RAF_Louvert

Real men don't read the instructions any more than they ask for directions. We always know what we're doing and where we're going. Just ask us, we'll tell you so. And FYI: When it appears that we are driving around aimlessly on our way to a store we've never been to before, it's not because we are lost. We are actually reconnoitering the area to familiarize ourselves with ALL the stores available. Also, when we're assembling that bike on Christmas morning for that lucky son or daughter? The reason it takes us so long isn't because we refuse to look at the assembly manual, it's because we are carefully re-engineering the product as we go along in order to make it better. Cheers! Lou

Evening All, Here is just a short video showing life in the DiD cockpit of my Strutter B1. As has been discussed here, some of us stay "in cockpit" for the entire flight when flying DiD, and use no aids of any kind, apart from the in-game map, (which I will quit using as we continue to get more accurate and detailed maps that we can print out for all the AO's we fly in). My apologies for the white jaggies you'll see from time to time, I only have these when running FRAPS to do the moveis. By the way, I was practicing dead stick cross-field landings, and while I got the side slip nearly perfect, my turn to the hanger was less than tops. My mechanicians are going to read me the riot act about that aileron damage on the port side. DiD Cockpit Flying Cheers! Lou

Downloaded, installed, and working GREAT! Thanks Pol. Cheers! Lou

Alright, we are clearly arguing two different ideas here. Of course the plane can take-off from a treadmill, given a long enough treadmill and sufficient forward movement of the plane in relationship to the ambient air, (and the ground under the treadmill), to produce the required lift for it to climb. What I was stating was, that if what the treadmill is suppose to accomplish is to shorten the actual take-off distance the plane needs, as it moves through the ambient air, (and over the ground that is under the treadmill), then THAT is a load of rubbish. All the Myth Busters experiment did was ultimately require that the plane's wheels spin twice as fast as normal before the plane lifted off, which it did in the same amount of distance along the ground that it would have needed anyway. Cheers! Lou

Outstanding idea and project HomeBoy! Well done Sir, I look forward to the completed endeavour. Cheers! Lou

Always fun to have "what if" discussions such as these HomeBoy. And just so we have it sorted out, my final point is that the airplane will NOT fly as it tootles along on the treadmill. All that is happening in this scenario is that the power of the prop is being used to compensate for the rearward drag that is being created by the wheels on the treadmill, which without the prop spinning would result in the aircraft going backwards off the treadmill. Because their is no forward motion IN THE AIR, (nothing to do here with ground speed at all), the plane cannot lift up off the treadmill. Cheers! Lou

Agreed HomeBoy, it has to move through the air. But in the treadmill example, it is not moving through the air at all and so has no lift, apart from what little it will get from the airflow created by the prop wash across its wings. Cheers! Lou

Sorry HomeBoy, but I must point out that you are in error Sir. Any aircraft that uses a wing requires lift in order to fly. A helicopter flys because its blades are the airfoils, (i.e. wings), and create their own air flow, and thereby lift, by spinning. Without air flow over and under the wings an airplane, or helicopter, cannot fly. Cheers! Lou

TKS Creaghorn, and I am glad you asked about my "engine trouble" system. I was wondering how many had actually tried it since I posted it back in March. Here again is the outline from my original post: As most of you likely know from your Great War studies, the early planes were bedeviled by intermittent engine problems. Defective parts, dirty fuel, mis-adjustments, and a myriad of other issues all resulted in engines suddenly acting up or conking out altogether. To simulate this when I fly I have developed the following system. You will use four standard dice. After take-off and as you begin your circle of the field to form up you roll the dice, and are then bound by these results. 15 = Second dice role after crossing mud. 11 = Second dice roll upon reaching assigned target. 24 = Engine drops to 50% power, (hit #5 key immediately). 21 = Engine drops to 10% power, (hit #1 key immediately). 5 = Fuel mixture will not function. This means you can either continue the mission and fly at lower altitudes, or turn back and land. 13 = Catastrophic engine failure, you must immediately shut off engine and pray you have somewhere to land. If you must roll the dice a second time I recommend you do it either well before engaging EA, or after a dogfight if you took no damage during the engagement, (and I make that stipulation because with the latest upgrade if you did take damage you will already have your hands full trying to get home anyway). Feel free to use this idea as you wish. It does add yet another realism layer to an already deeply immersive combat experience. Cheers! Lou

