realSKY Environment
January 13th, 2019 (1st Release)
by Menrva

>For Strike Fighters 2 games
This is my sky enhancement mod. It also combines the work of many other modders, in order to provide a realistic, better looking sky. Here below a quick summary of the changes:
-Tweaked sky colours, something in between Cellinsky's widesky and the stock SF2 colours.
-More realistic Night colours, sky and ambient are much darker.
-More atmospheric, reddish transition from Twilight to Night.
-New "dark blue" High Altitude colours (fly near space with a NF-104).
-Moon produces a yellowish light instead of the default purple.
-Sky is "wider" much like Cellinsky's widesky mod (background horizon clouds are bigger and more noticeable).
-Added beautiful cloud graphics made by Cellinsky and ShrikeHawk, tweaked for each weather type.
-Added a low number of stray clouds to Clear weather.
-Added noticeable clouds to Overcast weather and Inclement weather, "fixing" a known SF2 "bug".
-Combined various mods to produce a more interesting Rain Effect under Inclement weather.
-Added Stary's lens flare effects from the SARCASM 2 mod, in place of Cellinsky's widesky effects.
-Added Cloud Layer graphics by Stary, Fubar512 and Brain32.
-Reworked secondary atmospheric effects, such as contrails and wingtip vortexes.
In addition, the package includes alternative environment configuration files in the Alternative Weather folder; they enable different effects for the Inclement weather. You can choose between thunderstorm (default, adapt for most terrains), snowstorm (for cold, icy terrains) and sandstorm (for hot, desert terrains).
For those who wish not to change the effect globally, I highly suggest to try the included terrain-specific environment example provided for stock SF2 terrains; the default global effect is thunderstorm, while terrains with their own environment file either use sandstorm or snowstorm as appropriate. Use this as a basis to customize other terrains.
By setting the Effects to Unlimited, the game makes use of a DirectX 10 post processing effect; the stock game's post processing shader generates a pointless and horrible bloom effect which excessively blinds the player during twilight transitions.
By default, realSKY includes a reworked post processing shader (TWPOSTPROCESS.FX) which provides more contrast, more vignetting, minor color correction and a daytime-only bloom effect, so it's miles better than what the stock game offers. Alternative post processing tweaks are included in the Alternative Shaders folder; choose the one you wish to try (check the included screenshots for fast comparisons) and overwrite the default one in your mod's Flight folder.
If you don't care about the post processing effect, you may want to set the game's Effects to High in the Options menu.

>Credits (in no particular order):
-Cellinsky, for his fantastic widesky mod from which I borrowed some tweaks.
-Stary, for his Thunderstorm and Heavy Snowfall weather mods, and his SARCASM 2 beta mod from which I borrowed some effects.
-PanamaRed, for tweaks in regards to Clouds (especially the Broken weather ones).
-Fubar512 and Brain32, for their Cloud Layer Top bitmaps, which I have smoothed for a better looking effect.
-ShrikeHawk, for his CloudSkins mods, from which I took the spectacular cloud graphics.
-BearGryllis, for his Thunderstorm Pack With Enhanced Lightnings 2.0b package.
-Orsin, for his Improved Rain Effect and Heavy Rain 0.8 mods.
-luk1978, for his interesting WeatherEffect package.
-ArmedLightning, for his Special FX v2.2 mod for the GTR 2 game, from which I borrowed a lens flare effect.
-baffmeister, for the idea of recreating sandstorm weather effects.
-tiopilotos, for suggesting improvements on other subjects.
-Eagle114th, for his Improved Wingtip Vortex mod which I have reworked.
-JosefK, guuruu and Coupi, for their interest and support.
I included the original readme files from the mentioned mods, where available, to the end of giving proper credit to everyone involved directly or not.

>Disclaimer:
This is a freeware; yet it can be redistributed ONLY in other CombatACE mods/mod packages.
This mod may NOT in any way, shape or form be used in any payware additions.

