Open Falcon 4.

5 Install Guide
For the 1st Virtual Fighter Wing
www.1stvfw.com

Updated 12/12/08

Requirements:

• A Windows-based PC: Win2000, WinXP, Vista

• Original Microprose Falcon 4.0 Installation CD
• Open Falcon 4.5 OIC
• Rapace Launcher - Open Falcon.zip

Install Guide

1. Install Falcon 4.0 using your original Microprose Falcon 4.0

installation CD. Perform either a "typical" or "full" installation.
2. Download the Open Falcon 4.5 One-Click-Installer (OCI) found -
HERE
3. Extract the files to a folder on your desktop
4. Download this file, found - HERE
5. Extract the BAZT Fix file to the “Packages” folder of your
installation files
6. Inside the extracted folder double click the Installer.exe
7. Read and accept the License Agreement…

8. The Open Falcon Installer window opens. All options except

"Music (Beta 4.0)" and "GUI Season Switcher (v1.1)" are grayed
out. Check both of these to "on" and click "install".
 9. The "HiTiles Selector" window opens. Choose the option in the
middle labeled as “Better Quality” in the image below

10. Allow the Open Falcon Installer to operate. The Open Falcon
installation process can take 30mins - 1 hour depending on PC

11. Near the end of the installation process (Update 5) the "Global
Falcon Patch (OF 4.5)" window will prompt you to patch your
"F4-BMS.exe". Use the "..." button to browse to your Falcon
install directory and select the "F4-BMS.exe". Click "Start".
12. The "F4Patch - Open Falcon 1.0 Config Editor" will open. Click
"Exit" without making any changes.

13. Installation of Open Falcon is complete. Close the Open Falcon

Installer.

Continue to next page to set IVC (In Voice Comms). IVC

means we use the radios in the jet instead of Teamspeak to
communicate. It adds realism because we can switch radio
channels and use both the UHF and VHF radios in the jet.
You need to do the following steps before you can use or
host IVC.
Setting Up Internal Voice Comms (IVC)
1. Navigate to your Falcon installation folder and run
"VoiceSetup.exe". Follow the very simple instructions using the
"Sound Hardware Test Wizard". This program initializes the IVC
(In-game Voice Communications) software embedded into Open
Falcon. The 1st VFW uses IVC regularly for online flight
communications.

Setting Up the Open Falcon Rapace Launcher

Introduction - The OF Rapace Launcher (RL) has been basically designed as a
command line editor for Open Falcon. Actually it has become more than that, since it
performs various checks to ensure the best multiplayer compatibility. What makes
the RL unique is to allow the host of an upcoming flight to share the crucial items
that are needed to ensure the maximum compatibility between host and clients
(which means no CTDs or errors). All 1st VFW pilots are required to use the Rapace
Launcher when flying OF. It makes sure everyone has the same settings before we
launch the sim, in addition to offering troubleshooting when we have problems. To
ensure all our pilots have the same settings, we provide a set up config file that will
overwrite your settings so they match ours.

What does the Rapace Launcher do? - Upon starting, the RL integrates with the
registry, FalconBMS.cfg, phonebook.ini, theater.lst file, various tdf files, TE .ini files
and the rapace_launcher.cfg (for the "preferences") file. It checks for your WAN IP,
you LAN IP and your VPN IP if you got one running. It also checks if there's an
update available. You'll be warned in such a case. It also features an Installation
switcher enabling you to switch between valid OF Installations. If you got a TM
Cougar running, its status and current joystick file will be detected. The TrackIr
detection has also been implemented. The RL will let you know when it needs to be
updated.\
1. Download the Rapace Launcher files - HERE
2. Extract the contents of Rapace Launcher to location OUTSIDE of
your Falcon 4 installation folder. Once extracted, run Rapace
Launcher - Open Falcon\OF_Rapace_Launcher.exe.
3. After a short delay the Rapace Launcher window will open and
will prompt you to automatically update the current OF version.
Select "No".

4. The Rapace "OF Launcher" window opens. Select "RL UPDATER"

to check for and automatically update the OF Launcher. Rapace
Launcher will restart.

5. Select the "Online Setup" tab, find and select "FreeBirds VFW"
from the "Public servers list" and select "Automatic Setup".
ALTERNATE METHOD: Copy and paste the following text into the
"URL OR Local path to Setup file" field, and click "Download and
Setup"...

http://www.firstfighterwing.com/1stVFW/1stVFWsetup.txt
 Put the link (above) in the URL path. Make sure there are no spaces
before or after the link, then hit Download and Set Up.

6. Rapace Launcher will download the 1st VFW standard setup

configuration and when successful will indicate "the connections
parameters have been updated". Click "OK".
Some pilots report seeing an "Autolt Error" after clicking
"Download and Setup".

If you receive this error follow the steps below...

• Hit LAUNCH on the RL to start OF

• Open the "Theater" selector, deselect/reselect the "Korea" KTO
theater and press "OK".

SEE IMAGE BELOW

 It doesn’t matter what theater you switch to. Just change the
theater, click OK, and then change it back to KOREA. You have to do
this because the 1st VFW set up file may have a different theater
selected then you do.

1. Configuration of the Rapace Launcher is complete. Close the

Rapace Launcher.

Your 1st Virtual Fighter Wing Standard Installation is complete. New

pilots: make sure you read the following documents before flying your
Ferry Flight.

1st VFW Multiplayer SOPs - HERE

1st VFW In-Flight SOPs - HERE

1st VFW OF Connection SOPs (for OF only) - HERE

See this thread for additional information (such as the Ferry Flight
download package) - HERE