ChampionsVA56

The sixth and GRAND FINALE skin pack for your F8U-1 Crusader.

In February 1958, VF-32 went aboard the newly commissioned USS Saratoga for the carrier's first Mediterranean cruise as part of Carrier Air Wing 3. During that cruise, the Swordsmen took part in the Lebanon Crisis by providing air cover for the landing of 1,800 US Marines at Beruit in July 1958.

Included here are the VF-32 'Swordsmen' as they appeared in 1958 during that crisis. The CAG bird (Commander of Air Group) is provided as its own DISTINCT skin.

An installation read-me file is included.

BONUS!!......a new Loadoutscreen music file!! Can you guess what 1960's era movie and what scene it's from?

The fifth set of skins for your F8U-1. Included here are the following authentic squadrons:

VF-154 'Black Knights'

VF-211 'Red Checkertails'- The original VF-211

VF-211(B) 'Fighting Checkmates'- The second VF-211

VMF-334 'Falcons'

VU-2 'Blue Tails'- NAS Oceana, VA

VU-10 'Proud Pelicans'- NAS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba

VT-86 'Sabre Hawks' (TF-8A)- NAS Glynco,GA

Of course, an installation read-me file is included along with optional

squadronlist.ini files.

Skin Pack number 4 for your F8U-1 Crusader. Included are the following squadrons:

VF(AW)-3 'Blue Nemesis' NAS Moffett Field, CA

VF-103 'Sluggers'

VF-191 'Satan's Kittens'

VC-8 'Redtails' NAS Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico

VMF-312 'Checkertails'

The third set of skins for your F8U-1 Crusader. Included here are the following authentic squadrons:

VF-11 'Red Rippers'-early sceme BEFORE the Gordon's Gin Boar Head

VF-142 'Fighting Falcons'

VMF-232 'Red Devils'

VX-3 Air Development Squadron Three- USS Roosevelt Carrier Qualifications in March 1957.

VC-5 'Checkertails'-NAS Atsugi,Japan

An installation read-me file is included.

The VC-5 skin is a re-work of Gocad's original skin for the F-8B (F8U-2). Credit for this skin belongs mainly to him.

The second of five skin packs for your F8U-1 Crusader. Included in this set are the following squadrons:

FAGU- Fleet Air Gunnery Unit Pacific, NAS El Centro,Calif.

VF-124 'Crusader College'

VF-174 'HellRazors'

VMF(AW)-323 'Death Rattlers'

VMF-215 'Fighting Corsairs'

A read-me file with installation steps is included.

The first of several add-on skin packs for your SF2 F8U-1 Crusader. Included in this package are the following authentic skins:

-VF-62 'Boomerangs'

-VF-162 'Hunters'

- USMC Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 13- MCAS Yuma,Az.

-VMF(AW)-235 'Death Angels'

-VMF-251 'Thunderbolts' (the F-8A version of the skin originally released by Gocad for the F-8B)

Installation Read-me file included.

The first production model of the Crusader was the F8U-1,which was later redesignated the F-8A. It first flew on September 20, 1955, and 318 were built between 1956 and 1958. The initial order had been for 448 aircraft, but the last 130 were delivered as F8U-1Es (F-8Bs). The first thirty aircraft were fitted with the Pratt & Whitney J57-P-12 engine, but this was replaced with the more powerful -4 version and in all subsequent F-8As. The original thirty were then retrofitted with the -4 as well. This made the F-8A a Mach 1.5 aircraft. Other improvements added during the production run included the addition of a retractable in-flight refueling probe in a blister on the forward left side of the fuselage. This was begun with the fiftieth production aircraft, and retrofitted to the earlier airframes. The original Vought ejection seat was replaced with the Martin Baker F5 seat.

The F-8A was armed with four 20mm canon, thirty-two 2.75-inch rockets in a drawer in the lower fuselage, and two Sidewinder missiles could be carried on fuselage stations. The AN/APG-30 gunsight radar and fire control system was installed for weapons delivery. The first aircraft was accepted for service in December 1956, just four years and three months after the issue of the original requirement by the Navy. It was delivered to VF-32 in March, 1957, with VMF-122 being the first Marine squadron to receive the Crusader. The first carrier deployment was with VF-32 on board the USS Saratoga, (CVA-60).

After being replaced with later versions of the Crusader, the F-8As were relegated to training roles, serving as advanced single-seat trainers. The designation TF-8A was often applied to these aircraft.

Your F-8A has early markings for either VA-32 or VF-122. The rocket armament IS INCLUDED but you will not see the drawer open and close.

