D-188 Projects (XF-109 / XF3L)

[Eagle114th 665]

Hello everyone,

I announcing the project I have been working on with the help from the combatace community (Thank you Wrench and Blackbird for working with me on this projects! ).  It have been many years since I have done any modding.  The project is called D-188 Projects, which is an expansion of Veltro2k XF-109 mod.  It is my goal to give D-188 projects having opportunities to be alive in SF2 for everyone to fly 'what if' aircraft.  The projects is still work in progress and I would like for feedback from community about the projects I am working on.  The reason why I am working on this project is because of my love for 'what if' aircraft.  And at the same time, I intend to keep all 'what if' aspect of D-188 realistic as possible.  Everything I typed about "What if" aspect of F-109s and F3Ls are developed with theories.  And that is why I need feedback, in order, to keep improving the projects.

 

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Bell D-188 Projects

 

The following aircraft is included in the projects:

1) XF-109 (Based on D-188 project which is historically designed for US Air force)

2) XF3L (Based on D-188A project which is historically designed for US Navy)
3) F-109s variants - Fictional "What if" USAF decided to accept XF-109 for military production.

4) F3L-1 variants - Fictional "What if" USN decided to accept XF3L for military production.

5) F3L-2 variants - Fictional "What if" it entered project for USMC.

 

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Information

 

Here are the information about configuration I have worked on for D-188 Projects:

 

1) Configuration/Upgrades for XF-109 / F-109s (USAF):

a. XF-109 (1961)

i. Prototype version - Powered by J85-GE-5

ii. Role: Interceptor

 

b. F-109A (1964)

i. Role: Interceptor

ii. Upgraded engine to J85-GE-5A

 

c. F-109A (1969)

i. Role: Interceptor

ii. Upgraded engine to J85-GE-13

iii. Counter measure equipment implemented

1. Chaff / Flare

 

d. F-109A (1975)

i. Role: Interceptor

ii. Upgraded engine to J85-GE-21

iii. Upgraded with more advanced avionics in cockpit

iv. Capable of carrying more advanced air to air missiles

v. Upgraded counter measure

1. Increased numbers of chaff / flare

 

e. F-109B (1969)

i. Role: Fighter and bomber

ii. Upgraded engine to J85-GE-13

iii. More capable of delivering air to ground various ordinances

iv. Counter measure equipment implemented

1. Chaff / Flare

 

f. F-109B (1973)

i. Role: Fighter - Bomber

ii. Upgraded engine to J85-GE-21

iii. Upgraded with capable of carrying laser guided ordinances

iv. Upgraded counter measure

1. Increased numbers of chaff / flare

 

g. F-109B (1976)

i. Role: Fighter - Bomber

ii. Upgraded with more advanced avionics in cockpit

iii. Capable of carrying more advanced air to air / air to ground ordinances

iv. Upgraded counter measure

1. Increased numbers of chaff / flare

 

h. F-109C (1980)

i. Role: Multi-Role

ii. Upgraded with more advanced avionics and cockpit

 

i. EF-109A (1984)

i. Role: SEAD “Wild Weasel”

ii. Upgraded engine to J85-GE-13

iii. Counter measure equipment implemented

1. Embedded ECM

2. Chaff / Flare

iv. Capable of delivering various air to ground ordinances, especially for role of SEAD.

 

j. EF-109B (1976)

i. Role: SEAD “Wild Weasel”

ii. Upgraded engine to J85-GE-21

iii. Upgraded with more advanced avionics in cockpit

iv. Capable of carrying more advanced air to ground ordinances

 

2) Configuration/Upgrades for XF3L / F3L-1s (USN):

a. XF3L (1963)

i. Prototype version - Powered by J85-GE-5

ii. Role: Multi-Role

 

b. F3L-1A (1969)

i. Role: Multi-Role

ii. Upgraded engine to J85-GE-13

iii. More capable of delivering air to air / air to ground various ordinances

iv. Counter measure equipment implemented

1. Chaff / Flare

 

c. F3L-1A (1973)

i. Role: Multi-Role

ii. Upgraded engine to J85-GE-21

iii. Upgraded with capable of carrying laser guided ordinances

iv. Upgraded counter measure

1. Increased numbers of chaff / flare

 

d. F3L-1A (1977)

i. Role: Multi-Role

ii. Upgraded with more advanced avionics in cockpit

iii. Capable of carrying more advanced air to air / air to ground ordinances

iv. Upgraded counter measure

1. Increased numbers of chaff / flare

 

