Preface
Notes on Sidewinder
She is based off of the US Navy F-14 Tomcat—an aircraft with curvy lines that many sailors and pilots find very attractive. They assign to her many female attributes, but at the same time she's not to be trifled with. I though this shape would make a excellent female counterpart to the type that Echo and Bravo are. Meet Sidewinder, the Jolly Wrenches newest flier.
Her First Carrier Trap
"Ok, don't hyperventilate," Ensign Katrin "Sidewinder" Murphy said to herself as she entered the race track pattern, tail hook down, to land on the Flysenhower. The whole idea of snagging a wire with that hook under her tail was less than appealing. Now she was on approach with wings spread, flaps down, wheels down and air brakes open. She felt like all her petticoats were hanging out for all the guys to see.
"You're low, Sir," said the LSO's voice. "More power"
Sidewinder decided not to correct him. They would discover soon enough that she was a girl. She applied more power. "More right," said the LSO. Sidewinder was watching the colored lights on the left side of the fight deck. The yellow light was called the Meatball. She had to keep that yellow meatball lined up the the row of green lights. She tried to concentrate on that Meatball and not what the wire was going to feel like stopping her.
It was working at least for the little while. "Rodger Ball". the LSO called. "You doing good, there Insign Murphy". But that was when she had her meltdown. The flight deck seemed to rush up. She started to squeal. She was sure all the fellas on board heard her. Bang! Her wheels slammed into the flight deck and she slid to a stop. There was no hard yank at her tail. Her head visibly sagged down lower on her nose wheel as she breathed a sigh of relief. The cable was wrapped around her 'shins'.
"That was the worst landing I have ever seen!" Bravo shouted. "You're gonna have to work on those landings, Ensign".. then he stopped himself. "You're a girl?"
"We never had one of those before," said Echo.
"Scoot, show her to her quarters," Bravo ordered.
Scoot had a yellow helmet emblazoned with a snail. He looked rather dirty too. "Hello I am Melvin "Scoot" Thompson".
The other fliers snickered. It was obvious Scoot was the laughing stock.
"Hey Scoot. Looks like you finally have a Wing Man, or is that Wing Woman?" asked Scrappy with the green helmet. The others laughed as Scoot showed Sidewinder to the hangar elevator.
"Never mind them," he said. "I'll show you some flying tricks when we do our exercises. I even show you how to make the landing a little softer".
Sidewinder was having a few doubts as the elevator started down. Did this guy really have it together?
Sidewinder was shown a corner in the hangar bay. She followed Scooter toward it. That would her spot for the duration of the cruise. Two Pittys were already setting up. One turned. He was Aviation Mechanic First Class Mathers. His eyes got wide. "Ooh I didn't know our charge would be—um-soo beautiful!"
The other Pitty was Air Framer Second Class Rogers. "Let me have a look at you", he said. "Open up."
Sidewinder opened her mouth and also her refueling probe on the right side. "I see, we already got a silly one. Mouth." Rogers proceeded to peer into her mouth. He closed her mouth and pushed up on her little jaw. Her looked at her transparent tear drop bubble head. We'll have to see about fabricating a flight helmet that will fit you. They don't seem to make them for girl's heads".
"Oh but that is such a beautiful head," said Scooter.
"We still need to paint her up and dress her up as a Jolly Wrench.
The elevator was dropping down into the bay again with two fighters on it Scrappy and his wing man Speed.
"So how are you liking your new assignment, Ensign Powder Puff is it?" said Speed.
Sidewinder gritted her jaw and said nothing.
"Oh she's the bright new arrival that caught the wire with her shins," said Scrappy. "Her tail hook must not work".
Everyone in the hangar bay burst into laughter. Sidewinder's head sagged down on her nose wheel.