Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Hellenic Air Force F-5A Volume I


July 2020
===============

Hellenic Air Force F-5A Freedom Fighter Volume I VERSION 1.0
------------------------------------------------------------

F-5A variants included in the Package:

HAF F-5A standard version (1965 - 1974)
HAF F-5A with Martin Baker IRQ-7a ejection seat  (1975 - 1999)
HAF Rf-5A reconnaissance variant with 4 K-92a cameras

We are proud to present the F-5A HAF Volume I, the first of many to come, focusing on one of the most enduring American military aircraft designs ever produced during the Cold War period. This first Volume depicts the following Hellenic Air Force variants; the HAF F-5A standard, the HAF F-5A with the Martin Baker IRQ-7a ejection seat, and the HAF RF-5A reconnaissance variant. It has been our goal to provide to the simmer a highly detailed model and texture base which preserve the beautiful lines of this aircraft; and to engineer flight files and a cockpit/gauge file-set that are authentic and add to the immersion of the flying experience within the Strike Fighters 2 series.


 
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS:
--------------------------

1. Copy the contents of the "To Mods Folder(S)" to your SF2 Mod directory.
Allow directory merging and overwrites, provided the overwrites pertain to "fake pilot" entries, as well as weapons made by ravenclaw_007, which are included in this and many other releases.

2. Add the entries of "ADD_TO_SOUNDLIST.txt" to your SOUNDLIST.INI (located in the "user\Saved Games\ThirdWire\StrikeFighters2\Flight" folder).If one does not exist, then you will need to extract it using the 3rdWire CAT extract utility.  You are simply required to substitute the "XXX"s  with the next sequential number in the sound file section of the file.
 
  NOTE    1:
------------

Both Regular and Higher resolution cockpit textures are included in their own distinct folders in the package.
The user may alternate between the two by "commenting out"
the relevant line in the F-5A_STANDARD_COCKPIT.ini


[CockpitData]
//Directory=cockpit      
Directory=cockpit_Lo-Fi    <---This is the default


In order to "activate" the higher resolution textures
you would decomment the previous line and comment out
the next line, thus:


[CockpitData]
Directory=cockpit          <---This is now Hi-Res
//Directory=cockpit_Lo-Fi    


  NOTE    2:
------------

Another frame-rate friendly option for those with older hardware is to use the Next level of Detail Model as the primary external model. This simply involves changing the first line in the F-5A_HAF.ini  from this..

[LOD001]
Filename=F-5A_STANDARD.LOD

to this..

[LOD001]
Filename=F-5A_STANDARD_002.LOD

Much effort was made to provide those with lower end systems an alternative lower poly-model to be able to enjoy the F-5a,  so please take advantage of this _002.LOD model should you experience frame-rate issues.  While not as "rounded" as the Higher poly version, it is nonetheless just as detailed and extensive.

 NOTE    3:
------------

For those who may find loading times excessive, the .jpg files in the texture folders can be reduced to 50% of their size without sacrificing too much surface detail.

 Keys:
-------
SHIFT+0 -> canopy open

 

CREDITS:

sophocles          - 3D Model, Cockpit, textures
ravenclaw_007  - 3D Modeling, Animations, Weapons,textures
baffmeister        - Flight model, testing
crusader             - Avionics and data tweaks, Beta testing
Guuruu                - Sounds and Afterburner effects, Beta testing

Guest contributors:

Alfa2                  - Loadouts and a wealth of info on the HAF variants.
gkabs                 - pilot figure


Special Thanks to the staff and members of Combatace.com whose passion and efforts have enabled this game to endure, and to provide so much fun and excitement!
Additionally, many thanks to the following Combat-Ace Modders, who either actively contributed to the project over the years, or who invested their time either providing much needed hints and help, or researching various aspects of the model.

Brain-32             - Modeling advice, initial cockpit.cfg + more
NeverEnough    - Initial work on the Flight model
Russouk2004    - Always answering questions when I needed help..Cheers!!
Dag                      - RoNAF textures and research (to be included in a dedicated  future RoNAF F-5a module)
Derk                     - Many, many references!!!
Blade                   - Excellent mini-tutorial on damage textures

Finally, thanks to TK and Thirdwire for creating such a fantastic game.

 

****************************************************************

FEATURES:

* Three model set including the HAF F-5A standard version (1965 - 1974), the  HAF F-5A with Martin Baker IRQ-7a ejection seat  (1975 - 1999), and the  HAF RF-5A reconnaissance variant with 4 K-92a cameras; each with their own custom loadouts.

