P-38J Lightning, 20th FG, 8th AF, ETO

This is a semi-complete aircraft mod, recreating the J Model Lightnings as used in the ETO in 1943/44 by the 20th FG.

I say 'semi-complete', because as per Wolf's wishes, the aircraft LOD file is NOT included. However, everything else is.

You =MUST= have Wolf's WW2 Planes Pak to copy the P-38H.LOD that this mod requires

This package includes skins/decal sets for the 3 squadrons of J models Lightnings that composed the 20th FG, up until they converted to Mustangs at the beginning of 1945. Unfortnately, Invasion stripes are NOT painted on; this is a simpler, cleaner version for either before OVERLORD or after, when they were removed (ok, I'll admit it...I was just too lazy to actually plot their positions, and paint them on the skin bmp. Ya got me!!<grin>). I give this set a rating of 98.6% for historical accurary, for with the excepetion of approx 6 aircraft between the 3 squadrons, every single serial number has been matched to it's aircraft, based on the radio-call/Plane-in-Group letter. These other serials, while regarded as 'filler', ARE actual serials issued to aircraft assigned to the squadrons of the 20th, but that had no particular call letter, or the letter was undiscoverable. But rest assured, these are 100% accurate serials for J Models, as used by the 20th.

The 3 squadrons represented are:

55th FS

77th FS

79th FS

On the loadout screen, each squadron is represented by the Squadron Patch as the Paint Chip. It should be noted the 55th and 77th are done up in OD/Neutral Gray and the 79th is in Natural Metal. Every marking or color blob you'll see on these aircraft -is- a decal, excpeting the anti-glare panel on the 79th skin. There is nothing painted on anywheres. Unfortunately, there is no nose art, due to a) not being able to find good examples per each aircraft, and b) decal bleed on the nose mesh.

As stated, this is a complete pak, minus the LOD, that incluces the cockpit (with a new N-3 gunsight tga), and all the inis, including my experimental 'updated' data ini with some small flight model tweeks. Damage tgas are included. It is designed for use ONLY in 06 level SF/SFG/WoV/WoE. It has NOT been tested in in 08 1st Gens or SF2 Series sims. You use it in these enviroments at your own risk, and completly unsupported by me. You are on your own. (btw, for you nut jobs that don't listen, and actually DO fly this is 08 or SF2, I'd like feedback on 'how it feels'. I actually HAVE flown it in an 08 install, and it felt 'pretty good'. This may hold us until the AvHistory Guys get us realistic FMs)

You MUST also have the WW2 Weapons Pak, available at CombatAce at the following URL:

http://forum.combatace.com/index.php?app=downloads&showfile=8495

As always, it's reccomended you unzip this package to a temp folder or your desktop, or somewhere's else that's easy to find to gain access to the rest of this readme for full, detailed install instructions.

Good Hunting!

Wrench

Kevin Stein