Late '50's CVA-42 FDR Carrier?

[FlyingsCool]

So, I've been using the Virtual Navy / Lazarus Coral Sea modded to be a late '50's FDR to put together the '57/'58 Med Cruise my dad participated in.

Are there any SCB-110 FDR (Midway class) models around? I haven't found any. (I'm thinking the SimWorks '65 Coral Sea might fit the bill, but I haven't found any pictures of it to confirm).

I saw a reference to USN Deck Equipment created by Lazarus, but it seems to be gone from the library here?

If anyone knows any freeware static models of the following planes I'd appreciate that as well.

In the meantime, I've been creating textures for examples of most of the following squadrons:

Air Group CVG-17

100 VF-171 Aces F2H-3 Banshee - Razbam
200 VF-74 Be-Devilers F4D-1 Skyray - Virtavia <---Modified from texture originally done by Bruce Martin
300 VAH-3 Sea Dragons A3D-1 Skywarrior - Virtavia
400 VA-175 Devil's Diplomats AD-6 Skyraider - Tim Conrad A-1H
600 VFP-62 Fighting Photos F2H-3P Banshee - Razbam
. VFP-62 Fighting Photos F9F-6P Panther <--While VFP-62 flew these at this period, too, there were not any on this particular cruise
700 VAW-12 DET. 37 Bats AD-5W Skyraider - Razbam*
800 VA(AW)-33 DET. 37 Night Hawks AD-5N - Razbam*
HU-2 DET. 37 Fleet Angels Piasecki HUP-2 - Jim Jacobson, Baldy*

*Haven't made these textures yet, but they'll be coming

I'll be happy to share what I can when I'm done.

[FlyingsCool]

Here's some images of the paints I've got so far...

I still have a few edits to make. The Roundels are wrong on the F2H-3. I forgot the red spinner on the AD-6. Let me know if I missed anything else.

Again, the F4D-1 texture is an edit I made to the texture originally created by Bruce Martin.

I've been doing a ton of research to get them as correct (within reason) as I can.


https://i.imgur.com/63CUZgX.png

https://i.imgur.com/H61AFBY.png

https://i.imgur.com/iQSCeEA.png

https://i.imgur.com/dUkZpLW.png

https://i.imgur.com/IwJ75mI.png

https://i.imgur.com/BEQYR5o.png

[FlyingsCool]

A couple of shots of the changes I made to create the FDR. As noted, I'd like to change out the A-4, E-2C and Intruder to more period correct aircraft if anyone has any suggestions. S2's were occasionally seen on the deck at that time, too.

https://i.imgur.com/ThUeWUl.png


https://i.imgur.com/ViNvfs6.png

[Cees Donker]

Wow! You've been busy! Can it be that I see two different water textures?

:kilroy:

Cees

[expat]

Not sure what happened to Lazarus's stuff in the SOH Library?

Where do you download his Virtual Navy Coral Sea?

[tgycgijoes]

You have done a really nice job so far. Keep up the good work.

[delta_lima]

Here's some images of the paints I've got so far...

I still have a few edits to make. The Roundels are wrong on the F2H-3. I forgot the red spinner on the AD-6. Let me know if I missed anything else.

Again, the F4D-1 texture is an edit I made to the texture originally created by Bruce Martin.

I've been doing a ton of research to get them as correct (within reason) as I can.

https://i.imgur.com/BEQYR5o.png

I’m really keen on that F2H-2P paint. That I know of, the RAZBAM -2P has never gotten a repaint. Granted, there weren’t a lot of airframes, but any of the two VFP-61/62 or Marine VMCJ schemes would have been great. Now we’ll finally have a later 1950s era -2P scheme in the sim.

Many thanks.

PS-I fully sympathize with the dearth of late 50s carrier options. Your best looking, albeit most sparse option might be to fly off the SWS Coral Sea with clear deck. I’d do near anything for a F9F-8P photo Cougar and the right boat to fly it off.

[expat]

Your best looking, albeit most sparse option might be to fly off the SWS Coral Sea with clear deck.

Except at the moment I cannot get any aircraft including the PBR F-4 to to hook up the cat on the SWS CV-43. Bummer. May also revert to the pre PBR F-4 as there are many more paints for it and frankly the PBR finish doesn't look as good aas the SWS Legacy Phantoms, IMHO . .

[expat]

Your best looking, albeit most sparse option might be to fly off the SWS Coral Sea with clear deck.

Except at the moment I cannot get any aircraft including the PBR F-4 to to hook up the cat on the SWS CV-43. Bummer. May also revert to the pre PBR F-4 as there are many more paints for it and frankly the PBR finish doesn't look as good aas the SWS Legacy Phantoms, IMHO . .

[FlyingsCool]

Wow! You've been busy! Can it be that I see two different water textures?

:kilroy:

Cees

Thanks,.... not that I'm aware of. I don't know if I've changed the ocean textures at all, but I've been working on my system since FSX came out, so it's possible I found another ocean texture, or this came with Ultimate Terrain or Ground Environment X NA? Or maybe an Orbx thing?? I've got some of that? These shots are taken outside of Jacksonville NAS in FL.

Edit: Is it possible you're thinking of the reflections of the clouds in the water?

[FlyingsCool]

Thanks guys... Did the Piasecki last night. Still needs some dirt, but I think looks good. When it's done done I'll do modex 41 130023 Rosey I, too. I need to figure out how to put the stars and bars and "NAVY" on top and bottom, too. It gets all stretchy up there, and I'll need to match it across the seam, too.


https://i.imgur.com/NG2OQDX.png


https://i.imgur.com/lSB3YzN.png


https://i.imgur.com/FbBsmVE.png

[FlyingsCool]

Not sure what happened to Lazarus's stuff in the SOH Library?

Where do you download his Virtual Navy Coral Sea?

Don't know where or when I found the file. It came in the file USS_Coral_Sea_vn_FSXA.V2.zip. The CFS2 Virtual Navy Coral Sea is still here, but it looks like for whatever reason Lazarus has removed all his files from Sim-Outhouse (and everywhere as far as I can tell). It's weird, there was stuff here as late as January, and he was working on an Enterprise model as of February, but his posts on it seem to have stopped?

I did some simple edits on the ship, moved the cats around a bit. The FLOLS seems tied to the runway. I centered the runway on the runway, but that pushed the FLOLS off the model a bit. But I figured it's better to have the runway line up properly than have the correct location for the FLOLS.

I'd like to harden the hangar deck, maybe animate the elevators? And, as I noted, I want to replace the planes on deck. Maybe Klaus would like to help me :) :)

[FlyingsCool]

Finished up examples of the last two planes on the cruise. For the Razbam AD-5N of VA(AW)-33 Det. 37 Night Hawks and a Razbam AD-5W of VA(AW)-12 Det. 37 Bats.
Man it was hard finding info on these planes. I had a couple of portions of pics from the cruise book, but no full on shots of either of these planes except for blurry landing and cat shots.

I've got some edits to make for the F2H-3 (Fix insignia) and F2H-2P (fix the spec files) and then I'll release them here.

https://i.imgur.com/WDt8YMr.png

https://i.imgur.com/svLaGYL.png

https://i.imgur.com/hhmH8pc.png


https://i.imgur.com/cx7dXrg.png

https://i.imgur.com/AAHI9Ko.png

[tgycgijoes]

Wasn't Klaus working on a lot of different carriers from that time including conversions of the straight deck Essex Class? Haven't seen anything from him at all here either. I pray that he and Lazarus are ok? Hey you two just "pipe up" and let us all here who care about you both know that you are well in these terrible times all around the world.

Richard

[harrybasset]

There are a few files on Simviation attributed to LLS. I've just tonight downloaded his CVAN-65 Nuclear Task Force.

[klnowak]

Wasn't Klaus working on a lot of different carriers from that time including conversions of the straight deck Essex Class? Haven't seen anything from him at all here either. I pray that he and Lazarus are ok? Hey you two just "pipe up" and let us all here who care about you both know that you are well in these terrible times all around the world.

Richard

Thanks for asking. At least I am doing very well and because of all the restrictions in Germany, I now use the free time to recreate some old scenarios for P3D after switching to a new computer and then P3D. I just had to do something different than just ships.
This time the choice fell on ETNW Wunstorf (already described in section P3D v4 here in the forum : http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/showthread.php/119514-ETNW-Wunstorf-2020-Home-of-LTG-62-in-Germany), which is now ready and will go online here in the next few days.
At the same time, I made great strides with my DaNang Scenerie, created small extensions for the new F-4 Phantom and then started yesterday with the Airbase ETNT Wittmundhafen.

A lot of free time must be used if I have not been allowed to spend my time here in Germany in cafes and restaurants.:banghead:

greetings
Klaus

[FlyingsCool]

Yeah, as I pointed out in the RFN F-8 thread, Midway ('56-66) and Roosevelt ('55-68) had an interim configuration with a center forward and single starboard Rear elevator. The Coral Sea jumped ahead in '57 with the 3 elevator configuration that the other two eventually got (as seen in the model I'm currently using in the pics above).

Any thoughts on sources for geometry for this configuration Klaus? I know a teeny bit about modeling for FSX, and I've been doing Solid Modeling as a job since the late '80's so maybe I could find my way around converting something. I don't know how Lazarus and Virtual Navy guys would feel about me doing anything with their model?

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/46/4f/31/464f3175988141083b9b750e0e3c8d70.jpg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c1/USS_Midway_%28CV-41%29_underway_1963.jpg/764px-USS_Midway_%28CV-41%29_underway_1963.jpg

[delta_lima]

Thanks for asking. At least I am doing very well and because of all the restrictions in Germany, I now use the free time to recreate some old scenarios for P3D after switching to a new computer and then P3D. I just had to do something different than just ships.
This time the choice fell on ETNW Wunstorf (already described in section P3D v4 here in the forum : http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/showthread.php/119514-ETNW-Wunstorf-2020-Home-of-LTG-62-in-Germany), which is now ready and will go online here in the next few days.
At the same time, I made great strides with my DaNang Scenerie, created small extensions for the new F-4 Phantom and then started yesterday with the Airbase ETNT Wittmundhafen.

A lot of free time must be used if I have not been allowed to spend my time here in Germany in cafes and restaurants.:banghead:

greetings
Klaus

A bit off-topic - but I'm stoked about a Da Nang scenery ....

Back on topic, Gary from here has some exciting Essex angled deck CVs in the works - I'm not allowed to say more than that .... :wiggle::running:

[expat]

My that’s great news! I must say with all the carrier trials I have been doing the last few days the two favourites among payware and freeware choices and ones I keep going back to are both Gary’s Oriskany and Midway boats. There’s just something better, more immersive about them.

[FlyingsCool]

A bit off-topic - but I'm stoked about a Da Nang scenery ....

Back on topic, Gary from here has some exciting Essex angled deck CVs in the works - I'm not allowed to say more than that .... :wiggle::running:

I know the Med cruises are relatively boring compared to the active duty cruises of the '60's and '70's, but the FDR is important to me cause my Dad was on the '57 cruise on it.

After I release the paints, my next goal is to float around in the Med and visit the ports the FDR did on her cruise, try to get a feeling for what it was like.

But, yes, the Da Nang and Essex are exciting news, too. Gary already released a CVT-16 that was great for me to practice from as if my dad had made it to Carrier Quals. :)

Question: Is it possible to say make an AI track as if a fleet was on a cruise and have it stop at ports? Maybe trigger different AI tracks so say, make a cruise from Gibraltar to Cannes, flying next to or riding on the boat as it cruised after landing on it to the port. Then, when you're ready, either trigger a new AI track, or load another flight with the next AI track for the same boats from Cannes to Nice?

Question 2: Is there a source that shows the actual ports of call for any given cruise. The cruise book discusses where they visited, but, it's not clear which are ports. For instance it talks about visiting Paris, but I don't see how given the ports they sort of talked about going to. Based on the cruise book, (CVG-17 (AL) 7/57-3/58)) it seems like it went:

Mayport, FL -> Norfolk, VA -> Gibraltar -> Cannes -> Nice -> Paris??? -> Monaco -> Barcelona -> Athens -> Corfu -> Rhodes -> Cannes for Christmas -> Swiss Alps??? -> Genoa (which it says was the only Italian port) -> Rome??? -> Palma, Majorca -> Gibraltar -> Home (Mayport, FL?)

[navy81]

Quite possible to use Gary's Midway '75 which is fantastic. The only issue is the MUCH wider angled deck (LA). It is a really good, frame friendly, carrier - and free.
As far as pulling off the E-1B, A-6, and A-4 from Lazarus's CVA-43, i tried with MCX, but many of the small objects (gear, wheels, etc) are tied to other objects, most notably - the flight deck. So while I was able to "remove" much of the large structures of those aircraft, there were some remnants. Not a good option there either.

So, I tried working (as Delta Lima suggested) with SWS Coral Sea - and effectively removed the Air Wing and repainted the Island and deck from 43 to 42. The problem here is likely copyright infringement, since it is part of a payware package. It looks quite good in mcx but have not tried it in FSX - and would only want to do so if clearance was obtained from SWS. If anyone has a good lead and relationship with them, is it worth a try to contact and make that request? They produced a beautiful carrier.

Deke
Navy81

MCX pictures
http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76127&stc=1
http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76128&stc=1

[FlyingsCool]

Oops, I missed that the end of the runway on the port side was also an elevator in SCB-110

[FlyingsCool]

Quite possible to use Gary's Midway '75 which is fantastic. The only issue is the MUCH wider angled deck (LA). It is a really good, frame friendly, carrier - and free.
As far as pulling off the E-1B, A-6, and A-4 from Lazarus's CVA-43, i tried with MCX, but many of the small objects (gear, wheels, etc) are tied to other objects, most notably - the flight deck. So while I was able to "remove" much of the large structures of those aircraft, there were some remnants. Not a good option there either.

So, I tried working (as Delta Lima suggested) with SWS Coral Sea - and effectively removed the Air Wing and repainted the Island and deck from 43 to 42. The problem here is likely copyright infringement, since it is part of a payware package. It looks quite good in mcx but have not tried it in FSX - and would only want to do so if clearance was obtained from SWS. If anyone has a good lead and relationship with them, is it worth a try to contact and make that request? They produced a beautiful carrier.

Deke
Navy81

MCX pictures
http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76127&stc=1
http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76128&stc=1

Nice! :)
Yeah, I didn't purchase the SWS models,... yet, anyway... seem to be many people having issues with it, anyway.

[FlyingsCool]

I think the 723 paint is wrong for this cruise. I found a source that said only modexes 701-703 were used for the cruise. But I haven't found any photos to be able to figure out which bureau numbers match those modex's. I did find a photo which showed "27X4", but an officers hat hid the 3rd number, and the top of the tail was cut off by another photo hiding the modex number :( So it could be an AD-5(N?) 132724 or AD-5W 132734 I think it's most likely 132734, but that doesn't help me determine the modex number.

Edit: Oops, definitely wrong, I had swapped up the modexes for VA(AW)-33 Det. 37 and VAW-12 Det. 37.

Now, the funny thing is, the officers of VAW-12 were in front of 27X4, but 132724 is an AD-5 (perhaps converted to a -5N?), but the canopy, which I can only see a little bit of, looks more like an AD-5W (132734 would be a possibility for that). Geez, looking over the pictures, I had it ALL backwards :)

And this is the first time I noticed the Mickey Mouse insignia, and the fact the front of the radome on the AD-5W behind them was all black! Eek... I gotta pay more attention!

Oh, and look at their patches :)

And, interesting the landing gear cover is missing on the right gear of 803

https://www.dropbox.com/s/8q0hhwzx72gbkvt/VAW-12.jpg?dl=1

[tgycgijoes]

I know the Med cruises are relatively boring compared to the active duty cruises of the '60's and '70's, but the FDR is important to me cause my Dad was on the '57 cruise on it.

After I release the paints, my next goal is to float around in the Med and visit the ports the FDR did on her cruise, try to get a feeling for what it was like.

But, yes, the Da Nang and Essex are exciting news, too. Gary already released a CVT-16 that was great for me to practice from as if my dad had made it to Carrier Quals. :)

Question: Is it possible to say make an AI track as if a fleet was on a cruise and have it stop at ports? Maybe trigger different AI tracks so say, make a cruise from Gibraltar to Cannes, flying next to or riding on the boat as it cruised after landing on it to the port. Then, when you're ready, either trigger a new AI track, or load another flight with the next AI track for the same boats from Cannes to Nice?

Question 2: Is there a source that shows the actual ports of call for any given cruise. The cruise book discusses where they visited, but, it's not clear which are ports. For instance it talks about visiting Paris, but I don't see how given the ports they sort of talked about going to. Based on the cruise book, (CVG-17 (AL) 7/57-3/58)) it seems like it went:

Mayport, FL -> Norfolk, VA -> Gibraltar -> Cannes -> Nice -> Paris??? -> Monaco -> Barcelona -> Athens -> Corfu -> Rhodes -> Cannes for Christmas -> Swiss Alps??? -> Genoa (which it says was the only Italian port) -> Rome??? -> Palma, Majorca -> Gibraltar -> Home (Mayport, FL?) On a smaller scale, I did exactly that with AI Boat Traffic when I created NAS Alameda. I had the USS Constellation cruise from NAS Alameda to NAS San Diego and anchor in the harbor. You have to program the tracks in Google Earth. You can find out how to do this at Misty Moorings and the program is free. It is a lot of work but so much fun as you see it work. I think that I would program from Mayport to Norfolk as #1, then when you start FSX again, Norfolk to Gibralter as the next port of call etc. Do it in legs. I also programmed from NAS Alameda to Pearl Harbor the same way. It works. I quit experimenting when no one wanted to join me in my vCVW9 back 4 years ago. https://return.mistymoorings.com/faq/files/AI%20Boat%20Traffic%20for%20Dummies.pdf Here is your plan book to start with. Looking forward to you posting your results.

[FlyingsCool]

On a smaller scale, I did exactly that with AI Boat Traffic when I created NAS Alameda. I had the USS Constellation cruise from NAS Alameda to NAS San Diego and anchor in the harbor. You have to program the tracks in Google Earth. You can find out how to do this at Misty Moorings and the program is free. It is a lot of work but so much fun as you see it work. I think that I would program from Mayport to Norfolk as #1, then when you start FSX again, Norfolk to Gibralter as the next port of call etc. Do it in legs. I also programmed from NAS Alameda to Pearl Harbor the same way. It works. I quit experimenting when no one wanted to join me in my vCVW9 back 4 years ago. https://return.mistymoorings.com/faq/files/AI%20Boat%20Traffic%20for%20Dummies.pdf Here is your plan book to start with. Looking forward to you posting your results.

Awesome! Thanks so much, I'll definitely be checking it out!
(I'm imagining I'll skip the Norfolk to Gibraltar though, that'll take a few days won't it? :) )

Any idea where I can find an official ports of call for the cruise? The cruise book wasn't a ton of help. Perhaps it's accurate. I'm imagining Rome wasn't a port, but sailors did visit Rome (and Paris and the Swiss Alps???), but that seems a long way to travel for sailors on leave from Genoa to Rome while on duty/leave?

[Cees Donker]

Not sure what happened to Lazarus's stuff in the SOH Library?

And what happened to Lazarus himself? Hope he's doing allright?


:disturbed:


Cees

[expat]

Yes, he has been a generous contributor and source of amusement here.

[FlyingsCool]

It seems he's left and taken his files with him? I haven't been able to find any of his contributions here.

[FlyingsCool]

Fixed up the two AD-5's. I still don't have positive identification of BuNo's for any of AD-5's on board.

It appears from one site there were only 3 each of the AD-5N and AD-5W on the boat. If anyone knows how to get the info I'd appreciate it.

A wing shot would be cool, too. From a couple of shots, the AD-5W's don't appear to have the modex on the wing. And I haven't seen any shots that show any identifying marks on the tail like the red stripe on the rudder tip for the other squadrons.


https://i.imgur.com/Fs7LkG9.png

https://i.imgur.com/HQ677Ti.png


My attempt at the VAW-12 Logo from the cruise. Could use a little tidying up. But fine for the rez on the plane.

https://i.imgur.com/iQWRNd5.png

[Cees Donker]

It seems he's left and taken his files with him? I haven't been able to find any of his contributions here.

In case of need: I think I have most of his stuff on a drive.

Cees

[klnowak]

A bit off-topic - but I'm stoked about a Da Nang scenery ....

Back on topic .... :wiggle::running:


A bit off-topic : what it looks till now http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/showthread.php/55148-FSX-Screenshots-Here!!?p=1218394&viewfull=1#post1218394 :wavey:Back on topic (http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/showthread.php/55148-FSX-Screenshots-Here!!?p=1218394&viewfull=1#post1218394)

greetings
Klaus

[Mike71]

Fixed up the two AD-5's. I still don't have positive identification of BuNo's for any of AD-5's on board.

It appears from one site there were only 3 each of the AD-5N and AD-5W on the boat. If anyone knows how to get the info I'd appreciate it--

These types of squadrons were large, and formed various "dets" to deploy with various airwings. The dets were typically 3 or 4 planes depending on what was perceived to be the need by fleet commanders. In addition to "left -handed SPADs", you see this with KA-3B / EA-3B / RA-3 dets and HC helo dets (before the formation and integration of full-up HS ASW squadrons on carriers).

One has to ask exactly when in a work up cycle or deployment that these photos were taken; the det might have just been stood up, therefore markings, etc still in transition, and/or the planes may have come from a recent source such as a RAG, overhaul, etc. These large squadrons were always in a state of flux, often the "orphan children" whose assets were, unfortunately, low priority at times. I see this in recent times in the C-2 community.

I would do a search of the parent squadron as well as "cruise books" or ship histories to see if it might lead to something.

Every Navy ship (actually, virtually any Navy command) has to submit an annual report to CNO summarizing an unclassified history for the past year, etc. Publicly available, they are easily found by a web search.

[FlyingsCool]

These types of squadrons were large, and formed various "dets" to deploy with various airwings. The dets were typically 3 or 4 planes depending on what was perceived to be the need by fleet commanders. In addition to "left -handed SPADs", you see this with KA-3B / EA-3B / RA-3 dets and HC helo dets (before the formation and integration of full-up HS ASW squadrons on carriers).

One has to ask exactly when in a work up cycle or deployment that these photos were taken; the det might have just been stood up, therefore markings, etc still in transition, and/or the planes may have come from a recent source such as a RAG, overhaul, etc. These large squadrons were always in a state of flux, often the "orphan children" whose assets were, unfortunately, low priority at times. I see this in recent times in the C-2 community.

I would do a search of the parent squadron as well as "cruise books" or ship histories to see if it might lead to something.

Every Navy ship (actually, virtually any Navy command) has to submit an annual report to CNO summarizing an unclassified history for the past year, etc. Publicly available, they are easily found by a web search.

Cool :) Thanks. I didn't know about the CNO annual report.

I'll see what I can find about that for 1957 and 1958. The cruise began July, 12 1957, and ended March 5th 1958.

I've been slowly figuring this stuff out.

I've been getting most of my pictures from the cruise book I purchased here https://www.navysite.de/cruisebooks/cv42-57/index.html
It's available for viewing on the website, and pdf for purchase is decentish.

Photos and other info on the Roosevelt I found here from multiple sailors https://ussfranklindroosevelt.com/

And, then, as I'm collating my sources, I noticed from here VA(AW)-33 used SS instead of AL? Kind of makes sense given what you said above. Back to the drawing board...
Edit: Found another pic of an AD-5/AD-5N landing and it clearly has "AL" on the tail. Sadly, can't make out any other markings. This was the only cruise to use AL.

Although from the previous pic, 1327X4 looks to be pretty clearly an AD-5 or 5N, and it had "AL" on the tail. Unless that's a window painted on the rear shell of an AD-5W?
I wish that hat wasn't in the way :confusion: As I noted, it could be either 132724 would be an AD-5, 132734 would be an AD-5W. The outer wing doesn't have any weapons mount points, so it could be AD-5W, but if it was an AD-5 hack, it probably wouldn't have them either? The VAW-12 (AD-5W) guys are in front of it, but that doesn't mean it's one of their planes. Did they ever paint a window on the rear shell of an AD-5W? I haven't seen that.
http://www.wings-aviation.ch/24-Naval-Wings/1948/CVG-17.htm

Then again, I just noticed 132687/132728 was cancelled from http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_serials/thirdseries15.html
So that would make it AD-5W 132734


Then finally this was the source for the realization of limited modexes http://www.gonavy.jp/CVG-CVG17.html

And then hours of searching photos in general from the internet an Squadron Signal books, etc...

[tgycgijoes]

Great work and dedication. Really interesting and informative. Before my time so it's new to me (USN 1966-1972; NSCC 1981-1993)

[FlyingsCool]

Great work and dedication. Really interesting and informative. Before my time so it's new to me (USN 1966-1972; NSCC 1981-1993)
Thanks :)
It's fun, and I'm motivated.
I will eventually get back to getting my '57-ish Saufley ready for release, too.

[FlyingsCool]

As I'm sure you're all aware, this is the kind of thing you have to deal with in research...

http://www.wings-aviation.ch/21-USNavy/Douglas-A-1/VA-176-1958.png

VA-176 wasn't on the Roosevelt in 1958... it was VA-175, which was dissolved when the Roosevelt returned from the cruise, and which was the only time AL was on the tail plane of an AD-6. Also, the rudder wasn't red, nor were the wintips..., the top of the tail was, though, but it also had the modex up there, too, on the tip of the tail.

https://ussfranklindroosevelt.com/wp-content/gallery/1957-59-lee-fels/b-020-ad-folding-up.jpg

This photo was consistent with a bunch of others I found.

Granted, here, the red looks day-glo, so I'm still questioning if it's red or day-glo, but most of the rest of the good color photos of the cruise make it looks like insignia red, so I went with that. Red is really bad as a color for photos. It nearly is always different from the actual shade it was. Somebody told me once because of the silver I think in the film?

[FlyingsCool]

Oh, and I wanted to correct this.

Got the list from this source originally,
https://ussfranklindroosevelt.com/?page_id=13380

but it didn't click for me from the pictures from the cruise book that the modexes were reversed between VA(AW)-33 and VAW-12. So here's the corrected list. I had several pics of the modexes from VA(AW)-33, just no associated BuNo's.... And I ain't got nothin' on VAW-12 markings for this cruise other than blurry landing pictures and the Mickey Mouse logo I found yesterday in the cruise book photos, and the modex numbers used already cited, and the fact there was no modex on the wing, just AL (derr, I just realized I already knew it was AL).

Air Group CVG-17

100 VF-171 Aces F2H-3 Banshee - Razbam
200 VF-74 Be-Devilers F4D-1 Skyray - Virtavia <---Modified from texture originally done by Bruce Martin
300 VAH-3 Sea Dragons A3D-1 Skywarrior - Virtavia
400 VA-175 Devil's Diplomats AD-6 Skyraider - Tim Conrad A-1H
600 VFP-62 Fighting Photos F2H-3P Banshee - Razbam
VFP-62 Fighting Photos F9F-6P Panther <--While VFP-62 flew these at this period, too, there were not any on this particular cruise

701-703 VA(AW)-33 DET. 37 Night Hawks AD-5N - Razbam
801-803 VAW-12 DET. 37 Bats AD-5W Skyraider - Razbam
HU-2 DET. 37 Fleet Angels Piasecki HUP-2 - Jim Jacobson, Baldy

[tgycgijoes]

When you are all done are you going to share all of this with us so that we can fly together? It IS possible to do this in CCP with Join FS or just JoinFS from a NAS and fly out to "Rosie". Navy Chief (Pete) and I did this off of Javier's Nimitz in A7 Corsair II's and also in Dino's E2 Hawkeye on a number of occasions and its a whole lot of fun. You can use different sims as well. When I reported aboard USS America CVA-66 in 1967 she had just gotten back from a Med Cruise and my bunkmate RD2 Bill H. had served aboard FDR on her last cruise. :encouragement:

[FlyingsCool]

When you are all done are you going to share all of this with us so that we can fly together? It IS possible to do this in CCP with Join FS or just JoinFS from a NAS and fly out to "Rosie". Navy Chief (Pete) and I did this off of Javier's Nimitz in A7 Corsair II's and also in Dino's E2 Hawkeye on a number of occasions and its a whole lot of fun. You can use different sims as well. When I reported aboard USS America CVA-66 in 1967 she had just gotten back from a Med Cruise and my bunkmate RD2 Bill H. had served aboard FDR on her last cruise. :encouragement:

Cool! Yes, that's the plan :)

I hope to finish the paints up by next week and release those. Then I'll need to work on the cruise portion, and the boat as long as Lazarus and the Virtual Navy folk are amenable to my releasing the ship I've been working on.

