navychief

The configuration problems I am having are not consistent. By that, I mean the problems are not with all of the aircraft; only some of them. The F-4 & F-100 respond properly. However, when I try to fly the A1-H, F-104, and A-4, I cannot move the rudder without the ailerons moving also. I don't know if defrag or uninstall/reinstall would do it. Seems like maybe a programming glitch in the game, maybe? Any help? Thanks, Chief W.

Hey all. Well, I see that several folks read my post, but didn't leave a reply to answer my question. Does anyone out there know if the magnificent RA-5C Vigilante might be added to SF soon? And if so, when?

Ok, now I am beyond frustration. I had already downloaded Daggers' file from the first page of posts. I extracted all those files to a file I created in the Aircraft Directory called, "A1-h". Did I screw up? Whatever the case, the Skyraider does NOT show up on the aircraft selection menu.

Ok, until now I have had no big problems installing a skin. But this time, it is giving me fits. I created an A1-h folder, and extracted the files for the aircraft to it. But the aircraft still does not show up in the menu as a selection. What am I doing wrong? Someone please advise. Thanks. Chief

The RA-5C Overview The "Vigilante" flew for the first time in June 1962. It embodied the same modifications that had been incorporated into the A-5B with a few minor changes, the main one being the addition of a under fuselage mounted "canoe" that carried most of the reconnaissance sensors. The RA-5C retained its capability for carrying underwing ordnance, although it was rarely, if ever, used. The first RA-5C was delivered on in June 1963 and the aircraft entered service during 1964 . The aircraft answered a U. S. Navy need for a capable, manned, long-range reconnaissance system to augment short range tactical systems, such as the RF-8G Crusader. The RA-5C "Vigilante" incorporated a sophisticated electronic reconnaissance pod in its bomb-bay that included a side-looking airborne radar in a fairing under the fuselage, vertical, oblique and split-image cameras as well as active and passive ECM equipment. Production deliveries began in mid-1964 and shortly thereafter the RA-5C began flying reconnaissance missions over Vietnam from carriers in the Gulf of Tonkin. An inertial navigation system (INS) combined with an automatic flight control system enabled the RA-5C to fly precise courses on mission altitudes ranging from high to tree-top levels. Each photo taken carried a marginal notation that displayed latitude and longitude of the plane at the time it was taken, thus pinpointing target locations. The information obtained was then incorporated into a shipboard data bank and used for mission planning. Several RA-5Cs were also outfitted with a probe-and-drogue refueling package to serve as "buddy tankers" for compatible aircraft. RA-5C Reconnaissance Capabilities Reconnaissance sensors included: • A SLAR (Side Looking Airborne Radar) unit • Photographic equipment, which included vertical, oblique, and split-image cameras, and 3 inch and 18 inch horizon-to-horizon panoramic scanning cameras. (The SLAR and the cameras were carried in a long external under-fuselage faring, called the canoe.) • A television camera capable of functioning in very low light was mounted under the nose just behind the radome. • A sensor for gathering electromagnetic intelligence (Passive Electronic Counter-measures (PECM), which replaced one of the 3 fuel tanks, was in the linear weapons bay. • Two high-intensity super sonic strobe-type flasher pods were mounted on the underwing pylons to illuminate the ground under the aircraft. • The DDS (Digital Data System) encoded data on each exposure indicating all the statistical data (altitude, latitude, date, etc, etc.) which identified exactly where the photo was taken. This was invaluable to subsequent air strikes against camouflaged targets that were recognized when aerial infrared film was used. The RA-5C formed the airborne reconnaissance unit of the Integrated Operational Intelligence System (IOIS). The Integrated Operational Intelligence Center (IOIC), the shipboard part of the system, process the electronic and photographic information collected by the RA-5C. Housed within the IOIC was an electronic intelligence data handling center, a one-hour photo processing center whose equipment (Kodak EH-38 high speed processors) was highly classified at the time (now this same type of equipment is readily available at most shopping malls for one hour processing). After processing the film it was read out by specialists at interpretation of the images electronic data analysis. Prototypes of the reconnaissance system worked so well that all surviving A-5A and A-5B aircraft were returned to North American Aviation's Columbus, Ohio facilities to be modified to RA-5C standards. The demonstrated ability of the RA-5C to meet a long standing need for long range fleet reconnaissance now provided the justification to keep the Vigilante in production. (NOTE: The prototypes worked much better than they did in actual operation). Production During the 1960's, a total of forty-three standard RA-5C's were built, these following closely on the heels of the eighteen original A-5B aircraft. When the last of these rolled off of the Columbus, Ohio assembly line, it appeared that the Vigilante production had come to an end. Accordingly, tooling and related hardware was placed in long-term storage. The Columbus facility then shifted its priorities to other projects including the remanufacture of the forty-three remaining A-5A and A-5B aircraft to RA-5C standards. Attrition caused by the continuing hostilities over Vietnam resulted in renewed Navy interest for acquiring additional RA-5C's, so in 1968 the Navy ordered forty-six new production RA-5C's, restarting the production line. Visually they differed from the previous models only by a leading edge extension which extended from near the wing root to the forward air intake lip. The purpose of this extension was to generate improved airflow over the stabilator at low speeds, enhancing pitch control during the landing approach. These aircraft were all powered by J79-GE-10 engines. Only thirty-six of these new aircraft actually built, the last completed in August 1970. Flying the RA-5C The cockpit was large, and visibility, which was enhanced by the one piece curved front windscreen, was excellent. The rain removal system, which consisted of hot air being blown over the front windscreen, provided clear visibility in even the heaviest rainstorms. The auto-throttle was outstanding - in addition to airspeed inputs it included the input from accelerometers located in the tail which caused the throttle to be sensitive to movement of the stabilator. This allowed the pilot to change the throttle setting during landing approach by stick input alone. The aircraft was fast! It could exceed Mach 1 at 6,000 feet using minimum afterburner, and easily exceed Mach 2 at high altitude. The RA-5C in the Vietnam war The RA-5C was first deployed to south-east Asia in August of 1964, initially flying missions only over South Vietnam because the Navy was reluctant to jeopardize the aircraft's sophisticated and very expensive equipment, should the aircraft be lost over North Vietnam. Eventually, the Vigilantes did go North, suffering the highest loss rate of any Naval aircraft in the war. In all, eighteen Vigilantes were lost in combat. • 11 were lost to antiaircraft fire. • 2 were shot down by SA-2 Guideline surface-to-air missiles (SAM's). • 1 was lost to an Atoll missile fired from a MiG-21 fighter. • 4 were lost for unknown reasons, over N. Vietnam. • 1 other aircraft was lost for unknown reasons, not over N. Vietnam. Of the 11 lost to antiaircraft artillery, the majority were during post-strike reconnaissance missions; North Vietnamese gunners knew that shortly after a strike a Vigilante would be overhead, without supporting flak suppression. Thirty-one deployments were made to Vietnam by Vigilante squadrons. During the early period of Vietnam operations, Vigilante squadrons deployed with six aircraft. As the war progressed, this figure began declining, first to five, then to four and finally, by 1974/75, to three aircraft per squadron. Gradual disestablishment of the "Vigilante" force occurred during 1979-1980 with the deactivation of the last RA-5C squadron, and phasing out of the last of the 156 RA-5/A-3Js produced. RVAH-11

