Kitty Hawk Class Aircraft Carriers

[expat]

Yes, I think that is the master plan. We are very fortunate to have all these new post war carriers - Gary's Oriskany and Midway and Wombraider's Forrestal and Kitty Hawk class cv's. Superb freeware. While trapping and catting aren't too bad FPS-wise, you, me and others have found that the taxi to the forward cats are causing noticeable frame rate hiccups which put a damper on the fun. If these modifications result in models that have smooth frames during the whole carrier op cycle, there will be a lot of happy campers.

 

[Hooky722]

Well, Upon completion of the flight deck on Gary's Midway '75 last night I'm fairly certain now that I've cracked it! no frame rate issues. I would post the amended models up in the Library but I'd need to get Gary and Warren's permission before I can go uploading their stuff. Also because this was just in the experimental stage some of the deck platforms I've done are quite rough. I'd need time to refine them unless anybody else wants to try. I'm about to start work on the Kitty Hawk deck tonight.

 

[Hooky722]

In the last couple pages this thread has gone to a tech level a bit over my head (easy to do) but let me throw this in...
Hooky722 mentioned tweaking the platform count on Oriskany and I assume he's referring to the beta uploaded by Gary (gp183601) last year. Gary also uploaded a 1970's Midway which has the same problem with frame rates dropping off to almost a standstill as you taxi out of the wires and move forward past the island and the "crotch" (where the angle deck and forward flight deck intersect). This deck would also be a good candidate for whatever MCX magic can be worked to resolve the FR drop.

Yes that's pretty much it and you'll be happy to know the Midway model your referring to has now been 're-platformed' taking with it the FR issues but I need to speak to Gary Before I can do anything with it! I was only tweaking it to test the theory initially I'll need his permission if i'm to release it. Same for Oriskney and Warren for the Forrestal and Kitty Hawk.

 

[TARPSBird]

Hooky, thanks for the update. Take the time to make whatever adjustments you need, I'm sure the originators of the carriers will give you the OK to upload your finished products.

 

[Hooky722]

Hooky, thanks for the update. Take the time to make whatever adjustments you need, I'm sure the originators of the carriers will give you the OK to upload your finished products.

Hi All,
Still no response from Warren or Gary at the moment I'm afraid guys but I shall keep working through the models and hopefully should have them all ready to go by the time these gents get back to me.

Hooky

 

[Hooky722]

Also what would make a good Plane guard for use with the 1969 Oriskney model? Or the '75 Midway for that matter Any thoughts?

Has anybody done Any Static park's for Collin Glendinning's Korean War Essex carriers? would quite fancy some static Banshee's or Skyraiders for my early 50's Ops.

Thanks,

Hooky

 

[delta_lima]

Also what would make a good Plane guard for use with the 1969 Oriskney model? Or the '75 Midway for that matter Any thoughts?

Has anybody done Any Static park's for Collin Glendinning's Korean War Essex carriers? would quite fancy some static Banshee's or Skyraiders for my early 50's Ops.

Thanks,

Hooky

I use the SDB CVN-65 Enterprise SH3 Sea King that was included. White paint scheme. Is already an AI "boat" - so just drop into your formations and go. It features in my SimWorks Studios F-4b screens posted here.

EDIT:


Here's s shot ... on the CVN-65 ..


http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/attachment.php?attachmentid=23493&d=1432826005

DL

 

[TARPSBird]

Aboard USS Oriskany in 1969 the plane guard helo would have been a UH-2C Seasprite from HC-1 Det 34. Aboard USS Midway in 1975 it would have been a SH-3G Seaking from HC-1 Det 2.

 

[expat]

It features in my SimWorks Studios F-4b screens posted here.

Show off!!

I have a motley collection of AI plane guards. The SDB SH-3 looks the business with prop splash and flashing strobes especially at dawn/dusk and as DL says is already an AI boat you can just spot in your AI Carriers cfg. I find the helo engine sound is neat when looking at the carrier from outside but hearing it approaching traps very unrealistic so I disabled it. I also have an S-58 Choctaw and HUP but both are pretty low poly/undetailed compared to the Sea King. What is missing is a good AI Seasprite, which as TARPSBird says is the correct guard for the Oriskany in '69.

 

[delta_lima]

Show off!!

Sorry - just from reading, I suppose it sounds that way. Was not meant that way at all. In fact, in light of the truly talented fellow testers that team, I feel like I should be taking the "short bus" to the flight line ...

