Simviation Forum - A touch of the Skuas

Mar 22^nd, 2007 at 10:20am

arfyhun Offline
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Greetings Gents, may I ask your assistance please. My problems concern a trio of Blackburn Skuas.

Problem 1: The first Skua, (zip: “Blackburn Skua”) by Jeff Marsh (Jed), is “L2882” of 800 Sqdn. I have aliased the sound to I4_Skua, which is a "known good sound alias" on my CFS2 EUROPE set-up. However, the A/C did not show in Freeflight when it was the only Skua in the game. Any ideas please? I’ve loaded enough A/C before to think I know all the dodges but not this one! Also whilst fishing around trying to resolve the issue I noticed in the Texture folder "skua2" showing the fuselage of L2987, which is none of the three Skua flight numbers. ("skuaE" is the correct .bmp for L2882). Can anyone shed any light as to why "skua2" is in the Texture folder of L2882?

Problem2: Loading( zip: “Skua_mk2_I3011”), also by Jed and aliasing the sound to I4_Skua lets L3011 show up in Freeflight but when selected no information shows up in the “loadout” box. The box below it shows “wep_brl_250lb (1) and wep_brl_30lb (8)”. The A/C picture turns as normal but the PC is now locked up and can only be freed by manually switching the computer off. I do have Stuart Green’s ace Swordfish and weapons pack as per the request in the notes. “L2882” is still loaded at this time but still no show.

Problem3: Zip: "Skua_mk2_I2908" is a texture set for L2908, also from Jeff Marsh. Copying all the files with the exception of the Texture folder of L3011 as requested does not allow L2908 to show up in Freeflight. L3011 and L2882 are still loaded at this time.

Moving along, I have combined the AIR name of L2908 with L3011 and copied the texture folder to L3011 as well, after renaming it to avoid overwriting L3011’s as below:

[fltsim.0]
title = Blackburn Skua MkII 806Sqd L3011
sim = Skua Mk2
model =
panel =
sound =
texture =
kb_checklists =
ui_manufacturer = Blackburn
ui_type = Skua MkII
ui_variation = 806Sqd

[fltsim.1]
title = Blackburn Skua MkII 800Sqd L2908
sim = Skua Mk2
model =
panel =
sound =\..\..\..\..\CFS2_common\sound\Mercury_single_LD
texture = L2908

L2908 and L3011 both show up now in the Freeflight listing, (L2882 still missing) but when L2908 was selected the PC didn’t load the picture. Not frozen, just not loading. Removing the line after SOUND= in FLIGHTSIM1 cleared that problem but now L2908 locks the PC as well as L3011. I’ve done this “multi AIR file” and texture rename with Akemi’s Vals to make seven planes from various carriers in one folder and they all show up lovely. The beastie is obviously in L3011’s file but it’s got me beaten.
L2882’s flightsim title is different to L2908 & L3011’s so I can’t think of any other reason for it not to show. As a last ditch effort to get L2882 to show I’ve renamed the folder to Blackburn Skua L2882, renamed the TITLE from: “title = Skua Mk2 800 Sqd 1938” to:”title=Skua Mk2 L2882 800 Sqdn 1938”, the TEXTURE folder from: “texture” to: “texture.L2882” and “model” to “model.1”. (That’s model dot one). Also tried this: (which is how I have Akemi’s seven Vals, with just their fltsim Nos. incremented and relevant TEXTURE folders named after their carriers)
[fltsim.0]
title=Skua Mk2 L2882 800 Sqdn 1938
sim=Skua Mk2
model=
panel=
sound=
texture=L2882 800 Sqdn 1938

N.A.B.S.!.. Any clues please chaps? ‘Elp an’ old geezer out someone please, goin’ rahnd the bend ‘ere, Gawd ‘elp us if I aint!

Graham Sullivan. London.

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Reply #1 - Mar 22^nd, 2007 at 11:12am

Hagar Offline
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Hi Graham. A link to the exact page these aircraft are posted on would be a great help & save a lot of time. It's not worth taking wild guesses without checking them out myself.

A few comments. From your sample CFG entries this looks like an FS2002 or later FS model. The ui_xxxxxx entries are not used in CFS2.

I see no benefit in using the "2 in 1" multiple texture setup. In my experience with both CFS1 & CFS2 it's much better to install each variation in its own folder as a separate aircraft. It's quite possible that the Skua uses at least one different MDL file which might explain your problems.

I don't know where the CFS2_common folder that you're aliasing to is located on your PC but that sound= entry looks a tad complicated to me. I find it helps to keep everything as simple as possible.

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Reply #2 - Mar 22^nd, 2007 at 11:40am

arfyhun Offline
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Hello Hagar, many thanks for your speedy reply. The L2882 mdl file is different from that of L3011. L2908 is just a texture D/L to replace the L3011 texture for a different serialed A/C. The blurb that came with them did state they were modded for CFS2. I multi-airfiled Akemi's Vals to save multiple folders filling up the "maximum A/C total" that CFS2 can manage. Also, before, when I have put the same A/C with multiple textures as seperate A/C folders only the first one seems to show up in the Freeflight listing. I am not on my PC presently but will look up the site from where I D/L the two planes and gather all the info for which you have asked.
Will reply soonest Hagar. Regards. Graham.

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Reply #3 - Mar 22^nd, 2007 at 12:02pm

Hagar Offline
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arfyhun wrote on Mar 22^nd, 2007 at 11:40am:

Hello Hagar, many thanks for your speedy reply. The L2882 mdl file is different from that of L3011. L2908 is just a texture D/L to replace the L3011 texture for a different serialed A/C. The blurb that came with them did state they were modded for CFS2. I multi-airfiled Akemi's Vals to save multiple folders filling up the "maximum A/C total" that CFS2 can manage.

Hi Graham. I tracked down those aircraft. As I suspected this is a CFS2 conversion of Jeff Marsh's FS9 Skua. I downloaded all 3 & installed them to CFS2 following the included instructions. All work as advertised. (The L2882 repaint is intended to be installed as a separate aircraft so the author obviously agrees with me.)

Quote:

Also, before, when I have put the same A/C with multiple textures as seperate A/C folders only the first one seems to show up in the Freeflight listing.

I suspect this is caused by incorrect Aircraft.cfg entries. One small mistake or typo can mess the whole thing up. The title = entry must be different for each installed aircraft or it will cause a conflict. This is the name that is displayed on the Free Flight aircraft selection menu.

Quote:

I multi-airfiled Akemi's Vals to save multiple folders filling up the "maximum A/C total" that CFS2 can manage.

After a lot of experimenting I'm not convinced that would affect the CFS2 aircraft limit in any way. The limit is caused by the Mission Builder database & not CFS2 itself. The best method for overcoming this is duplicate installs of CFS2 for various theatres. IMHO

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Reply #4 - Mar 22^nd, 2007 at 12:42pm

arfyhun Offline
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Greets Hagar, Forgot to add this bit. The "sound" line came with the D/L and it caught me out. I got rid of it as it stopped the picture loading. It's in my original post. Thanks also for letting me know about "ui" not being for CFS2. I only have CFS1 & 2. I saw it in the file but never read it! A big difference that!
The "Blackburn_Skua, according to the notes, is a FS9 conversion to CFS2 by Jeff Marsh, notes written by Buddha13. All the Skuas have been D/Ld from Combatfs. I've just looked on their site and can only find "Skua MkII L3011" by JD Tinballs. but it also says it's a FS2004 A/C by Jeff Marsh modded for CFS2. I D/Lded them yonks ago so maybe the other two have been removed.
Regards. Graham.

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Reply #5 - Mar 22^nd, 2007 at 1:00pm

Hagar Offline
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arfyhun wrote on Mar 22^nd, 2007 at 12:42pm:

Greets Hagar, Forgot to add this bit. The "sound" line came with the D/L and it caught me out. I got rid of it as it stopped the picture loading. It's in my original post. Thanks also for letting me know about "ui" not being for CFS2. I only have CFS1 & 2. I saw it in the file but never read it! A big difference that!
The "Blackburn_Skua, according to the notes, is a FS9 conversion to CFS2 by Jeff Marsh, notes written by Buddha13. All the Skuas have been D/Ld from Combatfs. I've just looked on their site and can only find "Skua MkII L3011" by JD Tinballs. but it also says it's a FS2004 A/C by Jeff Marsh modded for CFS2. I D/Lded them yonks ago so maybe the other two have been removed.
Regards. Graham.

Let's get this right. The Skua is an original by Jeff Marsh for FS9. The CFS2 conversion (Blackburn_Skua.zip) was done by Buddha13 with permission. The other two appear to be repaints by JDTinballs of the CFS2 conversion.

I found all 3 files quite easily with a quick search on Google.

PS. If you really wish to configure them all in one folder, first install the original CFS2 conversion & make sure it's working properly. Then rename the texture folders of the two repaints to texture.L3011 & texture.L2987 before pasting them into the Skua folder. Finally edit Aircraft.cfg as follows. (I've tidied it up a little to make them easier to read on the aircraft selection menu.)

[fltsim.0]
title = Skua Mk II 800 Sqd 1938
sim = Skua Mk2
model =
panel =
sound =
texture =

[fltsim.1]
title = Skua Mk II 806Sqd L3011
sim = Skua Mk2
model =
panel =
sound =
texture = L3011

[fltsim.2]
title = Skua Mk II 806Sqd L2987
sim = Skua Mk2
model =
panel =
sound =
texture = L2987

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Reply #6 - Mar 22^nd, 2007 at 1:13pm

arfyhun Offline
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Thanks Hagar. I will unzip the Skuas again and pay a bit more attention to the notes. I have CFS1 & 2 split into different theatres. That is why I seem to be in the pickle I am now. Have a million odd things happening and I am only now finding time to work through them. Appreciate your help very much mate. Regards. Graham.

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Reply #7 - Mar 25^th, 2007 at 8:05am

arfyhun Offline
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Greetings Hagar, could I throw up a couple of points on this discussion? Is there a need to do anything other than a straight D/L of these A/Cs straight out of the box, so to speak? (2882 seperate, L3011 seperate, L2908 keeping it's different bits and copying L3011's folders except texture). You mention in your previous note to load them that way first, I have and L2882 still doesn't show in the Freeflight menu, L2908 & L3011 do show but still lock up the PC as before. Also something I've just noticed in your last letter too, you have loaded L 2987, the original Texture D/L is named L2908, which is what I've been numbering it, not that the flight number matters regarding the install. It explains why I was confused in seeing L2987 bmp in an A/C which led me to believe was L2908.
Another anomaly is L2882 shows up when I use JSQED. That sees it but Freeflight doesn't. Any clues on that one?
I feel my CFS2 Europe must be corrupt is some way. I have D/Ld these exactly as I have done a number of times, which concurs with the way you have done but I get problems. As I get other odd messages from CFS2 I think a new install might be the answer. First though, I will need a larger hard drive.
Regards, Graham.

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Reply #8 - Mar 25^th, 2007 at 12:05pm

Hagar Offline
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[quote author=arfyhun link=1174573213/0#7 date=1174824354]Greetings Hagar, could I throw up a couple of points on this discussion? Is there a need to do anything other than a straight D/L of these A/Cs straight out of the box, so to speak? (2882 seperate, L3011 seperate, L2908 keeping it's different bits and copying L3011's folders except texture). You mention in your previous note to load them that way first, I have and L2882 still doesn't show in the Freeflight menu, L2908 & L3011 do show but still lock up the PC as before.
[/quote]
Hi Graham. I had to go back & refresh my memory. I suggest you remove all versions of the Skua from your CFS2 & start again.
You should have 3 zipfiles named [b]Blackburn_Skua.zip[/b], [b]Skua_mk2_l3011.zip[/b] & [b]Skua_mk2_l2987.zip[/b].

[b]Blackburn_Skua.zip[/b] is the original CFS2 conversion by Buddha13. You can install this 'straight out of the box'. (Note that you also need to install the weapons for Stuart Greens Swordfish from the link in the Readme.) It will be listed on the CFS2 selection menu as [b]Skua Mk2 800 Sqd 1938[/b]

[b]Skua_mk2_l3011.zip[/b] is basically a repaint of the above by Jamie Tindall (JDTinballs). It's configured as a complete separate aircraft & can be installed straight out the box. The folder name is Blackburn_Skua_L3011. This one will be listed on the menu as [b]Blackburn Skua MkII 806Sqd L3011[/b]

[b]Skua_mk2_l2987.zip[/b] is another JDTinballs repaint but this one contains just the textures & a replacement AIR file & aircraft.cfg. To install this I suggest making a copy of the Blackburn_Skua_L3011 folder & renaming it Blackburn_Skua_L2987. Then paste in the texture folder, AIR file & Aircraft.cfg from Skua_mk2_l2987.zip overwriting files/folders when prompted. This one will be listed on the menu as [b]Blackburn Skua MkII 806Sqd L2987[/b].

Note: After checking them out in CFS2 it would be a good idea to edit the title= names in Aircraft.cfg so they're listed next to each other on the selection menu. See my previous shot.

