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F-4E-41-MC_Phantom_68-0531_sourceUSAF.jpg.9ade8e4f3679183abd0fd346b0e2ba1b.jpg

 

Never in the field of Human conflict have so many hampered, limited and controlled so few as in the air campaign in North Vietnam. (Churchill + HW Baldwin)

Note - These articles are a compacted summary of a rather large topic and cannot include every detail.

 

The Muppet Show that was Lyndon B Johnson, Robert McNamara, and friends demonstrating how they didn’t have a clue when running Rolling Thunder from the White House was certainly almost criminal if not treasonous. However, the lack of understanding didn’t stop there because the SAC dominated US Air Force was also trying to run things from afar leading to some very strange policy decisions for those in the field.

 

Air to Air Training in Vietnam

To fight and use guns A-A you need to be trained in the first place, if you wish to become experienced that is.

If you remember the pilot comments from Part 1 you may have noticed the ones from the USAF seemed to include comments regarding poor training and back seat drivers……. 

 

USAF training

  •           Not wanting to fight a long war with the same group of pilots the USAF set up a policy that would rotate the available pilots.
  •           USAF policy was thus to fly a tour which was 1 year in South Vietnam, or 100 missions over North Vietnam.
  •           Unfortunately, the war went on longer than expected and basically, the USAF had problems getting enough pilots to fill the roles.  One great way [or not] around this was to lower standards and send through pilots that may have been washed out pre-war.
  •           Part of policy was to produce “universal pilots” that could in theory fly any aircraft, so yes transport pilots who perhaps never had the aptitude to fly fighters now transitioning to fighters and being sent to Vietnam.
  •           The Replacement Training Units (RTUs) produced pilots poorly trained in A-A because of the USAFs corporate beliefs that ACM among inexperienced pilots would lead to accidents. USAF culture at the time was obsessed with flying safety. [Dying in combat due to lack of basic training was not on the Health & Safety spreadsheet perhaps!]
  •           Another problem was the time it took to train A-A didn’t quite fit in with the time they wanted to spend training a pilot before sending them into combat (fixed at 6 months at one point).
  •           By 1967, 200 pilots a month were entering training, however the quality had deteriorated to a point where they were having problems completing the landing/take off part let alone the rest!
  •           To add to the mess the USAF had too many Navigators and not enough Pilots.  So, what did they do? That’s right they started sticking 2 pilots in each F-4 as policy. The ‘genius’ idea being that the pilot in the back would learn the systems then move to the front seat. In reality it seems the pilot in the back was a waste of a pilot that was not trained properly or interested in learning the radar systems. This and other factors lead to the two-man crew being anything but an effective team in combat!!

01v_fm2015_weaselfueling_live.thumb.jpg.79da314d5ba864f82170fd322991e48e.jpg

 F-4s and F-105s around a KC-135 (USAF)

 

US Navy Training

Unlike the USAF the USN couldn’t lower the bar /standards to get more pilots because they had to be able to land on a carrier, and it was decided early whether they were fighter or heavy. Because of this USN pilot tours were typically longer than USAF ones (over 100 missions up North) and pilots would fly 2 combat cruises every 14 months by policy from 1967 to ensure there was some rest period.

Unlike the USAF, the Navy used highly trained, and dedicated RIOs (Radar Intercept Officers) in the back seat, that funnily enough worked a lot better.

 

F-4B_Phantoms_of_VF-111_in_flight_c1972.jpg.6d07542562e9f592c4e93f6d2235435c.jpg

F-4Bs from VF-111 Sundowners (US Navy)

 

How Rolling Thunder changed air to air training (or not)

USAF

Decided the poor performance during Rolling Thunder was more related to technical issues, and actually reduced air-to-air training after 1968 if you could believe something so ridiculous [the 2 pilot F-4 policy was at least rescinded!].

Although it was recognised by most it needed to change urgently, the internal politics and policies meant that was not happening. Real change only happened after 1972 with the change in high level staff and attitudes leading to the creation of programs like Red Flag.

 

US Navy

After the dismal F-4 air-to-air results the USN decided its F-4 pilots had not been adequately trained properly. Being ‘fleet defense’, training was based on using missiles and they had even abolished the Fleet Air Gunnery Unit in that time. Thus, air-to-air combat skills had deteriorated. [note: this didn’t apply to the well-trained F-8 crews of course that had far better results]

This lead in 1969 to the creation of the Navy Fighter Weapons School (Top Gun) to get the Navy F-4 crews back to speed. The Navy also improved the technical side - including better over land detection with the ALQ-91 ( Similar to ‘Combat Tree’), and had significantly better AIM-9 versions such as the D/G/H.

