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Old News - 2008
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24 December 2008 - Happy Holidays! I wish everyone the very best this holiday season,
and hope you have a safe and prosperous new year. Thank you for all of your wonderful support
and friendship. It means a lot to me!
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19 December 2008 - Roland Laborie (alias Rollis13) has been working on his
Mirage 2000-5. You can view images at the
Forum French Air Force web site. You can view additional images, including
the cockpit and instrument panel, and read comments from Rollis13 at
Pilote-Virtuel.com.
13 December 2008 - After a short time away Sonny has reopened his
Royal French Navy
website with an emphasis on FSX.
10 December 2008 - Joel Aramendy has reworked the Mirage F1CR
of Kirk Olsson for use with FSX/Acceleration. Two new texture sets are included for ER
1/33 "Belfort" during Opération Daguet and ER 2/33 "Savoie". The virtual cockpit has
been reworked with new day and night views. The flight model is based on the
earlier work of Delizisis Thanasis and Delizisis Panagiotis.
6 December 2008 - Jens-Ole Kjølberg has painted a new set of textures for Kirk Olsson's
Mirage F1. The texture set represents a Mirage F1AZ of the
Gabon Air Force. Only the textures are included so you will also need the base
F1V25.zip file.
1 December 2008 - I put up the annual Holiday Season's Greeting on the
Home page. I found a nice winter looking image of a Mirage 5BA in Belgium.
28 November 2008 - Bob Chicilo has released an update for the
Super Mystère B2 by Wim Regeer for use with FSX Acceleration. The package updates the
flight dynamics and instrument panel gauges. Since it is an update it requires the
SMB2-v3 base aircraft. Several repaints are also
available for this aircraft.
21 November 2008 - Work continues on the
Skysim Mirage III/5 project. Since my last
report Mark Harper has increased the versions included, further enhanced the Virtual Cockpits
(Wow!), and expanded the available external weapons and fuel tank options.
14 November 2008 - Team Valair has repackaged the FS2002
Mirage 2000N of Roland Laborie for use in FSX. New textures are included representing
their "Sky Angel" demonstration team. Here is a YouTube Video of the aircraft in action.
31 October 2008 - Sean Noens has repackaged the FS2002 Rafale C
of Cyril Pioffet for use with FSX. The package includes some cockpit instruments
from the KBT F-18 and a modified Demonstrator scheme with Belgium AF insignia.
27 October 2008 - I have added a couple images of the next AI
Mirage F1 aircraft and scenery package. This time the subject is the F1M and F1BM
of Ala 14 of the Ejército del Aire at Los Llanos near Albacete, Spain.
23 October 2008 - Nick Black has released the first of several planned AI aircraft/scenery
packages for his AI Mirage F1. This first package, distributed
via MAIW, features the current French
Armee de l'Aire units and bases for the Mirage F1. Included
are aircraft and scenery for Colmar-Meyenheim (LFSC), F1CT and F1B; Reims-Champagne (LFSR), F1CR;
and Mont-de-Marsan (LFBM), F1CR.
13 October 2008 - Alpha Simulations
has made their FS2004 Mirage IV available as freeware. The
package is complete with panel and gauges and includes three models and texture sets.
There are also several addon texture sets available by
Pierre Lheureux and Michel Merle.
9 October 2008 - An unknown contributor has repackaged the FS2002
Rafale C of Cyril Pioffet for use with FSX. The package includes some cockpit instruments
from the KBT F-18 and a modified Demonstrator scheme with Belgium AF insignia. Dassault wanted
to team up with Belgium for Rafale production early in the program.
3 October 2008 - Morné Pieters has finished a set of textures for the
Mirage F1AZ of Kirk Olsson in the colors of the SAAF Avionics Flight Demonstrator. The
unusual blue and white scheme was often referred to as the "World's Fastest Dairy Truck".
These are textures only so you will also need the original
Mirage F1 of Kirk Olsson.
27 September 2008 - Beat (Isra) Schaffner of Switzerland continues to work on his Mirage IIIS
project. The screenshots of the VC have been updated on his
website and they look outstanding.
20 September 2008 - Bob Chicilo has released two updates for the
Mirage 4000 of Romain Lucas for use with FSX Acceleration. One is packaged around the
default texture scheme and instrument panel. The second
is for use with the repainted FAA version by Andrew Whitney.
In both packages he has updated the flight dynamics, changed the afterburner burner effect, and
worked on the panel and VC. Both versions require the appropriate base aircraft.
17 September 2008 - Nick Black continues to work on his AI Mirage F1
series. He has uploaded a video to
YouTube to preview the F1CT and F1CR in action at Mont-de-Marsan AB
and Reims-Champagne AB.
