ATF90-91 Parts 1 to 5

[comrade harps]

PART ONE:

After the UN withdrew from Africa in 1980, the Latin American and Carribean states of the Rio Treaty established a regular cycle of year-long multinational foriegn deployments to meet UN requirements. In addition to individual national deployments, the Air Task Force (ATF) program annually brought together a well-rounded contingent of aviation assets and personnel from across the Rio Treaty members. Each ATF deployed for a financial year and undertook multinational training and forward deployments across the UN's area of operations.

ATF90-91 included Mexico's Escuadrón Aéreo 405 (Grumman A-6E TRAM Intruder), Chile's Grupo de Aviación Nº8 (Mirage F1E2C, E2CR and D2C), Cuba's UM 5010 Escuadrón de Caza (Jaguar CA) and Venezuela's Escuadrón 132 (Mirage 2000EV), plus support assets including KC-135E tankers (Argentina, Brazil and Mexico), C-130H, EC-130H and KC-130H Hercules (Brazil, Mexico and Peru) and airborne early warning E-2C (Mexico). For SAR, liaison, security and special forces deployment, ATF90-91 included Ecuadorian Army UH-1N Twin Hueys and Brazillian Army CAE (Helibras assembled) Ruby Down AS532 UL/AL Cougars.

ATF90-91's "World Tour 90-91" was meant to climax with a six month deployment to Hodeidah, Yemen, after conducting a six month series of major exercises as it transited through the Americas, across the Pacific, and through south-east and south Asia. These included Red Flag 90-3 in July (USA), RIMPAC 90 in August (Hawaii), Cope Thunder in September (Philippines) and Cope Cobra in November (India).

In August 1991, the Iraqi government collapsed through the combined efforts of an Iranian offensive and Kurdish and Shia revolts in the north and south, respectively. The Iranians proposed to break-up Iraq into separate Kurdish, Shia and Sunni nations, but the UN demanded that Iran withdraw and full Iraqi sovereignty be restored under the legitimate government of Saddam Hussein. Nethermind that Iran had, finally, brought to an end a war that started in 1980 when Hussien's government launched an unprovoked invasion of Iran, resulting in over a million and a half casualties and that Iraq had denied all attempts at finding a peaceful settlement. But things really got curly when, on 22 August, most of what of left of the Iraqi Army invaded and occupied UN member Kuwait in a matter of hours. With Iranian tanks now on the border of UN member Saudi Arabia and Hussein's forces both vulnerable and threatening in Kuwait, the UN launched Operation Desert Shield to defend its interests and build-up the necessary military strength to liberate both Kuwait and Iraq by force.

As UN units passed through on their way to join Operation Desert Shield, ATF90-91 was held in reserve and not deployed to Yemen as originally planned. Instead, ATF90-91 continued with its programme of exercises and by mid-December they were based at Trincomalee/China Bay in Sri Lanka, on alert to meet possible contingency operations. Making small deployments to India, ATF90-91 increasingly focused on preparing to interdict mobile ballistic missile threats, with a focus on finding and destroying transporter erector launchers (TELs). This was in acknowledgment of an Iranian threat to fire ballistic missiles over Afghanistan and Pakistan (both neutral nations) and into India as a means of drawing India into the looming conflict. This was based on the false premise that bringing India directly into the oncoming war would fracture the support of the UN's Muslin members due to the issue of Kashmir. As Iranian propaganda over Kashmir ramped up and evidence of the mobilisation of its long-range ballistic missile forces increased, so did diplomatic efforts to obtain a UN military presence in Pakistan, along with transit rights through Afghan airspace, should missiles start falling in India. Although Pakistan had collaborated with the Iranians in jointly manifesting a multi-layered ballistic missile capability, it was the Indians who provided their UN allies with valuable intelligence on the Iranian ballistic missile threat.

