Subsim Higgins PT-Boat Model contest

[nikimcbee]

Subsim Higgins PT-boat model contest.
http://www.nexternal.com/SBM/images/squb26008.jpg
Purpose:
Playable Higgins PT-625 class
The main purpose of this model is to be used on our PT boat (PT-658) to demonstrate PT boat fighting strategy to the public. The level of detail in SH4 allows us to re-create some of the famous PT-boat engagements from WW2 and it would be cool to show them off to the public.
There has also been a demand for a game with PT boat missions in the Pacific, and in-lieu of a specific pt boat game (Pacific based), hopefully this will fill the need.



The Prize:
Cash award (TBD), PT-658 shirt, DVD ***8220;Devil Boats, story of PT-658***8221;, PT-boat pin, PT-boat book (TBD) , possible ride on PT boat during Portland***8217;s fleet-week?

Subsim prize package (per Neal):
You can update with prizes from Subsim: SH2/SH3 combo pack and The Terrible Hours audio book, by Peter Maas.






Timeline: Anytime before June 2012
All research data will/can be provided by NikiMcBee as needed.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3469/5829306396_512a41fd22.jpg
Requirements:
· Detailed model of a Higgins PT boat
· Higgins bridge layout
· Late war armament configuration
· Twin Browning machine guns, .50 (usable)
· Roll-off Mark 13 torps (working)
· 37 mm cannon (useable)
· Modeled chart\radio room
· Model must work with TMO 2.5 and latest version of RSRD
· Torpedo aiming device (replace TDC binoculars?)
http://www.hnsa.org/doc/pt/know/img/pgi.jpg

Extra credit (would be cool to have but not required)
· Modeled crew quarters (bow) and/or engine compartment
· Working rocket launchers
· Early war configuration (meaning torpedo tubes)
· Working depth charges
· Playable Elco PT-103 class. (model already in game, just needs accurate weapons loadout)

Any takers? Contact NikiMcBee for more details.:salute:
http://thumbs.imagekind.com/member/6265ff3d-2666-4c68-80a1-844ccb0bae65/uploadedartwork/650X650/23ac9095-470b-4d61-9621-6bedf2aa44bd.jpg

[nikimcbee]

I'm also planning on recording the actual engine sounds for running and start-up.

[Madox58]

There's a Guy not far North of me restoreing one from what I heard.
Old Fort, Ohio

Is Team work allowed on this project?

Also,
There is an Alpha Playable in the downloads section.
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/downloads.php?do=file&id=612

[nikimcbee]

There's a Guy not far North of me restoreing one from what I heard.
Old Fort, Ohio

Is Team work allowed on this project?

Also,
There is an Alpha Playable in the downloads section.
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/downloads.php?do=file&id=612

Team work is allowed, but I'm not sure how we'd work the prize package:D.

I am serious about the ride on the boat, but the catch is you'd have to be here, in Portland, ore-gone during early June for fleet week.
:http://www.rosefestival.org/events/fleet/

You'd be my guest on board basically.

Since you're interested, are the basic requirements do-able?

[Madox58]

I'm all for helping regardless of prizes.
I'm in contact now with several people involved with Higgins boats here in Ohio.

There's 2 that I am now aware of!!
They are also involved with D-Day Conneaut here in Ohio and are interested in this project of yours.
:D

Word spreads fast don't it?
:haha:


And what your asking is totally do able.
The only question that remains is........
How detailed do you want to get?

[nikimcbee]

And what your asking is totally do able.
The only question that remains is........
How detailed do you want to get?

:D:hmmm:

I'm thinking the basic exterior would be easy, and maybe a highly detailed chart room.:hmmm:

If roll off torps, aren't too hard to do (with the weapons nodes) and the twin .50 Browinings, everything else is already there (the single bofor and single 20mm).

If it's not to hard, and early war version would be cool with the forward firing torp tubes, but our boat is late war.

[nikimcbee]

For the basic model, don't you just take one of the sub models and alter it? You're not creating a whole new model are you?

[Madox58]

I looked at the alpha I posted in the link above and it's pretty much set up.

A few things would need changed to bring it in-line with what you want but I'd say start with that and much of the hard part is done.

I'll be leaveing for North of Detroit Tuesday and don't have a travel system as yet but I'll do whatever I can.

I also got word there is a Higgins near Detroit but have no confirmation on that info.

[Madox58]

If roll off torps, aren't too hard to do


Fired Torps are hard coded to do the eject thing but creative working of somethings might get a roll off effect before that happens.

That's something I never gave much thought to, to being honest.

[nikimcbee]

If you're serious about doing it, I could order you a copy of this:
http://www.nexternal.com/SBM/images/squb26008.jpg

It's hot off the press and half of it is of our boat:rock: (plus I'm in it:D)

What kind of data do you need? Basic boat layout?

[nikimcbee]

Research links: (WIP)

http://www.savetheptboatinc.com/
http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/05658.htm
http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/05625.htm

Higgins documents:
(these are free downloads:)
http://www.gdinc.com/download-01.html

http://www.gdinc.com/posterPTP-019.html
http://www.gdinc.com/posterPTP-012.html
http://www.gdinc.com/posterPTP-018.html

http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/120562502.jpg



http://www.higginsboats.com/html/PT305/PTPhotos.html


Video:

(I need to shot some new video with our sexy new paint job)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8N7I1PcJLQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dt-CPwFopQA&feature=fvst

(basic history of boat):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AG8x8C5I8a0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aewVphp5WV8&feature=related

ooohh, look what I found:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lju6-7QllU&feature=related


New video 4.6.12
Pt-bow and bridge:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIqyj4DMXPY&feature=youtu.be

[Madox58]

Plans and links to info/pictures is enuff for model work.

I'm hopeing I may even get an invite to visit the Higgins in Old Fort.
:D


Presentation in a 3D form is something that goes far beyound a Class room slide type thing.
This is a very worthy project that I'd be glad to assist with in anyway.

[nikimcbee]

Plans and links to info/pictures is enuff for model work.

I'm hopeing I may even get an invite to visit the Higgins in Old Fort.
:D


Presentation in a 3D form is something that goes far beyound a Class room slide type thing.
This is a very worthy project that I'd be glad to assist with in anyway.

Anything you can do is great. :salute: The vets love anything that generates interest it the boat, and that is the main goal.

[nikimcbee]

@ Neal
Thanks for the Sticky.:salute::up:

[Madox58]

I'll check out all the links you posted.
Thanks.
:salute:

I also have a question.......
How does the Torp release work?

[nikimcbee]

I'll check out all the links you posted.
Thanks.
:salute:

I'm at work now and will be going on holiday for a few days. Look at the links and tell me what your shopping list of info is and I can get it for you.

:salute:

[Madox58]

Good images of the left and right si.........
OOPS!! Port and Starboard sides will help when doing the textures.
I'll UV map it so it looks correct.
:yep:

I'll be gone for a few weeks myself but I'll use a Motel computer, when I can, to do research until I get home or stea.. I mean borrow... a NoteBook.
:O:

I'm pretty sure what I'm thinking will get the roll-off torpedos.
I also think I can get the DC's to do a roll-off.

Oh... those Rocket launcher do a fold out right?

[nikimcbee]

There is a subsim bonus prize, plus the pt-boat prizes.:woot:

[nikimcbee]

4.1 update

Prizes updated:woot:

Research links added:D

I'm working on getting some line drawings in pdf format, hopefully withing the week.:woot:

[nikimcbee]

On a side note, anybody know anything about sound editing? I'm planning on recording the engines so I can insert the sounds in the game.

What needs to be done to insert them (the engine sounds) into the game? Is there just the default engine sounds in the game or is is possible to link a new file with this model?

[Madox58]

On a side note, anybody know anything about sound editing? I'm planning on recording the engines so I can insert the sounds in the game.

What needs to be done to insert them (the engine sounds) into the game? Is there just the default engine sounds in the game or is is possible to link a new file with this model?

Adding sounds is a simple process. Work the dsd file and add the sdl stuff and your good to go.
Of course S3D will handle all that.
:up:

[yubba]

About, time, or is this a april fools joke, that's why I waited to post, a pt campaign would be great, I worked on that pt 109 mod that was floating around in here and got it too work, torpedoes and all, but couldn't get rid of those butt ugly 20 mm tubs, figured out how to get the 40mm off the bow, that always made me sea sick. well good luck

[nikimcbee]

is this a april fools joke

Nope. Real deal. A campaign would be cool. Gualdalcanal/Solomons or Philippines (44-45) would be the best one to do. Go get your seabag Yubba and come on board.

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQi8hKWBjVKpt6sssFKrV4pOu7amIO39 ZugBqaoNoC1V4tGV1mz-L0Hm08b

[nikimcbee]

update 4.6.12

Video added

[Madox58]

About, time, or is this a april fools joke, that's why I waited to post, a pt campaign would be great, I worked on that pt 109 mod that was floating around in here and got it too work, torpedoes and all, but couldn't get rid of those butt ugly 20 mm tubs, figured out how to get the 40mm off the bow, that always made me sea sick. well good luck

I spoke with nikimcbee on the phone today.
:yep:

My understanding is that We are going to create a playable Higgins that matches the PT he is involved with in real life.
:up:

There's alot of areas that help will be needed in and I have waved any rewards offered.
(That means I will not accept rewards so they can be given to those that assist if they want them.)

I am re-installing SH4 to test the Alpha PT and do some special animation work as a start.

3D work is also under way for a better visual in all areas.
If there is a need for anything special?
It will be created.
:03:

[nikimcbee]

I spoke with nikimcbee on the phone today.
:yep:

My understanding is that We are going to create a playable Higgins that matches the PT he is involved with in real life.
:up:

There's alot of areas that help will be needed in and I have waved any rewards offered.
(That means I will not accept rewards so they can be given to those that assist if they want them.)

I am re-installing SH4 to test the Alpha PT and do some special animation work as a start.

3D work is also under way for a better visual in all areas.
If there is a need for anything special?
It will be created.
:03:

http://t2ak.roblox.com/826fbe50ce64a8b9e44fbe5a09d738c1



I got 2 books mailed off today. Yell when you get them.

[Madox58]

About, time, or is this a april fools joke, that's why I waited to post, a pt campaign would be great, I worked on that pt 109 mod that was floating around in here and got it too work, torpedoes and all, but couldn't get rid of those butt ugly 20 mm tubs, figured out how to get the 40mm off the bow, that always made me sea sick. well good luck

Could you share your adjusted files?
It would make it much easier to work on the torpedo roll off animations.

[Madox58]

Sh4 installed and did a quick test of the PT alpha.

Went digging through different DVD's and found alot of good 3D stuff that was intended for GWX 4.

They've just found a new home.
:D

The .50 cal needs a small bit of work to make the twin look proper but that's minor work.

I also was notified today that I should have 2 weeks off before my next job on the road.
:rock:

[Madox58]

Package arrived today.
:rock:

Lots of questions I had were answered just flipping through the books.
:yep:

Looking for proper colors to use for the texture I found this......
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n12/privateer_2006/194420LMasterPatternA.jpg

1944 20L MasterPattern

I'm nearly ready to check the new hull and deck work in Game but would like to get the textures placed on it.
So are the colors right? or can you give me a better selection?

http://www.pt103.com
Has some great reference stuff also.

As I was looking at the in-Game .50 cal for use to build the twin, I noticed the scale is wrong in areas but it's a good model to work with.
Now there's another area that I need to think on.
The twin .50's rotate in two areas right? At the first mounting point below the Guns. And then the whole thing rotates by useing your body, correct?
This may not be possible to do in SH4 correctly.
Once I get to modeling that area I'll try a few thoughts I have but no promises on it.

[nikimcbee]

Rgr that. I'll look up the paint color later. Knee deep in work now:dead:.

[Madox58]

Testing the new Hull and deck with black and white texture.