3) Configuration/Upgrades for F3L-2s (USMC):

a. F3L-2A (1972)

i. Role: Multi-Role

ii. Upgraded engine to J85-GE-21

iii. Capable of delivering air to air / air to ground various ordinances

iv. Counter measure equipment implemented

1. Chaff / Flare

 

b. F3L-2A (1976)

i. Role: Multi-Role

ii. Upgraded with more advanced avionics in cockpit

iii. Upgraded with capable of carrying laser guided ordinances

iv. Upgraded counter measure

1. Increased numbers of chaff / flare

 

c. F3L-2B (1984)

i. Role: Multi-Role

ii. Upgraded with more advanced avionics and cockpit

iii. Capable of carrying more advanced air to air / air to ground ordinances

iv. Upgraded counter measure

1. Increased numbers of chaff / flare

 

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Flight model

 

I am not expert with the flight mode.  If anyone can help with flight model, the helps are always welcomed for D-188 (F-109s/F3Ls) projects!  I did the basic flight model tweaking, in order, to make F-109s/F3L feel more realistic when flying them in SF2, theoretically.  The flight model is originally created by Veltro2K and updated by Wrench. Here are following features I tweaked in flight model:

 

1) Slow roll rate = With two engines being mounted on each tip of wings, it means lot of weights.  And at the same time, with small wings from D-188s aircraft like F-104, in my opinion, it means slower roll rate.  However, as I stated, I am not an expert with flight model and any helps with flight model overhaul is always welcomed.

 

2) Fixed sensitive rudder = The rudder was very sensitive so I reduced it lot, in order, for D-188s to have small movement when using rudder.

 

3) There are two different versions of Bell D-188 (F-109s and F3Ls):

 

a. STOL version – All of aircraft have all 6 jet engines operation, especially when you are in STOL mode.  Because all engines from rotating engines and main fuselage engines are running at the same time, it is impossible to performance VTOL mode.

 

b. V/STOL version – All of aircraft only have rotating engine operation.  I divided the thrusts from main fuselage engines and added them to rotating engines, to make up for main fuselage engines not having any thrusts.  (See “Flight model” for more information about flight model for VSTOL version)  This enable you to be able to performance V/STOL and VTOL mode.  However, I removed afterburner effects from main fuselage engines (except for exhaust smokes).  It does not look right if you are in VTOL mode with afterburner running from fuselage.  But you still can re-enable afterburner for main fuselage engines with few steps (It is included in README.)

 

 

4) Engines overhaul = I have done lot of works on each engine powers for each aircraft.  This is the math I used to convert lb of thrust to Netwon:

 

Note: XXX is any given numbers.

 

XXX lb (thrust) = XXX lb x 4.45 = XXX (thrust) Newton

 

And keep in mind that STOL / VSTOL version of each aircraft engine have different thrusts.  STOL have accuracy thrusts in newton for each six engine while VSTOL have increased thrusts for four engines.

 

Here are example:

 

XF-109 (STOL version)

 

Engine #1: 2,400 LB (DRY) 3,600 LB (AB)

Engine #2: 2,400 LB (DRY) 3,600 LB (AB)

Engine #3: 2,400 LB (DRY) 3,600 LB (AB)

Engine #4: 2,400 LB (DRY) 3,600 LB (AB)

Engine #5: 2,400 LB (DRY) 3,600 LB (AB)

Engine #6: 2,400 LB (DRY) 3,600 LB (AB)

 

XF-109 (V/STOL version)

 

Note:  Because Engine #5 / #6 which is main fuselage engine having no thrusts, I divided them and moved to engine #1 to engine #2.

 

Engine #5 + engine #6 = Total engine thrust divided by four, then add them to each engine. 

 

Engine #5: 2,400 LB (DRY) 3,600 LB (AB)

Engine #6: 2,400 LB (DRY) 3,600 LB (AB)

 

Total Engine thrust: 4,800 LB (DRY)   7,200 (AB) / 4 = 1,200 LB (DRY)   1,800 (AB)

 

Engine #1: 2,400 LB (DRY) 3,600 LB (AB) + 1,200 LB (DRY)   1,800 (AB)

Engine #2: 2,400 LB (DRY) 3,600 LB (AB) + 1,200 LB (DRY)   1,800 (AB)

Engine #3: 2,400 LB (DRY) 3,600 LB (AB) + 1,200 LB (DRY)   1,800 (AB)

Engine #4: 2,400 LB (DRY) 3,600 LB (AB) + 1,200 LB (DRY)   1,800 (AB)

 

Result:

Note: Engine #1 to #4 is rotating engines while Engine #5 to #6 is main fuselage engines.

