6 missions in and I'm NOT having fun...

[CaptainScott]

In a word, terrible. After doing so well one on one in the training missions I figured I was ready to jump into a campaign. Obviously not.

So far I've been shot down twice, landed by choice (wounded) twice, and quit 2 missions after my squad mates ran off on their own while I followed the waypoint header like a good soldier.

Even with rudder pedals the jerries out turn, out climb and out speed me in virtually every circumstance and/or go into a hoop-te-do on the few occasions I've been able to get on their six making it impossible to hit them. And this is only the early part of the game?

By the way, I'm with the 13th Aero based at Toul flying the Spad XIII if that makes any difference.

Yes, the learning curve is steep and I've had much the same experience. But, it's still very fun and I find that I am slowly improving.

So, hang in there. I am sure that things will improve.

 

[ovs]

Ahhh... I take it some of you didn't read my combat reports...

I was given Robert Shaws Fighter Combat: Tactics and Maneuvering when I was about 13, and I still own it. It's a tough read as some have said already, but worth it to put some time into it.

My background: I flew RB3D for about 2 years with whom I consider the best of the best, Jasta 23b's Rittm. Wolfgang Jager. He taught me everything I know and there was still more. We did very well as a unit and with our small numbers, put up some kills that opened eyes.

I can tell you a few things that apply to OFF that come from my experiences and might help you....

1. Respect the ability of your enemy. Even though you might know the weakness of the EA, still respect what that pilot might be capable of. So knowing how to approach an engagement and how to run from it are essential. I won't describe the essentials of each plane... but certainly be familiar with them BEFORE you enter combat.

2. Create an understanding of the planes that you face by flying them. Know their strengths and weaknesses by physically finding out. I once had to finght Jager in a Dr.1 while he flew an SE5a... he kicked my a$$ all over town... I never saw him. He understood how to fly the plane.

3. SA is key to all Air Combat. SA = Situational Awareness. If you loose it.. you die.

4. Energy... 2nd most important aspect. Know how your plane gains it, uses it and looses it. The Spad XIII can outrun EVERYTHING... period. It's the fastest plane in the sky, but it's turning capacity is ****.

5. My last offering... know how to disengage... How to escape.. know when you've had enough. Be aware of what your SA is and where the whole situation is heading.

I wrote a whole slew of advice when I was Beta testing Phase 3. It all applies now.

Don't take me for a 'know-it-all' ace though. I'm not, most of you could probably mop the floor with me at this point. But I have been in actual MP combat before, and when I was, I wasn't too bad. So take my advice, if you want it, you might live longer.

OvS

 

[Over50]

Well....I be dead.


Apparently my boom and zoom was lacking in enough zoom and I went boom. At last glance my rudder was all shot up as I headed for the pending dirt nap.

Oh well, I'm going to try the Sopwith with the British and see how long I last this time...

(By the way I'm trying to do this at a 70% realism level)

 

[ovs]

Over50...

Don't fly the camel. You'll die. You're not ready for it.

Try this... Alb D.II verses either the N17, or the Pup. These are very good to start with.

Fly for either side. Put yourself on invincible with unlimited ammo, and fly in QC for a little while.

you just need practice. I get the feeling you're a little 'ham-fisted' which means your hard on the controls. How do I know that... I am too.

Allow your wingmen to help you, and in fact, stay above them and keep their tails clear until you are confident.

OvS

 

[Over50]

Over50...

Don't fly the camel. You'll die. You're not ready for it.

Try this... Alb D.II verses either the N17, or the Pup. These are very good to start with.

Fly for either side. Put yourself on invincible with unlimited ammo, and fly in QC for a little while.

you just need practice. I get the feeling you're a little 'ham-fisted' which means your hard on the controls. How do I know that... I am too.

Allow your wingmen to help you, and in fact, stay above them and keep their tails clear until you are confident.

