Skater

Being a submariner ain't all cheers and cheerio's either! :) -Skater

PCP... Dude you're old! Just kidding, but you know, when that photo was taken, I was only ten. :) You must like 100 or something! :D Good luck with Cindy, family is everything, and my prayers are with Jody for him to come home safe. I did not get to go to this dance, but I was in the one right before it (came home in January), and a few others before that too, and I know how things are for a Navy man in a hot zone. Glad to see that the best are still doing the do. -Skater

I was just about to concur Chief. That is indeed Oceana. Been at the end of the flight line countless times, watching the 'Cats and the Hornets get ready to play while I was stationed at Norfolk. Never got tired of it. Exciting as all hell. I'd know those surroundings anywhere. -Skater

LOMAC will NOT be moddable. Skin support will be possible, but no adding of new aircraft/vehicle models or variants by the end user. -Skater skater@biohazcentral.com

You call that a ship? This is a ship...

Not at all PCP... Been there and done that (and lost a tooth or two to the Marine who was a wee bit quicker) at least 50 times. We always, or almost always, had a beer together afterward. Brings back memories... BTW, Ranger... Army pukes suck. :D And PCP... Marines are just bums who need a ride on a fine Navy ship. :D -Skater skater@biohazcentral.com

Simple... Naval Aviator are worth too much. It was just the bean counters doing the math. Besides, why should the Navy let their expensive aviators dirty their pretty white uniforms. :D Let the Army do the hard work for a change. -Skater skater@biohazcentral.com

Well... I may be a little biased, but there is NO BETTER aviator than a NAVAL AVIATOR. Bottom line, and all the other forces know it. And Ranger... GO NAVY BEAT ARMY! :) -Skater skater@biohazcentral.com

Completely compatible. I have been running XP on both machines that I have the Cougars on since XP came out. Waaaay before the Cougars came out. They installed and work on XP flawlessly. I think they work on XP way better than they work in ME. I think you are looking at an old requirement list. XP is the standard now. -Skater skater@biohazcentral.com

True, but I thought I would just put it out there anyway. The Cougar is the best stick set period. At any price. It just does not make sense anymore to buy a set for $80, when they are so inferior, in every possible way, to the Cougar. If you can't afford them now, I say wait. These will probably be the best ThrustMaster sticks ever made, and sadly, these will probably be the last "hardcore" simmers stick set made. -Skater skater@biohazcentral.com

ThrustMaster HOTAS Cougar. Nothing is better. It totally rocks! Not much more than the CH stuff. I've seen them for as low as $199 for the pair, but supply is trailing behind demand right now, so the prices may be up there. I bought my 2 sets when they first came out (pre-order), and paid $279. I may be getting another worked set with the Uber Cougar mod and the Hall Sensor mod. I may be selling a set. Almost unused (maybe 5 hours total on them) for $200. I'll let everyone here know when I am ready to sell. -Skater skater@biohazcentral.com

Not yet. I have been promised a set to review from the second production run. Still waiting. Don't worry, I'll have a set to review soon I think. -Skater skater@biohazcentral.com

