ValAstur

During the Cuban Missile Crisis, a diplomatic crisis erupted between the US and Japan when the Kennedy administration pressured its Pacific ally to contribute to nuclear deterrence by allowing the US to deploy medium-range missiles on japanese soil. McNamara and Dean Rusk, in particular, pressured Hayato Ikeda, then Prime Minister of Japan. After he yielded to American pressure, protests, some of them violent, erupted in Japan, especially in Tokyo and Osaka, by opponents of this decision. The people feared a Soviet retaliation that could lead to a drastic escalation.

Due to internal pressure, including from the Emperor, who did not want to see his people die in another war, Ikeda ultimately rejected the American demands. Surprised by the Japanese withdrawal, the US again attempted to exert pressure, threatening a massive weakening of alliance agreements, which would leave Japan militarily severely weakened. The threat of a military conflict with China and the Soviet Union loomed. Due to the US's anti-communist doctrine, they would have continued to support Japan in such a scenario, but wanted to force a return to a more conciliatory stance.

However, Japan's refusal to yield to US pressure had diplomatic and military consequences. The Americans reduced trade with Japan, which also impacted technology exchange in the military sector. In addition, the Americans largely withdrew their military presence from Japan, leaving only a reconnaissance unit tasked with monitoring of the neighboring communist countries.

Japan now needed a new source of military equipment, as the American withdrawal also drastically hampered its ability to purchase military supplies. Japan approached Britain and France, as these two countries, after the United States, were the leading military powers in the Western world. Sweden had also been considered, but the kingdom had reservations. The British were also hesitant. De Gaulle, seeing an opportunity to expand France's sphere of influence, sent diplomats Maurice Couve de Murville and Michel Debré to Tokyo to conduct the initial negotiations.

 Marcel Dassault accompanied them to Japan, as the country intended to purchase a large number of aircraft for combat and transport missions.

Due to the current global security situation, Japan sought a swift conclusion to the negotiations. Within a few days, the talks were largely completed. This was made possible, in part, by the congruence of the respective demands. While the French side hoped to benefit from the booming Japanese electronics industry, Japan wanted to quickly equip its military with French equipment in order to reduce the massively increased costs of maintaining its American equipment.

The contracts were signed in Paris, where Charles de Gaulle, together with his counterpart (and successor to Ikeda) Eisaku Sato, celebrated the beginning of a new friendship in December 1964. De Gaulle referred to Japan in this context as the "third force."

The first Mirage IIIC aircraft were delivered to the Japanese armed forces in the spring of 1965. The Japanese immediately integrated them into active units and sold the released Starfighters to other countries (with the approval of the United States).

The agreement between France and Japan also stipulated that the aircraft could optionally be built under license by Mitsubishi. While the first aircraft were modified for Japanese operational conditions, Japan began producing the IIIC as the IIICJ itself in 1966. The same principle was then adopted for the Mirage V.

In 1980, the JASDF ordered 54 Mirage F-1s from Dassault, including eight two-seaters. These were built in France, but without most of the electronics, which were subsequently retrofitted by Mitsubishi. The aircraft were originally intended as an interim solution until the 2000J and 4000J were available in sufficient numbers. The F-1CJs, delivered from 1982 onward, were primarily used for anti-ship warfare and reconnaissance; however, they could also easily provide close air support. They were deployed in the 8th Hikotai and the 501st Hikotai. Their service ended in 2002 with the introduction of the new fighter variants.

Mirage/Mitsubishi F-1CJ, 8 HIkotai, 1982

501 Hikotai

Have you tried any compatibility settings?

If possible, better pick FE 2. It should work on a Win11 PC. At least SF2 does it for me.

16 hours ago, warthog64 said:

Beautiful color scheme. 

15 hours ago, Wrench said:

I was gonna say that!!! hahahahaha

12 hours ago, daddyairplanes said:

that is gorgeous work. between the  paint scheme similar to the Herks to the weathering its just awesome 

12 hours ago, Flanker562 said:

Agreed, beautiful work!

11 hours ago, Hans Topp said:

Amazing work, always have a nice idea to play SF2 again

Thanks everybody! Always nice to see that the work is appreciated.

@dsawan Package is uploaded and awating approval. The download rules are the same as for the Korean Tonkas.