Edit: Oh, and I plan on making multiple skins for each plane

[tgycgijoes]

It's nice to have another crazy, obsessed soul like me here on the SOH :dizzy::biggrin-new::encouragement: LOL!!!! That way the rest of the guys don't think I'm the only one doing an entire squadron's multiple skins, ports of call etc.

[FlyingsCool]

It's nice to have another crazy, obsessed soul like me here on the SOH :dizzy::biggrin-new::encouragement: LOL!!!! That way the rest of the guys don't think I'm the only one doing an entire squadron's multiple skins, ports of call etc.

:ernaehrung004:

Yep, I just finished up the details on the F4D and did 5 paints for it the other night for the Modex/BuNo combos I know for the cruise. Lost power last night for a couple hours so didn't get much done. I wanna to redo the insignia on the F2H-3's and finish those up this weekend. I've got 12 Modex/BuNo configs I know for that plane. And maybe learn how to do dirt on skins so I can finish up the 2 HUP-2's I know were on the cruise.

I found one source that said there were only 3 planes from VFP-62 on the cruise, 601-603, but I could swear I saw a picture of 604, too. But that could be a replacement for 603 which ran into the barrier during the cruise, also saw a picture of it dumping it's wingtip tanks because they weren't transferring fuel, and I imagine he had to dump the tanks because he couldn't dump the fuel before landing? I have BuNo's for 602 and 603.

[tgycgijoes]

I just downloaded the free Alphasim/Virtavia FSX T-28C Trojan and have AICarriers re-installed in FSX, vLSO re-installed, Carrier Convoy Planner set up too. I have a few older carriers installed to fly on and off again while you finish up the Midway. When its complete if you need help with those programs when you are ready to fly, just PM me.

[FlyingsCool]

Just wanted to say I'm still here. I was able to figure out how to clear off the deck of the FDR (1960+ Coral Sea model). (Though I'm actually starting to think Gary's Essex angle deck Essex model might be a better fit, slightly shorter than Midway class, but much closer with the elevators config). I also fixed up the 2D deck crew textures, as many of them had been alpha channeled a little too aggressively and were mostly transparent in incorrect places.

I did it with a combination of MCX and GMax, selecting triangles and deleting them. I was very happy MCX retained the texture callouts of the ship when I sent it out and read it back in. I still haven't figured out how to make the hangar deck a platform. Also, writing the model out of GMax also increased the number of texture vertices for some reason, I'm not sure why.

My next step is to figure out how to make deck configurations of aircraft including 3 or 4 F2H-3 Banshees, maybe a photo banshee or two, a couple F4D's, a HUP, a Skywarrior of better quality than what was on the ship previously, and a couple Skyraiders to round it out. I'm imagining freeware versions of the Virtavia Skywarrior and Ford would work, the HUP model I'm using should work as AI. Are there any AI Skyraiders? I'm imagining the "Piglet" Skyraider is a little heavy for AI purposes? If anyone would like to help with this part of the project I'd appreciate it. I ain't so good at model creation.

Finally, has anyone figured out how to make Steam Edition have reasonable, or any, smoke effects? I notice they don't work in Steam (they do work in Boxed FSX). I've read if you turn it down to medium quality it works, but the smoke then looks like bubbles. Haven't tried it myself yet.

https://i.imgur.com/FReZTcm.png

[tgycgijoes]

Keep on keepin' on with the good work. :encouragement:

[gp183601]

Just wanted to say I'm still here. I was able to figure out how to clear off the deck of the FDR (1960+ Coral Sea model). (Though I'm actually starting to think Gary's Essex angle deck Essex model might be a better fit, slightly shorter than Midway class, but much closer with the elevators config). I also fixed up the 2D deck crew textures, as many of them had been alpha channeled a little too aggressively and were mostly transparent in incorrect places.



I had a look at Klaus' FDR and the sketchfab original (which has since been removed for download) but as they were derived from World Of Warships they are INSANELY detailed and complex for FSX. It took me hours just to adapt the gun emplacements and create a hurricane bow at which point I gave up.....and interestingly I did wonder if it would be quicker taking one of my Essex Hulls and just enlarging and adapting that to create an FDR so you might be on to something!

Cheers
Gary

[FlyingsCool]

I had a look at Klaus' FDR and the sketchfab original (which has since been removed for download) but as they were derived from World Of Warships they are INSANELY detailed and complex for FSX. It took me hours just to adapt the gun emplacements and create a hurricane bow at which point I gave up.....and interestingly I did wonder if it would be quicker taking one of my Essex Hulls and just enlarging and adapting that to create an FDR so you might be on to something!

Cheers
Gary

That'd be freakin' awesome! Savin' my butt again... I keep hopin' for an SCB-110 Midway/FDR model (Coral Sea SCB-110a was closer to Midway SCB-101. I don't think the Optical Landing system was added till 1960, but I'd be down with it if it had it... I can send you a PDF of the '57-'58 Med Cruise book if you're interested. FDR did SCB-110 in '55. Not a ton of pictures in it (largely the women the sailors met on the cruise, haha - cause... Navy). But there's a little good info.

https://i.redd.it/aj7ura8axah41.png

[FlyingsCool]

Life launching on the FDR... 1964


https://youtu.be/fEW5jACD1iE

[tgycgijoes]

Thank you for that utube video. I was down in CIC when this was all going on or in Flag Plot 2nd tour so I never got to see flight ops that close and personal. Its not the same as the still shots in the cruise books. Didn't realize how little clearance the flight deck crewmen had hooking up an F8 Crusader. My thoughts were: "what idiot engineer" ever made it so close to the deck.

[Mike71]

Certainly some of the best footage one will ever see of the cat hookup operations prior to present day "Flush Deck Nose Gear Launch" or "Fandangle" as it is called, with its launch bar replacing the bridle / Van Zelm bridle arrester lanyards, as well as the Repeatable Release Holdback Trailbar replacing the old, one time use holdback plug.

One gets mesmerized watching these young folks working the hookup - close attention and you realize they are kneeling / lying on the non-skid coating of the Flight Deck. anyone who has ever seen this stuff will remember that the stuff is ROUGH AS HELL! You think kneeling on a cement or asphalt surface is painful? Try non-skid --

[tgycgijoes]

Certainly some of the best footage one will ever see of the cat hookup operations prior to present day "Flush Deck Nose Gear Launch" or "Fandangle" as it is called, with its launch bar replacing the bridle / Van Zelm bridle arrester lanyards, as well as the Repeatable Release Holdback Trailbar replacing the old, one time use holdback plug.

One gets mesmerized watching these young folks working the hookup - close attention and you realize they are kneeling / lying on the non-skid coating of the Flight Deck. anyone who has ever seen this stuff will remember that the stuff is ROUGH AS HELL! You think kneeling on a cement or asphalt surface is painful? Try non-skid --

Bring up a towel or two for some sun on the flightdeck...not only is it rough but it gets hot too. A blanket and a towel on the catwalk was a lot more comfortable to catch some rays. The pilots may fly the planes but without the flight deck crew the pilots, crew and planes couldn't do the job. Like the generals may get the credit for winning the battle but the soldiers did the winning. All we sim aviators have to do is [SHIFT+U] to get it all done in a blink of the eye. :loyal:

[FlyingsCool]

Just wanna say I haven't forgotten this project. Fixed the insignia on the F2H-3's over the weekend (and then realized, after creating 12 repaints from the base one, that I need to add a rescue flag to the fuselage, too :dizzy:)(but that won't take long). I've created all the BuNo/Modex combinations of the planes on the cruise that I'm aware of. So I should start uploading paints soon. If anyone knows how to figure out the other planes I'm missing, as well as tie pilot to airplane so I can add their names, that would be awesome.

Next step will be to add some deck configs to the carrier now that I figured out how to remove the planes that were there. I'd like to find freeware/lighter weight versions of the planes rather than use the Razbam payware ones that I've created paints for, to make wider availability for people. The Alphasim/Virtavia ones will be fine since there are freeware models of those, though I don't know if there are FSXisized versions of the A3D and F4D's? Would using a non-FSX version of a model affect framerate? Mr. Scrub has made an F2H, though I'm not sure if he created the F2H-3/4 models or if his are F2H-2's?

Anyone know of any freeware AD-6, AD-5N, and AD-5W Skyraider models out there? I'm imagining Tim Conrad's would be a little framerate heavy to put a bunch of his AD-6's on the deck.

How about an F2H-2P?

All the planes needed are:

F2H-3 Banshee with wingtip tanks
F2H-2P Banshee with Wingtip Tanks
F4D-1 Skyray
A3D-1 (if possible) Skywarrior
AD-6 Skyraider (single seat)
AD-5N Skyraider (multi-seat Night Attack)
AD-5W Skyraider (multi-seat Early warning guppy model)
Piasecki HUP-2 (I can use the model that I'm already using, though I really wish I knew how to map the surfaces, so I could add top and bottom strips so the markings on the top and bottom could be created effectively. Right now it just has left and right side, so creating the text and markings where the texture gets really stretchy is well nigh impossible, for me anyway).

And I soooo wish there was an SCB-110 Midway/FDR carrier model available.

How do you fold the wings of an aircraft model for use as a static scenery model?

Oh, I also need to start creating ship routes for the cruise. Anyone know where I can find the ship movements for the FDR from July 12, 1957 - March 1958? Unfortunately, there is a project currently digitizing the ship logs for 1956-1963, so the ship logs are unavailable at the moment. I have the cruisebook, but the only date and real info is her departure date to join up with the Sixth Fleet, though it doesn't say if that's from Norfolk or Mayport.

It started in Mayport, FL, made a stop in Norfolk for supplies, then headed to Gibraltar... Cannes... Paris???.... Barcelona... Greece... Athens... Corfu... Rhodes... Cannes for Christmas (again?)... Swiss Alps for skiing (port?)... Genoa... Rome (while they were in Genoa?).... Palma, Majorca.... Gibraltar... Home...

That's what the cruisebook says anyway.

[gray eagle]

A couple of shots of the changes I made to create the FDR. As noted, I'd like to change out the A-4, E-2C and Intruder to more period correct aircraft if anyone has any suggestions. S2's were occasionally seen on the deck at that time, too.




https://i.imgur.com/ViNvfs6.png




Nice looking "Swanky Frankie" :encouragement:

[FlyingsCool]

Nice looking "Swanky Frankie" :encouragement:

Thanks :)

Sadly, wrong SCB for what I'm hoping for, but, one step at a time :)

I was able to clean off the deck though. So we can now put whatever deck layouts we want on it. I left the 2D people, and fixed up their textures so we don't have zombies with half their bodies missing as they wander the deck.

I didn't do much to the ship itself, just worked on the textures and modified the effects.

[FlyingsCool]

I should be releasing the aircraft textures for all the planes I've done over the weekend. I'm going to release them per plane. For instance, I think there are twelve different texture sets for the Razbam F2H-3. Except for a couple of planes, all the BuNo/Modex combos are correct for the cruise.

If anyone knows where I could get a list of BuNo/Modex combos for the ship, I'd appreciate it. It would be nice to make the squadrons/detachments complete. As I said, the last time I looked, the ships logs are unavailable because they are part of a digitizing project. Which is cool because when they are done it'll likely make them easily accessible. I don't know where else I might look. I continue to peruse the internet looking for pictures from the cruise. I think there's a video available, too, so I might get that.

I'd like to also release the FDR ship I've modified from the version created by Lazarus from Virtual Navy's model. How would I ask for permission to do so?

I've been having a lot of problems landing on it, but I don't know if that's my own lack of skill, set up of the planes I'm flying, or something to do with how the wires are set up on the ship. So I'd appreciate it if somebody would test it out for me.

Next step in the project are to create deck layouts of aircraft and start to develop AI Ship routes for the cruise.

[FlyingsCool]

:(

Wish they'd say what their progress is...

https://www.archives.gov/research/military/logbooks/notice
(https://www.archives.gov/research/military/logbooks/notice)
Good thing is, 1961 - 1967 is available if anyone is interested in those periods...

https://www.archives.gov/research/military/logbooks/navy-online#f

:)

[gray eagle]

I should be releasing the aircraft textures for all the planes I've done over the weekend. I'm going to release them per plane. For instance, I think there are twelve different texture sets for the Razbam F2H-3. Except for a couple of planes, all the BuNo/Modex combos are correct for the cruise.

If anyone knows where I could get a list of BuNo/Modex combos for the ship, I'd appreciate it. It would be nice to make the squadrons/detachments complete. As I said, the last time I looked, the ships logs are unavailable because they are part of a digitizing project. Which is cool because when they are done it'll likely make them easily accessible. I don't know where else I might look. I continue to peruse the internet looking for pictures from the cruise. I think there's a video available, too, so I might get that.

I'd like to also release the FDR ship I've modified from the version created by Lazarus from Virtual Navy's model. How would I ask for permission to do so?

I've been having a lot of problems landing on it, but I don't know if that's my own lack of skill, set up of the planes I'm flying, or something to do with how the wires are set up on the ship. So I'd appreciate it if somebody would test it out for me.

Next step in the project are to create deck layouts of aircraft and start to develop AI Ship routes for the cruise.


Try here

https://www.navysite.de/cruisebooks/

Scroll down to USS FDR and there are links that will show the embarked squadrons you may be interested in.

Hope that helps,

[delta_lima]

I should be releasing the aircraft textures for all the planes I've done over the weekend. I'm going to release them per plane. For instance, I think there are twelve different texture sets for the Razbam F2H-3. Except for a couple of planes, all the BuNo/Modex combos are correct for the cruise.

If anyone knows where I could get a list of BuNo/Modex combos for the ship, I'd appreciate it. It would be nice to make the squadrons/detachments complete. As I said, the last time I looked, the ships logs are unavailable because they are part of a digitizing project. Which is cool because when they are done it'll likely make them easily accessible. I don't know where else I might look. I continue to peruse the internet looking for pictures from the cruise. I think there's a video available, too, so I might get that.

I'd like to also release the FDR ship I've modified from the version created by Lazarus from Virtual Navy's model. How would I ask for permission to do so?

I've been having a lot of problems landing on it, but I don't know if that's my own lack of skill, set up of the planes I'm flying, or something to do with how the wires are set up on the ship. So I'd appreciate it if somebody would test it out for me.

Next step in the project are to create deck layouts of aircraft and start to develop AI Ship routes for the cruise.

PM sent, re testing.

dl

[FlyingsCool]

Try here

https://www.navysite.de/cruisebooks/

Scroll down to USS FDR and there are links that will show the embarked squadrons you may be interested in.

