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You gotta be sh*tting me!

'Some Shrike it hot'

Yup, that's what I ended up doing! Fiddled with it in Blender 2.79... And honestly, there's no texture to really apply, but hey! It's in! An F-119A Vanguard, untextured but still in for a fight nonetheless... I need to get the rest of the hardpoints configured for A variant, but I'm glad the LOD is at least in! I'll get all the localization and figure out the F-119A's total armaments in the meantime.

My friend and I had a go at texturing, panel lines still need to be worked in all the way, but its definitely coming together!

The Mirage F1JA V2.9 is uploaded. We decided to make two versions, one from 1979 to 1988 and one from 1987 to 2011 (with the Israeli upgrade). This one is the Early version, a late one will follow. Available soon. The preview by Coupi

Hello! My name is Elchfisk and I am new to the COMBATACE forums in general, but I wanted to showcase something I designed and am in the process of working on. The Vought F-119 Vanguard, influenced by designs within the TFX (Tactical Fighter eXperimental) Program, which led to the development of the F-111, was considered to be a tri-service answer to the project. A high power, variable sweep fighter aircraft that would essentially replace the mud moving roles of the Aardvark, and the standoff interception capability of the Tomcat. I'm new to Strike Fighters 2 modding as a whole, and I would love for this to be the first project I undertake in that scene. Is there any documentation or anyone that could teach and assist me in how to mod in an entirely custom aircraft like this? I'll keep this thread full of work-in-progress photos in the meantime, but if any experienced modders could reach out to me, I'd really appreciate it. Before I go for now, here's another image of one of the several models, specifically the J79 equipped variant, showcasing the very unique wing setup, and variable sweep:

I would like to welcome you to the community and happy to help with what I know. Start with this file Also this may help

Absolutely brilliant stuff, even though I don’t fly the DiD campaign I absolutely love your reports shots and videos gentlemen. Thank you.

Hi, everybody. Sandbagger has posted the update to Version 4.2 of my Optional Cloud Mod on his website. The download is available in the 'User Mods Pages' (Sky Mods). User created Sky mods The page is dated 27th January 2022. If you don't see that date in the header block of those pages, clear your internet cache or refresh the page.

MFair – Really enjoying your man's story. He is often the right foot with Sholto Douglas. Paroni – Very saddened to see Armand fall like that. I hope your back up with your next pilot quickly. Seb – "Runt" has quickly become the star of the campaign so far. Congratulations to him (and his muse, Monique) on his fifth victory. Outstanding work! Beyond that, the interplay with Simon Acker is a great storyline. The man is a cad and a bounder indeed. Hawkwood has had an extremely uneventful career so far. The way it's going I fly missions over the Western Front to relax after a stressful hour of Euro Truck Simulator! I expect it will heat up quickly enough. War Journal – Sergeant David Armstrong Hawkwood 4 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps Baizieux, France Part 6 On 15 September 1915, Major Waldron left us as he had been transferred to a training command back in England. Our new commanding officer is a Major Todd, whom to date I have met only on parade. My observer, Lieutenant Osborne, is now proudly wearing the new observer’s badge on his tunic. It is a poor thing in my opinion, merely a letter “O” with a single wing, and it seems deliberately designed to be less than the pilot’s badge. It has quickly gained the name “the flying arsehole.” The second half of September saw us do a reasonable number of patrols, mainly artillery spotting with the odd reconnaissance flight thrown in for good measure. Most of this work took us well north of the Somme to the area east and north of Arras. On 21 September, our guns began a massive bombardment in that sector leading up to an attack on the enemy positions around Loos on 25 September. We were all abuzz with anticipation of a breakthrough and an ending to this terrible stalemate. By the evening of 25 September, however, we knew that the initial advances had been checked, in part due to weather and in part due to enemy counter-attacks. There would be no more idle talk about getting home for Christmas. This entire month I saw no Huns in the air, although I know they were there. I heard the reports of others and on 19 September we lost a machine to one of the new Fokker monoplanes. September ended with three days of rain, which kept us on the ground and out of the war. The Royal Engineers were here with a work party from the DLI and we now have a fine wooden building with a tin roof for the Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess. Everyone pitched in and helped to paint the place. The Technical Sergeant Major, who is appropriately named Tinker, has acquired a large framed picture of the King to hang on the end wall. He has firmly rebuffed the efforts of the mess members to hang pictures taken from La Vie Parisienne. “Leave that sort of filthy rubbish to the officers,” he told us. But at least there is beer…

