So, where are we at as far as random missions for Blitz?

[ladlon]

I'm not necessarily after dynamic campaigns, but just something to generate a random mission.

 

I've been reading some posts around the Net, and it seems like the original CloD had a dynamic campaign, which was removed in Blitz... (True?  I don't remember if CloD had that, as I didn't get too far into that sim before upgrading to Blitz)

 

I read that there's one or two 3rd party dynamic missions available, but I'm not sure if they work with Blitz...  Sounds like there was some issue with the latest version or something?

 

Anyway, like I said, I'm perfectly happy with some sort of random (single) mission generator, as I don't need things to carry over.  I'd program my own mission, but unfortunately found out that CloD's mission editor does not have things like unit spawn radius or other means to create some sort of randomness to the missions.

 

So, what are the (working) options for someone who is just after single, random, offline missions in Blitz?  (P.S. Ground missions included, please!)

[Buzzsaw]

TheOden has a Dynamic Campaign Generator for Blitz... do a search of the forums.

[Sokol1]

On 2/28/2019 at 8:04 PM, ladlon said:

I've been reading some posts around the Net, and it seems like the original CloD had a dynamic campaign, which was removed in Blitz... 

 

No, original CloD don't have "dynamic campaign" - in fact at release (March/April 2011) don't have even campaign, two scripted was added latter, in 2nd or 3rd patch.

 

TF 4.312 has TheEnlightenedFlorist Dynamic Campaign generator, but was removed from Blitz due legal questions and communication issues (lack) with author.

 

But is possible add this "Dynamic Campaign Generator" manually in Blitz:

 

https://steamcommunity.com/app/754530/discussions/0/1732087824997081117/

http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/4440299/gonew/1/new-version-of-theenlightenedflorist-dynamic-campaign-for-blitz-cod#UNREAD

 

TheOden mentioned by Buzzsaw is more a dynamic mission randomizer than campaign, topic about:

 

 

Edited March 2, 2019 by Sokol1

[ladlon]

Hi, guys.  Thanks for pointing out TheOden.  That may fit my needs perfectly.  I'm not even concerned about a dynamic campaign... as long as it makes a random mission (...doesn't need carryover between missions).

 

The last two days, I've been wanting to try some ground bombing with a 109, but every time I set up a mission (using something like the Free Hunt Quick Mission), it seems it doesn't put bombs on the plane... even if I (seemingly) select a bombing loadout (...and I AM using a B version of the 109).

 

Maybe I'm doing something wrong, but I have never been able to get a 109 with bombs.

 

I'm seemingly having the same trouble with the He111...  I've finally fully conquered the Norden bombsite... yet when the bombs are released, I find there appear to be no bombs loaded, despite (again) seemingly going through the procedure to set bombs in the loadout.

 

I see that in certain missions, certain things are locked (for reality sake), but I SEEM to have set my sessions to have bombs... and the guns are certainly loaded (and customizable).  So, I'm not sure what's going on there.  I suppose I could just program a mission, with just my 109 or He111 on the runway (loaded), and do bombing runs on buildings.  I don't get why the bombs are not showing up.

 

 

Okay, I got v6 of DynMis, but I haven't been able to find a valid link to the v7 ReadMe update (...unless it's now included in v6).  Thanks!

Edited March 1, 2019 by ladlon

[Sokol1]

3 hours ago, ladlon said:

....  (using something like the Free Hunt Quick Mission)

 

Maybe I'm doing something wrong, but I have never been able to get a 109 with bombs.

 

Set loadout in "Plane" options is a "hit and miss" - may work, may not. Use FMB instead (1).

 

An Quick Mission with Bf 109 E-3 B armed with bomb and a "target range" for practice just ahead.

 

https://theairtacticalassaultgroup.com/forum/Downloads.php?do=download&downloadid=4

 

(1) Another CloD "peculiarity" is that FMB don't seem Quick Missions folder, so for edit a Quick Mission you need copy then from

 

... \Documentos\1C SoftClub\il-2 sturmovik cliffs of dover\mission\quick

 

For

 

... \Documentos\1C SoftClub\il-2 sturmovik cliffs of dover\missions\Single

 

For avoid confusion with other missions files, create a new folder inside missions\Single\"new folder here".

 

After edit copy back for mission\quick

[ladlon]

Dang....  CloD certainly has it's share of quirks, eh!

 

The line 'Another CloD idiocincrocy' is almost like a meme here!  ?

 

Glad to see at least Up is Up and Down is Down!

 

Really surprised a lot of these weren't addressed by the Blitz update.  Is it that the coding makes it really hard to fix, or were these just outprioritized by other things?

 

Version 5 is coming next, right?  (I wasn't even aware what version we are currently at)  I haven't seen much info on that, so I'm not even sure what it will bring.  Isn't there supposed to be some African map(?) coming soon?  Somehow, I'm really out of the loop regarding the news of updates and stuff.  I hear something, too about an B-25 being brought in... but is that as a flyable, or just an AI thing?  I bought a B-25 for X-Plane, and it's what I fly (as far as 'big' planes)... although I've been trying on various forums to get answers about a number of things that is puzzling about the (sim) plane... Can't even find answers in the REAL flight manuals!  Just crickets so far in the other forums, unfortunately.  I'd try posting here, but it's an X-Plane plane, and I didn't see a general area in these forums I could/should post in.

 

Cool, thanks for the mission file. I was wondering about user missions... Can't say I've seen any around so far... just, perhaps, some campaigns.  Thanks for the heads-up on the FMB file save quirk, too.  You've been a great help in the last few days.

[Sokol1]

44 minutes ago, ladlon said:

 Is it that the coding makes it really hard to fix, or were these just outprioritized by other things?

 

CloD code is Murphy Law in their best expression, change something here -  may fix a bug or not, but have good chance in broken other things here and there... 

From controls assignments to weather, all aspects have their quote of bugs, errors, unfinished features, bad design choices, etc. etc.

 

 

[ladlon]

A virtual house of cards, it sounds like....

 

Still, I love it...  I keep hearing people gushing over the graphics of BoS... yet every video they do that in, all I see is snow and a few trees.  What am I missing?!

 

Meanwhile, I look ou the window of Blitz, and I am truly impressed, and seriously have NO issues with the graphics at all...  I wouldn't change a thing....  (except maybe make the darn runways a bit more brown so you can see them, and put some static objects (parked planes, barrels, boxes, equipment, etc) on the airfields.... both for immersion/aesthetics... and to make them eaiser to distinguish from 'just another field' when you're up in the air!).  Other than that, I find it stunning, and am always puzzled when the graphics are referred to as 'dated', and the graphics of BoS are considered 'extrodinary'.

 

I'm even looking into re-installing 1946, now that I see that there's the VPMod, which appears to improve several things.  The main thing I disliked about the older IL2 games, was the irritating 'lawnmower' engine sounds.  Sure, the geometry is a bit low-poly, and the towns are sort of 'soft edge image stamp' type things... but otherwise, it's a great package.

[DenUA]

In order for the mission generator to turn on bombs on an aircraft, it is also necessary to correctly select the Division to which it belongs. And this division must actually be bomber.
(for a long time it was explained on the forum Sukhoi. I just remember ...)

[ladlon]

Do you mean Olgen's DynMis, or some other generator?

 

I'll have to remember that when I install it.  Thanks for pointing that out.

 

Odd... I would have thought that if you would select a B variant of 109, and selected the default/regular loadout, it (or some other available loadout) would have a bomb included.  The loadout screen confuses me a bit, as it SEEMS like it is indicating a loadout that includes bombs (for either the 109 or He111, when I am using them).  I kept feeling like there was some other button I was supposed to click before exiting the screen to 'select' it.  For a moment, I was thinking you'd have to hit the Save button, even though that didn't seem to make sense.

 

I tried this on both the loadout screens... the standalone accessed in the main menu, and the one you run into when setting up a Quick/Single mission.  It seems to let you select planes different from those set up for the mission (which is nice to see), but I could never get the bombs to show up after setting everything up.  I would have thought the main menu Loadout screen would permanently alter the default, so I wouldn't have to change it every time I did a mission.  I'll have to see if Chuck's Guide sheds any light on that.

[DenUA]

yes, lets you choose any plane ... It's not done well - the filter of certain parameters in the game. So, in order for you to have bombs, you have to choose - the type of aircraft, and indicate its affiliation with such a division - which in fact, in life, was bomber.
I also liked the nightmares of those who were on the ground, so there was a list of Divisions and which they had planes. But where he is now - it's hard to know.
I think Google will help you ... After all, these are real facts.
And - yes, that's what I say, belonged to the version - 4.3.12. In Blitz I could not check. Already withdrew from flights. (hopefully I'll be back)

Edited March 1, 2019 by DenUA

[ladlon]

Well, I still can't get this to work...  I created a mission file (in the vanilla Blitz Full Mission Builder), where I just put a 109 (B varient) on the runway, and played it... and once again, the 109 is without bombs.

 

I check the loadout, and it SEEMS like it's saying that there is a bomb selected (...In fact, I'm actually not sure how you would have it WITHOUT a bomb, as there doesn't seem to be a an option to have it empty).

 

Even when I start the mission, I go into the loadout screen, go to the Bombs section, and verify that there's a bomb selected.

 

But, still without a bomb.

 

I don't really understand the items in the Properties tab of the plane item in the Mission Builder.  I get the Army and Country fields, but then the one under that, I don't know what the selections are (ex. I/KG 53)... or if it's relevant in this.   (LATE NOTE: Oh, is that the tail/ID marking?)

