Weekday Clod Night

[DD_Fenrir]

Gents,

 

CloD is the most playable it has ever been thanks to the new TF patch and I'd like to spend more time in it, particularly in multiplayer and with some fellow Dogz stacked around me.

 

Thus it is that I propose Monday or Wednesday night be allocated CloD night - for me this means probably having to give up my Tuesday night co-op attendance but will at least not clash with FT or Painless' Il-2 parties.

 

For the moment it would likely be jumping on an existing server; many are well populated and have well structured missions, at least until I figure out the mission editor and more pertinently the new powerful tools available therein, and also what kind of mileage my rig will provide in terms of bandwidth and power for the not insignificant task of hosting.

 

So gents my question is this - if you are willing and able to participate which night would mean a higher probability of your being able to attend - Monday or Weds?

[FoolTrottel]

Yes, would like to attend.

 

Prefer the wednesday...

 

(Good idea this...   )

[DD_Arthur]

Yes please Sir.  Wednesday please Sir.

[Faustnik]

wednesday would be great!

[Snacko]

Would like to attend sometimes, but I can't do Wed.  But majority rules, and we can always fly on Mon too..

[Pooka]

I'd like to try this just because its been taking up space on my computer for so long.  Weds would be fine.

[fruitbat]

I was going to start a thread like this myself, but you beat me to it Tom.

 

Wed night sounds great, i'm in.

[rox]

I'm good with either so wed is ok.

[Jabo]

Either, but Wednesday's probably better for me. Guess I need to go reinstall the game.

[APHill]

You can count me in on  Wednsdays. Just give me a shout when you all start.

[fruitbat]

I want to do it again tomorrow for sure.

 

was good fun lastweek.

[FoolTrottel]

I would like to try and show up this time.

[DD_Arthur]

From last weeks tales of the unexpected;

 

 

 

 

 

 

[DD_Fenrir]

It must be said that Mr Arthur does take some exceedlingly good screenies... lovely work sir.

[DD_Arthur]

If only I knew my way around Kent and how to put up high res screenies............................................... 

[DD_Fenrir]

I shall be online at 2030 BST and headed straight for the ATAG Server - if you care to join your company will be delightfully appreciated.

[Rattler]

Can you put a link to patching this for a Steam version? Is there any difference in patching? I haven't gotten into it yet - pretty steep control setup curve, and I haven't been interested yet...

 

I wouldn't mind a go once in awhile. I'm going to try to get a couple of hours in on weekends again.....see you, chaps!

[fruitbat]

Steam will update it to the latest official version automatically. Then you need to download and install the TeamFusion mod from here,

 

http://dangerdogz.com/forums/files/file/718-atag-mod-installer/

 

plus a hotfix from here,

 

http://theairtacticalassaultgroup.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=100

 

job done.

[DD_Arthur]

This week we 'ave mostly bin' flyin' the 'Urricane.  Oo-arr!

 

 

 

 

 

A.P. Hill makes his first online kill in CoD

 

[APHill]

 

 

Great screenies Arthur, They look suitable for framing!

[Snacko]

Oh goodie!

 

Church cancelled Wed night dinner this week.  I can fly Clod!

[DD_Arthur]

Team Fusion patch 4.00 on schedule for release tomorrow (Friday).  Complete readme for patch;

 

Aircraft

* Added aircraft:
Bf-109E-1B
Bf-110C-2
Bf-110C-4N
Bf-110C-4NJG (Nightfighter)
Bf-110C-7 Late
BlenheimMkIF (non flyable)
BlenheimMkINF (non flyable nightfighter)
BlenheimMkIVF
BlenheimMkIVNF (Nightfighter)
HurricaneMkI-NF (Nightfighter)
Sunderland with bomber capacity (non flyable)
* Corrected Revi C12/C and C12/D (Bf 109 E-4/B, Bf 110 C-7) reticle to full size in german aircraft (move foreward)
* Corrected light switch position in german aircraft
The white arrow now points to "Aus" when off
* Aircraft reflections
You will still get a less reflective aircraft when setting the weathering to 100%, but the difference between 0% and 100% is no longer huge and even the 100% weathered plane will reflect light and the environment to some extent.
The axis aircrafts are slightly more reflective/glossy compared to allied ones as we are led to believe this to be historically correct.
* Reflection on Aircraft Glass scratches and imperfections added.

Bf 110:

* Corrected the RPM gauge to the historic RPM gauge(FL-20286-3) and set the d/30'/5' (or 1-2') marks to the correct position

Ju 88:

* Fixed JU88 crash when moving to bombsight view.

