AlbertTross

Mfair - So Elijah is knee deep in the offensive in Flanders. Hopefully he can keep his head down. At least Douglas made it back ok. Seb - An excellent catch up with Theo's cousin. Some flak heavy sorties nearly put paid to his impressive record but thankfully he managed to get away from the Boche. Time to take stock. Paroni - Glad to see your man made it back. Despite his infantry's best efforts. TWK - Ailbe is lucky to be in a C type rather than those sitting duck B types but he can't help drooling after his CO in his glittery Eindecker. All he can do is get through his missions and stay alive.

Seb - Aye, well I came up with the idea whilst downing a few not so wee drams on Burns night last week Hasse - A change in aircraft and in location for your man. Those Nieuport's should be able to take it to the Eindeckers. Lederhosen - Welcome to Herr Bockhackler. Like my man Hardie, he's already been through a lot so is certainly battle hardened. Good luck to him. Sergeant Kenneth Hardie 6 Squadron RFC Abeele airfield 30/09/1915 The lorry came to a halt near to the main buildings of Abeele airfield. Kenneth climbed out and twisted his hips and neck. It had been a horrendously bobbly journey and he was pleased to be here. The troop ship across the channel had been a pleasure, the journey to the airfield anything but. The Corporal driving tipped a wink to Kenneth and drove off. Kenneth stepped upto what looked like the main building and entered. There, an adjutant was busy with papers as Kenneth approached his desk. After what seemed an age he absently looked up towards Kenneth, "Yes Sergeant? Can I help you?" said the Staff Sergeant. Kenneth passed the senior NCO his papers, "I've been assigned here Staff Sergeant". The adjutant rather irritably put his own papers down and took Kenneth's. "Ah Sergeant Hardie. Yes of course. Wait here please and I'll see if the Major can see you now". He went to the door opposite, knocked and entered, before reappearing, "Major Shephard will see you now", stated the adjutant. Kenneth entered the Major's office and came sharply to attention. The adjutant shut the door and left them to it. "Ah Sergeant Hardie, at ease. Welcome to number 6. How was your journey?" said the Major. "Thank you sir, it was alright, the lorry here was a bit...... hard going sir" said Kenneth with a rueful smile. The Major smiled too "Yes the roads around here can hardly be called roads at all". The Major looked over Kenneth's papers. "So you were a gunner? Mons, La Cateux, Ypres. You've certainly put your hours in on the ground Sergeant." said the Major respectfully. "Thank you sir, yes it's been quite a couple of years hasn't it." replied Kenneth. "How many hours do you have Sergeant?" asked the Major. He had the answer in front of him but he always liked to hear it from the pilot. "Twelve in BE's sir and three in FE2's" replied Kenneth. "Three in FE2's eh? How did you manage that back in Blighty? asked Major Shephard. "I was lucky to spend a few days in Gosport before embarking sir and they had some Fees there. I was able to take a few of them up" replied Kenneth. "Do you like flying then?" asked the Major. "I love machines sir, being an engineer, the idea that something can use its own power to climb away from the ground and fly around has always interested me. Then when I'm up there....it's a great feeling" replied Kenneth, giving more away than he had planned for, but it was always a question that got him going. "Hmm interesting, it's good you find it all so enjoyable Sergeant, just remember there's a war on. There's men and machines out there who are intent on your death and destruction." said the Major in a hard but friendly manner. "Oh I fully appreciate what we're up against sir and I can only hope I get the chance to pay the beggars back tenfold" replied Kenneth with that sly grin again. The Major smiled, "That's good to hear Sergeant. Well go and find your billet and grab some food. The adjutant will show you both. Not to mention where the Sergeant's mess is. Although after last night's party, it might not be so busy tonight." said the Major. "There was a party last night sir?" asked Kenneth. "Yes, for your predecessor, Major Lanoe Hawker. It was quite a send off. He's off back to Blighty on a new assignment. That's why you're here." replied the Major. "Well, i'll do my best sir" said Kenneth. "Good. In fact once you've unpacked and eaten I'll introduce you to the rest of the Sergeants and then the Officers. One of whom will be your Observer." finished the Major. "Very good sir" said Kenneth who saluted and left Sure enough the adjutant showed Kenneth his billet, which consisted of a decent sized tent and a single camp bed. Having dumped his gear he then went over to the mess and was able to grab some soup and bread rolls which were left over from dinner. The Major then did indeed show Kenneth around. In the Sergeant's Mess were Sergeants Randy Wimund from Vancouver and Jem (short for Jeremy) Barnes, who was a fellow Scot from Muchalls in Aberdeenshire. The adjutant, Staff Sergeant James Reid was also in there. Kenneth was then taken to the officer's Mess and met a few. Captain Wallace O'Bannon was first to come greet Kenneth. He was from Penryn in Cornwall and already had 3 confirmed victories flying the Bristol Scout. Kenneth was finally introduced to Captain Charles Barnard, who was to be Kenneth's observer. Barnard, from Princes Risborough was 27 and had been in the cavalry before and during the war. He transferred to the RFC as an Observer in late 1914. Captain Barnard and Kenneth talked for a little while and Major Shephard confirmed that the pair would be airborne tomorrow.....weather permitting. After a drink with the Captain, Kenneth headed back to the Sergeant's Mess. He stayed for a hour or so and then retired back to his tent, excited for tomorrow. 01/10/1915 Kenneth woke, nervous and excited.....he walked over to the entrance of his tent and opened the flap.....the sky was a dark and sinister grey and the rain was tippling down. After breakfast, Major Shephard came around the two Mess rooms and confirmed that the flying was cancelled for the day. Silence fell across the room.......... "A see ye broucht our weather ower wi ye" said Sergeant Barnes in his broad Scottish accent. Even Major Shephard enjoyed that one. Kenneth spent some of the day in conversation with Captain Barnard. "What do I do in a BE2 if we run into an Eindecker?" asked Kenneth. "One thing you don't do is panic Sergeant. If he's on our tail kick your rudder around and try and give me a shot, listen to my shouts. If he's elsewhere, use your imagination dear boy", replied the Captain. Kenneth smiled, "Have you met any of them?" he asked. "Twice now, and the first time my pilot tried to dive away, presenting his arse to the German who filled it with bullets. We barely made it down." replied the Captain. "What are our missions generally?" asked Kenneth. "Spotting, reconnaissance, bombing. A good mix to he honest. We'll always carry bombs, even on recon jaunts. In case a target presents itself and it generally does. That's something your predecessor drilled into us." replied the Captain. The rest of the day passed in a similar vein. As the day drew to a close the weather seemed to clear. Too late for flying today but bode well for tomorrow.