F-4J_Phantom_VF-114_in_flight_1972.jpg.e51b8f1c3fa28475d2645c51b5c3bce3.jpg

F-4J from VF-114 (US Navy)

 

How did the different attitudes to training work out for the USAF?

During Linebacker 1 & 2 the US Navy kill ratio against MiGs was 6-1 and the USAFs was 2-1 however the kill ratios don’t include all the factors e.g. USAF F-4D/Es had Combat Tree, flew different Route Packs etc.

 

So, to illustrate how inept USAF training really was at the end of US involvement in the war.

In August / Sept 1972 a group of USN F-8 pilots spent a few weeks at Udorn RTAFB flying A-A training (or DACT) against USAF F-4 crews of the premier USAF MiG killing wing.

The well-trained F-8 pilots [who had been used to dueling with USN F-4 Top Gun pilots] embarrassed the USAF F-4 crews, and were appalled at the tactics, training and lack of skill from a supposed A-A unit.

An F-8 pilot said,” The contest between the F-4 and F-8s was so uneven at first we were ashamed by the disparity. The sight that remains in my mind is a chilling one for any number of MiG pilots must have identical views. The pitiful sight of four super fighters [USAF F-4s] in front of you all tucked in finger four, pulling a level turn. An atoll fired anywhere in parameters would be the proverbial mosquito in a nudist colony and wouldn’t know where to begin.” (Clashes by ex USAF F-4 veteran Michel III)

The USN F-8 pilots felt the USAF crews needed basic instruction, not just training missions!

Also consider that some of the USAF pilots were instructors or graduates of the USAF Fighter Weapons School, that was still preaching obsolete useless tactics and was resistant to change. This only confirmed what the USAF pilots already knew (they were so far behind). The USN report when sent to PACAF was dismissed by some as inter-service bias it seems.

 

This next account sums things up perfectly:

In 1974 the Air Force reassigned me from an overseas assignment in England to Nellis. When I arrived, I had over 1,200 hours in the F–4, including 365 combat hours. I had never flown a dissimilar air combat sortie (DACT). I had never carried a training AIM–9 and had not even seen one since my combat tour four years earlier. I had never used a gun camera. The only tactical formation I had flown was Fluid Four/Fighting Wing. I had never intercepted a target at low altitude. In other words, I was a typical F–4 pilot with a combat tour. (CR Anderegg - who went on to fly the vastly superior F-15 along with some actual A-A training!)

F-4_Phantom_VF-114-yellowairplane.jpg.bcfda54cb3bc97e339ddefe7dac16963.jpg

F-4Bs of VF-114 (US Navy)

 

The not so mysterious case of the VPAF Aces

The first batch of VPAF (Vietnamese Peoples Air Force) pilots were sent in 1956 to China and were being trained on MiG-17s by 1960 in both China but primarily in the Soviet Union. The MiG-17 had no missiles initially and thus air combat employing guns had to be taught, so training included things like dogfighting.

Drop outs were high with only around 20% of the pilots passing by the mid-1960s (the rest becoming ground technicians). This was lower than other Soviet ally nation pilots who typically had a better baseline education and had often already flown aircraft. [some of the Vietnamese had literally never seen an aircraft before]

Over North Vietnam the MiGs became part of an Integrated Air Defence system (IADS) and had to fit around the AAA and later SAM defenses flying in restricted areas and altitudes and often tied to the GCI (Ground Control Intercept) stations. The VPAF were also consistently changing tactics that the pilots had to adapt to. However, the MiG pilots mostly had only one primary role and that was air-to- air combat.

Being outnumbered but often having better situational awareness they often fought ambush “hit and run” tactics in small numbers. [this was smart!]

What we can deduce is:

  •           They didn’t fly a 100-mission tour then go home, they had to fight until death.
  •           Fighting for their home land probably meant motivation and dedication were not an issue. [Unlike the US, the VPAF were fighting a ‘total war’]
  •           If they were shot down and survived then they were still on home turf.
  •           With the experience and training some of these pilots were no doubt very skilled flyers.

So, for example out of 18 VPAF MiG-21 pilots given official Ace status, 16 of them were shot down and some of them were shot down 3 times!

