SimHQ.com - The Simulation Community's = Headquarters

SimHQ=20 Community News for June 30, = 2006    Recent=20 Articles    What's Hot in the Forums?
Google SimHQ = Search    Comments or Questions for SimHQ? = webmaster@simhq.com
Have News Items to Contribute? news@simhq.com    = Looking=20 for Archived News? Click here!
Masthead = Illustration by=20 Dean "DeanH" Hill.

Monthly Calendars=20 for July 2006 = are=20 here.

	Armed Assault: = Single Player=20 Campaign AAR#3 and Q&A Chuck "Magnum" Ankenbauer = returns=20 with Part 3 of his report and Q&A on the = E3Expo=20 Press Demo CD. Read both here. If you missed Chuck's = first two=20 reports, they're here and here.
	Le Mans - Real Race = of=20 Champions Alex=20 "Zander" Keep gives us insight to the track and = the=20 experience. Read here.
	Unification Theory: = Part=20 Three: Perspective An Interview with Hudson = Kerr=20 a.k.a. =93][udson=94 Jens "McGonigle" Lindblad = continues=20 his series about what is happening in the world = of=20 virtual racing drivers, and to hear from the = people who=20 play an active role in shaping the future of our = community. Read the interview here .
	The Virtual Blue=20 Angels Chris=20 "BeachAV8R" Frishmuth interviews the team about = how they=20 produced their just released 2006 edition video. = Want to=20 see some incredible flying? Read here.
	The=20 SimHQ 2.4 Hours of Le Mans What = happens when=20 you mix rFactor, a new game server and several = Staffers=20 on the most famous road racing track in history? = Chris=20 "BeachAV8R" Frishmuth reports here.
	After Action Report: = Operation Persian Freedom Phase 3 Mission 17: = Munitions=20 Factory at Aghar "Cat" and "boNes" team-up = to bring=20 you part one of the campaign finale. Read it here.
	"Real" = Simulation "While computer flight = simulations=20 are fun and entertaining, I=92m convinced they = also have=20 the additional benefit of keeping my real life = flying=20 skills sharp. Nowhere does this become more = evident than=20 when I attend my required annual simulator = training in=20 Dallas." Chris "BeachAV8R" Frishmuth takes you = along for=20 some "real" simulation. Read here.

Community News for June 30, = 2006

Air Combat = News

News Contributor: = Doug "Uther"=20 Lawrence.

European Air War: =

"MrJelly" has posted a = shot of the=20 Brest Sub pens.

F-22 Total Air War:=20

"Shodan" has posted ideas = for=20 making more realistic campaigns. =

Falcon 4.0: Allied = Force:=20

The Allied Force 1 vs 1 and 2 vs 2 = Dogfight=20 Ladder (Season 2) is about to begin. =

FS2002 / FS2004:=20

"Vigilius" has posted a = Cloud9 F-4 Phantom preview = video.=20

IL-2 Series: = Forgotten=20 Battles, AEP, Pacific Fighters:=20

"RONNCO" has released a = F4U-1 ("Spirit of '76", VMF-214 = and=20 VMF-215, Munda 1943) skin.=20
"1.JaVA_nijssie" has = posted a shot=20 of a railroad gun.

Screenshots and Video = Gallery:=20

"bisher" has posted a Super Sabre composite. =

General News:=20

"Recluse" has posted a = link to near fatal F-18 carrier trap.=20
Nick Tselepides has = posted a P-39 cockpit photo and diagram. =

Land Combat

News Contributor: = Chuck=20 "Magnum" Ankenbauer.

Announcements:

Matrix=20 Games and Koios=20 Works are pleased to announce their newest World = War II=20 3D Tactical game, Panzer Command: Operation Winter = Storm, is=20 now available from the Matrix Games web site and = available=20 live at the Origins Game Convention in Columbus, = Ohio.

Total War Era = announced=20 (Thanks to Worthplaying for the news.) = "SEGA today=20 announced the launch of Total War: Eras for DVD. = Scheduled=20 for release on June 30th 2006 in Europe (25th July = in=20 America), Total War: Eras is the ultimate collectors = item=20 for any Total War or strategy fan and includes all 3 = total=20 War titles and their expansion = packs."

