Special Aircraft Service

Individual Mods and Packs for IL-2 1946 => Other Mods => WIP => Topic started by: mikoyan99 on August 15, 2013, 04:04:18 PM

Title: PBY-5 Catalina
Post by: mikoyan99 on August 15, 2013, 04:04:18 PM
I've been playing around with the PBY/PBN mode recently:
https://www.sas1946.com/main/index.php/topic,476.0.html

And I noticed that the 3D model for the PBY is identical to the PBN; in reality the hull form, nose and fin were different, so i'm currently working on a simple correction. I'll also be changing the front turret and engines to the correct form and hopefully sorting out a new skin.
(http://i.imgur.com/IHOG57E.jpg?1)
Progress so far - shortened front end and deleted 3rd hull step towards the stern.

The skin is proving more of an issue than anticipated at the moment - the .tga and .tgb files that make up the default skin can't be edited; i'll need to access them in order to sort a new turret and skin. Does anyone know if this is a universal problem, or is it that I have a corrupted download?

This all based on Ranwer's and ensign ro's work of course, both of whom have made my life a whole lot easier by sorting out the basic turrets and slots.
-Matt
Title: Re: PBY-5 Catalina
Post by: Birdman on August 15, 2013, 04:30:45 PM
The default skins are just unmodified files from IL-2 in the native image file type of IL-2. Just use this tool https://www.sas1946.com/main/index.php/topic,1110.0.html to open them and convert them to normal editable tga files.
Title: Re: PBY-5 Catalina
Post by: mikoyan99 on August 15, 2013, 05:07:15 PM
Cheers mate, worked like a charm.
-Matt
Title: Re: PBY-5 Catalina
Post by: S3231541 on August 15, 2013, 05:25:25 PM
Just rename tgb -> tga and edit it. once done, rename back to tgb. that's all. Only tgb is important, other tga will follow the tgb.
Title: Re: PBY-5 Catalina
Post by: barrett_g on August 15, 2013, 05:51:08 PM
I've been wanting someone to do this for years!!!  Awesome work!  I'll be following closely!
Title: Re: PBY-5 Catalina
Post by: farang65 on August 15, 2013, 06:13:05 PM
Will there be tricycle gear with this one 

At one stage there was a L-5 amphibian getting around.

Being able to utilize land and sea,

Just a thought.

I feel you are the new float plane maker for the SAS  ;D :D

Kirby
Title: Re: PBY-5 Catalina
Post by: David Prosser on August 15, 2013, 07:52:41 PM
All this work when you could be watching Americas/Australias Got [No] Talent, or Ice Road Truckers. Thanks for making the right choice, Matt.


cheers

David
Title: Re: PBY-5 Catalina
Post by: mikoyan99 on August 16, 2013, 08:47:03 AM
No joy on the tricycle gear i'm afraid; I still don't know the amphibian secret. I think there are a lot of very interesting flying boats and seaplanes out there; I think some nice anti-submarine and anti-shipping aircraft could add an interesting new dimension to the game.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anyway, i've released it:
https://www.sas1946.com/main/index.php/topic,36461.0.html
It was only a simple 3D update so was quite straightforward to do. I do have some other PBY variants planned as well.
-Matt
Title: Re: PBY-5 Catalina
Post by: barrett_g on August 16, 2013, 09:30:44 AM
Wow!  Your speed always amazes me!  What variants are you planning on making?  I hope you do the PBY-4... I always thought its rounded rudder was a little more aesthetically pleasing!
Title: Re: PBY-5 Catalina
Post by: mikoyan99 on August 16, 2013, 10:15:19 AM
It was a very simple job to be fair - only a fraction of the components in a new build, and no classfile editing.
No plans for the PBY-4; I was thinking more of RAF and Commonwealth variants, but primarily of adding a twin 20mm cannon armament to the bows of the black cat. I was also tempted to do a fictional RAF anti-shipping version with 60lb rockets and a single 75mm howitzer or 40mm Bofors gun in the nose.
-Matt
Title: Re: PBY-5 Catalina
Post by: SAS~Bombsaway on August 16, 2013, 10:27:38 AM
I have alway wondered if the bow straffing guns could be implamented with an opening door much like the mods we have for some planes where the rear gun canopy opens when enemys are near or since the PBY has no opening canopy, could the bow doors open using the key to open canopy.
Title: Re: PBY-5 Catalina
Post by: barrett_g on August 16, 2013, 10:46:45 AM
Just in case you decide to do a PBY-4... Here is a pic.  Before those famous bubble waist guns were implemented, they just had the sliding hatches that the gunners just kind of stood out of.  You'll notice the rudder is more round.  The PBY-4 was used extensively in the Aleutians and were also stationed in Hawaii during the Pearl Harbor attack.