The UN's campaign to oust Iran from Iraq, Operation Desert Storm, was launched on the night of 16 January 1991. On the17th, Iran fired 3 ballistic missiles at India and 2 more on the 18th. On the 19th, 2 of the 3 missiles fired at India fell in Pakistan, prompting an aggressive rebuke from the Pakistani government, who threatened military action against Iran if more of its missiles crashed into Pakistan. Iran briefly paused its ballistic missile campaign against India, but on the 23rd 2 missiles attacked India and another landed in Pakistan, injuring 3 civilians. The next day, Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to facilitate an UN-lead response and ATF90-91 was ordered into Pakistan. All of these missiles were conventionally armed weapons, with poor accuracy and small warheads, but it was a widely held belief that Iran had developed chemical warheads for them.

ATF90-91's combat squadrons deployed to Quetta in Pakistan, with some of the larger support aircraft flying from Nur Khan. It flew its first combat missions into Iran on 27 January. Targets included fixed ballistic missile launch sites in mountains near Mashhad and numerous targets in Mashhad itself, including an airfield, missile fuel and manufacturing facilities, command, control, intelligence and communications facilities,, radars, SAMs plus the many  hides where TELs, missiles and fuel were potentially hidden in eastern Iran. The Mexican A-6E combat missions were flown exclusively at night, while each Mirage squadron was split into day and night cells. Venezuela's Mirage 2000 EVs initially concentrated on providing offensive and defensive fighter support, but as the Iranian fighter threat diminished, they took on fighter-bomber duties. The Chilean Mirage F1 squadron specialised in tasks such as SEAD and photographic and electronic reconnaissance. The Cuban Jaguar crews exclusively flew daylight missions, performing attack, kinetic SEAD and armed photo-reconnaissance missions.

With just four combat squadrons operating over a large and hostile battlespace whilst also defending their support aviation of AEW and tankers loitering over Afghanistan and Pakistan, the crews of ATF90-91 soon became proficient at swing-role missions. Daily taskings routinely saw mixed formations rotating between offensive and defensive tasks, providing mutual support and tag-teaming between duties. Fortunately, the Iranian air defences in their area of operations were weak and no enemy fighters were encountered; however, the SAM engagement zones around the "Mashhad target complex" and a few other sites had to be approached with caution.

Under the cover of this UN intervention, the Pakistani government launched a genocide against the country's Shia community, civilian riots resulting in mass killings and an exodus of refugees to the Iranian border. Changes in the Pakistani military dictatorship during 1990 had seen a cabal of Pakistani Sunni nationalists seize control; they saw Shia Muslins as a threat and wanted closer relations with the UN. They also wanted to take control of the Shia-dominated Iranian smuggling trade. In response, Iran launched a ballistic missile and shelling campaign against Pakistan, resulting in a series of Pakistani
airstrikes and border incursions. When the Pakistani government demanded that the UN, and therefore ATF90-91, provide it with direct military assistance, publicly the UN demurred. Secretly, the UN established deconfliction protocols, provided intelligence and ATF90-91 was tasked with delivering non-kinetic support to Pakistan Air Force (PAF) attacks into Iran.

ATF90-91 remained in Pakistan until 3 May 1991, by which time the US President had declared that "major combat operations in Iraq" had ended and the Iranians had signed a ceasefire agreement. The force spent the rest of their deployment time returning home, stopping along the way for several rest and recreation opportunities. Like those involved in the UN's aerial Scud hunt against Iranian (mostly captured Iraqi) ballistic missiles in Iraq's Western Desert, the personnel of ATF90-91 claimed the destruction of several Iranian TELs. Like the claims made in the Western Desert Scud hunt, none were confirmed and missiles continued to be fired until the ceasefire. Despite this apparent lack of success, the Indian government refrained from employing the air strike force they had on alert to strike Iran. In many ways, ATF90-91's campaign has been judged to have been a political, more than a military, success; although, ATF90-91 did succeed in leaving Iran's military and industrial capabilities in its eastern provinces a smoldering mess.

