CaptSopwith

I was randomly searching things on YouTube - James McCudden being one of them (Jimmy is far and away my favorite pilot of WWI). And lo and behold, I find a 45 minute documentary on World War I. Here's the link. Enjoy!

Okay... so I've been flying a German campaign with the new DM installed and I have to say, it's fantastic! The damage in the air feels much more balanced now. I particularly like the coupling of wing failure with engine fires, this dramatically reduces the number of flying incendiary machines in the sim. Also, it seems more "realistic" at least from a logical standpoint. If an aircraft is burning up like a tender box, it would stand to reason (at least for me) that the wings would likely fail due to fire eating through bracings and control wires. I've also been shot down by the enemy and I have to say, the DM is brutally punishing on the receiving end. You cannot linger in front of your enemy - as it should be. Dogfights feel better balanced - they don't perpetuate themselves for too long. They are often quick, very violent, affairs - again, as it should be. So yes, not much else to say without repeating myself. Fantastic job - as always, and I'm really enjoying the alterations! Cheers HPW!

Hi guys, I've dived back into some great OFF flying in the last few days and boy, did I pick the perfect time to come back! I see HPW has a new DM - which I'll post my thoughts on over in his thread. I wanted to post this questions seperately so as not to derail the other thread. I'm wondering, Herr Prop-Wasche, if it's possible to run your new DM with the FM mods you released earlier this year, as well as 33LIMA's great Empty Weight Mod (which makes combat much more even handed and finally removes that always-frustrating feeling that I cannot keep up with my flight) and his Gunner Arc Mod. I just flew a few missions against some British FE2b's and they seemed utterly defenseless - so I thought perhaps the new Gun Arc Mod would help. A lot of little mods I know, but I am having so much fun flying that I can't help but see if I can make it even better! Any thoughts on this? BTW: The new DM is fantastic!

Olham, If you're interested, I have the entire WoG soundtrack (all 433kb of it) in .midi file form. If you'd like a copy let me know and I'll send it over to you in zip file format. I play it on Windows Media Player all the time when I'm busy working on grading. My parents were stuck with their 16 year old son playing Red Baron non-stop in the loft of our old house - leaving them to endure hours of engines droning and menu music playing over the rafters. They always said it sounded just like the Great Escape theme... and I agree with them!

For comparison Olham: I loved the menu music for RB3D. Yes, as embarrassing as this is to admit, I actually still listen to it now. I have a playlist of all of my old menu music - works wonders when you're trying to grade a hundred papers! I also have a playlist of music from Wings of Glory that I found online years ago. Both are great.

Looks like some kind soul out there took the time to learn and play a piano version of some very special menu music from the old days... See if you happen to recognize it

I'm trying to remember when I even joined and sadly, had to check my profile to be sure. I wonder if Olham has any better memory of my appearance than I do. I started with OFF way back in 2006 when OvS directed me towards Phase 1 (was it 1 or 2?) at the time. I even mentioned it in a little blog postback way back when. Everything else is kind of a blur.

He is! He's been sitting in mothballs for the duration of my first semester of PhD studies, but he's still there - waiting in the wings. How's things on your side of the pond?

Great looking skin Olham! I too immediately thought of Hartmann's craft when I saw the nose. I'll happily use it - as I'm still using your "R" design for my old Wilhelm Roth campaign!

As always my friend, nice find. Really enjoyed the video - it was a nice break from grading!

I've often felt I would acquire a greater appreciation for what trench life was like if I were to volunteer for a few days of re-enactment. Living in a trench, sleeping in the cold, it has to be bloody awful - and that's when you aren't being bombed, shot at, or gassed... The ability of the human mind to comprehend such things... I wonder if we ever truly will.

Thanks for the replies guys! I meant to write back about... oh a month ago! I appreciate it!

Here's an ode to the flight sim hobby we all know and love - and to the great community that springs up around it. This one is for all of you. Enjoy and feel free to comment!

I feel a bit late to the party chaps, but I couldn't help but notice Widow drop my name in his list of members and I have to say, I'm touched! I feel like so much of a lurker most of the time - PhD duties and the general insanity of my life over the last year has left me posting sporadically at best. I'm actually spending my evening grading papers, watching The Blue Max, and fighting the urge to set it all down and go up for a mission - which I know will blow an hour away in a heartbeat! I read the boards every day - even when I have no time to post. Now, with a laptop and an iPhone, I can sit in my nearest coffee shop and check in on my comrades in arms. I've been fortunate. Ever since I found internet access back in 1999, I've been lucky to be on a good board. First it was Delphi - where I met folks like Shred, Pol and OvS (where the devil is he btw!?) then I moved over to here and found the rest of my good friends - Olham, Widow, Slarti, Hellshade, the list goes on and on. You guys are a great bunch and at times like this - when real life is, in all honesty, kicking the crap out of me - you keep me sane. Cheers and another round on me!

Hi Von Baur. FSX will likely be the last, traditional flight simulator from Microsoft. After the release of FSX, Microsoft disbanded the Flight Simulator team. The new project from Microsoft is Microsoft Flight. The website is here: http://www.microsoft.com/games/flight/ although information on the game is sketchy. I'd say that if you can run FSX, pick up a copy, it will likely keep you busy until Microsoft Flight is released to market.

Just came across this on Youtube. Too good not to share!

Yikes Shiloh! Those photos looks pretty hair-raising! Glad you and your loved ones are okay, but my condolences on the loss to your town. Thankfully, you can always rebuild. Just glad everyone is okay.

So far so good from the sound of things. Keeping my fingers crossed that that continues. Be safe everyone!

Keeping an eye on the news today - Hurricane Irene has been churning up the East Coast of the United States for the last day or so. I checked the handy OFF pilots map that Olham keeps updated and realized that there are a large number of us in the storm's path. I hope everyone is well - Irene doesn't look as serious as many originally feared. How is everyone?

Best of luck Widow! I echo the group by saying it couldn't have happened to a nicer chap. I hope the job's enjoyable and who knows, perhaps you'll run across the occasional Snipe along the way? Cheers!

Hi guys. Just did a little writing on my humble blog (read by about 8 people!). Here's a write up I did on Call of Duty that wound up turning into me singing the praises of flight simming yet again. Hope you like it!

Safe and enjoyable travels Olham. We'll keep the light on for you!

Thanks Olham. I understand. In that case I'll buy you a frothy cream soda!

Olham, my friend, you are a gift to the community. Your consistent finds of great historical websites, photographs, and in this case, fantastic video, is one of the things that keeps me checking the OFF forums daily. To see a DH2 in flight is amazing - I need to go to New Zealand. And I need to go to Germany! Something I hope to do in the coming few years. If I get my shot at hopping the pond, I'll have to look you up and have a pint with you. Thanks again for your contributions.

Nice find Olham! I'm enjoying the website - if I'm not mistaken, is it commemorating an anniversary at Johannisthal field?