RAF_Louvert

. Olham, if memory serves, (and it is serving with less reliability these days), that photo is from 1975 sometime before my 21st birthday. I have to say I never thought I looked all that innocent in the photo, and truth be told the shades were a necessity due to the killer hangover I was working through following the three-day pass I had just come back from when my buddy snapped the pic. But have no fear, I was fully recovered by the time the next bender came along on the following weekend. .

. Classic! .

. Olham, the cigognes pins were worn by airmen in various French squadrons to denote themselves as members of the 'Storks'. The fourragère indicated the escadrille had been mentioned in dispatches, and in the case of the fourragère aux couleurs de la Croix de Guerre, the squadron would have been mentioned on up to three different occasions. Since the uniform I recreated is for a flyer of 67 Escadrille, (being the fan of Navarre that I am), this is the correct cord to have on the tunic. Dej, thanks again Sir on your kind words concerning my French uniform project. As to being tempted to put it on: Yes, there have been times. But as I've stated here before, I would never feel right about trying on the 'honours' of another. But about the uniform actually fitting me? Well, if I were still in a size '38 Tall' tunic, as I was 35 years ago in my USAF days ... Gawd, I was so young once, and so svelte. .

. Yes Olham, you are quite correct Sir. Here is a close-up of the pin and other honours: .

. Yes, they are quite convincing, some more so than others. Also Olham, your point about having a bit of motion blur in them was one of the factors that led folks to realize the photos were fakes. .

. Actually Olham, to be accurate, the tunic and trousers are newer items that I personally tailored and reworked to be correct for the Great War aviateur. And the French brevet is a reproduction. But the medals, ribbons, fourragère, cigogne pin, Sam Browne, kepi, and boots in that ensemble are all original items.

. Now, what I want to know is: When P4 comes out what will the trade-in allowance be on our old BHaH and HitR discs. The ones I own have always been kept in the garage, are well maintained, and have only been driven to church on Sundays and holidays. .

. Actually Olham, that is one photo from a very famous group of faked combat shots that were published in the book 'Death in the Air'. I have a copy. .

. Those are fine ones indeed, Olham. However, for me, this one brings it very close: .

. That is an excellent reference source Pips, I have all those charts in my collection in various forms, and Flyright's notes are great. Thanks for sharing Sir. BTW, I have used such original drawings and training notes in the past to learn each of those various maneuvers in OFF, and they can all be picked up very well from these sources. I used the N17 to originally get the hang of the 'Vrille', the 'Virage', the 'Renversement' and the rest when I first began in OFF. If you get them to become second nature to you, you will increase your odds of survival a hundredfold in the virtual skies. .

. Wonderful old photos, and a great link, (I've been to that site many times over the years). Thanks for sharing, Hauksbee and Olham. .

. So many folks forget, (or simply don't realize), that the vast majority of the men involved in the "Great Air War" were young. An old man in the flying game back then was anyone over 22. .

. OK, now that was a good chuckle. .

. That is one B-E-A-U-tiful bird, Olham. Well done! .

. Just checking in to let you folks know I am A-OK. Been traveling for work nearly non-stop and am only home this evening before heading out again for the rest of this week. Hopefully by the end of November things will settle down around here and I will be able to get back to the OFF skies on a regular basis, and back to you fine lot as well. Keep holding down the fort while I'm gone Gents, and fly smart. Cheers! Lou .

. Greetings All, As I mentioned in the BOC thread, one of the things that has kept me away from you lot this last week was a rather large, albeit very fun, project that was asked of me by my old online RB3D squadron, the virtual RAF 209. As they now fly in the numerous IL2 wars online, they are restructuring and one of the things they are doing is simpifying their awards system, and they asked if I could put together a new abbreviated set of medals and awards for them that would be historically based but specific to their squadron. I thought you might enjoy seeing the furits of my labours. The Medal of Merit, (presented either with or without swords, depending on the circumstances): The Medal of Gallantry: The Cross of Honour: The King's Cross: The Order of the Eagle, (again, can be presented with or without swords): And their top honour, the Order of the 209: They also asked if I would create their pilot wings, which they present to members after the criteria has been met. Combat Fighter Pilot WIngs: Combat Bomber Pilot Wings: Pretty spiffy, eh what? Almost makes a bloke want to go and fly IL2 online. BTW, who can identify all the bits and pieces I used from actual medals? There are several. Lou .

. Oh my sweet Lord! Just saw the new screenshots. Wow...I mean...just wow. Or, as several of our British cohorts here are fond of saying, I'm gobsmacked. .

. Welcome aboard Bullethead! You've got mail Sir, as well as an open tab at the club bar: a tab, I might point out, which we've already christened for you. What shall we do with the barmy airman? What shall we do with the barmy airman? Seems to us it's only fair, man... Put 'im in the B.O.C. ! .

. Thanks for the kudos Gents, glad you approve of my efforts for my old squadron. Olham, you have quite correctly ID'd three of the medals I used for templates. And Slarti, you are right as well about the pilot badges being a blend of RAF and USAF wing bits. Other medals used in this project were, (or at least parts of them): Austrian Bravery Medal, Serbian Order of the White Eagle, one of the British Territorial Service Medals, the British Military Cross, the British DSO, the Croix de Guerre, and a Pennsylvania National Guard Service Medal. .

. Thanks Duke. When I was flying IL2 I was using the UOPs. But like you, I'm an OFF slappy too. And I am no longer a member of the 209. It's been two years since I retired from that fine little group. .

. Helloooooo Widowmaker and Olham! I would love to put together the next edition of the BOC News and it is on my list of fun things to do. This last week has been crazy at work as our website crashed, and since I am our company's webmaster it was up to me to rebuild it and get it back online. And, I was also asked by my old online RB3D squadron, the virtual RAF 209, if I could create a new set of medals for them as they are restructuring the squadron and simplifying their awards process now that they fly in the various IL2 wars online. This latter job was by far the most enjoyable as I actually miss my days as the squadron's Clerk of Commendations. Anywhoooo, suffice to say I've been a bit busy and was unable to stop in and visit here this last week: apologies for that. But fear not, there will be a new edition of the BOC News in the not too distant future. Cheers my firends! Lou .

. LIMA, that is one of many excellent papers over at the Australian Society of WWI Aero Historians website. I read this particular one quite a long time ago, and appreciate you posting the link to it here as I can now revisit it, (and save it to my own files). Also, you wrote: "I think I'll start an OFF RE8 campaign and give the old girl a try for myself! 'Dear Capt Johns Having now put in a good many hours on the RE8 in OFF, I feel I really must add a letter of my own to your file of correspondence on the performance of this particular aeroplane... " That made me chuckle as it reminded me of this one I wrote in the 'Survival In The Air Series - Discussion Board' thread, concerning the Quirk: Letter to Major Willy Coppitt .

. Wonderful personal writings there from one of Germany's outstanding aces. I am another who respects the two-seater crews in the Great War, and I often choose to fly in their boots in OFF, (and before that in RB3D). Thanks for sharing Olham. I just wish Theo's book had been translated into English, but I have never found such. .

. Oooo, free lunch! A PM has been sent Ras. Hope to see you soon. .

. Well now Widowmaker, there's a nearly impossible question to answer the same on any given day, (at least for me). There are sooooo many outstandingly funny comedians and comedic moments over the the years. However, right now, I will go with the following list, (subject to change with my mood): John Cleese (with or without the Python Boys) Groucho Marx Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry (as a team) Bob Newhart Jon Stewart And here is my clip of choice, (again, at the moment): Groucho Marx, Bigamy