This mod has been extensively tested in SF2V.
A read-me file with installation steps and CREDITS included.

The grand finale!! The last set of drones to complete your Mescalero range.

-------------MEET YOUR NEW DRONES------------------

QF-8A Crusader: Former Front-line USN Carrier based fighter. Converted to unmanned target drone beginning in 1973.

An AGGRESSIVE drone of good manuverability and good countermeasures. Type expended by 1978.

QF-4S Phantom II: Former Former Front-Line USN Carrier based fighter re-manufactured from the F-4J. An AGGRESSIVE drone

of good manueverabilty and SUPERIOR countermeasures. Operated by detachment of VX-30 "Bloodhounds" out

of NAS Point Magu, Calif. First use in 1990.....retirement is imminent.

QRF-4C Phantom II: Former USAF recon-version of the Phantom. As supplies of figher F-4 airframes for drone use dwindle....some

RF-4C's have been converted for use. A PASSIVE drone of good manuverability and good countermeasures.

Operated by 53rd WEG out of Tyndall AFB, Florida. First used in 2007. Should be available until 2014.

QF-16A: The Future of unmanned conversion drones. Next on the list as the last of the Phantom II airframes draws near.

Conversion of F-16A airframes has begun in 2010. This will be an AGGRESSIVE drone of EXCELLENT manueverability

and EXCELLENT countermeasures. Will be operated by 53rd WEG out of Tyndall AFB, Florida. Should be operational

until at least 2020.

F-84KX: Former USAF fighter.A small number of "obsolete" F-84B and C models were retired from ANG use and sold to the USN for use

as target drones. Very little is known about actual use by the Navy. Your Thunderjet drone carries the colors of

GMGRU-2 out of NAS Chichoteague,VA. An AGGRESSIVE drone of good manuverability and NO countermeasures. In use from

1956-1965.

AQM-28 Hounddog: Former USAF "stand-off" nuclear missile launched from the B-52. Retired from SAC in the 1970's and rebuilt

for use as targets. A PASSIVE drone of poor manuverability, limited countermeasures BUT excellent acceleration.

The target can and will quickly go supersonic to escape attack.

--------------DRONE CONTROLLER-------------------

DT-33A: USAF T-33 Shooting Star converted to drone controller. Long service life between 1950 and 1986!!

DF-8F: Small numbers of F8U-1 Crusaders converted to drone controllers.

------------Hunter-Killer Aircraft------------------

The "Original Crusader": The F8U-1 (F-8A)!!

The first production version of the Crusader. First flight on September 20th 1955. A total of 318 airframes

built between 1956 and 1958. The original order was for 448 aircraft but the last 130 were delivered as F8U-1E's

(F-8B). Use of the Pratt and Whitney J57-P-4 engine made the F-8A a MACH 1.5 capable aircraft. Originally designed

without them...the refueling system and sidewinder capability was added with the 50th production aircraft and retro-fitted

to earlier models. The F-8A was armed with four 20mm cannon, thiry-two Mighty Mouse 2.75 inch FFAR in a hinged drawer

below the fuselage and up to two sidewinder missiles on side stations. The AN/APG radar gunsight and fire control sys-

tem was installed for weapons delivery.

First USN squadron issued the new Crusader was VF-32 in 1957. First USMC squadron was VMF-122 the same year.

Your F8U-1 (F-8A) carries the colors of VF(AW)-3 "Blue Nemesis" out of NAS Moffett Field, Calif. in 1957.

Stay tuned to Combatace for my full release of the F8U-1 with over 10 USN and USMC skins to choose from!!

A full READ ME with installation instructions and credits included.

Another flock of drones has been released by the Apache Spirit Dancers!!

-------------MEET YOUR NEW DRONES------------------

F9F-5K Panther: Former front line USN carrier based fighter. Veteran of the Korean Conflict. Retired and placed in service as target drones . An AGGRESSIVE drone

with good manueverability but NO countermeasures. Operated by detachment of GRGMU-2 (Guided Missile Group Two) out of NAS Chicoteague,VA.

Type fully expended by 1964.

QT-33A Seastar: Former T-33A USAF jet trainers bailed to the USN as target drones beginning in 1965. Large numbers makes them very common as targes and expendable.

A PASSIVE drone of fair manueverability and limited countermeasures. Operated by the permanent USN detachment out of China Lake. Type finally

expended by 1982.

QF-4N Phantom II: Former USN/USMC carrier based fighter and upgrade of the F-4B. Retired for drone use beginning in 1985. An AGGRESSIVE drone of good manueverability

and EXCELLENT countermeasures. Operated by detachment of the NWTS (Naval Weapons Test Squadron) from NAS Point Magu,CA. Type expended by 2000/2001.

