Hi Again,
I just wanted to say thank you for the expertise and patience that everyone here has shown me in working with my Bombay install to 4.12.2m SAS Modact v 5.3. It has been a long and winding road, but persistence has paid off! I now have a flyable Bombay in my game along with AI and a useable SSP. Here is how I did it.
I uninstalled the plane completely, all folders and files) so I could get a fresh start. I may have been over thinking this so I decided to make it as straightforward and simple as possible. My first step was not to bother with anything that didn't have to do with the flyable plane, so I didn't bother downloading the AI version. I decided not to try and confuse myself by trying to interpret (or over interpret) the readme and just went ahead with the install as I usually do. I unzipped the .7z file for the 06_Bristol_Bombay_FLY and dropped the plane folder into the SAS folder and left everything inside alone. I then opened the read me and copied and pasted the relevant air.ini. Then I started the game and checked that I had a flyable version and that all controls worked. Then I added the plane.properties and weapons.properties lines into their respective files. After each addition I would restart the game and ensure that the plane was working properly. I then dropped the 01_ Weapons_USA_GB folder into the games folder. At each one of these steps I saved the work and exited and rebooted the game to make sure nothing caused a CTD and tried going to the QMB screen to see what would show up and at the end clicked FLY and my plane appeared with full control over all the control surfaces and the throttles. I also decided to try installing the SSP, being careful at each step as this is where I think the previous crashes were occurring. I started by dropping the 05_SSP_Bristol_Bombay folder into the SAS folder. I added the stationary.ini and technics.ini lines to the [Self_StationaryPlanes] and Self Stationary Planes sub headings I had created under each category, self checking after each entry for crashes. Finding none, I proceeded to the FMB and found the plane (with picture) in the aircraft library. I then selected a map and placed the SSP Bombay on it clicked enter and was able to view it. I then tried to save the test and was successful. I now have a flyable Bombay with working AI and a working SSP. I hope this helps others.
I would like to add that I still have only half the bombardier's position, which is OK, but even though loading the information from the Weapons folder I still have only three options, default 8x250 lb and 8x250SP. I don't have the parachutists or the cargo. But this is nitpicking as everything else works and I can use the plane for what I need. Thanks again to all who contributed and helped the new kid.
NavyAce