[Fictional] Boeing/Mitsubishi F/A-18M & F/A-18M2 Super Hornet for the JMSDF 1.1

This is a mod of the Super Hornets E & F from EricJ to make them look like fighter planes from the japanese maritime self defense force.

BACKGROUND:

The JMSDFs new carrier, the Shinano, which does service in the surroundings of the japanese homeland, was equipped with F-14EJs. In 1999, the 81st Hikotai stationed on the carrier was reinforced with two additional hikotais, the 23rd and the 31st. The JMSDF obtained the Hornet at the same time as the JASDF. Under the designation F/A-18M and F/A-18M2, the F/A-18M2 replaced the F-14EJs of the 23rd and 31st Hikotai while the F/A-18M got designated to two new hikotais, the 3rd and 14th. At the same time, the JMSDF started introducing a new system of serial numbers adjusted to the new ship type.

Instead of the standard four-digit serial number system, the planes and helos of the carrier received a new system consisting of the jap. abbreviation for aircraft carrier (kubo), the hikotai number and finally the plane number.

Also, as a part of the new system, the fuselage wears the designation and the name of the vessel the plane is stationed on; just like in the US Navy.

The Shinano was declared DCV (defender carrier vessel) because the aircraft carrier was an offensive weapon according to the japanese constitution. Using the word "defender" allowed the possession of an aircraft carrier.

INSTALLATION:

Simply drop the Folders into your Strike Fighters Mods Folder.

CREDITS:

EricJ – Purchased Model of F/A-18F from http://www.mesh-factory.com, Main texture artist, ini editing.

FastCargo – 3D model work for all versions. Used some of his images for reference.

JAT81500 – FM, ini adjustments, decals.

Dave – Decals and always a swell guy. Also did the Hangar and Loading Screens. Reference photos. Also for modifying some weapons for SF2, and for adjusting his afterburner texture from the Eagle Superpak.

Vampyre – Technical Reference and consultant who works with the aircraft on a daily basis.

Column5 – Use of the Mirage Factory F/A-18A Textures, and FM data adapted from the MF F/A-18A.

AmokFloo – Initial optimization of the F/A-18F model.

Bpao – F/A-18A pit used with permission.

STORM – F/A-18E Loading Screen Image, taken from his special vantage point.

starfighter2 – Newer RWR texture.

Serverandenforcer – F/A-18F FM tweaking.

Silverbolt – Extracting the textures for the cockpit for SF2.

MigBuster – Tutorials in the Knowledge Base for adapting the aircraft to SF2.

SidDogg – Assistance with getting the VFA-102 CAG bird tanks right.

Spillone104/Spectre8750 – Custom sound, Spillone104 for initial, and Spectre8750 for tweaking.

ArturR: For his use of his avionics mod. FastCargo mentioned it and after checking it out was impressed… Thanks!

Enjoy.

NazGhul