Developer Diary 270 - Discussion

[BMA_FlyingShark]

17 minutes ago, scotsmanFlyingscotsman said:

Always glad to see another version of the FW-190, Stormbird site mentions this version was designed against heavy bombers, so the B-16 (AI) Marauder should be a good target....if you can catch it, we live in interesting times!

True and hopefully one day we can also play the role of the guy who the A6 is trying to catch.

 

Have a nice day.

 

[RedKestrel]

1 hour ago, Diggun said:

am i tripping or do some of those screenshots seem to show clouds wot are better?

Think you've been flying the Typhoon without an oxygen mask again.

[pencon]

So ? What about the AI improvements ? And will they be for earlier versions of the sim as well ?

[Avimimus]

5 minutes ago, pencon said:

So ? What about the AI improvements ? And will they be for earlier versions of the sim as well ?

 

All of the engine updates (e.g. AI improvements, new AI aircraft) are added to all products (after Rise of Flight). If you pre-ordered Battle of Stalingrad in 2013 you would receive the thousands of updates for free.

 

The new modules only need to be bought to get some additional content (maps, missions, flyable aircraft) and support development.

[Denum]

I'm excited for the markings! 

 

*Thirst for big boi Spitfire intensifies*

[=RvE=Windmills]

Maybe I missed it, what new graphical effects are being added?

[Luftschiff]

The A6 variants mentioned confuse me a little, because I'm not well read on the A-6 model. I thought the A6/R2 were the wing mounted Mk108's, but seems to be the 50kg rack, and wasn't the G3 the long range version with drop tanks? Need a pro to fill me in on juicy details!

[Voidhunger]

2 hours ago, Jason_Williams said:

No same clouds. We already have quite nice clouds. Just depends on the mission settings usually.

 

Jason

 

Hi Jason, you mentioned that possibility to improve clouds in the future, maybe he is impatient but I think too that on extreme details they are already nice.

 

What’s to come in 2021 and beyond?

 

We hope that 2021 will be a return to long metro rides to the Moscow office, Jason emerging from his desert cave… err penthouse mansion on the Las Vegas Strip and the arrival of an effective vaccine. No matter what, we will continue to work on the Great Battles series and completing the development of Battle of Normandy. And we will begin work on new titles such as the just announced Flying Circus: Volume II and continue to produce mission content, new features like our long overdue Air Marshal and many other improvements like better special effects and maybe, maybe improved clouds and sky-dome. And we are still working on battlefield infantry for Tank Crew and we hope more AI improvements which work never ends. 

Edited January 29, 2021 by Voidhunger

[Bremspropeller]

On 1/29/2021 at 5:27 PM, Luftschiff said:

I thought the A6/R2 were the wing mounted Mk108's, but seems to be the 50kg rack, and wasn't the G3 the long range version with drop tanks? Need a pro to fill me in on juicy details!

 

No serial MK108s in the A-6 (just like no GM-1 was ever operational in 190s).

 

The R2 is the version with the "blinkers" extra armored-glass on the canopy.

Those were used with the Sturmgruppen (initially Sturmstaffel 1), before they were generally left off in the later Sturmbock aircraft, as they created too much drag.

 

The bombs on the Sturmstaffel 1 aircraft is probaly just a showcase. Like the other R2 aircraft with skins that were no R2s IRL.

 

It will be interesting to see, which wing-pylons are incorporated.

 

The Messcherschmitt-Schloss could only carry the 300l drop-tank (but was the most aerodynamic with the tank gone). The Focke-Wulf Schloss was the draggiest rack on both the way in and the way out. It could mount bombs, though.

 

Mtt. Schloss. Mind the MG131 in the cowling - this would actually be a G-8 (pitot-tube location) with the old Mtt racks.

Spoiler

https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Fw-190A/Fw-190A/pages/Focke-Wulf-Fw-190A-Bundesarchiv-Bild-101I-496-3463-31A.html

Same here.

 

Spoiler

https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Fw-190A/Fw-190A/pages/Focke-Wulf-Fw-190A-Bundesarchiv-Bild-101I-496-3463-06A.html

Version hard to tell. G-8 (indicated by pitot-tube location) Mtt Schloss.

 

Spoiler

https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Fw-190A/Fw-190A/pages/Focke-Wulf-Fw-190A-Bundesarchiv-Bild-101I-496-3463-20A.html

Dito. G-2 or G-3 Mtt. Schloss.