[comrade harps]

PART TWO:

Jaguar International CA by Glenn Harper, on Flickr

Canadair/GAF Jaguar International CA
a/c K A140, UM 5010 Escuadrón de Caza, ATF90-91
Quetta, Pakistan
31 January, 1991

Jaguar International CA by Glenn Harper, on Flickr


Cuba acquired its Jaguar fleet during the early 1980s. All were built to the Jaguar International (Africa) standard and included both single-seat (CA - Cuban Attack) and two-seat (CT - Cuban Trainer) versions. The Jaguar International (Africa) series was an export development designed to meet a 1978 UN requirement to provide new attack jets to its African member states. As part of its Africanization policy, the UN began to withdraw overseas combat forces from Africa in the late 1970s and at the same time initiated a series of programs to modernise African air arms. Operation Golden Cat intended to supply at least 200 aircraft of the Jaguar International (Africa) series to the air forces of Angola, Chad, Kenya, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan, Tanzania and Zaire. All were to be built in Australia by the Government Aircraft Factories (GAF), which had partnered with Canadiar (later, CAE) in designing the Jaguar.

Jaguar International CA by Glenn Harper, on Flickr

Jaguar International CA by Glenn Harper, on Flickr

With only UN "advisors," "embassy security teams" and "special intelligence forces" left in Africa by the end of 1979, the governments of all the UN's African member states were overthrown by Reds by the end of 1980. This left GAF's Jaguar production line without customers, as RAAF deliveries had been completed in 1979 and the UN-funded Jaguars jets going directly into storage. The Jaguar International (Africa) series offered a cheap and effective multirole tactical combat aircraft that featured a laser rangefinder, a photo reconnaissance capability and Rolls Royce Murray Mk.811 turbofans in a durable airframe with good range (potentially boosted via the type's retractable inflight refueling probe), solid performance and a useful payload. Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines and Thailand all expressed interest, but the only sales came from Cuba (72 Jaguar International CA/CT) and Indonesia (16 Jaguar IA/IT), production ceasing at 88 airframes. Cuba's Jaguars replaced EMB-326Ks and F-5A/B/RF-5A Freedom Fighters and Indonesia's Jaguars replaced F-100D Super Sabres.


Jaguar International CA by Glenn Harper, on Flickr

Jaguar International CA by Glenn Harper, on Flickr

The Cuban Air Force's UM 5010 Escuadrón de Caza was equipped with 12 Jaguar International CA and a single CT for ATF90-91. In addition to their internal pair of Orenda Yellow Flower 30mm DEFA cannon, the deployment was armed with Mk 82 and Mk 84 bombs and kits to make these into GBU.10 and GBU.12 Paveway II LGBs. All aircraft were integrated with the daylight-only Orenda Honey Pie Atlis II laser targeting pod. CBUs were Mk.20 Rockeyes and the subsonic CAE Marshmallow Pie ARMAT missile was used for anti-radar work. Self-defence came from the AIM-L Sidewinder (usually carried singly on the outer starboard pylon), the Phillips Canada Rose Wine Barax ECM pod and Phillips Canada Black Coffee Alkan Corail 5020/21 conformal chaff/flare pods. Loadouts usually included two external fuel tanks, an AIM-9L, two Corail pods and a Barax, with the centreline carrying the Atlis II, a single ARMAT, one 2,000lb bomb (Mk84/GBU.10), or two Mk82/GBU.12s or two Rockeyes on a Phillips Canada Panther Hold Alkan 5010 twin store carrier. Cuban Jaguar ATF90-91 combat missions were mounted exclusively in daylight. The ARMAT was used on SEAD missions, GBU.10s were used against fixed targets with the GBU.12s and Rockeyes carried on interdiction patrols. The Jaguars routinely flew in mixed formations with fighter, ISR and buddy lasing support from the Chilean and Venezuelan Mirages.

Jaguar International CA by Glenn Harper, on Flickr

Jaguar International CA by Glenn Harper, on Flickr

Jaguar International CA by Glenn Harper, on Flickr

Jaguar International CA by Glenn Harper, on Flickr

This aircraft is depicted as photographed on 31 January 1991. It has 4 mission markings and carries an ARMAT on the centreline pylon. On this day, ATF90-91 mounted a strike package against 2 underground ballistic missile launch sites, and three hardened tunnel and bunker entrances in the mountain range immediately to the west of Mashhad. The GBU.10 was the weapon of choice, with 3 Jaguars also armed with the ARMAT for SEAD. This area was defended by MIM-23A Hawk SAMS, MANPADS and AAA of various calibres and forms of guidance. Additional SEAD was provided by Chilean Mirage F1s carrying ARMATs and the Phillips Canada Blueberry Rise Caiman jamming pod. Venezealan Mirage 2000 EVs provided fighter escort and sweep. No Iranian fighters were encountered and, despite several SAM launches and plenty of AAA, there were no losses among the strike force.