SINGLE ENGINE FLIGHT MODELS (FMs)

Stall modelling Changes

1) 109 Stall Characteristics adjusted. 109 Stall now more benign, instead of 'snapping and dropping a wing' at the point it enters stall, the aircraft 'mushes' into stall and unless pushed very hard, simply loses altitude without noticeable loss of aileron control, wing drop or spin. This more closely reflects historical tests. Aircraft does not turn better, simply when entering stall, flight effects are different.
2) Spitfire Stall Characteristics adjusted. Spitfire stall now displays more extreme 'Snap and wing drop' characteristics if pushed too far, especially in high speed stall situations, as per historical descriptions. Number of rotations required to exit spin adjusted to reflect historical tests. Again, turn capability not affected, players who 'ride' the edge of the stall will see the same turn performance.
3) Hurricane Stall Characteristics adjusted. Number of rotations required to exit spin adjusted to reflect historical testing.
4) 110 Stall Characteristics adjusted. At the stall, it now shows less of a tendency to drop a wing or enter a spin, as per historical testing. Turn capability is unchanged.

High Speed Maneuver

All aircraft react more slowly to control inputs at higher speeds, whether in lateral (rolling) maneuver or longitudinal. (elevator responsiveness) These effects vary from aircraft to aircraft, depending on the historical characteristics. 

109's

Pilots will notice gradual reduction in aileron response beginning at approximately 320 kmh. At 600 plus kmh full aileron will only provide limited response. Elevators see a reduction beginning at approximately 400kmh continuing to close to terminal speeds when full back elevator provides only very incremental pitch change.

Spitfire

Spitfires roll rates at high speed follow a very similar pattern to that of the 109's, with a slightly slower decrease from a slower starting point, with both aircraft responding similarly at speeds over 600kmh/400mph. The Spitfire elevator remains effective right up to high speeds, but pilots need to be cautious as the early Spitfire high speed characteristic of being able to pull more G's with elevator inputs than the airframe can sustain is a critical factor to balance against attempts to turn that little bit tighter. Wing loss can easily result from ham handed efforts.

Hurricane

The Hurricane sees a slower reduction in aileron effectiveness at high speeds, with elevator response falling between the Spitfire and 109. There is a potential for structural damage, (less than the Spitfire) if pilots are unwary or overly aggressive with the Hurricane elevator.

Low Speed Roll rates

Based on very careful examination of the historical documents, 109 roll rates at low speeds are improved in relation to Spitfire, and especially to Hurricane. Players will notice a distinct advantage in this type of maneuver for the German fighter.

Overheating Characteristics

All aircraft's overheat characteristics have been adjusted to better reflect the historical accounts. Aircraft will now be more likely to overheat at altitudes under 3000 meters/10,000 feet, players can no longer run full open throttle at sea level almost indefinitely. Conversely, aircraft are less likely to overheat at higher altitudes especially over 6000 meters/20,000 feet.

109 Climb and Supercharger Full Throttle Heights

All 109 climb profiles have been adjusted to reflect more historically accurate performance at lower and very high altitudes. Players will see more performance at low altitudes, less performance at high. Overall climb times to ceiling are the same.

All 109 Supercharger Full Throttle Heights have been reduced to historical levels. In TF 3.0 and TF 3.01 FTH's were elevated higher than those which were provided by the actual superchargers to allow the game's 109's to reach close to their historical ceilings. However, improvements in TF's understanding of the game systems has allowed a reduction in FTH without a loss of ceiling or climb. This change also allows for more historical overheat patterns at high altitudes and the use of higher rpms over 6000 meters as per historical. (see below)

All of these changes will improve the historical accuracy of the Sim, as well as making both Red and Blue side aircraft closer in performance and more competitive against opposing types at all Altitude levels.

109 RPM limits over 6000 meters

In the Fall of 1940, the Luftwaffe issued a notification regarding RPM limits for the DB601A and DB601N engine in use over 6000 meters. Pilots were authorized to raise the RPM limits to the following:

DB601A: 2600 rpm over 6000 meters (109E-1, E-1B, E-3, E-3B, E-4, E-4B)

DB601N: 2800 rpm over 6000 meters (109E-4N)

There is an indication these limits were already in use by Geschwader pilots prior to the official announcement, in any case, pilots can use them at any point during the campaign. Pilots should use caution and ensure overheating does not occur when using high rpms.

109E-4N

In TF 3.0 and TF 3.01, the E-4N was limited to 1.35ata, based on reports indicating the DB601N engine was de-rated by the Luftwaffe for maintenance reasons. However, it seems the time period of this ratings is not conclusively known, and it is quite likely the de-rating happened after the battle was over.

