Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Wishlist => Topic started by: earl1937 on November 10, 2011, 09:35:59 AM
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One of the things which I think would improve the quality of Aces High would be the addition of either white stripes down the runways or at least 3 white lines on the end of each runway. The runways as they exist, blend in with the ground under certain light conditions, its hard to see the runway until you get fairly close to the end of runway. I have been flying since 1948, and have flown in most area's of this planet, and have never seen a runway, (unless it was dirt or gravel), which did not have some kind of markings.
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Sure would be nice and add to the quality of Aces High, if AH would put white lines down middle of runways, or at least 2 or 3 short white lines on the end of each runway. I have never landed on a paved runway since 1948, which did not have some type of marking on the runway. The color of the current runways blend into the surrounding ground areas so much, its hard to see the end of the runway, until you get real close to the end of the runway. I know I don't see as well as I used to, but how about some consideration for the older guys in AH like myself. (77 years old)
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I'm pretty sure they didn't paint the runways in WW2. These aren't airports, remember. :devil
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You are right! They were clearly marked as you see in this photo.........
(http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm205/paulyb102/WW2%20black%20and%20white%20photos/Bottisham-7may1946.png)
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I agree with Earl. :salute
I don't really care if its historically correct or not.
It won't really affect gameplay and will make it a little easier to line up for landing.
Especially if you're tryin to land a formation of bombers.
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How is it easier? The runway itself is a giant line in the map, you orient to the overall thing, then it gets bigger, and your wheels touch it?
Not trying to be a smart-ass or anything, just saying I don't see the need or benefit. In AH you can land your bombers across the open spaces between the fields as easily as you can on the designated runay itself. The only thing that counts is when you stop your gear has to be on cement.
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yup, runways were always well marked during wwii...
guam 1945
(http://www.airfields-freeman.com/HI/GuamNW_Guam_45_B-29.jpg)
roosevelt field new york
(http://www.airfields-freeman.com/NY/Roosevelt_NY_WW2.jpg)
raf airfield in beirut 1941-42
(http://www.mediastorehouse.com/image/aerial_photograph_of_raf_airfield_at_beirut_before_camouflage_world_war_ii_c1941-c1942_5101324.jpg)
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How is it easier???
The distinction between the dark colored runways and the dark colored surrounding will be more evident.
It will be easier to line up correctly from a bit of a distance.
I have a hard time spotting the runways until I'm almost right on top of them.
I don't see why anyone in the game would oppose the idea.
Just guessing that it wouldn't be very hard to incorporate into the terrain.
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Good pictures, the one of Guam has a stripe down the runway like the OP asked, the one of Roosevelt field has runway numbers painted at the end of each strip, and the one from Beirut looks like an unpaved field.
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there are no paint markings on the guam field...look again. what the op is looking for are those markings like these
(http://www.ci.richland-center.wi.us/AIRPORT/Images/airport2sm.jpg)
notice even on roosevelt field those stripes don't exist...the numbers were more common than the approach markings...
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One of the things which I think would improve the quality of Aces High would be the addition of either white stripes down the runways or at least 3 white lines on the end of each runway. The runways as they exist, blend in with the ground under certain light conditions, its hard to see the runway until you get fairly close to the end of runway. I have been flying since 1948, and have flown in most area's of this planet, and have never seen a runway, (unless it was dirt or gravel), which did not have some kind of markings.
You might be able to improve the contrast between the runway and surroundings by adjusting the gamma slider a little bit. Look at the clipboard/options/graphic detail in game.
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Have you tried using the zoom function? Makes it real easy to see the runway details from quite far away.
Incorporating the features your asking for, while relatively easy, involves making custom objects to add to each terrain. For the main arenas, there is only so much [read "not much"] customization you are allowed to do.
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Of all the millions of times folks complained about runways in this game ("too short!" "I should land safely anywhere!" "I got a ditch but 1 of my gear was on it!")
I don't think once has anybody ever said they are hard to spot or that they blend in with the terrain underneath them...
Are you talking about the same thing we are?
Here's a runway:
(http://electraforge.com/brooke/flightsims/aces_high/startGuide/image008.jpg)
You can pretty much see it from 30,000 feet.
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"...either white stripes down the runways or at least 3 white lines on the end of each runway." There is a white line down at least parts of the runway in your Guam photo, and also some lines that the planes follow while taxiing. Your photos are also not of a quality where they could resolve something that is less than a foot across reliably. Each grain on the film is larger than the angular resolution needed to see the line clearly. In all each paved field seems to have some sort of marking even if it is inconsistent from field to field and not what you would expect on a modern airstrip.
In all it is shameful that you would give someone who has been flying since the 40's (likely an 80 year old man who still has the love for aircraft to motivate him to learn how to operate a computer to play an airplane game) a sarcastic response with evidence that partially supports what he is asking for. I am sure he has been around long enough to identify a jerk and let it go, but I guess I am young and dumb enough to let it bother me.
there are no paint markings on the guam field...look again. what the op is looking for are those markings like these
(http://www.ci.richland-center.wi.us/AIRPORT/Images/airport2sm.jpg)
notice even on roosevelt field those stripes don't exist...the numbers were more common than the approach markings...
