navychief

Here's a scan that Fast Eagle will get a kick out of. The "Now Baby" patch was the F/A-18 Hornet answer to the F-14 Tomcat motto......hehehehehe

I was going through some memorabilia, and thought I would scan some of the patches that I had collected during my career. These are, but a few of them.

I was on the USS Saratoga, (CV-60), during Desert Shield, assigned to VFA-83 (Strike Fighter Squadron Eighty-Three). On December 22, 1990, I was on liberty in Haifa, Israel; and had just gotten to sleep in a hotel room. I was wakened by loud knocking at my door. It was the Shore Patrol. They were going to all the hotels, telling crewmembers to return to Fleet Landing, as an emergency muster had been called. Upon reaching Fleet Landing, it was apparent something bad had happened. The word quickly spread that one of the ferry boats (used to transport sailors from the ship to Fleet Landing) had capsized in the rough waters. The rumor was that all but 2 of the sailors who had gone overboard had been rescued. Unfortunately, when the muster was completed, it was determined that 22 sailors were unaccounted for. UDT divers from the Saratoga immediately began searching for bodies. Additionally, the ferry boat was raised. One of the missing and presumed drowned, was AN Randy Neel, NM who had worked for me in VFA-83's Operations Dept. Later the next day, I was asked if I would escort Randy's body back to the U.S. I said yes, and the same day I joined 21 other escorts and were flown by H-53 to a location in Haifa, to identify the bodies and make preparations for shipping them back home. Now, understand that all 22 of us were in dress blue uniform. We had to place the bodies in metal containers, and pack them with ice. By the way, ice is not a common commodity in Israel; leastwise, not large amounts. Afterwards, we flew back to the states in an Airforce C-141. It was, to say the least, a very long, somber flight. All of the metal coffins were strapped to the aircrft cargo deck, complete with American flags draped over them. When we arrived at Dover AFB, the base Commander ordered the PX opened for us to purchase new uniform items, as we needed to be presentable to meet the deceased's families. All of the escorts went different directions, flying with their shipmates' remains to all parts of the U.S. I arrived in Albuquerque on Christmas Day, and met with Randy's parents. Not something I would want to repeat. So much sorrow. I stayed with them until the funeral on New Year's Day, and I flew back to GA, and then on to duty at Saufley Field, FL, as a Test Writer for the AME rating. I have attached an artist's rendering of what the ferry boat sinking may have looked like. It was originally published in an issue of Fathom (a Navy safety magazine). I can only imagine the horror those sailors felt, as they were thrown in the frigid waters, late that night on 22 Dec. 1990. AMEC(AW) Peter Ward US Navy CPO, Retired.

Ok, I finally received my cd in the mail today, and loaded it on my hard drive. Afterwards, I tried to figure out how to add thid-party aircraft to the game, but cannot firgure it out. I know that adding aircraft to CFS2 and FS2000 was fairly simple, but both of those games had definite series of steps to accomplish the task. To make matters easier, I had used shareware programs to add aircraft. I cannot find information on how to add aircraft to X-Plane, and I don't want to mess things up! Can someone please reply with the instructions I need? The FAQs I have found are too confusing. Thanks. Chief W.

Hey Dagger, Thanks for the vote of confidence, I think....hehehehe.... Nope, I spent enough time in the Training Dept. Nowadays, all I want to do is spend time in the "Fun" dept! I hope that online multi-player missions will eventually be able to start out on the runway vs in the air. It would be neat to be able to take off in succession, form up, and head for a target, eh? Chief W. Fast Eagle took the pictures last night of the flight. GREAT JOB!

Fast Eagle and I tried something a little different on SF last night. I wanted to see if we could fly to a runway, land, and then meet up at the end of the runway. We did it! It was interesting, being able to converse back and forth, and then watch each other's aircraft as we pulled up side by side to take off again. Great fun.

Well, I am MOST happy to hear that the much-talked-about-PATCH will be available soon. However (comma) I just visited the NaturalPoint.com website, and I can see what my next electronic "toy" purchase will be! I must really be in the dark, as I have never heard of such a device. It really looks interesting! I can see that a LOT more of my cash is gonna get spent on flight sim equipment.! Chief W.

$20 for version 6.0? I won't tell ya what I just paid for it, but it sure wasn't that good of a deal! At any rate, if you can get Version 6.0, the updates are free until Version 6.99; which is definitely a good thing. I haven't received my copy yet; should any day now. The graphics on X-plane are incredible; plus the speed is much faster than FS2002, from what I hear. I only have FS2000, and there is no comparison. I look forward to a Combat version of X-Plane too. Now then, be advised that joystick configuration "ain't" as simple as som flight sims. It is much more detailed. I still haven't figured things out. Right now, I am only using the DEMO, but the process is the same. X-Plane does have decent tech support, although somewhat slow to respond. Chief W.

