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So......what was happening back in 2011 I wonder? Well there were rumours of a new version of Falcon 4 which was later released by Benchmark Sims (BMS), and in February of that year DCS: A-10C Warthog was released. The Strike Fighters community was eagerly awaiting the release of Strike Fighters 2: North Atlantic - and it was also the year that Combat Ace member Sophocles bit the bullet and decided to get into 3D modelling. Now many years later, he has now released what certainly looks like the best modelled aircraft ever to grace Strike Fighters 2, and that includes all of Thirdwires efforts. Many modder projects start and look promising and then wither and die (especially after so many years) so we decided to ask Sophocles some questions about this project. The F-5A thread starts around 2012 - what year did you start the F-5 model exactly? I started the model in December of 2011. I'd never done any 3d modelling, but I was determined to learn, having done a lot of free-ware/payware texturing work for CFS2 and FS9. What 3D programs do you use to create 3D models? 3dsMax.. It is unusual for someone to stay on a single project after all this time - what has kept you going all these years to continue the project? Well, I spent about a year finishing the external model (learning all the basics as I went along, ie. modelling, mapping, animating) and then another year doing the cockpit.. I'd planned for a release in 2014 but by that time my world caved in together with the Greek economy..) lost my business, house, went through divorce and even lost the dog!! As you can imagine, the last thing on my mind was the F-5A model!!! I tried over the years at times to re-invest in the project, but real life just kept getting in the way... Many Combat Ace members were involved in the project, some actively helping along and contributing in one form or another (will thank and present their contributions in their entirety when the project is complete), others offering encouragement and emotional support (this is the best thing about the Combat Ace community!) but the one individual who for the most part inspired the level of detail in the model; and who subsequently worked the hardest getting the project moving again was Volker (ravenclaw).. without whom the project would not have been revived (post-2017). I really need to get the F-5A out to the community because their support (and patience, LOL!) has been incredible. After this do you think you will continue to do other 3D models on this level? Sure, with all the knowledge and experience I've accumulated over the years, any new projects (and there are a few..) will take a fraction of the time .. given the world doesn't implode...again!!!!! With special thanks to Sophocles you can download Hellenic Air Force F-5A Volume 1 here and looks like there will be more high quality volumes to follow: