4.13 development update discussion and feedback

[Pursuivant]

Originally Posted by ecosta

- Add radiator axis device link;

Keep in mind that some planes didn't have fine control for the radiator/cowling flaps. Some had fixed slider settings, others just had "open" and "closed" positions.

But, even if there's not axis-like control for radiators, a long-standing bug is that you can always cycle through the radiator control settings as if they were on a pivot rather than a slider, in a way that's unrealistic for the mechanical controls involved.

That is, you should only be able to go from 0-100% open (possibly in steps) and then back from 100-0%. Currently, you can go from 0-100% open (in steps) and then immediately back to 0%.

Originally Posted by ecosta

- Implement mixture axis;

Again, not all planes had the option of allowing infinite levels of control over mixtures. Some just had "lean" or "rich" options, and some had automatic mixture controls. This is well modeled in the game.

Originally Posted by ecosta

- Possibility to open map second monitor.

This is an interesting idea. What would make it more useful is the option of having a different point of view (not just full map view) on the second screen, so that you could say, get a sense of what your tailgunner sees. In any case, this option could be seen as an unfair advantage in online play, so should have the option of being disabled in server settings.

Currently, the map overlay slightly interferes with your vision in one way or another, which is, IMO, realistic, since pilots had to split their attention between flying the plane and looking down at a map on a knee pad if they wanted to navigate.

[Pursuivant]

A fun feature that would be extremely helpful for bombers and night fighters, would be the option of getting more functionality from the other crew members, in addition to just shooting or dropping bombs.

Most of these "role playing" or "housekeeping" functions don't require animation, just adding the appropriate options to the commands menu, and maybe a bit of programming.

All Crew

Can inform the pilot of damage to parts of the plane the pilot can't see, but which they can.

Can render first aid to wounded crewmen in their compartment rather than doing their main jobs.

Can extinguish cabin fires if hand-held fire extinguishers are available rather than doing their main job.

Can inform the pilot of the location of friendly and hostile planes WHEN ASKED (not just randomly calling off the positions of other planes in the sky like they do now.)

Bombardier:

Arms bombs - Realistically, this could take considerable amount of time and a bit of risk since the bombardier sometimes had to work on a narrow, cramped catwalk in the bomb bay.

Navigator:

Can inform you of your exact location, temporarily allowing the pilot to see names of map features, or the map, even when that information isn't normally available. (Realistically, there is also the possibility that the navigator is wrong, in which case you get the wrong names, and possibly even the wrong direction on the map!)

Once you have a location fix (correct or incorrect), you can request ETA to a particular location at a particular airspeed. Again, realistically, this information might be incorrect.

This same info could be obtained by any plane if you've got Ground Control Intercept.

Flight Engineer:

Can automatically trigger fire extinguishers to extinguish engine fires.

Can automatically shut down and feather props on damaged engines.

Can inform the pilot of rates of fuel or oil loss due to damage.

Can inform the pilot of remaining flight time before an engine will stop due to oil or fuel loss.

Can inform the pilot of engine overheat or overspeed problems.


Radio Operator:

Can communicate with friendly radar and GCI facilities.

Can report that the radio is damaged/destroyed/isn't working.

Can try to fix damaged or destroyed radio equipment (a small chance)

Can report jamming attempts.

Can send out SOS messages that increase the chance of rescue in campaigns, should the plane ditch at sea or in an unpopulated area.

Note that unless some other crewman can operate the radio, a dead or badly wounded operator means that the pilot loses all benefits of having a radio.

[Woke Up Dead]

Originally Posted by Pursuivant

A fun feature that would be extremely helpful for bombers and night fighters, would be the option of getting more functionality from the other crew members, in addition to just shooting or dropping bombs.

Most of these "role playing" or "housekeeping" functions don't require animation, just adding the appropriate options to the commands menu, and maybe a bit of programming.

All Crew

Can inform the pilot of damage to parts of the plane the pilot can't see, but which they can.

Can inform the pilot of the location of friendly and hostile planes WHEN ASKED (not just randomly calling off the positions of other planes in the sky like they do now.)

These two would be useful and maybe not too hard to implement since crews call out hostile planes already and all planes seem to have generally the same damage model. For example:

Command: Damage Report
Answer from crew: minor damage to outer left wing, missing left elevator

Command: Nearest Hostile Location
Answer from crew: Enemy fighter at 4 o'clock

[przybysz86]

I am not sure if possible but maybe lining pilot eyes camera to bank indicator.
It gives great effect in Lock On series.
Basically when bank is out of neutral (total G is not directly down) pilots head is banking to keep summary G pointing directly down (in relation to head).
It is pretty natural since if you try flying straight but with non-zero bank you will put your head to keep it straight related to what you feel and not to where cabin floor is.

obviously some limits are required as person cannot bank head more than let's say +/- 90 degs but also I have not seen bank indicato that goes that far so still coupling camera to bank indicator should work.

[stugumby]

Was just thinking about the upcoming ordinance camera, wonder how it will track a torpedo and the circling torpedoes? sea level? 100m?

[ddr]

i downloaded the 4.13 guide, and i'm only at page 2... thank you very very much to TD and all involved!! great job!

edit: ... pe-2 bombardier position...new official campaign... uprising '44... tobruk map... wow!

[Pursuivant]

Useful information on fires and fire suppression systems in aircraft:

http://www.nist.gov/el/fire_research.../Chapter-2.pdf

Mostly applicable to post-WW2 aircraft, but some discussion of WW2 era technology, and plenty of explanation and diagrams on where and how fires start on aircraft. The section on ballistically-induced fires is most relevant to the game.