A look at the unofficial mods and tools that have been created for Falcon 3.0, MiG-29: Deadly adversary of Falcon 3.0 and Hornet: Naval Strike Fighter, over the years.
Where a number of mods and tools were produced or distributed by the same individual or group, those mods and tools are grouped together as a collection. Where possible the product and version applicable to the mod or tool will be identified along with the distributed zip archive.
Finally, the mods and tools applicable to the latest versions of Falcon, MiG-29 and Hornet will be listed.
The purpose of this guide is to help bring a little order to the myriad of mods and tools at different versions, in different locations (and often unordered) to help new and old Falcon players alike, find the mods and tools that can help manage the Falcon experience and avoid those that are incompatible.
Barnson collection
Jay Barnson was the developer of the SARGE series of squadron/supply editors, comprising of FALCON SARGE, MIG SARGE and F-18 SARGE. Unfortunately FALCON SARGE is unavailable.
MIG SARGE v1.00
Created | May 1994 |
Version | MiG-29 v1.03 |
Description | (From the readme):This program allows you to view, edit, and print out information on your pilots and your supplies within a campaign for MiG-29: DEADLY ADVERSARY OF FALCON 3.0 by Spectrum Holobyte. |
Distribution |
F-18 SARGE v1.00
Created | April 1994 |
Version | Hornet v1.01 |
Description | (From the readme):This program allows you to view, edit, and print out information on your pilots and your supplies within a campaign for HORNET: NAVAL STRIKE FIGHTER by Spectrum Holobyte. |
Distribution |
F3Supply
Developer | Ian "Terminator" Kent |
Created | August 1993 |
Version | Falcon v3.02 |
Description | (From the readme): F3Supply allows you, as the Squadron Commander, to requisition additional supplies of all stores, armament and F-16 aircraft for use in your Campaigns. It has been developed for use with Falcon 3.0 ver. 3.02 and it is intended to be just a simple, quick solution to your logistic problems. |
Distribution |
Falcon 3.0 Startup Menu
Developer | Aaron "Pirate" Anderson |
Created | January 1992 |
Version | N/A |
Description | (From the readme): As we all know, with the first release of Falcon 3.0 came many bugs and configuration problems. One of the big problems I encountered was a nasty tendency for F3 to trash all my Squadron Files and the FALCON3.DEF file. To solve this problem, I created a menu program that boots prior to F3. It allows me several ways of starting F3. I can back-up before boot, I can restore before boot, or I can go into F3 without any backup or restore. |
Distribution |
Falcon Campaign Editor (FCE)
Developer | Frank W. Racis |
Created | v0.9: August 1993 v1.0: March 1994 v1.1a: September 1994 v1.2: October 1994 v1.3: July 1995 |
Version | v0.9: Falcon v3.02, MiG-29 v1.0 v1.0: Falcon v3.04, MiG-29 v1.03 v1.1a: Falcon v3.04, MiG-29 v1.03 v1.2: Falcon v3.05, MiG-29 v1.04, Hornet v1.02 v1.3: Falcon v3.05, MiG-29 v1.04, Hornet v1.02 |
Description | (From the readme): Falcon Campaign Editor (FCE) is a program which allows you to change the characteristics of the pilots in your Falcon/MiG29 squadrons, as well as control the supply status of an ongoing campaign. |
Distribution | v0.9: fce09.zip v1.0: fce10.zip v1.1a: fce11a.zip v1.2: fce12.zip v1.3: fce13.zip |
Flying Muffin Enterprises collection
The Flying Muffin Enterprises collection comprises a number of tools and mods produced by various individuals. Some of those tools and mods would be repackaged as the Gold Falcon Utilities, see below.
Courtesy of the Internet Archive and Wayback machine the Flying Muffin Enterprises website can still be found.
