F-5A Freedom Fighter – Nine years in the making

[+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:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[+streakeagle]

Congratulations on finishing this project!

I am sorry that Sophocles had to go through so much upheaval at home, both personally and economically. But despite the heartbreak, stress, and resulting long delays, this F-5A has turned out to be a top-notch add-on. Certainly among the top 5 aircraft you can get, and arguably the best available at this time. I would have enjoyed a lot more back in 2012 when SF2 was still my primary sim of interest. At this point, I primarily play DCS World, but I still download and try out SF2 mods that interest me. This one most certainly interested me.

Are there going to be follow on F-5A addons based on this release to cover other users/variants, which aside from texturing and minor FM/model edits shouldn't be too hard or time consuming compared to the previous effort)?

I would love to see an SF2 F-5E completed to this level, but that is substantially different and would pretty much be the same as building a new aircraft from scratch apart from being able to reuse a lot of the cockpit and most of the flight model.

Edited July 19, 2020 by streakeagle

[sukhoy34]

AWESOME WORK, THANK YOU Sophocles...

[+sophocles]

2 hours ago, streakeagle said:

Are there going to be follow on F-5A addons based on this release to cover other users/variants, which aside from texturing and minor FM/model edits shouldn't be too hard or time consuming compared to the previous effort)?

Hello Streakeagle, many of your questions are answered in this thead..

https://combatace.com/forums/topic/72287-f-5a/?page=21

Though your comment regarding "the texturing and minor FM/model edits" not being hard or time-consuming as the previous effort are definitely true for some versions  of the F-5A, the NF-5A, for example, has enough differences to the standard "A" variant to almost warrant a different designation!  Besides, the real challenge is to include the differing cockpit configurations for these versions - which is no easy task!

2 hours ago, streakeagle said:

I would love to see an SF2 F-5E completed to this level, but that is substantially different and would pretty much be the same as building a new aircraft from scratch apart from being able to reuse a lot of the cockpit and most of the flight model.

The "E" is a different animal entirely.  Though I'm not excluding the possibility of modelling one, the planned variants to follow are the NF-5a, the F-5C "skoshi Tiger" ,the Norwegian F-5a and ofcourse the 2-seater F-5B.

Edited July 19, 2020 by sophocles
spelling

[+streakeagle]

I would think the F-5B would be almost as much work as an F-5E, but I will gladly take any variants you can produce to the same standard as this one. The NF-5A and F-5C are the principal variants I would want, so your intentions are very good news to me. It is great to see such amazing progress in a sim that should otherwise be completely dead by now. I don't know what motivates people to work so hard for free, but I am more than happy to take advantage of your generosity and determination. Great stuff, keep it coming!

 

[osmanfirat]

I would love to see a Turkish one in future.

[+NIELS]

Outstanding effort! One of the best thus far. The F5C will be the steed I most desire. Thank you for bringing this to the community. 

Edited July 20, 2020 by NIELS
Spelling error

[+sophocles]

9 hours ago, osmanfirat said:

I would love to see a Turkish one in future.

As would I, and I would love the Turkish Strike Fighters 2 enthusiasts to flood me with offers to do them!!  I'll offer all the help that is needed; I just don't have the time to do all the F-5A user nations, schemes, decals etc.

Sophocles

[+sophocles]

10 hours ago, streakeagle said:

I would think the F-5B would be almost as much work as an F-5E,

This is also very, very true but someone's already taken great pains to model one (that's all I'm saying for now)

10 hours ago, streakeagle said:

It is great to see such amazing progress in a sim that should otherwise be completely dead by now. I don't know what motivates people to work so hard for free, but I am more than happy to take advantage of your generosity and determination.

The entire SF2 community and its generosity over the years provided me (and I'm sure everyone else involved) with the motivation to "give" something back.  This obviously cannot be sustained indefinitely, but until TK provides us with a more modern platform that exploits current hardware and software, and consequently sees an overwhelming increase in the player base,  I see little point in considering any type of payware offerings.  Should TK surprise us with some real improvements, then anything is possible!  Who knows? myself (and obviously others) may find ourselves in a position to take advantage of your patronage!

[stuntman]

Would you consider releasing a template so others can create more skins?

[+Stratos]

Glad to see this interview, Sophocles and team sure deserve it. Good work guys, and thanks, thanks a lot!!!

[bazillius]

Interesting interview. i am glad that i have read it Nice work, i like this model. Thanks a lot

Edited July 25, 2020 by bazillius

[+Wrench]

Thread edited to remove non-sequiters (sp?)

[MiGMan_Flight_Sim_Museum]

Amazing work!

[madvad]

Amazing work!