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n12/privateer_2006/Hull_Test_1.jpg

[nikimcbee]

Rgr that. I'll look up the paint color later. Knee deep in work now:dead:.

http://www.ptboatworld.com/MiscPTs/PT625Class-MS31-20L-T.jpg (javascript:;)

Some other schemes carried by PT boats were:
Measure 31/5P - This scheme utilized Navy Green and Ocean Green.
Measure 31/20L - This scheme combined Black, Green #2 and Green #3.

http://www.ptboatworld.com/PT_Boat_Info/colorschemes.htm

[Madox58]

The image was a quick hull-deck for looking at UVeing things.
I'll add the colors to it after the hull-deck is reworked to bring it into proper shape.

Here's a great site for details.
http://louisdl.louislibraries.org/cdm4/index_HIC.php?CISOROOT=%2FHIC

I managed to cut together some great details on the shape of the deck and hull.
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n12/privateer_2006/Higgins-78-Details_1.jpg

This is a very low version of what I have.
That's 2198 X 1236.

[Hylander_1314]

Here's a site that has large scale R?C PT Bpoats, with lots of cool pics and vids that might be helpful.

http://www.franksmosquitoboathobbies.com/intro.htm

Back in the mid 90s I constructed the Dumas 1/20th scale PT-109, which measured 48in. from stem to stern.

I finished it in solid forest green which I had phoyos from in the old Webster's WWII Encyclopedia. I also had some reseach info I found that stated in the early part of the war smaller vessels usually had a basic finish of dark green or forest green as they called it. Even DDs and DEs were done in that color.

Later in the war, different camo schemes were adopted from what was stated.

Glad to see the MTBs getting an overhaul! Would be neat if the early ELCOs could be seen like MTB Sq. 3 in Manila had.

Is it planned to overhaul the ELCO in SH4 too?

Looking forward to this, even if we only see them in harbors or close to bases.

[nikimcbee]

Is it planned to overhaul the ELCO in SH4 too?

Looking forward to this, even if we only see them in harbors or close to bases.

Hopefully, we (privateer or willing modder) will be able to do this with late war load outs and correct configuration. The main goal for this mod is a playable Higgins.

[yubba]

Could you share your adjusted files?
It would make it much easier to work on the torpedo roll off animations.
give me a few on that, have to find it, and you can explain how I can up load it too you, what I'll do is send you the whole boat, since it fires torps like a submarine you have too open tubes for torps to load into tubes, down side no torps leaping out of tubes, but they work and do the job, it was probably by acciedent that I got it to work. I go look now.

[Madox58]

The Elco hull is kind of what I used in the above test pictures.

The Elco and Higgins Hulls are a close match but not perfect in several areas.

As nikimcbee (and the others involved with PT-658) want a Higgins? I want the Hull adjusted properly.
The stuff on Deck is simple but the Hull and Bridge areas make the Boat!
I spent days getting the best details to re-build the Hull.

Simple plans I found often mistake the Elco Hull with the Higgins and vis-versa.

By the way.
I did not know the 658 was slated to go to Russia but never delivered.
:o

[Madox58]

give me a few on that, have to find it, and you can explain how I can up load it too you, what I'll do is send you the whole boat, since it fires torps like a submarine you have too open tubes for torps to load into tubes, down side no torps leaping out of tubes, but they work and do the job, it was probably by acciedent that I got it to work. I go look now.


I'll PM you my e-mail address.
You can then attach the files through the E-mail.
Is that OK?

[Hylander_1314]

Sounds good!

I know the trouble with the PTs, in the past, was getting the torpedoes to fire properly. Same issue plagued torpedo bombers, with dropping torpedoes, as they went all over the place, or would circle and head north.

Hope you guys get it sorted out!

The Higgins Boats would great for Medeterainian or English Channel career.

[Madox58]

Sounds good!

I know the trouble with the PTs, in the past, was getting the torpedoes to fire properly. Same issue plagued torpedo bombers, with dropping torpedoes, as they went all over the place, or would circle and head north.

Hope you guys get it sorted out!

The Higgins Boats would great for Medeterainian or English Channel career.

As I did research?
I found the Higgins very much over looked.
They get a glanceing spot at most PT Boat sites.
Most do the Elco to death.
:nope:

The link I posted above is a fantastic site for details of the Higgins.
But you need to cheat as I did to capture good images.

When you find a plan that addresses the area you want..........
Right click the image and select properties,

Copy the image link and paste into a new tab,

Change the scale and width/height settings in the address bar.
Scale just change to 20, width/height should both be 6000

:03:

[Hylander_1314]

Agreed, the ELCO boats took the glory, since they were mostly deployed in the Pacific, where the majority of the Higgins boats went to Europe, and though the Higgins boats were used in the Pacific, they weren't to the extent of the latter boats.

Great link to the Higgins boat site btw! Anytime you can find a good PT site, it's like striking gold! Not too many around these days.

One of my old customers out west was a WWII PT skipper. Really cool elderly gentleman. He said the guys didn't care for the Higgins design, as the hull design didn't perform like the ELCO did in keeping the crew dry.

As he told me, unless it was rather calm, the ride was drenching. Where the ELCO hull design was made to push water away and keep the crew dryer. Of course, in rough seas, it didn't matter.

Just glad to see some PTs getting attention!

[Madox58]

I looked hard at the designs of both and can see why the Higgins would wet the Crew down more.


It's a slight design difference but it makes the difference as you mention.

I would expect from just foreward of mid-ship and back would be a problem area.
:hmmm:

I also did some exporting of crew bodies and AI Crew to see if scale was an issue as mentioned in the original PT Boat thread.
I found the scale a non-issue in that regard.
Scale matches so it most probably the animations available that will cause issues.

The deadline for a workable Unit that meets the basic demands is fast approaching.
Any help is most wanted!

[yubba]

the checks in the mail in a minute or 2 have to back out of here, to load torps go to battle stations hit time up and you might want to hit manual, auto load button, you have to fire from uzo, auto aim is best. let me walk down to the mail box

[nikimcbee]

One of my old customers out west was a WWII PT skipper. Really cool elderly gentleman. He said the guys didn't care for the Higgins design, as the hull design didn't perform like the ELCO did in keeping the crew dry.



Do you remember what PT-boat he was a skipper of? Is he still around?

If I recall:oops:, the Elco was more manuverable, but the Higgins was faster. Talking to the vets, it's like chochlate ice cream and vanilla, everybody has their favorites.

Glad to see interest increasing in the project:yeah::salute:.

[nikimcbee]

the checks in the mail in a minute or 2 have to back out of here, to load torps go to battle stations hit time up and you might want to hit manual, auto load button, you have to fire from uzo, auto aim is best. let me walk down to the mail box

@Yubba
Welcome aboard and thanks for the help.

[yubba]

Tried sending it out no go, pm neal to see if i can upload it here it's the old pt 109 mod thats in here, just mess around with weapons files till I got torps to work, I just got done testing it, it works fine got to shower I stink.

[Madox58]

Looking at the Hull designs of both?
I can see why the Higgins was a faster but wetter ride.
And why the Elco was a bit more manuverable.

Several Boat Companies were around Bucyrus for years.
Baja and CheckMate.
I know alot of people that worked at them both and they did manage to sink a few facts into my head why each was the better designs.
:haha:

Looking at the design of the Elco Hull?
You see more of a Deep-Vee all the way back.
Great for cutting through the water I'm told.

The Higgins goes nearly flat just past mid-ship or so.
Great for rideing OVER the water, which reduces drag in all areas the Elco would be subject to.
But means you'd get a rougher and more water drenched ride at speed.

I often would go watch Baja and Checkmate test thier boats on the local waters and noticed when a new hull was being tested just by the spray off of the boats.

[yubba]

@Yubba
Welcome aboard and thanks for the help.
now that i got yaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhoooooooooooooooooooooo maybe you tell me how to send that pt file.

[Madox58]

I'm thinking you have a MODS folder that you have all the files in right?

In Windows 7 you should be able to right click the folder,
select - send to - Compressed(zipped)folder

That will zip everything up and create a new zip file.
Send that as an attachment to my e-mail.

[nikimcbee]

Here'a a little crew morale booster, from the day room in the Elco at Fall River:
http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg842/scaled.php?server=842&filename=subsim20106019.jpg&res=landing


...and a shot of pink lady Torp Juice:
http://www.eveningflavors.com/DynamicImages/Blogs/BrewTalk/pink-lady.jpg

:salute:

[yubba]

I'm thinking you have a MODS folder that you have all the files in right?

In Windows 7 you should be able to right click the folder,
select - send to - Compressed(zipped)folder

That will zip everything up and create a new zip file.
Send that as an attachment to my e-mail.
Call me a stick in the mud I'm running xp, didn't know about having too compress files I see if it works , this is what I get trying to send it out, The host 'SMTP' could not be found. Please verify that you have entered the server name correctly. Account: 'POP3', Server: 'SMTP', Protocol: SMTP, Port: 25, Secure(SSL): No, Socket Error: 11001, Error Number: 0x800CCC0D
I think I got it sent out on good ole aol

[nikimcbee]

Hit the PT boat today. We're taking the boat out on May 17th, so I'm going to record the engine sounds and the battlestations alarm then. Any other sounds we need?

[nikimcbee]

@ privateer
Do you still need/want the line drawings? I talked to the person who has the original Higgins plans in (pdf)? electronic form, but I gotta write a bunch of emails to get it.

[yubba]

I sent privateer the files I made for the pt 109 mod found here in subsim downloads, the torps work fine, and I cleared the deck of the 40s, I don't know who's toes I stepped on, but I got the boat to work fine. Up to you guys to do something with weapons, could you tell me how to get rid of those butt ugly 20mm tubs and get the 50's stations and I would settle with a 20mm in aft station also.

[yubba]

Hit the PT boat today. We're taking the boat out on May 17th, so I'm going to record the engine sounds and the battlestations alarm then. Any other sounds we need?
Some one throwing up over the side. give me a minute I got this one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eYSpIz2FjU

[nikimcbee]

@ privateer

Check your PM. I just sent you the oh-ficial line draweings.:salute::yeah:

[Madox58]

Got them.
:yeah:

[nikimcbee]

WIP (thinkining out loud)

Need a shopping list of other cool stuff.

4.22 notes:
Are there AI transport bargest in the game? A quick fix could be to convert and arm the sanpans in the game?
The German flak transport barges. (Foe Med missions)



Need to brainstorm some missions.

4-22 notes: Bulkley's actions in the Philipines (They were expendable)
PT-323 vs Asaguma
Pt-323 vs Kamikazes
Guadalcanal 42
Solomons 43
Surigao Straights 44
New Guinea
Invasion of Elba (Med)

[yubba]

Fighting the Tokyo express comes to mine, Battle for the Phillipines, taking on jap subs, and destroyer missions. Need to watch that John Wayne movie They Were Expendable.

[Madox58]

The timeline is pretty slim.

A playable and fairly accurate 3D model is do-able.
With no other committed Modders?
Insides will have to be done later as it's a massive amount of 3D work by itself. Not to mention the other file work needed to activate such.

[nikimcbee]

The timeline is pretty slim.

A playable and fairly accurate 3D model is do-able.
With no other committed Modders?
Insides will have to be done later as it's a massive amount of 3D work by itself. Not to mention the other file work needed to activate such.

Okay, lets dump the timeline. I'm all about quality over output goals.:D

[yubba]

Well we got pt 109 workin, just got to make it work in a campaign, like asiatic 41, 42 tmo, use inside conning tower as cockpit, get rid of depth gauges and periscopes for a start, I've been bitchin about a pilot house for all surface units, here's a thought the early conning towers, I'm always down forward looking out the portholes, that would make a great pilothouse veiw out side of that, that's about as far as my skills go, you got to get the guys that did pt 109 too help you. Here's the link to pt 109 I changed some stuff a round in the mod to get torps too work that was 2 years ago I sent Privateer the changed files. http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/downloads.php?do=file&id=612

[Sailor Steve]

Why would you even need a pilot house for a PT boat, except for eye candy? All piloting was done from the cockpit up on deck. The space below was a charthouse and wardroom. There were no controls there.

[yubba]

Just watched 1 too many ep a explodes of Black Lagoon I guess, just workin with what we got, could use the rooms ahead of control room that no body can fix the lights in, and what ever happened to that torpedo room,???? delays delays

[nikimcbee]

You would want to model the chart room because if you look at the map, you in there.:D But, they generally didn't go below decks during a mission (they're all on watch):Kaleun_Binocular:and they would have the window covers closed anyway. The crew quarters would be eye candy. I don't care if that gets modeled.

