SF2 WW2 F8F-1 Bearcat (PTO)

SF2 WW2 F8F-1 Bearcat 7/22/2016

"A Somewhat What If aircraft for WW2 PTO '46"

***Note: Due to massive changes in the skins, decals, and inis, if you have created a WW2 Version of the Bearcat, you ARE advised to move, remove, rename or otherwise hide it from the Game Engine. THIS mod will cause conflicts, due to aforementioned changes, with many of the original parts.***

This full aircraft package includes mods to Geo's F8F Bearcat, (re)creating the original 600-odd F8F-1 versions as deployed from August, 1945, just as the War ended. I've made the assumption, for PTO '46 users, that the A-Bombs, for whatever reason, were not used and the aircraft entered full squadron service for Operations Olympic and Coronet.
See the 'Changes' section in the "Notes" below.

The package includes 2 skin & decal sets:

VF-19 (USS Langley, CVL-27) as seen in 8/45, enroute to the War Zone, as the war ended)
VF-3 (USS Coral Sea, if the CVB class carriers had entered the war in the later parts of 1945)

With the exception of the nation marking, which remain painted on, all other markings are decals. Decal randomization is TRUE. Many are by Geo from the original release. Other (modex) are by me. The ship code letters ARE correct for the late 45 thru late 46 time frame. The skins have been partly repained to remove the incorrect "G" system marking used on the orignal VF-19 skin. Skins remain in bmp format. As they carry no markings, this will allow other skinners the freedom to create other carrier air group codes, although new modex numbers will probably be required as well.
The hangar screen is an SF2 version of my 1st Gen "Box Art" one.

All weapons (drop tanks), sounds and a pilot figure are included. Other weapons used (rocket, bombs, etc) use those you should already have in the WW2 Weapons Pack.

The canopy opens with the standard keystroke, Shift/0 (zero). Wingfold is =NOT= active, as it never was when originally released in 2006. The aircraft is NOT exported, having only the single user, the US Navy.
The aircraft has been given a Service Start Date of of July, 1945. The data ini contains a new (if somewhat experimental FM, but MUCH closer to stated performances). It may require further fine tuning by experts; to that end I've included the USN BuAer's "Standard Performance" chart PDF within the main aircraft folder. This is for those remaining FM gurus to use, if they wish, to further refine the FM.

As always, unzip this to a temp folder somwhere, and you'll have access to the rest of the readme for it's instructions. PLEASE read it before installing, ok?
As always, read the "Notes" section for notes and other ramblings

Happy Landings!
Wrench
Kevin Stein