Jaguar International CA by Glenn Harper, on Flickr

[comrade harps]

PART THREE:

Mirage F1E2CR by Glenn Harper, on Flickr

Dassault Mirage F1E2CR
a/c 32, Grupo de Aviación Nº8, Chilean Air Force
Quetta, Pakistan, February 1991

Mirage F1E2CR by Glenn Harper, on Flickr



By the mid-1970s, the Chilean Air Force had too many types of combat aircraft. These included A-26Ks, A-37Bs, AT-28Ds, B-57Bs, F-100Ds, F-5As, F-86Ks and Mirage IIIECs. Piecemeal purchases, the lingering operation of obsolete types and spares shortages complicated by diverse logistic requirements were leading to poor readiness rates. To overcome these problems, in 1971 the Chilean government laid out a plan to modernise and rationalise the service's inventory. The Mirage IIIECs would remain for domestic air defence (and even undergo a series of major upgrades), the A-37B fleet expanded and the Mirage F1CC, EC, DC and ECR would be purchased in enough numbers to form three wings, two for domestic defence and the other for expeditionary deployments. The A-26Ks were sold to Burma for use against Maoist insurgents, the AT-28Ds donated to Nicaragua, the B-57Bs and F-5A/Bs sold to Pakistan and the F-100Ds sold to Indonesia. The F-86Ks were retired to museums or sold for scrap.

Mirage F1E2CR by Glenn Harper, on Flickr

Mirage F1E2CR by Glenn Harper, on Flickr

Chile was the first export customer for the Mirage F1. Deliveries included Mirage F1CC interceptors, F1EC multirole fighter/attack aircraft, Mirage F1ECR reconnaissance/fighter/attack version of the F1EC with a ventral fairing for panoramic or vertical film cameras and the DC combat-capable two-seat trainer, which, in its upgraded D2C version was used in the EW and SEAD roles. Delivered from 1973, the Chilean Mirage F1 fleet underwent a midlife upgraded program in the late 1980s based on the Kelowna Flightcraft MF2000 technology demonstrator. By 1990, the fleet consisted of F1E2C, D2C and E2CR versions, equipped with avionics based on the Mirage 2000E export series, including the Orenda Rose Shoulder RDI radar integrated with Philips Canada Blue Way Skyflash SARH BVR missiles. ISR capabilities were modernised with the integration of podded ELINT (Phillips Canada Peach Fire ATSAC), LOROP (Phillips Canada Amber Nation HAROLD) and SLAR (Orenda Moonlight Bay RAPHAEL) systems and SEAD was enhanced with the integration of the Caiman escort/stand-off jammer and ARMAT. Datalinks connected the Mirages with ground stations or other flying assets and precision strike was enabled through Atlis II targeting pods designating for Orenda Tangerine Tree AS.30L laser-guided missiles and GBU-10 and GBU.12 LGBs. The original Orenda Cherry Shoes BF RWR was replaced by the Phillips Canada Scarlet Night Sherlock RWR. All had air refuelling probes and routinely carried the Orenda Plum Fairy Phimat chaff dispenser, the Barax ECM pod and AIM-9M Sidewinders. Attrition was replaced with surplus Canadian aircraft upgraded to the new standard before delivery by Kelowna Flightcraft.

