What do we want to see/need in CFS2 in 2020?

[pstrany]

Team Daedalus

As Captain Kurt mentioned, we have our plate full with the Messerschmitt Bf 109 family, and are deeply involved in the "Emil" version right now. We also have an Me 262 that is largely complete, except for the cockpit/VC. As I think may be obvious from our work on the 109F/G, when we get to the 262, we will be doing a number of versions, including fighter, bomber, trainer, nightfighter, as well as the Me 262C-1a.

So, with a little patience, you should be seeing these in 2020. I do not work fast, so it limits the Team output (though other Team members work a lot faster, and do a lot of work outside projects). A lot of the "wish list" items are very interesting, and hopefully others will find the time to do them justice.

Considering that CFS2 was released almost 20 years ago, it is a testimony to it's resiliance and adaptability that it is still around, and going strong......


Paul

 

[AcWai]

We need a more accurate Hellcat. Current models are reasonable facsimiles but not accurate.

AcWai has a good FS2004 model but it has a very heavy poly count, no LODs, and isn't frame rate friendly - wasn't meant to be. But it is beautiful.

BTW Andrew, your Fw is looking good, although I was kind of hoping your Focke-Wulf would be an A-3 or A-4. We have many good A-8s already but absolutely none of the earlier versions

Shessi and AcWai, perhaps if Shessi is willing, it might make more sense to transfer the project?

The Hellcat model was designed by Warbirdlover - Jerry. If anyone wants to have the model, he is welcomed to it. I have now found a way to increase the frame rate on a model with heavy poly counts, you just need to build a low poly MLOD model and set it to activate at a setting of 1 meter=4 pixels. It will be activated when a typical fighter becomes approximately 50 pixels.

Thanks for your comments on the FW-190. When I started to build the FW-190, the only good 3-D drawing in the Internet that I could find was a FW-190A8. I also like the 4 cannons on that model. I like to build fighter aircraft and not targets (i.e. bombers and transport aircraft).

 

[Captain Kurt]

The Hellcat model was designed by Warbirdlover - Jerry. If anyone wants to have the model, he is welcomed to it. I have now found a way to increase the frame rate on a model with heavy poly counts, you just need to build a low poly MLOD model and set it to activate at a setting of 1 meter=4 pixels. It will be activated when a typical fighter becomes approximately 50 pixels.

Thanks for your comments on the FW-190. When I started to build the FW-190, the only good 3-D drawing in the Internet that I could find was a FW-190A8. I also like the 4 cannons on that model. I like to build fighter aircraft and not targets (i.e. bombers and transport aircraft).

Check your PM, buddy

 

[Shessi]

Paul,
Nice words there mate, brought a small tear.... ha ha.

No, you and TD are doing sterling work for CFS2 and Fs9, and personally it warms my heart about the 262's. My all time fave ac, and the model you have is superb, as I've told you it's almost as good as Mike Cyul's Fs9/FSX 262, and we can get the 'pit looking superb as well..

SW,
No you haven't, thanks for the lists. It's all interesting, relavent and thought provoking. A few things with the list. Several have already been done for CFS2, you've missed my Ju88P here at SOH then? (as Rox's says), the Me262 see above Pstrany, the Ju86 is on my list as I want the P and R models as well. There are also others that will convert to CFS2 such as the Bulldog. As for textures, well you could try asking.

Maxstuka, sorry pal, when hell freezes over....

CK,
Your Hellcat idea poses a question for me. Is CFS2 a flight simulator or a combat flight simulator. Obviously both, but mainly it's for a CFS. So what level of ac detail do we really need for that purpose? Can we have both, to a certain extent, but will there have to be compromises as the better details the more polys that will/can be a hit on FR's. Take your example, I'm no Hellkitty expert, but there are some pretty good looking F6's in CFS2, even the default one is not that bad (maybe not too accurate, but with good tex and excellent FR's) certainly for combat purposes. Is the one you are suggesting, would it ever be the 'right' one for CFS2 or only as a player ac. If so, then why not save time effort and just convert an FS2004 beauty, use that as a player ac, and use the default F6 as the ai. Absolutely not saying you're wrong in suggesting or wishing, or criticising anything.

So are we asking too much from CFS2, should we be playing other sims/games for such detail? Should we reflect more on what we have and use that to better effect. Thinking laterally to new texs, tuned/accurate airfiles/ac.cfg's and missions/campaign, which would make current ac more accurate, acceptable and usable? Rather than spend huge effort in re-doing the same thing? I'm not saying no we shouldn't, BUT I do think people don't look enough at what we've already got and try and improve those ac (eg UT and his huge range of new texs for old ac, looking superb. And Rami and team with their immersive missions and campaigns). What do you really want and expect out a 20+ year old CFS? Just posing the questions!