Hi everyone, it looks like we still have newcomers in the SF flyers. I had some notes I took for myself and I now think these can help. So I put together some basic information in a more readable format: Basic Mod install in Windows 10.rtf Franck

Paroni: Like epower I hope you recover really soon my friend! Thinking of you. Mfair: I continue to really enjoy Sgt. Elijah Gallagher's story and feel his pain as he grieves his friend! Loved the catapult 'kill' Raine: As I was once told many years ago, "Football is a gentlemen's game played by thugs". "Rugby is a thugs' game played by gentlemen". I continue to enjoy the details. _________ Flight Lieutenant Theodore Aloysius Andrews (AKA 'Runt) RNAS-1 St. Pol-sur-Mer Missions flown: 40 Hours: B.E.2c 37, Morane Saulnier 20 Claims confirmed:5 Claims Unconfirmed:2 10th September 1915 Having Simon Ackart in the squadron has put a real dampener on things at St Pol-Sur-Mer that only Monique (bless her soul) can lift. Shortly after our first meeting in the mess we had a more uncomfortable encounter, with no witnesses - just the way Ackart likes it. While walking to my basher, enjoying the stars and a last cigarette for the evening, out of nowhere I heard Simon's slimy drawl, "Better watch the guy ropes Squeak" at that moment my cane was knocked from under me, by I swear his boot, and I went flying (not in a good way). I landed heavily, my cigarette flying in a glowing arc, I heard sniggering as I dusted myself off, collected my cane and walked, chin up, with as much dignity as I could to my tent. Monique, however, continues to put a smile on my face and has plans for my birthday on the 13th. I can't wait! She has a special walk planned to her favourite tree followed by a meal that she will cook. Bliss. Despite Ackart my flying career continues well, though the night after my fall I was very stiff and found flying less easy, however, as if to make up for the tensions in the Squadron I have become a 'Star Turn' or as the French like to call it an 'Ace'. Five confirmed air combat victories. Honestly, I have never flown better than since I met Monique - I carry her picture with me next to my heart - her angelic presence watching over me. On the first of the month, I bagged two Aviatiks who had been harassing our home airfield in one patrol. They were lower than normal attacking trucks - on approaching them they started to flee north to the sea and a chase quickly ensued. Wonderfully enough I was with Davies again (CO had a 48-hour pass) We must have hit the fuel tank of the first one pretty quickly on our first pass as it started to leak vapour and ditched quite comfortably on the sea. The second Hun was a bit more tricky, no trouble for Davies, who shot off his wingtip then proceeded to take potshots at his engine, causing him to nose dive and have a very ugly crash into the briny sea. Second Hun plunges to the sea Just debris and oil marked their final resting place The first Aviatik ditched safely and was picked up by a Navy vessel My fifth victory happened just a week later over Mene. We were on patrol when we spotted two Aviatiks in formation near the lines. Davies (who has still yet to be summoned back to the CO) and I flew towards them and once again Davies let 'em have it. Very quickly the engine of one exploded and burst into flames. The poor chaps plummeted about 5000 feet in a burning plane. Davies and I felt very sombre flying home, agreeing that this was a truly horrific way to die. We actually shared a prayer together for them and their families. The rest of the Squadron weren't close by so I couldn't call anyone as a witness. Both of us had low expectations of confirmation. However, much to our surprise it was confirmed! A terrible way to die Much to my satisfaction, Ackhart has been very quiet about my victories, what's more, he has got something of a name for himself at getting lost and lagging behind the rest of the squadron. If at some point I receive a medal for these last three and a half months I shall have great delight in rubbing his ugly face in it. Ungentlemanly I know, quite honestly I am surprised by the person I am becoming. But I suppose war changes a chap in surprising ways. My childhood bully "...prone to getting lost". Finally, to our dismay this afternoon we ran into two German monoplanes. We all thought they were light green Moranes - they looked exactly the same. Almost too late we saw big German crosses on the wings Davies got off a few rounds as did a couple of the other chaps, they dived away, unwilling to take on a formation of 5 Moranes and we left them alone. On our return to the airfield, we realised we'd taken a few rounds. The Skies are looking slightly more dangerous tonight. To be continued ...

