Military AI Works

I was thinking, with all of the retro models comming out lately, it would be interesting to try to create a world around one specific timeframe. For me the era around 1990 was the most interesting. It was a transition time for many of the worlds militaries, with older aircraft still operating, but the newer aircraft also comming online. There was a wide variety of paint schemes as well. The navy was only beginning to transitition to the low-vis grey on its tactical aircraft. The USAF also had several different colorschemes going as well.

What do you guys think?

You wouldn't be the first Matt; I can only speak for myself, but I have one FS9 setup specifically for retro traffic as at April 1st 1990, although obviuously there has to be some give and take.
It was just before GW1, a couple of years before the Royal Air Force changed from what I grew up with, not to mention the fall of the wall and communism in eastern Europe. It was definitely an evocative time for me, and to go back to it every now and again is nice. Plus there are the models now that we didn't have a few years back (F-111, Lightning, Skyhawk, etc etc etc plus more on the way) so putting all that stuff together that people have worked many hours over makes sure that the memories I had stay alive - at least in the fabricated world of sim.

EDIT:
Some of the scenery creation that is taking place at the moment is tremendous, plus there are a few out there that are dated, but you have to look for those.

1990 is my choice too for all the reasons you gave. The majority of my paints are for that year.

Chris

For me it would be the mid 80's for the following reasons. LOTS of nicely painted F-4's both USN and USAF. Tornadoes EVERYWHERE .
CF104's and 101's and finally, FBeez.

I agree with sr01; the early/mid 80's is the era for me as far as the RAF is concerned; it was still a time when Vulcans (please, please, Mr Young, make this your next project closely followed by the Bucc and then, after a cup of tea, the Mighty Hunter) Jags, F-4s, Harriers, Victors, Buccs, JPs and Hawks could be seen on the same day on the same apron on a certain station in Oxon with F-111s and KC-135Es going through on practise approaches.

Hunter has already been done.

delbydoo wrote:Hunter has already been done.

... and how well it was done!

I think what Blackcat means is that he is of talking about the days when the RAF had an ASW capability. The Nimrod, along with two long forgotten RAF stations Kinloss and St. Mawgan.

It was such a long time ago that it is easily forgotten.

Ah yes, I see where he's coming from now

I'm going for mid 1980s too, great selection of a/c and squadrons then with a big USAF presence in Europe.

I like the traffic ´specially from the late 40´s to the 80´s. And it doesn´t matter if it´s from east or west.

Cheers, Arne

For me early/mid 1980's is the best period : many aircratft are still in use (F-106, F-5 for USAF, RAF Lightning, French Air Force Mirage III, F-1 as new models are beginning ther operational life (Tornado F3, Mirage 2000). As contribution for this retro world i will realise repaints (ACG AI model) for about fourteen Douglas C-47 of french navy 56S squadron based at BAN Nimes -Garons (LFTW) in early 1980's.

I have been looking into this very same thing, however I was looking at doing MAIW circa 1960!

I have a FS9 install that has the Silver Wings mod. Propliner heaven! I Also have B-50's C-97's and a bunch of other period aircraft, but as I have no idea how to program AI, nor can I build 3-d models it has only been a dream.

Here is the Silver Wings link. http://www.simviation.com/fs2004scenery70.htm

Nice to know a few others out there are interested in a Marty McFly version!

One of these afternoons when the weather is crap outside, I will convert the KC-135E over to the early A and later A models for you retro folks to use.

Somebody likes your idea, Mike.

I see that. The real early A model has a different tail, looks a little weird compared to the others.

These guys will need a really, really dark smoke effect for the A model version.

I am sure that it can be arranged.

Steve, speaking of dark smoke effects, you might be able to kill two birds with one stone. I've been experimenting with my AI Vulcan to get a dark smoke on take-off. At the moment I'm using Nicks 747 smoke as a "light" to emit a heat shimmer when the engines are running. That sort of works for take-off smoke particularly with 4 engines but it needs to be more dramatic. What I tried to do was convert the file to an "afterburner" (strobe) effect file with delay and lifetime values. I got part of the way and although the smoke travelled with the aircraft, it was pinned to the ground and just made a long plume of ever increasing length. The intention was to try and darken the smoke had I got a bit further. Could you possibly help with this one please?

John

No problem, John.

I shall see what I can do for you. Just send me details of what you were using, what you have done and what you were trying to do and I will see what I can come up for you.