Rick Rawlings 138 Posted August 26, 2021 (edited) Karl Spieler Jasta 2 January, 1917 Near Pronville The fortunes of war have brought our aerodrome closer to the front, which puts us at risk of attack almost upon takeoff. This happened the other day when we had planned to hop over the lines to end an observation balloon that was always spying our comings and goings. We had not gotten very far when the others started turning and climbing about the sky. I always do the same and pretend that I know what they are on about, but I rarely do. Anyway, we were soon attacked by a flight of Nieuports and in short business I had my gas line shot away, either by a Nupe, or by the ground fire coming up from the enemy lines. As I swung to the east, I got one good raking pass on an enemy bus. I must have hit the pilot or the controls as he went into a diving turn to the left and never pulled out. Settling down near one of our balloons, I watched the fight go on above me until a lorry came over to have a look at me and my wounded bird... Edited August 26, 2021 by Rick Rawlings Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rick Rawlings 138 Posted August 28, 2021 (edited) OMG! I am SUCH an idiot! I just figured out that back when I separately bound each gun on the SE5a to a different button for the Rick Rawlings Challenge that also applied to any plane with two guns side by side. So the whole time I have been wondering why planes are so spongy, I've only been using one gun!!! I was watching Fullofit's videos over in the DiD campaign and wondered how he was dropping them so fast! having said that: Karl Spieler Jasta 2 February, 1917 Near Pronville Ran into one of those new British scouts the other day: it's like a short Sopwith Strutter. Very maneuverable, best do do straight in strikes! Not very sturdy though, they can be crippled with a few hits... *notice when I fire, the reflection on the top wing only lights up over the left gun... also, I am really not liking how you can't see those bare trees until the last minute! Edited August 28, 2021 by Rick Rawlings Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rick Rawlings 138 Posted August 29, 2021 Karl Spieler Jasta 2 February, 1917 Near Pronville von Richtoffen is gone. He of course was selected to head Jasta 11. I am currently the top scorer, by I think the kid, Voss, is going to outdo us all. What a fantastic flier! Like Boelcke himself! We headed out the other day and were immediately buzzed by a Nieuport thinking he would get an easy kill. But being a poor shot, he missed and flew past me allowing for an easy kill on my part. I would have loved to ask him what he was thinking, but there wasn't much left when he cooled off enough to be pulled from the shell crater he crashed into. We finally got enough of the DII Albatros models for me to get one. I do like the improved view... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TROOPER117 146 Posted August 29, 2021 Ran out of bullets there Fritz?... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rick Rawlings 138 Posted August 30, 2021 Heh, yes! Still catching up on my one-gun missions! Having said that... Karl Spieler Jasta 2 March, 1917 Between Douai and Cambrai... As the front shifts we have been moved back, hopping from one field to the next. Still, we have it better than the infantry, furiously digging new trenches as they pitch back and forth. I see them like mad little ants when the siren blows and am thankful I am not down there. Still, there is no safety in the skies, either. I shot down numbers 13 and 14 yesterday: both on fire before they hit, not a pleasant thought...and no sign of this even being close to over... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jerhear 50 Posted September 6, 2021 Flying now as Carl Bucker of Kest 8w in January 1918. Kest 8 will be in the next group of skins (Pack 4). It's a little slow back in the rear areas of Luxemburg but There's enough action and I might live awhile. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rick Rawlings 138 Posted September 6, 2021 The Pfalz, huh? Best of luck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jerhear 50 Posted September 7, 2021 Love to fly the Pfalz...it's a nice little plane...as long as it dosn't catch fire for no apparent reason. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CastelEtzwane 23 Posted September 15, 2021 On 8/27/2021 at 12:35 AM, Rick Rawlings said: Was that the Nunge - -I wondered about this too but it turns out that the default skin for Esc 65 has the tricolor chevrons. Also, after the forced landing and the engine quits, it was nice to be reminded what a great a job WOFF does recreating the sounds of war while viewing that nice airshow. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rick Rawlings 138 Posted September 16, 2021 True! There was another guy in the fight that I didn't really get to engage that looked like he had something black on his side. That was the guy I was wondering about... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rick Rawlings 138 Posted December 24, 2021 Rick Rawlings No. 24 Sqn May, 1916 Bertangles Aerodrome We are finally starting to make some headway against the Huns! After a slow start since my first flight a few months ago, I have recently brought down two Eindeckers! The first was after we were attacked while pursuing some recon scouts of the enemy. The story goes something like this: The second one was the other day when we were attacked (again) as we were diving on the rail yard at Athies Junction. It was something like this: All of this was without the loss of any of our pilots! I can only hope our good fortune holds. I have a sense of foreboding, however: yesterday a French pilot crashed in the field near our drome, his plane shot to pieces. As the pulled him from the wreck to take him to the field hospital, he just kept babbling one word: "Rolands..." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TROOPER117 146 Posted December 24, 2021 Well done Rick... thought you were going to connect with that railway line at one stage I thought your little windshield and goggles were a bit messy... shouldn't be happening when your kites have an engine behind you! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rick Rawlings 138 Posted December 24, 2021 I know... I am going to have a word with my ground crew about that... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Albrecht_Kaseltzer 44 Posted December 26, 2021 For one of my campaigns, I'm taking a bit of an unorthodox approach. I present...Squadron Commander Malfie Cho of No.1 Wing RNAS: Mind you, I started him at the bottom rank and he worked his way up over the course of 100+ missions with RNAS Eastchurch/RNAS 1/RNAS 3. I made a map showing the locations of his 14 confirmed victories up to (but not including) the Battle of the Somme; red = confirmed victories, blue = major landmarks (major battle site, airfield etc): Note that you'll only count 13 red marks for confirmed victories; on 6 March 1916, Malfie took down two Eindeckers north of the German airfield at Ghistelles, and the crash sites were so close that they show up as one circle. More in-depth reportage is soon to come. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rick Rawlings 138 Posted December 26, 2021 Nice! We can always use another Aussie in the ranks! Rick Rawlings No. 24 Sqn, June 1916 Bertangles Aerodrome Today we unpacked the mystery of "Rolands"... Our base was attacked by three of the two-seated hunmobiles and while we shot one of them down, they put enough holes through each of our machines that none of out busses were deemed airworthy until repairs were completed on them two days later... Let me tell you how it all went down: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rick Rawlings 138 Posted December 28, 2021 Rick Rawlings No. 24 Sqn, June 1916 Bertangles Aerodrome Had a big tangle with a bunch of Eindeckers last week. We were doing a line patrol at 7000 feet when we ran into a bunch of them escorting a recon flight. For a bit, it was just avoiding collisions and clearing each other's tails. Then the fight broke up and were on our own for a moment before we found another flight. Then the fight was joined in earnest. I put in claims for two but as they went down over the lines at low altitude, no one else saw them, so no confirmation for old Rick Rawlings! Oh well, I know I did my part in my heart! Winding my way back on my own, I was amazed to see a train racing full steam across the front, right through No Man's Land! When I landed, I told the others about it, but they said it was very hush-hush... called it "Olham's Express" and said it was doing "God's work"...they advised me not to speak of it again... * Right after that flight, we learned that Max Immelman had been shot down. Now this is weird, but some pilots started reporting of a phantom scout that dives from a sweeping turn on high to shoot at their planes, saying that it is the shade of the downed pilot, seeking revenge! Normally, I would not be one to give much credence to such tales, but the strangest thing happened to me on this morning's flight. I was flying along, more or less in formation, when suddely, I was attacked! The crack of machine gun rounds sailed past my ears, spars were hit and shredded and canvas torn from its ribs! I sent my machine into a spinning dive and when I pulled out, I looked around but no enemy machines could be seen! What was worse, there was the rest of my flight, carrying on as if nothing had happened! They all claimed that they had seen nothing, and had thought that I was having a seizure! What was worse, when I got down, there was no damage of any kind to my bus! The Major was sympathetic, but I noticed that our ration of alcohol was cut way down at the mess tonight. Or maybe it was just mine. Spooky! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TROOPER117 146 Posted December 29, 2021 A 'cloaked' Hun machine flown by Baron von Klingon? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rick Rawlings 138 Posted December 30, 2021 Hmm. Perhaps... Under impulse power, however, they should still emit gas. That's how we'll get them! Care to operate on a torpedo with me, doctor? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RAF_Louvert 101 Posted December 30, 2021 Such mystery attacks have been going on for years in this sim, as attested to by one of my posts from years ago, the link to which is here: Mysterious Explosions "I tawt I taw a Romulan...I did, I did see a Romulan!" Trooper, it wouldn't surprise me a bit if the Klingons were involved as well. Can't trust either of them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RAF_Louvert 101 Posted December 30, 2021 It's the only only way, It's the only trick to play; You're a Romulan, he's just a Pup, So it will be easy to blow him up. Now go on and do not quit 'Til you've disrupted every bit. If his canvas kite doesn't turn to flame, Well, that only means that your aim is lame. So keep him tight in your phaser's sight, It's the OOOOOOOOO-nly way! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jammer28 0 Posted December 30, 2021 Notice how it happened as you were going through a cloud? You may have gone through a Double Vortex Time Portal. At that moment a German machine entered the portal and for a brief second you appeared before him. He managed to get off a short burst before you both exited. I imagine he's just as befuddled as you are. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RAF_Louvert 101 Posted December 30, 2021 Oh I've no doubt that could be another valid explanation Jammer. Those disruptions in the space-time continuum would account for not only the errant German plane slipping in on your six unexpectedly and then just as quickly slipping back out, but also for the sudden appearance of a Romulan D'deridex class warbird. or a Klingon Bird-of-Prey. You start messing around with relativity and quantum mechanics and anything can happen really. 42 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
catch 81 Posted January 1, 2022 Man that's a bad trip Rick. You know, up in Woodstock back in '69 someone slipped me a brown tab and said it's okay man while blowin' reefer smoke in me face. Then the tiny little dude way up there on the stage miles away said don't touch the brown acid man as it dissolved on my tongue. Then The Who came on singing some shit about a deaf, dumb and blind dude that blew me away, more so when Pete smashed his axe. I could see for miles and miles and miles even though he looked really small like an ant with long hair I can't explain. Some things you just can't. Like wot happened to you Rick. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rick Rawlings 138 Posted January 1, 2022 (edited) Nice post, Lou! I missed that one in the other thread, but sounds like my experience wasn't unique! 25 minutes ago, catch said: Man that's a bad trip Rick. You know, up in Woodstock back in '69 someone slipped me a brown tab and said it's okay man while blowin' reefer smoke in me face. Then the tiny little dude way up there on the stage miles away said don't touch the brown acid man as it dissolved on my tongue. Then The Who came on singing some shit about a deaf, dumb and blind dude that blew me away, more so when Pete smashed his axe. I could see for miles and miles and miles even though he looked really small like an ant with long hair I can't explain. Some things you just can't. Like wot happened to you Rick. catch, I just hope that if someone offers you the brown acid in the future that you Won't Get Fooled Again... Edited January 1, 2022 by Rick Rawlings 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RAF_Louvert 101 Posted January 1, 2022 No substitute for good advice Rick, and I agree with you. Don't slip kid, in particular if a bobby is about as then it would become a legal matter, and no matter how many friends you have you may not find one to bail you out even at a bargain price. Sunrise in jail is no fun, certainly not a place to relax, it only brings another tricky day and you won't be happy Jack until you're going mobile again, which could take a while. If you're lucky you'll be yelling "I'm Free" by 5:15 the next afternoon. (there's twelve of 'em in there) gawd, it's so sad about us, (now there's thirteen) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