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krusty, come on...you're acting like midway...different angle. under 3000ft on approach...the runway disappears unless you zoom in or get right on top of it.
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well exxxcuuuuussse meee...i didn't take the photos, it's the best i can do. and don't give me any lip for you seeing what you obviously want to see...
maybe if you look hard enough you can find paint markings on kwajalein
(http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ny330bg/Images/Kwajalein/december%201944_lg.jpg)
next time, perhaps you should take note on whether or not i agree or disagree with something...it's usually very clear. what the op did not take into account is the way objects render in ah. perhaps you should take note. the aproach stripes or runway numbers would not be visible until the runway detail is visible i.e. if your system doesn't render the runway, you won't see the stripes or numbers.
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The only problem I had is how you respond to someone who has been around long enough to have seen runways in the 1940's. You can make any point you want but when you respond to an 80 year old pilot you shouldn't be sarcastic. If making statements to belittle senior citizens is right and calling someone out who does it is wrong then I sincerely apologize to the entire community for being out of line.
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Gyrene, I'm quite serious. I don't know what you're talking about. The only time it is hard to see is when there are trees and buildings obscuring my approach when I'm 10 feet off the ground (hey, I'm sloppy, it happens sometimes).
I've almost never had a hard time ever seeing a runway. I think, even hypothetically, that if you can't see the RUNWAY, you're not going to see the lines on it too well.
In all seriousness, please post a screenshot.
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I think, even hypothetically, that if you can't see the RUNWAY, you're not going to see the lines on it too well.
totally agree with that...
i'll post a screenshot later after i get home, unless someone else beats me to it...
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krusty, come on...you're acting like midway...different angle. under 3000ft on approach...the runway disappears unless you zoom in or get right on top of it.
Correctamundo!! :cheers:
I'm not ususally flying at 30k over the base I'm gonna land at.
Usually under 2k on approach.
Anybody have a shot of THAT?
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I'm with Krusty on this...I have never experienced any problem seeing the runway regardless of alt or glide slope angle.
A difference in "detail" being displayed perhaps?
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even with your detailed terrain on - is your graphics that bad?
just leave the basic stuff on with the bump map terrain... much easier to ID anything ;)
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even with your detailed terrain on - is your graphics that bad?
just leave the basic stuff on with the bump map terrain... much easier to ID anything ;)
My graphics are fine ..... I7 ...12gigs ram...ATI 5870. 24" monitor.
I'll mess with stuff to see if I can manage to see the runways any better than I can now.
As it stands, I have a REALLY hard seeing it until I"m almost on it.
Maybe my settings are screwy. But I don't think so.
I can understand that some guys have no problem seeing the runway....BUT..some guys can't.
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(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g256/BloodyBandage/Ewa_HI_44Dec.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g256/BloodyBandage/EasternIsland_Midway_44.jpg)
Since we are playing the picture game.
Noticeable markings.
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:salute Earl, glad you're playing here sir.
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I'm pretty sure they didn't paint the runways in WW2. These aren't airports, remember. :devil
Our airbases do look a lot more like WWII airports than WWII airbases.
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There is already a duplicate thread of this in the wishlist forum. FYI. That is the one that should be responded to.
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There is already a duplicate thread of this in the wishlist forum. FYI. That is the one that should be responded to.
Didn't realize you were a mod.
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My graphics are fine ..... I7 ...12gigs ram...ATI 5870. 24" monitor.
I'll mess with stuff to see if I can manage to see the runways any better than I can now.
As it stands, I have a REALLY hard seeing it until I"m almost on it.
Maybe my settings are screwy. But I don't think so.
I can understand that some guys have no problem seeing the runway....BUT..some guys can't.
Not just you, I have trouble seeing the runway under 1K as well. Although usually, just looking at my compass and lining up with the corresponding runway does the job.
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As it stands, I have a REALLY hard seeing it until I"m almost on it.
Maybe my settings are screwy. But I don't think so.
It would help if you had maybe FRAPS of it or even just screenshots.
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You know I'm not, but it does no good when progress is being made in the other thread and this one's going off on a debate. It muddies the waters on the request itself, and/or any issues behind the request.
It's more productive to focus it all in one thread, so I pointed you all to it.
Here, I'll even save you the trouble:
http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,323429.0.html
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You know I'm not, but it does no good when progress is being made in the other thread and this one's going off on a debate. It muddies the waters on the request itself, and/or any issues behind the request.
It's more productive to focus it all in one thread, so I pointed you all to it.
Here, I'll even save you the trouble:
http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,323429.0.html
Ah well I point you here I'll save you the trouble. It only "muddies the water" if you cant click between them.
