Air Combat Sim

Discover the fascinating world of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) and what it takes to keep historic aircraft like FIFI flying. In this episode, Randall Haskin shares insights into the organization’s origins, the challenges of maintaining vintage planes, and how volunteers of all skill levels can get involved.

The origin and mission of the CAF, with a focus on FIFI, the iconic B-29 Superfortress
How the CAF acquires, restores, and maintains World War II aircraft
The importance of volunteer support, including maintenance, flying, and outreach efforts
The financial realities of keeping historic aircraft operational—costs, insurance, and parts sourcing
Pilot and crew training pathways for vintage aircraft, including skills like tailwheel experience
The operational structure of CAF’s touring programs and base locations
The future outlook for flyable warbirds amidst regulatory and insurance challenges
Personal stories from flight experiences and the significance of sharing history through flight
00:00 - Introduction and episode overview
01:09 - Randall Haskin’s background and connection to FIFI
04:40 - History and mission of the CAF
07:59 - The significance of FIFI in aviation history
11:57 - The story of how FIFI was acquired and her journey to flying status
14:05 - The costs of maintaining FIFI and other vintage aircraft
15:32 - Operating ride programs and funding efforts
17:29 - Recruitment of new volunteers and the importance of training
20:02 - Parts sourcing and restoration techniques
23:47 - Developing future pilots and mechanics
34:22 - Tour schedules and deployment locations
36:56 - Volunteer maintenance and crew rotations
39:18 - The challenges and opportunities facing warbird preservation
41:53 - The importance of professional standards and safety
44:30 - Flying FIFI: cockpit experience and flight dynamics
54:42 - The personal and emotional significance of sharing aviation history
61:19 - Randall’s call sign and closing thoughts


⁠Air Power Tour⁠
⁠Air Power Squadron⁠
⁠Commemorative Air Force⁠
⁠FIFI The B-29 Superfortress - Official CAF Info⁠
⁠Volunteer Opportunities with CAF⁠
⁠Kermit Weeks' Collection of Warbirds⁠


⁠LinkedIn⁠
⁠Twitter⁠
⁠CAF Membership & Volunteer Info⁠
Thank you for listening and exploring the dedicated efforts to keep aviation history alive through active restoration, education, and volunteer work!
Preserving Living History: Inside the CAF and the Flight of FIFIKey Topics:Timestamps:Resources & Links:Connect with Randall Haskin:
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In this episode, we explore the C-130J DCS Module, diving into its development, features, and the unique experiences it offers. Scott "Roger" Chafian, Brian "Sunshine" Sinclair, Baltic Dragon join Matt Delaney to discuss the aircraft's history, its tactical capabilities, and the challenges Matt faced during the DCS module's creation. Matt provides a comprehensive look at what it took to make the C-130J a standout module in DCS.

The Airplane Simulation Company: https://www.airplanesimulations.com/
Digital Combat Simulator: https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/
Brian Sunshine Sinclair: https://www.3-wire.com/
Baltic Dragon: https://www.baltic-dragon.net/

C-130 EXPERIENCE NOTES:Blue Angels “Fat Albert”
The U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels flight demonstration team operates a support C‑130J nicknamed “Fat Albert.” At airshows around the United States, Fat Albert opens the show with a high‑energy routine, demonstrating the Hercules’ STOL capabilities and surprising agility. The aircraft performs steep take‑offs, power climbs, tight turns and tactical descents. Until 2009, JATO (jet‑assisted take‑off) rockets added extra spectacle. Today’s Fat Albert uses modern six‑blade propellers and continues to thrill crowds.

Several museums allow visitors to step inside or operate replicas of the Hercules:
Hill Aerospace Museum (Utah) – Their “C‑130 Experience” turns a retired fuselage into an interactive classroom. Visitors climb into the cargo bay and cockpit, interact with real controls and experience mission scenarios such as hurricane hunting, Antarctic landings and Fulton recovery. The exhibit reproduces sights, sounds and vibrations, giving a taste of being on a mission
Air Mobility Command Museum (Delaware) – Houses a C‑130E that visitors can tour on open‑cockpit days, with veterans providing guided walkthroughs
Museum of Aviation (Georgia) – Hosts an annual C‑130 Day where attendees explore a Hercules with former crew explaining systems.

These experiences contextualise the aircraft’s history and allow people to appreciate the complexity of its cockpit and the scale of its cargo bay.
Several aviation museums around the world display C‑130s and sometimes permit visitors to tour the interior. Notable examples include:
Museum
Location
Display Highlights
Hill Aerospace Museum
Utah, United States
The C‑130 Experience—interactive fuselage exhibit with mission simulations.
Air Mobility Command Museum
Dover Air Force Base, Delaware
C‑130E walk‑through tours on open cockpit days, guided by veterans.
Museum of Aviation
Warner Robins, Georgia
Annual C‑130 Day event allowing visitors inside a Hercules.
Pima Air & Space Museum
Tucson, Arizona
Displays a retired HC‑130 used by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Royal Air Force Museum Cosford
Shropshire, United Kingdom
Houses a former RAF C‑130K.
Royal Australian Air Force Museum
Point Cook, Australia
Displays a C‑130A, illustrating early Hercules service.
Many other museums worldwide—such as the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, the Italian Air Force Museum (Vigna di Valle) and the Egyptian Air Force Museum—exhibit retired C‑130s. Visitors can appreciate the size of the cargo bay, the complexity of the cockpit and the wear from decades of service.

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Baltic Dragon and RG sat down with the Flight Simulator Red Arrows team for a really fun and surprisingly deep conversation about what it takes to pull off their signature precision flying in the sim world. These guys don’t just hop in and wing it — they train, rehearse, and refine their routines with the same discipline you’d expect from a real display team. We dug into how they coordinate formations, what their practice schedule looks like, and what keeps them motivated to put in so many hours perfecting the craft. It was a genuinely cool look behind the scenes at a group that brings passion and professionalism to virtual aviation.

https://discord.gg/jZuq7T792a
https://www.youtube.com/@fsredarrowsltd
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In this episode, we sit down with Grinnelli, Sunshine, Roger, Rob, and JNelson to talk about the in-development DCS F-100 Super Sabre module. The conversation focuses on what it’s like bringing the Hun into DCS, the aircraft’s defining characteristics, and how the team is approaching its behavior in the sim.

Grinnelli discusses his experience being welcomed into the F-100 community and what he’s learned from the people who know the jet best. Sunshine and JNelson add a brief look at how the game engine handles some of the aircraft’s unique flight traits, and Roger provides historical context that helps frame the F-100’s place in aviation.
It’s a practical, honest discussion about the aircraft, the module, and what sim pilots can expect as development continues.

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/
https://grinnellidesigns.com/f-100/
https://supersabresociety.org/
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In this episode of our DIY series, we dive into the Open Phantom Project, a fresh initiative aimed at empowering flight simulation enthusiasts to create their own gear. Join us as we chat with the team about their diverse backgrounds, the project's ambitious goals, and the challenges they've encountered along the way. We'll explore the role of community collaboration, the use of 3D printing and CNC machines, and how DCS BIOS is simplifying cockpit building. Whether you're a seasoned DIYer or just curious, this episode offers a glimpse into the future of DIY flight sim gear. Tune in to discover how the Open Phantom Project is making cockpit building more accessible and exciting than ever.

Discord
Github
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