Caesar

Aerodynamically Limited MiG-17s v1.1
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Description:
This is a mod which limits the maneuverability of the stock ThirdWire MiG-17, -17F and -17PF at high subsonic speeds, especially above .8M.  It has long been published that the MiG-17's lack of hydraulically boosted controls prevented the pilot from turning much harder than 2-2.5g as the aircraft got beyond 400 knots (especially by 450).  The stock TW MiG-17s, however, have in excess of 10g authority at the mid-to-high 400s of knots, and this is one of the reasons they are commonly called "UFOs" - they can out-turn almost any fighter anywhere in the envelope.
This mod adjusts both the lift coefficient and the aerodynamic pitch dampening coefficient to reduce the MiG-17's ability to pull high-g turns at airspeeds exceeding .8 Mach.  This provides the player with the ability to utilize real-world speed tactics employed by F-4, F-8 and other aircrews against the MiG-17.  Keep the fight fast, and you can now out-turn the FRESCO.  
This mod does NOT adjust the lower-speed performance of the FRESCO.  As such, if you try to get into the phonebooth and burn away your energy, expect the same results as before.  If you choose to fly the MiG-17 with this FM modification, it adds a degree of challenge and realism in that just like the AI, you won't be able to load a 12g turn at 500knots anymore, and will have to pay attention to airspeed.  The speedbreak is your friend!  I personally had no problem dogfighting with the FM, but it did require better energy management in that it requires you to keep the aircraft neither too slow, nor too fast.
V1.1 (23 Nov 17) has also changed the engine response time for the MiG-17's VK-1F engine.  It is reported in Red Eagles that the engine took approximately 15 seconds (p.112) to go from idle to full military power.  Most engines from the 50s and 60s had slow response times (e.g., the TF-30 taking approximately 8 seconds to go from idle to military and another 4 to stage up to Zone 5), and this required a bit of thinking and tactics to work around.  "Jose" Oberle (Lt Col, Ret) explained that the engine worked well enough if kept above 80 percent power, but pulling back to idle, then pushing back towards military power "took forever" (Ibid.), and that the easiest way to handle decelerating was to keep the engine at 80 percent and deploy the speed brakes.  The AI isn't harshly impacted by this limitation, but a player using this data.ini will have to consider this limitation.  If, as a player, you do not want to deal with the slower engine response, the original entry is simply commented out, and can be restored by editing the .ini.
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Whats in it:
There are three data.inis contained in this mod.  One for the baseline MiG-17, one for the MiG-17F and one for the MiG-17PF.  This mod adjusts the ThirdWire MiG-17s and will work with any version of StrikeFighters 2, including merged and single installs.
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Installation:
1.  Unzip the contents of the "Aero_Limited_MiG-17sV11.7z" file into a folder
2.  Open the folder.  Copy the contents of the folder (MiG-17, -17F, and -17PF folders) into your SF2 mod folder's Objects\Aircraft folder, allowing all files to overwrite.
3.  The Data.ini files should already be read only, but if not, set them to read only so the game does not re-write or over-write the data file with the game's original files upon booting up (this happens sometimes when a mod changes a core game file).
4. Go fly!
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Credits:
FM: ThirdWire
Mod: Caesar
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Some open-source examples of airspeed and engine limitations of the MiG-17:
From "Scream of Eagles," "Tooter" Teague (who flew one of the captured MiG-17's) put it that: "We found out very quickly that the MiG ['17] goes out of control at 450 knots...He [the '17] locks up at about 425 and he goes absolutely left wing down...his wing warps...so if he goes 500 knots he's out of control  He's in a left wing roll an can't do anything about it.  So just do 500 knots and it becomes only a question of eyes.  Keeping sight and keeping fast." (p. 138).  
From "Red Eagles": "We had to teach them that if they could - as a defender in an American airplane - get the MiG-17 into the 450-knot regime, and then start to turn, then the MiG pilot would have to overcome this huge aerodynamic load on the tail without any hydraulic assistance.  He may have had the potential to pull 7Gs, but he could probably pull no more than 2Gs because he simply didn't have the physical strength to overcome the loads on the tail." (p.132)  
From "Duke" Cunningham (in "Dogfights): [the MiGs are travelling fast.  Cunningham knows the MiG, lacking hydraulic controls like the F-4, is hard to turn.] "So I looked at him and said 'nope, can't do it,' so I broke into him and he overshot right down below me."
[Engine] From "Red Eagles, New Edition": The VK-1F was slow to respond to movements of the throttle, and it took in the region of 15 seconds for it to go from idle thrust to "military" thrust power setting (the maximum non-afterburning thrust available).  Oberle observed: "This slow engine response was a characteristic of the old engines.  If you kept the power up above 80 percent you had pretty good engine response, but if you ever pulled it back to idle and then pushed the power up to accelerate, it would take forever for the engine to spool back up to the 80 percent rangewhere you finally started getting power." (p.112)

