So how do I practice startup and takeoff in Desert Wings?

[SCG_Limboski]

So, is there a Quick Mission in Single Player mode on the Tobruk map where I can do a cold start, takeoff, and then land?  Why is this basic task that is easy to accomplish in IL-2 GB so convoluted here?  I have a bunch of Tobruk quick missions  to start in the air but none that seemingly start on the ground.  Or am I just missing it?  If there is not a quick mission to do this then what is the best method?  Create a single player mission myself?  I'm trying to not be cynical in my first impression of the sim here but the scenario designers did not even take the time to create a detailed description of the quick missions like that exists for the summer Channel maps.

 

 

 

 

Edited August 12, 2020 by SCG_Limbo

[Art-J]

"Cross country" quick mission starts on the ground. In a Blenheim, but you probably noticed you can change it to any other plane with a double click in mission setup screen. Sadly, the plane is set up already on the runway, with engines running, so not quite what you need, but it's better than nothing.

 

To set up cold start mission you'll need full mission builder to create a single one yourself. Fortunately, full mission builder in CloD is easier to use than the one in GB series. Load a map, hit "Insert" to place an aircraft on some airstrip, right click to open its settings, customize everything about it (tip: you have to tick "spawn parked" box to have engine turned off), save mission, fly.

Edited August 12, 2020 by Art-J

[56RAF_Stickz]

4 hours ago, SCG_Limbo said:

So, is there a Quick Mission in Single Player mode on the Tobruk map where I can do a cold start, takeoff, and then land?  Why is this basic task that is easy to accomplish in IL-2 GB so convoluted here?  I have a bunch of Tobruk quick missions  to start in the air but none that seemingly start on the ground.  Or am I just missing it?  If there is not a quick mission to do this then what is the best method?  Create a single player mission myself?  I'm trying to not be cynical in my first impression of the sim here but the scenario designers did not even take the time to create a detailed description of the quick missions like that exists for the summer Channel maps.

 

 

 

 

No, and those for BoB map (cross country) cannot select the DW planes. However I wrote/rewrite some t/o missions for both Tobruk and BoB. Didnt take long, but if you want I can email em to you (they are mostly pretty simple but I did add some targets to hit. Although that does then limit them somewhat to only flying one side planes (ie cant swap from a tomahawk to 109, well you can but be hitting friendlies). But for practise t/o landing can just swap the planes around as you want.

[ATAG_SKUD]

5 hours ago, SCG_Limbo said:

So, is there a Quick Mission in Single Player mode on the Tobruk map where I can do a cold start, takeoff, and then land?  Why is this basic task that is easy to accomplish in IL-2 GB so convoluted here?  I have a bunch of Tobruk quick missions  to start in the air but none that seemingly start on the ground.  Or am I just missing it?  If there is not a quick mission to do this then what is the best method?  Create a single player mission myself?  I'm trying to not be cynical in my first impression of the sim here but the scenario designers did not even take the time to create a detailed description of the quick missions like that exists for the summer Channel maps.

 

 

 

 

Another alternative is jumping on the Combat Sim Junkies server-- full plane sets available, lots of targets to shoot at or bomb. great place to set up controls and practice

skud

 

[SCG_Limboski]

Well, as suggested, I just ended up doing is jumping into an empty multiplayer server--and then I had two AI bf-110s strafe me on the field which was very interesting yet not what I was asking for.     Honestly, I just think its a huge oversight by Team Fusion to not have a basic takeoff and landing scenario in the quick missions for Desert Wings.  

[Charon]

I agree, it feels like an oversight to me.

 

The nice thing is that the full mission builder is easy to use. I created created a new mission with both British and German planes parked on their runways and dropped it in my quick missions folder. I can post it after work if nobody beats me to it.

[SCG_Limboski]

Well, this is not really a functionality issue so much is it is an omission of a very basic mission type in the Quick Missions list--red and blue airports where we can practice takeoff and landings with different aircraft.  This is an EASY fix that wouldn't take a dev more than a few hours to complete.  

 

As another huge omission, there is no readily available documentation detailing the operation specs of each of the planes.  I had to search this forum to find a pdf doc with plane flashcards from a third party site to achieve this.  This sim is just really a raw product for the $60-$70 asking price--and I'm aware that Team Fusion did not set the price point--which can lead to a very frustrating experience in getting started.

 

[dazako]

2 hours ago, SCG_Limbo said:

As another huge omission, there is no readily available documentation detailing the operation specs of each of the planes.  I had to search this forum to find a pdf doc with plane flashcards from a third party site to achieve this.  This sim is just really a raw product for the $60-$70 asking price--and I'm aware that Team Fusion did not set the price point--which can lead to a very frustrating experience in getting started.

 

 

To be fair there were flashcards in the original release but they were withdrawn a day later to be edited and updated. While it certainly caused confusion, even for me initially,  there is a thread noting a site to download them as a temporary solution until they're added again as part of the upcoming patch. 

 

A bugger with forums is all too often useful and pertinent information quickly gets buried in threads which often spin off into non related discussions and/or spats between users. And it's apparent some just don't make the effort to search for answers themselves as you did. 

