I don’t know if it is common knowledge but it seems Microsoft use real combat pilots to assist them to create their Combat Flight Simulators, and on their website a couple of these pilots have recorded their wartime memories.
One is Jack Stafford DFC, who was an RNZAF fighter pilot with 486 (NZ) Sqn. His story is excellent, really well written and interesting I thought. Here is the page with his story, and other stories too.
http://www.microsoft.com/games/combatfs3/articles.asp
And here’s a bit more background on Mr Stafford if you’re interested.
http://user.tninet.se/~ytm843e/stafford.htm
By: Dave Homewood - 14th September 2004 at 13:04
Ian Brodie is an awesome guy. He used to be secretary or something official with the New Zealand Warbirds at Ardmore if I recall correctly, and then went to the NZ Fighter Pilots Museum as curator when it opened in 1993, where he reamins today. That is a really great museum to visit. He was also involved with locations on the Lord of the Rings films and has written a very good book on that subject. A very helpful chap to deal with.
By: DazDaMan - 14th September 2004 at 12:05
That’ll be him then! 😉
By: DaveM2 - 14th September 2004 at 09:18
Daz
Ian Brodie at the NZFPM had input , I believe both he and Jack Stafford went to Microsoft to advise on the programme, don’t know who else.
Dave
By: DazDaMan - 14th September 2004 at 08:46
Dave, I tell a lie (well, it was the grey matter playing tricks on me), but it doesn’t appear as though Yeager or Hoover had input on the first Combat Flight Simulator – however, the instruction book lists a guy at the NZFPM as a source of info (can’t recall his name, and still no web access at home! :()
Maybe Yeager and Hoover were involved in other flight sims, though?
It’d be interesting to see what kind of input the likes of IL2 had, especially as there are none of that particular type flying to give any kind of idea!
By: DazDaMan - 13th September 2004 at 14:39
I have a feeling the likes of Chuck Yeager and Bob Hoover might have been involved in the first CFS. Dunno about the others.
By: Dave Homewood - 13th September 2004 at 13:59
Cheers Daz. It’d be interesting to hear which other pilots have taken part in creating the simulator. Any other famous ones?
Jack’s story is great. I wonder if he has considered making a fuller version, a whole book. He has a great writing style. I might have to try to contact him and encourage him. He doesn’t live too far away from here.
By: DazDaMan - 13th September 2004 at 13:38
Dave – in the CFS book, there are numerous comments and recommendations from various veterans.
Will have to have a look for it – haven’t installed it in the new PC yet, and I’m hankering for some Spitfire action! 🙂
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September 13, 2004 at 1:36 pm