Aces High Bulletin Board
Squadron Forums => Squadrons => Topic started by: StarOfAfrica2 on January 25, 2006, 02:22:55 AM
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VF-17 "The Jolly Rogers" is a squad with a long history, both in Air Warrior and here in Aces High. As things in the game slowed down and vets began to retire for all their various reasons, we have slowly been whittled away until there are almost none left. Of the two of us remaining active, myself and Reschke (the CO), only I have been active at all for the last several months, due to many RL issues.
As a result, I will be assuming CO duties while Reschke gets the rest of his life in order, and the first thing that needs to be done is to infuse some new blood into the ranks. I'm proud to fly the Jolly Roger on my plane, but I cant hold it up alone.
VF-17 is currently, and will remain, an active squad in both the AvA and MA arenas. Main focus will be on the AvA. Discussions are popping up on the restoration of the AvA "squad night" and I will rearrange my RL responsibilities to make myself available for as much of this as possible. If the squad grows enough, we may also consider joining the Friday night squad ops again. Its all going to depend on numbers and what the squad wants to see happen.
Remember this is not just a new squad forming. There's alot of history to live up to here. I want people who want to be part of the story of this squad, and help write the new chapters.
I look forward to hearing from you.
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Just to help a few of you who are wondering...This is with my blessing. At the moment I haven't had a chance to re-arrange the permissions online but will get that done soon.
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To provide a background on the real squadron .............
Fighting Squadron 17 was formed in Norfolk, Virginia on 1 January 1943, and selected to fly the new Vought F4U-1 Corsair, a gull-winged fighter built around a powerful Pratt-Whitney 18 cylinder radial engine.
VF-17 was assigned to USS Bunker Hill (CV-17), but landing problems caused the Navy to question the Corsair’s carrier-worthiness. The Jolly Rogers worked closely with Vought engineers to successfully modify the F4U, rather than switch to the F6F Hellcat.
In October 1943, VF-17 was based on New Georgia in the Solomon Islands, where it first flew F4Us in combat during the invasion of Bouganville. Squadron pilots shot down six Zeke fighters and damaged another six on the first day of the battle with the loss of only one Corsair.
During the Battle of the Solomon Sea in November 1943, VF-17 was credited with 18.5 confirmed kills and 7 damaged Japanese planes, with zero losses of their own aircraft..
The big push came in March 1944 when, aboard USS Hornet, the squadron took part in the invasion of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. In fighter sweeps from 18 March to 17 April 1945, the pilots of VF-17 downed 146.5 Japanese aircraft.
During its tour, the Jolly Rogers shot down 8 Japanese planes for every Corsair lost and produced twelve aces, more than any other navy squadron.
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What do you guys offer in terms of players that aren't good with the Corsair and several planes?
What do you think of younger players?
What do you guys offer as a whole?
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Good questions; I will try to answer them as quickly as possilble and with a fair amount of information without overloading you.
What do you guys offer in terms of players that aren't good with the Corsair and several planes?
When I first started VF-17 here my goal was to get a group together that was proficient in flying the Corsair variants and learning good wingman tactics. In the beginning we had a member who was solely responsible for getting guys into the loop and proficient enough to fly the squadron night ride with enough skill to begin learning their role in the team. I know it is SA2's hope and mine as well to see that rebuilt once again.
What do you think of younger players?
I don't have a problem with younger players as long as the player doesn't let his alligator mouth overload his hummingbird butt. In fact that is where this genre as a whole has to gather new players from in order to survive.
What do you guys offer as a whole?
At the moment not alot. I have to go back and think on the first time I brought VF-17 up in AH a couple of years ago. We were a close knit group that enjoyed flying together when possible. Hopefully we can get that going once again.
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I back up Reschke's plans 100%. This squad has always been about the Corsiar, and it will continue to be the primary focus.
However, lets face facts. In the AvA, we rarely see the Hog. Matter of fact, only in the PTO maps will we even see USN planes at all. So while we are going to continue to use the Corsair as our main MA ride and symbol, and everyone will check out in it, we will focus for now mainly on getting people who enjoy flying together and having fun.
I'm not doing this because I want to be in charge of something. Its much easier to just join an established group. My free time is precious these days, and I'm making a commitment to free up as much of it as possible for this squad, if we can make it work. Not just because of THIS squad, but because the AvA needs allied squads in general.
So, that said........
Can you get a plane off the ground? Talk to me.
Need training? No problem. Talk to me.