The TA-152H model was very good but it had those lines that did not match me, many 3-view profiles that do not resemble the models in the photographs, so I looked for a more accurate profile and according to the photographs and decided after modify the original model several times, create a new fuselage and wings, in this case it is the top unfinished painting of the image.

Seb - You left out the final bit. Hurling is a Thugs game, played by thugs. Judge a Runt by his size do you, and well you should not. Your man is doing very well indeed

Really? Don't be thick... I am not a native English speaker and I think I wrote it down in a clear enough way... Make an effort and use the grey matter...

Hey Seb! What a beauty,Monique!

do you have a copy of the Thirdwire exporter? also important, are you working in 3ds MAX 2009 or Blender 2.79 (in which case you would need Mues exporter)? it does look pretty good if not a little unusual (most what ifs do tho so not a bad thing). few practical observations; for a naval interceptor (production version not paper proposal) i would think the wings a little longer and stabs abit bigger for better control and lower speed coming on the boat. look at the F-35C in real life, it has the biggest wings of the three and its directly because of needing a lower landing speed. but.... if youre carrying Phoenix internally, you got hella internal space. enought tocbe a very viable alternative to hte real F-111. and as shown it would do well dashing down low i think (high wing loading, doesnt buffet as much in the weeds). well and ditching the navy colors! not trying to be a rivet counter, its your bird do as you want. just my observations on how programs that went on to full careers went (both in what worked and in how they looked in the beginning) welcome the party, im one of many thats watching with interest

Right, it'd essentially be operating within the same time-frame pretty much, from the SEA Theatre's endgame to the onset of the Hornets. And yeah, I'll try and reach out to a couple of people, in the meantime I'll just wait obviously. I have four different models of this thing cooked up so I'm kinda excited to bring the entire F-119 family to bare on this.

Yeahh, it is an interceptor in a similar vain to the F-14 serving with the USN.. For background its intended to be a tri-service fighter-bomber which sprouted from the TFX program. The design is a bit wacky but it would stow the Phoenixes internally, its a bit of an oddball but I enjoyed designing it. At this point I'm just trying to figure out how I can start getting it into Strike Fighters 2... there isn't really much or any documentation I could find on that process whatsoever, so I'm honestly kinda stuck in the water right now.

It has an internal bay for those as well :) The shots I'm showing off don't show the bay open at all whatsoever. At most you'd probably put some AIM-9s on there, maybe some slick bombs or anything if you didn't have any other place to put it.

done and approved!

asking for the download location of a pirated model is grounds for banning. It's in the EUA (aka "site policies") and there's a sticky around here as well given guidelines (ie: Don't do it) Don't do it again. First and only warning.

as part of my contrary nature and counter to everyone saying theres edited ones in the big mods extract the one from stock. keep a copy stuck somewhere not in your mod folder. then play with it and add your desired nations. if you mess something up, then you can always drop that saved copy in and start over. in time you'll get to know it (and the other inis) well enough to catch cool stuff (or mistakes) in the other modded ones. not entirely the path i took learning it, but it does mix you up when learning and something is way different in what say, the two Kevins put out vs what TK put out (like my habit of every damn thing in a decal.ini being DecalLevel=2)

V2.9 uploaded. This is the 1979-1988 version. Available soon.

Thunder...Thunder...Thunderchief!!!! Hoooooo!!!!!!! To quote Khan..."There she is"

before scrolling down, i thought to myself "streakeagle must be jumping up and down right about now" will be one watching from the sidelines at first. but if they have European based squadrons, and Euro 1 skins (as well as Hill 2) out of the box, might have to scrape up some funds....

Sorry W. Woman, I missed your post. Pack 4 is part of the 2nd Mod "More Skins by Jerbear" As of now there are three packs in User Skins by Jerbear, Pack 1 2 and 3, now there are Pack 4, 5 and 6 in More Skins by Jerbear. Here are what few pictures this forum will allow me to post from the New Pack 6 and a redone skin from Pack 2 for Hans Bohning ( the blue and white diamond pattern) All three Mods have additions and changes so need to be downloaded again to get the changes and new skins, Alternative, User Skins and More skins by Jerbear.

Fly to the Moon...

Albrecht: how beautifully written absolutely delightful. Thank you! Hesse: I continue to very much enjoy the adventures of Auguste Besson. Paroni: I like your screenies! - I wonder if you are as fed up with the Morane as I am! So slow in climbing ... Raine: Superb - I'm enjoying the social comment in each chapter. This war, I think, changed so much of British society - more women at work - a slight move towards a more classless society that would find fulfilment after the Second World War. Maeran: Looking forward to this week's instalment - don't leave me hanging! ---------------------------- Flight Lieutenant Theodore Aloysius Andrews (AKA 'Runt) RNAS-1 St. Pol-sur-Mer Missions flown: 34 Hours: B.E.2c 37, Morane Saulnier 14 Claims confirmed:2 Claims Unconfirmed:2 August has whizzed by us at St.Pol-sur-Mer. With my promotion came a new aircraft and a number of different observers with who I have yet to make a firm bond. Sadly, Davies is now flying with the C.O. After his excellent shooting skills came to light the Boss nabbed him forwith for himself. Our only injuries to date have been one flying accident which hospitalised a couple of chaps for a few days. They were soon back laughing and joking about the excellent grub and the nurses. They are not the only ones to have had some success with the fairer sex, I too have met a quite delightful young lady. Davies and I, though not flying together have become, odd, but firm friends, and what's more, we've both taken to the local Dunkirk coffee like ducks to water. Our favorite coffee shop is 'Le P'tit Dupont' a charming family-run cafe that will often run to food if we are starving after a long day and fancy getting out of the mess. The owners, Monsieur and Madame Fountaine, are charming, attentive and friendly. But their daughter, perhaps a year or two younger than myself is beauty personified. She is called Monique. She and I have been secretly stepping out with one another for a couple of weeks now and it is bliss. She is absolutely stunning, awfully kind and speaks some English and Latin pretty well. With my French and Latin, we can talk about most things. Though I tend to make her laugh a lot when I'm attempting to speak French - which makes me blush terribly, which makes her laugh all the more. I don't mind, with her the war is very far away. Monique Fountaine However, it has not all been a bed of roses. Even worse than the Hun a chap I was a school with has been assigned to our squadron. Many of my schoolmates (being as we lived in Plymouth) joined the Navy, but few have found their way into the Royal Navy Air Service - a relief if I'm honest - as my school years were not the happiest years of my life. Simon Ackhart was in the year above me and was a shocking brag and bully who delighted in picking on me due to my size and slightly late development. To say I couldn't stand him would be an understatement. He joined the Navy before me and has been stationed at NAS Calshot since September 1914, flying among other things the Short Type 827 and thankfully until the 13th of August (a Friday) our paths had never crossed. I returned back from a long dawn patrol to find him sitting in the long hut we call the mess, smoking a cigar and holding court, eager chaps crowding around him as he boasted of his travels, experience and general prowess. On seeing me, limp into the mess with my stick for support, he yelled out with a huge ugly grin, "Squeak, what the hell you doing here! I thought the women folk weren't allowed anywhere near the front line." I was silent. "Grab me a cup of char Squeak, and some for the other chaps too - You'll at least make a good tea girl if you could lose your ruddy stick" Short Type 827 The mess at once went deadly quiet, the relaxed atmosphere changed in a heartbeat. It was Jefferson who acted first. He got right up close to Ackhart's face, and with a swipe removed the cigar from his smug lips. "Now then Old Boy, I don't think that is the way any of us want to speak to one another in here. Is it?" There was a deep menace behind the words. "You're new - we will make allowances - once. But we are sailors, we live as one, and, we fight as one. And that right there" he growled, pointing at me, "is Flight Lieutenant Theo Andrews. A damn fine pilot with two confirmed Hun planes to his name and a couple more probable - so you just watch yourself, my lad" The mess was silent as a pre-war night. Jefferson, having said his bit, stood slowly upright and stalked to his piano (we'd taken to calling it his) and started thumping on the keys. It was bawdy classic, "Three German officers crossed the Rhine" by the time we got to the chorus "Inky-dinky parlez-vous" the mess was in uproar singing and cheering. A couple of the chaps gathered around me, one lit me a cigarette and spoke up - "Tell us more Squeak!" ... Dawn Patrol A Hun we chased off The archie getting Hot The sheer beauty of the sky To be continued ...

it'll be here soon, i swear. just getting some professional help right now

View File EF-101D Jammin VooDoo. What If... I have absolutely no idea what I am doing here... The true story behind Jammin VooDoo When USAF realized that maintaining expensive RF-101B become problematic for the budget they started to look for potential clients among allied forces. Imperial Iranian Air Force saw an opportunity in this. After closing the deal IIAF immediately asked the Israeli industry to prepare a possible package for 22 airframes. The deal covered the full conversion of existing airframes into electronic countermeasure fighters. RF-101B received ground mapping radar and sophisticated electronics. It was successfully used by IIAF in escort and SEAD missions until 1979. Soon before the revolution, Israel was afraid that Jammin Voodoo electronics will get into the wrong hands. Thanks to diplomatic efforts Heyl Ha'Avir acquired all 22 airframes. Jammin VooDoo stayed in Israel until 1983 where it served in 253 Tayeset as an experimental ECM detachment. In 1983 due to huge expenses with old airframes, EF-101 was sold back to the USA. All aircraft were sent to two National Guard squadrons where they served for 4 more years in "wild Weasel" detachments. In 2380 due to a temporal anomaly, USS Titan was sent into 1988. On secret assignment, all 22 aircraft were beamed into the cargo bay where airframes were scrapped and electronics were used to create a time beacon. Basic modding skills are required t run this mod. credits: RF-101B by erikgen pylons from great Nyghtfal A-4 pack converted to use with Jammin VooDoo. ALQ and AGM-45 by Ravenclav. skins,ini etc..me Have fun Jarek H. Submitter yakarov79 Submitted 01/23/2022 Category What If Hangar  

Drones ;) AQM-37A Jayhawk Targetdrones Just a little sideproject to keep me motivated. AQM-37-model made by me with Blender. Inspired by > this < picture.

