Wings Over Israel
Encyclopedia
Wings Over Israel is a PC game (Combat / Flight Simulator
) covering the three major Middle Eastern conflicts Six-day War
(1967), Yom Kippur War
(1973) and Lebanon War
(1982).
The game includes a wide variety of real jets and weapons from the era, which can be employed in various mission types such as Combat Air Patrol, Interception, Close Air Support, Escort, Defense Suppression, and Reconnaissance.
The game is based on the Strike Fighters
engine and was developed by Third Wire Productions
.
and was part of the Strike Fighters
series of "lite" flight simulators developed by Third Wire Productions
. The term "lite" was applied because they are designed to be relatively easy to learn and play compared to other more "hardcore" flight simulators.
The game was set in Middle East from 1967 to 1982, player flying the IDF/AF
jet fighters in three historical campaigns.
The developer took and improved on its existing Strike Fighters
engine and thus the game was another step forward in terms of quality and game play.
s are simulated for the pre 1970’s aircraft rather than modern computer-aided aiming reticules. Dive bombing and level bombing techniques have to be worked out by the game player if they are to have success at completing missions.
Aircraft that come into service after 1970 have advanced Head-Up-Displays that allow the player to aim bombs with more accuracy than manual dive bombing techniques. The A and B versions of the AGM-65 Maverick
, allowing much easier ground target destruction for the late 1970’s aircraft.
Israeli air-to-air missiles in the game consist of versions of the AIM-9 Sidewinder
, AIM-7 Sparrow
, Matra 530
, Shafrir-2
, and Python-3. Early missiles are simulated to be as unreliable as the real missiles were, so regardless of having a "good lock on the target" there is a good chance the missile will still miss.
Later model missiles from such as the AIM-9L version of the Sidewinder are much improved and more likely to score a hit.
Dogfight
s are usually close-in affairs regardless of the time period, however as the missiles get better over time, longer range kills can be achieved.
During a mission the player will fly in a flight of aircraft in which the computer-controlled planes keep in formation as you fly to a target. This flight can be issued commands; attack other aircraft or ground targets, fly home if they are damaged, or jettison their drop tanks. As you fly many other computer-controlled aircraft will be up in the air and can be viewed as they engage in dogfights or bomb targets.
Flying over Egypt
ian or Syrian territories, the player's aircraft will be met with a high level of radar-guided Surface to Air Missiles (SAM), and a variety of lethal Anti-Aircraft Artillery (AAA). The main SAMs are the soviet SA-2 and SA-6, of which early and later versions are included in the game increasing lethality accordingly.
The player can select a historical campaign from either Six-day War
(1967), October War (1973), or Lebanon War
(1982); each being from a different time era with different aircraft and weapons forcing the player to employ different tactics in each.
Single Missions are also available, which can generate random missions.
The computer-controlled AI aircraft:
(1998) by MicroProse
and Longbow 2
(1997) by Jane's Combat Simulations
.
Flight simulator
A flight simulator is a device that artificially re-creates aircraft flight and various aspects of the flight environment. This includes the equations that govern how aircraft fly, how they react to applications of their controls and other aircraft systems, and how they react to the external...
) covering the three major Middle Eastern conflicts Six-day War
Six-Day War
The Six-Day War , also known as the June War, 1967 Arab-Israeli War, or Third Arab-Israeli War, was fought between June 5 and 10, 1967, by Israel and the neighboring states of Egypt , Jordan, and Syria...
(1967), Yom Kippur War
Yom Kippur War
The Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War or October War , also known as the 1973 Arab-Israeli War and the Fourth Arab-Israeli War, was fought from October 6 to 25, 1973, between Israel and a coalition of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria...
(1973) and Lebanon War
1982 Lebanon War
The 1982 Lebanon War , , called Operation Peace for Galilee by Israel, and later known in Israel as the Lebanon War and First Lebanon War, began on 6 June 1982, when the Israel Defense Forces invaded southern Lebanon...
(1982).
The game includes a wide variety of real jets and weapons from the era, which can be employed in various mission types such as Combat Air Patrol, Interception, Close Air Support, Escort, Defense Suppression, and Reconnaissance.