Age is not so much an issue as maturity. I'm interested in finding guys (or gals) that have at least 1 night a week they can commit to squad functions, preferably more. Weekends are a bonus, but I know how valuable those are. I'll be glad to work with anyone who needs it in the TA or wherever on anything from basic ACM to Formations to landing on a Carrier deck. I'm not great at anything, but I'm acceptable at most things. Biggest thing is to improve the quality of your time online by sharing it with people who enjoy doing this. If its not fun, why are you here?
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great to see an old and renound squad like this getting back in the skies!
best of luck to you fellows!
bat
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Having just resubbed today after a screwy credit card fiasco on my end and not updating it. I am not looking forward to relearning the Corsair and flying it into a carrier deck. BUT seeing as I am the senior airman on duty in VF-17 I guess I need to be the one to work it out to teach the new guys.
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Better you than me :lol
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Any takers?
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I used to fly with 323 deathrattlers back when ripsnort ran the squad I left AH for a few years here and recently returned I presently trying to help a young guy with a squad but he only has me in the squad and I think I could bring him over here (he is an ex marine). Oh btw my handle back then was BigJim, but since I retired and left Vermont for Arizona I changed it to this one :). Drop me an e-mail if ur interested in an old Hog driver (PS I hated the perk idea so I left but decided to live it with now LOL). E-mail is jharrison1943@cox.net:cool:
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email sent.
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Glad to hear that some of the old squads are still in the game. Have been away for awhile but am thinking of starting up again. Used to be CO of VF27 for awhile, was HiJacker back then, we flew the Hellcat and used to run missions with the Jolly Rogers quite alot. I think some of the old squad is still around, Slash I think is still flying maybe a few more, could be interested in flying some again, will look into it and watch the forums to see whats going on. Glad to see you are still on Rescke, will keep an eye on the forums!
Eldorado74:cool:
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How often do you guys fly? Every night, a few nights a week, etc?
How important are wingman/section tactics to the squad?
Thnx.
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Hey HiJacker I remember you. Good to see you hanging out here again.
Slimey_J;
Wingman tactics are what we are trying to build our group up with again. They worked extremely well the last time we were all together and flying the F4U rides.
We haven't established a true squadron night that I know of simply because there are so few of us and we just fly together when we get a chance at the moment. BUT SA2 is the CO and I am sure that he can lay down some laws on that in the near future. At the moment there are only 5 of us and of that we have one new guy who has hooked up. The others are all old JR's from when I was running the squadron. I will look you up next time I am in the MA or AvA and perhaps we can get some flights in together.
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Just to chime in on this briefly. I havent had a chance to get with everyone yet. Most have just been added to the roll in the last couple days. I'd like to establish at least 1 night a week where we can fly together. What that night is will be determined by when everyone is available. Above and beyond that, I'd like to establish a solid core that not only can wing up when online and show up for a squad night, but also get into the Friday night squad ops and into scenarios as a group. I'll discuss this more with the group later this week, although last week and this week are very busy for me. I am committed to making time available to make this work for all of us. AH is just alot more fun when you can wing with a group.
Edit
Any of you who signed up this week, please email me at
rehogue@hawaii.rr.com
I need to get a full list of email addresses so I can put the mailing list together and get us started on organizing. Thanks!
SA2
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Who gets the films of my 5 F4U traps for carrier qual???
Next batch will be the Seafire followed by the Zeke
Jim "boxboy" Harrison
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Send 'em to my home address. nicholsw at charter dot net
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If ever I get another box set up and reconnected to the matrix and all. I'm in the DFW area now. I hear tell the convention is in june here and the registration fees are waived. Comin'? :D
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I'll have to see but I am in DFW area a couple of times a year with all the customers I have in that area. I should be through there before the con though.
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Sounds like a plan. :)
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Just wondering what is happening with squad?? I know a couple of guys have moved on due to inactivity. Any idea on when or where we are going to meet? squad nights etc.
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Who has moved on? The last thing I saw on squad night was what SA2 sent out asking for input on the availability. I will drop another e-mail out tonight asking the same thing. I am trying to put a mission together for Sunday afternoon/night because I have a meeting scheduled for 6pm Central time. Look for an e-mail here shortly.
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Croc for one and there was another one whom I can't recall at the moment, but he was the first guy I contacted early on, Skratt???
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(http://www.almansur.com/jollyrogers/bouganville.jpg)
This is my only memory of my time in VF-17. Yes, that's Arlo at the scoreboard, right before he handed me another bottle to finish off. Man, those were the days...what I remember of them.