 

There's an option in the game menu 'Manuals' that directs to the root folder. Straight forward.The fact that seemingly few ever bother to look at it further clouds the forum with queries that are easy to see for oneself. Some people are less intuitive than others.

 

Daz

Edited August 12, 2020 by dazako

[Hot_Rod]

Hi SCG_Limbo,

 

My guess as to why landing/take off type missions were omitted from the quick missions, is that it was a concession to the airfield visibility issue (airfields are very difficult to see from about 11:00  hrs., until about 19:00 on the Tobruk map).

 

However, the Full Mission Builder allows you to create those missions on your own, and a simple practice takeoff & landing is fairly easy to do (believe me, I’m no expert with it - maybe just an advanced novice).

 

But try this:  Open the Full Mission Builder.  At the upper left corner there are 3 tabs (File, Edit and View) - click on “File” (left mouse click), and a drop down list appears.

 

At the top of the list is “Load Map”. Put the cursor on “Load Map”, and another drop down list appears that lists the various available maps (Tobruk is at the bottom of the list).  Move the cursor over & down and click on the map you want to use (after clicking on it, give it a few seconds to load).

 

When the map appears, zoom in on an airfield that you would like to use (mouse wheel to zoom in/out - left mouse click & hold to move the map up/down left or right).

 

Once you’re sufficiently zoomed in on an airfield, go back to the upper left corner and click on the “View” tab, and another drop down list appears.  At the top of the list is “Object Browser” - click on it.

 

By default, the Object Browser is set on “Aircraft”, with the Blenheim IV Late selected.  Click on the arrow to the right of “Blenheim IV Late”, and a drop down listing of all available aircraft appears.  
Scroll down, and put the cursor on the aircraft that you want, and click on it (that aircraft is now “selected”.

Now, move the cursor over to the airfield, and left click the mouse (this locates where the airplane will be placed), and push the “Insert” key on your keyboard (that’s in the Insert - Home - Page Up - Delete - End - Page Down group of keys).

 

Now, you’ll have a white 0(10:00) flashing at the point that the aircraft is positioned at (this is indicating “Waypoint 0 - start time is 10:00).  The default start time in the Full Mission Builder is 10:00 (the start time can be changed by clicking on “View” and then “Mission Parameters”.  At the top of that drop-down box is a selection for “Time”.  Enter the desired start time there).  However, for the Tobruk map the default start time of 10:00 works out well, as at that time the airfields are still reasonably visible.

 

Also, at the top of the Object Browser, you’ll have 3 new tabs (Group Properties - Waypoint - #1)

Click on “#1” and at the top, click on the box by “Player”, and a “+” will appear in the box (this ensures that you will be flying the plane, and not the AI.

 

Now - back at the top of the Object Browser, click on “Waypoint”.  
Go to the 4th item down - “Action”.  By default, it’s set on “Normal Flight”.  Click on the arrow to the right of “Normal Flight” and a drop down list of actions appears.  Click on “Take Off”.

This will have you starting out at the downwind end of the runway, engine running and warmed up (all ready to take off).

If you want to do a cold start & go through the start up procedure - go back to the top of the Object Browser, and click on “Group Properties”.  Near the bottom of this drop down list, click on “Spawn Parked”.

 

At this point, you are essentially finished (there is no need for any other waypoints, you’re free to fly around wherever you want) - but first, right click on the mouse, and a box appears.  Left click on “Unselect” (and the waypoint 0 will stop flashing).

 

Go to the upper left of the screen, and click on “File”.  Click on “Save As...”, and you’ll be directed to name the mission.  Name it whatever you like, it just has to end with “.mis” (e.g.:  Spitfire takeoff.mis).  Now click “Save”, and the mission is saved and should be available under “File” > “Single” (if, in the future you make changes to the mission, just click “Save” instead of “Save As...”).

 

To try it out, Go to “File” and click on “Play Mission” (if you have exited out of that mission, or are just opening the FMB back up, go to “File” >”Load Mission” - locate your mission within the list of missions - select it, and click “Open” - then go back to “File” and click “Play Mission”.

 

I know this has been rather long winded, but with some familiarity it really isn’t that difficult to make a mission on the FMB.

 

Hopefully you’ll find this useful.

 

 

Rod

 

 

 

 

Edited August 14, 2020 by Hot_Rod
Corrected the information regarding changing the mission start time in the FMB - Thank you Art-J and Mender444. ?

[DD_Arthur]

15 minutes ago, Hot_Rod said:

Hi SCG_Limbo,

 

My guess as to why landing/take off type missions were omitted from the quick missions, is that it was a concession to the airfield visibility issue (airfields are very difficult to see from about 11:00  hrs., until about 19:00 on the Tobruk map).

 

However, the Full Mission Builder allows you to create those missions on your own, and a simple practice takeoff & landing is fairly easy to do (believe me, I’m no expert with it - maybe just an advanced novice).

 

But try this:  Open the Full Mission Builder.  At the upper left corner there are 3 tabs (File, Edit and View) - click on “File” (left mouse click), and a drop down list appears.

 

At the top of the list is “Load Map”. Put the cursor on “Load Map”, and another drop down list appears that lists the various available maps (Tobruk is at the bottom of the list).  Move the cursor over & down and click on the map you want to use (after clicking on it, give it a few seconds to load).