BvA,
Yes the 177B is on my distant list, as is the Ju290/390. As for the weird and wonderful and very rare, it's Fs2004 really or get converting and bring it into CFS2.

AcWai,
That FR seems to be the standard FR in full frame mode, and if your ac are at that, then great. BUT it's with scenery/external ordinance AND combat effects that you'll see the real effect of your ac, if there are any issues.

Cheers

Shessi

 

[SW]

Thanks Shessi and Roxanne-21

done for CFS2, you've missed my Ju88P here at SOH then?

Hi all/Roxanne-21/Shessi,

somehow I had missed the fact that I'd downloaded your Ju 88P at some time in the past Shessi, after looking at SOH and then on my HDD I found it - now installeD!

so thanks to Roxanne-21 for pointing it out, and thanks to you Shessi for pointing it out and making it in the first place,

cheers,

SW

 

[Typhoon Willy]

My wish list is to see Allen make:

Typhoon MkIb (Early/"car door")

Typhoon MkIb (Late/"bubble top")

P-40b (With USAC, British North Africa, and Flying Tiger liveries)

A "Checkertail Clan" paint for his P-47D Razorback

I like Allen's planes as they are very frame rate friendly on my old laptop. Thanks for all you've done so far!

I would also like to thank Shessi for his wonderful Kawanishi E7K1/2 Alf! This is my favorite Japanese float plane!

Very respectfully,

Typhoon Willy

 

[Roxane-21]

My wish list is to see Allen make:

Typhoon MkIb (Early/"car door")

Typhoon MkIb (Late/"bubble top")

P-40b (With USAC, British North Africa, and Flying Tiger liveries)

A "Checkertail Clan" paint for his P-47D Razorback

I like Allen's planes as they are very frame rate friendly on my old laptop. Thanks for all you've done so far!

Maybe we could add to this list more versions of planes Allen already released:

- Spitfire Mk.Vb with non-clipped wings (both standard and "Trop" versions)

- Spitfire Mk.Vc (with clipped and non-clipped wings, both standard and "Trop" versions)

- Hurricane Mk.IIb Trop

- Hurricane Mk.IV

- Sea Hurricane Mk.Ib and Mk.IIc

- B-25G and B-25H gunships

 

[Roxane-21]

Is CFS2 a flight simulator or a combat flight simulator. Obviously both, but mainly it's for a CFS. So what level of ac detail do we really need for that purpose? Can we have both, to a certain extent, but will there have to be compromises as the better details the more polys that will/can be a hit on FR's. Take your example, I'm no Hellkitty expert, but there are some pretty good looking F6's in CFS2, even the default one is not that bad (maybe not too accurate, but with good tex and excellent FR's) certainly for combat purposes. Is the one you are suggesting, would it ever be the 'right' one for CFS2 or only as a player ac. If so, then why not save time effort and just convert an FS2004 beauty, use that as a player ac, and use the default F6 as the ai. Absolutely not saying you're wrong in suggesting or wishing, or criticising anything.

I totally agree with that. We need more frame rate friendly aircraft to be able to recreate great air battles with many aircraft on the screen. And IMHO having two different models of each aircraft (highly detailed player aircraft and low-poly AI aircraft) is not a good solution because of CFS2's infamous 100-aircraft limitation.

 

[Rami]

Reply...

Hello,

Others in this thread will continue putting the aircraft we do have to good use in missions and campaigns. You kids have fun.

 

[Roxane-21]

Hello,

Others in this thread will continue putting the aircraft we do have to good use in missions and campaigns. You kids have fun.

... says the man who requested

TBD Devastator

glass-nosed Mosquito

Ki-21 Sally

SM-79 Sparviero

BR-20 Cigogna

Ju-87D

...

 

[Roxane-21]

...

Martin 187 Baltimore

MC-205 Veltro

Re-2000

Re-2001

 

[Rami]

Reply...

Roxanne-21,

I am aware those models exist, and I use them, but they are very old and could use an upgrade. I could just as easily make an argument that Brunosl's Spitfire Vbs, Vcs, and clipped wings are also quite sufficient, frame rate friendly, and don't need to be redone. P.H.F. Burnage's Typhoon is also quite serviceable, especially for her age, and has a good VC cockpit that has stood the test of time.

