In memoriam - Raid on Port Darwin released!

[Wayland]

Rami, these are Most Excellent!

Just what I like, caught at low speed and low altitude, by a more maneuverable opponent. You find out what kind of pilot you are, really fast. Best of all, all historically accurate.

Steve

[Rami]

Good morning,

Six out of ten missions are done, I should have the seventh mission done tonight.

[Rami]

Good morning,

As promised, here is the seventh mission, completed. Every good mission or campaign pack should have a real shoot 'em up!

"title_string"=Port Darwin - Ostreicher's lunch!
"summary_string"=Listen up! We have received a report that a second wave has been sighted off the northern coastline of Melville Island, coming in at over 5,000 meters. You have volunteered to get airborne & climb hard to ambush them before they can hit Darwin again! Try to take down as many Japs as you can, & then get back to RAAF Darwin in one piece!
"objective_string"=This mission is semi-ficticious. Lt. Ostreicher did survive the ambush by Nagahama's Zero, and spent all of his remaining time in the air inflicting some damage on Vals and Kates from the carrier Soryu. Due to the limitations of the CFS2 game engine, it would be very difficult to build that mission in a manner that allows you a good chance of surviving with Zero fighters nearby strafing RAAF Darwin. This mission supposes that Lt. Ostreicher landed, refueled, and climbed alone to engage the second wave, which was unescorted.
"intelligence_string"=After getting airborne, head due north & climb as fast as you can to 20,000 feet. The Japanese like to bomb from medium altitudes, so this should give you an altitude advantage for hit-and-run attacks. If no escort is present, hammer away at the enemy until you run out of ammunition, then return home. Remember, yours is the only P-40 Kittyhawk left, so make sure to keep your plane intact!
"player_aircraft_name_string"=Curtiss P-40e Warhawk (RAAF)
"airfield_string"=Northern Territory - Darwin 36

[Rami]

Hey guys,

I finished all of the Port Darwin missions this afternoon; because I know about how to copy waypoints and alter missions with hand-editing, I used the Zero attack mission as a model for the Kate mission, and I used the Kate mission as the model for the Val mission, just changing the player flights.

All part of Talon and Pen32Win's mission tricks 101.

Now, I can't release this yet, because...

1) I have to put the package together.

2) I have to wait for an FDG P-40 skin from RobH that he's working on.

3) I am discussing with UncleTgt and Shessi how to fix the combat boxes on the PBY-2 Catalina, as well as fix the dogfighting airfile.

4) I also need to fix the superman .dp files with Collin's merchants.

There may be one or two other things that need fixing, but I'll have this uploaded sooner, rather than later.

[Rami]

Hey guys,

I am almost ready to release the Port Darwin mission package. As I wait for the P-40 skin, (RobH is doing it) I was wondering if someone could help with the following items...

1) A .dp edit of Shessi's new PBY-2 Catalina to correct the damage boxes and decrease the number of hits for the fuel tanks, as well as reduce the accuracy of the AI gunners.

2) An airfile edit of the PBY-2 Catalina to prevent her from dogfighting like a Fokker Dr. I triplane. She should be more lumbering and sedate.

UncleTgt - Are you working on any of this? Have you contacted Peperez directly, or should I, and see if he is willing to help?

[UncleTgt]

Hi Rami,

DP file just about done (& tested). Suitable paints are only a couple of days off. The airfile may take some time, the aircraft.cfg has numerous "tweaks" to pitch stability, thrust etc. Everything I've tried so far has had little effect.

If we leave the cfg changes as they are, I think the significant alteration to dogfighting performance may be to reduce the rate of roll. One thing I haven't played with yet is just simply increasing the MOI in the airfile (thus affecting the AI without affecting player a/c handling). I haven't asked Pepe, as I think I've swamped him with stuff recently.

[Rami]

John,

Wonderful! Thanks for letting me know.

[Oglivie]

Hey guys,

I am almost ready to release the Port Darwin mission package. As I wait for the P-40 skin, (RobH is doing it) I was wondering if someone could help with the following items...

1) A .dp edit of Shessi's new PBY-2 Catalina to correct the damage boxes and decrease the number of hits for the fuel tanks, as well as reduce the accuracy of the AI gunners.

2) An airfile edit of the PBY-2 Catalina to prevent her from dogfighting like a Fokker Dr. I triplane. She should be more lumbering and sedate.

UncleTgt - Are you working on any of this? Have you contacted Peperez directly, or should I, and see if he is willing to help?

Hello Rami,

I've attached some files that may work for the PBY-2 (I didn't have time to check AI performance though). Based on my publications for the PBY-2 the performance of the air file should be close: Rotation and landing approach speeds are around 80 knots. Top speed should be somewhere close to specs (listed as 178 mph/155 knots at 8,000 feet), fuel load of 1750 gallons, and empty weight of 14,568 lbs. I have also enclosed an fx file if you wish to check out also.