[Hylander_1314]

Do you remember what PT-boat he was a skipper of? Is he still around?

If I recall:oops:, the Elco was more manuverable, but the Higgins was faster. Talking to the vets, it's like chochlate ice cream and vanilla, everybody has their favorites.

Glad to see interest increasing in the project:yeah::salute:.

Sorry Nikimcbee, I don't remember which boat numbers.

He was in the Philippines in 44 and 45. He said his first boat was shot out from under him, and his exec was killed, and 3 crewmen were injured by marauding Japanese planes. It was early in the Philippines campaign, and he was suckered into doing daylight patrols (that's how he said it to me) and was told they wouldn't see any enemy planes.

As for the boat numbers, I really can't remember. I have been trying to recollect them. I even called my ex-girlfriend to see if she had any recollection, but it's been almost 14 years ago now. Last time I saw him was 7 or 8 years ago, and he was real close to 90, so I don't know if he is still with us.

Btw, if you've not seen it, they do have a colorized version of They Were Expendable, which is actually done really well. Aside from the ELCO boats in the film, you will see a Huckin's boat. Rather rare as hey didn't get any big construction contracts like Higgins and ELCO. You can tell the Huckins boats in the film, as the charthouse has a flat front with small windows across the top of it. I think 4 of 'em.

http://www.ptboats.org/20-01-05-ptboat-007.html

Did a google search for pt boat images. Some are really good.

http://www.google.com/search?q=pt+boats&hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&prmd=imvnsa&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=fGKUT_iqGemN6QGYwtnEBA&ved=0CEMQsAQ&sout=0&biw=1044&bih=890&sei=RGSUT7qAD4av6AHV-IGoBA

Pretty cool site, with both Higgins and ELCO boats.

http://www.ptboats.org/index.html

No sound, but decent color footage of PTs on the Hudson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRGs95WUPr8

Battle Stations episode: PT Boats

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUc0NCGsSzs&feature=related

[nikimcbee]

Try pt-323 on for size:
http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/05323.htm

http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/120532301.jpg

PT vets:
http://www.savetheptboatinc.com/wwii_vets.htm

[Hylander_1314]

I know it's ELCO, but it's color, and it's the construcction of the boats, and how they were put together.

Giant Killers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8tQP3s9DIQ

[nikimcbee]

FYI everybody (Yubba).
I created a seperate thread for missions.

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=194581

[yubba]

Yes, I saw that, if we could get pt 109 to run in campaigns would be great, of course I'm chase-ing my tail, just got the T class to work, then fell back to help with the fletcher DD, trying to get guns up then, I'm playing with some other mod, ohh that's right came here to get the north carolina bb and I haven't played through a mission on any of them.:doh::doh: thank god for jsgme

[nikimcbee]

Yes, I saw that, if we could get pt 109 to run in campaigns would be great, of course I'm chase-ing my tail, just got the T class to work, then fell back to help with the fletcher DD, trying to get guns up then, I'm playing with some other mod, ohh that's right came here to get the north carolina bb and I haven't played through a mission on any of them.:doh::doh: thank god for jsgme

I need to DL the 109 mod so I can test it out with missions. I'll make my mission comments in the other thread.:D

[yubba]

Test drive????? I gave privateer the files I made for it, if you go to data/libiary/ subparts, and take out the single 40 that clears the fore deck and gives you a twin 40 in the rear, oooopss that didn't sound good at all, I meant aft.

[Madox58]

The new Hull is looking good so far.
:D

I've got to do some reduceing and a few adjustments but it is correct to the plans and information I have.

The basic model was created in FreeShip allowing proper Chine, Keel, and Buttocks specs to be entered.

I then exported and am doing the rest in Max.

Here's a quick render....
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n12/privateer_2006/All.jpg

[yubba]

that looks nice, can't wait too see what the top side looks like.

[Madox58]

I haven't done the deck and stuff yet.
I'll do that after I finish the Hull and all the parts for it.
The exhausts and prop stuff will be next as I just grabbed detailed plans for those.

[yubba]

http://www.simpsoncrazy.com/content/pictures/homer/th/HomerSimpson26.gif (http://www.simpsoncrazy.com/content/pictures/homer/HomerSimpson26.gif) oooooooooooow Did you get those files I sent ??????

[Madox58]

Yes.

I haven't run them yet as I was called away for a few days then wanted to get the Higgins hull done.

It has a higher faces count then I want but I'm adjusting and reducing it now to better match SH4.

I'm also keeping the high poly stuff for future uses.
:03:

[nikimcbee]

Curious, how long did it take the computer to render it? Looks great:salute:

[yubba]

You'll want to slap them in that pt 109 and take her for a spin in a single mission torps will load faster at battlestations and push the manual auto loader button till you see torps loading, fire torps from uzo, don't ask what I did, that was 2 years ago.

[nikimcbee]

You'll want to slap them in that pt 109 and take her for a spin in a single mission torps will load faster at battlestations and push the manual auto loader button till you see torps loading, fire torps from uzo, don't ask what I did, that was 2 years ago.

If I don't get distracted tonight when I get off work, I'll DL the 109 to test it out.

[Madox58]

Curious, how long did it take the computer to render it? Looks great:salute:
Less then a second to render to jpg.
It's only a basic render with no advanced lighting or anything.
The hardest part was getting the smoothing adjusted after exporting from Freeship.

Then welding a few verts here and there to reduce the faces count and get things ready to run through Balancer.

Balancer is a pretty good reduction tool.
And the free version works fine for most things I do.

[nikimcbee]

Less then a second to render to jpg.
It's only a basic render with no advanced lighting or anything.
The hardest part was getting the smoothing adjusted after exporting from Freeship.

Then welding a few verts here and there to reduce the faces count and get things ready to run through Balancer.

Balancer is a pretty good reduction tool.
And the free version works fine for most things I do.

I'm thinking of the high poly count renders, those used to take an hour or two. But that was around 2005 on an old AMD computer.

[nikimcbee]

@ privateer,
Before you do the details on the exterior of the chart house, let me know so I can send you an accurate photo of the exterior.(sp)

[yubba]

http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/285/20080623173937nm7.jpg

[Madox58]

I just chased down several good shots of the exhausts to use along with the actual plans from Higgins.
:yep:

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd159/andrewh_photo/higgins%2078foot/DSCN1717.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd159/andrewh_photo/higgins%2078foot/PTrepair007.jpg
Nice thing is I only need to model one.
Then I'll mirror that for the other side.

[nikimcbee]

http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/285/20080623173937nm7.jpg


:haha: I saw that.

Well, there was that one PT...
And you know, if they could fit it on the deck, they'd used it.:yeah::03::haha:

[nikimcbee]

I just chased down several good shots of the exhausts to use along with the actual plans from Higgins.
:yep:

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd159/andrewh_photo/higgins%2078foot/DSCN1717.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd159/andrewh_photo/higgins%2078foot/PTrepair007.jpg
Nice thing is I only need to model one.
Then I'll mirror that for the other side.

:salute::rock: That's pre-boat house days. I thought there was something missing in that picture.:haha:

[nikimcbee]

Is it possible to get the depth charges to work? It's not a priority of mine, but I thought it would be cool for a pt v midget sub mission.:hmmm:

[Hylander_1314]

Interesting to see how Higgins differed in construction. With running the planking horizontally along the sides of the boat.

Great photos! Thanks!

[nikimcbee]

First thoughts, impressions, questions:

Is it possible to create unique sounds to this model? The engine sounds broke the engines for the rest of the game. (All of the US subs, German subs still worked)

The 40mm bofor using the deckgun model is a cool idea, but it breaks the deckguns for the rest of the games.

It would be cool when you hit the F9/F3 key it takes you the chartroom.

Could we keep(use) the current gun sounds in TMO 2.5?

How hard would it be to mod the deck crew? Have them wearing shorts, lifevest, and helmet?:hmmm:
http://www.savetheptboatinc.com/rolfsPT127e.jpg


If we're able create unique soundfiles only attacked to the pt-boat model that could coexist with the sub sound files, That would be totally cool.

I'll think of more stuff later...:hmmm:

[yubba]

I had seen that in the first stages of the pt 109 mod they didn't have a 40 on the bow or those butt ugly 20 tubs, @nikimcbee did you see if torps worked ????

[nikimcbee]

I had seen that in the first stages of the pt 109 mod they didn't have a 40 on the bow or those butt ugly 20 tubs, @nikimcbee did you see if torps worked ????

Yes, they worked, but they launch from the from of the boat (like it does on the subs). They didn't actually launch from the tube itself.

[yubba]

well, I'm not that good, I said I got them to work, if You are at uzo you wouldn't see them go any way, have to use your im mage in nation, but hopefully someone will come along and fix that. This is what I'm looking for.
http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/3221/20080630184104xa1.jpg

[Bubblehead1980]

well I'm not that good, I said I got them to work, if You are at uzo you wouldn't see them go any way,
http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/3221/20080630184104xa1.jpg


Nice, now all he needs is a navy blue or grey life jacket and a helmet.Ducimus put helmets on the AA crews in TMO.

[yubba]

I can't take any credit on that, that's someone elses work, I just tweeked files so the torps would work. I think I ran this with tmo over it, it wasn't pretty.

[nikimcbee]

It'll be cool if we can get the twin 50s in there with the gun tub. Any good 50 cal gun sounds out there?

[yubba]

the ai pts looks correct I tried to swap files to make it playable but this is beyond me.

[Madox58]

The exhaust is pretty much done and am starting the struts and rudders next.

Also, I played a bit with Yubba's files.
(You only need to enable the .upc file by the way)

I also moved the position of the torps when they appear, to get a grasp of what needs done for a roll-off torp.

What I was thinking will work as to that part. There's another part that I'll need to test to see if it works.

[yubba]

The exhaust is pretty much done and am starting the struts and rudders next.

Also, I played a bit with Yubba's files.
(You only need to enable the .upc file by the way)
.
It's been so long since I worked on that I forgot what I did, so enable-ing .ucp file, what does that do, how do you do that, and is there a way to swap weapons around, and get rid of those butt ugly 20 tubs ????? I'm messing around with the Fletcher DD Mod found in here it needs some work like sound and torps what ever we are doing with the pt should cross over to fletch.

[Madox58]

Detail question.............

The trim around the Hull at the deck line doesn't look like the plans I have.
Can you get any better pictures or information on this area?

Here's what I have..............

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n12/privateer_2006/guard.jpg

And a cut-off from the other plans you sent me..........

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n12/privateer_2006/guard-2.jpg

[nikimcbee]

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n12/privateer_2006/guard-2.jpg

This is how I remember it.

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg839/scaled.php?server=839&filename=pt658008.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg33/scaled.php?server=33&filename=pt658007.jpg&res=landing

You can kinda see the lip there.

[peabody]

Yes, they worked, but they launch from the from of the boat (like it does on the subs). They didn't actually launch from the tube itself.

I'm sure Privateer knows, you need to move the animation, not just the tube.

[Madox58]

Yep, I know what needs done.
:yep:
I'll adjust things once I get the new Boat built to a stage where it's ready to import.

The 3D work is my main focus right now though.
The basic hull is finished except for the keel detail,
Rudders and exhaust are finished,
struts are nearly done,
and now I can finish the trim around the sheer/deck area.

Since this is a player Unit?
I've kept the faces count near what a player Sub has so it looks VERY nice and detailed.
I've also set the scale of everything to a standard so any future 3D work would be easy to keep scaled.
:D

[peabody]

How hard would it be to mod the deck crew? Have them wearing shorts, lifevest, and helmet?:hmmm:

If we're able create unique soundfiles only attacked to the pt-boat model that could coexist with the sub sound files, That would be totally cool.



For the soundfile, start in the library/gun you are using, open the sim file and wpn_cannon. There is a Fire/effect. That is in the particles.dat file and is linked to a sound in the Particles.dsd. You should be able to clone an existing 'effect' or create a new one and link to a sound you want to use (new or existing) in the sound folder. That should keep it unique to your guns.