Game = News:

GameSpot=20 has updated previews of CivCity: Rome and of Civilization 4: Warlords.

GameSpot also has new in game = footage of=20 the just released, Rise & Fall: Civilizations at = War.=20

IGN = has a=20 preview of Civilization 4: Warlords.

Worthplaying has news of a just = released=20 patch for F.E.A.R. which includes the SDK = and server=20 files.

Worthplaying has new screenshots = of Splinter Cell Double Agent.

GhostRecon.net has a number of = new maps=20 just made for GRAW, with the just released map = editor=20 software.

From the = Forums:=20

Another SB = Pro PE game=20 night is in the planning, stop by here for information.

An apology = regarding an=20 item in yesterday's Land Combat news. = I was=20 thinking it, but did not mean to call Lockdown = "Letdown" in=20 the news posting.

Naval Combat = News

News Contributor: = "Teddy=20 B=E4r".

Motorsports = News

News Contributor: = Jens=20 "McGonigle" Lindblad.

Classic Car = Models:

Exoto Racing Legends introduces = the 1963=20 A.C. Cobra competition. Thanks "Chunx" for the news. =

rFactor:

If you wish = to try your=20 hand at making a mod for rFactor; Lazytech has = provided some=20 free models for you here, to use while learning.=20

Technology News

News Contributor: = Bob=20 "KnightRyder" Nielsen.

Cases:

Maxit=20 checks out the Antec P180 Case here.

Cooling:

Club = Overclocker checks out the AeroCool PowerWatch = here.

ThinkComputers tests another = AeroCool=20 product, the PowerPanel, here.

Graphics Cards: =

ExtremeTech checks out = Sapphire's X1600 XT=20 Ultimate here.

HEXUS has a=20 Radeon X1600 Roundup here.

3DGameMan=20 tests out the HIS X1300 512MB HyperMemory 2 PCIe x1 = Card here.

PSU's:

DriverHeaven checks out the = Ultra=20 X-Connect X2 550W SLI PSU here.

ExtremeOC tests OCZ's = GameXStream 700W=20 Power Supply (!) here.

Community News for June 29, = 2006

Air Combat = News

News Contributor: = Doug "Uther"=20 Lawrence.

After Action Reports: =

"PFunk" has posted a SFP1 AAR - Americans Can Play = Chess, Too.=20
"KingAlbert" has posted a = Falcon AAR - Charging Dragon Day = 1 22:30.=20

EECH / = EEAH:=20

"Maverick63" has posted a = preview=20 of the Hawaii terrain.

European Air War:=20

Sandbagger's latest news has been posted.=20
"FlyRight" has posted a = preview of=20 the Fiat G.56 project.=20
"Col. Gibbon" has posted = a preview=20 of the train project.=20
"Skylark" has posted a Fw-190A-5 shot - Taking Care of = Business.=20

Event=20 Photography:=20

"hbxov" has posted 56(R) = Squadrons=20 Families Day, RAF Leuchars photos. [High = Bandwidth]=20
"RSColonel_131st" has = posted photos=20 of Austrian F-5 Tigers at Graz = Thalerhof.=20

Falcon = 4.0:=20

"Aeyes" has announced the = release=20 of the F-16AM (MLU) Superpit. =

FS2002 / FS2004:=20

Wings of Power WWII Fighters is = now=20 available.

Helicopter=20 Sims:=20

"WB" has released updated Gunship skins. =

IL-2 Series: Forgotten = Battles, AEP,=20 Pacific Fighters:=20

AGEIA Inks Publisher-Wide Agreement = with Major=20 Russian Publisher 1C Company. Thanks = "RAF23-Kapt" for=20 the link!=20
"CanonUK" has released 6 = new Me-262 skins.=20
"Greg_Boyington" has = released J2M4 (302nd Kokutai) skins. =

Screenshots and Video = Gallery:=20

"bisher" has posted an A-4 shot.=20
"DocW" has posted a Longbow 2 video.

Strike Fighters / Wings Over = Vietnam:=20

"USAFTML" has announced = the release=20 of a Mid east F-5E package.=20
"Gramps" has announced = the Russian Speech pack is now = available for=20 download.=20
"NightShade01" has posted = large screenshots.

