Duplicate plane models for substitutes in special events.

[Devil 505]

It is a common occurrence in special events to have one plane substitute for a plane we do not have in the game. Occasionally, the best substitute plane available would also be used on the opposition as itself. This leaves the event designer in a pickle where both sides are using the same plane, but the side using it as a sub would be using skins of their enemy.

For example, in a Coral Sea design the best substitute for the TBD Devastator is in fact the Japanese B5N - which would normally be used by the Japanese in a Coral Sea event anyway.

What I'd like to see are duplicate plane models added which would normally be hidden - ala the RV-8, but could be enabled by a CM in an event. This way, both sides would have access to aircraft which have historically accurate skins and planes that best fit the capabilities of the scenario at play.

The Japanese side would use the standard B5N and the U.S. Navy would have the hidden duplicate B5N enabled with a TBD skin baked in.

[Volron]

Better would be the actual TBD. 

B5N2 (TBD Sub)

Something like that in the list?

[Devil 505]

Even just B5N2 (sub) would suffice. This way the same duplicate can represent different aircraft on other terrains.

Also, if the name in the aircraft icon can be edited by a CM that would be another cool feature.

[ccvi]

Not even a sub in the list. "Simply" add an option to restrict usage of skins (like for load outs), put the name of what it subs in the name of the skin, and derive the alternate icon from the skin, too?

[Greebo]

I'd like it if there was an official way for a skinner to submit a special event substitute skin to HTC, one not suitable for MA use. Perhaps a "Special Events Only" button on the skins submission page. So players scheduled to fly a USN Kate in the Midway scenario would download that skin either from a special events skins download page on the website or maybe through the game itself, perhaps a "display special events skins" tick box could be added to the game FE. IJN Kate players could then still use either the default or some different MA allowable IJN skin.

Having a back catalogue of substitute skins available in the game would negate the need for terrain designers having to incorporate skins into their terrains. Also these skins would still be available later on even if the original skinner had left the game. The drawback is that unless the substitute skins could be seperated out in some way they would be taking up some of the 32 available slots per ride for MA skins. However most of the aircraft that would be used for subbing are early war rides that don't have that many skins done for them anyway.

[Spikes]

I'd like it if there was an official way for a skinner to submit a special event substitute skin to HTC, one not suitable for MA use. Perhaps a "Special Events Only" button on the skins submission page. So players scheduled to fly a USN Kate in the Midway scenario would download that skin either from a special events skins download page on the website or maybe through the game itself, perhaps a "display special events skins" tick box could be added to the game FE. IJN Kate players could then still use either the default or some different MA allowable IJN skin.

Having a back catalogue of substitute skins available in the game would negate the need for terrain designers having to incorporate skins into their terrains. Also these skins would still be available later on even if the original skinner had left the game. The drawback is that unless the substitute skins could be seperated out in some way they would be taking up some of the 32 available slots per ride for MA skins. However most of the aircraft that would be used for subbing are early war rides that don't have that many skins done for them anyway.

I was thinking the same. It would be nice to have some sort of thing only appear in the SEA arenas that shows these Event skins, I'm not sure if there would be a way to hide it from the drop down in the MA, or maybe make it a separate dropdown. A check box could be added to to "Download Special Event Alternate skins" or something along those lines.

[Greebo]

An MA skin has a file format like "b5n2_1.res" with a limit of 32 skins per ride. If special event skins could have a slightly different naming format, something like "b5n2_se1.res" this would allow the game/host to allow and list it in some arenas and not others. Also there could be say 8 extra special event skins per ride as these wouldn't get used in the MA.

[Devil 505]

The problem is that anyone who does not have the special skins downloaded or if a CO wants to post a mission would be using the regular default skin. By having a separate model for subs, this ensures that every player using the sub will have a the correct skin.

[Spikes]

An MA skin has a file format like "b5n2_1.res" with a limit of 32 skins per ride. If special event skins could have a slightly different naming format, something like "b5n2_se1.res" this would allow the game/host to allow and list it in some arenas and not others. Also there could be say 8 extra special event skins per ride as these wouldn't get used in the MA.

Don't even need 8 IMO. In these cases I'd say 1-2 would be sufficient. It would strictly be for substitute aircraft skins so you'd only have probably 1 per aircraft.

[ROC]

The problem is that anyone who does not have the special skins downloaded or if a CO wants to post a mission would be using the regular default skin. By having a separate model for subs, this ensures that every player using the sub will have a the correct skin.

OH!  In the Squad management page, how about selecting that a certain skin is used, and when accepting a squad invite, quickly downloads the skin. 
+1 on the overall original post though.

[Odee]

How many New planes has the game added since ...oh, say 2010? 

[Lusche]

How many New planes has the game added since ...oh, say 2010? 

19 planes and 9 vehicles.

[Spikes]

How many New planes has the game added since ...oh, say 2010? 

What does this have to do with anything in this thread?

[Devil 505]

I'm giving this one a bump since June's FSO presents the exact problem my wish would solve.

[waystin2]

+1.  I get what you are saying.