by Obi Offiah

I asked some questions about Wayward Design and how it was formed. Andrew was one of the guys responsible for the physics in B-17 II. He talked to me about the damage model and how it will be possible to have bombs drop on another aircraft in tight formation, breaking off parts of wing, tailplanes etc, and how the dynamic damage model was being developed.

Andrew told me how he had modelled a jeep that could be driven and some ground crew for the aircraft, plus other vehicles which moved around the airbase. He said that the team had a lot of fun racing them around the airfield. He also mentioned that he had modeled an F-14 Tomcat and that it was the best aircraft he had ever seen in a sim! So that's what those guys get up to! Hopefully he will send some screenshots of it.

Andrew and Graham then pointed over to the monitor where Ken was displaying the P-51 on the ground. "Have you seen the ground handling?" Graham asked. He motioned me over to check it out.

Ken was taxiing the P-51 and as he was doing so he weaved left and right and applied the brakes. I was gobsmacked. "Is there anything Wayward have not put into this sim?" I thought. The dampers for both the main and tail gear pistoned. As Ken turn right with a bit of speed the aircraft tilted to the left, causing the right suspension to extend and the left to contract.

He took the P-51 off the smooth taxiway and onto the grass. I could see the bumpiness of the grass fully modelled as all the dampers jounced up and down. The small tail wheel of the Mustang was very impressive because unlike the main wheels which just move up and down simply, it had a hinge mechanism.

For those sim enthusiasts with wives who make it difficult to play sims, trust me B-17 II is going to be your lucky break. When your wives see it they are either going to be so dumbstruck by its looks that they beg to join in and play, or they'll see that it's so awesome they'll simply up and leave, because they'll know instantly there is no way they could get you to even turn your head away from your screens for a second! B-17 is that great, either way you win.

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I went back and continued to talk with Andrew. I was telling him how I just couldn't understand how Wayward managed to produce such a sim, it was really amazing. Graham was nearby and told me that their next project will feature low-level air-to-ground attacks and the B-24 or 25 will be available to the player. The area will be a mountainous region around sicily and Graham mentioned that it will be possible to see troops landing on the beach from their sea vessels! Also I was told that the graphics will be further updated to look much better than in B-17 II, with the possiblity of higher resolutions than the current 20cm!

The guys at Wayward all had smiles on their faces. They knew they had something very special with B-17 II, and they loved showing it to eveyone. If the the devil is in the details, the Wayward team have a tail, two horns and an evil grin. I was very happy to be there that day and watch the most detailed flight sim every take to the skies and be among a very dedicated group of people and great bunch of guys.

Graham had previously given me Wayward's card and as I prepared to leave (reluctantly) both Andrew and Graham invited me to visit the team anytime at their studio in Bristol. They said they would give me a grand tour, show me the material they've gathered to create B-17 II and the progress of their work.

That was the icing on the cake, I was overwhelmed, I couldn't believe that the creators of B-17 II: The Mighty Eighth had invited ME! to see what goes into B-17, DAMN!. I thanked them all, shook hands and left. What a day, what an unforgettable, magnificent, awesome day.

Thank you again Wayward, Graham Davis, Ken Hall, Dominic Robinson and Andrew Walrond for your time and help at ECTS.

For our lengthy interview, go to B17 II Interview.

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