On the helmet issue, I have not done it but I have looked at the files before. If you look in Library/characters/Marine.dat. Open the Marine node and look for sapca_ca01, 02 etc. If you move the node, you will see that is the helmet.
Now if you look at Ducimus' sub.upc file at the gun crew you will see he 'adds' the sapca_ca#head and deletes the other 'hats'. I do NOT know if that is all there is to it, but it may be a starting point for you.

Peabody

[Madox58]

Here's a sample of the wireframe at this point.
It's the rudder roughly placed to help explain the scaleing I used.
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n12/privateer_2006/Wire-example.jpg

Each of the lines on the hull bottom width equals 6 inches.
If you compared that to the rudder?
You'd find the rudder is 36 15/16" tall.
That matches the plans I work from.
:yep:

Once the model is ready to start importing, I'll remove the 6" lines as a 1' line matches the Buttocks measurements from those plans and it will still be a very smooth in-Game model.
Plus it will reduce the faces count to allow better useage else where.

[yubba]

ok, ok, ok, ok, you can move tubes ???? when were you going too let us in on that little jewel.

[Madox58]

All the advanced Modders know what needs done.
It was done first for the S-Boot for SH3 I believe.
:hmmm:

I created the 3D door and animation for that long ago.
http://s108.photobucket.com/albums/n12/privateer_2006/?action=view&current=Animated_Doors.mp4

[Hylander_1314]

Hope these pictures might help, as they have some close ups of the gun turrets on the 796 Boat. Also nice Packard engine pics. They start at post 358.

http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread.php?109593-Charles-W-Morgan-Restoration-A-Volunteer-s-Perspective-1/page8

This is a PDF of an article from 1996, with lots of good pics, and profiles drawings.

http://www.jklopman.com/articles/pt.pdf

[Madox58]

That's a very good link Mate.
:up:
I came across that site a few days ago when working on the exhaust for the Higgins.

I only grabbed a few images and forgot to book mark it.
:damn:

[Bubblehead1980]

Hope these pictures might help, as they have some close ups of the gun turrets on the 796 Boat. Also nice Packard engine pics. They start at post 358.

http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread.php?109593-Charles-W-Morgan-Restoration-A-Volunteer-s-Perspective-1/page8

Yea, great link.Never seen the inside of a PT.I think they have a Higgins boat at Battleship Park in Mobile, AL, it's inside the aircraft hanger.It's either a higgins boat from WW II or a vietname era swift boat.Thinking higgins though...

Edit:IExams end May 5th so and BMP is on the way home, I will stop by and look over the boat since I stop to tour the Drum now and then anyways, never gets old.

Here is the virtual tour link, you can see the PT boat if you scroll over to the right.http://www.alabama360.com/ussalabama/tw_ussalabama.html

[Madox58]

I have a Demo job down in Mississippi comeing up.
I'll have to see about a side trip!
:D

[yubba]

I sure enjoyed the s-bootes, that was nice work, some day, maybe you can tell us how you moved the tubes, so we can fix some of these other craft, like the fletcher and the clemson, and if you can move tubes maybe you can move some other stuff like the wheel and engine telegraph into pilot house.

[Madox58]

You would now use S3D to do what was done on the S-Boot for SH3.
Back then? It was hex or Alpha software from ref?
I'm pretty sure it was hex as I found the problem with the S-Boot tubes and did the animations in hex and told ref of my findings.
I think he did his Alpha animation Tool after that.
:hmmm:
I'll check date stamps to see for sure.

One thing you have to understand.
Many people freak at the mention of animations!
So they just do not try to mess with them even to this day!

The mesh animations are a very powerful way to do what many think is impossible!

Lifeboats and debris for SH3 remains the only mod with new animations on a somewhat large scale.
Simple animations have been done but no one has went larger that I am aware of.

I tried to push the whole animation thing in SH3 and a few picked up my ideas and proved them to be workable.

As far as I know? the HAHD Team may be the biggest users of what I taught.
That remains to be seen.

[yubba]

I spent a lot of time working on microsofts combat flight sim 2 figured out how to move stuff around like wing mounts, ordinance, and camera views, haven't figured out sh3 and 4, yet, I'm a stickler on realism, if it don't look right it drives me nuts, that's why shy away from surface units in sh4, sh3 surface units had pilothouse or something that look like one, I really like the s-38 mod, that would be a bench mark in what we are trying to do for the pt. {we, that's funny I must of had a mouse in my pocket I meant you}

[Madox58]

I really, REALLY, hope more people come on board for this!
The 3D work is my main focus at this time but I know people like peabody
and others could lend a hand if they choose to.

The whole project is not about Us as players.
It's about helping a Group of people that saved a REAL PT Boat.

They want a real way to extend thier project through 3D.

Now Mods are fun to create.
But I'm looking at something a bit more as I see it.
I'm seeing a bit of History presented to many that only look at the 'Net.
I can find all the Elco's I ever want but there are no Higgins.
Even the Elco's are bad versions of 3D modeling.
:nope:

For Mcbee and the Save the PT Boat Guys?
I'm doing a VERY detailed and scaled 3D version for SH4.
It's a contest remember?
So if you think you can do better? Go for it!!

If you want the tubes changed for the Alpha version released long ago?
Do it yourself.
I have higher goals to meet before I waste time on that simple stuff.

As a ParaTrooper, I understand Vets and thier Missions.
I have my Mission.
I WILL complete that mission come Hell or high water!!
:rock:

[yubba]

what I meant, was I needed to stop bitchen about other mod stuff and get out of the way, this stuff is way out of my league, what may be easy stuff for you, is way over my head just looking for some pointers, or be pointed in the right direction on how to do some of this stuff. Yes the historical value is unbelievialbe from subs, to b-17s, to the moon landing, I've enjoyed all of it, I play more than I can possibly mod that's up to you guys.

[Madox58]

The way most Modders learn things?
Download what others did.
Compare files and see what they did.
Then copy that.

Many might complain, "You stoled my idea"
Give a credit and do it anyway at this late date.
I follow the modding guide posted here for the most part.
Although it's not a MUST do and you won't suffer if you don't.
I've seen mods with things I did and no credits. But I really don't mind as long as X does not say he created the wtf turret 3D model he is useing.

If I release my work here at SubSim? I expect it to be copied and used in any way to improve the SH series of Games.
A mention in the read me is nice but not demanded.
I am confident enuff to not worry about that type thing any longer.

[yubba]

Well ok, less chit chat, let's get crackin on this mod, me, I'm good, I all ready know the thrill of taking Pt 109 on a torpedo run and taking out a ship or 2 here in sh 4, the thing that would need some work in this mod would be helm control, mostly steerring, and too be able to have keyboard command to fire torpedoes so you, don't have to be at the uzo station.

[Madox58]

Running the 109 on a stock version.
Enter key fires the torps even from external view.
So it should be just a menu command if that does not work in Modded Games.

Noticed the torps don't eject like SH3 does after I moved things up out of the water so I could watch them.
:hmmm:

[yubba]

I haven't done it, but who ever was doing the brit t class, it looked like in a screen shot, the number 10 mid ship tube fired while surfaced, the torpedo was launched like what a pt boat would do, will take a while before I fine that pic.

[yubba]

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/5751/classttype1tritongm8.jpg (http://imageshack.us/)

[nikimcbee]

Hey you guys, keep up the good work.:salute:

[Madox58]

Did it actually eject or was the node placed so it appeared at that spot?
:hmmm:

All I get is a torp falling through the deck somewhat at this time.

[nikimcbee]

On a side note, we're taking the boat out this thursday for our shakedown cruise, so I'll bee doing sound recording that day. My recording decive says it's MP3, that's how we want the files correct?

[Hylander_1314]

Yeah, MP3 are easy to work with, and if you need to, there are free file convertors for sound files, and I think I even got one with a package I bought a couple years ago for watching, editing, and recording vids.

It has a whole bunch of formats it will convert.

[yubba]

Did it actually eject or was the node placed so it appeared at that spot?
:hmmm:

All I get is a torp falling through the deck somewhat at this time.
I had the t class installed a while back but never fired, I don't have nothing going on, I'll reinstalled it and check , man I got too get a life

[Madox58]

I remember when ref built the VIIA for SH4 that the torp fell through the deck also.


I'll test a thought I have how to solve it.

[yubba]

yep you are right just fell straight down, now this is going to bug me to no end. The picture lies. and ctrl-enter still fires torpedoes

[nikimcbee]

@ yubba and Privateer,
Are you guys able to upload stuff to Neal's server? Yell, when you upload any updates to the pt-boat (109). It' would be nice to test stuff out, here and there.

[yubba]

I sent him a request to upload the files I made, never got a reply back, you got them right, I'd tell folks how to do it but, that was 2 years ago and I forgot what I did, I know privateer could explain it, I guess it was in the upc file, just compare it with a sargo or a p class file and fill in the blanks,..

[peabody]

I really, REALLY, hope more people come on board for this!
..................... but I know people like peabody
and others could lend a hand if they choose to.



Privateer I am perfectly willing to help to the extend of my ability and knowledge. But with all due respect, it is not a matter of choice, it is a matter of time and ability (or lack of). I help anybody when I can. I am caring for a 90yr old mother with Alzheimer's and have some medical issues myself. That is one reason the IJN Campaign did not get finished. I ran into time problems and knowledge problems.

I will be glad to help if I can and when I can. But I do not know what you have done or need help with. That is why I posted when the torpedo tube and helmet issues when asked.

I have limited ability with 3D, I can do some, but not necessarily at your level.

Here are the helmets on the beta Pt-109, so it will work. I do not know if there is a lifevest on the Marine.dat since in S3D my 3D image is all black. I will try to investigate further.
I don't know why some are black and some are textured in S3D at least with stock items.

http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/204/helmetc.jpg

I did see a post where you had the anims done for the torps, and comments about the guns being ok, and I don't have any files that you are using for this boat, so ask, if I can help I will.

And animations don't 'scare' me, but sometimes I have a little trouble with rotation anims if the center is not 0,0,0. There was a mention of tubes like the Elco on early versions. I tried an anim on the torps but they just sit in the tubes. I was going to try to increase the eject time and then animate the tube with torp until it enters the water then have the eject take effect but I can not find anything to trigger it. Unless I am missing something, the firing may be hardcoded.

Peabody

Peabody

[nikimcbee]

@Peabody,
Welcome aboard and thanks for the help. Anything you can do for the project is welcome.:salute:

I'd be willing to help with your Japanese campaign. What kind of help do you need?

@everybody

Maybe we could make a task list of stuff that needs to be done? So you can pick and choose what to work on.

[Alex]

Hi everybody,

Privateer contacted me recently and let me know that he may need a helping hand at modelling. I'll be this guy.

I would like it a lot if anyone could post an exhaustive list of all URLs you've got so far leading to good pics of this ship.
First and foremost, we need good quality blueprints to build the standard Higgins boat, then real life pics will be required, as we'll add many things/components featured on them depending on the place/time where/when they operated. For now, blueprints will do : side view, top view, as well as front and/or back view are essential - and sections may be helpful too, in order to do an accurate job (http://www.sendspace.com/file/ygu6dy) building it. But don't hesitate to post a link if you ever have a good/rare shot featuring some details you'd like to see on this ship model later.

Not that I don't want to search for all of them by myself, but I think it may be easier to post these pics for someone who's got to follow the conversation from the day this thread was created. :up:

Thanks in advance for your help, guys !

[nikimcbee]

Hi everybody,

Privateer contacted me recently and let me know that he may need a helping hand at modelling. I'll be this guy.

I would like it a lot if anyone could post an exhaustive list of all URLs you've got so far leading to good pics of this ship.
First and foremost, we need good quality blueprints to build the standard Higgins boat, then real life pics will be required, as we'll add many things/components featured on them depending on the place/time where/when they operated. For now, blueprints will do : side view, top view, as well as front and/or back view are essential - and sections may be helpful too, in order to do an accurate job (http://www.sendspace.com/file/ygu6dy) building it. But don't hesitate to post a link if you ever have a good/rare shot featuring some details you'd like to see on this ship model later.

