Engine Flames and Vapor trails...

[2Hawks]

A few suggestions that I think would enhance both immersion and gameplay.

Have Engines throw a burst of flame and smoke just as an engine is destroyed. It would give the attacker the sense that he knocked out a critical component of his victims plane, as well as add to thrill of "Smoking a Zeke". Etc.


The Vapor trails would often be an indicator of a planes engergy / maneuver state. I read a clip about a P40 Pilot relating an experience over China and the value of Vapor traisl. about turning and watching a vapor trail begin off one wing of the Zeke, seeing that the trail he tightened the turn just a bit. As the Zeke did the same he entered a high speed stall and began to spin into the clouds. I think if the vapor were modeled to onoly appear at extreme ends of the planes envelope pilots would be able to use that info in a dogfight.

Now one more for playability and immersion. Tracer trails have been discussed above in this forum if I am correct, but some ppl turn them off. WHat about putting in Gunsmoke when a plane is firing? This would be extremly realistic, turning off tracers was to avoid alerting the nme, but if you looked at them you always knew when they were firing. Something like the cannon flashes in the front, but something visible from behind as well.

Thoughts anyone?

2Hawks.

[Kweassa]

I'm not sure how historical it would be.. probably it differed greatly upon just in what way the engine was destroyed.

 But I agree!

 Seeing the engine dying in air combat movies.. where the attacker shoots a burst, connects to the target and *boom!!*, a small, minor explosion in the cowl area, and terrific fumes coming out ... indicating the engine's bust! ... that's really cool. I think I've seen this feature in Warbirds III films.

 I think it's a great idea.

[KämpferAs]

I like the idea, again tho, I would like this if it was historically based...

[ViFF]

Trails of any kind are an excellent visual cue to judge an enemy's E state.
This is implemented very nicely in the current version as well. If I happen to fight a fighter trailing radiater, engine oil, or fuel leak vapor you can tell how fast he is by the length of the smoke trail.

Its an excellent indication for me to know if I have enough energy advantage to take the fight into the vertical, with the hope of having him either attempt to follow me and stall out below me as I reverse down on him, or he will just stay below as retain my advantage and set up for a B&Z pass.

Thick black smoke behind engine fires would be very cool, and a blast of thick white smoke for a few seconds after an extinguisher has been discharged would be even cooler !  

Only a few WW2 a/c had engine fire extinguishers (mainly bombers) and would be an extremely cool item if implemented.

[Midnight]

Bring on flames and smoke and little explosions!

[2Slow]

I would like to see contrails.

[2Hawks]

Contrails would be kewl, and would be a good indicator of target altitude, as well be a signal that bombers are in the air when nme Dar is down.


2Hawks.