Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: Swoop on November 05, 2003, 06:37:03 AM
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The pilots of the Aces High virtual Squadron VMF-323 "Death Rattlers" do hereby formally announce the disbanding of VMF-323 as a Main Arena Squadron.
Last week our CO and founding member, Ripsnort, announced his retirement from VMF-323. This came as a shock to many of us and since then a great many emails have been blasting back and forth between us. We have come to the conclusion that without Ripsnort there is no VMF-323. Ripsnort is the glue that kept the squadron together, his leadership and charisma were what kept us coming back again and again. Most, if not all, VMF-323 pilots were hand picked by Rip and trained extensively by the CO himself for the infamous Light Bomber Escort mission that rolled the front line back so many times for Bish and Rooks alike.
Some quotes from our members:
"I remember when I joined Rip stuck me in a wing with responsibility for being first in and taking out the vehicle hangers, a task I dreaded at first as it was usually certain death. It became easy to get in, avoid the GV defence kill the VH, CAP and rtb, and I was offended if anybody beat me to it or even helped. Now you can give me something Blue and I can take out GV's moving or not with 1 egg." - Cavalear
"Had I been not joined, I’d probably still have the “executor” handle and a dweeb flying with a stick from ’94 (or mouse!). Every member that has graced the roster of the VMF323 since it’s birth has been a shining example of class AH has to offer (well, except maybe BigJim’s constant swearing into Roger Wilco. hehe, kidding). Many of us were hand picked as newbies by our CO Ripsnort (myself included), trained by XO’s Apache and Swoop, and flew with pride. One more thing: This squad was created by Ripsnort and the squad *is* Ripsnort. Without ya, it’s just not a squad. I knew a long time ago, if Rip left, the squad left." - Octavius
Also, something Rip once said:
"MAG-33 is the most successful squadron in all the TOD's combined. We have more kills, more damage done to the enemy than any other squadron participating in the TOD. This is the result of team coordination, excellent pilot skill, flexible leadership, and hard training that VMF-323 encourages all MAG-33 squadrons to attend."
I'm sure more will be added below.
We are currently discussing the continued existence of VMF-323 as a special events only squadron. In the Main Arena VMF-323 will cease to exist and the squadron's pilots will mostly be looking for new homes. So, if there's any squads out there that have space for 20 or so refugees from the Marines.......
And finally, from my own point of view:
I started flying Aces High in tour 1 and had absolutely no friggin clue what I was doing. I learned, I practiced and finally I could take up something other than a B26 and expect to land it again. Joining VMF-323 was an eye opener. Suddenly I was flying amongst all these lads who could take off in unison and all hit their assigned targets at any given field in a window of under a minute. First time I witnessed a 'Ripsnort LBE' mission I was astounded.
Flying with the pilots of VMF-323 has been the single most enjoyable online experience for me ever and I feel damn proud to have once been called a "Death Rattler".
Swoop
XO
VMF-323 Death Rattlers
MAG-33
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-8/48257/ripsnort.jpg)
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Ahhhh... that sucks!
guys, had many a fun fight with you. One that i clearly remember was when i chased snafu's 109, and got bounced by 4 or 5 of your squad, the subsequent 3 or so minute gangbang i received left me walking funny for weeks.
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guys
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Seems he didnt train you good enough then. Did he fail to hand pick any leaders?
Now that you are all squadless newbies again, here is a generous offer:
You are invited to join the FDB, but you will be treated as 2nd class members with no access to our private BBS and your tasks will be to deack fields so that we, the cavalry, can go in and do the vulching.
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Seen alot of sqds over the years go away.
Congrats Rip on all your work...it's not easy to keep things going.
to all you girlscouts of the 323:)
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To all former members of VMF-323. If you need a new home drop by VF-17's Ready Room (http://www.vf-17.org) and drop a note to us.
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God hates quitters.
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Lance,
Never mind. Would be disrespectful for a man and unit I hold too dear.
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So where is Ripfart going is he joining another squad?
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Originally posted by WarChild
Lance,
Never mind. Would be disrespectful for a man and unit I hold too dear.
Am I reading this right? All this talk of holding a unit, you would swear this was a Navy squad.