Paroni: Congrats on your first confirmed victory! Albrecht: Enjoyed your reports and the atmospheric way you write. Maeran: Super update - loved the historical detail and dislike the thought of McCudden being treated snobishly because of his background! Hassel: Hopefully the 'Spaniard's' embarrassment will work out for the advantage of his whole escadrille as he seeks to prove his worth! Trustworthykebab: Hope school goes well! ___________ Flight Lieutenant Theodore Aloysius Andrews (AKA 'Runt) RNAS-1 St. Pol-sur-Mer Missions flown: 25 B.E.2c Hours: 37 Claims confirmed:2 Claims Unconfirmed:1 26-31 July 1915 Climbing out over the Channel - Blighty lies just beyond the early morning mist The pace on the squadron has picked up over the last week of July. We have flown every day and once or twice both morning and evening patrols. It's been pretty exhausting, if I'm honest, on account of Cleaver the C.O. who has wanted us on the airfield ready to go at 4 am most days - which is bally early in you ask me. On those days I can see the advantages of Davies' silences. Early in the morning no one wants a fuss, as my father used to quote with regularity, "He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him." It's somewhere in the Bible or Shakespeare, I think, but he quoted it often enough to me as a boy that it's imprinted itself on my thinking. There's been some comings and goings in our squadron too. A couple of chaps have transferred out (There's talk of another RNAS squadron being formed) and we've had some new arrivals. Jefferson (The singer and mess piano player) who was my first observer has been attached to one such. Redford Mulock, a Canadian chap we all have taken to calling Red. He and Jefferson fill the morning air with their singing and their ofttimes bawdy songs. So it looks like I'm with Davies full time. Not that I'm complaining, he's got two good eyes and a quiet, deep temperament and I think that means a lot. He reminds me somewhat of the Harpooner in Moby Dick, a childhood favourite of mine. While sailors on the whaleboat curse and battle fiercely the foaming, crashing sea, he remains silent and watchful. The sailors labour with oars, shouting over the din of the howling wind and raging demonic depths - while he is languid, quiet and poised, waiting and watchful. I remember this sentence from the book, and it sums up Davies, "To ensure the greatest efficiency in the dart, the harpooners of this world must start to their feet out of idleness, and not from out of toil." That's good old Davies, through and through. Though I am no Captain Ahab to be sure - far too young. These early mornings have one distinct advantage - the first hour of flying is spectacular- one might even hazard, magical. Up before the lark We are not the only ones upping our flying hours. The Germans too have been more active over the last few days. At a distance, I've spotted a number of their aircraft. Much too far away to excite any interest from our flight leader, though I'm chomping at the bit. My chance came on the last day of July. Another early morning patrol over Passchendaele. We were up before the lark, or the Hun (for that matter) and spotted two Aviatiks flying West as we were flying NNW over Hunland. We were a tad over 10,000 feet, while they were in formation below us at 8000 feet. I tried to signal Mulock, who was flight leader, but either his singing was too loud or he was lost in the magic of the day, either way, I couldn't rouse him. As the planes slid beneath me, I turned with them, cut the throttle and stalked them. The sun was not very high so it was easy to keep it behind me and follow them - unseen. As they crossed onto our side they changed course, flying northwest towards Furnes and Dunkirk. I waited until they were a good way into our side and then dropped on them like an osprey. At once they began to head east, all thoughts of patrol gone. It took about 12 minutes, but with some steady flying and Davies' shooting, we shot one down. The Aviatik began streaming smoke at about 5000 feet, nosed down and crashed to earth just north of the ruins of Passchendaele. We watched their dive and circled above, with that familiar feeling of pride, and horror at what we have become. Again I prayed for the families, sweethearts and friends. I'm not a murderer, I think, but a sailor at war. I had dropped to about 3500 feet, which is far too low over Hunland - the anti-aircraft battery started as we turned west hammering the air around us with ugly puffs of death and twisted metal. We had strayed far too close to a German Observation balloon - and they weren't happy. Maybe they don't consider it sporting to attack unarmed German planes or they just didn't like the colour of our hair. But they let us have it with gusto. I put the nose up as high as I dared, and attempted to gain some height - the wind, though not strong was against us and we hung motionless in the air as 'Archie' pounded us. We took a very near miss to the fore of our craft. Fuel, oil and coolant were everywhere, streaming behind us, coating our faces. The engine groaned and shook, cluttered and spluttered angrily. I pointed the nose down and attempted to fly to safety, due west, at speed. The engine held ... just. We cleared the brown scared ground that marks the lines and I gently put our B.E.2 down. As we came to a stop the oddest thing happened. For the very first time I heard Davies's laugh. Not quietly, but uproariously, deep belly laughs teeth sowing white amidst his oily face, his eyes creased up with mirth. Our aircraft was not in such good heart. She had held me since that day in May when I first climbed in her at Gosport. I was familiar with all her ways, her quirks and foibles. Looking at her now - I couldn't imagine she would ever fly again and it seemed a miracle we had got as far as we did. Looking up in another prayer, this time of thanksgiving, I saw B flight who had circled back to Passchendaele and had spotted our battle and proud demise. They flew overhead I swear I heard singing ... "Daisy Daisy Give me your answer do ..." Later, on stepping off the tender back at St. Pol-Sur-Mer, the C.O., his proud red face glowing in the setting sun grabbed me by the arm. "Andrew's your victory was confirmed before you arrived - good show! ... And your papers came through this morning, you are prompt to Flight Lieutenant with immediate effect!" I limped to the mess an older, quieter man. To ensure the greatest efficiency in the dart, the harpooners of this world must start to their feet out of idleness, and not from out of toil.

Jean-Fidele Hierrot, Report #3: 3-9 July, 1915 Just as Jean-Fidele started finding himself a bit more at home with Escadrille MS 12, the squadron's assignment for 3 July very nearly brought him back home in the most literal sense possible. The mission was an extended patrol behind friendly lines - nothing new there - but this assignment was projected to be over two and a half hours, much longer than the previous two missions. And, most poignantly for Jean-Fidele, this patrol was going to bring him just within miles of his family's home in Meaux. Captain Caillebotte talked out the orders for the day, and the men proceeded to load up their Morane-Saulniers and take off. Surrounded by comrades As the formation neared a factory somewhat northeast from Paris, Aldric noticed the young pilot giving a good, hard look at the scene below them both. "What are you looking at? Any boches I need to know about?" the observer asked. "Oh no, nothing like that." Jean-Fidele sighed. "It's just that a couple months ago, I was working at a factory much like this one, and not too far from here, either. I like to imagine maybe in another life, maybe somebody else would be flying this plane and I'd be building an engine or a spigot or whatever down there right now." "Go ahead, let's give this place a few turns." "But what about the formation?" "Never mind the formation. Does it look like they need us right now? Besides, we can just catch up with them. Go on, let's do a few circles over this town." Jean-Fidele complied. He had often thought about what he was fighting for, how the same Germans who'd pushed his family out of Alsace very nearly pushed his family out of Paris. Yet, at times the new pilot felt like he was living an entirely different life in an entirely different world than the one he'd been in before; for the first time since reporting to MS 12 in Rosnay, he felt in the most concrete terms how the world he'd left behind still very much cast a shadow on the new life he was now pursuing. *** The next day, Jean-Fidele read in the newspapers about how Germany's Kurt Wintgens had been credited with his second kill: another French pilot, dead at the hands of the enemy's new Fokker Eindecker weapon. "What I'd give to put a few holes through one of those things," Jean-Fidele told Aldric at the time. "Leave that to me," the observer replied. "Whatever magic the Germans have worked out, I've still got the gun and you've got the aircraft. We'll take an Aviatik down one of these days." That day, however, was still a ways away. On 5 July, Captain Caillebotte led Escadrille MS 12 on a scramble mission to intercept a formation of Aviatik two-seaters that were approaching Rosnay. The Aviatiks had gotten a good head start, though, and while the Morane-Saulnier L had somewhat of a speed advantage, that advantage wasn't great enough to close the gap quickly. The pursuit dragged on for over an hour, in part because the Aviatiks had disappeared at one point behind some clouds. Next thing Jean-Fidele knew, oil was splattering all over the cockpit. "WHAT ON EARTH?!" he shouted out, partly in pain but mostly out of sheer surprise. "Petit sous, look, smoke!" Jean-Fidele took a look back and sure enough, the engine was streaming smoke all over Aldric. The petit sous took the parasol down in desperate circles, looking for a clear landing spot. At this moment, thankfully, fortune smiled upon him and Aldric alike: an airfield. How convenient! From what Jean-Fidele knew of the area, this was likely the airfield at Ambrief. The Morane-Saulnier touched down at Ambrief, and the crew spent the next day or so working out arrangements to return to Rosnay. Upon their return, Aldric and Jean-Fidele found the entire squadron celebrating Captain Caillebotte's confirmed kill. "Heh, apparently le capitaine took down a two-seater while we were busy not dying," Aldric muttered. Jean-Fidele gained an appreciation for just how difficult that task truly is - for, a couple days later, MS 12's formation chanced upon a couple more Aviatiks, and Jean-Fidele & Aldric once again attacked the two-seater only for the two-seater to limp back towards German lines. There was clearly some damage to the engine - progress, at least! - but no cigar. At least not yet.