 

When the map appears, zoom in on an airfield that you would like to use (mouse wheel to zoom in/out - left mouse click & hold to move the map up/down left or right).

 

Once you’re sufficiently zoomed in on an airfield, go back to the upper left corner and click on the “View” tab, and another drop down list appears.  At the top of the list is “Object Browser” - click on it.

 

By default, the Object Browser is set on “Aircraft”, with the Blenheim IV Late selected.  Click on the arrow to the right of “Blenheim IV Late”, and a drop down listing of all available aircraft appears.  
Scroll down, and put the cursor on the aircraft that you want, and click on it (that aircraft is now “selected”.

Now, move the cursor over to the airfield, and left click the mouse (this locates where the airplane will be placed), and push the “Insert” key on your keyboard (that’s in the Insert - Home - Page Up - Delete - End - Page Down group of keys).

 

Now, you’ll have a white 0(10:00) flashing at the point that the aircraft is positioned at (this is indicating “Waypoint 0 - start time is 10:00).  The start time is fixed in the Full Mission Builder at 10:00 and can’t be changed (there are work arounds though).  However, for the Tobruk map this works out well, as at 10:00 the airfields are still reasonably visible.

 

Also, at the top of the Object Browser, you’ll have 3 new tabs (Group Properties - Waypoint - #1)

Click on “#1” and at the top, click on the box by “Player”, and a “+” will appear in the box (this ensures that you will be flying the plane, and not the AI.

 

Now - back at the top of the Object Browser, click on “Waypoint”.  
Go to the 4th item down - “Action”.  By default, it’s set on “Normal Flight”.  Click on the arrow to the right of “Normal Flight” and a drop down list of actions appears.  Click on “Take Off”.

This will have you starting out at the downwind end of the runway, engine running and warmed up (all ready to take off).

If you want to do a cold start & go through the start up procedure - go back to the top of the Object Browser, and click on “Group Properties”.  Near the bottom of this drop down list, click on “Spawn Parked”.

 

At this point, you are essentially finished (there is no need for any other waypoints, you’re free to fly around wherever you want) - but first, right click on the mouse, and a box appears.  Left click on “Unselect” (and the waypoint 0 will stop flashing).

 

Go to the upper left of the screen, and click on “File”.  Click on “Save As...”, and you’ll be directed to name the mission.  Name it whatever you like, it just has to end with “.mis” (e.g.:  Spitfire takeoff.mis).  Now click “Save”, and the mission is saved and should be available under “File” > “Single” (if, in the future you make changes to the mission, just click “Save” instead of “Save As...”).

 

To try it out, Go to “File” and click on “Play Mission” (if you have exited out of that mission, or are just opening the FMB back up, go to “File” >”Load Mission” - locate your mission within the list of missions - select it, and click “Open” - then go back to “File” and click “Play Mission”.

 

I know this has been rather long winded, but with some familiarity it really isn’t that difficult to make a mission on the FMB.

 

Hopefully you’ll find this useful.

 

 

Rod

 

 

 

 

My god!  This? To take off in an aircraft of your own choice..... Truly,  the ultimate ‘It’s CLoD!’ ™️ experience.?

[sallee]

It really is pretty easy. I have one set up like this so I can just go in and change to whatever aircraft I fancy with just a couple of clicks.

[Dagwoodyt]

1 hour ago, DD_Arthur said:

My god!  This? To take off in an aircraft of your own choice..... Truly,  the ultimate ‘It’s CLoD!’ ™️ experience.?

I think the lack of "cold and dark" quick missions amounts to a "tell" that the main DWT development focus may have been on getting players who had left Blitz to return. The FMB is in no way something that a new-to-Blitz player should have to contend with. New players can be troublesome as they probably would not expect launcher crashes to be an issue. Those who already own Clod/Blitz and know or can remember how the FMB works can easily set up "cold & dark" missions to get comfortable with each airplane's start up routines. Additionally, CloD old timers know how often the Blitz launcher will crash on their pc's. Depending on the frequency of Blitz launcher crashes they will know whether the DWT dlc makes sense for their situation. New players don't necessarily get the same "heads up" prior to purchase.

[BraveSirRobin]

2 hours ago, Hot_Rod said:

Hi SCG_Limbo,

 

My guess as to why landing/take off type missions were omitted from the quick missions, is that it was a concession to the airfield visibility issue (airfields are very difficult to see from about 11:00  hrs., until about 19:00 on the Tobruk map).

 

However, the Full Mission Builder allows you to create those missions on your own, and a simple practice takeoff & landing is fairly easy to do (believe me, I’m no expert with it - maybe just an advanced novice).

 

But try this:  Open the Full Mission Builder.  At the upper left corner there are 3 tabs (File, Edit and View) - click on “File” (left mouse click), and a drop down list appears.

 

At the top of the list is “Load Map”. Put the cursor on “Load Map”, and another drop down list appears that lists the various available maps (Tobruk is at the bottom of the list).  Move the cursor over & down and click on the map you want to use (after clicking on it, give it a few seconds to load).

 

When the map appears, zoom in on an airfield that you would like to use (mouse wheel to zoom in/out - left mouse click & hold to move the map up/down left or right).

