MiG Alley: Skins & things
- Nov 6, 2025
- 11 min read
This is an update covering various things discovered or changes since the last MiG Alley article. It covers a new patch collection, alternate install method, controller support and skins and sound mods which may have been difficult to locate. Hopefully these will be useful for anyone who would like to enjoy this classic sim.
MiG Alley patch collection
There is a new MiG Alley patch collection available on the Internet Archive. It provides a single place to obtain the following patches:
Official v1.23 patch.
Unpacked version of v1.23 patch.
Version 1.1 setup up files, in combination with a v1.0 installation cd, can be used to create a v1.1 installation cd.
BDG v0.85F patch for WinXP and later.
BDG v0.85F2 additional patch for Win98 applied after BDG v0.85F patch.
BDG Keyboard Manager utility for reassigning keys.
Alternate installation
Some may have experienced an error in the official v1.23 patch installation, caused by the tt2.exe file which updated maps during the install. Due to this, VOGONS user Been_Nath_58 created an unpacked version of the official patch. It can be found in the MiG Alley patch collection.
The installation process is as follows for those wishing to use the unpacked v1.23 patch:
Those with a MiG Alley v1.0 cd/cd image will need to use the v1.1 setup files to create a v1.1 installation cd/cd image.
Install using the MiG Alley v1.1 cd/cd image. Compatibility mode for the setup.exe installer should be Windows 98/ME.
Once installed, extract the unpacked version of v1.23 patch (mig_alley_1.23_unpacked.zip) to the MiG Alley installation folder, overwriting any existing files.
Install the BDG v0.85F patch (BDG_MiGAlley_0.85F.rar) for WinXP and later.
Follow the existing advice for:
This should result in a properly installed and configured installation. Credit and thanks to Been_Nath_58 for this unpacked v1.23 patch.
Controller support with vJoy/Joystick Gremlin
One of the issues with MiG Alley is the incompatibility with at least some vendor profiling software, e.g. TM TARGET. This was discussed in the article, MiG Alley: HOTAS Controllers.
This is slightly alleviated with some good native controller support where multiple physical/windows controllers can be used together within the sim, e.g. a joystick device can be used to control pitch and roll, a separate throttle device can control thrust while rudder pedals control yaw.
However, this means that many controller buttons may go unused, the initial solution was to use additional software (e.g. JoyToKey).
There is single simpler alternative and that is to use the vJoy/Joystick Gremlin combo. The vJoy app is used to create a virtual joystick/controller with as many axes, buttons and hats as needed.
MiG Alley allows use to choose the vJoy device while ignoring other Windows devices as shown below:
Opentrack/AITrack support
For those without TrackIR then an alternative may be an Opentrack/AITrack combo to provide head tracking. Opentrack essentially provides TrackIR data to a TrackIR supporting flight sim like MiG Alley.
To enable in sim, you just follow the same steps as enabling TrackIR, as opentrack sends 'TrackIR like' data to MiG Alley.
Mods
A number of mods have been located, including aircraft skins, replacement sounds, terrain mods and a hit sprite mod. All mods can be found in the MiG Alley patch collection. The mods are listed below.
The author of the AxA mods is Alexander X. Alonso (AxA).
Skins
All aircraft skins can be found in the Skins folder of the patch collection.
AxA's B-26 Invader (AxA's B-26 Invader.zip)
From the readme:
This is my attempt in correcting the B-26 aircraft in Mig Alley. The B-26 depicted in MA is actually the World War II "Marauder". I tried to convert it to the B-26 "Invader", which served admirably in WWII, Korea and even Vietnam.
AxA's Checkertail F-51 (AxA's Checkertail F-51.zip)
From the readme:
What if the F-51 squadrons carried over their World War II markings into the Korean conflict Here is my interpretation of just that, in regards to having the 325th FG fly and fight in the skies over Korea. While I did include the obviously familiar checker-tail markings, I took the liberty of keeping some of the Korean War markings that were found on the F-51's during that era. I wanted to incorporate the WWII markings into the Korean War and not just bring in the exact WWII aircraft. (does this make any sense??) For example, fuselage codes, red-stripe on national markings, etc...
