Strike Fighters 2 Series by Thirdwire

==========================
Strike Fighters 2 Dec 2009
Readme File
==========================
 
-----------------
Table of Contents
-----------------
 
1. Update Notes
2. Troubleshooting
3. Contacting Customer Support
 
---------------
1. Update Notes
---------------
 
This udpate is for any install of Strike Fighters 2, Strike
Fighters 2 Vietnam, and Strike Fighters 2 Europe without the
Strike Fighters 2 Israel merged.
 
This update contains all the fixes from previous patches, and it can
be applied to any version of the game. Earlier patches do not need
to be applied.
 
If you have installed any mods to the game, please check the list
of updated files to see any data files you've extracted have been
changed. You must manually delete and/or updated these files, or
the patched game may not run correctly.
 
Previous campaign saved data may not load after an upgrade.
 
List of changes in this Update include:
 
Dec 2009
--------
 
* Sound is now turned off when the game is paused.
 
* HUD flight information window now shows speed in Mach number when
current speed is more than Mach 0.9.
 
* Support for Force Feedback effects has been added.
 
* Speech subtitle is now color coded - red indicates warning against
the player, yellow indicates other speeches to/from player's flight,
and blue indicates all other radio chatter.
 
* Less messages are displayed when HUD option is set at Hard setting.
 
* Overcast sky is rendered correctly in cockpit mirror.
 
* V-sync is enabled by default in DX10 mode.
 
* Full-screen anti-alisasing now defaults to a lower-quality (and
better performance) setting.
 
* ForceDX9= option to manually fallback to DX9 rendering is added to
the Options.INI.
 
* Unlimited Effect setting has been added. This setting will add
HDR effects when using DX10 Shaders.
 
* The game uses more advanced DX10 shaders when Effects option
is set on High or Unlimited.
 
* HUD options set at Hard now defaults to all display OFF.
 
* A-7D Squadrons have been added to On Strike Fighters 2 Europe
1979 campaign.
 
* Default texture sets can now be selected based on mission date.
 
* Menu screens have been changed to use JPG format.
 
Oct 2009
--------
 
Strike Fighters 2 Israel
 
Jun 2009b
---------
 
* The game occasionally crashing to desktop when running on Windows XP
has been fixed.
 
* A-10A fuel gauge not working properly is fixed
 
* Weapons on multiple weapons rack not mounting at correct angle is fixed.
 
* Harrier's altimeter counter not working properly is fixed.
 
* Hunter's alitmeter missing the 1000ft needle is fixed.
 
* Hunter's 1000 RPM needle not moving is fixed.
 
* Hunter's cockpit missing the light texture .tga is fixed.
 
* A-10A's pitch control authority has been increased.
 
* F-100's squadron marking decals not showing correctly is fixed.
 
* Additonal nation specific skins and decals are included.
 
Jun 2009
--------
 
Strike Fighters 2 Europe
 
May 2009b
---------
 
* Screenshot format can now be selected by editing Options.INI,
supported formats are: BMP, JPG and PNG.
 
* The installer updates DirectX correctly now.
 
* Original Strike Fighters 2 missions are no longer listed on Load
Mission Screen unless the game is merged with Strike Fighters 2.
 
* Fixes problem where the original Strike Fighters 2 would no longer
start on some merged install configuration.
 
* Later versions of A-7B/C with updated TF-30-P-408 engine are added.
 
May 2009
--------
 
* Screenshot format can now be selected by editing Options.INI,
supported formats are: BMP, JPG and PNG.
 
* The installer updates DirectX correctly now.
 
* Original Strike Fighters 2 missions are no longer listed on Load
Mission Screen unless the game is merged with Strike Fighters 2.
 
* Fixes problem where the original Strike Fighters 2 would no longer
start on some merged install configuration.
 
* Later versions of A-7B/C with updated TF-30-P-408 engine are added.
 
Apr 2009b
---------
 
* 3d model for Mk 84 bomb not displaying is fixed.
 
* F-105D tail hook not being animated is fixed.
 
* Internal ECM and chaff dispenser are removed from A-7D.
 
* Damage textures on A-1 not appearing correctly is fixed.
 
* Serial numbers and squadron decals for A-7D are added.
 
* A-4F assigned wrong engine data is fixed.
 
* Bridge spans not aligned in height is fixed.
 
* Hull number decals not showing up on aircraft carrier is fixed.
 
* Campaign missions always attacking the same runway is fixed.
 
* Campaign end screen not displaying correctly is fixed.
 
* ECM pods are added to default loadout for later model F-4s.
 
* F-4D (67)'s RWR not displaying correctly is fixed.
 
* F-4E's radar now have additional range setting of 5 nm.
 
* Squadron pilots roster screen not showing the number of missions
flown is fixed.
 
* New updated cockpit model for F-100D is included.
 
* F-100D is separated into two sub-versions, original (56) and (64)
versions. Original 1956 version lacks centerline pylon and other
armament options.
 
Apr 2009
--------
 
Strike Fighters 2 Vietnam
 
Feb 2009
--------
 
* Mach indicator on F-4 cockpits not moving past M1.1 is fixed.
 
* Joystick settings is less likely to be lost even if the joystick
is unplugged.
 
* Screenshots are now saved in .JPG format.
 
* F-4C (67) cockpit air threat indicator always being ON is fixed.
 
* A-4B and C altimeter not working is fixed.
 
* Some of the new 3d models for weapons not showing up is fixed.
 
* Missing Sidewinder rails textures on A-4 is fixed.
 
* One of the F-4D/E (75)'s decoy dispensers not working is fixed.
 
* Create New Pilot pop-up dialog now displays correctly.
 
* F-4E (72) and (75)'s service entry dates have been corrected.
 
* "Desert Fury" campaign having wrong start dates for USN and
USMC squadrons have been fixed.
 
* Font sizes have been adjusted to fit better on different resolutions.
 
* Some of the campaign CTD have been fixed.
 
* Aircraft prices when playing Mercenary campaign have been adjusted
to better account for small differences in their ECM capabilities.
 
* Starting weapons supply has been increased for Mercenary campaigns.
 
* The game no longer searchs for decals outside Decals folder, all
decals must now be placed under Objects\Decals folder.
 
* A-4 and F-100 drop tanks have been added to the external models
so they use individual texture set.
 
------------------
2. Troubleshooting
------------------
 
Troubleshooting Tips
 
Before installing the game, please try the following:
 
- Close all other applications.
- Verify that your system meets the minimum system requirements.
 
If you are experiencing difficulties in getting the game to run,
please try the following solutions:
 
- Obtain the latest drivers for your video and sound card.
 
- Obtain the latest version of Direct X from:
 
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=2DA43D38-DB71-4C1B-BC6A-9B6652CD92A3
 
- Install the latest update for your game from:
 
http://www.thirdwire.com/downloads_sf2.htm
 
- Run scandisk and defragment your drive.
 
------------------------------
3. Contacting Customer Support
------------------------------
 
To obtain further technical assistance regarding this product, please
send an e-mail to:
 
support@thirdwire.com.
 
Please be sure to include the following information in your e-mail:
 
· Processor type and speed
· Operating System version
· Memory (RAM)
· DirectX Version
· Video Card type
· Error messages encountered and where/when you saw them.
 
Or visit our forums at
 
http://bbs.thirdwire.com/phpBB/
 
and leave us a message.
 
For all other comments or suggestions, you can contact us by sending
an e-mail to:
 
info@thirdwire.com
 
--
 

This is in Word Doc format or you can go here to read it online.
 
http://www.thirdwire.com/man/sf2/Strike_Fighters_2.htm

CatPack - Archiving utility for Third-Wire CAT format, GB 27-12-2009.
 
V1.12, Freeware, Use at your own risk, files limit is set at 8000.
Packs all files in current folder to CatPack.cat except CatPack.exe/CatPack.cat.
Unpacks any cat file you drop on the icon to a folder with the archive's name.
 
You can press Ctrl+Break to interrupt and close the program, but it will leave
files unfinished when doing so.
 
UPDATE:
CatPack V1.1 will extract contents of the new Strike Fighters 2 Cat archives.
The Display will tell the Cat version to be 2, instead of 1.
Subfolder information contained in version 2 archives will be restored properly.
The unicode filenames in the version 2 archives are converted back to ASCII,
therefor actual unicode-only characters in filenames will not be restored.
Catpack does not yet support creating a version 2 Cat archive. Maybe later.
 
