RAF_Louvert

. Olham wrote: Oh yes, Buntie, Mutton, and Smilin' Billy are true Rembrandts when it comes to aeroplanes. In fact, they've been working on my personal bird just this afternoon. My gunner/obs and I will be delivering fresh 20-pounders to you and your lot every day of the week, and twice on Saturdays! Enjoy the produce, courtesy of King George, but be careful, they might have a bit more bite than you're use to in your Hun turnips. Cheers! Lou .

. Well, they look like this, so you are right Baldric, they would be a simple item to cast, if a person could lay hands on one. Cheers! Lou .

. Oy there mates! Air Mechanic Allen Bunter 'ere, but me friends calls me Buntie, (I'm the one on the right in the tin type, I am). Our good old Wing Cap'n Daddy Elder said it might be nice ef you fine gents what was to be flyin' with the Number 3 'ad yer own little personal what-not painted on the fusies of yer kites, and bein the arteests what we are, we'd consider it an 'onor ef you'd allow us to work that up for you. You just gives us the picture of what you want inscribed and me an my mates 'ere, we'll take care a that right and proper. Oh cor! Where's me manners! This 'ere is Mutton off me starboard, and that's Smilin' Billy aft. We been servin together since the Dardanelles we 'as. Best blokes you'll find anywhere, pulled me arse from the fire on more than one occasion I can assure you. Anyways, you Sirs lets us know 'bout them pictures and emblems. .

. I was wondering about that very thing myself Siggi. It would serve to keep fixed leadership figures throughout a campaign that is likely to see a lot of personnel changes. Cheers! Lou .

. To all Officers and Pilots of 3 Wing, RNAS: Well, well, it seems we’ve raised the hackles of a few of the Kaiser’s best across the mud at a Fritzie two-seater squad not far from us. According to several private communiqués intercepted earlier today it would appear they are preparing to have a go at us. Seems they didn’t take too kindly to my previous comments about their own dear Willie and now they feel retribution is in order. Jolly good, I say! Let them do their best and we’ll return it to them in spades, (shirking indeed). The British Empire bends a knee to no one, and most certainly not to that mustachioed prince of Prussia, even if he is a grandson to our own dear Queen Victoria, God rest her soul. Now then, standing orders until November 5 will be…PRACTICE! As I stated before: practice gunnery; practice all aspects of flying, take-offs, and landings; and practice your aerial fighting tactics. Remember that your Strutters are in no way inferior to the Boche scouts you’ll come up against, especially if you work together with your wingmen. And don’t get too cocky if you happen across enemy two-seaters as they are more of a threat than the enemy scouts in our sector. Try to maintain good situational awareness and don’t get fixated on any one target. Keep your altitude and work the enemy lower, and do NOT follow him down no matter how juicy a target he presents. It is likely a trap and if you fall for it you will end up the one low in the fight with Hun scouts buzzing above you like a swarm of angry bees. Fly and fight smart, complete your missions if at all possible, and do your utmost to get yourselves back home. Strategic retreat is the best option if the only other option is to remain in the fight and die. A well-timed withdrawal is a much better use of the King’s property than chasing glory and losing not only your life but the Crown’s aeroplane to boot. Alrighty lads, final order to post for the time being. I expect each and every one of you to be in the Officer’s Mess at 6 bells of the Dogs every evening, (unless you are out on patrol), at which time I will buy the first round and we will drink a toast to Number 3 Wing! Which brings me to one more bit of business. What say you all that we stick with this Wing right on through after our B/R stint? We’ll be getting the Pups and the Camels as things progress, and they are both fine machines. Here’s to Tommy Sopwith and all his wonderful works of art! Respectfully, Capt. W.L. Elder #3 Wing Royal Naval Air Service .

. It would be my pleasure to serve as Commander for the Allies in this little soiree, provided there will be no issues with me being gone for a day or two from time to time. My work schedule has me on the road a couple of days a week on average, but I should be around nearly every Sunday coming up for a while. Cheers! Lou .

. Names, assignments, plane allotments? We best steel ourselves lads, it is only too obvious the dastardly Hun are preparing for a massive offensive come the 5th of November. We Allies are going to want to give back more than we get, which means every man jack of you better be prepared! I expect each of us to get in extra gunnery practice as well as formation flying, and take-offs and landings. So help me if I see anyone nose his kite over trying to aloft or alight I’ll kill ‘em myself, provided the wreck hasn’t already done us the favour! No time for slackers or daydreamers. Keep your wits about you every second you are in the cockpit, and work that neck swivel of yours as if your bloody life depends on it, because it does! There’ll be plenty of time for back pats and chest puffing when we’re all safe and sound back at camp, and we can drink to each other’s good fortune and brag all about ourselves then. But when we’re flying our minds best be in our work. Remember, this is for King and Country, and for the sweethearts and mothers back home. Rule Britannia! Up the Kaiser's! HIP HIP, HURRAH! . .