[quote]Also something I've just noticed in your last letter too, you have loaded L 2987, the original Texture D/L is named L2908, which is what I've been numbering it, not that the flight number matters regarding the install. It explains why I was confused in seeing L2987 bmp in an A/C which led me to believe was L2908.[/quote]
I haven't seen a BMP with that name although Skua_mk2_l2987.zip does contain a folder named Blackburn_Skua_L2908 for some unknown reason. This contains a single file, the Aircraft.cfg for L2908 which is not required for this repaint. It's possible that I have slightly different versions of these aircraft from you as I downloaded them from more than one website.

[quote]Another anomaly is L2882 shows up when I use JSQED. That sees it but Freeflight doesn't. Any clues on that one?
[/quote]
The only explanation for this I can think of is that the AIR file has been modified to make it an unflyable AI Only drone.

[quote]I feel my CFS2 Europe must be corrupt is some way. I have D/Ld these exactly as I have done a number of times, which concurs with the way you have done but I get problems. As I get other odd messages from CFS2 I think a new install might be the answer. First though, I will need a larger hard drive.[/quote]
I suspect you might be over or approaching the CFS2 aircraft limit. It might be time for a sort out of your aircraft or a duplicate install of CFS2. Check out my CFS2 FAQ page. [url]http://www.simviation.com/lair/cfs2faq.htm[/url]

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Reply #9 - Mar 26^th, 2007 at 5:06pm

arfyhun Offline
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Hello Hagar. Have been thinking. The three zip D/Ls I have are:

"Blackburn_Skua"- (I2882, Complete A/C),
"Skua_mk2_L3011"- (I3011,Complete A/C) and
"Skua_mk2_I2908" (skua.bmp, skua1.bmp, skuaA.bmp, skuaB.bmp,skuaE.bmp, Skua Mk2.air, Aircraft.cfg and SkuaII L2908.doc). The contents of I2908 are dated between 7th. June and 25th. August 2006. The .doc has the header inside:

   Jeff Marsh’s Blackburn Skua Mk.II Adapted for CFS2 <http://www.sim-outhouse.com/index.php?loc=downloads&page=info&FileID=7367>
   Texture L2908

I don't have three complete A/C, just two and an addon texture +. Also I have not tried to add them all in the same air.cfg list as you have described, (which works well for me with Akemi's seven Vals) as L2882's airfile appears to be different to L3011's as partially listed below:

[fltsim.0]
title = Skua Mk2 800 Sqd 1938
sim = Skua Mk2
model =
panel =
sound =
texture =
panel_alias =
sound_alias =
kb_checklists =
kb_reference =
atc_id = L2882
atc_id_color = 0xffffffff
atc_parking_types =
atc_parking_code =
ui_manufacturer = Blackburn
ui_type = Skua
ui_variation = 800 Sqd 1938
description = The Skua is one of those aircraft little remembered amongst the more illustrious aircraft names of WWII. It was actually quite famous in it's day as being the first Fleet Air Arm aircraft to down an enemy aircraft during the war. The Skua was a fighter/dive-bomber, in service when the war broke out. The first monoplane to become operational with the FAA, the Skua had its moment of glory and then gradually faded away. When the war was into its second year the Skua was withdrawn from combat services to take up the role of training and target towing for the rest of the war. The MkII was powered by a Bristol Perseus XII nine cylinder sleeve valve radial motor, which gave it a top speed of 225 mph. The model represents L2882 of No.800 Sqn in November 1938.

[General]
atc_type = Blackburn
atc_model = Skua MkII
editable = 1
performance = Empty weight: 5,490lbs. Power: max 905hp at 6,500', cruising 715 - 745hp at 2400 rpm, take off 815hp. Max speed @ SL: 204 mph. Max speed: 225 mph @ 15000 ft. Climb rate: 2300 ft/min @ 92 mph Flight Dynamics by Jeff Marsh 17/01/05 - Flight Dynamics Workbook V2.84.50

