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]

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.

 

[Sundowner]

Your dad is sorely missed, we worked on many things together.

RIP my friend.

[jeanba]

All my sympathy i love talking to your dad on combatace

Hé will be missed

[Wrench]

Wow. I, like most of us, never knew of his passing. He was one of the Greats of this community. 

Thank you for the information. I know you'll keep his memory and works alive!

[Nyghtfall]

Hey GSantini,

thank you very much for this update. I always thought about your dad and what might have happened to him.

I still have the old conversations with him here, were he gave me valueable advice about my A-4M-mod. And it encouraged me as a little noone, that one of the "big names" around here, liked and supported my work. But after some time, he wasn't around anymore. 

I will remember him well!

RIP 331Killerbee

[Erik]

One of the good ones, cut from iron and diamond but chiseled and eased by the love of his grandchildren. @331Killerbee is missed.

Good to have you around, make yourself at home. 

[yakarov79]

I am sorry for your loss. My father passed away 2 years ago at the same age as yours... Still, thinking about how too soon it came, how many more years he could be with us...

Killerbee was a great guy here, working with him on a few projects, and I still have old conversations with him here.  He will be remembered. 

May his soul rest in peace.

[ravenclaw_007]

i´m sorry to hear that he is gone , he was a great help to me and some of my projects 

Rest In Peace 331Killerbee

[Flanker562]

Unfortunately I didn't work with him, but his mods did start me in the right path I suppose, he did some good work and kept the community going when he was around.

[GSantini]

2 hours ago, yakarov79 said:

I am sorry for your loss. My father passed away 2 years ago at the same age as yours... Still, thinking about how too soon it came, how many more years he could be with us...

Killerbee was a great guy here, working with him on a few projects, and I still have old conversations with him here.  He will be remembered. 

May his soul rest in peace.

I can say this with all honesty, You gave the thrill of his life to be involved in the AV-8B Project with You. I'm sure He hated not being there to finish it out with You. But the quality of the End result Dad would have approved of 100%. It was his final Project.

Thank You for including him. It was a Subject he knew all too well. And I hope information was helpful to You in bringing that Aircraft in Game. He knew every inch of that Bird.

[GSantini]

2 hours ago, ravenclaw_007 said:

i´m sorry to hear that he is gone , he was a great help to me and some of my projects 

Rest In Peace 331Killerbee

Mr. Ravenclaw_007,

                           I have the last thing Dad worked on. He was gathering Information for You that "I Believe" was intended for Your Weapons Thread. It's titled "Jamming Pods of Vietnam 1965-1972 USMC" The folder all the Information is in, is titled "Ravenclaw_007". So, I feel He intended to post it to You. Can I still Post it to Your Thread? I feel You and the Community could benefit from the information.

Edited yesterday at 07:53 PM by GSantini

[GSantini]

12 hours ago, Sundowner said:

Your dad is sorely missed, we worked on many things together.

RIP my friend.

My Dad cherished his friendship with You. He credited You with teaching him how to Paint from the Old Days. I want to personally Thank You for being his Friend. You two thought alot alike in terms of this Game. It shows.

[ravenclaw_007]

52 minutes ago, GSantini said:

Mr. Ravenclaw_007,

                           I have the last thing Dad worked on. He was gathering Information for You that "I Believe" was intended for Your Weapons Thread. It's titled "Jamming Pods of Vietnam 1965-1972 USMC" The folder all the Information is in, is titled "Ravenclaw_007". So, I feel He intended to post it to You. Can I still Post it to Your Thread? I feel You and the Community could benefit from the information.

yes please , the info material from him was always very helpfull  

[GKABS]

Please accept my heartfelt condolences. Although I did not have the privilege of working with your father, as I was not a member at the time, I wish to express my admiration for him. May he rest in peace. Based on the sentiments expressed in various posts, it is evident that he was a valuable contributor to this community and a loved one.

 

[GSantini]

2 hours ago, GKABS said:

Please accept my heartfelt condolences. Although I did not have the privilege of working with your father, as I was not a member at the time, I wish to express my admiration for him. May he rest in peace. Based on the sentiments expressed in various posts, it is evident that he was a valuable contributor to this community and a loved one.

 

Oh but you had..... You're Gulf Knight right? He had been  advocating for You backway back  when You were first starting out. He told Me You were "One to watch out for" he stated You were going to do some great thing in SF....

How right he was.... Amazing work You do. My Dad would've enjoyed Your Art...For sure.

[ludo.m54]

I'm so sorry for the loss of your father, please accept my sincere condolences. 

[Menrva]

Never had the chance to interact with 331KillerBee, his works available in the downloads section have been important for the community over the years. My deepest condolences for your loss.