Post by Al on Oct 12, 2023 12:08:09 GMT -5
Ken Lawson and I have been working on a pair of USAFE bases in France. This is the first release with Laon Air base to follow. Deltadart has painted almost all of the aircraft seen here except where noted. Dan French has built custom Hangars and the Fire Station/Control Tower. Ken Lawson also created the custom signs you will see. Traffic is provided for all Calclassic years, and each is different as the aircraft types changed over this period.
From the intro of the Readme.
From 1950 to 1967 the USAF set up and maintained bases in France, with the agreement of the French government, as part of its commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Chaumont AB was one of the ten main air bases which supported both attack and air defense capabilities. Many people do not appreciate the sheer extent of the USAF bases in France at this time and the reasons leading to the USAF departure in 1967. The following link will take you to an excellent article describing the USAFE experience in France.
edmerck.tripod.com/history/francebases.html
Now for a few pictures
Chaumont Air base aerial view
Custom Fire Station/ Control Tower
48th Tactical Fighter Wing Headquarters
1955 Traffic
The 48th TFW contain 3 flying squadrons. The 492nd (blue), 493rd (Yellow) and the 494th (Red). In 1955 they were flying the F-86F Sabre (shown here is the 493rd (yellow) and in the background the 494th (Red).
Another interesting fact about Chaumont is that the Skyblazer Demonstration team was formed there in 1954 flying the F-84G. They transitioned to the F-86F with the rest of the wing in 1955 and continued to perform all around Europe until 1962 when because of the Thunderbird Demonstration team now flying aircraft capable of transatlantic crossing, they were no longer needed and were disbanded. Here, DeltaDart has reproduced the paint scheme they were wairing while at Chaumont. All 5 aircraft of the team have been painted.
Taking off for their next engagement.
Now we move to 1957. The 48th TFW squadrons have all transitioned to the F-100D Super Sabre. These paints are part of the original Mike Pearson depicting the colors worn in 1957. These are the 492nd TFS (blue)
Now on to 1959 where the F-100s new paint schemes get rather colorful and we introduce some of the other aircraft types found here at Chaumont.
Here is the standard colors worn starting in 1958 represented by the 492nd (Blue)
Apparently, this was not flashy enough for the Wing Commander who we think decided on this paint scheme for aircraft flying back to the states to participate in the William Tell Gunnery competition in 1958 which happens every even year.
And the Wing Commander's aircraft
In case you are wondering if they really looked like this.
DeltaDart has also painted custom C-47 and T-33 paints for this scenery as well.
De Gaulle's pronouncement that all nuclear weapons and delivery aircraft had to be removed from French soil by July 1958 brought an end to the F-100s in France as they were nuclar capable. By January of 1960 The 48th Tactical Fighter Wing left Chaumont for Lakenheath (EGUL) and Chaumont went into caretaker status as many other American bases in France did.
In 1961 Berlin became a serious international problem, as Soviet Premier Khrushchev insisted on an East Germany peace settlement and elimination of the four Allied powers within the city. Berlin became a divided city. President Kennedy's response was to expand our conventional military power by mobilizing the Reserves. Forty Air Reserve Forces, flying squadrons and support units were activated for one year on 1 October 1961. During the next month, operation "Stair Step" dispatched 216 ANG fighters across the Atlantic to air bases in France. Chaumont was reactivated and received a squadron of F-84F Thunder Streaks from the New Jersey ANG
And a Squadron of RF-84F Thunder Flashes from the Alabama ANG (my home state)
Both of these custom paints by Deltadart for the 1962 traffic.
By June of 1962 ANG unites were returned to the states. The 366th Tactical Fighter Wing was activated on 8 May 1962 with two squadrons were assinged to Chaumont AB. The 366th was the last USAFE tactical fighter wing based in France; it was able to continue operating until July 1963 since it had conventional weapons capability only.
After 15 years of bad and good times of USAFE basing in France, the end was decided by Gen Charles De Gaulle. On 7 March 1966, he announced that France would withdraw from NATO's military structure but not leave the political organization. He gave NATO forces one year (until 1 April 1967) to depart France. This was a giant undertaking for the US and resulted in "Project Freloc," Fast Relocation. Chaumont along with all the other bases were turned over to the French.
Ken and I should be releasing this scenery soon.
Al
From the intro of the Readme.
From 1950 to 1967 the USAF set up and maintained bases in France, with the agreement of the French government, as part of its commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Chaumont AB was one of the ten main air bases which supported both attack and air defense capabilities. Many people do not appreciate the sheer extent of the USAF bases in France at this time and the reasons leading to the USAF departure in 1967. The following link will take you to an excellent article describing the USAFE experience in France.
edmerck.tripod.com/history/francebases.html
Now for a few pictures
Chaumont Air base aerial view
Custom Fire Station/ Control Tower
48th Tactical Fighter Wing Headquarters
1955 Traffic
The 48th TFW contain 3 flying squadrons. The 492nd (blue), 493rd (Yellow) and the 494th (Red). In 1955 they were flying the F-86F Sabre (shown here is the 493rd (yellow) and in the background the 494th (Red).
Another interesting fact about Chaumont is that the Skyblazer Demonstration team was formed there in 1954 flying the F-84G. They transitioned to the F-86F with the rest of the wing in 1955 and continued to perform all around Europe until 1962 when because of the Thunderbird Demonstration team now flying aircraft capable of transatlantic crossing, they were no longer needed and were disbanded. Here, DeltaDart has reproduced the paint scheme they were wairing while at Chaumont. All 5 aircraft of the team have been painted.
Taking off for their next engagement.
Now we move to 1957. The 48th TFW squadrons have all transitioned to the F-100D Super Sabre. These paints are part of the original Mike Pearson depicting the colors worn in 1957. These are the 492nd TFS (blue)
Now on to 1959 where the F-100s new paint schemes get rather colorful and we introduce some of the other aircraft types found here at Chaumont.
Here is the standard colors worn starting in 1958 represented by the 492nd (Blue)
Apparently, this was not flashy enough for the Wing Commander who we think decided on this paint scheme for aircraft flying back to the states to participate in the William Tell Gunnery competition in 1958 which happens every even year.
And the Wing Commander's aircraft
In case you are wondering if they really looked like this.
DeltaDart has also painted custom C-47 and T-33 paints for this scenery as well.
De Gaulle's pronouncement that all nuclear weapons and delivery aircraft had to be removed from French soil by July 1958 brought an end to the F-100s in France as they were nuclar capable. By January of 1960 The 48th Tactical Fighter Wing left Chaumont for Lakenheath (EGUL) and Chaumont went into caretaker status as many other American bases in France did.
In 1961 Berlin became a serious international problem, as Soviet Premier Khrushchev insisted on an East Germany peace settlement and elimination of the four Allied powers within the city. Berlin became a divided city. President Kennedy's response was to expand our conventional military power by mobilizing the Reserves. Forty Air Reserve Forces, flying squadrons and support units were activated for one year on 1 October 1961. During the next month, operation "Stair Step" dispatched 216 ANG fighters across the Atlantic to air bases in France. Chaumont was reactivated and received a squadron of F-84F Thunder Streaks from the New Jersey ANG
And a Squadron of RF-84F Thunder Flashes from the Alabama ANG (my home state)
Both of these custom paints by Deltadart for the 1962 traffic.
By June of 1962 ANG unites were returned to the states. The 366th Tactical Fighter Wing was activated on 8 May 1962 with two squadrons were assinged to Chaumont AB. The 366th was the last USAFE tactical fighter wing based in France; it was able to continue operating until July 1963 since it had conventional weapons capability only.
After 15 years of bad and good times of USAFE basing in France, the end was decided by Gen Charles De Gaulle. On 7 March 1966, he announced that France would withdraw from NATO's military structure but not leave the political organization. He gave NATO forces one year (until 1 April 1967) to depart France. This was a giant undertaking for the US and resulted in "Project Freloc," Fast Relocation. Chaumont along with all the other bases were turned over to the French.
Ken and I should be releasing this scenery soon.
Al