796px-MIG21_MF_so_5121-WIki.JPG.b6d80ea5ba4cfaeb8dd4f786dfc931d0.JPG

MiG-21MF Fishbed with AA-1s and AA-2s (Wikipedia)

 

Let’s do the myth and mystery of Colonel Tomb

Prior to better information the ‘13 kill ace, Colonel Tomb’ was apparently shot down and killed on 10 May 1972 in a famous (and very close) 1 v 1 MiG-17F v F-4J dogfight against US Navy Top Gun Graduates Randy Cunningham/Willie Driscoll.  

Willie Driscoll in a 2018 podcast describes how capable he thought the pilot was. [but still also thinks he had 13 kills to his name].

5ac93092ba3f6_showtime100dogfighthistorydotbe.JPG.c6e2f2fbe941ecdfbb6697a231ac55a4.JPG

Showtime 100 downs a MiG-17 (dogfighthistory.be)

In 2007 A document called On Watch was declassified and released by Freedom of Information by the National Security Agency (NSA). In the section “Comrade Toon Flies the unfriendly skies”, it seems that NSA SIGINT analysts were able to unlock the MiG pilots callsign system and had identified an ace who flew out of Phuc Yen called “Toon”. Head of the Seventh Air Force General Momyer wanted him out of the skies and it is said became obsessed with getting rid of him. It states:

“The SIGINT detachment alerted Momyer’s HQ whenever Toon was scheduled to fly a mission, and Momyer would send his planes aloft to hunt down the Red Baron of North Vietnam.”

 

It seems that Toon was quite adept at avoiding these aircraft and one dark night [no date] after taking off from Vinh (South NVN) in a MiG-21 and avoiding the US fighters he intercepted a flight of B-52s and fired 2 missiles. One failed but the other lodged into the wing of a B-52 and didn’t detonate. Despite this the B-52s, following standard procedure ditched their ordnance and so he had a mission kill anyway.

It states they were never able to catch him (or perhaps it meant "them" ?).

Trying to match this up...........In 1971 MiG-21 Ace Dinh Ton appears to be the only Ace [6 claims / 4 match up] involved in intercepting B-52s from South NVN.  On the 4th October he took off from Dong Hoi (near Vinh), but was unable to fire on the B-52s because of the Escorting F-4s.  

On the 20th November Hoang Bieu took off from Vinh [MiG-21] as a diversion and another pilot (Vu Dinh Rang) was able to fire two R-3S Atolls [from his MiG-21] at a B-52 and one of the missiles hit and damaged the bomber. This was the first successful intercept of a B-52 according to the VPAF [ USAFs "War Above The Clouds" does mention a Missile fired from a MiG at B-52s on the 20th November during Commando Hunt VII - causing the mission to be called off ]

So, although it looks like there really was an ace called Toon I do wonder if they were able to see everything and not still tracking different pilots.

If [big if] the real Toon was Dinh Ton, then he was eventually shot down on 11 Sept 1972 in a MiG-21U by a VMFA-333 F-4J (Lasseter/Cummings) Both Ton and the backseat IP ejected safely.

 

No VPAF pilot claimed more than 9 kills, the 13 number most likely came from VPAF MiGs photographed and sent to the media at the time including May 1968 a photo of MiG-21PFL (4326) with 13 red stars (kills) on its nose and MiG-17 (3020). In reality the 13 kills were the sum of those claimed by several different flyers of that Jet.

 

5ac9306974ad0_mig17Warbirdsresourcegroup_org.jpg.3a60d95244d86faf15e653a2d3375162.jpg

MiG-17 Fresco (warbirdsresourcegroup.org)

 

So, who did Driscoll / Cunningham shoot down then on the 10th May?  

Four MiG-17s were scrambled to intercept the raid on the Hai Duong Railway yard that Showtime 100 (Cunningham/Driscoll) was covering.

Pilots Do Hang, Tran Van Kiem, Nguyen Van Tho were 923rd regiment MiG-17 pilots hit by missiles on that date but nothing conclusive describing a prolonged 1v1 fight. (Hang and Kiem were both killed)

There were J-6s (Chinese MiG-19s) also in combat that day (925th regiment) but over different areas. Only Le Duc Oanh was shot down on the 10th being hit by a missile and ejected (later died of injuries) but not described as a prolonged 1v1 dogfight. Le Van Tuong was the other fatality when he overran the runway and turned over.

