RAF_Louvert

. Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus! And Javito, it's Barmy OFFers Club, (not 'Officers'). With this latest news we may have to consider an amendment in the very near future. .

. igor, you may have a conflict with your one of your controllers, (i.e. joystick, pedals, throttle quadrant). If you haven't already done so, reload the drivers and software for your controllers. I don't run W7 but I had the exact same issue you are describing with XP Pro 64. Good Luck. Lou .

. Jim, how do you really feel about this entirely overwrought, overworked, overdone subject? Don't sugarcoat it. .

. That is a great virtual library you have going there RF. If you haven't grabbed them already you should stop by the 'Scenery and Ground Objects' section of the OFF downloads for the five book sets I put together a few years back. There are some excellent titles there as well and they are all free as they are in the public domain. .

. Thanks Gents, it is a very nice tunic and cap despite a few moth nips. Fortunately all but one them are under the arms of the tunic and the one that isn't is easily repaired. Now then, if I can just find an original one of these: http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/aviation-history-general/185th-pursuit-squadron-patch-17419/#post128324 .

. Greetings All, As I mentioned in rjw's thread referencing Harold Hartney and his autobiography, I have just acquired a wonderful Great War tunic and cap belonging to an unknown sergeant of the 185th Aero Squadron. For those who don't know, the 185th was the very first night pursuit squadron in the US Air Service and flew Camels out of Rembercourt during the last month of the war. Harold Hartney wanted to experience night flying and joined the squadron to learn all he could about it and in the process accounted for the only victory, (though unconfirmed), for the 185th during it's short stay at the front; a Gotha on the night of October 22. Here are a few photos: There are telltale signs of a pair of overseas chevrons having been sewn onto the lower left sleeve which makes sense as this squadron was overseas for about 15 months before it was demobilized in June of 1919. There are also indications something was attached above the left breast pocket, likely a victory ribbon. If I can locate nice original examples of these two items I will refit them to the tunic. A thing of beauty is a joy forever. .

. Olham, it would be my pleasure to share a few photos of my latest find. And yes, it is an original from all indications. I will start a new thread with the pics so as not to disrupt this one any further. .

. Hartney's book is an excellent read and one I have enjoyed several times over the years. I highly recommend it. On a related note, I've just acquired a beautiful original Great War US Army tunic sporting sergeant's stripes and the shoulder patch for the 185th Aero Squadron; the very first night intercept unit in the US Air Service and the one Hartney flew with when he brought down the Gotha mentioned in the article. .

. Albert was great. One of my favs is his explanation of relativity: “Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute, and it seems like an hour. Sit with a pretty girl for an hour, and it seems like a minute. That's relativity.” Even I can understand that. .

. Thanks for posting the link WM. I know you've shared it with us before in previous discussions but I'd forgotten so I fully enjoyed your father's fantastic story again. That is one advantage of a fading memory, I can enjoy the same books and articles over and over as if they were brand new to me. .

. I am sure I will Dej, your reading recommendations have always been gold. .

. Thanks Dej, but I say "bah" to those stairs. If I were a rich man I'd buy a house with either elevators or escalators. No, wait, both ... and SLIDES! To all who many not remember it, I went searching and found the original posting of the Santa letter from little Louie: http://combatace.com/topic/57929-what-id-like-to-see-in-phase-iv/page-2?do=findComment&comment=431976 It was so long ago I had to repair the image link as the address had changed. Is this the letter I once scribbled? Did I think I could draw at all? Sunrise, sunset, Sunrise, sunse...Dammit, now you've got me doing it von Baur! To the discussion about offering WOFF as either a download or a DVD, I would likely do the same as Hellshade and grab it immediately via the download, then purchase the disc to further thank the dev team with my wallet. . Oh, and by the way, it was you Dej. .

. Olham, family and reading always win out. I've lost count how many times I've sat down at the computer to paint a WWI kite only to have my wife suggest we go out, or to have one of the kids stop by for a visit, or to hear the siren's call from one of the old volumes resting on the shelves behind me. I wish everyone had such 'tough' choices to make about how to spend their free time. .

. Those prices are not that bad for a hard-to-find title such as this, and in fact I've located and purchased, (for $40.00 US), a near mint 1st of Taylor's book in it's original dust jacket. Should be waiting for me when I get home this weekend. To make things even sweeter I also nabbed copies of "Adventure's A Wench: The Autobiography of Charles Veil as told to Howard Marsh", in a 1934 1st, and a 1936 1st of the English translation of "An Airman Remembers ", by Hans Schröeder. When it rains it pours. .

, Thanks again Gents for you congratulatory wishes. I always enjoy sharing news of such acquisitions with you folks because of our shared interest. I've made the offer before and it still stands: If any of you ever find yourselves near Lester Prairie, Minnesota you are invited to stop by. I'll put the coffee pot on and we can talk about pilots and planes, war and peace, life, the universe, and everything. .

. I have looked at doing this one several times. Even started doing up the fuselage. Perhaps with the long, grey winter months now setting in here I'll give it another go. It's just that there are so many good books to read, and then of course WOFF to jump into in two weeks. .

. Tony, I can only echo the heartfelt comments already posted here. God's speed my friend, I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. .

. The war to end all wars. If only that had been true. .

. What, was that confusing? .

. So ... perhaps you could tag it OOWT/OWWIAT to make it clear to everyone that it is off the topic of OFF and WOFF but on the topic of WWI aviation. .

. Really Widowmaker? You a fan of the Snipe are you? .

. That is so cool WM. Details man, details! .

. Wowzers vB, you do have brass ones! I went through jump training as a lark so that I could take the leap just once. The day I went up to do my first jump the ground winds picked up after take-off and they wouldn't give us the green light. I was literally standing at the door ready to go when the instructor pulled me back and said no. I shipped out overseas the next day and never got myself screwed up tight enough again to try it. I have very, very few regrets in my life, but that's one of 'em. .

. Hard to imagine they're nearly all gone now. I worshiped these guys when I was in grade school and read everything I could fine about them. I still hold them and all such brave, selfless souls in absolute highest regard. Our tired old world could use a few more such shining examples to look to and emulate. On this day in particular a most sincere and heartfelt salute to all our veterans, past and present. Thank you for your sacrifice. .