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Hiya, mate! :D
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Howdy!!
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Just a quick note to let ya know that I won't fly Knights much longer, I am on alot and the Knit side is ALWAYS out numbered. I don't like being gangbanged the whole time I am on and since the squad is NOT large enough to overcome this detraction for me. I must switch back to Rooks even if this means leaving the squad.
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I understand your frustration. Actually I blame myself a bit, I havent been online nearly as much as I planned to be lately. Life has just conspired against me. And while I know thats no consolation for a guy like you who joined up looking for relief from that gangbanging thing, I just havent been able to do anything about it. I apologize.
As to the move to the Knights, I asked for it because I usually prefer being on the side that needs numbers. More targets. :) I do know it can be frustrating flying for them though. Alot of the guys who choose to fly Knights are lone wolf types that dont give chk 6 calls and wont clear you if you get someone on your tail. The issue I see is this:
Reschke and I decided on a rotating country setup when we started recruiting, for many reasons. One is that each "country" is a little different in the averages of flying styles and such. I think exposure to all 3 and to all the various squads out there (flying WITH them, and AGAINST them) is good for us. While I understand you are frustrated with flying as a Knight right now, you have to understand that some might not like flying Rooks or some might not enjoy being Bishop. Each one of us is different, just like each country is a bit different. We take what we learn from each one, and we take what we learn from each other, and we put it together.
If I may make a suggestion? If it is getting stressful, try flying in the AvA arena awhile. The fighting is so different in there usually that it makes for a nice break. I try to divide my time between the two, helps avoid burnout.
In the end though, you do what you want to do, what makes you happy. You pay money to be in this game. Dont let me or anyone else force you to play in a way that you dont enjoy. If things get stressful enough for you that you want to leave, then by all means do what is necessary. I wont think less of you for doing what you feel needs to be done. If you want to email me about it, feel free. I can get and respond to email alot easier than I can log into AH lol. :) My email is rehogue@hawaii.rr.com
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Don't worry about the whole country thing. We will flip flop from time to time and this just happens to be the time we go Knight. I on the other hand can't stand hiding in a horde and didn't like the times I flew Knight last week because everyone jumped on the kill LCA bandwagon at the same time. I flew two or three times other than squad night for a couple of hours each and absolutely couldn't get into the rythm of the game because there were more Knights than the other two countries...BUT that gets me off into a whole different direction with a rant because I can't stand the 3 country pie but I have to deal with it.
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Well, again, thats the advantages of the AvA arena. 2 countries instead of 3, and no time limit on side switching so the numbers can be kept more in balance. But I think I'm preachin to the choir lol.
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Its Drumss again,
"grounded in the caribbean" my OLD CH pedals went out on me. i posted about it and u told me where to get some new pots, etc.
I sent an email to Reshke earlier today about wanting to join, but I'm down to my old cyborg joystick and keyboard rudder.)
Im getting ready to join-up anyway. I have ordered new POTs and jstick on the way. I was in 412th for 3 years, but the squad ngiht was too late over there. i just wanted to find out what time your squad night is?
I built a house and havnt played anything for a year, but i used to land on carrier no prob. even did it pony a couple of times. that was with CH rudder pedals though. ) ive never even flew without rudder pedals, been practicign off line.
I'm joining Ah2 tonight for the two weeks free. i cant wait anylongeer:)
Drumss
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Sorry Drumss I haven't gotten an email from you. Can you resend it to nicholsw at charter dot net. Thanks
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Resche,
That email was about what time EST you guys are having squad night, but since you re-forming and recruiting too: I guess all that stuff hasnt been decided yet. right?
What time did used to have it? if u dont mind.
Im sending that recruiting application first thing tommorrow, still practicing offline with the keyboard.
oh, yeah - are your nicknames in m.a. the same, Resche and Star of Africa?
My name is Firestic in m.a. . I never seen anyone from jolly rogers last night... i left around 10.30 est.
Anyway, cya online tonight maybe,
Firestic
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Look for Boxboy, Reschke (me) and SA2 (CO) later. Possibly Augr, Skratt and a couple of other guys like Stoney and JconradH as well. I have not been online in over a week other than first thing this morning due to a water problem in my basement and trying to get that sorted out. I may be on tonight around 9:30 Central time but it depends on another meeting that I have tonight at 7pm that usually runs late.
