, then of course the pilots have done it. Also it is logical in my eyes, that they have tried to fly, if the mission was a short one with short distance and if the weather has allowed a start and was at the limit.
So, IMHO the bad weather in WOFF is not flyable and very often bad for the whole flight. So it is realistic, if the system with "Bad Weather Cancels Missions" ON cancells these missions. The other situations (short time of bad weather also in a short mission) is more a point of variable degree of dynamic weather. And I can imagine, that the system has limits at this.

But at the end, ReconWars is no patch, it's an absolut outstanding expansion. I can only say THANKS for it!!


Greetings!

In looking at the diary and log entries you need to note that it is a very 'active' front in the summer of 1918. The daily briefing in WOFF tells you if you are on a quite or active front, so you could put 'Bad weather effects Operations to ON (which is default), and Bad Weather Cancels Missions turn to OFF (default)' on an active front, but 'Bad weather effects Operations to ON (which is default), and 'Bad Weather Cancels Missions turn to ON' if it is a quiet front. This is what I have been doing!

B.

Hallo Bletchley,
that's a very good idea to integrate active / inactive front in the setting "Bad weather cancels missions" On or Optional/Off. And "Bad weather effects operations" On is basic on my system.

Greetings!

In parallel to my 2 Sqn campaign on the BE2c, I've begun a Luftstreitkrafte career starting earlier in the war, in July 1915, flying an unarmed Aviatik B-type. For some reason, I picked Bosta 2, perhaps because I fancied operating near the Channel coast for a change - we do like to be beside the seaside, and all that.

Leutnant Reinhart Hardegen's first show is a visual recce down to the Lines north of Ypres. Vizefeldwebel Dierksen is accompanying us, in another Aviatik.



Following the recent acquisition of Steel Beasts, I' now booting into Windows 10, and will likely henceforth use Win 7 just for forays into Battle of Britain II. I neglected to transfer my video driver settings so I'm stuck without its antialiasing, which will be apparent in the pics which follow. and , while I did manage to transfer over my pilots, I didn't update my WoFF Workshop settings so I'm getting a flight in bad weather. Both are fixed for my second trip!

Be that as it may, we're soon off the ground from Ghistelles and slowly clattering and clawing our way up into the rain.



In the front cockpit, my observer, Hauptmann Alvensleben - observers not pilots tending to command two-seaters, in our air service - sits impassively while we're steadily drenched in the slipstream.



We pass one of our observation balloons on the way. How much of the enemy he can see in these conditions, is doubtful.



I have to orbit to allow my companion to close up. After that, it's a long, slow climb up towards our objective over the Lines.



As we near the front, we come in for some attention from the Tommy gunners. It's noisy and more than a bit disconcerting. Evasive action seems pointless in our painfully slow packing cases so on we plough.



We finally reach our assigned height of around 1400 metres and make our run down No Man's Land to the objective.



Occasional gaps in the cloud allow the sun to light up our slow but pretty birds. We seem to have the skies to ourselves...for now...



...to be continued!

We're shelled with varying degrees of intensity as we trundle up to the objective.



Reaching it, we begin to orbit the general area. There's not much to be seen on the ground, but from time to time, outbreaks of flak reveal the presence of other aircraft in the vicinity. Turning on Labels at one point reveals these to be RFC Moranes on similar tasks to our own, no doubt.



If any of the fellows on the other side are armed, they show no signs of hostile intent, and soon disappear into the gloom. So back and forth we go...



...all the while fired at from below.



Tiring of this rather before I should, I slowly swing around for home.



The flak dies away as we leave the shelled area behind...



...and I put the nose down with the throttle still on to get back over our side of the Lines.



Well, that was an uneventful first hop, apart from the ground fire. Just as well, as we would have been in real trouble, had we run into an armed enemy aeroplane. Hopefully we'll have a chance to become well versed in the gentle art of two-seater operations before other aircraft start shooting at us!

Here's an interesting thing about this Recon Wars expansion. Had this air-combat-free mission been flown without the expansion, and certainly, if it had been flown as a patrol in scouts, it would have been a bit of a bore - not enough 'action'. Flying it in Recon wars, though, I'm finding the experience just as immersive and compelling as a scout patrol which sees combat. I don't know whether it's the ability to concentrate on flying while focussing on the mission; or the anticipation that comes with looking out for trouble to avoid, rather than meet, it; or the general sense of 'being there' conveyed by the superb visual experience that is WoFF BH&H II. But I'm finding that the immersion on Recon Wars two-seater missions is as deep as anything else I've flown in simulated WW1 skies.

Report on my second flight with Bosta 2 started on the AAR forum, HERE.

Very nice, 33Lima!

Are you using default or OCM clouds?

Stock here at present, apart from skinpacks and the CCF mods.

With OBD being a two man team - not enough years left in my life or Pol's to port this to a new engine alas.
What we have I think is great and overall gives better immersion and a sense of being there than most others out there.

In terms of the key bindings - I don't think I can make it easier than clicking the function item and then pressing a key or joystick button to remap.

Anyway still more to come.

WM

Edit:
I meant to add - great sorties in this thread pleased you guys are enjoying it!

To be honest I really, really like the look of WoFF as it is now; the world looks not just real but rather lovely, and the aircraft too are works of art. Even compared to sims with more modern engines.

