Whats new in the SF2 Series
Since people keep asking here are the major differences in SF2 compared to the SF1 series.
New items included by Thirdwire in the Strike Fighters 2 Series (As of Jan 2012)
General changes Original 3D Aircraft look to have been reworked/replaced and have higher resolution skins Original 3D cockpits look to have been reworked/replaced with more functionality (working dials, switches. panel lights) and higher resolution skins. Terrains have higher resolution tiles. The Games support Direct X 10 advanced shaders if you have a DX10 capable graphics card and Win 7 / Vista. Better support for multicore CPUs. Vector RHAW scope and functionality added with radar frequency ranges. TEWS RWR with radar frequency ranges for 1978 Jets. New file structure to make modding and patching far easier. New Menu/hangar screens. Screenshots save as smaller JPEGs by default. Ability to merge all the SF2 games. Ability to save a mission you have just flown. "Request For Help" radio feature now works from June 2010 From Expansion 1 Bump maps can be added to skins Revised Campaign selection screen. Support for Force Feedback (Dec 2009). In game Mission Editor (Expansion Pack 2 or DLC) Radar On/Off command works(June 2011) F12 cinematic view works - also after crashes(June 2011) Year specific loadouts allowed in loadout.ini (July 2011) In game options for downloads and Online Manual (May 2011) AI terrain following improved DLC Support added in Patches. LAU-42 rack added for AIM-4s Twin AIM-9 rails added Aircraft made easier to spin on Hard FM (Jun 2010). Radar on/off radio command now works Attack my target Radio command added to command element (May 2011) Ejection sequence camera view changed(May 2011) Tree Fade added (May 2011). Installer reworked so games can be installed and merged in any order (May 2011) No guns option added when only left with Sidewinders in flight (Aug 2011). Multiple Carriers now launch flights in SF2V Campaigns. Aircraft Hangar screen can now change with skin selected Games can check online for the latest version and be updated from within the game.[May 2011] Blast damage to a target now counts to a players score. Pilot pictures can now be JPGs Rocket and Fuel pod combined armament (July 2011). Bombers less armoured against Missile hits (Nov 2011) Campaign Customiser DLC for SF2 released (Sep 2011) Carrier Starts in generated Single missions (Mar 2012 SF2NA) Multiple Ship launched SAMs and GunFire(Mar 2012 SF2NA) Fleet name and ship lists shown on Planning map (Mar 2012 SF2NA) AWACs name shown on Planning map (Mar 2012 SF2NA) new DX10 only Terrain engine - 3D ground objects with collision (Mar 2012 SF2NA) F-14 Avionics allow 6 targets to be simultaneously fired on in TWS mode (Mar 2012 SF2NA) Carriers now populated with random Aircraft (Mar 2012 SF2NA) New menu music (Mar 2012 SF2NA) New voice and calls for E-2C AWACS controller (Mar 2012 SF2NA) AI bombers can now launch Cruise Missiles from long range (Mar 2012 SF2NA) Expansion Packs can be installed over any game at May 2013 patch or later NEW Objects in the SF2 series ( That's in addition to the original Aircraft from the first series)
Note: A lot of the new aircraft versions have their own 3D cockpits and 3D models specific to the version - there are too many differences to note so you will just have to have fun finding them.
