eburger68

"Operation Desert Storm" for Strike Fighters 2
 
This package contains an updated, "Strike Fighters 2" compatible version of the "Operation Desert Storm" mod package originally released for "Strike Fighters Project 1" (SFP1). In addition to making the original mod compatible with "Strike Fighters 2: Europe" (SF2E), this updated version also adds a number of other mods that were released in the years subsequent to the original release of this mod for SFP1.
 
This mod package should be installed to "Strike Fighters 2: Europe" (SF2E) installations (or merged installs incorporating SF2E) that are patched to the Mar2012 or later patch level. If you are running SF2E at an earlier patch level and do NOT intend to update to one of the later patch levels mentioned above, you should NOT install this mod package.
 
Note that this is a COMPLETE mod package. There is no need to install the original "Operation Desert Storm" mod for SFP1. If you have installed the previous SF2 version of ODS, it is recommended that you NOT install this refreshed and updated version over that earlier version. Create a new install.
 
NOTE: this mod is distributed as set of THREE 7zip archive files. If you did not download all three 7zip packages from CombatAce.com, then this mod will not work properly.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Minimum Requirements
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
To install and play this mod, you must have the following installed:
 
SF2 VERSION: Strike Fighters 2: Europe (SF2E)
PATCH LEVEL: Mar2012 or higher
 
This mod does support installations that include "Strike Fighters 2: North Atlantic" (SF2NA), however, SF2NA is not required.
 
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Update Notes
~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
This mod package is a refreshed and updated version of the original version that was released in April 2012 on CombatAce. It incorporates all the updates included in the "Update 1" package released on CombatAce in January 2013. It also includes further updates, fixes, and additions beyond what was included in the "Update 1" package. All told this refreshed version of the mod includes the following major additions to the "Operation Darius" mod package:
 
- new aircraft: H-6D, Mi-8 Hip, IL-76, IL-76B2, NimrodMR1, SH-3D
- new SF2NA aircraft: EA-6B_86, A-6E_90, E-2C
- new optional aircraft: A-10A_87, Mirage5AD, Mirage5EAD
- new aircraft models: F-1CR, F-7B, F-7M, F-16C_B30, F-16C_B40,
F-117A, JaguarA3_DS, Mirage2000EAD, Su-25
- new ships: USNTransport
 
...plus numerous other fixes, updates, and skin additions to dozens of aircraft and ground objects.
 
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Installation
~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Before installing this mod package, please ensure the installation of Strike Fighters 2 that you intend to use is updated to at least the Mar2012 patch level. The latest patches for Strike Fighters 2 can be downloaded from ThirdWire:
 
http://thirdwire.com/downloads.htm
 
Also, please be aware that the mod requires "Strike Fighters 2: Europe" (SF2E). This mod can be installed to SF2E installations that incorporate "Strike Fighters 2: North Atlantic" (SF2NA). If SF2NA is part of your target install base, there are some additional items for you to install.
 
The main installation process consists of three main steps -- or, four if your target install base incorporates SF2NA. Please read the following instructions carefully and follow them religiously. If you wind up with a non-working mod install, then you likely failed to follow the instructions properly.
 
-----------------------------------
* STEP 1: PREPARE THE MOD FOLDER *
-----------------------------------
 
This mod requires a separate mod folder. Please do not attempt to install this mod over or combine it with other mods such as NATO Fighter 4+ or the SF2V Expansion Pack.
 
- Open your SF2 Installation directory and make a copy of StrikeFighters2 Europe.exe or StrikeFighters2 NorthAtlantic.exe (if your target install base includes SF2NA). Rename the copied .EXE file to StrikeFighters2_ODS.exe (or whatever unique name you prefer).
 
- Run the newly copied and renamed .EXE file, then exit back out to the Windows desktop after navigating through a few menus. A custom Mod Folder for your "Operation Desert Storm" mod install will have been created in one of these locations:
 
Windows XP: \Documents and Settings\[username]\My Documents\ThirdWire\[YourModFolder]
Windows Vista: \Users\[username]\Saved Games\ThirdWire\[YourModFolder]
Windows 7: \Users\[username]\Saved Games\ThirdWire\[YourModFolder]
 
...where [YourModFolder] matches the name of the copied .EXE file that you created. You will install the "Operation Desert Storm" mod files to your Mod Folder.
 
- Open your Mod Folder and delete the \Objects sub-directory (including everything in it).
 
Now you're ready to install the "Operation Desert Storm" mod proper.
 
-------------------------------------------------
* STEP 2: INSTALL MAIN COMPONENTS TO MOD FOLDER *
-------------------------------------------------
 
This is the easiest step.
 
- Unpack the three "SF2 ODS" archive packages to a temporary location on your hard drive.
 
- Move the contents of the \To_Mod_Folder directory from all three unzipped packages to your Mod Folder (created in Step 1 above). (Note: do not simply drag and drop the folder named "To_Mod_Folder" or you will end up with a non-working install.)
 
If you've moved everything correctly, you should have a new \Objects sub-directory in your Mod Folder, along with a few new other sub-directories.
 
----------------------------
* STEP 3: EDIT OPTIONS.INI *
----------------------------
 
This last step involves a bit of text editing, so please pay attention.
 
Open the Options.INI in your Mod Folder. Locate the "Instant Action" section and replace it with the following:
 
[instantAction]
AircraftType=F-15C
MissionMap=DS
StartTime=05:30:00
StartDate=01/19/1991
StartTimeDeviation=120
TextureSet=0
NationalMarking=0
SquadronMarking=0
AircraftNumber=0
KillMarking=0
 
Just below the "Instant Action" section is the "Single Mission" section. At minimum you should change the EndYear= statement to 1992 or higher. I recommend setting the StartYear= and EndYear= as follows:
 
StartYear=1990
EndYear=1992
 
Finally, a little further down you should find the "Campaign" section. Replace it with the following:
 
[Campaign]
CampaignName=19910117 Desert Storm
PlayerService=USAF
PlayerUnit=336th TFS
AircraftType=F-15E
Difficulty=NORMAL
Length=NORMAL
AircraftSupply=NORMAL
WeaponSupply=NORMAL
LoadCampaign=FALSE
CampaignSavename=DefaultCampaignSave
 
Save your changes and close the Options.INI file.
 
--------------------------------------
* STEP 4: Extra Step for SF2NA Users *
--------------------------------------
 
This last step is for those whose install base include "Strike Fighters 2: North Atlantic" (SF2NA). Included with this mod are a number of custom files that allow SF2NA users to enjoy some of the new functionality included with SF2NA, including:
 
- Updated F-14 cockpits and avionics that use the new AvionicsF14A.dll included with SF2NA;
 
- Carrier battle groups in campaigns
 
- SF2NA US Navy ships that are restricted to actual vessels that participated in Operation
Desert Storm.
 
- New mission types in campaigns, including Escort_Jamming missions for the EA-6B and EF-111A
(AI only) as well as Early_Warning missions for the E-2C and E-3A.
 
TO INSTALL: drag and drop the contents of the \_For_SF2NA folder into your Mod Folder, allowing Windows to merge and overwrite any folders and files it prompts to.
 
* * * * *
 
THAT'S IT. Your ""Operation Desert Storm" for SF2" mod should now be ready to use. You may consider installing some of the "optional" items as described in the next section.
 
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Optional Installs
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
This mod includes a number of optional files that you can add to your Desert Storm installation. Note that some of the following optional installs require you to have other ThirdWire products beyond those listed in the minimum requirements.
 
A. SF2NA Tomcat Updates
 
Included in the \Optional\3W_F-14s folder are some optional items that you may consider installing, if your installation base includes SF2NA. Included are:
 
- DATA.INI files for the F-14 Tomcats that use the ThirdWire flight model
 
- COCKPIT.INI and AVOINICS.INI files for the Tomcats that use the ThirdWire cockpit
 
To use these files simply drop them in the appropriate F-14 folders in \Objects\Aircraft. (Note: the *.TMF versions of these files are copies of the files you replace when using these optional files.)
 
B. Optional Aircraft
 
1. A-10A_87
 
Included in the \Optional\Aircraft directory is an optional A-10A Warthog, using a new model and released by Spectre8750. To install it, simply copy the \A-10A_87 folder to the \Objects\Aircraft folder in your Desert Storm Mods folder. Once installed this A-10A version will be used in campaigns in lieu of the stock A-10A_78.
 
2. Mirage 5AD & 5EAD
 
Also included in the \Optional\Aircraft directory are two aircraft used by the UAE -- the Mirage 5AD and Mirage 5EAD. Please note that these aircraft require you to have the following additional products from ThirdWire installed as part of your base installation:
 
- Mirage 5AD: Mirage 5D from Strike Fighters 2 Israel (SF2I)
- Mirage 5EAD: Mirage IIIO from DLC #17
 
To install these aircraft, simply copy the \Mirage5AD and \Mirage5EAD folders to the \Objects\Aircraft folder in your Desert Storm Mods folder. These aircraft are not used in campaigns but will be available for single missions.
 
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Note on Anti-Ship Missiles
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
For this mod most third-party (i.e., non-stock) anti-ship missiles have been converted to use the ASM/cruise missile functionality introduced w/ SF2NA. At the same time, the older versions of these missiles have been preserved, as the new ASM cruise missiles can be used by AI only against ships.
 
So, for many anti-ship missiles you will now find two versions:
 
1) "Standard" guided version
 
These versions are the "old" style missiles setwith WeaponDataType=1. They can be used by AI against land and sea targets. These missiles retain their familiar names (e.g., AGM-84D Harpoon, Kh-59M Ovod, etc.).
 
2) ASM/cruise missile version
 
These versions utilitize the new cruise missile functionality set by WeaponDataType=7. They can be used by AI only against ships. These versions can be distinguished by their names:
 
- U.S./NATO missiles have the ASM tag (e.g., AGM-84D Harpoon ASM).
 
- Soviet/WP missiles follow the naming convention used by ThirdWire's
Soviet cruise missiles (e.g., Kh-59M AS-13 Kingbolt).
 
At the same time aircraft that typically carry these missiles have been updated to accommodate the ASM versions. Loadouts for these aircraft have been updated to use ASM versions by default for Anti-Ship, Naval_Attack, and Cruise_Missile loadouts.
 
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Note on Laser-Guided Bombs (LGBs)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
AI pilots in Strike Fighters have long had problems employing LGBs. AI pilots in the player's flight can drop LGBs, but will treat them as dumb bombs. AI pilots in flights not controlled by the player (i.e., AI-only flights) cannot use LGBs at all, and will typically get stuck circling the target.
 
To address this problem I have created EOGB versions of all LGBs for AI pilots to use (AI pilots have no problems with EOGBs for some reason). These AI versions are identical in all respects to the LGB versions save for the Guidance Type, which is set to "Electro-Optical Guided" instead of "Laser-Guided."
 
By default aircraft that use LGBs for certain loadouts (usually Stike, Attack, SEAD, or Anti-Ship) are loaded with these AI (EOGB) versions instead of the LGB versions. You should make it a habit to check the Loadout screen and switch the bomb version on your own aircraft to the LGB version.
 
You can distinguish between the AI (EOGB) and LGB (Player) versions by the weapon name -- for example:
 
LGB version: GBU-12D/B Paveway II LGB
AI version: GBU-12D/B Paveway II (AI)
 
While this solution introduces an extra step for the player in the preparation to start a mission, it allows AI pilots and AI-only flights to use these weapons.
 
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Note on the Water Shader Effect
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
This updated version of ODS for SF2 implements a different water shader effect from Fubar512, replacing the water shader effect from the original release that caused costal tiles to have an odd, shimmering appearance.
 
If you run into problems with this replacement water shader, do the following:
 
1) Remove the following files from the \Terrains\DS folder:
 
DiffuseMap.tga
WATEREFFECT.FX
WaterNormal.tga
Water.dds
WNormal16.tga
TERWATEREFFECT2.FX
 
At this point, the game will revert to using the stock SF2 watershader and WaterNormal.BMP. If you wish to restore the water shader used in the original release of this mod, proceed to the next step.
 
2) Restore the water shader effect from the original release by unpacking WaterEffect_Fubar512.zip (found in \Terrains\DS\_Water) to the main DS terrain folder (\Terrains\DS).
 
If you later decide you prefer the new water shader effect included in this updated version of the mod, simply unpack WaterEffect_V1.zip (found in \Terrains\DS\_Water) to the main DS terrain folder (\Terrains\DS).
 
If you do encounter problems with this replacement water shader effect, please report them to the forums at CombatAce.com.
 
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Changes, Fixes, & Additions
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
This mod is a conversion and upgrade of the original "Operation Desert Storm" mod released for SFP1. This version incorporates the following major updates and additions over the original:
 
 
New Aircraft
------------
A-6E_90 F-15D MiG-23BN_IRQ
A-10A_87 F-16C_B40 MiG-23MF_IRQ
AC-130U F-16C_B40_RBAF MiG-23MLAE_IRQ
AH-64A F-1CK MiG-23MS_IRQ
Buccaneer-S2B F-1CR Mirage5AD
C-130E F-1EDA Mirage5EAD
C-130H FA-18C Mirage2000C
C-130K H-6D Mirage2000EAD
C-130K-30 Hawk65 NimrodMR1
E-2C IL-76/B2 SH-3D
EA-6B JaguarA3_DS Su-20B
EA-6B_86 KA-6D Su-22
EC-130H KC-130F Su-22M
F-7B/M KC-135A Su-22M3
F-14A+ KC-135E Su-22M4
F-15C_RSAF Mi-8 Su-25
 
Upgraded Aircraft *
-----------------
A-10A_78 F-14A F-117A
A-4KU F-15C JaguarGR1A_DS
B-52G F-15E MiG-25PDS
EF-111A F-16C_B30 Tornado_GR1_DS
F-4E_86 F-111E Tornado_GR1_RSAF
F-7A F-111F Tornado_IDS_IT
 
* The above are aircraft that were either converted to newer models
or that received major upgrades of some kind. All aircraft from
the original version of this mod were updated or tweaked in some
way -- at the very least for SF2 compatibility.
 
New Ground Objects
------------------
AH-64 CG-59 M167-VADS
AMX-30 CG-60 Iowa80s
AMX-30B2 CGN-25 M1939
Arab_DSHK Chieftain2 M1939_G
Arab_DSHK_G Chieftain5 PAC2_AMG
Avenger Chieftain11 PAC2_LS
CG-16 CVN68 PAC2_RS
CG-47 Humvee RolandRad
CG-52 Humvee_M1025 USNTransport
CG-53 Humvee_M1046 ZPU-1
 
In addition to the above updates and additions, the following major changes were made:
 
- All aircraft brought up to SF2 standards
- All naval aircraft made SF2NA compatible
- All ground SAM & radar ground objects brought up to SF2 standards
- All ships made SF2NA-compatible
- All weapons & guns converted to SF2 format
- All major modded INIs made SF2 compatible
- All effects made SF2 compatible
- DS terrain made SF2 or SF2NA compatible
- Overhauled "Desert Storm" campaign
- Added Red-side "Mother of All Battles" campaign
 
Please note that the above list does not constitute an exhaustive change log, as this
update incorporates too many minor fixes and tweaks to list or account for here.
Suffice it to say that this version of "Operation Desert Storm" for SF2E represents
a major overhaul of the original mod for SFP1.
 
 
~~~~~~~
Credits
~~~~~~~
 
This release adds a number of new items to the "Operation Desert Storm" mod package. These new items are from the following modders, who generously allowed their use:
 
Home Fries ..................................... Optional 3W A-6E_90 & EA-6B_86
Spectre8750 .................................... Optional A-10A_87
Dels ........................................... AH-64 Apache helo & ground object
Crusader ....................................... Harrier avionics mod
Dels & wpnssgt ................................. B-52GH MegaPack (for B-52G)
ravenclaw_007 .................................. Buccaneer S2B
Dels ........................................... AC-130U, C-130E, C-130H, EC-130H
Daddyairplanes ................................. C-130E/H upgrades & new skins
Dels, Sundowner, & Dave ........................ RAF C-30K Super Pack
Hawker/Agemmenon & 331KillerBee ................ EA-6B Prowler
Fubar512 & Wrench .............................. EA-6B upgrades & fixes
Paul Nortress .................................. EA-6B skins
The Mirage Factory.............................. F-7B & F-7M Airguard
The Mirage Factory ............................. F-4E ARN-101 (F-4E_86)
Crusader ....................................... F-5E avionics mod
The Mirage Factory ............................. F-14 Tomcats
Spectre8750 .................................... F-14 fixes & upgrades
JSF Aggie, Paul Nortress, Hrntfixr ............. F-14 skins
Dave, Caesar, & SupGen ......................... F-14A SF2NA avionics & cockpit upgrade
FastCargo & team ............................... F-15C & F-15E
Viper Crew ..................................... F-16C_B30 & F-16C_B40
FastCargo ...................................... EF-111A, F-111E, F-111F
slick_cowboy ................................... F-111E/F new skins
liamp51 ........................................ re-textured F-111A cockpit
Dels ........................................... F-117A new model
The Mirage Factory ............................. F/A-18C model & skins
Spectre8750 .................................... F/A-18C upgrade
RussoUK2002 .................................... Hawk 65 model
RussoUK2004 .................................... Hawk Mk.65 updates
Veltro2K ....................................... IL-76 & A-50 (IL-76B2)
Oli & Sundowner ................................ Jaguar GR1
Bpao, Jeanba, Tom Venom, & Sony Tuckson ........ Jaguar A
Stary .......................................... Jaguar & Mirage F1 cockpit repaints
Monty CZ & wpnssgt ............................. KA-6D Tanker
Paul Nortress .................................. KA-6D skins
Daddyairplanes ................................. KC-10 new skins
Pappychksix & 331KillerBee ..................... KC-130F
Bpao ........................................... KC-135A/E Tankers
Marcfighters ................................... Mi-8 Hip
Paulopanz ...................................... MiG-21PF skins
Rafael & BPAo .................................. MiG-23 models
Lindr2 ......................................... MiG-23 upgrade packs
eburger68 ...................................... MiG-23 SF2 upgrades
CrazyhorseB34 .................................. MiG-25PDS upgrade
Baffmeister .................................... MiG-25 updated flight model
RussoUK2004 .................................... MiG-29A updated model
The Mirage Factory ............................. Mirage F-1CK, F-1EDA models
Bpao, Centurion-1, Brain32, & Ludo.M54 ......... Mirage F-1CR model
FRPignon/cangas ................................ Mirage F-1CR mod/update
Paulopanz, Denis Oliveira, Coupi, & Ludo.M54 ... Optional Mirage 5AD/EAD
The Mirage Factory ............................. Mirage 2000C
Ace888 & The Mirage Factory .................... Mirage 2000EAD
Veltro2K & Wrench .............................. Nimrod MR.1
Florian ........................................ SH-3D Sea King
ArmourDave & AmokFloo .......................... Su-20/22 models
Lindr2 ......................................... Su-20/22 upgrades
eburger68 ...................................... Su-20/22 SF2 upgrades
Florian, Baffmeister, & Paulopanz .............. Su-25 (new model & skins)
WingsOverIsrael ................................ Su-25 IrAF camo skin
Sundowner & Ianh ............................... Tornado IDS
Bobrock, X-Ray, & Soulman ...................... Tornado IDS skins & decals
Sundowner, AD, & Dave .......................... Tornado GR1
Ianh ........................................... Tornado GR1 fixes & updates
Paulopanz & Spillone104 ........................ H-6 & Tu-16 Packs for SF2
whiteknight06604 ............................... Tu-22 Iraq AF camo skin
 
--------------------
 
Stefano ........................................ AMX-30 & AMX-30B2
EricJ .......................................... Arab_Dshk
Abhi ........................................... AN/TWQ-1 Avenger
WhiteBoySamurai ................................ Leahy, Ticonderoga, & Bainbridge class ships
Florian ........................................ USN AOE Transport
Fubar512 & MiGBuster ........................... Carrier Deck Illumination package
SFP1Ace ........................................ Chieftain tanks
aleks1 ......................................... CVN-68
SUICIDAL & TORNO ............................... Humvees
ID(io)T Team, Torno, YeYeYe, & Spitwulf ........ Iowa '80s battleship
Fubar512 ....................................... Iowa '80s configuration
JSF_Aggie ...................................... ThirdWire LHA upgrade
Julhelm ........................................ Firecan radar (new model)
BANIDOS TEAM ................................... M-167 VADS
bigal1 ......................................... M270MLR
rebel ryder & Nicholas Bell .................... M1939 flak guns
YEYEYE ......................................... PAC-2 system
Florian ........................................ RolandRad
CrazyhorseB34 .................................. RolandRad desert skin
Kesselbrut ..................................... ZPU-1
SUICIDAL ....................................... New Destroyed Tank LODs
 
-------------------
 
Kout ........................................... Main screen
cellinsky, Insky/Orsin, & PanamaRed ............ Environment mods
Fubar512 ....................................... Improved water shader effect
Spectre8750 .................................... Fake Afterburner Node
Capitaine Vengeur .............................. Coalition Pack (medals & icons)
Brennus ........................................ ODS desktop icon
OldDiego, Pappy, Wrench, Pasko, Florian/ ....... Pilots
AmokFloo, & PureBlue
Malibu43 ....................................... Revamped ground campaign
Dave, Sundowner, Crusader, JSF_Aggie, Dels, .... Testing & minor fixes
Caesar, Gocad, Malibu43, & CrazyhorseB34
 
--------------------
 
(Used in an earlier release of this mod package)
 
Swede & Wpnssgt ................................ F-16C_B30 & F-16C_B40_RBAF models
Oli & Sundowner ................................ Jaguar A
Erwin Hans ..................................... Mirage 2000EAD model
TORNO/Banidos Team ............................. Mirage 2000EAD skin
101tfs, YEYEYE, Erwin Hans, & Lindr2 .......... Su-25 (based on Su-39)
 
 
Credit for the original "Operation Desert Storm" mod package goes to Dave, JSF_Aggie, and the team of modders that contributed to that original release for SFP1. For a list of all the modders whose work is used in the complete "Operation Desert Storm" mod, see the original ReadMes included in \_OriginalReadmes.
 
If we have neglected to credit anyone here, please let us know. We will get it fixed ASAP.
 
 
--------------------------
eburger68 & USAFMTL (Dave)
28 April 2012
26 November 2014

ODS for SF2: Part 2 of 3.
 
Eric Howes

ODS for SF2: Part 3 of 3.
 
Eric Howes

48-56: Add-on to SF2I Expansion Pack 1
with 1948 War for Independence & 1956 Suez Crisis
 
This package contains an overhauled version of the "48-56" mod for "Strike Fighters 2: Israel" (SF2I) with "Expansion Pack 1" (Exp1) that was originally released in June 2010. This overhauled version includes completely revamped versions of the three original campaigns, a new "navalized" version of the Suez campaign for those with "Strike Fighters 2: North Atlantic" (SF2NA), a good number of new aircraft and ground objects, as well as plenty of bug fixes and updates.
 
To use this mod, you must have SF2I Expansion Pack 1 installed, ideally with a merged install of "Strike Fighters 2: Europe" (SF2E) and "Strike Fighters 2: Vietnam" (SF2V). Your install should be at the Mar2012 or later patch level. "Strike Fighters 2: North Atlantic" (SF2NA) is supported, but not required. If your target installation does not include SF2E and SF2V, your campaigns will use alternate versions of some aircraft (see below for more information).
 
Note that this is a COMPLETE mod package. There is no need to install any previous version of "48-56." Nor should you attempt to install it over the top of any previous version, as you could end up with a non-working install.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Minimum Requirements
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
To install and play this mod, you must have the following installed as part of your target installation base:
 
REQUIRED: Strike Fighters 2 Israel (SF2I), plus
Expansion Pack 1 (SF2I Exp1)
 
RECOMMENDED: Strike Fighters 2 Europe (SF2E), plus
Strike Fighters 2 Vietnam (SF2V)
 
PATCH LEVEL: Mar2012 or higher
 
This mod does support installations that include "Strike Fighters 2: North Atlantic" (SF2NA), however, SF2NA is not required.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Installation
~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Before installing, please ensure that Expansion Pack 1 is applied to your SF2I installation along with the latest patches from 3rdWire.
 
-----------------------------------
* STEP 1: PREPARE THE MOD FOLDER *
-----------------------------------
 
This mod requires a separate Mod Folder. Please do not attempt to install this mod over or combine it with any other mods package such as "NATO Fighters," "Operation Desert Storm," or the SF2V Expansion Pack.
 
- Open your SF2 Installation directory and make a copy of StrikeFighters2 Israel.exe or StrikeFighters2 NorthAtlantic.exe (if your target install base includes SF2NA). Rename the copied .EXE file to StrikeFighters2_48-56.exe (or whatever unique name you prefer).
 
- Run the newly copied and renamed .EXE file, then exit back out to the Windows desktop after navigating through a few menus. A custom Mod Folder for your "48-56" install will have been created in one of these locations:
 
Windows XP: \Documents and Settings\[username]\My Documents\ThirdWire\[YourModFolder]
Windows Vista: \Users\[username]\Saved Games\ThirdWire\[YourModFolder]
Windows 7: \Users\[username]\Saved Games\ThirdWire\[YourModFolder]
 
...where [YourModFolder] matches the name of the copied .EXE file that you created. You will install the "48-56" mod files to your Mod Folder.
 
- Open your Mod Folder and delete the \Objects sub-directory (including everything in it).
 
Now you're ready to install the "48-56" mod proper.
 
-------------------------------------------------
* STEP 2: INSTALL MAIN COMPONENTS TO MOD FOLDER *
-------------------------------------------------
 
This is the easiest step.
 
- Unpack the two "48-56" archive packages that you downloaded to a temporary location on your hard drive.
 
- Move the contents of the \1_To_Mod_Folder directory to your Mod Folder (created in Step 1 above). (Note: do not simply drag and drop the folder named "To_Mod_Folder" or you will end up with a non-working install.)
 
If you've moved everything correctly, you should have a new \Objects sub-directory in your Mod Folder, along with a few new other sub-directories.
 
----------------------------
* STEP 3: EDIT OPTIONS.INI *
----------------------------
 
This last step involves a bit of text editing, so please pay attention.
 
Open the Options.INI file in your Mod Folder. Locate the "Single Mission" section. I recommend setting the StartYear= and EndYear= as follows:
 
StartYear=1945
EndYear=2020
 
Finally, a little further down you should find the "Campaign" section. Replace it with the following:
 
[Campaign]
CampaignName=Suez Crisis - 1956
PlayerService=Israel
PlayerUnit=No. 101 First Fighter Squadron
AircraftType=MystereIVA
Difficulty=HARD
Length=NORMAL
AircraftSupply=NORMAL
WeaponSupply=LIMITED
LoadCampaign=TRUE
CampaignSavename=DefaultCampaignSave
 
Save your changes and close the Options.INI file.
 
