mppd

I would take that story about PACAF deuces in Vietnam attacking campfires with AIM-4s with a very LARGE grain of salt. I have only read that in ONE account on the Internet, and have been hanging around ADC and interceptor pilot types all of my adult life and no one has ever heard of that being done. Just because it is in print on the Net does NOT make it instantly true. I would bet that PACAF 7th AF command authorities would have frowned on this practice - whose campfire are you atacking anyway? With the abundance of much better armed and capable ground support aircraft in use throughout Southeast Aasia in the 60s and 70s, I highly doubt the truth of this story. The deuce stood alert at Tan Son Nhut, Da Nang, Bien Hoa, Don Muang and Udorn just like it did at Naha and Clark in that time frame, with the occasional practice intercept or ID pass at someone inbound with radio problems perhaps. The B-52 escort duties also reported were pretty rare too - the plane had legs way too short, and was not capable of being air-to-air refueled (that was a bolt-on deal done at SAALC for the deployment of both the 64th FIS and 82nd FIS from the states to the Pacific, then was removed. Yes, one deuce was reportedly whacked by a Mig also. Some sources also say possible SAM on that day though. The Falcon worked pretty good according to all the guys who did live fire exercises annually at Tyndall against (usually non-maneuvering) Firebee drones carrying flares, with missiles tweaked by dedicated ADC maintenance guys, and fired from internal weapons bays under perfect conditions. It would have worked fine against TU-95s against a cold dark blue high altitude sky. If the Third Wire series projects the Falcon AAM as not working in those conditions, then the AIM-4 PK needs to be adjusted upwards. As Robin Olds said, carried externally in a rain-soaked tropical climate with minimal maintenance against an aggressively maneuvering fighter-sized target, fired out of parameters by a pilot with no previous air combat training, it had an even lower kill rate than the AIM-9 or AIM-7 - both of which were almost as useless. Read exerpts from the Ault Report and Project Red Baron portions which have been declassified and are readable on the Net why all those missiles never hit anything. Mike D.

A common misconception because the airplane happens to have a tailhook....

The Navy F-4 LAU-7 pylons are not finished - so this will be for USAF F-4C/D/E Phantom IIs for now. (Did the Navy fly Phantoms also...?)

I'm using the Saitek as a temporary fix until I get all new-CH products setup. My old CH products devices did not work with Windows 2000/XP (all analog) so they all went into a garbage bag. I would recommend the CH stuff with no hesitation. Mike D.

Thanks you guys (and gals!). Much appreciated. Mike

I think that we all say things at times that we could have rephrased a little better, but there is a difference to me when someone is trying to point something out, or request something, than when just complaining about something or trying to start an argument. And when it is about a freeware item for starters, that is when it really flew in everyone's face that contributes here. That was simply a lack of maturity and respect. Mike D.

I guess I'm not quite sure what the issue is here, but my take on "modding" is that it is the most sincere form of flattery for the work TK and others have done, and intended only to highlight and make existing work perhaps even better, or perhaps a bit more historical. As any form of artwork, I know myself after a certain point I say that I've had enough, and I finish what I'm working on figuring it is as good as I'm going to make it. If someone else wants to take my project and improve it even more, that's super! Or fix the things wrong with it (often due to lack of reliable info when something was being made) - by all means, go for it. Nothing here is offered for a fee - it's all for free to anyone that wants it. My personal feeling is included in every readme I've ever written - feel free to do what ever you want with my mods - it's only a little artwork or whatever... Mike D.

I started another round of trying to accurize the WOV F-4 again with my limited skills. If I could find a way to delete the existing intermediate pylons and AIM-9 rails, we could create a new pylon with correct extended rails, correct AIM-4D Falcon rails, and the early Navy style pylons as add-on parts. I posted a query at TW's Forum, and FastCargo pointed me at Dave's submission available here (F-100A "Rehab" of the ROCAF) where some parts were deleted by making them components in the data.ini. I took a second look at this, and if this works, it could be one of the most significant modder finds yet! We could delete any fixed part and add another that we create! Will try it tonight, but this looks like DYNAMITE to modders - it certainly deserves its own thread!! Someone deserves a medal if this works...!! Mike D.