Included in the aircraft config for this air file the following entries:

[flight_tuning]
cruise_lift_scalar=1.0
parasite_drag_scalar=1.35
induced_drag_scalar=1.0
elevator_effectiveness=1.0
aileron_effectiveness=1.0
rudder_effectiveness=0.7
pitch_stability=1.0
roll_stability=1.0
yaw_stability=1.0
elevator_trim_effectiveness=1.0
aileron_trim_effectiveness=1.0
rudder_trim_effectiveness=1.0

[piston_engine]
power_scalar=1.0

[propeller]
thrust_scalar=1.2

[LIGHTS]
//LAT VERT LONG distance (meters) from reference datum
panel=0.00, -0.5, -5.2, fx_PBY_Wake

Note: the aircraft config for this air file has no [WEIGHT_AND_BALANCE] section so those specs are being taken from the air file.

And for the panel.cfg (DAP Gauge for wake effect):

gauge##=DAP_CFS2v1!BellyLand, 258,149,10,9

At any rate may be some good start files and/or info and feel free to tweak it.

Best Regards

[UncleTgt]

Rami,

Some WIP shots of the PATWING 10 skin for the PBY - shouldn't be too long now...

[Rami]

Good afternoon,

Hey guys, Just completed modifying the four Japanese carrier strike missions that were part of the first wave so that they attack from the correct direction, as well as have a correct takeoff point where the Japanese carriers were when they launched.

RobH did a FDG P-40 skin at my request in the colors of Lt. Ostreicher for the missions, and UncleTgt, as you can see took care of the PBY and the KM P-40e, so no matter which version you choose, there is an authentic skin. Both these, as well as John's Catalina skin, will be included.

I was going to stop at ten, but Kdriver is building the airstrip and rescue mission on Bathurst Island, as well as the East End moorings for the PBY Catalinas that were destroyed. So, it looks like I have one, possibly two missions remaining to do before I can release this.

This mission pack is beginning to feel like Al Pacino's line in the Godfather, Part III. "Just when I think I'm out, they pull me back in."

[Rami]

Rami,

Some WIP shots of the PATWING 10 skin for the PBY - shouldn't be too long now...

John,

It looks fantastic. I can't wait!

[Rami]

Hello Rami,

I've attached some files that may work for the PBY-2 (I didn't have time to check AI performance though). Based on my publications for the PBY-2 the performance of the air file should be close: Rotation and landing approach speeds are around 80 knots. Top speed should be somewhere close to specs (listed as 178 mph/155 knots at 8,000 feet), fuel load of 1750 gallons, and empty weight of 14,568 lbs. I have also enclosed an fx file if you wish to check out also.

Included in the aircraft config for this air file the following entries:

[flight_tuning]
cruise_lift_scalar=1.0
parasite_drag_scalar=1.35
induced_drag_scalar=1.0
elevator_effectiveness=1.0
aileron_effectiveness=1.0
rudder_effectiveness=0.7
pitch_stability=1.0
roll_stability=1.0
yaw_stability=1.0
elevator_trim_effectiveness=1.0
aileron_trim_effectiveness=1.0
rudder_trim_effectiveness=1.0

[piston_engine]
power_scalar=1.0

[propeller]
thrust_scalar=1.2

[LIGHTS]
//LAT VERT LONG distance (meters) from reference datum
panel=0.00, -0.5, -5.2, fx_PBY_Wake

Note: the aircraft config for this air file has no [WEIGHT_AND_BALANCE] section so those specs are being taken from the air file.

And for the panel.cfg (DAP Gauge for wake effect):

gauge##=DAP_CFS2v1!BellyLand, 258,149,10,9

At any rate may be some good start files and/or info and feel free to tweak it.

Best Regards

Oglivie,

Outstanding! I will test this tonight. Thanks!

[Roxane-21]

RobH did a FDG P-40 skin at my request in the colors of Lt. Ostreicher for the missions, and UncleTgt, as you can see took care of the PBY and the KM P-40e, so no matter which version you choose, there is an authentic skin. Both these, as well as John's Catalina skin, will be included.

Any chance these skins could be available as single downloads as well, please ? They look outstanding !

BTW, thank you for having considered KM's P-40. It's IMHO the best looking P-40 for CFS2. Do you know/have a RAAF skin for it that would fit with this campaign ?

[Rami]

Hello again,

Hey - Between UncleTgt's Catalina files and Oglivie's, I was able to graft together a working airfile with the flight characteristics Oglivie described in his post.

I also found a couple of errors in the panel.cfg for the Catalina and fixed them, which I will include in the package for you.

I have attached it in the meantime. UncleTgt worked on the .dp file and includes weapons loadouts and fixed the combat boxes.

[Rami]

Hey guys.

I'll have to try those packages one at a time. I end up with a PBY which slowly falls to the ocean as an AI flight and then blows up on it's own.

[Rami]

Morning!

I got the Catalina working as an AI crate with UncleTgt's files, although hopefully Peperez can work his magic at some point in the future.

