dtmdragon

McDonnell Douglas Eagle F.1 - RAF ('what if') With delays in the Tornado ADV program the RAF desperately needs to replace its aging and out classed air defense Phantom and Lightning squadrons. As a stop gap measure the RAF lease squadrons of F-15A Eagles from the USAF. They are modified to fire Skyflash missiles and given the name 'Eagle F.1' in RAF service. Mod uses stock TW RAF F-4M decals for squadron markings so you can select other squadrons. Credits: Wrench & Spinners for inspiration. Crusader for the Strike Fighters 2 Europe (SF2E) F-15A avionics enhancement v1a. Gunsight texture by wpnssgt.

This is an upgrade and major enhancement for the stock Third Wire A-4E, H, & F Ahits (Skyhawks). The standard TW Ahits have a few issues with their historical accuracy. This mod corrects those issues and even adds a few more aircraft to the Ahit family. Instillation: As usual simply drop into your mods folder and allow it to override when prompted. (This is important as there are changes to some of the aircraft.ini files etc) Strike Fighters 2 Israel plus either Strike Fighters 2 or Strike Fighters 2 Vietnam are required. Changes include: - The A-4H Ahit was not delivered with a downgraded engine. It had the same J52-P8A engine as the F model Skyhawk. Israel latter upgraded the engines of the H and F Ahits to the P-408A as used in the A-4M and N Skyhawks. - The 30mm cannons fitted to the A-4H Ahit were fitted at a 2.5 degree downward angle due to the emphasis the IAF placed on strafing after the Six Day war. However in reality it was less than ideal as there was no change to the A-4 gun sight so aiming proved quite difficult until the introduction of the HUD in the Crystal upgrade. - A-4E Ahit was delivered with the avionics hump of the F model Skyhawk. The hump was installed in US Navy service in anticipation of receiving ECM equipment but these aircraft were delivered to Israel instead. Because it was empty the hump was initially removed in Israeli service. - The A-4E Ahit was also refitted with 30mm cannons. However due to the problems encountered with the angle of instillation in the H model Ahit they were installed at a 1.5 degree downward angle in the E models. - US Emergency Aid Skyhawks: During the Yom Kippur war A-4E as well as A-4F Skyhawks were sent to Israel as replacements for IAF A-4 losses during the war. These A-4E Skyhawks had the same standard of avionics as the F models. - Additional early textures added to the A-4H Ahits with the Star Of David on the rear fuselage and two digit aircraft numbers. - Additional texture added with the US 'Stars and Bars' and US Navy numbers which the A-4H wore during test flights in the USA. - Textures modified so there are no squadron colors on the rudder before 1976. - Textures modified so aircraft numbers are not on both the nose and vertical stabilizer at the same time before 1976. Before then the aircraft number was on either the nose or the vertical stabilizer- not both. Where it was largely depended on which squadron operated the aircraft. - The hump and corresponding avionics upgrade that appear on the A-4H Ahit (73) and A-4E Ahit (73) were known as the Crystal upgrade. This upgrade was designed to bring the Ahit fleet up to the standard of the A-4N Skyhawk/Ahit so this upgrade also included a basic heads up display with computerized weapons aiming. This upgrade would also be applied to the US Emergency Aid A-4E and F Ahits after end of the Yom Kippur war. - The triangular antenna behind the normal UHF/VHF antenna on the hump of the A-4H/E Ahits (73) as well as one of the nose antennas did not appear on the aircraft till the mid 80's - Loadouts: the stock Ahit loadouts are not unrealistic but they certainly aren't the most realistic. As such they have all been redone to include things such as the use of the Walleye in the anti-amour role by particular aircraft etc. - Opening canopy. - Landing light. - Cockpit armor changed to the same as the A-4F which the A-4H is meant to based on. - Yom Kippur and Lebanon War campaigns edited to include additional aircraft and weapons where appropriate. The Ahits will now appear in the game as follows: A-4E Ahit - Delivery of ex US Navy Skyhawks in 1971 fitted with an empty hump, no ECM and no chaff dispenser. A-4E Ahit (72) - The empty hump is removed in Israeli service, the aircraft are also re-fitted with 30mm cannons at a 1.5 degree downward angle. A-4E Ahit (73) US Emergency Aid - US Navy A-4E Skyhawks with avionics hump and standard USN avionics rushed to Israel during the Yom Kippur War to replace Ahit losses. A-4E Ahit (73) Crystal Upgrade - A-4E Ahits upgraded under project Crystal with ECM, RHAW, countermeasure dispensers, updated weapons delivery system, updated navigation system and a HUD. An extended tailpipe is also fitted. A-4F Ahit US Emergency Aid - US Navy A-4F Skyhawks with standard USN avionics rushed to Israel during the Yom Kippur War to replace Ahit losses. A-4F Ahit (74) Crystal Upgrade - US Emergency Aid A-4F Ahits are upgraded to the same standard as the project Crystal A-4H Ahits with a HUD, updated weapons delivery system, updated navigation system, 30mm cannons, extended tailpipe and P-408A engine. A-4H Ahit - Specific model Skyhawk for Israel based on the A-4F with deliveries starting in 1968. The A-4H had a downgraded weapons and avionics capability. A-4H Ahit (70) - Aircraft are re-fitted with 30mm cannons at a 2.5 degree downward angle. A-4H Ahit (72) - Israel begins replacing the J52-P8A engine with the more powerful J52-P-408A and restoring/ expanding the aircrafts weapon capabilities. A-4H Ahit (73) Crystal Upgrade - A-4H Ahits are upgrade under project Crystal with ECM, RHAW, countermeasure dispensers, updated weapons delivery system, updated navigation system and a HUD. An extended tailpipe is also fitted. A-4H Ahit (84) Crystal Upgrade - Additional external antenna on the avionics hump and nose of the aircraft are installed. Credits: -TK for the SF2 series and original Ahits -ravenclaw_007 for his amazing weapon packs - MGunny 331KillerBee's Ordnance Shop II Enjoy, Dan (dtmdragon)

