Iran-Iraq war

[Centurion-1]

Unrecognized Lessons

The experiences from the use of airpower during the Iran-Iraq War are of immense importance, yet completely ignored. It was the first war in which both sides used a large number of medium-range air-to-air missiles (MRAAMs). Even more so, it was the first war in which long-range air-to-air missiles (LRAAMs) – precisely, the AIM-54A Phoenix – were used, with huge success – to engage tactical fighters. It was also the first war, in which an air force – the Iraqi – started to fly in small formations at medium levels and deploy stand-off weapons in huge numbers in order to evade ground-based air defenses, instead of penetrating at very low levels. The Iran-Iraq War was also the first war in which both fighting sides attacked each other’s nuclear reactors, and in which the surface-to-surface missiles (SSMs) were introduced by both sides as weapons of terror. It was an air war in which both sides made extensive use of all possible means of the electronic warfare; by 1988, the use of ECM – or the lack thereof – was decisive factor and a matter of life and death of many fliers on both sides. The First Persian Gulf War was also the first conflict in which armed UAVs were deployed – by Iran – to attack land targets. And, finally, for the first time in anger, very-high-flying aircraft were shot down at their maximum operating altitude using LRAAMs.

 

Despite all, the air war between Iraq and Iran was so far one of the least known, worst researched, and most ignored and misunderstood air wars ever. The most likely reason for this fact is that the war was used as a testing ground for a huge number of diverse weapons systems, many of which debuted nowhere near as expected or advertised by their manufacturers, as well as the fact that both the West and the former Soviet Union completely underestimated the capabilities of the two invloved sides to wage a high-tech war, instead prferring to concentrate on some of the best known and most successful propaganda-campaigns of the 20th Century.

Quote from Acig.org

 

 

 

Hi guys,

as you might have seen from my screenies I have been working a bit on compiling an Iran-Iraq war install, even contributing some missing assets. Yesterday, as by some divine inspiration, I decided to make a new ground war for the campaign. So I made, paper map in hand, a new 32 strategic node ground war. Yep. I am immensly proud of myself I actually discovered a fairly easy workflow for making them, I can detail it if anyones interested.

 

So, what have I got so far:

 

-Campaign starting on the 22nd of September, 1980, detailing the first part of the war. Includes, so far, accurate IRIAF and IrAf squardrons, as per Acig.orgs article in which I have supreme confidence.

 

-Ground War

 

-Collected avaliable resourcet at Combat Ace: IRIAF F-4D by Sundowner, F-5E pack and skins by MF/Paulopanz/Crusader etc. Iran/Iraq map by Wrench&Co, Swing wing Fitter pack for SF2 by eburger,lindr2 & Amokfloo etc. RF-4E by TMF etc

 

-TW resources: IrAf MiG-21MF skin, F14A IRIAF skin DLC, Iraqi Su-7BM skin

 

-Made a new Tu-22 and Tu-22KD skin.

 

-Also incorporated the closed beta MiG-25PD and Mirage F.1 (neither of which were operational already in the fall of 1980, so no biggie for the early campaign)

 

What is still needed

 

-Proper IRIAF F-4E skin. I jury-rigged the F-4D skin for now but is there a real one floating around anywhere? Sundowner?

 

-Su-20/22M/22M3 templates for making proper Iraqi skins

 

-MiG-23BN, MS, MLA and MF skins. I favor the Thirdwire MiGs over Lindr2s but that might just be a matter of personal preference.. (Flogger23?)

 

-MiG-21Bis and PF iraqi skins (Paulopanz?)

 

-The Iran/Iraq map could use some visual love and TOD file goodness as well as some targets in the mountains between cities (just some villages or random stuff like Hill 123, 231 etc) to slow down the pace of advancement for iraqi units into the iranian mountains. Completely out of scope of my know how. I was thinking something more along the lines of this or this. I am willing to contribute making tiles if some mapping guy (Wrench? Pretty please?) would help me incorporate them.

 

-Attack helicopters, first and foremost Cobras and Mi-24/25s, but also UH-1s, Mi-8s and Gazelles. Wasn't there a Hind released already? Couldn't find it. Mostly for AI.

 

 

So I was wondering if anyone was interested in making this a co-operative effort? If not, I'll just release the campaign files and the Blinder skins and let each one fend for themselves

It is a great setting to fly in SF2, we already have most of the stuff needed.

