EricJ 759 Posted September 28 Well it's been a busy afternoon for me. I finally got the M197 and M230 armed helos gone away now permanently. I managed to figure out how to do a "gun pod" for the USN M197 and M230 armed helos. I managed to remove four models, config entries, and model.cfg entries today. That means you don't need to have a specific gun armed helo in order to do things. The good thing is that the co-pilot can now fire the gun, so if you don't have a pilot you can fire it. Note that the 240 and M134 guns are still slaved to the pilot, so you have something to work with. Other than that I'm sure I'll find something else to do with the Helicopter Pack. I may work on the Kiowa for a bit, but for now I'll deploy the update for the EricJ Helicopter tomorrow, just don't want to ruin missions that use my helos and cause issues with groups that depend on my mod. I don't think most people use my mod play on Sunday, and may move it to Monday, which was my original plan. The weapons are selectable in the appropriate slots where the gun used to be prior to the change, so there's no confusion. I'm not sure if the US Army has dual M230s, but I stuck with one gun on that specific pylon just to keep it somewhat real and should be accurate somewhat. This also helped me understand what to do with the Kiowa, as I had to eventually do the .50 cal machine gun that is mounted on the left side. Given how the model works and with the Helicopter Pack, I should be able to model everything at least reasonably. Again if anybody is interested in helping with the Kiowa let me know and we can see what we can do, but looks like modeling and whatnot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricJ 759 Posted October 1 EricJ Helicopter Pack RC102 -Removed the "MH-60S (M197/pylon)" due to the pylon system and gun pods. The M197 is now a gun pod, so now I can remove that helo from the list. The MH-60S 2-pylon has the new M197 gun pod. - Removed the M230 armed helos (MH-60/92), and now the M230 is a pod for the appropriate pylon. While I'm sure the 160th has a dual-configured gun pod, I chose to stick with the pylon that had the gun before, to keep with appearances, and allow a wider variety of options for configurations and the like. Simply select the weapon in the Pylon Settings field of the aircraft. - The MQ-17 now has small 1000-round miniguns added to it's list of weapons it can employ. - Increased Armor for the MH-80. - Created an MQ-17 in SOAR camo. It has some enhancements such as a datalink system. - MQ-17s now have a shadow LOD. - Adjusted the MH-80 datalink system - MH-67 now has limited datalink capability. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-M_sUyyaoZAQuFSisMtj3Rrut_cCtuHT/view?usp=sharing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricJ 759 Posted October 1 Right now, I'm wondering about doing a specific rocket pod for the bird on the Kiowa front. I more or less figured out how to it (I think) from the Hatchet GitHub download that they had. I have to actually model each rocket it looks like, or I can see if I can use a tube and call it a day, and find some textures and the like, or ask somebody to make a rocket pod for the bird, though the Shrieker 7x HE seems to be enough, even it if it's a bit too bright in color for my taste anyway. Another thing is that I hope to recolor it to more suitable look, given that the current scheme is off on the color. ADuke said he'd do a PSD for me, so I can sample the color from a few photos I have (which in my experience isn't something I particularly like to do) and get the color right for the helo. Other projects include the gun pod. There was a mention of the GAU-19, but from what little I remember it was trialed, and not used, mainly sticking with (If I remember correctly) the M3P, or whatever it was called. So that's on the backburner for now as well as new AO maps for the helo by ADuke, so I'm kinda on hold for it. I'm also not going to give it too many weapons, because well, it didn't have much of a selection if I recall and from what I saw in photos and from my tour in Afghanistan. So there's that. I'm waiting for feedback on the latest upload of the EricJ Helicopter Pack because it's like "What's next for it?". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wansec_6 200 Posted October 2 G'day @EricJ, Glad to see things are progressing with the helos. Gave the updated MH-60 DAP a brief trial today. The M230 worked great. The only issue I found was that the volume of the gun was quite low. I don't know for sure, but I think a large calibre cannon that close to the pilots would be a lot louder, even with hearing protection worn. Just my observation. A duel M230 setup may cause to much recoil for the aircraft to handle, but it would be a nice addition to the arsenal, if you did choose to add it. Another option you could add is to include the pylon weapons from the Hatchet MH-60s as an optional ordnance source. This way they could be used by anyone that has the Hatchet mod, but it wouldn't be a dependency for your choppers. The Hatchet 60's also have a right side pylon mount for the M230 so a left, right or dual mount is capable. Keep up the good work my friend. Looking forward to whatever you choose to bring us next. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricJ 759 Posted October 2 It's actually not a good idea to add the Hatchet mod pylons. I could delve into the code and stuff, but it seems that the game likes custom stuff.. That and I don't know where to set them, but it would come up with a "No config.bin/This magazine doesn't exist" and so on, and while I can get away with not depending on the USAF Mod and ACE3, I want to keep the dependency list down as much as possible. I like the Hatchet mod myself (even though I don't fly it a lot), and I can look into the right-side gun thing As for sound I use BIS sounds, so it is what it is. I mean yes it loud (I heard a 25mm Bushmaster while in a Bradley one time quite clearly), but I don't have a better sound, so blame BIS for having low volume for it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricJ 759 Posted October 2 Update: Currently have the guns available for use on both sides, both the USN and DAPs, after some double-checking and so on to make sure that they had them. Anyway they're modeled and configged, and ready until the next patch comes, which seems imminent, just don't know how long it'll be ready, as I can't verify the stuff until the game is updated so I can take a peek. I use the Dev version of the tools, so any major update and I have to wait until they update the stable game ( don't do dev as I like to go on servers every once in a while) so I can release the next update, as right now I have an older build so I can play missions with my helos without crashing. And if I release it now I'll get 33,000+ people screaming at me, so I'll hold off until things are updated for the Helicopter Pack, as well as any other mods requiring my attention. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricJ 759 Posted October 4 Future Plans: As I wait for the Stable version of the game to update, I came up with a plan for the AH-6J. Given that back then they had Hellfires on the bird I'm looking to make the system a pylon system. Personally, I think I can get away with a normal rocket pod, and not have to make every tube for it. I asked around and one person on Discord replied, but none of the experts, so when I can pack the files and not cause a crash due to formatting I'll look into it. If I can do it then I'll go with that, but not looking to make the pylons universal (unless there's a desire to) so it uses BIS weapons. I want to actually limit the weaponry for once, and that's the best way to do it, once I get the rockets configged and model setup so it can work with the game. I'm looking to limit it to Hellfires and rockets. While the MELB featured removable miniguns, I see no reason to do that either, so it'll be just Hellfires and the rocket pods. The minis will stay there as they are now, and be done with it. I'm not looking to expand it and not looking to make an M version, because you can't beat the MELB anyway, so there's that. Other plans isn't really much, given that there's not much to do as of yet. I am thinking of allowing the gun pod from the BIS Buzzard on the AH-96, but that's again on hold until things are good with the Tools (I use the Dev version) and the new patched Stable game. I only do it this way because the Dev Tools work fine and I like the latest updates. I keep the Stable version of the game in case I actually go on a server and play. Otherwise, I'd use the Dev version of the game, and have one, but I prefer Stable. Anyway, that's my musings for now. Of course anything I may have missed let me know and I'll see if I can't do it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricJ 759 Posted October 5 EricJ Helicopter Pack RC103 - Added a right-side firing M230 for the MH-60/92s and a right side firing M197 for the USN 2-pylon heli. - AH-96 can now use the 20mm gun pod from the A-143 Buzzard on the outboard wing pylons - The AH-6J has been upgraded with the pylon system, and can only use an M151 Rocket Pod and 2-round Hellfires. No other weapon compatibility is planned for the future. The miniguns aren't removable and remain fixed. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-PcTWH6vwWjsQybLRf8rn8NktiaqUKy1/view?usp=sharing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricJ 759 Posted October 6 ADuke Kiowa Warrior Alpha AC9 - Added M260 rocket pods. Current munition available is the M151 HE Warhead Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wansec_6 200 Posted October 7 G'day @EricJ, Thanks for the reply. I completely understand your thoughts on the Hatchet choppers. Looking forward to having another go with the Kiowa, when I get a chance. Thanks for the hard work you're putting in. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricJ 759 Posted October 7 No problem and thanks for the words. ADuke Kiowa Warrior Alpha AC10 - Adjusted Hardpoint size on the 3D model - Weapons now visible from cockpit (depending on view) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricJ 759 Posted October 7 EricJ Helicopter Pack RC104 - MH-60/92 DAPs can use the M260 rocket pod - "M260" in the Pylon Settings menu changed to "M260 HE" - Renamed the "DAR" weapon to "M260" to get away from the BIS ammo. - MH-60L has the appropriate length refueling probe. - Updated the Fire and View Geometries for the SOAR MH-60s - Made numerous fixes to the TF562 units - Added a Desert version of the HK416th for TF562 units https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-QpqPycOVU3zd0eUHZUGNiXeI7gcqkOK/view?usp=sharing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricJ 759 Posted October 7 For those that use my EricJ Helicopter Pack, I'll be removing a couple of models next update. The (Insertion Open Doors) will become standard as I found out on the Project Hatchet Discord. So that means I'll be removing two models, the original closed door MH-60M and MH-92. The open doors will be called (Insertion) anyway, but for those who use it just giving you a heads up for now. it won't affect much I hope. but the classnames will be removed from the configs and model.cfg anyway, which has been done right now. I just have to remove some scroll menu options and they'll be set. I'm thinking also of expanding the warhead capability of the Hydra rockets that I used to replace the DAR rockets that I was using at the beginning, giving some more options, and will have to borrow from a config or two (I'll ask permission, don't worry), and see how that goes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricJ 759 Posted October 8 EricJ Helicopter Pack RC105 - Removed the closed door MH-60/92s and replaced them with the Open Door versions. The aircraft will be still named (Insertion), but the doors will be open, per standard operating procedures with the 160th SOAR. The MH-60L will not be affected for the foreseeable future. - Thanks to Reticent Echo from the MELB project, I managed to config some more ammunition types for the M260 rocket launcher. The M255A1 Flechette is modeled, as well as The M229 Warhead, and the M261 MPSM munition. All are available for use with the M260 rocket pod. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=667709746 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-WuAatB6IZtehOC7LRFvOOTHmqA7MLdw/view?usp=sharing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricJ 759 Posted October 8 With the breaking of some of my missions in 2.18 I'll have to look at them and see what to fix. For the other mods, nothing seems outright affected so that's a good thing. Maybe the Samples will be updated and I'll have to add more stuff as it did mention some things added to the vanilla helis, so when that comes out I'll check it out and go from there, or catch snippets of conversations (or one of you will chime in) to make the changes to make the helis I do have compliant, or add the new feature to my stuff. I thought about doing the pylon system with the UH-1Y, but the way the game handles the system with what the configuration of the helicopter it's not going to happen. I think somebody requested a DAGR version, and I may do that as a variant alongside the DARs, but it can't be done, not without some issues that I don't want to go through again. Anyway I know I said in the last update notes for the EricJ Helicopter Pack that I wasn't going to touch the MH-60L, but then I realized that the new MH-60M stuff was transferred to the L, and so I made them open doors. The reason I had operable doors before was to allow some sort of "cover" (with fiberglass doors), and the open doors allowing the FFV positions to work, so there's some flexibility to options for players in those slots. With the patch that borked the doors so they only opened halfway, it didn't make sense to keep those versions around anymore, hence the change of opinion and so on of reducing models available and so on, and less workload on me in a sense, since I don't have to update things all of the time, and makes it easier on me. Right now the next update the game will require game version 2.18 and the L change. Unless you all have requests and the like of course. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricJ 759 Posted October 9 Aduke Kiowa Warrior Alpha AC11 - Added the new ACE3 Missile Guidance Framework for the Hellfires AH-1Z RC17 - Updated the Hellfires with the new ACE3 Missile Guidance Framework, should be right. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricJ 759 Posted October 9 EricJ Helicopter Pack RC106 - Requires game version 2.18 - After some thought (I know I said I wouldn't touch it), but the practicality of having open doors outweighed the player need to have working doors. Since the doors don't work, I felt it was better to leave them open and allow the players to hang out, rather than 50% of the players not being able to fire. So the MH-60L will be in an open-door configuration. If however, the doors are working for some reason, I may revisit the closed/open door system. - Updated the Hellfires with the new ACE3 Missile Guidance Framework from the latest update to the mod. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-bHXElRiuhWHZCoqJU-vFRy40QB2GqZC/view?usp=sharing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricJ 759 Posted October 10 One the Kiowa Warrior front, Quiggs from the ADF Re-Cut mod has decided that when I help him out, he'll help me with the Kiowa, as they have an interest in the helo as well. I don't know too much right now about it in ADF service, but some work will be done, and we're just getting the preliminaries sorted out so we can begin work. So with ADuke working on the AO map, and so on, we can get to the point of making the Kiowa happen, and get the thing "finished". Also I would eventually recolor the aircraft, for the current scheme and the one used while it was in US Army service. Right now there's not much to be said, so once things get moving forward I can give you a status update on that. Right now I'm doing some Strike Fighters 2 skins that needed to be done for a project, so I'll take a break from Arma 3 right now, and see if I can't get those done for that stuff. But there isn't much planned for the helis right now, kinda at a point where I can take a break, though I may do 19-round rocket launchers for the MH-60/92 DAPs. I want to get some missions worked on as allen.l.huber gave me permission to fix the "Pilot XX" missions because they are so fun to do, so any mission makers who want to look and fix the missions since the 2.18 patch broke them, I'm listening and looking for that kind of help, at least a scripter who can fix the scripts (which I think is the issue) given the new patch. Anyway not much else being worked on, and curious to see if any issues have come up with the new ACE3 release. I hear it's annoying to say the least with communities, so if there's an ACE3 issue with my helos, please let me know and I can try and fix them for the new version. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricJ 759 Posted October 11 ADuke Kiowa Warrior Alpha AC13 - Control sticks now animate - Pylons are adjusted, looks more realistic Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricJ 759 Posted October 12 ADuke Kiowa Warrior Alpha AC14 - Added M255A1, M261, and M229 warheads for the M260 rocket pod, selectable in the Pylon Settings menu Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricJ 759 Posted October 12 ADuke Kiowa Warrior Alpha AC15 - Fixed rockets not working, was something I missed. - Flight model smoothed out now, should be good for use. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricJ 759 Posted October 12 EricJ Helicopter Pack RC107 - M230 Cannon rounds reduced to 1100 rounds - M260 rocket pods work as intended, M261 ammo is correct and named correctly https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-lkGa6slRjv4JRDj_dCGkUGTxnxMT4m8/view?usp=sharing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricJ 759 Posted October 12 Okay, some breathing room... I'm working on some Strike Fighters 2 stuff, mainly skin work right now slowly but surely. I have a few more to do. For the Kiowa, the next thing is the gun pod. I did get a request for the three-barreled .50, but that's not a priority as far as I understand, it wasn't exactly used that much. Even the MH-60M DAPs didn't use it that much, if at all if the website is correct. So in a few days I'll grab some photos and begin the process. I'm honestly not too excited as I doubt my own skills, but it is what it is I guess. Anyway, I don't have much planned for the EricJ Helicopter Pack. I need to do the 19-round rocket pods sometime, and thinking of stealing them from the UH-1Y as I have nothing else comparable, and it should be correct. I tell you learning the pylon system is daunting at first, but once you look at other configs and do it yourself, it gets pretty easy as you learn the steps, despite no Samples from BIS on how to do it, you just kinda look around and figure it out more or less. So that's on the horizon, as for the other mods I don't have much need to work on really. Oh if somebody knows how to update scripts for 2.18 for my Pilot XX missions, I would like somebody to fix those missions as some people enjoyed them, and me as well, so I'm keen on getting those worked on so I can upload (along with honorable mentions of course) them and get back to playing something given that I'm not in a milsim unit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wansec_6 200 Posted October 13 G'day @EricJ, Great to see everything is progressing well. Have you made the M230 pod available for the AH-92? I haven't checked lately to see if you have. If not, would you consider adding it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricJ 759 Posted October 13 I want to say "yeah I'll see.", but realistically there are only GPU-5 gun pods, and not sure if I want to do one, so I'll think on it and let you know given some time to figure out if I can model one. I mean it's not a necessity as I think the 20mm pods are good enough, but there aren't many gun pods to model off of either, so we'll see (according to a Google search I found the Wiki for the GPU-5, but yeah, maybe). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