Not that I don't want to search for all of them by myself, but I think it may be easier to post these pics for someone who's got to follow the conversation from the day this thread was created. :up:

Thanks in advance for your help, guys !

Here's my data thread:
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=1860856&postcount=11

PM me your e-mail and I can send you the official higgins build plans.

If you need anything, let me know. If there's something specific you need to see, I can dig through my pictures or if I know before Thursdays, I can go to the boat and take a Photo or video of it.

[Alex]

Here's my data thread:
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=1860856&postcount=11
Very nice. I'm going to check this out. Thanks !

PM me your e-mail and I can send you the official higgins build plans.
Done.

If you need anything, let me know. If there's something specific you need to see, I can dig through my pictures or if I know before Thursdays, I can go to the boat and take a Photo or video of it.
Well, let's say it's still very early to ask for any info/photo I'd like to have. I must bring it as far as I can with blueprints, and then I can see what info/picture would be needed to make it look as good-looking and accurate as possible. But be sure that I thank you very much for your kindness ! I'll PM you as soon as I need some close-up shot of any part of that ship. :up:

[yubba]

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/photopost/data/778/McHalesNavy1.jpg (http://www.sitcomsonline.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/200032)

WHOOOOPs,,,,would you look at that, that's going to be some mod

[Madox58]

I figure if Alex can do this?

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n12/privateer_2006/earlywar.jpg
:rock:


I'd have been a fool not to ask him to help!!
:yep:

@peabody,

Real Life comes first Mate.
Any advice or knowledge is welcome at any time.

[yubba]

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/photopost/data/778/McHalesNavy1.jpg (http://www.sitcomsonline.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/200032)

WHOOOOPs,,,,would you look at that, that's going to be some mod yeah that too

[Bubblehead1980]

Well, AI torpedoes are possible.If you recall, someone did my a IJN patrol boat with AI launched torpedos, think it was miner.Ship pack one includes the boat and instructions.:EDIT:
Twas Darkfish, not miner. http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=154068&page=13

[peabody]

Well, AI torpedoes are possible.If you recall, someone did my a IJN patrol boat with AI launched torpedos, think it was miner.Ship pack one includes the boat and instructions.:EDIT:
Twas Darkfish, not miner. http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=154068&page=13

But isn't this going to be a playable rather that AI, so you could still use the targeting equipment. I know the AI torpspawner was not very accurate since it was actually a gun. It was a great idea, very clever.

Peabody

[nikimcbee]

Yes, the Higgins and the Elco are going to be playable.:D
Hopefully there will be four versions:
Early and late war Higgins and Elco. It will be really cool if we can get the late war, slide off (roll off) mark XIII torps.

Who wants to make the Mark XIII torps?:hmmm::D

[peabody]

Yes, the Higgins and the Elco are going to be playable.:D
Hopefully there will be four versions:
Early and late war Higgins and Elco. It will be really cool if we can get the late war, slide off (roll off) mark XIII torps.

Who wants to make the Mark XIII torps?:hmmm::D

Well I am a bit in the dark as to your intentions for this mod and what has been done and what needs to be done. So I try to help by answering questions.
As for making a Mark XIII torp. You can not create a NEW torpedo, you must edit an existing one. (unless someone has found info that I am not aware of). So if this is a MOD in itself there is no problem creating a XIII but if it is to be part of another MOD or stock where one can choose to use a sub, then the XIII will be changed for all of the other subs/ships also.

The info I find says the Higgins Pt used mark 8. Did you mean VIII? The mark XIII was an air dropped torpedo.

I have not yet found any info on the mark 8.

Peabody

[Madox58]

The later Boats went to the MK XIII believeing the Gyros were better able to handle the drop into the water from the slide off launchers.

[peabody]

The later Boats went to the MK XIII believeing the Gyros were better able to handle the drop into the water from the slide off launchers.

That makes sense since it is being dropped. I didn't find that info, thanks for the explanation.

Peabody

[nikimcbee]

Some things to consider regarding torpedoes:
Mk8s were WWI torps and weren't good torps either:shifty::dead:. They required the tubes to launch them, which added a lot of weight to the boat. There was also a muzzle flash when the torp was fired.

The mk13 had several advantages: The navy had a lot of them and they didn't require the tube to launch, which ment the boats were now ligher, so they went faster.:rock:

[yubba]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adGs-RGss6Y

[fred8615]

I have not yet found any info on the mark 8.

From NavWeaps (http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WTUS_PreWWII.htm)


Bliss-Leavitt 21" (53.3 cm) Mark 8

Ship Class Used On Flush-deck destroyers

Date Of Design About 1914

Date In Service 1915

Weight

Mods 0, 1, 2, 2A and 2B: 2,761 lbs. (1,252 kg)
Mods 3A and 3B: 3,050 lbs. (1,383 kg)
Mod 8: 3,176 lbs. (1,441 kg)

Overall Length

Mods 0, 1, 2, 2A and 2B: 248 in (6.299 m)
Mods 3A and 3B: 250 in (6.350 m)
Mod 8: 256.3 in (6.510 m)

Explosive Charge

Mods 0, 1, 2, 2A and 2B: 321 lbs. (146 kg) TNT
Mods 3A and 3B: 385 lbs. (175 kg) TNT
Mod 8: 466 lbs. (211 kg) TNT

Range / Speed

Mods 0, 1, 2, 2A and 2B: 10,000 or 12,500 yards (9,140 or 11,430 m) / 27 knots
Mods 3A and 3B: 13,500 yards (12,340 m) / 27 knots
Mod 8: 15,000 yards (13,720 m) / 29 knots

Power Wet-heater

Guidance Mark 8 Mod 1 gyro

Notes: First 21" x 21' (53.3 cm x 6.5 m) USN torpedo. Later versions starting in 1923 - Mod 5, 6 and 8 - had much larger warheads. These torpedoes were still being used on older destroyers and PT boats during World War II. It is possible that a higher speed setting was available for the torpedoes issued to PT boats. This torpedo was supplied to Britain for use on Lend-Lease Destroyers in 1940. Torpedoes issued to Britain are listed as having a warhead of 380 lbs. (172 kg) TNT and a range of 14,000 yards (12,800 m) at 27 knots.

[Bubblehead1980]

But isn't this going to be a playable rather that AI, so you could still use the targeting equipment. I know the AI torpspawner was not very accurate since it was actually a gun. It was a great idea, very clever.

Peabody

We were talking for AI controlled PT boats to fight battles along side the player, want them to be able to shoot guns and fire torpedoes

[Madox58]

There was also a muzzle flash when the torp was fired



Different sources say that the Tubes used compressed air only on the Higgins.
While the Elco's had compressed air with a back-up powder charge you'd hit with a mallet.

No matter what is actually true, (and I'd think all the ways mentioned actually were used at some point),

Failures/problems with compressed air/powder charge/old torps ended up with the slide off launcher and all the advantages.

[Hylander_1314]

The other issue with the torpedo tubes that many a PT crewman talked about, was the flash from firing the torpedoes at night, giving away your position.

[Madox58]

Not ready to render just yet but I've got the Bow reworked finally!
:rock:

It now has the proper rounding up to the Bow Cap.
Worried about smoothing issues in Game, I did a test import to SH4 and visually checked it with the somewhat proper Camo paint.

I'm perfectly happy with it at this point!
:D

I'm adding the transition to the flat bottom of the Keel now.
Once that's done, I'll add the exhausts and other parts I have completed and do a nice render.

[nikimcbee]

Been away on my paintball holiday. One day of work then off to Boston for 5 days.

On a side note, I got some engine sounds recorded and the battlestations horn as well. We didn't "go out:-?", so I nee to record the engines while we're running.

[Madox58]

Basic Hull with splash rail along chine, Rudders, exhausts, and bilge port in place.

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n12/privateer_2006/hull.jpg

Closer look at the exhaust area.
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n12/privateer_2006/exhausts.jpg

Turn table render.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqol6aFNz60&feature=plcp

I've got a Store to Demo in Dayton, Ohio.
May have to hit the Museum at Wright-Patterson while there.
:yep:

[Alex]

Anyone got some pictures of the ship in the dockyard ?
I'd like to have a look at this part of the ship.

http://img11.hostingpics.net/pics/294302hop.gif

[Alex]

http://img11.hostingpics.net/pics/624896BUMP.jpg

Please.

[Sailor Steve]

Okay, that's really pushing the limits of what's acceptable here.

[nikimcbee]

Back from holiday. Anything new?

[Alex]

http://img11.hostingpics.net/pics/378025705.png

http://img11.hostingpics.net/thumbs/mini_907025601.png (http://www.hostingpics.net/viewer.php?id=907025601.png) http://img11.hostingpics.net/thumbs/mini_737869492.png (http://www.hostingpics.net/viewer.php?id=737869492.png) http://img11.hostingpics.net/thumbs/mini_397054523.png (http://www.hostingpics.net/viewer.php?id=397054523.png) http://img11.hostingpics.net/thumbs/mini_756271864.png (http://www.hostingpics.net/viewer.php?id=756271864.png)

http://img11.hostingpics.net/thumbs/mini_961636896.png (http://www.hostingpics.net/viewer.php?id=961636896.png) http://img11.hostingpics.net/thumbs/mini_601640118.png (http://www.hostingpics.net/viewer.php?id=601640118.png) http://img11.hostingpics.net/thumbs/mini_449266gif.gif (http://www.hostingpics.net/viewer.php?id=449266gif.gif)

Privateer made most of it so far. He's responsible for the hull/keel - tricky job - exhausts and rudder. I've been taking care of the deck, what's on deck, propeller shaft brackets, reworked the chine splash rail and I just started working on the superstructure (or whatever it's called). Still an early WIP.

But still, I've not been able to find a picture showing how long that stuff (http://img11.hostingpics.net/pics/294302hop.gif) is (the hydrodynamic part of the hull surrounding the propeller shaft). I'm used to do some very accurate modelling, but I'll have to guess how long it was, in fact. But that's nitpicking probably. :O:

[Hylander_1314]

Lookin' great so far guys! Privateer & Alex are rockin'! :salute: :yeah:

Alex, the deck structure you're referring to is the day cabin. At least that's what the books and old PT Boaters call it.

Just a little note, remember the waterline goes straight to the bow. It doesn't follow the hull sides up. No reason to put antifouling paint above it.

[Alex]

Alex, the deck structure you're referring to is the day cabin. At least that's what the books and old PT Boaters call it.
Duly noted. Thanks for letting me know !
Just a little note, remember the waterline goes straight to the bow. It doesn't follow the hull sides up. No reason to put antifouling paint above it.
This factor will be taken into account. Thank you for pointing out this detail, Hylander.

@ NikiMcBee : Do you have some pics showing the lower part of some gun turret, taken from the middle of the ship ?

http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/17283662in.jpg (http://www.hostingpics.net/viewer.php?id=17283662in.jpg)

[yubba]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adGs-RGss6Y

[nikimcbee]

Duly noted. Thanks for letting me know !

This factor will be taken into account. Thank you for pointing out this detail, Hylander.

@ NikiMcBee : Do you have some pics showing the lower part of some gun turret, taken from the middle of the ship ?

http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/17283662in.jpg (http://www.hostingpics.net/viewer.php?id=17283662in.jpg)

Let me look through my pictures, if not I can take some on Thursday.

[nikimcbee]

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg121/scaled.php?server=121&filename=fleetweek2089.jpg&res=landing

Here's an older one, w/ a PT boat vet in it.:salute:

There's an opening at the bottom with a hand rail above it.

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg824/scaled.php?server=824&filename=ptboatandspringbreak093.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg337/scaled.php?server=337&filename=pt658012.jpg&res=landing



Radar Mast support.
http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg853/scaled.php?server=853&filename=ptboatandspringbreak138.jpg&res=landing

[Alex]

Now THAT is the kind of detail I like ! Nice pics Niki !
And it gives me an idea of the width of the gun turrets. Thanks ! :03:

Let me look through my pictures, if not I can take some on Thursday.
A ~360° view of some gun turret would be highly appreciated - handrails being an important feature there, don't forget any of them. And while you're at it, don't hesitate to take a few photos of the helm and radar/radar mast (don't forget this one, it will be supposed to be visible from the deck view in game, so it must be modelled somewhat accurately).