Anyways, good luck to everyone in finding a new home.
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Finally, Rip and Dowding have something in common! ;)
(http://www.matthoffman.us/dl/quitters.jpg)
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bye bye quiters
(http://death.innomi.com/uploads/gl700.jpg)
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Allow me to :rolleyes: at the FDB farewell crew.
VMF323 was a fantastic experience. Ripsnort simply cannot be replaced and as a result I have moved to the 13th.
Really great flying with all of the guys.
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Meanwhile at FDB HQ, the members happily eat their wings, beer, and bask in the glory of destroying threads. :p
Math, weren't you in Troxel's squad? Dont forget your MAG-33 roots. =]
Like I said before, it's been a fun ride.
And by the way, no one is quitting. Almost 90% of the roster is inactive; either lost interest or can't find time to fly. Disbanding is a reasonable decision seeing as many of us prefer not to lone wolf in the MA.
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Sorry to here of the disbanding of the Death Rattlers.
I hate to hear of any strong squad having to go. Rip and the Death Rattlers will be missed for certain.
Enemy Targets are always missed ;)
Good luck with were ever the fair winds take you all.
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Originally posted by Curval
Allow me to :rolleyes: at the FDB farewell crew.
How could you not appreciate the gay triangle of quitters? Communist. I'd be willing to bet Rip enjoys it almost as much as lying naked underneath his BMW in his carpeted garage! :D
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Bah, Rip knows I love him! Not nearly as much as he secretly loves Creamo, but close.
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Originally posted by SOB
How could you not appreciate the gay triangle of quitters? Communist. I'd be willing to bet Rip enjoys it almost as much as lying naked underneath his BMW in his carpeted garage! :D
It was just a rolley eyes smiley SOB...don't take it too seriously.
I'm curious though, why do you have a picture of Kieran with Richard Simmons in that shot? I fail to see the relevance...Kieran was never in VMF323.;)
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I really am at a loss for what to say…
to everyone in the squad now and to those that I flew with before. Great bunch of guys and class acts to follow.
There are some good sticks in that squad, I’m sure someone’s going to get some pretty good padding to their squad when they get picked up.
Good luck all and Rip, hope we see you back soon.
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Did rip quit AH or did he just quit the squad?
MiniD
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Funny
We havent seen Hblair in a while either..Maybe Rip and Hblair have moved in together to explore thier options and just want some alone time.
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nobody quit anything. everyone (that actually flies) is still floating around.
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Sorry to hear about your CO. The USMC TFW (tactical fighter wing) has openinings for 21 new members. Our mission is bomber,attack & goon escorts. Not to mention Base capping and vulching. My squad would love to have your members. You may contact me USmeddog at jshoretap@comcat.net or Airbat at airbat @cox.com.
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Sorry to hear that VMF-323 CO and been disband.
=S=
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Sorry to hear VMF-323 is disbanding. One of the few quality squadrons in the game that were always enjoyable to fly with and against.
If any of you orphans are looking for a home, the 479th will gladly welcome you.
(http://www.hispanicvista.com/assets/479th_shield.jpg)
Ack-Ack
479th FG - Riddle's Raiders
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Originally posted by Octavius
Math, weren't you in Troxel's squad? Dont forget your MAG-33 roots. =]
Hey, I never knocked Marine squads, I just asked if it was truly a Marine squad since some were talking about holding units. I thought that was the realm of the squids. Hell, look at Furious, he is always holding units and he is an ex-swabjockey.
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Death Rattlers ??? Bah!
I name thee bellybutton Handers.
Never forget the squad duel we had with the VMF-323 bellybutton Handers. We upped full of confidence when quick as you please.... Our tulips were handed to us. AssHanders
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Farewell and
! VMF-323.
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Originally posted by midnight Target
Death Rattlers ??? Bah!
I name thee bellybutton Handers.
Never forget the squad duel we had with the VMF-323 bellybutton Handers. We upped full of confidence when quick as you please.... Our tulips were handed to us. AssHanders
LOL, I remember that Target, it wasn't a pretty sight to see all us Nightmares floating down in chutes :). I did have to read it twice though, becasue I thought you said bellybutton Handlers ;). VMF-323, best of luck in your search for a new MA home. I hope yall stick together as a Special Events Squad :). Rip, you are the best ... !!!