Once more into my breeches dear friends....... Some great stories and characters already developing I see. Some sad deaths, escapes and even a few victories. Who said the air was quiet in 1915. Paroni I'm liking those pictures of yours. I've decided to climb into the murky skies of the air war in Autumn 1915. Introducing Sergeant Kenneth Andrew Hardie. Born on 16th July 1893 in Fort William in Scotland. The son of a railway engineer, he follows in his father's footsteps until the war looms and then joins up. He is assigned to the 19th Regiment of the Royal Artillery (the Scottish Gunners) and fights in several battles in late 1914 and early 1915. He is promoted to Sergeant in February 1915 and in May, with the expansion of the RFC he applies and is accepted. After training on a Longhorn and then gaining hours in a BE2 and even a couple in a Fee, he is assigned to No. 6 Squadron and arrives at Abeele on 30th September 1915. He is the direct replacement for one Lanoe Hawker who is returning to blighty for a new assignment. This is Kenneth's story.............

Hi all, Does anyone know if the Pilot Log Editor we used in UE and PE works in BHAH II? If not has it been updated to BHAH II yet anywhere? It's a great little tool which I liked a lot. Cheers

Nice shots pal. One from me, took on a Nieuport with a good paint scheme and managed to down him and then recognised the pilot as Paul Tarascon, great skin whoever made that one.

