Dev blog #361: Flying Circus development news

[LukeFF]

Today's blog entry can be found here: https://il2sturmovik.com/news/849/dev-blog-361/

[Smigol]

I am so happy to see my beloved DH2 ❤️ Hope to see the Eindecker in the pack as well

[Blitzen]

Hopefully early Summer?🤔

[FuriousMeow]

Reviewing and making the WW1 planes FMs better/more accurate? Excellent, thank you!

[=621=Samikatz]

Excellent news. Always liked the DH.2 historically so I'm very pleased to see it getting some love and attention

[Sneaksie]

29 minutes ago, Smigol said:

Hope to see the Eindecker in the pack as well

Yes, it will be included.

[ShamrockOneFive]

I'm a Sopwith Pup fan so I'm very pleased to see it return!

[Enceladus828]

This is a buy for me because of the Eindecker, DH.2 and Roland.
 

Will the Channel Map be included in this? I’m not a VR guy so I can easily go back to RoF but what about the VR users who cannot go back from VR that want to fly over it.

 

Thank you 

 

[Avimimus]

Any chance to get Le Prieur rockets or the ability to adjust the angle of the Lewis for the Airco D.H.2? If I recall correctly, the Rise of Flight version never got any weapon mods (it somehow got missed).

 

Anyway - this is rather good news, as it moves the Airco D.H.2 much closer in performance to the Nieuport N.11. The problem of a lack of lower-performance 1916 two-seaters still exists, but it could now be solved by an Albatros C.III as well as an Albatros C.I or LVG C.II

 

I still like the Alb C.I and LVG C.II for that role because their overall construction and aerodynamics is somewhere between the 'b-type' and early 'c-type' aircraft - so they can stand in well for either. In contrast the Albatros C.III was smaller and more streamlined).

 

Of course, the likelihood of us getting a <145 km/h German two-seater or a Caudron G.IV probably isn't that great... but if they did expand the next airplane pack for Flying Circus to include a mid-1916 version of the map and a couple of additional aircraft they could easily make it into a full module... so I remain very slightly hopeful!

 

 

[JGr2/J5_Baeumer]

Good news.
...and the (fixes) for core Central aircraft?   DVa?  DVII?  DrI? ... conspicuously and disappointingly absent...

Edited April 12, 2024 by JGr2/J5_Baeumer

[LukeFF]

35 minutes ago, Enceladus828 said:

This is a buy for me because of the Eindecker, DH.2 and Roland.
 

Will the Channel Map be included in this? I’m not a VR guy so I can easily go back to RoF but what about the VR users who cannot go back from VR that want to fly over it.

 

Thank you 

 

The Channel map is not planned, no.

[RNAS10_Mitchell]

40 minutes ago, JGr2/J5_Baeumer said:

Good news.
...and the (fixes) for core Central aircraft?   DVa?  DVII?  DrI? ... conspicuously and disappointingly absent...

The N28, Se5a, and Dolphin also could use some love.

1 hour ago, ShamrockOneFive said:

I'm a Sopwith Pup fan so I'm very pleased to see it return!

Same here. Instant buy for me.

[=IRFC=Tunes]

Thanks, team ❤️

[BigC208]

Yes! DH.2, Eindecker! The return of the “crap” planes! Top of the line early to mid 1915! Low engine power, low fire power! Handle carefully or the wings come off! This is as early war as it gets. Can’t wait to add this expansion.

Edited April 12, 2024 by BigC208

[JGr2/J34b_Matthias]

Since we're obviously getting Entente fixes, I'm sure the Spad drag model fix must be right around the corner then after this.  Happy days.

Note:  Unless they're also "fixing" the Eindecker then the DH2 may be completely out of balance for early war - the devs unfortunately have a pattern of consistently balancing and "correcting" using 1917/18 versions of upgraded engines for Entente models against early war German engines in "contemporary" planes...

 

Edited April 12, 2024 by JGr2/J34b_Matthias

[EAF19_Marsh]

Nae bad!

[RNAS10_Mitchell]

30 minutes ago, JGr2/J34b_Matthias said:

Since we're obviously getting Entente fixes, I'm sure the Spad drag model fix must be right around the corner then after this.  Happy days.

Note:  Unless they're also "fixing" the Eindecker then the DH2 may be completely out of balance for early war - the devs unfortunately have a pattern of consistently balancing using 1917/18 versions of upgraded engines for Entente models against early war German engines in "contemporary" planes...

 

Like the Bentley Camel?🤞

Edited April 12, 2024 by RNAS10_Mitchell

[Zephyrus52246]

The DH2 and Eindecker!  Great news!

