DCS Aircraft Service Years - Spreadsheet

as F-15 only got the AIM-7 and AIM-9P

No, DCS has some pretty big gaps on western weapons in the 70s and 80s, and this chart is misleading because of that. In the 1960's and 70's the US Navy and the USAF both developed parallel families of the AIM-9, the AIM-9E/J/N/P and the D/G/H respectively. In the early 70s this practice was put to a stop, and a single unified weapon was demanded, which would become the AIM-9L. The L entered service in 1977, is all aspect, and kinematically is almost identical to the AIM-9M. The -9M entered service in 1983, introducing new IRCCM features and a less smokey motor.

Likewise the AIM-7 of 1974 was the AIM-7E-4, the last of the Vietnam era Sparrows. In 1976 the AIM-7F entered service, which greatly increased reliability and kinematic range by transitioning entirely to solid state electronics, and thus providing space for a larger two state booster, though it's effective range was limited to 20 miles by the radar seeker. The AIM-7M (what we have in game), entered service in 1982.

Interesting.

For the 27 E versions, I've changed the date to 1990.

As for the dates for the AIM-9s: I used this source: http://www.ausairpower.net/TE-Sidewinder-94.html

There I read that the 9M started production in '82, so an intro date of '83 seems reasonable. I used '91 because it's the first use of it in combat, so it had to be in use by then :P

Fot the AIM-7M, wikipedia says 1982, but I can't remember my source. I'll get back to you on that. If I can't fine my source (for '83), I'll switch it to '82.

Thanks for the feedback ^^

nice compilation on the spreadsheet!

though some aircraft variants are generalized. what comes to mind to me atm, for EGL F100 1954 service date on paper is true, but only applies to the F100A. F100C for eg came in 1955, and F100D 1956 Etc etc. its just something that caught my eye, among other aircraft that had later improved variations. but i honestly is just really moot pointless nitpicking on my part as certain aircraft arent even in DCS as AI.

nice compilation on the spreadsheet!

 

though some aircraft variants are generalized. what comes to mind to me atm, for EGL F100 1954 service date on paper is true, but only applies to the F100A. F100C for eg came in 1955, and F100D 1956 Etc etc. its just something that caught my eye, among other aircraft that had later improved variations. but i honestly is just really moot pointless nitpicking on my part as certain aircraft arent even in DCS as AI.

Yeah, I've generalized some aircraft as I could not decide on what version is the most interesting ^^

As an counter example I have 3 specific versions of the F-4.

I try to choose versions that had a longer lifespan and was active during interesting historic times (alternatively was used in combat). The idea being to chose an airframe that has the 'best' impact on DCS and is therefor the most probable choice for a developer.

If you see a generalization but have an opinion about some variant being more interesting and have some arguments for it, tell me and I might change to that version ^^

Nice list, thanks for your effort!

I don't know if you want to include only USSR service (or USSR built planes) but MiG-15bis (a few were imported, but most locally produced under the name Lim-2) were used until the late 70s/early 80s in Poland as trainers. It's hard to pinpoint the exact date when the last was phased out since most sources don't differentiate between the single seaters and two seat trainers which were kept in service even longer - into the 90s - together with the last Lim-5 and Lim-6 aircraft (licensed MiG-17 and derivative CAS plane respectively).

Nice list, thanks for your effort!

 

I don't know if you want to include only USSR service (or USSR built planes) but MiG-15bis (a few were imported, but most locally produced under the name Lim-2) were used until the late 70s/early 80s in Poland as trainers. It's hard to pinpoint the exact date when the last was phased out since most sources don't differentiate between the single seaters and two seat trainers which were kept in service even longer - into the 90s - together with the last Lim-5 and Lim-6 aircraft (licensed MiG-17 and derivative CAS plane respectively).

