MaverickMike

I recently decided that I wanted to join the RAF after looking for work for over a year with no luck. I went to my local careers office and, unbelievebly, the recruitment officer told me that they were turning people away. What she said was that unless I was a dentist or musician (which the RAF are in need of) I would have to wait at least till next april before vacancies become available. Apparently its the first time in RAF history that they have had to say no to recruits. She went on to tell me that in the last 3 months alone, there has been 5000 new recruits into the RAF. It looks like people are thinking along the same lines and joining up rather than waiting around on civvie street for jobs. I was in no way put off however and the careers officer was very helpful and gave me some really useful advice as well as an RAF fitness plan to work on. She also advised me in going into a different trade to what I originally wanted. I was looking to join the IT sector (as my degree is in computer networks) but she recommended working within aircraft avionics. Once I read the job topic im all for it. Hopefully by this time next year I will be in. Mike

For you cat lovers... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvo-g_JvURI

On a strike mission in Hanoi, my F-15 got peppered with HMG fire and i lost my left engine, left gear and airbrake. In this state I managed to shoot down a MiG-21 that was chasing me home and successfully land the aircraft at my home base. ..

If you wait a while NF will be released for SF2:E. The rather talented bunch of modders here are working on it. Mike

Didnt realise this fighter was so manouverable! Just wondering how much Gs do the pilots take when doing the cobra manouver? It looks like quite a few Mike

I recently started a campaign myself on NF4 flying with the hunter. I was pleasantly suprised as I always thought this aircraft was an under-powered death trap. However I have managed to survive 14 combat missions so far with all settings on hard and earned myself 10 AA kills. So at the moment the hunter is my fav aircraft. Mike

Good shot. Your Grandson must be a natural. I wish it were possible to go hunting here in the UK but with all the firearm laws and prohibitions its all but impossible. The most powerful rifle one can own is a .22 air rifle (which I have) and lets face it, it aint going to bring down much. Anyway rant over, well done to your grandson. Its nice to see someone teaching the younger generations the value of outdoor activities, hunting to provide for your family and the importance of handling a firearm correctly. Well done mate Mike

New NF4 Campaign with No 1 Squadron RAF in the Hunter. Managed to last for 12 missions so far with all settings on hard

This looks awesome. Can't wait to put this head to head with a raptor!!!! Hav'nt decided which one im going to be flying yet though (May well turn red to fly this beast!!!)

Very nice Spinners. Mike

Few screenies from a new campaign I started with No.43 Squadron RAF during Operation Granby. (Also added Syrinx's excellent 43sq special skin) Rather uneventful mission (Damn Yanks got there first !!!!) apart from being shot at by an Sa-2 whilst flying over Kuwait city.

Back to the original screenshot topic for this one.... A MiG pilot contemplates his fiery demise..... (check out the pilots head position in the 1st pic )

I was lucky enough to see the Vulcan at RIAT this year. I was completely mesmerised by the elegance of such an aircraft. It was such a great experience and I would truly recommend going to see it if you ever get the chance. I have a few pics if anyone would like to see them? Mike

Im after a little help. Im looking to invest in a new WW2 flight sim as I don't have one at the minute. I played the new IL2 demo last night (PS3) and although it was too 'arcadey' for me, the graphics were absoloutely awesome. As far as I know the IL2 games for the PC are not 'arcadey'. Is this a correct assumption? The only WW2 sims I know of are CFS3 and the IL2 series. Could someone give any advice to which one to get? Preferably id like an in-depth sim with the best graphics available. cheers Mike

Just wondering if some of you more experienced guys can help me a couple questions I have with regards to radar jamming. 1) I have noticed a few times in Sf2:V, while flying a sortie (F-4C) that my radar screen seems to show horizontal blocks from top to bottom. Sometimes they can be a single line, other times they are filling the screen (should have posted screenshot). I was just wondering if this is radar jamming that im seeing or a fault in the game? When I look at the map in relation to the radar the jamming is always coming from the north towards Hanoi. If it is radar jamming the only enemy aircraft I have come across so far are MiG-17s, and I wasnt aware that these aircraft had jammers. 2) In relation to question 2, if the MiG-17s do not have jammers, is it possible that I am seeing jamming from friendly aircraft? Cheers Mike

I have been asking myself this question a lot recently. The honest answer is I dont know.... I really enjoy flying in the thirdwire sims, some games on my ps3, hanging out with friends and reading. (halfway through Dan Browns latest book. That guy is a genius). However my current life situation means im not really enjoying doing these things as much. I currently have no job, no money and no sign of getting a job. I have been looking for work ever since I finished university a year ago and don't seem to be getting anywhere. So while I like to do the things mentioned above, and they make me happy for a short length of time, as soon as I turn off the sim or put down that book its back to reality and my s**tty situation. By the way I do have a great family and group of friends who are always there if I need them which is helping me get through and take each day as it comes. Mike

Excellent. Thank you for your help. Like I said it was'nt a big problem but just one of those niggling things that I wanted to find out. Mike

Just tried again and it happened this time. Here are the screenies of the radar screen...

Flying the F-4C Phantom 2 in Sf2:V. I also have the all in one mod v2 installed. I just flew a sortie to attempt to get a screenie but guess what? It didnt happen this time. Maybe im just losing the plot ? I be flying again tomorow now so ill attampt to get a screenshot then. Thanks again Mike

Thanks for the replies. Fubar when you mean aircraft returns do you mean the actual contacts which you can lock onto? These show up as small horizontal bars on my radar scope and going by the return strength of the signal show up brighter or dimmer. What im seeing however are vertical lines (sometimes blocks) that cover the top end of my radar scope. They usually begin at around 75NM away from Hanoi. The closer I get to Hanoi however the weaker they become until they eventually dissapear. Its not really a problem as I can still lock onto enemy aircraft from 50NM away as usual, I was simply wondering if the second gen sims may have started modelling radar jamming. Anyway you've answered my question so thanks again Mike

Hmm.... Im sure there was an f-15 round here somewhere....???!!!

I have recently been attempting to fly the NATO fighters 4 86 campaign. (Awesome job c5 and other contributors) But everytime I play it, my campaign is ended prematurely always by the same culprit. Su-27. Basically does anyone have any tips on how to fight one of these awesome aircraft? I have noticed that if I fly below 150ft their radars cannot lock on, and they also have poor IR AA missiles but are there any other weaknesses that anyone knows of? I plan on starting this campaign again flying with the RAF in the Phantom FGR.2 Cheers Mike

Excellent. Something to look forward to... Keep up the good work. Mike

Usual '2 weeks' release then? Looking forward to puttin it against some raptors and f-35s. Should be a great fight! Mike

Can't wait for the 33UB Blackbird. However ill be turning 'red' when that is released so that I don't come up against it Mike