CatPack V1.11 works properly when Cat files are in folders that have their
'archive' flag set. This seems to be the case with the SF2 objects folder.
 
CatPack V1.12 has some additional features when extracting a Cat archive:
First it automatically creates an index file of the Cat file.
Second and it allows one to optionally pass a wildcard string, only files matching
this wildcard string will be extracted from the archive. For example "mig" will
only extract files that have "mig" in their name or extension.
 
Credits:
Gerwin - Author
Kreelin and Paolo - Beta testing of V1.1.
Allegro game programming library - File and Unicode routines.

For all you 3dmax types, here is the exporter.

=================================
Strike Fighters 2 Israel Dec 2009
Readme File
=================================
 
-----------------
Table of Contents
-----------------
 
1. Update Notes
2. Troubleshooting
3. Contacting Customer Support
 
---------------
1. Update Notes
---------------
 
This update is for Strike Fighters 2 Israel, either stand-alone or
merged to other Strike Fighters 2 games.
 
This update contains all the fixes from previous updates, and it can
be applied to any version of the game. Earlier patches do not need
to be applied.
 
If you have installed any mods to the game, please check the list
of updated files to see any data files you've extracted have been
changed. You must manually delete and/or updated these files, or
the patched game may not run correctly.
 
Previous campaign saved data may not load after an upgrade.
 
List of changes in this Update include:
 
Dec 2009
--------
 
* Terrain missing tiles on some graphics cards is fixed.
 
* Sound is now turned off when the game is paused.
 
* The game not recognizing some display settings as TripleHead2Go
Surround Gaming is fixed.
 
* HUD flight information window now shows speed in Mach number when
current speed is more than Mach 0.9.
 
* Support for Force Feedback effects has been added.
 
Nov 2009-B
----------
 
* Speech subtitle is now color coded - red indicates warning against
the player, yellow indicates other speeches to/from player's flight,
and blue indicates all other radio chatter.
 
* Less messages are displayed when HUD option is set at Hard setting.
 
* Overcast sky is rendered correctly in cockpit mirror.
 
* Reduced some graphical artifacts showing on horizon with Effects
setting at Unlimited.
 
* V-sync is enabled by default in DX10 mode.
 
* Full-screen anti-alisasing now defaults to a lower-quality (and
better performance) setting.
 
* Version number displaying incorrectly on the Main Screen is fixed.
 
Nov 2009
--------
 
* Runway lights not working when using DX10 shader is fixed.
 
* Blackout/redout not working when using DX10 shader is fixed.
 
* Maverick view not working when using DX10 shader is fixed.
 
* ForceDX9= option to manually fallback to DX9 rendering is added to
the Options.INI.
 
Oct 2009-B
----------
 
* Third-party add-on terrain not loading textures is fixed.
 
* A-4H Ahit (73)'s RWR not working is fixed.
 
* Ammo weight showing up as 0 lb and ammo drop down being greyed out
on the loadout screen is fixed.
 
* The View Medal screen displays background JPG correctly.
 
------------------
2. Troubleshooting
------------------
 
Troubleshooting Tips
 
Before installing the game, please try the following:
 
- Close all other applications.
- Verify that your system meets the minimum system requirements.
 
If you are experiencing difficulties in getting the game to run,
please try the following solutions:
 
- Obtain the latest drivers for your video and sound card.
 
- Obtain the latest version of Direct X from:
 
http://www.microsoft...6A-9B6652CD92A3
 
- Install the latest update for your game from:
 
http://www.thirdwire...wnloads_sf2.htm
 
- Run scandisk and defragment your drive.
 
------------------------------
3. Contacting Customer Support
------------------------------
 
To obtain further technical assistance regarding this product, please
send an e-mail to:
 
support@thirdwire.com.
 
Please be sure to include the following information in your e-mail:
 
· Processor type and speed
· Operating System version
· Memory (RAM)
· DirectX Version
· Video Card type
· Error messages encountered and where/when you saw them.
 
Or visit our forums at
 
http://bbs.thirdwire.com/phpBB/
 
and leave us a message.
 
