Mark, this is going to be fantastic.
While Mark is working on scenery, maybe the rest of us can work on traffic. I'm doing boats (though we can still use more models). What about planes?
Mark, this is going to be fantastic.
While Mark is working on scenery, maybe the rest of us can work on traffic. I'm doing boats (though we can still use more models). What about planes?
David Wilson-Okamura
Nor law, nor duty bade me fight,
Nor public men, nor cheering crowds,
A lonely impulse of delight
Drove to this tumult in the clouds.
-- W. B. Yeats, "An Irish Airman Foresees His Death"
welll, now that i stupidly deleted my first reply, lets try this again..
SBD's and P-40s from munda are confirmed,
PV1's are confirmed with no location given
PV-1Ns are confirmed for Espiritu Santo
F5F-5N night fighters confirmed with no location given
P-70 Havocs confrmed on New guinea
I'll keep looking for others as i know there were P-61s, B-26s, A-26s, P-38s and a bunch of others there as well..
Anyone know where we can get low-poly AI models for these?
David Wilson-Okamura
Nor law, nor duty bade me fight,
Nor public men, nor cheering crowds,
A lonely impulse of delight
Drove to this tumult in the clouds.
-- W. B. Yeats, "An Irish Airman Foresees His Death"
Welll, PV-1s are ventura's and may have something left over from fs9, but the rest i dont know about..
I've seen F4Us in some WWW Pacific Missions from Ron Jeffers
We might need to ask him if he is willing to support us. I have a couple of nice missions which i bought from him for FSX. He might even be able to produce some mission packs to make a good combination out of this nice project.
I would say that taking an FSD2 FS9 Model will work nicely in FSX (No DX10) without too much frame hit. Of course if the model is not a fully detailed A2A release.
http://www.simviation.com/cgi-bin/sy...ollyRogers.zip F4U1 VF-17 by Mark Rooks
http://www.simviation.com/cgi-bin/sy...ile=SPBY5a.zip Catalina by Mike Sone
Cheers
Martin
Thanks for the contributions everybody. Work is going on daily and I might release a "beta-version" in the very near future.
Just for the record, and as a baseline for which units and which aircraft operated during 1943 (and only then) in that area, here is a compilation of what I have found (Source: www.pacificwrecks.org et al ). If anyone has an addition to make, I would gladly edit it in the post.
Guadalcanal
Bomber 1 / Henderson Field
USN
VF-5 (F4F), VC-40 (Avenger), VMSB-131 (Avenger),
VF-26 (F4F), VF-27 (F4F), VF-28 (F4F)
CAG 11 (Carrier Air Group 11)
VF-11 (VB-11), VB-21(SBD), VT-11 (TBF Avenger)
CASU-11 (Carrier Aircraft Service Unit)
VS-54 (SBD, OS2U)
USMC
VMTB-233 (SBD / TBF)
VMF-122 "Wolf Pack" (F4U)
VMF-124 (F4U)
VMSB-132 (SBD)
VMSB-143 (TBF)
VMSB-144 (SBD-3)
MABS-1 (Marine Air Base Squad-1)
USAAF
44th FS
38th BG, 70th BS (B-26)
42nd BG, 69th BS (B-26, B-25)
42nd BG, 75th BS (B-25)
38th BG, 70th BS (B-25)
347th FG, 67th FS (P-39)
42nd BG, 390th BS (B-25)
RNZAF
3 Squadron (6 x Hudson)
1 Squadron (PV-1) replaced 3 Squadron
Bomber 2 / Carney Field
3th AF :
42nd BG, 390th BS (B-25C)
307th BG, 371st BS (B-24D)
307th BG, 424th BS (B-24)
307th BG, 372st BS (B-24D)
307th BG, 370th BS (B-24D)
5th BG 394th BS (SB-24)
USN Units
VB-106 (PB4Y)
VB-101 (PB4Y)
VB-102 (PB4Y)
VB-104 (PB4Y)
Bomber 3 / Koli Field
13th AF, misc units
Crash Strip
none
Fighter 1 / Lunga Field
VMF-123 (F4F)
VMF-124 (F4U)
VMF-212 (F4U)
VF-38 (F6F)
Fighter 2 / Kukum Field
USAAF 13th AF:
347th FG, 68th FS
18th FG, 12th FS (P-39, P-38)
347th FG, 339th FS (P-38)
USN
VMF-124 (F4F)
RNZAF
15 Squadron (P-40)
14 Squadron (P-40)
16 Squadron (P-40)
Florida Islands
Halavo Seaplane Base
USN
VP-12
VP-14
VP-24 (PBY Catalina)
VP-44
VP-54
VP-71
VP-74
Santa Isabel
Rekata Japanese Seaplane Base
E13A1
F1M2
A6M2-N
F1M2 Petes
Chitose Air Group (five A6M2-N Rufes and nine E13A1 Jakes)
Other ships provide two more F1M2s, two E13A1s and nine E7K2 Alfs.