Mirage F1E2CR by Glenn Harper, on Flickr

Mirage F1E2CR by Glenn Harper, on Flickr

Mirage F1E2CR by Glenn Harper, on Flickr

Mirage F1E2CR by Glenn Harper, on Flickr

During ATF90-91's combat deployment to Pakistan, the Chilean Mirages were used for a variety of specialised tasks, including buddy lasing, ELINT, photographic and SLAR reconnaissance and SEAD. They also prosecuted ground targets during interdiction patrols with GBU.12s, twice fired AS.30Ls against hardened targets, dropped 3 GBU.10s and occasionally carried 2 Skyflash on air superiority missions. In 2001 it was officially confirmed that Chilean Mirage F1s undertook reconnaissance, jamming and navigational lead-ship duties in support of Pakistiani Ar Force attacks on Iranian targets during the course of Desert Storm.

Mirage F1E2CR by Glenn Harper, on Flickr

Unlike other units in ATF90-91, the Grupo de Aviación Nº8 Mirages didn't have mission markings applied and, because the number of Mirages deployed was classified, the two-digit individual aircraft numbers were toned down so as to make them difficult to discern. Public speculation (allegedly based on statements by informed, anonymous sources) was that there were only 8 Chilean Mirages in Pakistan. It was later officially revealed that only 8 had initially deployed to Sri Lanka, but that 14 were deployed to Quetta. None were lost during their campaign against Iran.

Mirage F1E2CR by Glenn Harper, on Flickr

Mirage F1E2CR 32 is seen here carrying a RAPHAEL SLAR pod on the centreline, two external fuel tanks, Barax ECM and Phimat chaff dispenser pods and is armed with a pair of AIM-9Ms.

[comrade harps]

PART FOUR:

A-6E TRAM Intruder by Glenn Harper, on Flickr

Grumman A-6E TRAM Intruder
a/c 158796 Escuadrón Aéreo 405, Mexican Air Force
Quetta, Pakistan, February 1991


A-6E TRAM Intruder by Glenn Harper, on Flickr

Home based at Santa Gertrudis, 6/o.Grupo Aéreo was the Mexican Air Force's prime expeditionary group and its main contribution to ATF90-91 was the A-6E TRAM Intruder equipped Escuadrón Aéreo 405 (EA 405). This was one of 3 Mexican Intruder squadrons at the base, the others being the combat-coded EA 404 and an OCU that borrowed aircraft from a common pool. Ordered in 1974 to replace the F-105D Thunderchief, the Mexican A-6Es were upgraded with the TRAM (Target Recognition and Attack Multi-Sensor) system and integrated with the AIM-9L Sidewinder during the 1980s. For ATF90-91, EA 405's Intruders carried AGM-65D Maverick IIR-guided missiles, AIM-9Ls, 2,000 lb GBU.10s, 1,000 lb Mk 83 unguided and GBU.16 Paveway II laser-guided bombs, plus Mk.20 Rockeye and CBU-87 Combined Effects Munition cluster bombs. They operated exclusively at night, attacking both fixed targets (with CBU-87s, GBU.10, Mk 83 and GBU.16s) and undertaking interdiction patrols in the hunt for ballistic missiles (with AGM-65Ds, GBU.16s and Rockeyes).

A-6E TRAM Intruder by Glenn Harper, on Flickr

A-6E TRAM Intruder by Glenn Harper, on Flickr

A-6E TRAM Intruder by Glenn Harper, on Flickr

A-6E TRAM Intruder by Glenn Harper, on Flickr

6/o.Grupo Aéreo is one of the Mexican Air Force's most secretive units and little has been disclosed of EA 405's activities and missions over Iran. Although photos of Intruders with mission markings have been officially released, it is unknown how many combat sorties were performed. It is known that they "regularly visited the vicinity of the Mashhad target complex" and "claimed several TELs" during patrols (but later UN analysis controversially concluded that these were all misidentified trucks and decoys). One A-6E was damaged by a SAM near Birjand, Iran, in "late January", but was repaired and reportedly returned to action a week later.

A-6E TRAM Intruder by Glenn Harper, on Flickr

A-6E TRAM Intruder by Glenn Harper, on Flickr

A-6E TRAM Intruder by Glenn Harper, on Flickr

A-6E TRAM Intruder by Glenn Harper, on Flickr

A-6E TRAM Intruder by Glenn Harper, on Flickr

[comrade harps]

PART FIVE:

Mirage 2000 EV by Glenn Harper, on Flickr

Dassault Mirage 2000 EV
a/c 201 "Rita", Escuadrón 131, Venezuelan National Bolivarian Military Aviation
Quetta, Pakistan, February 1991

Mirage 2000 EV by Glenn Harper, on Flickr

Despite the end of combat deployments to Africa, the Venezuelan armed forces during the 1980s saw a significant growth in capability. From 1980 Venezuelan economy had benefited from the UN's ban on and blockade of Iranian oil and the government seized on an opportunity to boost the nation's political, economic and military standing by modernising its armed forces. To this end, the Venezuelan Air Force (VAF) initiated a competition for a new fighter to replace its aging F-5A/B Freedom Fighters, F-104G Starfighters and Mirage V EVs. Whilst this could have been integrated with the requirement to acquire carrier-capable fighters for the nation's emerging aircraft carrier force, the two requirements were treated separately. The contenders included the F-16A/B, F/A-18A/B, F-20A/B, Mirage 2000E/D and the Tornado ADV. With Dassault offering the best economic and technology transfer package, the Mirage 2000 EV/DV was selected. The first 14 examples were built in Canada and the remainder of the 60 aircraft order was assembled in Venezuela by Venezuelan Aviation (VA), a joint-venture between Dassault and UCOCAR, a major Venezuelan manufacturing company and defence contractor.
Mirage 2000 EV by Glenn Harper, on Flickr

Mirage 2000 EV by Glenn Harper, on Flickr

Like others in the first series of export-standard Mirage 2000Es, the VAF's jets used the Orenda Rose Shoulder Orenda RDI radar matched to Skyflash. As part of the Mirage 2000 deal, VA also upgraded 24 Mirage V EV/DVs to the Kelowna Flightcraft-proposed Mirage 50 EV/DV standard, featuring new radar and avionics, engines and canards.

Mirage 2000 EV by Glenn Harper, on Flickr

Mirage 2000 EV by Glenn Harper, on Flickr

Escuadrón 131 deployed 12 Mirage 2000 EVs to Pakistan as part of ATF90-91. At first they purely undertook "airspace security" operations, including providing high value asset CAP for AEW, tankers and other support planes and sweep and escort for offensive operations over Iran. As the Iranian fighter threat failed to materialise in their area of operations, the VAF's Mirages took on offensive/defensive swing-roles missions. Early in the campaign, they carried exclusively air-to-air loadouts with pairs of AIM-9Ms and Skyflash, plus external fuel tanks. As the campaign matured, one Skyflash was often replaced by an AGM-65 B Maverick or a GBU-12. The forward under-fuselage pylons were also installed to carry additional GBU-12s and the Atlis II targeting pod. As they already had adequate internal ECM systems, no external ECM pods were required and chaff/flare carriage was provided in a conformal ventral fairing. With these mixed loadouts, the Mirage EVs were employed on a variety of interdiction missions and often flew in mixed formations with the Cuban Jaguars and Chilean Mirage F1s. As the Escuadrón 131 pilots had no means to self-deploy its precision guided air to surface weapons at night, Mexican A-6E crews  routinely which buddy-lased the GBU-12s of their escorting VAF Mirages. It is important to note that these tactics and procedures had been well rehearsed prior to arriving in Pakistan and that it was standard for interdiction patrols to include a diversionary target list to make sure that air to ground weapons were expended. The VAF's Mirages also performed "incidental" combat air patrols in defence of PAF Strafighters and Tiger IIs (and ATF90-91's own Chilean Mirages providing jamming and navigational assistance) as they struck targets in eastern Iran.