305FIX.EXE
Developer | Bill White |
Created | January 1995 |
Version | Falcon v3.05 |
Description | (From the readme): 305FIX.EXE is a small file that will patch FALCON3.EXE or FALCONCD.EXE to eliminate the "Cannot Create File" error when playing multi-player comms in Falcon. It should (and can) be applied to version 3.05 only. |
Distribution |
F3 Missile
Developer | Bill White |
Created | June 1995 |
Version | Falcon v3.04, v3.05, MiG-29 v1.03, v1.04, Hornet v1.02 |
Description | (From the readme): F3MSL.EXE will patch Falcon (ver 3.04-3.05), MiG (ver 1.03-1.04) and Hornet (ver 1.02) to make missiles act more realistically. Version 1.0 offers support only for the shoulder-launched weapons (SA-7s and Stingers). |
Distribution |
Gold Falcon Utilities
The 'Gold Falcon Utilities' comprises of FalcCalc, Falcon Mapper, F3Maps, F3Requisition, Show F3, and GFU Menu. These utilities were initially released for free/as shareware, until later versions were packaged together and sold commercially as the 'Falcon Commander Utilities' and 'MiG-29 Commander Utilities' from Keyboard Commander Corps (KCC).
At some point KCC ceased offering the products and the latest versions of the utilities were repackaged as the 'Falcon Gold Utilities' and distributed as shareware by Flying Muffin Enterprises.
FalcCalc
Developer | Bill White |
Created | v2.51: March 1993 |
Version | v2.51: Falcon v3.01, v3.01.1 |
Description | The Falcon 3.01 Mission Planning Assistant. (From the readme): Was written using the data given in the various charts and pages of both Falcon manuals, the original and OFT. It gives you a lot of information to help you fly successful missions and wage a successful campaign. |
Distribution | v2.51: flclc251.zip |
Falcon Mapper
Developer | Greg Prete |
Created | v3.1: April 1992 v3.1d: May 1992 v4.1: October 1992 |
Version | v3.1: Falcon v3.0c v3.1d: Falcon v3.0d v:4.1: Falcon v3.01.1, OFT v3.01.1 |
Description | (From the readme): Falcon Mapper is a freeware tool that allows you to painlessly modify FALCON3.EXE and change the geographical locations for Instant Action (IA) and Red Flag (RF) modes to any part of the Falcon world. |
Distribution | v3.1: f3mp31.zip v3.1d: f3mapr.zip v4.1: f3mapr.exe |
SHOWF3
Developer | Steve Kramp |
Created | v1.0: March 1992 |
Version | v1.0: N/A |
Description | (From the readme): SHOWF3 is a utility to allow viewing of the screen shot files that are produced from the Falcon 3.0 debug screen. |
Distribution | v1.0: showf3.arj, showf3.zip |
Gold Falcon Utilities package
Developers | Craig Allen (Gold Falcon Utilities Menu v1.2) Steven Kramp (SHOWF3 v2.2) Greg Prete (Falcon Mapper v8.0) Bill White (FalcCalc v3.55, MiGCalc v1.05, F18Calc v1.02, F3 Requisition v1.55, MiG Requisition v1.05, F18 Requisition v1.02) |
Created | June 1995 |
Version | FalcCalc v3.55: Falcon v3.02 - v3.05 MiGCalc v1.05: MiG-29 v1.00 - v1.04 F18Calc v1.02: Hornet v1.00 - v1.02 F3 Requisition v1.55: Falcon v3.02 - v3.05 MiG Requisition v1.05: MiG-29 v1.00 - v1.04 F18 Requisition v1.02: Hornet v1.00 - v1.02 Falcon Mapper v8.0: Falcon v3.01 - v3.05, MiG-29 v1.00 - v1.04, Hornet v1.00 - v1.02 Gold Falcon Utilities Menu v1.2: N/A SHOWF3 v2.2: N/A |
Description | (From the readme): The GOLD FALCON UTILITIES is a set of irreplaceable helpers for the Spectrum Holobyte(r) family of flight simulators! Formerly commercial, now shareware, they include the latest versions FalcCalc, F3Maps, F3Requisition, Show F3, and GFU Menu. This fully integrated package brings out many of the best features of Falcon 3.0(t), MiG-29(t), and Hornet(t). F3, MiG, F18 Requisition: Squadron and Supply Management Utilities. (From the readme): With F3 Requisition you never have to worry about running out of aircraft, weapons, fuel, or qualified pilots. But that's not what sets it apart. F3 Requisition is different from other Falcon resupply programs because it can be a true "Requisition Simulator," as well as a straight "data editor," (otherwise known as a cheat program!). Gold Falcon Utilities Menu v1.2: A Powerful DOS Based Menu for Flight Simulation Enthusiasts. (From the readme): The Gold Falcon Utilities menu is a powerful DOS based menu which puts you just a keystroke or mouse click away from running your favorite program. SHOWF3: The Falcon 3 File Viewer. (From the readme): SHOWF3 is a Falcon 3 utility that allows you to do two things: 1) View screen shot files that are produced from Falcon 3's own screen-capture program (Yep! It's been on your hard drive all along!) 