Strike Fighters 2 A-4B (65) A-4C (65) A-4E (65) A-4E (67) A-4F (74) F-4B (65) F-4B (67) F-4C (67) F-4D (67) F-4D (75) F-4E (72) - Slatted with longer gun muzzle F-4E (75) F-100D (64) - new model and new unique 1964 cockpit F-100D (68) - new model and new unique 1968 cockpit Hawker Hunter F.4 - model and skins (No Pit) Hawker Hunter F.5 - model and skins (No Pit) Hawker Hunter F.6 - model and skins (No Pit) Hawker Hunter F.9 - model and skins (No Pit) Hawker Hunter F.59 - model and skins (No Pit) Hawker Hunter F.70 (No Pit) Hawker Hunter F.73 (No Pit) MiG-17 - (No Pit) MiG-17PF - Has radar (No Pit) J-6 - (No Pit) MiG-21M - (No Pit) MiG-21FL - (No Pit) MiG-21PF - (No Pit) MiG-21PFV - (No Pit) MiG-21S - (No Pit) MiG-21SM - (No Pit) MiG-23BN - (No Pit) MiG-23MF - (No Pit) MiG-23MS - (No Pit) Mirage 5D- (No Pit) Su-7BMK - (No Pit) Tu-16 - (No Pit) Ground Objects SA-2E SA-6 ECM Pods AN/ALQ-71 AN/ALQ-101 AN/ALQ-119 Strike Fighters 2: Vietnam A-1H - new model and skins (No Pit) A-1J - new model and skins (No Pit) A-6A (No Pit) A-7B (71) A-7C (71) A-7C - new A-7C model A-7D - new A-7D model and new unique cockpit A-7E - new A-7E model and new unique cockpit F-100D (64) - new model and new unique 1964 cockpit F-100D (68) - new model and new unique 1968 cockpit F-105D(66) F-4B(65) F-4B(67) F-4C(67) F-4D(67) F-4E(72) - slatted with longer gun muzzle F-8C F-8C(66) F-8D F-8D(66) F-8E(66) F-8H F-8H(69) F-8J F-8J(69) J-6 - (No Pit) MiG-17PF - (No Pit) Ground Objects SA-2C SA-2E ECM Pods AN/ALQ-71 AN/ALQ-101 AN/ALQ-119 Strike Fighters 2: Europe A-7D - new A-7D model and new cockpit A-7D(75) A-7D (78) A-10A(78) - New model with Pave Penny CF-104 - New skins - (No Pit) CF-104(72) - New skins - (No Pit) CF-104(76) - New skins - (No Pit) F-4C(67) F-4D(67) F-4D(75) F-4D(78) F-4E(72) F-4E(75) F-4E(78) F-4F(80) F-4M(75) F-84F - (No Pit) Hawker Hunter F.4 - (No Pit) Hawker Hunter F.5 - (No Pit) Hawker Hunter F.6 Hawker Hunter F.51 - (No Pit) MiG-17PF - (No Pit) MiG-21M - (No Pit) MiG-21Bis - (No Pit) MiG-21S - (No Pit) MiG-21SM - (No Pit) MiG-23BN - (No Pit) MiG-23MF- (No Pit) MiG-23ML- (No Pit) MiG-23MLA - (No Pit) MiG-23MLD - (No Pit) Mirage 3C - (No Pit) Mirage5F- (No Pit) MystereIVA - (No Pit) Su-7B - (No Pit) Su-7BMK - (No Pit) Super Mystere B2 - (No Pit) Ground Objects SA-8 SA-8B SA-2C SA-2E ECM Pods AN/ALQ-71 AN/ALQ-101 AN/ALQ-119 Strike Fighters 2:Israel A-4H (68) A-4H (70) F-4E(72) F-4E Kurnass(73) F-4E Kurnass(75) F-4E Kurnass(78) Hawker Hunter F.6 - (No Pit) Hawker Hunter F.9 - (No Pit) Kfir C1 Kfir C1(77) MiG-17PF - (No Pit) MiG-21BisB - (No Pit) MiG-21M- (No Pit) MIG-21FL - (No Pit) MiG-23ML - (No Pit) MiG-23MLD - (No Pit) Shahak (71) - (New 3D model with correct engine) Ground Objects Centurion8 Centurion10 Centurion13 M48A3 M60A1 ECM Pods AN/ALQ-71 AN/ALQ-101 AN/ALQ-119 Strike Fighters 2:Israel - Expansion Pack 1 C-47A - (No Pit) Meteor F.8 MiG-15bis - (No Pit) P-51D Spitfire mk 9c - (No Pit) Spitfire mk 9e - (No Pit) Vampire F.5 - (No Pit) Vampire F9 - (No Pit) Vampire F.52 - (No Pit) MystereIVA - New cockpit F-16A - Corrected 3D model(Should also appear in June 2010 SF2I patch) Ground Objects M50_Sherman M51_Sherman T34-85 Strike Fighters 2:Europe - Expansion Pack 2 English Electric Lightning F.1 English Electric Lightning F.1A English Electric Lightning F.2 English Electric Lightning F.2A English Electric Lightning F.3 English Electric Lightning F.6 English Electric Lightning F.53 (if you have SF2 merged) Hawker Hunter F.1 Hawker Hunter F.2 Hawker Hunter F.4 NAA F-100A Super Sabre NAA F-100A Super Sabre (58) NAA F-100C Super Sabre NAA F-100C Super Sabre (65) English Electric Canberra B.2 (No pit) English Electric Canberra B.6 (No pit) English Electric Canberra B.20 (No pit - If you have SF2 Merged) Yak-23 (No pit) New Skins for C-47 and Spitfires (No pit - If you have Expansion Pack 1 Merged) MiG-15(No pit) Weapons Redtop A-A Missile Firestreak A-A Missile Lightning Gun Pack Strike Fighters 2:North Atlantic Grumman F-14A Tomcat Grumman F-14A_77 Tomcat Vought A-7E_74 Corsair II Grumman A-6E Intruder (No Pit) Grumman A-6E_79 Intruder (No Pit) Grumman E-2C Hawkeye (No Pit) Grumman EA-6B Prowler (No Pit) Tu-16K-10-26 Badger C (No Pit) Tu-16K-26 Badger G (No Pit) Tu-16K-26_73 Badger G (No Pit) Tu-16P Badger J (No Pit) Tu-16P_72 Badger J (No Pit) Tu-16RM-1 Badger D (No Pit) Tu-22KD