Joystick not working in MS Combat Flight Sim '98 on Vista 32

Not sure this issue belongs in this category since it involves a game, hardware, and software but was unsure just where to post it.

Installed Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator '98 in a Vista 32 bit machine today.

Vista seems to have the correct drivers for my Microsoft Sidewinder 2 USB joystick - recognised it, set it up, calibrated it - all worked perfectly.

Opened the flight sim, checked all settings, enabled the joystick within the game, went to the calibration page within the game, joystick performs flawlessly.

When I try to fly the airplane, however, there is zero joystick control.

Under assignments (within the game software), the joystick isn't even mentioned - only keyboard and mouse.
I can find no way to bring the joystick into the assignments list.

Hoping someone has seen this before or has some bright ideas - I'm out of joy and stuck on this one.

Thanks and Blessings,
Port-o-san