D.E.I. auto-installer campaign uploaded!

[Rami]

Hey guys,

Before I hop a flight back to scenery building in Europe, I did not want to leave the Pacific without an update to the Dutch East Indies campaign, which will also be an auto-installer. However, I have three ways that I could do this.

1) I could go full-bore. This means that you would have to use a new install rather than have it be compatible with the other two campaign releases. It would use Rhumbaflappy's new watermasks and coastlines, as well as MaskRider's DEI airfields that are strictly compatible with this new scenery, as well as those by Onnogras, which also include GSL ports and oil facilities for the area, again configured for this new scenery setup. In addition, I would also have to use a custom mix of airfields by Onnogras, Xavierb, and MaskRider, which again would not necessarily be compatible with anything else in the Pacific.

2) I could go full-bore retro. This means I would retrofit Onnogras' new scenery and GSL works to the old coastlines, as well as check and see which airfields of his I can use, and which ones I would not be able to. This would also mean checking between the Onnogras and Xavierb versions of airfields and determining which ones I would use. Unlike option one, it would be fully compatible with the other two auto-installers.

3) Basic. Update this package without making any major modifications, and just including everything. All three would be auto-installers, but this one would be virtually unchanged from the one already in the library.

I'm inclined for the second option, myself.

[The B24 Guy]

Hi Rami,

If you don't mind the extra work I would pick option 2.

Regards,

B24Guy

[Finn]

Dear Rami.
Since option one would be a great deviation from your previous work, I would prefer option 2 or 3. It also makes it possible to have all those beauties in the same install, using the same planes as you have so nicely done in the first two (we probably all have 15 installs or more already, but there is no need to have a number 16, if it can be awoided) Thank you once again for all your work.
Finn

[UncleTgt]

Andrew,

Probably option 2 would be most useful. Unless somebody starts matching coastlines to Rhumbas mesh, I think that's the closest you'll get to a PTO42 install...for now.

[Wayland]

I agree, option 2 is the best, even though it means more work for you.

Steve

[kdriver]

Andrew,

There's no need to adjust Onnogras' GSL scenery for any type of PTO installation. His scenery comes with new coastlines which work with a stock standard installation or with either of Maskrider's options, i.e. his earlier coast/water files or his later watermask files.

As you mentioned, XavierB's scenery, which was designed 10 years ago, conflicts with Onnogras' in a couple of places - Surabaya is one location I can think of.

Kevin

[Rami]

Andrew,

There's no need to adjust Onnogras' GSL scenery for any type of PTO installation. His scenery comes with new coastlines which work with a stock standard installation or with either of Maskrider's options, i.e. his earlier coast/water files or his later watermask files.

As you mentioned, XavierB's scenery, which was designed 10 years ago, conflicts with Onnogras' in a couple of places - Surabaya is one location I can think of.

Kevin

Kevin,

Sorry, but there IS a distinct difference between the old and new watermasks. His files only work with the new ones.

[Rami]

Good morning,

I have all the aircraft, repaints, sounds, and weapons required for the campaign. However, that's the easy part.

Now for the hard part...

Thanks for all the advice, gents. It's time to get started.

[Rami]

Good morning,

I want to now shift the question to ships. I'm working to provide more authenticity with this campaign in addition to the scenery updates.

How are people's systems able to handle Usio's ships these days?

I could use Usio's Kagero, Kumano, Ryujo, and landing ships, or I could go the Virtual Navy route. The Virtual Navy has the light carrier Shoho which could double for the Ryujo.

Can I get some recommendations on which ships to use while I am in the process of overhauling the scenery?

[miamieagle]

Virtual Navy Ships are more comparable with my System but Usio Ships are very good quality models. Either one would do.

[miamieagle]

I guess Usio!



Thank you

[dasuto247]

Usio's ships

[UncleTgt]

Andrew,

Retire the VNgator navy, there are better models available, such as:

Collin's Jap Marus & Sampans

Psullkeys Barges & small ships

Wolfis Hog Islander

SS Adventure

Also don't forget

MAS Shipyard for some Jap vessels

Stuart 277 for Jap LCs & smaller DDs, & just about anything else.