 

Supposedly a G-3, but may also be a G-2. Mtt. Schloss.

 

Probably a G-3. Focke-Wulf Schloss.

 

Spoiler

Same.

 

The rack on the G-8 (which we already have with BoBp) is the best overall solution, having the second-lowest speed-loss on the way in and on the way out (just a 1kph difference on the way out to the Mtt Schloss) and being able to take bombs up to 250kg.

 

Speed-loss is at Steig-/ Kampfleistung each at low altitudes each.

Edited January 30, 2021 by Bremspropeller

[[DBS]Browning]

So, I'm certainly jumping the gun a little here, but now the ability to add lettering to planes has been demonstrated, I wonder if the same tech may be adapted in the future to display damage.

[Q_Walker]

Definitely looking forward to unit decals. Hope that they are applied in Career mode depending on position in flight!

[Diggun]

25 minutes ago, Voidhunger said:

maybe he is impatient

I'm undoubtedly impatient, I just got excited because some of those clouds looked longer /thinner /more varied than the ones I often see, but clearly there is more variation in the existing clouds than I thought! And don't get me wrong, I love what we've got! 

[Bin_Hidin]

?looking good

wondering if the spit will be coming in the same update as the A6

 

[JG_deserteagle540]

Awesome update! Really great work

[sevenless]

1 hour ago, Luftschiff said:

The A6 variants mentioned confuse me a little, because I'm not well read on the A-6 model. I thought the A6/R2 were the wing mounted Mk108's, but seems to be the 50kg rack, and wasn't the G3 the long range version with drop tanks? Need a pro to fill me in on juicy details!

 

They weren´t serially produced, but prototypes were tested with Erprobungskommando 25 alongside with the tactical Sturmstaffel concept 11/43-4/44. The first "regular" version which was used operationally was the A7/R2 and the first planes arrived 2/44 at Sturmstaffel 1.

 

• Fw 190A-6/R2 - equivalent to the A-5/U6 model, armament: 2x1 MG 17 machine guns, 2x1 MG 151/20 E and 2x1 MK 108 cannons; not serially produced.

• Fw 190A-6/R2/R6 - plane adapted for destruction of bomber formations, with increased armament and missile launchers, only one prototype, V51 (W.Nr. 530765), built. Total armament consisted of 2x1 MG 17, 2x1 MG 151/20 E, 2x1 MK 108 and 2x1 W.Gr. 21.
   
• Fw 190A-6/R7 - armoured fighter with standard armament; in service with Reich defence units; often with additional 300 l capacity fuel tank mounted on the ETC 501 bomb rack.

See here: Modeller's Guide to Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Variants - Radial Engine Versions - Part I (ipmsstockholm.org)

or Sturmstaffel 1: The War Diary: Amazon.co.uk: Mombeek, Eric, etc., Tullis, Tom: 9780952686798: Books

Edited January 29, 2021 by sevenless

[migmadmarine]

Regarding the squadron lettering decals, that is a very pleasant surprise. Curious, will this be extended to full squadron colors being applied to aircraft (The blue noses and blue/red/yellow rudders of the 352nd FG for example), or will there be a pack of "blank" squadron color skins comparable with career that the game can then apply lettering over?

1 minute ago, Luftschiff said:

 

He's talking about how you can only have one per folder, while it is displayed in game as a drop-down list. If you want to have say, engine notes for a plane instead of your girlfriend, you'll have to overwrite the GF entirely. You can't stuff both pictures in the P51 folder and choose which one to use from the drop-down in game.

I know, I got that, I'm just saying I've not encountered many people who seem to want to have multiple photos at the ready like that, but who knows it could be a more common desire than I realize. 

[I/JG7_GreenSix]

NICE graphics again and again but wait....

 

Could you please bring back the good old fighter stuff from the year 2000 ? .... e.g.

 

wingman / squadron flight managment

squadron markings

tactical markings

useful radio / command options

 

 

 

[Sybreed]

Ai improvements??? For ground attack missions I hope? My FW flight will drop their bombs on the target instead of AAA units?

 

This has gotten me interested

[=621=Samikatz]

46 minutes ago, I/JG7_GreenSix said:

squadron markings

tactical markings

 

 

 

 

This is literally what the second half of the dev diary is about

[csThor]

Small comment re skin of  Fw 190 A-6 of JG 1 that has been shown in the update ...