OvS

Not according to the fair maidens I enjoyed some bubbly with the night before my flight... :kiss:

 

[Parky]

Spad XIII vs DIII's Clip

I am also one of those 'one trick ponies', and my only trick is turn-turn-turn. I need to learn some alternate moves and have read a bit about high yo-yos, etc etc but really haven't figured it out.

I would love it if someone posted an OFF video of some good dogfighting using the SPAD, showing the moves, and particularly how to keep the enemy in sight while executing them.

Any takers?

Ok Scout....you're on. Only a dumb Canadian would take you up on it, but here goes....lol. The scenario involves the Spad XIII vs two OAW DIII's. I let 'em go past.....video starts with 'em doing the early turn thing....both on my six. Buggers managed to put a few in the fuel tank as evidenced by the deadstick at the end of the clip. Thought I was a gonner for sure, but managed not to clip the trees on the way in. Then there was that horrible unscheduled touch 'n go just before the petrol ran out....lol.

Also didn't help that one of the damned guns jammed from time to time. Had the AI set to veteran.....just to give 'em a chance against a rookie Canuck of course

Btw Pol......clipped this using your TIR curve......way too fast and sensitive for me. Saw the dreaded blue triangles for the first time in a while. Maybe I need to adjust my head movements accordingly.


Sorry about your beloved DIII's Olham.....it's nothing personal, but I sure as hell wasn't gonna' try this against the DVII's......

Also sorry if it's a bit boring.....but it illustrates the need for patience in a Boom 'n Zoom situation.

Hang in there Over50......you'll get the hang of it.

Last but not least.....this is by far the most fun I've ever been able to have with my clothes on. What a magnificent achievement this "mod" is.

http://www.simgamers.net/downloads/spadscanturn.wmv


Cheers,


Parky

 

[ftgc]

I am also one of those 'one trick ponies', and my only trick is turn-turn-turn. I need to learn some alternate moves and have read a bit about high yo-yos, etc etc but really haven't figured it out.

I would love it if someone posted an OFF video of some good dogfighting using the SPAD, showing the moves, and particularly how to keep the enemy in sight while executing them.

Any takers?

Scout,

Sorry I tried. I downloaded fraps and went to QC with an ace DVII but my frame rate went from 40s and 50s to 8 with fraps recording. Got so bad fraps eventually dropped by itself.

Scott

 

[Over50]

Ok Scout....you're on. Only a dumb Canadian would take you up on it, but here goes....lol. The scenario involves the Spad XIII vs two OAW DIII's. I let 'em go past.....video starts with 'em doing the early turn thing....both on my six. Buggers managed to put a few in the fuel tank as evidenced by the deadstick at the end of the clip. Thought I was a gonner for sure, but managed not to clip the trees on the way in. Then there was that horrible unscheduled touch 'n go just before the petrol ran out....lol.

Also didn't help that one of the damned guns jammed from time to time. Had the AI set to veteran.....just to give 'em a chance against a rookie Canuck of course

Btw Pol......clipped this using your TIR curve......way too fast and sensitive for me. Saw the dreaded blue triangles for the first time in a while. Maybe I need to adjust my head movements accordingly.


Sorry about your beloved DIII's Olham.....it's nothing personal, but I sure as hell wasn't gonna' try this against the DVII's......

Also sorry if it's a bit boring.....but it illustrates the need for patience in a Boom 'n Zoom situation.

Hang in there Over50......you'll get the hang of it.

Last but not least.....this is by far the most fun I've ever been able to have with my clothes on. What a magnificent achievement this "mod" is.

http://www.simgamers.net/downloads/spadscanturn.wmv


Cheers,


Parky

Fantastic! Your situational awareness w/o the padlock is amazing. I assume you're using rudder pedals as well? And what is your panning rate set at?

 

[Mk2]

http://www.simgamers.net/downloads/spadscanturn.wmv


Cheers,


Parky

wow....:ernae:

 

[rabu]

Neat film and music, but it looks like he had his settings on unlimed ammo?