* * * * *
 
If your installation abse does not include SF2NA, then your install of "48-56" for SF2I should now be ready to use. Please read the section below on "Optional Installs" for more information on how to install the optional aircraft included with this mod.
 
If your installation base does include SF2NA, then please proceed to the next step.
 
--------------------------------------
* STEP 4: Extra Step for SF2NA Users *
--------------------------------------
 
This last step is for those whose install base include "Strike Fighters 2: North Atlantic" (SF2NA). Included with this mod are a number of custom files that allow SF2NA users to enjoy some of the new functionality included with SF2NA, including:
 
- Carrier battle groups in campaigns
 
- Carrier take-off for naval aircraft in Single Missions
 
- New mission types in campaigns
 
TO INSTALL: drag and drop the contents of the \2_For_SF2NA folder into your Mod Folder, allowing Windows to merge and overwrite any folders and files it prompts to.
 
* * * * *
 
THAT'S IT. Your "48-56" mod for SF2I mod should now be ready to use. You may consider installing some of the "optional" items as described in the next section.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What's Included
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
This mod will add the following to your SF2I w/ Exp. Pack 1 installation:
 
- An additional campaign called "Suez Crisis" that is an expanded version
of the default Suez campaign included in the Expansion Pack.
 
If you wish to fly for the Arab side during the '56 conflict, another
alternate version, named "Tripartite Aggression - 1956," is included.
 
- A new "War For Independence 1948" campaign. This campaign represents the
2nd to 3rd phase of the Israel's War for Independence.
 
If you wish to fly for the Arab side during the '48 conflict, another
alternate version, named "War For Palestine - 1948," is included.
 
- Real life pilots, included in the 1948 campaign for you to use as your
wingmen.
 
- New aircraft, ground objects, and weapons to fill out the countries and
units missing from Exp. Pack 1. Air bases on Cyprus have also been added
for use during the '56 conflict.
 
This mod has been updated several times since it's original release in June 2010. See the accompanying change log for details on what's been fixed, updated, and added.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Known Issues
~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
If you are not flying as a carrier-based unit in the standard "non-navalized" version of '56 Suez campaign, the carriers themselves will fail to show for AI aircraft, and they will flounder in the water. To fix this, use the dreaded Alt_N once you are airborne, and the units on the carriers magically seem to be fine.
 
The campaigns are not 100% historically accurate. The '56 Suez campaign does not attempt to cover the ground campaign launched by the British and French on 5 November, 1956 with paratroop insertions and amphibious landings. The front line for the campaign would have become too complex and problematic for the game engine to handle. Also, the Egyptian air force in the 1956 campaigns puts up much more of a fight than it did historically (Nasser was more concerned with preserving his air force rather than expending it in a fight with two declining colonial powers).
 
By turns the 1948 campaigns inflate the sizes of the air forces involved for the sake of game play. In reality both the Israeli and Egyptian air forces were quite small and utterly dependent on unreliable second (and even third) hand equipment serviced with scavenged pare parts and inexperienced ground crews. The clashes between the two air forces were comparatively minor and insignificant, with the ground war playing the overwhelming role in determining the outcome of the conflict. (Of note: many discussions of the early days of the Israeli Air Force devote more space to discussing the several clashes between the IAF and British RAF units still in Palestine, Egypt, and Jordan.)
 
Moreover, the ground forces themselves were primarily comprised of infanty units, many of which were arguably of "irregular" or "reserve" status, and the battles waged between the various factions involved rendered the front line(s) rather fluid. By contrast, the '48 campaigns in this mod are centered around set piece desert battles between tanks and APCs. Although the Israeli and Arab armies did have some tanks and APCs, they were quite scarce -- nothing like the well-equipped units you see in these campaigns.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SF2NA Support
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
If your install base includes SF2NA, you should have performed the fourth installation step, as detailed above. SF2NA features are supported in "48-56" primarily through a "navalized" version of the standard IsraelME terrain named "Israel, Mediterranean" (IsraelMED).
 
- If you wish to fly Single Missions in carrier-based aircraft off aircraft carriers (British or French), be sure to select the "Israel, Mediterranean" terrain in the Single Missions screen.
 
- The navalized version of the '56 Suez campaign is named "Suez Crisis - 1956 (N)." This campaign allows you to fly Fleet Air Arm or Aeronavale aircraft off one of five different aircraft aircraft carriers, each with an accompanying group of escorts and support ships. (RAF and AdA aircraft still fly from Cyprus or Israel, depending on the unit.)
 
There are no "navalized" versions of the other campaigns included in this mod.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Substitute SF2E/SF2V Aircraft
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
This mod uses three ThirdWire aircraft that are not included in SF2I or Expansion Pack 1. As we recognize that not all users will have SF2E and SF2V (which contain the models for these other aircraft), we have set up the campaigns to use equivalent substitutes, which are installed by default, if the "standard" ThirdWire aircraft are not present. The following table summarizes these aircraft.
 
----------- ------------- -------- -----
Standard AC AlternateType Requires Notes
----------- ------------- -------- -----
Hunter5 HunterF5 SF2E Hunter9 converted to Hunter5
F-84F F-84F_MF SF2E Mirage Factory F-84F
SkyraiderMk1 Skyraider1 SF2V MontyCZ's A-1 Skyraider
 
If SF2E or SF2V are not part of your base SF2 installation, you should remove the associated "standard aircraft" listed above from your "46-56" install so that the game does not attempt to use them. Thus, if SF2E is not part of your base install, remove the Hunter5 and F-84F. If Sf2V is not part of your base install, remove the Skyraider Mk1. As noted, the "alternate" substitutes will be automatically used.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Optional Installs
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
The "48-56" mod includes support for a number of aircraft that are available only from the A-Team's web site at:
 
http://cplengineeringllc.com/SFP1/Skunworks.html
 
These aircraft can be found in the \3_OptionalAircraft folder. Unfortunately, we are not allowed to include the models (LOD files) for these aircraft in this mod package. That means you MUST download the original aircraft from the above site (which requires you to apply for access) and install the LODs separately in order to use these aircraft.
 
To add any one of the optional aircraft to your "48-56" mod, you will need to do the following:
 
1. Download the appropriate package (see table below) containing the necessary LODs from the A-Team's site (link included above).
 
2. Unzip the package to a temporary directory.
 
3. Copy the .LOD files from the package you downloaded to the appropriate aircraft folder in the \3_OptionalAircraft directory.
 
4. Once you've added the LOD files to the aircraft's folder, you may install the aircraft and accompanying decals from the \3_OptionalAircraft directory to your "48-56" Mod Folder.
 
The table below is designed to point you to the correct package to download for each aircraft at the A-Team's site. Note that in some cases the A-Team's site may include multiple versions of the same aicraft -- usually an older version and an updated version. In most cases you want the older version, as that's the version supported (and the version tested with). Again, see the "Section" and "Notes" columns for guidance. When in doubt, check the LOD file names in the aircraft's main .INI file to ensure that you have obtained the right version with the correct LOD files.
 
--------------- ------------- ------- -----
A-Team Optional AlternateType Section Notes
--------------- ------------- ------- -----
B-17G_IDF SStirling_IDF WWII section
BeauTFX_IDF Mosquito_FBVI WWII section
Lancaster Halifax WWII section
Macchi205_EAF HurricaneIIb WWII section
Meteor_F4 Meteor4_Arab Beta section
Meteor_NF14 Meteor8 Beta section - original version (not Veltro2K's in 3rd Party)
Meteor_NF14_Arab Meteor8_Arab Beta section - original version (not Veltro2K's in 3rd Party)
SeaVenom SeaVixen or SeaHawkFGA_6 Beta section - older LOD (updated LOD should work)
Spitfire5B_EAF Spitfire9c WWII section - older original release (not updated Release 2)
Spitfire22_EAF Spitfire9c WWII section
TBM-3E F6F-5_FN & SeaFury WWII section - older TBF/TBM release (not updated versions/models)
ValiantB1 CanberraB6 Modern section - older LOD (not newer LOD)
Wessex n/a Helicopters - also available in Falklands '82 mod at CombatAce
 
We recognize that not everyone has access to A-Team downloads, so the campaigns have been configured to use alternate, substitute aircraft if the A-Team "optional" aircraft are not present in your Mod folder. Those alternate/substitute aircraft, which are installed by default, are listed in the AlternateType column above.
 
A few notes about some of these optional aircraft and their alternates/substitutes:
 
- The MeteorNF14 and the MeteorNF14_Arab use the same LODs. Thus, you need only download ONE package from the A-Team's site for those aircraft.
 
- The Spitfire5B_EAF uses the LODs for the Spitfire Mk VB Trop, not the standard VB (also available in the same section).
 
- The SeaVenom files included in this package were tested with the original LOD released for that aircraft. There is an updated LOD currently on the A-Team's site that should work, but I can't absolutely guarantee that it will work. If you use the updated LOD, youmay need to edit the SeaVenom.INI file to point to the correct LOD file.
 
- The Sea Vixen used as an alternate/substitute for the Sea Venom is a semi-fictional, guns-only version of that aircraft -- a "what-if" Sea Vixen that might have gone into production several years earlier than the gunless version that eventually made it to the fleet.
 
- If you dont have access to the Sea Venom and would prefer not to use the Sea Vixen, you can edit the campaign to use the SeaHawk FGA.6. All the necessary lines are included, so the switch merely involves changing these two lines...
 
AlternateType=SeaVixen
//AlternateType=SeaHawkFGA_6
 
...to the following:
 
//AlternateType=SeaVixen
AlternateType=SeaHawkFGA_6
 
There are three squadrons affected: 809Sq, 892Sq, and 893Sq. You should make these changes in both campaign .INI files.
 
- If you have the newer LOD for Valiant B.1, you can swap decal files in the RAFSilver1 folder so that the decals show up properly on the aircraft. If you use the updated LOD, youmay need to edit the ValiantB1.INI file to point to the correct LOD file.
 
- The LODs for the Wessex are available in the Falklands '82 mod package at CombatAce.com:
 
http://combatace.com/files/file/13296-sf2-falklands-mod-redux/
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Optional DLC Installs
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
The "48-56" mod includes support for two ThirdWire aircraft that were released in DLCs:
 
- S-199_IDF (DLC 28)
- Spitfire22_EAF (DLC 29)
 
If these DLC aircraft are part of your base install, you may add these aircraft to your "48-56" install by copying the aircraft folders from \4_DLC Aircraft to the \Objects\Aircraft folder of your "48-56" mod folder. The campaigns will automatically use these aircraft, if present.
 
If you elect to install the DLC S-199_IDF you should remove the S-199_IDF that is installed by default. The DLC version replaces the version from the default install.
 
Please note that you cannot install both the DLC-based Spitfire22_EAF and the optional A-Team Spitfire22_EAF discussed in the previous section. Only one version can be installed at a time.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Terrain Notes
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
The IsraelME and IsraelMED terrains included in this mod package use a number of new airbases, which are summarized below. These new airbases fall into two groups:
 
1. New airbases on Cyprus & Malta for the 1956 campaigns
 
2. New airbases for the 1948 campaigns
 
The new 1948 airbases replace a handful of default airbases in Israel, which are now configured to start at a later date (usually 1952). The table below summarizes ALL of the friendly airbases now present at one time or another in the IsraelME(D) terrain:
 
------------------------ ------------------------
1948 Airfield Default Airfield
------------------------ ------------------------
--- Etzion AB (Runway6, 10/1/1973 - 10/31/1974)
--- Hatzerim AB (Runway4, from 10/3/1966)
Shmuel AF (Runway3) Hatzor AB (Runway4)
Lydda AB (Runway6) Lod AB (Runway4)
Shachar AAF (Runway3) Meggido AB (Runway6)
--- Ovda AB (Runway1, from 1/1/1981)
Ramat David AF (Runway6) Ramat David AB (Runway4)
--- Ramon AB (Runway6, from 1/1/1981)
Sde Tov AF (Runway3) Sde Dov AB (Runway6)
Ekron AB (Runway6) Tel Nof AB (Runway4)
Beersheba AF (Runway3) Teyman AB (Runway6)
--- Akrotiri AB (Runway4, Cyprus)
--- Paphos AB (Runway6, Cyprus)
--- Luqa AB (off map, Malta)
 
Unless otherwise noted, default airbases have ActiveDate=6/1/1952; 1948 airbases have ActiveDate=6/1/1940 & InactiveDate=5/31/1952.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Recommended Reading
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
The 1948 War for Independence and the 1956 Suez Crisis are two conflicts that are not as well known or understood as the 1967 and 1973 wars that followed between Israel and its Arab neighbors. The Suez Crisis in particular seems to have almost completely disappeared from popular memory -- even more so than the Korean War. Historically obscure, largely forgotten (at least in the West), but still hugely important in shaping the history the modern Middle East and the relations between the world's major powers (Great Britain, France, the United States, Soviet Union/Russia).
 
Those interested in these conflicts could do worse than track down and read the following:
 
- Efraim Karsh. The Arab-Israeli Conflict: The Palestine War 1948. Oxford: Osprey, 2002.
 
- Benny Morris. 1948: The First Arab-Israeli War. New Haven: Yale UP, 2008.
 
- Derek Varble. The Suez Crisis 1956. Oxford: Osprey, 2002.
 
- Brian Cull, et al. Wings Over Suez. London: Grub Street, 1996.
 
- Steven Z. Freiburger. Dawn Over Suez: The Rise of American Power in the Middle East 1953-1957. Chicago: Ivan R. Dee, 1992.
 
- Barry Turner. Suez 1956: The Inside Story of the First Oil War. London: Hodder & Stoughton, 2006.
 
- Keith Kyle. Suez: Britain's End of Empire in the Middle East. London: I.B. Tauris, 2003.
 
These web sites will also be of interest:
 
Britain's Small Wars: The Suez Index
http://www.britains-smallwars.com/suez/suez-index.html
 
Suez Crisis, 1956
http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_256.shtml
 
Suez Crisis, 1956: The War of Stripes
http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_257.shtml
 
The Wikipedia articles on both conflicts are quite good:
 
1948 Arab-Israeli War
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1948_Arab%E2%80%93Israeli_War
 
Suez Crisis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suez_Crisis
 
My favorite comment from a British reservist who, in an article on the "Britain's Small Wars" web site, recounts being called up for duty during the Suez crisis:
 
"The entire Suez incident was a complete fiasco as far as we could tell. At the time one fell into the trap of thinking 'those in charge must know what they are doing', but hindsight and history tells that the powers that be really were utterly, completely incompetent, and that our private impressions on the ground of utter chaos and incompetence on a huge scale, were absolutely justified ... I have had no faith in the public image of leadership, or in the mostly ludicrous coverage of anything by the media, ever since."
 
~~~~~~~
Credits
~~~~~~~
 
This mod package draws on the work on dozens of modders who have uploaded the fruits of their labor to CombatAce.com and elsewhere over the years.
 
Aircraft
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Starfighter,Diego,& Pasko .................. An-2
The Mirage Factory ......................... Au-1 & F4u-7
Column5, Crusader, & Wrench ................ Au-1 & F4u-7 fixes/upgrades
Wrench ..................................... Beaufighter tweaks & updates
Paulopanz .................................. C-47A skins
Ahmed Junaid Raza .......................... Canberras
Kessselbrut ................................ Canberra bombadier's cockpit
Geo & Razor ................................ F6F-5
Wrench ..................................... F6F-5 upgrades
The Mirage Factory ......................... F-84F_MF
Veltro2K ................................... Halifax & Short Stirling
Bunyap,Ravenclaw, & Soulfreak .............. Harvard/T-6/SNJ-6
LloydNB & Wrench ........................... Harvard/T-6/SNJ-6 skins
Paulopanz & Syrinx ......................... Halifax & Short Stirling skins
Raven ...................................... HurricaneIIb
Paulopanz .................................. Il-28 skins
LloydNB .................................... B-17 & Lancaster skins
Paulopanz .................................. Li-2 Cab
Wrench ..................................... Macchi205_EAF upgrades
Paulopanz .................................. MiG-15bis & MiG-15UTI skins
Stary ...................................... MiG-15/17 cockpit
Pasko ...................................... MiG-15bis_EAF & MiG-15UTI
Paulopanz .................................. MiG-17 & MiG-17F skins
Pasko ...................................... Mosquito FB.VI
LloydNB & Wrench ........................... Mosquito skins/upgrades
Ahmed Junaid Raza .......................... MystereIVA_AdA
MontyCZ .................................... NordAtlas (C-119)
Pasko ...................................... Ouragan
Paulopanz .................................. Ouragan skins
Ordway ..................................... Ouragan/MD-450 cockpit
Baffmeister ................................ new Ouragan flight model
Wolf257 .................................... P-40B
Wrench ..................................... P-40B skins/upgrades
Wilco ...................................... custom P-51B & Spitfire9 skins
Florian .................................... RF-84F
Gunrunner .................................. RF-84F skins
MontyCZ .................................... S-199
Wrench ..................................... S-199_IDF (DLC) tweaks & updates
Simon Porter ............................... Sea Fury
Paulopanz .................................. Sea Fury skins
Bunyap ..................................... Sea Hawks
Paulopanz .................................. Sea Hawk skins
Tomb ....................................... Sea Hawk fixes/upgrades
Skippybing ................................. Sea Vixen
Sundowner & Wrench ......................... Sea Vixen skins/upgrades
MontzCZ .................................... Skyraider1
Wrench ..................................... Skyraider skins/upgrades
MontyCZ, 76IAPBlackbird, & Wrench .......... Skyraider AEW
Paulopanz .................................. Spitfire22_EAF (DLC) skins
Kulbit80 ................................... TBM Avenger skins
Paulopanz .................................. Valiant B.1 skins
Paulopanz .................................. Vampire skins
Paulopanz .................................. Vampire cockpit
Pasko ...................................... Venom
Paulopanz .................................. Venom skins
Skippybing ................................. Wyvern
Zurawski ................................... F-86F cockpit (used on several aircraft)
Stary ...................................... Late Spitfire cockpit
A-Team ..................................... several optional aircraft (models
not included) -- see above for
more information
Jimbeamer5 & Kulbit80 ...................... various skins
 
 
Ground Objects
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hinchinbrooke .............................. all carriers, except La Fayette
YEYEYE ..................................... La Fayette
Wrench & Paulopanz ......................... previous mods to carriers
Hinchinbrooke .............................. all ships, except as noted below
Adrian Benetti ............................. Flower class
GrinchWSLG ................................. Weapon & Z-Class (Fletcher)
Julhelm .................................... Tide class
ThirdWire .................................. RN Supply Ship
Kesselbrut ................................. NavyTug, TroopShip, & Mark8_LCT
Pasko ...................................... "SAMs and Vehicles Pack: Euro & Desert"
Nicholas Bell .............................. "WOE 1950's AAA Mod"
Gerald14 ................................... "Russian Defence/ZSU-23-4 Pack"
Monty CZ ................................... "SF2 WWII Flak Pack"
Geo......................................... "WWII Ground Object Pack"
Kesselbrut .................................."US Armor Pack"
SFP1Ace ....................................."Alternative ArmorPack"
Gepard ......................................"Tiran Pack"
Gepard ......................................"WOI Panzer Pack"
Geo.........................................."WWII Ground Object Pack"
Kesselbrut ................................. "Zil Transport Pack"
Pasko & Nicholas Bell ...................... S-60, KS-30, KS-19P, ZPU-4, M-42
Nicholas Bell .............................. Bofors L60/L70
rebel ryder & Nicholas Bell................. M1939 flak guns
Kesselbrut ................................. ZPU-1, IDF_Cal50
Geo ........................................ 20mmAAA & M16_Quad
Monty CZ ................................... HS-820 & HS-831
ODS Team ................................... Firecan radar
EricJ ...................................... Arab_DShK
Unknown author ............................. 37InchAA, 37InchEmplaced, TommyFlak37, TommyFlak37Emplaced
Fubar512 ................................... ZSU-23 AAA tweaks
ThirdWire .................................. BTR-ZPU, BTR-ZU-23, KS-12, KS-19, M113-ZPU, M113-ZU-23,
ZPU-2, ZSU-23, ZSU-57, ZU-23, M35_Quad, M55_Quad, M-163
Geo ........................................ Sherman_E8, M3, M3GMC
rebel ryder ................................ Sherman-M4A2_76mm, T-34-85, IDF Super Shermans
rebel ryder ................................ ZIS Canvas, ZIS_Quad, Bedford Canvas, BedfordOpen, Squads
Pasko ...................................... AMX-13, Su-85, Su-100, T-34
Gabilon .................................... Merkava
Pasko & Kesselbrut ......................... M60A3, M60A1AOS
SFP1Ace .................................... Chieftains (based on TW Centurions)
russouk2004 ................................ CrusaderII
Unknown Author ............................. Daimler, Humber, PZKW_IVA
ThirdWire .................................. Centurions, Leopards, M48A2/3, M60A1, M113, BRDM,
BTR-50PK, BTR-152, PT-76, T-54/55, T-62A, T-72A,
T-34-85, M50_Sherman, M51_Sherman
SUICIDAL ................................... New Destroyed Tank LODs
Pasko ...................................... Hawk launcher & radars, Spoonrest radars
Fubar512 & Wrench .......................... Hawk INI tweaks
 
 
Other Mods
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paulopanz .................................. custom ranks/medals pack
Paulopanz .................................. custom kill marks
OldDiego, Pappy, Wrench, Pasko, ............ Pilots
Florian/AmokFloo, & PureBlue
Wrench ..................................... IsraelME terrain upgrades
 
Credit for the original "48-56" add-on released in June 2010 at CombatAce.com goes to Dave (USAFMTL) and the rest of the "48-56" mod team.
 
If we have neglected to credit anyone here, please let us know. We will get it fixed ASAP.
 
--------------------------
eburger68 & USAFMTL (Dave)
14 December 2014

Second part of the 48-56 Add-on for SF2I Expansion Pack 1.
 
Eric Howes
eburger68

---------------------------------------------
Falklands Frigates - Working v. 1.1
---------------------------------------------
 
This package contains re-worked verions of five British frigates that saw action in the Falklands/Malvinas Conflict of 1982. All five models were released previously at CombatAce, but they suffered from non-functioning guns and/or surface-to-air missiles. All versions included in this release include working guns and missiles.
 
Included are:
 
- HMS Brilliant (Type 22 Class Frigate)
- HMS Antelope (Type 21 Class Frigate)
- HMS Argonaut (Type 12L/Leander Class Frigate)
- HMS Plymouth (Type 12M/Rothesay Class Frigate)
- HMS Yarmouth (Type 12M/Rothesay Class Frigate)
 
The Brilliant is equipped with Sea Wolf SAMs. The Antelope, Argonaut, Plymouth, and Yarmouth are equipped with Sea Cat SAMs. Note that the Sea Cat SAM version included here for the Type 12M frigates uses tweaked data and is designed to be installed side-by-side with other Sea Cat versions you might already have installed for other ships.
 
* Updated (11/19/2010): verion 1.1 of this package adds the Antelope and Argonaut.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Installation
~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
The following installation process is designed for Strike Fighters 1 ("Gen 1") installs, but it can be easily adapted to Strike Fighters 2 ("Gen 2") installs.
 
Step 1: Drop the \Objects folder included here in the installation
folder for your SFP1 install (whether it be SF Gold, WOE,
WOV, or WOI).
 
Step 2: Add the data from ForWeaponData.txt to your WeaponData.INI
file and save the changes using the Weapons Editor for SFP1.
 
Step 3: Add the data from ForGunData.txt to your GunData.INI file and
save the changes using the Guns Editor for SFP1.
 
That's it.
 
 
~~~~~~~
Credits
~~~~~~~
 
I did not create these models. All I did was hack the DATA.INIs to get the weapons working properly. The original authors of these ships are as follows:
 
HMS Brilliant ...... Banidos Team
HMS Antelope ....... Banidos Team
HMS Argonaut ....... Banidos Team
HMS Plymouth ....... Hinchinbrooke
HMS Yarmouth ....... Hinchinbrooke
 
The destroyed model for the Brilliant is from the Banidos Team's Type 21 frigate. See the \_Docs folder for the original readme texts for all five ships.
 
 
---------------
Eric Howes
19 November 2010

Green Hell 3.5 Enhancement Package
for the
SF2V Air & Ground Expansion Pack
 
This package contains a set of enhancements for CA_Stary's Green Hell 3.5 (GH 3.5) replacement tile set for the ThirdWire VietnamSEA terrain. It is primarily designed for users who are using GH 3.5 in conjunction with the SF2V Air & Ground Expansion Pack.
 
This mod package makes the following enhancements to Green Hell 3.5 with the SF2V Expansion Pack:
 
1. Replaces the main air base tile with a new one designed to better belend into the surrounding terrain -- i.e., no more expansive green lawns surrounding all the air bases. The "jungle" air base tile is unchanged.
 
2. Replaces the ground TGAs used for many barracks areas in the lower Route Packs of North Vietnam with new TGAs that allow the barracks areas to more naturally blend in with the surrounding terrain.
 
3. Replaces the bright, aqua blue water tiles of GH 3.5 with a darker, greyer set of water tiles, which (at least to my eyes) look more natural.
 
4. Replaces the default WaterNormal.BMP used in GH 3.5 with a new WaterNormal that produces more pronounced wave effects.
 
If you are not using Green Hell 3.5 (the SF2V Expansion Pack by default uses an enhanced version of CA_Stary's Green Hell 2.0 tile set), there is no purpose in installing this enhancement package. It is designed strictly for Green Hell 3.5, not any earlier version (including 3.0).
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Installation
~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Installation is simple: copy all of the files in the \ForVietnamTerrains folder to the \Terrains\VietnamSEA terrain folder in your Mods directory. Allow Windows to overwrite files as prompted.
 
If you have also installed GH 3.5 to the SouthVietnam terrain included with the SF2V Expansion Pack, copy the same files to the \Terrains\SouthVietnam folder in your Mods directory.
 
That's it.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes on GH 3.5 w/ the SF2V Expansion Pack
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
As noted above, the SF2V Expansion Pack ships with an enhanced version of Green Hell 2.0 tile set. The numerous custom target areas in the Expansion Pack were hand-placed with an eye towards exploiting the particular visual features of the GH 2.0 tile set in order to make buildings, vehicles look as though they "belonged" in the places you find them.
 
As the GH 3.5 tile set is a complete departure from (not a mere revision of) the GH 2.0 tile set, some of the ground target items might look a bit oddly placed in some target areas with GH 3.5. Thankfully, the GH 3.5 tile set is quite forgiving visually speaking (much more than the earlier GH 3.0) -- so much so that in most cases the worst you'll see is trees crowding buildings just a bit too much.
 
~~~~~~~
Credits
~~~~~~~
 
CA_Stary ............... Green Hell 3.5 Replacement Tile Set for VietnamSEA
 
------------------
Eric Howes
eburger68
9 Dec. 2013

SF2 MiG-25 Foxbats
 
This mod package contains a collection of MiG-25 Foxbats, all converted and updated to SF2 standards. Included in the package are all the weapons, effects, pilots, and seats that you will need to install and use any of the aircraft in this package.
 