No MiG-19/J-6s claims were made by the US on the 10th despite one being shot down - they were probably (understandably) misidentified as MiG-17s it seems by US pilots in the heat of combat.

mig19-6058-vnmilitariacom.jpg.9fc85b661d75333465f7e3d8f11041cc.jpg

Shenyang J-6 / MiG-19S Farmer (vnmilitaria.com)

 

 

When it comes to A-A guns over Vietnam let us not forget

The F-8 Crusader

Unlike the USN F-4 pilots the F-8 community was well trained in traditional BFM/ACM from the start and could make use of the 4 cannon in its nose providing they didn’t fire them under high G loading that caused them to Jam! (Leading one pilot to describe the guns as very unreliable under High G loading). This training served them well and by the end of Rolling Thunder the stats would suggest they did well compared to the F-4 units, which of course was replacing the F-8s at that time.

Out of the 19 A-A kill claims, 3 were with the gun.

5ac93080b31e0_F-8EsfromSeforcesdotcom.JPG.7589a49af8b819823b548e6be6458ebb.JPG

F-8E (Seaforces.com)

 

The F-105 Thunderchief

In somewhat of a paradox the USAF F-105 had the most encounters over Vietnam with MiGs and racked up about 26 MiG-17 kills (out of 140 gun engagements) with its M61A1 Gatling Gun.

Some F-105 pilots had complained of poor A-A training in Red Baron. Jack Broughton described a different community with many old heads from Korea who knew their A-A anyway (considered themselves fighter jocks) and trainees were taught when they came to theatre.

Some probable reasons for the gun kills include:

  •           The F-105 often didn’t carry AIM-9Bs due to available pylons or sometimes lack of availability.
  •           The AIM-9B was inferior to the AIM-9D used by the F-8.
  •           The M61A1 was far more reliable than the F-8s (MK-12) guns, only failing in about 12 percent of firing passes
  •           Being ‘All Aspect’ the gun was easier to employ over the restrictive AIM-9B envelope.

f-105.thumb.JPG.2223b167ea0c8ba5cbb71e0a13b42601.JPG

F-105D - king of the Brrrt (Global Aviation Resource)

 

 

Guns on modern fighters (the F-35A)

The last US A-A (manned) gun kill was in Feb 1991 when an A-10A shot down an Iraqi Mi-8 Helicopter. There is also a 1992 video of a FAV F-16A gunning down an OV-10E in a Venezuelan coup. But who cares really because guns have been used in all the low-key wars since then. In fact, jets including the F-14/16/15/18/Harrier have all used guns to strafe enemy personnel and equipment on a very regular basis. So, as we see just in 1963 with the F-4E, the requirement for a gun for Air to Ground is just as strong now as it was then.

Let’s look at why the USAF may have put an internal gun on the F-35A, according to a 2007 paper by Colonel Charles Moore who was so adamant the F-35A needed a gun that he writes:

Regardless of the opinions of the USMC, USN or (F-35) Joint Program Office, the USAF must not become dismayed or discouraged by the difficulties in achieving the capabilities it has determined it required. Within the air to air and air to ground environments, the gun has proven to be a reliable and irreplaceable weapon. Even if Lockheed [Martin] declares it will not be able to fully meet the requirements and specifications the USAF desires, disallowing requirement relief sends a strong message that the capabilities offered by the gun are not negotiable.

 

Important these are “Arguments For” only (there are probably very valid arguments against) and quite a few things can change in 11 years!

His arguments include:

On A-A use

  •           A-A missiles do not have a 100% PK, especially against advanced adversaries.
  •           Its limited missile supply could be exhausted quickly if faced by a significant number of low tech adversaries.
  •           The F-35 may not be able to egress from all adversaries based on its slower speeds and may need to stay and fight.
  •           When defending other assets, it may need to stand and fight regardless.
  •          Gun employment is less reliant on on-board systems working such as radar.
  •           All the modern tech in the world cannot protect an aircraft from the oldest weapon in A-A combat [when in range]. The Gun is simple, efficient, effective and always available.

On Gun Pods

  •           It is seldom known when you will need a gun system so carrying it only when needed is not practical.
  •           Risk of RCS (Radar Cross Section) increase.
  •           Risk of having performance issues like the previous gun pods e.g. GAU 5 (Pave Claw) or SUU16/23
  •           Additional logistics required.

