Tag: SL Aviation

Update March 26th: Erick has sent me a copy of the “full” version of the Spitfire’s Hud, which does include a comprehensive set of control switches.

As regular readers know, I was bitten by the flying bug towards the back-end of 2012. I started out humbly enough with a couple of “freebie” aircraft (although the term doesn’t do them justice at all) a Terra Stingray by Steve “Cubey Terra” Cavers and a Pitts S2C by Michie Yokosuka. As noted back then, I’d had some flying vehicles prior to these two, but they marked my “real” entry into the world of flying in SL.

Since then, my aircraft collection has expanded somewhat, with several more from the Cubey Terra range entering my ownership, and even Warbugs getting my attention. If I’m totally honest, the Stingray has remained my out-and-away favourite – it handles beautifully and is equally at home whether in the air or on (and even under!) the water – which is really handy when out on Blake Sea.

However, my collection of aircraft gained a massive boost recently when I unexpectedly came into ownership of an aeroplane I have, like anyone remotely connected to or interested in RL flying, loved from afar: A Supermarine Spitfire. Specifically a Mark IX as made by Erick Gregan.

The “Spit” came my way while Erick and I were visiting the Magnum Sandbox regions in order to poke sticks at the region crossing bug fix deployed this week by LL in an attempt to cure much of the misery surrounding vehicle region crossings resulting from the recent roll-out of interest list code.

Those who are familiar with Erick’s work know this his aircraft are all exquisitely put together and detailed – and the Spitfire is no exception. A mesh construction, It is perhaps one of the most detailed SL aircraft I’ve seen, and it is clear that he has poured an enormous amount of creative talent into it. I confess that it was love at first sight when he rezzed it in front of us.

It is also fabulously scripted – the one aircraft having four flight modes:  an “easy fly”, a “realistic fly” (handling pretty much as a “real” aeroplane would, and requiring as much care and respect), and both an “easy combat”, and a “realistic combat” version for those who feel a little more bloodthirsty.

All four variants come in a single Mark IX rezzer which itself is pretty neat. Pull it out of inventory, let it rez and then click to select which variant of the aircraft you’d like. The “flyable” version then replaces the rezzing version, which self-deletes, leaving the flyable version occupying the same space.  Also included in the box is a low-impact (non-flying) “display” version, suitable for parking in a hanger, a full set of instructions and a parachute – just in case.

The Spitfire uses the usual flight controls: Page Up / Down for throttle, the arrow keys for climb / descend / banking, together with a huge range of chat commands  – there is no active HUD for flight settings, although you can display an instrument HUD on your screen.

In terms of capabilities and control, Erick has packed a lot in, and sought to make the aircraft as real to fly as possible, particularly in the “realistic” modes. In the latter, a correct start-up process needs to be followed in order to get the big Merlin engine turning over; there’s a battery to turn on, fuel pumps and mixture to set, throttle to open, etc., before attempting start-up. When the engine does start to turn over, you’re treated to unburnt fuel “flaming” in the Merlin’s exhaust pipes as well as getting the life-life sound of the engine coughing and roaring into life. All-in-all an aviation enthusiast’s dream.

Once in the air, the Spitfire is a delight to fly, and is very responsive to keyboard inputs, with flap, ailerons and rudder all visibly moving in response to inputs. I can say that aerobatics, are a joy – providing you have a good sense of spatial awareness :). I had a lot of fun barrel-rolling and looping around the sky once I’d got settled.

Care does need to be taken when flying the plane in “realistic” modes, however. Get things out of shape on landing, for example, and you’re liable to tip the nose into the ground … as I found out *cough*cough*. Oh, and don’t forget to refuel between flights :).

There is a HUD to go with the Spitfire, but it is “passive” in the sense that while it records airspeed, altitude, heading, etc., there are no switches or options to click; all commands outside of the flying controls are given via chat. The commands themselves are simple enough, with many abbreviated for ease of use (“cc” to close / open the canopy, “ch” to remove / place the wheel chocks, “br” for brakes, etc).

I’ve not actually tried my hand in combat, as that is not something which particularly draws me (Warbugs notwithstanding!), bot the Spitfire comes with an impressive array of weapon options using the VCE combat system for those who are combat enthusiasts.

