Rickitycrate

Old movie alert! For us Yanks with TCM, Turner Classic Movies, there is a rather rare opportunity to watch the original Dawn Patrol movie. Released in 1930 and later renamed Flight Commander directed by Howard Hawks, starring: Richard Barthelmess, Douglas Fairbanks JR.. I've not seen it yet myself but I understand the Errol Flynn pic used some of the flying sequences from this version. The show begins 9:00 central.

OFF: Raise Somme Hell

I loved the occasional night flights I've had in OFF BHAH. With the advancements in P4 I eagerly await raising somme hell while the buggers are in their pj's. It looks wonderful!

Referring to the original post. I have used the flak activity to help my situation awareness like most Offers. One bit that I have done on occasion is to us the radar and select the target being fired upon by the flak. The outside of the aircraft view will show the enemy planes in relation to your flight's position. It shows how they form-up and begin thier attack. Or if indeed they will attack. I have indeed seen enemy AC brought down while doing this. I can say although this is strictly non-DID it is very suspenseful and almost adds a movie quality to the action.

Over Flanders Fields : The Grand Illusion

Javito, good on ya! I'm happy for you and wish you good OFFing. I too am using a laptop for OFF BHAH. It works okay but after awhile the heat really builds up. I help cool with an external fan for now. I hope to follow in your shoes when I get OFF: Rickety Crates and Iron Men when it's relased in two weeks. :wink2:

Well, I watched the movie last night and shall give some brief opinions. Good show, seems the script was based on the Dawn Patrol (Flight Commander) novel written by John Monk Saunders for both this movie (1930) and the 1938 Dawn Patrol and therefore very similar indeed. They may have infact followed the same script. As to be expected the acting was similar to most films of this early period. A bit hammy and not very nuanced. One thing we OFFers care about so much are the flight scenes and the aircraft. The flight scenes were well done and I was reminded on occasion of some of my OFF flight time experience. The bit of a bugger for me was the in-flight aircraft were later crates say from the late 1920's. That's to be expected. But the planes would be shown returning from a sortie and landing. Then cut to the next scene and all of a sudden the crates are now Nieport 28's I believe. They had a topwing mounted Lewis and 2 MG's in front of the pilot. Not mounted to the left side fuselage but rather on the top. The in-flight planes reminded me of Brisfits so imagine that if you will. I'm just saying... not trying to be critical. Some of the bits I enjoyed the most were the scenes filmed at the aerodrome. The mechanics/crew running the Nieups out from the hangers in the early morning light. The sound of the engines being started and warmed-up and then the take-off. One gets a good look at the aircratft while they are on the ground and that is nice. As for the flight scenes also being used in the remake version I'm not so sure. It seemed different although It may be that the dogfights were all shot during the same time 1929-1930. I can say the finale raid into german territory was the same footage in both films. It was good fun. If you have seen the Errol Flynn, David Niven and Basil Rathbone pic then you have essentially seen this one as well. I recommend both to all good OFFers.

Sorry Widow, I know you would like it. I can't even tape it for you, what with PAL and such.

OFF: There and Back Again OFF: Heroes and Villains OFF: Time For a New Rig OFF: Rickety Crates and Iron Men OFF: How I got That Wicker Pattern On My Arse

OFF: Breaking Wind, In your general direction. OFF: To Hell and Back OFF: And Beyond OFF: Dreams Of Flight OFF: Knights of the Sky (that say "nih")

Thanks Sandbagger. It took the place of my Skyrim WP.

wowzers! Can it really be? Such details and textures. Like Olham I don't recall such detail and definition of the engine parts before this. Seems like new airmen too.

Thanks for the coaxing Olham. Great pics Pol. My faith in OBD is well placed I'm sure. Waiting is not so hard when you know that those responsible are so dedicated, talented and hard working. More pics are welcome anytime and may God speed. A shout out to everyone on the OBD team. The skinners, historians, modelers, programmers and anyone one else sharing their precious time and talents. You are all the best there is. Thank you!

I love looking at the P4 pics. But there is so much to be seen yet. We've not seen the Gotha up close for one thing. I bide my time as a wonderfully talented skinner dresses up what I am sure is a wonderfully modeled Gotha. I wait... and wait some more... I look forward to seeing all the new crates and skins knowing one day they shall be mine (ours) to experience in the great struggle. I wait patiently but longingly.

I'm afraid we are all a little rusty with our stumpjumpereese. I'm sure it comes back quick tho.

Okay, the Pils. Safe trip buddy.

Olham, fill in the gaps you say, ha! It might be easier to rewrite uncleal's tips and cheats. Have a good visit with the family and enjoy yourself. Don't worry about P4 pics and news being posted. It will be here when you get back. Almost bought a sixer of Warsteiner today in your honor but I did not know which one you drink.

I am fortunate to say I can relate Lou. When I fly missions I take the long way (no warp) and take in all OFF offers. The patience is worth the experience I find because I want to relate to how it was in R/L. I recall while flying with a long time career in a DFW CV how tense I felt when E/A were spotted and made thier approach. My flight holding together as the Nupes dove through our formation. Anticipation and then a kind of awe as we are so close as to shake hands and the crates looked beautiful but deadly. Then after the skirmish the flight home, maybe sputtering and knowing you are not able to withstand another attack, watching the skies with fear. Then setting down and cutting the engine. I linger in the relative quiet of the aerodrome sounds before climbing out. It is an experience not to be forgotten.

Seems much the same problem around the world these days. Something(everything) for nothing. So easy to say "I can't work there's no jobs". Many cultures have come to this and it will be the fall I fear. Here in the States when you stand up for individual and governmental finacial responsibility you are called a radical,crazy person on the extreme lunatic fringe. So I said my little bit and will now shut-up.

I read Goshawk Squadron and thought it was very good. Entertaining, dark humor and compelling. I am trying to get more of Mr. Robinson's work.

Hey stumpjumper! Good to see you man! I hope you are well and that we will see you in the forum again. If you have not had a chance yet check out the P4 developement pics at the OFF website.

No worries Don. I don't think we will ever get tired of Offer's positive feedback. To happy times on your new rig

thrill of the chase indeed... thank you TallyHo. Good one.

Javito, just like in R/L, you never know with OFF. I recall being in a hell of a furball while flying a 1 1/2 Strutter. We dished out the lead and we took a few. Got shot up pretty good but I managed to land the crate in one piece. The Strutter came to a stop and I selected outside view to see the damage we had taken. As I'm rotating the camera all of a sudden the engine catches fire and me and my observer perish. I too thought I was safe.

When it comes to war films they seldom get it right. I hold-on to hopes that Peter Jackson will make some fine WWI aviation films featuring good acting, good writing and those beautiful replica birds being built and amassed in New Zealand.