README.TXT - March 24, 1995
=============================

To run the program, type 'gab' after changing to the "gab" directory.

A joystick is highly recommended for use with this game.  To edit the game 
setup (i.e calibrating your joystick, changing options, etc.), hit the 
escape key during the simulation.

DISCLAIMER:
===========

Even though I have THOROUGHLY tested this program on my computer, I cannot
guarantee how it may react on other machines.  This program is provided 
as-is.  "Use at your own risk."

HISTORY:
========

I started working on this game in December of 1993, and finally, 15 months
later, I have finished it.  The information in this file (i.e. registration
fees, etc) superceeds all previous information in older copies of the demo.

CREDITS:
========

The flight simulator was created with Domark's "Flight Simulator Toolkit."
(c) Domark/Simis.

The shell was created with Borland's "Turbo Pascal v.7.0" (c) Borland.

NOTES:
======

If you have a THRUSTMASTER joystick, I would suggest that you set it up as a 
generic joystick when you do the setup.

ALT-M is used to view the map.  Your aircraft is represented by a white dot.  
For this scenario, you will see the island of Oahu.  

For the level bombing missions, hit enter until you have 'activated' the 
bombs, then you can use the F9 key to look down.  Keep on looking down until 
you see a green crosshair on the screen.  This 'bomb scope' is used to aim 
when dropping bombs on enemy targets.  To return to the cockpit view, hit 
ALT-V  or F10 a couple times to look back up.  

To view the outside of your aircraft, hit the V key, and use the function keys 
for different viewpoints.  F7, F8, F9, and F10 are for panning.  ALT-V returns
you to the cockpit screen.

Rudder keys are < and >.  To turn your engine off and on, use the E key.  To 
increase/decrease throttle, use the number keys or the + and - keys.

Your aircraft can be damaged several ways, including hits by enemy AA and 
machine gun fire, exploding debris, and collisions.  When dropping bombs, 
keep at an adequate height to avoid blast damage.  When attacking bombers 
armed with rear gunners, it is in your best interest not to attack straight 
from the back.

KEY COMMAND SUMMARY:
====================

Function Keys - Used for viewing.
ALT-V         - Return to cockpit view.
SHIFT-F1      - Look behind.
F4            - Toggle looking "up" and "down"
ENTER         - Toggle weapons.
SPACEBAR      - Use weapon.
S             - Flap controls.
L             - Landing gear.
W             - Wheel breaks.
1-9           - Control throttle.
E             - Throttle engine on/off.
< and >       - Controls rudder.

AIRCRAFT:
=========
If you haven't flown WWII flight sims before, here is a bit more help:  

If you are flying an American fighter, do not try to dogfight Zeroes.  Your 
best bet is to use 'hit and run' tactics.  The major weakness of Japanese 
aircaft are their lack of armor and self-sealing fuel tanks.  Don't bother 
trying to dogfight-- just punch 'em full of holes.  

If you are flying for the Japanese, it is in your interest to avoid being 
hit at all costs.  Unlike American aircraft which are built like slow 
lumbering flying tanks, the Japanese aircraft are built for maneuverability.  
A few hits can easily vaporize any Japanese fighter or bomber.

     [PLANES IN THIS SCENARIO]
     P-26 Peashooter - US Army fighter, antiquated, unarmored
     P-36 Mohawk     - US Army fighter, decent fighter, relatively maneuverable
     P-40 Warhawk    - US Army fighter, the best (and pretty much only in 
                       large numbers) fighter available to the USAAF at the 
                       outbreak of war.  Underpowered compared to P-36, but 
                       more aerodynamic and faster
     F4F Wildcat     - USN, USMC fighter, best U.S. fighter available at the
                       outbreak of war.  Rather maneuverable, and very strong,
                       but not as maneuverable as Zero.
     A6M Zero        - Japanese fighter, phenomenal maneuverability, range, 
                       and performance, but has a lot to be desired in the way
                       of pilot protection 
     D3A Val         - Japanese divebomber, good bombing platform, lacks 
                       adequate armor, but stronger than a Zero.  Very 
                       maneuverable 
     BN1 Kate        - Japanese torpedo bomber, best torpedo bomber in the 
                       world at the outbreak of the war, chief weakness is 
                       lack of adequate pilot protection.  Stable bombing
                       platform.

