Spinners

Lockheed F-104E's - 112th TFS, Ohio ANG, 1985

Lockheed F-104E - 112th TFS, Ohio ANG, 1983 Whilst, officially, USAF interest in the F-104 programme began to ebb (leading to only 77 F-104C's being built) they kept a watchful eye on Lockheed's progress into transforming the original hot-rod interceptor fighter into a multi-mission tactical fighter for export to selected 'free world' nations. As negotiations with Federal Germany reached a critical phase in 1958 concern was expressed by the Bonn government that Lockheed were attempting to sell an aircraft no longer wanted by it's home nation. Lockheed cleverly took these concerns back to Washington and claimed that lucrative export orders were at jeopardy leading to a token order for a new version of the Starfighter for the USAF. Designated F-104E this new version represented a halfway house between the F-104C and the forthcoming F-104G. Only 60 F-104E's were planned to be produced but the success of the F-104C flown by Capt Charles Tofferi in the 1962 William Tell tactical weapons meet, against strong competition from F-100 and F-105 pilots, led to continued low-rate production followed by a larger batch of 240 F-104E's making an eventual total of 336. F-104E's were deployed to Vietnam and surviving aircraft were refurbished for ANG use with the type being finally retired in 1988 when the 112th TFS re-equipped with F-16A's.

View File [Fictional] North American F-100G Super Sabre North American F-100G for STRIKE FIGHTERS 2 This is a very simple mod of the stock Third Wire F-100D to create a fictional F-100G for extended service with ANG units into the 1980's. Two units are included; The 125th TFS of the Oklahoma ANG. The 131st TFS of the Massachusetts ANG. Both units are dressed in a 'Euro One' style scheme on the upper surfaces only and with toned down national markings, codes and serials using late model F-100D serials. An additional stock T.O. 1-1-4 Camo skin for the 125th TFS is included in case they get deployed to Dhimar... BACKSTORY President James Earl 'Jimmy' Carter started his presidency in January 1977 with a detailed review of the US military budget and his most high-profile decision was the cancellation of the Rockwell B-1A bomber programme in June 1977. But many smaller programmes were cut or cancelled too along with the postponement of the re-equipping of TAC and ANG units with new aircraft types. F-16A and A-10A production was slowed down and many TAC and ANG units were instructed to hold on to their F-100's and F-105's for an indefinate period. In a genuine (but actually insulting) compensatory gesture Rockwell were given a $45million contract to upgrade 90 F-100D's for continued service with the ANG with the aircraft emerging from their Columbus, Ohio plant as F-100G's with refurbished engines, partially re-skinned wings and minor avionics upgrades. The first unit to receive F-100G's was the 131st Tactical Fighter Squadron based at Barnes Municipal Airport in Westfield, Massachusetts who had been scheduled to convert from the F-100D to A-10A's but instead received F-100G's which served until 1986. INSTRUCTIONS 1. From the AIRCRAFT folder drag and drop the F-100G folder into your Aircraft folder. 2. From the DECALS folder drag and drop the F-100G folder into your main Decals folder. That's it! CREDITS Thanks to Third Wire for a great little game/sim. Thanks to hgbn (Henrik) for uploading his superb F-100D templates to the community. And thanks to everyone in the wider Third Wire community. Regards Spinners Version 2 - 15/02/19 Version 1 - 27/03/12 Submitter Spinners Submitted 03/27/2012 Category What If Hangar

24 Hours from...

F-100G - 125th TFS, Oklahoma ANG, 1985

Lovely work there Mario.

North American F-100G - 131st TFS, Massachusetts ANG, 1984

Strewth! That's good! Edit: Duplicated my own post

Same J57-P-21 engines Sid, just refurbished.

North American (Rockwell) F-100G Super Sabre - 131st TFS, 104th TFW, Massachusetts ANG, 1982 President James Earl 'Jimmy' Carter started his presidency in January 1977 with a detailed review of the US military budget and his most high-profile decision was the cancellation of the Rockwell B-1A bomber programme in June 1977. But many smaller programmes were cut or cancelled too along with the postponement of the re-equipping of TAC and ANG units with new aircraft types. F-16A and A-10A production was slowed down and many TAC and ANG units were instructed to hold on to their F-100's and F-105's for an indefinate period. In a genuine (but actually insulting) compensatory gesture Rockwell were given a $45million contract to upgrade 90 F-100D's for continued service with the ANG with the aircraft emerging from their Columbus, Ohio plant as F-100G's with refurbished engines, partially re-skinned wings and minor avionics upgrades. The first unit to receive F-100G's was the 131st Tactical Fighter Squadron based at Barnes Municipal Airport in Westfield who had been scheduled to convert from the F-100D to A-10A's but instead received F-100G's which served until 1986. Once again, big thanks to Henrik (hgbn) for uploading his F-100D template.

McDonnell Douglas Phantom Mk.1 - No.234 Squadron, RAF Fighter Command, August 1940 This is the 'desert camo' skin for the F-4M by James Fox adapted for the F-4J and with new 'Battle Of Britain' markings by me.

Yeah, but the RB-04 has always been a favourite of mine.

McDonnell Douglas F-18S - F21, Swedish Flygvapnet

''Somehow, I Don't Think We're In Sweden, Toto''

Legacy...

Why not use my decals and make it yourself?

I think the sea looks better than anything I've seen on Planet Third Wire. I'm less impressed with the land and where it meets the sea...

Impressive work there mate.

View File [Fictional] Douglas A-4D Skyhawk 'USAF' Douglas A-4D Skyhawk 'USAF' for STRIKE FIGHTERS 2 This is a very simple mod of the stock Third Wire A-4E to give a fictional USAF A-4D with markings for the 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron ('The Silver Knights') in 1967 although the service years are a more generous 1964 to 1985. BACKSTORY During the Spring of 1961 the incoming Secretary of Defence Robert S. McNamara left no stone unturned in his search for efficiencies in procurement and operational costs and his attention soon turned to the successful Douglas A4D 'Skyhawk' programme. Douglas had already transformed their 'bantam bomber' by replacing the Curtiss-Wright J65 engine with the Pratt & Whitney J52-P6A engine and the forthcoming A4D-5 (A-4E) version was chosen as the baseline for a minimum-change version for the USAF. Designated A-4D (after the introduction of the tri-service designation system) the USAF Skyhawks saw extensive service at home and abroad and, in particular, served with distinction in Vietnam where they replaced a variety of tactical aircraft. INSTRUCTIONS 1. From the AIRCRAFT folder drag and drop the A-4D folder into your Aircraft folder. 2. From the DECALS folder drag and drop the A-4D folder into your main Decals folder. That's it! CREDITS Thanks to Third Wire for a great little game/sim. And thanks to everyone in the wider Third Wire community. Regards Spinners Version 2 - 17/02/19 Version 1 - 19/03/12 Submitter Spinners Submitted 03/19/2012 Category What If Hangar

I'd have liked to have added another skin or two but due to some pretty heavy work and family commitments over the next few days I've decided to release it 'as is'.

Silver Lining... (Hi Ho)

Thanks Jeff. He has a thread on the 'What If' modellers website. Grab a coffee and enjoy! http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,8838.0.html