 

I'm really not sure what I need to do to have a 109 (or an He111) with bombs.

 

UPDATE: Finally!!  I figured it out.  The menu system is... weird.  So, I finally managed to get bombs on my plane not by going to the Bomb tab, but the FIRST tab.  I had previously tried clicking in the Bomb Rack field (as it seemed to be implying it's empty), but previously, it seemed it was an uneditable field.  But, this time, as I clicked on it, I noticed the (subtle) pull-down menu triangle that appears only when you click it... and if I clicked THAT, then the menu appears, allowing me to select bombs.  So... what is the Bomb tab for then?  Anyway... I'm overjoyed that I finally saw bombs hanging under my 109, and now I can (for the first time) actually try them.  Bloody H... why does that have to be so cryptic and unintuitive?     So, hopefully the bombing works the way I expect... If not, well I guess I'll see you guys in a new post later! ?

Edited March 2, 2019 by ladlon

[ladlon]

A LITTLE BIT LATER: Yep, all good!  (As far as the 109).  I got to try the He111, but I'm sure it will be fine.  Cool....

[Sokol1]

Things will became more laborious when setting ammo belts, is need do individually per weapon - and spitfire has 8. ?

 

 

Fortunately loadout's are saved in text files (INI) and can be created outside of game using 

Gix "Loadout Tool":

 

 

https://theairtacticalassaultgroup.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11555

 

or StiC Loadout Manager for RAF Fighters:

 

https://theairtacticalassaultgroup.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11427

 

There's "another CloD idiocincrocy"? , if you select an loadout - e.g  "loadout1" and start a mission, and after resolve choose another (e.g "loadout2") is not just matter of select new "loadout2".

 

You need select plane again - even if the plane is the same (e.g. Spitfire II), because the previous plane (the same Spitfire II) is tied to "loadout1".

 

Explained there (in Spanish) by Pecuarenta.

 

https://theairtacticalassaultgroup.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19441&p=213494&viewfull=1#post213494

 

Time ago I created a "how to" for arm an He 111 with bombs, selectable in Quick Mission, this in 4.312, don't know if work in 4.5*:

 

https://theairtacticalassaultgroup.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4625&p=46939&viewfull=1#post46939

 

BTW - Remember that in Luftwaffe planes (Jabo or bomber) you need "Toggle Bombs Armed" (Controls > Aircraft > Keys) bombs before drop.

In RAF Blenheim is not necessary.

 

 

 

 

Edited March 2, 2019 by Sokol1

[ladlon]

Yep, all good, as I said...  Last night, I was bombing things with both the 109 and the He111.  The previous night, I had finally conquered the He111 Norden system (...but coudn't get bombs on the plane!), so, last night was gold.  I DID find that (despite having a solid ground track) my bombs were far off the target.... and that (and a post on the forum) confirmed that you DO have to (unfortunately) subtract the target elevation (ASL) from the indicated altitude, as well as do a conversion on the airspeed (....Videos I watched just used the indicated altitude and airspeed, so there was a contradiction there, and I thought that maybe Blitz had removed that necessity, which I was actually really happy about.  So, I have to get that working now, too...Although, in my post on that, I ask the burning question, 'So, how do you bomb targets that OTHER than airfields, where you DON'T have the elevation data?  I asked, too, if you couldn't just get a bombing solution by getting a solid ground track visually).

 

I don't pay attention to the gun ammo (so far), so I wouldn't have even noticed any issue there.  But, thanks for pointing out that additional (now seemingly traditional) CloD Idiocincrocy!

 

(Sheesh!  Did someone actually put a curse on the sim?  I can't even fathom how code could act that way!)

 

I did two nice landings with the He111 last night.  I've finally nailed smooth approaches, where I'm using the trim, rather than pulling back hard on the yoke during the approach.  It's was a tough bad habit to lose (including in X-Plane), as it's so instinctive to nose up using the yoke.  But, now that I am using trim instead, it's virtually gliding down, and I'm surprised at how (relatively) soft the touchdowns are.  Very satisfying!

 

Hey, what version of CloD are you running?  That screenshot looks different than my Blitz one.  Just curious...

 

[Sokol1]

Quote

He111 Norden system 

 

Errh. Lotfernrohr 7, for short "Loft". ?

 

...

 as well as do a conversion on the airspeed (....Videos I watched just used the indicated altitude and airspeed,...

 

Indeed, for Luftwaffe bombers is need use TAS, but for (RAF) Blenheim some people use just IAS + ~10 MP/H correction. *

 

Take Youtube videos, "tutos", with a grain of salt, some are very old, when people don't know/understand how things "work" in CloD and try replicate "recipes" from IL-2:1946.

Seems that for certain details in CloD prevail "Dr.Wh'Oleg World" physical laws, nor RL physical laws. 

 

* Don't forget that you need consider the "Wind Triangle" when adjusting bombsight. 

