mppd

Eric is exactly correct. A total of 20 Rivet Haste E-models made an appearance at Udorn between 20 Nov 1972 and 13 Jan 1973, and only some 10 were actually fitted with the Combat Tree gear. All were Block 48 serials and had slats and TISEO. First combat mission was 24 Nov. Only three air-to-air engagements took place with these birds, with no score. Only one missile (an AIM-7) was fired. The planes arrived at Udorn with aircrews and their own maintenance contingent and assumed the Triple Nickel (555th TFS) squadron designation, which no doubt did not go over well with the original 555th personnel already there. These Phantoms wore a red/orange fin tip but wore no tailcodes (according to several sources, a few photos, plus an acquaintance who was there through 1973). The Mirage Factory Arnie F-4E needs only to lose the ARN-101 fuselage spine bulge to pass for a Rivet Haste bird.

Well, this is a start towards making a more correct F-4C/D (well, sort of..) from the WOV F-4B, which has the only correct 3- piece leading edge flaps. I created wing bulges and nose RHAW housings for the F-4C and D. Yes, I know, the main gear tires will still be incorrect and the underside of the wings are not quite correct, but this will look closer to my idea of a C/D than what we have. Mike D.

Dave, it's just the 1972 version of the F-4D - it has tape lights built in which are constantly illuminated, plus the Falcon or AIM-9 rails if they are selected. I never got around to make a decals and markings pack for it yet, and X RAY PMed me about a markings project for that version, so I said that he was welcome to release it with his project. It will have the same credits to you as all the other versions did of course. I found an error that required a separate decal on the stab top but eliminated it by rotating the mesh part so no "top" exists. Also noticed a problem with the underwing hinge area - fixed. I am updating all the previous versions and will pass along the source files to you of course if you'd like them. They could use the touch of someone who really knows what they are doing, and many would welcome a 2nd generation version I think. AND, some hi-rez textures of course... Mike

Gads - almost two years have gone by since this original thread of mine. I am still working in my spare time on the various F-4 versions with correct serial numbers and markings - I am finalizing an F-4B and F-4E again based on the original work of Dave Hobbs. If you liked my earlier F-4C versions, you'll like these. I also passed along an F-4D model to X RAY soon to appear here to go along with a project that he is working on (although I just found a few errors on the model). If you need them for SF2, you will need to adapt them yourself though - I stuck with the 1st generation series. In the meantime, the Mirage Factory ARN-101 version of the F-4E is still very good and highly recommended, and like Dave said, they are still available here for both series, and you can't beat the superb hi-resolution skins and markings that Sundowner and others have created for them. Mike D.

Funny you should mention it - I was planning on starting a freeware F-105 this summer. Would make a good basis for an F/G, B, and D T-stick II version. Do you know anyone who is doing this already so as to not duplicate efforts?

Thanks for the work. A good add-on for all those late 1965 into mid-1967 missions with camo'ed acft but before the tailcode system went into use on F-105s. I can scrap the one that I started... Mike D.

These still look great - the Pfalz is still my favorite plane from the war - guess I've watched The Blue Max too many times! Look forward to the edits, and thank you again for all of the hard work. Mike D.

Agreed - a good reference source with some photos that I had not seen before. But, if you own Chris Hobson's "Vietnam Air Losses" book, expect to see a lot of information repeated, and some of the squadron dates could be a little more detailed - but this coming from a lunatic rivet counter though....

Thanks for all the work on these that you've done - it is truly appreciated. I've always had a personal love of German aircraft in WWI ever since The Blue Max...

By all means, post for everyone here. I'm sure Ant won't mind either. F-4s forever! Mike D.

Excellent - keep the Vietnam stuff coming!! Nice work.

I once read a little blurb from a fighter pilot about flying computer simulations - he said that he tried to fly as much as possible without the cockpit details showing, as it seemed to simulate his concentrating outside of the cockpit more as he would be in the real airplane. I always felt no shame in hiding the cockpit momentarily in those moments when I needed a bit more visibility - you can't sneak a peak to the side or raise your seat a bit higher in front of the monitor like you might be able to in the real deal...or even stick your head out the window in some nose-high recip types.

Thanks for the update, lots of effort into this sort of package.

Nice work Paulo - very good job. Thank you. Mike D.

I had totally forgotten about this thread - I was recently trolling for anyone who had a possible Netherlands scenery, but that seems to be included here. Really looking forward to it. Thank you, Mike D.

Is there any terrain available that shows the bases that RNeth AF F-104Gs flew from during the 60s-80S? I believe that RNeth AF Starfighters also stood nuclear alert also (with USAF advisors overseeing the storage/loading of the weps) - and in fact may still be doing so today in F-16s. Several bases are not visible in Google Earth I would guess for this reason. Thanks, Mike D.

Thanks again for the reply and the help. I have never tried the terrain editor but would like to give it a shot some day.

Well, my only experience with scenery is trying to add additional small airfields to the existing SEA maps, which resulted in a big mess when the ground is not flat. I would help in any way that I can if someone is interested in adding the rest of the major Dutch and Belgian fields. Feel free to PM me. Thanks, Mike

Thanks Ansons, I have it now. Will check it out for Dutch fields.

Sorry, I cannot help with the scenery creation itself, only the objects. I'd be happy with resonable airfield placement accuracy and above-sea level bases!

Thanks Derk, I actually just downloaded a copy of that one the other day. I've really been looking at all of the F-104Gs for the Third Wire series the last few weeks, especially the Dutch birds.

If anyone has a work-in-progress and is looking for some help, I have had some small experience creating ground objects for the Third Wire series and would be interested. Thanks again, Mike

That's exactly what I was looking for. A bit of a departure for me - but have several friends who served in the area in those days. Thanks for the reply, MPD

Good job Dels, very good. Thanks again, Mike