[What capabilities should we expect from the F-104?]

On 8/10/2025 at 4:24 AM, Bremspropeller said:

I wasn't, but at some time I became interested in the whole 104 affair and it soon showed that lots of strong opinins on the jet aren't based on proper understanding. That in large part is due to the smear campaigns by the press, wanting to hit back at FJ Strauss who had a news-magazine raided earlier. And because journos like to copy each other instead of actually going for a story. The story should not have been based on the "$h1tty jet", but on the fact that the whole organisation was incapable of technically and logistically supporting it, while other, smaller nations did a much better job. That was in part due to the 10-year post war hiatus of operting any kind of aeroplanes, but that's also a convenient excuse for organisational blunder.

Parallels to current events are purely coincidental...

 

For people that are actually interested in the 104G/ CF, get a copy of this book. It does a good job of explaining the strenghts and weaknesses of the 104 in it's recce and strike mission in the RCAF (mostly OPS'ing over Germany) and the general state of mind of 1960s and '70s Starfighter pilots. It helps understanding why so many jets crashed, flying an inherently dangerous mission - all weather low level strike and reconnaissance.

I can't recommend this book highly enough - if you can only own one book on the 104, it should be this one. It's been out of print for a long time, but it should surface in the bay every once in a while:

null

thanks for the sauce on this book, echo the recommendation if you can get it

[Any information yet on planned version ?]

6 hours ago, 303_Kermit said:

I think, it's advisable to scroll up, and read. Questions repeats many times, and somewhere on the road there is also an answer.
Regards.

Listen buddy this isn't about me, this is about the Mike Force Team

yewls

[Any information yet on planned version ?]

45 minutes ago, Mike Force Team said:

Will we have the F-104A variant? I am asking for the version that had downward firing ejection seats. 

Mike Force Team 

Aerges you really gonna leave the whole team hanging?

yewls

[What capabilities should we expect from the F-104?]

G, TF-G, C, and big block A would be my ideal variants

[What capabilities should we expect from the F-104?]

4 hours ago, TLTeo said:

Here's another one carrying both wing and centerline tanks. It clearly shows you can't carry bombs with this loadout. That is because it's carrying rockets instead.

Seriously Kermit, please please please argue in good faith or stop wasting time.

 

Not trying to wade into the fight here but in the spirit of correctness that jet is actually carrying a napalm bomb on its centerline - there were no centerline fuel tanks on the Zipper.

[Any information yet on planned version ?]

7 hours ago, Vibora said:

We are not going to provide any statement yet. "Probably" would be the word.

that would probably be epic

[Any information yet on planned version ?]

22 minutes ago, EasternEagle said:

Does the version we're getting have the belly missile mounts for 4x missiles.

The F-104G should have the underside catamaran launcher for a pair of AIM-9s, used most prominently in Norwegian and Japanese service.  My understanding is that the F-104J used in Japan was a license-built F-104G by Mitsubishi, just missing the A/G functions of the NASARR F-15 radar

[Any information yet on planned version ?]

2 hours ago, fausete said:

Thanks! And yes, it's an early RWR.

Thanks for the quick response - what model RWR, and whose jets were these installed on?  If you can say at this point in development, will the Zipper have a similar granularity of model/equipment variation that the F-1 has?

[Any information yet on planned version ?]

2 hours ago, fausete said:

Hi @dave76,

Yes all those systems have already been implemented. To be fair, the FFB implementation of the shaker and the kicker have not been extensively tested yet.

 

Looks great Fausete!  Enlighten me, what are the 3 light bulbs on the right side over the glare shield, Radar Warning gear?  I haven't seen those on any pictures of an F-104

[Any info about the F-104 module development?]

On 7/25/2024 at 11:56 AM, fausete said:

Hi, we are preparing a proper update about this. In the meantime I can confirm we are working on the F-104 already and at good pace. Some members of the team are dedicating most of their time to the 104 while some others are still more focused on the F1M.

Hey guys, friendly shake of the tree here, eager to find out more about which variant(s)  of the Zipper we can expect to see.  Can't wait regardless

yewls

[Approximately November 19, 2024]

On 10/16/2024 at 2:54 PM, Mike Force Team said:

Hello, DCS,

Please post new information about the Mig-29 and Eurofighter around 11/19/2024.  Additionally, please reveal the new WW 2 airframes for the Pacific Theater along with any rotary.  

Even more so, can we receive an update on the global world map?  It was mentioned in the 2024 & Beyond video, but no new updates since then so far this year.  

Mike Force Team

thank you, the community needs answers!!!1!!

[Cold War assets mod v 1.2]

On 6/8/2024 at 1:10 AM, tripod3 said:

I need to create missile for K-10 complex

 

Hey tripod, is this Badger-C ever going to see inclusion in the modpack?

[Cold War assets mod v 1.2]

Awesome work!  I presume you’ve seen this page out of Yefim Gordon’s Soviet Strategic Aviation in the Cold War describing what you’ve shown, pretty cool

[Post your favorite F14 Screenshots here!]

that isn't the stock Bear is it?  @Tomcatter87

[F-104 Starfighter Liveries]

If we get a C then we must have white walls

null

[Post your favorite F14 Screenshots here!]

The Wolves of WESTPAC

 

[Feedback Thread - F-14 Tomcat Patch June 22nd 2022]

Anyone else having issues with the Forrestal?  I have AI taxiing up to hold short of cat 2 and freezing there

[Removing Default F-15 Stencils]

Does anyone know how to remove these stencils when making skins for the F-15?  As shown in the picture below, I'm referring to the American flag roundel, the crew name, and the low-vis USA roundel that's imposed on top of the high-vis one.  I'm pretty sure they come from the default Lakenheath skin.  They don't show up in the f15_nose skin file nor the f15_decol file, and seem to be pasted on only when I load the skin up in the sim.  Any help?

 

[F-4 Phantom Reading List]

Once a Fighter Pilot by Jerry Cook is a great read as well - went from a FAIP to the first USAF F-4 squadron and served a tour in Vietnam

[Choose the new name for WSO AI. It can't be Jester anymore]

Sully is good, for the -E I think Robin after Robin Olds would be good.  Spartan after Willie Driscoll in the grey Phantom would be great too imo

[F14 Skinners thread (Paintkit in 1st post)]

Trying to get the greasy, beat-down look of NE204 from the picture below ... as you can see my "technique" for weathering really amounts to lightly airbrushing along panel lines and areas where there would be hydraulic actuators.  What tips do you guys have for more varied/detailed weathering?

 

[Incorrect A model Tomcat supercarrier hand signals.]

4 minutes ago, Q3ark said:

I can't believe I only just noticed, thanks man.

No worries, hope they get around to fixing it

[Incorrect A model Tomcat supercarrier hand signals.]

Yep, been like this since launch

[F14 Skinners thread (Paintkit in 1st post)]

6 hours ago, Gunslinger22 said:

I've also done NE VS-38/VAW-116 skins!

We must've had a mind meld this week mate, I was working on those the night before I saw yours show up on user files - that S-3 template makes my brain hurt.  Happy to see CVW-2 almost done, now we just need skins for the A-6, SH-3, and uh ... *checks notes* A-3

[F14 Skinners thread (Paintkit in 1st post)]

Question - if I need to paint over the baked in rivets and panel lines, is there a way for me to grab them from the template and paste them back in over the paint?  I've been able to figure it out with the F-5, but haven't had luck with the F-14.  Thanks!

Also, have been messing around trying to recreate the beat-to-shit, hydraulic fluid covered, partial hood jets of VF-111 during their 1983 cruise on the Carl Vinson, as seen in this video.