How to unlock unique skins in Ace Combat 7 Skies Unknown? Ace Combat 7 Skies Unknown Guide and Tips

Unique skins are one of the secrets in Ace Combat 7. To unlock them, you have to shoot down special aircraft found in the campaign missions. You can recognize these planes by a pilot's nickname displayed right under a plane's model (you can see this information after you lock on that aircraft).

However, this aircraft can only appear after you complete a specific challenge for a given mission. You can check these challenges in Data Viewer -> Campaign Assault Records. However, the majority of the descriptions doesn't give you any specific details on how to complete a given challenge.

F-14 from the sixth mission spawns after you fly through this narrow tunnel.

Challenges aren't available on easy.

The list of the challenges:

Mission no 1

1. Operation Deer Horn
2. Target aircraft - Mig-21
3. Pilot's codename - Pyro

Quickly destroy the last group of enemies - two Mig-21 and two TU-95. The best way to do that is to use a special air-to-air weapon that targets a few enemies at the same time e.g. 4AAM. Once you complete this challenge, keep switching targets until you lock on a Mig-21 piloted by Pyro.

Mission no 2

1. Operation Eastern Wind
2. Target aircraft - Mig-29
3. Pilot's codename - Jester

Destroy the control tower on the airport as soon as it becomes available as a target. Do that before the drones appear (the game will show you a cut-scene). Once you do that, keep switching targets until you lock on a Mig-21 piloted by Pyro.

Note - the enemy pilot starts at the airport which means that you can destroy it before the enemy takes-off.

Mission no 3

1. Operation Dual Wielder
2. Target aircraft - F-16C
3. Pilot's codename - Bayonet

Shoot down all hostile aircraft in the initial phase of the mission in less than 90 seconds. Pay attention to the clock in the corner of the screen - it can't go over 18 minutes and 30 seconds. Use special long-range weapons and aircraft parts that increase targeting speed and speed of your missiles - the planes won't appear next to each other. The enemy appears along with Arsenal Bird. You won't be able to complete this challenge during your first playthrough. Go back here once you get better aircraft and parts.

Mission no 4

1. Operation Lighthouse Keeper
2. Target aircraft - F-15J
3. Pilot's codename - Ronin

Stay below 650 feet when you are flying between enemy radars. The enemy ace pilot will appear after you destroy terrestrial targets. Watch out, the pilot will try to escape.

Mission no 5

1. Operation High Card
2. Target aircraft - F-15C
3. Pilot's codename - Fang

Let your damage reach 75% (not 100% because you will get destroyed) while you aren't able to use weapons. Once the bomber aircraft are destroyed, look for F-15C and its pilot, Fang.

Mission no 6

1. Operation One Pair
2. Target aircraft - F-14D
3. Pilot's codename - Kitten

Fly through the narrow tunnel in the rocks in the western part of the map. After that, you will be able to shoot down F-14D piloted by Kitten.

Mission no 7

1. Operation Two Pair
2. Target aircraft - Eurofighter Typhoon
3. Pilot's codename - Faucon

Destroy all targets except those that are part of the mission. Don't shoot at targets marked with a large red circle on the radar. Destroy their barrier and defense mechanisms e.g. AAGUN turrets, SAM anti-aircraft cannons and AH-64 helicopters.

Mission no 8

1. Operation Three of a Kind
2. Target aircraft - F-15E
3. Pilot's codename - Gazelle

Destroy all oil tanks during the first phase. Be prepared to use your Vulcans and special weapons with a large radius (CRUISE missiles or a laser) a lot - you don't have much time to destroy all green markers. If you manage to do that, the ace pilot will accompany the trucks in the second phase of this mission.

Mission no 9

1. Operation Flush
2. Target aircraft - F-18F
3. Pilot's codename - Spider

Destroy at least half of targets that aren't required for completing the mission. Shoot at warehouses, AAGUN turrets and SAM anti-aircraft cannons. The task isn't simple - you have to stay in the clouds throughout the majority of it.

Mission no 10

1. Operation Full House
2. Target aircraft - Gripen E
3. Pilot's codename - Louveteau

Destroy SAM anti-aircraft cannons before the third wave of enemies appear.

Mission no 11

1. Operation Siren's Song
2. Target aircraft - Su-33
3. Pilot's codename - Ibis

Fly to the sea platform and fly through the center of the construction, right under the runway.

Mission no 11 - the second ace pilot

1. Operation Siren's Song
2. Target aircraft - Rafale M
3. Pilot's codename - Chasseur

Fly to the platform and destroy all hostile aircraft on the runway before they take-off.

Mission no 12

1. Operation Dragon's Breath
2. Target aircraft - A-10C
3. Pilot's codename - Buffle

Quickly destroy A-10C planes. Shoot them down before they reach their destination.

Mission no 12 - the second ace pilot

1. Operation Dragon's Breath
2. Target aircraft - Mirage 2000
3. Pilot's codename - Foudre

Fly under a barrel of one of the Stonehenge cannons.

Mission no 12 - the third ace pilot

1. Operation Dragon's Breath
2. Target aircraft - Su-34
3. Pilot's codename - Walrus

Defend Stonehenge. Destroy bombers and terrestrial units approaching the target.

Mission 13

1. Operation Magic Spear
2. Target aircraft - Mig-31
3. Pilot's codename - Comet

Destroy all silos with rockets. Don't aim at AAGUN, SAM, and aircraft - use Targeting Pod to destroy only the silos.

Mission no 14

1. Operation Werewolf
2. Target aircraft - Su-47
3. Pilot's codename - Gadfly

You need to fly through a narrow valley. Fly through it as fast as you can and avoid lights. If you do this fast, the enemy ace will appear along with reinforcements.

Mission no 15

1. Operation Giant's Step
2. Target aircraft - Su-37
3. Pilot's codename - Serpent

Get at least 17,000 points in the first phase.

Mission no 15 - the second ace pilot

1. Operation Giant's Step
2. Target aircraft - F-2A
3. Pilot's codename - Bogan

Later, a target called Aegis Ashore will appear. This is the enemy's defense mechanism. Destroy it as fast as you can to make the ace appear. Be quick, the enemy will try to escape.

Mission no 16

1. Operation Gorgon
2. Target aircraft - Su-35S
3. Pilot's codename - Axeman

Get at least 10,000 points in the first phase. The target will appear as "unknown" - fly closer to it to identify the target.

Mission no 17

1. Operation Reflux
2. Target aircraft - F-35C
3. Pilot's codename - Mantis

Fly along the mass driver's firing rail. Fly very, very low, and move from one end to another - thanks to that you will complete the challenge. The target will appear as "unknown".

Mission no 18

1. Operation Beehive
2. Target aircraft - YF-23
3. Pilot's codename - Lynx

Get above the castle in less than 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Destroy every single target on your way.

Mission no 19

1. Operation Daredevil
2. Target aircraft - Su-57
3. Pilot's codename - Calamity

Get at least 17,000 points in the first phase.

NOTE: the target is hard to find and shoot down - it can go stealth. It can spawn even outside the map. Keep checking the radar (zoom in) and fly near the edges of the map.

Mission no 19 - the second ace pilot

1. Operation Daredevil
2. Target aircraft - F-22A
3. Pilot's codename - Tempest

Get at least 20,000 points in the first phase.

NOTE: the target is hard to find and shoot down - it can go stealth. It can spawn even outside the map. Keep checking the radar (zoom in) and fly near the edges of the map.