2) Convert screen shot files to standard PCX or GIF format. |
Distribution |
Strategic FALCON (demo version)
Developer | Bill White |
Created | October 1994 |
Version | Falcon v3.05 (assumed, based on created date) |
Description | (From the readme): This will give you a taste of what Strategic Falcon is all about. It's a working demo; it does just about everything but allow you to save your changes to Falcon 3.0. Even without the save capability, this is an extremely useful information gathering and planning tool. What you can learn about a campaign using only this demonstration file is much greater than any data you can get with any other "free" software. (In other words, it *is* worth the download!) |
Distribution |
FTP-SET
Developer | Victor "Duke" Zaveduk |
Created | August 1995 |
Version | Falcon v3.05 (assumed, based on requirements) |
Description | The FALCOMM and FTPCOM utilities mentioned, form part of the Stinger collection (see below). (From the readme): A file management program for Falcon competitions using the new series of FALCOMM and FTPCOMM TSRs. SET-FALC will help manage your ARMSDATA directory and your AIRVARS file in order to make using the new communication/competition TSRs easy. In order for FALCOMM and FTPCOMM to work properly, very specific files must be installed in your FALCON and ARMSDATA directories. The TSRs rely on having matching files on both ends of the connection, or your CRC values will not match. If your CRCs don't match, you're not in compliance with current ladder rules. |
Distribution |
Heittman collection
Rob "Orinoco" Heittman was the developer of Falconer. During the development of Falconer v3.0, there was a another release of v2b which also packaged the GAS-UP utility, a Falcon tactics document and a transcript of a publicly hosted chat with Falcon developers. The chat transcript provides an interesting snapshot of Falcon history and what the future plans were, at the time.
Falconer
Created | v2b: January 1992 v2b (later release): February 1992 v3.0: May 1992 v3.1: September 1992 |
Version | v2b: Not listed v3.0: Falcon v3.0d v3.1: Falcon v3.0d. v3.01 (Operation Fighting Tiger) |
Description | (From the readme): Falconer is a freeware tool that lets you control every important aspect of your FALCON 3.0 ("F3") squadron. You can: Automatically reorganize the roster Automatically create "super squadrons" with max abilities for each pilot, and no fatigue Automatically eliminate all fatigue from your squadron Edit pilot ability scores Edit pilot rank Edit pilot status (KIA, MIA, Active, etc.) Export a single pilot to a file Give or rescind any pilot's awards Import a single pilot from a file Print a pilot dossier Print your Sierra Hotel sheet Print a squadron roster Reactivate/resurrect lost pilots Replenish any planes lost in combat |
Distribution | v2b: falcnr.zip v2b (later release): fal3util.zip v3.0: falcnr_d.zip v3.1: falcnr.zip |
GAS-UP
Created | February 1992 |
Version | Not listed |
Description | (From the readme): you give this thing your squadron number (as Falconer supplies it), and it will charge up your squadron with 290,000 gallons or so (not an exact science here)... so you can keep rocking until the cows come home. |
Distribution |
Howard collection
Investigation has so far revealed, two tools that were released by Richard A. Howard, Convert and the Falcon Squadron Manager.
