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Tom Cooper

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  1. Tom Cooper
    All I can say is that Ugo Crisponi (the gent running Aviationgraphic.com and artist who drew that artwork) is never drawing WIFs. ...and that there are plenty of photos that are never published.
  2. Tom Cooper
    Photos of 'operational SyAAF L-29s with roundels on fuselage'...? Alone photos of _operational_ SyAAF L-29 are as rare as snake's sweat, mate. Actually: I've only seen one so far, and there was no roundel on it. Are you sure the aircraft in question was genuinely Syrian? For example: how many stars can you count on that roundel? Anyway, there were roundels - on top and bottom wing surfaces (i.e. 4 in total).
  3. Tom Cooper
    Correct - and important - observation: no roundels on SyAAF L-29s. That 'tradition' was introduced already with MiG-21F-13s purchased in 1963-1964 period. Only MiG-15s and MiG-17s - which were in service since earlier times - have retained their roundels: all other combat aircraft types introduced since re-build of the SyAAF in 1961-1962, wore no roundels at all (and this means not only MiG-21s, but MiG-23s, MiG-25s, MiG-29s, Su-7s, Su-20s etc., etc., etc.). Which reminded me... of an artwork depicting one of authentic SyAAF L-29s (and then the example that used to be on display at the Military Museum in Damascus), as can be seen here (top of rear cover of Arab MiGs Volume 4).
  4. Tom Cooper
    The only times any of aircraft in the former 'Military Museum of Damascus' (closed already in 2010 because the then Turkish PM Erdogan felt offended that 'such a museum' would be situated in the backyard of an ancient Ottoman Mosque) were showing their original colours was back in 1974. That is: immediately after they were put there. Subsequently, they were re-painted every single year (I've been to that museum at least six times in the mid-2000s, and have photos of each aircraft, providing clear evidence for that). Colours used (orange-sand, blue-green, and light blue) were authentic, i.e. the same as those used by the SyAAF: but their camo patterns definitely not. Their serials even less so (most of them disappeared already by 1981 or so).
  5. Tom Cooper
    When it comes to Syrian Arab Air Force and, say, 1973, the sheet to the right would be the only one correct here (and that is based on plenty of 1st-hand-sightings). It's correct that SyAAF aircraft never carried the Eagle of Sallahaddin. Only the Hawk of Quresh. That said, the EAF deployed only its No. 62 Squadron to Syria, from 1972 until late 1973. This unit actually lost nearly two thirds of its aircraft and pilots - though during the entire October 1973 War (first part of their 'adventures' can be read in Arab MiGs, Volume 5; much, much more is to follow in Volume 6, due out in October this year). More than ten years earlier - from 1958 until 1961 - two MiG-17F-squadrons of what was then the United Arab Air Force were based permanently in Syria. Also, UARAF Il-28Rs would regularly land there (for example after making recce flights over Israel). But, at that time Syria was 'Eastern Province' of the United Arab Republic, and there was no 'Syrian Air Force'. Yes but: this _earliest_ form of SyAAF markings was worn by only a small number of MiG-15s and MiG-17s acquired by Syria in period 1955-1958, and never again, nor ever on any of SyAAF Sukhois, Aeros, Ilyushins, Antonovs etc.) ...which would mean that the question would eventually land on my table, because they would in turn ask me (as they always do in such cases). ;-) Not the 'Eagle', but the 'Hawk', and I've seen it on plenty of their aircraft with my own eyes.Such Syrian markings were in use from 1972 until 1980, though many can still be found on museum pieces or various of aircraft abandoned/taken out of service in the early 1980s. The EAF had two 'big squadrons' (sometimes called 'brigades') equipped with armed L-29s and these flew nearly 100 combat sorties during the last few days of the October 1973 War.Syrians didn't rush their L-29s into 'direct' combat, but they did use them to fly maritime patrols off the ports of Latakia and Banias (in October 1973).
  6. Tom Cooper
    This is now bordering on...mmmmh... 'erotic'.
  7. Tom Cooper
    Beautiful work, Mish.
  8. Tom Cooper
    ...talking about badge of the 14 Escadron, Col: I've got 2 details to correct on it. Hope to get them sorted out and that 'upgraded' artwork sent to you this evening.
  9. Tom Cooper
    J... I'm almost trembling at excitement here: fingers crossed that painting proceeds this well.
  10. Tom Cooper
    Special thanks, Roland! I'm very hppay to see that colours match in low sun too. (And think of it, how many people can say, 'I've got a Ugandan Su-30 in my garden'....?)
  11. Tom Cooper
    The F-15s presently in service with No.6, No. 55 and No. 92 Squadrons - at least the last two are flying combat sorties over Yemen - are 'S'. They are to be retrograded to SA variant, later on. BTW, RSAF Typhoons have flown their first air-to-ground strike over Yemen, some 4-5 days ago.
  12. Tom Cooper
    ...you trickser... But well-deserved: painstaking research, excellent work here, resulting in a true 'eye-catcher'. The only thing missing: more photos, please! (And nope: the few in the gallery are not enough. ;-))
  13. Tom Cooper
    BTW, why a 'gate guard'? A few of RSAF Lightnings have got camo while still operational too.... http://www.aviationgraphic.com/airplanes/1778-lightning-f53-53-670-rsaf-ik-74.html
  14. Tom Cooper
    It's perfect, really. Not a touch more, please! That is: except you want to weather her as by June 1967? If not, I would really recommend adding that white background for the unit insignia: that's gonna make her 'flashy' too.
  15. Tom Cooper
    Great work, Roland! But...how did you solve the cockpit-hood issue...?
  16. Tom Cooper
    Very nice so far, Mish. I like that 'mix' of 'blanc aluminium' and green camo on this aircraft. The only thing missing appear to be 'Les Paras'... ;-)
  17. Tom Cooper
    Oh my dear... Ali, that sounds like you've got an awful dose of 'surgery' ahead of you... Good luck with this project.
  18. Tom Cooper
    ...'subtle'... excellent work, Draken. Re. walkways: keep in mind they were covering the wing-fuselage joint too. Width was something like 'slightly wider than half the way to the first wing fence'. On quite a few aircraft (but by far not always), their front end was along this oblique/slant wing pannel (connecting wing root with leading edge), so that there was kind of 'silver triangle' in front of them.
  19. Tom Cooper
    ...well, keep in mind the very positive kill-to-loss ratio of the F-4 too. Even if all the Iranian, Israeli and US overclaiming is taken away, it's still at least something like 5:1. That's surely not comparable with that of F-14, and even less so that or F-15, but one should keep in mind that during wars fought by F-4s (i.e. at times F-4s were 'top notch' fighters in respective air forces) the type was not supported by such amounts of vastly superior high tech like this was the case with Tomcats and Eagles, later on. So, 'most successful' in terms of combat too. ;-)
  20. Tom Cooper
    Yup, there was another plate made of steel there: the 'gun blast pannel'. Originally 'bluish' like air brakes, it rapidly turned all sorts of grey and black.
  21. Tom Cooper
    Very nice. This one is going to need some additional paint, 'though'. For example: - Air brakes were coloured in something like 'silver-blue', i.e. they were made of steel and thus their appearance was slightly darker, and bluish, in comparison to the rest of the aircraft. - Various covers, or 'access panels' were also slightly darker than surrounding. I think that the colour of flaps and intakes was slightly different too... but I'm not sure, so have to check. I'll drop you another e-mail with few reference photos this afternoon.
  22. Tom Cooper
    First thing that comes to my mind is: Mirages are never built in sufficient numbers. One really can't build enough Mirages. ;-) That said, I'm surprised to hear about fitting problems with KittyHawk's kit. It was supposed to solve all the issues that always existed with various kits of the F.1. Anyway... keeping fingers crossed for you to have minimal troubles with this project, Ali.
  23. Tom Cooper
    ...BTW, many of African customers are delighted users of South-African-made Jupiter fuses for their Mk.80-series. These are quite big in comparison to originals 'made in USA', have their tops painted in black and rest in copper. Supposedly, they're significantly improving the effects of Mk.80 series even on soft ground. Older 'Daizy cutters' seem not to be in use any more (except of Zimbabwean-made Daisies). ...and many there are using 'baloote' retarding system instead of (more expensive) Mk.15 Snakeye.
  24. Tom Cooper
    Not much more than designs based on US-made Mk.80s, I'm affraid. That is: Mk.81s, Mk.82s and Mk.83s, perhaps a few Mk.84s (though an F-5E can load only one under the centreline). Even then, most of these are made in Argentina. Or 'made in Argentina, but acquired via Zimbabwe', for example. That's so unless the USA are providing some kind of military aid now (don't know enough about this to say). Reason: Argentinean Mk.80-series is much more cheaper than if purchased from the USA or anywhere in Europe (every single Mk.82 manufactured in the EU goes at something like €3,000). That aside, it is perfectly possible that they still do have some of British-made weaponry originally delivered with Hawks. For example, 1000lbs ones ('Mk.20'?).
  25. Tom Cooper
    ...and that quite intensivelly... which is why I hope Roland is going to find the time (and opportunity) to hang something like 4x Mk.82s and a centreline drop tank on this - beautifully painted - Tiger II.
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