Birds eye view of air field in full real multiplayer?

[Uriah]

I get into servers like Wings of Liberty and choose a field. I have no idea where I am on the field. Is there anyway to get some kind of birds eye view? A real pilot at the time would be familiar enough to know where to taxi is plane to get to the runway.

[KaC_Richard_Rogers]

Zoom right in the maximum amount and you will see the runway in relation to your plan

[Uriah]

When I zoom in all I get is a closer look at the wind screen.  I do not get a view of the runway in relation to my plane.

[VBF-12_Stick-95]

Zoom in all the way on the map (letter O) for the airfield you are on.  The icon will be on the location of the spawn area and it will show the runways or airfield area.

[Field-Ops]

Zoom in while in the MAP screen, not in cockpit mode. So press O then zoom from there

[US63_SpadLivesMatter]

Does that work if the server doesn't have GPS enabled?

[Field-Ops]

If thats the case you can remember the spawn point location you choose and get the layout of the land from the map once you spawn. 

[HagarTheHorrible]

I suggested, some time ago, that external view should be enabled when spawning in. Restricted to the parking lot and before you turn the engine on. That way, not only do you get an opportunity to admire your chosen skin prior to heading into the fray but you also get a chance to spy the airfield layout. It could be a perk of starting from a parking bay rather than the end of the runway and for those airfields without a dedicated runway it might help to observe the best takeoff direction heading landmarks or the direction other players, who know the layout, typically use.

[56RAF_Roblex]

I suggested, some time ago, that external view should be enabled when spawning in. Restricted to the parking lot and before you turn the engine on. That way, not only do you get an opportunity to admire your chosen skin prior to heading into the fray but you also get a chance to spy the airfield layout. It could be a perk of starting from a parking bay rather than the end of the runway and for those airfields without a dedicated runway it might help to observe the best takeoff direction heading landmarks or the direction other players, who know the layout, typically use.

 

I agree fully.  Let us have F2 (but not CTL-F2 or any other view) while the engine is off or velocity is zero or landing gear is down etc. If that is too hard how about allowing us to spectate from the control tower so we can check out the layout before spawning in?   That would have the added benefit of letting us despawn and watch our buddies land in without having to sit in our aircraft, possibly getting in the way. Can we also have score cards to hold up to rate their landings? <JK>  

 

 

Expanding on the other point,  I wish all servers would have a clear indication of the active runway to cut down the number of times people land or take-off the wrong way and wipe out people going the right way.    In an ideal world, it would be nice if the server script launched a red flare when someone lines up to land the wrong way. It must be possible because in the SP campaigns they seem to know you are planning to land.   If they are badly damaged they can just ignore the red flare and at least people might see that someone is being forced to land downwind.  You might even do a green flare when someone is landing the *right* way to warn those bozos who try to take-off just as someone is on finals :-)

Edited October 24, 2017 by 56RAF_Roblex

[TP_Silk]

After using a zoom on the map to establish whether we're at an airfield with a paved runway or an open airfield I usually look for the tower and windsock that many mission designers place to indicate where the runway itself lies. Some mission designers will also place taxiway signs with arrows on them to indicate which direction aircraft should taxi to reach the nearest runway.

Of course if you're talking about WoL none of that matters anyway as half the pilots just gun their engines and take off at whatever angle they spawn in. 

[Aap]

On all servers, even without GPS, when you zoom in on an active airfield on map, it shows the actual spawn location. That is also a very good indication of which direction to land from to this airfield. Some missions also have bonfires indicating the start of the runway. A T-mark would be a nice addition, though. 

[VBF-12_Stick-95]

I want an AI maintenance guy sitting on my wing while I taxi, directing me.  OK, that won't happen but there is signage currently available for mission makers to indicate direction for taxiing.

[-=PHX=-SuperEtendard]

I suggested, some time ago, that external view should be enabled when spawning in. Restricted to the parking lot and before you turn the engine on. That way, not only do you get an opportunity to admire your chosen skin prior to heading into the fray but you also get a chance to spy the airfield layout. It could be a perk of starting from a parking bay rather than the end of the runway and for those airfields without a dedicated runway it might help to observe the best takeoff direction heading landmarks or the direction other players, who know the layout, typically use.

 

This!! In IL-2 1946 the full real servers Aces over Europe / Pacific had this feature and it was really useful.

[SharpeXB]

I suggested, some time ago, that external view should be enabled when spawning in. Restricted to the parking lot and before you turn the engine on. That way, not only do you get an opportunity to admire your chosen skin prior to heading into the fray but you also get a chance to spy the airfield layout. It could be a perk of starting from a parking bay rather than the end of the runway and for those airfields without a dedicated runway it might help to observe the best takeoff direction heading landmarks or the direction other players, who know the layout, typically use.

Great idea. Just enable the F2 view until you press E. Even with the current ability to see the layout in the O map it still gets confusing sometimes on the ground.

[Uriah]

I have viewed in completely in map mode and it still does not show where the runways are and only a general direction on what direction my plane is pointing.   I can tell this is a problem for others to as I see them spawn in and move all over the place. 

[56RAF_Roblex]

I have to agree that seeing the spawn point on the map does not always help much. I think it was Medyn I was at yesterday when I zoomed in the map to check and it still was not clear which way I should take off.  It is a small airfield and I always take off to the West because the trees seem further away but I think I am just using an empty field.  When you spawn in you cannot tell either as your viewpoint is too low.  If I could use F2 I could zoom out a bit and see better.  OK, I can look at it from the air and remember for next time but sometimes you are at an airfield you rarely or never use and you need to know the layout *before* you fly over it :-)

 

I still think I would rather have a 'spectator' view from the control tower though.  I don't know what hitting 'Spectate' is supposed to do from the map room/lobby, it seems to do nothing apart from give you an unofficial way to get into your cockpit when the game is refusing to put you there :-)   It would be nice if people who are not in their aircraft could see what is happening at the field without having to spawn in.

[Aap]

External views on the ground, like the option in IL2 1946, would be nice, but how do you mean that the spawn location was still not clear, when zoomed in on the map? Do you have a screenshot of it?

Here is a screen shot of Random Expert. Full real, not GPS or anything. When zoomed in you can see clearly the spawn place on an airfield and see from there how to get to runway.

[Urra]

External views on the ground, like the option in IL2 1946, would be nice, but how do you mean that the spawn location was still not clear, when zoomed in on the map? Do you have a screenshot of it?

Here is a screen shot of Random Expert. Full real, not GPS or anything. When zoomed in you can see clearly the spawn place on an airfield and see from there how to get to runway.

Would be great if we could turn on the terrain level detail like you can see in the mission editor in the view you posted.

[71st_AH_Mastiff]

Would be great if we could turn on the terrain level detail like you can see in the mission editor in the view you posted.

thats is the mission edition that’s exactly what you see when you zoom down in, hit your OOO key not the zero key. Then scroll you’re mouse to zoom in on your spawn point you, will see exactly the same thing in that briefing. Some of you are over thinking this. Edited October 25, 2017 by 71st_AH_Mastiff

[[TWB]80hd]

I agree fully.  Let us have F2 (but not CTL-F2 or any other view) while the engine is off or velocity is zero or landing gear is down etc. If that is too hard how about allowing us to spectate from the control tower so we can check out the layout before spawning in?   That would have the added benefit of letting us despawn and watch our buddies land in without having to sit in our aircraft, possibly getting in the way. Can we also have score cards to hold up to rate their landings? <JK>  

 

 

Expanding on the other point,  I wish all servers would have a clear indication of the active runway to cut down the number of times people land or take-off the wrong way and wipe out people going the right way.    In an ideal world, it would be nice if the server script launched a red flare when someone lines up to land the wrong way. It must be possible because in the SP campaigns they seem to know you are planning to land.   If they are badly damaged they can just ignore the red flare and at least people might see that someone is being forced to land downwind.  You might even do a green flare when someone is landing the *right* way to warn those bozos who try to take-off just as someone is on finals :-)

 

I like this idea, having the ability to spawn into an airfield's tower would be novel as well.

[Gambit21]

I suggested, some time ago, that external view should be enabled when spawning in. Restricted to the parking lot and before you turn the engine on. That way, not only do you get an opportunity to admire your chosen skin prior to heading into the fray but you also get a chance to spy the airfield layout. It could be a perk of starting from a parking bay rather than the end of the runway and for those airfields without a dedicated runway it might help to observe the best takeoff direction heading landmarks or the direction other players, who know the layout, typically use.

There's no in-game/editor logic for this.

I've suggested much easier things that they still utterly lack the time for.