I would also like to add my kudos to the devs for their constant work on this project and their outstanding attitude towards our input. This is already the best WW1 combat flight sim around, and because of discussions just like this one I am sure it will stay the best for a good long while. Many thanks to all those who continue to work on and improve BHaH. It is very much appreciated. Cheers! Lou

My current mission is a full-on DiD campaign with no warp. I already fly using no aids of any kind and a realism setting of 120, and I never leave the cockpit view. I have just over 14 hours in the DH2 in the spring of 1916 with 24 Squadron. I am also using my "engine trouble" dice roll method to further add the historic problems that cropped up regularly with these early rotaries. I have had to find a field to land in twice due to my engine conking out, and on the second one the screen suddenly went dark and I was sent back to the Campaign menu. The mission registered as completed and I wasn't dead, so I assumed it was a very hard landing, (even though it did not seem so when I touched down). None the less, I put my pilot in the hospital for a week before releasing him back to active duty. BTW, have I mentioned lately...I love this sim. Cheers! Lou

Interesting discussion, and I agree that the only way this works is due to the airflow over and under the wing and tail surfaces created by the prop wash. I tried something very similar to this years ago with an RC plane I had. My brother and I tethered it to the ground by it's wingtips with very long lengths of monofilament fishing line so that it could not move forward but could lift up. With the size and pitch of the prop and the airflow it generated the plane did indeed climb, despite having no forward movement. However, due to the turbulent nature of the prop wash it was a very uneven and bumpy climb. And Myth Busters can be fun, but I take most of what they do with a very large grain of salt. Cheers! Lou

BTW, I meant to ask, that is William Wellman's Nieup, yes?

I love the N24. Next to the Camel it's my favorite plane. And those are some beautiful skins. Cheers! Lou

Hauksbee, I know of many that seem to thrive in it very well. But I'm betting you're referring to organisms more in the microscopic range. Cheers! Lou

I have made this adjustment as well some time back. And as you say Hauksbee, with the TrackIR all dialed in it really makes for full cockpit immersion. Me likee lots! Cheers! Lou

Olham, I've noticed the same thing from time-to-time with the AI, but I just assume they actually KNOW how to fly these planes. I on the other hand, can shed wings as if I owned controlling interest in a major wing replacement facility. "And another one gone, and another one gone, and another one bites the dust. HEY! I just passed my wings, another one bites the dust." (done in my best Queen impersonation) Cheers! Lou

Oh, well then, indeed. HAPPY BELATED CANADA DAY, EH! Cheers! Lou

LOL! I have that same problem Olham. It's a mystery really.

Alright, all this discussion about drinking and the AH and life in general now has me asking the question: "Do you see yourselves as artificial horizion half-full types, or half-empty types?" (you'll have to excuse me, only one cuppa' joe so far this AM, and I was up late making...er, um...watching fireworks) Cheers! Lou

BTW, if anyone else is interested in owning a copy there are many available on AbeBooks, and here is the link to the search I just ran: AbeBook search for "Flying the Old Planes" Cheers! Lou

You really should have this one on your book shelf Duke. I have read my copy many times and it's not only informative but entertaining as well. Thanks for sharing markl for those who have never had access to Tallman's work before. Cheers! Lou

Saw the Shuttleworth collection quite a few times in the mid-1970's when I was stationed in England. It was outstanding then, and I am sure it has only gotten better over time, (unlike bottled scotch). I miss England. I really should go back again. Cheers! Lou

Well, I don't know the where, but I have a pretty good idea as to the what. Looks awefully Pup-like to me. But then I've been wrong once or twice already today. Cheers! Lou

The Camel has been and still remains my favorite plane to fly and fight in. She is like that elegant and mysterious lady at the ball. Treat her gently and with respect and you may dance with her all night and she'll show you steps you never know existed. Try to force your hand or take her where she does not care to go and she'll slap you down faster than a cat after a fly. Cheers! Lou