Geezer

Actually, you are not far off the mark. Because the other guys need time to work the many files required for a new aircraft, I am experimenting with filling up a production pipeline with models and half-finished skins. This gives VonS, Heck, etc time to work at their own speed - I then update the model and artwork based on their feedback.

Been busy with Real Life, but managed to start mapping the N 17.

Progress on the Bleriot will be slow because it presents an unusual challenge. Sorta/kinda on the subject, I've found two things of interest. 1) The Mondragon semi-automatic rifle, designed in Mexico, was used in limited numbers by all combatants in the early days of aerial combat before machine guns became common. 2) Gterl's superb maps feature detailed shadows when run in FE2.

Got the Nieuport 17/24 done, so will probably map it next.

Got the first test article flying ingame.

Events of 100 years ago can sometimes be confusing. In 1914, the American public wanted nothing to do with "another European war." Indeed, Woodrow Wilson was re-elected for a second term as president by running on the platform "he kept us out of the war." Popular historians say that German submarine warfare changed American opinion, but that ignores facts. The infamous Lusitania sinking occurred BEFORE the presidential election of 1916 but did not affect American voters - they re-elected an anti-war president. After Wilson was elected, events such as the Zimmerman telegram outraged American voters and the government then declared war on Germany. The US originally wanted to use its white star insignia, but Allied pilots shot at anything not marked with a cockade, so the white star was not suitable for the western front. By the time American units began to arrive in France, Russia was out of the war so the US used the old Russian insignia.

Czarist Russia withdrew from the war in 1917, about the same time the US entered the war. Russia was no longer using its national markings so the US adopted them for its own use during WW1.

Give 'em Hell, Cap'n Eddie!

More Fighting The Flying Circus theme shots. Jeanba helped me find a primary source reference for the R11. The single photo he was able to find enabled me to make an educated guess about the R11's wing camo.

Rough shot of pilot's vantage point, plus the guns and flying surfaces are mapped.

Making good progress on the first color scheme - 27th Aero Squadron "Screaming Eagles."

The terrain isn't lovely, its magnificent!

Jeanba helped me with some research so I was able to finish the R.11 camo.

Thanks. More progress shots.

More progress shots.

Got started mapping the Nieuport 28, America's first fighter plane. Also found some hokey Hollywood shots from that old classic, the Dawn Patrol.

Thanks to sterling efforts by Heck and VonS, the Pfalz is nearing completion.

Worked on details and the Flying Circus concept.

Also making good progress on the Halberstadts.

While Heck and VonS sort out the file conflicts, they leave me free to work on models and artwork.

Some progress and reference shots.

Heck and VonS have been very helpful with file development, and are considering more comprehensive data and info packs for the Fighting The Flying Circus concept. Speaking of which, the Nieuports 17/24/28 will have some really colorful opponents.

We've been having problems getting the Pfalz D3 cockpit to display, probably because we are using a hodge-podge of files which are not always compatible. For a reality check, I loaded a rough version of the cockpit into the old Pfalz DR1 model. Shots below show it being nudged into position.

Heck, VonS, and I have been discussing the possibility of a dual release of the Pfalz D3a and Nieuport 28. "Fighting The Flying Circus!"