[Rami]

Good afternoon,

I just wanted to pass along that I only have six Dutch missions left, but they are the invasion missions, so those tend to take me a while to do.

I also have to contact Onnogras and Captain Kurt about a couple of things.

Based on my mission testing, the Japanese campaign will be easier.

[Rami]

Good morning,

I decided to use the Mas Shoho version, but I am using Collin's troop ships and landing craft, along with several of Usio's ships, including replacement of stock models.

Thanks for the input....and by the way, I know about the .dp category issues with Usio's ships, and I am fixing them as I go.

[Shadow Wolf 07]

Rami: Just a strong suggestion; I neglected to tell you last night, use Pen32win's dps http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforum...id=17&id=11461 - for the Usio ships. They mellow out the flak a bit and make the ships less "Invulnerable". (i put up thr link for benefit of those who don't know where to look for them.)

[Rami]

Hey guys,

You still have some time on this if you need it. I decided, since it was in the time period and really part of the Dutch East Indies scope anyway, to create and include a five-mission set on the Port Darwin attack of 19 February, 1942 in the campaign package as an homage to Talon.

Three missions will be carrier-based, (One with the Val, one with the Kate, and one with the Zero) and the other two will represent the Betty and Nell raids from the second wave, based at Ambon and Kendari (Celebes) respectively. This also means I have to do a GSL harbor at Port Darwin.

[Rami]

Greg,

I am well aware of that pack and use it regularly. Usio's ships (as well as some of Collin's) are legendary for being flak-happy. I got shot down over the fleet testing a mission by my own ack-ack.

[Shadow Wolf 07]

Greg,

I am well aware of that pack and use it regularly. Usio's ships (as well as some of Collin's) are legendary for being flak-happy. I got shot down over the fleet testing a mission by my own ack-ack.

Not only that, but Usio's crafr are notoriously hard to sink. Pen32Win't files make them more reasonable but still tough.

[Rami]

Good morning,

Some good news...I just about have the scenery updates complete in terms of the GSL work and the custom airfield package for the campaign. The last step and toughest challenge will be to update the missions themselves.

[Rami]

John,

I will test the airfile in this coming mission using the Hawk. The good news is that I set up these invasion landings better than I thought I did, so I'm going through them quickly. I may be able to begin working on the Port Darwin missions tomorrow.

Stuart,

Your .dp files are outstanding, thank you!

[Blood_Hawk23]

Rami,

I think the speeds are closer. I didn't change much in the handling.

Take a look at that pdf. Its rather kool. Can you imagine that for $23,000 you could have bought one brand new. I wonder what that would translate into today's money?

UT,

I'll have a basic texture for you. It seems I may have started the wrong one. I've had a pretty good cold all week so my head isn't always in the game.

Explains why I'm all over the place this week. Right now Popsicles are my best friend.

[Rami]

John,

I am using the A6M2b by Akemi. I'll check it out now as I wake up with my coffee. Maybe I'll be able to upload the campaign today!

UPDATE: It works great, all I had to do was adjust the pylon and drop tank back so that it clears the wheel wells.

[Rami]

Good afternoon,

By tonight, I will have fifty percent of the Japanese missions completed, including the toughest ones, the invasion missions with moving landing craft being targeted.

[Rami]

Hey guys,

I was wondering if I could get some help fixing a couple of issues here, or if someone knows where I could find fixes.

I have been able to locate and fix some of the .dp files for Usio's ships thanks to Pen32Win. However, the Akagimaru and the Asakamaru do not have altered .dp files.

In addition, Collin's IJN Troopships are murderous with flak. Has anyone, or could anyone, tone these down a bit for me?

In addition, I am looking for suitable .dp replacements for the 330 and 200 liter drop tanks with something a little more fitting for Akemi's A6M2b "Zero" and the Nakajima Ki-43-1k "Oscar" if anyone can make a recommendation.