Operation Wolf gun

[LordDamo]

Hi all, been a while since ive posted, but now chrisse's over I can devote a bit more time to my "arcading".

I bought a Operation Wolf gun today off Australian Ebay. Im wondering if anyone know of a tute/how-to/info page on connecting one of these up for use with mame.

Ive read 1up's site on the T2 guns. But, he didnt really go into much detail about what he did, except to say that he used a Duel Strike hack similar to the one for the star wars yoke, which is really well documented.

Do I need to use a Duel strike in order to interface this gun with a PC or is this just one way of doing it?

Any help or suggestions anyone can provide will be most appreciated. I havne actually gotten the gun yet, as the Auction only ended a few hours ago..

Thanks in Advance . . .

[Lilwolf]

I thought OpWolf used an optical gun but had it mounted.  So if  you unhooked it, you could pick it up and point it around.

but the more I think about it... I don't remember a bunch of flashes ingame.

Once you get it, it will be obvious....

If its a pot based gun... Then there are two good solutions.

Best solution
1) Get an AKI board.  Its a super easy 5 axis arcade joystick -> usb board.  It has 16 buttons  and 5 axis (so 2 guns and a gas pedal?).  Easy wiring with screw terminals. 

2) Dualstrike hack.  Not a super hard hack... but its soldering... luckly 1/2 of the connectors where offboard so you have a connector to crimp too... Only one pot needs to be removed (cant remember if there where any mounted buttons).  But its discontinued and you have to go ebay.  Last I looked they where going for about 10 + shipping... maybe 18 bucks to your door.

both of these acted the same (have both... and wired so I can swap them back / forth for testing.

I use the AKI in my system..

[SeaMonkey]

This is an optical gun, in spite of the way it looks. I know, I bought one.

I have heard that there is a conversion kit that uses a similar looking gun, but it is positional. I have never found this kit.
Similar games, with simlar looking guns are usually positional.

I do not believe that Mame supports this kind of light gun, but I am not sure.

[LordDamo]

This is an optical gun, in spite of the way it looks. I know, I bought one.

I have heard that there is a conversion kit that uses a similar looking gun, but it is positional. I have never found this kit.
Similar games, with simlar looking guns are usually positional.

I do not believe that Mame supports this kind of light gun, but I am not sure.

So in other words your telling me ive wasted my money if im trying to use this with mame. I thought that optical guns were supported by mame.

Anyone else know anything about these guns?

[SeaMonkey]

I know that Mame supports optical guns made for Windows, but I seem to remember a discussion about it not supporting "true" optical guns, like the Happs gun replacements for Police Trainer, and so forth. I may be wrong about that however....

Okay..no I was right. Here is the thread:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,24229.0.html

However I DO have an analog (positional) gun harness and mechanism that has no gun SHELL on it.

We may be able to work a deal if you want to put your gun on my positional mechanics.

[LordDamo]

Ahh, ok - thanks seamonkey. The info about these guns seems to be pritty thin on the ground. Im downloading the Op. Wolf manual at the moment to see if it may sheed any light.

Its going to be a while till I accually make use of this gun though, but when you see something like this you kinda just got to snap it up, you know?

If I cant get the optics to work in this, then I can always gut it and turn it into a pot based gun I guess, but im loth to do this. For all I know, the optics may be bad anyway, which im led to beleave is a common prob with these guns.

It would be sooooo cool though to have this on a cab though. Im looking at making a dedicaded cab with just shooting games on it to make use of this gun. Im also wondering about how to get the solenoid to work for feed back.

Anyone who might be able to help with comments/ seggestions is always welcome to throw in there tuppence worth.

[SeaMonkey]

Oh my word! The solenoid issue!!!!

Yes, we would all like to know the answer to that one. Better minds than ours were bent and broken on this subject.

Check this long thread out:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,587.0.html

On the up side, maybe they just THINK it is an Operation Wolf gun.
Do you have a picture of it?