 

[:FI:Pike]

Dear All,
I must admit that I seldom use barrel rolls or yo yo's because I find that you cannot get the speed up to do it, as the drag on a biplane is very high and the speed drops off too fast before you can complete the manoeuvre and the control surfaces no longer respond (the roll rate on the SE seems a little slow especially when you put on opposite rudder to yaw in the roll.....ie barrel roll). Diving beforehand helps but I still tend to stick to turning manoeuvres........hammerheads spiral turns, sideslips etc.
To think that in WWI new pilots had very little time to learn (or chat about relative performance as we do) what to do in combat......and they had only one life to lose.
Regards,
Pike.

 

[Blue Nose]

To add to what Bullethead said, you can turn with aircraft such as the SPAD but based on a lag pursuit using your speed to make wider turns at higher speeds. Simply pulling back on the stick will favour the lighter aircraft with lower wingloading. IL-2 was a good trainer for this - it rewarded people who stuck to the correct corner speed rather than those who blew energy by traying for a higher angle of attack than necessary. The problem, which Bullethead summed up nicely, is that the speed adn acceleration of a bi-plane compared to the effective range of their weapons doesn't leave you much room to extend.

Having had a quick look at Parky's video it looks like a good example of this kind of thing but I'm at work and have to hide that I'm watching it

 

[marklaur]

Polovski's right about the Spad. It does help to have a bit of background in knowing that. I myself know that little fact from Red Baron 3D

But yeah, I guess it's a bit of a learning curve. The classic example of a great turn fighter is the Sopwith Camel or Fokker Dr. 1. You were flying the Spad, which is probably THE best example of a fighter you DON'T want to turn fight with, hence why you should use boom and zoom!

Good luck

I think that is a bit of a problem with a WWI Flight Sim, a lot more people have more of an idea about WWI aircraft.

It would be nice to have a beginners guide to WWI aircraft in this sim, or maybe a getting started guide as to what aircraft to use. There have been some good suggestions in this thread but I think a "Sticky" "Begginers Guide" would be a good idea.

The quicker people can feel at home in the sim the better reports it will get, hopefully leading to more sales.

Cheers MarkL

 

[Parky]

Scout,

Sorry I tried. I downloaded fraps and went to QC with an ace DVII but my frame rate went from 40s and 50s to 8 with fraps recording. Got so bad fraps eventually dropped by itself.

Scott

Scott, try following the instructions below. Works for me....works for Dimus. Worth a try.

Go to C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\CFSWW1 Over Flanders Fields (assuming a default install path)

Find your configurationoverridesdw xml. Change the multisample setting to "0" (without the quotation marks). Save the file, then go into your graphics control panel and set your anti-aliasing to the desired level making sure to "override the application settings". 8x or 16x works for me, but you may have to play with the levels to get rid of the FRAPS glitch. Aniso doesn't seem to have any bearing on this particular bug.

Example:<MultisampleType val="D3DMULTISAMPLE_0_SAMPLES"/>

Do NOT set your AA through the CFS3 cfg.



Over50: Pan rate is set to 1.2 but I am using TrackIR. Thanks for the compliment.


Rob.....did I expend that much ammo??? Good thing the guns were jamming a bit then. Also please consider the clip was for instructional purposes only.....besides....I said I was a "dumb" Canadian....not insane.....lol.

Blue Nose.....get back to work......:gossip:


Cheers,


Parky

 

[Dimus]

Scott, try following the instructions below. Works for me....works for Dimus. Worth a try.

Go to C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\CFSWW1 Over Flanders Fields (assuming a default install path)

Find your configurationoverridesdw xml. Change the multisample setting to "0" (without the quotation marks). Save the file, then go into your graphics control panel and set your anti-aliasing to the desired level making sure to "override the application settings". 8x or 16x works for me, but you may have to play with the levels to get rid of the FRAPS glitch. Aniso doesn't seem to have any bearing on this particular bug.

Example:<MultisampleType val="D3DMULTISAMPLE_0_SAMPLES"/>

Do NOT set your AA through the CFS3 cfg.