These aircraft can be used in SF2, SF2E, SF2V, SF2I, or SF2NA. To install and use them, you should ensure that your SF2 installation is patched to at least the Dec2009 patch level. See below for installation instructions.
 
Those familiar with the original MiG-25 Pack assembled by Dave (USAFTML) for SFP1 will rightly recognize that this updated package simply builds on the work of Dave and the entire team behind that original release. (The original ReadMe from that release is included here.)
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Installation
~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
To install, simply drag the \Effects and \Objects folders to your SF2 Mods Folder (NOT the folder that the game installs to). By default your Mod Folder should be located here:
 
Windows XP: \Documents and Settings\[username]\My Documents\ThirdWire\[Game]\
Windows Vista: \Users\[username]\Saved Games\ThirdWire\[Game]\
Windows 7: \Users\[username]\Saved Games\ThirdWire\[Game]\
 
...where [username] is the account you log into within Windows and [Game] is the name of the particular game mod folder that you're moving the files to. If the aircraft are not showing up in your Single Mission Aircraft menu, then you didn't install all the bits correctly.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Aircraft & Nations Included
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
The following aircraft are included in this package:
 
MiG-25P Foxbat-A - Interceptor
MiG-25R Foxbat-B - Recon version
MiG-25RB Foxbat-B - Recon/Bomber version
MiG-25PU Foxbat-C - 2 seat trainer
MiG-25PD Foxbat-E - Interceptor (updated)
MiG-25PD Foxbat-E - Interceptor (updated), Export version
MiG-25BM Foxbat-F - Anti-radar version
 
The following nations are represented:
 
USSR
India
Iraq
Libya
Syria
 
For more information on the differences between these various versions, see this Wikipedia article:
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikoyan-Gurevich_MiG-25
 
Also useful are these online articles:
 
http://www.airvectors.net/avmig25.html
 
http://www.ausairpower.net/TE-Foxbat-Foxhound-92.html
 
http://everything2.com/title/MiG-25+Foxbat
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes on Changes
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
This package is largely an updating of the original MiG-25 Foxbat Pack to SF2 standards. I will not claim 100 percent technical and historical accuracy for every aspect of every aircraft, but I did consult a number of sources while preparing this package.
 
Several things are worth noting:
 
- landing gear for all aircraft is fixed, so aircraft no longer bounce
and teeter around on the ground or wander off into the weeds (this has
long been a pet peeve of mine with these aircraft, and I think I have
finally fixed the underlying problem);
 
- brake chute animation for the PD and PD Export version has been disabled,
as the animation appears to be partially broken, leaving the chute door
open during flight (strangely, this problem does not affect the other
models);
 
- all engines now have fake afterburner nodes (if you don't like their
appearance, you're welcome to substitute your own or turn them off);
 
- all aircraft use standard SF2 shadow statements (the included .SHD files
actually spawn those dreaded tractor beams, whereas a simple SF2 shadow
configuration does not).
 
It should also be noted that the skins included here are quite dated. If anyone is so inspired to create a new set of skins and decals (Paulopanz, I'm looking at you...), please contact me at CombatAce.com. I would be happy to incorporate a new set of skins and decals into an updated version of this package.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Credits & Acknowledgements
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
This package largely consists of work done by others and released previously in other packages. All I did was assemble the package, update the bits to SF2 standards, and make minor adjustments and tweaks here and there (discussed above).
 
Primary credit goes to the team responsible for the original MiG-25 Foxbat package for SF1:
 
Dave (USAFTML)
Wpnssgt
Tomcat1974
Sundowner
Ghostrider
Deuces
Moonjumper
 
Also included in this package are skins or decals done by the following individuals:
 
HrntFixr
Sidewinder86
Gepard
Wrench
 
The cockpits used in this package were built by:
 
Paladrian (MiG-21 cockpit)
Boopidoo & Badger the Bad (Su-15 cockpit)
 
Finally, I used a tweaked version of the fake afterburner node effect introduced by Spectre8750.
 
If I have neglected to credit anyone, please let me know -- it will be fixed ASAP. A copy of the original ReadMe for the MiG-25 Foxbat Pack for SFP1 is included in the same directory as this ReadMe. Any errors in this package are mine alone, so please do report bugs and inaccuracies to the CombatAce.com forum.
 
 
-----------
Eric Howes
eburger68
27 March 2014

NATO Fighters 5
for Strike Fighters 2
 
This package contains latest version of "NATO Fighters," a comprehensive mod for "Strike Fighters 2 Europe" (SF2E). Version 5 of "NATO Fighters" builds on "NATO Fighters 4+" (the original release for SF2E) -- adding dozens of new aircraft and ground objects, updating the GermanyCE terrain to look better than it ever has, including "blue side" SAMs in the terrain, overhauling the existing campaigns with new units and aircraft, adding two campaigns (a new 1953 campaign and a variant of the 1986 campaign), as well as implementing hundreds of other fixes and updates to just about every area of the mod.
 
This mod package is designed for "Strike Fighters 2 Europe" (SF2E) installations that 1) are patched to the Mar2012 or later patch level, and that 2) also have "Strike Fighters 2 Israel" (SF2I), "Expansion Pack 1" (Exp1) and "Expansion Pack 2" (Exp2) incorporated into the installation base. If you are running SF2E at an earlier patch level and do NOT intend to update to the minimum patch level mentioned above, you should NOT install this mod package. If you do not have SF2I, Exp1, and Exp2 in addition to SF2E, you should NOT install this mod package.
 
Note that this is a COMPLETE mod package. There is no need to install any previous version of "NATO Fighters." Nor should you attempt to install it over the top of any previous version, as you could end up with a non-working install.
 
NOTE: this mod is distributed as set of EIGHT 7zip archive files. If you did not download all eight 7zip packages from CombatAce.com, then this mod will not work properly.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Minimum Requirements
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
To install and play this mod, you must have the following installed as part of your target installation base:
 
SF2 VERSION: Strike Fighters 2 Europe (SF2E), plus
Strike Fighters 2 Israel (SF2I), plus
Expansion Pack 1 (SF2I Exp1), plus
Expansion Pack 2 (SF2E Exp2)
PATCH LEVEL: Mar2012 or higher
 
This mod does support installations that include "Strike Fighters 2: North Atlantic" (SF2NA), however, SF2NA is not required.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Update Notes
~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
This mod package is a refreshed and updated version of the original version that was released in September 2012 on CombatAce. This refreshed version of the mod includes the following major additions to the "NATO Fighters 5" mod package:
 
New Aircraft
- A-26C - Harrier3_82
- B-50D - Il-10
- C-54 - MiG-19R
- CanberraB2 - MiG-21PFS-I
- CanberraB6 - MiG-21PFS-II
- CanberraBI6 - Myasishchev 3MN
- CanberraPR7 - Myasishchev 3MS
- F 35 Draken - Su-7BKL
- F-105D_74
 
Optional Aircraft New Aircraft Models
- A-10A_76 - F-1C
- A-10A_79 - F-1C200
- B-36D - F-117A
- B-45A - JaguarA
- F-104A DLC - Javelin9
- F-104C DLC - MiG-29A
- Mirage3E - Su-25
- Mirage5BR
- RB-45C
- S-99 DLC
 
New GroundObjects Other Additions
- Container_Ship - Red Campaigns
- ContainerShip - Support for Rends' GermanyCE
- Tanker2
- Misc Trucks
 
...plus numerous other fixes, updates, and skin additions to almost every aircraft and ground object.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Installation
~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Before installing this mod package, please ensure the installation of "Strike Fighters 2 Europe" (SF2E) that you intend to use is updated to at least the Mar2012 patch level. The latest patches for SF2E can be downloaded from ThirdWire:
 
http://thirdwire.com/downloads.htm
 
Also, please be aware that the mod also requires "Strike Fighters 2 Israel" (SF2I), "Expansion Pack 1" (Exp1) and "Expansion Pack 2" (Exp2) in addition to SF2E. This mod can be installed to SF2E installations that incorporate "Strike Fighters 2: North Atlantic" (SF2NA), but SF2NA is not required.
 
The main installation process consists of three main steps. Please read the following instructions carefully and follow them religiously. If you wind up with a non-working mod install, then you likely failed to follow the instructions properly.
 
-----------------------------------
* STEP 1: PREPARE THE MOD FOLDER *
-----------------------------------
 
This mod requires a separate Mod Folder. Please do not attempt to install this mod over or combine it with other mods such as the previously released "NATO Fighters 4+," "Operation Desert Storm," or the SF2V Expansion Pack.
 
- Open your SF2 Installation directory and make a copy of StrikeFighters2 Europe.exe or StrikeFighters2 NorthAtlantic.exe (if your target install base includes SF2NA). Rename the copied .EXE file to StrikeFighters2_NF5.exe (or whatever unique name you prefer).
 
- Run the newly copied and renamed .EXE file, then exit back out to the Windows desktop after navigating through a few menus. A custom Mod Folder for your "NATO Fighters 5" (NF5) install will have been created in one of these locations:
 
Windows XP: \Documents and Settings\[username]\My Documents\ThirdWire\[YourModFolder]
Windows Vista: \Users\[username]\Saved Games\ThirdWire\[YourModFolder]
Windows 7: \Users\[username]\Saved Games\ThirdWire\[YourModFolder]
 
...where [YourModFolder] matches the name of the copied .EXE file that you created. You will install the "NATO Fighters 5" (NF5) mod files to your Mod Folder.
 
- Open your Mod Folder and delete the \Objects sub-directory (including everything in it).
 
Now you're ready to install the NF5 mod proper.
 
-------------------------------------------------
* STEP 2: INSTALL MAIN COMPONENTS TO MOD FOLDER *
-------------------------------------------------
 
This is the easiest step.
 
- Unpack the eight "NATO Fighters 5" (NF5) archive packages to a temporary location on your hard drive.
 
- Move the contents of the \To_Mod_Folder directory from all eight unzipped packages to your Mod Folder (created in Step 1 above). (Note: do not simply drag and drop the folder named "To_Mod_Folder" or you will end up with a non-working install.)
 
If you've moved everything correctly, you should have a new \Objects sub-directory in your Mod Folder, along with a few new other sub-directories.
 
----------------------------
* STEP 3: EDIT OPTIONS.INI *
----------------------------
 
This last step involves a bit of text editing, so please pay attention.
 
Open the Options.INI in your Mod Folder. Locate the "Single Mission" section. At minimum you should change the EndYear= statement to 1986 or higher. I recommend setting the StartYear= and EndYear= as follows:
 
StartYear=1945
EndYear=2020
 
Finally, a little further down you should find the "Campaign" section. Replace it with the following:
 
[Campaign]
CampaignName=790918 Red Lightning
PlayerService=USAF
PlayerUnit=7th TFS Bunyaps
AircraftType=F-15A
Difficulty=HARD
Length=NORMAL
AircraftSupply=NORMAL
WeaponSupply=LIMITED
LoadCampaign=TRUE
CampaignSavename=DefaultCampaignSave
 
Save your changes and close the Options.INI file.
 
* * * * *
 
THAT'S IT. Your "NATO Fighters 5" install for SF2E should now be ready to use. Please read the following section for more information on the optional installs included with this mod.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Optional Installs
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
A. Aircraft
 
Included in the \_Optional folder are files to support the installation of a number of optional aircraft.
 
1. DLC Aircraft
 
The following optional aircraft are based on ThirdWire DLC releases and required the listed DLCs to be installed in order to use these aircraft:
 
Aircraft DLC Required
-------- ------------
F-104A_58 DLC28: AI Plane Pack 1
F-104C_61 DLC28: AI Plane Pack 1
Mirage3E_64 DLC17: Mirage IIIO
Mirage3E_68 DLC17: Mirage IIIO
Mirage5BA DLC07: Mirage 5BA
Mirage5BA_80 DLC07: Mirage 5BA
Mirage5BR DLC17: Mirage IIIO
Mirage5BR_80 DLC17: Mirage IIIO
S-99_45 DLC28: AI Plane Pack 1
 
If you have the required DLCs to support the above aircraft, you can install these aircraft by copying or moving the appropriate folders from the \Aircraft and \Decals directories in \Optional to the Objects\Aircraft and \Objects\Decals directories in your NF5 Mods Folder. These aircraft will be automatically used in campaigns.
 
2. Full Aircraft
 
Also available are two A-10A versions based on new models released by Spectre8750:
 
A-10A_76
A-10A_79
 
If installed, these A-10s will be used in campaigns instead of the default ThirdWire A-10s. To install these alternate A-10s, simply copy or move the appropriate folders (\A-10A_76 & \A-10A_79) from the \Aircraft and \Decals directories in \Optional to the Objects\Aircraft and \Objects\Decals directories in your NF5 Mods Folder.
 
3. DAT Aircraft
 
Finally, the \Optional directory includes files to support the installation of four different aircraft available from the A-Team's web site at:
 
http://cplengineeringllc.com/SFP1/
 
These aircraft are:
 
B-36D
B-45A
RB-45C
Swift5
 
Note that the aircraft folders included here do NOT include the 3D models for the aircraft. Thus, you MUST download the original aircraft packages from the above site (which requires you to apply for access) in order to obtain the models required to use these aircraft.
 
To add any of these four aircraft to your NF5 Mod:
 
1. Download the original aircraft packages from the A-Team's site (see link above).
 
2. Unzip the aircraft packages to a temporary directory.
 
3. Copy the .LOD files from the packages you downloaded to the corresponding folders in the \Optional\Aircraft directory.
 
4. Once you've added the LOD files to the aircraft folders, you may install the aircraft and accompanying decals from the \Optional directory to the \Objects\Aircraft and \Objects\Decals directories in your NF5 Mods Folder.
 
Once installed, these aircraft will be automatically used in campaigns.
 
B. Terrains
 
The \Optional directory also includes files to support the installation of Rends' modified version of the GermanyCE terrain. Note that Rend's complete GermanyCE terrain must be downloaded and installed separately from CombatAce (in three parts):
 
http://combatace.com/files/file/14686-germany-terrain-rework-part-1-of-3/
http://combatace.com/files/file/14687-germany-terrain-rework-part-2-of-3/
http://combatace.com/files/file/14688-germany-terrain-rework-part-3-of-3/
 
The files included here effectively make Rends' terrain fully compatible with the NATO Fighters 5 campaigns.
 
To use Rends' GermanyCE terrain in lieu of the default terrain, do the following:
 
1. Download all three parts of Rends' terrain from the links provided above and unpack the 7zip files to a temporary directory.
 
2. Remove the default GermanyCE terrain from \Terrains in your NF5 Mods Folder.
 
3. Install the terrain as directed in the ReadMe. (Do not install the Ground Objects, as the required objects are already included in this update package.)
 
4. Copy the \GermanyCE folder from \Optional\Terrains to \Terrains in your NF5 Mods Folder, allowing Windows to overwrite files as prompted.
 
That's it. Rends' GermanyCE terrain should now be used as the default terrain for NF5.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Note on the F-86F in the 1956 Campaign
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
The USAF 36th FBW flew the F-86F from the Fall of 1953 to the Spring of 1956, when the first F-100 Sabres began arriving at Bitburg and Ramstein. Given that there are already a good number of F-100A/C squadrons in the 1956 campaign, we have elected to let the 36th FBW units (22nd, 23rd, 32nd, 53rd, & 461st FDS) fly the F-86-30 "Hard Wing" Sabre (F-86F-30FB_HW) in the 1956 campaign (which starts 17 November).
 
If you would prefer that the 36th FBW units fly their true historical mounts in the '56 campaign, simply remove the F-86F-30FB_HW folder from \Objects\Aircraft, and the campaign will default to the F-100C for the five affected 36th FBW units.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Supported DLC Aircraft
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
The following aircraft released as DLC packs from 3rdWire are supported in the campaigns (but are not required):
 
Hunter6_60
Mirage5BA
Mirage5BA_80
 
If you do not have these DLCs installed, equivalent substitutes will be automatically used:
 
Hunter6-60
Mirage5BA_TMF
Mirage5BA_80_TMF
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Note on Anti-Ship Missiles
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
For this mod most third-party (i.e., non-stock) anti-ship missiles have been converted to use the ASM/cruise missile functionality introduced w/ SF2NA. At the same time, the older versions of these missiles have been preserved, as the new ASM cruise missiles can be used by AI only against ships.
 
So, for many anti-ship missiles you will now find two versions:
 
1) "Standard" guided version
 
These versions are the "old" style missiles setwith WeaponDataType=1. They can be used by AI against land and sea targets. These missiles retain their familiar names (e.g., AGM-84D Harpoon, Kh-59M Ovod, etc.).
 
2) ASM/cruise missile version
 
These versions utilitize the new cruise missile functionality set by WeaponDataType=7. They can be used by AI only against ships. These versions can be distinguished by their names:
 
- U.S./NATO missiles have the ASM tag (e.g., AGM-84D Harpoon ASM).
 
- Soviet/WP missiles follow the naming convention used by ThirdWire's
Soviet cruise missiles (e.g., Kh-59M AS-13 Kingbolt).
 
At the same time aircraft that typically carry these missiles have been updated to accommodate the ASM versions. Loadouts for these aircraft have been updated to use ASM versions by default for Anti-Ship, Naval_Attack, and Cruise_Missile loadouts.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Note on Laser-Guided Bombs (LGBs)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
AI pilots in Strike Fighters have long had problems employing LGBs. AI pilots in the player's flight can drop LGBs, but will treat them as dumb bombs. AI pilots in flights not controlled by the player (i.e., AI-only flights) cannot use LGBs at all, and will typically get stuck circling the target.
 
To address this problem I have created EOGB versions of all LGBs for AI pilots to use (AI pilots have no problems with EOGBs for some reason). These AI versions are identical in all respects to the LGB versions save for the Guidance Type, which is set to "Electro-Optical Guided" instead of "Laser-Guided."
 
By default aircraft that use LGBs for certain loadouts (usually Stike, Attack, SEAD, or Anti-Ship) are loaded with these AI (EOGB) versions instead of the LGB versions. You should make it a habit to check the Loadout screen and switch the bomb version on your own aircraft to the LGB version.
 
You can distinguish between the AI (EOGB) and LGB (Player) versions by the weapon name -- for example:
 
LGB version: GBU-12D/B Paveway II LGB
AI version: GBU-12D/B Paveway II (AI)
 
While this solution introduces an extra step for the player in the preparation to start a mission, it allows AI pilots and AI-only flights to use these weapons.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Changes, Fixes, & Additions
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
This mod is a major update and expansion of "NATO fighters 4+," previously released at CombatAce.com for "Strike Fighters 2 Europe." This updated mod package incorporates the following major updates and additions over NF4+:
 
New Aircraft
------------
A-26B F-86F-30FB MiG-21R TF-104G
B-66B F-86F-30FB_HW MiG-25RB Tu-4K
Buccaneer-S2B_RAFG F-100D-FR Mistral Venom1
F-4E_79 F-111E NF-5A Venom4
F-4M_85 Hunter6-60 RB-57A Yak-9P/U
F-16A_Blk15_Baf Hunter10 RF-4E_GAF Yak-15
F-16C_B25 IL-28R RF-4E_GAF_Late Yak-25RV
F-19A La-11 RF-80A Yak-27R
F-80C La-15 RF-100A Yak-28BI
F-84E MD-450 S-99 Yak-28I
F-84G MiG-9 Sabre4 Yak-28L
F-86A-5 MiG-19P Swift5 + Yak-28P
F-86D MiG-19PM T-33A Yak-28R
 
Added in Decmber 2014:
 
A-26C F-105D_74 Su-7BKL Mirage5BR +
B-50D Harrier3_82 A-10A_76 + RB-45C +
C-54 Il-10 A-10A_79 + S-99 DLC +
CanberraB2 MiG-19R B-36D +
CanberraB6 MiG-21PFS-I B-45A +
CanberraBI6 MiG-21PFS-II F-104A DLC +
CanberraPR7 Myasishchev3MN F-104C DLC +
F 35 Draken Myasishchev3MS Mirage3E +
 
+ This is an optional aircraft & may require LODs obtained separately
 
Upgraded Aircraft *
-----------------
F-1C MiG-25RB
F-1C200 MiG-29A
F-101C Mirage2000C
JaguarA RF-101C
JaguarGR RF-84F
Javelin9 Su-25
MiG-25PD TornadoGR1
 
* The above are aircraft that were either converted to newer models
or that received major upgrades of some kind. All aircraft from
the previous version of this mod were updated or tweaked in some
way or another -- some more than others.
 
New Ground Objects
------------------
 
37InchAA CommTrailer JS-1 OerlikonAAA Sherman-M4A1_76mm
37InchEmplaced ContainerShip LandRover1tonne_Cover Pantsir Skyguard
4xMIM-14 Crotale LandRover_Cover Rapier_L SquarePair-B
ADATS EW_RADAR_UK LandRover_Open Rapier1E_L Stormer_HVM
AMX-30 Firelight LandRover1tonne_Command Rapier2A_L Su-100
AMX-30B2 HAWK_CWAR LoPAR RH202 Tanker2
BarlockB HAWK_HIPIR LoPAR_T RolandRad T-10A
Blindfire HAWK_PAR M3 Roland_Shelter T-10M
Blindfire1E HawkL M59 SA-5BL T34_85a
Blindfire2A HIPAR M-47 SA-7_L Tor
BloodhoundSAM HQTrailer M-47_AdT SA-7B_L TTR
BlowpipeSite IS-2 M-47_Belg SA-11BL TTR_T
BlowpipeUK IS-3 M-47_Bundw Scorpion US_90mmAA
Comet ISU-152 M-51 Sherman_E8
 
Please note that the above list does not constitute an exhaustive change log, as this updated mod package incorporates too many fixes and tweaks to list or account for here. Suffice it to say that NATO Fighters 5 represents a major overhaul of its predecessor in the NATO Fighters mod series.
 
~~~~~~~
Credits
~~~~~~~
 
This mod package builds upon "NATO Fighters 4+," previously released at CombatAce.com along with five update packages. In addition to carrying over most of the work from that earlier version of NATO Fighters, this new version incorporates a large number of new and updated items from the following modders, who generously allowed their use:
 
Malibu43 ...................................... A-10 alternate loadouts
Capun, Gramps, Charles, Kesselbrut, Wrench..... A-26B (based on the B-26K)
allenjb42 ..................................... A-26B skins
Wrench ........................................ AV-8B updates
Bunyap ........................................ B-66B
Hgbn .......................................... B-66B skins
ravenclaw_007 ................................. Buccaneer-S2B_RAFG
Paulopanz ..................................... CF-5A skins
USAFTML ....................................... E-3A AEW Update
Daddyairplanes ................................ E-3A skins & SF2 updates
The Mirage Factory ............................ F-4E ARN-101
Rippersix & dtmdragon ......................... F-4E APQ-120 avionics update
ThirdWire ..................................... F-4M_85 (based on F-4M_80)
The Mirage Factory ............................ F-16A_Blk15_BAF
Viper Crew .................................... F-16C_B25
Julhelm ....................................... F-19A
Wrench ........................................ F-19A SF2 upgrades
Pasko, Gramps, Column5 ........................ F-80C, RF-80A
Wrench ........................................ F-80C upgrades
RussoUK2004 ................................... F-84E, F-84G
suhsjake,Wrench ............................... F-84E/G upgrades
RussoUK2004, Paulopanz, Wrench, homer ......... F-84E/G skins
Zur ........................................... F-86A-5, F-86F-30FB, F-86F-30FB_HW, Sabre4 models
Tazkiller & Gwyn .............................. USAF F-86 tweaks & upgrades
Wrench ........................................ Sabre4
Dog Sabre Team ................................ F-86D
STORM & suhsjake............................... F-86D upgrades
Paulopanz ..................................... F-86K skins
Paulopanz ..................................... F-100D-FR
Paulopanz ..................................... F-100D RDAF skins
ErikGen ....................................... updated/upgraded F-101C & RF-101C
Spillone104 & Paulopanz ....................... updated F-104A/C
Paulopanz ..................................... F-104G skins
Fastcargo...................................... F-111E Aardvark
liamp51 ....................................... re-textured F-111 cockpit
Paulopanz, Cliff11, & Spillone104 ............. Hunter10
Paulopanz ..................................... IL-28R
Oli & Sundowner ............................... Jaguar GR1 & Jaguar A
Stary ......................................... Jaguar & Mirage F1 cockpit repaints
Bunyap ........................................ La-11
Wrench ........................................ La-11 updates
Pasko & Column5 ............................... La-15
pcpilot & Paulopanz ........................... La-15 skins & upgrades
comrpnt ....................................... Lightning Lights & FM enhancements
Pasko & Column5 ............................... MD-450
Ordway ........................................ MD-450 cockpit
Paulopanz ..................................... MD-450 skins
Paulopanz ..................................... Meteor 8 skins
Timmy & Lexx_Luthor ........................... MiG-9
Wrench ........................................ MiG-9 updates
p10ppy ........................................ MiG-9 VVS skin
Spillone104 & Paulopanz ....................... MiG-19P, MiG-19PM
Starfighter2, Spillone104, & Paulopanz ........ MiG-21R
CrazyhorseB34 ................................. MiG-25PD upgrade
USAFTML & MiG-25 Team ......................... MiG-25RB
Ludo .......................................... Mirage IIIC (3rdWire) skins
The Mirage Factory ............................ Mirage 2000C
CA_Stary ...................................... re-painted Mirage F-1 cockpit
ThirdWire ..................................... Mistral (based on Vampire FB.5)
Paulopanz, Spillone104, & Ludo.m54 ............ Mistral skins & mod package
Ordway ........................................ Mistral cockpit
The Mirage Factory ............................ NF-5A
Ahmed Junaid Raza & pappychksix ............... RB-57A
MiGBuster ..................................... RB-57A SF2 updates
Kessselbrut ................................... B-57/Canberra bombadier's cockpit
Bpao, Crab02, & ravenclaw_007 ................. RF-4E_GAF, RF-4E_GAF_Late
Amokfloo, Florian, Zurawski, & Soulfreak ...... RF-84F
Gunrunner ..................................... RF-84F skins & SF2 upgrades
Spinners ...................................... RF-100A Slick Chick
MontyCZ ....................................... S-99
Jug ........................................... Su-15 lights update
dalai_LAMA .................................... Su-15TM camo scheme
Mikeymead ..................................... repainted/updated Su-24 cockpit
Wrench ........................................ Su-25 updates
Paulopanz ..................................... SuperMystere B2 skins
Paulopanz ..................................... Swift 5 updates & skins
Pasko, Gramps, & Column5 ...................... T-33A
Ajunaidr, Spillone104, Paulpanz, & PureBlue ... TF-104G
Sundowner, AD, & Dave ......................... TornadoGR1
Ianh .......................................... Tornado GR1 fixes & updates
MontyCZ, Wrench, & lindr2 ..................... Tu-4K
Paulopanz ..................................... Vampire 5 skins
Pasko, Column5, Gramps, & Wrench .............. Venom
Paulopanz ..................................... Venom skins & SF2 updates
Pasko, Wolf25, Gamps .......................... Yak-9P/U
Wrench ........................................ Yak-9P/U SF2 updates
Pasko & Starfighter ........................... Yak-15
Flogger23 ..................................... Yak-15 SF2 updates
Paulopanz ..................................... Yak-15 skins
Pasko & Column5 ............................... Yak-25RV
Flogger23 ..................................... Yak-25RV SF2 updates
Pasko & Lindr2 ................................ Yak-27R
Pasko & Lindr2 ................................ Yak-28BI/I/L/R
MontyCZ & Lindr2 .............................. Yak-28P
Wrench ........................................ Yak-25 & Yak-28 updates/tweaks
Boopidoo & Ordway ............................. Su-15 cockpit (re-used on various aircraft)
AmokFloo ...................................... Su-17 cockpit (re-used on various aircraft)
CA_Stary ...................................... Yak-23 cockpit, Yak-15 cockpit early Soviet jet cockpit
Ordway ........................................ MiG-15 cockpit (based on 3rdWire A-4 cockpit)
Ordway......................................... MiG-17 cockpit (based on 3rdWire A-4 cockpit)
CA_Stary ...................................... MiG-19 cockpit (based on Boopidoo's Su-15 cockpit)
Paladrian ..................................... MiG-21 cockpits
AtariBaby ..................................... MiG-21 Complete Pack for SF2
Crusader ...................................... F-105D & Harrier cockpit mods
Boopidoo & Kukulo ............................. Su-7 cockpit
ravenclaw_007 ................................. Hunter IRM rails
 
