Latest feedback from MetaVR, Inc.

Yesterday, I got the following kind e-mail from W. Garth Smith, MetaVR, Inc.:

Hello J.J.,

we have made an improved aircraft based upon your input

would you be so kind as to give us feedback on this revised model? we will proived full credit to your for your input onpon the web site for this model once it is finalized

regards

wgs

Find out about MetaVR's new JTAC MiniDome collaboration with Immersive Display Solutions: http://www.metavr.com/downloads/MetaVR_IDS_JTAC-MiniDome-2009.pdf

W. Garth Smith
MetaVR, Inc.
80 Somerset Rd.
Brookline, MA 02445 USA
URL: http://www.metavr.com
e-mail: wgsmith@metavr.com
phone: US 617-739-2667
fax: US 617-249-0151

Latest screen shots, associated to the e-mail:



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Very impressive preview screen shots, Garth! On a first view, it looks very good to me. Please give me time to re-check all of them. Then you will be get latest notes by me.

Update May 11, 2010:

Feedback from aviation photographer and Warthog News contributor James O' Rear from United States, e-mailed to me today: Not sure if they're working off of Federal Standard paint colors but my observations show the grey shades with much less contrast. Also, 684 does not have a shield above the star and bar, there is a Bulldogs monochrome logo below and just behind the satellite antenna. See my Flickr image below for confirmation, can supply them with a large image if need be.



A-10C 78-0684 from the 354th Fighter Squadron, 355th Fighter Wing, taken on March 20, 2010, during the combat search and rescue demo at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. (Photo by James O'Rear) Full size

Thank you very much for your feedback, James. A hi-res version of this picture would be very great. But what I really want are close-up shots of all the aircraft markings.


Update May 12, 2010

Latest known A-10C 78-0684 OEF deployment pictures:



An A-10C Thunderbolt II with the 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron flies over Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, January 1, 2010, as it completes ten thousand hours of flying during the squadron's six-month deployment. The aircraft is A-10C 78-0684, marked 354 FS/CC as the commander's jet (or 354th FS's "squadron bird"), and flown on this mission by Lt. Col. Michael Millen, 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron commander. Visible combat loadout: station 1: empty, station 2: Sniper XR Targeting Pod, station 3: empty LAU-117 single-rail launcher for AGM-65 Maverick, station 4: GBU-38 (JDAM), station 5: GBU-12, station 6 (center station): empty, station 7: Mk-82, station 8: GBU-38 (JDAM), station 9: LAU-131 Rocket Pod, station 10: empty, station 11: empty. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Dayton Mitchell) Hi-res



Lt. Col. Michael Millen, commander of the 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, flies the ten thousandth hour for the A-10C Thunderbolt II squadron, wrapping up a six-month deployment to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, January 1, 2010. In his cockpit, Lt. Col. Millen has a "354 EFS A-10C Flag Flying Request Form". (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Efren Lopez) Hi-res

Note: Close-up of the left markings below the canopy (clear visible is the Bulldog head). Please note: The black-painted frame is still blank and not includes ranks and names of pilot, dedicated crew chief and assistant crew chief - as usual.



Airmen gather to celebrate the 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron's landmark accomplishment, ten thousand hours of flying, and approximately 2,500 sorties during the squadron's six-month deployment to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, January 1, 2010. The aircraft is A-10C 78-0684, marked 354 FS/CC as the commander's jet (or 354th FS's "squadron bird"). (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Efren Lopez) Hi-res

Note: Close-up of the tail markings.

OEF returning shot:



A-10C 78-0684 with blue fin flashes and special-marked 354 FS/CC (as the 354th Fighter Squadron commander's jet. (Photo by Ned Harris) Full size

As reported by Warthog News contributor Ned Harris from United States, the first six A-10Cs from the 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron returned home to Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, from Afghanistan January 24, 2010. They landed at 2:30 PM local time (MST). Each aircraft carried an external fuel tank on center station 6. The return of the remaining six aircraft is expect for either Monday or Tuesday about the same time of day. The 354th EFS is returning from a six-month combat deployment for Operation Enduring Freedom to the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. It was the first A-10 combat deployment to this location.
Note: A-10C 78-0684 with blue fin flashes and special-marked 354 FS/CC (as the 354th Fighter Squadron commander's jet. (Photo by Ned Harris)