The game is based on the Strike Fighters
Strike Fighters: Project 1
Strike Fighters: Project 1 is a PC game that primarily centers on a fictitious conflict in the Middle East between the Kingdom of Dhimar and the Empire of Paran from the late 1950s to the early 1970s...
engine and was developed by Third Wire Productions
Third Wire
Third Wire Productions Inc., , is a C corporation based in Austin, Texas, USA; it is an independent software development company founded in 1999 for the purpose of creating multimedia entertainment, such as flight-simulation and strategy games.- Products :Third Wire is the developer of many...
.
Background
Wings Over Israel was released in 20082008 in video gaming
Notable events of 2008 in video gaming. See also history of video games. The release dates listed in this article are the games' original release dates.-Events:...
and was part of the Strike Fighters
Strike Fighters: Project 1
Strike Fighters: Project 1 is a PC game that primarily centers on a fictitious conflict in the Middle East between the Kingdom of Dhimar and the Empire of Paran from the late 1950s to the early 1970s...
series of "lite" flight simulators developed by Third Wire Productions
Third Wire
Third Wire Productions Inc., , is a C corporation based in Austin, Texas, USA; it is an independent software development company founded in 1999 for the purpose of creating multimedia entertainment, such as flight-simulation and strategy games.- Products :Third Wire is the developer of many...
. The term "lite" was applied because they are designed to be relatively easy to learn and play compared to other more "hardcore" flight simulators.
The game was set in Middle East from 1967 to 1982, player flying the IDF/AF
Israeli Air Force
The Israeli Air Force is the air force of the State of Israel and the aerial arm of the Israel Defense Forces. It was founded on May 28, 1948, shortly after the Israeli Declaration of Independence...
jet fighters in three historical campaigns.
The developer took and improved on its existing Strike Fighters
Strike Fighters: Project 1
Strike Fighters: Project 1 is a PC game that primarily centers on a fictitious conflict in the Middle East between the Kingdom of Dhimar and the Empire of Paran from the late 1950s to the early 1970s...
engine and thus the game was another step forward in terms of quality and game play.
Game Play
Despite the "lite" tag, a fair amount of realism has been built in; 60s-style bombsightBombsight
A bombsight is a device used by bomber aircraft to accurately drop bombs. In order to do this, the bombsight has to estimate the path the bomb will take after release from the aircraft. The two primary forces during its fall are gravity and air drag, which makes the path of the bomb through the air...
s are simulated for the pre 1970’s aircraft rather than modern computer-aided aiming reticules. Dive bombing and level bombing techniques have to be worked out by the game player if they are to have success at completing missions.
Aircraft that come into service after 1970 have advanced Head-Up-Displays that allow the player to aim bombs with more accuracy than manual dive bombing techniques. The A and B versions of the AGM-65 Maverick
AGM-65 Maverick
The AGM-65 Maverick is an air-to-ground tactical missile designed for close-air support. It is effective against a wide range of tactical targets, including armor, air defenses, ships, ground transportation and fuel storage facilities....
, allowing much easier ground target destruction for the late 1970’s aircraft.
Israeli air-to-air missiles in the game consist of versions of the AIM-9 Sidewinder
AIM-9 Sidewinder
The AIM-9 Sidewinder is a heat-seeking, short-range, air-to-air missile carried mostly by fighter aircraft and recently, certain gunship helicopters. The missile entered service with United States Air Force in the early 1950s, and variants and upgrades remain in active service with many air forces...
, AIM-7 Sparrow
AIM-7 Sparrow
The AIM-7 Sparrow is an American, medium-range semi-active radar homing air-to-air missile operated by the United States Air Force, United States Navy and United States Marine Corps, as well as various allied air forces and navies. Sparrow and its derivatives were the West's principal beyond visual...
, Matra 530
Matra R530
The Matra R.530 is a French medium to short range air-to-air missile.It was available in IR and SARH as the main armament of the Mirage III which was able to carry a single missile in the centerline, the Mirage F1, which carried 2 under the wings, and the F-8 Crusader in the French Navy...
, Shafrir-2
Shafrir
The Rafael Shafrir 1 and Shafrir 2 are short-range air-to-air missiles developed by the Israeli arms manufacturer Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, formerly RAFAEL Armament Development Authority....
, and Python-3. Early missiles are simulated to be as unreliable as the real missiles were, so regardless of having a "good lock on the target" there is a good chance the missile will still miss.
Later model missiles from such as the AIM-9L version of the Sidewinder are much improved and more likely to score a hit.
