Spinners

Grumman F-111B 'ADC' for STRIKE FIGHTERS 2
 
This is a very simple mod of the superb F-111B by FastCargo to represent a fictional USAF version inflicted on that fine service, although it's actually not that bad when used within it's limits! I'm releasing this 'as is' as it could do with further refinements but avionics are not really my thing.
 
 
BACKSTORY
 
On November 24th, 1962 the US Defense Departement issued a press release announcing the award of the TFX programme to General Dynamics ahead of Boeing. There was an immediate outcry at this decision as only a few weeks earlier the Air Force Council had stated their declared preference for the Boeing submission as had the Chief of the Navy although the US Navy had, in fact, rejected both explaining that neither were fully compatible with carrier operations and neither had adequate CAP loiter endurance. It was not until March 21st, 1963 when Robert McNamara (Secretary of Defense) was called as a witness to the 'McClennan hearings' where McNamara explained the evaluation groups preference for the General Dynamics submission based on the higher degree of commonality when compared to Boeing's submission adding that, in their view, Boeing were proposing two different airplanes. After the dust had settled General Dynamics and the US Air Force battled on with their version of the TFX which would eventually lead to the F-111A entering squadron service (and operational service in Vietnam) in 1968.
 
However, for the US Navy things were different. Initially, by appointing Grumman to develop the naval version of the TFX (as the F-111B) the US Navy had hoped that this experienced and trusted contractor would turn the heavy tactical bomber into something that would meet their carrier-based interception requirement and at least they also had Hughes onboard for the radar/missile system with the promising AWG-9 radar and AIM-54A missile. But by early 1964 the Navy were determined that the F-111B would not proceed except without major changes and asked that the manufacture of the F-111B development aircraft should be halted until the aircraft was redesigned but this was overruled by the Pentagon. Even the first flight of the F-111B on May 18th, 1965 failed to provide any comfort as the TF30 engine compressor stalls were evident from the start. By October 1965 the Navy Preliminary Evaluation considered the aircraft to be grossly underpowered, range was less than half of the requirement and the engines were judged to be a significant flight safety problem. Furthermore, the fixes required to bring the F-111B into something at least marginally capable of flying the mission brought commonality down from 80% down to 29% and during early 1966 the Navy became increasingly vocal about wanting to bail out but it was not until after a new and particularly scathing Navy Preliminary Evaluation held in March 1967 that they did so.
 
McNamara was incensed and instructed General Dynamics and Grumman to revert back to the original '80% commonality' F-111B and develop it for use as an interceptor by the USAF's Aerospace Defense Command Interceptor Squadrons as a replacement for the F-101 Voodoos and F-102 Delta Daggers and to supplement the F-106 Delta Darts. Almost as a way of denying failure, McNamara instructed the Defense Department not to allocate a new designation but to keep the F-111B designation for the Air Force interceptor. With an immediate order for 288 F-111B's a reluctant Air Force at least had some use for the short-nosed F-111 and put the aircraft to good use but the real winner was McDonnell Douglas who gained new orders from the Navy for the F-4J Phantom and also the swing-wing F-4S 'Super Phantom' ordered instead of the VFX (Tomcat).
 
 
INSTRUCTIONS
 
1. From the AIRCRAFT folder drag and drop the F-111B_ADC folder into your Aircraft folder.
 
2. From the DECALS folder drag and drop the F-111B_ADC folder into your Decals folder.
 
3. From the SOUNDS folder drag and drop the TF30_DRY AND TF30_WET files into your Sounds folder.
 
4. From the WEAPONS folder drag and drop the AIM-54A_ADC folder into your Weapons folder.
 
 
CREDITS
 
As always, big thanks to Third Wire for the continuous improvement of a great little game/sim.
 
Massive thanks to FastCargo for the full and complete F-111 family. The F-111 Super Vark Pack by FastCargo gives comprehensive thanks to everyone who has played a part and his credits include thanks to Norman Knight for the F-111 pit.
 
And, finally, thanks to everyone in the wider Third Wire community.
 
Regards
 
Spinners
 
Version 1 - 18/01/14

Hawker Hunter F.6M for STRIKE FIGHTERS 2
 
This is a very simple mod of the Third Wire DLC Hawker Hunter F.6(60) to give a fictional Hunter F.6M in service with the Irish Air Corps during the 1966 to 1988 timeline.
 
You'll need DLC001 - the Hunter F.6 (60) of the Royal Netherlands Air Force for this to work but if you haven't got it you can hack this package to use whatever stock Hunters you have but expect to lose some functionality.
 
Colourful fictional markings for all four Irish provinces are included;
 
No.1 Connacht Squadron
 
No.2 Leinster Squadron
 
No.3 Munster Squadron
 
No.4 Ulster Squadron
 
If you'd prefer to use the standard RAF scheme then I've included a Patch template to help you easily produce the Patch.bmp for your skin folders.
 
Also included are an Irish Air Corps Pilot and the 'Sleagh' infra-red homing air-to-air missile which is simply a licence-built Red Top but with the familiar IRM growl and an orange skin. Stock RedTops can be used and these Hunters are equipped with the Lightning gunsight which gives a quirky visual confirmation that your missile has lock-on.
 