. Stiffy, you are not alone in your quest Sir. I have yet to find a source for replica RFC buttons, and the originals are nearly nonexistent on the open market. That being said, you should consider the following: The majority of RFC officers at the front wore the uniforms of their original infantry, cavalry or artillery regiments. For the most part it was the Home Defense units that had first crack at the actual RFC kit in the supply depots, and they tended to scoop it all up before it could make its way to the front. You would be perfectly accurate to do your RFC uniform with buttons and collar brass of your pilot's former army unit, then add the RFC wings and any ribbons he might have earned, keeping in mind that he would not be wearing the British War Medal or Allied Victory Medal, (if you are trying to emulate the look of a pilot during the War). I am considering doing one for an RFC pilot who was originally a member of a Canadian rifle unit prior to joining the RFC shortly before the War began, (which would mean if he landed in France between August and November of 1914 he would be one of the "Old Contemptibles" and therefore allowed to wear the Mons Star beginning in April of 1917). Cheers! Lou .

Stiffy, here is a short video I did a while back showing stumpjumper's inititial efforts with this project: Flaming Onions, Oh What A Lovely War As you can see, he is going to be giving us yet another great immersive feature in this already outstanding sim. Cheers! Lou

. OK, I am back in the office for a day before heading back out on the road again for work. Trying to get caught up around here, and in answer to you question Olham, from what I can find in various sources, these are the jastas that either were assigned or had an opportunity to fly the E.V / D.VIII before the end of the War: Jasta 1 Jasta 6 Jasta 8 Jasta 19 Jasta 24 Jasta 36 Jasta 5 (Erich Lowenhardt flew one for a short while) Seafront Staffel (supposedly continued to use the aircraft after they had been officially grounded) I Marine Feld Jasta II Marine Feld Jasta III Marine Feld Jasta I could find no evideince to show Jasta 4 had them, but that doesn't mean they didn't, only that I couldn't locate any paperwork to support it. Cheers! Lou

. I've been flying the Camel more than any other scout, and the Strutter 1 1/2 more than any other B/R. Both total DiD and manual mixture, so I'm good with whatever you decide Siggi. I'll try flying anything, anywhere. I say the more realistic we can make this the better. Cheers! Lou .

Greetings All, Here’s a topic I am curious to get your thoughts on. I began building a very small collection of original military medals some time ago, and in so doing have had to contend with a few questions and concerns from people as to why. Now for me personally, the primary reason I have these objects is the direct connection it provides to the gallant men who gave above and beyond and were recognized for their selfless actions in the presentation of such honors. Many emotions well over as I hold one of these awards and make that immediate physical link to the past: gratitude, awe, exhilaration, humbleness, and sadness. The reason for the last, sadness, is twofold. First is the obvious fact that the individual who earned such an honour no doubt suffered in doing so, perhaps even to the point of giving his own life in the process. Second is the idea that there is no one of this brave hero’s family or friends to keep his honor, and I prefer to think that’s because they are simply all gone, and not that they still exist and simply don’t care anymore, (though I know the latter can also be the case). Being former active military myself, I take the meaning of the honors and citations of all countries very seriously. I believe it is a crime when someone claims military service and/or awards that are false. That being said, I do not have an issue with those who collect such medals and awards as a way to preserve and cherish the acts and individuals they represent, and while I would never wear one of the medals I’ve collected, (not even as part of a costume on Halloween as suggested by my granddaughter the other day), I don’t see having them as disrespectful to the world’s heroes. Better these medals are owned, cared for, and displayed by people who feel they still have the worth originally invested them than they should sit forgotten in a shoebox, or locked away in a safe as an “investment”. So how do you folks feel on the subject? And because this can be an animated discussion in some circles I ask that we all please remain respectful and thoughtful. Also, I would ask that this not turn into a discussion on the whole validity argument of an awards system in the first place. That's an entirely separate topic for another time. Cheers! Lou .

. Pappy55, my very first flight was as a kid in an old Stearman PT. It was amazing and I have been in love with flying ever since. I've done some open cockpit ultraflight flying now and then over the last few years, and I imagine that has to be pretty darn close to what it was like to fly the early WWI planes. Cheers! Lou .

. Outstanding story British_eh. This was probably my best kill, though technically a force down: A Duel In The Sun It was fortunate I had my camera along to capture it. Cheers! Lou .

. Aaaah, roger that Flyby PC, I misunderstood your intent Sir. JimAttrill, I'm not sure what you have against Leopold I. A decorated general in the Russian army by his early 20's, he became a very diplomatic leader who more often than not worked towards peaceful solutions to disputes rather than plunging his newly-formed country into war. He was also responsible for building the first railway in Europe. Apart from a couple of indiscretions in his love life I don't know what you could hold against the man. Now his war-mongering, self-serving son on the other hand, Leopold II. Well, he should have been hung, shot and burned for what he did with the Congo Free State. Lou .

