WSMG F-16

[MIKE JG]

And finally the information I've been looking for:

Production of the block 40/42 totals 615 airframes. Manufacturing started in 1989 as a successor of the block 30/32 airframe. It ended in the late nineties with a follow-on order from Egypt. Block 40 aircraft were delivered to the USAF, Turkey, Bahrain, Israël and Egypt. Block 42 aircraft were only delivered to the USAF.

So that makes the whole 40/42 modelling production a lot easier.

As far as I can tell only 3 ANG units still operate the Bk42, Ohio, Oklahoma and Arizona, and just two USAF bases still operate it, Holloman and Nellis.

I already have the base textures for the Nellis, Holloman and Ohio ANG birds. Just leaves Arizona ANG and Oklahoma ANG left for the Bk 42s. As for Turkey, Bahrain, Egypt and Israel, the only one of those I don't personally have yet are base textures for Israel and Bahrain. If Kevin is so kind as to allow me to use the base textures for the Bk52 models for Egypt and Turkey we would almost have everything we need already.

Just a few more loadout versions to do for the USAF Bk40/42 versions to do and then I can start on the foreign version loadouts.

[lewis]

This is as close as I could get. I used 800 ac as a base.

[Weescotty]

And finally the information I've been looking for:

Production of the block 40/42 totals 615 airframes. Manufacturing started in 1989 as a successor of the block 30/32 airframe. It ended in the late nineties with a follow-on order from Egypt. Block 40 aircraft were delivered to the USAF, Turkey, Bahrain, Israël and Egypt. Block 42 aircraft were only delivered to the USAF.

So that makes the whole 40/42 modelling production a lot easier.

As far as I can tell only 3 ANG units still operate the Bk42, Ohio, Oklahoma and Arizona, and just two USAF bases still operate it, Holloman and Nellis.

I already have the base textures for the Nellis, Holloman and Ohio ANG birds. Just leaves Arizona ANG and Oklahoma ANG left for the Bk 42s. As for Turkey, Bahrain, Egypt and Israel, the only one of those I don't personally have yet are base textures for Israel and Bahrain. If Kevin is so kind as to allow me to use the base textures for the Bk52 models for Egypt and Turkey we would almost have everything we need already.

Just a few more loadout versions to do for the USAF Bk40/42 versions to do and then I can start on the foreign version loadouts.

Mike - use whatever you need, it's as much your baby as mine.

[MIKE JG]

This is as close as I could get. I used 800 ac as a base.

Looks good to me Lewis!

[MIKE JG]

Mike - use whatever you need, it's as much your baby as mine.

Cool thanks. I'll take any other base textures you may have. Currently I've got Iraq, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Chile, Israel, Pakistan and Morocco. Don't need the Chilean one any longer as those have been done.

Also any other painters out there, there are still tons of cool Viper base paints to do if anyone wants to try any. I think we will have the USAF stuff covered for all Block models.

[MIKE JG]

Lewis, Ray and Han, I screwed up that last paint kit I sent you, check your email for how to fix it. Very sorry about this and I hope you guys have not made too many textures yet cause they will need to be fixed.

[Weescotty]

Mike - use whatever you need, it's as much your baby as mine.

Cool thanks. I'll take any other base textures you may have. Currently I've got Iraq, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Chile, Israel, Pakistan and Morocco. Don't need the Chilean one any longer as those have been done.

Think that just about covers them all, apart from Poland?
Most are either Have Glass or 2/3 tone grey.

Started on the P3D Block 40, nearly have the base model complete.

Do the USAF still use the standard LANTIRN loadout?
ie
AN/AAQ-13 nav pod
AN/AAQ-14 target pod

I already have the AAQ-13 ready to go on the Turkish F-16s.
Would just need to remap the AAQ-14.

[MIKE JG]

Don't think the USAF fleet uses the LANTIRN these days as the targeting pod only sees in IR from what I've read. The AAQ-28 LITENING pod offers full color and IR I believe which is why it seems to be in use with the Bk 30's in the Air National Guard. From the latest pictures I've seen, looks like Bk40 and up are only carrying SNIPER pods now for the front line units. I 'think' the schoolhouse birds at Holloman may be using LITENING on their Bk42's but that might be the exception. SNIPER offers ability to track airborne targets as well which gives them a poor mans IRST sensor which is why I think they've switch to carrying that pod almost exclusively.

If someone else knows please chime in.

It's freakin confusing for sure:
AAQ-13 LANTIRN pod for navigation
AAQ-14 LANTIRN pod for targeting
AAQ-28 LITENING pod for targeting
AAQ-33 SNIPER pod for targeting

Different countries with different Blocks all seem to have different capabilities with various pods.

[mins]

Mike...Thank you for making a great work.

WIP...^ ^

[Weescotty]

Can someone pop a 32-bit Block 40 texture into my FTP folder so I can try it on the P3D version?

NOTE TO PAINTERS - Please keep the 32-bit textures as there are a couple of changes needed for the P3D version.
Using a DXT3 texture as the base, then adding the bits and resaving as DXT5 creates issues.

[MIKE JG]

Looks great Han! Thank Kevin as well!

@Kevin, 32 bit Aviano texture in your FTP folder.

[MIKE JG]

NOTE TO PAINTERS - Please keep the 32-bit textures as there are a couple of changes needed for the P3D version.
Using a DXT3 texture as the base, then adding the bits and resaving as DXT5 creates issues.

To expand on what Kevin is saying, if you're doing textures for FS9, you should also save a copy of the texture as a 32 bit extended bitmap texture as well so that it can be used for P3D. That way we don't have to make a whole new set of textures for these units. When we save them as DXT3 bmp files, we lose some of the details which P3D can actually make use of unlike FS9.

[Weescotty]

P3D Block 40 model...

[Weescotty]

Noticed 2 errors - Mike I think it applies to yours also.

a) The C and D Block 40's are missing the intake behind the tail ventral aerial. (looking at 555 FS Block 40's anyway)
b) On the D the intakes either side of the tail ventral are also missing.

[edit] It would seem this isn't hard and fast. Turkey keeps all of them, others have a mixture. The majority seem to be as above.

[MIKE JG]

Ok thanks for that, easy enough to correct. The model and texture look just a tad bit crisper in P3D!

Good news, I have a new laptop coming that I should be able to run both sims on going forward!

[Weescotty]

Hold up Mike, its gets complicated....

Here is 88-0491 in 2009 - With the upper intake on the ventral
https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/7951778

Here is 88-0491 in 2020 - Its gone!
https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/9865699

Think I will do a little XML and link the intake on the C and D models to something in the aircraft title in the cfg file.
I will invent a Block number Block 40E (E for early).
So if the tile includes Block 40E then show the part.

XML -
<code>
(A:TITLE,string) 'Block 40E' sstr 0 &gt;
if{ 1 } els{ 0 }
</code>

Would appear the two side exhausts either side of the tail ventral are not there on any Block 40 D models.

And...
RBAF Block 40s have bird slicers. Can do the same way as the earlier.
Look for RBAF in the title, if there, show the part.

<code>
(A:TITLE,string) 'RBAF' sstr 0 &gt;
if{ 1 } els{ 0 }
</code>

Did you know the Israeli Block 40 two seaters have spines?

[MIKE JG]

I did not know that (opens new window to Google IDF Bk 40 D model....)

A few minutes later....

Hey that's cool, never realized that. That will make the IDF versions fun to do!

[Weescotty]

RBAF Block 40 - With bird slicers (these only display on RBAF P3D models), and no upper tail ventral aerial.

[MIKE JG]

That's weird that they carry that advanced IFF system on their birds. Must have paid for the upgrade at the dealership!

[Weescotty]

Hi Mike,
Hope you had a good Christmas.

Late present for you.
I have just uploaded 21 x Bahrain Block 40 textures to your FTP folder.

I think the only change needed for your FS9 models is the grey square near the top of the stbd side tail should be red.

You will also need to add the alpha channel.

Kev