Week of Oct 28 - Nov 4: Changing of the Guard

[Shifty]

You...uh...you live in Texas, don't you....?

- oldman

Yes I do and I'm making you a cake.

[Oldman731]

Yes I do and I'm making you a cake.

That's very thoughtful.  Just hold the icing, please.

Really.  I mean, hold it.

- oldman (I know, I know, that's what she said)

[Seadog36]

From Shifty's collection with a couple of gameplay tweaks.

(Image removed from quote.)

CHANGING OF THE GUARD

October 1943
With the Japanese and American fleets spent and rebuilding after the Guadalcanal Campaign the air battles around New Guinea and the Solomons are left to the land based air units of both sides.  New aircraft are becoming more available replacing the war weary P-39s, P-40s, Hurricanes, F4Fs, and A6M2s. In early 1943 the USAAF's P-38 and USMC's F4U-1 are starting to give the Japanese a mere glimpse of the ordeal by air they will be facing the remainder of the war. The RAF has just introducted the carrier based Seafire with very positive results - able to effectively tangle with the Zero, in addition to the land based Spitfire V to retire the battered Hurri's. In an effort to stem the tide of the Allied advance through the Solomons and New Guinea the Imperial Japanese Navy has managed to replace many of their ageing A6M2 Model 21 Zekes with the A6M3 Model 22. Although the older Model 21 is still common and pressed into service. The Japanese high command sensing the disaster about to befall the Empire starts introducing Japanese Army Air Force Units to the theater in December 1942 with the arrival of the 11th Sentai and their KI-43 Hayabusas. They are soon followed in January by the 1st Sentai. The arrival of the 68th and 78th Sentais in the spring of 1943 brings real hope of countering the ever growing Allied aerial might with the new Ki-61. 1942 is over, gone are the names Sakai and Foss. There are new warrirors with names like Bong, Boyington, Sugita, and Takeuchi, ready to take their places in history.

MAP: Slot

Allied Forces (Bishop)
Boston
B-25C
C-47
TBM
P-40E
P-38G
Spitfire V
F4U-1
M3/8/16
M4
Jeeps

IJN/IJA Forces (Knights)
Ki-67 (bad sub for a betty but WTH)
B5N
D3A
Ki-43 Sub (A6M2)
A6M3 Sub (A6M5)
Ki-61
M3/8/16
M4
Jeeps

Navy (both sides)
Guns: mannable
LVTA2
LVTA4
PT Boats

Arena Settings
Vis: 5 miles.
Dar: Tower 10 miles, sector 20
AAA: .25
Morning: 6am
Evening: 7pm
Clock Speed: 6X

WX
Weather forecast Beta for SLOT region, issued 0600Z, october 28, 1943.  A low pressure system has moved into the region this morning bring high winds, fog, and overcast skies.  Visibility is poor at 5 miles. Skies are overcast at 45,000ft. Wind various with turbulance up to 20,000ft. Weather conditions should hold until a high-pressure system from the north moves into the region early next week. Next forcast November 2nd.

MisterFork~P-47s were active and making big strides by September '43 in this arena. On October 11, of '43 Col. Neel Kearby set an allied wartime record of seven kills in a sortie with a P-47 for which he became the only Army Fighter pilot to earn the Medal of Honor. It's a shame not to have them in there. You should run another week with the addition, it looks great!

Here is a link, lots of great reading: http://www.homeofheroes.com/wings/part2/11_kearby.html

[grumpy37]

your getting good in a tunry bird seadog,  just let the BnZ goooooooo

[Seadog36]

Thank you Grumpy!

I dream of someday being a good 47 pilot, and getting the most turn out of it too. It's so rewarding when get inside someone who thinks they are going to own you turn-fighting that beast. She can be a real headache in a diving scissors and she is good for at least one really really good vertical zoom per fight!

I will keep working on it in more appropriate machines too. I should have my new CH stick by the time I get back from sea next week. Hoping it will give me a little more control over, my worn out, high maintenance X52pro. I'll look for you in AvA    

[CAP1]

Thank you Grumpy!