 
 
--

Oct 2009 Weps Editors

F-107 Version 2.0
 
Thanks to the following folks:
 
TK - For the ThirdWire series of sims.
Bunyap - The original modder who created the F-107 MAX file and released it to Dave.
Dave - For providing the original model to me, decals, texture updates, loading screens
Klavs81 - Original textures
dwcace - For providing me with additional reference material
EricJ - F-107C textures
Gerwin - F-16 decals
BPao,MoonJumper,Swede,Wpnssgt - F-16 cockpit, avionics
To my fellow Combatace moderators - For helping me beta test and work out bugs.
Any errors or mistakes are entirely mine.
 
 
What you will need first:
 
For the F-107A:
 
Strike Fighters 2/Vietnam/Europe - One of these are needed to provide the wing fuel tanks, some decals, and an F-105 cockpit.
 
(Optional) Strike Fighters Project 1/Strike Fighters Gold/Wings Over Vietnam/Wings Over Europe to provide the F-104 cockpit.
 
The F-107A will currently not work properly with Strike Fighters 2:Israel or Wings Over Israel (13 Jan 10) due to lack of a compatible cockpit, some decals, visual effects, sounds, ejection seat and fuel tanks from the F-100D.
 
For the F-107C:
 
Strike Fighters 2/Vietnam/Europe/Israel patched to Dec 2009.
 
 
Aircraft Information (F-107A):
 
From Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_F-107
 
The North American F-107, nicknamed "Ultra Sabre", was North American Aviation's entry for a United States Air Force tactical fighter-bomber design competition of the 1950s. The F-107 incorporated many innovations and radical design features, and was based on the F-100 Super Sabre. The competition was eventually won by the F-105 Thunderchief, and the F-107 prototypes ended their lives as test aircraft.
 
The F-107A was originally designed as a tactical fighter-bomber version of the F-100, and was entered into a competition sponsored by the Air Force. Originally designated F-100B, the aircraft featured a recessed weapons bay under the fuselage, as well as an all-moving vertical fin and a control system which permitted the plane to roll at supersonic speeds.
 
The aircraft's most distinguishing feature is its Variable Area Inlet Duct, mounted in an unconventional position directly above and just behind the cockpit, which automatically controlled the amount of air fed to the jet engine. The air intake was moved from the chin position (an arrangement later adopted for the F-16) to the unusual dorsal location as the USAF had required the carriage of an underbelly semi-conformal nuclear weapon. The original chin intake caused a shockwave that interferred in launching this weapon. The implications this had for the survivability of the pilot during ejection were troubling. It also severely limited view to the rear, although this was not considered terribly important for a bomber aircraft, it is notable during an era when it was assumed air combat would be via guided missile exchanges outside visual range.
 
Extensive design changes resulted in its redesignation from F-100B to F-107A before the first prototype flew.
 
The F-107 was never given an official name, but was sometimes informally called the "Ultra Sabre," referring to North American's earlier fighter designs, the F-86 Sabre and the F-100 Super Sabre. The flight crews referred to it as the "Man Eater," in reference to the position of the air intake directly above the cockpit.
 
The designation "F-107A" was the only one assigned to the aircraft, though "YF-107A" is often used in publications.
 
(F-107C):
 
The F-107A had been chosen for development vs the F-105 and had started to be used extensively in Vietnam in 1967.
 
Israel does not do the preemptive strike as originally planned in 1967, and therefore what would have been the SiX-Day War instead draws out into a much bloodier conflict.
 
During that conflict, a nuclear weapon is detonated, touching off a small exchange of nuclear weapons, contained within the middle east area.
 
As a result, most of the oil fields are contaiminated, and the global economy suffers a depression as a result.
 
The US government is unable to generate the revenue needed to fully fund the F-14/F-15/F-16 programs. Instead, it invests in technological and engine improvements to existing designs, resulting in the F-107C instead of the LWF program, with the F100 engine, a new canopy and avionics.
 
 
 
Notes and Limitations:
 
Part of the SWOTUSAF series of aircraft.
 
Because the real aircraft never proceeded beyond the prototype stage, loadouts, mission capabilities and operational paint schemes are projections only.
 
3 skins are provided for the F-107A the original prototype scheme, a natural metal scheme, and a Vietnam era scheme. An F-16 style scheme was designed for the F-107C.
 
Because this aircraft was in competition with the F-105, we projected that it would have taken over the Thud's role in Vietnam, in addition to the air superiority/interceptor role the original F-100 was designed for. So loadouts reflect this.
 
