F/A-18 Hornet RAAF Pack

12/08/2018 - Release of RAAF Pack 2.0 - 3SQN A21-17

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3301625/

A21-17 appears as it did in June 2017. This low visibility scheme is indicative of any 2010’s 3 Sqn Hornet, and represents the final year of the Hornet in 3 Sqn service, before the remaining aircraft were transferred to 77 Sqn to make way for the F-35A. The tail displays the 3 Sqn eagle carrying a bomb logo, with the Southern Cross backdrop, modernised from the mid 2000’s to have a more defined appearance. The fuselage arrows are inverted in colour, with the 3 Sqn eagle crest as the centre-point. Many of the panels have been repainted and show varying amounts of paint fade. There are minimal fluid deposits on the wings and tail. The most notable element is the anti-slip surface on the leading edge extensions, which is inverted from its usual black or faded gray appearance.

27/07/2018 - Release of RAAF Pack 2.0 - 77 SQN A21-49 70th Anniversary

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3301363/

A21-49 appears as it did between January 2012 and February 2013, where it featured at the Australian International Airshow at Avalon in Victoria. In 2011, members from No. 77 SQN were asked to come up with a design to be painted on a Hornet to coincide with the Squadrons 70th Anniversary celebrations. The scheme was designed by 77 SQN personnel, LAC Nicholas Pearsall, CPL Aaron Somerville and SGT Chris Henderson.

The scheme has several key features built around the 77 SQN FS-14062 satin green base. On the vertical stabilisers we see the 77 SQN “grumpy monkey” accompanied by the squadron motto “swift to destroy” with the hornet silhouette. The checkerboard pattern is reflective of the green and white checkerboard pattern seen on earlier 77 SQN schemes, including Gloster Meteor aircraft deployed to Korea, as well as Sabre and Mirage III fighters.

On the left side of the nose, there is a placard listing the Battle Honours for 77 SQN, from the Second World War, through to Korea. Less prominent, is the inverted (white) warning signage around the cockpit. It is worth noting that despite the high visibility commemorative paintwork, the majority of the aircraft is still painted in the 77 SQN low visibility scheme, including roundels, and darkened formation lights on the nose. During the lifetime of this scheme, various panels were repainted FS35237 or FS36375, notably around the nose.

27/06/2018 - Release of RAAF Pack 2.0 - ​Test & Training

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/1994272/

Test & Training is the first release of the F/A-18 Hornet RAAF Pack 2.0. I will be adding more skins to the F/A-18 Hornet RAAF Pack 2.0 as time permits. Currently in the pipeline are a some demonstration skins, celebrating different milestones in Hornet and Squadron history. As skins are nearing completion, I will post screenshots.

Test & Training is intended to support the recent release of the DCS F/A-18C Hornet module. At this stage, most of us are involved in learning the systems and trying not to crash! - a test and training pack seemed the most appropriate choice for this point in time.

This release includes three RAAF F/A-18A airframes:

A21-32, 2002, ARDU test livery

A21-25, 2017, 2OCU high visibility training livery

A21-28, 2008, 2OCU low visibility training livery

Please see the guide included in the download package for installation notes, and more information on each of the included aircraft.

Be sure to inform me of any issues you discover so I can amend them.

Thanks for your continued support!

Hugh

Looks super cool... Very nice liveries...

Beautiful skins Hugh. Great work. I saw a few of those come in for various exercises.

Cheers,

Dave

ex RAAF ATC, Pearce

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk

Thanks Bedouin and Dave. I reckon I've heard some of your aircraft flying around when I was staying in the Margaret River once - best part of the wine tour. Thanks for your service :thumbup:

No probs at all. Had a great time, in fact a fond memory was the last time the F-111s deployed to WA before they were retired. I was fortunate enough to get a photo sitting in the pilot's seat. What a machine..... it could have been them you heard lol.. I know they loved flying the scenic routes around the coasts at very, very low altitudes.....

Hey Hugh, thought id give you a shout and see if your plans to update these skins for the Hornets release next week will go ahead, looking forward to them.

Hi Strut, yes indeed. I have the decals complete for the update, now I am applying them to the new texture maps. Version 2.0 will be twice the number of skins, so there is a lot of work involved. Basically all artwork has been remade from scratch, to get the authenticity as accurate as possible. I would hope to have the new pack ready a few weeks after the Hornet release.

Thats sounds bloody great Hugh, Im looking forward to seeing and flying the new bird with them. If you need any help with anything let me know.

Looking good Hugh!

Hi Strut, yes indeed. I have the decals complete for the update, now I am applying them to the new texture maps. Version 2.0 will be twice the number of skins, so there is a lot of work involved. Basically all artwork has been remade from scratch, to get the authenticity as accurate as possible. I would hope to have the new pack ready a few weeks after the Hornet release.

Really looking forward to this!! :thumbup:

Hi guys, a progress update - As previously mentioned, I want to do the RAAF and Eagle Dynamics justice by getting RAAF Pack 2.0, like the Hornet module itself, as accurate as possible. Part of this involves studying as much reference as possible, to capture all the unique details of each airframe in the upcoming pack. Below is one of three aircraft currently nearing completion - please keep in mind, there will be more than the seven skins that appeared in 1.0.

A21-32 is an interesting airframe, as it has a number of panels that are either missing FS35237 (2 on the spine), or have a faded shade. In some places, such as the vertical stabilisers, we see the almost completely faded position of the original ARDU graphics, now replaced with the later, smaller triangle graphic. At times in its history, the black and yellow stripes extend over the rudder surfaces, at other times they end before the rudders. The 'warning static charge' also makes a rare appearance on the canopy frame. This particular livery, despite its unique paint scheme, also has minimal fluid deposits or noticeable wear.

Looking forward to the release bud

Cant wait Hugh, great to see how detailed you will be with these.

Thanks guys. After considering timeframes last night, and looking at my pace of output, I am going to change the release plans for F/A-18 Hornet RAAF Pack V2.0. I am going release V2.0 in several complimentary parts, rather than wait for the full pack to be completed. The total pack will be upwards of 15 aircraft, and at my current level of detail, that could be 2-4 months of work quite easily, as it is about 20 hours of work per airframe (quicker as I get going).

I would like to release the first part in the next couple of weeks, which will be titled - "Test and Training". It will comprise of A21-32 the ARDU test airframe pictured above, A21-25 of 2OCU with a high-vis paint scheme, and A21-28 of 2OCU with a low-vis paint scheme.

I understand that most people are currently learning systems and practicing flying the aircraft, which makes a "Test and Training" pack most appropriate (and needed) right now. After that, I will finish working on Part 2, which will be called "Bastille and Falconer", comprising of four aircraft used in combat, in the Middle East, during 2003. With more packs to follow after that.

I look forward to people being able to train with the RAAF shortly! Thanks for your support.

hughlb i'm really amazed from your work, I love how you reproduced the panels of different colors, and the wings' parts with different paint, is truly a great work, because on my opinion all these particulars make this work really unique and personal. I hope to see another works from you, not limit you to F/A-18 or RAAF version!

Well done!

Absolutely amazing work mate! Really looking forward to using them!

One small detail - the kangaroo in the roundel on the sides are tilted back slightly on the real aircraft, giving them a slightly lower tail position. I think this was a somewhat recent change as I've seen older pictures with the kangaroo as you have them.

PorcoRosso86 - Thank you, I really appreciate your comment! Certainly, I would like to have a go at some other nations, originals, or other aircraft. If they ever release an F111 module, I will certainly do the RAAF skins for that aircraft! I also plan to do the Mirage III, the trouble is, the quality and quantity of images for the Mirage might prove a minor issue, we'll see.

Roller25 - You are spot on! Thanks for bringing that issue to my attention, and please be on the lookout for anything else. Every time I open the files, I find new minor issues that need fixing, and another set of eyes really helps the process.

PorcoRosso86 - Thank you, I really appreciate your comment! Certainly, I would like to have a go at some other nations, originals, or other aircraft. If they ever release an F111 module, I will certainly do the RAAF skins for that aircraft! I also plan to do the Mirage III, the trouble is, the quality and quantity of images for the Mirage might prove a minor issue, we'll see.

 

Roller25 - You are spot on! Thanks for bringing that issue to my attention, and please be on the lookout for anything else. Every time I open the files, I find new minor issues that need fixing, and another set of eyes really helps the process.

No worries man. Can't wait for the release!

Good pick up Roller, you have the eye of a WOFF ! :pilotfly:

Good pick up Roller, you have the eye of a WOFF ! :pilotfly:

:thumbup:

I only noticed this myself not long ago on the real jets. Personally I don't know why they did. Probably more realistic for how a roo moves but looks wonky I think.

Truth is stranger than fiction, it could be the way the painters held the decal / stencil what ever they use these days, maybe as simple as that.

Another small update - I have now completed A21-32 and A21-25. A21-28 is next.

Below is A21-25, a member of 2OCU, or No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit. This unit prepares RAAF pilots to fly the Hornet, as well as instructor training and refresher courses for existing Hornet pilots. A21-25 appears as it did in 2017, with the 2OCU high visibility livery. Notable points include the weathered and marked right boomerang tail logo, faded, repainted, and patchy FS35237 paint down the right flank and nose. The aircraft is relatively clean of fluid marks, which contrasts the weathered tail logos.

Freaking awesome man....

waiting so hard for the release....

A21-28 is almost complete - this is also a member of 2OCU, but with the low vis markings. There are a few unique points about this paint scheme - firstly, the FS35237 on top is fairly consistent and a little darker (less weathered) than A21-25. The "A21-28" font is also different than any of the other airframes I am painting, I am not sure of the reason for this. Note also the inverted serial text colouring on the rear. Also shown is the landing gear assembly - note how clean the RAAF ground crew keeps the inside of the wheel bays! This appears true of almost all of the reference I have seen for different RAAF Hornets.

A21-28 will complete Part 1 of the RAAF Pack 2.0, titled "Test and Training", which will include this skin, A21-25 and A21-32. This should hopefully give you all three RAAF skins to practice your weapons delivery and landings!