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roger that, Reschke,
The only people ive seen under the ROSTER flying VF 17 Jolly Rogers was tiger04 and silent02. but i scared em off i think.)
Thanks for the chance,
Firestic
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SHOOT, ive been in M.A. all this time looking for everyone,
or WHERE is AvA??
i just came back i dont rembember. anyway im going to eat now if someone has some time to fill me in.
'Sorry,
Firestic
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Originally posted by Drumss
roger that, Reschke,
The only people ive seen under the ROSTER flying VF 17 Jolly Rogers was tiger04 and silent02. but i scared em off i think.)
Thanks for the chance,
Firestic
The problem with them is .........ITS another squad calling themselves VF17 Jolly Rogers
Not sure what to do about that
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roger that boxboy,
and AvA is Axis vs Allies ... right?
Firestic
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Yes AvA is axis v allies altho I do fly in the MA alot as a rook
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Originally posted by Drumss
roger that, Reschke,
The only people ive seen under the ROSTER flying VF 17 Jolly Rogers was tiger04 and silent02. but i scared em off i think.)
Thanks for the chance,
Firestic
I will see what I can do about that. These guys must have just started their squadron. They are more than welcome to fold their numbers into our group but if that doesn't happen then they need to find another squadron name.
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I think the way they did it Resc is they left out the "the" in Jolly Rogers and the rest is the same they fly bish in ma
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Resh,
I thought the jolly rogers were a M.A. squadron.
I havnt sent my recruit application to u because im a M.A. guy. I plan on spending 100% of my time in the main Areana. ive never even been in AvA till last night. lol. just let me know if thats ok with you, Resh and ill send in my app.
Firestic
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Drumss,
AvA or MA we have a presence in both aspects of the game. Send your app and I will get it posted. I can't fly tonight due to a baseball game but may be on later since I am not screwing with the water issue in my basement for a couple of nights.
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Originally posted by Boxboy
I think the way they did it Resc is they left out the "the" in Jolly Rogers and the rest is the same they fly bish in ma
Yeah thats true but I am at least going to be civil about it with them unlike other squadrons have in the past.
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Resh,
Ok thats no problem, just wanted to be sure. so u dont mind if i spend 99.9% of time in M.A.? .
Anyway ill send app. in right away.
Remember, im flying with a cyborg with no twisty(ive never tried the twisty) and no rudder pedals. so can u hold off on me trying to qualify on the traps till i get my pedals fixed?
That would be great, ive been away from flying for a year and it shows, im terrible flying with keyboard rudder.
i had first sorties a couple of days ago in m.a. and now im really HOOKED: )
drumss / Firestic
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Recshke,
I sent in my app today.
I had a little trouble with the address, getting it to work. Just let me know if u get it ok. I saved it to drafts so I can resend it out no prob.
Firestic
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If you guys can ever get them to model an F4U loadout with beer in the ammo bins, let me know :)
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Drumss,
No email from you here at home. If that one isn't working for you send it to reschke@gmail.com
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Reschke,
It says 'Message Delivered' but you obviously did not get it.
I just sent it to you thru the other email. Let me know if it got there.
Firestic
p.s. oh yeah, how much time to I have to do a "Qualifying Trap"?
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As much as you need they just need to be 5 consequtive traps without damaging your aircraft. Don't worry about loading up with the max load in and F4U-1D other than fuel. It should have the details on the website for you to see.
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Reschke,
Is the "5 consecutive traps" something I have to do to get into the squad?? or something that "Eventually" is expected of a pilot??
Firestic
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No those 5 traps are to get your wings. You are already in the squadron but not showing up as carrier qualified.
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ok, roger that.
Firestic
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Get back up there!
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Originally posted by Treize69
If you guys can ever get them to model an F4U loadout with beer in the ammo bins, let me know :)
Oh ... it's easy. Blow the ammo of your insides on the runway. Go to the reefer and grab a couple cases of beer and two coolers. Place one cooler on each side of you and fill it with beer. Take off "en masse." Attempt to resist opening canopy and crawling out to the beer enroute. :D
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Hiya Guys,
Just a short note to let ya all know I will be gone for about 3 months, we are going back "east" for the summer and the puter is not going but I will be back on in Oct.
Boxboy
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Cool not a problem. I am going to be back on next weekend. Just bought a new house and with the promotion lots of things have been going on so I have been hanging out in the office and elsewhere other than online flying.
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Got our BB up and running here. If you are in VF-17 and have an account here you should see it under this forum.