AxA's F-51 12th FBS (AxA's F-51 12thFBS.zip)
From the readme:
Here is a shark-toothed F-51 from the 12th Fighter-Bomber Squadron which was based at K-10 Chinhae airbase, South Korea (near Pusan). I took some artistic license and painted the canopy frame with the same blue as that found on the fin & wing tips. (for a more colorful aircraft).
AxA's F-51 18th FBG (AxA's F-51 18th FBG.zip)
From the readme:
Here is an F-51D shown in 18th FBG colors, with squadron stripes. The red trim indicates that the aircraft was assigned to the 67th FBS in late 1952, just as the Mustang's career started to wind down.
AxA's F-51 78th FG (AxA's F-51 78th FG.zip)
From the readme:
What if the F-51 squadrons carried over their World War II markings into the Korean conflict? Here is my interpretation of just that, in regards to having the 78th FG fly and fight in the skies over Korea. While I did include the obviously familiar checker-nose markings, I took the liberty of keeping some of the Korean War markings that were found on the F-51's during that era. I wanted to incorporate the WWII markings into the Korean War and not just bring in the exact WWII aircraft. (does this make any sense??) For example, fuselage codes, red-stripe on national markings, etc...
AxA's F-84 8th FBS (AxA's F-84 8FBS.zip)
From the readme:
Here is an F-84E from the 8th FBS, 49th FBG at Kunsan, circa 1953.
AxA's F-84 9th FBS (AxA's F-84 9FBS.zip)
From the readme:
Here is a new skin for the F-84E based on "Lil Butch", an F-84E-25RE assigned to the 9th Fighter Bomber Squadron of the 49th Fighter Bomber Wing in Korea.
AxA's F-84E 58th FBWg (AxA's F-84E 58th FBWg.zip)
From the readme:
Here is a skin for the F-84 in Mig Alley. This aircraft has the markings for the 58th FBWg, flying out of Taegu, Korea during 1952. The most famous aircraft in these markings was "Night Take Off / Ruth", the personal aircraft of Col. Charles Jordan, commanding the 58th FBWg during this time.
AxA's F-86A 4th FIS (AxA's F-86A 4thFIS.zip)
From the readme:
This is a "Skin" for an F-86A-5-NA Sabre, of the 334th Fighter Intercept Squadron, 4th Fighter Intercept Wing. These markings are for the early (1951) Sabres in Korea.
AxA's F-86F 12th FBS (AxA's F-86F 12th FBS.zip)
From the readme:
Here is my skin for an F-86F of the 12th FBS, stationed at Osan AB, 1953. The 12th shared space with the 67th FBS as well. Both are similarly marked except that the 67th had yellow stripes over/under the blue and white star markings in the tail section.
AxA's F-86F 67th FBS (AxA's F-86F 67th FBS.zip)
From the readme:
Here is my skin for an F-86F of the 67th FBS, stationed at Osan AB, 1953. The 67th shared space with the 12th FBS as well. Both are similarly marked except that the 67th had yellow stripes over/under the blue and white star markings in the tail section.
Shiny F-80 (F-80_Shiny.zip)
From the readme:
New "Shiny" look to the Mig Alley Aircraft by John Maleski. John has created a brighter look on the Mig Alley aircraft. He has done this for the F-84 and F-80.
F-84 (F-84.zip)
There is no readme or images included with this mod for the F-84. The author is unknown.
F-86 camo (F-86_Camo.zip)
The author is listed only as John. From the readme:
F-86 camo is an alternative Mig Alley Skin. Unfortunately, it is not an authentic replica of a squadron marked F-86 during the Korean War. I am not aware of any Korean War F-86 with camouflage paint markings, so this was merely created for "fun" (but apparently does attempt to simulate a post Korean War F-86 camo paint job).
