RAF_Louvert

. Actually Olham, I have done the same thing. Probably not wise in the long run, but like you I found myself unable to fire on the poor fellow. Go figure. .

. Olham, I am quite sure our Dej was going for a nicely played turn of a phrase when he noted, "Uncleal is wiser than he'll admit, with a wealth of experience in all incarnations of OFF. He just hides his light under a bolshi." Meaning: His wisdom and experience are masked by his rather difficult facade. .

. O-o-o-o-o-o-oh no, I have my boundries clearly marked...in lipstick. .

. Very good Pawgy, you only missed one. "Bolshi" or "bolshie" is decidedly British slang for someone who is rebellious or difficult to handle. Also can be a political radical. It is a short form for "Bolshevik". And now you know...the rest of the story. .

. As the curator I suppose that's simply a risk I'll have to take. Of course there may be a small liquid-based fee involved in filling such requests. .

. Unfortunately Olham, I rather imagine the person selling it has no emotional connection to it what-so-ever. It's probably been in the back of a closet for the last 90 years and anyone who remembers anything about it or the brave man who wore it is long gone. A great-great-grandson/daughter now simply sees it as an old jacket that belonged to a relative they never met, and are hoping they will get enough for it to buy a new TV, or pay the rent, or some such mundane, earthly thing. Sad, but likely true I'm afraid. So let's hope someone who can truly appreciate it for what it is ends up with it. .

. I feel your pain WM. Once the old one has finally surrendered it's microcircuitry soul to the God Of All Things Computer and you've replaced it, there is one final act to perform on it's mortal remains. PULL! Honestly, it would want to be sent off that way. .

. Oh to have that kind of capital to work with Tranquillo. I am betting this one will flirt with the $1000 mark by the time it's done. .

. Greetings All, I just posted this over at The Aerodrome with the hopes that some lucky person there with a big enough check book might be able to claim this: An original, named 1918 French Air Service Adjutant's tunic: Aviation Bleu Horizon Pilote Brevet Chasse While it does have some mothing it is none-the-less beautiful, and unbelievably rare. Here's to whoever is lucky enough to end up calling this prize their own. Perhaps they will ultimately donate it to a WWI aviation museum someday. Cheers! Lou .

. I've seen the English translations of his claims before, but always in plain text. The one you have linked to would appear to be a contemporary copy made shortly after the War for the Imperial War Museum in London. Neat! .

. Rickitycrate, my trust Paint.NET program can work wonders. Also, Olham, the spokes on my wheel are close to equal right now so things are rolling along nicely on all fronts. Oh, and here are your library cards Gents. Lou .

. hee, hee, hee...what a dumb ass. But he can use that technique as birth control, I'm sure it made him limp. .

. Many thanks Rickitycrate, and you are more than welcome Sir. Good to know you are enjoying the eBooks. Maybe you'll need a library card as well. .

. He just hides his light under a bolshi. AAAAAH HAAA HAAA HAAAAAA! That's a keeper Dej. .

. Outstanding! Thanks again, oh Great and Powerful Wealth of Information. .

. Well, if you stop by Duke, you'll need a library card: .

. Great pics Olham. I've seen similiar ones before, but I don't believe I could ever get enough of such details. TKS for posting them Sir. .

. Many thanks for the great info Bletchley, (as always Sir). The Kogenluft Order of January 14, 1918 was one of the items that was stuck in the back of my mind concerning this discussion, glad you noted it in your post and dislodged it for me. But I also seem to recall something similar being done in the British Home Defence squadrons in an effort to improve climb rates and times in an effort to get to altitude and intercept the Zeppelins and heavy bombers. While it may not have been up to individual pilots or flights to make such adjustments there would seem to be likelihood that it may have been done at squadron levels, division levels, and/or above. .

. 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. .

. Good Morning All, Yes, another old volume has found it's way to my bookshelf. It is "An Airman's Outings", a first edition published in 1917, and written by Alan ‘Contact’ Bott who was assigned as an observer with 70 Squadron RFC from June through December of 1916, flying Sopwith Strutters, (in fact 70 Squadron was the first to be outfitted with these, at the time, new planes). The author took the pen name 'Contact' owning to the fact that the War was still going when he wrote this book and the censors were busy making sure no vital information was given away in such writings. This is also why he refers to his unit as 'Umpty Squadron'. All-in-all a very good firsthand account of life in a two-seater squadron written in the day, and a nice clean, sound book for the princely sum of thirteen US dollars. Me so happy. Cheers! Lou .

. 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. .