RAF_Louvert

Greetings All, A couple of years ago I ran a contest in the WoV forums called "Name That Ace", and it was a rousing success and a lot of fun, and the winner received a very nice WWI Croix de Guerre. Due to that success, I've decided it's time for another such event along similar lines. This go-round it's called "What's My Plane". Here's how it works. I will post a set of four different photos of Great War aircraft parts that you are all encouraged to try and identify, (such things as cockpits, guns and mounts, engines, markings, pretty much anything really). You are allowed to initially pick only one photo in the group to identify, and also give as much info on that part and/or the aircraft it belongs to, if you can. If after 36 hours of your first posting there are still photos in the group that have not been correctly identified you may choose one of the remaining to ID and give info on. And, if by some chance 36 hours after THAT posting there is still another unidentified photo, you may go again, until all photos in the group have been correctly ID'd and elaborated upon. Once that has occured I will then post the next group of four photos and the game continues. I will use the time stamp of the posts to determine when the 36 hours are up for each person's non-posting period. Make sure you don't post early, as it won't count towards your final tally or towards the prize that will be awarded to the winner, (and in the effort of fairness even a minute too soon will disqualify your answer). There will be a dozen sets of four photos each, for a total of 48, so you will have lots of opportunities to try and score points. I will post a running tally of each contestant's score, and the one with the most points at the end of the game will be the champion. 1 point will be awarded for correct identification of the item in the photo, and another point for further indepth information about the item and/or the plane it belongs to, (the more info the better), and I will have final discretion as to the awarding of the points. Further, these points can be split between two different contestants. For example, if Widowmaker were to correctly devine a picture of a conical widget for an Albatros DVIII, and shortly thereafter Dej posted information about the company that designed and built said conical widget and/or a concise history of the DVIII, then they would each get a point. They would also each then be required to wait the 36 hours before posting another answer. This will not only provide a reason to those who know a fair bit about the part they are identifying to take the time to include that in their answer in an effort to get both points, but will also give incentive to others who may not know anything more than what the photo is to post an immediate answer in order to claim the single point. The first one with the correct answer and/or information gets the point, or points. I should also mention that an incorrect answer will still require you wait 36 hours before posting your next answer. So you can see there is a bit of stratagy involved here as well as your knowledge of WWI aircraft. You are free to use any reference sources you like including your favorite search engine as I believe any tool that helps people expand their knowledge to be a very good thing. "OK Lou, but what is the prize we're after here?", you may be asking yourselves at this point. Why, nothing less than this beautiful reproduction of the most coveted of all Prussian honours, the "Orden Pour le Merite", better known as The Blue Max! This is a high quality replica with the "W" maker's mark, indicating Wagner of Berlin. It is NOT one of the $5.00 cheap castings you so often see being offered. It will include the neck ribbon as well as the Oak Leaf cluster, however not the case as that is only in the photos to show the medal is of the correct size, (but then let's face it, you're not going to be keeping it in a case anyway). I have been shopping for the contest prize the last week or so and was lucky enough to nab this item on eBay today for a very, very, VERY good price. Just imagine how nice this would look hanging round your neck as you fly your BHaH missions for the Fatherland. So there you have it. I will be posting the first set of photos right around 1:00pm Greenwich Mean Time, Thursday, August 20, (about ten hours from now). Good luck everyone, and have fun. Now, let's get ready to play "What's My Plane" ! Cheers! Lou

. You are all more than welcome! It was a lot of fun for me as well, and a learning experience to boot, (as these things always are). When I get back from my business trip I will be posting the links to the resources I used for this so that you all have them. Also, Olham's Blue Max is on its way to his door, and he is going to post a picture of it displayed in his flying room once he has it. Cheers! Lou .