* Three, highly detailed external 3d models, including the RF-5A, whose nose was graciously modeled by ravenclaw_007.

* Specular color and Normal (bump) maps on all models

* Seven Level of Detail models (LODs) for each model, providing an almost seamless transition from distance to distance; and perhaps more importantly, ensuring that the frame-rate "impact" of the aircraft is as low as possible.

* Two sets of highly detailed external Fuel Tanks by ravenclaw_007; both the Factory variety and the Sargent Fletcher variants.

* Fine-tuned flight parameters in three distinct aircraft data configuration files  for all 3-D models, emphasizing the F-5A's agile and highly maneuverable characteristics - courtesy of  Baffmeister.

* 8 high resolution texture sets; thoroughly researched historic depictions of the Aircraft fielded by many HAF Wings and Squadrons.

* Quality sound-set included. Base sounds, by Guuruu, were sourced from existing recordings of various aircraft at air-shows and were modified  to match the prominent characteristics of the F-5A General Electric turbojets, the "buzz" of the M39 Pontiac 20mm machinegun, and the flap/Air-brake, undercarriage deployment and retraction sequences of the Freedom Fighter.

* Super detailed  'Virtual Cockpit'  with animated throttle control, rudder pedals, control stick,  landing gear lever, canopy, canopy lever, drag-chute lever, weapons selectors and weapon station arming flick switches.

*Accurate and functional representation of the Norair F-5A gun sight, with animated Mils selector and accompanying animated combining glass. (Mechanics by Crusader)

* A full complement of highly (or should I say "insanely" detailed  HAF weapons carried by the HAF F-5A, all by ravenclaw_007.

* Complex animation of canopy opening mechanism, and animated Turbine blades; both thanks to ravenclaw_007

* GKAB's superb highly detailed crew figure with authentically modeled oxygen mask and flight helmet.

* All new afterburner, emitter, and engine smoke effects by Guuruu.


******************************************************

PILOT NOTES
-----------


F-5A Limit and Reference Speeds. [Indicated Airspeeds]

FLAPS: 300kts for both leading and trailing edge.

       NOTE: The F-5A uses full flaps for take off but due to a game bug you must manually select full flaps for take off when player flown. The        AI will use full flaps although you can hear the flap sound cycling between flap 1 and flap 2.

LANDING GEAR: 240kts

DRAG CHUTE: 165kts

CANOPY: 50kts

NOSE WHEEL STEERING: 65kts

MAXIMUM INDICATED AIRSPEED: 710kts [redline]

MAXIMUM MACH: 1.72 Mach design limit but thrust/drag limited to about mach 1.50 in a 60deg dive from 50,000ft.

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

TAKE OFF ROTATION SPEEDS

    13500lbs: 155kts [full internal fuel and two sidewinders]

    20500lbs: 195kts [about the maximum weight possible with included stores]

    NOTE: Use full flaps for take off! Adding 6kts for every 1000lbs above 13500lbs should give good aft stick/rotation speeds.

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

CLIMB SPEEDS

Military Power

    13500lbs: 375kts with a transition to mach 0.89

    20500lbs: 310kts with a transition to mach 0.74

Maximum Power

    13500lbs: 595kts with a transition to mach 0.93

    20500lbs: 480kts with a transition to mach 0.85

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

FINAL APPROACH SPEEDS

    With 500lbs fuel remaining and some empty racks use 160kts. Add 5kts for every additional 500lbs of fuel.

    NOTE: Target touch down speed is 20kts less than final approach speed.

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

 

*************************************************************

THIS AIRCRAFT MOD OR ANY PART OF IT ARE TO BE EXCLUSIVELY HOSTED BY COMBATACE.COM AND MUST NOT BE HOSTED OR POSTED FOR DOWNLOAD ON ANY OTHER WEB SITE. THIS PACKAGE AND ANY PARTS HEREIN MAY NOT BE UPLOADED AS PART OF ANOTHER MOD NOR MUST THEY BE SOLD OR OFFERED FOR SALE EITHER IN PART OR AS A WHOLE WITHOUT MY EXPRESS PERMISSION.

*************************************************************

Sophocles
July 2020

 


 

  • Like 9
  • Thanks 5

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Fantastic this. Well done to everyone.

Nice burner effects too.

  • Thanks 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Weekend is welcome... to play your beautiful F-5 ! :good:

Many many thanks to You and all !!! :drinks:

P. :pilotfly:

  • Like 2
  • Haha 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
1 hour ago, russouk2004 said:

Good job Soph m8...

Thanks Russ;  it really was a group effort - If it hadn't been for the guys, the project would have died years ago!

  • Like 2
  • Thanks 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

A suggestion for the next revisions: correct the location of the WingtipVortex and FuselageVortex Emitters

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

What an outstanding addition! The cockpit alone is amazing! Job well done.........Bravo! 👍

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Noticed a minor thing...Flaps on take off set to take off then landing....IIRC the flap t\o angle for the F5 was about 27 deg and landing 35-45...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
10 hours ago, russouk2004 said:

Noticed a minor thing...Flaps on take off set to take off then landing....IIRC the flap t\o angle for the F5 was about 27 deg and landing 35-45...

In the "user manual" provided with the package it states.... in the "Pilot's Notes" section that ..

NOTE: The F-5A uses full flaps for take off but due to a game bug you must manually select full flaps for take off when player flown. The AI will use full flaps although you can hear the flap sound cycling between flap 1 and flap 2.

IN RL, the F-5A had 3 positions for flaps (as seen in the virtual cockpit); UP(zero deflection), LE (leading edge flaps only at 24 degrees deflection) and FULL.  For take-off, flaps were set in the FULL position (meaning leading edge flap deflection of 24 degrees and trailing edge flap deflection of 20 degrees), while during landing, the flaps were set to LE (meaning leading edge extension only)initially and then to FULL for the final approach.

  • Thanks 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
On 7/18/2020 at 8:16 PM, madvad said:

A suggestion for the next revisions: correct the location of the WingtipVortex and FuselageVortex Emitters

As Guuruu told me when the model was compiled .. "No matter how many times you check, you're going to forget/overlook something.."  wise words my friend!!

  • Like 2
  • Thanks 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

But in case of Your F-5, it is only statistic.99% of satisfied users and 1% of .... ??????

Funny thing, but this 1% is right ;-) And this is difference between commercial and Your publications. You did this plane because you love F-5 and even the best commercial F-5 will never be even close to your F-5. It's question of passion, not real value of this plane. However F-5 was really great plane. Same as 'Polish' MiG-21 by Jarek and same as my Tonkas. It's a game and we need heroes;-)

  • Like 3

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

  • Similar Content

    • By Ngr
      Hello, does anyone have templates for CF-5A?
       
    • By LaoHu
      I downloaded this mod for the F-5 and all of the skins for the aircraft are black, which means the textures aren't loading but I can't find out why it isn't loading. There is no exact installation instructions other than extract it into the mod folder which I did and there doesn't look like there are any issues with the file placement compared to the other aircraft files. Can anyone help me out?

      P.S. the drop tanks have the textures working and the cockpit, loading screen, menu, etc all work. Everything but the skin. 

       
    • By Gepard


      View File F-5GN(Soviets)
      F-5GN(Soviets)  (What if)
      *****************************************************
      This mod is made for SF2.
      ----------------------------------------------------------
      I. History (fiction)
      In 1969 there were decisive elections in West Germany. In reality, the Social Democrats won.
      A new foreign policy followed and a period of reduction of tensions between East and West.
      WHAT IF, the other side had won?
      What if the conservatives had won and Franz Joseph Strauß (an old bavarian Commie eater) would have become Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany?
      And so it starts.
      In 1969 Strauß was elected as Chancellor. A period of rising tensions between East and West
       started. To protect the sea lanes between Europe and America the west german parliament Bundestag decided to build up a west german carrier force consiting of 3 carriers.
      The american gouvernment was pleased and offered to sell 3 carriers of the Essex class (subclass Ticonderoga).
      The first ship which was handed over was CV-34 Oriskany in 1969. Renamed in R-22 Theodor Heuss it was core of the first west german carrier group. 1973 CV-38 Shangri-La became R-23 Heinrich Lübke (later renamed in Walter Scheel) and two years later CV-45 Valley Forge became R-24 Gustav Heinemann.
      The americans offered A-4 Skyhawk and F-8 Crusader as planes for the carrier group. The Bundesmarine accepted the A-4, but rejected the Crusader, because the Bundesmarine wanted a more multi role capable plane, not only a pure fighter.
      At this moment Northrop entered the competition and offered a navalised version of the brand new F-5E Tiger. Under the designation F-5GN (German Navy) it should be produced in America and Germany. The west german government accepted the offer and the serial production of the F-5GN started. During flight tests on the way the US Marines decided, that it would be a good idea to replace their old F-8 Crusaders with F-5GN planes. So the F-5GN became a Marine plane.
      Later, when the Marines retired their attack carriers the surviving F-5GN were transfered to Top Gun school.
      1973 the government of South Vietnam demanded more F-5E Tigers to fight the communist forces. Because there was a shortage of F-5E the american leaders decided to send the first batch, which was intended for the Marines, to the Republic of Vietnam. So 40 F-5GN were handed over.
      On May 1st 1975 Saigon was taken by the communist forces. the war was over. 36 surviving F-5GN were captured by the north vietnamese. To pay war depts  Vietnam handed all 36 F-5GN and 12 F-5E to the soviets.
      In the USSR the planes were tested very hard. Finaly the decision was made to use the F-5GN in the Soviet Navy. The canceled carrier project Oriol was revitalized and in 1976 the first soviet carrier squadron was formed. The soviets modified only the RWR and the air to air missiles. Air to ground weapons were taken from captured stores in Vietnam.
      The US Navy realized very soon that the soviets had a new plane. Analysts believed, that the soviets copied the F-5GN and gave her the designation MiG-28.
      The F-5GN alias MiG-28 had only a short service time in the Soviet Navy.
      1982 the F-5GN was withdrawn from service. The reason was missing spare parts.
      Afterwards the planes were sold to Iran.
       
