Sebtoombs

Good Afternoon Chaps, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Theodore Aloysius Andrews.

A Naval Sub-Lieutenant from a Naval family located in Plymouth, England.  I joined the navy from the upper sixth (I attended Devenport Grammer School for boys) on the 1st of March 1914 at the age of 17 1/2 and passed out of Dartmouth College six months later.  Since then I have been based at Hendon Aerodrome (London) where I went solo in a Farnham Longhorn shortly before the war was declared. I have 32 hours in Farnham Shorthorns. 

I am currently in No. 1 Wing stationed at Gosport flying recon over the channel in a temperamental Avro 504 (64 hours) looking to transfer to France and get stuck into the Hun

My Old Avro

Although young, I am confident and mechanically minded. 

I have a good relationship with the men around me. However, due to my small stature and slight asthma, they tend to call me 'Runt' much more than I'd like.  My father is Station Commander at RNAS Eastchurch, his claim to fame is that while he was an instructor there he taught the First Lord of the Admiralty, Winston Churchill (a family friend) to fly.  I tend to keep all this information to myself for fear of not being seen as a good flyer in my own right.   Though it has its uses.

I walk with a stick due to a poor landing in a storm last year but it has no effect on my flying. Sadly, it does tend to add more credibility to the name 'runt'. My father's influence helped me to keep flying and not remain grounded.  I am a mix of cautious and optimistic - longing to give the Bosch a bloody nose!

Your obedient servant,

Theo Andrews

29 May Gosport

Postings were due today.  I rushed to the Notice board to find that I‘d been posted to War Flight Manston.  My heart sank.  I hoped to be posted to France, not search fruitlessly at night for Zeppelins.  I want to take the flight to the wretched Hun.  

I knocked loudly on the C.O.s door.  

“Ah, Andrews just the man” he smiled with gusto “Looks like you’ve dodged a bullet. You were due to join No.1 wing in France on the 1st June however, somehow at the last minute, I was handed orders to change your posting to Manston.  Lucky fellow”

I didn’t think so.

30 May Gosport 

I was up in the Avro over the Channel, flying with Harris (quiet Scot with a glass eye and wooden leg but a fine observer) beautiful day for flying, not another plane in sight, just some allied shipping.  Despite the joy in flying I was cursing my father, who must lay behind the change of orders from France to Manston.  I expect mother has put pressure on him.  I’m likely to be given a white feather at this rate.

31 May Gosport/Pol-sur-Mer

All change. 

The order sheet on the mess wall has been replaced.  I am no longer to report to Manston (apparently some Army chaps are taking all the slots.)  I’m to remain in No.1 Wing and off forthwith to France.   

“Ah, Andrew’s … sorry old man your posting’s been changed at the last minute to France. 

No.1 RNAS Pol-sur- Mer needs a pilot like you. They are down a few after a nasty business yesterday.” The C.O. was standing behind me. 

“Mind sir … positively delighted” I responded crisply.

“Might as well leave today old man … we have a BE2c that needs transporting - I can’t spare anyone to go with you … so in your own time.”

 Stepping into the BE2 was like stepping into the future. So many instruments, dials and levers made the old Avro look utterly sparse.  

After a pleasant flight across the channel solo, I landed at “Pol on sea” and met some of the chaps… my nickname of ‘runt’ seems to have made it ahead of me (bad show).  

I was introduced to Lieutenant Reginald Jefferson who would fly obs with me.  A thin chap with the most luxurious moustache and large unblinking eyes.   I would miss Harris and his dour sense of humour.  But this chap looked more than able to hold his own if we ever were to meet the Hun over the front lines.  

1 June Pol-sur-Mer

An early start this morning. There was a fine atmosphere in the mess last night! Squadron Commander Christopher Cleaver seems a gallant and game chap with plenty of experience and he took me aside and said I’d be under the care of John Gilanders in B Flight - flying on his wing.  I would fly the BE2 c I’d brought over from Gosport. Most of the squadron was in Parasols but I and a couple of other new boys would remain in the BE2s.  I was delighted … It’s a solid plane very stable, and, as I say, like stepping into the future.

The first job was a jaunt in beautiful conditions well within our lines we saw no other aircraft, but the noise of the front and the occasional puff of Archie.  Turns out Jefferson (my obs man) is a singer … “Daisy Daisy”, “Here we go round the mulberry bush” and “Archie Not tonight ” (every time he saw a puff of anti-aircraft fire) seem to be among his favourites.  We were up for two hours and it passed quickly and tunefully. 

Some of the squadron went up in the afternoon and had a tangle with some Aviatiks which proved inconclusive.  Us new boys were kept grounded and were given time to meet the ground crew, who were thoroughly decent chaps and very hard working.  I’m very happy to have made it to France. Many are the adventures that await!

Thank You VonS for all you do!

Happy Christmas ole chum!

Seb

I'm really looking forward to this! I've DM'd my character and backstory ... Can't wait for the 2nd!  Thank you, Raine, epower and Lou for making this a reality again!

Meet Theo Andrews!

Happy Christmas ...

Seb

Hi All

I love WOFF BH&H2  ... I've loved them all. I buy everything you sell!  My dream list, in reverse order ...

1)In Third: I want to give a shout out to artillery spotting and recon missions too.

2) In Second: A few more aircraft ie, some more two-seaters especially LVGs. Sopwith Dolphin and Siemens-Schuckert (I know they were rare) but so beautiful! And DH9!

3) Finally, in first place:  some earlier aircraft to fully flesh out 1915-16, please I would love to start a campaign in Jan 1915.

I can dream! 

Thanks for an amazing sim!

Happy flying all!

Seb

These are superb screenies ... I know little about this game - but am a huge fan of WoFF ... I'm seriously considering a purchase ... Thank you!