Blinder B (No Pit) Tu-22M2 Backfire B (No Pit) Tu-22M3 Backfire C (No Pit) Tu-22PD Blinder E (No Pit) Tu-22RD Blinder C (No Pit) Tu-95RT Bear D (No Pit) Yak-38 Forger A (No Pit) Ground Objects CGN-36 California class Cruiser CVN-68 Nimitz Class Aircraft Carrier Gearing FRAM IB class Destroyer Kashin class Destroyer Kiev class Aircraft Carrier Knox class Frigate Krivak I class Frigate Krivak II class Frigate LCC-19 Blue Ridge class Amphibious Command Ship LHA-1 Tarawa class Amphibious Assault Ship LPD-4 Austin class Amphibious Transport Dock Oliver Hazard Perry class Frigate Oliver Hazard Perry (82) class Frigate Spruance class Destroyer Spruance (82) class Destroyer Weapons AIM-54A Phoenix SA-N-3 Goblet (M-11 Shtorm) SAM SA-N-1B Goa SAM SA-N-4 Gecko SAM RIM-2F Terrier SAM RIM-7E/H Sea Sparrow SAM RIM-66B Standard SAM K10S (AS-2 Kipper) Cruise Missile KH22 (AS-4 Kitchen) Cruise Missile KSR5 (AS-6 Kingfish) Cruise Missile Items in SF1 series removed from SF2 A-6A Cockpit in SF2V (DIANE not possible) AV-8A in SF2E Multiplayer (All) O-1E Birddog (All) FAC over CAS(All) C-130 Hercules F-104 cockpit
New items included by Thirdwire in the Strike Fighters 2 Series (As of Jan 2012)
General changes Original 3D Aircraft look to have been reworked/replaced and have higher resolution skins Original 3D cockpits look to have been reworked/replaced with more functionality (working dials, switches. panel lights) and higher resolution skins. Terrains have higher resolution tiles. The Games support Direct X 10 advanced shaders if you have a DX10 capable graphics card and Win 7 / Vista. Better support for multicore CPUs. Vector RHAW scope and functionality added with radar frequency ranges. TEWS RWR with radar frequency ranges for 1978 Jets. New file structure to make modding and patching far easier. New Menu/hangar screens. Screenshots save as smaller JPEGs by default. Ability to merge all the SF2 games. Ability to save a mission you have just flown. "Request For Help" radio feature now works from June 2010 From Expansion 1 Bump maps can be added to skins Revised Campaign selection screen. Support for Force Feedback (Dec 2009). In game Mission Editor (Expansion Pack 2 or DLC) Radar On/Off command works(June 2011) F12 cinematic view works - also after crashes(June 2011) Year specific loadouts allowed in loadout.ini (July 2011) In game options for downloads and Online Manual (May 2011) AI terrain following improved DLC Support added in Patches. LAU-42 rack added for AIM-4s Twin AIM-9 rails added Aircraft made easier to spin on Hard FM (Jun 2010). Radar on/off radio command now works Attack my target Radio command added to command element (May 2011) Ejection sequence camera view changed(May 2011) Tree Fade added (May 2011). Installer reworked so games can be installed and merged in any order (May 2011) No guns option added when only left with Sidewinders in flight (Aug 2011). Multiple Carriers now launch flights in SF2V Campaigns. Aircraft Hangar screen can now change with skin selected Games can check online for the latest version and be updated from within the game.[May 2011] Blast damage to a target now counts to a players score. Pilot pictures can now be JPGs Rocket and Fuel pod combined armament (July 2011). Bombers less armoured against Missile hits (Nov 2011) Campaign Customiser DLC for SF2 released (Sep 2011) Carrier Starts in generated Single missions (Mar 2012 SF2NA) Multiple Ship launched SAMs and GunFire(Mar 2012 SF2NA) Fleet name and ship lists shown on Planning map (Mar 2012 SF2NA) AWACs name shown on Planning map (Mar 2012 SF2NA) new DX10 only Terrain engine - 3D ground objects with collision (Mar 2012 SF2NA) F-14 Avionics allow 6 targets to be simultaneously fired on in TWS mode (Mar 2012 SF2NA) Carriers now populated with random Aircraft (Mar 2012 SF2NA) New menu music (Mar 2012 SF2NA) New voice and calls for E-2C AWACS controller (Mar 2012 SF2NA) AI bombers can now launch Cruise Missiles from long range (Mar 2012 SF2NA) Expansion Packs can be installed over any game at May 2013 patch or later NEW Objects in the SF2 series ( That's in addition to the original Aircraft from the first series)
Note: A lot of the new aircraft versions have their own 3D cockpits and 3D models specific to the version - there are too many differences to note so you will just have to have fun finding them.