Thank you. ^^

Well, I include all eastern aircraft. Some Chinese are already in the list for example. As for Lim2, I'm not too eager to add them if they where limited to the trainer role. As for the Lim6 (CAS version) I can have them marked as active, as they might have been used in a conflict situation. It sounds interesting, but I will have to investigate further.

Edit: Added the Lim-6bis CAS aircraft to the list =)

Yeah, I've generalized some aircraft as I could not decide on what version is the most interesting ^^

As an counter example I have 3 specific versions of the F-4.

I try to choose versions that had a longer lifespan and was active during interesting historic times (alternatively was used in combat). The idea being to chose an airframe that has the 'best' impact on DCS and is therefor the most probable choice for a developer.

 

If you see a generalization but have an opinion about some variant being more interesting and have some arguments for it, tell me and I might change to that version ^^

Id gladly expand on why some of these variations should be included.

id say you ought to include the F100D becasue the F100D variant served in active Duty with the United States Air force until 1972 ( reserve/national guard all the way until 1978 ), and was a prime aircraft in providing CAS and strike function in the Vietnam WAR. early on it even performed some escort duties for F105s, due not enough F4s being available for the SEA theatre at the time. F100D had a "probable" Mig17F kill in 1965. http://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/f-100-versus-mig-17-the-air-battle-nobody-told-you-about/

The F100 also flew the most combat sorties in the vietnam war. http://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/f-100-super-sabre-flew-most-missions-in-vietnam/

Outside of us It served with the French Air force till 1978, and saw use in the Algerian war, Danish air forces till 1982, and the Turkish air force until 1986.

though also taking into consideration that the 1956 F100D was refurbished in 1962 called project high wire. you can tell the difference externally between a 1950s F100D and the later 60s high wire F100D, due to the angled refueling probe. pre high wire F100D's had straight refueling probes, however by 1964 all F100DS had gone through the program.

F105D Thunderchief came in 1962, and is the most known version, because it added all weather capability with a radar, (prior were strictly day fighters) and despite its original role of low altidue nuclear bomb delivery platform it was perfectly capable of lugging large amounts of conventional ordinance and was the prime workhorse fighter/bomber in the vietnam war. F105's had also scored Mig kills.

Mig17F is the more relevant version because initial mig17 model used the same engine as the Mig15bis whilst the Mig17F had a afterburning capable engine. and wide export use, including by the Vietnamese, as well as various middle eastern countries

those are 3 examples that come to mind, because they were very iconic fighter varaitons of the legacy era aircraft. We even had a F100D project that was started ( though eventually scrapped) by ED moderator/tester SkateZilla.

Anyways just want to provide some reasoning as why those 3 aircraft variations could use expanding

Id gladly expand on why some of these variations should be included.

 

...

 

Anyways just want to provide some reasoning as why those 3 aircraft variations could use expanding

Thanks a lot =)

I agree with your reasoning, and I have updated the sheet accordingly.

The only thing I could not determine was when the MiG-17F went out of service. AFAIK, the North Koreans used the MiG-17PF/J-5-variant, the service span is reduced, but I can't figure out to what =)

//Jarl.

Adding the Lim-2 would indeed make no sense because it's just a locally produced MiG-15bis. I would instead treat them as MiG-15bis and extend the In Service time because in 1958 the aircraft was just two years out of production and not going anywhere anytime soon. I don't know the exact date when the last one was decommissioned, but they were actively used in combat units throughout the 60s and gradually retired in the 1970s, maybe also into the early 1980s. When I said they were being used mostly as trainers, I didn't mean they were in dedicated training units. They remained in combat units, but were considered "second line" equipment for obvious reasons. To give an example, the 9th Fighter Regiment retired it's last Lim-2s in April 1973 - even though the rest of the regiment was flying MiG-21s since the late 60s.

