allenjb42

1969: RAF Thunderstrike S.1s deploy to Iran for Exercise PERSIAN FLAME, a series of joint exercises with the Imperial Iranian Air Force: The exercises included low recon, defence supression and level penetration missions using both conventional and nuclear weapons: There were persistent rumours that RAF aircraft carried out cross-border recce missions into the southern Soviet Union, but military authorities in both the UK and Iran would offer no comment, although it is interesting to note that the operational records relating to this exercise have remained sealed under a special 50-year ruling. The Shah of Iran was particularly impressed by the performance of the British jets in both this exercise and the later Exercise PERSIAN FIRE in 1973, involving Thunderstrike S.2 aircraft, and personally directed the commander of the air force to investigate the possibility of procuring enough aircraft to equip several squadrons. From Osprey Air Combat 105: RAF BAC Thunderstrike Units in Combat author S Pinners, illus. S U Ndowner (2012)

Fast work my friend

My parents were supposed to fly from Liverpool to Spain this morning. They got up at 03.30 to be there at 05.30 and arrived to be told the flight was cancelled. There were huge queues to re-book so they went home. I think they're going to re-book over the net, but no-one is sure when the flights are going to be re-started in any case.

Many happy returns guys

That sorted it. Thanks Kev. BTW the screens are up to your usual standard

Had my first flight in this one tonight in my BoB install. It was very realistic and pretty historically accurate. 16 of us took off to intercept an inbound raid but got bounced by the escort (Fiat Cr-42s). The first fighter was shot down by our gunners, ptrobably thought he was bouncing a squadron of Hurricanes! After that it was a wild melee and the final result was that none of the bombers were touched, the enemy lost only that first fighter and we had 4 shot down, including me(!), and another 7 damaged. It would have probably been worse if I hadn't hit esc to report back to you guys. A couple of points: - I edited the data.ini to change the start date from 1942 to 1939, when the plane actually entered service. - I think there might be a LOD problem, because in the external view the Defiants disappear when you zoom out a short distance from them. When you look at the flyby view it's as if they have a Romulan invisibilty cloak that keeps switching on and off. Although it didn't affect the enemy fighters' aim. Having said all that it was a nice plane to fly. Any chance of a night fighter skin?

Many happy returns mate.

Thanks guys! Here's some screenies of the real raid, using comprnt's excellent Falklands missions pack Tanking before ingress Hitting the runway Heading for home Can you tell I'm currently reading Vulcan 607? http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vulcan-607-Rowland-White/dp/0552152293/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1270624887&sr=8-1

BAC Thunderstrike S.2 Operation Black Buck, Falklands 1982 Final tanking before ingress GOOD MORNING STANLEY!!! WAKEY WAKEY!!! Hitting the target The Thunderstrike S.2 versions used in the Falklands operation were hastily converted to include and extra fuel tank in the bomb-bay. This had the effect of maintaining the extended range that external tanks would have allowed, whilst allowing the aircraft to carry a wider variety of weaponry than would otherwise have been available had the aircraft been limited to four wing tanks and the bombay full of 'dumb' bombs. The Thunderstrike had a good war, carrying out defence suppression, recon and strike missions, including the use of LGBs, marked by SAS units on the ground. Two aircraft were lost to ground fire in seperate incidents, one to AAA and one to a Roland SAM. All crew members ejected safely; two were captured and would be freed on the liberation of Port Stanley, one was extracted in a daring resue operation by Lynx helicopter, and the remaining WSO evaded capture for some two weeks before finally linking up with Royal Marine units 'yomping' en route to Stanley and was then helicoptered to safety. A third aircraft was reported missing presumed lost in poor weather. No wreckage has been recovered and it is thought that this aircraft was tasked with a reconnaisance of Argentine airfields and\or naval facilities on the mainland and it is known Argentine air defence Mirages were scrambled on a number of occasions against Thunderstrke probes, but in all cases the RAF jets outran any pursuit at low level, using their ECM capabilities to foil any tracking by radar guided missiles. Thanks for the new toy guys!

Many happy returns Kev!

Try downloading the New Nations mod. It includes the basic nations.ini http://forum.combatace.com/files/file/1630-new-nations-pack/

Did the TSR.2 actually get as far as being assigned a name? TSR stands for Tactical Strike Reconnaissance IIRC, so a TSR.2 F.3 (or TSR2. GR.5 or TSR.2 GR.7 for that matter) is probably a bit too much.

Looks great! Looking forward to flying them.

Many happy returns Dave

Any progress on this one? only asking because there'll be a natural home for it once the A-Team release the Wings Over Russia mod and we all set up our Ostfront installs (well I've got one in SFG at the moment but I'll change over to WOE).

Some Jolly Rogers pics to continue the theme: Two kills Fight's on Keep that bandit padlocked Handing over the torch Cat over the Canaries

Check out my blog http://forum.combatace.com/index.php?app=blog&module=display&section=blog&blogid=14&

I would recommend you post your query at the A-team site forum so one of their guys can answer it directly.

RIP Mr Phelps.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7451867.stm So I guess we can expect Judgement Day any time now then?

Many happy returns mate!

Wrench's site has a VF-32 pilot http://wrench1smog.com/wrench14.html

Many happy returns mate!

UK Skynet military satellite system extended http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8556585.stm We're all doomed! Doomed I tell you! So kiss your *** and

Meanwhile back in the real world the French are doing it right http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8555664.stm The French navy has captured 35 piracy suspects off Somalia's coast - hailing it as the most successful mission since EU operations began in 2008.