      -----------------------------------------------------------------------
      II.
      CREDITS:
      The F-5GN(Marines) based on Centurions 2014 released F-5E package.
      A lot of files i have taken from this package. Thanks for this files!
      The skin:
      ~~~~~~~~~~~

      The camo skins are mods of skins available in Centurions Package
      The blue skin is a modification of a grey skin available in Centurions package.
       

      The flight model :
      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      The  FM i made by using parts of the stock F-16A FM made by TK.
       

      ----------------------------------------------------------
      III.
      INSTALLATION:
      -Unzip the folders into your SF2 mod folder

      ----------------------------------------------------------
      IV.
      For remarks, comments, bugs, etc please use the forum or send me a PM.
      -------------------------------------------------------------
      V.
      The F-5GN(Soviet) and all other files are FREEWARE. COMMERCIAL USE IS NOT ALLOWED!
      ------------------------------------------------------

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

      Hope you enjoy it.

      Michael (Gepard)

      Made in Germany
      December 2020
       
      Submitter Gepard Submitted 12/26/2020 Category F-5  
    • By Gepard
      F-5GN(Soviets)  (What if)
      *****************************************************
      This mod is made for SF2.
      ----------------------------------------------------------
      I. History (fiction)
      In 1969 there were decisive elections in West Germany. In reality, the Social Democrats won.
      A new foreign policy followed and a period of reduction of tensions between East and West.
      WHAT IF, the other side had won?
      What if the conservatives had won and Franz Joseph Strauß (an old bavarian Commie eater) would have become Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany?
      And so it starts.
      In 1969 Strauß was elected as Chancellor. A period of rising tensions between East and West
       started. To protect the sea lanes between Europe and America the west german parliament Bundestag decided to build up a west german carrier force consiting of 3 carriers.
      The american gouvernment was pleased and offered to sell 3 carriers of the Essex class (subclass Ticonderoga).
      The first ship which was handed over was CV-34 Oriskany in 1969. Renamed in R-22 Theodor Heuss it was core of the first west german carrier group. 1973 CV-38 Shangri-La became R-23 Heinrich Lübke (later renamed in Walter Scheel) and two years later CV-45 Valley Forge became R-24 Gustav Heinemann.
      The americans offered A-4 Skyhawk and F-8 Crusader as planes for the carrier group. The Bundesmarine accepted the A-4, but rejected the Crusader, because the Bundesmarine wanted a more multi role capable plane, not only a pure fighter.
      At this moment Northrop entered the competition and offered a navalised version of the brand new F-5E Tiger. Under the designation F-5GN (German Navy) it should be produced in America and Germany. The west german government accepted the offer and the serial production of the F-5GN started. During flight tests on the way the US Marines decided, that it would be a good idea to replace their old F-8 Crusaders with F-5GN planes. So the F-5GN became a Marine plane.
      Later, when the Marines retired their attack carriers the surviving F-5GN were transfered to Top Gun school.
      1973 the government of South Vietnam demanded more F-5E Tigers to fight the communist forces. Because there was a shortage of F-5E the american leaders decided to send the first batch, which was intended for the Marines, to the Republic of Vietnam. So 40 F-5GN were handed over.
      On May 1st 1975 Saigon was taken by the communist forces. the war was over. 36 surviving F-5GN were captured by the north vietnamese. To pay war depts  Vietnam handed all 36 F-5GN and 12 F-5E to the soviets.
      In the USSR the planes were tested very hard. Finaly the decision was made to use the F-5GN in the Soviet Navy. The canceled carrier project Oriol was revitalized and in 1976 the first soviet carrier squadron was formed. The soviets modified only the RWR and the air to air missiles. Air to ground weapons were taken from captured stores in Vietnam.
      The US Navy realized very soon that the soviets had a new plane. Analysts believed, that the soviets copied the F-5GN and gave her the designation MiG-28.
      The F-5GN alias MiG-28 had only a short service time in the Soviet Navy.
      1982 the F-5GN was withdrawn from service. The reason was missing spare parts.
      Afterwards the planes were sold to Iran.
       