 

Engine #1: 3,600 LB (DRY) 5,400 LB (AB)

Engine #2: 3,600 LB (DRY) 5,400 LB (AB)

Engine #3: 3,600 LB (DRY) 5,400 LB (AB)

Engine #4: 3,600 LB (DRY) 5,400 LB (AB)

Engine #5: 0 LB (DRY) 0 LB (AB)

Engine #6: 0 LB (DRY) 0 LB (AB)

Note: Engine #5 and #6 still use fuels even when there is no thrusts, in order, to simulate all 6 of engines using fuels.

 

Here is the date about engines that each aircraft uses:

 

Aircraft (Service Date) Engine Thrust in LB (Dry / AB - Afterburner)

 

XF-109 (1961 - 1969) J85-GE-5 2,400 LB (DRY) 3,600 LB (AB)

                   

F-109A (1964 - 1975) J85-GE-5A 2,450 LB (DRY) 3,850 LB (AB)

F-109A (1969 - 1978) J85-GE-13 2,720 LB (DRY) 4,080 LB (AB)

F-109A (1975 - 1986) J85-GE-21 3,600 LB (DRY) 5,000 LB (AB)

                   

F-109B (1969 - 1979) J85-GE-13 2,720 LB (DRY) 4,080 LB (AB)

F-109B (1973 - 1984) J85-GE-21 3,600 LB (DRY) 5,000 LB (AB)

F-109B (1976 - 1990) J85-GE-21 3,600 LB (DRY) 5,000 LB (AB)

                   

F-109C (1980 - 2000) J85-GE-21 3,600 LB (DRY) 5,000 LB (AB)

                   

EF-109A (1971 - 1984) J85-GE-13 2,720 LB (DRY) 4,080 LB (AB)

EF-109B (1976 - 1996) J85-GE-21 3,600 LB (DRY) 5,000 LB (AB)

                   

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XF3L (1963 - 1970) J85-GE-5A 2,450 LB (DRY) 3,850 LB (AB)

                   

F3L-1A (1969 - 1980) J85-GE-13 2,720 LB (DRY) 4,080 LB (AB)

F3L-1A (1973 - 1986) J85-GE-21 3,600 LB (DRY) 5,000 LB (AB)

F3L-1A (1977 - 1996) J85-GE-21 3,600 LB (DRY) 5,000 LB (AB)

                   

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F3L-2A (1972 - 1982) J85-GE-21 3,600 LB (DRY) 5,000 LB (AB)

F3L-2A (1976 - 1990) J85-GE-21 3,600 LB (DRY) 5,000 LB (AB)

F3L-2B (1984 - 2014) J85-GE-21 3,600 LB (DRY) 5,000 LB (AB)

 

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Textures

 

 

For now, D-188 (F-109s/F3Ls) projects do not have any additional skins for each aircraft, so if anyone have plans to create skins for D-188 project, please let me know.  Any more skins for F-109s / F3Ls are always welcomed.  

 

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Custom missions

 

I am thinking about making custom missions for D-188 projects.  I am not promising anything here but I would like to see missions where F-109s/F3Ls would take advantage of V/STOL capabilities.

 

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Screenshots

 

I currently have few screenshots and I will add more of them as I continually test D-188 projects in SF2.

 

F-109A (late 1970s version)

 

F3L-1 on aircraft carrier

 

F-109s and F3Ls late 1970s cockpit upgrades with HUD

Edited October 15, 2016 by Eagle114th

[Stratos 3,192]

Pretty interesting project. I like the idea mate.

[Eagle114th 665]

Pretty interesting project. I like the idea mate.

 

I am happy that you liked the idea.  I am looking forward to release the beta version of D-188 Projects for SF2 when it is ready.

 

[+daddyairplanes 10,244]

cool idea.  some suggestions on the history of it

 

after 1962 it would retain teh F-109 name for the Air Force as well as the Navy (tri service common nomenclature system)

 

for hte Navy after 1973-4ish  this would be ideal for the Sea Control Ships. Harriers were tested for it in 75-76 on the Roosevelt's last cruise. Perhaps a couple of Essexs' would be saved for this purpose....

for the Weasel version, esp given when you have it coming to be, why not F-109G? the F-4G was so designated due to the F-105G variant despite the G designator having been used before briefly by the Navy

 

finally i dont know that any of the versions would have made it past teh big draw down from 1991 to 1995. age of airframe, maintainence and overall end strength would have mandated older systems going (which this would have been by then)  Possibly a last hurrah for ODS   but definately not in service with US into the 21st century.  other countries on the other hand.....