 
INSTRUCTIONS
 
1. From the AIRCRAFT folder drag and drop the Hunter6iac folder into your Aircraft folder.
 
2. From the DECALS folder drag and drop the Hunter6iac folder into your Decals folder.
 
3. From the PILOTS folder drag and drop the PILOT_IAC folder into your Pilots folder.
 
4. From the WEAPONS folder drag and drop the SLEAGH folder into your Weapons folder.
 
 
CREDITS
 
As always, big thanks to Third Wire for the continuous improvement of a great little game/sim.
 
And thanks to everyone in the wider Third Wire community.
 
Regards
 
Spinners
 
Version 2 - 01/01/14

Fictional Texas Air Force Decals - Starter Pack
 
Two contrasting types and a selection of bits and bobs. Use and abuse as you see fit.
 
Texan 'Starbar' design courtesy of suhsjake.
 
 
Regards
 
Spinners
 
Version 2 - 01/01/14

Flygvapnet Skin for Cocas' F-32
 
Released 'as is' after being requested by Cocas for his very inventive F-32 'Joint Strike Fighter' early proposal this is a fictional Flygvapnet skin for F21.
 
There is a slight limitation in that the nose insignia also appear on the inside of the aircraft but with your ejection seat in place you will hardly notice this.
 
 
 
INSTRUCTIONS
 
1. From the AIRCRAFT folder drag and drop the F-32 folder into your main Aircraft folder and overwrite if asked.
 
2. From the DECALS folder drag and drop the F-32 folder into your main Decals folder and overwrite if asked.
 
 
CREDITS
 
As always, thanks to Third Wire for the continuous improvement of a great little game/sim.
 
Thanks to the prolific and talented Cocas for bringing us this alternate version of the F-32.
 
And, finally, thanks to everyone in the wider Third Wire community.
 
Regards
 
 
Spinners
 
Version 2 - 31/12/13

BAC Lightning F.Mk 52 for STRIKE FIGHTERS 2 (EP2)
 
This is a very simple mod of the stock Third Wire BAC Lightning F.2 to make the little-known F.Mk 52 version that was exported to Saudi Arabia as part of 'Operation Magic Palm' an early UK supplied defence package that also saw the supply of Lightning T.Mk 54 trainers, Hawker Hunters and Thunderbird SAM's. Four F.Mk 2's were withdrawn from RAF stocks and were refurbished at BAC Warton to F.Mk 52's before being delivered to the Royal Saudi Air Force in 1966 with a fifth F.Mk 52 joining them in 1967. Rather confusingly, four of these five aircraft were re-serialled so there are nine serial numbers included here.
 
 
INSTRUCTIONS
 
1. From the AIRCRAFT folder drag and drop the Lightning52 folder into your Aircraft folder.
 
2. From the DECALS folder drag and drop the Lightning52 folder into your main Decals folder.
 
3. From the SOUNDS folder drag and drop the Avon_Dry and Avon_Wet files into your main Sounds folder.
 
 
CREDITS
 
Thanks to Third Wire for the continuous improvement of a great little game/sim.
 
And thanks to everyone in the wider Third Wire community.
 
 
Regards
 
Spinners
 
Version 2 - 31/12/13

BAC/Vought Corsair GR.1 for STRIKE FIGHTERS 2:VIETNAM
 
This is a very simple mod of the stock Third Wire A-7B to give a fictional BAC/Vought Corsair GR.1 with markings for No.8 and No.20 squadrons of RAF South East Asia Command.
 
 
BACKSTORY
 
The UK General Election of October 1964 saw a new Labour government slip into power with a slender four-seat majority but this did not deter their planned shake-up of the UK Defence Budget. Whilst many observers felt that the TSR.2 programme would survive until at least the 1965 April budget it was not that great a shock when the axe fell earlier than expected in November 1964 with a bland announcement that a three-month study period of the RAF's tactical strike and recconnaisance requirements would be immediately started as part of a much broader Emergency Defence Review.
 
The Emergency Defence Review of February 1965 concluded that the RAF needed a more flexible force and recommended a mix of aircraft with a small force of sophisticated all-weather tactical strike aircraft, a much larger force of tactical attack machines plus an improved interceptor-fighter force equipped with longer-range aircraft than the totally inadequate Lightning.
 
Whilst initially ordered as a replacement for the Hunter the Spey-enginned Phantoms already on order (thanks to an order placed by the outgoing Conservative Government in February 1964) were now allocated to air defence duties to replace the Lightnings in the UK and RAF Germany squadrons. For the tactical strike role it was no surprise that the F-111 was ordered but, like the Phantoms, with Spey engines which soon hit many of same problems encountered by the Spey-Phantoms.
 