--------------------
 
ErikGen ....................................... NIKE 4xMIM-14, HIPAR, LoPAR, & TTR
Abhi .......................................... AN/TWQ-1 Avenger, Pantsir-S1
bigal1 ........................................ Bloodhound SAM
Kesselbrut .................................... ADATS, BlowpipeUK, Oerlikon AAA, Rapier
Blindfire, CommTrailer, HQTrailer, RH202,
Skyguard, Roland_Shelter, Scorpion
FastCargo ..................................... Firelight (based on SquarePair)
Pasko ......................................... Hawk objects, EW_Radar, SA-7, AMX-13, Su-100
Fubar512 & Wrench ............................. Hawk INI tweaks
Richard & Kesselbrut .......................... Land Rover trucks
Florian ....................................... Leopard2A6
Gerald14 & Kesselbrut ......................... M3A1 Bradley & M6 Linebacker
Stefano ....................................... M-47 Patton tank, AMX-30, AMX-30B2
Wrench ........................................ M-59 (based on M-113)
Wrench & 3rdWire .............................. M-51 Skysweeper (based on KS-19)
Florian ....................................... Roland Rad
FastCargo ..................................... SA-5 & SquarePair
Monty CZ....................................... SA-10 & Flaplid, Stinger site, Blowpipe site
Fubar512 ...................................... SA-10 INI tweaks
EricJ ......................................... SA-11
BPAo & Sundowner .............................. Crotale (SA-9)
Geo ........................................... 20mmAAA, M16_Quad, Sherman_E8, M3 Half-track
rebel ryder ................................... IS-2, IS-3, JS-1, ISU-152, Sherman-M4A1_76mm,
T-10A/M, T-34-85a, Comet
Julhelm & Wrench .............................. SON-9A Firecan
Pasko & Kesselbrut ............................ M60A3, M60A1AOS
Gepard ........................................ T-64s
EricJ & winterhunter .......................... Starstreak Stormer
Gabilon ....................................... Leopard 2A4, Gepard, 2S6, & Tor-M1
Unknown author ................................ 37InchAA & 37InchEmplaced
Pasko & Nicholas Bell ......................... US_90mmAA (based on KS-19P)
SUICIDAL ...................................... New Destroyed Tank LODs
 
--------------------
 
CA_Stary ...................................... GermanyCE Re-worked terrain
Paulopanz ..................................... New Dutch & Belgian air bases
cellinsky, Insky/Orsin, & PanamaRed............ environment mods
OldDiego, Pappy, Wrench, Pasko, Florian/ ...... Pilots
AmokFloo, & PureBlue
christian59 ................................... generic aircraft damage textures
Spinners ...................................... RAF Decals Pack
Spillone104 ................................... custom engine sounds
CA_Stary ...................................... new CBU-based napalm effect
CA_Stary ...................................... updated Willie Pete effects
EZLead ........................................ Staggered/Formation Take-offs mod
Nicholas Bell ................................. WOE Air Defense Mod (Hawk Sites)
Wrench ........................................ Hawk Site upgrades/layout
Fubar512 ...................................... NIKE-Hercules sites layout/placement
Capitaine Vengeur ............................. Canadian & Italian medals
 
--------------------
 
(Added in Decmber 2014)
 
Spectre8750 ....................................... A-10A_76 & A-10A_79
Ludo.M54, Coupi, & Denis Oliveira ................. Mirage IIIE (based on DLC Mirage IIIO)
Bpao, Centurion-1, Brain32, & Ludo.M54 ............ Mirage F-1C & F-1C200
Bpao, Jeanba, Tom Venom, & Sony Tuckson ........... Jaguar A
Timmy, Bobrock, HGBN, & Wrench .................... A-26C
MontyCZ ........................................... B-50D (B-29)
Veltro2K & Wrench ................................. C-54 Skymaster
Veltro2K & Wrench ................................. C-141A (updated)
Wrench & Tim Elliot ............................... new Canadair skins
Ahmed Junaid Raza ................................. Canberra B2, B6, B(I)6, & PR7
Daddyairplanes .................................... E-3A skins
PraetorH .......................................... F-4F Norm81b skin
Lud von Pipper, Bpao, Paulopanz, & JonathanRL ..... F 35 Draken
Paulopanz ......................................... F-86D RDAF skins
Frank Rosato ...................................... F-104A/C Pack for SF2
Wrench ............................................ F-104C DLC 28 Pack for SF2
Soulfreak ......................................... F-104G MFG skins
Dels .............................................. F-117A (new)
Centurion ......................................... F-105D Hill AFB skins
DaniloE31 ......................................... F-106 Update Pack for SF2
dtmdragon ......................................... Harrier GR.3 for SF2
Aleks, Cocas, Spillone, Baffmesieter, & Paulopanz . Il-10 for SF2
Veltro2K, Paulopanz, Baffmeister, & Coupi ......... Javelin FAW.9 (new)
Paulopanz ......................................... La-11 skins
Wilches ........................................... La-9/11 prop fix
Baffmeister ....................................... new MD-450 flight model
Paulopanz ......................................... new MiG-15/15bis skins
Paulopanz ......................................... MiG-17F Jabo Pack
Paulopanz ......................................... new MiG-17F/PF skins
Paulopanz ......................................... MiG-19R
Paulopanz ......................................... MiG-19S skins
Paulopanz ......................................... MiG-21F skins
Paulopanz ......................................... MiG-21PF skins
Paulopanz ......................................... MiG-21PFS-I & MiG-21PFS-II
Comrad ............................................ MiG-21SM upgrades
Russouk2004 ....................................... MiG-29A updated model
Denis Oliveira, Coupi, & Paulopanz ................ Mirage 5BR
Ludo .............................................. Mirage 5F skins
Veltro2K, Lindr2, & Paulopanz ..................... Myasishchev 3MN & 3MS
Gunrunner ......................................... RF-84F BAF Camo skin
Paulopanz ......................................... RF-84F KLU Camo & RDAF skins
Wrench ............................................ new Sabre 4 skins
Paulopanz ......................................... Su-7BKL
Paulopanz ......................................... Su-15A & Su-15TM skins
Flogger23 ......................................... Su-15A & Su-15-TM revamp packs
Florian, Baffmeister, & Paulopanz ................. Su-25 Pack for SF2
Paulopanz ......................................... Tu-4K skins
Tzareff ........................................... MiG-17 Soviet camo skin
liamp51 ........................................... re-textured F-111A cockpit
Stary ............................................. La-11 cockpit
Stary ............................................. La-15 cockpit
Stary ............................................. MiG-15 & MiG-17 cockpits
Paulopanz ......................................... Mistral/Vampire cockpit (based on Meteor 8)
Stary ............................................. Su-7B/BKL cockpit
Stary ............................................. Su-9/11 cockpit
YEYEYE ............................................ new Flanker cockpit
Gepard ............................................ new Super Mystere B2 EC 1-12 skin
Stary ............................................. Vampire cockpit
Paulopanz ......................................... Venom cockpit (based on Meteor 8)
Stary ............................................. Yak-25M & RV cockpits
Crusader .......................................... F-105 gunsight mod
Crusader .......................................... Harrier avionics mod
Spectre8750 ....................................... Fake Afterburner Node
Rends ............................................. GermanyCE revision
Jeanba ............................................ '79 campaign modifications
bandidos team ..................................... Container_ship
Julhelm ........................................... Tanker2 & ContainerShip
Ravenclaw007 ...................................... Fire Trucks, BW Vehicles, & Faun trucks
Sundowner ......................................... UK fuel trucks
Crusader .......................................... Soviet MANPADs for SF2
Stary ............................................. Soviet MANPADS (new models)
Spectre8750 ....................................... Ural-375 & GAZ-66 trucks
Unknown author .................................... Unimogs, Wolf, & MB vehicles
 
Credit for the original "NATO Fighters 4+" add-on (on which this mod is based) goes to Column 5, Dave (USAFTML) and the rest of the NF4+ team. For a list of all the modders whose work is used in the complete NATO Fighters 5 add-on, see the original ReadMes included in \OriginalReadmes.
 
If we have neglected to credit anyone here, please let us know. We will get it fixed ASAP.
 
 
--------------------------
eburger68 & USAFMTL (Dave)
1 September 2012
13 December 2014

This is the second of eight parts.
 
Eric Howes

This is the third of eight parts.
 
Eric Howes

This is the fourth of eight parts.
 
Eric Howes

This is the fifth of eight parts.
 
Eric Howes

This is the sixth of eight parts.
 
Eric Howes

This is the seventh of eight parts.
 
Eric Howes

This is the last of eight parts.
 
Eric Howes

"Operation Darius"
for
Strike Fighters 2
 
This package contains an overhauled version of the "Operation Darius" mod that was originally assembled by Wrench for a collaborative campaign project at CombatAce.com. The mod is based on a fictional scenario set in late 2012 which sees a coalition of Western nations conduct a four week air campaign to degrade Iran's nuclear development facilities.
 
This mod package should be installed to "Strike Fighters 2" (SF2) installations (or merged installs incorporating SF2) that include "Strike Fighters 2: Europe" (SF2E) and that are patched to the Mar2012 or later patch level. If you are running SF2 at an earlier patch level and do NOT intend to update to one of the later patch levels mentioned above, you should NOT install this mod package.
 
Note that this is a COMPLETE mod package. There is no need to install the original "Operation Darius" mod that was released by Wrench. Nor should you attempt to install it over the top of Wrench's version, as you could end up with a non-working install.
 
So, what's different about THIS version of "Operation Darius"? What makes it new and unique? Plenty of things. This version includes:
 
- three blue-side campaigns -- one w/ a ground war; two w/o a ground war
- one red-side campaign -- w/o a ground war
- new Iranian weapons, incl. AAMs, SAMs, & MRBMs
- new Iranian ground objects, incl. mobile SAM launchers, static SAM launchers,
AAA, tanks, APCs, ships, & MRBM launchers
- two different versions of the IRIAF F-14A, one of which is equipped with the
Sedjeel air-to-air missile (based on the Hawk)
- dozens of new target areas, incl. SAM sites, MRBM sites, nuclear research sites,
and uranium processing/enrichment sites
- an overhauled terrain TYPES.INI to better prioritize targets in campaigns
- a number of new aircraft, incl. the Rafale, Gripen, Turkish/Greek F-4s & F-16s,
the Greek A-7E(H), a new J-7ME, the A-10C (w/ Spectre8750's cockpit), AV-8B Plus,
F-35A, F-111C (Late), A310 MRTT, CF-18_07, & Su-30MKM
- new menu screens (nothing radical)
- plenty of fixes to just about every area of the mod to get things updated
to SF2 standards and working correctly
- support for new SF2NA features, incl. carrier battle groups, F-14A avionics,
cruise missiles, and new mission types
 
This version also departs from Wrench's version in that some aircraft have been removed (F-4E_86, AT-6B, the AlphaJets, excess C-130s & Mirage 2000s, and a few others) in addition to plenty of other unnecessary cruft, incl. gigabytes of unused aircraft skins. (Even with all the removals, this mod is still on the large side.)
 
NOTE: this mod is distributed as set of FOUR 7zip archive files. If you did not download all four 7zip packages from CombatAce.com, then this mod will not work properly.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Minimum Requirements
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
To install and play this mod, you must have the following installed:
 
SF2 VERSION: Strike Fighters 2 PLUS
Strike Fighters 2 Europe
PATCH LEVEL: Mar2012 or higher
 
This mod does support installations that include "Strike Fighters 2: North Atlantic" (SF2NA), however, SF2NA is not required.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Update Notes
~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
This mod package is a refreshed and updated version of the original version that was released in August 2012. It incorporates all the updates included in the "Update 1" package released on CombatAce in January 2013. It also includes further updates, fixes, and additions beyond what was included in the "Update 1" package. All told this refreshed version of the mod includes the following major additions to the "Operation Darius" mod package:
 
- new aircraft: Mi-8, SH-3D, SeaKing, UH-1D, & 2 Iranian UCAVs
- new SF2NA aircraft: EA-6B_98, E-2C
- new optional aircraft: F-14A_Iran, F-14A-Iran, HH-60H, MH-60S
- new aircraft models: F-7B, F-7M, F-16I_Sufa, MiG-29A, MiG-29G, Su-25
- new ships: USNTransport, plus 13 new Iranian ships
- new alternate main campaign
- updated desert terrain tiles
 
...plus numerous other fixes, updates, and skin additions to dozens of aircraft and ground objects.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Installation
~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Before installing this mod package, please ensure the installation of "Strike Fighters 2" and "Strike Fighters 2: Europe" that you intend to use is updated to at least the Mar2012 patch level. The latest patches for Strike Fighters 2 can be downloaded from ThirdWire:
 
http://thirdwire.com/downloads.htm
 
Also, please be aware that the mod requires "Strike Fighters 2" (SF2) as well as "Strike Fighters 2: Europe" (SF2E). This mod can be installed to SF2 installations that incorporate "Strike Fighters 2: North Atlantic" (SF2NA). If SF2NA is part of your target install base, there are some additional items for you to install.
 
The main installation process consists of three main steps -- or, four if your target install base incorporates SF2NA. Please read the following instructions carefully and follow them religiously. If you wind up with a non-working mod install, then you likely failed to follow the instructions properly.
 
-----------------------------------
* STEP 1: PREPARE THE MOD FOLDER *
-----------------------------------
 
This mod requires a separate mod folder. Please do not attempt to install this mod over or combine it with other mods such as NATO Fighter 4+, "Operation Desert Storm," or the SF2V Expansion Pack.
 
- Open your SF2 Installation directory and make a copy of StrikeFighters2.exe or StrikeFighters2 NorthAtlantic.exe (if your target install base includes SF2NA). Rename the copied .EXE file to StrikeFighters2_OpDarius.exe (or whatever unique name you prefer).
 
- Run the newly copied and renamed .EXE file, then exit back out to the Windows desktop after navigating through a few menus. A custom Mod Folder for your "Operation Darius" mod install will have been created in one of these locations:
 
Windows XP: \Documents and Settings\[username]\My Documents\ThirdWire\[YourModFolder]
Windows Vista: \Users\[username]\Saved Games\ThirdWire\[YourModFolder]
Windows 7: \Users\[username]\Saved Games\ThirdWire\[YourModFolder]
 
...where [YourModFolder] matches the name of the copied .EXE file that you created. You will install the "Operation Darius" mod files to your Mod Folder.
 
- Open your Mod Folder and delete the \Objects sub-directory (including everything in it).
 
Now you're ready to install the "Operation Darius" mod proper.
 
-------------------------------------------------
* STEP 2: INSTALL MAIN COMPONENTS TO MOD FOLDER *
-------------------------------------------------
 
This is the easiest step.
 
- Unpack the four "Operation Darius" archive packages to a temporary location on your hard drive.
 
- Move the contents of the \To_Mod_Folder directory from all four unzipped packages to your Mod Folder (created in Step 1 above). (Note: do not simply drag and drop the folder named "To_Mod_Folder" or you will end up with a non-working install.)
 
If you've moved everything correctly, you should have a new \Objects sub-directory in your Mod Folder, along with a few new other sub-directories.
 
----------------------------
* STEP 3: EDIT OPTIONS.INI *
----------------------------
 
This last step involves a bit of text editing, so please pay attention.
 
Open the Options.INI in your Mod Folder. Locate the "Instant Action" section and replace it with the following:
 
[instantAction]
AircraftType=F-22A
MissionMap=IR2003
StartTime=05:30:00
StartDate=11/19/2012
StartTimeDeviation=120
TextureSet=0
NationalMarking=0
SquadronMarking=0
AircraftNumber=0
KillMarking=0
 
Just below the "Instant Action" section is the "Single Mission" section. At minimum you should change the EndYear= statement to 2012 or higher. I recommend setting the StartYear= and EndYear= as follows:
 
StartYear=2003
EndYear=2020
 
Finally, a little further down you should find the "Campaign" section. Replace it with the following:
 
[Campaign]
CampaignName=20121117 Operation Darius
PlayerService=USAF
PlayerUnit=44th Fighter Squadron
AircraftType=F-15C_85
Difficulty=NORMAL
Length=NORMAL
AircraftSupply=NORMAL
WeaponSupply=NORMAL
LoadCampaign=FALSE
CampaignSavename=DefaultCampaignSave
 
Save your changes and close the Options.INI file.
 
-----------------------------------------
* STEP 4: Optional Step for SF2NA Users *
-----------------------------------------
 
This last step is for those whose install base include "Strike Fighters 2: North Atlantic" (SF2NA). Included with this mod are a number of custom files that allow SF2NA users to enjoy some of the new functionality included with SF2NA, including:
 
- F-14A cockpits and avionics that use the new AvionicsF14A.dll included with SF2NA;
 
- Carrier battle groups in campaigns
 
- New mission types in campaigns, including Escort_Jamming missions for the EA-6B and EA-18G
(AI only) as well as Early_Warning missions for the E-2C and E-3A.
 
TO INSTALL: drag and drop the contents of the \_For_SF2NA folder into your Mod Folder, allowing Windows to merge and overwrite any folders and files it prompts to.
 
* * * * *
 
THAT'S IT. Your ""Operation Darius" mod for SF2 should now be ready to use. Please read the following section for more information on the campaigns included with this mod.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Optional Installs
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
This mod package includes several optional aircraft that you can isntall, provided you have the models to support them (the models are available from ThirdWire or the A-Team.
 
A. Tomcats
 
Included in the \_Optional folder are files to support the installation of two new versions of Iran's F-14 Tomcat. Both versions require DLC #27 (F-14A Tomcat, Iranian Air Force) from ThirdWire's DLC store:
 
https://store.thirdwire.com/store_dlc.htm
 
To add these aircraft to your OpDarius Mod:
 
1. Ensure that DLC #27 is part of your target SF2 installation.
 
2. Copy or move the F-14A_Iran and F-14A-Iran aicraft from the \_Optional folder to your OpDarius Mods Folder.
 
These two DLC-based Tomcats will replace the default F-14s used in the campaigns (though they can be installed alongside the default F-14s, which use Mirage Factory models).
 
B. Seahawks
 
Included in the \_Optional folder are files to support the installation of two new helicopters -- the HH-60H and MH-60S, which are custom mods by JimBeamer5 of Seahawk models available from the A-Team's web site at:
 
http://cplengineeringllc.com/SFP1/Skunworks.html
 
Note that you MUST download the original packages that contain the LOD files (models) from the above site (which requires you to apply for access) in order to use these aircraft. You will need to download two different packages from the A-Team's site:
 
------------ --------- --------------- -----
Optional A/C LOD Files A-Team Download Notes
------------ --------- --------------- -----
HH-60H sh60F-R*.lod SH-60F SeaHawk four LODs
MH-60S mh60-R*.lod MH-60G PaveHawk four LODs
 
To add these aircraft to your OpDarius Mod:
 
1. Download the specified packages from the A-Team's site (see above)
 
2. Unzip the packages to a temporary directory.
 
3. Copy the .LOD files from each package you downloaded to the appropriate aircraft folders in the \_Optional\Objects\Aircraft directory.
 
4. Once you've added the LOD files to the aircraft folders, you may install the aircraft and accompanying decals from the \Optional directory to your OpDarius Mods Folder.
 
These optional helicopters are used by several USN squadrons in the new alternate OpDarius campaign. If these aircraft are not installed, the game will default to using the SH-3D -- which is not historically accurate but will at least give you flying helos for those squadrons.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Note on the Included Campaigns
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
This mod includes three different campaigns:
 
1. OpDarius - a blue side campaign without a ground war. Primary focus for the campaign is bombing Iranian nuclear and military sites. If your primary interest is flying strike, SEAD, or air-to-air missions, this campaign is your best option.
 
2. OpDarius (alt) - a variant of the original OpDarius campaign (described just above), but with a more restricted Blue-side order of battle, as well as the following changes:
 
- updated USN squadrons & ships
- helicopters (USN & Iran)
- Iranian ships
- Iranian drones
 
This OpDarius alternate version is designed to take full advantage of features introduced in SF2NA -- if you play it with an isntallation that includes SF2NA.
 
3. OpMarathon - a blue side campaign with a ground war. The only units tasked with CAS missions, though, are the A-10C, AH-64D, and AV-8B units. If you want CAS missions, you need to select one of those units. The ground war consists of border skirmishes along the Iran/Iraq border, not a full-fledged invasion of Iran. Still, a very engaging campaign.
 
4. OpShamshir - a red side campaign without a ground war. Undoubtedly the most challenging campaign. It'll probably take you a while to develop tactics that allow you to survive more than a few missions.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Note for SF2NA Users
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
If you have SF2NA as part of your install base and go ahead and install the files to support SF2NA features like carrier battle groups, you'll notice the that LCC-19 and LPD-4 ground objects have been disabled (you can find them in \Objects\GroundObject\_disabled). There is a good reason for this.
 
The SF2NA game engine will, by default, generate two battle groups when you fly game-created Single Missions: one carrier battle group to support naval aircraft; a second battle group that includes the two amphibious ships (LCC-19 and LPD-4). This second battle group will be automatically positioned at some distance behind the main battle group. Given the narrow confines of the Persian Gulf, this auto-positioning often results in the second battle group being placed on land (depending on wind direction for the mission).
 
I can assure you that nothing kills the immersive quality of the game quite like the sight of U.S. Navy amphibious ships ploughing across a desert landscape. Definitely something no player wants to see, esp. after a long and otherwise satisfying mission.
 
Unfortunately, this behavior appears to be hard coded, meaning that the only way I've found to stop the game from generating a second battle group on land is to remove the LPD-4 and LCC-19 from the game altogether.
 
Please note that this behavior is a factor only in Single Missions, not campaigns, as none of the campaigns include the LPD-4 or LCC-19 in a carrier battle group.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Note on Anti-Ship Missiles
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
For this mod most third-party (i.e., non-stock) anti-ship missiles have been converted to use the ASM/cruise missile functionality introduced w/ SF2NA. At the same time, the older versions of these missiles have been preserved, as the new ASM cruise missiles can be used by AI only against ships.
 
So, for many anti-ship missiles you will now find two versions:
 
1) "Standard" guided version
 
These versions are the "old" style missiles setwith WeaponDataType=1. They can be used by AI against land and sea targets. These missiles retain their familiar names (e.g., AGM-84D Harpoon, Kh-59M Ovod, etc.).
 
2) ASM/cruise missile version
 
These versions utilitize the new cruise missile functionality set by WeaponDataType=7. They can be used by AI only against ships. These versions can be distinguished by their names:
 
- U.S./NATO missiles have the ASM tag (e.g., AGM-84D Harpoon ASM).
 
- Soviet/WP missiles follow the naming convention used by ThirdWire's
Soviet cruise missiles (e.g., Kh-59M AS-13 Kingbolt).
 
At the same time aircraft that typically carry these missiles have been updated to accommodate the ASM versions. Loadouts for these aircraft have been updated to use ASM versions by default for Anti-Ship, Naval_Attack, and Cruise_Missile loadouts.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Note on Laser-Guided Bombs (LGBs)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
AI pilots in Strike Fighters have long had problems employing LGBs. AI pilots in the player's flight can drop LGBs, but will treat them as dumb bombs. AI pilots in flights not controlled by the player (i.e., AI-only flights) cannot use LGBs at all, and will typically get stuck circling the target.
 
To address this problem I have created EOGB versions of all LGBs for AI pilots to use (AI pilots have no problems with EOGBs for some reason). These AI versions are identical in all respects to the LGB versions save for the Guidance Type, which is set to "Electro-Optical Guided" instead of "Laser-Guided."
 
By default aircraft that use LGBs for certain loadouts (usually Stike, Attack, SEAD, or Anti-Ship) are loaded with these AI (EOGB) versions instead of the LGB versions. You should make it a habit to check the Loadout screen and switch the bomb version on your own aircraft to the LGB version.
 
