Capricorn

The 1944 edition of "Der Flugzeugmaler", the last official paper ordered simplified Balkenkreuzes. Only the outlines of the Balkenkreuze and either the black portion or the white surrounds of the Hakenkreuz are to be painted as follows: On light colours 76 and 21 only the black outline of the Balkenkreuze and black Hakenkreuzes. On dark colours 72,73,75,81,82 and 83 only the white outline of the Balkenkreuz and the white outline of the Hakenkreuz. However, economy measures to use up existing stocks of paint led to a wide variety and incorrect styles og markings to the end of the war.

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I would guess i its early too mid eighties, perhaps a experimental scheme in conjunction with Lebanon (1982) or Operation Eldorado Canyon in 1986.

I am searching for all relevant information regarding RMU-8/A used by USAF F-4. Pictures and and building tips are most welcome.

Superscale sheet 48-349 cover 3 F-15C. One of them is an icelandic "C"with serial 80048 from 57th FIS, but I see no CFT from the drawing. I guees they have just standarised it. The paintscheme seem to be standard FS 36375/FS 36320. A map of Iceland with a superimposed eagle are carried on both inner vertical stabilisators. A white /black chequer are carried on the extreme tip, other markings are low wiz exept the TAC shield on the fin and the black "IS".

It might be of interest that F-15 Block numbers have no connection to any hardware or software changes in contrast to the F-16 and F-18. Changes to the C are: ACES II, and airframe overload system with a 9 G overload limit, one additional UHF radio, F100-PW-220 engines, dispensing of the turkey feathers, a host of subtle tweaks in the hole contruction and a further (907kg) increase i the internal fuel capacity. Finally provision for CFT for selfdeploment from US the Middle East. The non use of this capacity might be explained by the expansion of the tanker fleet ( KC -10) and the drawdown of

I think "CJ" is an operational designation used in air tasking orders, Block 50/52 is a technical designation.

Not by the Forger in itself, but NATO was certainly worried by the Soviet building program and the move from a littoral to a blue water navy first shaping up in the worlwide exercise OKEAN 75. The KIEV class carrier was largely seen as a stepping stone to a full deck carrier forces as in the US Navy. Both new carrier and aircrafts are seen by orbiting intelligence satellites years before their first deployments, whats left of surprises must be very muted indeed. Another thing is how they are operated and their real capability.

I think the Yak 38 was a lot safer with this automatic devise than without, due to difficult harmonisation of its engines in VTOL mode and the grave consequences of a rapid CG shift. Add difficult or erratic currents around the carrier or snowflakes drifting like bullets, the Artic night and a freezy Barents Sea in the middle of nowwhere. Automatic landing? Yes, thank you very much!

In all honestly I don,t think you have been to Europe or the former FRG and witnessed the short distances involved.(Sorry no offense.) From the IGB (inner german border) to the Dutch border its only about 300 km, from IGB to Frankfurt am Main 200 km or 600km to the Swiss border. Just a couple of hours on the autobahn. Besides most of NATO forces were deployed from 100 to 200km from that same border (IGB) or only a few minutes flying from their FA bases in DDR. I see few or none operational reason why Frontal Aviation should be "building their way" after their Ground Forces on range alone, as

It must be possible to discuss matter of strategic and political content in the slightest before any cry out for censorship!!!

Well we have still 5-10 years to figure that out, or perhaps not... I think this topic may be to sensitive to be dicussed openly in this forum. Sooner or later (perhaps sooner!!) someone with strong opionions would press their "buttons", long before President Bush presses his. A historic topic would be more appropriate.

Both DDR and Poland used the SU-22 M3/4. Luftwaffe withdraw all after the unification exept one or two that was evaluated at WTD61. Poland had at large fleet (about 100) that is still in service. As I understand it few FA aircraft were left behind in former WP countries as most airforces was already more than well equipped and NATO monitored the withdrawal closely, weighting and counting the hardware. Besides multirole aircraft was much more political correct in the new climate resulting in some swapping of MIG 29 in the mid 90,s. On former Soviet territorium whole regiments just swapped own

Seems wise with a embedded solution, not an independent one as they did with the B-1.

I think 57th FIS stood down as a unit in the mid 90,s. Whats left are rotational deployments from ANG equipped F-15 units on 3 months assigments. Just 7 aircraft are presently stationed at NAS Keflavik, 4 Eagles and 3 Sikorsky SAR choppers.