Land Combat

News Contributor: = Chuck=20 "Magnum" Ankenbauer.

Announcements:

Battlefront counts down to For = Liberty!=20 "The countdown to the release of our new wargame = about=20 the American Revolutionary War, For Liberty! has = begun. For=20 Liberty! will be released fittingly on Independence = Day,=20 July 4th to mark the 230th anniversary of the = signing of the=20 Declaration of Independence. To further wet the = appetite and=20 make the waiting a little easier, we are releasing = the full=20 PDF game manual! If you'd like = to see what=20 features For Liberty! offers, you won't get any = better=20 insight than this."

Game News:

The Wargamer has a nice article = about Integrating Tactical Intelligence = into Board=20 Wargaming.

GameSpot has the just released = patch for=20 Rainbow Six: Lockdown.

GameSpot also has new = screenshots of Silent Heroes.

Worthplaying has a preview of CivCity: Rome.

GhostRecon.net has two bits of = news to=20 share. One is a new uniform mod for GRAW, and the = other a Lazer Tag mod for GRAW. =

From the Forums:

Jaguar shares a new Steel Beasts Pro PE = video.=20 Check it out here.

Naval Combat = News

News Contributor: = "Teddy=20 B=E4r".

Motorsports = News

News Contributor: = Jens=20 "McGonigle" Lindblad.

rFactor:

Gamespy talks about rFactor. Read = the feature=20 here.=20

Technology News

News Contributor: = Bob=20 "KnightRyder" Nielsen.

Cases:

XYZ=20 Computing checks into the Ultra Aluminus Case here.

Cooling:

PC Modding=20 Malaysia tests out the Thermalright HR-05 = Chipset=20 Heatsink here.

ProClockers checks out the = Cooljaq AMA-P=20 AM2 Cooler here.

Overclockers Online checks out = the nMedia=20 Icetank Cooler here.

Virtual-Hideout tests out the = AlphaCool=20 XP-Light CPU and NB-SLI Water Blocks here.

Graphics Cards: =

HotHardware tests out ASUS' = EN7950GX2 -=20 GeForce 7950GX2 Card here.

However, if the 7950GX2 = (or a=20 divorce attorney) isn't in your budget, Guru3D=20 checks out a more affordable alternative - the = Inno3D=20 GeForce 7600 GST 256MB DDR3 Video Card - here.

Motherboards: =

Anandtech=20 checks out the ASUS M2N32-SLI & Epox MF570SLI = boards here.

The Tech=20 Zone takes a tour of Golden Elite's PCB Factory = here.

Anandtech=20 also checks out a potential Intel 975x killer - = NVIDIA's=20 nForce 590 SLI Intel Edition - here.

Community = News for June=20 28, 2006

Air Combat = News

News Contributor: = Doug "Uther"=20 Lawrence.

European Air War: =

Sandbagger's latest news has been posted.=20
"GunsUp" has released a = Spitfire Mk. XIVe skin.=20
"Flying Tiger" has = released a HR Bf-109G-6 (15.[Kroat] / JG52 7, = Mato=20 Dukovac, Crimea 1944) skin.=20
"Skylark" has posted strafing mission screenshots.=20

IL-2 Series: = Forgotten=20 Battles, AEP, Pacific Fighters:=20

"MrMoonlight" has = released early Mustang skins.=20
"Hammerd" has released a = P-51D ("Tika IV", Lt. Vern = Richards, 374th=20 FS) skin.=20
"Shadow_12TFS" has posted = a Fw-190 / P-51D wallpaper - Outta = Ammo=20 & Heading Home.=20
"Tromplamort" has = released a Bf-109G-6 (Oblt. Kurt Gabler, = JG300, July=20 1944) skin.=20
"Tromplamort" has = released a Fw-190D-9 generic skin.=20
"402Fenrir" has posted an = AAR - What a Fight. =

Screenshots and Video = Gallery:=20

"Prangster" has posted Sea Hurricane shots. =

Strike Fighters / Wings Over = Vietnam:=20

"fubar_512" has posted a = F-15 shot - Pullin' G's.=20
Bombing Competition #5 Results.=20

General = News:=20

WWIOL Battleground Europe: Welcome = Back=20 Soldier' 5-Year Anniversary. [Free play and = prizes]=20

Land Combat

News Contributor: = Chuck=20 "Magnum" Ankenbauer.