The Viggie was originally designed to deliver nukes, but due to some type of inflight deployment problems (I believe) the mission of the aircraft was changed to recon. Now then, knowing all that, why not design the aircraft for SF to actually carry bomb loads instead of a camera? Or, better yet, BOTH! Now that would be cool! I don't even know if such a thing would be possible, but sure is interesting to ponder, eh? Chief W.

I appreciate all the help, but still no workee. I transferred files to A-1H in aircraft folder, but no joy. No listing of aircraft type in menu of game. Sigh...............

I just thought I would post an F-4 picture from my first enlistment at NATC Patuxent River, MD. I was there from 73-76. The F-4 pictured was BUNO 153839. It had been transferred from the Blue Angels, and the command I was assigned to (North Site Maintenance) kept the aircraft in Blue Angel markings until it was due for NARF rework. The aircraft is now on display at the Veterans Park in Cape Giradeau, Missouri, and has been repainted in the squadron colors it had when it flew over Vietnam. AMEC(AW) P.C. Ward

Hey all Last word I got was that Dave and MontyCZ were working on this. Any news on when this beautiful aircraft might be added to SF? AMEC(AW) Retired P.C. Ward

Hey all, I am trying to use a CH Pro combatstick and CH Pro pedals with SF. Problem is, I need to know how to map the joystick, so the appropriate buttons will work. I am new to flight sims, and before I started using the CH Pro, I used a Sidewinder Pro, which the buttons were already assigned in SF. Any help on this? I do have the CH Pro Control Manager program, but the directions for it had me more confused than before I tried using it! I could go back to using the Sidewinder, but I like the reponsiveness of the CH Pro. If anyone can give me some help, I would appreciate it. Also, does anyone know when a RA-5C skin might be added? I read that a couple members are working on it. Thanks a lot. PCW AMEC(AW) Retired

I was stationed at Pax River from '73 to '76. We had an F-4 transfered to us at the Test Pilot School, BUNO 153839, that had been with the Blue Angels. They maintained the color scheme, and it was one beautiful aircraft to see. Anyway, I was fortunate to have gotten a ride in it to Nas Jax, and back to Pax River. Throughout the years I spent at Pax, I was lucky enough to have ridden in many of their jets: TA-4, T-38, T-2, and lastly a 3.5 hr hop in an F-14. But the Phantom was my all time favorite, and still is. I still remember the kick of the afterburners in my back. Some of the pilots would try to get enlisted guys like myself sick, but never worked on me. I just asked for more!!! Anyway, I am new to flight sims, and I look forward to "flying" F-4s again. I will never forget the thrill of actually riding in them, though. They were, and still are, in my opinion, the baddest of the bad when it comes to fighters....PCW AMEC(AW) Retired Pax River 73-76 VA-15 NAS Cecil Field 81-84 VFA-106 NAS Cecil Field 84-87 VA, VFA-83 NAS Cecil Field 87-90 NETPMSA Test Writer, P'cola 90-93 VQ-1 (Guam & NAS Whibey Island) 93-96

It would be nice if someone could come up with a skin for the "Viggies". I wasn't a pilot in the Nam era, but I did work on most of the aircraft used by the Navy then. I was at Pax River, MD with the Test Pilot School. We had a couple RA-5Cs, and they were beautiful aircraft to watch. Not so great to work on though! But if anyone could make one for Strike Fighter, it would be so cool. I am a newbie flyer, and this game is awesome! AMEC(AW) Retired Peter C. Ward

I can hear the teletype, but nothing shows on screen. Also, I am experiencing the same crash of program when Campaign is selected, when the teletype starts.... I can't see anything, but when the teletype sound ends, the game crashes. I was able to go to a campaign if I interrupted the teletype sound.