On this page is my Portfolio. Basically a collection of images and text from the development of my previous Projects for Flight Simulator.

Over the course of the past 2 years I have been 3D modelling low polygon count models of modern day military aircraft for use as Artificial Intelligence background objects in Microsoft Flight Simulator. These models even though purely a cosmetic upgrade to the environment of the simulator allow users to fly in and around any airbase in the world, and to have it populated by other aircraft. Although the concept of AI models in flight simulators has been embraced with recent editions, the world of Military Aircraft was not, and it was for this niche market that I targeted my time and efforts.

My first project - EUROFIGHTER TYPHOON

As my first outing I look back and sometimes wonder if I could have made it better but I learnt the basics of modelling with FS Design Studio from this project. It was on this project that I developed all the main skill bases, texturing, shading properties, animation keyframes, and level of detail modelling. Many, many thanks to Rysiek Winawer for taking this project onboard and finishing the LODs when I went away to Afghanistan, and for the loan of his Pilot model.

ROCKWELL B1B LANCER

Whipped up pretty quickly before I went away to Afghanistan with the RAF. This model took a whole new level for me, as I started to do my own textures for it, using MSPaint at the time. It was also an experiment in Swing Wing modelling, using XML coding to get the wings to sweep according to the aircraft’s speed. This project also owes alot to Rysiek Winawer as he developed most of the LOD models for it in my absence.

SEPECAT JAGUAR GR3

The first model of mine to be done Solo, i.e with no outside help apart from consultation and advice. The Jaguar was developed while I was in the dirt of Afghanistan and finished upon my return. This was my first introduction to making LOD models myself and I also learnt to merge loadouts onto a basic clean model for ease of compilation. The Jaguar comes in the GR3 and T4 versions. An animated Drag Chute was a new challenge here and I based my work off that of Kev Reed from his AI F-117.

NORTHROP GRUMMAN B2A SPIRIT

A relatively easy aircraft to model in terms of time scale, but a bugger to get it looking right, and follow the curves, and get the intakes looking correct. But she came out ok in the end and looks lovely flying around Whiteman AFB. Again many thanks to Graham King for his textures for this beast.

BOEING F-15 EAGLE

The most audatious project yet, a massive undertaking simply because of the loadouts and variants on offer. The Project folder in FSDS for this contains 107 source files. I was lucky enough to be able to do some firsthand research on this as I did alot of it while on exercise at Nellis AFB in Las Vegas.

LOCKHEED MARTIN F-22 RAPTOR

Partly inspired by my sighting of this aircraft at Nellis AFB, but also because it seemed like an obvious follow on from the F-15, was the F-22. I built into this a animated vectored thrust engine nozzle and animated weapons bay doors. This aircraft was the first time I had created a paintkit, myself, for one of my models using Adobe Photoshop, although Mike Pearson did the paints for the final release packages.

GRUMMAN F-14 TOMCAT

What can I say...probably my most memorable project to date and the one that really developed my skills in modelling. I learnt an awful lot about blending polys, adding parts and joining parts from this. My attention to detail went up a notch with this aircraft also, and I feel that the finished article was probably the most accurate of the models I had made so far. Many thanks to Steve Holland for his persistent work with me on the swing wing model for this model as well. It also ended up being my first large project for Military AI Works and led me to manually creating over 300 paint schemes myself, from the photoshop paintkit I created.

McDONNELL DOUGLAS A-4 SKYHAWK

Once the F14 Project had reached full tilt, it became apparent that it needed to be released as a retro package featuring the aircraft of NAS Miramar in the “TOPGUN” era. In order that the F14s had something to fly against apart from Kev Reed and Jake Burrus’s T-38 disguised as a “Mig-28”, I decided to make a one-off A4-E Skyhawk to be used as an aggressor aircraft at Topgun. This was only a small project with a limited amount of options but came out as a really nice looking model in the end. Again the textures for this model were done completely by myself.

BAe/MDD Harrier

I took a big break from modelling for a while after finishing the Topgun package and it was only in November of 2007 that I decided to make a start on something that had been asked for and that was not on the drawing board anywhere. A huge undertaking again, but one that went reasonably well and was quite easy to model. I started off with the Harrier GR9 of the RAF and then developed this into the AV8B and AV8B+ of the USMC, Spain and Italy. Also included was the 2 seat trainer version.

BAe Hawk

Probably my favourite project, simply because I have been working with it for getting on for a year now is the Hawk. Another badly needed model at the time of development (at the same time as the Harrier, I was making both at the same time). Lovely easy model to create in the first instance and not too difficult to adapt to different variants such as the T-45, Hawk 100 and 200. I have now put together 11 Hawk packages for MAIW, including 6 sub parts, covering all the current, and some retro hawks in service around the world. An audatious project you might say, but one that has opened my eyes things I never knew about world politics from my research.

And here is a collection of all the versions and repaints I have done for the Hawk series being released by Military AI Works. All of these packages have now been released by MAIW (with the exception of the Red Arrows which may come soon depending on the man behind the AI display flying.)

Valmet L-70 Vinka and T-34C Mentor

2 very small projects here, but ones that were great fun to work on. The T-34C was made at the request of Des Burrell from MAIW as an accompaniment to the T-45 Goshawk, and the Valmet Vinka that I made to include in a package covering the Transports and Trainers of the Finnish Air Force, to accompany my own package of the Finnish Hawks. Both of these models were my first attempts at creating prop driven aircraft and so provided a few challenges with regards to the animations and Flight Dynamics beautifully engineered again by Mike MacIntyre.

McDonnell Douglas F-4E/F Phantom II

Following several requests, mostly from Steve Holland, I decided to make a dedicated AI F-4E Phantom, to fill a gap left by Fernando Martinez after he produced his excellent F-4C series. The E is the later version of the Phantom that is still in service with numerous Air Forces around the world, including the USAF as Full Size Aerial Targets. My model features all the usual bells and whistles, and will be coming in every version of the F-4E including the German F-4F, USAF F-4G, and the Terminator and Peace Icarus versions of Turkey and Greece. Also including the F-4EJ of Japan, and finally the RF-4E Reconnaissance version. This model is the first to feature my very own pilot model. Instead of relying on the Pilot model of Ryseiek Winawer which has been used on all my previous fighter aircraft, I decided to make my own this time and you will also see him piloting the Mirage F1 above.

Chinook

My first go at AI Helicopters was very successful, including the original tests of the Take-off animation that you will also see on the AI Apache. The animated take-off sequence is clever trickery of xml coding and animation in which, when the aircraft throttle goes upto 90% or above the aircraft rises off the ground and pitches forward, reminiscent of a real helicopter take-off, the aircraft then returns to level flight when and levels off. Features fully animated cargo and crew-entry doors, pilot, co-pilot and loadmaster as well as blurred rotors. Initially developed as the RAF HC2, I have also done the CH-47D.

Dassault Mirage F1

Wow....is all I can say, Ive astonished even myself with this one. By far my favourite model project to date and something that I’d not even thought about until I saw a picture of one on Fighter Control. Im making her in every variant that is currently or recently in service including; F1C, F1CT, F1CR, F1E several variants of including F1EJ, EQ, ED etc, and F1B Twin seater

Model features full animations and some clever new XML tricks to give her a half opened canopy while taxying and half flaps for take-off. 20 different models of the C alone with various weapons loads. Suitable for every conceivable mission

AH-64 Apache

My second attempt at Helicopters for AI and something I’ve wanted to do for quite some time now is the AH-64 Apache.She will come in the following versions:

AH-64A Apache

AH-64D Apache

AH-64D Apache Longbow (With Longbow Radar Dome)

AH-64D Apache (Dutch Variant)

WAH-64D Apache (UK Variant)

AH-64D Longbow Apache (Israeli Variant)

All models feature: Animated Cockpit Doors, Animated Take-off sequence, Animated Gun and FLIR linked to pilot and co-pilots heads, 8 loadout options for each variant

McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet

One of the most eagerly anticipated Military AI models yet, and it has been a long time in the making. Originally started by Rysiek Winawer, I took over this model once Rysiek took a sabbatical from modelling. With a drastic remodel to incorporate all my own personal modelling techniques and tricks, I came up with the NBAI F/A-18. The model comes in all variants including A/B, C/D, and E/F Super Hornet as well as the G Growler. Putting together all the experience I have learnt in the years I have been making these models and featuring all the animations I could possibly get into her, including new animations for a turning nose gear and animated hose and drogue refuelling system for the E/F Super Hornet. Look out for upcoming packages from MAIW including US Navy, USMC and Spanish, Australian and Malaysian Hornets. Be sure to check out the Finnish Hornets package which I created which completes the MAIW Finnish Air Force Project, and will well and truly populate this beautiful country in your Flightsim.

TO BE CONTINUED>>>