Dogfight
Dogfight
A dogfight, or dog fight, is a form of aerial combat between fighter aircraft; in particular, combat of maneuver at short range, where each side is aware of the other's presence. Dogfighting first appeared during World War I, shortly after the invention of the airplane...
s are usually close-in affairs regardless of the time period, however as the missiles get better over time, longer range kills can be achieved.
During a mission the player will fly in a flight of aircraft in which the computer-controlled planes keep in formation as you fly to a target. This flight can be issued commands; attack other aircraft or ground targets, fly home if they are damaged, or jettison their drop tanks. As you fly many other computer-controlled aircraft will be up in the air and can be viewed as they engage in dogfights or bomb targets.
Flying over Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
ian or Syrian territories, the player's aircraft will be met with a high level of radar-guided Surface to Air Missiles (SAM), and a variety of lethal Anti-Aircraft Artillery (AAA). The main SAMs are the soviet SA-2 and SA-6, of which early and later versions are included in the game increasing lethality accordingly.
The player can select a historical campaign from either Six-day War
Six-Day War
The Six-Day War , also known as the June War, 1967 Arab-Israeli War, or Third Arab-Israeli War, was fought between June 5 and 10, 1967, by Israel and the neighboring states of Egypt , Jordan, and Syria...
(1967), October War (1973), or Lebanon War
1982 Lebanon War
The 1982 Lebanon War , , called Operation Peace for Galilee by Israel, and later known in Israel as the Lebanon War and First Lebanon War, began on 6 June 1982, when the Israel Defense Forces invaded southern Lebanon...
(1982); each being from a different time era with different aircraft and weapons forcing the player to employ different tactics in each.
Single Missions are also available, which can generate random missions.
Featured aircraft
The game comes with the following flyable Israeli aircraft:- A-4A-4 SkyhawkThe Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a carrier-capable ground-attack aircraft designed for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. The delta winged, single-engined Skyhawk was designed and produced by Douglas Aircraft Company, and later McDonnell Douglas. It was originally designated the A4D...
- A-4E Ahit, A-4F Ahit, A-4H Ahit for IDF/AFIsraeli Air ForceThe Israeli Air Force is the air force of the State of Israel and the aerial arm of the Israel Defense Forces. It was founded on May 28, 1948, shortly after the Israeli Declaration of Independence...
. - F-4F-4 Phantom IIThe McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a tandem two-seat, twin-engined, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor fighter/fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft. It first entered service in 1960 with the U.S. Navy. Proving highly adaptable,...
- F-4E Kurnass for IDF/AFIsraeli Air ForceThe Israeli Air Force is the air force of the State of Israel and the aerial arm of the Israel Defense Forces. It was founded on May 28, 1948, shortly after the Israeli Declaration of Independence...
. - F-15F-15 EagleThe McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is a twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter designed by McDonnell Douglas to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. It is considered among the most successful modern fighters with over 100 aerial combat victories with no losses in dogfights...
– F-15A Baz for IDF/AFIsraeli Air ForceThe Israeli Air Force is the air force of the State of Israel and the aerial arm of the Israel Defense Forces. It was founded on May 28, 1948, shortly after the Israeli Declaration of Independence...
. - F-16F-16 Fighting FalconThe General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multirole jet fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force . Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft. Over 4,400 aircraft have been built since...
– F-16A Netz for IDF/AFIsraeli Air ForceThe Israeli Air Force is the air force of the State of Israel and the aerial arm of the Israel Defense Forces. It was founded on May 28, 1948, shortly after the Israeli Declaration of Independence...
. - Mirage III – Mirage IIIC Shahak for IDF/AFIsraeli Air ForceThe Israeli Air Force is the air force of the State of Israel and the aerial arm of the Israel Defense Forces. It was founded on May 28, 1948, shortly after the Israeli Declaration of Independence...
. - NesherIAI NesherThe Israel Aircraft Industries Nesher is the Israeli version of the Dassault Mirage 5 multi-role fighter aircraft...
– Israeli built Mirage 5Dassault Mirage 5The Dassault Mirage 5 is a supersonic attack aircraft designed in France by Dassault Aviation during the 1960s, and manufactured in France and a number of other countries. It was derived from Dassault's popular Mirage III fighter, and spawned several variants of its own.-Early development:The...
copy for IDF/AFIsraeli Air ForceThe Israeli Air Force is the air force of the State of Israel and the aerial arm of the Israel Defense Forces. It was founded on May 28, 1948, shortly after the Israeli Declaration of Independence...