13 September 2008 - Two new repaints are available of the Mirage F1 in South Africa Air Force
service. The first represents an F1AZ just after the tan of the
camouflage was changed to a dark buff color to make them less visible. The second is
F1AZ No. 233 while it was assigned to the
TFDC (I can't believe no one painted this yet?). No. 233 was later used for the Aerosud
demonstrator scheme and the Citroën C3 automobile commerical scheme. These are textures only
so you will also need the original Mirage F1 of Kirk Olsson.
9 September 2008 - Morné Pieters has released updates for his previous
Mirage F1 repaints of the Aerosud demonstrator scheme and the Citroën C3 automobile commerical
scheme. Both updates include only the forward fuselage textures so you will need the
earlier releases as well as the original
Mirage F1 of Kirk Olsson.
6 September 2008 - Jonathan Hilaire has finished a photorealistical repaint for the
Super Etendard Modernisé of Romain Lucas. Aircraft N°49
from Flottille 11F is represented. Only the textures are included so you will also
need to download the SEM.
2 September 2008 - Patrice Grance has made a new set of aircraft modeled after the
Mirage IIIR. The aircraft are compatible with FS2004 and FSX SP2 and include full moving
parts and animations (improved since the earlier Mirage IIIC/E model), complete
VC and new 2D panel. (Do not overwrite existing gauge files during
installation.) Textures are included for three versions: French Armée de l'Air, Swiss Air Force,
and a bare metal prototype.
31 August 2008 - Gustavo Luna has released version 3 of his scenery for
Anápolis Air Base (SBAN) in Brazil. Anápolis is one of the most important bases for the
Força Aérea Brasileira.
Previously home to their many Mirage III (F-103) variants it now
supports the Mirage 2000B/C (F-2000B/C) of 1º GDA.
28 August 2008 - Mathieu Bothorel has repainted the
Super Etendard Modernisé of Romain Lucas in a special tiger scheme worn by 11F Flotille at
the NATO Ocean Tiger Meet 2008 event. Only the textures are included so you will also need
to download the SEM.
23 August 2008 - Jonathan Hilaire has continued his work on updating the
Mirage 2000N of Roland Laborie. This new 'Meeting Package' included textures for several
'special' liveries such as the squadron anniversaries, the commemorative ones, and also the famous
Red Flag exercice scheme. Like the earlier 'Basic Pack' it is a big
package (76MB) and includes new 3D models, new instrument panel textures, and custom sounds.
18 August 2008 - About a month ago I was contacted by Nick Black to help with a then
secret project. Now that Nick has made an
official
announcement at Military AI
Works I can let you know as well. Nick is making a new series of AI models of
the Mirage F1. Nick has also made a new
website where you can read a full description of his AI Mirage F1 collection. Read more
about at and view additional screen shots in this preview.
14 August 2008 - Patrice Grance has made a
website to showcase his numerous French legendary flight sim aircraft for FS2004/FSX.
Included are his Mirage III and Mirage G.
I've added the link and have also gone through all links on my Links
page to make sure they are current.
9 August 2008 - Jonathan Hilaire has been working with Roland Laborie on an update to the
Mirage 2000N. A 'Basic Package' was released this week and is
very extensive. It is a big package (62MB) and includes new 3D models, new instrument panel
textures, custom sounds, and photorealistic textures of all the French 2000N squadrons.
4 August 2008 - A couple of years ago I mentioned this
SAAF AI package because it included Cheetah C and Mirage F1AZ models. Jens-Ole Kjølberg
brought it to my attention and shared a couple personal SAAF repaints he had made. While
reading the forum at Military AI Works
I came across a download that includes new textures for the
Mirage F1
in Iranian colors and intended for use with this AI package.
30 July 2008 - Thinus Pretorius has completed the FSX upgrade of his
Cheetah C to FSX. He was assisted on this project by his late son Marthinus.
They have redesigned some parts of the VC, made some minor changes to the existing visual model,
and made some major changes to the 2D panel to get everything working
in FSX. Two texture sets are included: SAAF Air to Air and "Spotty".
25 July 2008 - Anthony Douglas and Vladyslav Pavlyuk have updated the
Rafale package of Cyril Pioffet for us in FSX.
Included are new effects, panel and HUD updates. The FS2002 vintage MDL file
works very well in FSX with no FPS hit. The Rafale A, C, and M versions are
included with several texture sets included.
21 July 2008 - Timothée Teneur has painted a new set of textures for the
Mirage 2000N of Roland Laborie. The textures are the blue/gray of a Mirage 2000B/C.
He has also adjusted the flight model and updated the effects for FSX.
18 July 2008 - Patrice Grange has reworked his single-seat
Mirage G8-02. The new model includes new textures, updated and new animations, a Matra
530 missile weapons load, and also a complete virtual cockpit.