Convert
Created | August 1993 |
Version | Falcon v3.02, MiG-29 v1.0 |
Description | A utility to convert Falcon v3.01.1 squadrons to Falcon v3.02 squadrons. |
Distribution |
Falcon Squadron Manager
Created | v1.6: August 1993 v1.8: January 1994 |
Version | v1.6: Falcon v3.02, MiG-29 v1.0 v1.8: Falcon v3.03, MiG-29 v1.02, Hornet v1.0 |
Description | (From the v1.6 readme): This program will allow you to modify your pilot roster for Falcon 3.02 and MiG-29 1.0 during a campaign. You can create an all-powerful super squadron that will wreak havoc on the enemy or, for a serious test of skill, create a weak group of last-in-the-class trainees. Either way, FSM 1.6 gives you the flexibility you need. Included are some utilities to give you an edge or take one away. (From the v1.8 readme): This program allows you to modify your squadron rosters for Falcon 3.03, MiG-29 1.02, & Hornet 1.0 during a campaign. |
Distribution |
Jungle Camo v2.0
Developer | Eduardo "Edster" Mangual |
Created | June 1993 |
Version | Falcon v3.01 (Operation Fighting Tiger and later but no definitive versions) |
Description | (From the readme): The files in the junglef3.zip file will allow you to change the color of your F-16 and other planes to match the environment of the Israel, Kurile Islands, and Panama campaigns. |
Distribution |
Maps of the Falcon world v2
Developer | Don Tatarelli |
Created | April 1993 |
Version | N/A |
Description | (From the readme): These maps are taken right from the Falcon screen. On them, you can plan missions, plot flight paths, note radar ranges, make notes while in flight of enemy activity, etc. You can note your waypoints and those of other flights you've planned. You can maintain your orientation in relation to everything around you. The maps are in PCX format. There is one color map of each theater which shows the entire theater. There is one black and white map of each theater which shows the entire theater. The remaining are maps of zoomed target areas in each theater. |
Distribution |
NITE_EYES
Developer | Jason "Desperado" Irby |
Created | October 1993 |
Version | Not listed |
Description | (From the readme): This is just a little program I did just for fun one night that I thought you'all might like to play with. I've always had trouble with night missions (i.e. running into the ground!) and I find it real hard to get gun kills. This program alters the night palette so that it simulates the pilot wearing infra-red night vision goggles. It makes thing a little easier to see. Really cool to take through terrain at night like the Canyon.<G> The program makes it easy to take back off if you don't like it so give it a try! |
Distribution |
PCGamingWiki Addon Launcher
Developer | Unknown |
Created | Unknown |
Version | N/A |
Description | A startup menu for Falcon, MiG-29 and Hornet. Allows squadrons, high scores and config options to be reset. Allows an allied campaign to be saved. Can load the TM-STICK utility. |
Distribution |
Polymap
Developer | Jay Lee |
Created | February 1994 |
Version | Falcon v3.02 - v3.04 (assumed MiG-29 v1.0 - v1.03, Hornet v1.0 - v1.01) |
Description | (From the readme): Polymap is a shareware utility that allows you to re-map Red Flag and Instant Action theatres from the default of Nellis and Kuwait. Polymap works with Falcon3, MiG29, and Hornet. All versions of MiG29 and Hornet are supported. Falcon versions F3.02 through F3.04 are supported. When mapping Hornet Red Flag theatres, the file "NELLIS.MSF" is copied to the new theatre. i.e., if you re-map RF for India, "NELLIS.MSF" is copied to "INDIA.MSF". I'm not positive just what the .MSF file DOES, but Hornet won't function without it. |
Distribution |
"Stinger" collection
Ken "Stinger" Richardson was a prolific developer of Falcon utilities. The TM-STICK utility is not included, as although originally written by Ken, it was subsequently jointly developed with Thrustmaster and eventually became an official utility and was distributed with official patches and releases. It is described in the earlier Falcon 3.0: Version & patch history blog post.
In addition to individual releases, a suite of utilities would be packaged together as a compilation release.
CHATTSR
Created | January 1993 |
Version | Falcon v3.01.1 |
Description | (From the readme): CHATTSR is a terminate and stay resident program that allows "canned" messages to be sent to another player connected via modem or other comms modes. |
Distribution |
F3COOLIE
Created | August 1993 |
Version | Falcon v3.02 |
Description | (From the readme): F302COOL is a Terminate and Stay Resident (TSR) program that will work with the ThrustMaster FCS allowing you to program the "Coolie Hat" and Buttons 3 and 4 to any keystroke on the keyboard, (including SHFT/CTRL/ALT keys). You can also program "double-click" functions to any button or hat position. |
Distribution |
F3PADLK
F3PADLK was initially released without the COM port remap functionality, which was added to later releases.
