RAF_Louvert

Very nice! Much smoother panning motion and a neat new control panel for all the settings and profiles. I had a clean action with my TrackIR 4:Pro software before, but this is even better. If any of you are currently running either TrackIR 3 or TrackIR 4 now you should give this new software a try. It's a keeper for me. Here is the link for those who need it: http://www.naturalpoint.com/trackir/06-support/support-download-software-and-manuals.html Cheers! Lou

Dej wrote: No, no, Dej, I was making fun of myself! I completely overlooked the designer's name of the Gotha series. With age comes forgetfulness. Cheers! Lou

. Well...yes Dej...there is that too. .

Hauksbee, "Ursinus" does mean "bear", and while it is an odd name for a seaplane, in 1914 as the original land-based G.I version of the Gotha it made more sense. By 1915-16 when the seaplane version was being built, it was still called the Ursinus but the designation was changed from G.I to "WD", presumably standing for "Wasser Doppledecker". Thus the Gotha UWD, or "Ursinus Wasser Doppledecker". Cheers! Lou

Ah, the UWD, that's the one Olham. And it is the float version of the G.1. Thanks Olham. It is a sweet-looking plane too, isn't it. Cheers! Lou

Hauksbee, it looks like a float version of the Gotha G.1, a twin engine B/R plane built early in the War. While I am sure it is a Gotha I can't sort out exactly which model, but it is quite early. Here is a pic of a 1914 G.1 for comparision. Cheers! Lou

. Aw shucks! And I was just cozying up to the idea of being a fanatic. .

Check Six wrote: The researchers were correct Sir. Since 1916 the miniature of the medal has been attached to the ribbon when only the ribbon is worn. Also, up until 1918 the ribbon was blue if the honour was bestowed for naval actions. I imagine that in the event of a second award of the VC a second miniature of the medal would be fitted when wearing only the ribbon. Of course, in its entire history there have only been three individuals to receive the Victoria Cross more than once. As to the US Medal of Honor, I think you and Bullethead covered that quite well. I find it interesting that of all the combatants in WW1 the USA had the fewest number of awards it could present to its military personnel. By the close of 1918 they were as follows: the U.S. Medal of Honor, in Army and Navy versions; the Distinguished Service Cross and the Navy Cross, (the same award but different for each service branch in both design and name); the Distinguished Service Medal; and the Citation Star, which was a silver star attached to the Allied Victory Medal, (in 1932 this last one was converted and became the Silver Star, a separate medal in its own right). BTW, the most highly decorated American in WW1 was Edward Rickenbacker, with the MOH and the DSC with seven Oak Leaf Clusters, (not to mention his numerous foreign awards). Also, congrats Check Six on your meeting with Sir Arthur Roden Cutler, VC. That was one decorated soldier and a very brave man. I bet he had some stories to tell. Cheers! Lou

. Duce I agree, we should not have to hide our religious beliefs or affiliations, despite the attention it may draw when we openly show them. I myself am a Minnesota Norwegian Lutheran, and my people have been persecuted since first setting foot on the midwestern prairies. Scorned and ridiculed due to our love not only of God, but of lutefisk, lefsa and rumagrout as well. Laughed at, because we hold our 'S's far too long in our speech, making such hymns as "The Solid Rock" sound as if they're being sung by a choir of snakes on Sunday morning. Pointed to as dangerous examples of piety and stubbornness when we utter such remarks as: "Ya, you can yust bet I'm tanking God right 'bout now dat I landed in dat big rossse bush ven I fell off da housse yesterday shingling, and you'll never convince me dat He didn't yust give me a little shove in dat direction so I landed in it too. Course, da juniper vas right next to it and it vould have been a sssofter landing vit no thornss, but He knowsss vat He'ss doing so I figure it vass meant as a lesssson to me, ya you bet." Having faith is never easy. .

. OH CRIPES! I'm a fanatic! That can't be good. .

Good recon photo Waldemar Kurtz, and my kind of mission Sir. Hasse Wind, I have wanted the ability to do the recce missions with a working camera since the early RB days myself. I make do with the same screen overlay technique that I use for bombing missions when I do my recons, and snap photos of the target just as Kurtz has done. BTW, here is a link to the post I just mentioned that overlay tip in a few days ago for those who might like to try it themselves: A Bombing of Berlin A working in-sim camera would be great if it were ever possible, but for now we can make do with what we have available. Still tons of fun IMHO. Cheers! Lou

I agree with you starfighter2. Make that change Rugbyfan1972, and if your mobo supports 1066 memory, pop in as much of that as you can and you should be able to crank OFF way, way up. Cheers! Lou