On A-G use

  •           Despite being poor in power compared to PGMs and IAMs, the gun will remain after those have been expended and can be used if called upon. This happened many time in Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
  •           Can be used where PGM/IAMs are too powerful and can be prohibited or ill-advised such as urban situations.
  •           Can be used on moving targets.
  •            Gun considered the only true multi role weapon to be carried.
  •            Can be used to supress (rather than kill) and provide just a warning.
  •           Sometimes offers a quicker reaction time because of less setup over other ordnance.
  •           Less dependent on targeting sensors so can be used in event of failures with those.

F-35A_flight_USAF-wiki.thumb.jpg.9137575899fe95e8ba64eecec8c0776a.jpg

F-35A Lightning II - gun is port side (USAF)

 

 

 

 

 

Sources

Clashes (M.L.Michel III, 1997) Naval Institute Press

Thud Ridge (J.M.Broughton, 1969) Crecy Publishing

F-105 Thunderchief MiG Killers of the Vietnam War (P.Davies, 2014) Osprey Publishing

F-8 Crusader Units of the Vietnam War (P. Mersky, 1998) Osprey Publishing

MiG-21 Units of the Vietnam War (I.Toperczer, 2001) Osprey Publishing

MiG-17 and MiG-19 Units of the Vietnam War (I.Toperczer, 2001) Osprey Publishing

MiG-21 Aces of the Vietnam War (I.Toperczer, 2017) Osprey Publishing

MiG-17 and MiG-19 Aces of the Vietnam War (I.Toperczer, 2017) Osprey Publishing

USAF McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II (P.Davies, 2013) Osprey Publishing

USN McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II (P.Davies, 2016) Osprey Publishing

US Navy F-4 Phantom II MiG Killers 1972 -73 (B.Elward & P.Davies, 2002) Osprey Publishing

US Navy F-4 Phantom II MiG Killers 1965 -70 (B.Elward & P.Davies, 2001) Osprey Publishing

USAF F-4 Phantom II MiG Killers 1972 -73 (P.Davies, 2005) Osprey Publishing

USAF F-4 Phantom II MiG Killers 1965 -68 (P.Davies, 2004) Osprey Publishing

The Revolt of the Majors: How the Air Force changed after Vietnam (M.L.Michell III)

RED BARON Project Volume I - III (1969) Weapon Systems Evaluation Group (WSEG)

The Need for a Permanent Gun System on the F-35 JSF (Colonel C.Moore, 2007) Air Force Fellows Air University, Maxwell AF Base

SIERRA HOTEL (C. R.ANDEREGG, 2001) Air Force History and Museums Program

All the Missiles Work (Fino, SA, 2015) Air Force Research Institute

Research Study of radar reliability and its impact on life-cycle costs for the APQ-113. 114, -120 and -144 radars (1973). Technical report by General Electric under contract to the USAF.

McDonnell F-4E Phantom II (Baugher J, 2002) online

ON WATCH Profiles from the National Security Agencys past 40 years (1984) National Security Agency

War from above the clouds (Head WP, 2002) Air University Press Maxwell AFB

Information on F-4E radar range from Forum entry by ex F-4 flyer Walt BJ (Bjorneby, Walter)

Willie Driscoll interview from Podcast Episode 009 “Vietnam Ace” (V.Aiello, 2018 ) http://fighterpilotpodcast.com/

Title photo credit USAF

 

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Really interesting man, thanks for sharing this articles with us.

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Very nice article. Well done.

One comment to the low rate of vietnamese trainees who became pilots. The most of the first trainees were physically unable to fly a combat plane. It lacked the physical strenght. Soviet pilot instructores said, that it very often happend, that the vietnamese trainee fell into a blackout during combat training flights, while the soviet instructors still had no problems at all.

To overcome this problem the soviets decided to bring very young vietnamese trainees (teenagers, as younger as better) into the Soviet Union and in a first step the trainees became "european food". Meat instead rice. A lot of sport lessons to make them stronger. When they became old enough to fly a plane the pilot training started with  good results. The Vietnamese people are well known for their studiousness.

