RAF_Louvert

. I agree Duke, your numbers are quite right for the majority of the scout ships. 2 to 2 1/2 hours flight time on a full load of fuel was the norm. But I keep recalling a few writings that talked about going up with a partial fuel load as the pilot was only going to be in the air for an hour, and then running into a fight that had to be cut short due to low fuel. I will have to do looking when I have time at home. .

. Well that sounds like a wonderful plan Olham. I'll bring the marshmallows for toasting. But I sure as hell don't want to do all the talking! We have two ears and one mouth for a reason. .

. Hmmm...while I do agree that in most cases the fuel load was max'd out, especially with the Allied flyers due to the longer flights they had to endure, there were writings indicating reduced fuel loads for short flights. I seem to recall seeing it mentioned in a few of the German writings, Boelcke perhaps, or maybe Heydemarck. I will have to go digging. .

. Duke, it was common practice to calculate how much fuel would be needed for an assigned patrol and then add for an additional 20 to 30 minutes of flight time. There are numerous accounts in writings of the day where pilots had to break off engagements with enemy aircraft due to running short on fuel. Flyers were always looking for an edge in the conflict, and carrying around less weight was one such edge available to them. .

. Many thanks WM, you are one of the folks I'd truly like to meet when I ever get back across the pond. .

. I must return to Europe again soon. It's been far too long, and threads such as this only make me realize just how badly I want to get back. .

. Oh yes, we've posted links here to the British Pathé films on numerous occasions, but it's always worth posting again. I have spent many enjoyable hours viewing some of the 1000's of films that are available at their outstanding website. TKS Olham. .

. Yuppers, that's the sound of a VW engine converted to aircraft use. Excellent power plant for those light little replicas. I bet that kite weighs less than 500 pounds sitting on the grass ready to roll. UL's and EXP's are a hoot! .

. I've never seen that title Carrick, and I wonder if it isn't a reprint under a new name of an older book on the subject. If you are interested in the life and times of the RNAS and the pilots who flew with that service here are a few excellent reads to add to those already listed by Uncleal and TaillyHo: "In the Teeth of the Wind: Memoir of the Royal Naval Air Service in World War I", by C.P. Bartlett "The Spider Web", by T.D. Hallam "Australian Hawk Hawk Over The Western Front: A Biography of Major R S Dallas", by Adrian Hellwig "Air Command: A Fighter Pilot's Story", by Raymond Collishaw "A History Of No 10 Squadron RNAS in WWI", by Mike Westrop "With the Flying Squadron", by Harold Rosher "Green Balls: The Adventures of a Night Bomber", by Paul Bewsher "The Flatpack Bombers: The Royal Navy and the Zeppelin Menace", by Ian Gardiner "Naval Eight: A history of No 8 Squadron RNAS", by E.G. Johnstone There are many others. Cheers! Lou .

. Well, I wasn't personally slighted by any of this, but I'll have a pinta' red ale and a bag of salt and vinegar crisps thank you very much Pawgy. .

. WM, I am very, very glad that you and Max will still have some more quality time to share and I hope your old pal will have a wonderful final run. I know what it is like to lose a beloved dog, I've personally had to go through it on numerous occasions over the years. So to have a reprieve in that situation really is a Godsend. I had to have our old lab Goldie put to sleep a couple of years ago because of cancer. She hung on for nearly a year after the diagnosis and mananged to be in pretty good health up until the last month. That was hard, and the day I had to finally bring her in was one of the toughest I've had in a long, long while. I stayed with her as she fell asleep for the last time and I swear the look on her face was the one she nearly always had: that of gratitude and joy. I wept like a little boy as I brought her back home to her final resting place, and I weep still when I think about it...am right now as a matter of fact. As you so rightly noted WM, people who don't have a connection with dogs will likely never understand it. But those of us who do know just how much these four-legged friends become a part of our lives, and how deeply they touch our hearts. .

. Yes Gents, the maps are in color and are quite large. Here is a scanned example of just one of the dozens of maps included in the two map cases that accompanied the original set of books: As you can see, there is a great deal of additional information and detail found on these. Cheers! Lou .

. I loved MST3K! My kids and I used to watch it every time ti was on. Good times. And Duke, yes, the original host was by far the better. .

. So pretty. No doubt that second one you have there Olham is a very harmonious bird to fly. .

. Campaigns are all scripted mission sets Olham. It's been a while since I've flown an IL2 campagin, and interestingly enough the last one was with the Flying Tigers. The landscape can be pretty when it's up close, and the water animation is beautiful. But OFF is light years beyond in terms of dynamic campaigns. .

. Ah yes, I remember 29 as if it were only 27 years ago. Here's hoping your birthday is a great one Soppy! .

. You are more than welcome Gents, happy to help. Bullethead, I had a hunch the "Naval Operations" set might be something you could make use of, given the sim project you've been working on. Also, once you receive the books and see what is included in terms of the maps you might want to consider the following two additional purchases as well: Map Set to Volume I Map Set to Volume III The first set has 18 maps and the second has another 46 maps. If memory serves there are two more map cases that accompanied the original book set, and if I happen to run across those for sale at a reasonable price I will get you the links. Cheers! Lou .

. Aaaah, got it. Now if I could just remember where I put my check book. .

. My memory continues to grow shorter while my ears grow longer and I'm lucky to recall...things...from...I'm sorry, what were we talking about? .

. Isn't that the truth Wodin. It's been almost 50 years since I became enamoured with WWI aviation and it's stronger now than ever. .

. Well done Panama Red, I hope you refer to the set as often over time as I have. And my offer about the map scan still stands, so if you or Hasse Wind, (or anyone else with this set), need a chart or two just let me know. Bullethead, the same company is offering the equally complete set on WWI naval operations as well, if you're interested Sir. WWI Naval Operations 5 Volume Set Nearly as much reading here though, so the time issue may still be the same for you. .

. The peasants in that movie really are revolting. .

. Welcome to the OFF forums Tbolin, and soon to the virtual skies above the front! You are going to love this sim, and I envy you your first mission in the WWI kite of your choosing. But even after 1000 missions the excitement is nearly the same, as I and many others have found here. Now then, a nice mug of fresh hot coffee with a touch of cream, and two fingers of Tullamore Dew my good lad! Cheers! Lou .

. Wonderful work so far Dej, very "moody". I look forward to the finished scene and would gladly use it as a screensaver on my flying computer. My one suggestion might be to downsize the door rails and roof edges on the hangers. What you currently have looks a bit too heavy in construction. But honestly, that is only my opinion Sir. .

. Captaine Vengeur, it does look a bit like the Order of the Iron Cross but without the banner on the bottom stem of the cross. Of couse as you have noted, MvR never received such an award anyway. I'm betting it is what ever the props man had handy when they were shooting the scene. Probably something like the Royal Order of Cracker Jacks. .