Question on modding etiquette

[Taffy6]

Dear brothers,

I'm looking for some advice on modding etiquette from the community. I have tried the search feature but haven't exactly found an answer.

I am in the "build" stage of a full-on 1985-era MC DF-85 campaign after over two years of research, OOB building, unit-art gathering, doctrinal study etc. I am basically completely re-building the default West Germany 1985 campaign from the ground up, with a heavily researched and accurate 1985-era OOB (I hope, best 28 months of work and re-work could create). I will probably call it "Zapad-85" in honor of the original concept of attack by Tiller, Saunders and Blackie, Dave Gillies, Mark Breed, Marc Bellizzi and first modified by Edward "Volcano Man" Williams.

The unit combat values are mostly based on Tazaaron's Bolt from the Blue 4.7 and/or in some cases default vanilla, but set in 1985 and with a few minor changes. I have also borrowed and/or lifted concepts from Zemke's WWIII and Volcano Man's ALT campaigns in regards to operational concepts like Move Points, terrain effects, some PDT values, etc etc. I have also put together what I consider to be an extremely plausible WP attack scenario complete with Soviet-led Frontal organizations and a realistic WP command and control structure, an accurate NATO alert and reinforcement schedule, a realistic casus-belli, strategies etc etc.

Before I even contemplate releasing version 1.0 for play testing, I was curious as to what other experienced modders might have to say about modding etiquette in this community? For example, I am not an artist, but the counter art I have built this mod upon is almost entirely built on Bolt out of the Blue or else Zemke's WWIII counter art, plus stuff done by Volcano, plus stuff I have publically picked up here and there from other people. I have been working on this mod for so long that I cant even find some of the sources of the art any more, for example the "UW" tank package released by I think Mikayl (?). The art is fantastic, but other than some repaints here and there, it is not my work. I also use Jison's Map Mod, so "Zapad-85" will be 100% compatible with it and [thus not included] but fantastic to behold when meshed.

Anyway, almost none of this work except for the hundreds of hours spent in scenario research (why attack, how attack, where attack etc etc) is mine. 90% of it is based on the fantastic work of others, work I have enjoyed playing and studying, some of whom don't seem to hang out at the Blitz anymore as far as I can tell. For those who I can contact, I of course will be privately asking for permission before I kick off any release.

My question to the modders in the community is, when you release a mod based on the work of others, how do you proceed when you can't get in touch with the original author upon whose work your own is based? Did I miss a posted modding guide somewhere on the Blitz?

I'm still quite a ways out from first release, and will be collaborating with some Blitzer's here for help with playtesting, scenario construction etc. Just wanted to get a head start on the "Get Permission" part so as not to inadvertently plagiarize or steal.

Regards,
Taffy