Aircraft towing vehicle

[Ninja_STO 0]

Just to start out, I myself am not an addon maker, not am I skilled at scripting yet. This is simply a topic that I wish to start to see if other players would also be interested in such an addon, and if so, are there any addon makers interested in taking up such a task.

My idea is simple, and I'm sure that MANY others have had the same idea. Since parked aircraft have no reverse abilities (as in real life), being able to move them is a pain. Who hasn't seen the need or desire to move an aircraft, such as out of or into a hangar, or even across the deck of an aircraft carrier? If my guess is correct, pretty much everyone has wished they had one.

So, this is where my topic starts. Many teams are making new objects such as camo nets, hardened aircraft shelters, and even aircraft carriers, all of which needs some kind of method to move the aircraft around with ease. And in most cases yes you can just drive out of them, but what about having to replace them in game? And what about being able to pull helos (simulated skid-wheels of course)?

The only trouble that I can think of having is how to make the object being pulled not stay in constant same facing as the tractor? Such as to simulate a hitch-and-tongue or pulling fork? Maybe this is possible, I don't know.

So, how many others really would like to see something like this? And do we have any good addon makers out there with some free time to give it a try? If an addon maker can't figure out the scripting, maybe some excellent scripters can team up with the addon makers to for a temporary project group? Good way to make some new friends

Please post here any comments, suggestions, or volunteer info. I'll also post some example pics to show people what I mean, for any that might not be familiar with them.

[Ninja_STO 0]

Ok. Here are a few pics of some Aircraft towing tractors. I will include both civilian and military, but other than paint schemes, they are pretty much the same.

If there are some interested people in making the addon, I can get plenty of pics including chassis and interior, what ever.

[itim_tuko 0]

At Conflict Zone Mindanao we have a model actually, but it needs to be imported into o2 and scripting and texturing. Futher we did plane a lot more of airport equipment.

If you are interested in helping give me a note .

[Trenchfeet 0]

Bratty has already done this

Just hes been real busy or else im sure he would have released it! he made the excellent towing script aswell.

theres proberly some sshots on his site

http://www.ofp.info/bratty/

[Bald_Maggot 0]

im interested in this idea.

I too find that having no reversed function on aircraft is a big problem for ofp. After spending much time on HAWKs Aircraft carrier i think that this would be a useful and well needed addition to OFP.

Another idea would be to make a pack that includes the tug, and three small versions of the refuel,rearm and repair trucks that can be used on the carrier instead of the huge land versions. Just a thought but you have my vote!

Morphine

[itim_tuko 0]

Yep - looks real good, but its more for WWII.

[waffendennis 0]

The falklands war mod made a functional AT but they will release it with the full mod.

[void_false 1]

Yeah! we really need it. It will make air missions much more realistic

[Ninja_STO 0]

What I am hoping for is a team/group/individual would actually be interested in making this addon seperate or part of an Air Support Pack. Having something part of a MOD in my opinion makes addons less desired, because many of us don't want to have to use an entire MOD just to get a single addon we like. Nothing against MOD's, I am just one of those people that don't like using them.

I do like the idea also of having more realistic rearm/refuel/repair vehicles specifically for aircraft. Looks a little funny having a 5T rearm an A-10, just not realistic. Having smaller and better vehicles modelled after real military support units would be great, and look like they would be much less work that more advanced vehicles. And I can get any info needed for this, such as block diagrams, photos, data sheets, etc.

I'm not a modeller or scripter myself, but I can help out other addon makers if they request it to help supply info on these vehicles. I know there are a LOT of modellers and texture guru's out there, and if any of them have some free time that they are interested in using to create some cool addons that the whole community will love, then please post here and we can get something started.

I know a few of you have mentioned that some have been done already, or are in the works. If you do know someone who has a headstart on something and just needs a little help, have them post here too. We can get people to work as a team and get these out to the public with ease. Everyone will be cheering you for it

[Ninja_STO 0]

In case anyone is interested in other types of ground support equipment for military applications, here is one example. There are many other kinds of equipment, but to keep it simple and allow any addons to be released easier, it might be best to first just concentrate on units with actual use such as rearming and repairing. Also for carrier operations, a smaller refuel unit would help.

Bomb Loader

Animation showing Bomb Loader lift

I will be taking a large collection of photos of actual US Air Force support vehicles in about a week or so, to allow people enough time to post here what they might want. I would also like any addon makers that are interested to please post here what views you need to best complete the equipment. Such as side views, front, back, top, controls, guages, etc.

If needed, I can even try and get you sound files of specific units, such as pump or hydraulic sounds. Just let me know and I'll try to get it.

[vektorboson 8]

This is a very interesting topic and the pictures are very good. I hope you keep them coming since I planned to create such a vehicle for my F-117/the ACES project anyway.

Btw. the ACES project is an air support addon, it will feature NATO and Eastern Block Weapon systems, a pilot model and some other goodies like stairs to enter your plane.

[-ZG-BUZZARD 0]

You know, I had already asked the Mapfact team to do some, and had even thought that someone should simply convert something existing, if doing it from scratch would be too arduous...

Try to

guess which

Game this

one is?

Now THIS is a game which doesn't even need something like that, yet still that exists... OFP is in DIRE NEED of aircraft servicing vehicles!!

[Ninja_STO 0]

In about a week or so I'll be hanging out with some USAF buddies, and will be getting a slew of photos that I hope can help some people with building some great addons.

To be able to make these kind of addons and release them as a pack, not as part of a MOD, would not only be of more interest for those that dislike full MOD's, but would allow for faster release as well.

Thanks for all the support and comments so far. And if anyone is interested in taking a try at making some, please PM or Email me and I'll get with you about what kind of pics you need to complete a project. This means that anyone interested has about one week left to submit requests for specific photos.

[-ZG-BUZZARD 0]

Needed airport vehicles:

1. Small Aircraft Tractor

2. Small Aircraft Rearmament vehicle

3. Realistic Aircraft Refuelling Truck

4. Airport cargo (small) vehicle(s)

5. Airport Crew & Passenger bus

6. Airplane boarding staircase vehicle

That about covers it

[Placebo 29]

[ig]http://hiinet.com/images/Loder_Ani.gif[/img] >100kb (by a long way)

If you're new you should read and remember the forum rules, they're pinned everywhere

[Ninja_STO 0]

Right now, the photos I will be taking are of USAF ground support equipment, pilots and pilot gear, and of the hangars. So if anyone needs a specific photo, message me and let me know what you need, I'll do my best to get it for you. Doesn't have to be oriented towards the support vehicles or crew, but that is my primary concern right now.

As for regular commercial aircraft stuff, I can get that too, but will be at a later date. Same airport, different area. Again, just let me know in PM or Email what you need. The trip to commercial area will be later date, maybe not for a month from now, not sure.

What would be great right now is to have some people interested post what they would like to try making. Instead of having 3-4 different teams making the same addon, maybe they can get together and pool their resources? This would make it easier and faster, and more people working on a project means more input ideas and suggestions.

Mostly what I am seeing requested are:

Bomb Loader

Weapons Transport Vehicle

Modern Ground Crew

Pilot Ladder/Stairs

Modern Refuel Truck

Aircraft Tractor

If anyone has already started work on one of these items and just needs good photos for textures, PM me with what you need too.

@Placebo

Sorry about that one, was low on sleep. I'll try to make that image as a viewable link instead.

[cbfasi 4]

We have have a push truck in the Falklands mod for some time, but as my ftp is currently down I cant show you the pictures.

No towing possible with it yet, but we havent even start to look at that, it just looks great sitting on the carrier decks(its fun to drive to, slow but very very manouverable)

[BraTTy 0]

Heyaz

Yes I have the planetug in progress...

Don't mean to go offtopic,but come to find out both my kids are deaf,I have moved and had lost internet for a bit,but I am back now.I haven't worked on the planetug in a bit.I have been furthering my programming skills (many thanx to Bis too!) so that I can work on some speech recognition stuff and childrens learning tools.

I still been tinkering with OFP stuff but sorta waiting for OFP2 at the same time.Can't say what I will complete for OFP at this time but I would be willing to help on some things and I am back with these forums so I can still give the written support that I have been giving.

The problem with the planetug is that setpos levels vehicles and alot of my planes are not level to start,so the towing script setpos routine would work well for planes that are already level (jets prolly)

But I was working along the lines of using setvelocity for some parts and maybe towing a platform,but thats along the lines of walking on moving vehicles that I never did finish mastering yet,but I know it can be done.Just has to do with keeping the vehicle/people active.

I am here for support and may get involved with a good addon

Sorry if I have disappointed anyone

[pzvg 0]

Family comes first man

FYI all: Bratty's plane tug may be from WWII, but they are still

in use the world over, the US Army still uses them.

[Sgt_Eversmann 1]

Brattys Towing Tracktor is OLD SKOOL

but very cool

[-ZG-BUZZARD 0]

Is it available somewhere???

[BraTTy 0]

No it isn't , but I could make it available.Possibly something I can do this weekend.

[BraTTy 0]

Ah well sor far I studied "cued speech",fixed 2 computers,among other things ..its been a busy weekend and I haven't been bored.

But I also decided that I can't release it without the towbars and such and presently it only tows my Corsair and like I said it has problems that it levels the plane and looks funny because my Corsair starts level then tips back like most planes do..

I could maybe modify it for a plane that stays level and it would work ok then,any particular plane that people would like to tow? (Hudson F18 comes to mind but not sure if its a level plane)

But I really don't like releasing any more unfinished addons

Maybe for private use if someone needs it

[ag_smith 0]

I could maybe modify it for a plane that stays level and it would work ok then,any particular plane that people would like to tow? (Hudson F18 comes to mind but not sure if its a level plane)

But I really don't like releasing any more unfinished addons

Maybe for private use if someone needs it

Yes, that F-18 is the most obvious choice.

Oh, and I think everybody needs it (I mean the tractor).

[-ZG-BUZZARD 0]

I could maybe modify it for a plane that stays level and it would work ok then,any particular plane that people would like to tow? (Hudson F18 comes to mind but not sure if its a level plane)

But I really don't like releasing any more unfinished addons

Maybe for private use if someone needs it

Yes, that F-18 is the most obvious choice.

Oh, and I think everybody needs it (I mean the tractor).

Well, why not the official planes for starters? At least EVERYBODY has those... others later?