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Ah well I point you here I'll save you the trouble. It only "muddies the water" if you cant click between them.
:headscratch:
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There is already a duplicate thread of this in the wishlist forum. FYI. That is the one that should be responded to.
I dont like thta other thread it smells of mold and rotten olives. also, way to hijack the thread nonmod
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Some cranky people today. :old:
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I dont like thta other thread it smells of mold and rotten olives. also, way to hijack the thread nonmod
Yeah me neither.
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Some cranky people today. :old:
Yeah I am having a bad day.
Sorry Krusty an innocent victim of a shat day so far.
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You guys are silly! :)
Bassingbourne, how of the 91st Bomb Group during WW2. A pre-war established English base. No lines, no numbers, runways painted to look like fields etc. You don't want the other guy to find your base and you do expect your pilots are quick enough to find their own. They managed quite fine without flashing bases and a map showing where they were all the time.
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s199/guppy35/Bansingbourne.jpg)
And your classic A field from the continent. Steel matting, lots of dirt and dust. This was the real A-26 field. No lines, numbers and paint, other then what someone drew on the photograph.
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s199/guppy35/A15.jpg)
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(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g256/BloodyBandage/Ewa_HI_44Dec.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g256/BloodyBandage/EasternIsland_Midway_44.jpg)
Since we are playing the picture game.
Noticeable markings.
What field, where and when?
Posted these in the other thread but since we're bouncing back and forth. Basingbourne. Home of the 91st BG in England. No markings, painted to look like fields.
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s199/guppy35/Bansingbourne.jpg)
The real A-26 in France. Dust, dirt and steel matting for runways.
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s199/guppy35/A15.jpg)
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Ewa hawaii
And Eastern Island in 1944
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Ewa hawaii
And Eastern Island in 1944
So not fields that were in the line of fire at that point, so to speak, but are transient fields where planes are coming and going to the war zone but not under threat of attack where not being seen easily would be important.
I wonder if Midway was marked and so well maintained in 1942 when the battle was taking place?
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While I can sympathize with the OP,I don't have the greatest eyesight either,1 thing that's being overlooked,though Dan touched on it,last thing we need is to make it easier to vulch!
Being able to see the RW from a long way out will allow the enemy to setup,lineup and know exactly where to "aim" their plane.
:salute
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Wow! You guys have nothing better to do than jump all over this thread like that?
What's the big deal if the runways are marked?
+1
Coogan
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So not fields that were in the line of fire at that point, so to speak, but are transient fields where planes are coming and going to the war zone but not under threat of attack where not being seen easily would be important.
I wonder if Midway was marked and so well maintained in 1942 when the battle was taking place?
That was Midway 1942, this is Aces High 2011, our runways are made outa bonafied invinca-crete, if a 4,000lb cookie can't make a dent in them, why not deck our runways out with a little paint and bling? Typical government spending, they come up with the best boot in the world, but it comes without laces. :furious
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Wow! You guys have nothing better to do than jump all over this thread like that?
What's the big deal if the runways are marked?
+1
Coogan
Agreed.
Apparently if they don't have a problem, then no one else should.
Most of the pictures I've seen are from a fairly good alt. and most have a pretty large variance in color between the runway and surrounding terrain.
From a good alt,I have no problem seeing the runways either,its when I"m trying to align and find the runway at a low alt is the problem.
A simple "X" at the end of each ruway and maybe one in the middle might suffice to help me out.
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While I can sympathize with the OP,I don't have the greatest eyesight either,1 thing that's being overlooked,though Dan touched on it,last thing we need is to make it easier to vulch!
Being able to see the RW from a long way out will allow the enemy to setup,lineup and know exactly where to "aim" their plane.
:salute
Vulchers are a pox that will happen no matter what.
We're not askin for a Nuke here, just some innocuous markings that will help us see the runway better on approach.
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It would help if you had maybe FRAPS of it or even just screenshots.
I had the FRAPS once.
Took some Milk of Magnesia, no more fraps.
Never took a screen shot and posted it before, wouldn't know where to begin, but I'm gonna try to mess with it tonight.
Thanks for the input guys.
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The matter so far is not one of the runways being hard to see, but rather you not being able to see them. Without some sort of example or evidence, it's just pilot error. The only way I can think off the top of my head that they are hard to see is if you're at 10 feet on the deck. Even if you're NOE when RTB you are supposed to pop up a hundred feet or so to make the landing. It helps avoid trees and whatnot.
It may sound tongue-in-cheek, but it's true. Even film would be helpful. Record an approach where you have a hard time seeing the runway and share the film. At least that might give us some sort of idea.
EDIT: This was to your first post, you did the second while I was typing.
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i cant see the runways either unless I zoom in. from 3k in alt it's hard to see, however even if you put pain lines on either side of runway or numbers you still wont be able to see them. I would probably suggest to make them bright red as the only option but this would make vulching on the field worst.