Reposted from SimHQ.com forums. Do not blame me for content or lack there of... -Skater skater@biohazcentral.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Strike Fighters: Project 1 Version: v01-16-03 Issue 0.1 Ok, I decided to make an Errata Document that will give a quick guide to most essential updates and mods as they become available. This is for all of us that want to get the game up and running with all the great work from the mod community out there and to try and get the most out of this simulator. This will be updated as new updates and what else becomes available. So, here goes: The US version needs Patch 1 installed. You can get it here: http://www.thirdwire.com/projects/p1/rt_patch.htm Below are the issues that have been resolved and also known issues. ----------------- Table of Contents ----------------- 1. Changes and Fixes 2. Multiplayer Notes 3. Troubleshooting 4. Contacting Customer Support 5. Manual Erratum 6. Known Issues -------------------- 1. Changes and Fixes -------------------- v01.16.03 --------- * Medal award screen sometimes crashing to the desktop with a long pilot name has been fixed. * The red target designator box being displayed at incorrect position and not showing where the actual target is on some strike missions has been fixed. * AI aircraft can now engage ground targets. * Debriefing Weapons Stats page now shows correct record for rockets fired from rocket pods. * Attitude indicator for F-100 and F-104 showing incorrect reading when the aircraft is in inverted attitude has been fixed. * The following changes were made to the external views: Tower view (F11) have been fixed. View positions for Shoulder view (F5) and Weapons view (F9) have been moved back to better show the view object. Fly-by view (F10) and Tower view have been changed to allow cycling through all other aircraft. And many of the external views have been changed to remain after the target is destroyed to show the explosion. * Problem assigning key command on certain Saitek controllers has been fixed. Please note that the Mode switch does not work with the game. The Mode switch button can still be used as a regular button, however. * Keyboard command remapping screen has been fixed to accept ALT, SHIFT, and CTRL modifiers correctly. The new screen also allows assignment of joystick POV hat switch to any command. * Native support for NaturalPoint trackIR GX has been added. Please visit their website at http://games.naturalpoint.com to download the interface program (at least v1.30 is required). You must have NaturalPoint software open before starting Strike Fighters to use this feature. * All new set of special effects, produced by Scott Gentile exclusively for Strike Fighters, has been added. * Padlock key now toggles correctly even after using a snap view key. * Snap View Up key (keypad 5) may be combined with other snap view keys to give intermediate look up view in any direction. * AI wingmen will now jettison air-to-ground ordnances when engaging in a dogfight. * RWR display (available only in F-4E cockpit) works correctly now. * Roll rate has been increased for all aircraft. * Debriefing Log no longer groups multiple cannon hits into a single line entry; each individual cannon hit is now recorded separately. * Debriefing Log now shows correct number of rounds fired from multiple cannons. * Campaign no longer assigns night missions to day-only fighters (F-100 and A-4). * Following three additional services have been added: German Navy (Marinefliger), Royal Australian Navy, and Argentine Navy. * C-130 landing gears will now extend correctly. * Tu-22 having incorrect afterburner thrust value has been fixed. * B-57 Canberra bombers now carry wingtip tanks correctly. * Loadout screen can now handle internal bomb bay with multiple bombs properly. * Overall stability of the game has been improved. * R and Shift-R no longer crash the game in Dogfight multiplayer mode. * The Multiplayer Co-op mission briefing now displays the correct mission type. * Players now start out closer in Multiplayer Co-op mission. * The Multiplayer Dogfight Hangar screen now shows the correct aircraft image. * Exiting a Dogfight multiplayer game now shows a more detailed debriefing. * The wait time for client launch in the GameSpy Arcade has been increased. * AAA and SAM units now show up properly. * Skip to next encounter (Alt-N) always returning "Enemies are near!" bug is fixed. * Aircraft upgrade text now shows up on the Campaign debriefing screen. * Mercenary campaign now saves the available funds correctly. * Mercenary campaign no longer receives automatic aircraft upgrades; you now must purchase your new aircraft on the loadout screen instead. * Loadout menu flickering on some video cards has been fixed. * Campaign start screen crashing to desktop on some sound cards has been fixed. * VMFA-531 campaign erroneously "upgrading" to F-100D has been fixed (already affected campaign must be restarted from the beginning). * Menu music volume no longer returns to default setting after exiting flight. * MiG-17F having incorrect engine thrust value has been fixed. * All rocket pods are now aligned better with A2G gunsight. * A-4B/C/E 3D external models with misplaced polygon on the fuselage have been fixed. * Aileron response to input has been improved for all aircraft. -------------------- 2. Multiplayer Notes -------------------- * The manual is out of date regarding how to connect through GameSpy. You now must connect externally through GameSpy Arcade. The Strike Fighters installer should have installed the GameSpy Arcade program. If not, the latest version can be downloaded from here: http://www.gamespy.com * Different versions of the game are incompatible in multiplayer play, so please be sure that everyone has upgraded the game to the same version. The patch to the latest version should be downloaded automatically whenever you connect through the GameSpy Arcade. * Strike Fighters allows you to customize data. For multiplayer sessions, various security checks are implemented to prevent players from playing using data sets that are different from other players. Whenever possible, the host machine automatically transfers the latest data if any discrepancies are found between players' data sets. However, due to the file size, not all data