[Fictional] Curtiss P-40N Warhawk 'IDF' Version 1

Curtiss P-40N 'IDF' for STRIKE FIGHTERS 2

This is simple mod of Raven's P-40N20CU to give a fictional P-40N 'Warhawk' as it might have appeared in service with the newly-created Israeli Defence Force Air Force in 1948.

BACKSTORY

Following the Israeli Declaration of Independence on May 14th, 1948 David Ben-Gurion declared the establishment of a Jewish state to be known as the State of Israel. Within two weeks the Israeli Air Force was formed mainly using foreign volunteer pilots (including many World War II veterans) flying a variety of obsolete and war surplus aircraft sourced by various means. Among these were 36 P-40N Warhawk fighter aircraft delivered in crates from the United States and alongside the Avia S-199's and Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk IX's they formed the backbone of the early Israeli Air Force.

Whilst the Warhawks were not ready to help in attempting to halt the Egyptian advance from the South during early June 1948 they were soon in operation in the close support role and also bolstered the air defences around Tel Aviv and were successful in shooting down several Egyptian Air Force DC-3's and Spitfires. The Warhawks were also tasked with escorting the handful of Israeli B-17 bombers but were mainly committed to the support of IDF ground forces. By December 1948 IDF ground forces were ready to commence Operation Assaf to take control of the Western Negev and the Warhawks helped in stopping an Egyptian counterattack and helped prevent another counterattack when a Warhawk flying an aerial reconnaissance sortie revealed Egyptian preparations and the IDF was able to launch a pre-emptive strike.

Following the ceasefire the remaining Warhawks were gathered together to re-equip No.101 who operated the type until the end of 1956 playing a minor role in Operation Kadesh by escorting Israeli Air Force DC-3s dropping Israeli paratroopers behind Egyptian lines at the Mitla Pass and Et-Tur.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. From the AIRCRAFT folder drag and drop the P-40N_IDF folder into your Aircraft folder.

2. From the DECALS folder drag and drop the P-40N_IDF folder into your main Decals folder.

3. From the WEAPONS folder drag and drop the AN-M81 and TANK75_IDF folders into your main Weapons folder.

At this point it might be a good idea to change the pilot to whatever you've got in your install suitable for the early post-war period.

CREDITS

Thanks to Third Wire for the continuous improvement of a great little game/sim.

Massive thanks to Raven for creating the superb P-40N20CU 3D model and, indeed, his other P-40 models. Thanks to Raven also for the shark mouth decals - compulsory on this aircraft!!

Thanks also to the creator of the AN-M81 260 lb fragmentation bomb used here. It just looks so right.

And thanks to everyone in the wider Third Wire community.

Regards

Spinners

Version 1 - 23/08/13