F-86 Sabre - Generic, Black/White Stripes (F-86_Generic_BWStripes.zip)
The author is Christian Mosimann. From the readme:
Aircraft skin for Mig Alley. The color-scheme is generic, the b/w stripes where used early in the Korean War on the first F-86A of this theatre. The basic metal-color is based on the "Shiny"-Aluminium Sabre, done by Sergei Olschewski, the yellow nose bases on the work of AxA.
F-86 Sabre - Generic, Yellow Stripes (F-86_Generic_YellowStripe.zip)
The author is Christian Mosimann. From the readme:
Aircraft skin for Mig Alley. The color-scheme is generic, the yellow stripes where painted to all Sabres of the Korean theatre for better recognition. The basic metal-color is based on the "Shiny"-Aluminium Sabre, done by Sergei Olschewski.
F-86A (f86a.zip)
There is no readme or images included with this mod for the F-84. The author is unknown.
MiG-15 Honcho (MiG-15_Honcho.zip)
The author is listed only as Harry. From the readme:
This adds a red "honcho" nose to the MiG 15 and replaces the generic red star with the correct star with dashed outline in red and blue. The scheme appears when you select the MiG-15 to fly in a single mission. If you fly against the MiG the game gets those resources somewhere else, so you will see the original scheme.
MiG-15 Star (MiG-15_Star.zip)
The author is listed only as Harry. From the readme:
This replaces the generic red star with the correct star with dashed outline in red and blue. (the blue renders as dark gray). I also shrunk the star on the fuselage and tried to adjust it so it doesn't appear so squashed. I think someone else did something similar but I couldn't find it anywhere. The scheme appears when you select the MiG-15 to fly in a single mission. If you fly against the MiG the game gets those resources somewhere else, so you will see the original scheme.
Shiny F-51 Sharkmouth (Shiny_F51_Sharkmouth.zip)
The author is John Maleski. From the readme:
This shiny F-51 is an alternative Mig Alley Skin. It attempts to create that "shiny" metallic look. This F-51 utilizes AxA's Sharkmouth, and also uses the "shiny" fuselage textures from Mosi's F-86. Thanks to the both of them for their great inspiring mods to Mig Alley.
You can see some example skins below (images taken from mod zip files):
Sounds
All sound mods can be found in the Sounds folder of the patch collection.
AxA Sound Replacement Paks
From the readme:
Here are just a few more sound replacements for the great flight sim "Mig Alley". While the game's original sounds are not bad, I found that some of the sounds were a little weak. While the new sounds are much stronger/richer, they are also a bit larger in file size. So those with slower CPU's "may" find a slight drop in frame rates. I don't believe that it will affect most computers that can run Mig Alley in the first place.
Unfortunately AxA's Sound Replacement Pak 1 mod does not seem to be available to download at present. They can be found in the Sounds folder of the patch collection as:
AxA's MA snds2.zip
AxA's MA snds3.zip
AxA's MA snds4.zip
CFS2 cal .50 sound (cal50.zip)
The Microsoft Combat Flight SIm 2 .50 cal sound for use in MiG Alley. The author is unknown.
F-51 Engine (F-51_Engine.zip)
Replacement F-51 engine sounds. The author is unknown.
Other replacement sounds (hwsound.zip)
Comprising of booms.zip, replacement explosion and flak sounds, and guns.zip, replacement gun/cannon sounds. The author is unknown.
Terrain
All terrain mods can be found in the Terrain folder of the patch collection.