Announcements:=20

Battlefront announces there new = Newsletter, Blog, and RSS feed.=20

Game = News:

Matrix=20 Games releases a patch for The Operational Art of War 3. =

The=20 Wargamer opens there Glory of the=20 Roman Empire mini-site.

IGN = has a new=20 video of Company of Heroes.

Fileplanet has a new Battlefield = 2 mod=20 titled, Project Reality v0.31.

Fileplanet shares seven video = clips behind=20 the scene of Joint Task Force.

GameSpot=20 has a new preview of the upcoming update for Day of Defeat: Source.

GameSpot also has a movie of Rise & Fall: Civilizations at = War.=20

Worthplaying has new screenshots = of Crysis.

From the = Forums:=20

Got a new = community=20 discussion about the worst aspect of tactical = shooters. Read=20 others opinions and leave yours here.

GreyWolf = shares a helo=20 mission pack for Operation Flashpoint. Check it out = here.

Grim Death is = organizing=20 an unofficial SB Pro PE co-op game, read about it here. (It's tonight, Wednesday.) =

Naval Combat = News

News Contributor: = "Teddy=20 B=E4r".

Motorsports = News

News Contributor: = Jens=20 "McGonigle" Lindblad.

rFactor:

The Albert = Park Formula 1=20 circuit is now available for rFactor. Screenshots = and=20 download locations can be found here.

GT = Legends:

"Sounds of = Capri" has=20 been released by the indefatigable MethylEthyl, who = has=20 posted the downlink location in this thread in the Motorsports=20 forum.

Technology News

News Contributor: = Bob=20 "KnightRyder" Nielsen.

Cases:

TechNeek=20 checks out the Cooler Master Centurion 534 Computer = Case here.

OCModShop=20 calls Thermaltake's Aguila BTX Case "one bad-ass = gorilla!"=20 Find out why here.

Cooling:

ProClockers checks out Cooljag's = AMA-P AM2=20 Cooler here.

Sudhian=20 tests the Corsair Nautilus here.

Graphics Cards: =

ByteSizedReviews tests out the = HIS=20 X1800GTO IceQ3 Turbo 256MB Video Card here.

bit-tech.net has a roundup of = NVIDIA=20 GeForce 7950 GX2 cards here.

Motherboards: =

PCStats=20 tests out the Epox 9U1697 GLI ULi M1697 motherboard = here.

PCStats=20 also checks out the ASRock 775XFire-eSATA2/A/ASR = i945PL=20 motherboard here.

Community = News for June=20 27, 2006

Air Combat = News

News Contributor: = Doug "Uther"=20 Lawrence.

EECH / EEAH:

"arneh" has posted a procedure and video for = autorotation.=20

European Air = War:=20

Flying Tiger" has = released a Fw-190A-5 (JG2 'Richthofen') = skin.=20

Event=20 Photography:=20

"spawik" has posted Salthill Airshow (Galway, = Ireland) photos.=20

IL-2 = Series: Forgotten=20 Battles, AEP, Pacific Fighters:=20

IL-2 Dynamic Campaign Generator: = Version=20 3.28 has been released.=20
"RONNCO" has released a = F4U-1D (Lt. M.O. Chance, = VMF-312, Okinawa=20 1945) skin.

LOMAC /=20 Flaming Cliffs / Black Shark:=20

"dato_xp" has posted a = shot of a new MiG-29 model. =

Strike Fighters / Wings Over = Vietnam:=20

"kout" has released = several new screens.

Land Combat

News Contributor: = Chuck=20 "Magnum" Ankenbauer.

Announcements: =

Battlefront announces that they = are taking=20 pre-orders for "For Liberty!".

Gamespot announces that you can = purchase=20 via digital download, Joint Operations: Typhoon = Rising.=20

Game News:

The WarGamer has a After Action = Review of=20 Panzer Command: Operation Winter Storm.

