rjw 48 Posted April 23, 2012 Well, how do I say this!......At the time I thought I might have had too many virtual beers, but thanks to FRAPS I know I'm alright!!! You have to view the attached vid to believe it. Either those British ground crews are amazingly exceptional in response time or God occasionally lends a hand! Whew! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olham 164 Posted April 24, 2012 No wonder the S.E.5 is so hard to beat - Albatros wings only ever break! It isn't fair! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeDixonUK 5 Posted April 24, 2012 (edited) Yes it's a feature of early Aeroplanes that were made of wood. You see wood comes from trees - and obviously trees grow, so the early aeroplanes didn't need repairs like modern ones do, they just let the internal trees grow a bit - I remember reading about Mosquitos in WW2 being nearly impossible to shoot down because of all the wood they used. As for the Albatros wings not growing back, this is also historically accurate - RFC maintenance stated that an Aeroplane should be watered after every third flight in order to keep the wood healthy so that it would grow when damaged, and this was also something that the French took up as early as 1916, however in Germany they were unaware of the technique, and only in September 1918 did they discover it, which of course by then was too late to have any major effect on the war - who knows, maybe if the Central powers had learned of the technique sooner then things might have turned out differently. You can read more about it in 'Botanical Warfare on the Western Front, 1914 - 1918', by Professor J. P. J Booth Williamson Smith-Villiers MC Edited April 24, 2012 by MikeDixonUK Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
von Baur 54 Posted April 24, 2012 Who was the pilot? David Copperfield? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olham 164 Posted April 24, 2012 Aaaaah - ha! Yes, that makes sense! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjw 48 Posted April 24, 2012 I just knew this post would generate some interesting replies!! I should have know you "elite" and "valued" members would have the answers!! Have a great day, I know you all just made mine! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shredward 12 Posted April 24, 2012 Ahhhh - I think you actually encountered the Sopwith Salamander Cheers Shredward Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shiloh 12 Posted April 24, 2012 Well at least you didn't have to shoot it down twice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjw 48 Posted April 24, 2012 Well at least you didn't have to shoot it down twice. Shiloh; I think if it had another 200 feet to fall it just might have got it's lower wing as well and then who knows!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Creaghorn 10 Posted April 24, 2012 where do you think, batman has the idea from, when falling or jumping from a roof...? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UK_Widowmaker 571 Posted April 24, 2012 I bet many pilots in the Great War prayed for that Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olham 164 Posted April 24, 2012 Did they have signs on the craft: "Careful - Fast growing wing!" And an order from high command: "No picking apples during missions!" God, we are silly! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UK_Widowmaker 571 Posted April 24, 2012 God, we are silly! Speak for yourself m8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RAF_Louvert 101 Posted April 24, 2012 . Yes, really Olham, we're more barmy than silly. . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjw 48 Posted April 24, 2012 . Yes, really Olham, we're more barmy than silly. . Love that smiley you added at the end of your comment. Is that your own creation? I haven't seen that one before. I'm still laughing half hour after seeing it so I just had to respond. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RAF_Louvert 101 Posted April 24, 2012 . Robert, that little gem is actually in the OFF forums smiley choices. Look way towards the end of the full list and you will find it. . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olham 164 Posted April 24, 2012 Barmy. Of course are we barmy! Did I say silly? How silly! I meant "barmy"! Silly me!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dej 17 Posted April 25, 2012 And of course, the serendipitous double-entendre of 'barmy' is 'Bar... me!' STE-WARD! SET 'EM UP MY GOOD MAN! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