Strike Fighters 2 A-4B (65) A-4C (65) A-4E (65) A-4E (67) A-4F (74) F-4B (65) F-4B (67) F-4C (67) F-4D (67) F-4D (75) F-4E (72) - Slatted with longer gun muzzle F-4E (75) F-100D (64) - new model and new unique 1964 cockpit F-100D (68) - new model and new unique 1968 cockpit Hawker Hunter F.4 - model and skins (No Pit) Hawker Hunter F.5 - model and skins (No Pit) Hawker Hunter F.6 - model and skins (No Pit) Hawker Hunter F.9 - model and skins (No Pit) Hawker Hunter F.59 - model and skins (No Pit) Hawker Hunter F.70 (No Pit) Hawker Hunter F.73 (No Pit) MiG-17 - (No Pit) MiG-17PF - Has radar (No Pit) J-6 - (No Pit) MiG-21M - (No Pit) MiG-21FL - (No Pit) MiG-21PF - (No Pit) MiG-21PFV - (No Pit) MiG-21S - (No Pit) MiG-21SM - (No Pit) MiG-23BN - (No Pit) MiG-23MF - (No Pit) MiG-23MS - (No Pit) Mirage 5D- (No Pit) Su-7BMK - (No Pit) Tu-16 - (No Pit) Ground Objects SA-2E SA-6 ECM Pods AN/ALQ-71 AN/ALQ-101 AN/ALQ-119 Strike Fighters 2: Vietnam A-1H - new model and skins (No Pit) A-1J - new model and skins (No Pit) A-6A (No Pit) A-7B (71) A-7C (71) A-7C - new A-7C model A-7D - new A-7D model and new unique cockpit A-7E - new A-7E model and new unique cockpit F-100D (64) - new model and new unique 1964 cockpit F-100D (68) - new model and new unique 1968 cockpit F-105D(66) F-4B(65) F-4B(67) F-4C(67) F-4D(67) F-4E(72) - slatted with longer gun muzzle F-8C F-8C(66) F-8D F-8D(66) F-8E(66) F-8H F-8H(69) F-8J F-8J(69) J-6 - (No Pit) MiG-17PF - (No Pit) Ground Objects SA-2C SA-2E ECM Pods AN/ALQ-71 AN/ALQ-101 AN/ALQ-119 Strike Fighters 2: Europe A-7D - new A-7D model and new cockpit A-7D(75) A-7D (78) A-10A(78) - New model with Pave Penny CF-104 - New skins - (No Pit) CF-104(72) - New skins - (No Pit) CF-104(76) - New skins - (No Pit) F-4C(67) F-4D(67) F-4D(75) F-4D(78) F-4E(72) F-4E(75) F-4E(78) F-4F(80) F-4M(75) F-84F - (No Pit) Hawker Hunter F.4 - (No Pit) Hawker Hunter F.5 - (No Pit) Hawker Hunter F.6 Hawker Hunter F.51 - (No Pit) MiG-17PF - (No Pit) MiG-21M - (No Pit) MiG-21Bis - (No Pit) MiG-21S - (No Pit) MiG-21SM - (No Pit) MiG-23BN - (No Pit) MiG-23MF- (No Pit) MiG-23ML- (No Pit) MiG-23MLA - (No Pit) MiG-23MLD - (No Pit) Mirage 3C - (No Pit) Mirage5F- (No Pit) MystereIVA - (No Pit) Su-7B - (No Pit) Su-7BMK - (No Pit) Super Mystere B2 - (No Pit) Ground Objects SA-8 SA-8B SA-2C SA-2E ECM Pods AN/ALQ-71 AN/ALQ-101 AN/ALQ-119 Strike Fighters 2:Israel A-4H (68) A-4H (70) F-4E(72) F-4E Kurnass(73) F-4E Kurnass(75) F-4E Kurnass(78) Hawker Hunter F.6 - (No Pit) Hawker Hunter F.9 - (No Pit) Kfir C1 Kfir C1(77) MiG-17PF - (No Pit) MiG-21BisB - (No Pit) MiG-21M- (No Pit) MIG-21FL - (No Pit) MiG-23ML - (No Pit) MiG-23MLD - (No Pit) Shahak (71) - (New 3D model with correct engine) Ground Objects Centurion8 