 

There was never a single evidence that JG 1 ever used anything but black and white for the checkerboard pattern. The photo showing a seemingly yellow black pattern was badly colourized post-war and shows an aircraft with a rather common issue the BMW 801s were suffering from - excessive oil leaks. I'd have to dig into my book storage to find it but I clearly remember the 3 volume series on JG 1 dismissing the use of red/yellow on checkerboard noses as post-war urban legend.

Edited January 29, 2021 by csThor

[RNAS10_Oliver]

Could barred letters like on this air sea rescue Spitfire V be supported in some manner?

 

 

And also would we be able to determine the order and position relative to the cockades that the codes are placed on each side? I'm wondering on account of being able to replicate the codes on Fleet Air Arm aircraft. Having them written in the same order on both sides rather than squadron code ahead and individual code astern (notice that some of the in game IX codes are in both manners also). So being read as 1C@GS on both port and starboard sides rather than 1C@GS on the port side and GS@1C on the starboard side.

 

 

2 hours ago, [DBS]Browning said:

So, I'm certainly jumping the gun a little here, but now the ability to add lettering to planes has been demonstrated, I wonder if the same tech may be adapted in the future to display damage.

 

Now that's an rather interesting thought.

Edited January 29, 2021 by Oliver88

[sevenless]

1 hour ago, csThor said:

but I clearly remember the 3 volume series on JG 1 dismissing the use of red/yellow on checkerboard noses as post-war urban legend.

 

Your memory must play tricks on you. If you look up Eric Mombeeks 3 volume unit diary on volume II page 156-157 you find him explaining the exact checkerboard squadron pattern I/JG 1 used in 1943 up to early-mid 1944.

 

1./JG1 = black - white

2./JG1 = black - red

3./JG1 = black - yellow

 

All this was replaced mid 44 by black-white stripes and the spinner in squadron colour.

 

I guess what you propably mean, is the yet unanswered question, whether or not a certain plane of first squadron (1./JG1 and not the whole I./JG1) might have had a yellow-black checkerboard (white 1 of Uffz. Bernhard Kunze, 1./JG 1, WNr. 410055 ?) That topic has been partly untangled here:

 

FalkeEins - the Luftwaffe blog: JG 1 Focke Wulf Fw 190 checker nose colours

Edited January 29, 2021 by sevenless

[I./JG1_Baron]

43 minutes ago, csThor said:

Small comment re skin of  Fw 190 A-6 of JG 1 that has been shown in the update ...

 

There was never a single evidence that JG 1 ever used anything but black and white for the checkerboard pattern. The photo showing a seemingly yellow black pattern was badly colourized post-war and shows an aircraft with a rather common issue the BMW 801s were suffering from - excessive oil leaks. I'd have to dig into my book storage to find it but I clearly remember the 3 volume series on JG 1 dismissing the use of red/yellow on checkerboard noses as post-war urban legend.

 

I dare to disagree - in the book by E. Mombeek about JG1 there are photos with the engine cover, which was not black and white but red or yellow-black. I don't remember exactly, but I remember that photo very well.

 

EDIT: Sevenless was faster like me ☺️

Edited January 29, 2021 by I./JG1_Baron

[Ram399]

43 minutes ago, =621=Samikatz said:

This is literally what the second half of the dev diary is about

Must have been a force of habit lol.

I am curious as to how the new marking system will work however.
It should bring some desperately needed variation to career mode, but I wonder if it only functions for default skins or can it be applied to custom skins as well?
Furthermore, is it an automatically applied effect or can it be toggled on and off?

[szelljr]

...all skinners can go in pension ?.

[keeno]

Just beautiful!

[CUJO_1970]

Oh gimme that A6, my preciousssssss 

[BlitzPig_EL]

How will the A6 differ from the A5?

It has to be pretty tubby with all that extra armor tacked on it, yes?

[LuftManu]

22 minutes ago, BlitzPig_EL said:

How will the A6 differ from the A5?

It has to be pretty tubby with all that extra armor tacked on it, yes?

Only if it carries it!

It should fare similar to the standard A5, if both without mods. The key difference here is the new wings that carry two Mg 151 outboard cannons as standard cofing, upping the weapons in the wings to 4. As it is in the A8. 

 

Another thing is that this variant still had Mg 17s instead of the deadly Mg 131.

 

I guess the Sturmjaeger config will also behave similar to the A8 with that mod.

Edited January 29, 2021 by LF_Gallahad

[616Sqn_Johnny-Red]

2 hours ago, szelljr said:

...all skinners can go in pension ?.

 

Perish the thought! There'll always be a place for those with an eye for the genuine article

 

_________

 

 

The P51 test shots are looking very promising. I can see it being a big hit with squads online and being really useful in campaigns. No more trying to reform your flight of I-16's and then realising "they're not my I-16's!"

 

Also, delighted to hear that vehicles will be getting the same treatment. More value added there - maybe with divisional badges as well as ID numbers?

 

I'm very curious to learn whether the text colours can be tweaked by users (as in RGB / HSL or Hex values, or just a .bmp swatch) and if they are, how accessible will that function be? I don't do mods but I like my Dull Red to be brick-red, not cherry-red and my lend-lease US factory applied Sky to be a bit more like cheesecake than turquoise-grey.

 

No criticism of skinners here, only the myriad of opinions on what is right. Better to leave this matter open than apply a one-size-fits-all philosophy.

 

Will you be able to manually input text or will there be fixed presets based on historical squadrons? It would be awesome see some RAF Wing Commander with his intials in the place of squadron ID codes. JEJ, DB, RST, RAB etc.

 

Really looking forward to see where this goes. Very much hoping that customisability is in the hands of the players

 

[blue_max]

8 hours ago, Jason_Williams said:

No same clouds. We already have quite nice clouds. Just depends on the mission settings usually.

Hmmmm I would agree, except the weird boiling effect is quite distracting, especially in VR. If you could fix that then the clouds are indeed quite nice

[Bremspropeller]

2 hours ago, BlitzPig_EL said:

How will the A6 differ from the A5?

 

Similar to the A-5, except for a changed wing to accept the MG151/20 instead of the MG/FF in the outer gun-stations.

[J2_Trupobaw]

Decals!

D?PA

[WheelwrightPL]

1 hour ago, Bremspropeller said:

 

Similar to the A-5, except for a changed wing to accept the MG151/20 instead of the MG/FF in the outer gun-stations.

 

If A-6 is just another version of A-5 nothing wrong with that.

It is my favourite 190, but I admit I may be partial because it reminds me of my Bimmer (Airspeed on the left and the Tachometer on the right).

[CUJO_1970]

1 hour ago, BlitzPig_EL said:

How will the A6 differ from the A5?

It has to be pretty tubby with all that extra armor tacked on it, yes?

Same or slightly better performance than A5 with heavier canon armament and more load out/armor options.

 

Probably the most capable all-around Anton until we get a glorious A9.

[DetCord12B]

11 hours ago, Jason_Williams said:

 

The codes work with the bump texture. The engine was never designed to support this, but the team, namely Sergey, Mike and Daniel found a way. This is something that has to be designed to be included from the start as it affects all the models etc. Any next-gen product we make, will have this in the design from the start so it would be even more flexible than what we've come up with.

 

It won't be ready for a while as we need to modify all planes and tanks to work with them, so please be patient. Maybe not until the end of the year. This was just a tease since we are pleased with the outcome. And once again, this solution was an offshoot due to working on tanks.

 

Jason

 

No same clouds. We already have quite nice clouds. Just depends on the mission settings usually.

 

Jason

 

Bump texture? If it's not done via a separate blank alpha map, or say an injected image format, or one of the other ways. Genuinely curious how this works via the bump map.

 

Also, will the AI be assigned random aircraft codes and numbers as well, or is this something that's player side only?

[sevenless]

Putting in the 13mm MG 131s and the adapted gun cover as a mod would be perfect and we also would get the A7.

 

[Pikestance]

Wow, the decals a real game-changer. It will save time and space. 

[Indigene]

My favorite Focke Wulf variant! Sweetness! I was waiting for her, and the Mossy...one more to go! Great job Devs!

[Taurus]

So glad that decals are being added! It is so tedious creating individual aircraft skins for mundane squadron identification codes.

 

I just hope that there is forethought that the decal area is adequate in size and resolution to accommodate an area for the many many adaptions of identification.

 

A huge step in the right direction...