CSomers611

I've been working/tweaking Centurion-1's Korea 1985 campaign here lately, trying to focus on a "what-if" campaign taking place in 1985-1987 timeframe. With this in mind, I'm having to create some skins for aircraft which would have been involved. Currently focusing on the 25th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 51st Tactical Fighter Wing which operated the A-10A from Suwon AB, ROK starting in 1982 till November 1989. This skin is for the A-10A and C package from Spectre8750, I'm currently tweaking it a bit more and then plan to release it. Question, would the Squadron patch in 1984-1989 been the design like what I used or the modern shape?

During 1985-87, the F-4E was still assigned to the 36th TFS, 51st TFW at Osan AB. The 36th replaced their Phantoms for Falcons in August of 1988 so will need to make some early Falcons for them for later campaigns. The 497th operated F-4E’s from Taegu AB till 1988. The D’s of the 8th TFW had left in 1981 when replaced by F-16’s so going to have to make some early skins for them as well.

I’ve been working on A-10’s for the 25th TFS and 19th TASS for this time period. The 25th TFS operated A-10’s from Suwon starting in 1982 till November 1989 as part of the 51st Composite Wing (Tactical). The 19th TASS took over the A-10 business in Korea starting in August 1989 at Suwon AB under the 5th Tactical Air Control Group. In October 1990, the 19th TASS and the 5th Tactical Control Group along with their A-10’s moved to Osan AB when reassigned to the 51st TFW. The 19th was deactivated on October 1, 1993 when the 25th was reactivated. Sorry for the history lesson but I find this type of stuff interesting. Though this campaign would initially focus on the 1985-1986 time period, it could have more time periods. Does anyone know a good source of information for USAF units in Korea in the 1980-90’s? Has anyone done up F-4’s for the units in Korea during this time period such as the F-4E’s of the 36th TFS and 497th TFS and F-4D’s of the 8th TFW?

I started tinkering around with this Campaign, @daddyairplanes did you ever do these Viper skins?

View File 184th TFG F-4D Euro Scheme The 184th TFG operated F-4D's from 1979 till 1990 and was the F-4 Schoolhouse, operating 70 F-4D's in various paint schemes. This includes (18) different F-4D's wearing the Euro Scheme variations which were seen on the flightline of McConnell AFB during the late 1970's and 1980's. These were all verified by photos and do not represent a particular year but the entire F-4D Phantom tenure with the 184th. Being a schoolhouse, the 184th had Phantoms in every scheme, some Kansas Phantoms wore them all during their time at the unit while others did not. Happy Phlying! Submitter CSomers611 Submitted 05/23/2025 Category F-4

I agree to the terms of the license.

I've loved F-4's, especially the D model ever since I grew up around them at the 184th TFG. I believe the Phantom could hold their own as interceptors, which was a role of theirs. Dogfighting was where their maneuverability hindered them however, experience crews could lick F-15's and F-16's if they fought within their capabilities.

Reviewing and tweaking a few minor issues.....

Real life has been getting in the way of me wrapping up the Euro Phantoms of the 184th TFG recently, which has been a blessing in disguise as I've been able to do a little more research. Through photos I've been able to determine there were (3) variations in 184th TFG markings on the Euro birds. Top- Color AFOUA inline with subdued 184th TFG patch on intakes with colored Jayhawks tailband. Middle- Colored Jayhawks tailband. Bottom- Subdued markings. I'm working on the nose gear door numbers and tail numbers for these birds.

From what my father was able to recall, no. He was with the 184th TFG Kansas Air National Guard during the Phantom days and he advised during the mid to late 80's no modifications/upgrades were funded for the D's as they had all but left the Active-Duty Air Force. He stated anything done would have had to be funded by the AF Reserves or Air National Guard, which was focusing on the F-15's and F-16's coming into their inventory.

I take it this project is dead based on the lack of updates. I was looking forward to it.

New clothes for a mig killer!