can be transferred by the game. When data files are found to be incompatible, that player is prevented from playing the game until he or she exits and installs the same data as the one used by the host. However, even without the latest data set, that player can still join any session and chat. For Dogfight Mode, incompatible data only affects the player with the different data set; the host can still launch the game normally. The data check is done in the Hangar screen, and the FLY button is simply disabled for the player who has data incompatible with that of the host. For Co-op Mode, the data check is performed in the Co-op Mission player assignment screen. If a player has incompatible data, he or she cannot select flight assignments. This prevents the host from launching the game, since all players must be assigned before the host can launch a cooperative mission. If you are unable to play due to incompatible data sets, chat with the host to see what data he or she has. Try to obtain the same data to make your game compatible. The following section summarizes what data files are checked and transferred by the game, and what must be downloaded and installed before you can play in a multiplayer session: (1) You must have all of the same aircraft that are installed on the host machine. If you are missing any aircraft installed on the host system, you cannot play. Note, however, that you can have additional aircraft installed on your system without experiencing any problems; your custom aircraft simply won't appear in the aircraft selection drop-down menu. (2) Data files can be different, as long as the host and all players have the same aircraft installed. For aircraft already installed on your machine, key aircraft data are checked (such as the flight model and damage model data). If any differences exist, the host automatically transfers data to your system. (3) Both you and the host must have the current terrain data installed. If the terrain currently in use is not installed, or the host or you have different terrain files, you are prevented from playing. Like aircraft, you may have additional, unused terrains installed without any problems. * The host controls all Gameplay options for a multiplayer session. However, you can set your own Graphics, Sound, and Control options. The only exception is the Terrain Mesh Detail option in the Graphics section. In multiplayer mode, this is always set to LOW. * In Co-op missions once the host accepts the players' flight assignments, the session is closed. No other player can join. Private Dogfight session via GameSpy is also closed once it is launched. In contrast, Public Dogfight mode always remains open, and players may join games in progress at any time. * You may experience problems connecting if you are behind a firewall and/or NAT proxy. * Direct TCP/IP connections are not supported by the in-game user interface, and it is recommended that you connect on the Internet through a matchmaking service such as GameSpy. You may, however, still connect directly through TCP/IP by typing the following from the command line: >FlightSim -join:[xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx] -n:[callsign] -c:[c] where [xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx] is the IP address of the game to join, [callsign] is your callsign, and [c] is an optional number 0-15 representing your color. Host can start the session normally, or it can also start using the following command line: >FlightSim -host -s:[sessionname] -g:[g] -n:[callsign] -c:[c] where [sessionname] is the name of the game session, and [g] is the game type (0 = dogfight, 1 = co-op) [callsign] is your callsign, and [c] is an optional number 0-15 representing your color. ------------------ 3. Troubleshooting ------------------ Troubleshooting Tips Before installing the game, please try the following: - Close all other applications. - Verify that your system meets the minimum system requirements. If you are experiencing difficulties in getting the game to run, please try the following solutions: - Obtain the latest drivers for your video and sound card. - Obtain the latest version of Direct X from: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/directx - Install the latest game patches from: http://www.strategyfirst.com/en/downloads - Please refer to the readme.txt included on your game CD. - Run scandisk and defragment your drive. ------------------------------ 4. Contacting Customer Support ------------------------------ Before contacting us, please have the following information available: - Computer brand, model, and processor speed - Amount of RAM (system memory) - Operating system and version - Make and model of your video and audio hardware - Version of Direct X installed on your system Contacting Customer Support For more assistance, call the Strategy First Customer Support staff: Phone: (514)844-2433 Monday - Friday 9am-6pm EST Fax: (514)844-4337 Attn: Support For fast and efficient solutions to your technical issues, please use our Web Support Form: http://www.strategyfirst.com/Support/ContactForm.asp For all other comments or suggestions, contact us by sending an email to: support@strategyfirst.com ----------------- 5. Manual Erratum ----------------- * Easy Ammo usage setting: Only gun rounds are available in infinite numbers. Missiles, bombs and rockets are still limited. * Autopilot does not disengage on mouse movement as stated in the manual; it disengages on flight controller input (may it be joystick or keyboard) instead. * The Waypoint cycle commands (W and Shift-W) only work with navigational waypoints, and does not work on any of the take-off or landing waypoints. When starting a mission on the ground, you must reach the first waypoint (or press Alt-N) before you can use these commands to cycle waypoints normally. * Gun Group Cycling keys described in the manual are not mapped to the [ and shift-] keys as described in the manual. These keys are remapped to the Ripple interval commands instead. * AIM-7 missile in Easy Weapons setting does not lose track of their target even if the radar lock is lost. * None of the aircraft modeled in the game carry countermeasures systems (such as Flares, chaff or ECM). * The RWR display act as a second radar screen when the Radar Display option is