Mirage 2000 EV by
Glenn Harper, on Flickr

Mirage 2000 EV by Glenn Harper, on Flickr

This Mirage 2000 EV carries 2 AIM-9Ms and a single Sklyflaah for air-to-air engagements. An Atlis II laser targeting pod is on the starboard shoulder pylon for guiding the GBU-12 on the antipodal hardpoint. An AGM-65B Maverick is opposite the Skyflash. Rita (named after the Crew Chief's wife) is marked with 6 air superiority mission markings and a further 20 swing-role markings. The large helicopter stencil denotes this plane's shooting down of an Iranian helicopter by its pilot, Capitán Yangel Herrera, on the night of 3 February, 1991, near Farhādgerd, south of Mashhad. Cpt Herrera was flying Rita on a night barrier combat air patrol (BARCAP) in defence of Mexican A-6Es when his attention was drawn to a low and slow flying radar bogey. Confirming with air controllers that there was no other UN flight activity in the area, he and his wingman maneuvered to intercept the contact, which was IFF silent. Approaching from above and behind, and using night vision goggles, Cpt Herrea identified the bandit as a helicopter. Double checking with the air combat controller aboard an ATF90-91 Mexican E-2C Hawkeye, the target was declared hostile and he was cleared to engage. Getting a good Sidewinder tone, two AIM-9Ms were ripple fired and the chopper was dispatched in a rolling ball of flame. Both of the intercepting pilots identified the downed chopper as an Iranian Sikosrsky S-65C-3 (hence the profile of the kill stencil), of which the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was known to have about 25 at the start of Desert Storm. Subsequent intelligence identified the chopper as a Mi-24 Hind D of the IRGC that was flying IRGC General Omid Ebrahimi from Mashhad to Zahedan, where he was to take charge of the defence effort against Pakistan's hostile actions. All on board were killed.

Mirage 2000 EV by Glenn Harper, on Flickr

Mirage 2000 EV by Glenn Harper, on Flickr

Mirage 2000 EV by Glenn Harper, on Flickr

[zenrat]

You have been busy.

Very good.  Camo schemes well up to your usual high standards.  I particularly like the one on the Mirage 2000

[Sport21ing]

WoW, very massive! - But very good joob    +

[Old Wombat]

Great stuff all 'round but I especially like the camo on the Jag!

[comrade harps]

You have been busy.

Very good.  Camo schemes well up to your usual high standards.  I particularly like the one on the Mirage 2000

I have indeed been busy! The M2K pattern is based on the Venezuelan Mirage 50 EV scheme but the colours are a variation of those on my recent Venezuelan Hornets.

I've got to admit, though, that the A-6E dates back to the 1990s, but with newly applied Mexican markings. The other 3 were all built in the last month or so.

[comrade harps]

Great stuff all 'round but I especially like the camo on the Jag!

Thank you.

The Jag was the last build in this series and I wanted to use colours from the existing pallete, but with a different pattern. So there's the Humbrol cream used on the M2K and the Humbrol M23 duck egg blue and Tamiya XF-12 J.N. Grey of the MF1. The pattern was inspired by the USAF wrap around F-4 scheme.

I really went out my may way to both harmonise and differentiate with these 3, whilst at the same time use same colours I don't usually use. To this end, the brownish colour on the MF1 is Tamiya Deck Tan.

[NARSES2]

Great stuff all 'round but I especially like the camo on the Jag!

Seconded 

[Weaver]

Excellent - you've put a lot of thought into the backstory too. Great cammo schemes! 

[Scotaidh]

They all look great.   

I do have a question, though.
Please forgive my asking, but I find it's the best way to find out something ... and my lady wife says all the time that I'm completely lacking in social graces ... whatever those are.   

I'm not trying to be rude or in anyway put down your builds - they do look great - the result, I know, of a lot of hard work.

But ... is the Jag's nose missing a pitot tube, or is it supposed to have a round hole in the end?

[comrade harps]

They all look great.   

I do have a question, though.
Please forgive my asking, but I find it's the best way to find out something ... and my lady wife says all the time that I'm completely lacking in social graces ... whatever those are.   

I'm not trying to be rude or in anyway put down your builds - they do look great - the result, I know, of a lot of hard work.

But ... is the Jag's nose missing a pitot tube, or is it supposed to have a round hole in the end?

Pitot tubes are overrated (and get eaten by floor monsters).

[chrisonord]

They are all very nice  builds and the camouflage scheme on them is excellent. Marvellous stuff
Chris