[Avimimus]

46 minutes ago, JGr2/J34b_Matthias said:

Note:  Unless they're also "fixing" the Eindecker then the DH2 may be completely out of balance for early war - the devs unfortunately have a pattern of consistently balancing using 1917/18 versions of upgraded engines for Entente models against early war German engines in "contemporary" planes...

 

The Airco D.H.2 won't be at a substantial speed disadvantage (and will be more manoeuvrable), and the Eindecker might have only an advantage in acceleration and dive. I'm not sure if that can be helped though, as it is historically pretty accurate. There is a reason the Eindeckers were phased out.

 

I think the ideal solution for game balance would be to introduce the Caudron G.IV - including the single seat and twin seat versions with fixed forward firing guns. This would give an aircraft that is substantially slower than the Fokker E.III. While the Caudron was used as an escort fighter (including in single-seat conversions) it was also a twin engined bomber aircraft... so one couldn't feel that bad about being a bit outclassed by the Eindecker... and one would have the option of a gunner.

 

It'd give France us a second French two-seater (compared to the five that England has), a two-seat bomber (something only Germany and England currently have). It would give us a two-seater that the Eindecker could easily catch, and it could still be used to dogfight it.

 

P.S. I'm not sure what you are talking about regarding engine variants, as the Germans also get the latest war engine variants with us missing things like the more numerous Pfalz D.XII variants, the Pfalz D.III (not D.IIIa) etc. It isn't just the Camel which is missing its weaker engine variants... and all of these other planes also come long after the E.III was out of service. So, I dont' quite see the relevance.

 

  

16 minutes ago, RNAS10_Mitchell said:

Like the Bentley Camel?

 

I agree that would be a priority engine variant (if new engine variants are ever introduced)!

[JG4_Moltke1871]

@Sneaksie, will the Sopwith Strutter have it’s historical innovation, the air breaks ?

[FuriousMeow]

1 hour ago, JG4_Moltke1871 said:

@Sneaksie, will the Sopwith Strutter have it’s historical innovation, the air breaks ?

 

Yes, I'm sure it'll break apart in the air. 

2 hours ago, Avimimus said:

I dont' quite see the relevance.

 

Its the WWI version of what the dedicated vocal players spend their time on forums doing. Its what also drove the final RoF patch to have very optimistic Alby turn performance and others with roundels, Camel, getting neutered.

Edited April 12, 2024 by LukeFF
name-calling

[RNAS10_Mitchell]

50 minutes ago, Avimimus said:

 

The Airco D.H.2 won't be at a substantial speed disadvantage (and will be more manoeuvrable), and the Eindecker might have only an advantage in acceleration and dive. I'm not sure if that can be helped though, as it is historically pretty accurate. There is a reason the Eindeckers were phased out.

 

I think the ideal solution for game balance would be to introduce the Caudron G.IV - including the single seat and twin seat versions with fixed forward firing guns. This would give an aircraft that is substantially slower than the Fokker E.III. While the Caudron was used as an escort fighter (including in single-seat conversions) it was also a twin engined bomber aircraft... so one couldn't feel that bad about being a bit outclassed by the Eindecker... and one would have the option of a gunner.

 

It'd give France us a second French two-seater (compared to the five that England has), a two-seat bomber (something only Germany and England currently have). It would give us a two-seater that the Eindecker could easily catch, and it could still be used to dogfight it.

 

P.S. I'm not sure what you are talking about regarding engine variants, as the Germans also get the latest war engine variants with us missing things like the more numerous Pfalz D.XII variants, the Pfalz D.III (not D.IIIa) etc. It isn't just the Camel which is missing its weaker engine variants... and all of these other planes also come long after the E.III was out of service. So, I dont' quite see the relevance.

 

  

 

I agree that would be a priority engine variant (if new engine variants are ever introduced)!

It's on my wish list. 👍

[LukeFF]

1 hour ago, JG4_Moltke1871 said:

@Sneaksie, will the Sopwith Strutter have it’s historical innovation, the air breaks ?

 

It already does in RoF, so I'm sure it'll be included here too.

[Majpalmer]

On my buy list!

 

As I age, the tempo of the Great War better suits me. 

[ST_Catchov]

RFC personnel discussing the latest FC4 development news and whilst the consensus is mostly favourable and positive, there is one chap who remains unconvinced.

 

[BladeMeister]

8 hours ago, LukeFF said:

 

The Channel map is not planned, no.

Well it should be. The team gave us the Gotha. Now give us Jolly old England to attack and defend I say old chaps! Cheerio!

 

S!Blade<><

[JG4_Moltke1871]

I hoped we get something like a pre order with one bird after another, now it seems clear we will get the whole cake at once.

That will be tasty….