 

[TheBookie]

I think most people only remember the Ki-21 Sally by Bruno,there are 2 other Ki-21 models by Payakan

TheBookie

 

[Shessi]

This is exactly what I mean....

How good is good enough, for CFS2? The models we have, most have been built for CFS2, with great FR's, and maybe would only need better texs and bits and pieces done to freshen and improve them? Or is it worth the huge effort for a combat flight sim, just to have better eye-candy?

Food for thought....

Cheers

Shessi

 

[peperez]

Hi Folks,

I'm only asking as I know you're a broad minded lot, erring mostly on the WWI/WWII/Cold war eras, but a wish/need/want list would be good to get the 'juices' going. Also maybe stimulate others into 'having a go', helping on joint projects etc....

New aircraft, re-makes of older models, airfields, scenery, vehicles, ships, weapons, repaints etc.........


So come on then?.....

Cheers

Shessi

Britain
A Supermarine B.12/36 Mitchell bomber

France
Bloch 155 fighter
Bloch 157 Fighter
Bloch 162 Bomber
CAO 700 Bomber

Germany
A Heinkel 277
A Heinkel 274
A Messerschmitt 261
A Ju288
A decent Heinkel 112 and Heinkel 112V11 with DB engine
A FW161 bomber
A ju86 high altitude reconnaissance plane
A Arado 440

URSS
Polikarpov 180
pOLIKARPOV 185

USA
A B-28 bomber
A P-54 Swoose

 

[Rami]

Reply...

Mark,

My general rule of thumb is that if I have to fly it, having at least some eye candy or a decent multi-lod model is more of a priority. If it is just AI, then it is not nearly the same level of priority.

 

[Captain Kurt]

I agree with Rami. It's a combination of well modeled, historically accurate aircraft and combat capability.

If all you want is a combat sim and don't much care about the models then you are describing what CFS1 and European Air War are. I kind of think we all moved on to CFS2 because were looking for more to see while flying.

I also sincerely think that the reason CFS2 lives on is the fan base continually improving the visual aspects. Everything from the ground, water, ground object, personnel and most of all, aircraft. We sure haven't been able to upgrade the hard coded aspects of the game - flight models for example.

Shessi, I think you're playing devil's advocate, you rascal. Given the great, detailed, (and BIG) aircraft you've been giving us, don't you like the eye candy side of things too?

 

[Shessi]

Ha ha CK!...wot me??

In all reality, totally agree with Rami and your sentiments, that IF we can have great looks AND usability in CFS2 than why not. Having said that I really do think that not enough is done for some current, and mentioned models. I know I mentioned UT, but if you look at his texs updates for a lot of ac during 2019, for example Merlin2's Beaufort. Those many tex sets, airfile and ac.cfg brings the original to a new level; skins that allow it's use in every theatre it ever appeared in, with it's performance closer to the real thing. I was thinking of re-doing the old Alphasim Beaufort, but there is absolutely no need now, just an example of thinking laterally, and getting great results.

I'll carry on doing my thang, and getting better looking stuff in CFS2. I'd just like people to consider options and think about things, that's all.

Pepe,
Great list, and yes a few of those are in the pipeline or being considered..so fingers crossed.


Cheers

Shessi

 

[Ravenna]

I also sincerely think that the reason CFS2 lives on is the fan base continually improving the visual aspects. Everything from the ground, water, ground object, personnel and most of all, aircraft. We sure haven't been able to upgrade the hard coded aspects of the game - flight models for example.

The ongoing improvement of those visual aspects are, for me, what makes cfs2 such an immersive experience. I was so impressed by UncleTgt's Beaufort updates, and not just because the redrawn textures were beautifully done. What makes the Mk.8 Beaufort (for example) so appealing is that now we have an aircraft worthy of the important role played by Beauforts in the campaigns from Papua to New Britain and New Ireland. For me John's work on the Beaufort is a partner to his work on the islands, particularly around Rabaul. Unless your experience is constantly above 20,000 feet you need a believable ground environment. I never think of this as "eye candy", just context.
It would be great if flight models could be upgraded to make missions more predictable, at least when you want them to be predictable. That's WAY outside my area of understanding.

 

[1150]

What we want or think we need ?

Hi All,

I was about to add my 10 cents worth in but Mr Pepe basically said all I was about to suggest.

We have a couple of MB.152 in play but no MB.155 and no MB.157 and all the other aircraft he mentioned would be fantastic.

Regards to all,
Please keep up the good work all of you.
1150