Centurion10 Centurion13 M48A3 M60A1 ECM Pods AN/ALQ-71 AN/ALQ-101 AN/ALQ-119 Strike Fighters 2:Israel - Expansion Pack 1 C-47A - (No Pit) Meteor F.8 MiG-15bis - (No Pit) P-51D Spitfire mk 9c - (No Pit) Spitfire mk 9e - (No Pit) Vampire F.5 - (No Pit) Vampire F9 - (No Pit) Vampire F.52 - (No Pit) MystereIVA - New cockpit F-16A - Corrected 3D model(Should also appear in June 2010 SF2I patch) Ground Objects M50_Sherman M51_Sherman T34-85 Strike Fighters 2:Europe - Expansion Pack 2 English Electric Lightning F.1 English Electric Lightning F.1A English Electric Lightning F.2 English Electric Lightning F.2A English Electric Lightning F.3 English Electric Lightning F.6 English Electric Lightning F.53 (if you have SF2 merged) Hawker Hunter F.1 Hawker Hunter F.2 Hawker Hunter F.4 NAA F-100A Super Sabre NAA F-100A Super Sabre (58) NAA F-100C Super Sabre NAA F-100C Super Sabre (65) English Electric Canberra B.2 (No pit) English Electric Canberra B.6 (No pit) English Electric Canberra B.20 (No pit - If you have SF2 Merged) Yak-23 (No pit) New Skins for C-47 and Spitfires (No pit - If you have Expansion Pack 1 Merged) MiG-15(No pit) Weapons Redtop A-A Missile Firestreak A-A Missile Lightning Gun Pack Strike Fighters 2:North Atlantic Grumman F-14A Tomcat Grumman F-14A_77 Tomcat Vought A-7E_74 Corsair II Grumman A-6E Intruder (No Pit) Grumman A-6E_79 Intruder (No Pit) Grumman E-2C Hawkeye (No Pit) Grumman EA-6B Prowler (No Pit) Tu-16K-10-26 Badger C (No Pit) Tu-16K-26 Badger G (No Pit) Tu-16K-26_73 Badger G (No Pit) Tu-16P Badger J (No Pit) Tu-16P_72 Badger J (No Pit) Tu-16RM-1 Badger D (No Pit) Tu-22KD Blinder B (No Pit) Tu-22M2 Backfire B (No Pit) Tu-22M3 Backfire C (No Pit) Tu-22PD Blinder E (No Pit) Tu-22RD Blinder C (No Pit) Tu-95RT Bear D (No Pit) Yak-38 Forger A (No Pit) Ground Objects CGN-36 California class Cruiser CVN-68 Nimitz Class Aircraft Carrier Gearing FRAM IB class Destroyer Kashin class Destroyer Kiev class Aircraft Carrier Knox class Frigate Krivak I class Frigate Krivak II class Frigate LCC-19 Blue Ridge class Amphibious Command Ship LHA-1 Tarawa class Amphibious Assault Ship LPD-4 Austin class Amphibious Transport Dock Oliver Hazard Perry class Frigate Oliver Hazard Perry (82) class Frigate Spruance class Destroyer Spruance (82) class Destroyer Weapons AIM-54A Phoenix SA-N-3 Goblet (M-11 Shtorm) SAM SA-N-1B Goa SAM SA-N-4 Gecko SAM RIM-2F Terrier SAM RIM-7E/H Sea Sparrow SAM RIM-66B Standard SAM K10S (AS-2 Kipper) Cruise Missile KH22 (AS-4 Kitchen) Cruise Missile KSR5 (AS-6 Kingfish) Cruise Missile Items in SF1 series removed from SF2 A-6A Cockpit in SF2V (DIANE not possible) AV-8A in SF2E Multiplayer (All) O-1E Birddog (All) FAC over CAS(All) C-130 Hercules F-104 cockpit