 

 

[IckyATLAS]

I would love an improvement on the map region that correspond to the desolate war zone. It is such unrealistic that it would really need improvement.

I do not know if it is a graphic engine problem or limitation but that large part of the map is totally an immersion killer for me.

I hope there is something planned to improve this.

 

[Avimimus]

1 hour ago, IckyATLAS said:

I would love an improvement on the map region that correspond to the desolate war zone. It is such unrealistic that it would really need improvement.

I do not know if it is a graphic engine problem or limitation but that large part of the map is totally an immersion killer for me.

I hope there is something planned to improve this.

 

Are you talking about the visual quality of no-man's land? OR are you discussing the lack of a destroyed buildings? If it is the latter, then it is up to the mission maker to determine the level of destruction.

[EAF19_Marsh]

16 hours ago, BigC208 said:

Yes! DH.2, Eindecker! The return of the “crap” planes!

They are not ‘crap’: they are ‘performancely challenged’.

[Elem]

Heroes! The lot of ya!

[Lusekofte]

It is one thing and only one thing that make me occasionally do ww1 in this software. And that is the people flying ww1. It is a much cooler atmosphere in those servers. 
liking the planes I do is pretty ruined by the rubbish gunners. Unfortunately I only see fit flying coop with mates once a week at this time. So I suggest do another tuning on the gunners accuracy 

[Blitzen]

Always liked the DH-2

[Jackfraser24]

On 4/13/2024 at 4:24 AM, Sneaksie said:

Yes, it will be included.

Will this pack be Flying Circus Vol.IV? Also, will there be a Flying Circus Vol.V and VI?

[sevenless]

The cool thing about Great Battles is that you have everything under one hood. You can decide to play WW-I, WW-II or Land Warfare within one app. I really hope that when they switch to the "NEW" thing in 2025/26 something, they keep this philosophy and maybe adapt the already existing modules to the new engine. 

[PatrickAWlson]

On 4/12/2024 at 5:14 PM, Avimimus said:

 

The Airco D.H.2 won't be at a substantial speed disadvantage (and will be more manoeuvrable), and the Eindecker might have only an advantage in acceleration and dive. I'm not sure if that can be helped though, as it is historically pretty accurate. There is a reason the Eindeckers were phased out.

 

I think the ideal solution for game balance would be to introduce the Caudron G.IV - including the single seat and twin seat versions with fixed forward firing guns. This would give an aircraft that is substantially slower than the Fokker E.III. While the Caudron was used as an escort fighter (including in single-seat conversions) it was also a twin engined bomber aircraft... so one couldn't feel that bad about being a bit outclassed by the Eindecker... and one would have the option of a gunner.

 

It'd give France us a second French two-seater (compared to the five that England has), a two-seat bomber (something only Germany and England currently have). It would give us a two-seater that the Eindecker could easily catch, and it could still be used to dogfight it.

 

P.S. I'm not sure what you are talking about regarding engine variants, as the Germans also get the latest war engine variants with us missing things like the more numerous Pfalz D.XII variants, the Pfalz D.III (not D.IIIa) etc. It isn't just the Camel which is missing its weaker engine variants... and all of these other planes also come long after the E.III was out of service. So, I dont' quite see the relevance.

 

  

 

I agree that would be a priority engine variant (if new engine variants are ever introduced)!

One aspect that I find frustrating is that early 1916 was rarely about fighter - fighter combat.   It was mostly about hunting two seaters.  I think the German aces were racking up higher scores not because their planes were better (how many Nieuport kills were really scored in an Eindecker?) but because Allied two seaters were significantly less good than the German two seaters of the time.  However, those two seaters are nowhere to be seen  in the game.

 

Still looking forward to the next release regardless.  At least the Germans have Fees to hunt.

[Majpalmer]

Yea, we need some Quirks!

[MiGCap]

Do I understand it right that beside the Eindecker also the Roland Walfisch is included? 

[EAF19_Marsh]

7 hours ago, PatrickAWlson said:

One aspect that I find frustrating is that early 1916 was rarely about fighter - fighter combat.   It was mostly about hunting two seaters.

 

Eyeballing the Wiki page, 29 / 80 of Richtofen's claims were for single-seaters which is probably a not unusual percentage for a successful German pilot.Likely a little different for Allied as they were looking further over German lines and probably encountered more fighters than 2-seaters. In any case, Germany did not seem to push the recce role quite as hard / with as many aircraft.

 

Be 2 is a must given it's long and...errr.... sterling service.

[hsthhsth]

Quote

Its AI will also be updated as it needs to be taught how to use its blip switch for taxiing

Will this also apply to the blip switch in other planes? Instead of using the blip switch AI uses the magneto switches.