NICE - NightIntruder's Creations Expanded [Vietnam] - S.O.G.Prairie Fire

NICE - NightIntruder's Creations Expanded [Vietnam]

NightIntruder

I was suggested to do so, so here we go - some development insights and WIP pics. Please, do not expect me to go through the explanations of how I do things. It's rather to bring your attention to the topic of unofficial Vietnam modifications of mine and how it's intended to blend into the world of SOGPF. And by "mine" in most cases I mean the simple port of someone else's work who will be credited in the readme of the published addon, or here if that's what the license/agreement says. So, whatever will be shown here, have a great chance to be released in the future.
I do sometimes improve a model's mesh, create a new one and make a texture from a scratch or using paint kit. By no means you can describe my work as "professional" or "payware" quality and in most cases what you're gonna see on pictures is, in fact, the others' work (authors of original model and textures), so you better praise the original authors than me. I hope it clarifies the problem I try to remind subscribers on my YT channel, quite often.

PS. I just asked for the removal of the old thread in S5 section as redundant.

NightIntruder

USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31)

This one is my latest attempt to have Nam-era aircraft carrier. This is work of author named Karla. I just ported it according to a license and added scripts I was given by TeTeT from the old version of Nimitz source material, with permission from JDog as well. This ship by no means is close to the fidelity or complexity of Nimitz. It's just barely landable, drivable deck with working two catapults, quite simple model easy on FPS. I haven't been able to implement the arresting gear and working IFLOLS for unknown reasons, there's issue with lights as well, so still WIP. I,m not gonna implement hangar deck nor any interiors, as the original model is lacking of such features. So, the only goal is to have historically correct ship allowing you to land at, service aircrafts and take off of the ship. Possibly, some deck tractors may be added later to the five I already have.

You can read more about the real thing, here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Bon_Homme_Richard_(CV-31)

TeTeT

Great! On the arresting gear, I can take a look if you want. On ILFOLS, not sure you can use anything but PIP for it for real.

NightIntruder

Brilliant! Thanks a lot, mate 🙂 I will send the package your way, soon. I think there is a problem with scripts rather than with misplaced mem points part, as runway lights are working and so are CATs.
Regarding the IFLOLS, I haven't decided yet which way to go. PIP is a very elegant way of presenting that helper for pilots. I was thinking about some new solution, different from the old "real" one I was trying on HMS Victorious. I hope we will discuss it later when I test my idea.
Cheers!

NightIntruder

C-130B Hercules

It's my attempt to have the LAPES working, which was the type of delivery of goods extensively used by US during the Khe Sanh siege. What prevented me from complete this one was the lack of animation skills to properly animate the drag and main parachutes of the drop system. It also features a couple of my re-textures of the BI's C130 from Arma2, among other minor things. I have it in two versions - both pax and cargo transportation. It surely needs to be remodeled or remapped for texture, as currently, the UV maps are of the mirror type for wings and the fuselage.
Map of Khe Sanh and its assets by the UNSUNG dev team.

NightIntruder

Many broken wings there, huh? 😉

Phantoms by SDG, the Skywarriors and the Skyrider by UNSUNG, the rest of the addons created by me based on other people's work, including two paid models. C2, E2 and F4s will be replaced by C1A, E1B and F8s, respectively, as I wasn't able to find a confirmation the former ones were operating from the Essex-class CVAs (unlike the Midway-class CVAs). The CVA31 doesn't shine like SDG's assets or the Nimitz and isn't ready either, but with TeTeT's help, it will be useable hopefully :-) The dev work is now much further than it was two days ago, thanks to him.

PS. Oh, the S2F is gonna get USN camo, instead of Argentinian Armada. It's already there, just haven't configured it properly. Also, Tracker won't be useable in NAM scenarios, to be honest, so I gave it the lowest priority when it comes to improvements it needs.

DarkSnake

Beautiful , When i see this work , i have a multiple idea for big Scenario 😅

NightIntruder

DarkSnake wrote:
a multiple idea for big Scenario 😅

This is exactly what fuels my motivation to work on everything ARMA-related - scenarios with a large number of players and atmospheric battlefield.
Anyway, having permission kindly given by Milton Shoupe for his whole "T" series ca. 2014, I finally started porting his great E-1B Tracer today and will finish it in 1-3 days, hopefully.

DarkSnake

NightIntruder wrote:
This is exactly what fuels my motivation to work on everything ARMA-related - scenarios with a large number of players and atmospheric battlefield.
Anyway, having permission kindly given by Milton Shoupe for his whole "T" series ca. 2014, I finally started porting his great E-1B Tracer today and will finish it in 1-3 days, hopefully.

😲 Who Budy !! Is amazing , For Recon Mission simulation !! i can't wait this baby !! thank you for your hard work !

NightIntruder

In the meantime, I tweaked the S2F3 config to make US Navy's liveries available. Then I started looking for a VS Det painting for Bon Homme Richard just to realize no anti-submarine squadrons were stationed on the CVA31 between 1965 and 1970 during its 5 Vietnam combat tours. 😕
Ref: US Navy Cruise Books - Aircraft Carriers
Therefore, the correct composition of the BHR's ACAG would be A-4s, A-1s, C-1, A-3/KA-3/EKA-3s, E-1Bs, F-8s, RF-8s, SH-2s*. // * - not made yet

DarkSnake wrote:
😲 Who Budy !! Is amazing , For Recon Mission simulation !! i can't wait this baby !! thank you for your hard work !