AMI/ Italian Air Force F-16A Blk 15 Air Defence Fighter (ADF) In 2003 The Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare Italiana) leased 34 F-16A/B (mostly block 15 ADF variants) as a stop-gap solution until delivery of the Eurofighter Typhoon in 2010-12. The F-16 Air Defense Fighter (ADF) was a special variant of the Block 15 optimized for the United States Air National Guard's fighter interception mission. - Updated F-16A ADF 3D model by JAT81500 - New skins using the Team Viper F-16C High Res templates modified to fit the ADF. - Detailed Team Viper F-16 pilot model and ejection seat. - Flight model updated to the standard of the latest Team Viper F-16 flight model. - Third Wire F-16A cockpit and avionics modified to include the real world ADF upgrade (AIM-7/120). - Team Viper effects, sounds, fuel tanks and weapons. - FANATIC MODDER To install: Drop into your Mods folder Credits: - JAT81500 for doing the updated F-16A ADF 3D model - TMF/ Mirage Factory for the original F-16A ADF. - The Viper Team for thier F-16C/AM series. - Ravenclaw for the weapons and SF1 AMI F-16 Skins I used as a base and for the decals. - Migbuster for the F-16C skin templates. Enjoy, Dan (dtmdragon) History Since the early nineties, the Italian Air Force has eagerly been seeking a replacement for its vintage Aeritalia F-104S Starfighters. Its intended replacement is the Eurofighter Typhoon. Since this program has been running behind schedule for a few years, the Italian air force needed a stop-gap solution. Because the AMI possesses a vast number of Tornado IDS planes, they decided to lease 24 Tornado ADV fighters from the RAF for a 10-year period. This lease ended in 2003 so a replacement was sought. At first the AMI opted to extend the lease period with another 10 years. This proved to be too expensive, so the Italian government turned to the US. The requirement was for a fighter that could perform the air defense mission for 5 to 10 years, until the arrival of the Typhoon. Inventory Peace Caesar On March 15th, 2001 the Italian government signed an LoA for a 5-year lease (with an option on another 5 years) of 34 F-16s and four spare airframes, in a deal worth up to $777 million over a 10-year period. The aircraft were delivered between July 2003 and November 2004. In total, 30 F-16A ADFs as well as 1 F-16B ADF and 3 F-16B block 5 & 10's will be delivered. Four more planes will be provided for use as spare parts. Before delivery to Italy, the aircraft are brought out of storage at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz. and transfered to the Ogden ALC at Hill AFB, Utah, where they undergo 220 days of refurbishment and upgrades. The Falcons are given a complete refurbishment, which complied with all technical compliance-technical orders that have changed since the aircraft was placed in stasis in Arizona. The depot teams at Hill AFB did structural modifications including Falcon-Up, which replaces particular bulkheads and the structural life improvement program, which strengthens holes around the fuel cell panels and wheel wells by compressing the molecules with 30,000 pounds of pressure. The wings were removed and the bulkhead furthest aft that holds the vertical wing was replaced. The landing gear was refurbished and its bulkhead was also replaced. The flight controls actuators are replaced with new actuators. In addition the computers and instruments that provide the Falcon its technological edge are removed, sent to the appropriate facilities to be tested then repaired if necessary. All equipment that is a time change item and that has less than a full year's worth of service left is changed. Approximately 100 Italian Air Force maintenance officers, instructors and technicians are receiving F-16 maintenance training at Lockheed Martin facilities in Fort Worth, Texas. End of service On May 23rd, 2012 a disbanding ceremony was held at Trapani-Birgi AFB to mark the disbandment of the resident 18 Gruppo, which was the sole surviving F-16 squadron within the AMI. This marked to end of the service life of the F-16 within the Italian Air Force. This means the AMI is the first air force to fly with the F-16 that phases out the type. Modifications & Armament The planes provided to Italy have a standard ADF configuration. All aircraft receive the uprated Pratt & Whitney F100-220E engine and undergo the Falcon-Up structural enhancement program. It is confirmed that a number of weapon systems will be released to the AMI to be used in conjunction with the F-16s, including the AIM-120 AMRAAM missile,