Devil 505

So here would be an idea for a few missions. The GIFs where a test run on a quick mission to see how this would work out. If I was to put a real brief together off the footage, I would zoom in completely on the FLIR or Recon camera to have it fill the screen for the actual purpose of a briefing. A quick scenario would be an MB-339 on loan to the USAF to gather reconnaissance intel from the South End of Guam. QRF has moved in around the lake an is planning on pushing North into town. MB-339 crew launches for one mission to go do several high speed/low altitude passes over AO. Returns to base. A mission or two later would be a Hornet strike with JDAMS on the QRF. FLIR images could show confirmation of strike. The two briefs could be given in detail to provide details. In game satellite imagery of the area using the F10 map for the MB-339 mission along with a few photos of any other story line info could be included in the first mission. Second mission could include the MB-339 Recon video pass of the target area (demonstrated below). Then a follow on mission to the Hornet strike could show video from the FLIR and even JDAM drop in the briefing. Being able to record action while on a mission and use it for briefing material in the form of photos or GIFs would really emphasize the mission in my opinion. After trying to insert my GIFs, I found out they where to big for the forums. Average was about 40 to 60 MBs. I also increased the size from above (400x224) to the below (800x448). I will probably scale it back down because this is probably a little to big for VR. That will decrease the size as well. I really hope someone from ED can comment on the possibility of being able to add these as trigger GIFs.

Below are 2 of the first GIFs I was messing around with just to see how they would turn out. Recorded in VR with OBS and then converted to a GIF using Filmora. Looking forward to adding a few Recon flight GIFs and some FLIR inspired ones from in-game.

So originally, I had posted a longer article about this before it was incidentally erased. My buddies and I are going further in depth with our briefings and for a while I was seeing if there was a way to add Mpegs, similar to the way we insert photos from a trigger. Reflected commented and made a good point that missions would be way to large with MP4's, in the gigs. I did not think of this, which was a solid point. I got to thinking this week, GIFs are only between 20 and 60 MBs for the sizes above. Ultimately, we would like to incorporate GIFs from our flight into the next missions brief. Our talented mission creator is doing some really neat stuff with AI voice, story background, and images. But to get everyone fired up for the mission, we would love to use actual video shot in game for briefings. The in-game MB-339 Gun camera works great for this effect. A quick GIF of a recon flight over a target area, or the F-15 with the radar images, or even FLIR similar to what we see above would provide excellent intel for everyone to see, especially if shot in game. With the F-14 TARPS pod coming and the IndiaFoxTecho G-91 and its reported ability for recon video in DCS would make this function great for mission editors. I miss the old school days of flight sims with proper in game briefings and until we get the ready room and maybe a FARP tent for Helos, we have to improvise. I will post a few in game GIFs we have been testing here soon. ED team, how hard would it be to add a function to the Mission Editor to allow us to insert a GIF file like we already do an image? I feel this would bring added value to all mission creators and those who want to incorporate it into their missions. Our mission creator has already created an F-10 function to bypass the briefing if it gets old. We plan on shooting a video soon demonstrating what we have already done in game with images and AI text. I feel this would really get everyone fired up for the mission and give them a better sense of what the target area is. It also opens up the option for missions specifically gathered around intel photo and videos specifically for future use in upcoming missions. I would love to hear thoughts and opinions. Hopefully have something up soon to somewhat demonstrate what's on our minds.

Is there any way to get the ability to add inserting GIFs into our missions through the mission editor? Similar to the way we can insert photos? I feel like this would be a great function added so we can have more realistic briefs. I literally just wrote a novel on this topic and copied the GIFs below, when I hit submit, it erased the entire post and just put the GIF's up. I will rewrite it at a later date, a bit irritated it erased a 30 minute explanation. Hoping we can get this added to the ME.

