RHS 7.7872 Validated, Uploaded, Frozen and Locked

[el cid again]

I plan to wrap up RHSEEO over the next two or three days (I am not working).

When I do, I will issue a revised set of Level 7 scenario files. Only RHSCVO has a significant eratta to change: a 1945 Japanese fighter may have corrupted data as uploaded (I cannot tell for sure). But if we are going to update any scenario - we should do all to the same standard - so we will.

The only noticable change identified so far is that EOS family aircraft may be different - for one or both sides. Hopefully not different enough to require more art - we already need about 5 air art changes and I am loth to increase it. But my mind is open on that score. The changes are mainly concerned with EEO - but can also apply to EOS and AIO if appropriate.

This will be the last update for Level 7. It is not at this time planned to update Levels 5 or 6. RHS is in the process of freezing until after Matrix next update - and more testing and statistical calibration data is available.

[el cid again]

Working up an Allied aircraft data sheet similar to the Japanese ones - I have concluded that the virtually (not quite) identical RN and USN versions of the FM-2 Wildcat (or Martlet or something like an F4F-5) are not identical enough. The RN version should have drop tanks (effect = increase logistic cost) while the US version should have bomb capability (in effect the plane carries EITHER drop tanks or bombs, depending on range and mission). Also that both need to have a different max load rating - due to the impact of rockets. So I want to update the aircraft data in both aircraft and air group files at some point. Since we are at the end of the road - and since there no doubt are very minor matters salted throughout that cannot hurt - I think we will do a final comprehensive update across the board.

[el cid again]

I found the durability rating of P-40N should be 16 (vice 12), the P-47D should be 15 (vice 14) and the P-47N should be 16 (vice 14). This adds to the possibility of issuing a general update.

[Mifune]

So will there be a Allied performance spreadsheet?

[el cid again]

Eine minuten bitte - soon.

Kittyhawk III should have durability of 16 (vice 14).

Spitfire XIVE should have a drop tank, more range and 8 rockets.

The Allies have too many types of fighters - too many - too many... still working on them.

[el cid again]

Made it down to the Russians. These are getting names when possible. Usually official, Russian names or nicknames, but the LaGG-3 - which was said to mean "Varnished Guaranteed Coffin" in acrnym form - (the Russian letters for those words start with La, G and G) - is nicknamed "coffin" in English - since we lack space for the Russian.

[Mifune]

I see that there were a few other changes than what was posted on this thread. It should be interesting on how the aircraft losses might change compared with the current stats.

[el cid again]

Well - this is partly posted in a different thread. Mainly eratta were corrected - and mainly that took the form of increasing durability or range for Allied fighter aircraft. One thing - when we applied a "K" (constant) of 2 to durability, we just doubled the values. Sometimes - had we recalculated - we would have found that the result was the next odd number higher (since we calculate in fractions and round down any fraction 0.5 or above should, when doubled, equate to another one). Two cases gained drop tanks, one gained rockets (which in RHS work air to air or air to ground - I think).
A couple may also have changed loadouts.

The lack of feedback seems to indicate the Allied plane set is acceptable to expert Allied players - so this was just cleanup.
It is a rich set - and in the end it appears that the best Allied fighters do not have peers in the Japanese set in terms of maneuverability or range - the very reverse of the start of war situation. Only in firepower do late war Japanese offerings outstrip the Allies - no doubt because of a focus on bomber destroyers. And the firepower of many Allied planes combines with maneuverability, speed and durability to make better all around machines in several cases.

I must say that the early war Beaufighter seems to have awesome firepower. Surprising firepower...not bad range... if only it could maneuver!

[el cid again]

RHS Level 7 Scenarios - excepting only EEO - are completed, validated and frozen. The packaging is done and the upload process has begun. These scenarios will not be updated for some time - although supporting material will be issued - and technical problems will be solved for the next update - which will be after Matrix next update.

EEO will release as soon as its location file is completed - and be put in the same status.

Levels 5 and 6 are partially updated - mainly with respect to certain aircraft, ship classes, air groups and ships, to keep them in sync with development and art. However, not all revisions are backfitted.

We have modified the Ki-48 II bomb load - having discovered it probably used its external load in a dive bomber mode - and since we use it that way in CVO and BBO families - we gave it that load. [EOS family uses the Ju-88 instead]

The biggest changes are the way Japanese carrier aircraft are treated in EOS family scenarios. Also that the USN gets two Baltimore class cruisers in a CVL form - the Saipan class in its original design (instead of the way it was actually built post war) - these in 1944 - and special new air groups. These are a combination of the night fighter groups used by two Independence class CVLs plus a squadron of F6F dayfighters. A few eratta were worked in, and a few enhancements, but most of the work went into EEO and will only appear there.

I will try to get EEO out tomorrow - and an edited RHS manual after that. [This isn't so much a new edition as a detail cleanup of spelling and grammer in the new parts of the latest edition]

My focus from now is on human testing, and moving on to a different project.

[m10bob]

Many hours spent enjoying RHS..Thank you sir..

[el cid again]

The updated aircraft file was not transmitted - wait for the retransmission.

[Buck Beach]

Then I take you decided against the "AI" form of the CVO? No matter, I think there needs to be a pause while we await the new addition or change to the game from Matrix. Let's hope it is a only material improvement to the existing game and not a new game so as not to lose all the great work you and other modders have done.

I echo m10bob's about hours of enjoyment and thanks.

[el cid again]

There did not seem to be a great demand. Anyway - I must finish EEO first - and then we will see.

The correct aircraft files now uploaded (except EEO which needs rebuilding with respect to changes - but EEO needs a bit more location work anyway).

CAIO might be useful as a training game for players new to WITP and/or RHS.

Matrix is making a major improvement - but it won't destroy the mods. RHS will be impacted more than the others because of our supply sinks and map edge movement tracks - but I am sure we can benefit from the new system - and I will make changes as required.

[el cid again]

EEO aircraft file rebuilt and uploaded.

[Buck Beach]

ORIGINAL: el cid again
Matrix is making a major improvement - but it won't destroy the mods. RHS will be impacted more than the others because of our supply sinks and map edge movement tracks - but I am sure we can benefit from the new system - and I will make changes as required.

This tidbit of information has not gone unnoticed. If the rumor hounds on the main forum gets a hold of this, expect this thread to go on and on [:D][:D][:D]

I am so glad that you intend on supporting the RHS level 7 (and/or other levels) approach. I love challange of the logistics it provides.

[el cid again]

Mifune - posting to the RHS site - either did not get - or did not get all of - 3 scenarios - so they were reuploaded. Meanwhile, I tested the reissued aircraft files - found Axis Hawk reporting as RTAF Hawk (a Level 5/6 designation) and a couple other things - and reissued them again as well. If these uploads validate, it is just a question of posting them in the "final" form.

But yes, we will probably need to revise - rare - if Matrix update includes all it might. Most changes only make all mods better. Only the workarounds need to change. And we always wanted to need to change them in favor of proper code based solutions. There may be more than usual in this update - and more fundamentals. An awful lot of this package is better than we understand - and it is going to be more so.

[Mifune]

Alright, level 7 file sets have been uploaded to the RHS web site.