Jump to content

Recommended Posts

SF2 A-4F VA-164 'Ghost Riders' 1973


A-4F Skyhawk, VA-164 'Ghost Riders' Vietnam 1973 Skinpack

 

*** SF2V required for A-4F-model, tested in full 5-merged installation ***

 

The skin represents A-4Fs from VA-164 'Ghost Riders' in 1973 aboard the carrier USS Hancock in Vietnam.

All BuNo are correct for this squadron, but unfortunately I couldn't find the correct assignment for all modex to BuNo.

 

This pack contains another version of "Lady Jessie", this time the wellknown version with big letters on the fuselage. In 1973 VA-164 was on another combat-cruise in Vietnam. Carrier Air Wing CVW-21, which VA-164 was part of, was tasked with the responsibility, to develop expertise in unique mission types. For example VA-55 was tasked with Iron Hand missions, while VA-164 was to develop tactics to use Laser Guided Weapons at its best. Some A-4F were equipped with Laser Spot Trackers instead of the ususal Radar in the nose, so that LGBs could be used on designated targets. As these were only trackers, a special Designator was needed. For that case, 2 TA-4F were borrowed from USMC squadrons. A 2nd crewmember with a handheld-device to designate the targets was placed on the 2nd seat. Those people were volunteers from other squadrons, that usually flew E-1B or RF-8/F-8. As the handheld-device had to be held steady for a proper designation while the plane was flying, it was a not well-like job to do. But in the end, it proved successful and led to the development of build-in laserdesignators.

 

The pack consists of 2 parts:

 

- a skin for the stock A-4F, which cannot use laser-guided bombs (LGB). So this is only for the looks. Select the skin in the loadout-screen of the stock A-4F.

 

- a modification of the stock A-4F to use LGB. Ingame you will find a new plane - "A-4F (Laser Spot Tracker)" to choose. It also has a different gunsight and shows laser designated targets. For the laser-designator you have 2 options. First is to use the plane as is, meaning, you only can use LGBs on primary targets as they're always designated. The radarscreen is just black in that case, because the planes didnt have a radar anymore. Second, you use the Laser designator from the loadout screen and can use LGBs on every target. I included a modified AVQ-23 (modded from the stock one) for that purpose. It is not shown externally and is a compromise for playability-reasons. The radar-screen shows the target if you have selected one.

 

Planes marked with * are the LST-equipped ones (401, 407, 411, 413, 414), which have the different nosecone. 401 and 407 are confirmed by pictures, the other 3 are in for a good mix. There were more than 2 of them, but I couldn't find more numbers or other pictures.

 

Installation

============

1. unzip to a temporary folder

2. open "Put_In_Your_Mod folder" and do as you were told, if asked to overwrite, say 'yes' :P

3. enjoy!

 

 

Credits

=======

- Thirdwire and TK for a great game and nice models I used.

- Eole2, Hangar- and Loadingscreen, Vintage Screenshots, aswell as improvements of the packagearrangement (A big thanks for that!)

- ZScout370, wikimedia - USAF Insignia

- Wrench, updated data.ini (Canopy, Landinglight)

- myself, Skin, Decals, ini-work (Gunsight/HUD, LaserDesignator)

 

 

Thanks

======

- Soulfreak, for your decalpattern, which was a BIG help to improve the baseskin and fill it with "life"!

- Blowhard, for the weathering-tutorial at http://www.eaf51.org/Photoshop/Tutorial/Basic_Weathering.htm

- Wrench, KJAkker for the Gunsight-Issue

- all modders at CombatAce for their work and inspiration!

 

 

P.S.

====

If you have any problems with this skin or have suggestions and hints, feel free to PM me.

This pack and any parts from it, may be used as freeware only.