Yes, I'd be enthralled with an AI Seasprite. But it feels like just yesterday that all we had for FSX post war carriers was the Nimitz and the SH-60 for plane guard... so for me, the compromise is more than acceptable.

Ex, I recall the sound discussion a while back - was there no way to lower/attenuate the sound? I still run it, and I love on it deck, but could do with it being quieter when from afar.

cheers,

dl

 

[expat]

Yeah, its kind of a trade off. It depends if you are an "inside only" flyer like many are here. I am both in and out and hyper actively am always changing view from VC to outside/spot view and back again, too much of which can result in a OOM or lock up, lol.

 

[navy81]

Great discussion! I too long for an AI Sea Sprite to go aboard Oriskany - especially with Demons, whales, scooters, and crusaders.

Good news is i have finally solved the issue with modifying the Air Wing textures for Connie, America, and JFK spawns out of the fantastic Aerosoft Kitty Hawk. Still painting which will take some time - and need to ensure i have DSB and Aerosoft permission to use them on their ship "sisters" - not any others.

ATB, Deke

 

[DaveB]

Nice one Deke

I don't think there'll be any restriction on repaints because they're useless without the model. Frank didn't get back on the subject so I wonder if he realised some people use MCX for viewing model paints in much the same way as they'd use FSRepainter

ATB
DaveB

 

[TARPSBird]

I always thought the UH-2 was a good all-purpose helo, I'm surprised it hasn't gotten more attention in FS. J.R. Lucariny has a SH-2 LAMPS version for FS9 but that's about all I've seen as freeware. And anyway the LAMPS birds deployed aboard destroyers and frigates, not CV's. SH-3 in HC-1 paint would be a good sub for a plane guard helo on Oriskany​, only a slight difference in time frame.

 

[navy81]

Thought i would give everyone an update:
Completed Connie Air Wing (CVW-9) - using the 1978-79 timeframe:
VF-211 Checkmates F-14A
VF-24 Renegades F-14A
VA-146 Blue Diamonds A-7E
VA-147 Argonauts A-7E
VA-165 Boomers A-6E
VS-37 Sawbucks S-3A
VAW-126 E-2C
HS-6 Indians SH-3H

And America AirWing (CVW-1) - using the 1982-83 timeframe:
VF-33 Starfighers F-14A
VF-102 Diamondbacks F-14A (STILL IN WORK)
VA-46 Clansmen A-7E
VA-72 Blue Hawks A-7E
VA-34 Blue Blasters A-6E
VS-32 Maulers S-3A
VAW-123 Screwtops E-2C
HS-11 Dragonslayers SH-3H

A few screen shots to keep you interested:

VF-33 and VA-72 aboard America

VA-46 and VA-34 aboard America

VA-146 and VF-211 aboard Connie

Cheers,
Deke

 

[navy81]

One more for the road:
Joe and Dave have very nicely modified the textures to not only add Connie and America to our enjoyment, but John F Kennedy (JFK) as well. Even though her island was somewhat different (smoke/gas stack canted to starboard), she still looks good to me (i made two deployments on her).

Turnover with "Big John"

ATB,
Deke

 

[Butcherbird17]

Looking good Deke. Big John looks the part from a distance, hopefully Team SDB will also do JFK if it's only a little rework of the island.
Looking forward to the new airwings.

Joe

 

[navy81]

Hi All,
Still no response from Warren or Gary at the moment I'm afraid guys but I shall keep working through the models and hopefully should have them all ready to go by the time these gents get back to me.

Hooky

Hooky, any luck with Gary or Warren? I can pm them if you like.
Completed JFK's air wing (CAG-3) - now working on the instructions for the folders to get the air wings to show up.

 

[DaveB]

V e r y nice Deke

ATB
DaveB

 

[fsafranek]

I don't think there'll be any restriction on repaints because they're useless without the model. Frank didn't get back on the subject so I wonder if he realised some people use MCX for viewing model paints in much the same way as they'd use FSRepainter

ATB
DaveB

Sorry, real world has been a distraction lately. And yea, I use MCX the same way. Much quicker than relaunching the sim over and over. When I first typed I had forgotten that Mark made the deck candy as separate MDLs. I thought someone had chipped away at the carrier to get the deck candy for use elsewhere. Took my chill pill so all is good now.

I saw some discussion on the SeaSprite. Alphasim, er Virtavia, made a nice one. We're also going to include the type on one of the Vietnam era Enterprise's as parked/folded on deck and as flying plane guard. Basic overall blue so not very interesting but will make a nice change from the SeaKing for one of the versions.