 

just my couple of pennies tossed in

[Eagle114th 665]

I was testing F3L-2 (1972) today with Vietnam map from Vietnam war mod.  And I was starting recon mission in F3L-2 hoping I would get to take off from aircraft carrier.  After loading up the missions, to my surprise, I was on small ship deck that is meant to be used for helicopter.

 

I decided to have fun with it so why not try taking off from small ship?  It was tricky but at the same time, F3L-2 is somehow forgiving to take off vertically and then fly straight with rotating engines.

 

 

 

I was being locked by SAMs while being jumped by MiG-21s, that's when I dove toward ground and turned hard to the left to break from missiles.
 

 

 

While MiG-21s were diving toward me at nearly mach one, I slammed on air brake and pulled hard to force MiG-21s to overshoot.  That was when I turned toward MiG-21s and fired Sidewinders.

 

I got forced into dogfight with next MiG-21s.  Knowing that F3L-2s is not good at close range dogfighting but the MiG-21 was front of me.  It was very deadly gambits because if MiG-21 were wise pilot, pilot would have taken advantage of their agile to out turn my F3L-2s.  Fortunately I managed to shoot down MiG-21 right before pilot would had the chance to change the situations in dogfight.

 

cool idea.  some suggestions on the history of it

 

after 1962 it would retain teh F-109 name for the Air Force as well as the Navy (tri service common nomenclature system)

 

for hte Navy after 1973-4ish  this would be ideal for the Sea Control Ships. Harriers were tested for it in 75-76 on the Roosevelt's last cruise. Perhaps a couple of Essexs' would be saved for this purpose....

for the Weasel version, esp given when you have it coming to be, why not F-109G? the F-4G was so designated due to the F-105G variant despite the G designator having been used before briefly by the Navy

 

finally i dont know that any of the versions would have made it past teh big draw down from 1991 to 1995. age of airframe, maintainence and overall end strength would have mandated older systems going (which this would have been by then)  Possibly a last hurrah for ODS   but definately not in service with US into the 21st century.  other countries on the other hand.....

 

just my couple of pennies tossed in

 

That is an excellent ideas!

 

I haven't thought of that and I will rename EF-109s into F-109Gs.

 

And about US Navy aircraft name, that makes sense.  I will rename F3L-1 to F/A-109A for USN and F/A-109B for USMC.   Since they are multi-role, it makes sense to use F/A-109 and we will be able to tell which F-109s are for USAF, USN, and USMC.  What do you think about the new names for F3Ls to F/A-109s?

 

However, about the service years ending in 1990s, I agree with you due to several reasons:

1) As you stated, aircraft structure start to wear down from 1970s.
2) F-109s and F/A-109s become completely obsolete during 1990s.

3) There are alternative aircraft that can do better job than F-109s / F/A-109s, especially with JSF programs during 21th century.

What do everyone think about this?
 

[Eagle114th 665]

I recently updated the list of aircraft name, service years, and engines.  I give credits to daddyairplanes for posting great ideas about aircraft name for USN/USMC and service years.

 

XF-109 (1961 - 1969) J85-GE-5 2,400 LB (DRY) 3,600 LB (AB)

                   

F-109A (1964 - 1975) J85-GE-5A 2,450 LB (DRY) 3,850 LB (AB)

F-109A (1969 - 1978) J85-GE-13 2,720 LB (DRY) 4,080 LB (AB)

F-109A (1975 - 1986) J85-GE-21 3,600 LB (DRY) 5,000 LB (AB)

                   

F-109B (1969 - 1979) J85-GE-13 2,720 LB (DRY) 4,080 LB (AB)

F-109B (1973 - 1984) J85-GE-21 3,600 LB (DRY) 5,000 LB (AB)

F-109B (1976 - 1990) J85-GE-21 3,600 LB (DRY) 5,000 LB (AB)

                   

F-109C (1980 - 1996) J85-GE-21 3,600 LB (DRY) 5,000 LB (AB)

                   

F-109G (1971 - 1984) J85-GE-13 2,720 LB (DRY) 4,080 LB (AB)

F-109G (1976 - 1996) J85-GE-21 3,600 LB (DRY) 5,000 LB (AB)