The WarGamer also has screenshots of = Guns of August.

Gamespot has an updated preview = of Battlefield 2142.

Worthplaying has new screens of = War Front: Turning Point.

Worthplaying has a new trailer = for Joint Task Force, showing off = the Physx=20 support.

Worthplaying also has = screenshots of HistWar: Les Grognards and Company of Heroes.

ArmChair General has a review of = Airborne Assault: Conquest of the = Aegean.=20

SteelBeasts.com continue to = share some=20 excellent missions for Steel Beasts Pro (PE), two = newer ones=20 are Thunder Run and Nasiriyah v3. Check out the = downloads here.

From the Forums: =

=93bisher=94 shares a number of Half Life 2 = screenshots.=20 Check them out here.

=93JB=94 continues to share more images from = VBS1. Check them=20 out here and here.

=93StormTrooper=94 shares a FPS video. Check it = out here.

Naval Combat = News

News Contributor: = "Teddy=20 B=E4r".

Motorsports = News

News Contributor: = Jens=20 "McGonigle" Lindblad.

GTR:

=93Cheesy=94 has posted in the Racing Simulations = forum about MoTec's new i2 = software,=20 available for free download.

Driver's = Republic:

=93CoffeDrinker=94 has posted his first = impressions of the=20 recently released Driver's Republic beta in this thread.

Technology News

News Contributor: = Bob=20 "KnightRyder" Nielsen.

Cases:

ProClockers checks out = SunbeamTech's=20 Silent Storm Case here.

PC=20 Perspective peeks into the Thermaltake Armor Jr. = Mid=20 Tower Case here.

Cooling:

Overclockers Online tests out = the Cooler=20 Master AquaGate Mini R120 Water Cooling Kit here.

Technic3D=20 tests the Zaward Square Cooler here.

Graphics Cards/Drivers:=20

ATI = has=20 released version 6.6 of their Catalyst Driver Suite. = Pick=20 them up here.

Not to be outdone, NVIDIA=20 released version 91.31 of their Forceware drivers, = including=20 NVIDIA's new Control Panel. Grab them here.

Bona=20 Fide Reviews tests the HIS X1300 512MB DDR2 Dual = DVI PCI=20 Express Video Card here.

TBreak tests=20 out the MSI GeForce 7950 here.

Motherboards: =

Virtual-Hideout tests the ASUS = M2N32-SLI=20 Deluxe AM2 Motherboard here.

AnandTech=20 has a price guide to motherboards here.

Community = News for June=20 26, 2006

Air Combat = News

News Contributor: = Doug "Uther"=20 Lawrence.

After Action Reports: =

"PFunk" has posted a SFP1 AAR - Burning Sands 1983 - = "We're=20 Choosing Teams".=20
"PFunk" has posted a SFP1 AAR - Burnings Sands 1983 - = "Opening=20 Night".=20
"KingAlbert" has posted a = Falcon AAR - Charging Dragon Day = 1 21:30.=20

EECH / = EEAH:=20

SpectreServer is now running = 1.6.2.W4T1.=20

European = Air=20 War:=20

Sandbagger's latest news has been posted.=20
"Flying Tiger" has = released adjusted Fw-190A skins.=20
"Rotton50" has posted a = preview of=20 the Martin Baker M.B.5 project.=20
Peregrine's Channel ports update = [Large=20 Screenshots].