Russell Islands
Renard Field / South Field
347th FG, 67th FS (P-39,P-38)
North Field (Banika Field, Sunlight Field)
USMC
MAG-21 HQ
VMF-124 (F4U)
VMF-213 (F4U)
VMF-214 (F4U)
VMF(N)-531 (PV-1)
USN
STAG-1 (TDN's drones)
Seaplane Base
PBYs
New Georgia
Segi Airfield
925th AAA AW BN
47th Construction Battalion, C company
VF-38 (12 x F6F)
VF-40 (12 x F6F)
VF-33 (24 x F6F)
Fotos of F4Fs in Segi also exist, SBDs got serviced there at a CASU outfit
Munda Airfield
USN
VC-24 (SBD x 24)
VC-40 (TBF)
VF-33 (F6F)
VF-38 (F6F)
CASU 14 (Carrier Aircraft Service Unit)
VB-148 (PV-1)
VB-140 (PV-1)
USMC
ComAir New Georgia
VMSB-236 (SBD)
VMF 124
VMF-213 (F4U)
VMF 214 (F4U)
VMF 215 (F4U)
VMF 221 (F4U)
VMSB-142 (TBF)
VMTB-143 (TBF)
USAAF 13th AF
307th BG. 370th BS (B-24)
307th BG, 371st BS (B-24)
307th BG, 372d BS (B-24)
307th BG, 424th BS (B-24)
Ondonga Airfield
American Units
VMF-216
VF-33 (F6F)
VF-17 (36 x F4U)
MABS-1 from Henderson Nov 43 - May 26, 44 to Munda
RNZAF
15 Squadron (P-40) C.O. SL S.G. Quill
18 Squadron (P-40)
14 Squadron (P-40) C.O. SL J. H. Arkwright
16 Squadorn (P-40)
17 Squadron (P-40)
Kolombangara
Vila Airfield, not used by allies, destroyed
Japanese aircraft stationed there:
B5N Kate
G4M1 Betty
D3A2 Val
A6M3 M32 Hamp
A6M2 Model 21 Zero
Gizo
Seaplane base Gizo USN PBYs
Vella Lavella
Barakoma Airfield
VMF-221
VMF-212 (F4U)
VMF-214 "Black Sheep" (F4U)
VMF-215 (F4U)
VMF-321
VF-40 (F6F)
VMF(N)-531 (PV-1 Ventura)
Ballale
Ballale Airfield Japanese Navy
IJN) Japanese Naval Units Based at Ballale
2nd Carrier Division (Vice-Admiral Kakuji Kakuda) HQ in Rabaul, staging base for Guadalcanal attacks on Ballale
Zuiho Sentouki-tai (18 A6M)
251st Kokutai Detachment
702nd Kokutai Detachment (G4M1 Betty)
705nd Kokutai Detachment (G4M1 Betty)
204th Kokutai Detachment (A6M Zero)
(JAAF) Japanese Naval Units Based at Ballale
11th Sentai (Ki-43-I)
Base Defense Units
18th Construction Group
6th Kure Chinjufu (Talahashi Group - 3 x 12cm Guns, Kanehara Group)
7th Yokosuka Chinjufu Miyake (4 x 7cm Guns)
13th Anti-Aircraft Group (Imoo Group)
Bougainville
Kahili Airfield Japanese Navy
Units based at Kahili (Buin):
Navy 11th Air Fleet
201th Kokutai (A6M Zero)
204th Kokutai (A6M Zeros detachment)
582nd Kokutai (D3A Val detachment)
Kara Airfield
??? Unit, A6M3 Zeros
Awesome inventory and work! Shame - again - that there seems to be no way to convert to FSX any CFS2 models - both ships (e.g. Usio-san's great period warships) or aircraft - e.g. many of the above a/c perfect for AI e.g. F4U, F4F/F6F, Dauntless, TBM, P38, B25, P40 et al + Paul Straney's Hudson in RNZAF colors could be sourced from SOH Donationware or CFS2 freeware. I had most of these buzzing around the Slot in my FS9 custom built AI but they come out invisible in FSX.
Striker, listen, and you listen close: flying a plane is no different than riding a bicycle, just a lot harder to put baseball cards in the spokes.
Can't wait for "The Slot" to come to life! I love flying in the South Pacific!1:salute:
If government was the answer, it was a stupid question!
Expat, I hear you on the "Usio-san's great period warships" issue. If he could recompile - in my technical understanding this is all it takes - the GMAX models to FSX standards we could use the ships in the scenario. That would be a real great addition.
I won't even talk about all te aircraft that are out there.. would be nice AI models...
Mark
Well, after a hard days (evening, rather) work redoing the coast line of New Georgia around Munda I was surprised and thrilled to see a convoy of supply ships heading for the docks. Thanks to David (dwso). Awesome! At least.
I then took "PushPush" and started a patrol flight to Vila / Kolombangara, Vella Lavella (beautiful island, indeed), to have a look at Ballale and the tip of Bougainville, where I was greeted with a barrage of Flak from a surface vessel (thanks again, David!) ! We're going the right way.
In the next couple of days I will release a test-version, with three or four airfields, and the complete revised Solomon landclass. Hang on, and please test it.
Cheers,
Mark
brilliant!!
yes i know i cant spell half the time! Thank you kindly to those few who pointed that out
:ernae::ernae::ernae:
Got it :-))))
Just want to feed some progress information in the thread.
I learned a lesson - don't make time confessions. I totally underestimated the time it takes to design coastlines and islands (no wonder, I have never done this before). My goal is to present the Solomons as "VFR" capable as possible, since this was the way pilots mostly flew in 1943. that means that all those little island must be there, as well as the correct coastlines.
I attached 2 images of the project from my SBuilderX screen. One shows how far I am with New Georgia. All the green lines need to be added with coast lines...oh well... And the other image is a close up if the Segi area. Note the detail and all the little islands...
The other three images are 1. what Segi looks original in 1943, 2. what Segi looks in default FSX, and 3. what you can expect with the first release of FSX Solomon 1943. Note the similarities between the 1943 image and my version. I'm giving my best :-)
Sorry it takes more time than I anticipated.
Cheers,
Mark
ooops only four attachments, so here is Segi in the 1943 look:
roger, that is fanb****ytastic! If you ever need custom scenery objects for the airfields etc feel free to shout up!
yes i know i cant spell half the time! Thank you kindly to those few who pointed that out
Wow looking great cant wait for the release.
Man, no need to apologize for your work. Just take your time and enjoy it. It's done when it's done, no need to burn yourself out over it. It's looking great.:salute:
Just a little WIP - information:
Yesterday I completed drawing the coastlines for the project. This whole thing is a full blown scenery project now. It covers the Solomon islands from way down at the Rennell - Islands up to __and__ all of Bougainville / Buka! Here is my island table (the number represents the number of islands drawn in this section):
Bougainville: 49
Florida Group: 29
Russell Group: 50
Choiseul : 64
Malaita: 35
Santa Isabel North: 73
Santa Isabel South: 16
Guadalcanal Province: 26
Renell: 3
San Cristobal: 16
New Georgia Eastern Chain: 107
New Georgia: 70
Fauro Group: 30
Mono-Stirling: 7
Shortland Group: 23
Vella Lavella Group: 28
Kolombangara + Ghizo: 19
Rendova: 22
------------------------------------------
Total: 667
That means I drew 667 islands in three weeks. My right forearm seems to look like Popeye's, and I swear I could lift a car with my right index finger. But I'm in the "git 'r done" mode, I want to finish this thing in a reasonable timeframe.
Now I have to make numerous small corrections, adapt most of the airfields to the new coastlines, make the new landclasses, make new waterclasses, and so on.
To give you an idea of the complexity of the scenery I attached a picture of the northern Santa-Isabel group. This scenery is so complex the I had to split it because SBuilderX, the software I use for scenerydesign, got overloaded (happened a few times, not good, can trash the project file).
Hang on!
Cheers,
Mark
Mark, thanks for the update. You are going to be a Hero of the Simviet Union!
David Wilson-Okamura
Nor law, nor duty bade me fight,
Nor public men, nor cheering crowds,
A lonely impulse of delight
Drove to this tumult in the clouds.
-- W. B. Yeats, "An Irish Airman Foresees His Death"
Awesome effort. Looking forward to it.
Striker, listen, and you listen close: flying a plane is no different than riding a bicycle, just a lot harder to put baseball cards in the spokes.
Ooh, this is looking so good!
If I can contribute with any period repaints, please tell me.
B-24, B-25, PBY, F4U, F6F etc
You can find most of my repaints for FSX/P3D in the library here on the outhouse.
For MFS paints go to flightsim.to
This is partly a friendly "bump" and also to report some initial findings testing a few period AI aircraft in the region.
Like with AI ships (e.g. USIO's), there are unfortunately a number of potential AI aircraft candidates modelled in CFS2 that would fit well historically but do not show up in the FSX format. I have tried various CFS2 aircraft - B-25, B-24/PB4Y-1, Paul Straney's Hudson, SBD, etc and as expected I got the error message - "model could not be visualized".
What has worked are some of the Donationware FDG2 planes found here: F4F; B-25J; F4U - including the Birdcage F4U-1 squadrons that were the first operational Corsairs to arrive in the Solomons. DCC's P-38 works too. Have not got too much farther than that and only made a few test traffic schedules due to the limited parking of the default airfields, the exception being Jim's great Vella scenery where I have supplemented the static a/c with a few F4U-1's which do touch and goes and all looks and works great. Ditto Ian's Camp Banjo airfield and David's Solomon carrier tracks and ships - that has really added a much needed bit of atmosphere to the place.
Am trying to avoid payware but expect many will have the payware Hellcat/SBD etc and want to add those planes accordingly. A real coup is having the IRIS P-40 which recently became freeware - thank you IRIS! - and I have populated Munda with some RNZAF P-40N's which look good. Just need to grab the dds prop texture from one of Jankees' paints and it ports well (for AI and flying IMHO) into FSX.
Will keep experimenting and reporting back.
expat
Striker, listen, and you listen close: flying a plane is no different than riding a bicycle, just a lot harder to put baseball cards in the spokes.
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