Well, after a lot of attempts and frustration, I finally have learned how to land the F-4! It really had me intimidated, but I kept on trying until I did it. Now I plan to work on weapons release. Even though the F-4 is obsolete by today's fighter technology, it is still in my opinion, the meanest-looking fighter that ever flew. F-4s Forever............ Chief W.

Well, at age 49, I finally decided to take flying lessons. Had my first one today in a 1968 Piper Cherokee 160. Great time! Already made two landings (with instructor help, of course); but hey, it is a start! It was playing with flight sims that did it. I spent 20 yrs in the Navy, fixing aircraft; and always wondered if I could fly them as well. Anyway, I am glad to have gotten the nerve to do it, and look forward to getting my license! Chief W.

I have had flight sims ever since '97, but have only recently gotten seriously interested in them, and Strike Fighters is my favorite, thus far. Yes, it has had, and continues to have "growing pains"; but its potential is awesome! I have read many posts from those who say what a waste of time SF is, because of all the bugs in it; and that the developers should have waited until everything was fixed until releasing the product. Whateverrrrrrrrr............... This game is fantastic now, and will only get better! It is the dedication of the fine folks who contribute to this website - with all of their ideas - that make it all worthwhile. To those who do nothing but complain, and shun the game, I say fine - go play whatever flight sim you want to. But I maintain that Strike Fighter will evolve into the best flight sim ever! Chief W.

I am hoping that someone out there has MAP files for CH PRO controllers. I have the Combatstick, Pedals, and Throttle now. The control manager software (new version 2.0 available at CH site) is more user friendly than the previous version; but I am still unsure how the actual mapping is accomplised for each button. In the meantime, it would be great to have a MAP file for SF for my controllers. Anyone out there who can help? Thanks. Chief W.

I downloaded the file. Lights on, but no one home. Try again? Chief W.

I just tried to change my profile for this, and I don't see where I can add my own avatar. There is a drop down list of avatar gifs, but nowhere to add custom avatars from my machine. Let me know if I see this incorrectly. Chief

Well, I haven't tried adding an avatar for the website; only the forum. I am sure the size is ok, but not sure how to fix. Chief.

Mine done the same thing with A-4, A1-H, and F-104. Works ok with F-4, and F-100. Have not flown Migs yet. Does your problem happen with other aircraft like mine does? I am using CH Pro Combatstick, Pedals, and after tomorrow, a throttle too. Chief W.

I have tried repeatedly to add an avatar to my profile, but so far all I get is errors. I am sure the avatar I want to add is the correct format and size. Perhaps it is an easy fix, I don't know. Chief W.

My joystick & pedals are all USB. Thanks, Chief W.

Ok everyone. Surely someone out there has an answer to the problems I have been experiencing. Whenever I try to use the rudder when flying the A1-H, A-4, and F-104....the ailerons ALSO move. Not good. This does NOT happen when flying the F-4, or F-100. Does anyone else have this difficulty? Does anyone have a fix for it? If it is my hardware, then why doesn't it happen with all the aircraft? By next Monday, I hope to have added a CH Pro Throttle. Not sure what that will mean, but hopefully not any additional problems. P.S. Viggies rule!!!! Thanks, Chief W.

Mine has always done the same thing. I just figured it was supposed to do that! I STILL have problems with rudder control on the Skyraider, F-104, and A-4. I use CH Pro Combatstick and Pedals. As soon as I initiate the rudders, either direction the ailerons also operate. Chief W.

Ok, now I can take off ok, but CH Pedals still control rudders, and ailerons simultaneously. No way to configure any differently. Have tried repeatedly. I will say this, the Skyraider is a beautiful aircraft! Sure hope to get this control problem resolved. CHief W.

Perhaps it is only my machine, but the problems I am having ONLY are with the Skyraider. I downloaded the new .exe file with no problem, and installed easily. I selected the Skyraider, went through the loadout, and eagerly awaited the opening screen on the runway. As soon as I increased the throttle for take off (I am using CH Pro Combatstick & Pedals), the aircraft did a nose dive into the runway, and started doing flips! The aircraft is totally uncontrollable. Whew! Not a way to take off, eh? I repeat, this only happens with the Skyraider, so I gotta believe the problem lies with the programming. Any help? Chief W.

Thought you would appreciate the url I found on the A-7... Chief W. http://www.airwarbirds.com/a-7_specs.htm Also, the nicknmame for the Corsair was SLUF....which stood for Short Little Ugly Fellow.....

Now I agree that the Corsair might not have been the best looking aircraft, but hey, that jet could deliver quite a load of bombs! To me, the best looking aircraft, save the Phantom, was the Viggie.

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.