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------

 

XF3L (1963 - 1970) J85-GE-5A 2,450 LB (DRY) 3,850 LB (AB)

            

F/A-109A (1969 - 1980) J85-GE-13 2,720 LB (DRY) 4,080 LB (AB)

F/A-109A (1973 - 1986) J85-GE-21 3,600 LB (DRY) 5,000 LB (AB)

F/A-109A (1977 - 1996) J85-GE-21 3,600 LB (DRY) 5,000 LB (AB)

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------

 

F/A-109B (1972 - 1982) J85-GE-21 3,600 LB (DRY) 5,000 LB (AB)

F/A-109B (1976 - 1990) J85-GE-21 3,600 LB (DRY) 5,000 LB (AB)

F/A-109B (1982 - 1996) J85-GE-21 3,600 LB (DRY) 5,000 LB (AB)

 

As always, any feedback are appreciated.

Edited October 15, 2016 by Eagle114th

[Stratos 3,192]

I think daddyairplanes is right, ODS should be the Swan song for this bird, maybe in a specialized role like the SEAD or even recon, a F-109G with the ODS grey sported by Phantoms will be amazing!!, BTW the recon bird has a modified nose ala RF-4 Phantoms?

[Eagle114th 665]

I think daddyairplanes is right, ODS should be the Swan song for this bird, maybe in a specialized role like the SEAD or even recon, a F-109G with the ODS grey sported by Phantoms will be amazing!!, BTW the recon bird has a modified nose ala RF-4 Phantoms?

 

I am not entirely familiar with ODS, can I ask you to explain me more about ODS?

[Stratos 3,192]

ODS is Operation Desert Storm, the allied operation to liberate Kuwait. F-4G were dedicated anti SAM Phantoms, carrying HARMs to defend packages of the SAM threat. AFAIK that war was the last time USAF used F-4 in combat.

 

Also ODS was last operation for USN A-7 Corsairs.

[+daddyairplanes 10,244]

Other questions/statement..... who did it go into service with first?  despite the F/A designator, that didn't come about until the early 80s. and only after realizing that the difference in the F-18 and A-18 was just a few lines of code in the avionics. if Air Force is first, it should go something like

 

XF-109 (test only) 61-68 Joint service

F-109A   Oct 62-76  USAF

XF3L   original USN deignation, not used after 1962

F-109B   63-71    1st USN variant  

F-109C   second USAF variant, or Navy. upgraded whatever and whatever gets a new letter for the major upgrades

F-109D   second USAF variant, or Navy. upgraded whatever and whatever gets a new letter for the major upgrades

F-109G  converted from lower hour F-109(second version in USAF service) for SEAD duties 1972-1976

F-109G  second batch converted from low hour F-109(third version in USAF) 1975-1996

 

second and third versions in USAF service would have been sent to the Guard or Reserves or converted to Weasel or recon by 1976 due to wear and tear on airframes from vietnam usage. its why most F-105s were retired in the early 70s except the weasels. specialty airframes are expensive and get kept around longer.

 

Navy airframes would have fairly short lifetimes per each model due to wartime usage and stresses from operatng at sea. i do like the operate from a small ship aspect of that mission, reminds one of an old Brit plan form the 80s to put a couple of Harriers on each ofthe Merchies for air defense. makes you wonder about an AEW version, only with boosted radar and fuel tanks instead of weps to keep watch like the Hawkeyes on CVBGs.  then you wouldnt have the big target and lose all your birds in one strike

 

 

not meaning to be critical. i am a fan of alternate history, but believe in the maxim of minimal change. many of hte same pressures and factors would exist in service introduction, usage over lifetime, and sevice exit.

 

also new builds would have probably stopped around the early 70s due to the Harrier being easier to maintain than the F-109, and newer aircraft being better at the various jobs save for the VTOL aspect, which the Navy and Air Force never were too crazy about in the first place. but it would have been useful in special roles (Weasel, sea control/convoy escort, anti helo ops in Western Europe). also dont discount NATO usage, which was the driver for this aircraft. several of the countries sought an aircraft that could disperse to small hideaways rather than be tied to large airbases. it pretty much was the USAF that had the illusion of defending the base it would fly from.

Edited October 16, 2016 by daddyairplanes

[Eagle114th 665]

Other questions/statement..... who did it go into service with first?  despite the F/A designator, that didn't come about until the early 80s. and only after realizing that the difference in the F-18 and A-18 was just a few lines of code in the avionics. 

