RAF_Louvert

. Devs, please tell me it won't be the same lot in charge of awarding claims in WOFF as it's been in BHaH: .

. Oh the bureaucracy of it all. No wonder nothing gets done. .

. Me too! Great thread BTW everyone, very informative. .

. No ... I am. .

. I saw it too Olham, but only for an instant. Must be more of the Middle Earth magic. .

. Already taken care of Olham when I sent Jarhead his official "Welcome" letter this AM. .

. Looks like I may have to unleash "The Dragon" : .

. Not on the treadmill Olham, I'm actually out in Spearfish, South Dakota. But I had a couple of minutes to check in, and just in time it appears. I say a definite "Yes" to bringing NS13Jarhead into the BOC fold, and Dej's new badge for him is not only apropos but downright spiffing! :yes: .

. HH, you are more than welcome Sir. Also, I'd say that anyone who gads about above the front lines in a kite such as that is up for admission into the BOC. Apply here: The Barmy OFFers Club As President, (and one of the founding members), of this fine organization I can about guarantee your acceptance. Wouldn't you agree brother founding members Olham and Dej ? .

. Brought a lump to my throat too. Thank you for sharing this, Sir. .

. You have mail HH. Lou .

. ... hee hee ... You know what else is funny? If you simply change the colors a bit, the design actually starts to look kind of neat. A sort of spotted shark skin affect. .

. You know, if you dial back the color intensity, add outlines to the polka dots, and put the crosses back on the top wing surfaces, it almost becomes believable: ... almost ... .

. Yes, I just think of the tactical advantage that will give you in a dogfight when your opponent is busy trying to clean off the inside of his windscreen. .

. Have fun WM ... you lucky sod! .

. I don't know guys, polka dots on DR1 could work. And Olham, I seem to recall we painted a pink Alb for you quite some time ago, complete with a cup of tea emblazoned on the side of it. .

. Outstanding work Olham. Well done, Sir. .

. Today on eBay a nice looking engraved Prussian pilot badge was sold for $350, whcih would be the deal of the century if it were an original WWI item Any among you know the tells on this item that indicate it is a replica and not an original? .

. I don't know about a double negative RadPig, but it's definitely a misnomer in my book. One restores an original, and rebuilds a replica. .

. Thanks for sharing, Olham. I just love old maps, in particular WWI era maps. But then folks here probably knew that already. .

. Olham,the depth of the crown wells varied on the originals as did the back design and 'dish'. Without even comparing this badge to an original there are several things that should raise the red flag. 1. Aeroplane fuselage is bent rather than straight. 2. Extra berry in the wreath at the edge of the hilltop. 3. All three hallmarks on the same badge; crescent moon, crown, and silver content mark, (in this case '800' though hard to see in the picture because the pin is in the way). 4. And worst of all, the casting 'tick' at the edge of the crown well. A tick that has been seen repeatedly on hundreds of replica badges from supposedly different makers, representing different air services. There are other issues that can be seen when compared side-by-side to an authentic WWI badge, but the ones pointed out in the photo cast doubt enough all on their own. This particular badge is not bad as a display piece but it's not worth the price, unless perhaps it is in fact 800 silver, (given the current market value of silver). But there was no indication that it had been tested to prove such. .

. Olham, lots of folks have fallen for them over the decades, as these pieces were originally made to deceive. There are likely more WWI Central Powers pilot badges that are supposedly 'originals' than there were pilots in the war. .

. I've been blessed with another abandoned WWI honour for my modest collection. The old fellow who offered it to me stated it had come to his shop a number of years ago via an estate auction, in a box with an assortment of other items from the Great War: an American officer's overseas cap, a dried and cracked Sam Browne, a pair of tour stripes, a uniform shirt and tie, a set of leggings, and other odds and ends. The family that had held the auction knew nothing about who the box belonged to, only that it had been around for decades and was originally the property of some distant relative that had served in WWI. An all too typical story when it comes to such things. When I saw the little case that contained the item I could hardly wait to open it. If the symbol of courage and bravery which nested inside was in any condition approaching that of it's container I was in for a rare treat. I gently lifted the lid and set it to the side, and my heart raced! For there, sitting cushioned by a quilted liner, was a pristine Order of Leopold II, with Crossed Swords; one of Belgium's highest honours for heroism in combat. This is the same award that was presented to such rare pilots as Belgium's own Willy Coppens and Jans Olieslagers, as well as American ace Charles John Biddle, author of one of my all-time favorite books, "The Way of the Eagle". I am very pleased, while at the same time very humbled, to have this in my collection. Pleased that it found its way to me, and humbled when I imagine the act of valour it must have taken to earn such an honour. And, I am saddened. Saddened that such an act is now long forgotten by any who knew the man that was thus honoured; saddened further that the man himself has been forgotten. I know many see these old medals as little more than trinkets with no value apart from what they will fetch on the open market, as was just discussed in the recent thread about the selling of Pte Sidney Godley's Victoria Cross. For me however, these unnamed and forgotten medals are deserving of my respect as they hold a reverence still for the unremembered sacrifices made, and the unremembered men who made them. I know a good number of you here have very similar feelings about this and I count myself lucky to be amongst you. Here's to all those now long forgotten by this world, who gave themselves to a cause they believed worth fighting for. Let's drink to their spirit! Lou .

. Very sad news indeed, to lose a pilot not to mention such a plane. I read thorugh the article as well as the posts on François Guinand's own website and, as much as I hate to say it, it sounds as if the pilot's own inexperience with the triplane is likely what did him in. His comments about his first flight and the remarks made by another pilot who flew wing with him would indicate Guinand was rather unsure in air with his new plane. I have to wonder why he would not have spent more time behind the stick in it before going right to the air shows and participating in exhibition flying. Thrill of the moment I suppose. Rest in peace Aviateur Guinand. .