set to Easy. * Medal record is not available in the Pilot record screen. --------------- 6. Known Issues --------------- * The user may experience slow downs and reduced performance when playing on ATI video cards. * The RWR display present aboard the F-4E Phantom II may not display properly on certain ATI video cards. * When launching mission with Mission Start Position set to "Near target", player may sometimes get hit by an enemy plane right from the start. * FAC aircraft does not show up in campaign's Close Air Support missions. * The Shift-Insert key (attempt to acquire current visual target on radar) only works when radar display options are set to Easy. * The Mk. 20 Rockeye II bomb is acting as a regular bomb, and not as a cluster bomb. * The planes do not collide with anything except the ground. * Drag chutes is not implemented. * Automatic Action Camera (F12) is not implemented. * The Ctrl-W key (set selected waypoint as visual target) is not implemented. * Password protection for LAN multiplayer sessions is not implemented. * When playing in a multiplayer session, the missiles may not be visible to the host player. * RWR display does not work during multiplayer. * When playing Reconnaissance missions in multiplayer Co-op mode, mission status is marked as succeeded from the beginning. * When a player leaves a multiplayer Co-op game, he leaves a message of friendly fire and all of its external stores floating in the air. The European version has been updated with the patch already and does not need Patch 1 Miscellaneous Updates: 1) Steering Nose Gears and Working Canopies by Hawker: http://www.mudmovers.com/Sims/SFP/essentialfiles.htm 2) SAM Smoketrail Modification Version 2.0 by Cylix: http://www.mudmovers.com/Sims/SFP/essentialfiles.htm 3) Cluster Bomb Fix - v0.9: http://www.mudmovers.com/Sims/SFP/essentialfiles.htm 3rd Party and Add-On Aircraft: 1) Douglas A-1H Skyraider: http://jg4.homestead.com/sfp1raider.html 2) F-4N Phantom II: http://www.column5.us/aircraft.html 3) North American F-86F Sabre: http://geocities.com/dczurawski/p1f86f.htm 4) MiG-17PFU: http://home.earthlink.net/~pasko_patak/ 5) Fly All Migs(Stock Flyable SFp1 Migs): http://www.avsim.com 6) P-51 Mustang: http://www.biohazcentral.com/modules.php?o...Aircraft_Add-On 7) Su-15 Flagon-A and F: http://aerospace.boopidoo.com/ 8) Su-7BM and Cockpit: http://www.marcfighters.hpg.ig.com.br/ 9) Mig-21FM/PFM and Cockpit: http://www.marcfighters.hpg.ig.com.br/page2.htm 10) B-52G: http://www.biohazcentral.com/modules.php?o...download&sid=21 11) Northrop F-89 C Scorpion: http://www.biohazcentral.com/modules.php?o...=titleA&show=10 12) Republic F-105D Thunderchief: http://www.max-gs.com/adave/ Campaigns: 1) Desert Dagger Campaign: http://www.biohazcentral.com/modules.php?o...sdownload&sid=7 2) Yom Kippur Campaign: http://www.biohazcentral.com/modules.php?o...sdownload&sid=7 3) Red Wings Campaign(Flying Migs): http://home.att.net/~r.lee.sullivan/blackh...awk-island.html There are more campaigns in the works. One of them is the much anticipated Vietnam campaign. Read more a about it here: http://skunkworks.free.fr/forum/phpBB2/vie...ewforum.php?f=5 The upcoming Official Patch 2 will address hopefully most current known issues. Below are links for most of the above mentioned downloads as well as tons of skins and bits like missions and GUI enhancements to name but a few!!!!! http://www.bobsyouruncle.net/StrikeFighterHome.htm http://skunkworks.free.fr/ http://www.column5.us/ http://www.marcfighters.com/ http://www.major-lee.net/ http://www.avsim.com/ http://jg4.homestead.com/SFP1.html http://216.219.208.201/ http://www.usaf.vze.com/ http://dzeng.ecorp.net/ http://bunyap462.com/index.htm http://aerospace.boopidoo.com/ http://www.grampsvmf214.0catch.com/ http://www.strike-fighters.de/ http://www.max-gs.com/adave/ http://www.avsim.com/ http://home.earthlink.net/~pasko_patak/ http://www.biohazcentral.com/ Read this thread if you want to learn how to install new skins: http://www.simhq.com/simhq3/sims/boards/bb...;t=004777#00000 Here are links for anyone interested in this era of aviation and aircraft: Aircraft: F-4 Phantom: http://www.boeing.com/companyoffices/galle...mages/f4/f4.htm http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/f4/ http://www.ugamedia.com/f4.htm http://www.ringsurf.com/netring?ring=Phant...tom;action=list (Great!!! lots of links) http://www.b-domke.de/AviationImages/Phantom.html (Great for Modders!!!!) http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/f-4.htm http://fly.hiwaay.net/~gjohnson/af_story.html (F-4 War Stories) http://www.aerospaceweb.org/aircraft/fighter/ F-104 Starfighter: http://home.att.net/~jbaugher1/f104.html http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/usa/airdef/f-104.htm http://www.starfighters.nl/ http://home.hetnet.nl/~hluijkx/ifs/ http://www.starfighters.net/ http://www.aerospaceweb.org/aircraft/fighter/ A-4 Skyhawk: http://www.skyhawk.org/ http://www.boeing.com/history/mdc/skyhawk.htm http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/a-4.htm http://www.aerospaceweb.org/aircraft/attac.../a4/index.shtml F-100 Supersabre: http://f-100.org/hun.shtml http://www.hotel.wineasy.se/ipms/stuff_eng...detail_f100.htm http://home.att.net/~jbaugher1/f100.html http://www.bvmjets.com/HotShots/f-100.htm http://www.danshistory.com/skyhawk.html Recommended Reading: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/051...3531836-4672766 http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detai...=glance&s=books http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/068...3531836-4672766 http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/156...3531836-4672766 http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detai...v=glance&s=book s http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detai...=glance&s=books http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detai...=glance&s=books http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0...6452480-1066820 http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1...6452480-1066820 There is so much more but hey, these will keep you busy for a while That covers most of the basics I think. If there is anything that I am leaving out or that you wish to have included, please let me know. Regards Gian gianschoe@hotmail.com