For the RAF's tactical attack role almost no one foresaw the purchase of Ling-Temco Vought's VAL contender (later designated A-7 Corsair II) as it had only just been selected, literally days earlier, by the US Navy as their A-4 Skyhawk replacement. The UK Government simply couldn't resist putting the non-afterburning Spey into their version of the Corsair but, thankfully, this was a much happier marriage and LTV had actually already planned their A-7 to use this engine as an insurance policy and to be able to offer an export version of their promising design. As some sort of feeble compensation to BAC for the loss of the TSR.2 the UK Government negotiated with LTV a manufacturing licence for BAC to licence-build all British production aircraft although this
was more of a final assembly deal plus partnering on all European and Commonwealth sales which actually became quite lucrative for BAC.
 
Development moved swiftly and apart from minor delays due to the substitution of the TF-30 for the Rolls-Royce Spey RB.168-2A turbofan engine the only other delay was caused by the substitution of the Colt Mk12 20mm cannon for British 30mm Aden (with reduced round capacity) and progress was certainly helped by having the prototypes built and test-flown in the USA and the British Corsairs simply slotted into the very smooth and highly successful LTV Corsair programme that saw the A-7A move from operational requirement to squadron service in three years. Entering service as the Corsair GR.1 in early 1968 the aircraft was extremely popular in RAF service and served until late 1991 after seeing service in Desert Storm.
 
 
INSTRUCTIONS
 
1. From the AIRCRAFT folder drag and drop the CorsairGR1 folder into your Aircraft folder.
 
2. From the DECALS folder drag and drop the CorsairGR1 folder into your main Decals folder.
 
3. From the SOUNDS folder drag and drop the Spey_Dry file into your main Sounds folder.
 
 
CREDITS
 
Thanks to Third Wire for the continuous improvement of a great little game/sim.
 
And thanks to everyone in the wider Third Wire community.
 
 
Regards
 
Spinners
 
Version 3 - 30/12/13

Vought A-7B Corsair II 'Armada Española' for STRIKE FIGHTERS 2
 
This is a very simple mod of the stock Third Wire A-7B to give a fictional A-7B in service with the Armada Española Arma Aérea (Spanish Naval Air Arm).
 
 
INSTRUCTIONS
 
1. From the AIRCRAFT folder drag and drop the A-7B_Esp folder into your Aircraft folder.
 
2. From the DECALS folder drag and drop the A-7B_Esp folder into your main Decals folder.
 
3. From the SOUNDS folder drag and drop the TF30_Dry file into your main Sounds folder.
 
 
CREDITS
 
Thanks to Third Wire for the continuous improvement of a great little game/sim.
 
And thanks to everyone in the wider Third Wire community.
 
 
Regards
 
Spinners
 
Version 3 - 29/12/13

Vought A-7A Corsair II 'Ejército del Aire' for STRIKE FIGHTERS 2
 
This is a very simple mod of the stock Third Wire A-7P (DLC) to give a fictional A-7A in service with the Ejército del Aire with markings for 121 Esc. and 122 Esc. of Ala 12.
 
 
INSTRUCTIONS
 
1. From the AIRCRAFT folder drag and drop the A-7A_Esp folder into your Aircraft folder.
 
2. From the DECALS folder drag and drop the A-7A_Esp folder into your main Decals folder.
 
3. From the SOUNDS folder drag and drop the TF30_Dry file into your main Sounds folder.
 
 
CREDITS
 
Thanks to Third Wire for the continuous improvement of a great little game/sim.
 
And thanks to everyone in the wider Third Wire community.
 
 
Regards
 
Spinners
 
Version 3 - 29/12/13

Supermarine Spitfire F Mk 24 - Fuerza Aérea Argentina
 
This is a very simple mod of the stock Third Wire Spitfire F Mk 24 to give a fictional Fuerza Aérea Argentina Spitfire with equally fictitious markings for Grupo 6 de Caza (sorry about the low number of serial number decals but it wasn't originally intended for release and is released 'as is' as a request).
 
You will need to have the 'AI Plane Pack 2' DLC from Third Wire.
 
 
INSTRUCTIONS
 
1. From the AIRCRAFT folder drag and drop the Spitfire24_FAA folder into your Aircraft folder.
 
2. From the DECALS folder drag and drop the Spitfire24_FAA folder into your main Decals folder.
 
At this point it might be a good idea to change the pilot to whatever you've got in your install suitable for the early post-war period.
 
 
CREDITS
 
Thanks to Third Wire for the continuous improvement of a great little game/sim.
 
And thanks to everyone in the wider Third Wire community and remember to wear your poppy with pride.
 
Regards
 
Spinners
 
Version 1 - 11/11/13

Mikoyan-Gurevich-Hawker Falchion F.Mk1 for STRIKE FIGHTERS 2
 
This is a very simple mod of the stock Third Wire MiG-15 to create a fictional licence-built MiG-15 in service with the British Peoples' Republic Air Force as the Falchion F.Mk1. I'm delighted to use Stary's new MiG-15 cockpit in this little bit of fluff and nonsense. Please note that this mod requires you to have Expansion Packs 1 and 2 as the MiG-15 was 'bonus content' if you had both but you could quickly juggle things around to use the MiG-15bis if you've only got Expansion Pack 1.
 