 

I am happy you bought this up.  I thought about this last night after discussing with my friend FalconCAF.  I realized that F/A-18 is multi-role and since F/A-109 is multi-role too, so I thought that, by alternative history, F/A get introduced earlier from XF3L program before F/A-18 was born.  But I would like more feedback on this idea.  This is why I want to keep brainstorming and see more perspective about aircraft naming.  I like either F-109 series or F/A-109 series for USN and USMC.  And to answer your question, F-109 goes into USAF service first before USN and USMC.

 

XF-109 (test only) 61-68 Joint service

F-109A   Oct 62-76  USAF

XF3L   original USN deignation, not used after 1962

F-109B   63-71    1st USN variant  

F-109C   second USAF variant, or Navy. upgraded whatever and whatever gets a new letter for the major upgrades

F-109D   second USAF variant, or Navy. upgraded whatever and whatever gets a new letter for the major upgrades

F-109G  converted from lower hour F-109(second version in USAF service) for SEAD duties 1972-1976

F-109G  second batch converted from low hour F-109(third version in USAF) 1975-1996

 

Good suggestions and may I ask you about XF3L:

 

1) Why is XF3L not used after 1962 for further testing for aircraft carrier operation?

 

 

 

second and third versions in USAF service would have been sent to the Guard or Reserves or converted to Weasel or recon by 1976 due to wear and tear on airframes from vietnam usage. its why most F-105s were retired in the early 70s except the weasels. specialty airframes are expensive and get kept around longer.

 

Makes sense and that is good point.

 

 

 

Navy airframes would have fairly short lifetimes per each model due to wartime usage and stresses from operatng at sea. i do like the operate from a small ship aspect of that mission, reminds one of an old Brit plan form the 80s to put a couple of Harriers on each ofthe Merchies for air defense. makes you wonder about an AEW version, only with boosted radar and fuel tanks instead of weps to keep watch like the Hawkeyes on CVBGs.  then you wouldnt have the big target and lose all your birds in one strike

 

I will update the year service for USN and USMC being lot shorter than USAF version.  Thank you for bring this up, I learn new things from here.  

 

 

 

not meaning to be critical. i am a fan of alternate history, but believe in the maxim of minimal change. many of hte same pressures and factors would exist in service introduction, usage over lifetime, and sevice exit.

 

No need to apologize and I especially appreciate critical feedback. As I stated in my first post that I intend to keep all aspect of 'what if" aircraft realistic as possible.  For example, F/A as name of aircraft for USN could possibly come earlier before F/A-18 due to the nature of F/A-109 being multi-role, like F/A-18 was.  (Correct me if I am wrong about F/A-18 being multi-role) but again, I am waiting for feedback on that.  However, at the same time, as you stated about the pressures and other factors that causes USN and USMC version of D-188 projects to have shorter lifespan than USAF makes completely sense.  And that is something I plan to do with D-188 projects.  I intend to keep project evolving into better project, so any kind of feedback, especially critical feedback are always appreciated. 

 

 

 

also new builds would have probably stopped around the early 70s due to the Harrier being easier to maintain than the F-109, and newer aircraft being better at the various jobs save for the VTOL aspect, which the Navy and Air Force never were too crazy about in the first place. but it would have been useful in special roles (Weasel, sea control/convoy escort, anti helo ops in Western Europe). also dont discount NATO usage, which was the driver for this aircraft. several of the countries sought an aircraft that could disperse to small hideaways rather than be tied to large airbases. it pretty much was the USAF that had the illusion of defending the base it would fly from.

 

I was thinking of something similar to this.  And I want to add another factors, the performance of F-109s is inferior to F-15, F-16, F/A-18 and other aircraft from late 1970s to ahead of that time, except for Harrier (theoretically ???).  Even though F-109 would be nightmare to maintain, she is supersonic that goes faster than harrier, but again, as you stated, harrier are easier to maintain.  So i want more feedback on USMC possibly having extended service for F-109s along with harrier with their V/STOL capabilities.  There could be far fewer F-109s (being very rare in the service after 1980s) than harriers in the service for specific purposes? 

 

And about NATO, I would like to start working on NATO version after USAF, USN, and USMC version is completed and released as beta.  And when that happens in near future, I will need more information and feedback for NATO version.

Edited October 16, 2016 by Eagle114th

[Eagle114th 665]

Everyone, I am back!  Here is the link to updated information about this project:
 

 

[Eagle114th 665]

The mod is finally released and here is the link: