Ohhh crap, what have I done? LOL
:shock:

Hi Don,

First off, you can call me by my surname: Snapper. There's a bunch of us with the same mom who named us all after her pet tortoise, ATAG, but fortunately we each had a different father. Mom was quite a gal in her day.

My guess is that you would be happier to stick with your modified Cougar since it has the Halls sensors like the Warthog, but probably has a smoother action near the center detent with your gimbal kit. I actually removed the huge center spring from my Warthog joystick (there's a You Tube how-to; very easily done) and utilized the four small inner springs to provide the centering action. Not perfect, but it's much, much easier to make fine aiming adjustments now.

All the control assignments in CoD are re-assignable, so you shouldn't have any trouble reproducing the majority of oft-used commands from 1946 to CoD.

Make sure you join us on ATAG's Teamspeak channel when (and you know you will :grin:) you log into the ATAG Server. As you can readily see, we're a HILARIOUSLY funny group of guys! :D

You got it Snapper, thanks for the feedback on the Warthog and info on the control mapping in CoD! I certainly would have hate to spend those kind of bucks on the Warthog and found it dissappointing in feel compared to my Cougar. While I was tempted, the reason I was not tempted even more is I just could not imagine getting a stick that actually felt not only as smooth as what I now have, but even better, and this thing has been rock solid and unchanged since I modded it all those years ago. In fact I have hall sensor in the throttle, and even in my Elite rudder pedals as well, just wish I had toe brakes.

Who knows, you may very well see me on your Teamspeak channel before too long, especially once I get this thing actually installed and start messing around with it.

Thanks again,

Good stuff, Don.

Actually, I go offline on a regular basis to evaluate different ammo loadouts/convergences, a change in my control assignments (an always-evolving process), or even just to practice side-on high deflection shooting attacks on cooperative friendly bombers. :). I always recommend those new to this sim to get their bearings in the heav(ier) workload cockpits in offline practice before heading online. The ATAG Server is "full switch"; meaning Complex Engine Management and Engine Temperature Effects are switched on in addition to almost all Realism features are turned on, likewise. (exception: anthromorphic controls are turned OFF)

We frequently get newcomers on the ATAG Server and it's a pleasure welcoming them onboard, especially if they've taken the time to install Teamspeak. We have full directions on how to quickly set it up here: http://theairtacticalassaultgroup.co...w-to-set-it-up!

We even have a separate channel for one-on-one cockpit training so two pilots can chat back-and-forth freely without hogging the "airwaves" of the regular channels. Actually, some of my most fun missions has been done from this channel as two of us head out over the English Channel as I give a "guided tour" of the local hotspots. One "student" even shot a 109 off my hapless tail -- much to his delight. How does it get better than that? LOL

Keep us posted on how things go.

Snapper

Will do and thanks again for all the great information. I think I mentioned I had surgery two days ago which is why I have some time right now, as soon as my pain subsides to a little more tolerable level I will install it and get going on it.

Now I am curious, I have seen you and others comment on how control assignments are such a long and tedious process, why is that - because there are so many and a large variety I assume?

long, yes.

This comes from a couple of things:-
alot of possible controls- both axes and buttons
different aircraft use different controls (and often in a different manner).

this tends to mean the best way is to have several ingame controls profiles designed for different aircraft so as you try different aircraft you keep (re)building controls.

You mention surgery, can i suggest (from experience) you keep the ability to use autopilot- then if it becomes uncomfortable you can let the computer take over for a while.

Anyway, you've got something to stop you going 'stir crazy' during your hopefully short recovery;)

Indeed, thanks for the tip and the feedback bolox!

Allright gang she is finally downloaded and installed!
I must admit, when the install process began and I got a message it was " repairing" my Net Framework 4, then had to reboot the pc when it completed that, I got a little nervous. I have always kept my Win 7 64 bit updated through windows update to include all net framework versions - at least all the ones that windows update offered.

All seems well though - the sim launched and took me to the main menu screen just fine. I took a quick look at some of the menu items, especially the controllers and realism menus, and it certainly can seem quite daunting. Looks like as has been mentioned I got some real work ahead of me. As I continue to improve on the pain level in my recovery I will get more into it. I think I will start in the meantime with some reading up of the faq here and some of the threads here to see what knowledge I can gain in the meantime...

Now, it is my understanding that since this is through Steam, my install after completed will already have all the updates that have been released and will be current?

I want to thank y'all again for all the help and feedback so far- it has certainly been a big help to me so far!

you should be current- will say"version 1.05.15950" bottom rhs of main menu screen if up to date.

Some reading is a good idea and there are some good video tutorials around.
One final bit of advice is to stick to one aircraft to learn on at first (109E-3 or Rotol Hurri would be my suggestions).
Then, when you are confident in that, start leaning other aircraft.

Yep just checked that is what my version number shows.
Thanks for the tip on aircraft to start out with - I will be sure I use one of those.

Thanks,