331KillerBee 1948-2019

[GSantini]

 I'm GSantini. 331Killerbee was my Dad.

My Dad passed away in his sleep right after New Year 2019.

It took awhile to get over it. He wasn't just a Flight Simmer and
grummpy Ole' Marine. He was a Husband, Father and Grandfather of
9 Grandchildren. Came from humble beginnings Mule Plowing his
Father's Farm in East Tennesse to ending his Career at ORNL 
National Labitory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

In between, was a 20 Year Military Service in the Marine Corps.

As the Youngest of three Sons, I got to expirence all of those 20 Years.

The one thing about being the Son of a Career Marine like that 
back durning those days, is that You never got confortable at the
School You were attending. Because You weren't going to be there that
long. Once you did. It was "Pack Up". Time to move to the next "Out
of the nowhere" places these Marine Bases were at.

I never joined the Military. But couldn't help falling in love with
Military Aircraft. My Dad encouraged it. Growing up, I built
Plastic Scale Models in 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32 Scale. I won some
awards from IPMS Contest through the Years. Nothing major.

Awhile back, My Dad introduced Me to Strike Fighters. He's
who I learned the Game from. He taught Me just enough to get
Me into Trouble. And He used Me as his "Crash Test Dummy" and 
".ini Editor". These resent ScreenShots are of My Work taught
to Me from My Dad. So, My work is a reflection of My Teacher.

But let's not mistake it. I'm not My Dad....

My Dad knew way More about Military Aircraft than I ever will....

And it's the same for this Game.

Many of You long time Modders knew My Dad. He loved this Community.

On behaf of Me and My Family, I want to Thank this Community for
The Love ,Support and "Fun" that You've provided My Father.

Thank You from the bottom of Our Hearts.

This Community was a Joy to him. And Thank You all for allowing
Him being a Part.

Back last November, My oldest Brother, Had Dad's Flight Sim Computer.
He didn't have time for it with his work and Family. I had been Flying
Painting and Modding all along. I just hadn't Subscribed here or anything.

So, My Brother gave Me Dad's Machine and I moved it over to My House
and in December,  I Subscribed here. That's when I choose the Callsign
"GSantini" for "Great Santini" of Pat Conway's Book. But My expirence
with My Marine Father was at the other end of the spectrum than
Pat Conway's was.

And wouldn't You know it. Hours after I Post My first ScreenShot here,
Robert Duvall passes.   Man, Irony....

Since this was My Dad's Machine, Any and all work I may do for this
Community will be known a such,and such by "GSantini of 331Killerbee
Studios" in honor of My Dad. 

My dad left Notes and contact information on who I My call upon for 
help if I ever needed it. I'm sure at times, I will.

Thank You all for allowing Me to be a part.

GSantini

[whiteknight06604]

10 minutes ago, GSantini said:

Thank you for giving us all this update, As sad as it is it is good to know that the next generation is taking up the mantle. As coincidence would have it, I was just going through some old SF disks from 15-20 years ago and was looking at some of your father's work.