QF-86F Sabre: Former JASDF from line fighter built under license in Japan by Mitsubishi. Sent to USA apon retirement and converted to target drones by private contractor.

An AGGRESSIVE drone of excellent manueverability but limited countermeasures. First used in 1976. Expended or retired by 1989. Some survivors flown today in

display at airshows.

QF-59B Airacomet: First US jet fighter. Flown for only a short time in operational service before replaced by better aircraft(F-80). Some examples used as drones and/or

drone controllers. An AGGRESSIVE drone of fair manueverability but no countermeasures. Short drone carrer from 1950-56 makes them rare.

QB-17L Flying Fortress: Former USAAF B-17G bombers made famous in WWII. Retired in massive numbers at war's end makes them an excellent choice for bomber drone targets. A PASSIVE

drone of poor manueverabilty and no countermeasures. A tough target however! Will take alot of punishment, especially from non-cannon type rounds such as

50cal. slugs. A slow target makes for a collision danger for high speed fighters. USE CAUTION!! First deployed as drones in the late 1940's. Last use

around 1958. (note: turrets were removed from target drones).

MQM-107D Streaker: Purpose built subsonic drone of USAF. Uses an efficient turbofan engine pylon-mounted under fuselage. Its smokeless engine and small profile make it a hard

to spot target. A PASSIVE drone of limited countermeasures. First used in 1987....still operational.

--------------DRONE CONTROLLER-------------------

SNJ-5 : More of an observation aircraft than controller. Pilot sits in front while a range safety officer uses the rear seat. Unarmed. Fun to fly!!

------------Hunter-Killer Aircraft------------------

F-102A Delta Dagger (Hellenic Air Force): In the late 1960's, twenty excess F-102A's were sold to Greece along with a number of AIM-4 Falcon Missiles. These aircraft remained in service until at least

1975. A few can even be found today....sitting derelict in the weeds at Greek air bases.....:{

A full Installation and Credits read-me file is included.

Use of the QB-17L and QF-59B require access to the A-team Skunkworks download files. This access is however...NOT...required to use the Mescalero Range or any other aircraft/drone.

This mod aims to take the wonderful F4D-1 Skyray as created by Julhelm....and give it the ULTIMATE face-lift. Along with the 4 original skins and the fixes of Julhelm's updates.....I have ADDED 23.............YES TWENTY-THREE more authentic squadrons for you to choose from.

You now have access to EVERY operational Navy and Marine fighter squadron which operated the Skyray along with the VAST MAJORITY of utility and test squadrons as well. This is a large but COMPREHENSIVE file for Skyray lovers only!!

NEW NAVY SQUADRONS INCLUDED:

NATC of Patuxent River NAS, Maryland

VC-3 of Moffett FIeld NAS, Calif.

VX-3 of Oceana NAS, Virginia

VU-3 of North Island NAS, Calif.

VX-4 of Point Magu NAS, Calif.

VF-13 "Nightcappers"

VF-23 " Vigilantes"

VF-51 "Screaming Eagles"

VF-101 "Grim Reapers"

VF-141 "Iron Angels"

VF-162 "Hunters"

FAWTULANT of Key West NAS, Florida

Fleet Air Gunnery Unit Pacific (FAGU) of NAAS El Centro, Calif.

Naval Air Reserve Wing 88 of Olathe NAS, Kansas

US Naval Test Pilot School of Patuxent River NAS, Maryland

NEW USMC SQUADRONS INCLUDED:

H&MS-15

H&MS-24

VMF(AW)-114 "Death Dealers"

VMF(AW)-115 "Silver Eagles"

VMF(AW)-314 "Black Knights"

VMF(AW)-513 "Flying Nightmares"

VMF(AW)-531 "Grey Ghosts"

VMF(AW)-542 "Tigers"

Along with the new squadrons and COLORFUL SKINS.... you will find a tweeked fight model, more historically accurate weapons loadout, and a centerline NAV PAC like was carried on the real Skyray.

I have also corrected some inaccuracies on the VF(AW)-3 skin to better reflect the NORAD air defense history of this PROMINENT squadron......known as the "Blue Nemesis".

A new sound file for the J-57 engine is included. Now it even sounds like a Skyray!

An installation READ ME FILE is included.

Original CREDITS to Julhelm for his SUPERB Skyray model, cockpit and layered templates.........nicely done!!

Honorable mention to NeverEnough for bringing over the Skyray to SF2.