As to region crossings? While, these have been an issue of late, as I’ve been covering in my weekly SL project updates. However, and while it has, at the time of writing, yet to be deployed to the entire grid – which should happen in week 13 (commencing Monday 25th March), the fix for BUG-1814 works. Neither Erick nor I encountered any issues crossing between regions in the Magnum Sandbox area. Hopefully this will be the majority finding for everyone who enjoys flying / driving / sailing in SL once the fix has been fully rolled-out.

And the Spitfire? Well, suffice it to say, I’m well and truly flying high.

Related Links

• Erick Gregan on the SL Marketplace
• Erick’s Spitfire Mark IX
• Erick Gregan in-world

So, it’s no secret to regulars to these pages that I’ve become somewhat hooked on SL sailing and flying. I still only have the one premium gift sail boat in my inventory – it is more than enough to keep me happy and has room enough for friends – but my collection of SL aircraft is slowly growing, with the latest addition being a Warbug.

For those unfamiliar with them, Warbugs are little egg-shaped aeroplanes with air-to-air combat capabilities which are, in a word, fun!

I first came across them by chance browsing the SL Marketplace, but it was Lindal Kidd who piqued my curiosity when she mentioned she had a Warbug airfield on her land (along with a skydiving jump zone). Created by Arduenn Schwartzman, Warbugs can be flown for fun, pleasure or air-to-air fighting, and are possibly unique in SL as they allow “full size” avatars to take to wing within a single region without risking running out of airspace – which is not to say they are unable to handle region boundaries.

The aircraft come in a variety of forms which cover everything from World War I through to spaceships (including a set of Star Wars items which could draw a frown or two from Disney…). They can be bought on the Marketplace or via the Warbugs HQ, which also offers free-to-fly variants of some of the models available via a rezzing system (the rezzing systems themselves also being available to buy).

It was through the rezzing system that I had my first exposure to flying a Warbug – and quickly got addicted. The aerial combat aspect requires flying around using the standard controls (arrow keys for up/down, left/right) PAGE UP and PAGE DOWN for the throttle) and trying to line-up your guns on the “opposition” (the left mouse button fires your guns). Aircraft which are purchased come with a gun sight HUD, which makes the latter a little easier, but given the manoeuvrability of these little planes, not by much.

The cockpit is a little cramped, but it’s cute watching your avatar fold herself / himself into it. once in, the engine starts, with suitable sounds, and then it’s open the throttle and – away you go!

Air combat can be frenetic – these little planes are highly responsive to the controls, and only have a screen in front of you, tracking the opposition can get hard – even with aids such as the Mini-map and radar tracking (cheats! :)).

Given that the Warbugs on offer represent various “sides” – RAF and USAAF  … Luftwaffe … Rebels … Empire… it is possible to use them for “group” combat as well as having a “free for all” (although the latter does seem to predominate around the Warbugs HQ), which can add an additional element to the flying. And you certainly know it when you’re hit! Not only are you told in chat, the Warbug spews forth black smoke as you spin towards the ground, being ejected shortly before impact, leaving you either to pick up your bruised ego and battered ‘plane and try again or  – when using a rezzer – trudging back to call-up a replacement…

There are various additions for the enthusiast as well – missiles can be added to some aircraft and a conversion kit means that you can try target bombing rather than blowing one another out of the sky. There are also a range of texture and conversion packs, and even a script pack which can be added to your own custom Warbug builds. Other accessories into an asteroid base for the spaceship units, planets (which can be blown up and leave disturbances in the Force), a complete WW I range of accessories, and so on.

There is a website dedicated to Warbug flyers across the grid, which also tracks “aces” and scores. This also adds to the nature of the competition, as “aces” are not only tracked in terms of their point, but also their “value”. The first time you shoot down an “ace” you are awarded whatever value has been assigned to them, rather than just the 10 points usually awarded for shooting someone down. This tends to make “aces” a hunted breed for those after points…

In the latter regard, I was rather surprised to find myself sitting at #17 in the “aces” list after just a couple of turns in actual combat. Scores are recorded locally by any active rezzer / windsock in operation in a region as well.

Flying with Lindal from her home region proved a lot of fun as well – and how well the Warbugs handle region crossings. Even the skyhomes and sky boxes scattered around made things a lot of fun and provided a means for nipping around obstacles and trying to get a “jump” on one another.

If you’re into flying and haven’t tried out Warbugs, I’d really encourage you to try them out. If you’re into competitive games with a difference (and some of the Warbug people are very competitive!), again, there’s a lot of fun to be had with these little ‘planes. I’ve been bapping about in them for the last few days (and am currently considering adding a Sopwith Camel and / or the Spitfire to my growing collection of aircraft).

