RAF_Louvert

. Over here in the States the tachometer shows engine RPMs while the speedometer shows vehcile speed. So Olham, what do you call the instrument on your dash that indicates engine RPMs? .

. No Olham, it shows you how fast you're spinning. Yes, the tach is there to indicate engine RPMs. .

. It is very nice itifonhom, but I'm a bit confused. This is a collage made from parts of other artists' works which you then tweak and add texture to? I don't exactly understand what is being done here so if you could please educate me it would be appreciated. .

. Good old Uncle Albert One-Mug. He taught us all what it means to be relative. .

. It's called seat-of-the-pants flying for a very good reason. My experience in ultralights has shown me that the pilots of these early kites trusted the "feel" of what was happening far more than they looked to the instruments to tell them. And as far as forward air speed was concerned, you could likely be as accurate as you needed to be by simply tying streamers to your outboard wing struts. When those lost their flutter and began to droop you could make book that a stall was coming PDQ. As things developed and the need came along for highly accurate aerial navigation air speed indicators came into their own, (as did a host of other instruments), but throughout most of WWI they were not looked at as anything of great importance. . And a coffee machine Olham? Yes, I suppose an espresso maker would be too heavy. .

. Greetings All, This weekend Captain Lewis Hamilton, CO of 45 RFC, learned that he and his squadron were relocating to the Italian Front. After the shock of this news passed he decided that the sunny slopes of the southern Carnic Alps might be just the thing to pull everyone out of the winter doldrums of a late December in Flanders. So, as soon as they were all settled into their new digs near the Piave River the Captain, in high spirits about the whole affair, ordered his Camel to be painted up a “proper Gypsy kite”. He now cuts quite a swathe as he does battle with the Phoenix D.1s and C.1s of the Austro-Hungarian air service, (many thanks Stumpjumper for those two OFF models). What a nice change of pace from the dreary old Western Front. Cin cin! Lou .

. Very nice, itifonhom. I've nothing to add to the excellent comments and feedback already posted, other than to include my own "Keep at it Sir". .

. Interestingly enough BH, that is just what I'd originally done. But after giving it a go I'd felt it wasn't gaudy enough for the Italian skies. .

. I agree Jim, and it should apply to not only holes in the tanks themselves but also in the pressure feed lines to the tanks as well as damge to the air pump selector valve and the fuel tank air pressure valve. However, I imagine it may be simply too many variables to contend with in the damage models. .

. Aaah, that actually makes more sense. Thanks for the correction Jim. So, you could disable the fuel pressure gauge and comfort yourself with the belief that the reason it was reading zero was because you'd shut it off and NOT because there were bullet holes in your fuel tanks. Very clever these German designers were. .

. Nice photo Olham, and a nice plane too. Can't tell you where it is displayed but I can say that it is the D.II model. The cabane struts tip into the center at the top and the ailerons are not balanced. The D.III had vertical cabanes, and balanced ailerons, (like the Fokker DR.I and D.VII). .