Further research has also indicated the TF 3.0/3.01 E-4N performance was overrated, the climb and speed performance were not achievable with the reduced power settings seen with that aircraft.

In the interest of providing a more accurate FM, but also a competitive aircraft for the Blue side which can match up with the Spitfire IIA, the E-4N now has 1.42ata WEP power enabled as well as the increased climb rate setting. The E-4N also has a more critical window for overheat modelling, so pilots should exercise caution and use appropriate radiator settings when using WEP power or Accelerated Climb settings.

This new E-4N model is now modelled as accurately as research and available documents can provide.

New Power Settings:

30 minute climb: 1.25ata/2400rpm
10 minute Accelerated climb: 1.35ata/2400rpm
5 minute rating: 1.35ata/2600rpm
WEP power 1 minute rating: 1.42ata/2600rpm

Rudder Trim default setting adjusted

All 109's have their rudder trim set to historical default position. This gives normal trim at 344 kph in level flight. (previously the original game 109's had been set to 510 kph for normal trim)

Spitfires and Hurricanes have their rudder trims also set to default.

Hurricane Flight Model

The Hurricane's Flight Model and Engine performance has been extensively revised with changes to the climb pattern, (although times to altitude remain similar) and its stall pattern, turn and roll. Initial turn rate has been reduced, but sustained turn is improved. All of these changes should make the aircraft more competitive, especially at higher altitudes.

There is also a Night Fighter version of the Hurricane Mk I Rotol 100 octane introduced.

Fiat G-50

The Fiat G-50 has its Climb, Roll rate and High Speed Maneuverability revised. The G-50 was under-modelled in particular in climb rate in TF 3.0/3.01 but now has a sustained climb to 3000 meters which is superior to the Hurricane.

Tiger Moth

The Tiger Moth has its Engine, Speed, Climb, Maneuver and Overheat characteristics revised to model more closely the delightful acrobatic trainer which the real aircraft was, one which pilots like "Buzz" Beurling loved to stunt in when not on Ops.

TWIN ENGINE FIGHTER FLIGHT MODELS

Blenheim IVF

Blenheim high speed maneuver and overheat characteristics revised.

Two new flyable models introduced:

Blenheim IVF: This is the standard Day fighter, with under-nose gunpod of four .303's.
Blenheim IVNF: Night fighter version of the above.

Bf-110's

All Bf-110's have had their High Speed Maneuverability, Roll, Climb and Overheat revised to better reflect the historical record.

Four new models are introduced:

110C-2: This is the earlier version of the C-4, lighter, but less well protected with armour. It operated in the spring and summer of 1940.
110C-4N: This is a C-4 equipped with the DB601N engine, the same as equips the 109E-4N. The 110C-4N operated from approximately October of 1940.
110C-7 (late): This is a 110C-7 with WEP power enabled, as well as Auto Prop Pitch control. This aircraft operated in the Fall of 1940
110C-4 NJG: This is a standard C-4 with Night fighter colour scheme.

OTHER TWIN ENGINE TYPES

BR20

The BR20 has revised Climb, Maximum Speed, Overheat and High Speed Maneuverability. It has Level bombing autopilot enabled.

High Speed Maneuverability

The following Twin and Four engine bomber or attack types have their High Speed Maneuverability revised:

Heinkel 111H/P
Ju-87
Ju-88A
Dornier 17/215
Wellington
Sunderland
FW-200
Beaufighter
Blenheim
Walrus

Blenheim Bomber

Blenheim Bomber has autopilot added and default aileron trim adjusted.

DAMAGE MODELLING

Overall, damage changes were meshed with Weapons changes to create a better synthesis of values. In most instances, twin engine bombers were strengthened. In combination with weapons changes, it will now be more difficult for players to shoot down enemy bombers in the numbers seen in the Vanilla game. Players will also notice far fewer pilot kills from the dead six o'clock position. Historically, except for 20mm AP rounds, most ammunition of the era was incapable of piercing multiple layers of single engined fighters aluminum and armour, or the heavier aluminum structures of bombers. 

Single Engine Fighter Aircraft

Single Engine Fighter aircraft have had the most attention paid to their damage models. Based on known construction details, the 109's, Spitfires, Hurricanes were very extensively revised to better reflect the level of durability of each aircraft. In the case of the Hurricane, the aircraft was generally strengthened. In the case of the Spitfire, it was brought down to a more realistic durability level. The 109's values remained much the same, but changes were made to sections where the original game undervalued or excessively strengthened the structures. The Fiat G-50 was subject to fewer changes, as information on this aircraft is less available and still being accumulated.