 

 

 

[ladlon]

Loftenrohr...  Sorry, I guess I'm in B-17 mode!  I think those pesky videos may have misguided me on that, too.  Certainly looks different than a Norden anyway.

 

Yep, some of the vids come off as very confident, so you assume they are knowing what they are talking about.  I would normally trust the manual, but I assumed the manual was pre-blitz, and that maybe things got changed/reduced.  Plus, in the vids, it seemed to work....  But, I watched them again last night, and did note that their bombs fell long.  Plus, the math may have just worked for them, then and there (elevation happened to work in their favor, etc).

 

Years ago, when I was playing the original il7 (or 1946), I never really did any proper missions (aside from just doing random dogfights), as I was always confused and/or frustrated about things I THOUGHT I understood, but fought with...  Back then, I had trouble juggling all the systems while trying to bomb, for example (....pre-autopilot and trimming appreciation)... plus I was frequently defeated simply with all the keyboard shortcuts (switching crew stations, etc)...  and it was just utter chaos and frustration... even though I REALLY wanted to be able to do stuff.  Now, things are far better.  A few things now understood... proper control mapping... better understanding... proper procedure, etc... So, now things 'work', and I'm (generally) not cursing the controls.

 

But, I know that even though I was eager to experience bombing, I kept getting overwhelmed and defeated by the 'math' (even though I love the concept of plotting courses, calculating things, etc).  I seem to remember, back then, that you even had to convert between metric and Imperial.... or was that just Silent Hunter?... I don't remember.... and that just killed it for me, as I just couldn't cope.  A bit trick on it's own, but when your bomber kept tilting to the left, threatening to go into a death spin, and the plane was weaving up/down, and I was frantically jabbing at the keyboard, trying to get to another crew station in time... math certainly wasn't something I was able to do

 

But, ya... Now, both in X-Plane and CloD, I am achieving level flight (...for the most part!)... and have comfortable/logical command mappings... so things are 'calm' and I'm actually able to take a moment and think (or do math).  Funny, how I am so 'upset' about having to look at charts and do conversions... and yet, watching things like submarine films, I 'thirst' for plotting courses on maps, and making calculations.  I should be HAPPY!

 

Ugh... wind.  Ya, okay, you had to spoil my picnic, didn't you....  Actually, that is something I completely ignored overall, both in X-Plane and in IL7 overall...  I never even consider wind direction when choosing a runway, for example (...which might explain some of the tricky landings!)  I would just go to whatever end was nearest/convenient.  I have to look into how to actually KNOW about wind in CloD....  Certainly no ATIS, so I guess it's the windsocks?  I can't say I've ever seen one anywhere, even though I know they 'exist' (at least as an item in the object library)... and even if I did have one in the airfield, it won't give you a specific speed... so, I have to figure out how you actually do wind triangle adjustments.  I'll check out Chuck's guide again, as that seems to have EVERYTHING.

 

Ya, I got to look at these extra calculations as 'good'... they add to the adventure and detail... and make the sucessful hit all the more rewarding.  It was just frustrating, back in the days where I was too busy keeping my plane from rolling left, and trying to recall cryptic keyboard shortcuts, and I couldn't even CONSIDER doing math!

 

As usual, thanks for your ongoing assistance on things... Much appreciated!

[Plurp]

Sticking only with He-111 for the moment, level bombing in mode 22 w/ 8 250s.

 

Bombing at 5000m for example:  Simple set-up.  In bombsight enter 5000 - elevation: check here for target elevation: https://theairtacticalassaultgroup.com/utils/lotfe7.html

 

For TAS bombsight speed:  enter 400 km/h for a start.

 

For bomb spread enter 20 m ( Helps with bombsight issues for 111 for all alts.) Bombs, drop 8 (I just put in 32 every time if I want them all to drop)

 

At 60 deg in bombsight start bombsight automation.  Put the cross hair on the target which will be where the last bomb will hit, not first.  Then increase/decrease bombsight speed until crosshair stops moving, keep adjusting until about 30 deg.  Go to bottom gunner and watch bombs drop.  Stay there and watch the results.

 

This is just one way some people do it.

 

 

Edited March 2, 2019 by Plurp

[ladlon]

Hi, Plurp.  Okay, thanks.  I'll jot that down in my notes!

 

Ya, currently, I have been entering the IAS and IA (read from the bombadier's physical gauges), looking through the scope, and then adjusting the airspeed until I got a good track (...whether that method is correct or not!  Just saying, that's what I've been doing up to now).  This evening's session will certainly be filled with some new things to try.

 

Still haven't figured out wind, though...  I can't find mention of it in the manual, and obviously there's no ATIS, so I'm not sure how to do the wind triangle thing.  Doing a internet search for 'IL2 wind' doesn't give me anything, unfortunately!

[Plurp]

45 minutes ago, ladlon said:

Hi, Plurp.  Okay, thanks.  I'll jot that down in my notes!

