Canvas Wings 1 Posted September 9, 2009 My Jasta 2 pilot, flying his first sortie in an Alb D2, Sep/16 happened to bring down Fee that ended up more or less all in one piece in a field next to a farm house and very close to his home field at Bertincourt. Said pilot, being at the end of his sortie, decided to land and pick up a souvenir. On landing, I switched to an external view as I rolled up towards the crate. Suddenly, when he got within 30 meters or so, there was a small flash and thump of an explosion directly in or under his cockpit and the pilot flew straight up into the air. I mean, he must have reached 100 meters faster than the Albatross could have. Touching burial service, tho’. Now there was a bit of flak going off at the time (yes, at ground level, thank you very much, boys of Gun Battery B) -so I suppose it could have been that. But Death by Archie has always been a louder, more spectacular affair than this minor explosion, and that doesn’t explain the pilot’s Pop Tart imitation. So I’m thinking either: A) the idiot rolled over a land mine. B) that SOB in the Fee chucked a grenade in his lap, or C) he bumped the James Bond ejector seat button. Whatever, it was quite a sight. Fortunately, being the pilot’s first flight, I was able to laugh my ass off at it. Strange sight # 2 does anyone/everyone else have a compass outside the cockpit on the right wing of their EIII’s ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+Stary 2,427 Posted September 9, 2009 That compass was indeed there mounted on the right wing in Eindeckers, so no worries! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hasse Wind 46 Posted September 9, 2009 The best part of the Eindecker must be that nice little fuel tank sitting right behind the pilot's seat. It gives you the feeling of being well-protected in case of fire. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Canvas Wings 1 Posted September 9, 2009 That compass was indeed there mounted on the right wing in Eindeckers, so no worries! Ah. Well that was my first thought, since it's so obviously there - but I checked a lot of pics on line and couldn't see it, so I thought perhaps it was just a glitch in system. Thanks Stary. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rickitycrate 10 Posted September 9, 2009 (edited) I've put my crate down on the turf after running out of ammo or being crippled. I like to sit there and enjoy the different views and any action. A few times while leasurely looking about I was almost hit by falling/crashing aircraft at very close range. Very loud when your engine is off, made me jump, and some explosion to see. Great fun. Edited September 9, 2009 by Rickitycrate Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+Polovski 460 Posted September 9, 2009 Compass is correct, several craft had them mounted away from other large metallic objects :) DFW's is on the port wing too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimAttrill 24 Posted September 9, 2009 I was landing using Target view and as usual I stuffed it up. The left wing hit the ground and about half of it got ground away. I thought 'here we go' but managed to right the plane. Then the wing remade itself. I laughed at this, but was quite happy that the ground crew had flown along with me and managed to fix the problem so quickly Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