Created | For Falcon v3.01.1: February 1993 For Falcon v3.01.1 with COM remap: May 1993 For Falcon v3.02: August 1993 |
Version | Falcon v3.01.1, v3.02 |
Description | (From the readme): F3PADLK is a terminate and stay resident program that will add small indicator lights to Falcon's Padlock view. These lights indicate when your Afterburners are on or when your AirBrake is extended. The Afterburner light is located in the upper left of the centre window in Falcon's padlock view and is Yellow in color. The Brake light is located in the upper right of the same window and is Red in color. |
Distribution | For Falcon v3.01.1: f3pad.zip For Falcon v3.01.1 with COM remap: f3pad2.zip For Falcon v3.02: f302pad.zip |
FALCOMM & FTPCOMM
These are utilities used by the FTP-SET utility.
Created | August 1995 |
Version | Falcon v3.05 |
Description | (From the readme): FALCOMM & FTPCOMM provide Falcon with the capability to use high speed communications and will significantly reduce your connect times as well as give you smoother game play. FALCOMM & FTPCOMM eliminate potential "cheats" or "abuses" of the rules used by most competitions. Specific keys and key combinations have been blocked. Weapons Effectiveness settings are forced to "LOW" levels. Radar mode choice is displayed to ensure that players are abiding by settings specified in the rules. And checks are made to ensure that players are using approved flight models, weapons load-outs and visuals and that "Falcon Test Pilot" (FTP) has not been used to modify these files. |
Distribution |
M29COOL
Created | August 1993 |
Version | MiG-29 v1.0 |
Description | (From the readme): M29COOL is a Terminate and Stay Resident (TSR) program that will work with the ThrustMaster FCS allowing you to program the "Coolie Hat" and Buttons 3 and 4 to any keystroke on the keyboard, (including SHFT/CTRL/ALT keys). You can also program "double-click" functions to any button or hat position. For example: By default the Hat is programmed to switch between forward, back, right and left views depending on what direction you push it. If you push the Hat up twice, it will switch to Padlock view. |
Distribution | m29ch.zip, m29coo.zip |
M29PAD
Created | August 1993 |
Version | MiG-29 v1.0 |
Description | (From the readme): M29PAD is a terminate and stay resident program that will add small indicator lights to MiG-29's Padlock and "Scrolled up" views. These lights indicate Afterburners, AirBrake, Radar, and ECM. Each indicator has it's own color for easy identification. |
Distribution |
V42 patch
The V42 communication patch was known as V42PATCH or F302V42. The earlier V42PATCH v1.01 also included the CHK_UART utility which would identify the UART chipset of a PC.
In compilation releases it would also be named F302COMM, M29COMM or COMMTSR.