. - KfirIAI KfirThe Israel Aircraft Industries Kfir is an Israeli-built all-weather, multirole combat aircraft based on a modified Dassault Mirage 5 airframe, with Israeli avionics and an Israeli-made version of the General Electric J79 turbojet engine.-Background:...
- IAI Kfir C.2 version.
The computer-controlled AI aircraft:
- MystèreDassault Mystère IV|-See also:-External links:*...
- Mystère IVA version for IDF/AFIsraeli Air ForceThe Israeli Air Force is the air force of the State of Israel and the aerial arm of the Israel Defense Forces. It was founded on May 28, 1948, shortly after the Israeli Declaration of Independence...
. - Super MystèreDassault Super Mystère|-See also:-References: http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/americas/el_salvador/El_Salvador-af-EscCazaBomb.htm...
- Super Mystère B.2 version IDF/AFIsraeli Air ForceThe Israeli Air Force is the air force of the State of Israel and the aerial arm of the Israel Defense Forces. It was founded on May 28, 1948, shortly after the Israeli Declaration of Independence...
. - Sa'arDassault Super Mystère|-See also:-References: http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/americas/el_salvador/El_Salvador-af-EscCazaBomb.htm...
- IAIIAIIAI is an acronym for:* The Information Architecture Institute* Institute of Art and Ideas* Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research* International African Institute* International Association for Identification...
Improved Super Mystere for IDF/AFIsraeli Air ForceThe Israeli Air Force is the air force of the State of Israel and the aerial arm of the Israel Defense Forces. It was founded on May 28, 1948, shortly after the Israeli Declaration of Independence...
. - VautourSud Aviation Vautour|-See also:-Bibliography:* Gunston, Bill. Fighters of the Fifties. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1981. ISBN 0-85059-463-4.-External links:*...
- Vautour IIA bomber version for IDF/AFIsraeli Air ForceThe Israeli Air Force is the air force of the State of Israel and the aerial arm of the Israel Defense Forces. It was founded on May 28, 1948, shortly after the Israeli Declaration of Independence...
. - HunterHawker HunterThe Hawker Hunter is a subsonic British jet aircraft developed in the 1950s. The single-seat Hunter entered service as a manoeuvrable fighter aircraft, and later operated in fighter-bomber and reconnaissance roles in numerous conflicts. Two-seat variants remained in use for training and secondary...
- FGA.50, FGA.59, FGA.73 variants. - Mirage 5DDassault Mirage 5The Dassault Mirage 5 is a supersonic attack aircraft designed in France by Dassault Aviation during the 1960s, and manufactured in France and a number of other countries. It was derived from Dassault's popular Mirage III fighter, and spawned several variants of its own.-Early development:The...
– Mirage 5 for Libyan AF. - An-12 – An-12BP (Cub-A) version.
- MiG-17 - MiG-17 (Fresco-A) and F (Fresco-C) variants.
- MiG-19 - MiG-19S (Farmer-C) version.
- MiG-21 - MiG-21F (Fishbed-C), PF (Fishbed-D), PFM (Fishbed-F), MF (Fishbed-J), bis (Fishbed-L) variants.
- MiG-23 - MiG-23MS (Flogger-E export), MiG-23MF (Flogger-B), MiG-23BM (Flogger-H ground attack) variants.
- IL-28Ilyushin Il-28The Ilyushin Il-28 is a jet bomber aircraft of the immediate postwar period that was originally manufactured for the Soviet Air Force. It was the USSR's first such aircraft to enter large-scale production. It was also licence-built in China as the Harbin H-5. Total production in the USSR was 6,316...
- Beagle bomber version. - Tu-16Tupolev Tu-16The Tupolev Tu-16 was a twin-engine jet bomber used by the Soviet Union. It has flown for more than 50 years, and the Chinese license-built Xian H-6 remains in service with the Chinese air force.-Development:...
- Badger-A version. - Su-7Sukhoi Su-7The Sukhoi Su-7 was a swept wing, supersonic fighter aircraft developed by the Soviet Union in 1955. Originally, it was designed as tactical, low-level dogfighter, but was not successful in this role. On the other hand, soon-introduced Su-7B series became the main Soviet fighter-bomber and...
– Su-7BMK (Fitter-A) version.
The developer of the series
This series of games is designed by Tsuyoshi Kawahito (known as 'TK'), who was also involved in some of the 1990s best selling PC flight simulators, including European Air WarEuropean Air War
European Air War is a combat flight simulation released by MicroProse in 1998. European Air War is the sequel to 1942: The Pacific Air War by Microprose. The stock standard version simulates the Battle of Britain, and the Allied Air offensives in Western Europe during the Second World War in 1943-45...
(1998) by MicroProse
MicroProse
MicroProse was a video game publisher and developer, founded by Wild Bill Stealey and Sid Meier in 1982 as Microprose Software. In 1993, the company became a subsidiary of Spectrum HoloByte and has remained a subsidiary or brand name under several other corporations since...
and Longbow 2
Longbow 2
Longbow 2 is the sequel to the best-selling AH-64D Longbow from Jane's Combat Simulations. Made at Origin Systems with executive producer Andy Hollis and producer Will McBurnett on board, and released on Nov 30, 1997. This sim improved on virtually every level of the first game, and it is...
(1997) by Jane's Combat Simulations
Jane's Combat Simulations
Jane's Combat Simulations was a brand of PC flight and combat simulators released by Electronic Arts . The Jane's Information Group sold the rights to EA so that EA could lend authenticity and accuracy to their growing line of combat games....
.
Related games based on the Strike Fighters game engine
- Strike Fighters: Project 1Strike Fighters: Project 1Strike Fighters: Project 1 is a PC game that primarily centers on a fictitious conflict in the Middle East between the Kingdom of Dhimar and the Empire of Paran from the late 1950s to the early 1970s...
(2002): The initial release centers on a fictional Middle Eastern scenario. - Strike Fighters: Gold (2004): An updated version of Project 1 released to the European market.
- Wings Over VietnamWings Over VietnamWings Over Vietnam is a PC game set during the Vietnam War over South East Asia and covers the time period between 1964 to 1973....
(2004): Set during the Vietnam war. - Wings Over EuropeWings Over EuropeWings Over Europe is a PC game set during the Cold War era where the USSR has attacked NATO forces in West Germany and thus turned it into a ‘hot war’....
(2006): Set in a possible Cold WarCold WarThe Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
conflict. - First Eagles: The Great War 1918First Eagles: The Great War 1918First Eagles: The Great War 1918 is a PC game that focuses on World War I between 1917 and 1918....
(2006): Set in the World War IWorld War IWorld War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
era. - First Eagles: Expansion Pack 1 (2007): Expansion pack for the First Eagles with new planes and campaigns.
- Wings Over Israel (2008): Covers the three historical Israel versus Arab conflicts 1967, 1973, and 1982.
- First Eagles: Gold (2008): Includes the Original 'First Eagles' and Expansion Pack together.
- Strike Fighters 2Strike Fighters 2Strike Fighters 2 is a PC game that primarily centers on a fictitious conflict in the Middle East between the Kingdom of Dhimar and the Empire of Paran from the late 1950s to the early 1970s. Although the countries and conflict may not be real, the aircraft and weapons used are completely accurate...
(2008): Updated version of Strike Fighters: Project 1Strike Fighters: Project 1Strike Fighters: Project 1 is a PC game that primarily centers on a fictitious conflict in the Middle East between the Kingdom of Dhimar and the Empire of Paran from the late 1950s to the early 1970s...
to run on Windows Vista. - Strike Fighters 2:VietnamStrike Fighters 2:VietnamStrike Fighters 2 : Vietnam is a PC game based on Wings Over Vietnam set during the Vietnam War over South East Asia, and covers the time period between 1964 to 1973....
(2009): A standalone update based on the original Wings Over VietnamWings Over VietnamWings Over Vietnam is a PC game set during the Vietnam War over South East Asia and covers the time period between 1964 to 1973....
to run on Windows Vista. - Strike Fighters 2:Europe (2009): A standalone update based on the original Wings Over EuropeWings Over EuropeWings Over Europe is a PC game set during the Cold War era where the USSR has attacked NATO forces in West Germany and thus turned it into a ‘hot war’....
to run on Windows Vista.