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I missed the "Phantom Phriday"...

Late 1999: Algeria accepts it's first MiG-29s

As shown on my channel at https://www.youtube.com/@philipsabin1653, I still do most of my tactical air gaming using my own total conversions of air board games, since this allows me to focus in on and savour the formation tactics which are hard to appreciate from the brief flurry of first person aerobatics in real time computer dogfights. When I do play PC air sims, I like to fly entire missions as a wingman and spend most of the time practising formation flying to complement the far shorter and more frenetic experience of combat itself. It is a shame that SF2 and FE2 do not allow the player easy access to this 'wingman experience' as in EAW and some other sims. However, I have just discovered a simple workaround which fits the bill. I am sure that some users have already discovered this, but I thought I would mention it just in case. The first step is to create and save a single mission, either after aborting on the runway in FE2 or from within the mission editor in SF2. Then, exit the sim, open the MSN file in your Third Wire Saved Games folder, and copy the entire block for [AircraftMission001]. Paste it after the final Aircraft Mission, and change its number to the next in sequence. Change the Size in the original Mission 1 to 1, reduce the Size in the new final mission by 1, and in SF2 change the Name at the top of the new mission to an unused friendly call sign. Make any other desired changes, save the MSN file, start the sim and load the amended mission. In FE2, the leader of the new flight should start super-imposed with you and roar ahead as he takes off, allowing you easily to catch and formate with him. In SF2, the new leader begins flying over the airfield, but you just need to take off yourself and then select and padlock the nearest friendly plane, allowing you gradually to climb and catch him at full throttle and join formation. The new AI leaders fly at a stately pace, so you should not be left in prolonged and frustrating long distance pursuit as often happens in EAW. There is more risk of overshooting the leader if you do not cut your throttle as you approach. Formation flying is a fascinating and challenging endeavour in its own right, and it is well worth perfecting it as real combat pilots did as a matter of course during their prolonged journeys to and from the combat itself.

If you are chasing a MiG ... you should not forget, that the MiG may have a buddy. If so, shit happens.

Da Nang East Airfield alias Marble Mountain Airfield. A bigger USMC base east of Da Nang Airbase. It is a beginning. There are still a lot of barracks to be placed on this target area. Da Nang AB in the foreground, in the background you see the USMC base.

In my experience, it's still too early to make wishlist yet, we still need to do more research to get familiar with what these things do, and rebuild the foundation one day, which takes time. Let us look forward to it.

Hello everyone! It have been a whil since Ihave worked on this project, after two weeks break. What have been done: Overhaul the [DetectSystem] becasue I have noticed that many of data.ini does not have matching of DetectSystem and Avioincs (for radar and Rangefinder), especailly with the RWR. With that, each aircraft will refelct from what is enabled in Avionics.ini in data.ini, especailly for AIs. I went through all aircraft and work inprogress Mirage III and 5 series, as well Nesher and Kfir. The Kfir series (work of Yakorav79) and thirdwire are now completed. Sorry no screenshot for now, the next time I post, will include the screenshots. I am currenlty workin gon Egypt Mirage series, as well Libya. Cheers!

Short and sweet!

Somewhere over North Vietnam.

heading out of Deci

It's been a lonnnnnnnnnnnnng time

A small attempt to make stock airfield2 to look more like the real Gia Lam Airfield. As a next step i wanted to use for the stock taxiways the same texture which i use for the new taxiways. But unfortunately with the new texture the stock taxiways started to flickering in game. Weird!

Hello everyone! Lot of works on Egyptian Mirage 5SDE and 5E2. From what I have learned, Mirage 5E2 uses HUD as used in Alpha Jet, so I used thee Alpha Jet HUD. I tis still WIP: NExt is Mirage 5SDE (This one is Mirage Factory, released by Wrench, did some work on implementing the new sight, radar, an d RWR made for Mirage IIIE.) Eagle114th

View File SF2 F-86F-40 Sabre, EDA (Spain) Skin Pack SF2 F-86F-40 Sabre, EDA Skin Pack 8/2/2025 -For SF2, Any and All (Full Merged Recommended) This is a NEW skin for the F-86F-40 Sabre. This is a something of a "salvage operation", as I found this skin/decal set in my archives. It was originally done in 2012, but for reason unremembered, never released! This set represents Spanish Air Force (Ejército del Aire y del Espacio) Sabres of 1 Ala from approx. 1958, when they started receiving the Sabre. You get 18 historically accurate decals; accurate in the fact they served in the EDA, but I was unable to associate them to a specific squadron or wing. So, consider them to be 'generic' in nature. Please note, the fuselage numbers are the early presentation as when first delivered. The skin is in jpg format, and decal randomization is TRUE. The SF2 date switch is NOT used, however the "startdefaultdate=" is set to 1958. Hopefully it works as advertised. On the skin selection menu, on the Loadout Page, you'll see: 1 Ala, 12 Esc As is always recommended, unzip to a temp folder or your desktop to give easy access to the rest of this readme for it's install instructions. As always, give the "Notes" section a quick read for any and all nonsensical ramblings. A small request for information is also down there. :) Happy Landings! Wrench Kevin Stein Submitter Wrench Submitted 08/16/2025 Category F-86  

Hello everyone! Sorry for being absence for almost two weeks. It have been quite hectic weeks! Real life caught me, so I had to put projects down for time being. Aat the same time, i needed a short break, a fresh breath and many ideas for bothSF - CAP and Advanced modding (DLL editing). There is one video that shocked me, let me show you: X-wing: Tie fighter, got modernized through reverse engineering, which bought improved graphic, VR suports and other amazing feats! And please note, this sim is from 1993! This shows me that it is definely possible. However, what I have realized is that, as stated, by using Ghidra to reverse engineer and looking at the pseudocodes, there is one extra challenges: As stated, the SF2 engine is natively written in C++, not C. So therefore, by editing the C Pseudocodes, we nbeed to carefully codes while remain in the loop of SF2 with the calls and imports, so it will rrun well in SF2. But atleast, C and C++ are somehwere close toe ach other. C++ is deviated from C, so we have to use extra C codes that work the same way what C++ codes intended to doin SF2. Nextw eek I am going back working on SF2 - CAP and further exploring advanced modding. I will post an additional i nforamtion on what tools I use and how I managed to extract the codes out, so you can view it and edit it as well. I use the tool known as Ghidra 11.4 and scripts to help me extracting the codes. Cheers!

Wingman did a go-around and landed a few minutes later..

'Shake rattle and roll,' "Beep Beep!"

I would. Don't look so surprised. You KNEW I was going to do this.

they wouldnt shoot me over their barracks would they? ha, this is against your regs, not mine damn thats close ha, we got three, how many you boys get? wait, what do you mean suckerin em into the ground doesnt count?!?!?!?!?

click the second page onthe bottom of the sheet, register

View File SF2 F-16AM Falcon, Portugal (TMF) Pack SF2 F-16AM Falcon, Portugal (TMF) Pack 8/21/2025 -For SF2, Any and All (Full 5 Merged Suggested) This is a rebuild of a mod from 2011(ish) of The Mirage Factory's F-16A to the represent the F-16AM versions as used by the Portuguese Air Force Squadrons No. 201 "Falcons" and No. 302 "Jaguars". Each squadron has 2 skins; standard full color, and low visibility markings. The SF2 date switch is active, turning on in 2000 (best guess) This mod is set up and labeled to cause =NO= conflicts with any of the other TMF F-16As buzzing around, as this carries a unique name (see below). Skins remain in their original bmp format, in their original size and resolution (1024x). All markings are decals. Decal Randomization is TRUE. Each skin is provided with 18 historically correct serial number decals. The necessary items provided are drop tanks and pilot seat, the TMF F-16 Effects and Sounds. I've not supplied any other weapons; you should have the needed ones from the various Weapons Packs available at CA . If I missed anything, PLEASE let me know and I'll try to get it fixed. . The canopy operates with the Standard Animations Keystroke (tm), Shift/0 (zero). The refueling door opens/closes with the Shift/1 (one) keystroke. When in-game, on the Aircraft Selection Drop down you'll see: F-16AM FAP (TMF) So you can't mistake it for anything other than what it is. As always fairly easy to follow, yet detailed install instructions are included. So, please read them. The original readme is included. The 'Change Log' is, of course, in the Notes section below. Good Hunting & Happy Landings! Wrench Kevin Stein For Oli Submitter Wrench Submitted 08/21/2025 Category F-16  

Nice! you can setup a specific key or key combo (I use ALT + F9 myself) instead of Alt + Z, but depending on what you're doing you may want to cut off the microphone so it's just the game, but that is just an option though, so just something to be aware of.

It is on the second tab ("Register") on the bottom.

Thanks a lot! I always got an nvidia thing pop up on my screen and never hit the keys. It came up as alt-z or something. I hit that and the nvidia sidescreen opened up, I just recorded my first mission thanks to you. I never even considered opening up the little nvidia message!

And flying an entire mission as part of a formation of 15 B-17s is far simpler and more immersive than Microprose's distinctly clunky dedicated sim of the bomber.

It is a great way to relax, and you don't even need to have a combat at all. This morning I moved waypoints on the WW2 Northern Europe terrain and spent an enjoyable hour flying down across the Highlands from Lossiemouth to Edinburgh in a Tiger Moth, formating as closely as I could on my leader in the morning sunshine. I only wish I had discovered this simple workaround years ago!

All fine on my end with the latest 580.97 Nvidia drivers. Make sure in the game's options that you're using the Nvidia GPU. SF2 has a bad habit of selecting the integrated GPU instead, and I used to have such crashes with Intel's integrated GPU.

View File SF2 F-86F-40 Sabre, Portuguese Air Force Skin Pack SF2 F-86F-40 Sabre, Portuguese Air Force Skin Pack 8/7/2025 -For SF2, Any and All (Full Merged Recommended) This is a NEW skin for the F-86F-40 Sabre. It is designed to be used on the SF2 F-86F-40 pack available here at CA. This set represents Portuguese Air Force (Forca Aerea Portuguesa) # 51 Squadron (later renumbered to 201) in approx. 1958, when they started receiving their Sabres. You get 24 historically accurate decals; all have been positively identified as having served in 51/201 Squadron (excepting the very last 2; they're generics). The skin is in jpg format, and decal randomization is TRUE. All markings are decals, excepting the painted squadron color bands on the wingtips, stab tips, and vert fin. The SF2 date switch is NOT used, however the "startdefaultdate=" is set to 1958. Hopefully it works as advertised. On the skin selection menu, on the Loadout Page, you'll see: Esq 51 (201) Falcons As is always recommended, unzip to a temp folder or your desktop to give easy access to the rest of this readme for it's install instructions. Happy Landings! Wrench Kevin Stein Submitter Wrench Submitted 08/11/2025 Category F-86  

Guys, I know we are all excited for this discovery, but then again, let's wait for @Eagle114th to play, understand completely, and then, I think he will come up with some changes and ideas. I'd wish for better graphics options and so many more, but for now, i merely will be just watching how this develops, and my fingers are crossed for good, all my good vibes are for him. And if I can be of help, count me in. Thanks!

Light Flak is shooting.

USN trial aircraft camouflage during the Vietnam War applied to the F-8

View File SF2 A-7P Corsair II (TMF) FAP Pack SF2 A-7P Corsair II (TMF) FAP Pack 8/4/2025 -For SF2, Any and All (Full 5 Merged Suggested) This is a rebuild of TMF's A-7A Corsair II to the A-7P versions as used by the Portuguese Air Force's No. 302 Squadron "Falcons". This, like the Real Life (tm) version, uses the "A" body upgraded with "E" bits. This includes the cockpit and avionics. That is to say, I've (re)used the TMF A-7E cockpit and avionics for this mod. If, for whatever reason, you dislike the TMF cockpit, I've provided the inis and instructions herein to switch over to the stock 3W A-7E_78 cockpit and avionics inis. So, you'll need whichever SF2 game version gave us the A-7E_78 (disremember which one) This mod is set up and labeled to cause =NO= conflicts with the 3rdWire DLC A-7P, as this carries a unique name (see below). Skins remain in their original bmp format, in their original size and resolution. All markings are decals. Decal Randomization is TRUE. The skin is provided with 18 historically correct serial number decals. The necessary items provided are drop tanks and pilot seat. Weapons used are all stock in-game items. If I missed anything, PLEASE let me know and I'll try to get it fixed. . The canopy operates with the Standard Animations Keystroke (tm), Shift/0 (zero). The wing fold is operated by Shift/9 (nine). The refueling probe operates with the Shift/3 (three) keystroke. When in-game, on the Aircraft Selection Drop down you'll see: A-7P Corsair II (TMF) So you can't mistake it for anything other than what it is. This will also differentialize THIS one from the Third Wire DLC, if you happen to have it. As always fairly easy to follow, yet detailed install instructions are included. So, please read them. The original readme is included. The 'Change Log' is, of course, in the Notes section below. Good Hunting & Happy Landings! Wrench Kevin Stein For Oli Submitter Wrench Submitted 08/04/2025 Category A-7  

I had this one in my phone before I came to the UK, so this is my first unofficial comeback lol

Hello ! Here several pictures of my 1:72 WWII fighters I began to build two years ago... an old project ! Next ones : Me 163, Bf 109s, P-47s, etc... P.

To come back to the SAM sites and the concrete roads. Swambast is right and wrong at the same time. It is correct to say, that the SAM batteries were semi mobile. The SAM sites were static. The vietnamese built more SAM sites, than they had SAM batteries. They rotated the batteries through the SAM sites per random or, when the site "demask itself" with opening the fire. After the battle was fought, the vietnamese moved the SAM battery to reduce the risk to be attacked by the opponent. Later, so in the mid of Vietnam war, they learned, that the opponent was able to destroy fortified SAM sites and he had the power to do this. From that time a lot of SAM batteries were placed somewhere in the nowhere. They stayed there for a couple of days or till they were fighting a battle. Then they were relocated. Old soldiers rule: "After firing move to a new fire position. If not you will die." The SAM sites itself were built in the dry periode of the year. In this time there was no need to inforce the soil with concrete. A truck or lorry (how our british friend would call it) could easily drive on it. But this changed very fast in rain periode. The truck could not operate under this conditions and so the ways were inforced by concrete. But you should not imagine a 5 or 6 meter wide road made by concrete or tarmac. It was made by a technology, which we call in eastern Germany "Plattenstraße in Form einer Spurbahn". No idea, how you call in the America or the rest of the world. Basically such a road is puzzled together by single plates of concrete. Each plate is 3 meters long, 1 meter wide and 0.25 meters thick. The plate has rectangular holes. It weighs 1 metric ton. To form a road two lines of plates were laid out. The distance between the plates is 1 meter. The room between the plates and outside the plates will be filled with gravel and get finally a layer of soil. The reason is, that on the soil vegetation can grew up. After a while such a road is very difficult to see from a plane at certain distances. Here you see such a road which was made by this technology. It can operate 40 ton trucks under all weather conditions easily. You see the "hole plates", the two lines of plates and you see how the road is vanishing at a certain distance.

Over North Vietnam.

Small discussion over Sokotra island.

He really should have looked behind him. I dropped out of the clouds, 0.6 miles dead astern....

May The Fourth Be With You...

It is astonishing how good our old, twenty years old game, can be on a good computer. When it starts we were happy with texture files in the size of 256x256 pixel for the plane skins or for terrain tiles. Today we have 1024x1024 or even 2048x2048 pixel skins and with a modern computer the game runs better and faster then in it's starting times 20 years ago.

Going vertical. BTW. The black square at the nose of the MiG-23 is not a so called "fake cockpit". It is there to avoid reflexions of the skin in front of the IR-sensor.

Mixed pair of MiG-21SM, consist of one fighter of the Frontline Aviation (VVS) and one of the Naval Aviation, over the Kuril islands.

After consideration, I will pass this one and wait for holosuite version. Miles and Julian said it is worth trying.

http://web.archive.org/web/20120115033305/http://www.column5.us/pilots.htm MIG-28 Pilot.7z agressor.7z

http://web.archive.org/web/20090819031459/http://www.column5.us/other.htm Some files are archived. Corsair II skins (for the TMF Corsair) http://web.archive.org/web/20080612104159/http://www.column5.us/corsair2.htm MiG28_TopGun.7z