I basically agree with the op, however i dont think adding numbers or lines would do anything to enhance visibility. and we cant have them bright red. so there it is.
semp
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So not fields that were in the line of fire at that point, so to speak, but are transient fields where planes are coming and going to the war zone but not under threat of attack where not being seen easily would be important.
I wonder if Midway was marked and so well maintained in 1942 when the battle was taking place?
I honestly don't think it really matters fields did have markings there is the proof. I wonder as well but that doesn't have a bearing on Aces High IMO as this is just a game not real life. Not all fields in WW2 forward or other wise were made of the same materials yet we have all paved runways.
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(http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/ss147/tnelson3_bucket/9aa089f2c610.jpg)
World's Largest P-38
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They should be marked with a big white "X" on the spawn point and writing that says "Drop bombs here."
:aok
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ok krusty, we don't all have top 'o the line hardware in our systems...
my settings xfx ati radeon 4870 1gb
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/405468/AH%20Stuff/ahss15.bmp)
from a p51d default view about 1 mile from a base 1600ft alt
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/405468/AH%20Stuff/ahss11.bmp)
same everything as above, zoomed in
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/405468/AH%20Stuff/ahss12.bmp)
same field, different angle, 1000ft alt... and i increased the of the pic just so you can see the field
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/405468/AH%20Stuff/ahss13.bmp)
same as previous zoomed in...
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/405468/AH%20Stuff/ahss14.bmp)
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What field, where and when?
...wish I could find a good aerial photo of the airfield at Singapore, 1941.
- oldman (seems like only yesterday)
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How is that hard to see? :headscratch:
All those pics show you the runways and you are far enough back to line up and land B29s even.
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A simple "X" at the end of each ruway and maybe one in the middle might suffice to help me out.
it wouldn't make any difference bud...if you're graphics card isn't rendering the runway or the concrete overlay you would not see a paint overlay either.
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How is that hard to see? :headscratch:
All those pics show you the runways and you are far enough back to line up and land B29s even.
which way is the runway lined up in the unzoomed pics? if you use the radar tower as a point of reference you can get a bearing on where you need to go so you're at least close to lined up.
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What could I do to adjust my ATI 5870 to render the runways to be more visible at low alts??
Maybe adjust the gamma in game??
I'm open to suggestions.
Thanks.
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which way is the runway lined up in the unzoomed pics? if you use the radar tower as a point of reference you can get a bearing on where you need to go so you're at least close to lined up.
The 1st pic you have a runway almost inline with you maybe 10o out. the 2nd runway is close to 90o. Use the trees, buildings and green on the ground and it gives you a fair idea.
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man the dirtbags are out in force this evening........
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I wasn't tryin to be a wise arse.
I really don't know that much about settin up graphics cards and such.
If someone has some advice I would be really thankful for it.
I hooked up the game and pretty much maxed everything out.
It looks really good, solid 60fps.
But for whatever reason I have a hard time seeing the layout of the runways at low alt.
Any help would be appreciated.
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I wasn't tryin to be a wise arse.
I really don't know that much about settin up graphics cards and such.
If someone has some advice I would be really thankful for it.
I hooked up the game and pretty much maxed everything out.
It looks really good, solid 60fps.
But for whatever reason I have a hard time seeing the layout of the runways at low alt.
Any help would be appreciated.
Have you checked your ocular settings?
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man the dirtbags are out in force this evening........
speaking of...
Have you checked your ocular settings?
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"...either white stripes down the runways or at least 3 white lines on the end of each runway." There is a white line down at least parts of the runway in your Guam photo, and also some lines that the planes follow while taxiing. Your photos are also not of a quality where they could resolve something that is less than a foot across reliably. Each grain on the film is larger than the angular resolution needed to see the line clearly. In all each paved field seems to have some sort of marking even if it is inconsistent from field to field and not what you would expect on a modern airstrip.
In all it is shameful that you would give someone who has been flying since the 40's (likely an 80 year old man who still has the love for aircraft to motivate him to learn how to operate a computer to play an airplane game) a sarcastic response with evidence that partially supports what he is asking for. I am sure he has been around long enough to identify a jerk and let it go, but I guess I am young and dumb enough to let it bother me.
Sir I have a few squad members in your age group, one thing I can say is - you are right and I am always wrong, its mutual respect - besides, Hooter would beat me (ol geezer, but i'd buy him a beer any time and any place).
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I'm pretty sure they didn't paint the runways in WW2. These aren't airports, remember. :devil
It is a game after all.
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Have you checked your ocular settings?
My ocular diffusion settings are currently at 3x magnification. :old:
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The 1st pic you have a runway almost inline with you maybe 10o out. the 2nd runway is close to 90o. Use the trees, buildings and green on the ground and it gives you a fair idea.
not bad...in the first 2 pics i'm almost 30 degrees off angle from one runway moving toward the field...notice though that even the zoomed in pic doesn't clearly show the runway.
the second 2 pics, well the zoomed in pic gives it away, you can clearly see the runways zoomed in. unless the front of the canopy was oiled it would be an easy adjust to line up and drop in.
if that was a smaller field and there was a haze around it...you would have to be much closer to get the runways to render properly.
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My ocular diffusion settings are currently at 3x magnification. :old:
:rofl
speaking of...
Hello pot, my name is kettle.
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make them all dirt, while at change hangers to more of a time period look.
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Agreed.
Apparently if they don't have a problem, then no one else should.
Most of the pictures I've seen are from a fairly good alt. and most have a pretty large variance in color between the runway and surrounding terrain.
From a good alt,I have no problem seeing the runways either,its when I"m trying to align and find the runway at a low alt is the problem.
A simple "X" at the end of each ruway and maybe one in the middle might suffice to help me out.
LOL OK. Paint em pink for all I care, but I don't ever want to hear about the 'war' in this game again. It should look real unless it's inconvenient?
We've got a map that we can follow that updates as you fly that takes you right to your base. If you still can't find it, I'm hard pressed to think it's the game's problem :)
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Gyrene, I could tell the same thing as was already posted. He just beat me to it. I know we don't all have high end systems. I rarely ever did myself.
I wonder if you might benefit from sliding the object detail slider more towards the "4 miles" side of the spectrum?
I guess I can see how some might benefit if HT tweaked the LOD ranges on the runway display itself, but for the most part I know the runway is surrounded by the grey at those angles. If I can tell "the grey goes this angle" I know instantly the runway does as well.
I wonder if I have a screenshot of my own just to compare if the graphics... (I'll go snag one)
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An easy solution is just to fly a proper approach pattern.
(http://img.geocaching.com/cache/11ac3ad2-6b6d-4699-8853-a65277b0094f.jpg)
If you cross the center of the field at High Key then it's easy to roll out appropriately for the runway you want.
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A simple solution is to just fly a proper landing pattern. If you cross over the center of the field (at 1000 feet agl) you spot the runway you like and turn for your downwind leg.
You know, like real pilots do (and did in World War 2).
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PFz8Zc-I2SU/RlmJwX-iv1I/AAAAAAAAACk/fcm93RoUtmg/s1600/Airport_traffic_pattern.jpg)
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I was going to suggest the classic fighter pass over the field before breaking out for the landing.
A picture is worth a 1000 words. here are 2000. The bomber guys did it that way too. Cross the field, get oriented, break at short intervals, get em on the ground fast. Not a lot of markings on the runways in the photos :) Not a lot of anything but snow.
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s199/guppy35/Pass1.jpg)
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s199/guppy35/Break.jpg)
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I was going to suggest the classic fighter pass over the field before breaking out for the landing.
A picture is worth a 1000 words. here are 2000. The bomber guys did it that way too. Cross the field, get oriented, break at short intervals, get em on the ground fast. Not a lot of markings on the runways in the photos :) Not a lot of anything but snow.
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s199/guppy35/Pass1.jpg)
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s199/guppy35/Break.jpg)
None of that disproves that some fields were marked.
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I recorded this at half pixels (and realized I didn't want to redo it so just left it) offline around A1 I think same as you.
http://vimeo.com/31944517
It won't be done rendering for another 34 minutes on Vimeo, though.
Overall it's not much different from you. The runway maybe loses a little contrast as you get past a certain distance, but it still retains that "grey" color. You just track the grey. You can see it better as it moves. You can tell "the grey is in an X shape -- those are the 2 runays" and line up accordingly. Maybe it's just a matter of having a practiced eye, but I've never had problems figuring out the runay unless it's like the last few seconds of the video I uploaded, where I come in very low.
I don't think stripes, Xs, or white lines are the answer. I would think the best fix is for HiTech to tweak the distances of the Level of Details, and how it renders. Maybe just give it a little more contrast or something, for a longer period of time before it fades into the distant objects. That might achieve what you want. Any actual pixel shapes/colors would be indistinguishable, though. If the runway is hard to see, the texture of the runway would also be hard to see. Therefore, make the runway easier to see, rather than "more decorated" is my suggestion!
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None of that disproves that some fields were marked.
As I said. Paint em pink if it helps. Just don't ever come back with 'this is war' when playing the 'game'. Show me a combat airfield that had painted lines and the compass heading painted on each end like a civil field and I'll take it all back.
The images posted of fields with markings were both of airfields no longer in the line of fire.
What was the norm was to make em hard to see when they could get bombed and strafed. RAF Northolt shown in a wartime LW recce photo. Darn tough to see the runways etc.
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s199/guppy35/NortholtWW2.jpg)
And Northolt postwar when it wasn't going to be bombed or strafed. This appears to be what folks are asking for.
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s199/guppy35/Northoltpostwar.jpg)
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As I said. Paint em pink if it helps. Just don't ever come back with 'this is war' when playing the 'game'. Show me a combat airfield that had painted lines and the compass heading painted on each end like a civil field and I'll take it all back.
It's not a matter of "helping" or not "helping." And I haven't used the "this is war" line yet so I don't plan on starting. If I found an airfield that qualified as a combat field,in your opinion, I am sure that there would be another line to try and discredit it.
Turnberry
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g256/BloodyBandage/TurnberryAirfield2-493.jpg)
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Here you go my friend - I have marked the runway for you... When you land think of me :salute
(http://ahfreebirds.sitehermit.com/forum/gallery/2_11_11_11_10_34_29.gif)
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Here you go my friend - I have marked the runway for you... When you land think of me :salute
(http://ahfreebirds.sitehermit.com/forum/gallery/2_11_11_11_10_34_29.gif)
:lol
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:huh
I don't think I see any any rearm pads in any of those WWII photos either...
I think the OP should get some slack.
His request is no different than for "icons" that never appear in any real WWII photos.
(http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/6537/presentation1oe.png) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/3/presentation1oe.png/)
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"...either white stripes down the runways or at least 3 white lines on the end of each runway." There is a white line down at least parts of the runway in your Guam photo, and also some lines that the planes follow while taxiing. Your photos are also not of a quality where they could resolve something that is less than a foot across reliably. Each grain on the film is larger than the angular resolution needed to see the line clearly. In all each paved field seems to have some sort of marking even if it is inconsistent from field to field and not what you would expect on a modern airstrip.
In all it is shameful that you would give someone who has been flying since the 40's (likely an 80 year old man who still has the love for aircraft to motivate him to learn how to operate a computer to play an airplane game) a sarcastic response with evidence that partially supports what he is asking for. I am sure he has been around long enough to identify a jerk and let it go, but I guess I am young and dumb enough to let it bother me.
I have to agree with you on that. i always liked hearing storys from some of these guys who have been flying forever
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Turnberry
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g256/BloodyBandage/TurnberryAirfield2-493.jpg)
Just to make sure we're on the same page, when there's a big "X" on the runway that means it's closed (and dangerous) and is a warning to pilots not to land.
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classless jerks to pic on a person that makes a request
we have these forums to ask questions and offer suggestions not bash a fellow players.
and how can our video cards render something that is not there???
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I think the contrast is the problem I'm having. At the lower alt angles it all seems to blend in together.
But then again its not the end of the world, and I thought the OP had a reasonable and innocuous request.
In fighters its not as big of a problem, corrections are very easy to make.
However if you're coming in at the wrong angle with a formation of buffs, its a slooooooow process to correct.
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An easy solution is just to fly a proper approach pattern.
(http://img.geocaching.com/cache/11ac3ad2-6b6d-4699-8853-a65277b0094f.jpg)
If you cross the center of the field at High Key then it's easy to roll out appropriately for the runway you want.
^^^^
THIS.
<--- has no problems seeing the runways in any of the pics posted, but I will note your approach angles are WAY too shallow. You're coming in way too low.... need approx 30 degree approach, flaps out, nose down. You shouldn't have any problems seeing the runways at all from the correct angles.
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^^^^
THIS.
<--- has no problems seeing the runways in any of the pics posted, but I will note your approach angles are WAY too shallow. You're coming in way too low.... need approx 30 degree approach, flaps out, nose down. You shouldn't have any problems seeing the runways at all from the correct angles.
no offense but are you saying you and baumer could do a "proper approach" deadstick with an oiled windshield from 3 miles away at 5000ft?
if you never have a problem, i'd like to see what hardware and game settings you have...
ideal conditions, large monitor with the eye candy turned up, no enemy attacking, no plane damage...sure go ahead and do the flyby approach. but seriously, a lot of times people are rtb damaged, low fuel, low alt and/or flying a formation of heavy buffs that can't make short turns, that "ideal landing procedure" doesn't always apply. it's very easy to line up on a taxiway instead of a runway on the large/medium bases...and we have all seen the bases that have runways that don't line up with what the map icon shows.
obviously paint markings won't make a bit of difference if the runway surfaces don't render on your screen...like krusty said, maybe htc could tweak the lod distances.
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I have done just that on numerous occasions Lethrnek. I agree that on my new system with everything set at max detail it is easier to see. But for the first 3 1/2 years I played I had to have the graphics turned down as low as (maybe lower) then what your screen-shot looked like.
Looking at your settings and screen-shot if you are having performance issues I'd lower your AA settings on the card, and bump up the detail range in the game settings.
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ideal conditions, large monitor with the eye candy turned up, no enemy attacking, no plane damage...sure go ahead and do the flyby approach. but seriously, a lot of times people are rtb damaged, low fuel, low alt and/or flying a formation of heavy buffs that can't make short turns, that "ideal landing procedure" doesn't always apply. it's very easy to line up on a taxiway instead of a runway on the large/medium bases...and we have all seen the bases that have runways that don't line up with what the map icon shows.
17 inch monitor, settings not quite as high as you posted for your system. I don't have any problem seeing the runway layout. I really think the problem with seeing the runway is in individual computer/monitor/setup.
As for the overhead pattern, works quite well with a formation of bombers....here or in real life.
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no offense but are you saying you and baumer could do a "proper approach" deadstick with an oiled windshield from 3 miles away at 5000ft?
LOL, I fly the Typhoon mostly, which means 88.4% of the time when I'm rtb it's due to a radiator hit or oiled engine, and I'm dead stick quite a ways out more often than not.
And no, I have no problems seeing the runway from quite a long way out, even through an oiled windscreen. I think the problem on your end is a combination of graphics settings on your machine and the very shallow angle that you're viewing the field from.
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^^^^
THIS.
<--- has no problems seeing the runways in any of the pics posted, but I will note your approach angles are WAY too shallow. You're coming in way too low.... need approx 30 degree approach, flaps out, nose down. You shouldn't have any problems seeing the runways at all from the correct angles.
not saying you are lying but you know where the runways are. I know where they are but i cant see them. I have my nose up to the monitor WITH my glasses on and on at least 2 pics I cant see them on another all i can see is the begining, but looking at pics and flying and trying to find the runway is two different things. it's much harder to see when you are flying and moving around. I have a hard time seeing and i have a high end system. only way I dont really get lost is because I memorized the location of runways and even then sometimes i have to do flybys as I miss the orientation sometimes.
like I said before, painting lines wont help anyway since the lines would be too small to really make a difference. only choice would be to paint them bright red and that aint gonna happen.
so basically only choice for the op is to memorize the orientation of runways on fields. if it makes it easier all bases have at least one runway sw to ne (ne to sw if you prefer) and medium and large fields also have runway east to west.
semp
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Here you go my friend - I have marked the runway for you... When you land think of me :salute
(http://ahfreebirds.sitehermit.com/forum/gallery/2_11_11_11_10_34_29.gif)
We will... and every other time we see a drunk trying to paint a straight line on the pavement. :D
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Our airbases do look a lot more like WWII airports than WWII airbases.
True, a lot of the airbases in WWII were just paddocks, or paddocks with one runway on them without taxiways.
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how about the small airfields dont have runways but just a grass strip?
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so basically only choice for the op is to memorize the orientation of runways on fields. if it makes it easier all bases have at least one runway sw to ne (ne to sw if you prefer) and medium and large fields also have runway east to west.
um no the answer is to use the pattern baumer showed, which is also the standard combat landing pattern described in the AH trainers help section. its also the quickest, safest way to land.
am I the only one who always lands like this? :headscratch:
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Is there a prescribed approach for bombers?
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good point - you will lose your drones if you try the standard fighter pattern.
I do a relaxed version for buffs - descend to ~2k @200IAS over the centre of the field, clear the field and then do one wide descending turn to bring you back into your selected runway. annoyingly you have to keep wheels up until the last minute or your drones will try to land themselves with ... unpredictable results.
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Is there a prescribed approach for bombers?
I come in at 2K, high enough to see the runway. Then, about 6K, you start your descent on idle engines, and by the time you hit the runway, you should be fine. Just know that you should touch the ground as soon as the runway begins or else you might not be able to slow down in time.
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I come in at 2K, high enough to see the runway. Then, about 6K, you start your descent on idle engines, and by the time you hit the runway, you should be fine. Just know that you should touch the ground as soon as the runway begins or else you might not be able to slow down in time.
How fast are you flying your bomber? There is plenty of runway....you need maybe 1/4 to 1/3 of the runway to land if you're flying at a reasonable speed on final.
For the B-17 or B-24 speed around 100-105 works very well...never more than 120 on final.
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For the B-17 or B-24 speed around 100-105 works very well...never more than 120 on final.
That's the trick of course, it seems to me that most non-pilot players have a hard time getting slowed down and stable during the approach.
tf15pin, here's a patten for the DC-6 (similar landing weights to our bombers) to give you an idea for more specific bomber speeds and flap settings.
* View image for more detail
(http://www.enginehistory.org/FStelly/DC-6Pattern.jpg)
I grew up not far from Willow Run airport (in Mi) which in the late 70's was a major cargo hub. And I remember DC-4, 6, 7's just after takeoff, they'd fly right over my house (500 feet agl) , I really miss that sound.
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There is already a duplicate thread of this in the wishlist forum. FYI. That is the one that should be responded to.
So what?
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That's the trick of course, it seems to me that most non-pilot players have a hard time getting slowed down and stable during the approach.
What he said.
I rarely fly a real world circuit in AH. If I find myself high and fast I'll slip the aircraft to bleed airspeed and get an increased descent rate without an increased airspeed. Works really well for bombers.
As to lines on runways, in the real world you wouldn't see runway markings until you're fairly close in anyway, and I've never flown an approach where I'm looking for the white lines rather than looking for the runway itself. Runway lighting is of course a different matter.
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Aces High is a great game for those of us who enjoy this type of entertainment, but AH has a number of problems they need to address. #1-Who ever heard of a ME-262 attacking a A6M, a F4F or a TBM, in actual combat? Never happened! Why, if AH can "dock" certain types of aircraft in the mid-war arena, why can't they also do it when using certain arena maps in the late war arena? Example, there are certain arena maps which are "set" in the Pacific war theater during the 2nd world war. Why would you allow ME-262 or ME163 even "fly" during the time those arena's are in effect? This just spoils the game for those of us who enjoy re-enactment missions, which occured during WW2! A good case in point occured last night, Tuesday, Nov. 29th. We had 35 to 40 AH members, flying in a mission posted by the Devil Dogs squadron, re-enacting a mission flown by the U.S. Navy, on June 20th, 1944, from a carrier of "Task Force 58", trying to locate and sink the remains of the Japanese attack force on the support fleet of the U.S. at Saipan. Great mission in progress and along comes 5 or 6 ME-262's, which ruined the whole mission intent! A lot of AH members left that battle with doubts about AH's desire to make a enjoyable game for all to enjoy. I know about the "snap" shot arena games, but they are not the same, without all your buddies flying with you. Maybe AH needs to designate certain arena maps for area's of the second world war, so that those aircraft which did not fly in that theater, could be "docked". I am refering of course to the late war arena's.
#2- The "fighter" aircraft seem to be enjoying an advantage over the bombers these days, as it is getting more and more difficult to shoot them down with .50 cal. machine guns, while the fighters get kill after kill! I've brought this up before, but its like talking to "city hall", shut-up and pay your water bill and everything will be fine.
Would someone at AH, please pay attention to member complaints!
#3- Put some kind of white lines on your runways! Some of us do not see as well as we used to and under certain light conditions, the runways blend into the surrounding terrain and are hard to see except on short final.
#4- How about numbers on the war ships in AH! Never saw a Navy ship without some kind of number on it.
#5- How about numbers on the GV's?
These little "touch's" would add class to a already great on-line game. Surely, the cost to do those little things are not that much! :bhead
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no
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Aces High is a great game for those of us who enjoy this type of entertainment, but AH has a number of problems they need to address. #1-Who ever heard of a ME-262 attacking a A6M, a F4F or a TBM, in actual combat? Never happened! Why, if AH can "dock" certain types of aircraft in the mid-war arena, why can't they also do it when using certain arena maps in the late war arena? Example, there are certain arena maps which are "set" in the Pacific war theater during the 2nd world war. Why would you allow ME-262 or ME163 even "fly" during the time those arena's are in effect?
Your wish has already been granted: The AvA arena is completely based on that, and for re-enactment missions we have a multitude of special events, from FSO to Scenarios which are also based on historical events.
But if you want to set up the MA like that, you fist have to tell me how you would address the balance issues in gameplay ;)
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You and your avatar are a match made in heaven.
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Funny that he doesn't connect #2 and #3 :rofl
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and now for some entertainment based on the hilarity of this thread
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMWi7CLoZ2Q
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There was a reason the 8th air force needed long range escort fighters.
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Of all the millions of times folks complained about runways in this game ("too short!" "I should land safely anywhere!" "I got a ditch but 1 of my gear was on it!")
I don't think once has anybody ever said they are hard to spot or that they blend in with the terrain underneath them...
Are you talking about the same thing we are?
Here's a runway:
(http://electraforge.com/brooke/flightsims/aces_high/startGuide/image008.jpg)
You can pretty much see it from 30,000 feet.
One of the things no one is considering is the fact that we are looking at a 2 dimentional view, rather than a 3 dimentional view as in real life..I have been flying since 1948 and flown all over this world..yes, many military fields did not have markings, for security reasons, but that doesn't apply in AH
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A simple solution is to just fly a proper landing pattern. If you cross over the center of the field (at 1000 feet agl) you spot the runway you like and turn for your downwind leg.
You know, like real pilots do (and did in World War 2).
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PFz8Zc-I2SU/RlmJwX-iv1I/AAAAAAAAACk/fcm93RoUtmg/s1600/Airport_traffic_pattern.jpg)
appreciate the diagram and advice, have 22,956 hours total flight when I retired, about 5500 as CFI, IFI, MEL, Type in DC3,6 and 7, 935 hrs B29, 456 in 51K, I think I know what I am doing..Wait until your eyes are 77 years old, then lets see how good you see...Hope yours will be better than mine are now.LOL
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Looks like two similar posts got merged.
You have some impressive hours Earl. That's a P-51K you have 456 hours in?
As others have mentioned you can't expect Allies vs Axis in the main arena. There is an AvA arena for that and the low numbers in that arena suggests that the same settings in the LWA would not be a good idea. The best place to fly historically, in my opinion, is in the scenarios. The AvA is also good if you can get enough people in there.
Runways are hard to see in certain conditions. Other than making sure your monitor is properly calibrated I don't know what else you can do except line up when you're still high enough to see the runway.