The resolution doesn't matter too much (1024x768 is quite sufficient), but the number does.
Also : don't forget to shoot some things on deck that may have some importance in your opinion, like details visible only by the crew on deck (things having some importance that you just can't see on a WW2 pic and that you may happen to notice only while visiting the boat - siren, sampson post, antenna on top of the day cabin, lifelines, searchlight and its support, all hatches on deck, for example).
And in the end, don't forget to take some medium close-up shots in order to bring most things together (including the floor) in the same pic, thus giving an overall scale of everything on deck.

And and and...

Well, take as much photos as you can, basically. :arrgh!:

[nikimcbee]

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg827/scaled.php?server=827&filename=ptboatandspringbreak140.jpg&res=landing

Directly behind starboard gun tub.

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg27/scaled.php?server=27&filename=ptboatandspringbreak129.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg855/scaled.php?server=855&filename=ptboatandspringbreak128.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg404/scaled.php?server=404&filename=ptboatandspringbreak127.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg692/scaled.php?server=692&filename=ptboatandspringbreak126.jpg&res=landing




What are you planning next to model?

[nikimcbee]

Don't forget these videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIqyj4DMXPY&feature=g-upl

[Alex]

Thanks a lot for these pictures, Niki.
What are you planning next to model?
The helm, radar, radar mast and support, as well as all vents and hatches. But most of them are different from one another. I'll see if I need to ask you for some pics of them.
Don't forget these videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIqyj4DMXPY&feature=g-upl
That will help me quite a bit. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, NikiMcBee. :03:

From what I see in that video, I can say I won't be back before some time. :haha:

[nikimcbee]

Gun tub details:
http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg513/scaled.php?server=513&filename=ptboatupdate070.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg13/scaled.php?server=13&filename=ptboatupdate069.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg213/scaled.php?server=213&filename=ptboatupdate068.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg585/scaled.php?server=585&filename=ptboatupdate009.jpg&res=landing
Starboard gun tub


http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg827/scaled.php?server=827&filename=ptboatandspringbreak140.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg545/scaled.php?server=545&filename=ptboatupdate006.jpg&res=landing
Port GT

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg717/scaled.php?server=717&filename=ptboatupdate002.jpg&res=landing
port gt

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg403/scaled.php?server=403&filename=ptboatupdate005.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg856/scaled.php?server=856&filename=ptboatupdate004.jpg&res=landing

port gt

[Madox58]

Looking good so far Alex. :yep:
I'll be finishing up the Demo job in Dayton in the next day or so and will be back to work on the model then.

The Hull textures you see so far are NOT final and are only used as a placer texture at this time.
Proper UV work will be done when it's time critical.
Right now doing the 3D modeling work is priority.
:)

[Alex]

Very cool shots, Niki, thanks a lot ! :up:

@ Privateer : Thank you. :ping:
Wishing you all the best with this demo job ! :yeah:
http://img15.hostingpics.net/pics/57100880e.gif

[Charlielima]

For the boats painters:
http://www.ptboatworld.com/PT_Boat_Info/PT-Camouflage.html
V/R, CL

[Charlielima]

If torps are a barrier there are PTGBs.
http://www.ptboatworld.com/Photo%20Albums/photos2.htm
V/R, CL

[indy]

PT boats: Weapons of war

Daring and dashing, PT boats play a pivotal role in Pacific warfare
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
TED MAHAR
If destroyers were the greyhounds of the sea, PT boats must have been the terriers -- the mutt terriers.
Patrol torpedo boats performed invaluable service and fought at closer ranges than any other combat craft. Some collided with Japanese armed barges in furious night skirmishes.
In the Pacific island-hopping campaign, U.S. forces often bypassed Japanese island bases, and it was often the PT boats' chore to keep the bypassed islands from being supplied or evacuated.
The dashing little craft were conceived for one purpose but more often served another. Their popular image, idealized in John Ford's 1945 film "They Were Expendable," was a bold craft with bolder crews dashing headlong at enemy warships, firing torpedoes and dashing out amid geysers of enemy fire. In fact, some PT boats did attack big ships.
More often they slipped out at night, parked on the anticipated course of Japanese ships or barge convoys, and waited. Some crews even removed two or all four of their torpedo tubes to pile on weapons used at more intimate ranges: light and heavy machine guns, and 40 mm cannons. When their radar picked up targets, they roared in firing, wreaking as much havoc as possible, and roared out.
Their great speed -- 45 mph or so, if the engines were running perfectly -- often served them better in withdrawal than attack.
A tactical advantage
PT boats succeeded because Japanese coastal vessels lacked radar, which would have neutralized the PT advantages of stealth and speed.
Albert McCready, a retired managing editor of The Oregonian who died in July 2003, was a PT quartermaster. He was among the Save the PT Boat Inc. group that restored Portland's PT 658.
"When I was on them, I hated them," McCready said during the restoration. "Thought I was going to get killed. But in retrospect, when we were doing 40 knots on a calm sea and throwing a rooster tail, that was something to see."
But mostly, he described his experience as harrowing and hungry. “We were at the absolute tail end of every supply line,” he said. He recalled that they resorted to screwball comedy chicanery to supplement their supplies by conning or even stealing materiel from the Army, Marine or Navy supply ships or shore installations.
The Pacific war covered great swaths of areas as the Allies steadily closed in on Japan. Bases continually were established farther up the line. In late 1945 bases for PT boats were scheduled for Okinawa for the vessels to fight in the planned invasion of Japan. The bases were cancelled after the two atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and Japan agreed to surrender on Aug. 14.

A small, fast force
It’s surprising in one way that only two films have been made about PT boats, “Expendable” and 1964’s “PT-109.” PT boat logs could supply spectacle, adventure, action and drama aplenty for the movies. The 60,000 to 64,000 crewmen were all volunteers for close-in fighting in fragile craft in environments made hostile by the enemy and nature. PT boat combat casualties were 331.
But by 1947, the U.S. Navy had no more PT boats. More than 100 were burned off a beach at Samar, Philippines. Some were scrapped, some were sold through brokers, and many were given to allies, including China, South Korea and the Soviet Union.
The boats in “PT-109” were a smaller craft called crash boats, also called crash/rescue boats, modified to look like PT boats. Crash boats were also used in 1965’s “In Harms Way” and the TV comedy series “McHales Navy.”
McReady, astonishingly said that “McHales Navy” was a truer picture of PT boat base life than most people would imagine.
Beach life was about as raucous as we could make it,” McReady said. “We drank everything we could get our hands on, which wasn’t very much. We raised all the hell we could to forget about what we did last night and distract us from what we were going to do tonight.”
Ted Mahar: 503-221-8228 tedmahar@news.oregonian.com

Information Panel on RH side of Illustration
UP AGAINST GOLIATHS
Pound for pound, PT boats were among the most heavily armed boats of WWII. They could sink ships many times their size using torpedoes, but PT boats found their niche attacking enemy supply and troop barges, in covert operations or rescuing downed pilots. They were regularly sent on missions deemed too risky for larger ships.
WHY WOOD?
Mahogany-planked hulls were lighter than steel, making them fast- more than 40 knots- and maneuverable. Mahogany was also easily repaired- a bullet hole which would splinter other wood could simply be plugged with a wooden dowel. The make-up of a typical section of the boats hull consists of the following layers:
· 5/8’ Mahogany exterior hull planking
· Glue-impregnated canvas for waterproofing
· 1/2 “ mahogany strips on the interior
PT BOAT BUILDERS
Three companies built PT boats for the U.S. Navy. All were wooden-hulled, powered by three Packard V-12 engines and had similar dimensions, armament, and performance.
Higgins Industries Boatworks
PT658 was built by Higgins and was one of its last PT boats built. Higgins boats saw service primarily in the European theater, with lesser numbers operating in the Pacific theater; 199 PT boats were built at the Higgins boatworks in New Orleans. PT658 is the only fully restored and operational U.S. Navy PT boat remaining.
Higgins 78’
· Type: PT boat (patrol, torpedo)
· Length: 78 feet, 6 inches
· Beam: 20 feet, 1 inch
· Displacement: 48 tons
· Speed: 40 knots (46mph)
Electric Boat Company (Elco)
The Bayonne, N.J. company built the most PT boats, 299 boats. Longer and faster than the others, they generally saw service with Pacific PT boat squadrons.
Huckins Yacht Works
This Jacksonville, Fla., company built only 18 boats. The boats did not perform as well as the others and did not see widespread use.
PT BOAT LOSSES
According to PT Boats, Inc., 69 of the 531 PT boats in service were lost during WWII:
· Accident, friendly fire, sea conditions: 22
· Destroyed to prevent capture: 21
· Rammed: 2
· Kamikaze: 2
· Other: 3
· Mine: 4
· Shore Battery: 5
· Aircraft: 5
· Ship: 5

WHERE TO SEE PT658
The boat will take part in Fort Vancouver’s historic review of the end of WWII, Aug. 26-28. For more information, visit Save the PT Boats’ Web site:
www.savetheptboatinc.com (http://www.savetheptboatinc.com/)
Sources: Save the PT Boat Inc.; “Squadron/Signal Publications; PT Boats” United States PT Boats of World War II”; PT Boats Inc.; Naval Historical Center



Here is the cutaway drawing of PT658 from this article :
http://www.savetheptboatinc.com/pt658cutaway_small.jpg (http://www.savetheptboatinc.com/pt658cutaway.jpg)
Here is a drawing of the Mark 13 torpedo and the Packard engine from this article:
http://www.savetheptboatinc.com/pt658torpeng_small.jpg (http://www.savetheptboatinc.com/pt658torpeng.jpg)

Neat page on PT Boats. Indy

http://www.savetheptboatinc.com/new_page_1.htm

[Sailor Steve]

@ Indy: Please do not quote entire articles. They tend to be copywrited. Post the first paragraph only and a link to the rest. We've had authors complain about this before.

[nikimcbee]

Very cool shots, Niki, thanks a lot ! :up:

@ Privateer : Thank you. :ping:
Wishing you all the best with this demo job ! :yeah:
http://img15.hostingpics.net/pics/57100880e.gif
Looks Great! Keep up the good work!:salute:

[Alex]

Thanks a lot, Niki.
Here's a few more pics. Slowly taking shape...

http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/894885267.jpg

http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/517313654.jpg

http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/326659872.jpg

http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/201592555.jpg

http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/706730703.jpg

http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/615154206.jpg

http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/185948731.jpg

http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/422026708.jpg



@ Captain Niki : In case you've got some pics featuring a bottom view of the radar itself, I'd like to see them - just in case some neat detail needs to appear on the bottom face of the radar. As well as some shots of the control panel on deck, please.

[Hylander_1314]

That Higgins boat is really lookin' great guys! She's gonna be awful perty when she's done!
:salute: :salute: :salute:

[Madox58]

That Higgins boat is really lookin' great guys! She's gonna be awful perty when she's done!
:salute: :salute: :salute:
That's the goal.
To make it really outstanding as a player controlled Unit.

I've been really busy with real life work and have no portable system to take on the road so am behind in actuall work on this.

Once I receive the BIG checks from all this time away from home?
I'll have a new NoteBook.
:rock:

I should also have nearly a month off before I travel to the next big job in Wisconsin.
That's a Resort in Glacier Canyon.
:D

[Hylander_1314]

Sounds good Privateer!

I only hope the game will handle a nice piece of work like this without becoming a slideshow, or needing a couple Terrabyte video cards linked to run her with all details!

[Madox58]

If the parts are split up correctly, there should be no real issues.
I've looked at the faces count for existing Subs in SH4 and We can easily work with those numbers.

The Hull and common parts would be in the Submarine folder.
The bridge would be the Conning Tower so would be in the Objects folder.
All Weapons should be placed in the correct folders also.

This will allow further versions of the Bridge and Weapons systems for different versions of the Higgins, like the Gun Boat version.
:yep:

[Hylander_1314]

That sounds good!

What I was wondering about, was the detail, and what not, being a monster for the computer to handle with everything else in the scene.