 

  • Like 2

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
Sign in to follow this  

  • Similar Content

    • By ValAstur
      After having won the competition for a light attack plane, FIAT had encountered problems with the structural integrity of its two-part fuselage system in the G-91. The first model, built the way it was meant to, in the wind-channel showed the possibility of unusual wear in the connection system of the two fuselage parts, which could have lead to the breaking and the loss of the plane in medium to high-g exposures.
      The construction team had to overthink a possibility for a workaround without making the airplane much heavier, more expensive and more difficult to maintain.
      Italian minister of defense, Paolo Emilio Taviani, not happy about this matter, sought an other way to reinforce the italian air force with a suitable and comparable aircraft until the problems of the G-91 would have been solved.
      He was then offered the A-4 Skyhawk, which was also a light and easy to maintain aircraft.
      Three italian pilots of the Aeronautica Militare received the possibility to test the aircraft in the US. Their reports included a satisfactory review of this nimble aircraft. It was described as nice to fly and easy to maintain.
      The ministry of defense, not willing to upset FIAT but showing impatience, ordered 72 A4D-2N (renamed A-4C; with an option for eventually more), which got allocated to squadrons of the 6th, 32nd and 51st Stormo in 1962.
      An A-4C of the 32nd Stormo, 1962

       
      At the end of the 1960s, the A-4Cs got replaced by the more modern A-4Es, with better engine and radar and also the possibility to take more payload on board. Some of the A-4C, which some of the italian pilots called "topolino" (little mouse), got retained for training purposes while most of the fleet got back to the US or sold to other countries.
      A-4Es from the 51st Stormo, 1970

       
      At the end of the 1960s, FIAT finally was able to start delivering G-91 to the air forces. Italy, though being local customer, was doubtful about replacing the Skyhawks with the Ginas, since all pilots were satisfied with the capabilities and the flight characteristics of the aircraft.
      Mario Tanassi, then minister of defense, declared, after having discussed this matter with the Adreotti administration, that the Skyhawks would be replaced by G-91 in a matter of two years with the exception of the 6th Stormo. The replaced Skyhawks got then sold to other countries or scrapped for spare parts. The 6th Stormo was the last wing having the Skyhawk, receiving in 1973 the last upgrade with the A-4F.
      A-4Fs of the 6th Stormo

       
      The wing did not have the Skyhawk for a long time. In 1978, MoD Attilio Ruffini on behalf of the italian government, got into negotiations with SecDef Harold Brown of the Carter Administration about the purchase of 24 A-6 and 4 EA-6 aircraft of Grumman for replacing the Skyhawks. In Spring 1979, the negotiations were successful and Italy was to receive the new aircraft in early 1980. The days of the Skyhawk in italian service got fewer and fewer. The last Skyhawk was taken out of commission and sold to Brazil in April 1980.
      A-6S' of the 6th Stormo, around Summer 1980

      EA-6S', Summer 1980

    • By Spinners
      Douglas Skyhawk S.1 - 801 Naval Air Squadron, Royal Navy, 1966
       
       
       
       
       