It won't be long now...UncleTgt is putting a little more spit-and-polish on the Catalina textures, though I have the beta version. Kdriver is building a little scenery right now so that I can build one last mission for this package, but otherwise it's ready to go. I ran the auto-installer program and wrote the readme files already to speed the project along a little further. All I'll have to do is tweak the auto-installer once the last parts are in place.

Hang tight for a few more days, we're just about there!

[Oglivie]

Hey guys.

I'll have to try those packages one at a time. I end up with a PBY which slowly falls to the ocean as an AI flight and then blows up on it's own.

I took a look at the air file (that I attached above post) in MB and had AI issues also. I think too much time to resolve that air file issue for AI and probably more trouble than it's worth.


Glad to read UncleTgt air file has more suitable AI performance.


Best Regards

[UncleTgt]

The PBY looks suitably war-weary now ...

[Rami]

Good morning,

John - Sorry I've not been in contact with you or Kevin for a couple of days. Mom's been in the hospital, but she's home now.

[Rami]

A new entry has been added to Add-Ons Library, category CFS 2 Missions Add-Ons

Description: Welcome to the Port Darwin mission package! This package of eleven missions (8 Japanese, 3 American) is an attempt to chronicle the first major Japanese attack on Port Darwin, Australia which took place on 19 February, 1942. The missions in this package allow the user to fly the first wave from multiple perspectives; fighter pilot, diver-bomber pilot, and level-bomber pilot, using the Zero, Val, and Kate respectively. Other missions include the second wave as a level bomber pilot, and three other Japanese missions where you will participate in minor, lesser-known engagements that occurred along with, before, or after the main raid.

The American missions depict ones flown by the 33rd Pursuit Squadron, who were temporarily at Darwin on the morning of 19 February, 1942 when they were prevented from transferring to Koepang. The two missions that present entanglements with the first wave are historical; even the pilot names are used. The second mission is a semi-fictitious account of Lt. Ostreicher's efforts flying solo against the Japanese during the first wave after his four wingmen were shot down or heavily damaged, the mission scenario just supposes he survived and attacked the second wave of bombers alone.

In this package, you'll find nearly all the aircraft, repaints, sounds, weapons, scenery objects, airfield packages, scenery packages, UIRES screens, and other materials which are required to fly these missions. Those whose work is included in this package include Wolfi, Thicko, Morton, Metal Dreams, Tobob, Alphasim freeware, Paul Strany, Pen32Win, The Pearl Harbor project, Blondi, BloodHawk_23, AGAS 5, Talon, Stuart Green, Stiz, MaskRider, the SOH_Donationware team, Serge Tremblay, Lawdog2360, Rockster22, Ajax, Krystof Malinowski, Akemi, The B24 Guy, Shessi, Martin Wright, Xavierb, UncleTgt, Stuart277, RobH, Ettico, Rhumbaflappy, Usio, Dbolt, Obio, Moparmike, and The Virtual Navy.

All the aircraft in this package have been modified, when necessary, to include the appropriate repaints, when possible, for the aircraft. I have also included modified .dp files for each aircraft which correct information in the [MISC.DATA] section that was in error. To lessen issues with frame rates with many waves of aircraft in the sky, all exhaust effects on these aircraft have been removed, if they were included in the original models.

This package and all contents within, are exclusively released as freeware, This must not be used for any commercial gain or purpose, nor be uploaded to any site that requires payment for download access.

Any modifications or partial uploads must have the permission of Andrew Talbot, ("Rami"), Kdriver, UncleTgt, RobH, Blood_Hawk23, and MaskRider, as well as all other parties whose work is being used. Make sure to check the "permissions and readme" folder for further details on author work.

This installation package has been scanned by BitDefender 2015, and is virus, payware. adwere, and malware-free. However, I take no responsibility for and am not liable for any harm done to your computer as a result of this installation.

This mission package is being uploaded for the CFS2 community as an homage to "Talon," who passed away in March of 2015.

"Rami"

To check it out, rate it or add comments, visit In memoriam - Raid on Port Darwin.zip
The comments you make there will appear in the posts below.

[SPman]

Another excellent campaign for us Antipodeans. Thanks once again to Andrew and his merry bunch of associates - much appreciated.

[Rami]

Another excellent campaign for us Antipodeans. Thanks once again to Andrew and his merry bunch of associates - much appreciated.

In one of the rare occurrences, it actually is not a campaign. But thank you!

[Worthless]

Thanks Rami. I'm headed to the coast for a week but I just downloaded this latest, and will jump right on it upon my return.

[braveheart77521]

Rami

Is the PBY-2 suppose to be in the water on airfield Darwin-Seaplane? Mine sits on dry land. Are the coordinates wrong? I have to go to DEI base to take off of water. Your downloads are great and great timesavers. Is this a glitch or part of the program? I hope it just needs a coordinate change.

Braveheart (Mack)

[Rami]

Mack,

Hmmmmm...let me check this evening. IIRC, the Darwin GSL sits on the stock mesh and coastlines. I don't use Rhumba's new coastlines in the PTO. If there is an issue, I am sure it's an easy fix. Kdriver did the new airfields. (Parap, Bathurst, Seaplane)