Mr. Lucky 0 Posted August 16, 2009 I've posted before. I'm posting again, how this sim draws you in. I've always dreamed of flying in combat in WWI, and thanks to OBD, I've gotten as close to that dream as I could ever conceive possible. That even includes the emotion and tragedy involved as well. Maybe this should be in letters to the front, but I don't know. Who could I talk to that would understand?My wife, my family? Not so much. not so much as those who fly with me in the skies over Flanders. I am flying for MFJI in Feb. 1917. I flew a patrol behind enemy lines over Poperinghe. I knocked on the enemy's door, but either they weren't up or nobody was home, so after stooging around for about 20 minutes, we headed back. As I usually do, the drone of the engine would lull me to sleep and I'd catch myself dozing off. Of course, I would jerk awake and start scanning the skies. About midway back home, I woke up and looking around, I saw a flak barrage and smacl in the middle were two dots. Being on my side of the lines, and our flak firing at them I had the luxury of being reasonably sure that there were enemy. I closed on them and ordered the attack, but my wingmen seemed content to let me proceed on my own. I divined that I was closing on two quirks. Poor fellows were doomed out there alone with no escort. I closed on the trailer and made a few passes when I saw him wing over and spiral down. I left him and went after the leader. I made a long curving pass firing the whole time and when I was real close, the middle of the fuselage burst into flames. Then I saw to my horror, the observer and then the pilot leave the plane. Not the comic evacuation we've seen in the videos where they seem to spring out of the plane, but the with the fames obscuring the manner of their egress, I merely saw them leaving the plane and plummeting to earth. Usually, we shoot at machines, objects. We may know there are peolpe inside, but we don't see or feel it. When you're close enough to touch and see them in their last moments, knowing they have no chance.....it's different. My nerves tingled, my heart raced, I was shocked. As I circled away, I saw that the first plane was still flying but spiraling and descending. I could've finished them, but after seeing their comerades die, I determined, that if they didn't turn back to their side, I'd let them try to land and get captured. But they'd be alive. So, I circled behind them and above as they slowly descended until , finally, they crash landed 2 miles NW of Esen on the south bank of the river. Close enough to see the crushed bodies of their mates I believe. They didn't burn, just left a crumpled wreck and I don't know if they survived. So, thank you OBD for giving me all of the experience, the good and bad, the thrilling and the shocking. This sim will draw you in and immerse you if you let it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shredward 12 Posted August 16, 2009 I've seen words very similar to yours, written by pilots from the Great War. Cheers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olham 164 Posted August 16, 2009 I know very well, what you felt, Mr.Lucky. I had a similar experience posted in "Peports from the front". Perhaps you want to read it. http://forum.combatace.com/index.php?s=&am...st&p=308042 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RAF_Louvert 101 Posted August 16, 2009 I too have read similar reflections in the writings of the Great War pilots Mr. Lucky. And, I also had very much the same feelings myself yesterday when I flew my first campaign for FFA23 and watched two brave Brits choose the long fall instead of the fire. Really quite sobering stuff. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rickitycrate 10 Posted August 16, 2009 Oh I think we get it. One great aspect of the OFF sim is our ability to relate with one another on this forum. I enjoy reading all flight descriptions and they do indeed remind me of the real accounts that I've read. Thanks for sharing Mr. Lucky Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fliegenhund 0 Posted August 16, 2009 Nice post and I fully agree. Flying for RNAS8 right now and shot down a German ace from Jasta 11, Constantin Krefft. Really much more interesting when you get to shoot one down then go read the bio in the ace dossiers. If you dont love history and respect men that REALLY lived this, you cannot fully enjoy the game. (my opinion) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Macklroy 2 Posted August 16, 2009 A TRUE sim in every sense of the genre. OBD has a gem here to be certain! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
themightysrc 5 Posted August 16, 2009 (edited) Nice post. Now go and read "No Parachute" by Arthur Gould Lee, and you'll see how you have a kinship. Edited August 16, 2009 by themightysrc Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