AxA's "Patchy Snow" Terrain Modification (AxA Patchy Snow.exe)
From the readme:
"This terrain mod was done with the intent of creating a terrain somewhere between the default terrain that came with the sim and my other terrain mod, the "WinTer" terrain mod. I've tried to give the impression that either it has just begun snowing in the area or the snows are slowly melting away; a transition between no snow-fall and heavy snow-fall. In other words, there is only slight snow on the ground, particularly in certain areas. My intent was also to create a new terrain with additional farm land, based on photographs from that time period. It was a simple mod to create, basically just swapping some terrain "textures" around and utilizing my "WinTer" terrain's buildings, trees, etc. Perhaps not very realistic but adds a little variety to the default terrain. I hope you like it." --AxA
Spring Terrain (MA_SpringTerrain.zip)
The author is John Maleski. From the readme:
A spring in Mig Alley... Well, not exactly. After playing Mig Alley for countless hours with the original brownish land textures (seemed like autumn to me), I needed something different. Alexander Alonso (AxA) came up with a winter terrain, which was just what the doctor ordered (more countless hours playing). In more recent months, AxA was working on an alternative terrain, but I just couldn't wait any longer. I figured I'd try to modify some of the files myself (almost wish I hadn't, this was a pain). However, this "spring terrain mod" may tide us over until AxA finishes his new terrain, which should be excellent. I give a great deal thanks to AxA for the inspiration of this terrain mod, his website, as well as some of his winter terrain files that I needed to use or modify. Thanks also to the many others in the flight sim community for making modifications for various sims. Before you begin installing this, you should consider this terrain as a "Beta" release. I do not have access to more than one computer for testing. I flew a number of hours after completing this terrain mod, but I have not flown around the the entire Korean Peninsula to determine if there are other issues/incompatibilities, etc. I also do not know if this will cause a frame rate hit. There are some known problems with this "beta" terrain, such as some duplication of terrain tiles, snowy patches on the secondary runways, and snowy roads across and along the sides of forests). The snowy roads can be turned off by selecting [routes "off"] in 3dII Preferences of Mig Alley, but then you can't see any roads :-( So what's a little snow...it's spring...pretend it didn't all melt yet.
Spring Terrain Additions (MA Spring Terrain Additions.zip)
The author is John Maleski. From the readme:
This addition attempts to fix a few of the more obvious repeating terrain issues, as well as a runway issue (at least one runway was darn near impossible to identify). These additions are intended to be used with my Mig Alley "beta" spring terrain (so I'll assume you downloaded that terrain first, read the associated readme file, and installed it). I know I said that I may not update the beta spring terrain mod, but some things were annoying me. As discussed in the readme of the beta spring terrain, some issues were noted, such as duplication of terrain tiles, snowy patches on the secondary runways, and snowy roads across and along the sides of forests. I haven't figured out how to remove the snow from the roads that cross and circle some forests, and I'm not too concerned regarding the snow on a few of the runways (yet). As an FYI, all the files "repeat" throughout the landmap, so it's difficult to completely remove the repeating terrain look, unless you use very simple solid color files or simple patterns (but that would be boring). I noticed that the repeating terrain in mountainous areas isn't as noticeable as the big flat stretches of land. The biggest problem is, some small areas in one area may be used for much larger areas in another (thereby causing the offending repeating terrain). I did notice that some of the new terrain files were more offending "repeaters" IMHO, so I tried to fix them. Unfortunately, I can't fly to every section of the map to explore problems with repeating terrain. I also included brown city ground color files to make the cities stand out a little more (img10029.x8, img10030.x8 and img10031.x8). If you liked the greenish color of the cities in the spring mod, don't install these files.
Others
All other mods can be found in the Other folder of the patch collection.
AxA's MA Hit Sprites
A mod to make hits more visible from the cockpit.
Nose art
Additional nose art, although there are no installation instructions, the MiG Alley folders seem to suggest the contents of the zip file should be extracted to:
<MiG Alley install folder>\Artwork\NOSEUSERYou may wish to backup the original images before doing so.
Finally...
Credit and thanks goes to:
VOGONS user Been_Nath_58 for the unpacked version of the official patch.
vJoy developers.
Joystick Gremlin developers.
Opentrack developers.
AITrack developers.
Alexander X. Alonso (AxA), Christian Mosimann, John Maleski, 'John', 'Harry' and the unknown authors of MiG Alley mods.
Good hunting!
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