NovaLogic Terrains
July 13th, 2021 (1st Release)
by Menrva and gerwin

>For Strike Fighters 2, Recommended Full-5 Merged
This package was born after the discovery of similarities between the terrain engine of Strike Fighters and that of NovaLogic's flight sims from the late nineties. Upon my initial idea, gerwin helped make it true with his incredible programming skills; without him, these terrains wouldn't even exist for use on Strike Fighters. This package features not one, not two, but all thirteen terrains converted from all NovaLogic's flight sims. Due to differences between game engines, these terrains are smaller in scale in Strike Fighters compared to how they are in NovaLogic's games. Here below a summary of what's included:
NL01_IslandGreen (Region: Meadow) from F-22 Lightning II
NL02_IslandSnowy (Region: Tundra) from F-22 Lightning II and F-22 Raptor
NL03_Desert1 (Region: Arid) from F-22 Lightning II and F-22 Raptor
NL04_Jungle1 (Region: Forest) from F-22 Lightning II and F-22 Raptor
NL04_Jungle2 (Region: Jungle) from F-16 Multirole Fighter and MiG-29 Fulcrum
NL05_Savannah1 (Region: Woodland) from F-22 Raptor
NL05_Savannah2 (Region: Savanna) from F-16 Multirole Fighter, MiG-29 Fulcrum and F-22 Lightning 3
NL06_Desert2A (Region: Brush) from F-22 Raptor
NL06_Desert2B (Region: Desert) from F-16 Multirole Fighter and MiG-29 Fulcrum
NL07_Steppe (Region: Steppe) from F-16 Multirole Fighter and MiG-29 Fulcrum
NL08_Scrub (Region: Scrub) from F-16 Multirole Fighter, MiG-29 Fulcrum and F-22 Lightning 3
NL09_Glacial (Region: Glacial) from F-16 Multirole Fighter, MiG-29 Fulcrum and F-22 Lightning 3
NL10_IslandJungle (Region: Tropical) from F-22 Lightning 3
These terrains feature 500m resolution heightmaps and original low-res tilesets (tweaked for the Strike Fighters engine). Each terrain is meant to represent a generic region of the world. Nations are properly limited to ones coherent with each setting, and island terrains enable the use of naval fleets and aircraft carriers. As such, these terrains are meant to be used in a full-5 merged mod folder of all SF2 titles. At this stage very few target areas have been added to each terrain, providing basic support for all mission types, so just enjoy quick missions against the enemy; hopefully these terrains will be completed with more details one day.
About development, gerwin took care of reverse engineering NovaLogic's files and converting them to SF2 format, plus writing the tools for that. Me and him manually fixed most water alpha channels and adjusted colors in few tiles. Design choices such as target areas, routes, terrain height and surroundings, are mine; if you have any suggestions about this package, contact me.

>Credits (in no particular order):
-gerwin, for converting these terrains to the Strike Fighters game engine and for expanding his awesome tools with new features. I included his very nice Airfield 7+8 Addon Pack, too.
-Wrench, for permission to upload this package which is based on outdated assets from old games.

>Disclaimer:
This is a freeware; yet it can be redistributed ONLY in other CombatACE mods/mod packages.
Any changes to the package's files and/or any copy-and-paste attempts of their contents are NOT authorized if you plan to release them in other mods. But permission might be granted to those who request it to me at CombatACE.
This mod may NOT in any way, shape or form be used in any payware additions.

Outer Space Terrains
July 13th, 2021 (1st Release)
by Menrva and nuni

>For Strike Fighters 2, Recommended Full-5 Merged
This package was born out of fun while working on the realSKY Environment enhancement mod. It features two experimental terrains, Moon and Mars, each with own environment data files which allow different gravity acceleration values and custom skies. Due to various hardcoded factors of the stock game, the Moon terrain shows contrail effects at very high altitude like any other terrain, as well as overcast/inclement weather layers which cannot be disabled in any way; enjoy these custom environments by taking such and other game engine limitations into account. It is suggested to install the realSKY Environment mod, since the custom environment data references extra details from that package.
Both terrains feature fresh new 250m resolution heightmaps (instead of the stock 500m resolution), allowing for greater details and precision in elevation changes; overall they provide each terrain with a better look. Given that these are extraterrestrial terrains, different types of source data had to be used in their creation; for this and other limitations, altitudes of geographical features are inaccurate.
The Moon terrain spans from 2040 to 2070, while Mars is available from 2060 to 2090; both are designed for fictional clashes between Red forces (Russian Space Forces and People's Liberation Army Strategic Support Force) and Blue forces (United States Space Force and French Space Force). Both terrains contain only two bases, one for Friendly forces and one for Enemy forces, fully populated with custom objects created by nuni. Few target areas have been added so that users can easily discover features such as craters, plateaus and valleys. At this stage, only the Recon mission type is available, so just have fun by flying over these barren terrains. Off Map bases have been added to both terrains and long range AI flights could be generated from them.
An Orion MPCV created by nuni in three different variants has been added as a flyable aircraft as well as a terrain object in points of interest. In addition, custom skins have been created for it so that all AI-only space forces spawn with at least one terrain-specific aircraft; I would have liked to include other feasible and realistic spacecraft, but none are available at this stage. If you wish to contribute to this end, just contact me. The idea is to create plausible space warfare and exploration scenarios, so alien and sci-fi stuff should not be involved. Of course, you're free to alter the original scenario for your own personal use.

>Credits (in no particular order):
-nuni, for creating the Orion MPCV and all featured space terrain objects.
-gerwin, whose TFDtool has proved to be essential in today's terrain making.
-mue, for the improved shaders he made and for the tools he made for SF2 modding.

>Disclaimer:
This is a freeware; yet it can be redistributed ONLY in other CombatACE mods/mod packages.
Any changes to the package's files and/or any copy-and-paste attempts of their contents are NOT authorized if you plan to release them in other mods. But permission might be granted to those who request it to me at CombatACE.
This mod may NOT in any way, shape or form be used in any payware additions.

Ukrainian airforce Su-24 Fencer digital camo
 
 
 
 

Charlie Vipers on Guard     Part 3: Block 40/42s in the 90s

This mod is the thrid of three to represent the various versions of the F-16C/D in US Air National Guard service during the 1990s. It was a busy time with potential conflicts in Korea and active operations ongoing over Iraq and the Balkans. This mod aims to show the
units as they were at that time.
Included
Team Viper F-16C Block 40 and 42
new F-16D Block 40 and 42 models
various period specific weapons and pilots
various ini edits to match the era
********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
NOTE: The D models have very few serial numbers to each unit. most units only had one or two family models. The best use for these is to add on as a member of a flight of single seaters.
The load outs are the same so you will be able to load teh same weapons.
***************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
SECOND NOTE: The 124th FS Skin in the Block 40 does only have one serial. This unit only had one Block 40 for a short time before it went to Europe. This serial (89-2032) was the same aircraft that CPT Scott O'Grady
was shot down in June 1995.
***************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Credits
Viper Team                  F-16C Blocks 40/42
ravenclaw_007            F-16D Blocks 40/42
killerbee331                 original weapons pack that many armaments are drawn from here
malibu43                      2_LAU-88 mod to carry 4 Maverick rather than 6
daddyairplanes           skins, tga work, much research, various ini edits, new TW inspired loading screens
test team                     NightshadeP/R, allenjb42, Niels, bigstone, Wrench, Coupi, Svetlin (MVP for this round!)

I hope you enjoy this mod as much as I enjoyed researching and creating it
daddyairplanes
aka Kevin Unruh
5 Sep 2022
*************************************************************
This is freeware; it CANNOT be distributed unless permissions are granted by myself.
The original readmes, if any, and all other pieces of the package MUST remain intact.
The names of all contributors, modders, suppliers, etc =MUST= be listed in any new readmes.
This package and any part of it may NOT in any way, shape, or form be used in any payware additions.
See the original readme documentation, if any, for further allowances and restrictions
Any persons wishing to make further modifications, contact me first.
Any persons wishing to make further modifications MUST remember to put everyone's name in it.
*************************************************************
THIS AIRCRAFT MOD OR ANY PART OF IT MUST NOT BE HOSTED OR
POSTED FOR DOWNLOAD ON ANY OTHER WEBSITE WITHOUT MY EXPRESS
PERMISSION, OR USED FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE THAN THIRDWIRE FLIGHT
SIMULATORS, AND MUST NOT BE SOLD OR OFFERED FOR SALE BY ITSELF
OR WITH ANY OTHER FILES OR MODS.
*************************************************************
*************************************************************
THIS AIRCRAFT MOD OR ANY PART OF IT MUST NOT BE HOSTED OR
POSTED FOR DOWNLOAD ON ANY OTHER WEBSITE WITHOUT EXPRESS
PERMISSION FROM THE COYOTE AEROSPACE TEAM, OR USED FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE THAN THIRDWIRE FLIGHT
SIMULATORS, AND MUST NOT BE SOLD OR OFFERED FOR SALE BY ITSELF
OR WITH ANY OTHER FILES OR MODS.
*************************************************************