Oil Slicks?! Looking forward to this terrain, looks great!

Progress has been slow on the 184th TFG Euro Phantoms, however I believe I've gotten the tailband the way I like it. I've identified 15 different 184th TFG F-4D's sporting the Euro scheme through pictures, I'm sure there were more however I believe this will be a good representation of them. I've based my skin off of this picture of F-4D 66-0271, which is on display at McConnell AFB in the 184th Wing's Airpark...it's currently wearing the SEA Camo Scheme.

There’s one on display at McConnell however it wasn’t ever stationed there, it was a Dyess bird.

View File 184th TFG ADC Scheme The 184th TFG operated F-4D's from 1979 till 1990 and was the F-4 Schoolhouse, operating 70 F-4D's in various paint schemes. This includes 2 variations of the Air Defense Command paint scheme as operated by the 184th Tactical Fighter Group, Kansas Air National Guard during the late 1970's and 1980's. The following F-4D's of the 184th TFG are depicted in these 2 variations. ADC Scheme w/Black Radome: 65-0614, 65-0638, 65-0714, 65-0749, 66-7461, 66-7668 ADC Scheme w/Light Grey Radome: 65-0590 Submitter CSomers611 Submitted 02/02/2025 Category F-4

When I lived in Kansas I would frequent both of those. Another MIG Killer, 66-0271 is on display at McConnell AFB on the west side in the 184th’s Airpark.

The ADC scheme is wrapped up and submitted, so hopefully they'll be available for download soon. I only included F-4D's which I could verify wore the scheme while at the 184th TFG. Will start focusing on the 184th Euro Phantoms next. Thanks to Nightshade/PR for this screenshot!

Good to know, looking forward to it!

Question on this new EF-4C, will the skins from the old model still work?

No worries, we truly enjoy all of hard work. No need to apologize. Thank you for these. On another note, are you planning on new pits for the any of the other F-4's? I believe I saw you mention the F-4G, what about the C, E, and RF? If not, no worries as I spend most of my time flying the D models.

I've always thought it would be cool to see one but I understand it's not a priority.

While you'll are working on the EF-4C, would you mind doing the EF-4D?! (E)F-4D Wild Weasel IV-B There were two F-4Ds modified for the Wild Weasel mission under Project Wild Weasel IV-B. Both aircraft (65-657 and 65-660), were used to test the Bendix APS-107 Radar Homing and Warning (RHAW) system with an ER-142 panoramic receiver. Although the APS-107 gear was more sophisticated and accurate than the APR-25/-26 units and finally gave the (E)F-4 the ability to use the AGM-78 Standard ARM, it proved unreliable and erratic under combat conditions - at least for the Wild Weasel mission. Several standard F-4Ds were used to test other programs relative to the Wild Weasel mission. One aircraft (65-0644) was used to test the AGM-78 Standard ARM missile, and several F-4Ds were used to perfect the AGM-65 Maverick missile. (E)F-4D Wild Weasel V Test Platform At least two F-4Ds (66-7635 and 66-7647) were modified and equipped with the new McDonnell-Douglas designed APR-38 Warning and Attack System, the basis of the entire F-4G program. Originally, the F-4G program had originally been slated for installation in ninety F-4Ds, but the Air Force opted for the more modem F-4E. This decision was made because the F-4E had much more internal volume available (especially once the gun was removed) and it was considered the cheaper option because the F-4E aircraft were much more up to date than the F-4Ds which would have to be brought up to the current state of the art. This was apparent in testing the (E)F-4D test aircraft which had to carry much of the electronics in a special canoe fairing which took the place of the port/forward missile launcher because of the lack of space. The (E)F-4D Wild Weasel aircraft never progressed farther than a test platform for the Wild Weasel V electronics, so none entered active service in any USAF squadrons. Looking at them, I see somethings which carry overed to the F-4G Wild Weasel years later. I wonder if the Air Force had went with the EF-4D over the C, what might have been.