[Publisher's Note - 2005-02-01: Our first article on TAS (this page), run in 1997, resulted in COMBATSIM.COM taking a lot of heat because we were unaware that Paul Hinds (if that was his real name), the producer of the TAS simulation, was already well known in the Air Warrior / WarBirds community as something of a scam artist who never had any of the creditials he claimed.

After we were alerted to Mr. Hinds suspicious past, we managed to get this interview out of him where he very weakly denied all the allegations levied against him. Once this interview was published, it only raised the volume of the outrage from those who had past dealings with him and so we tried in earnest to contact Mr. Hinds via telephone. By then, however, he and his sim, had evaporated into the ether.

From that moment forward, we cast a very critical eye upon every new grassroots simulation and took the stance that we'd believe it when we saw working code and not before. This was too bad because there were plenty of grassroots projects, run by people with good and honest intentions (something Mr. Hinds obviously never had), and they would've benefitted had we been able to promote their fledging simulations more enthusiastically from the start. This article is reproduced here as a reminder to all that even in the world of combat simulations, there's always going to be those who would try to take advantage of us. Let's hope this remains an isolated case.]

1997 will be THE year of the flight simulation, and the Internet is one of the main vehicles that will make this true. There are TWO incredible pieces of simulation in the works for all those WB and AW fans, and for others who have avoided that particular pursuit because "suspension of disbelief" in the form of great graphics had not yet arrived. TAS is one, and Confirmed Kill by Eidos International will be the other....

Pro-Line Software is preparing to introduce its first multi-player air sim for the internet: Tactical Aero Squadron. The ßeta version of their Battle of Britain module will be available for download soon. Tactical Aero Squadron will encompass the entire European Theater of Operations from the B.O.B. to Berlin - 1945. They has photo-realism and flight so real you'll puke!

Pro-Line is headed by Paul "Voss" Hinds. Paul is a former USAF F16 Viper pilot who also happens to own and fly his own P-51 Mustang! It also happens that he has flown a Spitfire and the only flying Me-109 in the world.

Ah-hem! Yes, you got that right, there is NO ONE better qualified to develop a new internet based multi-player WWII Battle of Britian scenario. It also helps that since his stint in the USAF, Paul has acquired a couple of PhDs...

Pro Line is based in Austin, Texas. Paul "Voss" Hinds is the main programmer for TAS and the driving force behind the project (along with co-developer Michael "Amok" Hobuss). Paul and Michael seem determined to put together the ultimate WarBirds and Air Warrior killer, and they are well poised to succeed! They intend to feature the entire European W.W.II conflict, from the Battle of Britain to Berlin '45.

As you will see by the screen shots, photo-realism is close to the truth! According to Pro-Line, there will be an intense and target rich environment, including trains to shoot at, German rockets to deal with, and fields being captured. Other features include the most realistic flight models yet, voice communications (hardware dependent), editable artwork for Aces, and gun cameras with editable viewpoints. Theres more, but some features remain under wraps til the release.

TAS will evolve from the BOB into TAS - FEW, meaning "Full European War," which will require MULTIPLE CD-ROMs and which only registered users will acquire. TAS- FEW will cover an enormous area, comprising all of Europe and North Africa. Pro-Line will allow hundreds of players into this huge world, with a greater variety of aircraft than either Warbirds, AW or CK.

Eventually Pro Line will offer BOB as a limited ten thousand sq. mile arena, giving W.W.II fans a chance to get into the world of TAS, but BOB will then be available as freeware. At this point entry into the TAS arena will be on a fee basis.

TAS will achieve a number of firsts in its foray into simming. Simultaneous voice ability will be present, as well as text macros for sending messages. The realism of the cockpit environment, with the pilot needing to pay attention to carb heat, fuel mixtures, etc. will also be unprecedented. Allied radar will be modelled. Attention to detail in the dynamic environment will include the need to fly recon patrols, effect of fog on radar, modelling of ground damage with realistic repair and replacement times, and other details that remain secret.

In AW and WB The "revolving credit" of continual life renewal has its disadvantages. Ever kill enemy planes one by one, only to have a constant wave of the same pilots engage you until finally succumbing? TAS will change that by virtue of a "death penalty." Fail to bring your body back (death or capture), and pilots will be flying a cargo plane or rear escort duty for a day until being "restored". The penalties are not final as yet and like the entire project will evolve through the testing phase. Any personal aircraft adornment will also have to be earned after death.

As for hardware requirements, the engine is optimized to allow a fast 486 to join the fray, though not at high resolutions. 3d hardware will also be supported, allowing high resolutions with high color depth AND fast frame rates.

For a play by play diary from the perspective of a new Luftwaffe pilot, go to

TAS Diary