Event=20 Photography:=20

Paul Rix has posted = in-flight=20 photos of a weather system developing. =

Fighter Squadron: Scream 'n = Demons=20 Over Europe:=20

SDOE July 2006 Desktop Calendar. =

IL-2 Series: = Forgotten=20 Battles, AEP, Pacific Fighters:=20

"Aero_Shodanjo" has = posted a pictorial AAR: VVS Paint scheme = Regiment=20 HQ, 27 March 1945. [Warning Many Screenshots]=20
"Kristorf" has released a = Beaufighter (27 Sqn SEAC, July = 1945) skin.=20
"Kristorf" has released a = Mosquito Mk. VI (NFII) (23 Sqn, = Malta=20 1942/44) skin.=20
"Kristorf" has released a = Beaufighter Mk. 21 (VIC) (272 = Sqn, Malta=20 1942) skin.=20
"IceFire" has released a = Tempest Campaign - Storm Clouds = Part One.=20
"Col. Douglas King" has = posted a Black Widow shot.=20
"csThor" has released Ostfront blank skin versions.=20
"96th_Nightshifter" has = released a=20 Fairey Firefly skin pack.=20
"Monguse" has released a = P-51B (31st FG) skin pack.=20
"Sting." has released a Ju-88 skin pack.=20
"Tromplamort" has = released a bare metal Bf-109G-6 (Oblt. Kurt = Gabler,=20 JG-300, J=FCterbog-Waldlager 1944) skin.=20
"BlackLion" has posted a = Wilde Sau Bf-109G-14 screenshot. =

LOMAC / = Flaming Cliffs=20 / Black Shark:=20

Remise des Gaz has = released a movie - Challenging Approaches.=20

Screenshots = and Video=20 Gallery:=20

"Hawkeye Magoo" has = posted a link=20 to a MiG-29 video.=20
"Rick.50cal" has posted a = link to=20 air disaster videos.=20
"Lsmaciel" has posted an = IL-2 Series video - IL-2 A = Reason to Fly.=20
"bisher" has posted a = Strike=20 Fighters F-4 Phantom shot.=20
"bisher" has posted a = shot of a=20 pair of F-100 Super Sabres.=20
"JB" has posted a shot of = a UAV over Iraq.=20
"Wired" has posted shots = of a MSFS=20 2004 Flight out of Pittsburgh International: Part 1, Part 2.=20
"Stormtrooper" has posted = a shot of=20 a damaged Mosquito.=20
"Ivan Putski" has posted = a shot of=20 a Spitfire Mk. XIV. =

Strike Fighters / Wings Over = Vietnam:=20

"Kreelin" has posted a = link to an=20 AV-8C update for SP4.=20
"USAFTML" has posted a = link to a knowledge base.=20
"kout" has posted a = preview of new main screens.=20
"Jarink" has posted a F-4 Phantom composite - Keep on = Trucking.=20

General = News:=20

"PipsPriller" has posted = a link to=20 a P-38 web page.

Land Combat

News Contributor: = Chuck=20 "Magnum" Ankenbauer.

The Matrix=20 Games newsletter hints at an American Civil War = game=20 coming real soon.

Naval Combat = News

News Contributor: = "Teddy=20 B=E4r".

Ship = Simulator 2006:

Ship movies = are available=20 here in wmv = format.

Motorsports = News

News Contributor: = Jens=20 "McGonigle" Lindblad.

NASCAR Racing 2003 = Season:

Talladega = infield road=20 course for NR2003 has been released.

rFactor:

Grand Valley, = a track=20 inspired by GT4 has been released for rFactor. = Available for=20 download from rFactor = Central.

Grand Prix = Legends:

Thundercars = v. 2 has been=20 released, featuring in-game adjustable wings. Check = out the=20 release-thread here.

Evolution GT:

A short = preview of=20 Evolution GT has been published by Gamezone.

Technology News

News Contributor: = Bob=20 "KnightRyder" Nielsen.

Cases:

Hardware-Review checks out the = Antec P180B=20 Mid-Tower Case here.

Virtual-Hideout checks out the=20 Coolermaster Mystique 631 ATX Case here.

Cooling:

DriverHeaven tests the North Q = 3390A=20 Cooler here.

Motherboards.org checks out the=20 Thermaltake Safari BX-01 BTX CPU Cooler here.

Graphics Cards: =

Hi-Tech=20 Reviews looks at the HIS X1600XT IceQ Turbo = Video Card=20 here.

Legion=20 Hardware compares ATi's Radeon X1300 Pro and = NVIDIA's=20 GeForce 7300 GT cards here.

Motherboards: =

Ever wonder what goes into = a=20 motherboard? Well, hardCOREware found out, as they = toured=20 ECS' motherboard fabrication facility. Read more here.

Adrian's Rojak=20 Pot tests out the EPoX EP-9U1697 GLI Motherboard = here.