Adding the Lim-2 would indeed make no sense because it's just a locally produced MiG-15bis. I would instead treat them as MiG-15bis and extend the In Service time because in 1958 the aircraft was just two years out of production and not going anywhere anytime soon. I don't know the exact date when the last one was decommissioned, but they were actively used in combat units throughout the 60s and gradually retired in the 1970s, maybe also into the early 1980s. When I said they were being used mostly as trainers, I didn't mean they were in dedicated training units. They remained in combat units, but were considered "second line" equipment for obvious reasons. To give an example, the 9th Fighter Regiment retired it's last Lim-2s in April 1973 - even though the rest of the regiment was flying MiG-21s since the late 60s.

Interesting. Makes sense.

I'll extend the MiG-15Bis to at least 1973, with a note about "Lim-2 in Polish service" =)

Hi, nice work. I didnt see the Eurofighter which VEAO is producing:thumbup:

Hi, nice work. I didnt see the Eurofighter which VEAO is producing:thumbup:

Ah! How could I forget?

Added it ^^

Can anyone confirm it's the Block 5 version, and that the Block 5 entered service in 2012?

would like to note that the F86F service date should be changed to 1953.

1949 service date for the sabre was the initial F86A variant, 1951 for the F86E variant.

though initially F86F series came in around June 1952. the 6-3 winged production blocks ( first starting with block25 /30) F30 block didnt being being delivered until October of 1952, and wasnt sent to korea until early 1953. only F86F block 30 saw service in late portion of the Korean conflict, though USAf did send conversion kits for the 6-3 wing to korea for earlier F sabres still using the slatted wings. The block 35 version of the sabre we have in DCS was serviced in 1953, it missed korea, that and there was probably also no need to send a sabre with the complex LABS system into combat over there, even had korea lasted longer.

http://www.sabre-pilots.org/classics/v14killer.htm

would like to note that the F86F service date should be changed to 1953.

 

1949 service date for the sabre was the initial F86A variant, 1951 for the F86E variant.

 

 

though initially F86F series came in 1952, the 6-3 winged production blocks ( first starting with block25 /30) produced within 1952 didnt enter service until early 1953, and only block 30 saw service in late portion of the Korean conflict, though USAf did send conversion kits for the 6-3 wing to korea for earlier F sabres still using the slatted wings. The block 35 version of the sabre we have in DCS was later in 1953, it missed korea, that and there was probably also no need to send a sabre with the complex LABS system into combat over there, even had korea lasted longer.

 

http://www.sabre-pilots.org/classics/v14killer.htm

Nice! Thanks for the info! I've updated the F86 entry accordingly.

Great idea, Great work and very useful for mission design. Thank you for the share.

You should add MiG-21 LanceR the romanian Fishbed.. still in use, probably till 2020.

Hmm, isn't the LanceR very similar to the Bis? Only with new avionics, that are also to some extent classified?

It's certainly a more substantial upgrade than, say, from Mi-24V to Mi-24P.

It's certainly a more substantial upgrade than, say, from Mi-24V to Mi-24P.

The diff. between 24V and 24P is a quite substantil one, out of a gaming perspective. Gunner in the V has more stuff to do (yay Turret!) than in the P, mainly.

As for a LanceR, AFAIK it can use a targeting pod, and that surely gives it much more of a capability than the Bis, but we all know how hard that is to get documentation on (if you don't have a special deal as for the A10, AFAIK). Also that aside, the LanceR's base performance should be similar, if not same as, the Bis, no? Anyway: I think the LanceR is a special case as it's an old air frame (MiG-21) with classified systems (LITENING pod) so it's both too old (and already in the game) and too classified to be interesting for DCS.

:book:Few issues with this list, primarily WW2.

Firstly, P-51D model is from 1944. P-51 development doesn't start or end there, because there were P-51(1941), P-51A, P-51B/C and then P-51D and H and K and few other airplanes that were not in service but rather prototypes. Development started in 1940 as response to the British demand on a fighter. It is a long story, I can link you a great site about it.

http://www.mustangsmustangs.com/p-51/variants/home

Anyway, since the list states P-51D, as a whole we should take year 1944 as entering the service and it did serve long after the war. Our current plane is P-51D30 which was introduced in 1945, but since we are getting a new model (probably D20 or D25), I think you can still keep the 1944 mark.