Just hope you don't have to make a low-res version, as in smaller or less detailed model is all.

Also, hopefully, there will be the possibility of having more than just your boat operating, but since the game engine isn't designed for things like that, we'll have to see what is do-able.

At least, it should be an interesting mod once it's completed.

[Alex]

http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/486719fck.gifNeat thing, must look good in game.
And it's going to : https://rapidshare.com/files/1580205528/what_s_that.avi
Heavy file - 10 seconds video, 350MB - I'm no video editor, you know. http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/92051999.png

@ Cpt Niki :
@ Captain Niki : In case you've got some pics featuring a bottom view of the radar itself, I'd like to see them - just in case some neat detail needs to appear on the bottom face of the radar. As well as some close-up shots of the control panel on deck, please.
Plus I need some pics of the antenna that's supposed to stand on top of the day cabin on the starboard side. PT 658 doesn't have it - still - but maybe you've got some world war 2 pics featuring this one, hopefully.
That antenna is supposed to be made of a ring somehow as you can see on that blueprint (http://img15.hostingpics.net/pics/66653478ha.jpg). I'd like to see what the real object looks like in order to get it to look as accurate as possible.

Thanks in advance !

[nikimcbee]

I know what your talking about, but I'm having a tough time find one online.

[Alex]

Regarding the antenna : no problem with that, Niki. Hopefully you'll find some shot featuring this one later. If you don't, I'll rely on the blueprint only to create it.
The next time you have some opportunity to pay a visit to the boat, please just don't forget to take some photos of :


the bottom face of the radar,
the control panel on deck (I can see it in your "PT-658 bow and bridge tour" video, but some close-up shots would be appreciated, really).

No need to hurry though, take your time ! :03:

[nikimcbee]

http://pt-king.gdinc.com/21-01.jpg (http://pt-king.gdinc.com/20-01.jpg)

Just found this. Wrong pt though.

[Alex]

According to that blueprint (http://img15.hostingpics.net/pics/66653478ha.jpg), it's supposed to look like that.
http://img15.hostingpics.net/pics/260143haha.gif
Never got to see an antenna like that myself. We can do without a photo of this one, but, well, it would still be appreciated to see a picture of it, you know. No problem if you can't find one though. ;)


Lt Nitpicker

[yubba]

I'm not going to have enough computer to runn this guy.

[indy]

Well guys,
As the title says I hate to be a Hater, or cast negative vibe on this great endeavor, but its been almost 4 months and I ant seen nutten yet!
I seriously doubt weather this project will ever get legs underneath it. I agree that we need a good sim about PT boats. The last one produced some years ago was a absolute joke, buggy and a waste of time and money.

So far all I've seen is a mock up, of a haul of some boat and a bunch of pictures. Ya Yaaaa, I know it's free so shut up! But I have an Ideal this is'ent anything but a tease. Time will tell!:hmm2:

[nikimcbee]

Regarding the antenna : no problem with that, Niki. Hopefully you'll find some shot featuring this one later. If you don't, I'll rely on the blueprint only to create it.
The next time you have some opportunity to pay a visit to the boat, please just don't forget to take some photos of :


the bottom face of the radar,
the control panel on deck (I can see it in your "PT-658 bow and bridge tour" video, but some close-up shots would be appreciated, really).
No need to hurry though, take your time ! :03:


http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg163/scaled.php?server=163&filename=ptboatupdate020.jpg&res=landing


http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg17/scaled.php?server=17&filename=ptboatupdate015.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg641/scaled.php?server=641&filename=ptboatupdate022.jpg&res=landing


http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg844/scaled.php?server=844&filename=ptboatupdate012.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg855/scaled.php?server=855&filename=ptboatandspringbreak128.jpg&res=landing

Ignore the GPS/depth finder box to the left:D.

Oh, btw, these are recent photos too.

[nikimcbee]

The radar dome is brand, spankin new.

[Alex]

I'm not going to have enough computer to run this guy.
The goal here is to get a playable surface unit to look at least as good as a SH4 stock submarine, and not to bring everyone's system to its knees, so don't worry so much, yubba.
So far all I've seen is a mock up, of a haul of some boat and a bunch of pictures. Ya Yaaaa, I know it's free so shut up! But I have an Ideal this is'ent anything but a tease. Time will tell!:hmm2:
Privateer is very busy with real life work these days, indy. And not being familiar with the game myself, I must say the only thing I can do is modelling, as well as texturing and mapping the model (if needed). This is the only reason why no SH4 screenshot featuring this boat has been posted until now.

pictures


Ignore the GPS/depth finder box to the left:D.

Oh, btw, these are recent photos too.
Thank you very much once again Niki. I think I'll be able to get the helm to look good enough thanks to some of them.
The radar dome is brand, spankin new.
Looks very neat.
Is that a modern day improvement, or did it look like that during the war ?

[Hylander_1314]

"Privateer is very busy with real life work these days, indy. And not being familiar with the game myself, I must say the only thing I can do is modelling, as well as texturing and mapping the model (if needed). This is the only reason why no SH4 screenshot featuring this boat has been posted until now."

Agreed Alex. Aside from the fact that making a model, can take up to a year, even if you know exactly what you are wanting, and know the structure inside and out from model, to SDK info and what goes where in the structure of the nodes, and the damge models that go with it, that have to be constructed, and incorporated.

With every little detail that is revealed, it is one step closer to completion. Keep up the good work guys! :salute:

[Madox58]

"Privateer is very busy with real life work these days, indy.


I've worked 12 to 16 hours a day, 7 days a week, for months now.
With very few days at home!!
:o

I don't have a system that I can take with me as I did for GWX modding back in the day.

So I asked Alex to step in for some fantastic 3D work.
:yep:

I'm HOPEING to have enuff time at home for the next few weeks to do a test import for screenshots and check areas of the model that need adjusted. (Not holding my breath though)
Alex models great but that does not mean the models are SH proper.
That is a learning curve for many people and Alex is on that curve.
I adjust and return his work, when I have time, so he can learn the proper things to watch for.
DivingDuck, ref, and I, have helped Alex go from someone that did not know how to model a box to the fantastic work he does now.
The last step he is willing to learn is proper SH things.
That's more then anyone can say of MANY people that cry
"GIMME GIMME GIMME RIGHT NOW!!"
:stare:

[nikimcbee]

Keep up the good work guys.:salute:

[Alex]

DivingDuck, ref, and I, have helped Alex go from someone that did not know how to model a box to the fantastic work he does now.
In other words ? If you like what I've been showing so far, be sure that you can get to be able to do the same, in a rather short matter of time. You just need to stick to it, and to show the will to understand a few things few people wish to get familiar with.

@ Jeff : Here's me again virtually shaking your hand for the patience you as well as Ref and DD showed with the slow-learner I am, hehe. Other than that... Please check your mails. :03:

[Hylander_1314]

Completely understandable Privateer! I know that one all too well! I had acouple people who were helping me with reference material for a plane for a flight sim, but when spring / summer rolled around, I had not only work, but also a huge vegetable garden, and if I got 30 minutes every other day to work on it, I was lucky.

But after getting bugged enough, I finally turned it over to the main group of modders for completion, as it would have been another 3 to 6 months to get all the details done, doing it myself on that learning curve was taking way too long, but I had about 70% of the model complete with engine details, and prop, so the group really appreciated the "donation" so to speak.

Hoping to get back into it again, to further my knowledge of tying all that stuff together cohesively so I can take it a step at a time, and as I complete a section, I can have a base SDK file ready to incorporate into it, and grow it from there, so it isn't just one big mess trying to sort it out.

[nikimcbee]

I forget, How's the Torp launching node/animation going?

[Alex]

@ Jeff : [...] Please check your e-mails. :03:

Back on topic.

I forget, How's the Torp launching node/animation going?

[yubba]

The goal here is to get a playable surface unit to look at least as good as a SH4 stock submarine, and not to bring everyone's system to its knees, so don't worry so much, yubba.

Well, anybody can tell you I'm a doom and gloom kind of guy, already hyperlobby has been down for 24 hrs, and being a addicted Il 2 pilot, offline play isn't the same, I miss hearing the cries, of young men when I shoot them down, and being called an a hole. so anybody figure how to run it in full campaign mode, and is there a way to get exsisting pt 109 to run in campaign mode, now with hyperlobby down I got a lot of stuff down around the barn.

[nikimcbee]

I know what your talking about, but I'm having a tough time find one online.

Our curator Jerry saw the post and sent me these:

From the e-mail:
Hi Jason,
On the subsim message board, I saw Alex post this message: "Plus I need some pics of the antenna that's supposed to stand on top of the day cabin on the starboard side. PT 658 doesn't have it - still - but maybe you've got some world war 2 pics featuring this one, hopefully."


This is called the IFF Dipole "Ski Pole" antenna for the BN Interrogator-Responsor. Here are some pics that show the antenna. By the way, Tom is having these made for the boat, they should be ready to mount soon. Jerry


http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg254/scaled.php?server=254&filename=pt625skadeunderwayathel.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg716/scaled.php?server=716&filename=pt46911boatatsamar.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg221/scaled.php?server=221&filename=nh71649.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg39/scaled.php?server=39&filename=nh71646.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg18/scaled.php?server=18&filename=img0759qu.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg545/scaled.php?server=545&filename=img0757u.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg545/scaled.php?server=545&filename=img0755lo.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg837/scaled.php?server=837&filename=img0752nn.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg831/scaled.php?server=831&filename=img0751er.jpg&res=landing



Thanks Jerry G. for the photos.:salute::salute::salute:

[Alex]

Thanks for letting me know, Niki. :yeah:

And thanks a lot for your pictures and kindness, Jerry ! :ping:
So here's the new IFF dipole in question (took your photos as a base) :
http://img11.hostingpics.net/pics/649237891.gif
Nearly done with the modeling.

[yubba]

Oh god guys, sometime in this life time.:doh::doh::har::haha::o

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg545/scaled.php?server=545&filename=img0757u.jpg&res=landing
.:salute::salute::salute:[/QUOTE]

[nikimcbee]

@Alex,

That model is looking awesome!!!:salute:

[Alex]

Thank you, Jason.
Good to know that you like it.

[nikimcbee]

I can't wait to get the weapons on it.


On a side note, if we can't get the roll off torps to work, we can just make a 1943 version of the boat with the torp tubes.

[Madox58]

Well, aside from all the work on the road slowing me down?
We got hit with a storm that took my 'Net and power down for 5 days!!
The old generator decided Day 1 was the time to Pine for the fjords!
:haha:

So I got jack squat done on anything.
:nope:

I did manage to sketch out (In my mind and on paper only) a program that I might work on later.

But that's another thread maybe someday.
:haha:

The roll off animation stuff will work but I've yet to actually code it.
It depends on re-doing the torp door animations as the start.
So we will need to dis-able opening and closeing torp doors as a must.
I don't see that as an issue as there are no doors to open!
:D

It's a matter of can I make the torp object used disappear for good?
:hmmm:

[nikimcbee]

@privateer
I forget, did we have a twin 50 gun, or do we need to make it?

[Madox58]

I have a twin .50 ready to go as far as 3D work.
The biggest problem is adjusting SH4 files to show it without the Guy fireing it going through walls and such.

That was (and is still) a problem with custom Guns.
There is a way to over come those problems.
Move the 3D Model to start!!

In SH3/4 all Guns have the base as the central pivot point.
Move the 3D model off center, adjust a few things, and guess what?
You get a Crew member following a proper Gun movement!

[Madox58]

Still working on the 3D model stuff.
Lots of things need detached, adjusted, re-worked, and so on to get a working model ready for importing.
:yep:

I'm totally happy with what we have so far. It all needs to be made SH4 ready now.
That's not a simple, one day job!
:nope:

Poly count will fall quite a bit in the process but that is a good thing!
It will not have any effect on the details of the 3D model!
Just make it easier on the systems running it.
:D

As far as I can see at this point?
A standard Sub in SH4 is much harder on your system then this PT Boat.
:|\\

[Hylander_1314]

That's great news Privateer!