Great fun!

Related Links

• Wabugs HQ SLurl (Rated Moderate)
• Warbugs on SL Marketplace
• Warbugs website

In the Air

Earlier in the week, Salazar Jack dropped a lovely picture into Twitter of a magnificent steampunk-esque flying machine being flown by Tish Coronet. He included a link to the SL Marketplace, and I set off to look, rather intrigued.

The machine itself is the Mechanical Lepidoptera, a partial mesh build which is being offered free by its creator, Bunnys Fride, who describes it thus:

By visiting the Jules Verne Museum in Nantes (french town, west coast) I noticed a painting that represents this machine to takeoff from one of the most beautiful place of Nantes. This same painting appears in the foreground on the poster for the International Festival of Science Fiction of Nantes in 2009, named Utopiales.

I propose you this beautiful concept of lepidoptera mechanical imagined and painted by James Gurney, a talented artist, famous illustrator and creator of Dinotopia.

The Lepidoptera is exquisitely detailed, with a two-tone metal body, beautiful passenger cabin (the vehicle will take up to eleven passengers, included one seated beside the pilot / owner) and detailed cockpit in the “head”. Detailing continues through the landing legs, which “droop” below the body when in flight, just like the legs of a flying insect seem to hang limply beneath its body. On landing (on the ground), the legs splay out, again in a life-like look. Another lovely piece of detailing is in the mechanical operation of the wings themselves.

Flying the machine requires a HUD, which allows you to correctly set your camera position, and which controls the start-up of the machine and the forward / interior lights. This attaches to the top right of your screen. To fly the Lepidoptera, right click on it and select FLY from the menu, this will sit you in the cockpit. Tap ESC to position your camera correctly (if required – or use the HUD options), and then click on START on the HUD to set the wings flapping (complete with engine / mechanical sounds). Flight controls are then use PAGE UP / DOWN to ascend / descend, and the arrow keys / WASD keys to manoeuvre (you’ll need to key the UP / W key depressed to maintain forward motion).

Natascha Randt has produced a great video showcasing the Lepidoptera:

On the Ground

Flying the Lepidoptera reminded me that a few months back I picked up another freebie from SLM, the Autoworks Classic 43S GT by Angie Xenga / Ed Zaurak.

A two-seat sports coupe, the 43S GT is sleek and attractive – and quite a handful if you’re not used to SL driving, as I found out when given the chance to try it out on a multi-sim racing circuit for the first time yesterday!

The basic controls are simple enough: UP key / W to accelerate, LEFT / RIGHT or A / D to turn, and DOWN / S to break. PAGE UP / PAGE DOWN operate the gear changes (although there is an automatic option). However, there are a range of other options and capabilities that can make driving an Autoworks car pretty much the same experience as driving a high-performance car in RL: 50% fun, 50% seat-wetting and 100% adrenalin! There is also an option HUD displaying speed and revs which you can attach to your screen.

Additional menu options allow you to alter the colour of the car  – royal blue is the default, but I like the silver look – adjust your driving position, adjust the transmission options, the engine – and a whole lot more. Touching the car allows you to open the bonnet (“hood”) or the doors.

The cockpit itself is nicely detailed, and I love the fact that this car is designed to be driven on the correct side of the road being right-hand drive  ;-). All-in-all, great fun to have, if you can find the space to use it (the handling is such that you can rapidly run out of sim!).

If anything spoiled it for me, it was not the car, but the fact that to appreciate it fully you do need to drive across multiple sims – and this brings up the ogre of region crossings. Given the speeds you can reach behind the wheel, this means it is easy to find yourself on top of one before you realise, and you’re suddenly sailing off into infinity. Hopefully, with multi-threaded region crossings on the way plus other improvements, this will reduce the problem, but it did put a bit of a dampener of the thrill of driving this superb car.

As well as the Classic 43S GT, the package comes with the Autoworks Type ZII, a single-seat car that offers a broadly similar range of options, but didn’t, for me, have the same appeal.

Apparently the Classic 43S GT represents the first in a new range of cars Autoworks will be producing “just for the fun of it”, the business itself having closed as an SL commercial venture in February 2012. It is a sample of what is to come; so far one more car has been added to the free range, and I’m intrigued to see what else is produced in time!