 
INSTRUCTIONS
 
1. From the AIRCRAFT folder drag and drop the Falchion folder into your Aircraft folder.
 
2. From the DECALS folder drag and drop the Falchion folder into your main Decals folder.
 
 
CREDITS
 
Thanks to Third Wire for the continuous improvement of a great little game/sim.
 
And thanks to everyone in the wider Third Wire community.
 
Regards
 
Spinners
 
Version 2 - 14/09/13
 
Version 1 - 07/03/09

Republic Thunderchief S.1 for STRIKE FIGHTERS 2
 
This is a very simple mod of the stock Third Wire F-105D to create a fictional Thunderchief in service with the Royal Air Force in the 1964 to 1973 timeline. In addition, a bonus RAAF 'anti-flash' white skin is included together with an RAF SEAC skin.
 
 
BACKSTORY
 
At the onset of the fatigue problems suffered by the Vickers Valiant in 1964 it wasn't only the RAF that urgently looked for a quick replacement. With the October 1962 Cuban Missile crisis relatively fresh in their minds, the American administration led by LBJ realised that a quick infusion of European striking power was required and authorised the transfer of a batch of 39 F-105D-25's from US stocks to the RAF and these arrived in December 1964 under "Operation Hastings" (later discovered to be an American jibe at the incoming British Prime Minister Harold Wilson).
 
Entering service with No.207 squadron at RAF Marham in February 1965 the Thunderchief S.1 soon also re-equipped No.49 and No.148 squadrons (also based at RAF Marham) and were initially armed with American Mk28 (B-61) free-fall tactical nuclear bombs before switching to the UK WE.177B in late 1966. Due to their relative short range the Thunderchief S.1's were regularly deployed to RAF Germany until the Victor K.1 tanker force had built up in sufficient numbers. In RAF service the Thunderchief suffered from a high attrition rate and the type was never popular with pilots and began to be supplanted in RAF service by Blackburn Buccaneer S.2's in 1968 with the remaining Thunderchiefs being transferred to RAF South East Asia Command before being retired in 1973.
 
 
INSTRUCTIONS
 
1. From the AIRCRAFT folder drag and drop the ThunderchiefS1 folder into your Aircraft folder.
 
2. From the DECALS folder drag and drop the ThunderchiefS1 folder into your main Decals folder.
 
 
CREDITS
 
Thanks to Third Wire for the continuous improvement of a great little game/sim.
 
Thanks to Daddyairplanes for the 'Euro 1' skin and also to Centurion for the tweaks to this skin and ludo.m54 for the F-105D templates.
 
And thanks to everyone in the wider Third Wire community.
 
Regards
 
Spinners
 
Version 1 - 08/09/13

Douglas A-4E Skyhawk 'VPAF' for STRIKE FIGHTERS 2
 
This is a very simple mod of the stock Third Wire A-4E to create a fictional Skyhawk in service with the Vietnam People's Air Force in the 1975 to 1990 timeline.
 
 
BACKSTORY
 
The building up of the Vietnamese Air Force during 1970 and 1971 as part of President Nixon's 'Vietnamization' process saw it become the world's sixth largest air force and in August 1971 it's capability was given a boost by the transfer of 40 A-4E aircraft flown by USN pilots from carriers positioned around Dixie station who delivered them to Bien Hoa airbase near Saigon. Bien Hoa was itself being handed over to the Vietnamese Air Force at that time but a US presence was maintained
to help with the handover of the aircraft and a four-month conversion course for air and ground crew commenced alongside the establishment of the two squadrons chosen to fly the Skyhawks.
 
During early 1972 the Skyhawks saw limited action until late March when they were pitched against the North's 'Spring Offensive' but they were hampered by the poor weather under which the North stormed forward and with the switch to strategic attacks on the North by the USAF the Skyhawks were withdrawn as Linebacker 1, and the more concentrated and effective Linebacker 2, took centre-stage until the bombing was finally halted and an uneasy ceasefire was introduced after the
Kissinger-Tho Peace Accord.
 
During 1974 the drastic reduction in financial assistance from the US began to hurt the Vietnamese Air Force who retired many aircraft to flyable storage condition including the remaining Skyhawks and with limited funds they preferred to reactivate the elderly A-1 Skyraiders for close air support when skirmishes between NVA and ARVN forces began to become more frequent. NVA advances during late 1974 had been slow but steady but the North had continued to build up their forces until
they were unleashed in early January 1975 and advanced quickly to capture Ban Me Thuot and the nearby military airfield where the mothballed Skyhawks were discovered although at least six were damaged by NVA shelling.
 
Like many Vietnamese Air Force aircraft the Skyhawks were pressed into service with the Vietnam People's Air Force who were quick to show the aircraft in service for propaganda purposes but who also found the Skyhawk to be a useful attack aircraft and used the type in the border conflict with the Khmer Rouge forces of Cambodia (Democratic Kampuchea) and the invasion of Cambodia in December 1978 quickly followed by attacks against invading Chinese forces in February 1979.
These actions and the deteriorating spares situation led to the grounding of the remaining Skyhawks in the early 1980's but it is believed that spares were soon obtained covertly to keep them in service until 1990.
 
