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Conference hydra::amiga_v1

Title:AMIGA NOTES
Notice:Join us in the *NEW* conference - HYDRA::AMIGA_V2
Moderator:HYDRA::MOORE
Created:Sat Apr 26 1986
Last Modified:Wed Feb 05 1992
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5378
Total number of notes:38326

3923.0. "Their Finest Hour - The Battle of Britain" by AYOV27::CWILL (My sandwich is empty...) Thu Jul 12 1990 09:27

    Has anyone else out there purchased ;
    
  		   Their Finest Hour - The Battle of Britain

    This game, produced by LUCASFILM is excellent, you can choose to
    fly either a Spitfire MKI, MKII / Hurricane or several German planes.
    
    I think its from the same author as Battlehawks WWII ( although
    Ive neither seen or played this game ).
    
        As with most simulators there are several scenarios, the difference
    with this one in comparison to F-29, Interceptor, Gunship etc being
    it is historically accurate ( ie you can reinact and effect the
    outcome of the Battle of Britain Jul 10 - Sep 10 1940, ) or build
    your own mission. On top of this there is the now traditional training
    exercise and a set of missions. In every single scenario you can
    fly every type of plane, with some of the German planes this means
    you have 6/7 gunning positions, pilot and bombadere ( sp ) to look
    after, with autopilot / autogunner options available for the position
    you are not currently using.
    
    As Flight group leader you control your plane during combat, but
    during preflight you can set up different flight groups with patterns,
    waypoints, different heights, targets, priorities etc. If you achieve
    your objective you receive ranting points and eventually promotion
    ( although I have to take this on good faith as I haven't achieved
    this yet ). Another new feature ( to me ) is the capability to build
    a pilots stats up and then assign him ( / her ! ) as a wingman for
    yourself or even put this now experienced ( therefore superior )
    pilot into a totally different flightgroup. Thus you have the
    capability to build up an experienced squadron therefore increasing
    your chances of success.

    Another good option is the optional take-off / landing feature,
    as the simulator is accurate and dogfights take place at fairly
    high altitudes the author decided some players may get bored with
    the climb rate of the older aircraft, so it is possible to start
    and end a patrol at any height or position without penalty. Or if
    you wish you can do the full monty and take-off and land.
    
    The best feature IMO is the onboard camera, this allows you to record
    about 3 minutes of action, at any point you can replay this action
    and if you want then store it away for posterity, thus build up
    a library of your best or worst moments. When viewing the replay
    you can see the dogfight from ; Your own cockpit, behind your plane,
    the whole battle from the air, from the ground or even from a bomb's
    perspective !!. You can then move your view to the left / right
    up, down etc.
    
    The graphics are not done via polygons ( as are most, so I am led
    to believe ) instead they are bitmapped, meaning the level of detail
    is exceptional ( you can even see the crosses on the enemies wing,
    or the little men diving out of a stricken plane ).
    
    I would suggest you only purchase this game if you have 2 floppies
    or a hard disk. It is better to have 1 meg as the graphics are clearer
    and you get more sound effects ( which are excellent especially
    in a vertical dive in a Stuka !!!, or if you are caught in the eye
    of a mushroom cloud exploding from a ground target, the whole TV
    seems to vibrate ).
    
    The cost in the Uk is 27 - 30 pounds, well worth it, the accompanying
    documentation is excellent, the authors intentions to historically
    enlighten you and at the same time thrill you are met.
    
    The difference between flying a 1940's plane and a modern one are
    truly amazing and make this game NOT just another flight simulator.
    
    Regards
     Chris.
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3923.1Another BOBerBONKER::DUPREThe Sherrif of Noting-hamThu Jul 12 1990 13:147
Chris,

		I have this too and I second your opinion.  Man, after
	flying jet aircraft these things seem so under-powered but that
	BF110 will eat your lunch with cannons.

						Jim
3923.2NAVIER::LONGThu Jul 12 1990 19:1512
Just a couple of quick questions:

   Does this game take over the machine or does it multitask well? ( can you
   play while a download is going on?)

   What kind of copy protection does it have?  ( Is there a problem moving it 
   to HD?)

   What does it use for controls? ( Joystick in mouse port 2, mouse, keybord?)

Thanks,
	Dick
3923.3AnswersAYOV27::CWILLMy sandwich is empty...Fri Jul 13 1990 15:0616
    If you have enough MEG ( at least 1 ) you can multitask.
    
    It uses code wheel protection and the fact that without the manual
    you would be lost, I've given up trying to backup games cos I havent
    got a copier that works ( something about using a non MS-DOS block
    to cock your copier up. )
    
    The game has instructions that look easy to go to HD, but i've not got
    one yet. I would imagine the game would be far better on hard disk
    as you need 3 floppies to play ( 2 game, one for saving your pilots ).

    Regards,
        Chris.
    
    P.S. if anyone can help me with the above copier problem I would
    be more than gratefull.
3923.4QuestionsAYOV27::CWILLMy sandwich is empty...Fri Jul 13 1990 15:179
    Jim ( or any other player ),
    
    	Have you succeeded in the campaign yet ( I haven't ) ?
    
        Any handy tactics, like starting flight patterns etc youd care
    to discuss ?
    
    Regards,
        Chris the parachutist
3923.5Jumpin' Jim FlashBONKER::DUPREThe Sherrif of Noting-hamSat Jul 14 1990 08:0516
<Re. Note 3923.4 by AYOV27::CWILL "My sandwich is empty..." >
                                 -< Questions >-
Chris,


		I've been flying the canned missions mostly and I won't
	do the campaign until I'm throughly familiar with the aircraft
	so I can't help much with that.  One thing I found irritating
	was that I could down a couple of bombers but if I had to bail
	out I didn't get any credit for the kills.  The only tip I have
	for formations is to use a loose one so that it's harder to see
	you from a distance.


					Jim alias Baron Von Bailout

3923.6Over and OUT !!!AYOV27::CWILLMy sandwich is empty...Mon Jul 16 1990 15:3630
    Jim,
    Over the weekend I decided that if I was to have any chance in the
    campaign I had to build up a roster with at least 6 top chaps on
    it. So I to have been flying the canned missions, to date I have
    6 pilots all with the DFC ( distinguished flying cross ) and they
    all have received one or two promotions. The dogfight over the channel
    seems to be the bess one for points. As far as I can see the points
    for fighter kills are :
    
    	10 Points for downing a German Ace
         5 Points for a standard German
         2 Points for damage
    
        You LOOSE points if you or any of your squadron are damaged,
    Im not sure yet of how much, I thinks its around 1 point per damaged
    plane and between 5-10 points for a write-off.
   
    The scoring when protecting a target seems a little more confusing,
    although I have noticed I only seem to score when I protect 20%
    + of the primary target.
    
    My best to date is downing 8 Spitfires while flying a Dornier and
    downing 7 BF109's in a dogfight including Werner ? the ace.
    
    Any way Im off now for my next installment of....Piiiioooing,
    Piiiioooing, Your plane is out of control...Bail KABLOOOOMMMMM....
    RIP.
    
    Regards,
        Chris 'Snowy' Chocks away Ginger the human fireball.
3923.7no game yet but!!SALEM::LEIMBERGERThu Jul 19 1990 10:5122
    I don't have the game,but the T shirts Great. I lucked out and got
    a T shirt on Electronic arts day at my local dealers. Not only does
    it look good but it is very heavy cotton. I am considering buying
    the game,but it takes a back seat to productivity software. I think
    it would be a great game to add to one's collection. I purchased
    Wings of Fury recently. It is NOT a simulator,and that is why I
    went for it. It's just a good arcade type flying game. Take off
    from carrier deplete weapons,gas,and oil if hit by enemy,land on
    carrier for repairs,supplies do it again. I needed something that
    would distract me but not tax me at this time(work is doing fine
    in this department). You also have to dogfight,and protect carrier from
    torpedo planes, enemy ships. You can select missles(15) bombs(30)
    or torpedos(1) . in later missions bombs will not destroy heavy
    AA bunkers. Great graphics,and sound,HD support, 1 time lookup in
    manual,and save game features. However you men out their would 
    most likely miss the cockpit views etc. For me however I like the
    arcade type of shoot outs. the game will take plenty of stratgy
    to survive,and win . It made me want to get Their Finest Hour 
    though. Another thing Wings of Fury is based in the pacific 
    Islands so you see a lot of take off and landing from the carrier.
    
    								bill
3923.8Current ProgressAYOV27::CWILLMy sandwich is empty...Thu Jul 19 1990 13:2532
    RAF Update :
    
       In my attempt to build up a bunch of chaps capable of entering
    and enduring some of the campaign, I have so far achiefed the following
    
                                     
        		Ginger          Flight Liuet    DFC DFM
                        Rodger          Flight Liuet    DFC DFM
                        Snowy           Flight Liuet    DFC DFM
        		Willy           Squad  Leader   DFC DFM 100 + Kills
        		Dick            Squad  Leader   DFC DFM 100 + Kills
        		Charlie         Squad  Leader   DFC DFM 100 + Kills

    I intend to have 4 Squadron Leaders and 4 Flight Lieut's before
    I start the campaign.
    
    Has anyone discovered the scoring/penalty mechanism's yet, I thought
    I had but I got 68 points for 9 Kills 2 Damages and my wingman got
    0 for 2 kills 2 damages and both of use got damaged. This was on
    the dogfight in the canned RAF Spitfire missions ( #2 ).
    
    The game gets better and better, I enjoy sooooooo much the close
    up kill and effects of the explosion. Or killing at a distance with
    deflection fire and seeing bits of fuselage flutter by me. Still
    not determined the optimum attack speeds for attacking bombers yet,
    100% works fine for fighters, but 100% is too fast to take the bombers
    on as you tend to overfly them too often and they CHEW you up and
    SPIT you out given 1/2 a chance !!
    
    Regards,
    
        Chris.
3923.9Make your own scenario!CGOFS::R_RYANI used to be a coyote but Im ok nowoooThu Aug 09 1990 19:5017
    If you want to gain points quick, try this. Use the mission builder and
    place yourself in a markII at 10000 feet in the middle of the channel.
    Then put a single ace in a BF109 coming at you from the four compass 
    points in waves of 5. If you space the distances from you properly you
    won't have to handle more than 2 at a time. Piece of cake. Usually
    worth at least 140 points and you can advance to flight leader in very
    little time. I was a flight leader in 9 missions using mostly this
    scenario. Most of the time the only problem you have is running out of
    ammo and having to scurry home with 4 aces bouncing you all the way.
    
    If your flying with wingmen etc.... don use the VIC formation. Its too
    tight and readily seen by the enemy. Use the schwarm (sp) which is what
    the British did, they called it the finger four, and it is used to this
    day by modern jet aircraft. The abreast formation is also pretty good.
    
    Regards,
    Ron