The Tailhook cruise

Thanks very much for the very kind replies Tailhook and Art , but you must stop or it'll go to my head and i'll think i'm some kind of FS Rockstar and be prancing around in my undies like Lady Ga Ga before you know it

You shouldn't have said that... now we demand a picture immediately!!!

Oh wow, how I have missed a mastery of aviation art. These are great Welsh, and myself as a Navy lover, this is a goldmine! Well done

Thanks very much Raz it's really appreciated !

While the Battle Group steamed up past Norfolk, the Enterprise had a day off but the Boxer was tasked to take part in an amphibious landing exercise being conducted by the US Marines. The Cobra gunships were tasked with ground support but one had a few problems and the engine had to be fixed at the last minute...

...with the cowlings open the mechs did their wizadry..

...soon everything was fine and she fired up...

...and lifted off...



...leaving the Boxer behind...

..the ship she was supporting, the USS Belleau Wood came into view...



...the Sea Knights returning to pick up more Marines...



..while the Cobra delivered suppressing fire for the Marines already on the ground (you may just see the smoke from the cannon here, i took loads of shots but just could'nt catch the firing effect )



Ammo expended she turned for home

...with the Boxer soon in sight...



..and she lined up for landing..





..before easing off the power and setting it down...

...just before Endex was announced

As the USS Boxer was taking part in the exercise the Enterprise was being treated to a little bit of history, she was being visited by a legend that had served with distinction aboard another Enterprise many years ago.
At Oceana NAS she prepared for departure and started her engine..





...then taxied to the runway..



...the pilot pushed the throttle forward and soon the tailwheel came unstuck...

..and she lifted into the air..

..passing another legend now also obsolete..

..then turning and heading for the carrier..



..as the Enterprise hove into view she descended and positioned for a flypast..





..then readied to land..





..and flew the glideslope..



..catching a wire she came to a stop..



..then folded her wings and parked up...

..the crew were then allowed to look around the famed Grumman Avenger that served with distinction throughout World War Two in all theatres and were reminded of the history and heritage that comes with serving aboard the USS Enterprise. After a short visit the Avenger departed and the USS Enterprise turned East and headed away from home across the Atlantic Ocean....

...now the cruise begins.

Welsh ... I have run out of superlatives to describe your beautiful work. I think that when you have completed this cruise, you should be able to assemble a coffee table book of all these fine pictures, and make a million. I know I'd buy one for sure.

For me, the only thing that could top what you have done so far is to get some shots of those old warbirds on an Essex class carrier.

I'm sure you can do it, 'cause you seem to be able to do just about anything.

Thanks again for sharing your exemplary talent with us.

Best regards ... Art

Wizardry is right

It's hard to decide which pic to look at
I know I keep harping on about your angles... but you are very innovative with those - WOW! The Avenger is an absolute beauty - many, many beers for you

Thank you gentlemen once again for your kind replies, i'll try to keep this interesting and if i don't then..i'll stop .
Stay tuned Art i'll see what i can do !

This..

lovely shots...i like the avenger

Thanks for the kind comments all , sorry for the delay i've had a few issues with FS/graphics drivers that i'm trying to sort out !

These are some of the most realistic pic I've seen!!!!!! I have to say, the pictures are PERFECT. Well, its sad I don't have FS2004 now......

Thank you jianging, the delay may be a little longer than anticipated as the wife wants me to do stuff while we're both off on hols/vacation.

After the Atlantic transit Westland were eager to show the Marines their troop carrying gunship, so they sent one to be evaluated by the USS Boxer...

..Spooling up at Yeovilton RNAS




Departing




Cruising for the Boxer

As we near the coast the weather starts closing in..

..as the ship comes into view..

..and the pilot begins the descent and turn





She looms out of the gloom...

..as a welcome sight in the weather..

..as her pilot brings her in..

..to a full stop on the deck.

.and shuts the engines down..

Now don't be shy, gather round and have a good look.

While the Boxer was being visited by Westland, The Enterprise had a little problem, as the COD (Carrier Onboard Delivery) aircraft went down with maintenance issues and the crew were anxious for their mail and spare parts.
So the USAF was brought in to do a drop flying from RAF Woodbridge/RAF Bentwaters, commonly known as the twin bases.
Loading up...



..starting engines..

..and taxi..



..cleared to go they were on their way..

..you can see here why they are called the twin bases,those two runways are not one base but one is Bentwaters and one is Woodbridge that's how close they are..

..cruising for the short flight to the Enterprise..

..beginning the descent..



..ramp door open and ready to drop..

..align for the drop..

..and fly the deck for the load master to push the pallet out..



..with the drop done, close the ramp and head for home.




The weather cleared up nicely

It's a busy time for the Enterprise while she's in the UK and now she has to undergo a small exercise with the RAF.
So the Sea King readies to depart RAF St Mawgan.....





...all systems checked and engines started she lifts off...

...and heads for the Enterprise...





..passing over the Devon countryside and Coastline..





..until the ship comes into view..

..the exercise was to simulate a crash at the stern of the ship with fire on the deck so no aircraft could be launched, so a rescue helo had to come from a land base to extract casualties and approach over the Bow and hover to raise the injured...

..she reached the hover position, raised the casualties...




...then turned for shore with here pretend precious cargo..




Exercise complete.

The Enterprise was also to take delivery of a Tempest for test and evaluation purposes of carrier use and she departed Woodbridge...


..engine start and taxi in a major storm that you can't appreciate here..



..waiting behind a couple of A-10's..



..light the burners and off we go..

..as soon as it got airborne it was buffeted by high winds..





..and into the storm..

..that cleared up nicely by the coast


..descending for the carrier..

..trying to shed some speed..

..lining up for the deck..

..approaching the wires..


..and that's when my screen capture utility decided to fail . As for the Tempest tests well, we'll have to see but judging by my approach and the way she handled i'm not sure if she's suited for carriers, or it just could be me !

Okay I give up, no more sleepless nights if you only tell me which Westland that is on top of the page... please, loosing hair over this

For a moment it looked as though the pallet was going to drop right on top of the island great idea

The Tempest looks really good in the air and so does your approach - Iris? I can't believe you ran out of film just prior to recovery

Since you've thrown down the gauntlet, I'll try my luck with the Iris Tempest, no more than three attempts. Should I succeed, I'll take a pic and rub it in... should I fail, you won't hear any more of it

Thanks for the time you've spent to put these together and as usual they are outstanding!!

Thank you for the kind reply TailHook, good luck with the Tempest !

I think you're just doing this to torture us
Luck? I sacrificed a goat to Fortuna and kept crashing like a b****y rookie! Then, as is my habit I read the PDF manual which threw light upon the fact why I couldn't see or feel any effect of the flaps: There aren't any. Further, apart from REALLY getting your weight right according to your ordnance (which is like learning to darn socks blindfolded with your feet ) we're told that the a/c has to be landed at a speed of no less than 180 and a high angle of attack

Fortuna owes me a goat... over and out

THAT DOES IT! Does anyone want a $40.00 computer and $6000.00's worth of FS9 addon's?

That was the BEST I have sat here and looked at in many, many moons!

Tailhook and waj2306 thank you very much for your very kind replies, TH she is a bit of a B"%^h to fly , waj i'll take them off you .
But on a more serious note gents, due to circumstances this tour may slow down or go on hold indefinately. I may post a leg now and then but there are far more pressing things occuring right now that i can't go into here! So i'd like to thank everyone that posted their very kind comments and have followed my tours.