A6M2-N Rufe floatplane for European Air War

This is a major re-working of the Zero 3D shape for EAW, to create the A6M2-N Rufe floatplane fighter.

The Rufe was a Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero, manufactured by Nakajima as a floatplane to support the Japanese offensive in the Pacific. It entered service in December 1941, and was widely used during 1942-43, in the Solomons and the Aleutians. Although not as fast as the Zero (270 mph, to the Zero's 331 mph), it possessed surprising manoeuvrability for a floatplane. Several IJN pilots became aces flying the Rufe.

The original Zero shape is from Microprose' Pacific Air War, adapted by Paulo Morais for EAW. I made a few small changes to this shape, adding the aerial and pitot tube, and rounding the wingtips a little. The floats were added using Moggy's newly discovered method of "pasting" one 3D shape file onto another. The skin is by Jamie Richards, with a few small changes by me to fit the new shape . There are some small rendering problems with the main float from some angles (if only I could work out the rendering sequence properly), but nothing too dramatic for such a radical re-working of the 3D shape.

To use , simply unzip all files and copy the *.TPC and *.3DZ files into your EAW directory. The Rufe takes the place of the Fw190D, using ECA Control Panel v3.7 or later.

The only known idiosyncrasy with this shape is to do with the undercarriage. EAW will not let you land on water, and you must still lower the Rufe's undercariage (by hitting the "G" key) before landing. There are no wheels on the Rufe, so hitting "G" makes no apparent difference to the aircraft, but if you don't do it you will crash on landing.

I hope you enjoy the A6M2-N Rufe for EAW.

Charles Gunst
GunstQC@aol.com
August 2001