Secondly, the P-47. It is listed as the P-47 which is a 1941 airplane, what we are going to get is the bubble cannopy P-47D-28 or D30 (I presume). The first P-47D were from 1943 but they didn't have the bubble cannopy and there were quite a few differences between each block. Anyway if you want to leave P-47, you need to put it at 1941, if you want the P-47D it should be at 1943, if you want to put the P-47D model we will have, probably P-47D late, 1944 would be ok.

Thirdly, we are not getting the F4U-4, Leatherneck announced the F4U-1D which is a 1944 airplane.

Lastly, the P-40F is theoretically a 1941 airplane.

:book:Few issues with this list, primarily WW2.

 

Firstly, P-51D model is from 1944. P-51 development doesn't start or end there, because there were P-51(1941), P-51A, P-51B/C and then P-51D and H and K and few other airplanes that were not in service but rather prototypes. Development started in 1940 as response to the British demand on a fighter. It is a long story, I can link you a great site about it.

http://www.mustangsmustangs.com/p-51/variants/home

 

Anyway, since the list states P-51D, as a whole we should take year 1944 as entering the service and it did serve long after the war. Our current plane is P-51D30 which was introduced in 1945, but since we are getting a new model (probably D20 or D25), I think you can still keep the 1944 mark.

 

Secondly, the P-47. It is listed as the P-47 which is a 1941 airplane, what we are going to get is the bubble cannopy P-47D-28 or D30 (I presume). The first P-47D were from 1943 but they didn't have the bubble cannopy and there were quite a few differences between each block. Anyway if you want to leave P-47, you need to put it at 1941, if you want the P-47D it should be at 1943, if you want to put the P-47D model we will have, probably P-47D late, 1944 would be ok.

 

Thirdly, we are not getting the F4U-4, Leatherneck announced the F4U-1D which is a 1944 airplane.

 

Lastly, the P-40F is theoretically a 1941 airplane.

Excellent =) I like these kinds of responses ^^

For the P-51, I have adjusted date of entry accordingly. As for it's service life, I've left it as is, as AFAIK it's difficult to precisely know when a specific version was actually taken out of service.

For the P-47, I've adjusted the version name, as the list is for the version we will get. I also just adjusted the name on the F4U, and left the service life, for the same reason as for the P-51.

When it comes to the P-40F however, I'm reluctant to change the entry date. 1943 was the date I found it was actually sent into active service. I might be wrong, of course, but without any source on this I will be cautious with changing it.

//Jarl

http://fighter-collection.com/cft/curtiss-p-40f-warhawk/

"... but the only P-40Fs to see combat in the Pacific Theatre were flown by the 44th and the 68th Fighter Squadrons of the 347th Fighter Group in the Solomon Islands from November 1942 to October 1943."

http://www.p40warhawk.com/Variants/P-40F.htm

Thats all I could find.

http://fighter-collection.com/cft/curtiss-p-40f-warhawk/

"... but the only P-40Fs to see combat in the Pacific Theatre were flown by the 44th and the 68th Fighter Squadrons of the 347th Fighter Group in the Solomon Islands from November 1942 to October 1943."

 

http://www.p40warhawk.com/Variants/P-40F.htm

 

Thats all I could find.

Ok, so what I can see the F was probably already in service during the end of '42, so I can change it to that. :thumbup:

As I have a small dose of OCD, I have noticed something that bothers me a bit ^^

At the moment the list has a big gap between 1983 and 1988.

Any suggestions on airframes (fixed wing) that entered service during that time? =)

Any suggestions on airframes (fixed wing) that entered service during that time? =)

The F/A-18A entered operational service with the US Marine Corps in 1983 and the US Navy in 1984.