F/a-18 c "fighting omars" public beta ready

[Wonder 0]

I have to agree with Too tall about the canopy. When taxiing along the airfield, you have to slow down below 20kts many times and it looks silly with the canopy opening and closing every now and then while taxiing. Why not simply make it so that the canopy opens when turning the engine off and vice versa. Of course i can see it would be cool to see a pilot snapping a salute when taxiing down the taxiway with the canopy open, but since you can't salute in the driver's seat what's the point

Oh! and if you want to increase the "eye candy" factor further, why not make a ladder fold down from the port LERX(leading-edge root extension) while the canopy is opening. Might be too much tho

[Paladin 1]

You might want to do some texture touch ups. The textures on the paveway bombs could be better and try to make the details on the grey version more noticable.

[OxPecker 0]

Is there a download mirror anywhere?

[Wonder 0]

Oh... and again some cosmetics nitpicking. The weapons pylon needs remodeling... it should look something like this

Also i noticed the tail hook seems to be completely missing along with the little fins on the LERXes which are used to improve airflow on the rudders.

Also paint the AMRAAMs grey with dark grey fins and a white nose

I also noticed that the sidewinders seem to miss everything else but the Antonov transporter and choppers. You're probably using Kegetys' sidewinders huh?

The reason i'm being such a nitpick is that the F/A-18 is THE favorite aircraft of mine, and i want to see it done right, although it means more work for the modding party!

Bear with me!

[Tigershark 0]

Wonder...not sure what you mean by "airbrakes" behinf the canopy....as the airbrake actually sits between the tail wings on the fuselage at the rear of the plane on the F-18C.

Confused???

[Wonder 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Tigershark @ Jan. 09 2003,03:24)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Wonder...not sure what you mean by "airbrakes" behinf the canopy....as the airbrake actually sits between the tail wings on the fuselage at the rear of the plane on the F-18C.

Confused???<span id='postcolor'>

Yeah, you're right! I confused it with F-15 and SU-27 my bad!

[hellfish6 7]

Cons:

I too have problems with an 'invisible barrier' around the front of the aircraft. I have to crawl to move away from the aircraft.

Also, the engine intake textures look kind of odd close up... you'll see what I mean if you look at 'em. Maybe it's because they're very low-res? Would it be better off if they were just black?

Pros:

Overall, it's fantastic. I can actually fly this plane with my joystick, unlike most of the fixed wing aircraft (official and unofficial) out there. Good textures, good weapon selection. All in all, very nice. They look great even just sitting empty on the flight line.

Suggestions:

In the future, I would like to see an option to raise/lower an arrestor hook (maybe a command-menu option like 'engine on', etc.) and fold the wings like the A-6E (ditto).

Someone mentioned that they'd like to see the canopy raised only when the engine gets turned on or off. I like this. You get the same effect, but without the graphical oddities associated with bad pilots trying to taxi (i.e. me) with a canopy that keeps popping up and down.

I also really like the idea of:

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I think what I will do in the final version is use a suggestion from Wonder and put static wingtip sidewinders, AMRAAMs, and some Mk82 on the model so it will look more multi-role. If I use static weapons then i can actually use more than one missle type per plane as they wont be seen, only 1 proxy type will display but thats ok because there is a static missle displayed allready. So in theory I could load up the plane to real worls specs. 2 sidewinders, 2 AMRAAMs and some static bombs. Only bad thing is it will still looked loaded even after you fire everything off. <span id='postcolor'>

Maybe just label them as "MR" for multi-role so the people who would like accurate-looking F/A-18s could tell the difference from the F/A-18s with only the proxy weapons?

Some more weapon suggestions: rocket pods and cluster bombs (like Miles said), Maverick missiles, napalm and Mk83s and Mk84s.

[Hudson 0]

ok wow alot of relplys. ok things that have been brought to my attention via email or this thread...

1. Airbrakes- The airbrake between the vertical stabilizers has actually been named and given a axis in O2. Without a "brake" event handler I didnt know how I was going to go about making it work correctly. If someone has any ideas feel free to share them.

2. Tailhook- I never really thought about adding one, it should be low poly addition so expect a user controlled til hook in the final version. Thanks for the suggestion.

3. Shadow LOD- I messed up sorry, didnt add the shadow to brown and grey versions and also all bombers. Very sorry will be fixed.

4. Invisible barrier by planes nose- I noticed this before, Maybe I need to check my geometry LOD again. Will try to fix for final version.

5. HUD- I love the one in th AH1 and really would love to do that wonder but I tried and it didnt work :-( maybe someone knows how its done properly and would like to make us all a tutorial? If so expect it on final version.

6. Muzzle flash- Damnit it worked fine the day before I released it, must have accidently textured it when making distance LODs. I like it there and real jets do emit fire when flinging off 30 mm rounds. Note the flash suppressor nozzles and scorch marks on the real thing. Muzzle flash will be fixed in final version.

7. Clipping and collision- I really dont know why this is happening, any thoughts?

8. Flares- I would feel like Im stealing G8 mods ideas, sorry. If I stole their flare idea I would definatly put those rockin JP223 mines on the hornet. My opinion JP mine dispensor is the greratest thing to hit OFP, I love those things.

9. Canopy- I can definatly make it user controlled, not a problem.

10. Textures- Paveway and Mk82 textures are temporary (very crappy) also Im still trying to make a good enuf texture for the landing gear arms. Some textures still needed in cockpit also to left and right of pilot.

11. Pylons- The pylons I used are very low poly. Making ones that look more lifelike is going to raise the poly count and I think its allready a little to high in the first 2 LODs.

12. Weapon accuracy- Im not the best with cnfig.cpp as I allready stated. Alot of that stuff looks greek to me. What would really be nice is if someone would make a US and Soviet weapon pack for aircraft. Make the most common AA, ATG, SAM, and bombs used and pack it up for us all to use, like a standard. So that way 1 sidewinder on one addon is not 2x as powerful as the next guys. Just a dream. I will do some more tweaking on weapons in config, just hope I dont break it  

13. Camo Color- Most of you allready read the thread in the addons and mods work in progress forum. Some obviously have not. If you could please read it and stop sending me emails about how those are soviet colors and not US navy colors I would be very thankfull. This has allready been discussed. Next one to say the colors are wrong gets tracked down and I will personally stick your head in the toilet and flush 3 times    (jk)

I really appreciate all the suggestions and they will be added/fixed in the final version. Thanks again for your great feedback...

O yeah 1 more thing, you guys maxed our websites download quota in just 2 days The download at f18@radishville.com has been deleted so it wont work anymore. If someone knows how to get addons hosted on major news sites can u please let me know, I allready emailed 2 but havnt got a reply yet. If you can host the addon that would be great also. Thanks again.

[~Too Tall~ 0]

"8. Flares- I would feel like Im stealing G8 mods ideas, sorry. If I stole their flare idea I would definatly put those rockin JP223 mines on the hornet. My opinion JP mine dispensor is the greratest thing to hit OFP, I love those things."

ahem. . ::clears throat:: forgive me for doig this becuz i love ur addon so far.. but i feel it nessacary....

USE THE FECKING FLARES AND GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE! THE F15E (will be) USING FLARES INT EH NEW VERSION. . .THE NEW MIG29 (same creator as the F15E. .look for that in 2 weeks) WILL BE USING THE FLARES. HELL EVEN THE PEICE OF SHIT (i mean that with all due respect) MIG29 AND MIG25 OUT THERE. NOW USEM LIKE ALL OTEHR PLANE CREATORS ARE DOING (and mabe on some helos too?. .and dont tell me they aretn .. cuz they are on most helos). . .PUT THEM ON THE ADDON. .PPL WILL LOVE IT. .

AND IN THE README WRITE A LIL SOMETHING LIKE "ECM system developed by G8 mod team" and if u still feel guilty then send them a happy lil email and say "yo hudson here. .i got this kickin F/A-18 Hornet im releasin soon .mind if i borrow your Flare system?" and ill bet you $100 (eu) that they will say "ya sure".

again i applogise for yelling but after all it is a next to perfect addon. .and otehr then the texture issues the flare system is the ONLY thing that its really missing. .alot of ppl have been using that sys and g8 hasnt killed anyone over it. .or worse. .sued them. .so i think that they wont flip out if u usem.

[~Too Tall~ 0]

almost forgot. . .the "muzzel flash" wither you leave it or not. .itsnt on teh nose. .the A10 has a center aligned cannon. .and theres one more. .but i cant think of it ..but i KNOW its not the F/A18. . .so when u fix that "move" the dispersal point to along the cockpit. .right behind. .above the air-in-take. and again i applogise for yelling b4 but your addon is great. .and if u dont want it to "fade out" put a flare system on. .i mena ll the ppl i talked to (great pilots of the OFP world) prtty much dont liek teh tornado. but still keep it for the flare system. .so be cool man. .ask g8. .and then use the flareson it m8 .. what good is having a missel warning system if theres nothing to defend urself?. .i mean thats liek saying "hey im gonna kill you you better run" and tyhen shooting a guy in teh head. .ya he got a warning. but no chance. .give us pilots a chance to fight another day!. . .give us the chance to turn around and say "MY TURN!" to the orginator of the aa missel give us a fighting chance!. .thats all i ask . . is a fighting chance. .give us flares.. (or at the very least if u want to be "orginal" give us chaff. .(shards of metal relaesd to provid the same function as a flare cept it attract radar guided missels rather then heat seekers. )

[Wonder 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">9. Canopy- I can definatly make it user controlled, not a problem.

<span id='postcolor'>

Have you considered my suggestion about making the canopy open automatically, when turning the engine off? To me it sounds like a good idea, because in ofp you can't enter or exit a plane with its engine running (unless ejecting). In other words you wouldn't be able to get in the aircraft when the canopy is closed.

[chris330 0]

Begging your pardon but I was just curious as to how you get model animations to cue on user inputs, such as through the command menu, or by use of the keyboard (say a truck's wheels turning left when you hit the left key). I could search for ages to find this out but I'm sure you chaps on this thread could answer this in about ten seconds!! I'd love to know how

[Hudson 0]

To tall you couldnt be more wrong about the location of the cannon on the hornet, just look at any picture ever taken of one...

[Hudson 0]

Wonder, I must have missed that. Sure I can use either a "getin" or "engine" eventhandler on the canopy script.

And I will send an email to colorchanger about the flares

[BlueFlight 0]

hey hudson, I have another idea for your hornet.

What´s about a target lock sound? I mean, if you have an air target is it possible to hear such a sound? (from AIM-9 etc.)

This would be very cool, what do you think?

[chaztheducky 0]

you could add the folding wings like on the a-6 intruder thats lurking aroud the fourms. it relly a rad feature

[Wonder 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (BlueFlight @ Jan. 09 2003,21:34)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">hey hudson, I have another idea for your hornet.

What´s about a target lock sound? I mean, if you have an air target is it possible to hear such a sound? (from AIM-9 etc.)

This would be very cool, what do you think?<span id='postcolor'>

Yeah! That sounds cool! I have to agree on that! By the way, you know when dogfighting with vulcan selected, the hornet's instrumenttation plays a high-piched beep and displays "Shoot" on the HUD whenever the Lead-Computing Optical Sight is on the target reticle. A lock-on sound could simulate that too. Altho you'd propably have to make a choise between a missile "Growl" (the missile lock-on sound is a low-pitched growl) and the guns "Beep". I'll vote for "Beep"!

[Harnu 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Wonder @ Jan. 09 2003,02:01)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Harnu @ Jan. 09 2003,01:54)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">What the hell is the "Flare System" that everyone wants on aircraft now!?  Do you just want to be able to drop flares or something?<span id='postcolor'>

Wake up and smell the coffee!

G8 team has invented countermeasures. Basically they're just slow rockets which block all projectiles coming from behind.<span id='postcolor'>

Oh you wimps Learn to fly and you won't need counter measures!!!!

hehe j/k. But cmon. That's kinda... dumb isn't it? I mean, most planes don't have that many missles anyway. Do you really need counter measures?

[peanuckle_00 0]

To the creator of this addon. If you could make not only flares, but also an animated jet stream like the A4 skyhawk redo, then this would be the top notch, hands down no beating it, king of air addons.

[Harnu 0]

Excatly how many flares does a flare system have? Do they protect from guns too or what?

[~Too Tall~ 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Harnu @ Jan. 10 2003,01:06)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Excatly how many flares does a flare system have?  Do they protect from guns too or what?<span id='postcolor'>

the average flare system. .really called an ECM (Electronic Counter Measures) carries 100 flares and 100 chaff. . and no its doesnt protect agaisnt bulltes. .its a 1000°F flare. .the same flare u shoot out of a gun. . thats all it is. .its mearly a flare. . taht it hotter. .or apperes hotter then the engie outlet to a heat seaking missel. .an the chaff is shards of metal that attract radar guided missels. .

[DpS 0]

COOOOOOOOOOOL PLANE, make it more PERFECT    Make more extra features with chaff and flares alarm system, and working hud....

[Harnu 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (~Too Tall~ @ Jan. 10 2003,01:24)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">6--></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Harnu @ Jan. 10 2003,016)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Excatly how many flares does a flare system have?  Do they protect from guns too or what?<span id='postcolor'>

the average flare system. .really called an ECM (Electronic Counter Measures) carries 100 flares and 100 chaff. .  and no its doesnt protect agaisnt bulltes. .its a 1000°F flare. .the same flare u shoot out of a gun. . thats all it is. .its mearly a flare. . taht it hotter. .or apperes hotter then the engie outlet to a heat seaking missel. .an the chaff is shards of metal that attract radar guided missels. .<span id='postcolor'>

100 flares what the hell. Fly not make the plane just plain invoulnerable? THats 100 missiles you can protect agasints. And the Chaff, okay 100 chaff. But I assume that means 100 small chaff particles in total? Which would only protect 1 missle? Well, it would more likely be able to protect agasin't another 100 lol.

[~Too Tall~ 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Hudson @ Jan. 09 2003,20:18)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">To tall you couldnt be more wrong about the location of the cannon on the hornet, just look at any picture ever taken of one...<span id='postcolor'>

ok it was the 14 that had it on the left side. . .not the 18. .then its the 18 and the a10 that are the only 2 fighters (in service today int eh US airforce and navy) that have centerd cannons. . .but still u gotta put the flare or chaf system in there. .thats the most important thing. .and if ur too afraid that g8 will flip out if u use thier flare system. .then instead of a flare use chaff

[~Too Tall~ 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Harnu @ Jan. 10 2003,01:33)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (~Too Tall~ @ Jan. 10 2003,01:24)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Harnu @ Jan. 10 2003,01<!--emo&)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Excatly how many flares does a flare system have?  Do they protect from guns too or what?<span id='postcolor'>

the average flare system. .really called an ECM (Electronic Counter Measures) carries 100 flares and 100 chaff. .  and no its doesnt protect agaisnt bulltes. .its a 1000°F flare. .the same flare u shoot out of a gun. . thats all it is. .its mearly a flare. . taht it hotter. .or apperes hotter then the engie outlet to a heat seaking missel. .an the chaff is shards of metal that attract radar guided missels. .<span id='postcolor'>

100 flares what the hell.  Fly not make the plane just plain invoulnerable?  THats 100 missiles you can protect agasints.  And the Chaff, okay 100 chaff.  But I assume that means 100 small chaff particles in total?  Which would only protect 1 missle?  Well, it would more likely be able to protect agasin't another 100 lol.<span id='postcolor'>

i didnt say they ALWYAS workd. .and since noone really studies real life and based their conclusions form a movie. .see the movie "behind enemy lines". . .after approx 8 flares and 2 chaff the missel still hit. .its not a gaurentee that u wont get hit. .its just safty layer. . . and the chaff. .each chaff is about 25 peices of metal. .im not 100% sure. .but its something like that

something to keep in mid to the creator

"The AN/ALQ-187 Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) System provides operationally proven internal ECMs.

The ALQ-187 airborne self-protect suite is a fully automatic countermeasures system that is integrated with internally housed radar warning and chaff/flare systems to provide tactical aircraft self-protection. The system detects and defends against surface-to-air missiles, anti-aircraft artillery and air-to-air interceptor weapons systems. It is mounted internally to eliminate drag and keep all external stations available for weapons or fuel.

The ALQ-187 allows for immediate incorporation of threat data and countermeasure technique files to automatically detect single or multiple-threat radars of the same or different technologies. It will counter pulse, pulse Doppler, or continuous wave ground-based shipborne or airborne emitters and uses advanced power management to ensure maximum jamming effectiveness.

The only fully integrated jammer on the F-16, the ALQ-187 readily adapts to the F/A-18, F-4, A-7, and other combat aircraft. "