[Urra]

thats is the mission edition that’s exactly what you see when you zoom down in, hit your OOO key not the zero key. Then scroll you’re mouse to zoom in on your spawn point you, will see exactly the same thing in that briefing. Some of you are over thinking this.

I just meant Google Maps Satellite View option.

[56RAF_Roblex]

External views on the ground, like the option in IL2 1946, would be nice, but how do you mean that the spawn location was still not clear, when zoomed in on the map? Do you have a screenshot of it?

 

 

 

 

I did not say the spawn location was unclear. I said "seeing the spawn point on the map does not always help much" ie the expected take-off direction was sometimes unclear or at least 'ambiguous' . You can make some 'guesses' from this but it is still a little unclear.  Taking off North looks longer but there could be bunkers or AA in the top section and they actually expect you to take off towards the North-West.  You could taxi NW then take-off NE or maybe they expect you to taxi North and take off West.   

Edited October 26, 2017 by 56RAF_Roblex

[Tuesday]

 

I did not say the spawn location was unclear. I said "seeing the spawn point on the map does not always help much" ie the expected take-off direction was sometimes unclear or at least 'ambiguous' . You can make some 'guesses' from this but it is still a little unclear.  Taking off North looks longer but there could be bunkers or AA in the top section and they actually expect you to take off towards the North-West.  You could taxi NW then take-off NE or maybe they expect you to taxi North and take off West.   

 

You're over-complicating things - why?

 

If you think there are obstructions, taxi forward and look behind the nose where you couldn't see.

[56RAF_Roblex]

You're over-complicating things - why?

 

If you think there are obstructions, taxi forward and look behind the nose where you couldn't see.

 

I could ask why you pick just one of my four examples of what the situation could be?  The only one that mentions obstructions and only as an example.  Let me explain that one *possible* issue. You cannot always see, even when you turn the plane,  that there is a small obstacle in the far distance on your intended take off vector but close enough to wreck you before you leave the ground.  It may just be a single machine gun or a barrel or a crate or any small bit of airfield furniture put there because the designer did not realise you might try to take off that way.

 

Other issues may be that you wrongly guess you are expected to take off West so taxi North a bit then turn West. You see someone in the circuit to your left but you have time to get off before he turns finals behind you so you make some last minute adjustments & go full throttle. Meanwhile that other pilot, who knows you are expected to take off & land South to North, has already turned finals before you open your throttle and you get in his way making him crash.  

 

Don't 'overcomplicate things'.  I am just saying that knowing where you are does not *always* guarantee you know where you should go.

Edited October 26, 2017 by 56RAF_Roblex

[sniperton]

I think the easiest solution would be to add a static camera to each airfield tower flagged as 'spectator view' and only accessible to players spawning from that airfield.

[Urra]

I think the easiest solution would be to add a static camera to each airfield tower flagged as 'spectator view' and only accessible to players spawning from that airfield.

Great idea.

[Aap]

The only one that mentions obstructions and only as an example.  Let me explain that one *possible* issue. You cannot always see, even when you turn the plane,  that there is a small obstacle in the far distance on your intended take off vector but close enough to wreck you before you leave the ground.  It may just be a single machine gun or a barrel or a crate or any small bit of airfield furniture put there because the designer did not realise you might try to take off that way.

 

On the improvised airfield, the area marked with the red angled lines, there are no obstacles. Or let's say the probability of obstacles is comparable to having an obstacle on a proper runway. You actually have more room around you on improvised airfield, don't need to stay on a strict narrow airstrip there.

 

Other issues may be that you wrongly guess you are expected to take off West so taxi North a bit then turn West.

 

On the field you can take off technically any way you like. It is flat surfice and would be like that, no matter if you had external views or not. If you want to be technically more correct, look at the windsocks to determine the right way for takeoff. Basically when a spawn place is on one end of airfield, you take off from there directly, no need to taxi. And landing direction is of course the same.

Edited October 26, 2017 by II./JG77_Kemp

[56RAF_Roblex]

. Basically when a spawn place is on one end of airfield, you take off from there directly, no need to taxi. And landing direction is of course the same.

