Garry, not sure if you know about this site, but the restoration diary site for WV838 has some brilliant 'real navy' shots of the Sea Hawk, such as these HMS Bulwark shots (great Suez ops action in there too, right down to the dirty gun ports):
I tried messing around with some effects the other day but didn't get far. It has to go out with the final release though, since it is such a signature piece of the Sea Hawk. One of my FDE chaps, Jerry Beckwith said he might have time to have a crack at it, so fingers crossed.
In the mean time, I took a short break from the 2D panel and knocked out the fabled RNHF WV908. Here's a sequence of her from tonight:
Does anyone else see a resemblance in the shape of the cartridge smoke given off when the Sea Hawk's engine is started to the steam whistle exhaust from small tank engine when the steam whistle is blown?
Thin tall cone surmounted by a 'windrift' shape.
Of course the starter cartridge smoke is black or grey and the steam would be white but a colour change for FS could no doubt be made.
I wondered if one of the virtual MS steam engine enthusiasts/engine builders might be willing to send Steve a copy of the steam whistle effect for possible modification and use on the Sea Hawk during the starting sequence.
Thanks a lot for the votes of confidence, chaps, really means a lot ('specially from the gurus too!). Dave G, I have a panel question to ask you shortly and will send you a PM.
Regarding Hobby's cartridge start post, I agree that the smoke plume is very train like. I think it is something that could be cracked by someone on here or elsewhere. In that light, the first person to crack it gets an advanced copy of the beta model!
