Addon Name: A/MH-6 Littlebird (for OFP v. 1.96) Version: 2.0 By: Ballistic Addon Studios (http://www.ballistic-studios.com) OFP Ed Center Code: BAS DESIGN TEAM =========== Original Model: Drakkhen Original Concept R&D: Scorpio, Fliper Model Improvements: SelectThis, Tigershark, DeadMeat AH-6/MD500 Models: SelectThis (using improved Drakkhen model) Textures: SelectThis, Tigershark, Ebud CPP Programming: DeadMeat, TJ Animations: DeadMeat Scripts: TJ, Rom Beta Testing: ofpeditor, Liddle Feesh, F1yer, Nedfox, Kat, TJ, Rom Producer/QA: Tigershark Special Thanks for v1.0: Duff (pics, advice), Lucky (pics, advice), Sentinel (for PR), Gunship (for PR), Vixer (all kinds of help), Eviscerator (modelling advice and help), Remington (technical advice), Defender (testing), Bugkill (advice, technical observations) and countless others in the forums that have helped shape this addon. Special Thanks for v2.0: Cassie, Killswitch. VERSION HISTORY =============== 1.0 (29-10-2002) - First release 1.1 (05-11-2002) - handling adjusted to make the LBs less twitchy, better conrnering (the downside is more erratic handling when landing...the LB is now less forgiving if you approach a LZ at an angle or with speed, the AI land fine) - lower elevation of miniguns reduced from -40degrees to -25 degrees - passengers on the MH6 and MH6a can now be targetted and hit in flight **Note: make sure to use the AH6 to clear the area before an insertion!** - pilot armpatches corrected - some small texture edits - These changes pertain to the 1.46 version of the Littlebird: -remade two problem textures -beretta proxy removed from pilot -all pbos repacked with stuffpbo 1.2 (xx-xx-2003) - custom animations for the plank cargo added - custom animations for the helicopter crew added - custom rotorwash scripts added into the Resistance pbo - custom scripts for spent ammuntion, rocket smoke and damage added - new versions added, include MH-6 capable of carrying and deploying KLR Motocycles - updated AH-6 (MP) version, with new Hellfire model and config - 160TH SOAR addon removed from zip INSTALLATION ============ There are 2 PBO files in the zip file. Put the following in your addons folder: bas_lbs.pbo bas_lbs185.pbo -- MAKE SURE YOU REMOVE ALL OLD VERSIONS OF THE LITTLEBIRDS -- What's New In Version 2.0? ========================== We are delighted to announce the following new features and improvements to the original BAS Littlebirds Addon. - Model Improvements - New Textures - New weapon loadouts, including Stinger AA Missiles. - MH6-J with KLR Motorcycle racks ! - New rotorwash - Fast roping - CAS and extraction options - New animations (cargo, pilots, bikes, and fast roping) - Camoflagued covering net - New throwable flashing strobe - New fire and destruction effects - Noseart - Dual Profile Hellfire Missiles - New JAM type system to standardise aircraft weapons ADDED UNITS: ============ Under BAS - Vehicles Name - classname -weapon/magazine name MH-6J ClassName:bas_amh6 wpn: unarmed MH-6J (Armed) ClassName: bas_amh6a wpn: BASHKMounted mag: BASHKMounted AH-6J (Gunship) Classname:bas_aah6j wpn: BAS_M134, BAS_Zuni14, BAS_StingerlauncherX4 mag: BAS_M134, BAS_Zuni14, BAS_StingerlauncherX4 AH-6J (Multi Purpose) Classname: bas_aah6mp wpn: BAS_M134, BAS_Zuni19, BAS_HellfireLauncherX2 mag: BAS_M134, BAS_Zuni19, BAS_HellfireLauncherX2 MH-6J (Woodland KLR) ClassName:bas_amh6b_w wpn: BAS_klrrackL, BAS_klrrackR (fake bikes) mag: BAS_klrrackL, BAS_klrrackR (fake bikes) MH-6J (Desert KLR) ClassName:bas_amh6b_d wpn: BAS_klrrackLD, BAS_klrrackRD (fake bikes) mag: BAS_klrrackLD, BAS_klrrackRD (fake bikes) You will have fun learning about the new features and possibilities, but here is a breif overview. KLR MotorBikes ============== Another first for OFP, fully realistic and deployable motorbikes mounted on the side of the helicopter. The motorbikes work in the same way as a weapon. The pilot can "fire" them to release them, provided he is on the ground. If there is anybody sitting on the motorbike at the time, he will be able to drive it off. If you are the group leader of the MH6, you can request fast insertion at any location on the map. The whole team on the MH6 will be inserted as fast as possible at that location. A hint box will describe what key combinations you can use to control the movements of the chopper AFTER the insertion has taken place. You can reattach the motorbikes to the MH6 when finished with them and drive away. The only limitations are due to the fact that it is impossible to force an AI to RELOAD the mechanism that allows the bikes to be released again. So you may have to hop in as pilot and reload them yourself. Or you can request the AI pilot to reload them through the radio action menu, but only the last Bike released is displayed as an option. The KLR's work in Multiplayer too, but you may find strange occurences due to bandwidth and ping performance. Doing the manouvres smoothly and slowly will have the best results. It should be possible to allow the AI to do a fast insertion. Simply add the following line to the appropriate waypoint. choppername animate ["switch4",0.1];[choppername,(getpos choppername),[],false,true] exec "\bas_lbs\scripts\fastins2.sqs" If you put the Cargo troops in a seperate group, you can assign them seperate waypoints, which they will pursue after being dropped off, leaving the MH6 to continue on its own WP. Enjoy the feature, it represents many many hours of work and research. Fast Roping =========== It is possible to perform a fast roping operation from two of the helicopters included, the MH6 and the MH6 (armed). This has been kept as simple as possible for best effect. Your two options are; 1) As Pilot: - The Pilot has authority to fast rope all units on board. Fly Low and Slow to enable the action. 2) As Group Leader: - The group leader has authority to request a fast rope insertion at any location on the map. All cargo units are inserted. It should be possible to allow AI to fastrope, at least in Singleplayer. (Results in MP vary due to animation restrictions). Simply add the following line to the appropriate Waypoint for the chopper. choppername animate ["switch4",0.1];Choppername exec "\bas_lbs\scripts\BAS_holdpos.sqs" If you put the Cargo troops in a seperate group, you can assign them seperate waypoints, which they will pursue after being dropped off, leaving the MH6 to continue on its own WP. Close Air Support (CAS) ======================= You can place a manned AH6-J gunship or AH6-J Multi-Purpose chopper on the map, in its own SEPERATE group. If a member of your team has a BAS Satcom Radio, then the team leader gets an option to call in Close Air Support. The chopper will deploy and patrol the assigned area. If there is space in your team, he will join you for 5 minutes and you can assign him targets. The effective range of the Satcom in this is the same as your current viewdistance settings, so be sure to place a CAS gunship within range. Camo Net Hides ============== Use the available actions to deploy the camoflagued netting. This takes approx 1 minute to set up/remove, and affords some protection from enemy aircraft. IR Strobes ========== Another first for OFP, proper deployable flashing strobes. To use these, take a Strobe Pouch from the helicopter, and then take a strobe to put in it. You can now select this strobe with your space bar, and throw it as desired. Due to game constraints the strobes flash for one minute only, so use wisely. Its a good idea to take one before performing your mission. Extractions =========== A MH6 in your team can be called to extract you from any location, use the action as and when needed. Team leader gets the option. Noseart ======= To put a custom noseart on the front of the chopper, use the following line. choppername setobjecttexture [0,"name of texture"] We have included one for you choppername setobjecttexture [0,"\bas_lbs\noseart\nofear.paa"] (Note: various BAS members have built in textures, which will override others in MP games) (Hint: for something extra special, try playing as "TJ uk" ) Dual Profile Hellfires ====================== You can select Normal or High profile for Hellfire missiles (Ah6-J MP). High profile allows the missile to attack from above, allowing the chopper to aquire a target, then drop down behind a hillside etc to fire the weapon. AA Missile Dodging ================== This is for Cadet mode players, and AI Pilots with a skill level of >= 0.5. When an incoming threat is realised, the chopper will jink away from it in an effort to avoid being hit. This is not 100% effective, but helps to portray the skill of real SOAR pilots and crew. Missions ======== Best to have the player as a team leader, with the desired type of helicopter in his team, but many other variations are possible. For specific mission advice, please mail tj@ballistic-studios.com THIS MAIL ADDRESS NOT WORKING - NO SUPPORT OFFERED OR GIVEN, SORRY Known Issues/Bugs ================= KLR motorbikes dont reload the mechanism when you remount them, they have to be manually reloaded from the cockpit, or via the radio menu. Also, the AI will report "out of ammo". KLR's sometimes give off a flash at night when releasing them. Sometimes the game gets mixed up, take your time when releasing and attaching motorbikes. High Profile Hellfires are less accurate at shorter distances in games. Use 500m+ for best effects. Older missions will produce an error if players try to take the strobes from the helicopters, but the mission will play as normal. Assorted other quirks peculiar to OFP scripting. We have completely removed the MD500TOW version. Apologies if this affects any of your missions. We hope to release an improved package at some future point. ********************************************************************************************************* Enjoy the addon, as always it represents many many many hours of dedicated work and testing. Usual conditions apply, and you use this addon entirely at your own risk. Full List Of New Features ========================= - Fast roping for AI & players, with random animations. - New dust and rotowash effects, with auto adjuster on Nogova and desert Islands and Ia Drang. - Dual profile hellfires (attack from above). - New destruction and debris effects, New fire coding with light/smoke effects. - Exhaust fumes and damage smoke, Fuel leaks, engine cut out effects. - AI and Cadet mode player AA Missile dodging effects. - Auto apply/remove masks and googles etc when flying. - Camoflagued covering with automatic camo colour selection. - KLR motorbikes that can be removed, reattached etc. - New (non setpos) ropes on chopper for fast roping. - Missile smoke effects. - Brass casings dropped from Miniguns. - Cabin Lighting. - Default lighting replaced with custom version, allowing better appearance in MP and preventing AI turning the lights on in "covert" situations. - New AA Stinger missiles - VERY effective! - Fast insertion options on appropriate choppers. - Close Air support - either group join (if space) or area patrol. - Extraction options - strobes and appropriate smokes used. - New sounds and voice confirmation messages (Some sounds from Novalogic's BHD) - Custom nose textures can be applied. - Varied model fixes and enhancements and additions. - Brand new textures and mapping. - New cargo/pilot animations. ...and more besides...