Cya Up!
Dawg
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WHY?
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Originally posted by mrblack
WHY?
Because life without Rip is an endless, joyless, carpetless void.
Good luck guys!
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323! Been great flyin with all of you...
I think that the squadron will let a lot of yas in:D (actually i know they would :p )
Have Fun guys and cyas up!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Yeah but why is RIP leaving?
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Rip has his reasons. Rip built this squad and it just isn't the same without his big bald head out front.
Thanks for all the salutes and squad offers. VMF-323 has been a great squad for all of us.
JackFrost
VMF-323 Death Rattlers
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guys, hate to see such a classy group going down the tube.
Hopefully you guys will hang around in squad ops for a bit yet.
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!!
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S! Death Rattlers!
sorry to see a good squad break up. but i am glad to have Swoop and Cavalear joining us Hornets :) welcome to bishland.
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Any of you boys can come fly with the NAZGULS on the ROOKS anything you want!:aok
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As one of the original members of VMF 323, and Aces High, I have finally decided to sign off and leave Aces High.
Although I was quite active for quite a long time, I haven't been on much at all during the last part of this year. I frankly remained a subscriber waiting for the release of Aces High II, and the fact that when it was released I was still a member of the famed VMF 323. Unfortunately, I have become bored with the Aces High that I once loved so much. As Hitech has said it appears that Aces High II will essentially have the same basic game modelling system, and so I have decided not to hang on any more.
I've been inactive for so many months that most of you have probably never heard of me, but as one of the original members from day one, of both Aces High and VMF 323, I can say that I am quite proud of how Aces High has developed. I remember when the P51 and the Spitfire were just about the only planes, and I've watched the game develop month by month into the excellent flight sim game that it is.
Unfortunately it has become boring for me with no real ground war, and no real historically oriented purpose for an air force. I loved this game so much that listing what I don't like at this point would not be productive.
I learned more about online fliying from Ripsnort and VMF 323 than in any other on or offline game anywhere. I will always be proud to have been a member of such a fine squad.
I wish all of you the very best, and I hope Aces High II exceeds your expectations.
Ranger Bob
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Damm now I gotta change my sig & aviatar,
to all my friends from 323rd, it's been a hell of a ride and a privilege to have been part of the Rattlers. One tough act to follow.
Originally posted by Furball
Ahhhh... that sucks!
guys, had many a fun fight with you. One that i clearly remember was when i chased snafu's 109, and got bounced by 4 or 5 of your squad, the subsequent 3 or so minute gangbang i received left me walking funny for weeks.
Lol Furball, I remember that one, I was dragging you (Oh alright I was running like a girlie). :lol Low on fuel and ammo when Rips voice came over Vox that he was on his way with "A few friends", Cav, Curval & swoop if I remember right, you never stood a chance but put on an awesome show against impossible odds Furball
TTFN
snafu
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I used to liek going on his missions... soome ended up so funny , like oone of his NOE missions and we ended up in A HO noe mission heading to where we were taking off from . we were both heading to atack each others base and ran head on with them.. And of course his 20 C47 base attack i was on a few of those. and the time we were camping in pnzers at a spawn point he parks gv next to me and asks to watch it while he goes and eats.., Will miss those. take care Rip
sarge
332 flying mongrels
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VMF-323 Death Rattlers :aok
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One of my favourites Snafu (http://www.hitechcreations.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=89067&highlight=Curval)
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I'm keeping my avatar. Grandfather was in the VMF-323, ya know. :D
Sad that we had to disband. Flying with Rip and Curv and all you guys was fun as hell. Now I gotta look for another squad. :)
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:(
Awww man I was thinking of coming back to AH and now I've got no home to return to.
to all my brothers in the 323. You guys taught me how to land a hog in one piece. And how to trap on a carrier first try. And just about everything else too.
I had alot of good times, from the MA, to the squad duels and TOD. It was great being part of a well organized, trained and close squad.
Good luck and farewell (until AH2)
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WTF?