Fortiesboy, I'm not sure how a comment such as, "the Lord did indeed spark new resolve in me, but more importantly in the Youth Group I work with..." can be construed as promoting a religious belief, apart from noting that one believes in a higher power. And I have to say, if we can now no longer even admit that belief out in the open, then we've all gotten way too thin-skinned about religion and spirituality in general. The U.S. and other countries were built on the concepts of freedom, religious freedom being on the list, (heck, even our money here in the States says "In God We Trust" on it). Don't misunderstand, I am not saying this forum should be a platform for the discussion of religious beliefs, that is not it's intent. But I think we start flirting around the edges of a dangerous extreme when we start calling folks out on even the most innocuous comments, simply because they indicate they believe in a power greater than themselves. The majority of mankind over the last several thousand years has indicated such a belief, and it is that very same belief that has motivated and inspired mankind to do some of its greatest collective and singular works. And yes, unfortunately some of its most horrific. I think we would do well to keep in mind the closing lines of Eric Idle's "Galaxy Song" : So remember, when you're feeling very small and insecure, How amazingly unlikely is your birth, And pray that there's intelligent life somewhere up in space, 'Cause there's bugger all down here on Earth. But of course this is only my opinion. God forgive me if I've offended anyone with it. Cheers! Lou

Cool. So we'll be earning those WW1 service stripes in the RFC now too? Sweet! Assuming we can survive at least a year in this bloody war. Cheers! Lou

. I don't know how many of you remember this comedy routine the first time around 25 years ago, but I just saw it again today and it's still hilarious, IMHO. Enjoy. Cheers! Lou .

My pleasure Paarma. Let me know if you need info or images for any other French or British WW1 awards and honours, I'll be happy to send along what I have. Cheers! Lou

Paarma, as I mentioned, the Croix de Guerre is the French version of the British "Mentioned in Despatches", and from what I have read and seen in records and photos, a soldier was presented the CdG with some form of attachment each time he was mentioned in official French military dispatches. The order of attachments went like this: a Bronze Palm for each time being mentioned at the army level a Gold Star, (actually silver gilt), for each time being mentioned at the corps level a Silver Star for each time being mentioned at the division level a Bronze Star for each time being mentioned at the regiment or brigade level Also, a Silver Palm indicated five awards of the Bronze Palm. This would mean that if you happen to see a WW1 pilot's CdG ribbon with ten Silver Palms and four Bronze Palms it indicates he was mentioned in dispatches, (and awarded the CdG for each instance), at the army level 54 times. Cheers! Lou

LOL! God, I wish I'd thought of doing that first BH. But I'll be doing that now! Good one Sir. Cheers! Lou

Being given the source code now for RB3D would be a bit like suddenly finding yourself with the patent rights and build drawings for a coal oil lantern. There just won't be much market for anything you can do with it. Cheers! Lou

Hasse Wind, it is the primary reason why the Croix de Guerre is the least expensive original WW1 medal you can purchase, if you ever wish to start collecting. Beautiful, full-size, WW1-issued examples can be readily found for $15 to $35. I have both the French and Belgian WW1 CdG's with Bronze Palms, and am building a little case to display them in my flying room. Cheers! Lou

That would be nice BH. BTW, this is the brass wound stripe worn by British soldiers and flyers in WW1. It was fitted vertically to the lower left sleeve of the tunic, just above the cuff, and there was no limit to the number a man could have. Cheers! Lou

This is interesting, but without the source code there is little else that can be improved upon that hasn't already been done over the last 10+ years. And as noted in the article, it would be easier and better to start over with a current game engine. Also, $1,500 for the code? If someone actually still has it and didn't sell it a few years back when the offer was many times that amount what is the chance of them being enticed by this sum? Just wondering. Cheers! Lou

. DING DING DING !!! WILD CARD PHOTO ! The first to correctly identify the objects in the photo, what aircraft they belonged to, the thread count of the canvas used on said aircraft and who the manufacturer of the canvas was, the country of origin and name of the designer of the valve stems on the tires fitted to this aircraft, who the first pilot to ever fly this plane type was and his older sister's middle name, and what Kaiser Wilhelm II's favorite fruit was will be awarded 500 bonus points. You must be spot on with all answers and you must post a video of yourself performing MC Hammer's 1990 hit "U Can't Touch This", (complete with dance moves), in order to win. Good Luck! PSYCH! Enjoy the sabbatical everyone, I should be back from my business trip by Wednesday night of next week, and I will have the next photo set ready to go upon my return. Cheers! Lou .

I can say that I have a fair amount of knowledge about the British and French awards given during WW1 after researching and presenting the awards for my RB3D online squadron for the last four years, so if you are ever in need of some input, help or images for those don't hesitate to ask. Since the French medals were just mentioned, the general practice in the French Air Service was to award the Croixe de Guerre, (usually with palm as it was normally given at the army level), for every kill. This was the case because the CdG was the French equivalent of the "Mentioned in Despatches" in the British Army, and since nearly every confirmed kill by a French pilot was menitoned in the French army dispatches they were awarded a CdG for each one. This is why you will see in the photos of aces like Guynemer that they often have one or more very long CdG ribbons with many palms fitted to their uniforms. Cheers! Lou

Hee, hee...yes Olham, I do mean the origianl Immelmann turn. See how much we're all learning. Cheers! Lou