Hope that helps,

Yep, I have the cruisebook, but, it's not so deep into the details of the cruise... Lots of pictures of pretty ladies though :) (Navy :kilroy: .. Times were different in the '50's)

But I did get a lot of good information out of it. It did give a vague idea about the cruise, but I'd really love to read the log books of day to day activities and cruise details.

In perusing other log books, I was amazed at how many court martials there were.

[gray eagle]

Tom,

I'm using it in P3D V4.5 - the markings on the flight deck are a bit blurred out of focus (edges of lines) at least for me.



https://i.postimg.cc/cJMTd1V8/Capture.jpg


When comparing the flight deck stripes to the "42" looks crisp and clear whereas the stripes look a bit blurry.
https://i.postimg.cc/TYdKsdc4/Capture.jpg

[FlyingsCool]

Tom, I'm using it in P3D V4.5 - the markings on the flight deck are a bit blurred out of focus (edges of lines) at least for me. https://i.postimg.cc/cJMTd1V8/Capture.jpg When comparing the flight deck stripes to the "42" looks crisp and clear whereas the stripes look a bit blurry. https://i.postimg.cc/TYdKsdc4/Capture.jpg I can certainly work on fixing that. I'm new to Carrier deck textures, so I'm not quite sure what color it should be, but I can do some more research and fix that. The text is nice and sharp, so no reason the deck doesn't have to be. I basically was using another deck texture to start with, but it wouldn't be hard to redo it.

[gray eagle]

Tom,

In your readme you mentioned that you did not know what a DASH pad means.

I know what the DASH is/was and this 'splains it. I think the pad was the landing zone for the DASH.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyrodyne_QH-50_DASH




https://alchetron.com/cdn/gyrodyne-qh-50-dash-4ae7e6d9-e7fe-4f04-abff-4b1f19408e6-resize-750.jpeg



(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyrodyne_QH-50_DASH)

[FlyingsCool]

Tom,

In your readme you mentioned that you did not know what a DASH pad means.

I know what the DASH is/was and this 'splains it. I think the pad was the landing zone for the DASH.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyrodyne_QH-50_DASH




https://alchetron.com/cdn/gyrodyne-qh-50-dash-4ae7e6d9-e7fe-4f04-abff-4b1f19408e6-resize-750.jpeg



(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyrodyne_QH-50_DASH)

Ahh, now I get it, and that's what he said (USS) Gearing (is) landable DASH pad... Thanks

[gray eagle]

Ahh, now I get it, and that's what he said (USS) Gearing (is) landable DASH pad... Thanks

I was assigned to a Sumner class DD right out of boot camp that had Fram II incorporated which would of included the QH-50 DASH helo

but came soon after I completed my tour there. The DD I was on had the Hanger for it.

[FlyingsCool]

Well, I just uploaded the first phase of the project, repaints for planes of the 6th Fleet CVG-17 Mediterranean Cruise from 7/12/1957 - 3/5/1958.

8 sets of files for the 8 squadrons. I created as many BuNo/Modex combination paints as I could figure out. I had to guess some for the AD-5N and AD-5W. I'll correct those if I ever figure out what they actually were.

Hopefully you guys don't find too many problems, haha

Air Group CVG-17

100 VF-171 Aces F2H-3 Banshee (RAZBAM)
200 VF-74 Be-Devilers F4D-1 Skyray (Virtavia)
300 VAH-3 Sea Dragons A3D-1 Skywarrior (Virtavia)
400 VA-175 Devil's Diplomats AD-6 Skyraider (Tim Conrad)
601-604 VFP-62 Det. 37 Fighting Photos F2H-2P Banshee (RAZBAM)
701-703 VA(AW)-33 DET. 37 Night Hawks AD-5N Skyraider (RAZBAM)
801-803 VAW-12 DET. 37 Bats AD-5W Skyraider (RAZBAM)
(HU)xx HU-2 DET. 37 Fleet Angels Piasecki HUP-2 (Jim Jacobson/FSX Upgrade)



https://i.imgur.com/kzzk5jc.png



https://i.imgur.com/OcBthVl.png

https://i.imgur.com/ayHbI7L.png

https://i.imgur.com/PNb0y79.png

https://i.imgur.com/NaCzy0D.png

https://i.imgur.com/9Xb60Da.png

[FlyingsCool]

A few more of the planes...

https://i.imgur.com/fNiukTK.png

https://i.imgur.com/t0VrmjB.png

https://i.imgur.com/wKAWxhH.png

https://i.imgur.com/migiFeY.png

[FlyingsCool]

I just did a flight off and around the Rosey outside of Corfu Greece for a while... Set the date to Sept, 1957, when she was there... and I realized my dad, the crew, was there less than a year after the Hungarian Revolution... Got me to thinking what it was like being out there back then... Middle of the cold war, cut backs in the military... In the middle of it and yet isolated from it at the same time I imagine.

[gray eagle]

I just did a flight off and around the Rosey outside of Corfu Greece for a while... Set the date to Sept, 1957, when she was there... and I realized my dad, the crew, was there less than a year after the Hungarian Revolution... Got me to thinking what it was like being out there back then... Middle of the cold war, cut backs in the military... In the middle of it and yet isolated from it at the same time I imagine.

Have to ask, is that air wing ensemble you put together going to be static aircraft spotted aft of the island or forward of island or a recovery/launch mode?

One of the other carrier that was released here (Hancock/Bon Homme Richard /Shangri-la had a "Loaded" texture that was carrier with static aircraft spotted just aft of the island.

The HUP helo, will that be an AI plane guard?

Thanks

Edit: Don't know if possible but, AI aircraft landing/launching from FDR would of been nice, or any AI carrier for that matter.

[FlyingsCool]

Have to ask, is that air wing ensemble you put together going to be static aircraft spotted aft of the island or forward of island or a recovery/launch mode?

One of the other carrier that was released here (Hancock/Bon Homme Richard /Shangri-la had a "Loaded" texture that was carrier with static aircraft spotted just aft of the island.

The HUP helo, will that be an AI plane guard?

Thanks

Edit: Don't know if possible but, AI aircraft landing/launching from FDR would of been nice, or any AI carrier for that matter.

I haven't got a clue :)

But to really answer your question, Yes, that's the idea... all those things you said. What I'd like to do is create several deck layouts that can be interchanged, and the reason I misaligned the FLOLS is in hopes that I could figure out how to do AI on the carrier, and I figured it would work best if the runway was aligned with the runway. And the main one I'd use would be a layout that allows both recovery and launching.

I'm only very newbie at carrier design, and I'm not even sure what's possible, but I have dreams :)

If there are people who'd like to lend a hand, I'd appreciate it, but, on to phase 2, which will include upgrading the carrier further (and maybe even figuring out how to create an SCB-110 version, but I'd have to figure out how to efficiently model stuff, which seems beyond me at the moment), and creating some static layouts for the carrier (like the corsair models for the Essex fleet). By the time that's finished, for phase 3, I may have access to the deck logs and be able to create AI routes and, maybe, yeah, create AI interaction with the carrier??

To be honest, even creating static layouts is beyond me at the moment. I created a bit of one for Saufley to populate it with T-34's. But I have a lot to learn. Got that done by hook and crook.