All good brother! Fired up for this release. We all are. You said a couple weeks right? LOL

Apologies, the question was not meant to offend. I am greatly impressed with what you have accomplished and not complaining at all. You are providing something for us that Bellsimtek stated they would do years ago. I am looking forward to its release and more updates. It will compliment the Free OH-6A on the way and the UH-1 in game already.

Awesome stuff! Did you say in a prior post those textures where place holders to test the flight model? Just curious. I thought they appeared more detailed in a prior video.

Actually a little bit of both. I have been collecting Squadron Signal books for years and just recently came across a few more specifically dealing the riverine boats, Vietnam SF guys and LRRP's. If you are looking for images it would not be hard to upload them. I will take a few and get them up here. Out of curiosity what would help you with making this mod and the asset packs? Is there anything you are looking for specifically we could assist with locating for you guys? I would think more intel is better than less when making creating these mods.

Underrated and well deserves a spot amongst virtual pilots. DCS is quickly becoming the virtual hangar that allows us to never forget these iconic aircraft. I only hope one day someone will do the Dauphin, specifically the Panther. I was there the first day they rolled her out. My dad took me out of school to see it. This company use to be the spitting image of a family friendly tight knit company when I was growing up in the 80's. So many fond memories of Aerospatiale and their Helos. Pumas, Super Pumas, A-Star/Twin-Star, Aloutte's, Llama's, Gazelle's, BO-105's and BK-117's when they got bought out. Good times! The old man test flying the OG Coast Guard Dauphins in their first paint scheme.

Outstanding news! I got a few new books in on US Vietnam LARRPs and SF guys during that period if you are interested in making any US assets. I do not recall seeing if you had done any or not with this. Also have a book coming in on the patrol boats.

Your in luck, I shot a few more videos a month or so back planning to add them to this and just never did. Here are two of them for simulated SAR operations we could do in DCS. Both shot in PIMAX VR (Awesome experience)

Any more recent updates on the old girl? Any way we might be able to see some video of the Vietnamese assets coming as well?

If you need a test pilot for VR functionality, let me know! Below is a video I shot this morning in the Huey flying off of and around some of Eightballs civilian ships. Did some low level stuff as well, all in VR with the PIMAX. It does not get better than this! Also created some music channels in game with old Vietnam music. Really puts you in the zone. Buttkicker was turned on, so it kept rattling my mouse at first, hence the white cursor not going away. Had to relocate the mouse.

Thank you so much for posting this! You just amped the hype train up for a lot of us! Really looking forward to this bird coming out. How far along are you progress wise before you think it is ready?

Any chance we could get a sneak preview of flight from the cockpit, or is that not quite ready to show yet? The anticipation is growing daily! Cant wait for this mod.

Outstanding Catch!!!! Much appreciated. It will be the first livery I fly with.........in two weeks

Any videos of this in flight yet in DCS? Just curious if anything has surfaced.

Any way we can get some love for Texas and have the 2 Liveries below released with the Phantom? Grew up with the old girl from the 457th Flying around Fort Worth as a kid.

Would love to see some photos of the 1/6th scale you built on here. Appreciate you throwing this up for the mod devs. I am sure there is some good stuff in there they could use. Great to be part of a community that has access to this stuff still.

Quick question, is the below video the OH-6 in action you are working? It was on Eight Ball's YouTube Channel.

I second this! Quick question for the Dev. Will we be able to use the front gunners seat and to what extent? Will it be multi-crew compatible? This is going right into the Vietnam mission we fly on the Mariannas with the OV-10, Huey, soon to be OH-6A mod and the eagerly awaited F-4, along with the F-5.

Do you have a short video by chance that shows any progress? Big ask I am sure.

This is probably redundant reference material but thought it might come in useful if you do not have it already. Pulled it from one of my books. A few door gunner configurations and a livery I would love to see you guys do.

Really appreciate the heads up. You are doing a fantastic job and absolutely cannot wait for this to come out.

Just out of curiosity, where are you digging up the content for the 3D model/cockpit? Any chance you will be messing with photogrammetry from a museum piece? If you are in Texas, I believe there are some around.