When, at the end of 1975, following Franco's death, Spain's transition to a monarchical democracy was initiated, it quickly became clear to the other European NATO countries and the USA that Spain, due to its geostrategically important location on the Strait of Gibraltar, which provides the only sea access to the Mediterranean from the Atlantic, had to join the alliance. Spain, together with the British enclave of Gibraltar, was to form a bulwark against Soviet expansion. There were concerns that, after the end of the dictatorship, Spain, which had been neutral in World War II and had received extensive support from the Soviet Union on the Republican side during its Civil War, would now politically side with the Soviets.

A communist outpost on the southwestern edge of NATO was something everyone wanted to prevent. The Spanish Social Democrats under Felipe González initially intended to keep Spain out of NATO. Much to the dismay of the PSOE, the Spanish Social Democrats, a large majority of the population supported joining. The Western Allies, very pleased with this decision, made military concessions to Spain to ensure the country's continued membership. One of these concessions was the transfer of 32 Tornado GR.1 aircraft under a favorable Lend-Lease agreement, which were delivered to the Spanish Air Force in 1982, shortly after Spain's accession to NATO. The agreement was to run until 2002.

The primary mission of the Spanish Tornados was ground attack against potential enemy forces on home territory and anti-ship warfare in support of the Armada. During NATO operations, the CB.15 (Caza-Bombardero 15, Spanish designation) also performed reconnaissance and aerial refueling missions.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, following protracted negotiations with the British state and the Panavia consortium, the aircraft were returned to the RAF in 1999 and the resulting gaps in air and ground defense were filled by the EF-18A and B.

Panavia Tornado GR.1E (CB.15), Ala 15, Escuadrón 151, 1983

Spanish Full Metal Comrades

I'm very sorry to hear that, Volker 

I wish you all the best for a fast and complete recovery!

Du packst das! 

Before the F-15A Baz and the F-16A Netz entered service, the IDF relied on Mirages and the Kurnass in a fighter bomber role. 

To reduce the workload on existing aircraft, the acquisition of the American F-111 was discussed in the Knesset. Based on the experiences of recent wars, an aircraft capable of carrying tactical nuclear weapons was needed. The F-111 was suitable for this purpose. At the end of the 1960s, the Knesset authorized the procurement of this model. The Israeli Air Force requested a prototype of the latest model from the US Air Force and tested the aircraft in various air-to-ground and air-to-air scenarios.

While the aircraft proved more than inadequate for Israeli air combat needs, it was entirely convincing in ground combat. Moshe Dayan, Israel's Minister of Defense at the end of the 1960s, then ordered 64 F-111Fs on behalf of his country, which were converted in Israel to current IDF-standards. The capability of loading nukes was retained, but not used during it's efective service time.

The plane was renamed Haremesh (Scythe). According to a rumor, the name is based on a statement by test pilot Tomer Ohayon, who is said to have remarked that the F-111 "sweeps across the landscape like a scythe when flying low."

General Dynamics/IAI F-111I Haremesh (Scythe), 107 Squadron "Knights of the orange Tail", 1972

I asked the original creator of the mod for permission. As soon as it is granted, I'll upload it.

On 2/17/2026 at 3:51 AM, daddyairplanes said:

im conflicted 

great back story. pretty sure it will get expanded with an ICE upgrade allowing AIM-120s (like a certain RL McAir product)

but gawd, i thought Euro 1 on an Eagle was bad

you couldt do at least Norm 81 instead?

(note, if i got it wrong im sure someone will correct me. but pretty sure this is Norm 81)

other note, not sure why they went to they trouble with the bombs on sparrow stations. the Eagle could always carry bombs on teh wing pylons (a fact the Israelis put to use bombing Tunis in 1985) as your pics show . and give the Luftwaffe would have been concerned with the Inner German Border area in the 80s, at most you only need the belly tanks. definately not the wing tanks.  even with TERs, 6 bombs vs the displayed 4

putting a designator  on center pylon is pretty smart tho. self designating, unlik alot of NATO in the 80s

just a couple pennies from me. feel free to use or toss as always

 

Since the aircraft was introduced prior to 1981 (Norm 81), it had to wear a camouflage used by the Luftwaffe 'til then. The election was between the Norm 72 (the F-4F wore in the 70s) or the displayed Norm 76 from the German Tonkas.

Having A/G-Capability, I thought the Norm 76 made more sense.

There is a Norm 81B Eagle. I created it twelve years ago:

https://combatace.com/forums/topic/81530-german-adler-eagle/#comment-653284

On 2/17/2026 at 8:08 PM, Gepard said:

The Luftwaffe always took the wrong plane. The F-15A would have been an excellent choice. But i doubt, that they would have integrated air to ground weapons. For mud moving they had the Tornado. So a german F-15A would have followed the rule "no pound for air to ground". And stupid as the german military bureaucracy was, i think they would have removed the Sparrows.