I did not do the work. A guy named Gian posted it at SimHQ. I just reposted it here. I will repost as he updates the document. -Skater skater@biohazcentral.com

Sorry Sony, but I did not make the compilation, it's just a repost of a post at SimHQ made by GianS in the SFP1 forum. Wish granted, made it a sticky. :) -Skater skater@biohazcentral.com

Posted in the SimHQ forums by GianS, I'll edit it as more info comes in: Strike Fighters: Project 1 Version: v01-16-03 Version 0.1 Ok, I decided to make an Errata Document that will give a quick guide to most essential updates and mods as they become available. This is for all of us that want to get the game up and running with all the great work from the mod community out there and to try and get the most out of this simulator. This will be updated as new updates and what else becomes available. So, here goes: The US version needs Patch 1 installed. You can get it here: http://www.thirdwire.com/projects/p1/rt_patch.htm The European version has been updated with the patch already and does not need Patch 1 Miscellaneous Updates: 1) Steering Nose Gears and Working Canopies by Hawker: http://www.mudmovers.com/Sims/SFP/essentialfiles.htm 2) SAM Smoketrail Modification Version 2.0 by Cylix: http://www.mudmovers.com/Sims/SFP/essentialfiles.htm 3rd Party and Add-On Aircraft: 1) Douglas A-1H Skyraider: http://jg4.homestead.com/sfp1raider.html 2) F-4N Phantom II: http://www.column5.us/aircraft.html 3) North American F-86F Sabre: http://geocities.com/dczurawski/p1f86f.htm 4) MiG-17PFU: http://home.earthlink.net/~pasko_patak/ 5) Fly All Migs(Stock Flyable SFp1 Migs): http://www.avsim.com 6) P-51 Mustang: http://www.biohazcentral.com/modules.php?o...Aircraft_Add-On 7) Su-15 Flagon-A and F: http://aerospace.boopidoo.com/ 8) Su-7BM and Cockpit: http://www.marcfighters.hpg.ig.com.br/ 9) Mig-21FM/PFM and Cockpit: http://www.marcfighters.hpg.ig.com.br/page2.htm 10) B-52G: http://www.biohazcentral.com/modules.php?o...download&sid=21 11) Northrop F-89 C Scorpion: http://www.biohazcentral.com/modules.php?o...=titleA&show=10 12) Various Skins and Mods at the Check 6 web site (French Language Site): http://www.checksix-fr.com/ 13) Republic F-105D Thunderchief: http://www.max-gs.com/adave/ Campaigns: 1) Desert Dagger Campaign: http://www.biohazcentral.com/modules.php?o...sdownload&sid=7 2) Yom Kippur Campaign: http://www.biohazcentral.com/modules.php?o...sdownload&sid=7 3) Red Wings Campaign(Flying Migs): http://home.att.net/~r.lee.sullivan/blackh...awk-island.html There are more campaigns in the works. One of them is the much anticipated Vietnam campaign. Read more a about it here: http://skunkworks.free.fr/forum/phpBB2/vie...ewforum.php?f=5 The upcoming Official Patch 2 will address hopefully most current known issues. Below are links for most of the above mentioned downloads as well as tons of skins and bit like missions and GUI enhancements Read this thread if you want to learn how to install new skins: http://www.simhq.com/simhq3/sims/boards/bb...;t=004777#00000 http://www.bobsyouruncle.net/StrikeFighterHome.htm http://skunkworks.free.fr/ http://www.column5.us/ http://www.marcfighters.hpg.ig.com.br/ http://www.major-lee.net/ http://www.avsim.com/ http://jg4.homestead.com/SFP1.html http://216.219.208.201/ http://www.usaf.vze.com/ http://dzeng.ecorp.net/ http://bunyap462.com/index.htm http://aerospace.boopidoo.com/ http://www.grampsvmf214.0catch.com/ http://www.strike-fighters.de/ http://www.max-gs.com/adave/ http://www.avsim.com/ http://home.earthlink.net/~pasko_patak/ http://www.biohazcentral.com/ http://www.checksix-fr.com/ Read this thread if you want to learn how to install new skins: http://www.simhq.com/simhq3/sims/boards/bb...;t=004777#00000 That covers most of the basics I think. If there is anything that I am leaving out or that you wish to have included, please let me know. Regards Gian gianschoe@hotmail.com

Now there is a sentiment I can wholeheartedly agree with. I love the 'Cat, and the Intruder. I can't wait for both to be added to SF. The F-14 will be hard I think though... The variable geometry wings are gonna be hard to model in this sim I think. -Skater skater@biohazcentral.com

I think it's a great idea, and a natural progression for the site. I remember having the same discussion with the guys at SimHQ way back when. The result was increased readership and increased traffic to the site. It was a good move for SimHQ, and I think it will be a good move for Biohazcentral. Let's do it. More in the staff forum. -Skater

Here's a pic of the old RAID volume... -Skater skater@biohazcentral.com

I'll post some pictures of the old Silversides I. I have heavily modified it since then, and it is now Silversides II. New additions are a change from RAID 0 to RAID 5. Using the same 73GB Cheetah drives. The drives are 10K RPM Ultra160 SCSI with 16MB of cache on each. The volume size dropped from 273GB to 205GB when I switched to RAID 5. Other, more recent changes are a faster CDRW, and a switch from a DDS4 tape drive to a faster, larger capacity Ultrium2 tape drive. I also now have a GeForce 4 card in here. Also, I have cut a window in the side of the case door, and added an etched plexiglas window and soft blue cold cathode lighting. Maybe I will change the etched window to a Biohazard symbol now. This machine, Silversides III is still under construction. Here is a few pics of the old machine. Enoy. -Skater skater@biohazcentral.com

I'm a Reserve Sailor R. Looks like we're getting +4% this year. Not bad if you ask me, but I recently came off of an activation, and I think that if you have been activated in the last 12 months for 6 months or more, then you should be entitled to the full 13% pay increase. Just my opinion. I don't think that Congress is listening to me though. :) -Skater skater@biohazcentral.com

True Snapple... but I don't think there will be much call for the shootdown of bombers launching standoff weaponry against capital ships anymore. That's just not a reality anymore. Naval Air Projection has brought the carriers in closer to shore, and concentrate more on A2G and medium range A2A rather than the Fleet Defence role. The 'Cat's time is quickly fading. They've had their 15 minutes. -Skater

Understood R, and believe me, I KNOW. But my response was really for Snapple. I just don't want this topic to spiral out of control again. I don't need to see any "overheated" responses that cross the line over into personal attacks. -Skater

Lets not restart a dead issue guys... -Skater

Few Hornets, and surely not the Super Hornet, are going to fly with the AIM-7 strapped on nowadays. The slammer (AIM-120) is now the big stick of choice. The Nav is phasing out the Sparrow and when the Phoenix reaches EOL, they are not contracting for renewals. So the current batch of Phoenix missiles will expire between 2006 and 2008, and after that, the Phoenix will be stricken from the Naval Armory Inventory. Further, the F/A-18E can carry a lot more AMRAAM's than any 'Cat, and the 'Cat does not give it's pilot the same level of SA that the pilot of the Super Bee enjoys. The list of superior characteristics over the Tomcat is long. About the only substantial weakness that the Super Hornet has versus the Tomcat is in the Fleet Defence role, where the Phoenix missile is king. -Skater