Not to mention I'd like to use freely available models so I can share it. I could create private ones with my payware stuff, but the point is to share. There's a lot of F2H-2's out there (I assume because of Korea link), but I haven't found any good F2H-3's yet I don't think, for instance. And how do I set up a static model with wings folded?

Good thing is the Alphasim A3D and A4D stuff is available, but, I imagine I have to FSXize them, unless someone already has.

Personally, I'm ok at texturing, sort of.. (still don't know how to create spec sheets effectively). But I barely know anything about modeling for FSX.

[FlyingsCool]

Have to ask, is that air wing ensemble you put together going to be static aircraft spotted aft of the island or forward of island or a recovery/launch mode?

One of the other carrier that was released here (Hancock/Bon Homme Richard /Shangri-la had a "Loaded" texture that was carrier with static aircraft spotted just aft of the island.

The HUP helo, will that be an AI plane guard?

Thanks

Edit: Don't know if possible but, AI aircraft landing/launching from FDR would of been nice, or any AI carrier for that matter.

To answer your AI question, apparently SWS was/is working on something. I kind of hoped it was built into FSX, but, I could deal with having to work within the constraints of CEX I imagine?

I don't know what the current status of it is...

https://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/threads/ai-aircraft-carrier-landings.441788/

[gray eagle]

To answer your AI question, apparently SWS was/is working on something. I kind of hoped it was built into FSX, but, I could deal with having to work within the constraints of CEX I imagine?

I don't know what the current status of it is...

https://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/threads/ai-aircraft-carrier-landings.441788/

I read your link and WOW, the ideas Alex and his crew are coming up with are amazing. He addressed about AI carriers landings and even future AI helo

landings on ships landing pads, and to watch his video of a AI carrier landing with the cable noise was amazing. This will a exciting new standard for future AI

carrier operations. :encouragement:


Edit: Alex addressd this a few years ago here on SOH and if you look at the last entry, he (Alex) mentions to the carrier devs to PM him if you are interested in making your carrier

CEX capable - Using his SDK

https://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/showthread.php/108789-AI-aircraft-carrier-ops!

[gray eagle]

A couple of shots of the changes I made to create the FDR. As noted, I'd like to change out the A-4, E-2C and Intruder to more period correct aircraft if anyone has any suggestions. S2's were occasionally seen on the deck at that time, too.




https://i.imgur.com/ViNvfs6.png

From what I see here, looks like there are a few static acft on the flight deck. Hope we can see some period correct static acft on the flight deck in future release.

[FlyingsCool]

From what I see here, looks like there are a few static acft on the flight deck. Hope we can see some period correct static acft on the flight deck in future release.

I took those off so I/we can put whatever planes we want on the deck. Assuming I can figure it out. After all that work I did prepping all the textures for upload, I just spent the day flying today :)

[delta_lima]

Hi Thomas,

Been testing the carrier a bit, and also tried on the F2H-2P repaints - really like these. I thought I had kept the Razbam Skyraiders, but I think when I moved from FS9, I purged them. A shame, because perhaps with MCX, I could have brought them into P3Dv4.5.

Anyway, the repaints look good, and will spend a bit more time on the carrier itself. So far, the basics seem to work - but will test further.

cheers,

dl

[expat]

Sorry I am missing something. I see all the repaints in the library for the airwings but where do you get the FDR carrier?

[gray eagle]

I took those off so I/we can put whatever planes we want on the deck. Assuming I can figure it out. After all that work I did prepping all the textures for upload, I just spent the day flying today :)

All of those aircraft you uploaded for the FDR seems to be flyable aircraft and not AI type. So, what has to be done to make them display on the flight deck as AI aircraft?

[FlyingsCool]

Sorry I am missing something. I see all the repaints in the library for the airwings but where do you get the FDR carrier?

Well... the ship I'm using is a modified version of the Coral Sea model Lazarus released that he modified from one Virtual Navy released. I haven't asked for permission to upload it here yet. But I'm happy to send you what I've got so far. Just PM me your email.

There are some things I'd like to do to this model further, like platform the hangar deck, replace the FLOLS with one that lines up. Though I just discovered that AI doesn't work on Carriers normally (I thought it might), so I may just misalign the runway again, but, doesn't that affect the way the FLOLS works if where it thinks the runway is off to the side of the runway??, add some deck layouts of static planes (I need to learn how and choose aircraft to do it with, that's in the works), animate / create blast shields, animate the elevators, and maybe clean up the textures a bit more. I'd love to crowd source this development work, since I barely know anything about modeling for FSX.

Ultimately, I'm hoping someday an SCB-110 version of the carrier gets released. She was in that state from '55 to '69.

[FlyingsCool]

All of those aircraft you uploaded for the FDR seems to be flyable aircraft and not AI type. So, what has to be done to make them display on the flight deck as AI aircraft?

Well... there's a difference between AI aircraft and static aircraft. Since the aircraft these textures are for flying aircraft, they can be set up as AI pretty easily I think, just need to create some aircraft.cfgs for them and build the flight paths.

For making them static aircraft, it means making them into scenery models, which is straightforward, but I need to learn a better workflow than I know at the moment. I just hacked my way through it last time, and I think there are better ways to do it. But since a good portion of these planes are payware, I can't share models I make from those. Not to mention, I'd prefer to choose some lighter weight models anyway.

Back to AI, it can be done. But, again, there's the payware aspect from some of these planes. Mr. Scrub has released a few of these planes, but I think his are F2H-2's... Somebody else released a partially finished F2H-3 model, but, I think it needs quite a bit of work, like laying out the textures, which I don't know very much about at all.

And then there's the issue about AI and moving carriers. As we saw above, that's a whole other issue. It could be done fairly easily for a static carrier set up as an airport, maybe, though I imagine integrating it with Cats and Traps is probably a whole other story. Not to mention, now that I know how to set up moving carriers, who wants to fly off static carriers anymore :)

[FlyingsCool]

The HUP retriever is available over at Simviation. Just search for "HUP", there are two files to get. Together they should set you up well.

I've done some mods to the file myself, like, remove the smoke from the right side (there's only one exhaust) that I forgot that I did, plus a couple other things (I hate seeing those icons on my panel for GPS, etc., so I always remove them). But I think the Retriever update file does most of the updates I did on my own before I discovered it. (I had the H-21 already, so fixing that omission was cake).

[tgycgijoes]

Hi Thomas,

Been testing the carrier a bit, and also tried on the F2H-2P repaints - really like these. I thought I had kept the Razbam Skyraiders, but I think when I moved from FS9, I purged them. A shame, because perhaps with MCX, I could have brought them into P3Dv4.5.

Anyway, the repaints look good, and will spend a bit more time on the carrier itself. So far, the basics seem to work - but will test further.

cheers,

dl You can replace them for just $10.00USD now if you hunt around online vendors.

[tgycgijoes]

Keep up the good work it looks fantastic and worth all the efforts.

[FlyingsCool]

You can replace them for just $10.00USD now if you hunt around online vendors.

Sorry, @delta Lima, I meant to respond, too; just go direct to RAZBAM. As TG said, all their offerings are $10 now. Other vendors are still charging more for them. For 10 bucks, totally worth it.

[FlyingsCool]

Keep up the good work it looks fantastic and worth all the efforts.

Thanks, :)

It's been fun, totally worth it. I'm learning so much. Wish I could have shared this with my Dad.. but in my heart I am :)