Archive No.1 "Polikarpov I-16 Spinners in IL2FB" 

One of the most frustrating problems in IL2FB right now must be the two spinners applied to the I-16 aircraft in
the game. The versions are generic enough as it is; these spinners have made the situation much worse than it
needs to be. 

Basically, the engine cowling restricts us to versions of the I-16 from the Type 17 onwards. With the six-outlet
arrangement, we cannot accurately skin the Type 10 (what a shame). Looking to the available options, then, the
only I-16 variant which matches either game aircraft is the Type 28; this is analogous to IL2FB's "Type 24". Here
we see the rounded flared-base spinner and armament of 2 x ShVAK in the wings with 2 x ShKAS in the cowling.

Of course, a number of changes need to be made to the basic template to render an I-16 Type 28, but happily
the latest template for this aircraft goes a long way towards that goal. The game's "Type 18", however, matches
no version of the I-16. But, with a mere change in spinner and/or armament, it would be very possible to have a
proper Type 24, and a proper Type 17; both were critically important variants during the I-16. 

I suspect the only way to accomplish this change is with some code Hex Editing. I wonder if it would be possible
to change the identity bytes either for the spinner or the guns? If it were possible, we could put the ShVAK
cannon in the wings of the current "Type 18" and make a proper I-16 Type 17. The spinner would then be
correct, and the performance of this version is pretty close. That would be very satisfactory. 

Similarly, the much the same could be done to the "Type 24" and make it into a real Type 24 by placing two
ShKAS machineguns in the wings. Again, the game performance would be acceptable, and the details would
match. 

Any thoughts out there? Does anyone know about the possibilities of Hex Editing in this way?