I just use Notepad, which comes installed with the various Windows operating systems. The .ini files are simple text files. Mike

File Name: Updated USAF F-4 370 gal wing tanks File Submitter: mppd File Submitted: 30 Jan 2009 File Category: SF/WO*/FE Weapons Mods/Skins Updated USAF 370 gal wing tanks for the WOV F-4 This is an update for the 370 gallon wing drop tanks I made for the Wings over Vietnam F-4C/D/E. The tanks are higher polygon versions a bit more accurate in shape and with a few added details. Five versions are supplied - the first three are minor variations of the standard SEA tanks, the other is all olive drab version and the last all white. (Both the latter two were seen on F-4Cs in 1965-1966). You must be able to use the Weaponeditor to install these tanks. These entries do not overwrite your old tanks, but will overwrite my first version tanks files. I have enclosed an F-4D data.ini as an example if you are still uncertain how to install these - both pre and post-October patch versions are given. The first three tanks are given as selections in the files. Mike Druzolowski Click here to download this file

By the way, the couple of texture glitches in the screenshots above were fixed - just didn't feel like doing the screnshots again! Thanks, Mike

Here are some more F-4 tanks for you folks since you were talking about them. I added a few more details, and made 5 Vietnam-era versions - 3 camo minor variations, an all olive drab and all white. The white is suitable for Navy versions of course if you have to fly B/J/N models... Submitted for approval today. Mike D.

Just as easy to hex edit the .bmp name inside the tank .LOD - there are piles of freeware hex editors. I found that you can even insert characters in the .bmp name from inside the hex editor - does not have to be the exact same number of name characters. Mike

You can edit the tank files/aircraft data files to have the option of multiple tanks. I have three normal camo F-4 370 gal wingtanks that I can select on my F-4s in SEA - just for variety. I'll eventually make an all-white one, all olive-grey one also for the F-4C early versions. Here are two: Mike

Thanks FC for taking the time to delve into all that. Never having flown in any military type, it's always great to hear from someone that has. I can tell you that as an armchar simmer, I consider the Third Wire sime VERY imersive. I still remember the feeling I got flying one of my first of John Shelton's YAP missions - taking off at night in a 497th TFS Nite Owl F-4D and trying to fly formation with another F-4D which was lead - then dropping flares over the trail in Laos and bombing a target (which I never saw). This was my first time flying wing on another fast mover, plus it being at night, all in all it was VERY interesting. I lost visual with him after the drop, couldn't work the radar to find him again, and returned to Ubon and landed alone...practically in a cold sweat! Now that's imersive. Mike

Group hug...

Some of the bobbing can seem a bit overdone to me too, but for a real reality check, see some of the Youtube videos of demo teams in close formation when filmed from one of the players - I never seemed to see all that movement at the airshows! It was WAY more than I would have guessed. Mike

Hey, I havn't been modding and posting here that long - and I remember as a newbie asking questions that I just couldn't figure out answers to regarding this sim series. That is why when I receive a PM with a question from a new person, I'm more than happy to take the time to help - sort of my obligation now as I've been treated so well by all of you, especially getting started. You are right Dave, this has been a fine community to hang around, and it has been my Internet home page for longer than I can remember. Thanks to you and all. Mike

Gee, after reading Stiglr's comments, I guess I should throw away all of my Third Wire sims and reload Falcon 4 and fly their one type of airplane with the accurate cockpit... Mike D.

The biggest visual difference is the ARN-101 hump on the fuselage spine and a few other antennas, but it is well done and the textures are very nice - a definate must have if you are a Phantom Phan. A nice job. Mike D.

My small contribution, in a seemingly endless series of small add-on parts for the F-4 in the WOV series: New USAF Phantom II intermediate pylons, AIM-4D Falcon rails and more detailed AIM-9 rails (short mount and with the 3-inch extensions). Mike D.

Interesting. The Misawa/Itazuke and Kadena Thuds stood rotational nuc alert at Osan, and the 36th TFW at Bitburg stood nuc alert I guess there - anyone know which config they used? Mike D.

The bomb bay fuel tank definately was fixed in place - it was visible when the bay opened and thus provided maintenance access, but no way could be jettisoned in flight.

Happy Birthday Ed, all the stuff you do is really appreciated! Mike D.