 

Ya, currently, I have been entering the IAS and IA (read from the bombadier's physical gauges), looking through the scope, and then adjusting the airspeed until I got a good track (...whether that method is correct or not!  Just saying, that's what I've been doing up to now).  This evening's session will certainly be filled with some new things to try.

 

Still haven't figured out wind, though...  I can't find mention of it in the manual, and obviously there's no ATIS, so I'm not sure how to do the wind triangle thing.  Doing a internet search for 'IL2 wind' doesn't give me anything, unfortunately!

For wind check out this (post #2): https://theairtacticalassaultgroup.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9638&highlight=wind+bombing 

 

For the 111, each hash mark on horiz bar is 3 m/s.  88 is 6 m/s.

 

[ladlon]

  Thanks, Plurp.  This subject is really confusing for me, unfortunately.  Are you getting the wind readings from HQ or something, or is there some device on the plane that measures it?

 

I see you mention hash marks, but I'm not sure which horizon bar you are referring to.  Sorry, this aspect is all completely new to me, so I'm a bit useless in my understanding of some of the reference material.  I'll have to hop in the sim tonight and have a closer look, and maybe I'll notice what people are talking about here.

[Sokol1]

3 hours ago, ladlon said:

 I have to look into how to actually KNOW about wind in CloD...

 

The only way is ask for "Sector Controller" (TAB comms) before take-off, in air-start missions no way - in this case is a mission design flaw, mission maker should inform in briefing the wind conditions. In IL-2:Great Battles the bombsight interface read wind direction/speed s from mission files.

 

TAB > 7 > 3 "Request TakeOff Ccondition".

 

You receive as answer, e.g. "Wind 030 5 Strip 210"

 

030 = wind blowing to - contrary to RL convention "coming from"

5 = wind speed in meters/second

210 = the ideal orientation runway, that generally don't match the existing runways, so use the more closed existing.

And no, 1940's SE England runways don't have numbers in their ends. *  

 

This above answer is from Upavon (EGDJ), where runways are 04 (44º) and 22 (224º), so use 22. (Can see each airfield details in Printable Airfields folder).

 

In this topic more on how CloD wind are set - seems following an AutoCad method.

https://i.postimg.cc/FHbyh3qv/Wind-Angle-FMB.jpg

https://theairtacticalassaultgroup.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27634

 

* In fact, the ideal runway is signaled with yellow boards for take-off and red-white for landing, but in this case only in your home base and destination base (the ones set in the mission), so if misson determina that you take off from Hawkinge for landing in Manston, but instead decide landing in Biggig Hill, no red-white boards there.

 

And that boards only will show up - sometimes in weird places  after "Sector Controller" authorize you landing.

And no, you can't ask for permission, the "radio comm" for this is broken (denied/allowed inverted), so rest you be in the "right place, in the right moment", that just means enter in YOUR base capture radius. 

 

I think that now may you understand why are a picture of Sphinge in the linked image about CloD "Wing Angle". ?

 

 

 

Edited March 2, 2019 by Sokol1

[ladlon]

Ha!  It's like Salvador Dali coded this sim!

 

Okay, I totally didn't notice the command for takeoff info.  I'll have to look into that further.  Never even thought to use radio commands before takeoff....  Well, part of the reason, is most of the missions don't LET you take off (start in air!)...  On top of that, I usually forget there IS anyone down there, as they all look so barren.  I remember looking at the airfield map in the mission builder, and noticing the Tower icon.... and I suddenly perked up and thought, 'They have a TOWER?!!'.  Even THAT is easy to miss!... and it's in the middle of an empty field!  (Facepalm)

 

Yep, I recently read something about the yellow cards, and that was a bit of a nice 'aha!' moment.  But, ya, no surprise... they too have quirks.

 

And, yep, I found out early enough about the landing permission quirk...  I asked about that early on, as I thought I was just not 'hitting a trigger' in the mission to allow me to go to the landing phase.  But, nope... a quirk.

 

I'll say one thing, I'm feeling less and less guilty about not doing things 'by the book' and proper procedure... as it's becoming clear that it's sort of anarchy in this little digital battleground!

 

I've been looking into that calculation disk thing.  A shame I don't have a real one.  I have a flight ruler and some other square grid tool thing (from my university flight class), but not the disk.  I have no idea where you'd buy one, locally.  I know you can probably download the images, print them, and assemble them.. but, I'd rather just buy a sturdy one.  But, the online Flash versions seem good enough.

[Sokol1]

18 minutes ago, ladlon said:

Well, part of the reason, is most of the missions don't LET you take off (start in air!)... 

 

I think in suggest you look in air start mission files for wind direction, but there's nothing informing direction.

 

This is from QM Cross Country .mis file, when "sector control" answer is:

 

 "Wind 030 5 Strip 210"

[MAIN]
  MAP Land$English_Channel_1940
  BattleArea 25000 10000 300000 300000 50000
  TIME 9.96666690800339
  WeatherIndex 2
  CloudsHeight 700
  BreezeActivity 5
  ThermalActivity 10
  player BoB_RAF_B_105Sqn.200
[GlobalWind_0]
  Power 3.000 4.392 0.000
  BottomBound 0.00
  TopBound 1500.00
  GustPower 3
  GustAngle 44

BreezeActivity 5 suggest the wind speed = 5 m/s

 

But no clue about direction, maybe this is randomized internally in game engine, in other ground start missions I get 090 for wind direction.

 

Then the game need a new "radio comm": "Request Weather Conditions".

 

[quote]and I suddenly perked up and thought, 'They have a TOWER?!!'.  Even THAT is easy to miss!... and it's in the middle of an empty field!  (Facepalm)[/quote]

 

Some airfields is just grass and/or tarmac, but in some are hangars and tower, but this is visible only at low altitude, with maximum FOV ("zoom").

 

 

Edited March 2, 2019 by Sokol1

[ladlon]

I'm not well-versed in mission coding, but it seems you have a wind section right there.  Not sure what the distinction between Power and GustPower is... but GustAngle would be your direction, wouldn't it?  I have no idea what BreezeActivity would be...  and I wasn't even aware this sim dealt with thermals.

 

Then again, I have to keep reminding myself this is CloD... and one of the big features they talked about during its production was the realtime, complex weather.

[Sokol1]

This picture linked above show the nonsense of answer for runway orientation:

 

 

The suggested runway is 090 - transverse of existing runway (18, 36) - in direction of water area, after winsock. 

 

The possible runway is signaled with yellow boards - they despawn after you take-off.

 

 

[ladlon]

That... physically hurt my brain.

 

It seems the more you question, the more you regret!

 

Maybe I was better when I just flew around aimlessly and shot at things. 

Edited March 2, 2019 by ladlon

[Sokol1]

18 minutes ago, ladlon said:

I'm not well-versed in mission coding, but it seems you have a wind section right there.  Not sure what the distinction between Power and GustPower is... but GustAngle would be your direction, wouldn't it?  I have no idea what BreezeActivity would be...  and I wasn't even aware this sim dealt with thermals.

 

Then again, I have to keep reminding myself this is CloD... and one of the big features they talked about during its production was the realtime, complex weather.

 

 

No, GustAngle ([GlobalWind_0] [GlobalWind_1]...) are a "custom weather" layer added manually to mission, and don't prevail for take-off.

If "custom weather" are not used, like in default missions, only the [MAIN] section is available in .mis code.

 

GustAngle 44 - don't match "Sector Controller" answer: 030

 

WeatherIndex is cloud types:

 

1 = None

2 = Very few

3 = Some

 

EDIT - Remember that this GustAngle don't follow a 0 to 360 compass direction, but AutoCad 0 to 180 and -0 to - 180 scale. 

Edited March 2, 2019 by Sokol1

[ladlon]

Man, I am really travelling down the rabbit hole on this one!...

 

Is there a complete manual for the mission builder?  It seems the regular manual is very sparse on it... unless I missed something.

(I really should be reading the flight manuals for the darn PLANES!)

Edited March 2, 2019 by ladlon

[Plurp]

1 hour ago, ladlon said:

  Thanks, Plurp.  This subject is really confusing for me, unfortunately.  Are you getting the wind readings from HQ or something, or is there some device on the plane that measures it?

 

I see you mention hash marks, but I'm not sure which horizon bar you are referring to.  Sorry, this aspect is all completely new to me, so I'm a bit useless in my understanding of some of the reference material.  I'll have to hop in the sim tonight and have a closer look, and maybe I'll notice what people are talking about here.

Sorry, horizontal bar with vertical hash marks.  Wind can also be read in mission briefings, ie 2m/s from 270.

[ladlon]

The horizontal bar of what, though?

 

Yep, I have to admit guilt, though, as I never read the mission briefings of the vanilla default missions.  My bad!

 

Even so, isn't the weather system complex and dynanic... so, would the winds not change over the course of the mission?  Again, odd that there's no system to radio into HQ and get weather reports.  But, if the weather is static (unchanging), then I guess there's no point... other than for people like me who didn't read the briefing.... or forgot what the info was.

[Sokol1]

28 minutes ago, Plurp said:

Wind can also be read in mission briefings, ie 2m/s from 270.

 

Plurp, this is possible in IL-2:GB (BoS, Moscow, Kuban...), ladlon is dealing with "peculiarities" of Il-2: CloD.

 

53 minutes ago, ladlon said:

Is there a complete manual for the mission builder?

 

No, since CloD was released in unfinished state (more Alpha than Beta), manual for FMB was not made. The game manual don't cover this matter.

 

Many of the guys that "deciphered" things in early years are no longer involved with CloD, probable some knowledge is now lost, you can "dig" some useful tips from this (now abandoned) forum:

http://forum.1cpublishing.eu/forumdisplay.php?f=189

 

And in ATAG, SoW, ACG forums. Difficult will find answers for all question and even more in only one place. E.g. a good "study" about what work for weather in FMB.

 

https://www.aircombatgroup.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=8360&p=111746&hilit=wind#p111746

 

 

 

Edited March 2, 2019 by Sokol1

[ladlon]

This is starting to feel like some sort of Citizen Kane type mystery...

 

Wasn't the code from CloD carried over to things like BoS?... or was CloD some sort of offshoot, rather than being in the main line of the IL2 evolution path?

 

I would have thought that a coder could look at the CloD code and easily interpret it (and it's ways)... but, I guess not.

 

 

I keep looking at BoS, wondering if I should get it... but it's just not grabbing me.  Seems limited, and I'm not a fan of the seemingly 'arcady' interface and unlocks, etc.  Sure, it has expansions that widen its scope... a bit... but they are certainly pricey.   As I mentioned in another post, I also don't really get all the gushing praise for the graphics and terrain... when all I see in those videos is .... snow.  Meanwhile, I've always been really impressed with the look of CloD... to the point where there's really not much I feel it's lacking (visually).  Maybe I'm missing something, but BoS just doesn't seem 'worth it'...  Please convince me, if you like.  I'm all ears...

 

I'm also looking at re-installing 1946, as that is certainly BIG in scope, and it seems the VPMod really helps some of its previous weaknesses.

 

Any opinions on any of this, please feel free to post them.  Very curious to hear them...

[Plurp]

1 hour ago, ladlon said:

The horizontal bar of what, though?

 

Yep, I have to admit guilt, though, as I never read the mission briefings of the vanilla default missions.  My bad!

 

Even so, isn't the weather system complex and dynanic... so, would the winds not change over the course of the mission?  Again, odd that there's no system to radio into HQ and get weather reports.  But, if the weather is static (unchanging), then I guess there's no point... other than for people like me who didn't read the briefing.... or forgot what the info was.

The horizontal bar on the crosshair of the bombsight from the pic from the link to wind thread on the ATAG forum.

1 hour ago, Sokol1 said:

 

Plurp, this is possible in IL-2:GB (BoS, Moscow, Kuban...), ladlon is dealing with "peculiarities" of Il-2: CloD.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes CLOD:

 

Late September 1940 – Sealion v45.3

Weather: Partly cloudy, winds from the SW @ 3 m/s.

05:30

ALARM!!! After weeks of hard fighting OKW has decided to launch Unternehmen Seelöwe, the invasion of England. Under cover of darkness our troops began loading onto barges and support ships early this morning and are now a few kilometers off Calais. They will begin landing at approximately 09:30. The English defense is in shambles after abandoning most of their equipment in France and will be no match for our troops and panzers if we can see them safely to the beaches. In a series of daring pre-dawn operations, Fallschirmjäger dropped into England to capture key crossroads behind the beachhead including the critical airfield at Hawkinge. They are lightly armed and will not be able to hold against determined armoured counterattacks.

Bf 109 / Bf 110 Orders

- Establish air superiority over the invasion fleets sailing from Calais (BB21) to Dover (AX23) & from Boulogne (AY20) to Folkestone (AW22). Sweep the English from the skies!!

Ju 87 / Ju 88 / He 111 / Erpr.Gr.210 Orders

- A British Coastal Battery in AY23.7 will be able to bombard our transports from kilometers away before they reach Dover harbor. Knock these guns out of action.

- Over the past several weeks the British have setup formidable defenses in Dover harbor (AX23.6). The Kriegsmarine will bombard the harbor prior to troop landing but accurate dive bombing will be required to neutralize the strongpoints.

- The rail yards at Canterbury (AW25.1) & Ashford (AU23.9) are being used to rush men and equipment into Dover. Bombard these installations as well as any trains you see to delay the enemy from moving reinforcements to the front.

- The airfields at Littlestone (AV22.2), Lympne (AV23.2) and Canterbury (AW24.8) will allow the RAF to get fighters over the battle area quickly. Put these fields out of action once and for all.

AIRSPAWNS "CAI airborne" for BR20's are available.
 

Edited March 3, 2019 by Plurp

[Sokol1]

But this briefing is is from online mission, OP are dealing with Single Player missions, more specifically with the ones that came with game.

 

Probable he know the usual advice: "Forget Single Player, the real game is Multiplayer", but is their option.

 

As I said above:

 

...in this case is a mission design flaw, mission maker should inform in briefing the wind conditions. 

 

Thing is I don't find a easy way to know what wind conditions is set in the game missions with air start.

 

 

 

... or was CloD some sort of offshoot, rather than being in the main line of the IL2 evolution path?

 

Is this case, that result in a dead end - from commercial point of view of publisher. 

 

BoS start all again with different engine, different development team - integrate some people of disbanded CloD team.

[ladlon]

Ah, there is is...  Okay, that makes things a bit clearer... and I suppose explains the oddly different UI and 'mentality' of BoS.

[Plurp]

Missed the SP part of the conversation.

[Sokol1]

 

Quote

I keep looking at BoS, wondering if I should get it... but it's just not grabbing me.  Seems limited, and I'm not a fan of the seemingly 'arcady' interface and unlocks, etc

 

 

"Unlocks" are in BoS on release, proven be a bad design choice and latter was removed.

 

Game interface... well, seems they try make looks "modern" like AAA games, things of actual times (look at emoticons selection here on forum) - and remember that dozens of complains about IL-2:1946 "ugly interface"?

 

Planes operation, engine management is very similar to CloD, just don't have mouse click ability on cockpit, has in "bombsight" interface, that is not 3D on cockpit, but loaded in an new window, like a full screen map.

 

Level bombing operation use a somewhat simplified - but practica, due visibility issues is limited to ~7000 meters (no much different from CloD), but game provide  - even in Quick Missions, all you need for set bombsight and hit the target. Bombsight interface use IAS input instead TAS - game engine make the necessary conversion in calculations,  but require compute the wind triangle.

 

Radio navigation is very simplified, a "follow me" needle. Neither BoS neither CloD are on par with IL-2:46 4.10 radio navigation.

 

BOS Quick Mission Builder work flawless, on par with IL-2:46 QMB.

 

Their Mission Builder had a non intuitive interface and is very time and work consuming but don't require code knowledge for things happens like in CloD (C++).

 

 

Edited March 7, 2019 by Sokol1

[ladlon]

I found the BoS interface looks... 'tablety'...  Big, Win10 style buttons.  Feels very out of place, and makes it seem like a mobile game, I hate to say.

 

Wow, some of your points (about simplification of various things) make it seem very unappealing... and further give me the feeling it's like a mobile game, targetted towards 'casuals' (...even though I'm sure it's still challenging and all).

 

Ya, the waypoing markers in the 3D view made my stomach turn a bit, when I saw the first videos.

 

The only plus side (for me, at least) is the mission builder, as you point out, DOES seem good... Gives you the ability to do random missions.  I'll give it that...

 

Yep, I heard recently some rumour about them taking out the unlocks (...I just didn't see any official notice, so I wasn't sure if it was true).  That's really good news.

 

I was literally just watching a bombing video for BoS... Ya, that bombing interface..... sigh.....  Well, I suppose it's more 'convenient', but actually, now that I have keymapped things properly, and have things far more in control now, I really don't find the CloD methodology awkward or inconvenient at all...  I mapped everything to the numberpad (...oddly enough, that's what Chuck ended up suggesting too!), and I find it's all very intuitive and easy.

 

I'm also not thrilled about all the maps being snow.... and the fact that I'd have to buy that particular one (BoS) in order to play the expansions (which DO look more interesting).  Luckily, BoS does go on sale, so I may grab it next time, just so I'm 'capable' to grab/play the expansions sometime in the future...  But, man.... It really sounds like a step back to me.

 

Well, I'm stil considering re-installing 1946, as I mentioned...  I guess the only thing I didn't like about that (back then) was the LONG distance between home base and the target.. but, at least I can hit autopilot/AI control (...I think...), and time-compress it during those legs for a bit.  I don't mind 'just flying', as it's part of the mission...  If there was randomness to enemy numbers and location, then there'd always be a risk of spotting enemies (or getting attacked) during those legs, so they'd have some purpose to actually participate in.

 

I had a look at Tank Crew vids today, too... and that's actually looking quite good.

 

I'm curious to see what happens with the Rise Of Flight redo... although the original didn't look like it lacked much visually.

 

I'm actually considering re-learning (..meaning PROPERLY learning, really) the A-10c for DCSWorld...  Never quite got the hang of that.  Inconsistant understanding, and never fully felt in control...  Get to a certain point in my studying, and then get 'acronymed' to death... Plus, I could never sort out a proper HOTAS mapping.. Never enough keys.  But, I want to give it another shot.  I seem to be a sucker for punishment.  That one is a beast.

[ladlon]

Huh...  Well, it looks like BoS is currently on sale.  I'm tempted to get it.

 

Will the BoX series ever have battles like in CloD?  (German/British... Western Europe) ...or will it always be German/Russian?  I guess Flying Circus is France, right?  So the series is not necessarily locked to the Eastern Front?

 

Any reason to buy from the IL-2 website vs Steam?  (Aside from the fact that they allow you to buy all the other 'modules' as standalones, and don't require BoS to be purchased... and because it supports the developers directly)

 

I hear that BoS now has non-winter versions of the maps... and also removed the unlock system.  That's all good!