Twin Engine Fighters

Both the Blenheim and Bf-110s saw reductions in their overall structural strength, but increases in the durability of the engine mounts and the engines themselves.

Twin Engine Bombers and Attack Aircraft

Changes to Bombers and Attack Aircraft was generally in the form of strengthening their engines and engine mounts. The Vanilla game exaggerates the ability of players to damage engines or shoot the engines off these types, in fact these were some of the strongest structures in these aircraft. The only aircraft in this category to see large scale changes to other areas was the Heinkel 111H/P, which sees the vanilla game's immense structural values brought down to more reasonable levels.

VEHICLES AND ARTILLERY

Players now can man some of the various vehicles and artillery/Flak in the game. Unlike the Aircraft in the game, the same level of detailed accuracy is not possible at this point, (although the game would allow us to develop very sophisticated vehicles if we chose) so our decision at this point in time was to focus on playability. The vehicles and guns are a way for players to relax and take a break from the sometimes intensely serious business of flying one of CoD's aircraft, and just have fun. They can also be incorporated into online scenarios in a way which can add excitement and interest. Players should understand they are a work in progress and not finalized by any means.

At this point, vehicles and artillery are really only useable in multi-player online gaming.

The following types are enabled:

Vehicles

German

Sdkfz 251/A Halftrack
Sdkfz 222 Armoured Car
Pz Mk IIC Light Tank
Pz Mk IIIF Medium Tank
Pz Mk 38T Medium Tank (captured Czech)
Pz Mk IVD Heavy Tank

French

Somua S-35 Medium Tank
Char 1 Bis Heavy Tank

British

Guy Mk IA Armoured Car*
Vickers Mk VIC Light Tank*
Valentine Mk I Medium Tank
Matilda IIA Heavy Tank

*Work in progress vehicles, currently have gunsight bugs

Flak/Artillery

Bofors 40mm AAA
Zwillingssockel Twin 7.92mm AAA
Flak 30 20mm AAA
Flak 32 88mm AAA
3 Inch AAA
105mm Artillery

All vehicles and artillery have had the AI engagement ranges reduced to allow the players to compete against the AI with the limited gunsights currently available.

Many of the vehicles have had their armour values modified, and the weapons penetration and effectiveness has also been adjusted to better balance the sides. As it stands now, without these changes, the heavier French and British vehicles would have very significant advantages which would be difficult to overcome. Until we can enable some of the less effective and more numerous French and British types, we have to take this step. Players will still find the French and British heavy tanks to be superior, but this is balanced by the better Ground attack capability of the German aircraft in the game.

DEFAULT AI PILOT SKILL LEVELS

With the changes to the high speed maneuverability of the games aircraft, this has also introduced a problem for the AI aircraft. The changes result in a tendency to 'Lawndart' or crash during landing.

To counter this, the AI default skill levels have been adjusted to allow the non-human pilots to better manage their aircraft.

The skill levels for 'Rookie', 'Average', 'Veteran' and 'Ace' have all been changed. Missions which were constructed prior to the changes in TF 4.0 will automatically have the default skills of the pilots in those missions changed to the new standards. Custom skill settings are unaffected.

It is recommended that Mission Builders use the new default skill levels whenever possible to avoid unnecessary AI loss.

We do expect in the future to examine the element of AI in the game in more detail.

General

* Searchlights
The searchlight will work the first time you run a night time mission. After that you will need to restart the sim to fly another one, or the search beam will simply not be visible. It's a very hard bug to crack and we didn't make it for this release.
* Fixed the excessive lighting of the bulkhead behind Instrument panel when cockpit lights/ gunsight are switched on.
* Altered the transparency of windscreen/ gunsight glass for the Hurricane NF version so it does not 'black out' in low light levels (night) 
If flown in daytime this will look slightly too transparent but makes night interceptions possible.
* ASI is changed to correct 700Kmh type, not the later 900kmh version .
Some variations of ATA gauge types in different models
FL numbers and manufacturers markings added.
*British303_B_Mk6z "DeWilde" round changed from an explosive to incendiary round to reflect historical properties. It now contains a thermal delivery of ammonium nitrate that will ignite on contact making a flash and penetrates white hot into the target.
================================================== ==============
* Added a Teamspeak interface to the in-game windows. Hopefully this can solve some of the issues with the notifier.
To use it:
1.- Copy the "CLOD TeamSpeak Integration PluginXX.dll" to your TS plugins folder and enable it in TS.
2.- In any in-game window, edit the properties and add the "TeamSpeak" tool.

The tool allows to choose seeing only those talking or every one on the channel.

Since the plugin can stop working with new TS versions, users should check the TF site for new updates.
* Added an in-game window tool to show the heading when driving a tank.
* Artillery selection screen will now show the grid location of each gun.
================================================== ==============
* Pic of your loved one
This mod is turned off by default. To select a picture to use go to the folder [my documents]\1C SoftClub\il-2 sturmovik cliffs of dover -MOD\DashPics
Here you will find the following folders:
* Selected -the mod will use the pic named "1.tga" from this folder (PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE THIS FOLDER EMPTY WITHOUT A "1.tga" FILE)
* Templates -some "stock" pictures. To use one, copy it to the "Selected" folder and rename it to "1.tga".
This folder also includes a photoshop template. If you do a coustom picture, please note that you need to edit the alpha layer as well (included in the template) and the picture MUST be in tga format.
================================================== ==============
* Corrected available ammunition for German 20mm MG FF and MG FF/M to match historical records:
MG FF:
-Sprenggranate L'spur m.Zerl (134g AP round with small HE payload, with tracer and self destruction)
-Panzergranate L'spur (134g AP with tracer)
-Panzergranate (134g AP)

MG FF/M:
-Panzergranate (115g AP)
-Panzerbrandgranate Phosphor o.Zerl (115g AP/I without self destruction)
-Panzersprenggranate L'spur m.Zerl (115g AP with small HE payload, with tracer and self destruction)
-Brandsprenggranate L'spur m.Zerl (115g HE/I with tracer and self destruction)
-Brandgranate L'spur o.Zerl (115g I with tracer without self destruction)
-M-Geschoss m.Zerl (92g HE with self destruction)

Please note that;
1. the change of the "Panzerbrandgranate" with "Panzergranate" is purely a name change as it was a pure AP round even in "vanilla Clod".
2. we removed the "Panzerbrandgranate (Elektron)" and filled it's place with the "Panzersprenggranate" since there is no reason to keep both the "Phosphor" and "Elektron" variants of this round (The game engine can't model the "Elektron's" historical payload of elektronthermit)
================================================== ==============

Maps

* Winter map
* Autumn map
* English Channel Summer alternative map re-texture.
* Clip maps re-texture for map beyond distance Lod.
* Spectral horizon lod changed for distant buildings.
* Removed Yellow Lod bug on buildings at night.
* Removed building lights at night.
*Tree Color changed
* Bomb Craters texture changed.
* Bomb Craters added to FMB for mission creation.
* Vertical grass textures re-textured.
* Runways and taxiways re-textured.

New Missions

* Night time intercept over London mission. Blenheim and Hurricane NF intercept of single bombers. 
* Dawn Patrol-defense of invasion barges over Boulogne against multiple RAF bombers. 110 NF version (airstart) and a 109 (scramble). Use flak and searchlights to find targets.

Skins

* Historical markings for all marks of the bf 109. Historical paint schedules for the different stages of BoB will be supplied as separate downloads.

BF 110:

* Added NJG 1 to the Zerstoerer/Destroyer selection menu with a skin for each Staffel
Warning: the installation of the hakenkreuz mod will cause a failure with the balkenkreuz (swastika instead of crosses)
 

and the promo video too!

 

http://vimeo.com/77082835#

[DD_Fenrir]

[Snacko]

I like flying CLod when I can get into a plane.  But the interface to launch a multiplayer mission is just confusing.  Do you think they will ever be able to change the way they build and launch multiplayer missions?  Until they do that I don't see us playing it much.  What do you think?

[DD_Arthur]

Snacko, I can't really see us adopting CoD in the same way as we have IL2 1946 for the reasons you post above.....and I can think of a few more.

 However, from an online point of view this new Team Fusion patch V.4.00 seems to have overcome many of the previous complaints.

 

You no longer need a super computer to run it, the LoD problems have been fixed, they've even managed to put a proper zoom function in now which is a first for a Maddox Games product and I've put about ten hours into it since Friday during which I've flown on a full server - 100 planes - with no warping and no game crashes..................so far.

 

I'll be on t/s on Wednesday nights at 9 p.m. BST if anyone is interested as this thing still has a great deal of the Wow! factor in it and really needs to be flown with a wingman or four to get the best out of it.

 

If you have CoD then these are definately worth a watch;

 

http://theairtacticalassaultgroup.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5058&p=52711

 

and this for the installation of patch 4.00;

 

http://theairtacticalassaultgroup.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6313

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77gEfnvU_eI