You can distinguish between the AI (EOGB) and LGB (Player) versions by the weapon name -- for example:
 
LGB version: GBU-12D/B Paveway II LGB
AI version: GBU-12D/B Paveway II (AI)
 
While this solution introduces an extra step for the player in the preparation to start a mission, it allows AI pilots and AI-only flights to use these weapons.
 
~~~~~~~
Updates
~~~~~~~
 
This mod was last updated September 2015. That update included the following additions, fixes, and changes:
 
New Aircraft:
- AH-1J_IRIAA
- AH-1W
- EF-2000_Luftwaffe
- EF-2000_RAF
- MQ-9
 
New Models:
- CF-18A_07 updated model
- F-18C_Fin updated model
- FA-18C updated model
 
New Skins:
- AV-8Bplus new skins
- C-5A new skins
- C-17 new skins
- C-141B new skins
- F-1EQ new skins
- RF-4E_TuAF new skins
 
Other Updates:
- AH-64D updated flight model
- HH-60H & MH-60S updated flight model
- Su-27 & Su-30MKM new cockpits
- minor fixes & tweaks to
most other aircraft
- addition of new aircraft
to campaigns
- other minor updates to
campaigns
- addition of around 200
new weapons & guns
 
~~~~~~~
Credits
~~~~~~~
 
This mod package incorporates a large number of items are from the following modders, who generously allowed their use:
 
--------------------
 
The Mirage Factory ................ A-7E(H)
Wpnssgt ........................... A-10C original model
Spectre8750 ....................... A-10C new model, upgrade, & cockpit
AmokFloo .......................... A310-MRTT
yakarov79 ........................ AH-1J/W
EricJ ............................. AH-1W camo skin
Dels .............................. AH-64D
Bobrock & Brain32 ................. AV-8B-da & AV-8Bplus
Wrench ............................ AV-8B updates
331KillerBee & USAFMTL ............ AV-8Bplus skins
Nengajyou Aki ..................... AV-8B Plus (2010)
Dels & the Bone Team .............. B-1B_03
USAFMTL, JSF_Aggie, ............... B-52H_06C
Dels & wpnssgt
The Mirage Factory ................ B707-300
Veltro2k .......................... C-5A & C-141B
Veltro2k & Wrench ................. C-17
Daddyairplanes .................... C-5A, C-17, & C-141B skins
HrntFixr .......................... C-130A desert skin
Dels .............................. C-130H, C-130H_IRIAF, EC-130H
Daddyairplanes .................... C-130E/H upgrades & new skins
Dels, Sundowner, & Dave ........... RAF C-30K Super Pack (for C-130Ke)
AmokFloo .......................... C-160D
The Mirage Factory / ModMafia ..... CF-18
dtmdragon ......................... CF-18_07 upgrade
The Mirage Factory ................ E-3A
USAFMTL ........................... E-3A AEW Update
Daddyairplanes .................... E-3A skins & SF2 updates
Hawker/Agemmenon & 331KillerBee ... EA-6B
Paul Nortress ..................... EA-6B skins
Fubar512 & Wrench ................. EA-6B INI upgrades & fixes
Home Fries ........................ 3W EA-6B_98 (optional)
Ace888 ............................ EF-2000 Typhoon
The Mirage Factory ................ F-1EQ
Stary ............................. F-1EQ cockpit repaint
Sundowner ......................... F-4D_IRIAF, F-4E_IRIAF, F-4E_IRIAF_75 skins
Wrench & Sundowner ................ F-4E_AUP
Ace888 ............................ F-4E_SRA
USAFMTL, Sundowner, & PureBlue .... F-4ETM_2020
Ace888 ............................ F-4ETM_Simsek
ravenclaw_007 .................... F-4F_ICE
The Mirage Factory ................ F-5A_IRIAF & F-5E_IRIAF
lanapa ............................ F-5E_IRIAF skin
Crusader .......................... F-5E avionics mod
The Mirage Factory................. F-7B & F-7M Airguard (mew models)
101tfs & Gepard ................... F-7ME
The Mirage Factory ................ F-14A & F-14A_IRIAF
EricJ & Sundowner ................. F-14A & F-14A_IRIAF skins
Spectre8750 ....................... F-14A fixes & upgrades
FastCargo & team .................. F-15C_85, F-15E_04, & F-15I_Raam
Viper Crew ........................ F-16AM, F-16C, F-16CM_B40, F-16CM_B42, F-16CM_B50,
& F-16CM_B52
Viper Team ........................ F-16I Sufa (new model)
JJava ............................. F-18C_Fin (based on the TMF F/A-18A & F/A-18C)
The Mirage Factory / ModMafia ..... F/A-18A & F/A-18C
Wildcat,column5,SidDogg,& BPAo .... F/A-18 skins
Dels & the Raptor Team ............ F-22A
Julhelm ........................... F-22A cockpit
Fastcargo ......................... F-35A
DoctorWho ......................... F-35A 58 FS skin
FastCargo ......................... F-111C(Late)
liamp51 ........................... re-textured F-111A cockpit
EricJ, FastCargo & team ........... FA-18E, FA-18F, & EA-18G
SidDogg, Thundercheif, & EricJ ... FA-18E, FA-18F & EA-18G skins
EricJ ............................. FA-18F_RAAF skins & EA-18G Jammin' Jihad scheme
Brain32 ........................... Updated F/A-18E/F cockpit
Bobrock ........................... HarrierGR9 model
Pagan ............................. HarrierGR9 updates
Crusader .......................... Harrier avionics mod
JimBeamer5 ........................ HH-60H & MH-60S (optional)
Insky Group & Erwin Hans .......... J-10A
Gux & Gripen Team ................. JAS39C
Scandinavian Front Team ........... Gripen updates
Bpao .............................. KC-135E & KC-135R tankers
The Mirage Factory ................ M2000-5F
Amokfloo, JAT81500, & ludo.m54 .... M2000BG
Marcfighters ...................... Mi-8 Hip
The Mirage Factory ................ MiG-29A_ir & MiG-29G
Russouk2004 ....................... MiG-29A updated model
dast24 ............................ MiG-29G updates
frtn .............................. MQ-9
CadeteBRA ......................... RafaleC
Bpao, Crab02, & ravenclaw_007 ..... RF-4E_HAF, RF-4E_HAF_SW, RF-4E_IRIAF, RF-4E_TuAF
Ace888 & emresukhoi ............... RF-4E_TuAF skins
FastCargo ......................... Saeqeh
foxmonter ......................... SEtendard
Wrench ............................ SEtendardM update
Florian ........................... SH-3D Sea King
Veltro2k & Lindr2 ................. Su-24MK
dalai_LAMA, Veltro2K, ............. Su-24MK skins
& Tunderchief
Mikeymead ......................... repainted/updated Su-24 cockpit
NATO Fighters 4+ team ............. Su-25
Florian, Baffmeister, Paulopanz, .. Su-25 updated model, INI updates, & new skin
& Wrench
Marcfighter, Erwin Hans ........... Su-27
Marcfighter, Erwin Hans, .......... Su-30MKM
Bpao, & Jv44KT
SayWhat!, Massimo, & Erwin Hans ... Su-27 & Su-30MKM skins
Orsin & Lindr2 .................... Su-27 & Su-30 flight models
YEYEYE ............................ new Su-27 & Su-30 cockpits
Sundowner, AD, & Dave ............. TornadoGR4_06
Ianh .............................. Tornado GR4_06 fixes & updates
Sundowner & Ianh .................. TornadoRECCE
Gramps ............................ UH-1D Huey
101tfs & Spillone104 .............. Iranian drones (from Mescalero mod)
 
--------------------
 
WhiteBoySamurai ................... Ticonderoga & Arleigh Burke class ships
aleks1 ............................ CVN-68
Kesselbrut ........................ LHA
SUICIDAL & TORNO .................. Alvand (Type 21 frigate)
Hinchbrooke ....................... Damavand (Daring class)
WhiteBoySamurai ................... Bayandor (Jianghu)
SUICIDAL & TORNO .................. Moudge Class DD (Type 21)
WhiteBoySamurai ................... China Cat FAC (new)
ThirdWire ......................... ChinaCat (P-4 Patrol Boat), Tir Class (Patrol Boat)
Kesselbrut ........................ Supply Ship, Small Cargo Ship, MVNordic_Ferry,
MVTor_Caledonia, MVBaltic_Ferry, Trawler 1 & 2
Kesselbrut ........................ Hejaz (Small Cargo Ship), Hendijan (Navy Tug), Kilo
Class submerged (November), Spy Trawler (Trawler2)
Polak ............................. MVAtlantic_Causeway & MVAtlantic_Conveyor
Adrian Benetti .................... Kaman (ARA Intrepida) & Riazi (Sotoyomo)
Pasko ............................. Thondar Class (Komar)
AleDucat .......................... Kilo Class Sub (ARA Salta)
BANIDOS Team ...................... ContainerShip
Julhelm ........................... ND Tanker & Kharg (Tanker2)
loborojo & SUICIDAL ............... Petrolero
Fubar512 .......................... Fleet Oiler
Cocas ............................. Trawler
Raven ............................. Navy Trawler repaint
JSF_Aggie ......................... ThirdWire LHA upgrade
Florian ........................... USN AOE Transport
Abhi .............................. AN/TQ-1 Avenger, Pantsir-S1
FastCargo ......................... SA-5 & SquarePair
Monty CZ........................... SA-10 & Flaplid, Stinger site
Fubar512 .......................... SA-10 INI tweaks
Gabilon ........................... Gepard & Tor-M1
Pasko ............................. S-60, KS-30, KS-19P, SA-7, Hawk launcher & radars,
BTR-60, Type69, Type59, M-42, D-20, Chaparral,
SS-4 launcher & vehicles, 155mm Howitzer, EW_Radar
Fubar512 & Wrench ................. Hawk INI tweaks
rebel ryder & Nicholas Bell ....... M1939 flak guns
bigal1 ............................ M270MLR
YEYEYE ............................ PAC-3 system
Florian ........................... RolandRad
CrazyhorseB34 ..................... RolandRad desert skin
EricJ & winterhunter .............. Starstreak Stormer
Kesselbrut ........................ ZPU-1, ADATS, BlowpipeUK, OerlikonAAA,
Rapier, & Blindfire radar
Gerald14 & Kesselbrut ............. M3A1 Bradley & M6 Linebacker
BPAo & Sundowner .................. HQ-7 (SA-9)
Julhelm ........................... Firecan radar (new model)
Stefano ........................... AMX-30 & AMX-30B2
rebel ryder ....................... BMP-1 & M-109
SFP1Ace ........................... Chieftain 5 tank
Florian ........................... Leopard2A6
bigal ............................. Scud launcher
Moonjumper, Crusader, & Otto ...... Kytusha launchers
Spectre8750 ....................... GAZ-66 trucks
BANIDOS Team ...................... M167 VADS & TOPOL
Richard & Kesselbrut .............. Land Rover trucks
BANIDOS Team & SUICIDAL ........... Mercedes trucks
Kesselbrut ........................ ZiL-157 trucks
SUICIDAL & TORNO .................. Humvees
SUICIDAL .......................... New Destroyed Tank LODs
 
--------------------
 
cellinsky, Insky/Orsin, ........... Environment mods
& PanamaRed
Fubar512 .......................... Improved water shader effect
USAFMTL & Polak ................... Terrain
Wrench ............................ Terrain updates & updated desert tiles
Spectre8750 ....................... Fake Afterburner Node
Stary ............................. Ejection mod
OldDiego, Pappy, Wrench, Pasko, ... Pilots
Florian/AmokFloo, & PureBlue
allenjb42 ......................... OpDarius icon
 
--------------------
 
(Used in an earlier release of this mod package)
 
Wrench ............................ F-7M update
The Mirage Factory, ............... F-16A & F-16C models
Swede & Wpnssgt
Viggen ............................ F-16AM_KLu (based on The Mirage Factory F-16A)
Creepn Death ...................... F-16C_HAF skins
Eankhilous ........................ F-16C_TuAF skins
wpnnsgt, Swede, & team ............ F-16I_Sufa
The Mirage Factory ................ F/A-18C models & skins
SidDogg ........................... F/A-18C skins
Spectre8750 ....................... F/A-18C upgrade
ODS Team .......................... Firecan radar
Bongodriver ....................... EF-2000 Typhoon
Spiritwalker69 .................... EF-20000 new & updated skins
 
Credit for the original "Operation Darius" mod package goes to USAFMTL, Wrench, and the team of modders that contributed to that campaign collaborative project on CombatAce.com. To peruse the discussion surrounding the original "Operation Darius" project, see this thread:
 
http://combatace.com/topic/68337-ok-lets-start-a-virtual-nato/
 
If we have neglected to credit anyone here, please let us know. We will get it fixed ASAP.
 

--------------------------
eburger68 & USAFMTL (Dave)
31 August 2012
24 January 2013
30 October 2014
23 September 2015

This is the second of four parts of Operation Darius for SF2.
 
Eric Howes

This is the third of four parts of Operation Darius for SF2.
 
Eric Howes

This is the last of four parts of Operation Darius for SF2.
 
Eric Howes

Operation Tainted Cigar
for Strike Fighters 2
 
This package contains an updated version of the Operation Tainted Cigar (OTC) mod package for "Strike Fighters 2" (SF2). In addition to making the original mod compatible with SF2, this updated version also adds a number of items that were released in the years subsequent to original two versions of OTC for SFP1, including:
 
- a completely revamped/overhauled Cuba terrain
- a number of new aircraft
- other aircraft updated to SF2 standards
- plenty of new aircraft skins
- a bevy of new ground objects, incl. new ships
- a handful of new effects, weapons, and guns
- a more historically plausible campaign
- SF2NA-compatible campaign w/ carrier battle groups
 
To use this mod, you must have "Strike Fighters 2" (SF2) in a merged install that also includes "Strike Fighters 2: Vietnam" (SF2V). It is recommended that your target install also include "Strike Fighters 2 Europe" (SF2E) and "Strike Fighters 2 North Atlantic" (SFNA), but neither is required.
 
Note that this is a COMPLETE mod package. There is no need to install either of the original OTC mod versions for SFP1.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Minimum Requirements
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
To install and play this mod, you must have the following installed as part of your target installation base:
 
REQUIRED: Strike Fighters 2 (SF2), plus
Strike Fighters 2 Vietnam (SF2V)
 
PATCH LEVEL: Mar2012 or higher
 
This mod does support installations that include "Strike Fighters 2 Europe" (SF2E) and "Strike Fighters 2 North Atlantic" (SF2NA), but they are not required.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Installation
~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Before installing, please ensure that your target SF2 install meets the minimum requirements laid out above.
 
The main installation process consists of three main steps. Those without SF2NA in their base SF2 install will have an additional installation step at the end.
 
Please read the following instructions carefully and follow them religiously. If you wind up with a non-working mod install, then you likely failed to follow the instructions properly. If you post to the CombatAce.com forums and report that the mod isn't working or that you can't see any new aircraft or campaigns, I'm simply going to tell you to review this ReadMe and try installing again.
 
-----------------------------------
* STEP 1: PREPARE THE MOD FOLDER *
-----------------------------------
 
This mod requires a separate Mod Folder. Please do not attempt to install this mod over or combine it with other mods such as NATO Fighter 5 or the SF2V Expansion Pack.
 
- Open your SF2 Installation directory and make a copy of StrikeFighters2.exe. If SF2NA is part of your target install, then make a copy of "StrikeFighters2 NorthAtlantic.exe" instead. Rename the copied file to StrikeFighters2_OTC.exe (or whatever unique name you prefer).
 
- Run the newly copied and renamed .EXE file, then exit back out to the Windows desktop after navigating through a few menus. A custom Mod Folder for your OTC mod install will have been created in one of these locations:
 
Windows XP: \Documents and Settings\[username]\My Documents\ThirdWire\[YourModFolder]
Windows Vista: \Users\[username]\Saved Games\ThirdWire\[YourModFolder]
Windows 7: \Users\[username]\Saved Games\ThirdWire\[YourModFolder]
 
...where [YourModFolder] matches the name of the copied .EXE file that you created.
 
- Open your Mod Folder and delete the \Objects sub-directory (including everything in it).
 
Now you're ready to install the OTC mod proper.
 
-------------------------------------------------
* STEP 2: INSTALL MAIN COMPONENTS TO MOD FOLDER *
-------------------------------------------------
 
This is the easiest step.
 
- Unpack the two OTC archive packages that you downloaded to a location on your hard drive.
 
- Move the *contents* of the \To_Mod_Folder directory from each package to your Mod Folder (created in Step 1 above). (Note: do not simply drag and drop the folder named "To_Mod_Folder" or you will end up with a non-working install.)
 
If you've moved everything correctly, you should have a new \Objects sub-directory in your Mod Folder, along with a few new other sub-directories.
 
----------------------------
* STEP 3: EDIT OPTIONS.INI *
----------------------------
 
This step involves a bit of text editing, so please pay attention.
 
Open the Options.INI file in your Mod Folder. Locate the "Single Mission" section. I recommend setting the StartYear= and EndYear= as follows:
 
StartYear=1948
EndYear=1990
 
Now, locate the "Instant Action" section and replace it with the following:
 
[instantAction]
AircraftType=F-8C_MF
MissionMap=CUBA
StartTime=16:37
StartDate=10/28/1962
StartTimeDeviation=120
TextureSet=0
NationalMarking=0
SquadronMarking=0
AircraftNumber=0
KillMarking=0
 
Finally, a little further down you should find the "Campaign" section. Replace it with the following:
 
[Campaign]
CampaignName=19621028 Op Tainted Cigar
PlayerService=USAF
PlayerUnit=481st TFS, 27th TFW
AircraftType=F-100D
Difficulty=HARD
Length=NORMAL
AircraftSupply=NORMAL
WeaponSupply=LIMITED
LoadCampaign=TRUE
CampaignSavename=DefaultCampaignSave
 
Save your changes and close the Options.INI file.
 
-------------------------------------------------
* STEP 4: Extra Step for Installs without SF2NA *
-------------------------------------------------
 
If your target SF2 installation does NOT include SF2NA, then you have a few more files to copy over to your Mod Folder (and a few things to remove as well).
 
- Open the \SF2_Only folder in the directory to which you unpacked the two OTC archive packages.
 
- Copy everything from the \SF2_Only folder to your Mod Folder, allowing it to overwrite as prompted. (Again, do NOT simply grab the \SF2_Only folder itself and drag it over to your Mod Folder; rather, copy the CONTENTS of the \SF2_Only folder to your Mod Folder.)
 
Now for the removals:
 
- remove the following items from \Objects\Aircraft in your Mod Folder: E-2A, E-2C (these aircraft require SF2NA).
 
- remove the following items from \Objects\GroundObject in your Mod Folder: Adams, Farragut, GearingFRAM1B, Kashin, Kynda, LPH-2, & USNFrigate (these ships require SF2NA).
 
* * * * *
 
THAT'S IT. Your "Operation Tainted Cigar for SF2" mod should now be ready to use. You may consider installing some of the "optional" items as described in the next section.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Installation of Optional Items
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
This mod package includes a number of "optional" items. Some of these optional items require you to have "Strike Fighters 2: Europe" (SF2E) in your base SF2 install. Others require you to copy over LODs from third-party mods available from the A-Team (DAT) or Yankee Air Pirate. You can find these optional items in the \Optional folder (itself located in the directory where you unpacked the two OTC archive packages).
 
The optional items, which are found in the \Optional directory of the OTC archive packages you downloaded, can be grouped into three different buckets:
 
1. Optional Aircraft from SF2E
 
If SF2E is part of your base SF2 install, then you can copy over the F-84F and MiG-15bis from \Optional\Aircraft to \Objects\Aircraft in your Mod Folder. The campaigns will automatically use these ThirdWire aircraft in lieu of the substitute versions (F-84F_MF & MiG-15bis_FAR).
 
2. Optional DLC Aircraft from ThirdWire
 
If you have DLC 28 (AI Only Aircraft, Part 1), then you can install and use the F-104A and F-104C from that DLC offering in lieu of the third party models. Simply copy over F-104A_58 & F-104C_61 from \Optional\Aircraft to \Objects\Aircraft in your Mod Folder. The campaigns will automatically use these ThirdWire aircraft in lieu of the third-party versions installed by default.
 
3. Optional Aircraft from the A-Team
 
This version of OTC also supports the use of several aircraft available only from the A-Team's web site:
 
http://cplengineeringllc.com/SFP1/Skunworks.html
 
These aircraft require the LOD files from the original aircraft. To use these aircraft you will need to:
 
1) download the original versions from the web site above and unpack them;
 
2) copy the LOD files (models) from the original versions to the corresponding
aircraft in \Optional\Aircraft,
 
3) copy the aircraft folders themselves from \Optional\Aircraft to \Objects\Aircraft
in your OTC Mod Folder.
 
Again, the campaigns will automatically use these aircraft in lieu of substitutes once they are installed to your Mod Folder.
 
Below is a table that summarizes the optional A-Team aircraft, the LOD files needed for each, the substitute aircraft that will be used if the A-Team aircraft are not installed, and the section where the original can be found on the A-Team's web site:
 
-------- --------- ----------- -----
Aircraft LOD Files Substitutes Notes
-------- --------- ----------- -----
 
C-2A C-2A-R3.LOD C-130A/KC-130F Modern Planes section
E-1B E-1B-R0e.LOD E-2A Beta Models section
P-3A P-3A-R0b.LOD P-2H Modern Planes section
S-2A S-2A-R2.LOD A-1H Modern Planes section
 
4. Optional Destroyers
 
Also included are two USN destroyers (the Charles F. Adams class and Farragut or Coontz class) based on the DLG-10 included in the "Yankee Air Pirate 2" and "Yankee Air Pirate 3" commercial mods. To use these optional destroyers you must have the necessary LOD files from "Yankee Air Pirate".
 
Installation of these destroyers is simple:
 
1) Remove the substitute destroyers (named Adams and Farragut) that are
installed by default from \Objects\GroundObject in your Mod folder.
(These substitute versions are based on the ThirdWire CGN-36.)
 
2) Copy the Coontz2.LOD from "Yankee Air Pirate" to the Adams and Farragut
folders in \Optional\GroundObject (in the OTC packages you downloaded).
 
3) Create collision LODs for both destroyers by making a copy of Coontz2.LOD
and renaming it Coontz2_COL.LOD.
 
4) Move the Adams and Farragut destroyers from \Optional\GroundObject to
\Objects\GroundObject in your MOD folder.
 
Again, the campaigns will automatically use the new versions of these ships.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Campaign Notes
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
There are two main campaigns supplied with this version of OTC:
 
- Cuba: the standard campaign, allowing you to fly a variety of USAF,
USN, or USMC aircraft in support of the U.S. invasion of Cuba.
 
- Red Cuba: new "red-side" version of the main campaign, allowing you
to fly various Cuban or Soviet aircraft (mostly MiGs) in defense of
the island of Cuba.
 
By default an SF2NA-compatible version of the main Cuba campaign is installed. This version uses SF2NA-style carrier battle groups. It also uses a number of aircraft that exploit new mission types available only in SF2NA.
 
If SF2NA is not part of your install, then you installed a version of the Cuba campaign that uses the older SF2V-style carrier stations. You will see escort ships, but they are static. Moreover, the FRAM2_DG escorts used for the two big carrier stations south of Cuba (which are behind the front line) are gun-less, as they must be in that location (otherwise they would shoot at you). Finally, the non-SF2NA version of the campaign lacks many of the supporting AI-only aircraft, which exploit SF2NA-only mission types.
 
The "Red Cuba" campaign comes only in one version that uses the older SF2V-style carrier stations. If you are using the SF2NA version of the Cuba terrain, those carriers will appear without escorts (not that you'd have much chance of seeing them any way).
 
The ground war starts about two weeks into the campaign. This follows CINCLANT OPLAN 316-62, which provided for several weeks of bombing before the ground invasion proper.
 
Whatever campaign version you play, be aware that you will occasionally see the front line take on an odd appearance -- tangled, doubling back on itself, etc. Rest assured it will sort itself out after a mission or two, though it may inexplicably cause a ground unit to disappear from the map (usually a Cuban unit). This all is happening despite months and months of testing with dozens of different versions of the front line and the campaign strategic nodes.
 
So far as I can tell, the campaign engine simply has problems dealing with a ground offensive that must spread itself in multiple directions across a long narrow island congested with densely packed (often overlapping) terrain areas.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Changes, Fixes, & Additions
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
General SF2 post-Dec2009 Updates/Conversions
--------------------------------------------
- Hangar/Loading Screens: converted to .JPG format
- Loadout Images: coverted to .TGA format
- Cockpit Positions: checked & updated as needed
- HUD/DTVFilter Materials: added & updated as needed
- Effects: added proper shaders to all effects
- EnvironmentSystem: added proper Dec2009 shaders & new
environment parameters
- Menu Screens: coverted to .JPG format
- Non-decal TGAs: moved to aircraft texture folders
- UserLists: added UserList.INIs to all aircraft
- AircraftShortNames: added AircraftShortName statements
to all aircraft
- Damage models: added aircraft damage models to most air-
craft DATA.INIs
- Decals: moved all aircraft decals to \Decals folder
- Pilots & Seats: moved all pilots & seats to \Pilots folder
- Radar frequencies: added radar frequency data to aircraft
radars, RWR statements, anti-radiation missiles, & ground
radars (not ships)
- Weapons & Guns: converted weapons & guns to SF2 standards
- Exp. Pack 2: incorporated Exp. Pack 2 changes & additions
into several .INIs
- Ships: added collision LODs where necessary
- Carriers: added SF2NA data to carriers as needed
 
Other Updates & Fixes
---------------------
- added damage .TGAs to several aircraft
- tweaked weapons loadouts/stations on several aircraft
- updated flight models on a number of aircraft to use SF2
or SF2-friendly flight models
- tweaked flight models on most remaining aircraft to make
them SF2-friendly
- added cockpits to all MiGs and made them flyable
- replaced the older F-8s with The Mirage Factory F-8C & F-8E
- added additional units/skins to F-8C & F-8E
- added 3rdWire cockpits for F-8C & F-8E
- added additional units/skins to A-4B/C
- added additional units/skins to F-100D
- adapted custom F-4B skins to SF2 equivalents
- applied SF2 updates to F11F-1 & F3H-2M
- updated naval aircraft for SF2NA carrier use/parking
- added new Hangar & Loading screens for all aircraft
- made minor correction/fixes to most aircraft
- added 3rdWire versions of A-1H, B-57B, F-84F, & MiG-15bis
- added 3rdWire cockpit for F-105D-25
- replaced original cloud mod with Cellinsky's WideSky cloud mod
- updated original Menu screens and added a few new ones to round
out the set
- created new InstantAction.INI
- added custom SpeechSystem.INI to suppress some gun-firing radio
calls ("He's firing his guns!")
- updated SpeechSystem.INI for SF2NA compatibility
- carried over original Nations.INI tweaks to SF2 Nations.INI
- updated Nations.INI for SF2NA compatibility
- added several new sounds & updated SoundList.INI
- added handful of new guns
- tweaked flak guns to improve effectiveness & use new effects
- added a handful of weapons & tanks (mainly for new aircraft)
- converted main terrain .INIs to SF2 standards
- replaced original terrain w/ Wrench's updated Cuba terrain for SF2
- re-arranged positions of a few carrier stations
- re-named a few target areas (all at sea)
- created SF2NA compatible water map for carrier/ship use
- added new terrain items (static models, etc) to TYPES.INI
- updated stock Cuba campaign for SF2-compatibility, added new
aircraft to campaign, & re-ordered deployments for some units
- created SF2NA-compatible version of stock Cuba campaign w/
SF2NA-style carrier battle groups & aircraft mission types
- added "Red Cuba" campaign for Soviet/Cuba side
 
New Air & Ground Items
----------------------
 
USN/USMC:
- A-1H (VA-176, VA-95, VA-65, VA-75)
- A-3B (VAH-4)
- A-5A (VAH-1, VAH-7)
- E-2A (various VAW units)
- F4D-1 (VF-13)
- KC-130F (VMGR-352)
- P-2H (VP-18, VP-56)
- RF-8A (VFP-62, VMCJ-2)
- SH-3D (HS-7)
 
