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Alt history threads tend to focus on British programmes but the USAF in Europe would also provide an interesting area for alternatives.
The Warsaw Pact simply used whatever Soviet types were available based on cost and complexity and importance of the Non-Soviet user.
At the beginning of the 1960s USAFE had F100 nuclear capable tactical strike aircraft and F102 interceptors. In addition SAC B47s were operating from European bases. A small number of F105s joined the lineup.
Gradually the force was modernised. F4s took on the strike role joined by the F111 wing at Upper Heyford. The F102 squadron in the Netherlands was eventually replaced by F15s.
If the F104G had been more effective it would have made sense for USAFE squadrons to replace F100 and F102 with F104G.
But of course the F4 was a much better aircraft for all weather operations in Europe.
Unfortunately it was expensive and more complex than the F104.
The UK became the first NATO F4 operator but buggered up by not buying F4C like Spain or F4E like W Germany.
It took the Sale of the Century to go someway to get USAFE in sync with some NATO members. F16, however, did not replace Canadian , Luftwaffe or Spanish Starfighters.
In retrospect the F4 really messed up NATO standardisation. Even when F16 arrives the F4 means that some air forces do not buy it.
Canada chose the F18 instead of Tornado or F16 for its W Germany based force.
A Warpac style NATO would have seen the F104G as its Mig21/Su7 while the F4E would have been its Mig23/27.
The Warsaw Pact simply used whatever Soviet types were available based on cost and complexity and importance of the Non-Soviet user.
At the beginning of the 1960s USAFE had F100 nuclear capable tactical strike aircraft and F102 interceptors. In addition SAC B47s were operating from European bases. A small number of F105s joined the lineup.
Gradually the force was modernised. F4s took on the strike role joined by the F111 wing at Upper Heyford. The F102 squadron in the Netherlands was eventually replaced by F15s.
If the F104G had been more effective it would have made sense for USAFE squadrons to replace F100 and F102 with F104G.
But of course the F4 was a much better aircraft for all weather operations in Europe.
Unfortunately it was expensive and more complex than the F104.
The UK became the first NATO F4 operator but buggered up by not buying F4C like Spain or F4E like W Germany.
It took the Sale of the Century to go someway to get USAFE in sync with some NATO members. F16, however, did not replace Canadian , Luftwaffe or Spanish Starfighters.
In retrospect the F4 really messed up NATO standardisation. Even when F16 arrives the F4 means that some air forces do not buy it.
Canada chose the F18 instead of Tornado or F16 for its W Germany based force.
A Warpac style NATO would have seen the F104G as its Mig21/Su7 while the F4E would have been its Mig23/27.
