FMB101 - Creating Night Lighting for airbases | Forums

[XyZspineZyX]

I use the campfire barrels from stationary objects in the FMB to setup night landing light patterns at the airbases I'm using for night missions.

I'm not sure how close this comes to what was really done, by anyone during WW2. I needed to do something simple, yet competent for night landings and takeoffs. I developed this simple method, which may not be unique.

Runway ends:

Basically, I put 5 fires at the two ends of the airbase. They cross the runway at each end. These define the runways pretty clearly.

Runway Turnoff Ramps:

At each Runway turn-off ramp (connection) there is a fire at the runway where the turnoff encounters the runway on each side of the turnoff. These fires help you visually to discern whether you're staying aligned on the runway while landing. They can be seen from the air clearly as well. Effectively, all you do when exiting the runway is turn between any two fires you see on the runway.

Landing Approach pattern:

I have an extended line of campfires, ten each, spaced pretty evenly in a straight line with the runway center line. The line of campfires extends out from the runway end in the direction of the approach. This line is one quarter (1/4) to one half (1/2) the length of the runway.

Effectively, when you approach you see a (pretty) straight line of 10 fires that provide a good straight in approach that follows straight through the runway center line. I have the five fires across the end of the runway...so it forms a kind of Tshape, and indicates the start of the runway. The further end of the runway also has five fires across it to help you realize how far you are from the running out of runway. [img]/i/smilies/16x16_smiley-wink.gif[/img]

Basically, the light on each side of the runway turn-off ramps just tell you where you can turn. I don't have other fires, marking other things, because they became too confusing. That is, when you're taxiing after landing you can have too many fires in too many places.

Basically, when I've landed and made my turn-off. I either hit "A" for autopilot or esc the mission. I just don't try to get to the dead stop manually, lazy I guess.

Note:

I have a method to my madness. If I want to change the direction of the approach it's simple to do. I extend the 10 campfires from the opposite end of the runway in a straight line with the runway center line. Everything else is the same. Oh, I do remove the 10 campfires from the other end of course. LOL

Also, it is pretty easy to get a straight extended line for the 10 campfires. I just create an aircraft, create two waypoints, and the first is landing. The waypoint will immediately snap to the runway end...and I then drag the other waypoint till it is passing through the other end of the runway icon...allowing enough length to provide the extension line. I then have a good straight line described. I then just place the 10 campfires along the line, spaced pretty evenly along. When I'm done I just delete the two waypoints, along with the aircraft.

I do not try to be perfect with this setup...it would ruin the whole effect of camfire barrels being used for landing lights. [img]/i/smilies/16x16_smiley-wink.gif[/img]

--------------- [img]/i/smilies/16x16_smiley-very-happy.gif[/img]

[XyZspineZyX]

I use the campfire barrels from stationary objects in the FMB to setup night landing light patterns at the airbases I'm using for night missions.

I'm not sure how close this comes to what was really done, by anyone during WW2. I needed to do something simple, yet competent for night landings and takeoffs. I developed this simple method, which may not be unique.

Runway ends:

Basically, I put 5 fires at the two ends of the airbase. They cross the runway at each end. These define the runways pretty clearly.

Runway Turnoff Ramps:

At each Runway turn-off ramp (connection) there is a fire at the runway where the turnoff encounters the runway on each side of the turnoff. These fires help you visually to discern whether you're staying aligned on the runway while landing. They can be seen from the air clearly as well. Effectively, all you do when exiting the runway is turn between any two fires you see on the runway.

Landing Approach pattern:

I have an extended line of campfires, ten each, spaced pretty evenly in a straight line with the runway center line. The line of campfires extends out from the runway end in the direction of the approach. This line is one quarter (1/4) to one half (1/2) the length of the runway.

Effectively, when you approach you see a (pretty) straight line of 10 fires that provide a good straight in approach that follows straight through the runway center line. I have the five fires across the end of the runway...so it forms a kind of Tshape, and indicates the start of the runway. The further end of the runway also has five fires across it to help you realize how far you are from the running out of runway. [img]/i/smilies/16x16_smiley-wink.gif[/img]

Basically, the light on each side of the runway turn-off ramps just tell you where you can turn. I don't have other fires, marking other things, because they became too confusing. That is, when you're taxiing after landing you can have too many fires in too many places.

Basically, when I've landed and made my turn-off. I either hit "A" for autopilot or esc the mission. I just don't try to get to the dead stop manually, lazy I guess.

Note:

I have a method to my madness. If I want to change the direction of the approach it's simple to do. I extend the 10 campfires from the opposite end of the runway in a straight line with the runway center line. Everything else is the same. Oh, I do remove the 10 campfires from the other end of course. LOL

Also, it is pretty easy to get a straight extended line for the 10 campfires. I just create an aircraft, create two waypoints, and the first is landing. The waypoint will immediately snap to the runway end...and I then drag the other waypoint till it is passing through the other end of the runway icon...allowing enough length to provide the extension line. I then have a good straight line described. I then just place the 10 campfires along the line, spaced pretty evenly along. When I'm done I just delete the two waypoints, along with the aircraft.

I do not try to be perfect with this setup...it would ruin the whole effect of camfire barrels being used for landing lights. [img]/i/smilies/16x16_smiley-wink.gif[/img]

--------------- [img]/i/smilies/16x16_smiley-very-happy.gif[/img]

[XyZspineZyX]

Thanks for the tips. Any idea as to what was historically used for night lighting on runways?

[XyZspineZyX]

I did read at some point the Germans used a type of "T" arrangement of approach lighting. I felt like during war time there was a pretty minimal method used, principally for security reasons. Therefore I just minimalized my methods for what we need to do the IL2-FB.

My criteria as a landing pilot:

1) Visually How to align for my approach to the airbase

2) Where to touchdown

3) Where to turn to get off the runway

4) Where the end of the runway is

My criteria as a takeoff pilot:

1) Visually how to discern the runway

2) Where the end of the runway is

[XyZspineZyX]

Put a bunch of barage balloons at each end of all runways. You'll be everyone's best friend in no time [img]/i/smilies/16x16_smiley-happy.gif[/img]

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[XyZspineZyX]

I think different methods were used, one being a shallow 'trough' running around the airfield filled with flammable liquid which was ignited when needed.

[link=takeoff.to/457squadron newwindow][image] [/link]]http://www.lexicon.net/foxtrot/sigs/Destroyer-sig.jpg[/image][/link]

[XyZspineZyX]

I don't bother with any 'lead-in' lights ........... just a parrallel line of campfires starting at each end of the runway running inside the taxiways and with fires each side of any turn offs from the main runway to the taxiways .... if the runway is long between turn-offs, then I add fires, but at longer intervals than those either side of the turn-offs

I think lighting was pretty basic so I try to keep it minimal

although, on 'hard' / permanent fields one can always be more ambiscious...(cant spell!!)

[XyZspineZyX]

Can the barrels be generated from the game or is there a download for them.. I didn't see anything for for a download so I thought I'd ask.

Thanks

[XyZspineZyX]

They are listed in the stationary objects list as airfield campfires.

[XyZspineZyX]

OK, ppl. Now... Ppl in WWII used campfires, much like the ones available, to line the SIDES of the runways (I use 1 every square on the map). Allies did this.