Actually, the E-1B Tracer was AEW & C2 asset, much like contemporary E-2C Hawkeye. I was rather thinking about giving it a sensor against air targets only as it had the Hazeltine AN/APS-82 radar with AMTI (Airborne Moving Target Indicator) mode only. To simulate the recce component of the USN, you will get a photographic reconnaissance version of the F-8 Crusader, and perhaps EKA-3 would have some "radiation scan" function to scan the ground against radar and radio emissions from various sources, maybe? I will need some help from a skilled SQF scripter to achieve that, I guess, unless default BI's sensor tech allows for that (?).
So, my apologies to ground force players - it seems there might be even more crazy pilots in the air than it's been seen so far in your typical SOGPF scenario. At least, what is intended to be brought to you by RF8 and EKA3 seems to be more helpful than hectic, inaccurate, and actually harmful CAS performed all around you in most cases 😉

DarkSnake

Is a realy good Idea , i think The default Bi's sensor tech is working good .

NightIntruder

This one wonders me, as either I was wrong regarding the limitations BHR had or there was another reason (like ferry cruise) for the two Phantoms and even one "Viggy" to be seen on the CVA31's deck in ca. 1970. Could someone with better knowledge shed some light on that, please?

CVA31 off San Diego, c. 1970

PS. I learned that A-5 Vigilante squadrons were not operating from CVA Essex-class carriers for sure. On the other hand, S2F squadrons flown from CVAs, but only from those dedicated to the ASW role (BHR was an attack carrier). No clue about the Phantoms, yet.

PS2. There is so much misleading information around regarding Phantoms and Intruders! Apparently, they were qualified for operating from Essex-class CVAs. However for the former, the margins on take-off were very slim, British "Kilos" had to take off without AB because the wooden flight deck catches fire. Intruder, on the other hand, had to be flown with some weight limitations applied. Source: "US Navy F-4 Phantom II Units of the Vietnam War 1964-68", Peter E. Davies., "Aircraft Carriers", Norman Polmar.

NightIntruder

Getting the Tracer to the flyable state took a little longer than I expected, but I blame the CVA31 for this. She needs a lot of attention until we (and by that I mean TeTeT and myself) will get her to the very first combat tour across the Yankee Station. It's worth noting, her both steam catapults and arrestor gear work like a charm now, thanks to the incredible skills TeTeT has in SQF. Meanwhile, here you are, some sneak-peaks of both addons...

TeTeT

Thanks for the kind words! It's my pleasure to work with you on this Vietnam era carrier. Not sure on my SQF skills, but I know where and when to reach out for help 🙂

NightIntruder

It's MY pleasure, mate! Nothing would be possible without JDog and you when it comes to ship addons I've created. 🙂 Anyway, it's not a time for a fanfare, yet. It's time to get back to work 😉

Beachhead

Brilliant! Looking forward to all of this.

snoops

NightIntruder wrote:
In the meantime, I tweaked the S2F3 config to make US Navy's liveries available. Then I started looking for a VS Det painting for Bon Homme Richard just to realize no anti-submarine squadrons were stationed on the CVA31 between 1965 and 1970 during its 5 Vietnam combat tours. 😕
Ref: US Navy Cruise Books - Aircraft Carriers
Therefore, the correct composition of the BHR's ACAG would be A-4s, A-1s, C-1, A-3/KA-3/EKA-3s, E-1Bs, F-8s, RF-8s, SH-2s*. // * - not made yet

Actually, the E-1B Tracer was AEW & C2 asset, much like contemporary E-2C Hawkeye. I was rather thinking about giving it a sensor against air targets only as it had the Hazeltine AN/APS-82 radar with AMTI (Airborne Moving Target Indicator) mode only. To simulate the recce component of the USN, you will get a photographic reconnaissance version of the F-8 Crusader, and perhaps EKA-3 would have some "radiation scan" function to scan the ground against radar and radio emissions from various sources, maybe? I will need some help from a skilled SQF scripter to achieve that, I guess, unless default BI's sensor tech allows for that (?).
So, my apologies to ground force players - it seems there might be even more crazy pilots in the air than it's been seen so far in your typical SOGPF scenario. At least, what is intended to be brought to you by RF8 and EKA3 seems to be more helpful than hectic, inaccurate, and actually harmful CAS performed all around you in most cases 😉

If you want help with the sensors for any of these I could lend you a hand.

NightIntruder

snoops wrote:
If you want help with the sensors for any of these I could lend you a hand.

It sounds great! I've sent a PM your way.
Thanks!

NightIntruder

The BHR has gotten some improvements, mainly new railings (almost done), new hatches borrowed from BI's LHD, and better night lighting. I may switch colors of lights later, as most likely the deck was illuminated by red lights while interiors by yellow'ish. Not many things left before the initial release, there is a long list of "TO-DO"s after that, tho. Thanks to TeTeT's work, the ship has a launch crew working as well as the FLOLS with PiP image and a few other improvements.

CHARLIE

Extremely excited about this!!! Great work!