       
      Template Credit: Nyghtfall
    • By Nyghtfall


      View File SF2 Vietnam Scooters
      SF Vietnam Scooters - v0.95
      ===========================
      *** SF2, SF2V required. Tested in full 5-merged installation ***
      This pack includes 111 Skins for Thirdwires A-4 Skyhawk-models during Vietnam war from 1964 to 1972. It combines the former v0.01 and v0.02 releases into 1 pack.
      The data.inis for the planes itself are changed from the stockfiles (rearranged weaponsstations, added invisible skids for belly-landings, added new droptanks and missilerails, etc.).
      Sometimes a skin is provided for 2 different Skyhawk-models. This is done to represent different changes througout an ongoing deployment:
      - transition from one Skyhawk-variant to another (for example A-4E to A-4F)
      - retrofit of ECM-equipment (Project Shoehorn) (A-4C to A-4C_65, A-4E to A-4E_65, A-4E_65 to A-4E_67)
      - change in Camouflage (VA-155)
      Skins included (Timeframe 1964 to 1972):
      (compl.) means, that skins, for all deployments to Vietnam are finished for a squadron.
      Navy Squadrons:
      VA-12 Flying Ubangis (compl.)
      VA-15 Valions (1 of 2)
      VA-22 Fighting Redcocks (compl.)
      VA-23 Black Knights (compl.)
      VA-34 Blue Blasters (compl.)
      VA-36 Roadrunners (compl.)
      VA-46 Clansmen (compl.)
      VA-55 Warhorses (4 of 7)
      VA-56 Champions (compl.)
      VA-72 Blue Hawks (compl.)
      VA-76 Spirits (1 of 2)
      VA-93 Blue Blazers (1 of 4)
      VA-94 Mighty Shrikes (3 of 6)
      VA-95 Green Lizards (compl.)
      VA-106 Gladiators (compl.)
      VA-112 Broncos (compl.)
      VA-113 Stingers (1 of 3)
      VA-144 Roadrunners (5 of 6)
      VA-146 Blue Diamonds (1 of 3)
      VA-152 Fighting Aces (compl.)
      VA-153 Blue Tail Flies (compl.)
      VA-155 Silver Foxes (compl.)
      VA-163 Saints (compl.)
      VA-164 Ghost Riders (compl.)
      VA-172 Blue Bolts (compl.)
      VA-192 Golden Dragons (compl.)
      VA-195 Dambusters (4 of 5)
      VA-212 Rampant Raiders (compl.)
      VA-216 Black Diamonds (1 of 3)
      Marines Squadrons:
      VMA-121 Green Knights (compl.)
      VMA-211 Wake Island Avengers (1 of 4)
      VMA-214 Black Sheep (compl.)
      VMA-223 Bulldogs (compl.)
      VMA-225 Vagabonds (compl.)
      VMA-311 Tomcats (1 of 6)
      H&MS-15 Angels (compl.)

      Unfortunately I failed at finishing this MOD! For different reasons, I decided to not invest any more time into this.
      I hope you can still enjoy this pack. Have fun!
       
      Unpacking and installation:
      ===========================
      !!! IMPORTANT !!!
      !!! I recommend using this pack for a standalone-Vietnam-War MOD-folder, as planes.inis are changed accordingly
      !!! That means, that no exportusers are in userlist.ini
      Backup your A-4B. A-4B_65, A-4C, A-4C_65, A-4E, A-4E_65, A-4E_67 and A-4F planefolders, as .inis will be overwritten
      1. Create a temporary folder, copy all 3 zip-files into that folder and unpack them into this folder (overwrite is ok)
      Info: If you do NOT want to include the changed data.inis to your installation, just go to all planes-folders in the temporary folder (Objects/Aircraft/A-4B, etc.) and delete all ini.files in each planes-folder.
      2. open "Put_Contents_In_Your_MOD_Folder" from the temporary folder and copy the contents you want to your Vietnam-MOD-folder
      3. if asked to overwrite, say 'yes'
      4. Thats it!
       
      Credits
      =======
      - Thirdwire and TK the game and models
      - FastCargo for the fakepilot
      - Alejandro for Escapac-Seat
      - OldDiego for pilotmodels
      - ravenclaw_007 for AGM-12C+E Bullpup
      - ???? for Walleye_I model
      - ???? for sounds
      - me - template, skins, decals, ini- and 3D-work of tanks, rails and addons, walleye-repaint
      P.S.
      ====
      This MOD or parts of it may not be included in any PAYWARE-packs, PAYWARE-mods or "PAY"-related. It is free!
      If you use the MOD or parts of it, you should give proper credits.
       