The Mirage Factory F-14 Tomcat Super Pack V1.32 22 APR, 2017
 
What it is:
This is the F-14 Tomcat Super Pack v1.32 Full. It includes addition of Direct Lift Control to the Flight Model, AI AIM-54 Phoenix Missiles, modified Iranian F-14 loadouts and other minor adjustments.
 
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Installation:
 
=====CAUTION=====
1. This was tested at July 2013 patch level, on an "All 5 Merged" install, as well as a "vanilla" SF2:NA install. Because it uses AvionicsF14A.dll, will require at least SF2:NA (or a TW F-14) to work! It will not work on Gen 1 sims, nor will it work correctly on pre-April 2012 installs! (Caveat: Avionics70.dll F-14D should work on pre-April patch levels).
 
2. It is HIGHLY recommended you back up your current F-14s to a back up folder. If you have extra skins installed and wish to keep your current folders, be ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN to delete the cockpit folders from each aircraft folder after backing up, as this install features updated cockpits, and retention of the old folders will lead to artifacting on the RWR, VDI, and other systems. If you have custom skins installed, be sure to back up your F-14(A/A+/B/D).ini to preserve the texture set data.
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1. Unzip the contents of the F-14SP_V132.7z file into a folder.
 
1a. If you have installed the Avionics70 F-14D, ensure you back up the .ini files if you haven't renamed the bird, since this install will overwrite F-14D_92, 96 and 06!
 
2. Open your Strike Fighters 2 mod folder (e.g., C:\User\Saved Games\ThirdWire\StrikeFighters2 Europe\...)
 
3. CAUTION: (ONLY FOR PRE-v1.30 VERSIONS), DELETE THE PRE-1.30 COCKPIT FOLDERS!!! FAILURE TO DO SO WILL CAUSE ARTIFACTING ON THE VDI, HSD, RWR, AND POSSIBLY OTHER SYSTEMS!!!
 
3.a. IGNORE STEP 3 IF YOU ARE UPDATING v1.30 OR v1.31
 
4. Copy the contents of the unzipped Effects, Flight, Missions, Objects, and Sounds folders into your SF2 mod folder, allowing all files to overwrite (Effects, Flight, Missions, Objects\Aircraft, Objects\Weapons, etc).
 
4a. (RECOMMENDED) Review the flight manual for tactical employment of the F-14.
 
5. Go fly!
 
NOTE:
If this either a new install or an update to the F-14SP v1.30 or 1.31, follow the above procedure, allowing all files to overwrite. If this is an update to 1.14-1.22, follow step 3; for in-depth instructions, follow the F-14SP V132 Installation Instructions.pdf
 
=================
 
EXTRAS:
 
-You may choose to use the Avionics70.dll F-14D for SAR mode on strike missions. If you wish to do so, see Section 6 of the F-14 SP Update V132 word document (Para 6.1-6.3) for install procedures and recommendations.
 
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Aircraft Included:
 
F-14A (1974-1984, 1982-1995, 1996-2004)
Iranian F-14A (1977-2030)
F-14A+ (1987-1990)
F-14B (1991-1995, 1996-2005)
F-14D (1992-1995, 1996-2006, 2005-2006)
 
=================
 
List of effective changes:
 
v1.32 22 Apr 2017
 
1. Added Direct Lift Control, based on Cliff7600's spoiler speedbreak mod
2. Added AI Phoenix missiles with Rmax of 65nm to improve AI F-14 Probability of Kill
3. Updated flight manual to reflect DLC change and AI AIM-54 (now 75pgs)
4. Assigned White external fuel tanks to F-14A_74 and F-14A_IR (IR does not carry externals by default)
5. Fixed White fuel tank capacity (was not adjusted with grey tank prior)
6. Updated Iranian F-14A loadouts to better match most current data from ACIG
7. Updated/Added Iranian AIM-7E-3 and AIM-9J models to equip Iranian F-14As
8. Changed F-14A_IR availability date to 2030
 
v1.31 1 Aug 2016
 
1. Updated engine static thrust to match NATOPS installed measurements
2. Updated flight manual to reflect thrust change
 
v1.30 11 Jun, 2016
 
1. Updated F-14A/B cockpit by Chris "ToS" with tweaks by Crusader & Caesar
2. Fixed radar scan elevation in VSL-Hi
3. Adjusted aircraft empty weights to remove gun ammo and trapped fuel
4. Added AI F-14s to improve AI survivability in a dogfight
5. Adjusted default gun tracking range to 1000ft/305m. Gun is now more accurate both with and without lock. (Crusader noticed & it was implemented)
6. Adjusted auto-departure numbers to allow the aircraft to fly and depart more naturally
7. Adjusted maximum altitude to provide player engines a buffer between 55,000 and 60,000 feet.
8. Updated cockpit avionics & weapon symbology
9. Updated Wing Sweep schedule and gave Glove Vanes smooth animation to match NATOPS
10. Reduced effectiveness of ALQ-100 & 126
11. Adjusted bands on the AN/ALR-45/50 to match published data
12. Adjusted AoA Indexer to match NATOPS (green = slow, yellow = on-speed, red = fast)
13. Adjusted F-14D_96 loadouts to remove extra AIM-7 loaded into Station 5 alongside AIM-54s
14. Adjusted Sedjil pylon allowable weight (was too low to equip missile)
15. Added inaugural cruise paint schemes for VF-1, -2, -14, -24, -32, -41, -84, -114, and -213
16. Adjusted avionics symbology
17. Added 74-page F-14 SP Flight Manual “F-14SP 01-F14ABD-1.pdf”
18. Fixed ACM Panel (Crusader)
19. Fixed F-14A_82 CAP loadout, which put the ALE-29/39 in the wrong location
20. Fixed jettison point of ECA/EFA to forward Phoenix Station 6R to match installed location
21. Changed skins to .jpeg format to significantly reduce size of mod without sacrificing detail
22. Adjusted external tank fuel quantities to 1800 lbs/tank (maximum internal and external fuel together now matches real-world 19,800lbs, rather than over 20,000lbs).
23. Adjusted engine thrust and Specific Fuel Consumption (SFC). The F110 had approximately 60% of the TF30’s SFC. The F110 was adjusted to lower SFC, while the TF30 was adjusted to increase SFC.
 

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Credits:
 
Model: Flying Toaster, Oli
Cockpit: Chris (original and new update) with tweaks by Crusader and Caesar
FM: ThirdWire, Caesar, Column5, Spectre8750, Cliff7600
Avionics: Crusader, ThirdWire, Sup Gen, Caesar, Dave, CrazyhorseB34
Pilots: Old_Diego, CrazyhorseB34
Skins: Dave, Spectre8750, Column5, Caesar
NATOPS Textures: Chris
Extra Hangar and Loading Screens: Dave
Ejection Mod: Stary
Testing: Caesar, Sup Gen, Dave, EricJ, Spectre8750, Saisran, Cougar_1979
Weapons: Ravenclaw, wpnssgt, Bunyap and others
New Phoenix: Ravenclaw
Manuals/Flight Manual: Caesar
 
===Dedidacted to Oli===

Description:
 
This Fleet Defender Gold theme is a set of menus and music for Strike Fighters 2 in widescreen format: 1600x900. While the basic Fleet Defender theme has been done before for the SF series, Fleet Defender Gold hasn't been represented...until now. The CD-based FD Gold had a MIDI rock theme and early 3D video introduction to the Windows 3.x/95 installation, albeit it ALWAYS skipped. Using Audacity, I was able to fix that issue following track capture. FD Gold's theme seems to have fallen by the wayside compared to the basic DOS music, and it is unfortunate, since it has a great MIDI track. Well, it's back! Fleet Defender Gold still ran the main game in DOS: it was really just a combination of the original FD and its scenario disk, but was Windows compatible for installation and featured a few extras as well: a training section, videos from Aviation Week's "Flight Deck," previews for MicroProse's upcoming games, and most interestingly, the recording of the MiG-23 shoot-downs from the Second Gulf of Sidra incident.
 
The Package:
 
The main screen attempts to recreate "Bio" Baranek's famous picture of a VF-2 F-14A in a 30-degree nose up climb, which was used as the cover photo on the game box (albeit with a 1970's era Bullet) and utilizes the Windows FD Gold intro theme. The Single Mission, Loadout, Options, Pilot Record and Roster screens use the actual FD game background music. Campaign start screen uses the FD DOS Intro music. Mission Successful/Failed/Player Killed utilize the FD Mission Successful/Failed music, and the Credits and Medals screens use the FD Mission Successful music (akin to the Top Ten and Credits of the original game). A set of 1600x900 menus have also been made.
 
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Installation:
 
NOTE: The theme was tested on an All-5 Merged install, patched to July 2013.
 
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CAUTION: If you didn't see in the description, these menus are in 1600x900 widescreen format! If you're using a different screen ratio, they probably won't work right. I will get around to doing a standard format in the future.
 
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In order to install:
 
1.) Copy the contents of this archive to a temporary folder.
 
2.) Create a new folder in your main Mod Folder (e.g. C:\Users\Name\Saved Games\ThirdWire\StrikeFighters2 Europe) called "Menu" (if it doesn't already exist).
 
3.) Copy the contents of your temp folder into the Menu Folder.
 
4.) Launch the game!
 
OF NOTE:
 
If you can't support the 1600x900 format, or if you want to keep the default or other menu screens, you can still use the Fleet Defender music by only installing the .wav files and menu .ini's. To do so, only copy the .wav and .ini files to your Mod Menu folder.
 
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Credits:
 
Menu Package (incl. Music Editing, Screens): Caesar
Original FD Gold Theme: Ronald Rizzo, MicroProse
Original FD Game Music: Michael Bross, MicroProse

Early F-14A Tomcat Paint Schemes: The Gulls - Part 1 v1.11
 
This F-14 Tomcat Skin Pack is designed for the TMF F-14 Tomcat Super Pack (Any version, V1.14-1.20, or even the baseline Tomcat Pack from 2010). It represents eight F-14A Tomcat squadrons during the airframe's Vietnam-era introduction until the late 1970's (ca. 1978-1980), as the squadrons began to tone down. It is called "The Gulls" because the F-14's paint schemes early on included an overall light gloss gull gray with white control surfaces and underside, as well as very high visibility squadron markings like the F-4 and F-8 before it. I've always loved the Tomcat in its high-viz glory, and decided to compile a set of skins that represented the F-14 in its early years. The aircraft bureau numbers are included on each aircraft, and I logged them to the best of my ability; some aircraft were uncertain, so I narrowed it down to the block to find unassigned BuNo's. Any uncertain airframes, then, are at least from the proper block, and are few and far between.
 
These skins are valid until about 1978, the big changes over time weren't so much the colors as much as the bureau numbers of the aircraft. Some aircraft were lost to engine explosions, cold catapult launches, overrunning the deck, etc. during their inaugural cruise. Those others could have been involved in several cruises, but some may have been transferred to other squadrons and replaced with new build aircraft, so all aircraft modeled here are from the initial cruise of the listed squadrons.
 
This work was based in part on the Mirage Factory originals (listed in the original credits as being the work of Column5), and also some of Spectre8750's skins from the Super Pack as well, so I must thank them for providing the basis for the work. There was still quite a bit that went into making the updates even to squadrons which appear relatively unchanged (esp. VF-1, -2 and -84) to include wholly new decal sets for aircraft numbers and bureau numbers. VF-14, -32 and -41, -114 and -213 on the other hand, were done just about from scratch with the exception of VF-41's tail stripes.
 
The squadrons represented in Part 1 v1.11 are:
 
VF-1 Wolf Pack 1974-1978
VF-2 Bounty Hunters 1974-1978
VF-14 Tophatters 1974-1978
VF-32 Swordsmen 1974-1978
VF-41 Black Aces 1976-1978
VF-84 Jolly Rogers 1976-1980
VF-114 Aardvarks 1976-1979
VF-213 Black Lions 1976-1979
 
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To Install:
 
=============
NOTE:
This does not contain any aircraft! It is a set of skins. You must have the Mirage Factory F-14 Tomcat Super Pack or 2010 Mirage Factory Tomcat installed for this skin set to work!
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1. Go to your SF2 Mod Directory
Ex: C:\User\Saved Games\ThirdWire\StrikeFighters2\
 
2. Copy the Objects folder included in this archive over your Objects folder
 
3. Allow the files to overwrite. I have set up the folder structure to match the default structure of the game's mod folder (Objects/Aircraft/F-14A_74/file, and Objects/Decals/F-14A_74/file, respectively)
 
3a. You may need to add the aircraft's TextureSet to the F-14A_74.ini file. To do so, open each new skin's folder and copy the textureset data from the respective textureset.ini into your F-14A_74.ini file, incrementing based on the last TextureSet number.
 
NOTE:
This series of skins are similar to some of the baseline F-14A_74 skins in the Super Pack by name and years. Feel free to rename any of the skins to avoid confusion.
 
4. Go Fly!
 
V/R,
Caesar
 
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v1.11 Changes:
1. Fixed VF-84's anti-glare paint.
 
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v1.1 Changes:
 
Fixed VF-1 tail, small gray smudge ended up on the rudders
Changed all BEWARE OF BLAST warning text under BuNo's to red to match real-world text used at the time
ADDED VF-114 and VF-213
Updated TextureSets
 
=============
 
Credits:
Baseline Templates: Column5/The Mirage Factory, Spectre8750
Updated Templates and New Decals: Caesar
New Build Squadrons VF-14, -32, -41, -114, -213: Caesar
Baseline Squadrons VF-1, -2, -84: Column5/The Mirage Factory
Squadron Modifications: Caesar
VF-41 Tail Stripe: Spectre8750
Hangars and Loading Screens: Dave, Spectre8750
 
If I missed anyone, please let me know so that I may add you.
 
Any Time, Baby!

This skin is designed for The Mirage Factory F-14B Tomcat.
 
The contained paint scheme is representative of the Be-Devilers shortly after they received the F-14A+ Tomcat, roughly around the 1988 timeframe. Looking at pictures of the Be-Devilers Turkeys from 1988-1991, I found the birds to be consistently painted in a lighter grey, which I found was similar to Dave's VF-41 MiG killers, so giving credit where it's due: I used his skin as the starting point. VF-74's Tomcats, during this timeframe, were very lo-viz; A/C #101 would eventually wear a red lightning bolt later on (and the Olympic rings during ODS). I also made the F110 "turkey feathers" a bit shinier, as the majority of the pictures I've seen of VF-74's F-14A+'s between 1988 and 1990 have pretty darn shiny feathers.
 
VF-74 Be-Devilers were one of the later squadrons to receive the Tomcat, beginning transition from the F-4S in 1983. Aboard the USS Saratoga, VF-74 gained notoriety when their aircraft were assigned to force down a hijacked Egypt Air Boeing 737 in 1985 (this incident inspiring a similar scene in the movie Executive Decision). In 1988, VF-74 and VF-103 received the F-14A-Plus Tomcat, and flew these aircraft during Operation Desert Storm. Following the Navy's decision to draw down their Tomcat fleet (going from two squadrons to one per carrier) VF-74 wound up shore-side, directly under the command of COMFITWINGLANT, while their sister squadron (VF-103 Sluggers), whose Tomcats were equipped with TARPS, continued to go on cruise. The Be-Devilers became an aggressor squadron starting in 1993, flying against both Navy and Air Force blue forces during exercises and training. The following year, the Be-Devilers made one last cruise before being disestablished on 30 April, 1994.
 
I was able to find 10 of the aircraft which served with VF-74 in the late 1980s-ODS. (Thanks also to EricJ for assistance here). Aircraft found herein:
 
162925 AA100
162919 AA101
161434 AA102
162923 AA103
162924 AA104
163221 AA105
161435 AA106
161432 AA107
161870 AA110
163408 AA111
 
Install Instructions:
 
Open your Strike Fighters 2 Mod Folder
 
Drag the "Objects" file from VF-74 archive into the base mod folder (e.g. StrikeFighters2 Europe). I have the folder set up so it should go to the right place. If you don't trust that, navigate through Objects->Aircraft->F-14B and drag the VF74 folder into the aircraft folder. Then, go back, get to decals, and drop the VF74 decal file into your F-14B Decal folder.
 
Texture Set is:
[TextureSetxxx]
Directory=VF74
Name=VF-74 Be-Devilers
Nation=USN
Squadron=VF-74
Specular=0.200000
Glossiness=0.350000
Reflection=0.000000
 
Good Hunting...Always, Baby!

This is a modified F-14A-005.bmp file for the excellent VF-32 and VF-41 MiG Killers skins for the new TMF F-14A and F-14A(82). The original skins appear to have been based off of the F-14B templates, and have the General Electric F-110 "Turkey Feathers"/engines that don't match up to the TF-30 nozzles. Just drop the new F-14A-005 skin file into the VF32-89 and VF41 skin files to replace the initial F-14A-005.bmp and go flying!
 
Anytime, Baby!

Fictional VF-1 Wolfpack squadron by "Caesar"
 
Install Instructions:
 
Copy XVF1 folder into your F-14A folder, and add the following to F-14A.ini:
 
[TextureSetxxx]
Name=VF-1 Wolfpack
Nation=USN
Squadron=VF1
Specular=0.300000
Glossiness=0.500000
Reflection=0.000000
 
If you have not done so, add the following to your squadronlist.ini
 
[squadronxxx]
Name=VF1
DisplayName=VF-1 'Wolfpack'
Nation=USN
 
This is a fictional paint scheme for VF-1 Wolfpack, and is also my first low-viz scheme relying heavily on decals. This scheme is designed to combine the late 1970's to early 1980's low-viz scheme worn by the Wolfpack with the original scheme from 1972 before all aircraft had been delivered, providing hi-viz colors to the CAG and XO a/c. Aircraft numbers, BuNo's and notes are as follows:
 
Aircraft BuNo Notes:
NK100 158979 CAG bird in 1977
NK101 158627 XO's bird from 1973-1979
NK102 158984 NK105 in 1974, stricken 20 November, 1997
NK103 158625 Became NF-14 testbed
NK104 158993 Stricken 1 June 1992
NK105 158986 VF-2 NK206 in 1977, rendered to AMARC in 1991
NK106 158996 Crashed with VF-2 on 26 June 1977 at NAS Miramar
NK107 158616 "Deer Slayer"; struck and killed a deer on landing in 2001 with VF-101.
NK110 158633 SARDIPed, stricken 25 Sept 2003
NK111 159000 Stricken 1 June 1992
NK114 158985 VF-2 NK200 (CAG Bird) in 1977, stricken 31 March, 1992
NK115 158629 Lost on 18 June 2000 at NAS Willow Grove, both crew killed
 
Thanks to the Mirage Factory for this amazing aircraft, and if you haven't gotten it already, I'd strongly reccomend the Tomcat cockpit repaint by The Trooper. It rocks, baby!
 
-"Caesar"

This is the paint scheme for the Gunfighters during their early Tomcat years (~1972-1978).

This is the scheme for test Tomcat #12 or "1X" which replaced Tomcat #1 after it crashed.

This is the scheme of VF-24 in 1975, during their first cruise with VF-211 when -24 was known as the Red Checkertails.

This is the paint scheme for VF-14 Tophatters when they first equipped the F-14A Tomcat in 1974/their first cruise aboard the USS John F. Kennedy in 1976. For extra info, read the Read Me.

This is the paint scheme for VF-211 Checkmates circa 1978 (aboard the Connstellation.)
 
Permission for release granted by BPAo.
 
Please read the Read Me included in the archive for extra information.