August 11 Armand's Diary Back to Bryas again! Mission offensive patrol Vimy Ridge again. Near St.Vith we encaged two Aviatiks.We get good position and after 150 rounds,EA make half-split and almost collide us.Pilot hit sure! Schneider saw plane smashed near railway station.Le Sort claimed another plane. Mon Dieu! The first confirmed victory! I joked to Jean that she was on a shooting range on vacation. His response was that I had probably taken flight lessons!

August 1915 catch-up While eager to finally get back in the skies, Mladenov's career got a rather unlucky turn for the month. On his second flight, in the first half of august, his machine suffered an engine malfunction which almost resulted fatal to him and his observer. As they were approaching Bertincourt for landing, oil splatted onto their glasses, as the engine began rumbling. First a few puffs of black smoke, which quickly turned into fire, were now attacking the crate. As the observer was quick in pulling out his Broomhandle just in case, they were able to crash land a few yards away from the aerodrome. Neither of them suffered significant injuries. But it was not all, as the wonder-pair began to notice a couple new enemy birds lifting up in the air, both French and English. A new English biplane, with a weirdly-set Lewis machine gun on its side, made its appearence over Flanders. Mladenov's machine was victim of the strike of two of the aggressive enemies, which dived on a strafe while Lyuben was patrolling the frontline airspace. They seem to still be rather shy, those Englishmen, as they immediately retreated after the first, damaging but not lethal attack. September 1915 catch-up He flew his first September mission on the 4th. He, as much as his Kameraden, were getting more skeptic everyday, as the increase of enemy armed machines was evergrowing. On a solo sortie along the frontline heading South, the Bulgarian was struck by a French scout. The machine seemed nimble, extremely light, and lethally armed with a Lewis machinegun. Lyuben immediately went for friendly lines, but the stubborn enemy wasn't convinced. He kept on following him. At that point Mladenov decided to pull one of the riskiest manouveres he had ever done. He put his nose down, towards the ground, gaining significant speed. As the Paulie began diving onto him, Lyuben immediately pulled its nose up, getting in a stall. This overwhelmed the Frenchman, who didn't have time to react, therefore losing significant control of his aircraft and losing a significant amount of altitude. As a barrage of friendly AA began landing around the two wooden crates, the French decided to call the day, and went back for his lines. The 6th, Mladenov woke up with a strange feeling. He felt something was off, like it was the day something significant would happen. And something significant happened indeed. Top brass called for an unusual 5-men missions above Albert, BEL. Just as expected, they encountered two French scouts right above the city. Everybody immediately turned back for their lines. The Bulgarian had made significant ground and was at a safe distance, but he realized his Kameraden were in the thich of AA and enemy aircraft fire. He wasn't going to stay and watch. He immediately veered back, straight towards the scouts. He was indeed able to set them off with such an unexpected move. The machine he was facing immediately pulled down, diving away, as the other one immediately went for his buddy right next to Lyuben. Enough experience had teached Mladenov that the landing gear of the Aviatik were...Quite resistant. He made a heavy pull to the left, on a direct collision-course with the Paulie...He had hoped he would hit the crate with the gear, but unfortunately his wing went in the way first. He realized it too late, and him and the French collided directly. The two aircraft were now one, heading directly towards the ground. Mladenov's observer died on the impact with the enemy plane, while both pilots were still alive. While falling off the ground, the two enemies looked at each other. While in the absolute and surreal silence of the air, the Frenchman looked desperate: it was clear he was absolutely ashamed of dying that way (but after all, that's what he had signed for, right?). He made the sign of the cross and then put the revolver in his mouth. Bang Mladenov wasn't going to die with such shame in his body. He felt complete. He had allowed his Kameraden to make it back to base. He pulled out the Mauser, and took a shot to his head. He was later found by British men on the ground, and was later buried with full military honours, and with 1 credited kill in his tally. He was going to be remembered as a hero by FFA 32. P.S. I did forget to fill in the claim for the bird, but I figured that such an ending would make it more romantic.. I'd kindly request a new input for my new entry from the CM, either British or German, I don't mind!

Continue... No much left of the Morane. Adj.Devienne and Sgt.Alibert got same fate. So ended glorious days of airfighters Jean Perron and Armand Bouchant. We miss them!