[pitot_static]
vertical_speed_time_constant = 2

[WEIGHT_AND_BALANCE]
max_gross_weight = 8228
empty_weight = 5736

reference_datum_position = 0, 0, 0
empty_weight_CG_position = 0.174, 0, 0
CG_forward_limit = 0
CG_aft_limit = 1

max_number_of_stations = 13
station_load.0 = 200, 1, 0, 1.1, Pilot
station_load.1 = 200, -6, 0, 0.7, navigator
station_load.2 = 0, 0, 0, 0
station_load.3 = 0, 0, 0, 0
station_load.4 = 0, 0, 0, 0
station_load.5 = 0, 0, 0, 0
station_load.6 = 0, 0, 0, 0
station_load.7 = 0, 0, 0, 0
station_load.8 = 0, 0, 0, 0
station_load.9 = 0, 0, 0, 0
station_load.10 = 0, 0, 0, 0
station_load.11 = 0, 0, 0, 0
station_load.12 = 0, 0, 0, 0

empty_weight_pitch_MOI = 9670
empty_weight_roll_MOI = 5040
empty_weight_yaw_MOI = 13687
empty_weight_coupled_MOI = 0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------
[fltsim.0]
title = Blackburn Skua MkII 806Sqd L3011
sim = Skua Mk2
model =
panel =
sound =
texture =
kb_checklists =
ui_manufacturer = Blackburn
ui_type = Skua MkII
ui_variation = 806Sqd

[WEIGHT_AND_BALANCE]
empty_weight = 5736 // (pounds)

reference_datum_position = 0, 0, 0 // (feet) distance from FlightSim Reference position: (1/4 chord, centerline, waterline)
empty_weight_CG_position = 0.054, 0, 0 // (feet) longitudinal, lateral, vertical distance from specified datum

max_number_of_stations = 50
station_load.0 = 200, 0.0, 0, 1.1, Pilot //Pilot       Weight (lbs), longitudinal, lateral, vertical positions from datum (feet)
station_load.1 = 200, -6.5, 0, 0.7, navigator

empty_weight_pitch_MOI = 9175
empty_weight_roll_MOI = 6578
empty_weight_yaw_MOI = 12616
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------
It's worthwhile noting my Texture, e.t.c. zip is named I2908....different to yours.
Please could you let me know if I am right or wrong in my assumption the airfiles are different and if so would they make any difference if their airfiles were grouped together in either configuration. It seems you have a newer version of the A/C than I have. I will re- D/L them and go from there, I think.
Will update you soonest. Regards. Graham.

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Reply #10 - Mar 26^th, 2007 at 7:18pm

Hagar Offline
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[quote author=arfyhun link=1174573213/0#9 date=1174943164]Hello Hagar. Have been thinking. The three zip D/Ls I have are:

"Blackburn_Skua"- (I2882, Complete A/C),
"Skua_mk2_L3011"- (I3011,Complete A/C) and
"Skua_mk2_I2908" (skua.bmp, skua1.bmp, skuaA.bmp, skuaB.bmp,skuaE.bmp, Skua Mk2.air, Aircraft.cfg and SkuaII L2908.doc). The contents of I2908 are dated between 7th. June and 25th. August 2006.

It's worthwhile noting my Texture, e.t.c. zip is named I2908....different to yours.
Please could you let me know if I am right or wrong in my assumption the airfiles are different and if so would they make any difference if their airfiles were grouped together in either configuration. It seems you have a newer version of the A/C than I have. I will re- D/L them and go from there, I think.
Will update you soonest. Regards. Graham.
[/quote]
OK Sorry. I got a little confused with all these different serial numbers.

I've downloaded [b]Skua_mk2_l2908.zip[/b] here. -->
[url]http://www.combatfs.com/index.php?loc=downloads&page=downloads&FileUploadName=JDTinballs[/url]
Note that the L2987 & L3011 repaints are posted on the same page. Skua_mk2_l2908.zip is configured in the same way as Skua_mk2_l2987.zip in my previous walkthrough so you can use the same instructions. I strongly advise you to install all 3 versions* of the Skua as separate aircraft as I described in my walkthrough. I see no benefit at all in installing them in a single folder.

*PS. You can now have 4 versions if you wish.

PPS. Check the Aircraft.cfg of L2908. Make sure that the sound= line is not pointed to that non-existent Mercury_single_LD folder. It should look like this.

[fltsim.0]
title = Blackburn Skua MkII 800Sqd L2908
sim = Skua Mk2
model =
panel =
sound =
texture =

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Reply #11 - Apr 3^rd, 2007 at 5:14pm

arfyhun Offline
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Sorted Hagar, nice one mate. Re D/Ld the A/Cs, they were different to my old ones. All in ticketty-boo.
Many thanks for your help in bailing me out. Much appreciated. Over and out. Graham.

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