I heard once that there was a Mame driver hack that sent the solenoid data, via the LED output, but that seems to be vapor-ware, sadly.

[LordDamo]

Heres a few Pics. and the item on Australian Ebay. I only won it yesterday, so I dont have it just yet.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=6144425057&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT

Looks like an op wolf gun to me, though I havn't seen one since I was 15 or so and played it in the bowling alley here in Wagga Wagga. The Alley is long since closed down and has been demolished, so now chance of going to check.

There was talk of an arcade opening here sometime soon, and ive seen the shop its going into. But it still has the "opening soon" sign on the door. I check it every few days . . . . . .

[SeaMonkey]

I think you are right, but it seems to be missing a couple of pieces.

Paige will probably be along soon to make a def ID.

[LordDamo]

Really? What pieces is it missing??? Yep, I was thinking of typing "attention Paige" in the subject line when I first posted. He Is da man when it comes to ID'ing parts and such. I'll leave it for a bit and PM him later.

[SeaMonkey]

I think there is supposed to be a secondary "sight" toward the barrel, and then....the barrel.




Look at the reflection and you will see a wide gromit and the barrel sticking out of that even further.

Then look at the card that shows the same thing:




The folks that sold that to you mis-represented the gun. It clearly says in the auction, "This arcade gun is complete" and they also suggest you MAME it, which if it is what they say....you can't.

[LordDamo]

From the pic you posted, I think your right. However - from what I remember of playing this game, the cab and gun looked totally different to what you posted. I played it in a few places and they were all the same. Might have been a different design here in Australia. I'll see if I can find some other pics to try and confirm it

[SeaMonkey]

The sights coming off is pretty common, but it looks like in addition to that they replace the optic at some point and couldn't/didn't get the barrel back on. It looks from the pic of your gun that the optical sensor is exposed.

[ponyboy]

Hello.  By looking at your pic's this is an Operation Wolf Gun.  When Op Wolf came out I was the Parts Manager for Taito.  The gun is missing the Barrel Assy.  Without this piece the gun cannot operate.  There is a lens in the barrel.  Just to let you know once you receive the gun I can go over it with you.  I also stock 75% of the gun parts.  I am the exclusive parts distributor for Taito for games manufactured from 1987 - 1996.

Ponyboy

[LordDamo]

Hello. By looking at your pic's this is an Operation Wolf Gun. When Op Wolf came out I was the Parts Manager for Taito. The gun is missing the Barrel Assy. Without this piece the gun cannot operate. There is a lens in the barrel. Just to let you know once you receive the gun I can go over it with you. I also stock 75% of the gun parts. I am the exclusive parts distributor for Taito for games manufactured from 1987 - 1996.

Ponyboy

WOW!!! Very pleased to meet a guy of your stature on this forum. It would be great to work with you trying to get this gun back to a useable state. What are your thought's of trying to interface this gun with mame? Is it possible or am I wasting my time.

If you want, i'll PM you my Email address so we can talk off the board rather than clutter it with too much back and forth.

Thanks in advance.

[SeaMonkey]

If you want, i'll PM you my Email address so we can talk off the board rather than clutter it with too much back and forth.

NOT ON YOUR LIFE!!!

Remember my post above...I bought one of these too!!

[ponyboy]

No Problem.

Ponyboy

[LordDamo]

NOT ON YOUR LIFE!!!

Remember my post above...I bought one of these too!!

Dont have a corinary man, I was gonna post the results, honest! If I can get this going I intend to write up a walk-through so other ppl can do this too. Share and share alike I always say.

Im mainly wanting to PM ponyboy so I can discuss pricing of the required nozzle/lens and shipping ect . . .

[Bones]

Good buy Damo! I was considering also bidding. 

I know exactly where this seller is as I went out to see him a few months ago. If your looking for anything else (marquee retainers, bezels etc), this guy will probably also have something to offer. He has what I would describe as a

[LordDamo]

Thanks for the heads up bones! Dont think i'll be able to get much more this week though, in getting this gun ive already maxed out my "play money". Hmmmmm, maybe I need a second job to support my arcade purchaces. Better than supporting a coke habit I guess.

Penrith is quite a way from me, as I live in Wagga. Nothing like a junkyard or arcade parts here.

I went to an auction the other day, its a auction house that sells cars and general stuff. They had a TMNT 4 player cab that had been converted to a goldern tee 2 () it went for $400 - man I wish I was able to bid! I was there with $100 in my pocket in case no-one else wanted it, oh well, always next time . . .

[Bones]

Let me know if you want me to pick it up. It's only about 1/2 hour from my place and I wouldn't mind going out there for a second look anyway....

I can freight it to you at no charge if you want. (via Australian Air Express through work)

BB

[LordDamo]

Let me know if you want me to pick it up. It's only about 1/2 hour from my place and I wouldn't mind going out there for a second look anyway....

I can freight it to you at no charge if you want. (via Australian Air Express through work)

BB

Really? That would be great mate, thanks - i'll get in touch with the seller and get back to you ASAP. I'll see what else he has for offer. I do need a marquee retainer too, thanks for the suggestion.

[Bones]

It would be my pleasure. Us Aussies have gotta help each other!

I just PM'd you with my details.

[M3talhead]

Wait. Let me get this straight. Are we saying the Operation Wolf guns might actually work in MAME? Who has schematics or interface rigs?

[SeaMonkey]

I will have to put my chips on no.

Most light gun games, like police trainer, flash when you pull the trigger to mark where you are pointing.

In Operation Wolf, the screen flashed the entire time so that your cursor was always displayed where your gun was pointing, with little if any lag.

In Mame the screen doesn't flash at all, so no, this will not work with Mame. Quite simply the game isn't fully emulated.

[edit] I could be wrong, however that has been my understanding. [end edit]

[Bones]

I reckon just to have the gun is a win. With a bit of work (even if it has to be "potted"), it would be a unique addition to a dedicated cab.

Perhaps future MAME versions might support this type of gun anyway...... 

[LordDamo]

Wait. Let me get this straight. Are we saying the Operation Wolf guns might actually work in MAME? Who has schematics or interface rigs?

No, this gun, as is, wont work with mame. Ive checked it out. I got it as a future project piece. I dont know weather im going to make a dedicated Op. Wolf cab (buy buying the PCB), see if I can gut it and turn it into a pot based gun (like the T2 gun, using the duel strike hack or an AKI board, or ive seen a hack using 100K pots that wire direct into the game port) or if im just going to keep it with the hope that MAME one day supports this kind of optical light gun and Op. Wolf is correctly emulated.

In other words, im keeping my options open.

Also, as Ponyboy has responded to this thread and he is the exclusive parts distributor for Taito, he might be able to come up with something.

Are the plans anywhere for an Operation Wolf Cabinet? Havn't checked Jakobud's site yet, so im off to check it now.

[SeaMonkey]

There are NO plans or drawings of any gun cabinet, in spite of all of my pitiful begging, pleading and whining....

**tears**

Please dear LORD please somebody take measurements, including the slanted mirror mounting....

**sob**

[aristotle]

I have an Operation Wolf mounted gun as well.  It looks like you are missing the mounting brace as well (since the gun swivels).  If you are lucky, the ratchet noise maker might still work in the gun

If anyone has any information on converting an Operation Wolf Gun to a positional with pots, lemme know!

[LordDamo]

I have an Operation Wolf mounted gun as well. It looks like you are missing the mounting brace as well (since the gun swivels). If you are lucky, the ratchet noise maker might still work in the gun

If anyone has any information on converting an Operation Wolf Gun to a positional with pots, lemme know!

Thanks for posting to this thread. What does the mounting brace look like. Could one be fabricated? I will be getting my gun in two days time (thanks again to BrokenBones1!!!!!) once it arrives im going to be going over the gun with ponyboy. If you read his posts a bove, he knows quite a bit about them. Dont know if it can be converted to a positional gun or not - i'll check it out once it gets here.

What do you think? could it be done? Im thinking of either using a aki board or a M$ sidewinder hack like 1UP's T2 hack.

[aristotle]

It should be possible to fabricate one though it would be easier to just get your hands on one.

[LordDamo]

Thanks for the stunningly accurate ascii art aristotle , I had already worked out the sections you showed would look like they did Its also good to know that a few other ppl have these guns, and this thread is going to help ppl out with getting there guns going too.

Im also looking for someone with an Op. Wolf cab who might be willing to measure it up so the dimentions can be submitted to jakobud. Ive already contacted him about doing it and all he needs is the dementions.

I'll hopefully have my gun in the morning and be able to start looking at it tomorrow.

Would be good if you can take a few photos of the bracket too. Thanks in advance.

[LordDamo]

Ok, the gun just arrived!!! It looks as per the images ive posted earlier in this thread.

Its a bit worse for wear though. Got a bit of rust in it. I'll have to strip it and give it a bit of sand to remove the surface rust and repaint/spray it.

I'll repost once ive got it apart and had a look inside and see if this thing can be converted to a pot gun or not.

The buttons are a bit stiff too. The grenade button was a bit stuck but after a little preasure it freed up. The start button is a different matter though, wont budge a bit. Hmmmmm . . .

[LordDamo]

Ok, ive had a look inside the gun. Bit dusty and a little worse for wear, but ok accounting for the age.

Heres the first pic I just took. Sorry about the image quality, the only digital camera I have is in my moblie phone.

Anyway, heres the overall view of inside the gun.

<defence>
  No this isn't some form of extention of my male ego.
   Only way I could hold it to get a photo
</defence>

[LordDamo]

Ok, next pic is the motor that drives the ratchet/force feedback.

As you can see, the red stuff that joins the motor to the rest of the gear system is broken and smashed to peices.

It should be able to be replaced. The motor itself seems to revolve ok, but im going to need to either replace it or put some new gears or something  in.

[LordDamo]

here's a closer pic

[LordDamo]

Next is the optic board, looking still intact, though no way to test it yet so cant be sure.

[LordDamo]

And lastly, heres the ratchet/force feed back gear system.

Looks like this is still working ok as it moves freely and does what its ment to do.

I think i'll be able to get this working because it looks like its wired so that when the trigger is pressed it starts the motor which turns the gear system, starting the feed back.

This might be the better gun to put on a cab, as it dosnt have the same sort of solenoid system as the T2 gun, which is alot more complicated.

Ive also pulled the base box appart. It looks like I might be able to attach a pot to the side of the pivot for up and down movement.
I'll have to glue a bush to the oppisite side that the nut and then glue the pot into the bush (No, im not talking about a type of shrub, im talking about a small ring of metal used as a spacer).

For the left to right movement, I shoould be able to do the same thing.

Im thinking of doing something like this: http://www.trimoor.com/rotary_joystick/index.htm

Or this: http://www.gunpowder.freeserve.co.uk/wheels/wiring.htm

If anyone has comments, querys or wants to contribute some ideas, let me know.

[Minwah]

If anyone has comments, querys or wants to contribute some ideas, let me know.

Don't interface the gun as a mouse - it'll probably lose calibration.  Use pots: The 'BYO steering wheel method' would be OK or interface with an AKI (preferred for ease).

[LordDamo]

Hmm, true. Thanks for that Minwah. I was thinking the  'BYO steering wheel method' was better, only prob I would have with the AKI board would be th cost.

And to be honest, would it really be that much better? I would be easier though, true enough.

If I did it using the 'BYO steering wheel method', would I calibrate it with the joystick calibration wizard in the control panel? (Im using win 2K). I assume i would, but its good to confirm.