13 July 2008 - Morné Pieters has released two texture sets for the
Mirage F1AZ of Kirk Olsson. Both are based on the same color scheme applied to No
233. The first is the Aerosud demonstrator scheme in blue, yellow, and silver.
The second is the same aircraft with Aerosud markings removed to show how it looked in the
Citroën C3
automobile commericals. Photos of the actual aircraft are included in the packages.
You can also view images of the aircraft by Leigh Jackson
here.
11 July 2008 - I've been emailing back and forth with Thinus Pretorius for the past month
or so. He has been working on updating and redesigning the Cheetah C fighter for FSX with
the help of his son Marthinus.
Thinus has done a lot for flightsim and for Mirage fans over the years. Thinus took a break
from developing aircraft a couple of years ago to spend time with his family and especially his
son Marthinus, who had been battling cancer for several years. Sadly Marthinus passed away
earlier this month. I've already written to Thinus but I just wanted to publicly express
my condolences and to reassure Thinus and his family that Martinus is at peace now and in the
comforting arms of Jesus.
30 June 2008 - Beat (Isra) Schaffner of Switzerland continues to work on his Mirage IIIS
project. The screenshots of the VC have been updated on his
website and they look outstanding. He has also made a
short video demonstrating the JATO takeoff.
26 June 2008 - Michel Gérard has sent an article and photographs describing some of the flying
characteristics of the Mirage IIIB trainer, how it was configured as
a 'single seater twin-seater' for gunnery training, and how the Mystere XX was used for training.
It is very interesting reading with many photos.
21 June 2008 - With the new Mirage IV for FS9 completed Roland
(Rollis 13) Laborie is back to work on the Mirage 2000-5 for FSX SP2. There has been a running
conversation in the
Pilote-Virtuel.com forum. Have a look at the exterior and cockpit screen shots.
After the FSX version is completed he will do an FS9 version with fewer features. Once the
Mirage 2000 is finished Roland will make an FSX version of his Mirage IV.
17 June 2008 - The new Mirage 4000 radar of
Eric Marciano has been fully integrated with a new HUD by the team at
SimScape. The package is combined with
the Mirage 4000 aircraft of Romain Lucas with updated textures and
effects. Cockpit features include moving map, HUD target designation, audio radio-altimeter
for low-level flights, and more. Visit the
Mirage 4000 page of the SimScape website for more information.
14 June 2008 - Work continues on the
Mirage III/5 project. Mark Harper has been working to further enhance the VC and
is now working with the gauge folks at
Skysim on the com and nav radios. He sent this
screen shot of the VC.
13 June 2008 - David Allam of the UK has made a
video featuring the Mirage F1 of Kirk Olsson and the
Mirage 2000 of Roland Laborie. It is very well made
and has a surprise ending. Thank you David.
6 June 2008 - I don't know if this is even worth mentioning since all that is new are
thumbnail images (but not for all versions) and based on the comments included some of the
original gauges are not FSX compatible. However, Danny Garnier has repackaged the
Mirage F1 of Kirk Olsson and claims it is usable in FSX.
22 May 2008 - I have added a French Aeronavalle base found at the
Virtual French Air Force website.
The BAN is Hyères Palyvestre (LFTH) by Tony Mézières.
15 May 2008 - I haven't visited the
Virtual Cors'Air website in a while. I'm glad I did though. I found that Alexandre
Cadel has updated his Corse VFR to version 7a. I also
found scenery and components for an
air-to-ground gunnery range near Solenzara BA.
5 May 2008 - Danny Garnier has updated the Mirage 2000N
of Roland Laborie for use with FSX. The panel.cfg has been adapted for FSX compatibility
and thumbnail image added.
1 May 2008 - A new Mirage IV has been completed for
FS2004 (also works in FSX) by Laborie Roland, Jean Pierre Bourgeois, Jean Pierre Langer,
Pierre Brendle, and Benoit Dube. The two part package includes six texture sets and
two configurations (with or without JATO rockets). The virtual cockpit is very
detailed and included many animations.
28 April 2008 - I found some nice scenery for Greece put together by the
Greek Airports Project Team.
Among their offerings are a few military air bases and
joint military/civilian air fields to fly the Mirage F1 and Mirage 2000 into. These include:
Dekeleia Air Base (LGTT),
Araxos Air Base (LGRX), and
Limnos (LGLM).
24 April 2008 - OBIO has released an update package for the FS2000/CFS vintage
Super Etendard by
Alphasim. Included are three Aeronavalle schemes and an Argentina scheme
as well as a revised instrument panel.
14 April 2008 - Eduardo Fadul is making trainer versions of his
Mirage 5 and Kfir models. J.E. Narizo
(Mirage IIIE package) is sharing his two-seat Mirage so that Eduardo
can make the Colombian Mirage 5 CODM and COD (normal Mirage 5D). He will also be making
the Kfir TC10 trainer and a Kfir C10. A preview is below.
4 April 2008 - Tom Stovall has been working on repaints of the
Mirage III by J.E. Narcizo. He has completed five new aircraft for the Armée de l´Air
and the Israel Air Force. These are textures only so you will need to install the Mirage
IIIE first.
29 March 2008 - Mark Harper has decided to make his upcoming payware
Mirage III/5 package available via
Skysim rather than Alphasim.
18 March 2008 - Michel Gérard sent a few photos
of a Mirage IIIE disassembled for transport. The unusual angles reveal several
details that should be helpful for repainters.
7 March 2008 - Baptiste Aubertel has finished a package of six repaints of the new
Mirage III of J.E. Narcizo. The represented aircraft are all
French and include the CEV, CEAM, EC 2/5 "Ile de France", EC 2/10 "Seine", a fictional
repaint of "Tanguy et Laverdure" and a IIIBE of EC 2/2 "Côte d'Or".
2 March 2008 - Lucian Lie, alias Yago9, specializes in photo-real texture repaints.
He has applied his craft to the new Mirage III of J.E. Narcizo with several
packages. The countries represented include (so far) Argentina,
Belgium, Brazil, Chile, France, Israel, Spain, Switzerland, Venezuela, and two show variants.
The packages also include modified MDL files with the shine removed.
25 February 2008 - Italo D'Attomo and Giovanni Quai have completed a new
Super Etendard for FS2004. Two textures and versions
are included (clean and with tanks). Also included is a new
instrument panel.
13 February 2008 - Jens-Ole Kjølberg has painted a new set of textures for Kirk Olsson's
Mirage F1. The texture set represents a Mirage F1EQ-6 of the
Iraqi Air Force during the late 1980's "Iran-Iraq War". Only textures are included so you
will also need the base F1V25.zip file.
1 February 2008 - Beat (Isra) Schaffner of Switzerland, well known for his F-5E cockpit
work, has been busy for most of the last year on a conversion of the
Mirage IIIO by Warwick Carter to a IIIS of the Swiss Air Force.
Beat has put up some preview images on his webpage. The Virtual Cockpit is very detailed
and photoreal. Have a look here.
29 January 2008 - When it rains it pours. If this past couple of months is any
indication it is going to be a great year for Mirage fans.
"Darmon" from France sent a repaint of the Mirage 5 of Eduardo
Fudal representing the early bare metal scheme worn by EC 3/13 "Auvergne". Only textures
are included so you will need the base Mirage 5P package and the
Mirage 5 expansion pack. Also included is a document describing
how to modify the contact points and to enhance the afterburner effect.
J.E. Narcizo of Brazil has released a package of four Mirage III
models in 12 configurations as flown by the Fuerza Aerea Argentina (IIIEA) and the Brazilian
Air Force (IIIEBR). Also included are two-seat versions for both operators and an
instrument panel.
26 January 2008 - Here are some new scenery files released in the past month.
Tony Mézières released a new version of Solenzara AB (LFKS) on the
Island of Corsica. The scenery is new but is also partially fictitious with hardened
aircraft shelters located where the living and service areas of the base should be located.
Alexandre Rémy has made a new scenery for Nancy-Ochey AB (LFSO)
It is available in both FS9 and FSX versions. It includes AFCAD and static aircraft.
Also included is Toul-Rosières Airbase and the Pont Saint Vincent Air Club.
Louis Jacobs has put together a scenery set for Overberg AB (FAOB),
in South Africa. This airbase, located near the coast, is home to the SAAF Test Flight and
Development Centre with their many Mirage and Cheetah test aircraft.
21 January 2008 - Welcome to the new year. I'm a little behind in announcements
so I'll start off with some new aircraft this time and some scenery next time.
In late December Patrice Grange finalized (added the Matra R530 missile and fixed a few small
details) and then repackaged his Mirage III offering. Now included are five configurations
each of the Mirage IIIC and IIIE (clean, tanks, attack, missiles, and air-to-air with Matra 530).
This FS9/FSX package is complete and includes an instrument panel.
Sammy Dowider has taken the Mirage 2000N of Roland Laborie and
made the necessary changes and additions for use in FSX. He had revised the previously
released textures of Michael Pearson to make new camouflage
and overall gray schemes for the Egyptian Air Force Mirage 2000M.
Baptiste Aubertel has released a texture set for the new Mirage 5
of Eduardo Fudal. The textures represent the early bare metal scheme worn by EC 3/13
"Auvergne". Included are textures only so you will need the
base Mirage 5P package as well as the Mirage 5 expansion pack.
Alberto García Lledó has released a set of textures for the Mirage F1
by Kirk Olsson. This aircraft is an overall gray F1M of Ala de Casa 14, Ejercito d'Aire
Espaýol located at Los Llanos AB.



Header photograph Copyright Avions M.Dassault.
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