 

You are really not getting this are you?  When you spawn in your nose is not usually facing the direction you should take off. I think at the airfield in the example your nose is facing about half way between the two most likely take off directions which are approx 290 & 360, so your advice to 'take off directly' is meaningless.  Having established that one pilot may decide 360 is right and one may decide 290 is right your second bit of advice, 'Landing is of course the same'  is equally meaningless.   Furthermore a single pilot may decide 290 is correct for take off then when he returns and can see the airfield from the air may decide 360 is correct.  BTW, that is not a fantasy scenario as at Medyn 290 *does* look sensible from the ground and is long enough but I believe 360 is the way the designer expected people to take-off.

 

 

 

I think the easiest solution would be to add a static camera to each airfield tower flagged as 'spectator view' and only accessible to players spawning from that airfield.

 

 

I agree.  That extra bit of height can make all the difference plus it is a fun way to see what is going on without having to spawn in and take up a spawn slot.

Edited October 26, 2017 by 56RAF_Roblex

[VBF-12_Stick-95]

All I can say is I am glad you are at least looking for the the correct takeoff heading or runway.  Too many times I see people just spawn and go, right across runways, cutting people off or worse yet, colliding with others.

For now what we have is zooming in on the map.  There is much info there, use it as best you can.

[Aap]

No, I really am not getting the problem.

If I am not facing towards the runway, then I turn to face towards there. I thought that was an obvious one. There is a compass on every plane, no need for external views for that.

 

My advice to take off directly is not meaningless. So what is the problem if you can take off towards 290 or 360 or anywhere between? Looking at windsock you can take off directly against the wind, don't even have that luxury on a proper runway. Secondly, how would exterman views help me decide if it should be 290 or 360? Basically, when I see how the planes are lined up in the spawn area, which I can see from my cockpit, I take off 90 degrees from the line to minimize risk of collision as there is no ground control crew.

 

Landing in the same direction than taking off is not meaningless either. It is common sense. So indeed, I am not getting the problem.

Edited October 26, 2017 by II./JG77_Kemp

[-TBC-AeroAce]

Maybe someone that is bothered could make a repositry of over head screen shots of each airfield using the free cam in the ME or QMB and post them in alphabetical order for each map (maybe behind spoiler tags to save load time) on the forum to make a directory.

 

I would suggest each pic be orientated north and to choose a season that makes the fields features the most clear.

 

I have not got the time to do this but it would be a great tool not only as a map but also for recon...

 

If this was done right I bet it would get pinned and have loads of hits.

[Aap]

There is such a document of Stalingrad airfields from old times. It has the airfield layouts, directions, runway lengths etc. Was a nice document, when originally you could not see airfield layouts on map. Once the devs were able to put airfield layouts on map, that document kind of lost it's value.

Edited October 26, 2017 by II./JG77_Kemp

[Uriah]

I have spawned on many an unfamiliar airfield somewhere in front of one of the protection rings of sandbags.  I can turn right or left but have no idea which taxi way will take me in any reasonable time to the end point of a runway.   And I can tell other people who spawn in have no clue either.  If the tower and wind sock is in view that helps.

[Recon]

Having a mini view map of the airfield placed inside an area like the debriefing would be nice.

 

I do like like the idea of being able to see from the tower!

[US63_SpadLivesMatter]

I have spawned on many an unfamiliar airfield somewhere in front of one of the protection rings of sandbags. I can turn right or left but have no idea which taxi way will take me in any reasonable time to the end point of a runway. And I can tell other people who spawn in have no clue either. If the tower and wind sock is in view that helps.

If you pick the wrong direction you're in for a really long taxi.

[Aap]

I have spawned on many an unfamiliar airfield somewhere in front of one of the protection rings of sandbags.  I can turn right or left but have no idea which taxi way will take me in any reasonable time to the end point of a runway.   And I can tell other people who spawn in have no clue either.  If the tower and wind sock is in view that helps.

 

Exactly that can be solved by zooming in on the map. You can see your spawn place, you can see the runway and you can see, if you should turn left or right to have the shortest distance to runway. 

[=TBAS=Sshadow14]

There is a forum page with pdf that has all runways (at time of release) on it for game.

Eg,


Looking for forum link will post it when i find it.
 

[curiousGamblerr]

The in-game map shows the runways just fine, that's not really the issue Uriah is trying to solve. The issue is where among those runways you spawn. Which can be found by zooming in, regardless of GPS being enabled or not.

[sniperton]

1) People have problems with taxiing in the right direction.

2) Why not to give them the possibility to look around from the control tower? Hurts noone.