Edited by Gepard

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While there were a lot of USAF F-4 pilots sent into the theater with minimal training and ordered to use poor strategy/tactics leading to needless losses, the USAF still had some outstanding pilots that were the equal of any in the Navy and the gun armed F-4E gave history something the gunless USN F-4s could not: a supersonic gun kill, reportedly the highest speeds involved in a guns kill in history with the F-4 at about Mach 1.2 and the MiG-19 at a 90 degree crossing angle at about Mach 0.77. Listen to the audio from that kill here:

 

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      F-8P(FN)
      -    17 F-8E(FN) are upgraded to extend their service life, included is the Sherloc RWR system.
      -    This is the TW F-8J model modified into a F-8P(FN) so the DLC is NOT required.
      F-8P(FN) (94)
      -    F-8P(FN) are fitted with a GPS navigation system and antenna.
      F-8H
      Starting in 1967, F-8Ds were remanufactured as F-8H, with improved AN/APQ-149 radar, ALQ-51 ECM, and the same underwing pylons as F-8E.
      -    Retains the AN/APQ-83 radar from the F-8D but uses the physically larger and higher resolution cockpit radar display from the F-8E.
      -    Missing radar symbology added including steering circle, aiming dot, break X and missile max range.
      -    Radar frame lock, range and shoot cue lights all completely changed and now function correctly. See attached for more information. 
      -    Missile firing order and cockpit weapon station section dial corrected.
      F-8H (69)
      F-8H is re-engined in 1969 with more powerful J57-P-420 engine. It also has improved ALQ-100 ECM in a larger pod, and full cannon ammo capacity restored.
      -    Improved AN/APQ-149 radar fitted in place of the AN/APQ-83.
      -    Additional missing radar symbology added including separate larger range rate circle and separate smaller steering circle. 
      -    A lot of fleet F-8H around this period have had their Nose IRST system (temporarily?) removed.
      -    Retains the ALQ-51 ECM.
      F-8H (74)
      -    After the Vietnam war F-8H has the improved ALQ-100 ECM in a larger pod installed, and full cannon ammo capacity restored.
      F-8J
      F-8J is a remanufactured F-8E with improved AN/APQ-149 radar, ALQ-51 ECM, and other improvements such as double-hinged leading edge flaps and drooping ailerons. However, its performance has suffered significantly due to increases in its weight.
      -    Improved AN/APQ-124 radar installed.
      -    Radar frame lock, range and shoot cue lights all completely changed and now function correctly. See screenshot for more information.
      -    Missing radar symbology added including separate larger range rate circle, separate smaller steering circle, aiming dot, break X and missile max range. 
      -    Missile firing order and cockpit weapon station section dial corrected.
      F-8J (69)
      To restore lost performance due to increased weight, F-8J is re-engined in 1969 with more powerful J57-P-420 engine. It also has improved ALQ-100 ECM in a larger pod, and full cannon ammo capacity restored.
      F-8J (75)
      -    In 1975 the remaining fleet F-8J (along with the RF-8G) receive the ALQ-126 ECM and ALR-45/50 RHAW RWR. The nose mounted IRST system is permanently removed.
      F-8J (75) [w RWR]
      -    Identical to F-8J (75) above except:
      -    The cockpit radar display functions as a Vector RWR and not a radar. This is because in real life the pilot could change the radar scope from displaying radar images or displaying the RWR images. The F-8J did not have a separate RWR display. There was a setting in which it would be displaying radar images but if a missile launch was detected the threat bearing line would be displayed flashing over top of the radar images. Not possible in SF2 unfortunately.

      To install:
      1, Unpack and drop into your main mods folder.
      2, Override when prompted.

      Credits:
      -    ‘F-8 DATA & LOADOUT v1.0 update’ by FANATIC MODDER.
      -    ‘SF2V Air & Ground War Expansion v.2.0 Gold’ by Eburger68 and team.
      -    ‘F-8E(FN) Crouze & F-8P(FN) Crouze Prolongé 1.1’ by Paulopanz, Denis Oliveira & Coupi.
      -    Weapons by Ravenclaw_007.
      -    Template by Geary.
      -    Blade.
      -    Wrench.

      CombatAce fair use agreement applies.

      Enjoy,
      Dan.
      Submitter dtmdragon Submitted 12/15/2020 Category F-8  
    • By dtmdragon
      This has been a labor of love for my all-time favorite fighter aircraft. The service period of this aircraft fits perfectly with the time period that the Strike Fighters 2 game engine gives its best: Gun armed jet fighters with short range missiles and early/ limited avionics.