Manuc, welcome to the virtual skies of OFF. You are in for a whole lot of fun. Cheers! Lou

. That does it Red-Dog, excellent Sir! Yours is the final answer in "What's My Plane?" It was a well-played contest everyone, and I hope fun for you all. Here are the final scores. Olham, 28 points Red-Dog, 22 points Rickitycrate, 22 points Dej, 21 points Bullethead, 5 points Duce Lewis, 5 points Luftace, 5 points Burning Beard, 4 points Rooster89, 6 points zoomzoom, 3 points Check Six, 2 points rhythalion, 2 points JohnGresham, 1 point Shrikehawk, 1 point TonyO, 1 point Olham is the grand winner of the event, with Red-Dog and Rickitycrate in a tie for 2nd, and Dej at 3rd. A big round of applause for all our contestants! Olham, if you will PM me your mailing address I will be sending along your Orden Pour le Mérite. The Blue Max is yours Sir, and well-deserved. Display it proudly. Cheers! Lou

. hee, hee, hee .

. LOL! OK, that made me laugh right from the get-go this morning Olham. And I felt the "ARRRRRRGH!" was apropos, given the comic theme of this thread. .

. Olham, you will all have many of the same sources soon. I have quite a list of links I'll be posting. .

. Outstanding CJ! .

. Here's one of a dawn meeting between Baumer and Nungesser: Cheers! Lou

. And you are oh so right Rooster! It is the Wibault C.1 with the 220 Hisso. .

. CJ, those are beautiful Sir. Olham, here are a few I posted before as well. Cheers! Lou

. And a stealthily stylish kite it is too. TKS Bullethead. .

. SWEET! Thanks so much...yet again.

. ARRRRRRGH! The cockroach's comment is NOT an insight into the deficiency of another flight sim, but rather an indication of his own ignorance about other flight sims. .

. OK, again, as I've already explained in my previous post, I was not bashing another sim. .

I will definitely be buying this when it becomes available here in the States. I was fortunate enough to have been stationed in England during the first run of this series, and watched every episode of it I could back then. Cheers! Lou

That is an outstanding website Olham, and is on the list of resources I will be posting after the finish of the "What's My Plane" contest. Cheers! Lou

Please CJ, tell me you're not feeling the need to defend another WWI flight sim because of the comic I posted. It is strictly meant as humor. First of all, the observation by Opus that the old "twig and berries" doesn't have as much to offer anymore in comparision to a flight sim is in and of itself ridiculous, and is meant to be. Secondly, Milquetoast's comment is clearly made from an uninformed position as concerns the other flight sim, and is couched just that way in an effort to show the humor one finds in folks who sometimes speak as if they know what they're talking about but likely don't. As to Bill's "Ack!"...well...the meaning of that's is anyone's guess.

Slipstream22, here is a link to an earlier thread where I outlined my method of high alt bombing: A Bombing of Berlin Nice to see we have another bomber puke in our midst. And I agree with Check Six, the Strutter can't be beat for bombing. It is my fav Allied plane for the task. Love those operational dive brakes...very neat. Cheers! Lou

Great stuff Stiffy! I have a few of these myself as well as about six months worth of "Land and Water" magazine from 1917. What would be outstanding is if you would pick an article a week that would be of interest, then scan and post it here for us all to enjoy. Cheers! Lou

Olham, when do you need these by? I will be out on the road for a couple of days starting tomorrow, but I could work on a few shots for you this weekend possibly. Cheers! Lou

. My favorite part of that is still when Cleese turns and says, "Fetchez la vache." The puzzled looks of his cohorts, and then he repeats it...brings tears to my eyes. Of course, I've been laughing so hard up to that point in the scene that it wouldn't take much to push me the last bit.

Rickitycrate, you are correct Sir, #48 is the DFW DR.1, which means unfortunately that Olham is not. BTW, great reference book you've noted there. Well done. zoomzoom, yes indeed, #47 is the J.1 with the Blitzen-Benz engine and armoured fuselage. My sources note this paritcular plane as a Junkers build rather than an A.E.G., but I'm not splitting that hair at this point in the game. Well done Sir. Two left folks. Who's going to nab them? Cheers! Lou

OvS, that particular bird belongs to Jasta 58. Also, notice that it is fitted with the Siemen guns. Cheers! Lou

. Well folks, believe it or not the time has come for the last set of photos in this battle of knowledge and wits. Therefore, without further ado... The final begins now. This has been lot's of fun everyone, and so for the last go, Let's play What's My Plane! .