 
INSTRUCTIONS
 
1. From the AIRCRAFT folder drag and drop the A-4E_VPAF folder into your Aircraft folder.
 
2. From the DECALS folder drag and drop the A-4E_VPAF folder into your main Decals folder.
 
3. From the WEAPONS folder drag and drop the FAB500_M62 folder into your main Weapons folder.
 
 
CREDITS
 
Thanks to Third Wire for the continuous improvement of a great little game/sim.
 
Thanks to the creator of the FAB500_M62 bomb - I just wanted something different compared to the stock FAB's.
 
And thanks to everyone in the wider Third Wire community.
 
Regards
 
Spinners
 
Version 1 - 05/04/13

Sukhoi Su-7P 'Fitter-A' for STRIKE FIGHTERS 2
 
This is a very simple mod of the stock Third Wire Sukhoi Su-7P to create a fictional export version in service with the Parani Air Force during the 1968-1999 timeline and includes NMF and Camo skins. This update allows me to include Stary's excellent Su-7 pit.
 
 
INSTRUCTIONS
 
1. From the AIRCRAFT folder drag and drop the Su-7P folder into your Aircraft folder.
 
2. From the DECALS folder drag and drop the Su-7P folder into your main Decals folder.
 
3. From the PILOTS folder drag and drop the PILOT_PARAN folder into you main Pilots folder.
 
4. From the SOUNDS folder drag and drop the SOVIET_DRY and SOVIET_WET files into your main Sounds folder.
 
 
CREDITS
 
Thanks to TK and Third Wire for the continuous improvement of a great little game/sim.
 
Thanks to Stary for giving us this delightful Su-7 pit.
 
And thanks to everyone in the wider Third Wire community.
 
Regards
 
Spinners
 
Version 2 - 24/08/13
 
Version 1 - 22/01/13

MiG-21PFM 'Mongolian People's Republic' for STRIKE FIGHTERS 2
 
This is a very simple mod of the stock MiG-21PFM to give a 'Fishbed-F' in service with the Air Force of the Mongolian People's Republic. I've added an extra 'M' to the designation to keep it separate from the true MiG-21PFM but by all means just add the skin and decals to your standard MiG-21PFM.
 
I was inspired to do this by the outstanding photographs at the following;
 
http://forums.airsho...php?f=40&t=4634
 
Please check it out!
 
 
INSTRUCTIONS
 
1. From the AIRCRAFT folder drag and drop the MiG-21PFMM folder into your Aircraft folder.
 
2. From the DECALS folder drag and drop the MiG-21PFMM folder into your Decals folder.
 
 
CREDITS
 
As always, thanks to Third Wire for the continuous improvement of a great little game/sim.
 
Thanks to Paladrian for the MiG-21 pit.
 
And thanks to everyone in the wider Third Wire community.
 
Regards
 
Spinners
 
Version 2 - 24/08/13
 
Version 1 - 02/09/11

McDonnell Douglas F4H-1 'Project High Jump' for STRIKE FIGHTERS 2
 
This is a simple mod of the stock F-4B to give a representation of one of the most famous Phantoms of all time - F4H-1 149449 that was used to set eight 'time-to-climb' records during early 1962 at NAS Brunswick, Maine and at NAS Point Mugu, California.
 
Most books on the Phantom make reference to this astonishing series of record-breaking flights (even more remarkable as they were production machines and not stripped down prototypes) and there are some good articles on the interweb too.
 
N.B. Stopwatch not included!
 
 
INSTRUCTIONS
 
1. From the AIRCRAFT folder drag and drop the F-4B_PHJ folder into your Aircraft folder.
 
2. From the DECALS folder drag and drop the F-4B_PHJ folder into your Decals folder.
 
 
CREDITS
 
Thanks to Third Wire for the continuous improvement of a great little game/sim.
 
And thanks to everyone in the wider Third Wire community.
 
Regards
 
Spinners
 
Version 2 - 23/08/13
 
Version 1 - 31/01/10

BAe Sea Kestrel FRS.1 for STRIKE FIGHTERS 2
 
This is a fictional operational version of the British Aerospace P.1214 project in service with the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm.
 
The 3D model is by Cocas and I've been honoured to have been allowed to play with it and package it up for release as best as I can with limited time but I hope you enjoy it as much as I have because it's huge fun! Three Royal Navy skins are included in two different shades of grey and I've also included a USMC 'Shamrocks' skin as a bonus.
 
 
BACKSTORY
 
The cancellation of the proposed CVA-01 aircraft carrier in 1966 left the Royal Navy with no replacements in sight for both HMS Eagle and HMS Ark Royal and thus began a slow and painful run down in the Fleet Air Arm's fixed-wing capability. But in April 1973 the Admiralty were given a glimmer of hope by being allowed to procure three 'anti-submarine warfare' carriers of the Invincible class. Whilst primarily designed to accommodate large numbers of medium sized ASW helicopters the Admiralty sensibly allowed for the deployment of the V/STOL Harrier and quickly followed up the order for the carriers with an initial order for 24 Sea Harriers (later increased to 34).
 
Entering service in 1978 (but not declared operational until 1981) the small Sea Harrier force performed remarkably well in the 1982 Falklands Conflict and with confidence high the Admiralty immediately planned for the attrition replacement of the six Harriers lost, the speedy introduction of an improved version and also the design and development of a supersonic V/STOL successor. The first two elements of this plan were immediately approved but, in January 1983, the Admiralty were informed that the Sea Harrier replacement would have to be part of the RAF's Air Staff Target 403 (AST 403) essentially for a planned successor for the Jaguar and Harrier in RAF service.
 
During this time the British Aerospace (BAe) design team at Kingston (formerly the Hawker design team) had been sketching advanced V/STOL designs to meet AST 403 and could see that the involvement of the Royal Navy would lead to a larger UK programme and also open up a larger export market for an aircraft designed both for land-based and carrier-based use. By March 1983 the Kingston design team had dusted off their P.1214 project and offered several versions to the UK Ministry of Defence. The build-up to the 1983 British General Election saw the Conservative Party, led by Margaret Thatcher, make capital of the UK's victory in the previous year's Falklands War and on the promise of 'strong defence' announced the decision to procure a successor to the Sea Harrier on June 2nd, 1983 with an order for 50 P.1214's for the Fleet Air Arm and a further 200 P.1214's for the RAF with initial deliveries going to the Royal Navy. Development moved smoothly and, as a nod towards the P.1214's lineage, the BAe design team renamed the aircraft Kestrel II.
 
Entering service in May 1988 with the newly reformed 899 Naval Air Squadron the Sea Kestrel FRS.1 served with four frontline Fleet Air Arm squadrons seeing service in both Gulf Wars and also the Second Falklands War of 2002.
 
 
INSTRUCTIONS
 
1. From the AIRCRAFT folder drag and drop the SeaKestrelFRS1 folder into your Aircraft folder.
 
2. From the DECALS folder drag and drop the SeaKestrelFRS1 folder into your main Decals folder.
 
3. From the PILOTS folder drag and drop the PILOT_RN folder into you main Pilots folder.
 
4. From the WEAPONS folder drag and drop all of the enclosed folders into your main Weapons folder.
 
 
CREDITS
 
Thanks to Third Wire for the continuous improvement of a great little game/sim.
 
Massive thanks to Cocas for creating the 3D model.
 
Both Cocas and I are grateful to Dels for creating the superb F-23/F-29 cockpit used here.
 
And thanks to everyone in the wider Third Wire community.
 
Regards
 
Spinners
 
Version 1 - 27/04/13

Douglas Skyraider A-1J 'COAN' for STRIKE FIGHTERS 2
 
This is a simple mod of the stock Thirdwire A-1J to give a flyable 'what if' Argentine Skyraider with markings for 2nd Escuadrilla Aeronaval de Caza y Ataque, Comando de Aviación Naval Argentina as it might of appeared in the late 1950's and early 1960's.
 
This mod requires you to have Strike Fighters 2:Vietnam so that you have the necessary Third Wire A-1 LOD's that are not included here.
 
 
INSTRUCTIONS
 
1. From the AIRCRAFT folder drag and drop the A-1J_COAN folder into your Aircraft folder.
 
2. From the DECALs folder drag and drop the A-1J_COAN folder into your Decals folder.
 
3. From the PILOTS folder drag and drop the PILOT_COAN into your Pilots folder.
 
 
CREDITS
 
Thanks to Third Wire for the continuous improvement of a great little game/sim.
 
Extra special thanks to CA_Stary for the cockpit (original read me enclosed).
 
And thanks to everyone in the wider Third Wire community.
 
Regards
 
Spinners
 
Version 2 - 23/08/13
 
Version 1 - 17/10/10

McDonnell Douglas F-4C Phantom 'VNAF' for STRIKE FIGHTERS 2
 
This is a very simple mod of the stock Third Wire F-4C to create a fictional Phantom in service with the Vietnamese Air Force in the 1973 to 1975 timeline.
 
 
BACKSTORY
 
The end of the Linebacker campaign on October 23rd, 1972 coincided with the US Government's 'Project Enhance Plus' - essentially the building up of the Vietnamese Air Force (VNAF) to an adequate level to sustain effective operations after any final ceasefire and, more importantly for domestic politics, to continue the fight after the complete withdrawl of US forces. In a rush effort, 288 aircraft were transferred to the VNAF including 116 F-5's Freedom Fighters, 90 A-37's Dragonflys and 28 A-1 Skyraiders. Not content with that, South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu specifically asked for F-4 Phantoms explaining that he felt that the VNAF was being issued with aircraft that were short on range and unable to carry the fight to the North.
 
Initially refused, US President Nixon later added an amendment to 'Project Enhance Plus' by allowing the transfer of 36 F-4C Phantoms from USAF stocks. The war-weary F-4C's began to arrive in early 1973 to equip two squadrons of the VNAF based at Tan Son Nhut airbase seeing sporadic action during the uneasy truce and scattered skirmishes of 1973 and 1974. However, when NVA forces burst through the crumbing South Vietnamese defences during April 1975 they quickly captured Bien Hoa airbase to the north of Saigon and immediately swung west to capture Tan Son Nhut airbase catching most the surviving 27 F-4C's of the VNAF on the ground. The Phantoms were inspected and overhauled by Chinese technicians before entering service with the 927th Fighter Regiment of the Vietnam People's Air Force (VPAF) who operated the type until 1982 when they were grounded by a chronic spares shortage.
 
 
INSTRUCTIONS
 
1. From the AIRCRAFT folder drag and drop the F-4C_VNAF folder into your Aircraft folder.
 
2. From the DECALS folder drag and drop the F-4C_VNAF folder into your main Decals folder.
 
3. (Optional) From the PILOTS folder drag and drop the PILOT_VNAF1 and PILOT_VNAF2 folders into your main Pilots folder.
 
 
CREDITS
 
Thanks to Third Wire for the continuous improvement of a great little game/sim.
 
And thanks to everyone in the wider Third Wire community.
 
Regards
 
Spinners
 
Version 1 - 06/04/13

Curtiss P-40N 'IDF' for STRIKE FIGHTERS 2
 
This is simple mod of Raven's P-40N20CU to give a fictional P-40N 'Warhawk' as it might have appeared in service with the newly-created Israeli Defence Force Air Force in 1948.
 
 
BACKSTORY
 
Following the Israeli Declaration of Independence on May 14th, 1948 David Ben-Gurion declared the establishment of a Jewish state to be known as the State of Israel. Within two weeks the Israeli Air Force was formed mainly using foreign volunteer pilots (including many World War II veterans) flying a variety of obsolete and war surplus aircraft sourced by various means. Among these were 36 P-40N Warhawk fighter aircraft delivered in crates from the United States and alongside the Avia S-199's and Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk IX's they formed the backbone of the early Israeli Air Force.
 
Whilst the Warhawks were not ready to help in attempting to halt the Egyptian advance from the South during early June 1948 they were soon in operation in the close support role and also bolstered the air defences around Tel Aviv and were successful in shooting down several Egyptian Air Force DC-3's and Spitfires. The Warhawks were also tasked with escorting the handful of Israeli B-17 bombers but were mainly committed to the support of IDF ground forces. By December 1948 IDF ground forces were ready to commence Operation Assaf to take control of the Western Negev and the Warhawks helped in stopping an Egyptian counterattack and helped prevent another counterattack when a Warhawk flying an aerial reconnaissance sortie revealed Egyptian preparations and the IDF was able to launch a pre-emptive strike.
 
Following the ceasefire the remaining Warhawks were gathered together to re-equip No.101 who operated the type until the end of 1956 playing a minor role in Operation Kadesh by escorting Israeli Air Force DC-3s dropping Israeli paratroopers behind Egyptian lines at the Mitla Pass and Et-Tur.
 
 
INSTRUCTIONS
 
1. From the AIRCRAFT folder drag and drop the P-40N_IDF folder into your Aircraft folder.
 
2. From the DECALS folder drag and drop the P-40N_IDF folder into your main Decals folder.
 
3. From the WEAPONS folder drag and drop the AN-M81 and TANK75_IDF folders into your main Weapons folder.
 
At this point it might be a good idea to change the pilot to whatever you've got in your install suitable for the early post-war period.
 
 
CREDITS
 
Thanks to Third Wire for the continuous improvement of a great little game/sim.
 
Massive thanks to Raven for creating the superb P-40N20CU 3D model and, indeed, his other P-40 models. Thanks to Raven also for the shark mouth decals - compulsory on this aircraft!!
 
Thanks also to the creator of the AN-M81 260 lb fragmentation bomb used here. It just looks so right.
 
And thanks to everyone in the wider Third Wire community.
 
Regards
 
Spinners
 
Version 1 - 23/08/13

Wright Aeronautical F4W-1 'Hurricane' for STRIKE FIGHTERS 2
 
This is the Hawker Hurricane as it might of appeared as the licence-built Wright F4W-1 in USN service (if that service could have overcome their fear of inline engines).
 
This mod uses the superb Sea Hurricane 1C 3D model by Raven who has also generously uploaded templates to enable me to create this fictional mod and to also allow others to put whatever scheme and markings they prefer on this lovely and often overshadowed British fighter aircraft.
 
 
INSTRUCTIONS
 
1. From the AIRCRAFT folder drag and drop the F4W-1 folder into your Aircraft folder.
 
2. From the DECALS folder drag and drop the F4W-1 folder into your main Decals folder.
 
 
CREDITS
 
Thanks to Third Wire for the continuous improvement of a great little game/sim.
 
Massive thanks to Raven for creating the Hurricane series and templates.
 
And thanks to everyone in the wider Third Wire community.
 
