B-24 - any knowledgeable persons out there?

[Dark Moment 0]

I have just spent a wonderful day in the company of Captain Jay Gross, veteran of 30 missions in one of the 19,000 "Liberators" (yes, that surprised me too) built and made famous in the WWII arena. He flew "WURF'LESS" as Navigator - the aircraft was eventually lost over Brandenburg in April 1944. Jay was with the 458th Bombardment Group (H), 752nd Squadron. He was not on board when she was lost, although he flew on the 458th's first mission and regularly from that time.In my usual manner of converting everyone I ever meet into a flightsimmer, I now have Jay leaping up and down like a schoolboy at the prospect of actually being able to fly, once again, his lost lady in FS2002 (or CFS2?). Yours truly intends, of course, to repaint something appropriate in "WURF'LESS" colours - I have researched all the details, many of which Jay didn't know, or had forgotten, himself! How wonderful the Internet can be, sometimes ... Anyway, I ramble. Why I post tonight is that I would greatly appreciate any B-24 fan pointing me in the direction of the best "stuff" available for this genre, with a view to a specific repaint. This will be primarily for the man himself but will, of course, be shared with the community if of a high enough standard (I'll try ...). I've run all the usual searches but have not come up with much, and only two for FS2002. Canst help?Just how different are the B-24 and B-25? There seem to be a lot more of the latter out there, and some very nice panels. Anyway, all help appreciated, as this isn't really my area - or wasn't, to date ...Mark "Dark Moment" Beaumonthttp://www.swiremariners.com/cxkaitak.htmlhttp://www.swiremariners.com/cxkaitakv3.jpg

[Guest]

B-24 and B-25 are two totally different animals. The B-25 Mitchell is a twin engine medium bomber with a 67 ft span, capable of carrying a 3000lb payload 1300 miles. The B-24 Liberator is a 110ft four engine behemouth, delivering four tons of hugs and kissed 2200 miles right to the enemy's doorstep. I'm not aware of any Liberators available, other than the default CFS2 version. There are dozens of repaints available for it. You can find a few at http://www.aluminumcloud.com and http://www.simviation.com.If you want to find some good information, go to http://www.netwings.org/ and ask questions in the Warbirds and Real Planes forum. There's amazing amounts of knowledge to be picked up over there.FYI, the plane in the forground is a B-25, and the one behind it is a B-24.http://mywebpages.comcast.net/mluzzi/mrflyin.jpg

[Guest Coneman]

If you want some good reference on the B-24 try this:http://www.b24bestweb.com/Cheers,ToddKCOE

[Dark Moment 0]

Thanks, gents. Very useful. Todd, I had found that site previously ... it's awesome, isn't it? Psycho, I'll check out yours too - and by the way, that's one fabulous screenshot.I particularly want to recreate my friend's 'plane in the European theatre. Did CFS come with a B-24, or only CFS2? Not being a shoot-em-up fan, I don't have the Combat sims. Anyway, I guess they're interchangeable.Mark "Dark Moment" Beaumonthttp://www.swiremariners.com/cxkaitak.htmlhttp://www.swiremariners.com/cxkaitakv3.jpg

[Guest]

I don't know about CFS, but if it did, the CFS2 one would be better. I found a download that includes the entire aircraft. Search for "b-24d.zip" at flightsim.com. There might be others out there as well. I also found an original model for FS2002 by Rey Lopez. I haven't checked it out, though.

[Dark Moment 0]

Sorry, just seen your post. Thanks again. I have checked out all the B-24s online and now have eight in my hangar, together with five different panels! They vary considerably in standard, but in any case, for the moment, my pal has his repaint in the CFS2 version. I shan't be uploading it because CFS mirrored textures drive me potty but it was the quickest way to achieve an end. He's happy. Here's the aircraft over Germany:http://www.swiremariners.com/wurf2.jpgHow lucky we are not to have to face such uncertain challenges night after night. What REAL heroes.Mark "Dark Moment" Beaumonthttp://www.swiremariners.com/cxkaitak.htmlhttp://www.swiremariners.com/cxkaitakv3.jpg

[Guest Coneman]

Mark, there is also a mod for this to enable a basic virtual cockpit so you can at least see the engines, kind of cool. It's on the www.netwings.org site. Should work in FS2002.Cheers,ToddKCOE

[Dark Moment 0]

Probably can't see the wood for the trees - can't find it, Coneman. What's it called, please?First time I've played bomber pilot. Replicating real missions in this thing is daunting. But imagine being a passenger:"So where are we going?""Dunno - it's in that envelope""I see - how do we get there? GPS?""Not invented yet.""Follow a few VORs?""Nah, the Jerries turned them off. And the NDBs"."Oh. So we'll use radar?""Sorry, only just invented, not too reliable I hear"."Well we've got our radio, haven't we?""Not allowed to use it. Except for Glenn Miller, maybe""Ah well, we'll look down then, I suppose"."Would be nice, but we're going at night. And Jerry turned the lights off"."Mmmm. Will we be up long?""Depends whether the German flak finds us. Berlin seems reluctant to offer ATC, too"."Oh, well, at least we can't hit anything up there"."Only 399 other aircraft in our formation, also flying without lights. Oh, and the odd German fighter coming the other way ...."The mind boggles ..... and people moan about finding the glideslope on a 777 ...Mark "Dark Moment" Beaumonthttp://www.swiremariners.com/cxkaitak.htmlhttp://www.swiremariners.com/cxkaitakv3.jpg

[Guest Coneman]

Try doing a search there for AI_MODELS.zip. If you haven't tried CFS2 I can highly recommend it. Although it's set in WWII Pacific Theatre it really gives you a small taste of what air combat must have been like. CFS3 will be coming out this fall and is focused on the European Theatre.Todd

[Guest]

Definately works in FS2002. I've got the ones for the B-25, B-24, and P-39.

[Dark Moment 0]

Thanks again. It works a treat, although the co-pilot is an ugly fellow. "WURF'LESS" is now the veteran of two flightsim missions in addition to the 30 my friend navigated her through for real. I'll tell you what he thinks after he's flown a few himself!http://www.swiremariners.com/wurf3.jpgMark "Dark Moment" Beaumonthttp://www.swiremariners.com/cxkaitak.htmlhttp://www.swiremariners.com/cxkaitakv3.jpg

[Guest Coneman]

Glad it worked. Your paint job looks great. And give my respects and thanks to the gentleman who flew these for real.Todd