AttachTo and you -AC130 Gunship Simulation and More!

[DaveP]

I just came across this relatively rad little gem to show you guys:
Using the AttachTo command it is possible to have static guns (ie. M119, TOW Launcher) firing from a flying C130 at ground targets. Very cool


Notes:
-With skill set to max and positioned where they have clear aim, most static weapons will engage the targets while flying while at a relatively high altitude (700~m), with the m119 gun performing this task best (followed by the TOW launcher, M2 machine gun at lower altitudes). Thusly, the main issue of the system for me thus far is I can't remember how to keep an aircraft flying at this sort of altitude while circling an area

-So far I've only got it working with the guns on top of the plane; looks naff up close, but you can't see it when it's circling above

-Improper placement will cause fratricide for the plane and anyone on it

-I can't see how to change the rotation/bearing of the gun beyond straight on; I originally came up with this trying to put a marksman in a heli, but realised he couldn't turn around to face outside


How to do it:

Really simple, far less than you'd expect:

1. Create plane, name it
2. Create gun, in init field:
this attachTo [planes name, [offset array -xyz, fiddle with this]]

I also group together the plane and the gun and set the guns skill to max.

And that's it! Anyone that would feel like developing this further would probably do a better job than I, and this could really help with developing an AC130 addon (just cut out some holes in the c130 body, mod the static guns so you can limit their 'swng', and then incorporate these commands into the addon)

I'm toying with an idea that seems like someone has done already (it's almost too easy), if so then good job all round!


Test mission (call in the plane using Higher Command):
http://www.sendspace.com/file/jvsd7d

[MadDogX]

Put the following into the init field of the C130:

this flyInHeight 700

Thanks for the tip about the attachTo command. Sounds like we can have a lot of fun with it.

[DaveP]

Put the following into the init field of the C130:

this flyInHeight 700

Thanks for the tip about the attachTo command. Sounds like we can have a lot of fun with it.

Gave it a shot, didn't work

Edit: I'm an idiot, got it working!

[MadDogX]

It might take a while to reach that altitude. You could always setPos it there first. Try this:

this setPos [(position this) select 0, (position this) select 1, 700]; this flyInHeight 700

[DaveP]

Got it working, put in player instead of this, oops.


This could also be used for other cool stuff, like putting SPG-9's in the back of civvie trucks, perfect for those guerilla ops.


All I wish is we could set the rotation too.

[Commando84]

man this sounds frakkin awesome!!!
Even with limited rotation I think people might find this useful

[DaveP]

Interesting extra:

If you put a mortar in the back of a truck, the GL Artillery module still works for player targetting; still yet to try with an AI artillery strike (since I still can't get them to work, haha), but if so then this could make mortars a helluva lot more useful.

[UNN]

This could also be used for other cool stuff, like putting SPG-9's in the back of civvie trucks, perfect for those guerilla ops.

Yeah, new the attach command is going to open up quite a few possibilities.

All I wish is we could set the rotation too.

You need to use the SetVectorUp and SetVectorDir commands once the object is attached.

[DaveP]

You need to use the SetVectorUp and SetVectorDir commands once the object is attached.

Good thinking, but it doesn't seem to be working, hmm

[NKato]

It would also probably be a good idea to have the guns on the AC130 shoot laser-straight, regardless of distance, to ensure that we don't have any accuracy issues. It's really important.