I thought, being in the "first row" when deflecting an attack of the Warsaw Pact and their overwhelming number of tanks, having additional punch couldn't be wrong.

23 hours ago, ext said:

By chance did you ever upload this plane? It is very sharp looking! You did a very nice job skinning this one.

I didn't do it so far. If interest exists, I can upload it. But it won't be before the weekend since I'm leaving tomorrow for a business trip.

At the end of the 1970's, the german air force (Luftwaffe) became more and more worried about the capabilities of the soviet aircraft, with the MiG-21 and 23 already being very manouverable fighters, capable of beating the Phan in a dogfight. Since the Luftwaffe did not use BVR-armament, the focus lied on manouverable and capable aircraft for air superiority achievement. The Tornado was not suitable for this task. The appearance of the MiG-29, though being in a prototype state of development, shocked the western allies. Germany, being the first line of defense in Europe, asked for the possibility of acquiring the F-15A for the primary role of air defense with a secondary focus on ground attack.

After ten months of negotiations with SecDef Harold Brown of the Carter Administration, the Luftwaffe received the first aircraft in 1978. The Sparrow stations at the belly got reworked by Dornier (with the permission of MDD), enabling the possibility of using them with lighter bombs for a higher tactical field value. The adaptable clamp system, developed and outfitted by Dornier, made it possible to load several bomb types incl. LGB. For security reasons, top speed and G-Load had to be reduced as long as the weapons were attached to the fuselage. This measure had to be adopted after an accident, where a modified Eagle lost a GBU-12B during a High-G-Turn on a test flight. The impacting LGB was not armed and did not cause major damage since it went down in a landscape with dense forest, but showed the limits of the modification.

The F-15A got handed over to the Luftwaffe after modification in 1979, renamed F-15F.

McDonnell Douglas F-15F Eagle, Jagdbombergeschwader 32, 1979

With a CAS-loadout

With a possible loadout for striking missions

Credits go to Geary for the templates I used and to ravenclaw for some of the stencils applied to this skin.

On 1/25/2026 at 5:32 AM, dsawan said:

Cool, hoping for a release

Uploaded and awaiting approval.

But ye be warned: it comes w/o LODs, so you need to have guuruu's original GR.1-Tonka installed!

Last but not least the Hill 2 Camo on the Tornado

Here is an update.

The ROKAF Tonka with the Hill 1 Camo...at least how I would put it.

Hmm...good point.

OK then, I'll finish the skins, upload them here and, if there is enough interest, I can release the mod without LODs.

Shan't take long producing that skins.

Problem might be the release of the aircraft, since the owner seems not to be around and he is not part of the Freeware Licensing Agreement.

5 hours ago, mono27 said:

Good idea and good work! Now it is more confortable to read at nights. Thanks!

Same reason for me.

Korean Lightning F.2A, unknown Squadron, 1969

10 hours ago, daddyairplanes said:

wicked

now when they go grey, do they go Gunship Gray like the Strike Eagles, or go Hill 2 like the Phantoms? or get really phancy and go Hill 1 Gray?

Hmm...good question. Haven't thought about it. I think the ROKAF would go for the color scheme they applied on the KF-16s.

6 hours ago, dsawan said:

Cool, hoping for a release

@guuruu would you be fine with it?

In early 1980, South Korea showed great interest in the Tornado, particularly the German variants because of the MW-1 multi-role weapon. The aircraft's primary mission was intended to be low-level attacks on advancing enemy troops, especially tanks. Due to the weapon's destructive power, the then German Defense Minister, Hans Apel, imposed an export ban. German Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher tried unsuccessfully to persuade Apel to reconsider. Following this setback, the South Korean government turned to Italy, which also rejected the sale of the aircraft and the weapon, citing Germany's decision.

After Italy's rejection, British Foreign Secretary Peter Carington contacted the South Korean government and offered them the British GR.1 model. However, this aircraft could only be equipped with the JP233 missile pod, designed for disabling airfields. Within the military leadership, discussions began regarding how this weapon could be used against the North in an attack scenario. After comparing the specifications of the cluster munitions and the mines, South Korea decided to order this type of aircraft. A total of 48 aircraft were ordered.

Deliveries began in late 1982 and were completed in 1984.

Panavia Tornado GR.1K, 11th Wing, 102 Squadron "Blue Dragon", 1982