Ecco la prima intervista di Beczel da parte di PCPilot.HU
<b>How did you get in touch with Lock On/Flaming Cliffs/DCS, and what made you start making the mod?</b>
In May 2002 10years ago I saw a PCGames article about upcoming Lock On Modern Air Combat game. It's really new and modern and I love it. Than as the LockOn Series developed their own way I try to follow them. So I played with Flaming Cliffs than FC2, KA-50, A-10C, BS2 and now the MiG-21 as well. This development and love of the MiG-21 is inspired me to try to develop the upcoming MiG-21 mod. The other reason is very simple. Currently there is no appropriate MiG-21 simulator exist especially in "combat" environment.
<b>Did you have any preliminary experience (e.g. 3D modeling, texturing etc.), or you learnt everything on-the-go?</b>
Yes of course I have many experience with 3D tools especially 3DS Max that called GMax when I start to use them for modeling. Around 2000 I created many models for Microsoft Flight Simulator (FS2000-2002) and Combat Flight Simulator 2 (CFS2). Also I started a new FS project called Luft'46 that focused on the german Luftwaffe special airplanes that built or planned to build in WWII last months. After that I start to build a mods for Lock On series. This required to learn a new technologies so my experienced is based on watch and learn method.
<b>How do you actually start making a mod? How long does it take to complete a MiG-21bis level mod? What are the hard parts and what are the easy ones?</b>
In my opinion if somebody want to create a similar detailed mod they need to have a personal experience with their mod subject. I mean in real life the plane has a lot of small detail and these things doesn't exist on drawings or pictures. Also required to collect all datas, manuals, pics and so on... that required a lot of time especially at the project first phase. In my point of view the good model is belong or based at least 50% on the good or missing data collection. I start my first MiG-21 in december 2008 and one year later it's finished. The next FC2 version required only sixts month due the base model already exist. The latest DCS:MiG-21 should be required a year only because I already own all required documentation and most part required only a small changes so far.
<b>Through a mod maker’s eye, what is the difference between Lock On/Flaming Cliffs/DCS?</b>
It's completely different. Now the models are detailed ten times than before also their textures is more detailed now. In the past if a mod has some small issue or bug this was normal. Now the players reuired a more precise and detailed mods that doesn't contain any bug or texture glitch or program issue. Also now the DCS series contain more and more weapon, vehicle, ground unit than before. So the new MiG-21 mod need to be aligned for this new detailed environment as well.
<b>How did you get in touch with Eagle Dynamics?</b>
Since 2002 I created several mods. The users feedback was very positive about my mods during years and I think this was become aware the TFC/ED. Matt "Wags" Wagner one of the TFC/ED producer get a contact with me last year autumn and offer me a Licence Agreement that based on their upcoming 3rd Party structure. So I could be the first 3rd party developer who can build a mod with these new support structure. I said absolutely yes due with these new 3rd party support the MiG-21 mod will has a new chance and possibilities as well.
<b>What motivated you to make a MiG-21, and what documentation was required for modelling?</b>
As I already said in the first part of the interview my personal experience with MiG-21Bis motivate me to creatt the mod. And secondly the bis was the Hungarian Air Force one of the main type of aircraft in many years and now the Bis is reborn within this simulation. As far as I know I own all documentation, drawing, techmanual, picture, information that exist in MiG-21Bis. These unclassified and restricted informations source was retired pilots, technicians, military-libraries, and finally some docs came from the Bis factory from Gorky.
<b>How is MiG-21 development supported?</b>
The support is based on several layer. This not limited for the technical help due I can receive a support from the Producers and technical teams and developers too. In technnical side my week point is to develop a new program code so the program code is based on the ED developers knowledge and codes as well. About coding I received many help from developers. The support doesn't limited to technical side only. It's provide me another type of support how my mod can be aligned to the DCS:World as well.
<b>Flight simmers often compare real planes with their virtual counterparts, what do your testers say?</b>
During the development I have many supporter. Most of the are was a retired or still active pilot, technician and engineers so in my point of view the upcoming MiG-21Bis mod should be aligned to the real aircraft as much as possible. All pilot who flight or technician who worked with Bis could be find all things in the correct place like in real.
<b>It is obvious that Hungarian skins will be available with the model as I saw Hungarian placards in the cockpit. Have you contacted Hungarian pilots who flew the type? What is their opinion about the project?</b>
The final mod should be contain five different Hungarian livery. Unfortunately nobody from the Hungarian MiG-21Bis pilots accept my invitation to test or advise my mod. This should be based on several things. Most of the former pilots is retired now and they don't want to be involve any air force things. Also they don't want to remember the Bis sad and doesn't honored end story.
<b>What sort of advice can you give to those who wish to start modeling?</b>
They need a lot of free time, money, intrepidity, patience to create a similar mod. Also need to have an appropriate knowledge about the basics of the military air force techniques and they need a lot of freetime to develop a similar mod as well.
<b>ed ecco le immagini dell'armamento che avrà in dotazione il Mig21 ... sotto lo spoiler</b>!