     WEAPONS:
     ========
     AP bombs        - Used against armored targets such as ships

     Fragmentation   - Used against parked aircraft, troop concentrations, etc.

     Torpedoes       - Used against ships, must be dropped at about 100 feet 
                       above sea level, and your aircraft must be going no 
                       faster than 125 MPH

REGISTRATION INFO:
==================

The registered, full version will be available on March 24, 1995.  For a 
registration fee of ONLY $15, you will get the following battles:

        Pearl Harbor            Fly for either the U.S. or Japan on 
                                Dec. 7, 1941, the Day of Infamy.  
                                Includes both historic and hypothetical
                                missions.  What if the U.S. had acted
                                on intelligence reports?
        

        Wake Island             Fly for either the IJN or the USMC over
                                Wake Island.  


        Coral Sea               Take part in the first naval battle
                                during which opposing surface forces
                                never met.


        Midway                  In the decisive battle which turned the
                                tide of war in the Pacific, you have a
                                chance to relive history-- crushing the
                                Japanese, or fly for the IJN and attempt
                                to prevent the inevitable.


        Guadalcanal             The USMC has captured Guadalcanal from
                                the Japanese.  The "Cactus Airforce" 
                                must protect Henderson Field from the
                                "Tokyo Express."

        Solomon Islands         The Japanese are ready to recapture
                                Guadalcanal and the U.S. is determined to
                                stop them.  Fly for the USN, the USMC, or
                                the IJN.


        Santa Cruz              In the second Japanese attempt to capture
                                Guadalcanal, you can fly for either the
                                IJN or the USN in this historically
                                undecisive battle.

In each battle, you will have the opportunity to fly a number of missions
for both the Allies and the Japanese.  Fly aircraft such as the:

     P-26 Pea Shooter   P-36 Mohawk    P-40 Warhawk   F2A Buffalo   
             F4F Wildcat   SB2U Vindicator   SBD Dauntless   
           TBD Devastator   TBF Avenger   B17 Flying Fortress
          A6M Zero   A6M2N Rufe   D3A Val  B5N Kate   G3M Betty 

This is the first of a planned series of stand-alone flight simulation games.  
Other planned games include:

G.A.B.: 1943-1945 Pacific                                    
G.A.B.: Hypothetical: Operation Orange, Invasion of Hawaii, Invasion of Japan 
G.A.B.: Battle of France, Battle Of Britain, Invasion of Russia                
G.A.B.: 1931-1945 Battle of China                            


------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TO REGISTER:

Fill Out the following form and send to:

                CHARLES B. LAW
                C/O GARY BROOKS
                49-074 KAM HIGHWAY
                KANEOHE, HI 96744

------------------------------------------------------------------------------


NAME..............................................................

ADDRESS........................................................... 
       ...........................................................
       ...........................................................

Where did you find this demo?

( )Battle Stations! BBS   ( )Internet Site:.......................
( )Compuserve             ( )Prodigy
( )Other:.........................................................

Floppy Size (if applicable):   5.25 ......     3.5 ......   

NUMBER  ITEM                       PRICE EACH      TOTAL

......  GREAT AIR BATTLES: 41-42     $15.00        .....
        (if you are a member of
        the author's BBS, and will
        be downloading your copy)
        

......  GREAT AIR BATTLES: 41-42     $18.00        .....
        (if you will be sent the
        game on diskettes)
        

                        SHIPPING      $2.00        .....
        

                                  GRAND TOTAL      .....


Please send check or money order, payable to: Charles B. Law
Please allow up to 4-6 weeks for delivery (to allow for checks 
to clear).

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AUTHOR CAN BE CONTACTED AT:

BBS:
Battle Stations! BBS (Support Board) at (808)261-9776  28.8 Baud, 8-N-1

INTERNET:
CLAW@UHUNIX.UHCC.HAWAII.EDU

.................................................................
UPDATES, PATCHES, NEW SOFTWARE by the author can be found on both
the author's BBS and at the FTP site: WUARCHIVE.WUSTL.EDU
.................................................................
Your support is appreciated.