Regards
 
Spinners
 
Version 2 - 12/08/13

This is a simple mod of the excellent Third Wire Hunter to give a flyable F.6 with markings for No.66, No.74, and No.247 squadrons of RAF Middle East Command based in Dhimar during the late 1950's and early 1960's. Whilst all three squadrons did actually operate the Hunter F.6 the markings are slightly 'generic' and the serial numbers are from the batch of cancelled F.6's.
 
Regards
 
Spinners

This is a simple mod of the excellent Third Wire Hunter to give a flyable F.4 with markings for No.14, No.54, and No.247 squadrons of RAF Middle East Command based in Dhimar during the late 1950's. Whilst all three squadrons did actually operate the Hunter F.4 the markings are slightly 'generic' and the serial numbers are actually from a batch of cancelled Venoms from that era.
 
Regards
 
Spinners

This is a simple mod of the excellent Third Wire Hunter to give a flyable F.5 with markings for No.34 and No.56 squadrons of RAF Middle East Command based in Dhimar during the mid to late 1950's.
 
Whilst both squadrons did actually operate the Hunter F.5 the markings for No.56 squadron are slightly 'generic' but the serial numbers are genuine enough. Two extra No.34 decals are included (34Patch and 34RoundelBars) if you prefer that squadron to have the same look as No.56 squadron and/or for you to use elsewhere.
 
Regards
 
Spinners

McDonnell Douglas Phantom F.7 for STRIKE FIGHTERS 2
 
This is a simple mod of the stock Third Wire Phantom F-4E_72 to give a 'what if' Phantom F.7 interceptor-fighter with markings for No.5 and No.11 squadrons based at RAF Binbrook in Lincolnshire as they might have appeared during the 1980's and into the 1990's. I've decided to use some new sounds and effects (still Third Wire stock) but if you haven't got SF2:Europe then you will need to revert back to the bog standard 'jet engine' sound and normal F4 afterburner effects.
 
 
BACKSTORY
 
Following on from the success of the FGR.4 and FGR.5 the Phantom F.6 was essentially an interim design that used the FGR.5 airframe and Rolls-Royce Sequanna RB.410 series engines but with a slightly improved radar and avionics. The
definitive F.7 introduced the more powerful Sequanna RB.450 series engines rated at 22,500lbs thrust with reheat and gave the RAF a superb replacement for the Lightning and the earlier Phantom F.1's. Entering service in 1975 the F.7's
equipped eight home-based squadrons, an adversary squadron based at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus and also equipped two squadrons based at RAF Stanley in the Falkand Islands before finally being retired in 2005
 
 
INSTRUCTIONS
 
1. Drop the Phantom_F7 folder into your Aircraft folder.
 
2. Empty the contents of the Weapons folder into your Weapons folder (this simply gives the Skyflash an earlier in service date).
 
3. Sprinkle the contents of the Decals folder into your main Decals folder (see below to enable the sharkmouth).
 
 
CREDITS
 
BIG THANKS to TK for the continuous improvement of a great little game/sim.
 
Special thanks to Mike D (mppd) for his sharkmouth decal (slightly tweaked here).
 
And thanks to everyone in the wider Third Wire community.
 
 
Regards
 
Spinners
 
v1.0 24/12/09
 
 

McDonnell Douglas Phantom F.6 for STRIKE FIGHTERS 2
 
This is a simple mod of the stock Third Wire Phantom F-4E_72 to give a 'what if' Phantom F.6 interceptor-fighter with markings for No.19 and No.92 squadrons of RAF Germany as they might have appeared during the mid-1970's through to the end of the 1980's. I've decided to use some new sounds and effects (still Third Wire stock) but if you haven't got SF2:Europe then you will need to revert back to the bog standard 'jet engine' sound and normal F4 afterburner effects.
 
 
BACKSTORY
 
Following on from the success of the FGR.4 and FGR.5 the Phantom F.6 was essentially an interim design that used the FGR.5 airframe and Rolls-Royce Sequanna RB.410 series engines but with a slightly improved radar and avionics. Designed to give RAF Germany a Lightning F.2A replacement the F.6 had no air-to-ground capability whatsoever and was therefore slightly lighter and had a slightly improved flight performance. The F.6 also introduced the Skyflash missiles planned for the definitive F.7 version and whilst some consideration was given to upgrading the F.6's with the F.7's more powerful Sequanna RB.450 series engines this came to nothing but, nevertheless, the two RAF Germany F.6 squadrons were a vital component of the NATO Central Sector and were only rivalled by the F-15's of the 36th TFW at Bitburg. The F.6's remained in service until 1994.
 
 
INSTRUCTIONS
 
1. Drop the Phantom_F6 folder into your Aircraft folder.
 
2. Empty the contents of the Weapons folder into your Weapons folder (this simply gives the Skyflash an earlier 'in service' date).
 
3. Sprinkle the contents of the Decals folder into your main Decals folder.
 
 
CREDITS
 
BIG THANKS to TK for the continuous improvement of a great little game/sim.
 
Special thanks to Mike D (mppd) for his sharkmouth decal (slightly tweaked here).
 
And thanks to everyone in the wider Third Wire community.
 
 
Regards
 
Spinners
 
v1.0 23/12/09