INQUIRIES

[JCA_Bremerton]

I'm really new at this. For that matter this is my first computer game. Anyway, I really need some information:

1. Which CFS3 landing strip is the longest?

2. Is there anyway to have the Germans fly in a dedicated formation which would make them easier to shoot down?

3. If on an intercept mission, how do I find the enemy's planes?

4. If on an escort mission, how do I find the planes to escort?

It is problematic as to whether I can find your answer on this webpage. So, if it's possible, please send any thoughts or answers to the above questions via email. My address is japparius (at) yahoo.com.

Respectfully,

Jeffrey C. Apparius (my name for this website is JCA_Bremerton)
Bremerton, WA

[HouseHobbit]

Most all of what you asked about is set up in the mission plan.

When you build the missions, you set your escort, and when you are intercepting if the mission
has correct timing you can intercept at whatever point you set in the mission..

As for the longest runway, I am not sure..

Much of the events, escort, intercept, bombing, or whatever are part of the mission set up..
Then it is built..
Welcome to the family..
I hope you enjoy this as much as I do..
It does take time and effort to get a understanding of the various CFS3 family of flight sims, don't be come discouraged..
Many here are willing and able to answer any questions you may have..

[KellyB]

This isn't meant to be snotty, but have you found the manuals? They are in the folder called Manuals and may not be immediately obvious.

There is a lot of general information there which may answer some of your questions like how to turn on labels which identify friendly and enemy aircraft.

It is also true that the manuals are really basic, like most software documentation. HouseHobbit is quite correct when he says that there are lotsa folks here with lots of experience with this sim who are more than willing to share what they know!

Go slow at first, and don't get frustrated.

[Pat Pattle]

Welcome Jeffery :)

I take it that you only have the stock cfs3 sim installed at the moment? A quick read through the manual will help as will running the training missions. It is bewildering at first but we've all been there so persevere and never be afraid to ask questions here, however basic they may seem.

Longest runway? The stock game has 9 variations of airfield, the longest is what they call the 'triple 3'. Try Alconbury in England, I think that's one of them.

When you get the hang of all this you could try the MAW, ETO, PTO, Korea and BoB addons, they're all freeware and are huge improvements over the stock sim. There's also a few good payware expansions such as Firepower (for the four-engine bombers) out there.

Pat.

[wsmwsm]

Here's my two cents:

1. There are some variations in the sizes of the strips, but the stock CFS3 strips are basically generic and are not dramatically different in length. There are airfields with one, two or three strips on them. The three-strip airfields appear to have one longer runway, but again, it is not a huge difference.

2. If you are talking about Quick Combat (and I suspect you are), you can't change the formations except to alter the locations of the enemy aircraft to "disadvantaged" (you are behind them); equal (you and the enemy are heading toward each other) and "advantaged" (they are behind you). User-created missions are a whole different topic and requires familiarity with "Mission Builder" which is beyond my ken.

3. In the tactical air display (the radar-like circle in the upper left corner of the screen) you will see squares, dots and triangles of various colors. In Quick Combat dogfight, the enemey aircraft are red squares, your wingman blue. White squares can be either, but will change color when in range.

4. In Quick Combat escort, your bombers are purple squares. They are usually considerably below your fighter at the start of a mission.

There are various ways to "target" enemy aircraft and ground targets, but as others have suggested, looking at the manual will give you a better idea about that and other issues.

[gaw]

when you're flying any given mission you don't actually have to find the bad chaps at all....once you hit a certain speed and altitude you can press the "w" key (for "warp") and the mission fast forwards automatically dropping you back into real time when you're within striking distance of your target...be it a ground object, a ship or plane formation, an enemy airfield, etc. After that it's up to you to shoot 'em up. The guys are right though....read the paperwork and you'll see how roll....