. WOW! appraiserfl, I will definitely have to add this to my ever lengthening "Someday" list. Very neat. Cheers! Lou .

. Just got a chance to check in from the road. This sounds like a blast! Count me in: any side, any squad, any machine. Just give me an assignment. Cheers! Lou .

. Flyby PC, while I whole-heartedly agree with the first part of your statement, I must respectfully disagree with the latter portion. The medal itself is not just a trinket. It only degrades to such if we ignore that which was vested into the honor upon its award. Indeed, the very medal itself is imbued with the gratitude of a beholden nation when it is pinned to the uniform of its deserving recipient. A citation for bravery and heroism carries a spirit akin to that of a flag that drapes the casket of a fallen soldier and is then reverenlty folded and given to the surviving wife or mother. They are each physical symbols of human values we deeply cherish. Yes, the symbol can vanish and the values remain. But to remove the values from the symbol does a grave injustice, not only to the symbol itself, but more importantly to its recipient, and to the country which presented it. DEL60, that is an incredibly powerful statement Sir. Thank you again everyone for your heartfelt comments and opinions on this subject. They are very much appreciated. Lou .

. Thanks right back at you WM. With age comes wisdom...if we're lucky. Otherwise it's all just hairy ears, pot bellies, wrinkly skin, rheumatism, and wind. Lou .

. Outstanding zoomzoom! Never seen that done before myself in OFF, though I did force a couple of Huns to crash land their kites and keep 'em on the wheels. Prost to you Herr ZZ! And I agree Check Six, "Dawn Patrol" is still the best film on the subject. I have watched it 20 times at least. Cheers! Lou .

. BTW, Dej, I wanted to mention how sorry I was to read that your mother had to sell your father's medals in order to get by. In a way she performed a very heroic deed herself when she sacrificed something so precious for something else even more so, but then that's what heroes do. I do sincerely wish though that you could somehow have those very personal items returned to you and yours Sir. After reading your response I can completely understand your reasons for wanting only replicas in your collections. Lou .

. WM, I understand what you are saying about the award of bravery medals. It is not, nor has it ever been, equitable. It's a manmade institution and therefore flawed from the start. I agree that any man or woman, military or civilian, who has had to struggle, fight through, and endure the battlefields of war, and in so doing attempted to maitain a sense of humanity in an inhumane situation, is a true hero. They should all be honoured and respected for their actions. But then we all love our heroes, most especially the "high profile" ones. We want to, we NEED to, be able to point to the daring exploits of men like Richthofen, Fonck, Mannock, Bishop, Little, Brumowski, Rickenbacker, Coppens, Kozakov, and countless others across the eons, and hold them up as examples of the spirit of bravery and honour in battle. For good or bad, we have and will always laud our heroes of choosing. Check Six, we in the U.S. set days aside to honor our fallen and returned veterans as well. WM mentioned Armistice Day, (which was changed to Veterans Day many years ago here), and that is a big one. But the larger one for us is Memorial Day. This is the one which sees special services held in cemeteries across the country, parades in honor of our past and present service men and women, the reading of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address at assemblies everywhere, and living veterans wearing their honors one more time as they weep for their fallen brothers. I attend the service in our local cemetery, sometimes in my old USAF flight jacket, and I like to arrive a bit early so I can stand and privately salute the rows of tiny white crosses the VFW puts up for each of the veterans from our community who are now gone. Every year there seems to be another cross or two added to the line. I cannot help by cry when I look at that and think of the sacrifices and the lives changed by war...any war. Man's bravey and heroic spirit should never be forgotten nor cheapened, the cost was far too high in the first place to allow such. Lou .

. uncleal, you can't beat the prices on those props...no way, no how. And that sign is pretty sweet too. .

Well BH, we didn't make baseball bats with it, we made block sets for schools, which might be even more sacrilegious when it comes to a gorgeous plank of 10/4 curly, tiger stripe, or birdseye maple. Which was why I pulled every such figured board I found that had slipped past the graders and set it aside before it made its way to the saws to be summarily sliced and diced, (we went through 10,000 board feet of #1 Select a week). I bought about four to six prized planks a month from the company and toted them home for not only my own special projects but those of my friends as well. I carved one amazing super curly chunk into a stock for a .32 caliber Tennessee long squirrel gun I built way back then. It was a beaut too. And I carved up countless jewelry boxes and knick-knack shelves out of all the little leftovers I had from the bigger projects. I still have a plank left in the barn, despite the fact that its been 25 years since I worked at the place. I have yet to find THE project to build with it as it is one of the most amazing chunks of maple I have ever seen. It has a figure to it that looks like tens of thousands of little globe-shaped puffs of smoke, and the pattern runs through the entire plank. Cheers! Lou .

. Oh the sweet anticipation of it all. .