The new 'engines' I'd like to see in WoFF are the ones in the Dolphin, the Pfalz D.XII and a few more French, German and British two-seaters, which - with the arrival of Recon Wars - are now suddenly a much more attractive proposition. I hope these 'new engines' will show up in the next payware expansion!

In the meantime, we've plenty of toys to play with.

Yep more 'engines' coming in 2023.

WM

Flying recon missions over the mountains in Alsace I have noticed that if I fly at the correct altitude for note taking, as instructed, I am informed afterwards that I was 'too low'. I need to fly considerably higher to avoid this. When calculating the height, I guess it must be the height above the target rather than the altitude that determines the correct altitude for successful note taking?

There's no arguing with this!



This one was my bad. I was trying to get my mixture on the top button of the Thrustmaster throttle which I guess counts as a hat switch and wasn't liked by the program. I've since used different keys and gotten it sorted!

Hi Bletchley, are you using ASL or AGL for the altitude? Use the AGL.

The Z key readout should report ASL or AGL.

If you were using AGL send the logs please after this situation please to support email.

Yes!!
As said on side 3 the system registrates AGL (z-key). Near at the coast it is quasi even logically, but over the mountains the difference is big of course.

Greetings!

Indeed that's the idea - near the Sea ASL is almost the same as AGL as the land is usually close to or merging into the sea, in the mountains it is not!

Well, old chap, I was using the altimeter in the cockpit of course!

That could be the reason, it doesn't seem to be a problem in on any of the other fronts. I will have a look with the Z key next time

In Alsace I don't worry about the enemy - it is the mountains that are trying to kill me. Dropping down low to drop off the weighted bag on an HQ in the valley and then desperately trying to claw back altitude before I get boxed in by the high ground...

Lots of fun, thank you, Polovski.

Greetings Becker! Yes, I can see now that you got to that one worked out already


B.

Additionally:
... and that the system registrates the AGL for photo/... in recon-missions is historically correct in my opinion, because in this early time of flying the AGL-Altimeter was in use. So in consequence the briefing-altitude / AI-altitude, the cockpit- / HUD-altimeter (all in ASL!) should be in AGL too. Then f.e. you would fly higher than now over Alsace-mountains.
I don't know, if it is possible for OBD to change this point. If not, a short info in the "Recon Wars Notes", that you must pay attention at AGL could be helpful for the users.

Greetings!

I didn't know that about the early instruments - thank you Becker!

B.

I am sure they did not use radio altimeters to read AGL altitude in these days. Instead, they set the barometric altimeters to zero while on the ground (QFE) , so it showed altitude above aerodrome level (AAL). In Alsace, however, it could lead to tragic consequences.

Hallo @JJJ,

yes, you are right. I have written too fast, my mistake.
Of course as you have written they have set the altimeters to zero on the ground (field elevation = QFE), not more. AGL indicates this according to QFE, when you start from the airfield-ground (that was my thought), but AGL ALWAYS indicates the actual altitude over ground during your flight. Of course that was not possible at that time and I haven't thought this point really out.

I fear, QFE is not possible in WOFF.


Greetings and thank you for correction!

Aaaah, they got me!
More than 40 missions, so much photos and sometimes bombs and dangerous situations. But now I have risked too much, one approach over target too much.
That was it, campaign closed.

The EngineFailure-mod by @Bletchley is very nice in my opinion. At default no engine-problems with Aviatik C1 much missions. With the mod I have had two missions the last weekends with a realistic development from light to heavy damage during one mission. It started with the message but at first without a problem. Minutes later you could hear, that something is wrong and then the performance decreased till oil and engine out.
The mod is worth it to test it more IMHO.


Greetings!

I am glad you are getting on well with the engine failure mod Becker01 - yes, the 'minor' failures that you have experienced with this mod are very mild for some time, but once a 'tipping point' is reached they will get rapidly worse (but even then you should have time to make it back to the nearest friendly airfield, as the deterioration in power is more gradual than with a 'major' failure). The 'major' failures are more like those already experienced in WOFF, can be sudden and severe or a very quick deterioration. The more reliable the engine, the greater proportion of 'minor' to 'major' failures, and the less likely it is that there will be any failure at all. The chances of a 'major' failure for the least reliable engines are about the same as you would have experienced with the original WOFF engine failure rate, and for the most reliable engines it is roughly the same as the current WOFF engine failure rate (most falling somewhere in between).

If anyone would like to test the 'Lite' version of this mod then please PM me (it involves switching in a different 'Simulation' file, so you would need to back-up and keep the original WOFF 'Simulation' file somewhere safe before testing the new ones).

B.

I have flown ReconWars several months, but because my campaign was over I went back to my fighter-campaign (Jasta 8, 14 confirmed claims and first lieutenant after 8 months). I thought I can continue where I have stopped, no problem. But what a bad awakening! I have no chance, I'm a rookie again! The aeroplanes are faster, the movements are faster, the overview is more difficult and the trench gunner are dangerous. After 5 missions I was injuried twice and I'm only happy to survive at the moment. It's a complete different way of flying.

IMHO it's a proof for the great job, OBD has made with these 2 different kind of campaigns. A class of its own!

Greetings!