I sat in the cockpit of my A-4E Skyhawk and shivered. Was it because it was cold? Was it because I hadn't had any breakfast that morning? Or, was it because I was scared? My first mission over Vietnam, attack the Quang Khe Ferry. Kill some PT boats, sampans, fuel facilities. There's AAA down there and small arms.

First, shooting at and being shot at. Would I end up dead? Perhaps wounded, or taken prisoner, or worse of all, failing my squad mates?

Well, that's what we were about to find out. The engine wound up, and I knew the cat was going to happen.



The cloud cover was variable but as you got to the harbor or coastal area, about 5,000 AGL resulted in a pretty solid layer.



As I got closer, I got a little more confident.



At the same time, I was using my instruments more, because I had to.



Now things started getting hot. And I started getting smart. Not smart in the tactical sense, just my own, "Hey, I can do this!"

And so, I began drifting off to the southwest to set up an attack run up the river. Trust me, this did not go over well with the CO following the mission. I tried to call out my positions, but hey. Best laid plans dude.



Naturally, my roomies came in and saved my ass.



Surveiling the area, I decided it was time to go home.



Here's my badass face returning from first combat mission:




Back on deck. Yes, my CO did threaten to hang me from the yardarm.

Well, you know, 20mm, you landed on the wrong boat. If you were hooked on using the radar, you would have seen the much larger return from the Recovery version of the Ticonderoga and would have landed with a little more room.

They may be too close together. I may have to rig it to disappear sooner, too.

heh, yeah, I thought about that. I was just wandering through the sky going "Any of you boys see an aircraft carrier?" and there one was. So naturally I thought it must be mine.

Nice AAR on Gila Bend! That refueling is tough. Terrain looks good, but it must have been a wet spring!

Just a quick question : how many carriers are there on Yankee Station?

Speaking of crowded decks: I just landed on the "Tico" , and i landed on the 1st try, a little of center , and my A-4 just stopped behind the "whale" , there is much roll out space if you trap aboard.

Is it wise to use the wheel brakes ? ( i know, it's not standard procedure.. ), on the other hand , keep your landing on center !

Talk about the luck factor!

There will be never more than 2 carriers launching fighters in the game. And there will never be more than their Recovery-versions afloat.

Usually, the Recovery version does not appear in the game until you will have passed by its position. When it does appear, it will generally be closer to shore than the L-version also. In addition, the R will show up better on radar and will often have screening destroyers. The Launch versions will have only deck lighting. The Recovery versions will have full ships lighting if you are trapping at night. Just things to keep you from landing on the Launch version.

If you catch the wire, you won't need brakes. If you need brakes, you really need throttle because you missed it and you are going off the end. You will know right away.

A sign on the wall in a fighter squadron I once entered said "If you aren't lucky, we don't want you." Luck is good.

ahhh, thanks for the info Zerocinco!

There's always something to learn , nice work!

What's the criteria for mission success? I destroyed a patrol boat and the de-brief screen told me that none of the primary targets were hit.

Here's some advice for anyone flying this. Three passes over the target is a guaranteed trip to the Hanoi Hilton.

Exactly as in the real mission. You got there. You attacked. You might have hit something. You landed back on the ship. You are scheduled to fly tomorrow.

On return to carrier after the mission, I do not see home carrier on the radar. I locate by way points and visual. Can you advise correct settings for radar? Which option easy, normal, hard?
"y" does not give me the carrier information either.