Etain_Rouvres Air Base(LFQE)

[Al]

I have just released another in a series of Cold War air bases in France. This is the third one after Chaumont and Laon


Etain was home base by 1955 for the 388th Fighter Bomber Wing. The 388th FBW's flying elements consisted of the 561st, 562d, and 563d Fighter-Bomber Squadrons, each equipped with North American F-86F Sabre (1955 Traffic in this scenery with custom paints by Deltadart).

The mission of the 388th FBW was to train for and conduct tactical nuclear weapons delivery. In 1956 the 388th began converting from the F-86F to the F-100D/F performing the same mission. Around April of 1957 the 388th FBW was deactivated and the 49th FBW took over with 7th, 8th and 9th FBS (1957 and 1959 Traffic in this scenery, aircraft and paints by Mike Pearson).

This was a paper move only, no personnel or aircraft were changed out. In late 1957, France wanted all nuclear capable aircraft out of France so the 49th FBW moved to Spangdahlem AB, West Germany, 25 Aug 1959 Leaving Etain AB in standby status.

In late 1961 the Berlin Crisis saw the Use of ANG units moved to Europe in operation Tack Hammer. The 166th TFS with its 26 F-84Fs from Lambert Field in Ohio were deployed to Etain arriving in November of 1961 until July of 1962 (1962 Traffic in this scenery with custom paints by DeltaDart)

when the ANG was relieved to return to the states their equipment was left to form the 394th TFS of the newly formed 66th TFW which would remain in France comprising of 4 squadrons at 4 separate bases in France (Etain being one of them) until 1963.

Here are a few more shots.

Custom paints for the C-47 and DeHavilland Beaver by DeltaDart



Available at Flightsim.com and uploaded to Simouthouse.com.

LFSL Toul-Rosieres AB Scenery (#4) is next and is nearing release as well.

[jwh]

Another magnificent creation. FS9 diehards are really being spoiled.

John

[Dan]

Al, thank you very much for this wonderful addition to the Classic World!

Regards,
Dan

[nmlw]

Beautifully done!

[deltadart]

Al, just a small correction. The 388th was flying the F-86F, not the H version.

[Al]

Thanks Patrick, my original text did say the F model but I was thinking it was the H model we had talked about so changed it but now realize that had to do with one of our upcoming sceneries. It’s what I get for working on 5 or more of these at the same time, you start to forget who was where when. Model now corrected in original text above.

Thanks guys for your comments.