      Submitter Nyghtfall Submitted 10/13/2022 Category A-4  
    • By Nyghtfall
      SF Vietnam Scooters - v0.95
      ===========================
      *** SF2, SF2V required. Tested in full 5-merged installation ***
      This pack includes 111 Skins for Thirdwires A-4 Skyhawk-models during Vietnam war from 1964 to 1972. It combines the former v0.01 and v0.02 releases into 1 pack.
      The data.inis for the planes itself are changed from the stockfiles (rearranged weaponsstations, added invisible skids for belly-landings, added new droptanks and missilerails, etc.).
      Sometimes a skin is provided for 2 different Skyhawk-models. This is done to represent different changes througout an ongoing deployment:
      - transition from one Skyhawk-variant to another (for example A-4E to A-4F)
      - retrofit of ECM-equipment (Project Shoehorn) (A-4C to A-4C_65, A-4E to A-4E_65, A-4E_65 to A-4E_67)
      - change in Camouflage (VA-155)
      Skins included (Timeframe 1964 to 1972):
      (compl.) means, that skins, for all deployments to Vietnam are finished for a squadron.
      Navy Squadrons:
      VA-12 Flying Ubangis (compl.)
      VA-15 Valions (1 of 2)
      VA-22 Fighting Redcocks (compl.)
      VA-23 Black Knights (compl.)
      VA-34 Blue Blasters (compl.)
      VA-36 Roadrunners (compl.)
      VA-46 Clansmen (compl.)
      VA-55 Warhorses (4 of 7)
      VA-56 Champions (compl.)
      VA-72 Blue Hawks (compl.)
      VA-76 Spirits (1 of 2)
      VA-93 Blue Blazers (1 of 4)
      VA-94 Mighty Shrikes (3 of 6)
      VA-95 Green Lizards (compl.)
      VA-106 Gladiators (compl.)
      VA-112 Broncos (compl.)
      VA-113 Stingers (1 of 3)
      VA-144 Roadrunners (5 of 6)
      VA-146 Blue Diamonds (1 of 3)
      VA-152 Fighting Aces (compl.)
      VA-153 Blue Tail Flies (compl.)
      VA-155 Silver Foxes (compl.)
      VA-163 Saints (compl.)
      VA-164 Ghost Riders (compl.)
      VA-172 Blue Bolts (compl.)
      VA-192 Golden Dragons (compl.)
      VA-195 Dambusters (4 of 5)
      VA-212 Rampant Raiders (compl.)
      VA-216 Black Diamonds (1 of 3)
      Marines Squadrons:
      VMA-121 Green Knights (compl.)
      VMA-211 Wake Island Avengers (1 of 4)
      VMA-214 Black Sheep (compl.)
      VMA-223 Bulldogs (compl.)
      VMA-225 Vagabonds (compl.)
      VMA-311 Tomcats (1 of 6)
      H&MS-15 Angels (compl.)

      Unfortunately I failed at finishing this MOD! For different reasons, I decided to not invest any more time into this.
      I hope you can still enjoy this pack. Have fun!
       
      Unpacking and installation:
      ===========================
      !!! IMPORTANT !!!
      !!! I recommend using this pack for a standalone-Vietnam-War MOD-folder, as planes.inis are changed accordingly
      !!! That means, that no exportusers are in userlist.ini
      Backup your A-4B. A-4B_65, A-4C, A-4C_65, A-4E, A-4E_65, A-4E_67 and A-4F planefolders, as .inis will be overwritten
      1. Create a temporary folder, copy all 3 zip-files into that folder and unpack them into this folder (overwrite is ok)
      Info: If you do NOT want to include the changed data.inis to your installation, just go to all planes-folders in the temporary folder (Objects/Aircraft/A-4B, etc.) and delete all ini.files in each planes-folder.
      2. open "Put_Contents_In_Your_MOD_Folder" from the temporary folder and copy the contents you want to your Vietnam-MOD-folder
      3. if asked to overwrite, say 'yes'
      4. Thats it!
       
      Credits
      =======
      - Thirdwire and TK the game and models
      - FastCargo for the fakepilot
      - Alejandro for Escapac-Seat
      - OldDiego for pilotmodels
      - ravenclaw_007 for AGM-12C+E Bullpup
      - ???? for Walleye_I model
      - ???? for sounds
      - me - template, skins, decals, ini- and 3D-work of tanks, rails and addons, walleye-repaint
      P.S.
      ====
      This MOD or parts of it may not be included in any PAYWARE-packs, PAYWARE-mods or "PAY"-related. It is free!
      If you use the MOD or parts of it, you should give proper credits.
       
×

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue..