1946 - where to start?

[Orpheus]

Hi chaps another question - I've just installed UP3 RC, which is great - but when I play the RAF quick missions (which are supposedly over places like Manston etc), it puts me over some Finnish map instead of the Channel. I guess I'm missing a Channel map... any thoughts?

[MadBlaster]

Originally Posted by Orpheus

Hi chaps another question - I've just installed UP3 RC, which is great - but when I play the RAF quick missions (which are supposedly over places like Manston etc), it puts me over some Finnish map instead of the Channel. I guess I'm missing a Channel map... any thoughts?

Lol. Hi Orpheus. Your probably not missing the channel map. If that is a mission you got from mission4today, it might be an older mission made by someone before the channel map was created by the modders. So, they picked a map at that time that simulated the geography as best as possible for the scenario. I remember running into this a while back. If it is a DGen scenario, that doesn't use the mod maps at all as far as I know. I think there are some DT single missions with their maps in there? Some with the HS129 I remember off hand.

To be sure about the map, you can check by going into full mission builder. You should see the channel map in the list and be able to load it up. If you are missing it, you can report it at UP website and maybe they can help you figure it out. The word is that the final release is coming out in a few weeks. When you get up to speed, join the party online at WoP!

[MadBlaster]

I just upgraded to UltraPack 3.0 last night. Seems great so far.

How to get there:

First install the stock game you bought and direct2drive patch so game is at version 4.07m and dvd free (i.e., direct2drive patch or whatever). Run the game and check the version at the opening screen. Should say in red "4.07m".

Second, find the "megapatch" at Mission4Today to upgrade to 4.10.1m (latest version of stock game from TD). It's in the downloads section. There's instructions on how best to download and install it. Make sure you extract the runme.exe patch to a temp folder first, then run it and point it to the IL-2 game folder. After installing the megapatch, run the game again and check the version. Should say in red 4.10.1m. At this point if you want to be safe, make a backup of the entire IL-2 game folder in case the next step, installation of the mod pack, goes bad. Then if it does, you just copy the folder and contents over the bad install.

Third, go to Ultrapack and get the torrent file for the full install of UP 3.0. Download it and install on top of your clean install of 4.10.1m. Follow the directions. You need a torrent client like utorrent on your machine to download by torrent. I'll assume you know how to do that. Also, UP recommends in the instructions that you back up four dll files in your game folder for some reason. I don't know why. I guess in case something goes wrong down the road. Easiest way for me was to just do a copy/paste of each of these files in the game folder where they are located. Each backup copy will say "copy of blah, blah.dll", etc. So now you have two copies of each file, but named different and the game will ignore the "copy of" ones, unless you rename them and delete that part of the name. You'll probably never need to use them though. Anyway, when you start the game after the install, it should say up 3.0. Ultrapack says there are a few bugs to be fixed in about a month. They are taking bug reports now. Only thing I noticed so far is 109's running rich and smoking.

Start playing. Stop. Forgot to mention. Before you try to play 3.0, you first have to go to the JSGME icon and open that. The JSGME mod tool will open up. Move the UP 3.0 mod over to the active mods section with your mouse, save it and close out the JSGME tool. Now start playing. The splash screen will say IL-2/UP 3.0. Also, there is a little menu that opens up when you first play. Configure it based on your setup. If you don't want to see it again, there is a radio button to make it go away once you have it configured to your liking.

[Asheshouse]

If you are new to IL2-1946 then you will have lots to explore just with the game patched with the official patches to v4.101, as per links above. No need to worry about ModPacks until you have got familiar with the stock game.

The quality of content in the official game varies considerably. Which reflects the length of time the game has been around. The latest maps like Slovakia are works of art, while some of the older ones are a bit lacking in detail IMO.

Try them all and you will soon find what you like.

The same can be said of some of the aircraft, the later released versions generally being better looking than the early ones.

An essential addon to the stock game is to download some missions and campaigns from Mission4Today. These often come packaged with new aircraft skins.

[ACE-OF-ACES]

Originally Posted by Orpheus

what should I be looking for in terms of updates & mods to get the best out of the game?

The un-official HSFX 5.0 Instructional Download Installation and Operations Tutorial

HSFX 5.0 download

HSFX 5.0 Hotfix 1 (patch) download

[Porksmuggler]

The Steam version is already 4.09m, so your ready for the newest 4.10 and 4.10.1 patches.

http://forums.steampowered.com/forum....php?t=1358851

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by Orpheus

'Lo chaps, bought IL2-1946 in the Steam sale because CloD has given me the bug (and is a bit too clunky atm for my tastes)... what should I be looking for in terms of updates & mods to get the best out of the game?
Cheers!

I would say patch the sim to 4.10.1 then once you patch it to 4.10.1 copy that entire stock install to another drive or an 8 G thumb drive as a back up.. after that fly it stock for about a week or two.. then get HSFX 5.0 & The Hot Fix.

If you want UP 3.0 you can coy that 4.10.1 stock that you backed up to another location over to your active drive.. for instance my UBI folder has two 46 installs.. one I call 46 UP and the other 46 HSFX ... and then add 3.0 to that stock install .... Make sure you leave your back up stock sim on the other drive you originally backed it up to.. Also once you get your stick configured the way you want it on your working install.. copy the Users folder over to your stock backup.. that way if you ever do have to reinstall for any reason you wont have to resetup your stick.

[Orpheus]

Going to wait for UP3 full release I think. The HSFX mod, when activated in JSGME turns all the briefing text etc into Russian, making it a bit useless for me, which is a shame as I like the sound of the detailed flight models.

Thanks for all the help chaps.

[Romanator21]

That's why you start with the stock game first...but oh, well. If this isn't falling on deaf ears, always be sure to make a backup.

[Orpheus]

It's not falling on deaf ears - I'm familiar enough with the game that I've had no troubles flying whatsoever. If it weren't for the Russian text it would be fine, and spending a few weeks flying 'vanilla' isn't going to change this one (and only) problem!