USAF:
- B-47E (380 BW)
- B-58A (63 BS)
- F-102A (159 FIS - FL ANG)
- F-104A_58 (157 FIS, 319 FIS, 331 FIS)
- F-104C_61 (436 TFS, 476 TFS)
- F-84F (12 TFW, 15 TFW)
- RF-101C (363 TRW)
- U-2A (USAF,CIA)
 
Soviet/Cuba:
- MiG-15UTI (Esquadron de Caza)
- MiG-17 (Esquadron de Caza)
- MiG-17AS (Esquadron de Caza)
- MiG-19P (Esquadron de Caza)
- MiG-21PF (Esquadron de Caza)
- SeaFury50 (Esquadron de Caza)
 
Ground Items:
- CIM-10 Launcher
- Cuban Squad
- SON-9A Firecan radar
- Flatface radar
- Freya radar
- M-43 Ambulance
- M-51 Skysweeper
- M-59 155 Long Tom
- NIKE/Hercules site
- SA-3 Goa launcher
- Search Radar Tower (SRT)
- Sidenet radar
- Spoonrest radar
- US Squad
- several Soviet AAA/flak guns
- US 90mm AAA
- Kesselbrut's new ZiL truck types
 
Ships:
- Adams class
- Batimore class
- CG-16 Leahy class
- CGN-25 Bainbridge
- Cleveland class
- Container Ship
- CVA-41 Midway class
- CVA-59 Forrestal class
- CVAN-65 Enterprise
- Farragut (Coontz) class
- Gearing FRAM Ib class
- USCG HEC
- Foxtrot Submarine
- FRAM II S2S
- FRAM II ASW
- FRAM II DG
- Hospital Ship
- Kanin class
- Kashin class
- Kynda class
- Landing Craft (LCM)
- Liberty Class Ship
- Liner
- Motor Torpedo Boat (MTB)
- MV Atlantic Causeway
- MV Atlantic Conveyor
- MV Baltic Ferry
- MV Nordic Ferry
- MV Tor Caledonia
- Navy Tug
- Oiler
- Oil Tanker (Tanker2)
- Petrolero
- Petya class
- Riga class
- Small Cargo Ship
- Soviet Cargo Ship
- Soviet Cruiser
- Soviet Freighter
- Soviet Tanker
- Soviet Trawler
- Sumner class
- Sverdlov class
- Trawler
- Trawler1
- Trawler2
- USN Cruiser
- USN Destroyer
- USN Escort
- USN Frigate
- USN Tanker
- USN Transport
 
~~~~~~~
Credits
~~~~~~~
 
This update pack adds a number of new items to the OTC mod package. These new items are from the following modders, who generously allowed their use:
 
Aircraft
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
JSF_Aggie ........................ A-4B & A-4C skins
Bunyap & pappychksix ............. A-3B Skywarrior
MontyCZ .......................... A-1H Skyraider
Volksjager & HrntFixr ............ A-1H skins (MontyCZ)
Wrench ........................... A-1H skins (3rdWire)
Julhelm .......................... A-5A Vigilante
russouk2004 & Capun .............. B-47E Stratojet
Sundowner & USAFMTL (Dave) ....... B-47E skins & decals
Ahmed Junaid Raza ................ B-57B Canberra
Zurawski ......................... B-57B Cockpit
Pasko & Column5 .................. B-58A Hustler
Wrench ........................... B-58A Hustler SF2 updates
Foxmonter ........................ F3H-2M Demon
NeverEnough ...................... F3H-2M SF2 updates
ChampionsVA56 .................... F3H-2M Ultimate Pack
Julhelm .......................... F4D-1 Skyray
ChampionsVA56 .................... F4D-1 Ultimate Pack customizations
MyTai01 .......................... F-4B skins
The Mirage Factory ............... F-8C, F-8E, & RF-8A Crusader
Gocad, Corktip_14, WildCat, ...... F-8/RF-8 skins
salvatorestupido, & JSF_Aggie
JSF_Aggie ........................ F-100D skins
Veltro2K ......................... F-102A Delta Dagger
Ordway ........................... F-102A Cockpit
Ahmed Junaid Raza ................ F-104A/C Starfighter
Spillone104 & Paulopanz .......... F-104A/C updates/upgrades
Frank Rosato ..................... F-104A/C Pack for SF2
ArmourDave ....................... F-105D-25 Thunderchief
Pasko, Column5, & Kesselbrut ..... F-106A Delta Dart
DaniloE31 ........................ F-106 Update Pack for SF2
Fleet-Defender & Team ............ F11F-1 Tiger
Wrench & Spectre8750 ............. F11F-1 SF2 updates/customizations
The Mirage Factory ............... F-84F Thunderstreak
pappychksix ...................... F-84F skin
Zurawski ......................... F-84F cockpit
Wrench ........................... F-84F (3rdWire) customizations
pappychksix & 331KillerBee ....... KC-130F tanker
Tracker & ChampionsVA56 .......... P-2H Neptune
Wrench ........................... P-2H updates
Erikgen .......................... RF-101C
Florian .......................... SH-3D Sea King
Pasko & Column5 .................. U-2A Dragon Lady
A-Team ........................... several optional aircraft (models not
included) -- see above for more info
Pasko ............................ MiG-15bis_FAR & MiG-15UTI
Paulopanz ........................ MiG-15bis & MiG-15UTI skins
Stary ............................ MiG-15/17 cockpit
Spillone104 & Paulopanz .......... MiG-19P Farmer
Stary ............................ MiG-19P cockpit (from Boopidoo's Su-15 cockpit)
The Mirage Factory ............... MiG-21F-13 Fishbed
Paladrian ........................ MiG-21 cockpits
Wrench ........................... Cuban/FAR skins for MiG-15bis, MiG-17AS,
MiG-21PF, & Il-28
Simon Porter ..................... Sea Fury
Paulopanz ........................ Sea Fury skins
 
Ground Objects
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Nicholas Bell .................... WOE 1950's AA Mod
Canadair ......................... Powerful Flak
Gerald14 ......................... Russian Defence/ZSU-23-4 Pack
Fubar512 ......................... ZSU-23 AAA tweaks
Pasko ............................ SAMs and Vehicles Pack: Euro/Desert
Pasko & Nicholas Bell ............ S-60, KS-30, KS-19P, ZPU-4, M-42
rebel ryder & Nicholas Bell....... M1939 flak guns
Julhelm .......................... Firecan radar
Kesselbrut ....................... ZPU-1, US/UK_Cal50
rebel ryder ...................... ZIS Canvas, ZIS_Quad, Squads
Wrench ........................... M-59 (based on M-113)
Pasko ............................ SS-4 vehicles & items, Su-100
Kesselbrut ....................... ZiL Transport Pack
SUICIDAL ......................... New Destroyed Tank LODs
Pasko ............................ Hawk launcher & radars
Fubar512 & Wrench ................ Hawk INI tweaks
Unknown author ................... CIM-10A Bomarc
Pasko ............................ SA-3 launchers, Flatface radar, Sidenet radar, Spoonrest radar
Erikgen .......................... NIKE 4xMIM-14, HIPAR, LoPAR, & TTR
Fubar512 ......................... NIKE-Hercules sites layout/placement
Spillone104 ...................... SA-2 Guideline Pack
WhiteBoySamurai .................. Leahy & Bainbridge class
YEYEYE ........................... Baltimore class, Cleveland class, & USN Cruiser
Hinchinbrooke .................... HEC, Soviet Cruiser, Sverdlov class, USN Escort, Foxtrot,
Adams class, & Farragut class
GrinchWSLG ....................... Fletcher class
JSF_Aggie ........................ ThirdWire LHA upgrade
Florian .......................... USN AOE Transport
WhiteBoySamurai ...................Riga & Petya class ships
Orsin ............................ Kanin (Udaloy) class
Julhelm .......................... Soviet Tanker, USN Tanker, & Tanker2 (ND Tanker)
Suicidal & Torno ................. Container Ship
Loborojo & Suicidal .............. Petrolero
Fubar512 ......................... Fleet Oiler
Kesselbrut ....................... Navy Tug, MV Baltic Ferry, MV Nordic Ferry, MV Tor
Caledonia, HospitalShip, Small Cargo Ship, Trawlers,
Hotel, November, LCM
Polak ............................ MVAtlantic_Causeway, MVAtlantic_Conveyor
Cocas ............................ Trawler & Soviet Trawler
Raven ............................ Trawler skins
Marcfighters ..................... Zulu (USS Trutta)
Fubar512 & MiGBuster ............. Carrier Deck Illumination package
 
Other
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Deuces ........................... Cuba terrain for OTC
Wrench ........................... updated Cuba terrain for SF2
Stary & PanamaRed ................ EnvironmentSystem.INI for Exp. Pack 2
Stary ............................ new gun tracers, new Napalm effect,& fixed WP effects
Spectre8750 ...................... Fake Afterburner Node
 
Credit for the original OTC mod package goes to USAFMTL and the team of modders that contributed to the original releases for SFP1. For a list of all the modders whose work is used in the complete OTC mod, see the original ReadMes included in \OriginalReadmes.
 
If we have neglected to credit anyone here, please let us know. We will get it fixed ASAP.
 
 
--------------------------
eburger68 & Dave (USAFMTL)
1 May 2014
12 July 2013
28 April 2013
25 June 2011
8 December 2010

Operation Tainted Cigar
for
Strike Fighters 2
 
This package contains an updated version of the Operation Tainted Cigar (OTC) mod package for "Strike Fighters 2" (SF2). In addition to making the original mod compatible with SF2, this updated version also adds a number of items that were released in the years subsequent to original two versions of OTC for SFP1, including:
 
- a completely revamped/overhauled Cuba terrain
- a number of new aircraft
- other aircraft updated to SF2 standards
- plenty of new aircraft skins
- a bevy of new ground objects, incl. new ships
- a handful of new effects, weapons, and guns
- a more historically plausible campaign
- SF2NA-compatible campaign w/ carrier battle groups
 
To use this mod, you must have "Strike Fighters 2" (SF2) in a merged install that also includes "Strike Fighters 2: Vietnam" (SF2V). It is recommended that your target install also include "Strike Fighters 2 Europe" (SF2E) and "Strike Fighters 2 North Atlantic" (SFNA), but neither is required.
 
Note that this is a COMPLETE mod package. There is no need to install either of the original OTC mod versions for SFP1.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Minimum Requirements
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
To install and play this mod, you must have the following installed as part of your target installation base:
 
REQUIRED: Strike Fighters 2 (SF2), plus
Strike Fighters 2 Vietnam (SF2V)
 
PATCH LEVEL: Mar2012 or higher
 
This mod does support installations that include "Strike Fighters 2 Europe" (SF2E) and "Strike Fighters 2 North Atlantic" (SF2NA), but they are not required.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Installation
~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Before installing, please ensure that your target SF2 install meets the minimum requirements laid out above.
 
The main installation process consists of three main steps. Those without SF2NA in their base SF2 install will have an additional installation step at the end.
 
Please read the following instructions carefully and follow them religiously. If you wind up with a non-working mod install, then you likely failed to follow the instructions properly. If you post to the CombatAce.com forums and report that the mod isn't working or that you can't see any new aircraft or campaigns, I'm simply going to tell you to review this ReadMe and try installing again.
 
-----------------------------------
* STEP 1: PREPARE THE MOD FOLDER *
-----------------------------------
 
This mod requires a separate Mod Folder. Please do not attempt to install this mod over or combine it with other mods such as NATO Fighter 5 or the SF2V Expansion Pack.
 
- Open your SF2 Installation directory and make a copy of StrikeFighters2.exe. If SF2NA is part of your target install, then make a copy of "StrikeFighters2 NorthAtlantic.exe" instead. Rename the copied file to StrikeFighters2_OTC.exe (or whatever unique name you prefer).
 
- Run the newly copied and renamed .EXE file, then exit back out to the Windows desktop after navigating through a few menus. A custom Mod Folder for your OTC mod install will have been created in one of these locations:
 
Windows XP: \Documents and Settings\[username]\My Documents\ThirdWire\[YourModFolder]
Windows Vista: \Users\[username]\Saved Games\ThirdWire\[YourModFolder]
Windows 7: \Users\[username]\Saved Games\ThirdWire\[YourModFolder]
 
...where [YourModFolder] matches the name of the copied .EXE file that you created.
 
- Open your Mod Folder and delete the \Objects sub-directory (including everything in it).
 
Now you're ready to install the OTC mod proper.
 
-------------------------------------------------
* STEP 2: INSTALL MAIN COMPONENTS TO MOD FOLDER *
-------------------------------------------------
 
This is the easiest step.
 
- Unpack the two OTC archive packages that you downloaded to a location on your hard drive.
 
- Move the *contents* of the \To_Mod_Folder directory from each package to your Mod Folder (created in Step 1 above). (Note: do not simply drag and drop the folder named "To_Mod_Folder" or you will end up with a non-working install.)
 
If you've moved everything correctly, you should have a new \Objects sub-directory in your Mod Folder, along with a few new other sub-directories.
 
----------------------------
* STEP 3: EDIT OPTIONS.INI *
----------------------------
 
This step involves a bit of text editing, so please pay attention.
 
Open the Options.INI file in your Mod Folder. Locate the "Single Mission" section. I recommend setting the StartYear= and EndYear= as follows:
 
StartYear=1948
EndYear=1990
 
Now, locate the "Instant Action" section and replace it with the following:
 
[instantAction]
AircraftType=F-8C_MF
MissionMap=CUBA
StartTime=16:37
StartDate=10/28/1962
StartTimeDeviation=120
TextureSet=0
NationalMarking=0
SquadronMarking=0
AircraftNumber=0
KillMarking=0
 
Finally, a little further down you should find the "Campaign" section. Replace it with the following:
 
[Campaign]
CampaignName=19621028 Op Tainted Cigar
PlayerService=USAF
PlayerUnit=481st TFS, 27th TFW
AircraftType=F-100D
Difficulty=HARD
Length=NORMAL
AircraftSupply=NORMAL
WeaponSupply=LIMITED
LoadCampaign=TRUE
CampaignSavename=DefaultCampaignSave
 
Save your changes and close the Options.INI file.
 
-------------------------------------------------
* STEP 4: Extra Step for Installs without SF2NA *
-------------------------------------------------
 
If your target SF2 installation does NOT include SF2NA, then you have a few more files to copy over to your Mod Folder (and a few things to remove as well).
 
- Open the \SF2_Only folder in the directory to which you unpacked the two OTC archive packages.
 
- Copy everything from the \SF2_Only folder to your Mod Folder, allowing it to overwrite as prompted. (Again, do NOT simply grab the \SF2_Only folder itself and drag it over to your Mod Folder; rather, copy the CONTENTS of the \SF2_Only folder to your Mod Folder.)
 
Now for the removals:
 
- remove the following items from \Objects\Aircraft in your Mod Folder: E-2A, E-2C (these aircraft require SF2NA).
 
- remove the following items from \Objects\GroundObject in your Mod Folder: Adams, Farragut, GearingFRAM1B, Kashin, Kynda, LPH-2, & USNFrigate (these ships require SF2NA).
 
* * * * *
 
THAT'S IT. Your "Operation Tainted Cigar for SF2" mod should now be ready to use. You may consider installing some of the "optional" items as described in the next section.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Installation of Optional Items
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
This mod package includes a number of "optional" items. Some of these optional items require you to have "Strike Fighters 2: Europe" (SF2E) in your base SF2 install. Others require you to copy over LODs from third-party mods available from the A-Team (DAT) or Yankee Air Pirate. You can find these optional items in the \Optional folder (itself located in the directory where you unpacked the two OTC archive packages).
 
The optional items, which are found in the \Optional directory of the OTC archive packages you downloaded, can be grouped into three different buckets:
 
1. Optional Aircraft from SF2E
 
If SF2E is part of your base SF2 install, then you can copy over the F-84F and MiG-15bis from \Optional\Aircraft to \Objects\Aircraft in your Mod Folder. The campaigns will automatically use these ThirdWire aircraft in lieu of the substitute versions (F-84F_MF & MiG-15bis_FAR).
 
2. Optional DLC Aircraft from ThirdWire
 
If you have DLC 28 (AI Only Aircraft, Part 1), then you can install and use the F-104A and F-104C from that DLC offering in lieu of the third party models. Simply copy over F-104A_58 & F-104C_61 from \Optional\Aircraft to \Objects\Aircraft in your Mod Folder. The campaigns will automatically use these ThirdWire aircraft in lieu of the third-party versions installed by default.
 
3. Optional Aircraft from the A-Team
 
This version of OTC also supports the use of several aircraft available only from the A-Team's web site:
 
http://cplengineeringllc.com/SFP1/Skunworks.html
 
These aircraft require the LOD files from the original aircraft. To use these aircraft you will need to:
 
1) download the original versions from the web site above and unpack them;
 
2) copy the LOD files (models) from the original versions to the corresponding
aircraft in \Optional\Aircraft,
 
3) copy the aircraft folders themselves from \Optional\Aircraft to \Objects\Aircraft
in your OTC Mod Folder.
 
Again, the campaigns will automatically use these aircraft in lieu of substitutes once they are installed to your Mod Folder.
 
Below is a table that summarizes the optional A-Team aircraft, the LOD files needed for each, the substitute aircraft that will be used if the A-Team aircraft are not installed, and the section where the original can be found on the A-Team's web site:
 
-------- --------- ----------- -----
Aircraft LOD Files Substitutes Notes
-------- --------- ----------- -----
 
C-2A C-2A-R3.LOD C-130A/KC-130F Modern Planes section
E-1B E-1B-R0e.LOD E-2A Beta Models section
P-3A P-3A-R0b.LOD P-2H Modern Planes section
S-2A S-2A-R2.LOD A-1H Modern Planes section
 
4. Optional Destroyers
 
Also included are two USN destroyers (the Charles F. Adams class and Farragut or Coontz class) based on the DLG-10 included in the "Yankee Air Pirate 2" and "Yankee Air Pirate 3" commercial mods. To use these optional destroyers you must have the necessary LOD files from "Yankee Air Pirate".
 
Installation of these destroyers is simple:
 
1) Remove the substitute destroyers (named Adams and Farragut) that are
installed by default from \Objects\GroundObject in your Mod folder.
(These substitute versions are based on the ThirdWire CGN-36.)
 
2) Copy the Coontz2.LOD from "Yankee Air Pirate" to the Adams and Farragut
folders in \Optional\GroundObject (in the OTC packages you downloaded).
 
3) Create collision LODs for both destroyers by making a copy of Coontz2.LOD
and renaming it Coontz2_COL.LOD.
 
4) Move the Adams and Farragut destroyers from \Optional\GroundObject to
\Objects\GroundObject in your MOD folder.
 
Again, the campaigns will automatically use the new versions of these ships.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Campaign Notes
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
There are two main campaigns supplied with this version of OTC:
 
- Cuba: the standard campaign, allowing you to fly a variety of USAF,
USN, or USMC aircraft in support of the U.S. invasion of Cuba.
 
- Red Cuba: new "red-side" version of the main campaign, allowing you
to fly various Cuban or Soviet aircraft (mostly MiGs) in defense of
the island of Cuba.
 
By default an SF2NA-compatible version of the main Cuba campaign is installed. This version uses SF2NA-style carrier battle groups. It also uses a number of aircraft that exploit new mission types available only in SF2NA.
 
If SF2NA is not part of your install, then you installed a version of the Cuba campaign that uses the older SF2V-style carrier stations. You will see escort ships, but they are static. Moreover, the FRAM2_DG escorts used for the two big carrier stations south of Cuba (which are behind the front line) are gun-less, as they must be in that location (otherwise they would shoot at you). Finally, the non-SF2NA version of the campaign lacks many of the supporting AI-only aircraft, which exploit SF2NA-only mission types.
 
The "Red Cuba" campaign comes only in one version that uses the older SF2V-style carrier stations. If you are using the SF2NA version of the Cuba terrain, those carriers will appear without escorts (not that you'd have much chance of seeing them any way).
 
The ground war starts about two weeks into the campaign. This follows CINCLANT OPLAN 316-62, which provided for several weeks of bombing before the ground invasion proper.
 
Whatever campaign version you play, be aware that you will occasionally see the front line take on an odd appearance -- tangled, doubling back on itself, etc. Rest assured it will sort itself out after a mission or two, though it may inexplicably cause a ground unit to disappear from the map (usually a Cuban unit). This all is happening despite months and months of testing with dozens of different versions of the front line and the campaign strategic nodes.
 
So far as I can tell, the campaign engine simply has problems dealing with a ground offensive that must spread itself in multiple directions across a long narrow island congested with densely packed (often overlapping) terrain areas.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Changes, Fixes, & Additions
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
General SF2 post-Dec2009 Updates/Conversions
--------------------------------------------
- Hangar/Loading Screens: converted to .JPG format
- Loadout Images: coverted to .TGA format
- Cockpit Positions: checked & updated as needed
- HUD/DTVFilter Materials: added & updated as needed
- Effects: added proper shaders to all effects
- EnvironmentSystem: added proper Dec2009 shaders & new
environment parameters
- Menu Screens: coverted to .JPG format
- Non-decal TGAs: moved to aircraft texture folders
- UserLists: added UserList.INIs to all aircraft
- AircraftShortNames: added AircraftShortName statements
to all aircraft
- Damage models: added aircraft damage models to most air-
craft DATA.INIs
- Decals: moved all aircraft decals to \Decals folder
- Pilots & Seats: moved all pilots & seats to \Pilots folder
- Radar frequencies: added radar frequency data to aircraft
radars, RWR statements, anti-radiation missiles, & ground
radars (not ships)
- Weapons & Guns: converted weapons & guns to SF2 standards
- Exp. Pack 2: incorporated Exp. Pack 2 changes & additions
into several .INIs
- Ships: added collision LODs where necessary
- Carriers: added SF2NA data to carriers as needed
 
Other Updates & Fixes
---------------------
- added damage .TGAs to several aircraft
- tweaked weapons loadouts/stations on several aircraft
- updated flight models on a number of aircraft to use SF2
or SF2-friendly flight models
- tweaked flight models on most remaining aircraft to make
them SF2-friendly
- added cockpits to all MiGs and made them flyable
- replaced the older F-8s with The Mirage Factory F-8C & F-8E
- added additional units/skins to F-8C & F-8E
- added 3rdWire cockpits for F-8C & F-8E
- added additional units/skins to A-4B/C
- added additional units/skins to F-100D
- adapted custom F-4B skins to SF2 equivalents
- applied SF2 updates to F11F-1 & F3H-2M
- updated naval aircraft for SF2NA carrier use/parking
- added new Hangar & Loading screens for all aircraft
- made minor correction/fixes to most aircraft
- added 3rdWire versions of A-1H, B-57B, F-84F, & MiG-15bis
- added 3rdWire cockpit for F-105D-25
- replaced original cloud mod with Cellinsky's WideSky cloud mod
- updated original Menu screens and added a few new ones to round
out the set
- created new InstantAction.INI
- added custom SpeechSystem.INI to suppress some gun-firing radio
calls ("He's firing his guns!")
- updated SpeechSystem.INI for SF2NA compatibility
- carried over original Nations.INI tweaks to SF2 Nations.INI
- updated Nations.INI for SF2NA compatibility
- added several new sounds & updated SoundList.INI
- added handful of new guns
- tweaked flak guns to improve effectiveness & use new effects
- added a handful of weapons & tanks (mainly for new aircraft)
- converted main terrain .INIs to SF2 standards
- replaced original terrain w/ Wrench's updated Cuba terrain for SF2
- re-arranged positions of a few carrier stations
- re-named a few target areas (all at sea)
- created SF2NA compatible water map for carrier/ship use
- added new terrain items (static models, etc) to TYPES.INI
- updated stock Cuba campaign for SF2-compatibility, added new
aircraft to campaign, & re-ordered deployments for some units
- created SF2NA-compatible version of stock Cuba campaign w/
SF2NA-style carrier battle groups & aircraft mission types
- added "Red Cuba" campaign for Soviet/Cuba side
 
New Air & Ground Items
----------------------
 
USN/USMC:
- A-1H (VA-176, VA-95, VA-65, VA-75)
- A-3B (VAH-4)
- A-5A (VAH-1, VAH-7)
- E-2A (various VAW units)
- F4D-1 (VF-13)
- KC-130F (VMGR-352)
- P-2H (VP-18, VP-56)
- RF-8A (VFP-62, VMCJ-2)
- SH-3D (HS-7)
 
USAF:
- B-47E (380 BW)
- B-58A (63 BS)
- F-102A (159 FIS - FL ANG)
- F-104A_58 (157 FIS, 319 FIS, 331 FIS)
- F-104C_61 (436 TFS, 476 TFS)
- F-84F (12 TFW, 15 TFW)
- RF-101C (363 TRW)
- U-2A (USAF,CIA)
 
Soviet/Cuba:
- MiG-15UTI (Esquadron de Caza)
- MiG-17 (Esquadron de Caza)
- MiG-17AS (Esquadron de Caza)
- MiG-19P (Esquadron de Caza)
- MiG-21PF (Esquadron de Caza)
- SeaFury50 (Esquadron de Caza)
 
Ground Items:
- CIM-10 Launcher
- Cuban Squad
- SON-9A Firecan radar
- Flatface radar
- Freya radar
- M-43 Ambulance
- M-51 Skysweeper
- M-59 155 Long Tom
- NIKE/Hercules site
- SA-3 Goa launcher
- Search Radar Tower (SRT)
- Sidenet radar
- Spoonrest radar
- US Squad
- several Soviet AAA/flak guns
- US 90mm AAA
- Kesselbrut's new ZiL truck types
 
Ships:
- Adams class
- Batimore class
- CG-16 Leahy class
- CGN-25 Bainbridge
- Cleveland class
- Container Ship
- CVA-41 Midway class
- CVA-59 Forrestal class
- CVAN-65 Enterprise
- Farragut (Coontz) class
- Gearing FRAM Ib class
- USCG HEC
- Foxtrot Submarine
- FRAM II S2S
- FRAM II ASW
- FRAM II DG
- Hospital Ship
- Kanin class
- Kashin class
- Kynda class
- Landing Craft (LCM)
- Liberty Class Ship
- Liner
- Motor Torpedo Boat (MTB)
- MV Atlantic Causeway
- MV Atlantic Conveyor
- MV Baltic Ferry
- MV Nordic Ferry
- MV Tor Caledonia
- Navy Tug
- Oiler
- Oil Tanker (Tanker2)
- Petrolero
- Petya class
- Riga class
- Small Cargo Ship
- Soviet Cargo Ship
- Soviet Cruiser
- Soviet Freighter
- Soviet Tanker
- Soviet Trawler
- Sumner class
- Sverdlov class
- Trawler
- Trawler1
- Trawler2
- USN Cruiser
- USN Destroyer
- USN Escort
- USN Frigate
- USN Tanker
- USN Transport
 
~~~~~~~
Credits
~~~~~~~
 
This update pack adds a number of new items to the OTC mod package. These new items are from the following modders, who generously allowed their use:
 
