This is my third year on the same F-16 FLCS grip, over two as a Solo, and now leading the formation (I used an NXT and a different handle the first year). Whenever someone asks again:
"How much practice does it take", I'm just going to forward a link to this post.

Ironically my throttle looks brand spankin' new still. Not a mark, it's completely spotless with a glossy black finish.
(Can't wait to see a pic of your throttle Gunner).



I'm halfway tempted to strip all the buttons, wiring and remove all paint from the handle and then have it chromed (just like the Thunderbirds jets sported a few seasons ago - see pic below).

Lawndart wrote: (Can't wait to see a pic of your throttle Gunner).

This was about a year before retiring it (about 1,200 hours on the wing):


And the corresponding glove:


Edit - this was six months later...

Mines hardly picture worthy, but I have about a centimeter of chrome showing on the stick, I know I know impressive, but wait until you see the throttle, probably rockin 2 centimeters over there!!!

Tubs wrote:...I have about a centimeter of chrome showing on the stick

What I was thinking about was cleaning off the black paint so there's nothing but bare metal on the handle and then have it chromized (treated with a compound of chromium, as in dyeing), by a professional (i.e. one of those places where custom auto shops often take their parts, bumpers and trim, and make them all shiny). I may need to have the throttle done as well if I go for chrome though, just to have a matching pair...

It doesn't really looked chromed, maybe just the top plate or something, but the sides still look black...just wondering though.

Those are some worn in sticks for sure! I got a laugh out of that big hole in Gunner's glove - good stuff, a result of many hours of practice!

Having the setup chromed would look pretty slick.

Oh, I want Gunner's pit.

Ray wrote:Those are some worn in sticks for sure! I got a laugh out of that big hole in Gunner's glove - good stuff, a result of many hours of practice!

Having the setup chromed would look pretty slick.

Oh, I want Gunner's pit.

Gunner's pit is awesome... I would love to have one like that too!!!

So today I am slowly putting my make shift pit together, hope you guys like it... Sunday should be finished, then I will finish getting the stick working I finished WinXP install last night early and all updates are in, just have to reload LOMAC and other sims.

Cheers

Air_Wolf wrote:
So today I am slowly putting my make shift pit together, hope you guys like it... Sunday should be finished, then I will finish getting the stick working I finished WinXP install last night early and all updates are in, just have to reload LOMAC and other sims.

Cheers

Awesome, bet you're looking forward to getting back in the air with the new setup, looking forward to flying with ya.

Ray wrote:

Air_Wolf wrote:
So today I am slowly putting my make shift pit together, hope you guys like it... Sunday should be finished, then I will finish getting the stick working I finished WinXP install last night early and all updates are in, just have to reload LOMAC and other sims.

Cheers

Awesome, bet you're looking forward to getting back in the air with the new setup, looking forward to flying with ya.

Well, pit just needs two pieces and a paint job. I will do the paint job next weekend since it is a long weekend. I'm still having problems with my TM Cougar and getting very very very frustrated at this. I even wrote to Microsoft telling them of XP won't see or recognize the device, and I hope they have some promising answers. It's not helping that Frugals World seems to be down for a few days now as well.

Pit looks and feels cool and since I now know how and what to do, maybe I will build a much better one in the future.

Cheers! I miss flying with you guys, but will team up with you on Vent from time to time and once I get the TM Cougar to work you will never get me outta the air...

Back on topic: Anyone else have any weathered controllers to show?

Hah, I think this only happens to paint-on-metal controllers. I tend to beat sticks/throttles to death, but haven't had that kind of cool-factor! Looks good, LD. It's a trophy.