I dream of someday being a good 47 pilot, and getting the most turn out of it too. It's so rewarding when get inside someone who thinks they are going to own you turn-fighting that beast. She can be a real headache in a diving scissors and she is good for at least one really really good vertical zoom per fight!

I will keep working on it in more appropriate machines too. I should have my new CH stick by the time I get back from sea next week. Hoping it will give me a little more control over, my worn out, high maintenance X52pro. I'll look for you in AvA    

IF You're putting out the money for a ch stick, spend the extra, and get their pro pedals, and pro throttle too. you won't regret it.

[Seadog36]

IF You're putting out the money for a ch stick, spend the extra, and get their pro pedals, and pro throttle too. you won't regret it.

I'm pretty happy with my Saitek peddles and throttle, never had a problem with them, where as this will be my 3rd Saitek stick in the 2 years I've been here. What's the major advantage CAP?

[CAP1]

I'm pretty happy with my Saitek peddles and throttle, never had a problem with them, where as this will be my 3rd Saitek stick in the 2 years I've been here. What's the major advantage CAP?

i've never used any other throttle or pedals.

 i like the feel of the pedals, and the built in toe brakes...but i'd assume that the siatek units are similar.

 the pro throttle has 3 4-way hats, 1 8-way hat, a mini joystick...which i never managed to use well yet.. i have the majority of my views set up there, as it's easier when i'm shooting.
 the only things not on my throttle, are my control surface trims, and weapons.

 when i used to fly air warrior, i had the old analog ch stuff. a friend is letting his kids use them on offline. they still work perfectly, and were bought in the early 90's.

 the ones i'm using now, i bought used from ebay about 3 years ago, and the only thing wrong, is the right toe brake kinda went wiggy.

 don't misunderstand me.......i'm not faulting the siatek stuff........

[Dichotomy]

Sea my CH stuff got used extensively for about a year and a half.  Mothballed for almost two. When I hooked them back up and calibrated them they worked flawlessly. 

I have looked into Saitek and, to me, CH 'feels' sturdier.  I've only heard a few gripes about random problems and a lot of praise about their customer service. 

In my case I have all but trim on my joystick, various radios (in game and vent) gear up and down on my throttle, and the normal uses for the pedals. 

I've quite honestly considered when funds are available buying new gear and setting these aside as a back up just in case. 

[Seadog36]

Thanks for the feedback Di and Cap. I just have views and guns set up on my joystick, throttle is just that for me and I use my keyboard for most other functions. Seems like I will be pretty happy with it and I will need the edge now that I've antagonized the 38 guys with some pee47 rivalry

~ I have a real airplane competing for my dollars now. Just selling my '62 Cessna 150 and buying a Globe Swift that needs a good annual inspection so for AHII if it ain't broke it ain't getting fixed.

[Dichotomy]

ya got to have your priorities Sea.  I'll keep an eye out and if I see a steal on CH stuff I'll let you know.  AH is pretty much my only hobby right now unless you count remodeling the inside of your house a hobby

So, how much for a ride in that by the way

[Puma44]

Classy rides, both, Seadog!  I started out in a 150 about a 100 years ago.  The Globe Swift is an all time classic you are sure to get firmly attached to in no time.  Congratulations! 

[Seadog36]

Thanks Puma, Di,

1212Y is actually sold. I'm ferrying her from NY to the new owner in Amarillo, TX next week  Long way even at 100mph and it's really going to cramp my CH time .

I want to put sticks in the Swift this winter, more appropriate for a ship that snappy and light in the ailerons.   

Check out this Swift video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qahuxB3xeA&feature=fvsr

[Puma44]

When are you going to be in Amarillo next week?   

[CAP1]

Thanks for the feedback Di and Cap. I just have views and guns set up on my joystick, throttle is just that for me and I use my keyboard for most other functions. Seems like I will be pretty happy with it and I will need the edge now that I've antagonized the 38 guys with some pee47 rivalry

~ I have a real airplane competing for my dollars now. Just selling my '62 Cessna 150 and buying a Globe Swift that needs a good annual inspection so for AHII if it ain't broke it ain't getting fixed.

(Image removed from quote.)

(Image removed from quote.)

if i had money to spare, i'd come look at that 150.........very nice looking.......