Aircraft
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
JSF_Aggie ........................ A-4B & A-4C skins
Bunyap & pappychksix ............. A-3B Skywarrior
MontyCZ .......................... A-1H Skyraider
Volksjager & HrntFixr ............ A-1H skins (MontyCZ)
Wrench ........................... A-1H skins (3rdWire)
Julhelm .......................... A-5A Vigilante
russouk2004 & Capun .............. B-47E Stratojet
Sundowner & USAFMTL (Dave) ....... B-47E skins & decals
Ahmed Junaid Raza ................ B-57B Canberra
Zurawski ......................... B-57B Cockpit
Pasko & Column5 .................. B-58A Hustler
Wrench ........................... B-58A Hustler SF2 updates
Foxmonter ........................ F3H-2M Demon
NeverEnough ...................... F3H-2M SF2 updates
ChampionsVA56 .................... F3H-2M Ultimate Pack
Julhelm .......................... F4D-1 Skyray
ChampionsVA56 .................... F4D-1 Ultimate Pack customizations
MyTai01 .......................... F-4B skins
The Mirage Factory ............... F-8C, F-8E, & RF-8A Crusader
Gocad, Corktip_14, WildCat, ...... F-8/RF-8 skins
salvatorestupido, & JSF_Aggie
JSF_Aggie ........................ F-100D skins
Veltro2K ......................... F-102A Delta Dagger
Ordway ........................... F-102A Cockpit
Ahmed Junaid Raza ................ F-104A/C Starfighter
Spillone104 & Paulopanz .......... F-104A/C updates/upgrades
Frank Rosato ..................... F-104A/C Pack for SF2
ArmourDave ....................... F-105D-25 Thunderchief
Pasko, Column5, & Kesselbrut ..... F-106A Delta Dart
DaniloE31 ........................ F-106 Update Pack for SF2
Fleet-Defender & Team ............ F11F-1 Tiger
Wrench & Spectre8750 ............. F11F-1 SF2 updates/customizations
The Mirage Factory ............... F-84F Thunderstreak
pappychksix ...................... F-84F skin
Zurawski ......................... F-84F cockpit
Wrench ........................... F-84F (3rdWire) customizations
pappychksix & 331KillerBee ....... KC-130F tanker
Tracker & ChampionsVA56 .......... P-2H Neptune
Wrench ........................... P-2H updates
Erikgen .......................... RF-101C
Florian .......................... SH-3D Sea King
Pasko & Column5 .................. U-2A Dragon Lady
A-Team ........................... several optional aircraft (models not
included) -- see above for more info
Pasko ............................ MiG-15bis_FAR & MiG-15UTI
Paulopanz ........................ MiG-15bis & MiG-15UTI skins
Stary ............................ MiG-15/17 cockpit
Spillone104 & Paulopanz .......... MiG-19P Farmer
Stary ............................ MiG-19P cockpit (from Boopidoo's Su-15 cockpit)
The Mirage Factory ............... MiG-21F-13 Fishbed
Paladrian ........................ MiG-21 cockpits
Wrench ........................... Cuban/FAR skins for MiG-15bis, MiG-17AS,
MiG-21PF, & Il-28
Simon Porter ..................... Sea Fury
Paulopanz ........................ Sea Fury skins
 
Ground Objects
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Nicholas Bell .................... WOE 1950's AA Mod
Canadair ......................... Powerful Flak
Gerald14 ......................... Russian Defence/ZSU-23-4 Pack
Fubar512 ......................... ZSU-23 AAA tweaks
Pasko ............................ SAMs and Vehicles Pack: Euro/Desert
Pasko & Nicholas Bell ............ S-60, KS-30, KS-19P, ZPU-4, M-42
rebel ryder & Nicholas Bell....... M1939 flak guns
Julhelm .......................... Firecan radar
Kesselbrut ....................... ZPU-1, US/UK_Cal50
rebel ryder ...................... ZIS Canvas, ZIS_Quad, Squads
Wrench ........................... M-59 (based on M-113)
Pasko ............................ SS-4 vehicles & items, Su-100
Kesselbrut ....................... ZiL Transport Pack
SUICIDAL ......................... New Destroyed Tank LODs
Pasko ............................ Hawk launcher & radars
Fubar512 & Wrench ................ Hawk INI tweaks
Unknown author ................... CIM-10A Bomarc
Pasko ............................ SA-3 launchers, Flatface radar, Sidenet radar, Spoonrest radar
Erikgen .......................... NIKE 4xMIM-14, HIPAR, LoPAR, & TTR
Fubar512 ......................... NIKE-Hercules sites layout/placement
Spillone104 ...................... SA-2 Guideline Pack
WhiteBoySamurai .................. Leahy & Bainbridge class
YEYEYE ........................... Baltimore class, Cleveland class, & USN Cruiser
Hinchinbrooke .................... HEC, Soviet Cruiser, Sverdlov class, USN Escort, Foxtrot,
Adams class, & Farragut class
GrinchWSLG ....................... Fletcher class
JSF_Aggie ........................ ThirdWire LHA upgrade
Florian .......................... USN AOE Transport
WhiteBoySamurai ...................Riga & Petya class ships
Orsin ............................ Kanin (Udaloy) class
Julhelm .......................... Soviet Tanker, USN Tanker, & Tanker2 (ND Tanker)
Suicidal & Torno ................. Container Ship
Loborojo & Suicidal .............. Petrolero
Fubar512 ......................... Fleet Oiler
Kesselbrut ....................... Navy Tug, MV Baltic Ferry, MV Nordic Ferry, MV Tor
Caledonia, HospitalShip, Small Cargo Ship, Trawlers,
Hotel, November, LCM
Polak ............................ MVAtlantic_Causeway, MVAtlantic_Conveyor
Cocas ............................ Trawler & Soviet Trawler
Raven ............................ Trawler skins
Marcfighters ..................... Zulu (USS Trutta)
Fubar512 & MiGBuster ............. Carrier Deck Illumination package
 
Other
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Deuces ........................... Cuba terrain for OTC
Wrench ........................... updated Cuba terrain for SF2
Stary & PanamaRed ................ EnvironmentSystem.INI for Exp. Pack 2
Stary ............................ new gun tracers, new Napalm effect,& fixed WP effects
Spectre8750 ...................... Fake Afterburner Node
 
Credit for the original OTC mod package goes to USAFMTL and the team of modders that contributed to the original releases for SFP1. For a list of all the modders whose work is used in the complete OTC mod, see the original ReadMes included in \OriginalReadmes.
 
If we have neglected to credit anyone here, please let us know. We will get it fixed ASAP.
 
 
--------------------------
eburger68 & Dave (USAFMTL)
1 May 2014
12 July 2013
28 April 2013
25 June 2011
8 December 2010

--------------------------------------------
SF2 AAA Pack
--------------------------------------------
 
This package is an update to the mod of the same name previously released by Malibu43. It collects updated versions of most flak guns and AAA that have been released for the Strike Fighters series at ComabtAce.com. Updates performed include the following:
 
- added new skins (Green or Tan) to objects that lacked one or the other
 
- added missing Freq data to some fire control radars
 
- implemented numerous tweaks to guns and radars to standardize data and improve performance
 
- tweaked gun data to standardize data, implement new effects, & improve performance
 
- added RadarFamily data w/ associated TEWs entries and TGAs
 
Please review the following section for notes on what's included in this package and how to install the various components.
 
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Package Contents
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
In the root of whatever folder you unpack this mod to, you will find the following standalone files, which include data to be added to various config files:
 
- BULLETOBJECT_ADDITIONS.TXT: additions to BulletObject.INI, which should be unpacked from the ObjectData001.CAT in your SF2 installation directory and placed in \Objects in your Mods Folder.
 
- SOUNDLIST_ADDITIONS.TXT: additions to SoundList.INI, which should be unpacked from the FlightData.CAT in your SF2 installation directory and placed in \Flight in your Mods Folder.
 
- RWR-LST_ADDITIONS.TXT: additions to individual aircraft RWR.LSTs (these reference the new TGAs included in \Flight)
 
NOTE: to unpack files from CATs, you will need the ThirdWire CAT Extractor tool, which can be found at ThirdWire's web site:
 
http://thirdwire.com/downloads_tools.htm
 
* * *
 
You will also find the following directories, which include the main installation files:
 
\EFFECTS: effects for the various guns included; to be placed in \Effects in your Mods Folder.
 
\FLIGHT: new RWR TGAs for TEWS RWRs; to be placed in \Flight in your Mods Folder.
 
\SOUNDS: sounds for the various weapons and ground objects; to be placed in \Sounds in your Mods Folder.
 
\OBJECTS: includes custom gun tracer TGAs; to be placed in \Objects in your Mods Folder.
 
\OBJECTS\GROUNDOBJECT_BLUE: "friendly" (mostly NATO) AAA guns and radars; to be placed in \Objects\GroundObject in your Mods Folder.
 
\OBJECTS\GROUNDOBJECT_RED: "enemy" (mostly Soviet/WP) AAA guns and radars; to be placed in \Objects\GroundObject in your Mods Folder.
 
\OBJECTS\GROUNDOBJECT_XTRA: optional versions of various "Red" or "Blue" ground objects that use different models (but closely follow the "original" Red or Blue objects); use these as replacements for the corresponding main ground objects.
 
\OBJECTS\GUNS: guns for the ground objects; to be placed in \Objects\Guns in your Mods Folder.
 
NOTE: if you need assistance installing these items, please consult the KnowledgeBase at CombatAce.com:
 
KB for SF2
http://combatace.com/forum/268-thirdwire-strike-fighters-2-series-knowledge-base/
 
KB for SF1
http://combatace.com/forum/99-thirdwire-strike-fighters-1-series-knowledge-base/
 
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Credits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
This mod package collects a large number of AAA guns and radars previously released at CombatAce.com in various packs or standalone mods:
 
Pasko ............................. "SAMs and Vehicles Pack: Euro & Desert"
Nicholas Bell ..................... "WOE 1950's AAA Mod"
Gerald14 .......................... "Russian Defence/ZSU-23-4 Pack"
Monty CZ .......................... "SF2 WWII Flak Pack"
Geo................................ "WWII Ground Object Pack"
Pasko & Nicholas Bell ............. S-60, KS-30, KS-19P, ZPU-4, M-42
Nicholas Bell ..................... Bofors L60/L70
rebel ryder & Nicholas Bell........ M1939 flak guns
Kesselbrut ........................ ZPU-1, OerlikonAAA, Skyguard, RH202, Zil-157_ZPU-1, US/UK_Cal50
SUICIDAL-ART ...................... Bofors L60 AAA
Geo ............................... 20mmAAA & M16_Quad
Monty CZ .......................... HS-820 & HS-831
ODS Team .......................... Firecan radar
BANIDOS Team ...................... M167 VADS
Gabilon ........................... Gepard
Old Diego ......................... 51CalPit
rebel ryder ....................... NV DShK
EricJ ............................. Arab_DShK
Wrench & 3rdWire .................. M-51 Skysweeper (based on KS-19)
Unknown author .................... 37InchAA, 37InchEmplaced, TommyFlak37
Pasko & Nicholas Bell ............. US_90mmAA (based on KS-19P)
Spectre8750 ....................... GAZ-66_ZPU23
Fubar512 .......................... ZSU-23 AAA tweaks
ThirdWire ......................... BTR-ZPU, BTR-ZU-23, KS-12, KS-19, M113-ZPU, M113-ZU-23, ZPU-2, ZSU-23, ZSU-57, ZU-23, M35_Quad, M55_Quad, M-163
 
If we have neglected to credit anyone whose work is included in this package, please let us know and we will correct this list of credits ASAP.
 
 
---------------
malibu43 &
eburger68
18 August 2012

Kesselbrut's
"Falklands '82" (Operation Corporate)
for Strike Fighters 2
 
This package contains an updated version of Kesselbrut's "Falklands '82" (Operation Corporate) mod package for Strike Fighters 2 (SF2). In addition to making the original mod compatible with SF2, this updated version also adds a number of other mods that were released in the years subsequent to Kesselbrut's original effort.
 
This mod package should be applied to SF2 or SF2V installations (or merged installs incorporating SF2 or SF2V) that are patched to the Dec2009 or later patch level, including Feb2010, Mar2010, May2010, Jun2010, Dec2010, Jan2011, May2011, Jun2011, Jul2011, or Aug2011. If you are running SF2 or SF2V at an earlier patch level and do NOT intend to update to one of the later patch levels mentioned above, you should NOT install this mod package.
 
Note that this is a COMPLETE mod package. There is no need to install the original "Falklands '82" mod for SFP1.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Minimum Requirements
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
To install and play this mod, you must have the following installed:
 
SF2 VERSION: Strike Fighters 2
or
Strike Fighters 2: Vietnam
 
PATCH LEVEL: Mar2012 or higher
 
This mod does support installations that include "Strike Fighters 2: North Atlantic" (SF2NA), however, SF2NA is not required (nor is it sufficient by itself to use this mod).
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Installation
~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Before installing this mod package, please ensure the installation of Strike Fighters 2 that you intend to use is updated to at least the Mar2012 patch level (the Apr2012 or higher patch level is recommended). The latest patches for Strike Fighters 2 can be downloaded from ThirdWire:
 
http://thirdwire.com/downloads.htm
 
Also, please be aware that the mod requires either the original "Strike Fighters 2" (with the Desert terrain) or "Strike Fighters 2: Vietnam" (SF2V). If you will be using SF2V as a mod base, then you will have one additional step at the end of the installation process.
 
This mod can be installed to SF2 installations that incorporate "Strike Fighters 2: North Atlantic" (SF2NA). If SF2NA is part of your target install base, there are some additional items for you to install as part of another optional installation step.
 
The main installation process consists of three main steps. Please read the following instructions carefully and follow them religiously. If you wind up with a non-working mod install, then you likely failed to follow the instructions properly.
 
NOTE: If you installed the verison of this mod released in Dec. 2010, we recommend that you NOT install this newer version over that older version. Instead, start from scratch, using a fresh/new Mod Folder.
 
----------------------------------
* STEP 1: PREPARE THE MOD FOLDER *
----------------------------------
 
This mod requires a separate mod folder. Please do not attempt to install this mod over or combine it with other mods such as NATO Fighter 4+ or the SF2V Expansion Pack.
 
- Open your SF2 Installation directory and make a copy of StrikeFighters2.exe or StrikeFighters2 Vietnam.exe, Rename the copy to StrikeFighters2_Falklands.exe (or whatever unique name you prefer).
 
- Run the newly copied and renamed .EXE file, then exit back out to the Windows desktop after navigating through a few menus. A custom Mod Folder for your Falklands'82 mod install will have been created in one of these locations:
 
Windows XP: \Documents and Settings\[username]\My Documents\ThirdWire\[YourModFolder]
Windows Vista: \Users\[username]\Saved Games\ThirdWire\[YourModFolder]
Windows 7: \Users\[username]\Saved Games\ThirdWire\[YourModFolder]
 
...where [YourModFolder] matches the name of the copied .EXE file that you created.
 
- Open your Mod Folder and delete the \Objects sub-directory (including everything in it).
 
Now you're ready to install the Falklands'82 mod proper.
 
-------------------------------------------------
* STEP 2: INSTALL MAIN COMPONENTS TO MOD FOLDER *
-------------------------------------------------
 
This is the easiest step.
 
- Unpack the SF2_Falklands82.7z archive package to a location on your hard drive.
 
- Move the contents of the \To_Mod_Folder directory to your Mod Folder (created in Step 1 above).
 
If you've moved everything correctly, you should have a new \Objects sub-directory in your Mod Folder, along with a few new other sub-directories.
 
----------------------------
* STEP 3: EDIT OPTIONS.INI *
----------------------------
 
This last step involves a bit of text editing, so please pay attention.
 
Open the Options.INI in your Mod Folder. Locate the "Instant Action" section and replace it with the following:
 
[instantAction]
AircraftType=HarrierFRS1
MissionMap=Malvinas
StartTime=15:15:00
StartDate=05/21/1982
StartTimeDeviation=10
TextureSet=0
NationalMarking=0
SquadronMarking=0
AircraftNumber=0
KillMarking=0
 
Just below the "Instant Action" section is the "Single Mission" section. At minimum you should change the EndYear= statement to 1983 or higher. I recommend setting the StartYear= and EndYear= as follows:
 
StartYear=1982
EndYear=1983
 
Finally, a little further down you should find the "Campaign" section. Replace it with the following:
 
[Campaign]
CampaignName=19820425 Operation Corporate
PlayerService=RoyalNavy
PlayerUnit=No.800 NAS
AircraftType=HarrierFRS1
Difficulty=NORMAL
Length=NORMAL
AircraftSupply=NORMAL
WeaponSupply=NORMAL
LoadCampaign=FALSE
CampaignSavename=DefaultCampaignSave
 
Save your changes and close the Options.INI file.
 
-----------------------------------------
* STEP 4: Optional Step for SF2NA Users *
-----------------------------------------
 
This optional step is for those whose install base include "Strike Fighters 2: North Atlantic" (SF2NA). Included with this mod are a number of custom files that allow SF2NA users to enjoy some of the new functionality included with SF2NA, including:
 
- Carrier battle groups in campaigns
 
- Carrier start in single missions (select aircraft)
 
- New mission types in campaigns, including NAVAL_SEARCH,
NAVAL_ATTACK, & CRUISE_MISSILE
 
TO INSTALL: drag and drop the contents of the \_For_SF2NA folder into your Mod Folder, allowing Windows to merge and overwrite any folders and files it prompts to.
 
For a discussion of how these SF2NA features have been integrated into the "Falklands '82" mod, see the "Notes on SF2NA Features" section later in this ReadMe.
 
----------------------------------------
* STEP 5: Optional Step for SF2V Users *
----------------------------------------
 
This last step is for those who are using Strike Fighters 2: Vietnam (SF2V) as mod base instead of the original Strike Fighters 2 (with the Desert terrain). If your SF2 installation does not include the original SF2 (with the Desert terrain) and you're using SF2V as a mod base, then you must swap out terrain .INIs so that your MALVINAS.INI points to the correct .CAT file.
 
- In your SF2 Mod Folder, open the \Terrains\Malvinas folder. Delete the file Malvinas.ini.
 
- In \Terrains\Malvinas\Alt you will find the file Malvinas_vietnamsea.INI. Copy it to the \Terrains\Malvinas folder (just above the \Alt sub-folder) and re-name it to Malvinas.ini (thus replacing the file you deleted just above).
 
If your Mod base also happens to include SF2NA and you've installed the SF2NA files from the revious step, then you must make the same INI swap for the FALKLANDS.INI terrain INI.
 
- In your SF2 Mod Folder, open the \Terrains\Falklands folder. Delete the file Falklands.ini.
 
- In \Terrains\Falklands\Alt you will find the file Falklands_SF2NA_vietnamsea.INI. Copy it to the \Terrains\Malvinas folder (just above the \Alt sub-folder) and re-name it to Falklands.ini (thus replacing the file you deleted just above).
 
* * * * *
 
THAT'S IT. Your "Falklands'82 for SF2" mod should now be ready to use. You may consider installing some of the "optional" items as described in the next section.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Installation of Optional Items
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Included in the \Optional folder are a number of optional items that you may consider installing (if your installation has the required base installation items).
 
- Canberra62: this is an alternate version of the Canberra B.Mk62, based on the 3rdWire Canberra B.6 model. In order to use this model your base installation must include SF2E Expansion Pack 2. TO INSTALL, simply drag the \Canberra62 folder to your SF2 Mod Folder and drop it in \Objects\Aircraft. The campaigns will automatically start using this newer model.
 
- Harrier3: this is an alternate version of the Harrier GR.3, based on the 3rdWire model included in SF2E. In order to use this model your base installation must include SF2E. TO INSTALL, simply drag the \Harrier3 folder to your SF2 Mod Folder and drop it in \Objects\Aircraft. The campaigns will automatically start using this newer model.
 
- IAI-Dagger: this is an alternate version of the IAI Dagger, based on the 3rdWire Nesher model included in SF2I. In order to use this model your base installation must include SF2I. TO INSTALL, simply drag the \IAI-Dagger folder to your SF2 Mod Folder and drop it in \Objects\Aircraft. The campaigns will automatically start using this newer model.
 
- MB-339A: this is the original version of the MB-339A included in all previous releases of the "Falklands '82" mod. It is offered as an optional aircraft in case anyone prefers the original version over the newer, updated model introduced with the "August 2012 Update."
 
- Mirage IIIEA: this folder contains an alternate Mirage IIIEA cockpit based on the 3rdWire Mirage IIICJ cockpit from SF2I. It is a replacement for the stock cockpit of the Mirage IIIEA and requires SF2I to be part of the installation. TO INSTALL, simply drag the \MirageIIIEA folder to your SF2 Mod Folder and drop it in \Objects\Aircraft, allowing it to overwrite file as prompted.
 
- Vulcan B2: this folder contains files to install the Vulcan B2 bomber to your Mods folder. TO INSTALL, simply drag the \VulcanB2 folder to your SF2 Mod Folder and drop it in \Objects\Aircraft. Be sure to read the "Notes on the Vulcan B2" section below for a discussion on using this aircraft in the "Falklands '82" mod, as there are significant limitations.
 
- WaterNormal: this folder contains various alternate WaterNormal.BMP files, which can be used to change the texture or appearance of the water in the Malvinas terrain. To use any of these alternate .BMPs, simply drag the file you wish to use to your SF2 Mod Folder and drop it in the \Terrains\Malvinas folder, allowing it to overwrite the version already there. Note: the default/original .BMP used by this mod is in the \3rdwire sub-folder.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Game Play Notes (PLEASE READ)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
There are some important things you should know about playing this updated version of the "Falklands '82" mod.
 
1. Single Missions vs Campaigns
 
Like the original "Falklands '82" for SFP1, the Malvinas & Falkands terrains are set up to use different years for Single Missions (i.e., "Create Mission") and the Campaigns.
 
Campaigns: both campaigns automatically start on May 1, 1982, and continue
into mid June 1982.
 
Single Missions: when flying Single Missions, set the "Mission Date" to 1983. If
you set the date to 1982, you may get a CTD (crash to desktop)
when attempting to start the mission.
 
As Kesselbrut noted in his original ReadMe, game-generated single missions ("Create Mission") should be flown in 1983 because the only British air base on the islands was build in late May. If you have a mission date before May 29, 1982, the game will CTD becaue there is no air base for British aircraft to use. User-created missions (with a 1982 mission date) will work normally. British aircraft will still have to take off from a carrier before May 29, though, even in user-created missions for 1982.
 
2. Recommended "Gameplay Options"
 
Some of the island-based airfields are a bit rough. It is highly recommended that you change the "Landing" Game Play option to "Normal" or "Easy." If you use a "Hard" landing option setting, you may see aircraft exploding on the runway either because they start without landing gear deployed or because they lose their landing gear halfway down the runway. This is esp. true of Stanley Airfield.
 
You can fly all fixed wing aircraft on "Hard" or "Normal" Flight Model. Helicopters are best flown on "Normal" Flight Model.
 
3. Canberra Bomb Sight
 
In the Canberra, you can switch between Pilot and Bombadier with "Hook" key to use the bomb sight.
 
4. Carriers
 
In the original campaigns that use the default Malvinas terrain ("Falklands/Malvinas")), all Carriers have zero speed. Were they allowed to sail normally, they would cruise wildly through the ship formations.
 
In the new campaigns that use the NavalMap-enabled Falklands terrain ("South Atlantic"), carriers do move, and they have carrier battle groups consisting of frigates, destroyers, and support ships to accompany them. To use the new campaigns, though, you must have SF2NA as part of your SF2 install base.
 
5. Infanty Speed
 
Note from Kesselbrut: "The infantry units have too much speed - when I use normal Footslogger speed there are no ground battles."
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes on SF2NA Features
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
1. New terrain - "South Atlantic"
 
The "August 2012 Update" for this mod introduces a new version of the familiar "Falklands/Malvinas" terrain named "South Atlantic" (and found in the \Terrains\Falklands folder). The "South Atlantic" terrain is NavalMap-enabled -- meaning, that it requires SF2NA to be part of the SF2 install base used for the mod. It is included as part of Step 4 (For SF2NA users) during the installation process.
 
This new terrain uses carrier battle groups for many, but not all ships. Some ships are still static terrain objects, just as they are in the original "Falklands/Malvinas" terrain. The main British carrier task force elements, for example, appear as part of carrier battle groups. So, too, all Argentinian ships that operate away from the islands and closer to the Argentine mainland (the task groups with the Belgrano and 25 de Mayo, for example).
 
Immediately around the islands themselves, however, most ships still appear as static terrain objects, either because they need to appear in certain places only on certain dates or because it would have been impractical to get them into their final campaign positions by allowing the game engine to sail them into those positions as part of carrier battle groups. The ships the make up the San Carlos Landing Group are probably the best examples here.
 
If you select the "South Atlantic" terrain for game-created Single Missions and happen to be flying a carrier-enabled aircraft, you will start the mission on the deck of a carrier that forms the base of a carrier battle group.
 
If you wish to play a campaign that exploits SF2NA features such as carrier battle groups and new mission types, you should select one of the "South Atlantic" (SA) campaign variants, discussed in the next section.
 
2. New "South Atlantic" campaigns
 
As noted above, this updated version of the "Falklands '2" mod includes "South Atlantic" (SA) campaign variants that exploit the new features of SF2NA, including carrier battle groups and new mission types:
 
- 19820425 Guerra de las Malvinas (SA): an Argentinean campaign, with the player-flyable
A-4Qs of 3 Esq. de Caza y Ataque starting on 21 May and operating from Rio Grande AB.
 
- 19820425 Operación Rosario (SA): a variant of the Argentinean campaign, with the player-
flyable A-4Qs operating from the ARA Veinticinco de Mayo during the early days of the
conflict.
 
- 19820425 Operation Corporate (SA): the main British campaign, with four different battle
groups including the Hermes Carrier Group, the Invincible Carrier Group, the Amphibious
Task Group, and the Bristol Reinforcement Group. The first three appear at the start of
the campaign. The last appears on 23 May.
 
Please keep in mind that we have attempted to remain somewhat faithful to the general historical outlines of the original conflict. That means you will not find that any of these campaigns turn into a major carrier duel between the 25 de Mayo and the British Task Force.
 
We experimented with such a scenario in testing and can assure you that the results are quite boring: massive losses on both sides with most if not all carriers sunk within the first few days of the conflict. The whole thing ends very quickly, and what gets lost in the mayhem is the actual historical jousting over the islands themselves -- a drama much more interesting and compelling than an SF2NA-style naval duel.
 
It also needs to be noted that as welcome SF2NA's new features are, the original campaigns based on the "Falklands/Mavinas" terrain with static ships are still as engaging as they ever were. Once the campaign switches to a NavalMap-enabled terrain, the campaign engine attempts to turn the campaign into a carrier duel, and the target selection becomes very dependent on and oriented towards the movement and status of the carrier groups.
 
In the historical conflict, however, the Argentine armed forces never had a sustained fix on the carriers of the British Task Force, and after some early attempts to locate and attack the carriers, the campaign eventually settled into a more routine defense of their position on the islands themselves. The British, of course, never located or attacked the 25 de Mayo before it beat a hasty retreat to port following the sinking of the Belgrano on 2-3 May.
 
Put simply, there is a case to be made that the original campaigns based on the original terrain actually play BETTER than the new "SA" campaign variants that exploit SF2NA features. Yes, the ships don't move, but that is a minor detail. The critical component, target selection and tasking of air units, is driven by the goal of retaking or defending the islands themselves, not locating and sinking opposing carrier groups.
 
3. Carriers & Carrier Battle Groups
 
As discussed above, the new NavalMap-enabled "South Atlantic" terrain allows Single Missions and Campaigns to be flown from carriers that form the heart of carrier battle groups. To allow the old terrain and campaigns to coexist with the new variants, we have included two versions of each carrier -- one old-style carrier that does not move; one SF2NA-enabled carrier that does move. The proper carrier type is automatically selected for you in Single Missions and Campaigns based on the campaign or mission map you elect to use.
 
4. Exocets
 
For this mod most third-party (i.e., non-stock) anti-ship missiles, including the Exocet, have been converted to use the ASM/cruise missile functionality introduced w/ SF2NA. At the same time, the older versions of these missiles have been preserved, as the new ASM cruise missiles can be used by AI only against ships.
 
So, for many anti-ship missiles, including the Exocet, you will now find two versions:
 
1) "Standard" guided version
 
These versions are the "old" style missiles setwith WeaponDataType=1. They can be used by AI against land and sea targets. These missiles retain their familiar names (e.g., AM 39 Exocet, AGM-84D Harpoon, Kh-59M Ovod, etc.).
 
2) ASM/cruise missile version
 
These versions utilitize the new cruise missile functionality set by WeaponDataType=7. They can be used by AI only against ships. These versions can be distinguished by their names:
 
- U.S./NATO missiles have the ASM tag (e.g., AM 39 Exocet ASM, AGM-84D Harpoon ASM).
 
- Soviet/WP missiles follow the naming convention used by ThirdWire's
Soviet cruise missiles (e.g., Kh-59M AS-13 Kingbolt).
 
At the same time aircraft that typically carry these missiles have been updated to accommodate the ASM versions. Loadouts for these aircraft have been updated to use ASM versions by default for Anti-Ship, Naval_Attack, and Cruise_Missile loadouts.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes on the Vulcan B2
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
As noted above, the Vulcan B2 bomber is now included as an optional install. You should be aware of the limitations of this aircaft within this mod:
 
1. Off Map Basing: the only British-controlled airfield large enough to accommodate the Vulcan is Wideawake air base on Ascension Island, which is an off-map air base. That means that if you want to fly Vulcan in single missions, you'll have to start in the air, because your air base is not lcoated on the map.
 
2. No Game-Generated "Black Buck" Missions: if you were expecting the game to generate "Black Buck" style bombing raids for your Vulcan, forget it -- it ain't happening.
 
In game-generated single missions, the game engine will always position you in a flight of at least two aircraft (no single aircraft bombing raids, in other words), and will schedule those flights during the day time as often as it does at night. Moreover, you will likely have fighter escorts as well as opposing interceptors to deal with.
 
We have included a custom Formation.ini that keeps Vulcan bomber flights small and the aircraft within those flights widely separated, so the Vulcans seem to operate semi-independently of each other.
 
Of course, you can always use the ThirdWire mission editor to create your own "Black Buck" missions, but that's a task we leave to you.
 
3. No Campaigns: as the game simply will not handle the Vulcan in a historically plausible way, we have not included it any of the campaigns.
 
~~~~~~~~~~
Known Bugs
~~~~~~~~~~
 
There are a few bugs (none "showstoppers") that you should be aware of.
 
1. Stanley Airfield
 
The terrain on which this airfield resides is treacherous. The best we've been able to do is implement workarounds for this airfield's several problems.
 
First, as noted above, set your "Landing" Game Play option to "Normal" or "Easy."
 
Second, you will find that you will start missions off center on the runway. This is done to prevent you from losing your landing gear half-way down the runway. Do not veer across the center line when taking off (stay in your lane).
 
Third, even despite doing the above, you will notice that your aircraft is slow to accelerate and tends to bounce around a bit. You may even need to run off the end of the runway to get airborne.
 
With the exception of Skyhawks (whose spindly landing gear has real problems with this runway), all Argentine aircraft can be used from Stanley. Historically, though, the runway was off-limits to the fast jets -- e.g., A-4s and Mirages.
 
2. Non-paved Airfields
 
When taking off from non-paved airfields -- esp. the Port San Carlos FOB used by Harriers -- you will notice your landing gear sinking into the ground a bit. Also, some airfield runway textures may not appear, notably the PSP/AM2 matting at Port San Carlos FOB. These are other quirks of the Malvinas terrain in SF2 that we have been unable to fix.
 
3. Rapier SAMs
 
The British Rapier SAMs will not fire in the Operation Corporate campaign due to a bug in SF2 that prevents the game from handling Blue-side static SAMs correctly.
 
4. Helicopters & AI Pilots
 
All helicopters in this mod have been made flyable. Set the "Flight Model in Game Play Options to "Normal, and use your thrust vectoring controls in conjunction with the standard SF2 flight controls to maneuver and fly the helos.
 
At the end of the day, though, Strike Fighters is NOT a helicopter sim. That means helo flight models are rough, unrealistic, and borderline unstable. It also means that AI helo pilots can occasionally run into difficulties, esp. when trying to land these things.
 
Until someone creates better helo flight models for SF2 (or TK updates the ThirdWire flight engine to accommodate helicopters), that's just the way it is. If you don't like the way the helos fly, then don't fly them.
 
5. Atlantic Causeway & Atlantic Conveyor
 
Movement for both ships has been disabled. The orientation of the models for these vessels is off, causing the ships to move sideways in the water (a very odd sight indeed). In campaigns this is a moot issue, as both ships appear only as terrain targets. In single missions, though, the game may add one or both ships to carrier battle groups. In such cases, the ships will not move with the rest of the group.
 
6. Comrpnt's Missions
 
Comrpnt created an excellent set of historical missions for his "Falklands Mod & Mission Pack." While these work fine with the original "Falklands '82" mod for SFP1, we encountered significant problems when attempting to get them to work in SF2.
 
In particular, there appears to be a bug in SF2 that causes the game to refuse to start an aircraft on the ground at an offset east or west of the defined center of the airfield target area. This bug manifests itself only in user-created single missions for some reason. The consequence is that many aircraft in comrpnt's missions have problems taking off -- esp. from the Hermes or Stanley Airfield -- because they start on the ground in the wrong position relative to the runway (whether it be a carrier deck or a land-based runway).
 
As we could not resolve these problems or find an acceptable workaround for this bug, we have not included comrpnt's missions (though we have implemented other parts of his Falklands mod pack).
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Changes, Fixes, & Additions
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
This mod was released in December 2010. In May 2014 it was updated with the following fixes and changes:
 
- performed minor fixes/updates on most aircraft & ships
- added new skins for the A-4P and Mirage IIIEA (TMF)
- added new models for the Fleet Oiler & Fleet Stores Ship
- added Type 12I & Type 23
 
Earlier, in August 2012, this mod was updated with the following fixes and changes:
 
Fixes & Updates
---------------
- all ships overhauled & brought up to SF2NA compatibility standards
- missile & guns systems on ships overhauled for functionality in SF2NA
- SF2NA versions of all three campaigns created
- land-based SAMs overhauled for performance and realism
- land-based AAA guns overhauled for performance and realism
- most other combat-related ground objects tweaked and/or fixed
- all A2G/ASM missiles overhauled for performance and realism
- all SAMs overhauled for performance and realism
- most aircraft tweaked or fixed in some way
- IA-58a Pucara flight model overhauled
- optional new skins added for: Super Etendard, MB-326GB, T-34 Mentor
- new MB-339A model added
- several new target areas added to terrain
- several bug fixes implemented for terrain items
- terrain TYPES.INI expanded to incoprorate new items
- SF2NA version of terrain added (South Atlantic)
- terrain Movement.INI expanded
- terrain front line tweaked
- Goose Green airfield taxi positions fixed
- ship smoke & flak effects tweaked
- PlanningMapScreen.INI fixed for Sf2NA compatibility
- Formation.INI and Nations.INI tweaked
- most other INIs in \Flight updated for SF2NA/Apr2012 compatibility
 
Additions
---------
- ships: Segui class destroyer, Drummond class corvette, Fleet Oiler
- SAMs/AAA: HS-831 30mm AAA, Bofors L60, Tigercat SAM, Stinger launcher (UK)
- guns: 76MM_Otobreda, 30MM_KCB
- weapons: Tigercat SAM, Mk.44 torpedo, Rapier Mk. 1E, & Rapier Mk. 2A
- aircraft: Vulcan B2 bomber
 
Previously, in January 2012, it was updated with the following fixes and changes:
 
Fixes & Updates
---------------
- campaigns overhauled, with revised AirOffensive schedules, unit start
dates, and other minor changes
- variant of Argentinean campaign added (Operation Rosario), which bases
3 Esq. de Caza y Ataque (A-4Q) on the 25 de Mayo aircraft carrier instead
of Rio Grande Airbase
- Operation Corporate campaign now allows players to fly the small detach-
ment of 1 Sq. Harrier GR.3s that flew from the HMS Hermes
- flak & bomb effects fixed to reduce cartoonishly large debris
- Formation.INI updated to reflect changes from the latest 3rdWire patches
- terrain Tyes.INI overhauled to standardize data and better organize/
prioritize target types for campaigns
- terrain Targets.INI tweaked to fix various minor errors & address
problems with front line
- front line (Movement.INI) adjusted to correct problems with game engine's
handling of certain target areas in campaigns
- Exocet ASMs changed to allow them to hit moving targets in Single Missions
- ship-based SAMs overhauled to improve performance
- most warships tweaked to improve performance of ship-based SAMs
- Super Etendard's weapon stations tweaked to correct roll to the left
- Super Etendard's cockpit position moved forward
- Super Etendard's decals.INI fixed to show all decals
- Ajunaidr's Canberra B.62 overhauled to add 3rdWire flight model, remove
guns, and bring weapons stations/loadouts in line with Soulfreak's B.62
- AIM-9 Sidewinder rails added to A-4Q Skyhawk
- CruiseSpeed for all Skyhawks boosted slightly
- mission radii for all Harriers reduced to prevent them from flying
missions against the Argentinean mainland
- UH-1H flight model tweaked for performance
- ground-based SAMs, AAA, & radars tweaked to improve performance
 
Previously, in May & September 2011, this mod was re-released following extensive bug fixes,
changes, and additions, which included:
 
Fixes
-----
- missing/incorrect Sea Harrier decals
- bright white Sidewinder rails on Sea Harrier
- A-4 nation decals missing
- non-working nozzel on Sea Harrier
- incorrect alignment/decals for UH-1H
- wrong missiles on Mirage IIIEA
- Mirage IIIEA unable to maintain expected high altitude speed
- wrong .INI pointer for A-109A unit in Malvinas campaign
- Type_12M frigate not appearing in terrain
- front line leaves British ships on Argentine side in campaign
- wrong alignment for Port Howard target area
- wrong model for AR_R-530R
- wrong squadron for Harrier GR.3 (No.1 not No.3)
- loadout/weapon stations problems with S-2F Tracker
- rolling radius on Super Etendard nose wheel too high
- Airfields 1,2,5 use mix of old/new runway textures
- MB.326 & MB.339 experience nose pitch-up at speeds > 400 knots
- Harrier GR.3 & FRS.1 don't sit properly on tarmack/deck
- Harrier FRS.1 damaged 50% when landing on carriers
- aircraft on use ski jump improperly on Hermes
- AI pilots land incorrectly on Hermes
- double green Pucara's 1-Tex skin wrong color-depth
- AI pilots w/ Twin Otter not take off/land correctly
- AI pilots w/ T-34C Mentor not take off or fly correctly
- wildly inaccurate squadron strengths in campaigns for some aircraft
- "Intelligence" values on wrong force/side in Malvinas campaign
- some number decals not appear on aircraft in campaigns
- other minor errors in campaign DATA.INIs
- ReadMe for Malvinas WP not included
 
Additions
---------
- RWR/ECM corrections on Harrier GR.3
- overhauled decals on Harrier GR.3
- engine updates on Harrier GR.3
- loadout updates on Harrier GR.3
- RWR/ECM corrections on Sea Harrier FRS.1
- engine updates on Sea Harrier FRS.1
- loadout updates on Sea Harrier FRS.1
- corrected black skins from Elephant for Sea Harrier FRS.1
- new "blue-black" 800/801 skins from PanamaRed for Sea Harrier FRS.1
- corrected 809 skins from PanamaRed & Elephant
- overhauled decals for Sea Harrier FRS.1 based on work by Elephant
- Lynx & Sea King upgrades by dtmdragon
- Argentine pilot pics from IceMan
- new RAF & RN pilots from Elephant & PanamaRed
- new SquadronList.INI from STORM w/ texture data keyed to it
- WATERNORMAL.BMP from SF2 Desert.CAT
- optional verions of WATERNORMAL.BMP from luk1978
 
New Optional Items
------------------
- 3rdWire Nesher-based Dagger (SF2I only)
- 3rdWire Mirage IIIEA cockpit (SF2I only)
- 3rdWire Harrier GR.3 (SF2E only)
- 3rdWire Canberra B.Mk62 (SF2E Exp. Pack 2 only)
- alternate WaterNormal.BMPs
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
General Changes, Fixes, & Additions
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
This mod is a conversion and upgrade of the original "Falklands '82" mod released by Kesselbrut for SFP1. This version incorporates the following changes over the original:
 
General SF2 post-Dec2009 Updates/Conversions
--------------------------------------------
- Hangar/Loading Screens: converted to .JPG format
- Loadout Images: coverted to .TGA format
- Cockpit Positions: checked & updated as needed
- HUD/DTVFilter Materials: added & updated as needed
- Effects: added proper shaders to all effects
- EnvironmentSystem: added proper Dec2009 shaders & new
environment parameters
- Menu Screens: coverted to .JPG format
- Non-decal TGAs: moved to aircraft texture folders
- UserLists: added UserList.INIs to all aircraft
- AircraftShortNames: added AircraftShortName statements
to all aircraft
- Damage models: added aircraft damage models to all air-
craft DATA.INIs
- Decals: moved all aircraft decals to \Decals folder
- Pilots & Seats: moved all pilots & seats to \Pilots folder
- Radar frequencies: added radar frequency data to aircraft
radars, RWR statements, anti-radiation missiles, & ground
radars (not ships)
- converted weapons & guns to SF2
 
Other Updates & Fixes
---------------------
- added damage .TGAs to several aircraft
- tweaked weapons loadouts/stations on several aircraft
- updated flight models on Mirage IIIEA, IAI Dagger, Harrier
GR.3, Sea Harrier FRS.1, MB-326GB, C-130, KC-130, Super
Etendard, T-34C Mentor, & IA-58a Pucara
- tweaked flight models on most remaining aircraft to make
them SF2-friendly
- added additional skins to A-4CA/P/Q, Canberra B.62, Sea Har-
rier FRS.1, IA-58a Pucara, IAI Dagger, Mirage IIIEA, & KC-130
- added new Hangar & Loading screens for a number of aircraft
- made minor correction/fixes to most aircraft
- replaced original cloud mod with Cellinsky's WideSky cloud mod
- updated original Menu screens and added a few new ones to round
out the set
- created new InstantAction.INI
- added custom SpeechSystem.INI to suppress some gun-firing radio
calls ("He's firing his guns!")
- carried over original Nations.INI tweaks to SF2 Nations.INI
- added custom pilot pics from comrpnt's mod pack
- carried over relevant customizations from original Formations.INI
to SF2 Formations.INI
- added several new sounds & updated SoundList.INI
- tweaked flak guns to improve effectiveness & use new effects
- fixed Type 12M (Rothesay) Class Frigate so that guns/missiles are
now working
- added bobrock's Invincible re-paint skin
- converted main terrain .INIs to SF2 standards
- added seven new terrain target areas for temporary ship locations
to TARGETS.INI
- added new terrain items (static models, ships, etc) to TYPES.INI
- added new terrain items (static models, ships) to TARGETS.INI
- fixed StanleyAirfield_DATA.INI to enable aircraft to take off
- tweaked FOB_DATA.INI to allow more than four aircraft to take
off properly from Port San Carlos FOB
- implemented custom terrain lights from comrpnt's mod pack
- updated campaigns for SF2-compatibility (& added MB-339A)
 
New Air & Ground Items
----------------------
- MB-339A ARA
- Twin Otter
- Type 12L frigate
- Type 21 frigate
- Type 22 frigate
- Sotoyomo & Z-28 patrol craft
- Argentine Mercedes trucks (Trucks camiones)
- Banidos team static terrain models
- several new weapons or weapons models
 
~~~~~~~
Credits
~~~~~~~
 
This update pack adds a number of new items to the "Falklands '82" mod package. These new items are from the following modders, who generously allowed their use:
 
comrpnt .......................... Falklands Mod & Mission Pack
ChrisBV .......................... Sea Harrier Pack
NeverEnough ...................... IA-58a Pucara for SF2
Tracker & Syd Adams .............. Twin Otter
ID(io)T Team...................... MB-339A
Banidos Team ..................... Static Malvinas Models
Banidos Team ..................... Trucks Camiones
Banidos Team ..................... Type 12I, 12L, 21, 22, & 23 frigates
Julhelm .......................... Fleet Oiler
Florian .......................... Fleet Stores Ship
bobrock .......................... Invincible re-paint skin
Adrian Benetti ................... Sotoyomo & Z-28 patrol craft
Adrian Benetti ................... Malvinas Weapons Pack
ChrisBV .......................... Falklands War-era Weapons Mini-Pack
Cellinsky ........................ WideSky cloud mod
SayWhat?! ........................ IA-58a Pucara skins
JefeFOSS ......................... Canberra FAA Oscuro skin
PGC .............................. Mirage IIIEA skins
torno & HrntFixr ................. C-130/KC-130 skins
torno ............................ ARA Sea King skin
Falls, nosecone, Banidos Team, ... A-4CA/P/Q skins
Fallschirmjager, 3-A-305,
& Galtieycia
PanamaRed ........................ Harrier FRS.1/GR.3 fixes, Hermes fixes,
Mentor fixes, Pucara fixes
Elephant ........................ updated Harrier FRS.1 skins & decals
STORM ............................ updated/expanded SquadronList.INI w/ a/c .INIs
luk1978 .......................... new WaterNormal.BMP versions
Ice Man .......................... Argentine pilot pics
dtmdragon ........................ Harrier 3, Lynx, & Sea King upgrades
Wrench ........................... Gazelle running lights
torno ............................ Dagger skins & antennas for 3rdWire Nesher
Soulfreak ........................ Canberra B.Mk62 (3rdWire B6 model)
ataribaby ........................ Super Etendard fixes
Wrench ........................... Exocet ASM fixes
Torno & Paulopanz ................ 25 de Mayo CV
Adrian Benetti ................... Drummond class corvette (based on ARA Indomita/Intrepida)
Paulopanz ........................ new skins for County class destroyer, Type 12I frigate,
& Type 82 destroyer
Ariell ........................... new skins for Super Etendard, MB-326GB, & T-34 Mentor
Paulopanz ........................ Vulcan B2 skin
SUICIDAL-ART ..................... Bofors L60 AAA
 
Additional skins from Edward's "Falklands Mod and Campaign for SFP1."
 
Credit for the original "Falklands '82" mod package goes to Daniel "Kesselbrut" Himmel and the team of modders that contributed to that original release for SFP1. For a list of all the modders whose work is used in the complete "Falklands '82" mod, see the original ReadMes included in \OriginalReadmes.
 
If we have neglected to credit anyone here, please let us know. We will get it fixed ASAP.
 
 
--------------------------
eburger68 & Dave (USAFMTL)
15 November 2010
3 May 2011
1 Sep 2011
5 Jan 2012
27 August 2012
1 May 2014

SF2 MiG-23 & MiG-27 Floggers - Part 1
 
This mod supplies a collection of MiG-23 & MiG-27 Floggers, created by ArmourDave and The Mirage Factory, and heavily modded by Lindr2 for SFP1. (These are not mods of the 3rdWire Floggers supplied in the SF2 titles.) All have been converted and updated to SF2 standards. Also included with this mod are all the weapons, sounds, pilots, and seats that you will need to install and use any of the aircraft supplied with this mod.
 
This mod consists of three parts:
 
Part 1: 1st Generation MiG-23s (MiG-23S, Mig-23M, MiG-23ME, MiG-23MF,
MiG-23MF, MiG-23UB)
 
Part 2: 2nd Generation MiG-23s (MiG-23ML, MiG-23MLA, MiG-23MLAE, MiG-23P,
MiG-23PD, MiG-23-98, MiG-23UM)
 
Part 3: Ground Attack MiG-23s (MiG-23B, MiG-23BN) & MiG-27s (MiG-27,
MiG-27D, MiG-27K, MiG-27M, MiG-27ML)
 
Each of the three parts includes all the decals, pilots, sounds, effects that you will need for the aircraft in that part. The WEAPONS are contained ONLY IN THE 2ND PART, which means that you MUST DOWNLOAD THE 2ND PART TO GET THE WEAPONS.
 
These aircraft can be used in SF2, SF2E, SF2V, or SF2I. To install and use them, you should ensure that your SF2 installation is patched to at least the Dec2009 patch level. See below for installation instructions.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Installation
~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Please note that installation of these aircraft will overwrite & replace the default 3rdWire versions included in the various SF2 titles. I recommend that you first REMOVE the 3rdWire MiG-23 and MiG-27 versions - even if you haven't modded them -- before installing these alternate versions.
 
To install, simply drag the following folders to your SF2 Mods Folder (NOT the folder that the game installs to):
 
\Effects
\Flight
\Objects
\Sounds
 
By default your Mod Folder should be located here:
 
Windows XP: \Documents and Settings\[username]\My Documents\ThirdWire\[Game]\
Windows Vista: \Users\[username]\Saved Games\ThirdWire\[Game]\
Windows 7: \Users\[username]\Saved Games\ThirdWire\[Game]\
 
...where [username] is the account you log into within Windows and [Game] is the name of the particular game mod folder that you're moving the files to.
 
If the aircraft are not showing up in your Single Mission Aircraft menu, then you didn't install all the bits correctly. And remember, the WEAPONS are contained ONLY IN THE 2ND PART, which means that you MUST DOWNLOAD THE 2ND PART TO GET THE WEAPONS.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Aircraft & Nations Included
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
The following aircraft are included in the three parts of this mod:
 
Part 1: 1st Generation MiG-23s
 
- MiG-23S Flogger-A (Early)
- MiG-23S Flogger-A
- MiG-23SM Flogger-A (obr.71)
- MiG-23M Flogger-B (Ser. 1)
- MiG-23M Flogger-B (Ser. 23)
- MiG-23ME Flogger-B
- MiG-23MF Flogger-B
- MiG-23MF Flogger-B (Late)
- MiG-23MF Rakshak
- MiG-23MS Flogger-E
- MiG-23UB Flogger-C (Early)
- MiG-23UB Flogger-C
 
Part 2: 2nd Generation MiG-23s
 
- MiG-23ML Flogger-G (Early)
- MiG-23ML Flogger-G
- MiG-23MLA Flogger-G
- MiG-23MLAE-A Flogger-G (32-22)
- MiG-23MLAE-B Flogger-G
- MiG-23MLD Flogger-K
- MiG-23P Flogger-G
- MiG-23PD Flogger-G
- MiG-23UM Flogger-C
- MiG-23-98 Flogger-K
 
Part 3: Ground Attack MiG-23s & MiG-27s
 
- MiG-23B Flogger-F (Early)
- MiG-23B Flogger-F
- MiG-23BN Flogger-H
- MiG-23BN Flogger-H (Egypt)
- MiG-23BN Flogger-H (Iraq)
- MiG-23BN Vijay
- MiG-27 Flogger-D
- MiG-27D Flogger-J
- MiG-27K Flogger-J2 (Early)
- MiG-27K Flogger-J2
- MiG-27M Flogger-J
- MiG-27ML Bahadur
 
The following nations are represented:
 
USSR Angola
Bulgaria Ethiopia
Czechoslovakia Egypt
East Germany Iraq
Hungary Libya
Poland Syria
Romania India
Ukraine Sri Lanka
Cuba Ivory Coast
North Korea
 
For more information on the differences between these various different versions, see the documentation included in \_OriginalReadMes.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Few Notes About This Mod
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Those familiar with Lindr2's Flogger packages for SFP1 will rightly recognize that this updated mod builds on his earlier efforts. Although I have largely followed Lindr2's lead in assembling this package, there are some noteworthy differences between his SFP1 collections and this one:
 
1) Different Engine Sounds & Afterburner TGAs
 
I have used different engine sounds and afterburner TGAs to give the various engines used by different models distinct sounds and appearances.
 
2) NATO Code Names
 
The aircraft names do include the NATO code names, whereas Lindr2's SFP1 versions did not use them at all. Also, the Air-to-Air weapons use both NATO and Soviet names/designations (e.g., "R-73 AA-11 Archer").
 
3) Wider range of Skins/Nations
 
You will find a wider range of skins used to represent more nations, drawing on the various one-off skins that have been released by other modders.
 
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Credits & Acknowledgements
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
This package largely consists of work done by others and released previously in other packages. All I did was assemble the package, update the bits to SF2 standards, and make minor adjustments and tweaks here and there (discussed above).
 
Rafael & BPAo .................................. MiG-23 models for SFP1
wpnssgt ........................................ MiG-27 models for SFP1
ArmourDave ..................................... MiG-23M for SFP1
The Mirage Factory ............................. MiG-23 packages for SFP1
Lindr2 ......................................... MiG-23 & MiG-27 Packs for SFP1
Lindr2 ......................................... MiG-23/27 Weapons Pack for SFP1
ArmourDave & Sal ............................... Su-17 cockpit
Paladrian ...................................... MiG-21MF cockpit
Ordway ......................................... SF2 cockpit for MiG-23-98
Gramps, Matt Ouellette, Marcello, Phantuam ..... Skins
ghostrider883, whiteknight06604, Soulfreak,
Sidewinder86, TMF, & Blackrat
Spillone104 .................................... Sounds
 
If I have neglected to credit anyone, please let me know -- it will be fixed ASAP. Copies of the original documentation for the components of this mod are included in \_OriginalReadMes. Any errors in this package are mine alone, so please do report bugs and inaccuracies to the CombatAce.com forum.
 
 
-----------
Eric Howes
eburger68
20 July 2011