You can't do this?
:(
gents
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What boggles my mind is that Ripsnort hasn't posted anything. I sincerely believe this disbanding as I noticed Curval on last night (I didn't do a double take on the 13thTAS, even though I should have). As s Rook I had the pleasure of flying with you guys for two tours. Swoop and I did alot of fighter sweeps, joked around on vox and laughed our butts off. This squad WAS one of the "tightest" "close knit" squadrons in the game. A huge hole has to be filled now.
<> VMF-323 "Death Rattlers".
Karaya
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Gents!
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Originally posted by RangerBob
and no real historically oriented purpose for an air force.
In case you havent checked lately, Special Events have come a long way and you can find tons of historical organized action around.
Do take care either way :)
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Gents
Terribly sorry to hear the news. I've seen many squads come an go and there seems to be a common "life cycle" to all.
Enjoy the time we have together and the experiences had, life is too short my friend
Remain friends and move on while keeping in touch, then shoot the bastage when he changes country :D
BTW, if any you Navy gents feel your ready to graduate to the USAAF, the 56th FG would be proud to initiate you to the intracacies of the Jug :aok
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I don't usually read the General BB. I am glad I was in here to see this.
I could not say enough about VMF 323. Rip and his gang was one of the few squads I would point players to if they could not join our squad for any reason. They have always been supportive of our events and an encouragement to others to join. You guys will be missed and I sincerely hope to see you back together in the future.
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CO CM daddog
332nd Flying Mongrels (http://www.332nd.org/)
Roster (http://www.332nd.org/squadroster.htm)
Noses in the wind since 1997.
(http://www.ropescourse.org/cdaddog.jpg)
A wise man gets more use from his enemies than a fool from his friends. - Baltasar Gracian
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I hardly ever read the General Discussion Forum, either. This is certainly a big surprise to me.
I can understand why Rip may want to have slipped quietly into the shadows, however. It's not easy being a squad CO. I was CO of a squad in Warbirds for three years, and got totally burned out. It's more work than you think. I don't blame for Rip wanting a break. He's earned it.
gentlemen, an outstanding squad flies off into the sunset.
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Good squad but for the squad to dissband because of 1 person leaving sounds kinda weak to me guys.Hold an election and put someone in charge.Squads are good things and NOBODY is so important that there leaving causes a dissbandment.Just my opinion.
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Thx all for the positive comments.
Just to be clear as to why the squad disbanded.
Rip was the squad, without him it seemed kinda pointless.
Many of our members were no longer actively flying AH or certainly not regularly, most of us have been flying AH since Beta thats a long time to keep focussed on AH.
Swoop as XO inherited the CO position, however as an active CM it was not feasible to expect him to be able to take on the CO position and still find time to actually enjoy playing AH.
Rip pulled the squad from Friday SOP's because of struggling to meet the minimum commitment.
I was the Sunday SOP's CO, a position i took just to keep us active in there and we just about managed to maintain minimum commitment levels.
However it was not something i enjoyed doing and when it was my turn for side CO it usually clashed with real life stuff meaning either i could not do it or was late preparing it.
My connection had also suffered badly pings up from 120 to 220 this affected the timing of everything i tried.
I no longer felt i was able to lead effectively.
I was not prepared to continue in this manner and asked for a replacement to take my position, unfortunately nobody offered to take it on.
So when Rip pulled the squad from Fiday SOP'S i decided the time was right to pull us from Sundays as well.
Then came the bombshell of Rip resigning.
Should not have come as a surprise really as for months due to family commitments his participation had been declining.
So of the still active members we had nobody willing or able to take on the CO position for the squad, we discussed carrying on without a CO.
This may seem strange but being proud of everything the VMF-323 had accomplished in scenario's, SOP's etc we decided it would be best to end it quick and cleanly.
We did not want to see VMF-323 slowly fade away.
So thats it folks, no hidden politics as some would wish :)
Its been a helluva ride and a time i shall never forget all who were once VMF-323.
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Well I for one am glad to see this happen. No more blue overcast of planes and pilots that know how to fly and fight together means my survivability went up alot.
Sorry to see you go, good luck on finding new squads to fly with.