[+FLOGGER23]

I was thinking to create the templates soon so if you give some time i can do them, also, for the Fitters, and for you to believe me i'll leave you an example here, hehehe, this is for the MiG-23BN

[Centurion-1]

Very cool, that's what I'm talking about! It's too bad the Thirdwire AIs have such low res skins as the templates themselves are rather nice looking. Good job, guess I can take that one off my list of worries.

[+FLOGGER23]

I also have some 2048 templates for the Blinders if you want them, i was planning to make the Iraqi's ones but since you have them is one less in my worries list, hehehe, count me to make the Fitters too :)

[+Soulfreak]

Stock MiG-23BN templates are really needet!

BTW i think i still have some Templates for the SU-17(22) from AD

on a backup....

[+FLOGGER23]

Carlo i have them almost ready if you need them i can upload them and send them for your use, i know it'll be in good hands, let me know.

[Centurion-1]

Nice one Carlo, those would be good to have. It is one of my favorite addon planes looks-wise, but the skins could always be bumbped up a notch!

[+Soulfreak]

Well, when you got them ready, send them via PM.

So i can do (after years of thinking about) a accurate LSK Skin! :-D

BTW, you need Fitter Temps?

[+FLOGGER23]

If you do the skins, maybe not, if not, i could give them a shot

[Centurion-1]

I could use the Fitter temps. I have been on a bit of a skinning-spree lately

[+Soulfreak]

Will send them to both of you! ;-)

[+KnightWolf45]

Centurion watt cobra and or UH-1 version you need?

[jeanba]

I cannot be of much help for the moment, except for moral support

[+KnightWolf45]

i can make whit some help make both the Cobra and Huey.

[thodouras95]

I wish I could help.For now, all I can say is good luck!

[+Soulfreak]

Daniel, Iran used Bell 214A + C. and Augusta Bell 205 (comparable with UH-1D/H)

[+KnightWolf45]

ok thanks Carlo that points me in the right direction

Cobra status

 

[Centurion-1]

In 1971, Iran purchased 202 improved AH-1J Cobras, with the name "AH-IJ International", from the United States.^[13] This improved Cobra, known as the AH-1J International, resulted from this contract featured an uprated P&WC T400-WV-402 engine and stronger drivetrain. Recoil damping gear was fitted to the 20mm gun turret, and the gunner was given a stabilized sight and even a stabilized chair. 62 of the International AH-1Js delivered to the Shah's forces were TOW-capable, while the rest were not.^[14]

From wikipedia.

 

Thanks to all who have supported me so far, I'm hoping this will turn out to be good project! I am currently testing the campaign and it is working quite nicely. Initially the Iraqis had a bit of a upper hand and pushed into Irani territory, but after 4 missions (about two weeks time ingame) the IrAf losses are starting to mount and Iran is pushing back in the ground war. The AGM-65A Mavericks are used to devastating effect against Iraqi armour just like in real-life. The superior skill of the IRIAF visavi mission planning and recon assets is a bit hard to model ingame, but oh well. Iraqi heavies have not played much of a role so far.

[Icarus999]

An updated terrain using these textures would be my recommendation.

 

http://combatace.com/files/file/12368-hi-res-desert-tiles/

[+JonathanRL]

When you release it - after due time of course - kindly make it all in a big package if that is not too much to ask. Looking forward to it. If I can help in any way, let me know.

[+KnightWolf45]

guys i found this Uh-1H in donwload seccion his it usable?

http://combatace.com/files/file/10752-uh-1h-bushranger-gunship/

[+Soulfreak]

It´s really a "B" model....

best would be a complete new H Model....

[Centurion-1]

Hmm yeah. But I don't consider the transport choppers to be really important, most important are the gunships. I am currently contacting an old ArmA modding contact who has an excellent Mi-24 model.

[+Soulfreak]

Maybe you got more contacts with more models?

[Centurion-1]

Nah, don't think so. I did tell him about SF2 modding, so there's always the slim chance he'll hop aboard the mod wagon. I was just mainly looking for permission to use his model, but there is always hope to get more good modders aboard!

 

I have done some extensive tile-set testing, I've used JSF Aggies hi-res desert tiles, Starys IndoPak as well as his hires IsarelME tiles. Based on this, I am remaking the tiles to match Starys Isreal ME for the farms and mountains, and am using a recolored desert tile from jsf. Here are some pics. Still need to make roads and sort out the TODs as well as some minor seams and stuff.

 

 

 

 

The problem is that the mountain area is tiled with just one tile all over, making for some bland looks. My dream is to have lush valleys and snowy mountaintops, but if i'm gonna lern to retile maps then this project will take forever