Created | V42PATCH v1.01: October 1992 F302V42: August 1993 |
Version | V42PATCH v1.01: Falcon v3.01.1 F302V42: Falcon v3.02 |
Description | The V42 patch improves Falcon multiplayer communication when using a modem supporting the V.42bis standard. (From the readme): V42PATCH will make numerous changes to Falcon 3.01.1 to enable Falcon to check the CTS line before it attempts to send data. It will allow data to be transferred between the two computers error free and up to 57,600bps. It will rename your original FALCON3.EXE file to F3ORIGIN.EXE. Then it will create a new FALCON3.EXE file with the V42 patch installed. You will need 1.3Meg of free disk space. |
Distribution | V42PATCH v1.01: f3v42a.zip F302V42: f302v42.zip |
Falcon compilations
Created | For Falcon v3.01, v3.01.1: August 1993 For Falcon v3.02: September 1993 For Falcon v3.04: February 1994 |
Version | Falcon v3.01, v3.01.1, v3.02, v3.04 |
Description | (For Falcon v3.01, v3.01.1): F3PADLK for FALCON 3.0 version 3.01.1 F3COOLIE for FALCON 3.0 version 3.01.1 V42PATCH ver 1.01 CHK_UART V1.0 (For Falcon v3.02): F3PADLK for FALCON 3.0 version 3.02 F3COOLIE for FALCON 3.0 version 3.02 F302COMM for Falcon version 1.00 (a later version of the V42 patch, version number refers to F302COMM version) (For Falcon v3.04): PADLOCK for FALCON/MIG/HORNET Version 1.02 COOLIE for FALCON/MIG/HORNET Version 1.02 COMMTSR for Falcon/MiG/Hornet Version 1.03 (V42 patch) |
Distribution | For Falcon v3.01, v3.01.1: f3hat.zip For Falcon v3.02: f32pak.zip, f32pak2.zip For Falcon v3.04: f304comm.zip |
MiG-29 compilations
Created | For MiG-29 v1.0: September 1993 For MiG-29 v1.01: November 1993 |
Version | MiG-29 v1.0, v1.01 |
Description | (For MiG-29 v1.0): M29COMM for MiG-29 version 1.00 (V42 patch) M29COOL for MiG-29 version 1.0 M29PAD for MiG-29 version 1.0 (For MiG-29 v1.01): M29COMM for MiG-29 version 1.01 (V42 patch) M29COOLIE for MiG-29 version 1.01 M29PAD for MiG-29 version 1.00/1.01 |
Distribution | For MiG-29 v1.0: m29pak.zip, m29pak3.zip For MiG-29 v1.01: m101pk.zip |
All products compilations (simpak)
Compilations compatible with Falcon, MiG-29 and Hornet, also known as simpaks.
Created | Jan 94 release: January 1994 Aug 94 release: August 1994 |
Version | Jan 94 release: Falcon v3.03 (and later), MiG-29 v1.02 (and later) Aug 94 release: Falcon v3.03 (and later), MiG-29 v1.02 (and later), Hornet v1.0 (and later) |
Description | (Jan 94 release): COMMTSR for Falcon/MiG/Hornet Version 1.00 (V42 patch) COOLIE for FALCON/MIG/HORNET Version 1.00 (also compatible with Hornet v1.0 and later) PADLOCK for FALCON/MIG/HORNET Version 1.00 (compatible with Falcon v3.02 and later, MiG-29 v1.01 and later, Hornet v1.0 and later) (Aug 94 release): COMMTSR for Falcon/MiG/Hornet Version 1.04 (V42 patch) COOLIE for FALCON/MIG/HORNET Version 1.03 PADLOCK for FALCON/MIG/HORNET Version 1.03 (compatible with Falcon v3.02 and later, MiG-29 v1.01 and later, Hornet v1.0 and later) |
Distribution | Jan 94 release: simpak.uue Aug 94 release: simpak.zip, simpk2.zip |
Compatible mods & tools
This is a brief summary of the unofficial mods and tools which are compatible with the latest releases, those being, Falcon v3.05, MiG-29 v1.04 or Hornet v1.02. Given those versions are released digitally on the Steam and GOG platforms, they are the versions most likely to be used by new Falcon players.
Assuming the release notes for each mod and tool are accurate. Where more than one version is compatible, the latest version will be listed.
The following are listed as compatible:
Falcon Campaign Editor v1.3
F3 Missile
Gold Falcon Utilities package
Strategic FALCON (demo version)
simpak (Aug 94 release)
The following are listed as compatible (for multiplayer games), but not confirmed:
305FIX.EXE
FTP-SET
FALCOMM & FTPCOMM
The following tools and mods 'might' be compatible, but not confirmed:
Jungle Camo v2.0
NITE_EYES
The following tools do not require a specific version of Falcon, MiG-29 or Hornet:
Falcon 3.0 Startup Menu
PCGamingWiki Addon Launcher
Maps of the Falcon world v2
Finally...
If you notice anything wrong or misleading or just plain confusing, please let me know, so I can fix it. Hopefully this provides a useful resource to help navigate the myriad of old Falcon tools hiding in the recesses of the Internet!
Good hunting!