Hi, I have released an updated version of my Music Mods which are now available over at Sandbaggers site. https://thatoneplease.co/WOFF.html These Mods are compatible with BHAH II and UE/PE. Cheers Albert

Further to this. If you have already downloaded any of my music Mods can you go into the unzipped mod and click through the folders until you reach the sound files themselves. Can you please delete all other files except those called MenuMusic.... MenuMusic 1, 2, 3 etc. Those other files shouldn't be in there. The MODs on Sandbaggers site are being updated as have my originals. Cheers Albert

Hi all, I've created MODs to change the menu music in WOFF. There is a German version which is now on Sandbaggers site here https://thatoneplease.co/WOFF.html The mod replaces the 'MenuMusic' files with various marches, songs and speeches from WW1 for a bit of added immersion. No other sound files are changed. British and French mods will be available very soon and I'm creating an American one too. Enjoy Albert

A couple of pictures from my DID campaign. Lou has kindly let me try out his Bertangles airfields MOD. It works very well and adds to the immersion, turning the separate airfields into a huge aerodrome. Not to mention the possible targets for any German bomber in mid 1918. I also added one from a Nieuport career, love the detail on the Albatros.

Ha, yes..... grounded due to good weather.

A room with a view.

So many great books already mentioned here. I would reiterate, Sagittarius Rising, a fantastic book. I would also draw attention to some excellent statistical gems. The French Air Service War Chronology '14/18' - Frank Bailey and Christophe Cony Above the Lines (complete record of German air service and Naval aces in WW1) - Norman Franks and Frank Bailey KEKs and Fokkerstaffels - Johan Ryheul One book that has yet to be written though, a comprehensive english language biography of Charles Nungesser........SO much to write about. What a read that would be.

Great stuff thanks very much

Ha, no I'll stick it out with these chaps. It's 24th August 1916 in my campaign so I've got a few weeks yet before the Albatros starts arriving. I'll just increase the supply of whisky when they do. The DH can hold its own against the Halberstadt and Fokker DII and III.

Still flying with 32 Squadron in the DH2, I'm making hay before the Albatrosse arrive.

Another pic from my DH2 campaign with RFC 32. The DH2 has its limitations as anyone who's flown it in WOFF knows, but when flown properly it is great fun.

Flying the DH2 (one of my favorite aircraft) I managed to down an Aviatik. The detail on the Aviatik is fantastic, from the gunner's leather coat down to the spark plugs on the engine..... brilliant.

Hi Doomed, No you don't have to do anything with the CFS3 cd. It's just that you own the game, purely from a licensing point of view. Because WOFF is based on the CFS3 game engine. So as long as you own CFS3 you're fine.

Showing off my new Albatros DVa skin for my DID campaign Many thanks to OvS for adding the insignia to the stock MFJ1 skin for me, superb job.

Flying with Jean Navarre in Esc 67 near Verdun in April 1916. Great skin on Navarre's aircraft. Downing an Eindecker, it was only when I got close up to the Eindecker I realised you can actually see the bullet wounds on the pilot..... amazing details

Cracking colourized picture that one Pol (as are the rest in the game as well). I realised that I'd torn the lower wing canvas off on landing as well. The progressive damage in BHAH II is another great feature. Shows off the framework very well indeed, like a fish skeleton.

Yeah probably. If not from the original removal of the wing itself, but from the force of the wind as I flew back.

Smashing pictures mate, distinctive bird that Dr1. With my DID campaign being seemingly non-stop action at the moment. I thought I'd also have a more.....quiet.... sedate jaunt going on with C42 in September 1915. I say quiet, that is until my gunner decided to remove nearly half my top wing Thankfully I managed to get down ok and I think I found out why the gunner went crazy. He's obviously a filthy spy as it's the same pilot as the one flying my DID campaign .

Started a campaign flying the Pfalz EIII around Ypres with FFA3. The modelling is SO good.

Some more pictures from my DID campaign. The dogfights are definitely more intense now with the new AI. The way they take potshots at you at every opportunity. Great stuff