The aircraft refers to some decals, visual effects, sounds, ejection seat and fuel tanks from the F-100D. The cockpit is based on a single engine fighter with a radar using the J75...either the F-104 or F-105 works fine...it defaults to the F-105 cockpit. You will have to install any other cockpit yourself.
 
The FM is mainly based on the F-100D, and so shares that FMs limitations. The real test article reached 2.35 Mach...this model has gone up to 2.2 Mach in level flight.
 
Animations for the canopy and air refueling probe use Animation control keys 1 and 2. Check your Controls page to figure out what keys you need to hit.
 
This is FREEWARE only, NO money is allowed to be made on the contents of these files, in whole or in part.
 
Feel free to redistribute, as long as the original authors are given appropriate credit.
 
Questions? Contact me at Combatace.
 
FastCargo
13 Jan 10

MiG-19PM (SF-2)
 
by Spillone104 3D-Works & Paulopanz Paints Ltd.
 
Variant with removed cannons, armed with 4 × Kaliningrad K-5M (NATO: AA-1 "Alkali") beam-riding missiles.
 
 
Complete Skin Pack:
 
- VVS
- PVO
- CVL (2) (Czechoslovakia) (historical decal set + 1113 red bolt)
- LSK (DDR) (historical decal set)
- PWL (Poland) (historical decal set)
- FARSR (Romania) (historical decal set)
- BVVS (Bulgaria) (historical decal set)
- ML (Hungary) (historical decal set)
- AMRPS (Albania) (suitable decal set)
 
New RS-1U Alkali-A & RS-2US Alkali-B
 
Credits:
 
- Cockpit from Gepard’s F-6A
- Oro-57 Rockets from Kukulino’s S-105
- Fake Pilot (included) by FastCargo
 
 
 
To Install: put everything in your main mod folder.
 
 
Sounds by Spillo
 
 
Canopy open: Key 10
 
 
1.1 Upgrade: new nose added. Some other tweaks.
 
 
Enjoy
 
Paolo & Alex
 
N.B.: the Nato code FARMER-D is taken from Y.Gordon Mig-19 "bible" by Aerofax. Some sources report FARMER-E. If You like this code You can rename the model freely: it's only an enemy's nickname.

F-15C 493rd FS Skin by Sundowner for FastCargo's F-15C redux
 
http://forum.combatace.com/index.php?app=downloads&showfile=10098
 
 
Contains 3 skins sizes 1024/2048/4096.
 
To install drop the contents of the objects folder into your install, objects folder and go fly.
 
If you want to use another size skin go into
 
Objects/Aircraft/F-15C/493 and drop one of the other skins in and overwrite.

MiG-19P (SF-2)
 
by Spillone104 3D-Works & Paulopanz Paints Ltd.
 
Version equipped with RP-1 Izumrud radar in the nose and armed with 2 × 30 mm NR-30 (early 2 × 23 mm NR-23) cannons in the wings. Had provision for an unguided rocket pack under each wing.
 
Complete Skin Pack:
 
- VVS- PVO (new decal set + excellent write)
- CVL (Czechoslovakia) (complete, historical decal set)
- PWL (Poland) (historical decal set)
- FARSR (Romania) (historical decal set)
- BVVS (Bulgaria)
- FAR (Cuba)
 
Credits:
 
- Cockpit from Gepard’s F-6A
- Oro-57 Rockets from Kukulino’s S-105
- Fake Pilot (included) by FastCargo
 
 
 
To Install: put everything in your main mod folder.
 
 
Sounds by Spillo.
 
 
Canopy open: Key 10
 
1.1 Upgrade: new nose added. Some other tweaks.
 
 
Enjoy (radar equipped by now !)
 
Paolo & Alex

Harrier GR.7 Skin by Sundowner for Bobrocks Gr.7 found here.
 
 
http://forum.combatace.com/index.php?app=downloads&showfile=9118
 
Contains 3 skins sizes 1024/2048/4096.
 
To install drop the contents of the objects folder into your install objects folder and go fly.

MiG-19PT (SF-2)
 
by Spillone104 3D-Works & Paulopanz Paints Ltd.
 
Late MiG-19P equipped to carry Vympel K-13 (NATO: AA-2 "Atoll") missiles.
 
 
Skin Pack:
 
- VVS
- PVO (new decal set + excellent write)
- BVVS (Bulgaria)
 
Credits:
 
- Cockpit from Gepard’s F-6A
- Oro-57 Rockets from Kukulino’s S-105
- Fake Pilot (not included) by FastCargo
 
 
 
To Install: put everything in your main mod folder (MiG-19P needed!)
 
 
Sounds by Spillo.
 
 
Canopy open: Key 10
 
1.1 Upgrade: new nose added. Some other tweaks.
 
Enjoy
 
Paolo & Alex

Simple mod that removes the un-needed canopy frame and makes use of the models internal framework on the O-1E and Cessna180
included in the SF2V Air and Ground war expansion pack.
 
It's not highly detailed but it seems to work ok and looks less messy than what we had.
 
Installation:-
 
Simples! For the O-1E just drop the O-1E Cockpit.ini and Data.ini into the main O-1E folder and hey presto!
 
For the Cessna180. Delete the cockpit folder, copy and paste the O-1E cockpit folder into the Cessna folder. Then drop the Cessna180 Cockpit.ini and Data.ini into the main Cessna180 folder and you should be set.
 
Thanks to Wrench and Wolf for the original cockpit. All I've done is some ini editing!
 
Mikeymead.

RF-111A Version 1.1 By FastCargo
Skin by Jat81500
Decals, by USAFMTL
Original model by Paco and Wpnssgt
Sounds and some avionics files by the Mirage Factory
Avionics Help by MJ
Pit by NormanKnight
 
For SF2 Only (Release 1.1)
 
Updated version reactivates afterburners and other minor tweaks.
 
Installation:
 
Put the contents in your main SF2 mod directory. The folder will populate themselves.
 
i.e. saved Games/Thirdwire/StrikeFighters2
Will work in SF2/V/E/I.
 
Weapons will automatically show.
 
Enjoy and thanks FC for making this.
 
Dave USAFMTL

Shenyang J-5 SF-2 pack
 
The Shenyang J-5 (Jianjiji-5 - Fighter-5), originally designated Dongfeng-101 - (East Wind-101). and also Type 56 before being designated J-5 in 1964, is a Chinese-built single-seat jet interceptor and fighter aircraft derived from the Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 The J-5' was exported as the F-5. NATO reporting name "Fresco".
 
 
What’s in: A new plane to fly with 4 PLAAF (2 Camo, 1 Silver, 1 Red Fin), 2 VPAF (1 Silver, 1
Red Fin) 1 Albanian silver Skins.
Cockpit by Ordway, SF-2 adapted.
Loading screen.
Canopy open: Key 10
 
To Install: put everything in your main mod folder.
 
 
Sounds by Spillone104, who else?
 
Thanks to Erwin Hans for references.
 
 
 
 
06.01.10
 
Paolo

This is new GERMANYCE.TFD file to fix the trees appearing on some runways and taxiways in the following airbases:
 
Pferdsfeld (305,381)
 
Ahlhorn (345,669)
 
Gutersloh (348,577)
 
Neuburg (523,273)
 
Fix includes simple retiling of areas around given bases.

Mig-19S
 
 
This is only a little hors d'oeuvre of incoming Mig-19 serie packs.
 
 
What's in:
 
- CVL new complete historical decal set
 
- CVL new skin
 
- LSK historical decal set
 
- VPAF historical decal set
 
- Iraqi Silver Skin
 
- Ordway's cockpit edited for SF-2
 
- Spillone104 (who else?) sounds
 
- Canopy open: key 10
 
 
Stay tuned.
 
 
Paolo

HOLLYWOOD EXPLOSIONS
 
(Previously announced as "Enhanced Explosions 4")
 
by Stary
 
For Thirdwire series of Flight Simulators
 
both Gen1 and Gen2 titles
 
Note:
This pack was made for, and heavily tested in SF2:Israel merged with all SF2 gen titles. Dec09 patch installation.
No warranty for Gen1 Series/HDR Mod usage!
 
-----------------------------------------------------
 
Hollywood Explosions f/x pack is my 4th edition of effects modding. I decided to name it this way, as a tribute to Longbow/Longbow 2 series of simulators -there was such an option there...
 
And ideology besides, as EE4 sounds kinky, new name for the pack... ok, RAMBO 4 was good, ALIEN Ressu-whatever was not...

This is my present for you all!
Read me and credits inside.
 
Happy X-mas!
 
X

Updated my SF1 WOE Style Hangar screens to work in SF2.
 
You can also get them from my website here
 
http://www.alternatewars.com/Mods/SF2/SF2.htm
 
If you've hit your daily download limit from Combat Ace
 
------------------------
 
Strike Fighters 2 Wings over Europe Style Hangars version 1.2 by Ryan Crierie (MKSheppard)
 
Version 1 released 12/23/2009.
Version 1.2 released 12/24/2009.
 
Updates over my original SF1 series hangars:
 
1.) The original BMP files which took up 460~ MB have been resampled into 1% compression JPEGs which take up only 156~ MB.
 
2.) They have been sorted into folders, for easier installation and most should use the naming convention for SF2.
 
Count is about 300~ hangar files -- some repeat, like for F-8H and F-8H_69.
 
I have copied some aircraft INIs over and changed the hangar file pointers to more standard formats, e.g.
 
AIRCRAFTNAME_Hangar.jpg
 
rather than
 
Sabrehangar.bmp

McDonnell Douglas Phantom F.7 for STRIKE FIGHTERS 2
 
This is a simple mod of the stock Third Wire Phantom F-4E_72 to give a 'what if' Phantom F.7 interceptor-fighter with markings for No.5 and No.11 squadrons based at RAF Binbrook in Lincolnshire as they might have appeared during the 1980's and into the 1990's. I've decided to use some new sounds and effects (still Third Wire stock) but if you haven't got SF2:Europe then you will need to revert back to the bog standard 'jet engine' sound and normal F4 afterburner effects.
 
 
BACKSTORY
 
Following on from the success of the FGR.4 and FGR.5 the Phantom F.6 was essentially an interim design that used the FGR.5 airframe and Rolls-Royce Sequanna RB.410 series engines but with a slightly improved radar and avionics. The
definitive F.7 introduced the more powerful Sequanna RB.450 series engines rated at 22,500lbs thrust with reheat and gave the RAF a superb replacement for the Lightning and the earlier Phantom F.1's. Entering service in 1975 the F.7's
equipped eight home-based squadrons, an adversary squadron based at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus and also equipped two squadrons based at RAF Stanley in the Falkand Islands before finally being retired in 2005
 
 
INSTRUCTIONS
 
1. Drop the Phantom_F7 folder into your Aircraft folder.
 
2. Empty the contents of the Weapons folder into your Weapons folder (this simply gives the Skyflash an earlier in service date).
 
3. Sprinkle the contents of the Decals folder into your main Decals folder (see below to enable the sharkmouth).
 
 
CREDITS
 
BIG THANKS to TK for the continuous improvement of a great little game/sim.
 
Special thanks to Mike D (mppd) for his sharkmouth decal (slightly tweaked here).
 
And thanks to everyone in the wider Third Wire community.
 
 
Regards
 
Spinners
 
v1.0 24/12/09
 
 

McDonnell Douglas Phantom F.6 for STRIKE FIGHTERS 2
 
This is a simple mod of the stock Third Wire Phantom F-4E_72 to give a 'what if' Phantom F.6 interceptor-fighter with markings for No.19 and No.92 squadrons of RAF Germany as they might have appeared during the mid-1970's through to the end of the 1980's. I've decided to use some new sounds and effects (still Third Wire stock) but if you haven't got SF2:Europe then you will need to revert back to the bog standard 'jet engine' sound and normal F4 afterburner effects.
 
 
BACKSTORY
 
Following on from the success of the FGR.4 and FGR.5 the Phantom F.6 was essentially an interim design that used the FGR.5 airframe and Rolls-Royce Sequanna RB.410 series engines but with a slightly improved radar and avionics. Designed to give RAF Germany a Lightning F.2A replacement the F.6 had no air-to-ground capability whatsoever and was therefore slightly lighter and had a slightly improved flight performance. The F.6 also introduced the Skyflash missiles planned for the definitive F.7 version and whilst some consideration was given to upgrading the F.6's with the F.7's more powerful Sequanna RB.450 series engines this came to nothing but, nevertheless, the two RAF Germany F.6 squadrons were a vital component of the NATO Central Sector and were only rivalled by the F-15's of the 36th TFW at Bitburg. The F.6's remained in service until 1994.
 
 
INSTRUCTIONS
 
1. Drop the Phantom_F6 folder into your Aircraft folder.
 
2. Empty the contents of the Weapons folder into your Weapons folder (this simply gives the Skyflash an earlier 'in service' date).
 
3. Sprinkle the contents of the Decals folder into your main Decals folder.
 
 
CREDITS
 
BIG THANKS to TK for the continuous improvement of a great little game/sim.
 
Special thanks to Mike D (mppd) for his sharkmouth decal (slightly tweaked here).
 
And thanks to everyone in the wider Third Wire community.
 
 
Regards
 
Spinners
 
v1.0 23/12/09
 
 

Compiled and Cleaned up by Ryan Crierie (MKSheppard)
 
Also available on my website at:
http://www.alternatewars.com/Mods/SF2/SF2.htm
In case you hit your daily download limit
 
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I claim no ownership or creation rights for any of thes effects; I just modded them to make them work in SF2, and then put them together to make it easier for other SF2 Owners.
 
v1.00 circa 12/23/2009.
 
I went through all of my installed effects INIs from all my addons and the various effects packs, like Deuce's, LEXX LUTHOR's Strategic Nuclear Effects™, etc and edited them to make them SF2 shader compatible to fix missing effects like MiG-19 afterburners not appearing, etc.
 
I used the rule of:
 
Materials that have BlendOp=BLEND_SRC_ALPHA
EffectShaderName=effectLightLevel.fx
(aka Volumetric emitters like smoke, groundmist, dust).
 
Materials that have BlendOp=BLEND_INV_SRC_ALPHA_ADD_SRC
EffectShaderName=twColor1.fx
(aka fire, explosion, light, flash, flare, streaks)
 
Found on Combat Ace Knowledge DB.
 
I slightly modified LEXX LUTHOR's Strategic Afterburner files so that you can have both Large and Small versions in use at the same time e.g. J58_Large calls the Large effect and J58_Small calls the Small effect. You can see this in the Screenshot for this mod; the one on the left is J79_Small and the one on the right is J79_Large.
 
I also rewrote some of LEXX's Nuclear Weapons Readme to make it a bit more comprehensible on how to make weapons datafiles call those effects in SF2.

Converted from my SF1 series hangar maker.
 
Is also available on my website at
 
http://www.alternatewars.com/Mods/SF2/SF2.htm
 
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How to use:
 
1.) Copy your StrikeFighters2.exe or StrikeFighters2 Israel.exe or whatever.
 
2.) Rename it SF2 Hangar Maker.exe (or whatever).
 
3.) Run your new executable. Exit.
 
4.) Go to User\Saved Games\ThirdWire\SF2 Hangar Maker
 
5.) Unzip this file there/place them in that folder.
 
6.) Launch the game using the SF2 Hangar Maker.exe
 
7.) Remember to start the mission on the ground!
 
8.) Manuver the external camera directly overhead over the plane and take a screenshot, as big as you can take it without the user interface getting in the way.
 
9.) Exit WOE
 
10.) Go into either photoshop or paint shop pro.
 
11.) Load up the screenshot you took.
 
12.) Use the wand tool to select all green areas in the screenshot and delete it, making them the green area transparent.
 
13.) Move the aircraft into the center of the now mostly empty image, or enlarge the picture as needed.
 
14.) Create a drop shadow. With Paint Shop Pro, its:
 
EFFECTS (Menu)
3D EFFECTS
DROP SHADOW
 
The settings I've found to work well are
 
30 Horizontal Offset
30 Vertical Offset
65 Opacity
10 Blur
and pure black for color.
 
15.) Copy your drop shadowed aircraft to the clip board
 
16.) Load DEFAULTHANGARSCREEN.BMP (found in \Hangar Maker)
 
17.) Place your aircraft picture with the drop shadow onto DEFAULTHANGARSCREEN.BMP as a new layer.
 
18.) Move around the aircraft until you've gotten it into a good location.
 
19.) If the aircraft image is a bit too bright, reduce the gamma for the aircraft layer by 0.68.
 
20) Once you've gotten it where you want, save the image and put it into SF2.

Here's the new model GBU-38 done by rusty_hawk and textured by me, original weapons ini by wpnssgt, which was converted by 331Killerbee.
 
Note: while setup for SF2, it can be adapted for the SF1 series.
 
Texture by EricJ
3D model by rusty_hawk
 
read the readme....