Yep! That worked like a charm for me. Now I'm making 4GB uncompressed clips of OFF action that I show to my colleagues at work just to ameze them with what OFF looks like. I also have OFF locked at 30 FPS and also set FRAPS to record at 30FPS. I might compress some clips and post them over here. The campaign action is thrilling.

 

[Over50]

Over50: Pan rate is set to 1.2 but I am using TrackIR. Thanks for the compliment.

Cheers,


Parky

I watched it again after I posted and kind of thought that's what you were using (TIR) because some views I saw you make can't be replicated with the normal panning setup. Sure has got me thinking of buying it....

I've dropped my pan rate to .2 and while it has helped slow things down, having a fast system in my case is a double edged sword because the hat switch movement is still too quick to come any where near close to what you can do with TIR. As such, for me anyway, I think the only way I'm going to survive in this game (short of full Easy settings) is using the no cockpit view in combination with snap and padlock view once I get into a full blown furball.

Using this method I finally did shoot down a Fokker VII (can't remember the type for sure as I sit here) in the second mission in (new career) by making a pass and continuing to build speed, climb and attack again. Took a number of times doing this but I finally crippled the target where he couldn't maneuver and once I got on his tail that was it.

Just have to quell my tendency to get into a turning fight ....

 

[Mk2]

I watched it again after I posted and kind of thought that's what you were using (TIR) because some views I saw you make can't be replicated with the normal panning setup. Sure has got me thinking of buying it....

I've dropped my pan rate to .2 and while it has helped slow things down, having a fast system in my case is a double edged sword because the hat switch movement is still too quick to come any where near close to what you can do with TIR. As such, for me anyway, I think the only way I'm going to survive in this game (short of full Easy settings) is using the no cockpit view in combination with snap and padlock view once I get into a full blown furball.

Using this method I finally did shoot down a Fokker VII (can't remember the type for sure as I sit here) in the second mission in (new career) by making a pass and continuing to build speed, climb and attack again. Took a number of times doing this but I finally crippled the target where he couldn't maneuver and once I got on his tail that was it.

Just have to quell my tendency to get into a turning fight ....

Congratulations well done!

 

[Over50]

Congratulations well done!

Not ready to go out an celebrate just yet. I got my butt peppered enough with the side-slip firing passes to know I was more lucky than good.. :d

 

[77Scout]

Parky: Thanks for that...a great video. I see how after about one turn you break off, get some distance, then come back in. I'll try that.

P.S. You mentioned the TIR blue jaggies. What is the key to quelling these? I have an good machine (E8400 with an 8800GT-600MHZ-512MB vid card) but still get them quite a bit. I experimented with mildly overclocking the CPU and also the vid card but saw no improvement. Next, I plan to mess with the OFF config and see what damage I can do (gulp).

 

[Parky]

P.S. You mentioned the TIR blue jaggies. What is the key to quelling these? I have an good machine (E8400 with an 8800GT-600MHZ-512MB vid card) but still get them quite a bit. I experimented with mildly overclocking the CPU and also the vid card but saw no improvement. Next, I plan to mess with the OFF config and see what damage I can do (gulp).

One thing I have noticed with P3. I see far less of that phenomenon than I did with P2. It may have a fair bit to do with the GTX280. I think the additional 512meg of memory on the card helps alleviate it quite a bit, along I'm sure, with a bunch of optimizing from the Winder. I also experimented with Pol's modified TrackIR curve while filiming this and because it's far more sensitive than the one I'm used to, the panning rate is much faster. The faster you pan, the quicker the card has to load and process textures. Mostly a matter of not turning your head as much, or turning it more gradually with a more sensitive curve.

One thing I do like about the more aggressive curve is I don't wake up with a sore neck in the morning.....lol.

You should be able to push that 8400 up to 3.6 with very little effort. Anything much more than that with that processor and you'll see diminished returns from what I've read. I'd try for 3.5 at the very least, but if it blows up.......you know the drill.....lol.

Cheers Mate,

Parky