Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Wishlist => Topic started by: Bogie603rd on August 11, 2006, 01:27:49 PM

Title: Landing, Beacon, Navigation....
Post by: Bogie603rd on August 11, 2006, 01:27:49 PM
Could we have lights on our planes? It's not a big question, but I did notice some of the planes have light fixtures already. Would be nice if we could activate Navigation Lights, Beacons (Strobes), and/or just plain landing lights (Pure white beam, and sometimes will dim on one side while the other brightens in a "flashing" effect to symbolize a landing.)
Title: Landing, Beacon, Navigation....
Post by: NHawk on August 11, 2006, 03:03:36 PM
I really had to think about this one before posting a reply...

While they are a nice effect, I don't think nav lights or beacons are really needed here.

First, we don't have true night in the game any more. Even if we did, they are collision avoidance items. Since we can't collide with any friendly aircraft they would serve no real purpose except to attract enemy attention.

Landing lights are a different story. They would have a place in the semi-darkness we experience. But, remember that not all WWII planes had landing lights.
Title: Landing, Beacon, Navigation....
Post by: Bogie603rd on August 11, 2006, 04:09:10 PM
Okay, so only landing lights on the planes that can support them, such as the hurri MK I and the P-38. Now I know those have lights cause i've seen light-slots on the wings. Yeah, now that I think about it navigation lights wouldnt serve much of a purpose at all. And beacon would get people confused with the little "Beacon" instrument describing host connection with the actual lights.

They would be stumbling around saying, "Hey, I hit the light switch for the beacon, but the instrument says their not on!"
Title: Landing, Beacon, Navigation....
Post by: Latrobe on August 11, 2006, 05:30:45 PM
we NEED the landing light so we can blind head oners :D
Title: Re: Landing, Beacon, Navigation....
Post by: Traveler on August 12, 2006, 12:09:08 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Bogie603rd
Could we have lights on our planes? It's not a big question, but I did notice some of the planes have light fixtures already. Would be nice if we could activate Navigation Lights, Beacons (Strobes), and/or just plain landing lights (Pure white beam, and sometimes will dim on one side while the other brightens in a "flashing" effect to symbolize a landing.)


WWII eara aircraft did not have Strobes.  Also, Strobes are not Beacons.  A Beacon is the Red rotating light on an aircraft, not to be confused with the wing and tail light that are Green and Red on the wing, Right Green, Red Left and White on the Tail.  Recuired for Civilian Aircraft, but not on military aircraft.
Title: Landing, Beacon, Navigation....
Post by: Bogie603rd on August 12, 2006, 12:40:42 PM
Well, i've seen options for Beacon/Strobe, so I got it confused in that way. I know these planes didn't have the lights, but how will you make the AH community drop by for a visit in the topic if you don't have a "catchy" title?

Anyways, let's just ask for the landing lights! That way we can blind the HO'ers!

WOOT!:rofl
Title: Landing, Beacon, Navigation....
Post by: zorstorer on August 12, 2006, 01:10:56 PM
I have a nice training video for a Spitfire Mk1 just prior to BoB showing the ground crew testing out the aircraft on the ground.  The tech drops the landing light and rotates it through its range of movement.
Title: Landing, Beacon, Navigation....
Post by: frank3 on August 13, 2006, 02:47:27 AM
Quote
Originally posted by NHawk
Landing lights are a different story. They would have a place in the semi-darkness we experience. But, remember that not all WWII planes had landing lights.


Which hadn't?

Zerstörer, could you post that movie?
Title: Landing, Beacon, Navigation....
Post by: zorstorer on August 13, 2006, 03:38:55 AM
Quote
Originally posted by frank3
Which hadn't?

Zerst�rer, could you post that movie?


This is who owns the copyright ;)  Doubt Skuzzy wants another copyright pwnage today ;)

Clicky (http://www.ddhe.co.uk/p2_05468_Spitfire%20Frontline%20Fighter.htm)

About half way through the write up is the inspection I was talking about.

In the film they said they deleted the night landing lights due to other planes taking over the night fighting role.

I would recomend the film though its great to crank the speakers and hear the engines rumble :)  It's only 9.99 pounds. (whatever that means ;) )
Title: Landing, Beacon, Navigation....
Post by: NHawk on August 13, 2006, 07:41:44 AM
Quote
Originally posted by frank3
Which hadn't?...
Rather than list them, it's about a 50-50 split with the planes in AH.
Title: Landing, Beacon, Navigation....
Post by: Bogie603rd on August 14, 2006, 12:05:01 PM
Would still be a neat additive if we could get that "Con-trails and heat-waves" approved! Would look awesome seeing the light in the heat waves.
Title: Landing, Beacon, Navigation....
Post by: zorstorer on August 14, 2006, 01:38:11 PM
Quote
Originally posted by frank3
Which hadn't?

Zerst�rer, could you post that movie?


A picture I found of it....

(http://www.ajlowell.com/pics/ah2%20pics/landinglight.jpg)
Title: Landing, Beacon, Navigation....
Post by: Bogie603rd on August 14, 2006, 01:45:19 PM
Alright!:cool:
Title: Landing, Beacon, Navigation....
Post by: zorstorer on August 14, 2006, 02:30:50 PM
Also in this video when they drop the flaps on this Spit Mk1 they come fully down in a little under a second and they come up in about 1.5 sec.  Very good video for any spit fans out there.  They do a full preflight inspection, rearming, fueling and a maint. walk around.
Title: Landing, Beacon, Navigation....
Post by: Bogie603rd on August 14, 2006, 02:47:38 PM
I'd watch, but I have to buy it.:D
Title: Landing, Beacon, Navigation....
Post by: frank3 on August 14, 2006, 06:08:47 PM
That's a good argument :D
Title: Landing, Beacon, Navigation....
Post by: frank3 on August 14, 2006, 06:13:42 PM
Quote
Originally posted by NHawk
Rather than list them, it's about a 50-50 split with the planes in AH.


Im pretty sure every WWII aircraft had a landing light.
Just because you can't see them in AH, doesn't mean they're not there :aok

The P-51 for istance had it's landing light in the left wheel well, it'd be lowered when the gears were lowered.
Title: Landing, Beacon, Navigation....
Post by: NHawk on August 15, 2006, 06:13:14 AM
Quote
Originally posted by frank3
Im pretty sure every WWII aircraft had a landing light.
Just because you can't see them in AH, doesn't mean they're not there :aok

The P-51 for istance had it's landing light in the left wheel well, it'd be lowered when the gears were lowered.
Wrong...
Just a few that did not...

F4U-1C, F4U-1D, F6F-3, F2A, A20-G, Mossy

Some that did...

P38-J, P38-L, P39, P47, P51, Hurricane

The ones that did not have them may have gotten them added at some point in the field, but they did not have them off the production line.

You'll also notice the planes listed as having them were also night fighters. And those that did not have them in many cases also did not have instrument panel lights.
Title: Landing, Beacon, Navigation....
Post by: Bogie603rd on August 15, 2006, 08:54:56 AM
Thanks for the heads-up. Would still enjoy seeing landing lights though. It would be a great addidtion to the game!