Especially to retain detail integrity without a huge impact on the system! :salute:

[Madox58]

Part of the system impact is what is loaded at Game start.
That can be, and has been, worked around before.
:03:

The Game engine does allow instancing of objects.
instancing is the practice of rendering multiple copies of the same mesh in a scene at once, allowing placement as if a different mesh
So I can use parts of things and just create an instance of it and place it where I wish.

On render? It just appears as it should!

So say I have the radar dome for an example.
I can cut that 3D model in half, create an instance in the file and rotate it to it's correct position.
In Game you see a whole Radar Dome!
Render time appears only affected by how the base Game loads up.
(GWX4 Devs tested this and it was a planned and approved approach)

Open the Maunsell Forts in GWX and you'll see this first wide scale usage of this instancing.
(I also taught Hans, of HAHD, about this little trick and he uses it wisely)
:D

The main thing GWX Devs looked at was load time problems.
It's been proven that the less loaded at Game start? The better off you are!
That's why Ubi Devs broke up campaign files remember?
To save system resources!

By doing the instanceing trick, (Which examples can be found in SH3 Stock)
Load time are reduced and system memory needs are reduced.

The only bottle neck, as always, is your Video card.
IF you can run SH4 with your current Card?
I see no reason I can't make the Higgins work for you.

[nikimcbee]

Still working on the 3D model stuff.
Lots of things need detached, adjusted, re-worked, and so on to get a working model ready for importing.
:yep:

I'm totally happy with what we have so far. It all needs to be made SH4 ready now.
That's not a simple, one day job!
:nope:

Poly count will fall quite a bit in the process but that is a good thing!
It will not have any effect on the details of the 3D model!
Just make it easier on the systems running it.
:D

As far as I can see at this point?
A standard Sub in SH4 is much harder on your system then this PT Boat.
:|\\

That's good to hear. Keep up the good work everybody.:salute::salute::salute:

[Madox58]

I did a quick test import as a single object to see what the file size would be (And to check smoothing).

Without optimizeing the mesh or removeing other stuff from the dat?
The SH4 Subs are WAY larger once the Conning tower is added into the mix.

The model could have twice the detail it has so far and STILL NOT be much larger then the Subs.
:up:

[nikimcbee]

I'm thinking when we get around to doing the 37 mm gun, we could mod the 40mm gun.

[Madox58]

And that looks something like this?
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n12/privateer_2006/40MM.jpg

[nikimcbee]

And that looks something like this?
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n12/privateer_2006/40MM.jpg

Sweet jebus palamino! That's it!:up:

http://livingincinema.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/jesus-palamino-a-nazi.jpg

[Madox58]

Sweet jebus palamino! That's it!:up:



Mind you that's a very early version.
The final version will be much more detailed.
As will the other Guns and stuff We need yet.

I also did an early AO burn for the Boat.
I'll see about getting some images uploaded.
There's a bad storm hitting me right now and if it's like normal?
I'll be without power and the 'Net here sometime soon.
:wah:

[Madox58]

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n12/privateer_2006/AO_Test-Burn-1.jpg

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n12/privateer_2006/AO_Test-Burn-2.jpg

If you look closely? You can see some areas that need worked on yet as far as smoothing groups and somethings needing
faces added to avoid the 'see through it' problem.
This is also the un-optimized full version model.

[Madox58]

Any chance of getting some good shots of the 37mm?
I found very few that give enuff views to do as good a model as I'd like.
The ammo feeder is no problem and I have plenty of good images of that.
It's mostly the stuff under the main barrel and the firing control/handle area I'd like better views of.

A few good shots of the 40mm also wouldn't hurt if possible.
:D

I think We can just modify the in Game 20 and 40 to work?
I did notice the AO for the 20 needs some work.

Someone better at doing graphics work would help alot also.

[Hylander_1314]

For the 37mm, most of them were originally scavanged off wrecked or written off P-39 Airacobras, and the same gun was eventually made a standard piece for the gunboat versions later in the war, so maybe check for the plane armament too. Maybe IL2 has a good model to go off of?

Maybe check out some of these links:

https://www.google.com/search?q=p-39+restoration&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

Hope it helps!

[Alex]

Mind you that's a very early version.
The final version will be much more detailed.
As will the other Guns and stuff We need yet.
@ every Higgins PT boat fan : if you ever know of some neat detail you'd like to see on deck that's not been modeled so far, please post your requests, advices - and blueprints/photos !

[nikimcbee]

@ every Higgins PT boat fan : if you ever know of some neat detail you'd like to see on deck that's not been modeled so far, please post your requests, advices - and blueprints/photos !

I'll post more stuff when I get off work. I need to dig through all of my photos. I do have tons of 37 and 40 mm gun photos.

[Alex]

Thanks, Niki. :ping:

[nikimcbee]

@ Alex
At some point I'm going to need your mailing/post address so I can send you stuff:D. I might just do it in the near future so I can get you a copy of this:

http://www.nexternal.com/SBM/images/squb26008.jpg

[nikimcbee]

I had a crazy Idea. I thought about uploading ALL of my pt photos to my facebook account, then you could access them as needed. I could just make them public, then you wouldn't have to "friend me", you could just view them.:hmmm:

[Alex]

Please check your e-mail adress, Niki. ;)

[nikimcbee]

I got some photos of the 37 mm, just need to upload them.:oops: I was also informed that we have an original of the gun manual for the 37mm cannon. ya'll wouldn't be interested in that would you?:hmmm::D

[Alex]

Please send blueprints my way, Niki. :ping:
Or post them in here if you like.
Don't even know whether we need to have our own, but I just want to check how fine I can get it to look.

[nikimcbee]

Please send blueprints my way, Niki. :ping:
Or post them in here if you like.
Don't even know whether we need to have our own, but I just want to check how fine I can get it to look.

I plan on taking pictures of them. (the bluprints)

[Alex]

Ah, I see.
Thanks in advance, very nice ! :ping:

[nikimcbee]

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg84/scaled.php?server=84&filename=moreptboat002.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg690/scaled.php?server=690&filename=moreptboat003.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg716/scaled.php?server=716&filename=moreptboat005.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg716/scaled.php?server=716&filename=moreptboat005.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg515/scaled.php?server=515&filename=moreptboat007.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg811/scaled.php?server=811&filename=moreptboat008.jpg&res=landing

(note; don't model the bunjee cord.):D

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg841/scaled.php?server=841&filename=moreptboat009.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg96/scaled.php?server=96&filename=moreptboat010.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg840/scaled.php?server=840&filename=moreptboat011.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg521/scaled.php?server=521&filename=moreptboat012.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg338/scaled.php?server=338&filename=moreptboat013.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg502/scaled.php?server=502&filename=moreptboat014.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg838/scaled.php?server=838&filename=moreptboat015.jpg&res=landing

40 mm

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg41/scaled.php?server=41&filename=moreptboat016.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg849/scaled.php?server=849&filename=moreptboat017.jpg&res=landing

[nikimcbee]

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n12/privateer_2006/AO_Test-Burn-1.jpg

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n12/privateer_2006/AO_Test-Burn-2.jpg

If you look closely? You can see some areas that need worked on yet as far as smoothing groups and somethings needing
faces added to avoid the 'see through it' problem.
This is also the un-optimized full version model.

http://pgilston.smugmug.com/Ships/Warships/2009-Rose-Festival-Fleet/20090604-Rose-Festival/575668150_bNyX4-M.jpg

Gadzooks it looks the same!

[nikimcbee]

I got the engines sounds recorded, now I just need to edit them. Is anybody any good at sound editing? Any tips for modding sounds for the game?

[nikimcbee]

@ Everybody
Who wants to model the chartroom?

[Alex]

I got the engines sounds recorded, now I just need to edit them. Is anybody any good at sound editing? Any tips for modding sounds for the game?
http://www.goldwave.com/ :03:
@ Everybody
Who wants to model the chartroom?
@ everybody :the HTB 3D model is the very top priority actually. Once we get a finished version of this one, I'll think about handling the creation of the chartroom myself later, but feel free to show up and help me on that task if you're willing to ! :woot:

@ Niki : do you have any blueprint of this part of the boat ? :hmm2:

[nikimcbee]

anchor:
http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg689/scaled.php?server=689&filename=108nq.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg543/scaled.php?server=543&filename=107uhg.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg221/scaled.php?server=221&filename=106wt.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg832/scaled.php?server=832&filename=105jwm.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg84/scaled.php?server=84&filename=104xb.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg819/scaled.php?server=819&filename=103kb.jpg&res=landing


Bullnose:
http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg716/scaled.php?server=716&filename=111mjr.jpg&res=landing

(don't model the wood jackstaff)

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg594/scaled.php?server=594&filename=110jl.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg716/scaled.php?server=716&filename=111mjr.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg152/scaled.php?server=152&filename=112sci.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg11/scaled.php?server=11&filename=113qq.jpg&res=landing

[nikimcbee]

Bottom part of the 37 mm in natural light:
http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg534/scaled.php?server=534&filename=115zhz.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg18/scaled.php?server=18&filename=116iuz.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg232/scaled.php?server=232&filename=117qp.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg28/scaled.php?server=28&filename=118ju.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg513/scaled.php?server=513&filename=119ki.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg696/scaled.php?server=696&filename=120ts.jpg&res=landing

[Alex]

Will post a few more renders soon.
Thanks a lot, Jason, very nice photos indeed ! :03:

[nikimcbee]

@ Alex, what is you shirt size? I don't know European sizes for t-shirts.

There's M (medium), L (large), XL (extra large)

[Alex]

M will do. :salute:
Thanks a lot for your kindness, Jason. http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a75/Panzer_Kamerad/smileys/handshake.gif

Other than that, here's the 37mm - didn't care about the stock SH4 deck gun's polygon count, so I may have to decrease the polygon count of this one in the meantime (yet it's not THAT high actually). But at least we'll have a chance to see if the game can handle it as it is. Keeping my fingers crossed.

P.S. : Anyone got some link to a blueprint of the 40mm ?
http://img15.hostingpics.net/pics/956586481.gif
http://img15.hostingpics.net/pics/593684462.gif

[Alex]

Anyone got some link to a blueprint of the 40mm ?
Please everyone !
If I don't get this kind of blueprint, I just can't do the job. A blueprint must be taken as a base to do an accurate work actually.

[nikimcbee]

Please everyone !
If I don't get this kind of blueprint, I just can't do the job. A blueprint must be taken as a base to do an accurate work actually.


Let me look into it, I'll get back to you.:/\\k:

[Alex]

Thank you, Jason. You rule.

[nikimcbee]

Okay, so I have the 2 37mm manuals (I still need to look at them:dead:). We do have a 40 mm manual, but I couldn't find it at our pt boat shack. I didn't have a lot of time to look for it though, since we were sailing the boat that day. I'll look for it mor the next time I'm there.

[Alex]

Okay then ! :ping:
A top and side view will do. Then I'll improve the basic model thanks to your photos of the gun. :03:

[nikimcbee]

40mm manual.
http://www.hnsa.org/doc/boforstm252/index.htm

Knock yourself out.:salute:

Thanks Jerry for the manual link.:salute:

[Alex]

@ Jason and Jerry : thank you very much, guys ! http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a75/Panzer_Kamerad/smileys/hat.gif
Will start working on this one soon. :Kaleun_Wink:

Great stuff, really !

[nikimcbee]

@ Jason and Jerry : thank you very much, guys ! http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a75/Panzer_Kamerad/smileys/hat.gif
Will start working on this one soon. :Kaleun_Wink:

Great stuff, really !

The only nit-picky thing is, the foot trigger is on the left side. (meaning the left gunner, not the pedal)

Here is a photo: The red thingy is the trigger.
http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg444/scaled.php?server=444&filename=moreptboat020.jpg&res=landing

[nikimcbee]

The only nit-picky thing is, the foot trigger is on the left side. (meaning the left gunner, not the pedal)

Here is a photo: The red thingy is the trigger.
http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg444/scaled.php?server=444&filename=moreptboat020.jpg&res=landing

What I mean by this, if I recall, the game has you shooting from the right side POV. If you're the one firing the gun, you would be sitting on the left side.

[yubba]

so now I got to put the mouse on the floor and use my big toe to push the right button now was that the right foot or left ????