. Olham, here is a brief outline of the functions for each of these controls and gauges. A. Radiator Handle: Opens and closes the shutters on the radiator and is the control you forget about completely until your engine has overheated and siezed up tighter than a Scotsman's wallet. B. Gun Cocks: The levers you forget to pull back and set until you are actually in a dogfight and push down on the firing buttons, (see '4' below), only to have nothing happen apart from getting your tail feathers dusted by the enemy pilot on your six who DID remember to cock said gun levers. C. Flare Cartridges: Each color has a specific meaning that is generally agreed upon before the flight begins, and promptly forgotten about once in the air. D. Flare Gun: Used to fire abovementioned flare cartridges, usually in a state of panic or druken revelry. 1. Control Column with Adjusting Clasp: That which you cling to and flail about madly in a vain attempt to regain control as you plummet to earth, after forgetting to set your gun cocks, (see 'B' above). 2. Rudder Pedals: A comfy foot rest. 3. Throttle: Makes the engine RPMs increase or decrease and as a rule works much better when you're sitting on the field than it does when you're in combat. 4. Firing Thumb Buttons: Control the left and right machine guns respectively, assuming you've set your gun cocks, (see 'B' above ... again). 5. Magneto Switch Key and Switch: Turns on and off the magneto. The key is mounted to a chain and hung over the edge of the cockpit when not in use, (and is often missing because someone's grabbed it to use as a bottle opener). 6. Spark Control Handle: Controls spark advance and retard, (ignition timing). Just one more thing to pointlessly fiddle with as you're plummeting towards earth. 7. Starting Mangeto: Provides spark to start the engine, by giving it a few robust cranks then flipping the mag switch on. Can also be removed and taken to the bar to be used in the fun drinking game, "Complete the Circuit". 8. Altimeter: Indicates your height above the ground and shows how rapidly you are plummeting towards earth. 9. Tachometer: Used to show your engine RPMs, which will be zero when you forget to use the radiator handle, (see 'A' above). 10. Fuel Pressure Gauge: Shows you how much pressure you don't have in your petrol tanks because you've taken bullets in one or, most likely, both. 11. and 18. Fuel Tank Flow Selector Valve: Used to pick which of the two empty tanks to run off of, (main tank or auxiliary tank). 12. Fuel Tank Pressure Handpump: Used to pressurize your fuel tanks, but like the rest of the fuel system components does absolutely nothing because of said holes in your tanks. 13. Compass: Used to get lost because you trusted the unreliable little bastard. 14. Fuel Quantity Gauge: Gives quantitative proof that you've lost all your petrol and will now be landing somewhere behind the enemy lines. 15. Fuel Tank Air Pressure Valve: Controls the amount of pressure in each petrol tank, which unfortunately is now being controlled by the bullet holes in both. 16. Fuel Pressure Gauge Valve: Allows you to switch between your main and reserve tanks in order to see that you really do have no pressure in either one. 17. Air Pump Selector Valve: Used to pick which of the two tanks you will vainly attempt to pressurize. .

. Oh, and I meant to correct you about #6 as that is actually the Spark Control Handle, not the throttle as you have it noted Olham. .

. Here you go Olham: 3. Throttle 5. Magneto Switch Key 7. Starting Magneto 8. Altimeter 9. Tachometer 10. Fuel Pressure Gauge 11. Fuel Tank Flow Selector Valve 14. Fuel Quantity Gauge 15. Fuel Tank Air Pressure Valve 16. Fuel Pressure Gauge Valve Control 17. Air Pump Selector Valve 18. Fuel Tank Flow Selector Valve Lou .

. Not cut off Fates, but it is quite close to the edge, (but then so am I some mornings). .

. Wow, the latest forum updates make me look great! Thanks Fates, you da man. .

. Tony, great to learn you are well along in your recovery. Hopefully that infection will be knocked out ASAP. Take care Sir. .

. Hey, did any of you guys see that WWI Aces Falling documentary about Mannock and McCudden? It's really good. hee hee hee .

. Well done Beanie, that is quite the accomplishment. But now you need to jump into BHaH and fly for the Yanks. .

. Of course come December 21 this year none of this will matter anyway. .

. Take care and get yourself back up to full strength my friend. See you in a few weeks, and with a tan I should hope. .

Greetings All, This weekend I purchased what might be a 1912 Model RFC Other Ranks maternity tunic with pilot wings, RFC tags, and sergeant chevrons. By pure chance I came upon it on eBay just a few minutes before it was due to close so I had no time to ask the seller any questions about it. However, the seller had posted some nice photos, and has a perfect rating in terms of customer satisfaction, so I took a leap of faith and bid on the item, and ended up winning it. Here are the photos of the tunic and badges, (with the backgrounds on the first two images neutralized to better show the item itself): It looks to me like the bottom of the tunic has been shortened 3" to 4" or so as the single short vent is missing at the back and the ends of sleeves appear to land just below the bottom hem . Also, the bottom hem looks different from the vertical seam. But the rest of the tunic has the right 'feel' to it. If you compare it to the following photo of the 1912 Model, first version, as seen in the Osprey publication "British Air Forces 1914-18" by Andrew Cormack, it looks like it could be a match: It has the stand and fall collar with only a top hook to close it, and because no pocket flaps are visible it likely has the vertical slit pockets: both features would be correct for this version. Also, because this is an OR maternity tunic, (and seems to be the very earliest version at that), it would be odd if it were a replica, simply because most would want the 1914 or later officer's versions with the epaulettes and full lapels. The item should arrive in a week or so and I can examine it in person and post additional photos, but until then I would appreciate any information and opinions that others might have on this old tunic. Cheers! Lou .

. SUCCESS! Me so happy! .

. You are more than welcome HH. Glad to know you're enjoying it. .

. A hugh loss indeed. I'll be sad if all that info is really gone for good. .