      -----------------------------------------------------------------------
      II.
      CREDITS:
      The F-5GN(Marines) based on Centurions 2014 released F-5E package.
      A lot of files i have taken from this package. Thanks for this files!
      The skin:
      ~~~~~~~~~~~

      The camo skins are mods of skins available in Centurions Package
      The blue skin is a modification of a grey skin available in Centurions package.
       

      The flight model :
      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      The  FM i made by using parts of the stock F-16A FM made by TK.
       

      ----------------------------------------------------------
      III.
      INSTALLATION:
      -Unzip the folders into your SF2 mod folder

      ----------------------------------------------------------
      IV.
      For remarks, comments, bugs, etc please use the forum or send me a PM.
      -------------------------------------------------------------
      V.
      The F-5GN(Soviet) and all other files are FREEWARE. COMMERCIAL USE IS NOT ALLOWED!
      ------------------------------------------------------

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

      Hope you enjoy it.

      Michael (Gepard)

      Made in Germany
      December 2020
       
    • By MigBuster

       
      So......what was happening back in 2011 I wonder?
      Well there were rumours of a new version of Falcon 4 which was later released by Benchmark Sims (BMS), and in February of that year DCS: A-10C Warthog was released. 
      The Strike Fighters community was eagerly awaiting the release of Strike Fighters 2: North Atlantic - and it was also the year that Combat Ace member Sophocles bit the bullet and decided to get into 3D modelling.
      Now many years later, he has now released what certainly looks like the best modelled aircraft ever to grace Strike Fighters 2, and that includes all of Thirdwires efforts.
       
      Many modder projects start and look promising and then wither and die (especially after so many years) so we decided to ask Sophocles some questions about this project.
       
      The F-5A thread starts around 2012 - what year did you start the F-5 model exactly?
      I started the model in December of 2011.  I'd never done any 3d modelling, but I was determined to learn, having done a lot of free-ware/payware texturing work for CFS2 and FS9.
      What 3D programs do you use to create 3D models?
      3dsMax..
      It is unusual for someone to stay on a single project after all this time - what has kept you going all these years to continue the project?
      Well, I spent about a year finishing the external model (learning all the basics as I went along, ie. modelling, mapping, animating) and then another year doing the cockpit.. I'd planned for a release in 2014 but by that time my world caved in together with the Greek economy..) lost my business, house, went through divorce and even lost the dog!!  As you can imagine, the last thing on my mind was the F-5A model!!!
      I tried over the years at times to re-invest in the project, but real life just kept getting in the way...  Many Combat Ace members were involved in the project, some actively helping along and contributing in one form or another (will thank and present their contributions in their entirety when the project is complete), others offering encouragement and emotional support (this is the best thing about the Combat Ace community!) but the one individual who for the most part inspired the level of detail in the model; and who subsequently worked the hardest getting the project moving again was Volker (ravenclaw).. without whom the project would not have been revived (post-2017).  I really need to get the F-5A out to the community because their support (and patience, LOL!) has been incredible.
      After this do you think you will continue to do other 3D models on this level?
      Sure, with all the knowledge and experience I've accumulated over the years, any new projects (and there are a few..) will take a fraction of the time .. given the world doesn't implode...again!!!!!
       
      With special thanks to Sophocles you can download Hellenic Air Force F-5A Volume 1 here and looks like there will be more high quality volumes to follow:
       
       
       


       

       
       

       
       

       
       

×

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..