SF2 F-86H "Sabre Hog" Pack by Zur, Yakarov79 & Wrench          8/29/2022
-For SF2 (Full 4/5 Merged Reccomended)-
The final culmination of a project that started 'way back in 2012 by Zur. Somewhere along the line, I recieved his max files and couldn't find anyone to finish the job. Fortunately for the SF community, Yakarov stepped up and took the challenge in the spring of this year (2022). That final result you see here!
We present to you the North American F-86H Sabre; the last of the Hot Rods!!!
You have a good selection of skins for various time frames in it's service life:
USAF "Front Line" Units"
50th FBW, USAFE (1953-57) Hahn AB, Germany
10th FBS
81st FBS
417th FBS 
533rd FDS, 83rd FBW (56-58) Seymour Johnson AFB NC
A generic NMF skin to build other units from. It carries the TAC badge on the tail fin. The decal ini is easily edited.
As the squadron markings are decals, there is one set of NMF skins used by all.
Air National Guard:
There are 2 versions of each of the following skins; one with "regular" markings presentation, the others with tail codes and Vietnam era serial presentations. The later VN style skin is as seen during the Pueblo Crisis when these ANG units were Federalized, and Based at Cannon AFB, NM from 5/68 through 12/68. All 4 skins are in SEA 3-tone camo.
104th TFS, Maryland ANG
138th TFS New York ANG
While national markings are 'painted on', all others are decals. All serial numbers are 100% historicley correct for the units shown, with only 1 exception -- for the 104th, I couldn't find the full 26, so the last 4 are marked with a (+) plus sign; consider these 'generic'. Decal randomization is TRUE for all skins. The SF2 date switch is active on pretty much all the skins. For those squadrons listed in the game's SquadronList ini, their displayed name has been activated by my "Fake SqTail decal" (patent pending)
To diferentiate =THIS= Sabre Hog from the other one (if you're able to obtain it), you'll see the following on the Aircraft selection drop-down listing:
F-86H Sabre Hog (Y)
The (Y) is for Yakarov, as he finished off the model.
All other necessary parts are included; sounds, drop tanks (built into the LOD), pilot figure, hangar and loading screens. All weapons use stock 3W items.
As is always reccomended, unzip to a temp folder or your desktop to give easy access to the rest of this readme for it's install instructions. PLEASE read them, before installing!!! 
Happy Landings!
Wrench
Kevin Stein
 

Air Defense Vipers
             F-16A/B ADFs in the 1990s
This mod  represents the various units that used the F-16A/B ADF in US Air National Guard service during the 1990s.
It also includes the ADFs that were provided to the Royal Jordanian Air Force in 1997. Featuring new F-16A/B Block 15 ADF models from ravenclaw_007.

Included
new F-16A and B Block 15 ADF variants from ravenclaw_007
various period specific weapons and pilots
various ini edits to match the era
new hangar and loading screens
NOTE: The B models have very few serial numbers to each unit. most units only had one or two family models. the
best use for these is to add on as a member of a flight of single seaters rather than as a flight of their own.
The load outs are the same so you will be able to load the same weapons.
*****************************************************************************************************************
LOADING SCREEN NOTE:   I will be including various loading screens with the diferent packs available.  In the          F-16B_B15ADF.ini you will find these lines
        LoadingScreen=F-16B_Loading_114.jpg
        //LoadingScreen=F-16C_Loading_111.jpg
installing this mod will have default loading screen with the Texas ANG aircraft. if you already had a different version and prefer that one, simply remove the "//" from the one you want and add to the one without.
*******************************************************************************************************************

Credits
Viper Team                       original mod that was the basis for this one
ravenclaw_007                new F-16A and B Block 15 ADF lods, templates
killerbee331                     original weapons pack that many armaments are drawn from here
malibu43                          2_LAU-88 mod to carry 4 Maverick rather than 6
daddyairplanes               skins, tga work, much research, various ini edits, new TW inspired loading screens
test team                         NightshadeP/R, allenjb42, bigstone, Wrench, Coupi, and Svetlin

I hope you enjoy this mod.
daddyairplanes
aka Kevin Unruh
4 Sep 2022
*************************************************************
This is freeware; it CANNOT be distributed unless permissions are granted by myself.
The original readmes, if any, and all other pieces of the package MUST remain intact.
The names of all contributors, modders, suppliers, etc =MUST= be listed in any new readmes.
This package and any part of it may NOT in any way, shape, or form be used in any payware additions.
See the original readme documentation, if any, for further allowances and restrictions
Any persons wishing to make further modifications, contact me first.
Any persons wishing to make further modifications MUST remember to put everyone's name in it.
*************************************************************
THIS AIRCRAFT MOD OR ANY PART OF IT MUST NOT BE HOSTED OR
POSTED FOR DOWNLOAD ON ANY OTHER WEBSITE WITHOUT MY EXPRESS
PERMISSION, OR USED FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE THAN THIRDWIRE FLIGHT
SIMULATORS, AND MUST NOT BE SOLD OR OFFERED FOR SALE BY ITSELF
OR WITH ANY OTHER FILES OR MODS.
*************************************************************
 

CF-115 Northern Eagle:
The CF-115 Northern Eagle is a special F-15E variant developed by Boeing to fill the requirements of the Royal Canadian Air Force and replace 3 CF-188 squadrons, the 409th, 410th and the 425th. The plane is very similar to the F-15EX, but it keeps in mind the air dominance role. It was introduced in 2018, and still flies today. 
Big shoutouts to 1977Frenchie, who helped me a lot with this, guided me through all the process and tested the plane (this mod is 51% made by him, basically), and Viper63a, who created the SUPERB F-15E mod.
THIS IS FREEWARE ONLY
Have a good hunt, fly high and fast!