(http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu141/Barrett_g_album/null_zps441a6d18.jpg)

(http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu141/Barrett_g_album/null_zpsaae43b66.jpg)
Title: Re: PBY-5 Catalina
Post by: mikoyan99 on August 16, 2013, 10:56:35 AM
I have alway wondered if the bow straffing guns could be implamented with an opening door much like the mods we have for some planes where the rear gun canopy opens when enemys are near or since the PBY has no opening canopy, could the bow doors open using the key to open canopy.

That would have been my first port of call - but I did a little research into the cannon installation, and I found they were mounted like this:
(http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/attachments/start-finish-builds/198958d1334827405t-pby-catalina-dual_20mm_nose-cannon.jpg)
(http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/attachments/start-finish-builds/198959d1334827407t-pby-catalina-cannons.gif)

If I do a version with a heavier weapon however, i'll do as you suggest; the bow door will open and the gun will slide out when the open canopy key is pressed.

For the historically accurate 20mm cannon, i'm not entirely sure yet as to how to proceed - it'll either be a remote turret with limited traverse, with the guns being controlled from a now weaponless front turret, or i'll install a fixed reflector gunsight in the catalina cockpit.

barrett, i'll say now to avoid getting your hopes up - I won't be making the PBY-4 version. If you can produce the relevant 3D parts however I will generate a new slot for you.
-Matt

Edit: here's another gun installation which saw service:
(http://www.daveswarbirds.com/blackcat/quadguns.gif)
4 .50 caliber brownings mounted in the bow door. This site is worth a look:
http://www.daveswarbirds.com/blackcat/photo4.htm
Title: Re: PBY-5 Catalina
Post by: barrett_g on August 16, 2013, 11:11:34 AM
No worries on the PBY-4.... I look forward to your Black Cat version with forward mounted strafing guns!!
Title: Re: PBY-5 Catalina
Post by: RealDarko on August 16, 2013, 02:30:45 PM
Will there be tricycle gear with this one 

At one stage there was a L-5 amphibian getting around.

Being able to utilize land and sea,

Just a thought.

I feel you are the new float plane maker for the SAS  ;D :D

Kirby

I think that the plane was ready, and can land and take off from land or water, but it cannot move from water to land and the work stopped. I think it went that way but I can be wrong.
Title: Re: PBY-5 Catalina
Post by: AG-51_Razor on August 16, 2013, 04:58:20 PM
Mikoyan99, would it be possible to add torpedoes to the load out for the PBY-5? Historically, that was a very common weapon they carried.

Awesome work though, thank you very much!!
Title: Re: PBY-5 Catalina
Post by: Gubi on August 16, 2013, 05:13:55 PM
look,

The PBY was a boat.  20mm's...what?  Are ya gonna go out an shoot Pete's?

C'mon ladies.  The PBY was a "Catalina".  Leave it alone...sheesh...

Thanks for the PBY, Mikoyan.

Board a Cat...and go and shoot yer 20mm's...man.

Cheers

Gubi
Title: Re: PBY-5 Catalina
Post by: barrett_g on August 16, 2013, 05:32:23 PM
Leave it alone?  Tell that to the guys that loaded 20mm cannons on the Cat back in WWII!  What Mikoyan99 is doing is based on fact.  Black Cats diving in on Japanese subs blasting away with 20mm cannons and 50 cals.... Dropping torpedoes and depth charges.... All in a night's work for Catalina pilots in WWII.
Title: Re: PBY-5 Catalina
Post by: barrett_g on August 16, 2013, 06:56:19 PM
Mikoyan99, would it be possible to add torpedoes to the load out for the PBY-5? Historically, that was a very common weapon they carried.

Awesome work though, thank you very much!!


This one does have torpedoes.  It has a loadout of various flares, depth charges, bombs, and torpedoes.  You might try re-installing the original PBY mod... Maybe something didn't work right if yours doesn't have torpedoes.
Title: Re: PBY-5 Catalina
Post by: mikoyan99 on August 17, 2013, 01:24:13 AM
look,

The PBY was a boat.  20mm's...what?  Are ya gonna go out an shoot Pete's?

C'mon ladies.  The PBY was a "Catalina".  Leave it alone...sheesh...

Thanks for the PBY, Mikoyan.

Board a Cat...and go and shoot yer 20mm's...man.

Cheers

Gubi

How do you mean, you've lost me a bit there.
-Matt
Title: Re: PBY-5 Catalina
Post by: S3231541 on August 17, 2013, 01:58:46 AM
@ Gubi:

If you want to express your idea please do it in a more MATURE manner, which would require:

1/Not being rude

2/Be assertive not agressive

3/Get your facts right and provide evidents where needed. If you are not sure, just state that you are not sure.

Thank you for your understanding.

SAS~S3
Title: Re: PBY-5 Catalina
Post by: AG-51_Razor on August 17, 2013, 09:29:13 AM
Thanks Barret, I'll check it again.
Title: Re: PBY-5 Catalina
Post by: mikoyan99 on August 17, 2013, 04:46:04 PM
Next update released:
https://www.sas1946.com/main/index.php/topic,36461.0.html