      Changes:
      -    The ‘SF2V Air & Ground War Expansion v.2.0 Gold’ and ‘F-8 DATA & LOADOUT v1.0 update’ here at CA were used as a starting point for this project.
      -    Maximum G has been changed to 6.3 which is the airframe structural limit in all NATOPS publications.
      -    There are automatically operating ‘fake’ leading edge droops (slats) that simulates the pilot being able to lower them a few degrees with a button on the throttle for cruising flight and manoeuvring flight (aka dog fighting). By ‘fake’ I mean they are not player operated in SF2 or linked to the 3D model but the aerodynamic effect is realistically simulated. You will notice the droop indicator in the cockpit will change with them however. If they were manually controlled in the game the AI would not use them correctly.
      -    Single AIM-9 missiles and rails can be loaded instead of the Y-racks on all F-8 variants. This is done at the loadout screen (and by the loadout.ini file) it is set up so you cannot load single missiles/ rails and double missiles/ Y-racks at the same time.
      -    Cannons harmonized as per NATOPS manual and gun accuracy adjusted to real world levels.
      -    Adjustment to most decal positions and inclusion of Squadron codes on the wings.
      -    Additional details added to most stock skins.
      -    Additional squadron specific higher resolution skins with more accurate markings for that particular squadron.
      -    Included for F-8J (69) is a proposed SEA camo overpaint for the VF-211 aircraft on detachment at Udorn in early 1972 to school USAF pilots in Dogfighting. The repaint was initially agreed to but it would have added 1200lbs so it was abandoned. If you wish to use it and fly DACT against USAF Phantoms you can load the extra 1200lb at the load out screen via a unique station specific hard point.
      -    Overhaul of each data.ini and avionics.ini to bring them in line with the information in the F-8 NATOPS manuals, NATOPS supplements and F-8 Tactics manual.
      -    More detailed pilots and ejection seats.
      -    Fully compatible with ‘SF2V Air & Ground War Expansion v.2.0 Gold’ or Third Wire SF2V campaigns. 
      -    Additional year specific aircraft to better reflect physical and avionic changes. As well as correcting a few mistakes and omissions by Third Wire.
      -    Below is the updated list of F-8 Crusader variants with the original Third Wire description where appropriate and the specific major changes made in addition to the general ones listed above:

      F-8C
      The F-8C (F8U-2) entered service in 1959. F-8C is powered by J57-P-16 afterburning turbojet and can reach speed of Mach 1.6.
      -    Missing radar symbology added and radar performance/ parameters corrected. The radar cursor for selecting a target is a long horizontal line that moves up from the bottom of the scope and is only adjustable in range and not azimuth to select a specific radar contact.
      F-8C (66)
      In 1966, F-8C received ALQ-51 ECM and chaff dispensers under project "SHOEHORN", after A-4 and F-4 were upgraded. The cannon ammo capacity is reduced slightly to make room for the ECM black box.
      -    Uses the TW F-8D model modified into a F-8C in order for it to have the Y-rack Fuselage weapon rails.
      F-8D
      The F-8D (F8U-2N) was the all-weather interceptor version, entering service in 1960. It is equipped with AN/APQ-83 radar and more powerful J57-P-20 engine.
      -    Missing radar symbology added including steering circle, aiming dot, break X and missile max range.
      F-8D (66)
      F-8D also received ALQ-51 ECM and chaff dispensers under project "SHOEHORN" in 1966. The cannon ammo capacity is reduced slightly to make room for the ECM black box.
      F-8E
      The F-8E (F8U-2NE), entering service in 1962, was the final production version of the Crusader. It is equipped with better AN/APQ-94 radar, and two underwing pylons for air-to-ground ordnance.
      -    Radar frame lock, range and shoot cue lights all completely changed and now function correctly. See screenshot for more information.
      -    Missing radar symbology added including range rate circle, which also doubles as the steering circle, aiming dot, break X and missile max range.
      -    Missile firing order and cockpit weapon station section dial corrected.
      F-8E (66)
      F-8E also received ALQ-51 ECM and chaff dispensers under project "SHOEHORN" in 1966. The cannon ammo capacity is reduced slightly to make room for the ECM black box.
      -    Significant use of the AIM-9C as after a lot of research it turns out they were commonly carried over Vietnam in this period, notably by VF-211.
      F-8E(FN)
      The F-8E(FN) is the French Aeronautique Navale version of the F-8 armed with Matra R.530 missiles. Nicknamed "Le Crouze" by the French crew, it operated off Clemenceau-class carriers from 1964 to 1994 until they were upgraded to F-8P standard. F-8E(FN) introduced many of the features, such as double-hinged leading edge flaps and drooping ailerons, that were later incorporated into remanufactured F-8J for the US Navy.
      -    Equipped with the nose mounted IRST system like the USN F-8D and E.
      -    This is the TW F-8J model modified into a F-8E(FN) so the DLC is NOT required.
      -    Radar frame lock, range and shoot cue lights all completely changed and now function correctly. See screenshot for more information.
      -    Location of Matra R.530 missile rails corrected.
      F-8E(FN) (70)
      -    The nose mounted IRST system is removed from all French aircraft.
      F-8P(FN)
      -    17 F-8E(FN) are upgraded to extend their service life, included is the Sherloc RWR system.
      -    This is the TW F-8J model modified into a F-8P(FN) so the DLC is NOT required.
      F-8P(FN) (94)
      -    F-8P(FN) are fitted with a GPS navigation system and antenna.
      F-8H
      Starting in 1967, F-8Ds were remanufactured as F-8H, with improved AN/APQ-149 radar, ALQ-51 ECM, and the same underwing pylons as F-8E.
      -    Retains the AN/APQ-83 radar from the F-8D but uses the physically larger and higher resolution cockpit radar display from the F-8E.
      -    Missing radar symbology added including steering circle, aiming dot, break X and missile max range.
      -    Radar frame lock, range and shoot cue lights all completely changed and now function correctly. See attached for more information. 
      -    Missile firing order and cockpit weapon station section dial corrected.
      F-8H (69)
      F-8H is re-engined in 1969 with more powerful J57-P-420 engine. It also has improved ALQ-100 ECM in a larger pod, and full cannon ammo capacity restored.
      -    Improved AN/APQ-149 radar fitted in place of the AN/APQ-83.
      -    Additional missing radar symbology added including separate larger range rate circle and separate smaller steering circle. 
      -    A lot of fleet F-8H around this period have had their Nose IRST system (temporarily?) removed.
      -    Retains the ALQ-51 ECM.
      F-8H (74)
      -    After the Vietnam war F-8H has the improved ALQ-100 ECM in a larger pod installed, and full cannon ammo capacity restored.
      F-8J
      F-8J is a remanufactured F-8E with improved AN/APQ-149 radar, ALQ-51 ECM, and other improvements such as double-hinged leading edge flaps and drooping ailerons. However, its performance has suffered significantly due to increases in its weight.
      -    Improved AN/APQ-124 radar installed.
      -    Radar frame lock, range and shoot cue lights all completely changed and now function correctly. See screenshot for more information.
      -    Missing radar symbology added including separate larger range rate circle, separate smaller steering circle, aiming dot, break X and missile max range. 
      -    Missile firing order and cockpit weapon station section dial corrected.
      F-8J (69)
      To restore lost performance due to increased weight, F-8J is re-engined in 1969 with more powerful J57-P-420 engine. It also has improved ALQ-100 ECM in a larger pod, and full cannon ammo capacity restored.
      F-8J (75)
      -    In 1975 the remaining fleet F-8J (along with the RF-8G) receive the ALQ-126 ECM and ALR-45/50 RHAW RWR. The nose mounted IRST system is permanently removed.
      F-8J (75) [w RWR]
      -    Identical to F-8J (75) above except:
      -    The cockpit radar display functions as a Vector RWR and not a radar. This is because in real life the pilot could change the radar scope from displaying radar images or displaying the RWR images. The F-8J did not have a separate RWR display. There was a setting in which it would be displaying radar images but if a missile launch was detected the threat bearing line would be displayed flashing over top of the radar images. Not possible in SF2 unfortunately.

      To install:
      1, Unpack and drop into your main mods folder.
      2, Override when prompted.

      Credits:
      -    ‘F-8 DATA & LOADOUT v1.0 update’ by FANATIC MODDER.
      -    ‘SF2V Air & Ground War Expansion v.2.0 Gold’ by Eburger68 and team.
      -    ‘F-8E(FN) Crouze & F-8P(FN) Crouze Prolongé 1.1’ by Paulopanz, Denis Oliveira & Coupi.
      -    Weapons by Ravenclaw_007.
      -    Template by Geary.
      -    Blade.
      -    Wrench.

      CombatAce fair use agreement applies.

      Enjoy,
      Dan.
    • By macmacmacmoc
      ive seen people have the M118 bomb on their F-105s but i cant seem to find where to download it. could someone link it please?
    • 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.
       
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