 

Once you’re sufficiently zoomed in on an airfield, go back to the upper left corner and click on the “View” tab, and another drop down list appears.  At the top of the list is “Object Browser” - click on it.

 

By default, the Object Browser is set on “Aircraft”, with the Blenheim IV Late selected.  Click on the arrow to the right of “Blenheim IV Late”, and a drop down listing of all available aircraft appears.  
Scroll down, and put the cursor on the aircraft that you want, and click on it (that aircraft is now “selected”.

Now, move the cursor over to the airfield, and left click the mouse (this locates where the airplane will be placed), and push the “Insert” key on your keyboard (that’s in the Insert - Home - Page Up - Delete - End - Page Down group of keys).

 

Now, you’ll have a white 0(10:00) flashing at the point that the aircraft is positioned at (this is indicating “Waypoint 0 - start time is 10:00).  The start time is fixed in the Full Mission Builder at 10:00 and can’t be changed (there are work arounds though).  However, for the Tobruk map this works out well, as at 10:00 the airfields are still reasonably visible.

 

Also, at the top of the Object Browser, you’ll have 3 new tabs (Group Properties - Waypoint - #1)

Click on “#1” and at the top, click on the box by “Player”, and a “+” will appear in the box (this ensures that you will be flying the plane, and not the AI.

 

Now - back at the top of the Object Browser, click on “Waypoint”.  
Go to the 4th item down - “Action”.  By default, it’s set on “Normal Flight”.  Click on the arrow to the right of “Normal Flight” and a drop down list of actions appears.  Click on “Take Off”.

This will have you starting out at the downwind end of the runway, engine running and warmed up (all ready to take off).

If you want to do a cold start & go through the start up procedure - go back to the top of the Object Browser, and click on “Group Properties”.  Near the bottom of this drop down list, click on “Spawn Parked”.

 

At this point, you are essentially finished (there is no need for any other waypoints, you’re free to fly around wherever you want) - but first, right click on the mouse, and a box appears.  Left click on “Unselect” (and the waypoint 0 will stop flashing).

 

Go to the upper left of the screen, and click on “File”.  Click on “Save As...”, and you’ll be directed to name the mission.  Name it whatever you like, it just has to end with “.mis” (e.g.:  Spitfire takeoff.mis).  Now click “Save”, and the mission is saved and should be available under “File” > “Single” (if, in the future you make changes to the mission, just click “Save” instead of “Save As...”).

 

To try it out, Go to “File” and click on “Play Mission” (if you have exited out of that mission, or are just opening the FMB back up, go to “File” >”Load Mission” - locate your mission within the list of missions - select it, and click “Open” - then go back to “File” and click “Play Mission”.

 

I know this has been rather long winded, but with some familiarity it really isn’t that difficult to make a mission on the FMB.

 

Hopefully you’ll find this useful.

 

 

Rod

 

 

 

 

Or, and stick with me here, because it’s about to get complicated, how about if they just add a free fly option where you have the option to pick the field where you start, start the engine and taxi to the runway, or just start at the end of the runway? 

[1PL-Lucas-1Esk]

Actually, you can make 3-4 SP missions for:

- British planes

- US planes

- French

- German

- Italian

 

Basically, the same layout, same field, same take off and route. Once you will open the mission in CLOD, you can "customize" it, so actually, you can select any plane you want to fly.

I have attached my test missions. Just unpack it and copy all the .mis files to the My Documents/1C Soft Club/il2 cliffs of dover/missions/single

 

Just remember, that you can open them with the Full Mission Builder and edit. And you can customize them, before clicking "Fly" by changing hour/clouds/plane you will fly

 

Single.zip

[Sokol1]

6 minutes ago, 1PL-Lucas-1Esk said:

Just remember, that you can open them with the Full Mission Builder and edit. And you can customize them, before clicking "Fly" by changing hour/clouds/plane you will fly

Single.zip 2.79 kB · 0 downloads

 

When open in FMB, after made changes is important open "Waipoint 0" properties and in the tab  #1 tick the box "Player", this may endun-ticked, depends what you do in FMB, leaving player without plane. ?

[Buzzsaw]

We will address this and include a basic takeoff and landing on the Tobruk map in a future patch.

 

As an alternative in the next patch you should be able to use any aircraft on the Channel map 'Cross Country' mission.

[zippyPerrserker]

3 hours ago, Hot_Rod said:

Hi SCG_Limbo,

 

My guess as to why landing/take off type missions were omitted from the quick missions, is that it was a concession to the airfield visibility issue (airfields are very difficult to see from about 11:00  hrs., until about 19:00 on the Tobruk map).

 

However, the Full Mission Builder allows you to create those missions on your own, and a simple practice takeoff & landing is fairly easy to do (believe me, I’m no expert with it - maybe just an advanced novice).

 

But try this:  Open the Full Mission Builder.  At the upper left corner there are 3 tabs (File, Edit and View) - click on “File” (left mouse click), and a drop down list appears.

 

At the top of the list is “Load Map”. Put the cursor on “Load Map”, and another drop down list appears that lists the various available maps (Tobruk is at the bottom of the list).  Move the cursor over & down and click on the map you want to use (after clicking on it, give it a few seconds to load).

 

When the map appears, zoom in on an airfield that you would like to use (mouse wheel to zoom in/out - left mouse click & hold to move the map up/down left or right).

 

Once you’re sufficiently zoomed in on an airfield, go back to the upper left corner and click on the “View” tab, and another drop down list appears.  At the top of the list is “Object Browser” - click on it.

 

By default, the Object Browser is set on “Aircraft”, with the Blenheim IV Late selected.  Click on the arrow to the right of “Blenheim IV Late”, and a drop down listing of all available aircraft appears.  
Scroll down, and put the cursor on the aircraft that you want, and click on it (that aircraft is now “selected”.

Now, move the cursor over to the airfield, and left click the mouse (this locates where the airplane will be placed), and push the “Insert” key on your keyboard (that’s in the Insert - Home - Page Up - Delete - End - Page Down group of keys).

 

Now, you’ll have a white 0(10:00) flashing at the point that the aircraft is positioned at (this is indicating “Waypoint 0 - start time is 10:00).  The start time is fixed in the Full Mission Builder at 10:00 and can’t be changed (there are work arounds though).  However, for the Tobruk map this works out well, as at 10:00 the airfields are still reasonably visible.

 

Also, at the top of the Object Browser, you’ll have 3 new tabs (Group Properties - Waypoint - #1)

Click on “#1” and at the top, click on the box by “Player”, and a “+” will appear in the box (this ensures that you will be flying the plane, and not the AI.

 

Now - back at the top of the Object Browser, click on “Waypoint”.  
Go to the 4th item down - “Action”.  By default, it’s set on “Normal Flight”.  Click on the arrow to the right of “Normal Flight” and a drop down list of actions appears.  Click on “Take Off”.

This will have you starting out at the downwind end of the runway, engine running and warmed up (all ready to take off).

If you want to do a cold start & go through the start up procedure - go back to the top of the Object Browser, and click on “Group Properties”.  Near the bottom of this drop down list, click on “Spawn Parked”.

 

At this point, you are essentially finished (there is no need for any other waypoints, you’re free to fly around wherever you want) - but first, right click on the mouse, and a box appears.  Left click on “Unselect” (and the waypoint 0 will stop flashing).

 

Go to the upper left of the screen, and click on “File”.  Click on “Save As...”, and you’ll be directed to name the mission.  Name it whatever you like, it just has to end with “.mis” (e.g.:  Spitfire takeoff.mis).  Now click “Save”, and the mission is saved and should be available under “File” > “Single” (if, in the future you make changes to the mission, just click “Save” instead of “Save As...”).

 

To try it out, Go to “File” and click on “Play Mission” (if you have exited out of that mission, or are just opening the FMB back up, go to “File” >”Load Mission” - locate your mission within the list of missions - select it, and click “Open” - then go back to “File” and click “Play Mission”.

 

I know this has been rather long winded, but with some familiarity it really isn’t that difficult to make a mission on the FMB.

 

Hopefully you’ll find this useful.

 

 

Rod

 

 

 

 

 

Cool of you to take the time to write all that out, thanks!

 

[Buzzsaw]

4 hours ago, Hot_Rod said:

Hi SCG_Limbo,

 

My guess as to why landing/take off type missions were omitted from the quick missions, is that it was a concession to the airfield visibility issue (airfields are very difficult to see from about 11:00  hrs., until about 19:00 on the Tobruk map).

 

However, the Full Mission Builder allows you to create those missions on your own, and a simple practice takeoff & landing is fairly easy to do (believe me, I’m no expert with it - maybe just an advanced novice).

 

But try this:  Open the Full Mission Builder.  At the upper left corner there are 3 tabs (File, Edit and View) - click on “File” (left mouse click), and a drop down list appears.

 

At the top of the list is “Load Map”. Put the cursor on “Load Map”, and another drop down list appears that lists the various available maps (Tobruk is at the bottom of the list).  Move the cursor over & down and click on the map you want to use (after clicking on it, give it a few seconds to load).

 

When the map appears, zoom in on an airfield that you would like to use (mouse wheel to zoom in/out - left mouse click & hold to move the map up/down left or right).

 

Once you’re sufficiently zoomed in on an airfield, go back to the upper left corner and click on the “View” tab, and another drop down list appears.  At the top of the list is “Object Browser” - click on it.

 

By default, the Object Browser is set on “Aircraft”, with the Blenheim IV Late selected.  Click on the arrow to the right of “Blenheim IV Late”, and a drop down listing of all available aircraft appears.  
Scroll down, and put the cursor on the aircraft that you want, and click on it (that aircraft is now “selected”.

Now, move the cursor over to the airfield, and left click the mouse (this locates where the airplane will be placed), and push the “Insert” key on your keyboard (that’s in the Insert - Home - Page Up - Delete - End - Page Down group of keys).

 

Now, you’ll have a white 0(10:00) flashing at the point that the aircraft is positioned at (this is indicating “Waypoint 0 - start time is 10:00).  The start time is fixed in the Full Mission Builder at 10:00 and can’t be changed (there are work arounds though).  However, for the Tobruk map this works out well, as at 10:00 the airfields are still reasonably visible.

 

Also, at the top of the Object Browser, you’ll have 3 new tabs (Group Properties - Waypoint - #1)

Click on “#1” and at the top, click on the box by “Player”, and a “+” will appear in the box (this ensures that you will be flying the plane, and not the AI.

 

Now - back at the top of the Object Browser, click on “Waypoint”.  
Go to the 4th item down - “Action”.  By default, it’s set on “Normal Flight”.  Click on the arrow to the right of “Normal Flight” and a drop down list of actions appears.  Click on “Take Off”.

This will have you starting out at the downwind end of the runway, engine running and warmed up (all ready to take off).

If you want to do a cold start & go through the start up procedure - go back to the top of the Object Browser, and click on “Group Properties”.  Near the bottom of this drop down list, click on “Spawn Parked”.

 

At this point, you are essentially finished (there is no need for any other waypoints, you’re free to fly around wherever you want) - but first, right click on the mouse, and a box appears.  Left click on “Unselect” (and the waypoint 0 will stop flashing).

 

Go to the upper left of the screen, and click on “File”.  Click on “Save As...”, and you’ll be directed to name the mission.  Name it whatever you like, it just has to end with “.mis” (e.g.:  Spitfire takeoff.mis).  Now click “Save”, and the mission is saved and should be available under “File” > “Single” (if, in the future you make changes to the mission, just click “Save” instead of “Save As...”).

 

To try it out, Go to “File” and click on “Play Mission” (if you have exited out of that mission, or are just opening the FMB back up, go to “File” >”Load Mission” - locate your mission within the list of missions - select it, and click “Open” - then go back to “File” and click “Play Mission”.

 

I know this has been rather long winded, but with some familiarity it really isn’t that difficult to make a mission on the FMB.

 

Hopefully you’ll find this useful.

 

 

Rod

 

 

 

 

Thanks Hot Rod.  ?

[Charon]

As an alternative to Lucas's missions, I've attached mine, which includes thumbnail images and is meant to be dropped into the quick mission folder.

cold start.zip

[Buzzsaw]

1 minute ago, Charon said:

As an alternative to Lucas's missions, I've attached mine, which includes thumbnail images and is meant to be dropped into the quick mission folder.

cold start.zip 94.46 kB · 0 downloads

Thanks Charon.

[Art-J]

As an extra comment to Hot_Rod's thorough instructions I'll add you can quickly change time, weather and cloud base when you navigate in FMB tabs bar to "View" -> "Mission Parameters".

[Hot_Rod]

5 hours ago, Art-J said:

As an extra comment to Hot_Rod's thorough instructions I'll add you can quickly change time, weather and cloud base when you navigate in FMB tabs bar to "View" -> "Mission Parameters".

Thanks Art-J,

 

I wasn’t aware of how to change the time in the FMB (as I said in my original post - I’m no expert with it).          ?

 

Thanks again!            ?

 

 

Rod

[konate]

On 8/13/2020 at 4:35 AM, Hot_Rod said:

Hi SCG_Limbo,

 

My guess as to why landing/take off type missions were omitted from the quick missions, is that it was a concession to the airfield visibility issue (airfields are very difficult to see from about 11:00  hrs., until about 19:00 on the Tobruk map).

 

However, the Full Mission Builder allows you to create those missions on your own, and a simple practice takeoff & landing is fairly easy to do (believe me, I’m no expert with it - maybe just an advanced novice).

 

But try this:  Open the Full Mission Builder.  At the upper left corner there are 3 tabs (File, Edit and View) - click on “File” (left mouse click), and a drop down list appears.

 

At the top of the list is “Load Map”. Put the cursor on “Load Map”, and another drop down list appears that lists the various available maps (Tobruk is at the bottom of the list).  Move the cursor over & down and click on the map you want to use (after clicking on it, give it a few seconds to load).

 

When the map appears, zoom in on an airfield that you would like to use (mouse wheel to zoom in/out - left mouse click & hold to move the map up/down left or right).

 

Once you’re sufficiently zoomed in on an airfield, go back to the upper left corner and click on the “View” tab, and another drop down list appears.  At the top of the list is “Object Browser” - click on it.

 

By default, the Object Browser is set on “Aircraft”, with the Blenheim IV Late selected.  Click on the arrow to the right of “Blenheim IV Late”, and a drop down listing of all available aircraft appears.  
Scroll down, and put the cursor on the aircraft that you want, and click on it (that aircraft is now “selected”.

Now, move the cursor over to the airfield, and left click the mouse (this locates where the airplane will be placed), and push the “Insert” key on your keyboard (that’s in the Insert - Home - Page Up - Delete - End - Page Down group of keys).

 

Now, you’ll have a white 0(10:00) flashing at the point that the aircraft is positioned at (this is indicating “Waypoint 0 - start time is 10:00).  The start time is fixed in the Full Mission Builder at 10:00 and can’t be changed (there are work arounds though).  However, for the Tobruk map this works out well, as at 10:00 the airfields are still reasonably visible.

 

Also, at the top of the Object Browser, you’ll have 3 new tabs (Group Properties - Waypoint - #1)

Click on “#1” and at the top, click on the box by “Player”, and a “+” will appear in the box (this ensures that you will be flying the plane, and not the AI.

 

Now - back at the top of the Object Browser, click on “Waypoint”.  
Go to the 4th item down - “Action”.  By default, it’s set on “Normal Flight”.  Click on the arrow to the right of “Normal Flight” and a drop down list of actions appears.  Click on “Take Off”.

This will have you starting out at the downwind end of the runway, engine running and warmed up (all ready to take off).

If you want to do a cold start & go through the start up procedure - go back to the top of the Object Browser, and click on “Group Properties”.  Near the bottom of this drop down list, click on “Spawn Parked”.

 

At this point, you are essentially finished (there is no need for any other waypoints, you’re free to fly around wherever you want) - but first, right click on the mouse, and a box appears.  Left click on “Unselect” (and the waypoint 0 will stop flashing).

 

Go to the upper left of the screen, and click on “File”.  Click on “Save As...”, and you’ll be directed to name the mission.  Name it whatever you like, it just has to end with “.mis” (e.g.:  Spitfire takeoff.mis).  Now click “Save”, and the mission is saved and should be available under “File” > “Single” (if, in the future you make changes to the mission, just click “Save” instead of “Save As...”).

 

To try it out, Go to “File” and click on “Play Mission” (if you have exited out of that mission, or are just opening the FMB back up, go to “File” >”Load Mission” - locate your mission within the list of missions - select it, and click “Open” - then go back to “File” and click “Play Mission”.

 

I know this has been rather long winded, but with some familiarity it really isn’t that difficult to make a mission on the FMB.

 

Hopefully you’ll find this useful.

 

 

Rod

 

 

 

 

 

This is FANTASTIC!!!  I'm new and want to learn and this was perfect.

So, I did all this.  Chose my airfield, Tobruk #3 (LG146), selected my plane, put it on the airstrip, next to position 153 on the right airfield, select cold start and after I "save as" then under "File" select "Play Mission", my start point is not on the airfield (no way to know, but guessing around position 112) and takes a good 5 mins of taxiing to get to the airstrip.

 

Have I done something wrong?

[SCG_Limboski]

Thanks everybody for the help.  I am finding the new aircraft very fun to fly.

 

[Art-J]

2 hours ago, konate said:

 

This is FANTASTIC!!!  I'm new and want to learn and this was perfect.

So, I did all this.  Chose my airfield, Tobruk #3 (LG146), selected my plane, put it on the airstrip, next to position 153 on the right airfield, select cold start and after I "save as" then under "File" select "Play Mission", my start point is not on the airfield (no way to know, but guessing around position 112) and takes a good 5 mins of taxiing to get to the airstrip.

 

Have I done something wrong?

 

I haven't quite figured that issue out either (yet). Try Amseat No 2. airstrip south of Bardia. When I did set up a cold-start mission over there, my Beau was conveniently placed with the runway on 1 oclock, close, upwind.

[Mender444]

2 hours ago, konate said:

he start time is fixed in the Full Mission Builder at 10:00 and can’t be changed (there are work arounds though).

It's possible to change mission time using View -> Mission Parameters.

[Hot_Rod]

10 hours ago, konate said:

 

This is FANTASTIC!!!  I'm new and want to learn and this was perfect.

So, I did all this.  Chose my airfield, Tobruk #3 (LG146), selected my plane, put it on the airstrip, next to position 153 on the right airfield, select cold start and after I "save as" then under "File" select "Play Mission", my start point is not on the airfield (no way to know, but guessing around position 112) and takes a good 5 mins of taxiing to get to the airstrip.

 

Have I done something wrong?

Hi Konate,

 

No, you did nothing wrong.

 

I recreated your mission, and got the same results.  It seems that when you select to do a cold start (Spawn Parked), the FMB selects a default parking area for you.  I tried moving the plane to the parking area that’s just to the right of the south end of the runway (position 91), but when I started the mission the plane was still located at the original start point (even though I had saved the new position).

 

Sorry I couldn’t help you with this one - maybe someone else will have a solution.

 

 

Rod

 

 

[unlikely_spider]

Do the campaigns feature engine startup, or are they all running start?

[Sokol1]

14 hours ago, konate said:

This is FANTASTIC!!!  I'm new and want to learn and this was perfect.

So, I did all this.  Chose my airfield, Tobruk #3 (LG146), selected my plane, put it on the airstrip, next to position 153 on the right airfield, select cold start and after I "save as" then under "File" select "Play Mission", my start point is not on the airfield (no way to know, but guessing around position 112) and takes a good 5 mins of taxiing to get to the airstrip.

 

Have I done something wrong?

 

Nothing wrong, is how things work, in a "It's cloD" way. 

 

As you set the option "Spawn Parked" plane spawn  in park point around airfield.

Happens that in CloD this is done in reverse order, instead use park points 1 then 2, 3...153, is used first the high number, e.g. the 153, what in general is the most far from runway, and so you have a "It's a long way to Tipperary" taxi. 

 

The only alternative is set the option "Scramble", plane will park in runway, engines on, wheel chocks in.

The option for spawn in runway with engine off disappear "under the rug" years ago.

 

Anyway is possible spawn on runway, engine off,  but need use some 'band-aid". My way:

 

 

In FMB > Objects Browser select in Static > Airfields > the object "Antistorm Weight", a cylindrical concrete block with a ring. I use this object because is the most discrete available, and is appropriated have then around plane park points.

 

Now the "fun" part, put this Antistorm Weigh (Ctrl+ left mouse click) in every spawn park of airfield, yes from 1 to 153 or more. ?

 

This will block default park points and plane don't spawn there anymore.

 

BTW - Park point are these points in  "branch" lines only, the internal line is taxi path.

 

OK, now you need create a new spawn point, over runway.

In Objects Browser select Airfields > Airfields points.

Plane one over runway, hit will jump for airfield circle perimeters, drag then back for over run way star point, and Ctrl+left click place another.

You have 2 points over run way, 0 an 1. align the in a way that 0 point for take-off direction, but don't put then much close, or plane spawn in the circle perimeter around airfield, after some test (e.g. 99) ? you find the correct distance.

 

Example:

 

Now when you select "Spaw Parked" (in plane properties) plane spawn on runway, engines off.

At start of  mission command "Wheel chocks" - for prevent plane turn for wind (and "It's cloD!") and start engine(s).

Happy flyght.

 

 

 

3 hours ago, unlikely_spider said:

Do the campaigns feature engine startup, or are they all running start?

 

Most mission makers prefer set for start on runway, engines running.

 

This is for avoid long taxi distances (see above), and issues with AI, in Channel map if are many AI in missions maybe they are not able to do tight turns in taxi - in some airfields; an start despawn and spawn on runway.

 

But is easy change for spawn parked, engines off. Just replace Scramble 1 for SetOnPark 1 in missions file.

Edited August 14, 2020 by Sokol1

[Hot_Rod]

43 minutes ago, Sokol1 said:

My way:

 

  Reveal hidden contents

In FMB > Objects Browser select in Static > Airfields > the object "Antistorm Weight", a cylindrical concrete block with a ring. I use this object because is the most discrete available, and is appropriated have then around plane park points.

 

Now the "fun" part, put this Antistorm Weigh (Ctrl+ left mouse click) in every spawn park of airfield, yes from 1 to 153 or more. ?

 

This will block default park points and plane don't spawn there anymore.

 

BTW - Park point are these points in  "branch" lines only, the internal line is taxi path.

 

OK, now you need create a new spawn point, over runway.

In Objects Browser select Airfields > Airfields points.

Plane one over runway, hit will jump for airfield circle perimeters, drag then back for over run way star point, and Ctrl+left click place another.

You have 2 points over run way, 0 an 1. align the in a way that 0 point for take-off direction, but don't put then much close, or plane spawn in the circle perimeter around airfield, after some test (e.g. 99) ? you find the correct distance.

 

Example:

 

Now when you select "Spaw Parked" (in plane properties) plane spawn on runway, engines off.

At start of  mission command "Wheel chocks" - for prevent plane turn for wind (and "It's cloD!") and start engine(s).

Happy flyght.

 

 

 

 

Sokol1,

 

Thank you for this solution - I doubt I would have been able to come up with that on my own!

 

You really are a Sensei for this sim!        ?

 

 

Rod

[Sokol1]

Ops! One more test show that you don't need block the park points, but just find the right spot for the new "Airdrome Point" over runway.

 

In a default airfield add the "Airdrome point", what will add a ".0" (the point) and a small circle with a plane silhuete inside, that is the "Aidrome0" icon, both gray.

 

Move this "Airdrome0" for center or runway, and in their Properties > Airfield set a side, Red or Blue,.

If want adjust "Capture radius", a circle that when the aircraft went inside "Control Tower" order "Join the circuit" (for landing), I use the minimal, 500.

 

Now select the point ".0" (that assue the color with set for "Airdrome0" - red or blue) and move for over start of runway, Ctrl+left click and add one more point, space ~10 meters ahead, pointing for runway length.  The position of this two point is the trick part, a bit off make plane spawn in the last park point. Trial and error.

 

 

Add a plane, set at least two waypoints: Take-off and Normal flight.

In plane  properties set "Player" in #1 tab and in Group Properties "Spawn Parked".*

 

Plane over runway, engines off.

 

BTW - I use add a (Static > Environment) Windsock Strong, for allow adjust wind direction, another "It's CloD!",  inverse of RL convention and based in AutoCAD scale.

Edited August 14, 2020 by Sokol1

[SNAPKronovanX]

On 8/12/2020 at 2:04 PM, DD_Arthur said:

My god!  This? To take off in an aircraft of your own choice..... Truly,  the ultimate ‘It’s CLoD!’ ™️ experience.?

 

While I'll agree that not including a startup, take-off & landing mission for the Tobruk map probably wasn't the wisest decision by TF, the steps that Limbo detailed are about on par with the number required in Flight Simulator X to create a cold & dark startup - and there's many a GA sim fan that have made the effort to do that. In that sim, it can be quite a challenge for a new virtual pilot that doesn't know the layout of the aircraft well and requires some reading to make sure everything necessary is shut down before the default save file is created.

 

The way I see it with IL-2 CLOD; creating a cold & dark startup gets your feet wet with the mission editor, which is a plus because once mastered you can to lots of cool things with that tool.  ?