Atomic Eagle II: The Price of Freedom Development

[Harry Tuttle]

Originally posted by Sarsstock
Curt I really don't see how anybody couldn't love the occupied American cities. The burnt out building shells fit the general theme of the game perfectly. That theme being America under seige.

Say Harry, will there be air transport units involved in AE2?

You mean like the gliders used in Normandy?

[fairline]

Harry, I see from your units you are using a British Firefly - much better to have a proper US Sherman, an 'Easy-Eight', don't you think?

If you want an MGE-palette version, give me a shout.

[Leonidas]

Curt:

You truly have become the City Graphics-Meister

Excellent work, sir.

[curtsibling]

Aw, shucks!

[Sarsstock]

Well Harry the units I had in mind are more along the lines of Pablo's Hercules air transport in his Moroccan Crisis scenario as well as Steph's Ju-52 air transport in Blood and Steel.

The difference between these air transport units and the gliders you mention is that those ones were not reusable. In any case, I don't think the AI would be able to figure out how to use them right, but still they make for a handy way of lifting vital supplies and units to the front line as well as help in surprise attacks behind enemy lines.

It is likely that both the Canadian and American airline industries at the time would have been almost entirely put under the command of the military. Now my civil aviation history isn't as good as some of the other forum members here, but if memory serves me the DC-4 was a popular American model at the time. It had first entered service in 1939 but was only being used to its full potential as a long range airliner by 1946/47. I attatched a graphic of a standard DC-4 in service with American Airlines as well as a DC-4 in service with United which features a modified nose and cockpit section.

[Harry Tuttle]

Hmmmm, well I'll think about it Sarsstock. I have to see what the situation is when I really start building the scenario. Right now I'm just getting the map down. I'm focusing on making accurate rail connections for the continent for the mean time. I'll keep this in mind.

[AGRICOLA]

To me, the "DC-4" in United colors sure looks a lot like a Boeing 377 Stratocruiser.

[Harry Tuttle]

I have a request. Can anyone find a map of all the North American military bases during WW2? You may get a call from the FBI or the local nationwide law enforcement agency but I'd like to accurately place the bases on the map. If anyone can find something I'd greatly appreciate it.

[Sarsstock]

Ya know I have to admit AGRICOLA it does bear an unusual resemblance to the Stratocruiser. In any case the first models of the Boeing 337 Stratocruiser were introduced to Pan American World Airways in 1949, but military versions had been produced more than a year earlier for testing purposes so I think the Stratocruiser could make for a good canidate for air transport as opposed to the DC-4.

As for finding military bases in North America Harry I wish you luck on that. I tried when I was planning the prequel to Curt's Vendetta to find a list of all army and air bases on the continent at the time of the second world war, but was unsucsessfull. AGRICOLA, this sounds like a question for you field.

[AGRICOLA]

Originally posted by Sarsstock
I tried when I was planning the prequel to Curt's Vendetta to find a list of all army and air bases on the continent at the time of the second world war, but was unsucsessfull. AGRICOLA, this sounds like a question for you field.

Oh, no you don't. I never, ever volunteer for anything. I've learned that it usually means more work.

OK, as I'm still full of the spirit(s) of Christmas, I'll give Mamma a quick try. If it can be found, she usually finds it.

[AGRICOLA]

Mamma did pretty well this time.

A. Harry, I don't think that you want exactly what you asked for. In 1945, the USAF had 344 Main Bases, 57 Sub-Bases and 269 Auxiliary Fields in CONUS. You can pretty well put air bases anywhere you want . . . you won't be far off. A map showing these plus naval and army installations would be a nightmare.

B. What I would suggest is that you decide how many and what type of bases you want and then go to

http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/List%20of%20United%20States%20military%20bases

This is a 1996? list of the location of bases in the CONUS, broken down by armed service and state. Pick out some likely candidates for what you need. The "Forts" are often divisional HQ and located in the southern US to permit year round training. There are plenty of naval bases like San Diego and Norfolk and many Air Force bases to choose from.

C. Go to

http://www.cr.nps.gov/nagpra/DOCUMENTS/BasesMilitaryMAP.htm

and download both the map and index of bases.

The index is critical because the map does not use different symbols or colors for the different services.
This will give you the geographical locations of bases.

Check the index for additional bases not listed in B. For example, Fort Sill OK, dedicated to artillery training does not appear on the B list.

D. Although all data is post WWII, it is my impression that, with obvious exceptions like the Cape Canaveral USAF Air Force Station, most facilities existed in 1945. If you are concerned, do a search on the base name. Most of them have a website that includes a section on the history of the base.

[Harry Tuttle]

Awesome! Thanks. I'll take a look today.

[Harry Tuttle]

Alright, here's where I stand right now. All the major airbases I can figure have been added to the continental U.S.

I have added all the major rail lines on the continent based on historical rail maps. Or more precisely: http://store1.yimg.com/I/signalcom_1824_2591313 The map might be present day, but really, the railroads haven't added any major new lines in 70 years.

I'm now working on placing the special terrain and the terrain improvements. Also I have added a few more American cities and I plan to make a few new "supply depot" mega cities in Mexico to depict German stockpiling. Maybe I'll add some special units to the game for a bonus if you manage to attack one of these cities.

[Sarsstock]

Well Harry I always figured with a North American gigamap the greatest challenge would be to find the correct placement of the military and air bases. Since you seem to be on top of that I'd say development of Atomic Eagle II is going pretty damn good.

[curtsibling]

It is indeed a killer map -