Rickitycrate

Hey guys, I have it on my heart to share something with you that you might find advantages. Sorry this is available to US addresses only. As we have shared our hobbies and interests in a recent thread here I see so many readers of all genre's. I belong to an online paperback bookswap club. As an example I just recently received: The Jasta War Chronology by Norman Franks, Bailey and Duiven British Fighter Units, Western Front 1917-1918 byAlex Revell German Fighter Units, June 1917-1918 by Alex Imrie Bristol Fighter in Action, Signal/squadron #137 de Haviland DH4, From Flaming Coffin to Living Legend, National Air and Space Museum I am now expecting; No Parachute by Arthur Gould Lee The Terror Before Trafalgar: Nelson, Napolean and the Secret War by Tom Pocock Too Few for Drums by R.F. Delderfield Seven Came Through by Capatain Eddie Rickenbacker Seize the Fire CD: Heroism, Duty and the Battle of Trafalgar by Adam Nicholson Many of the books I have received are hardcover, some 1st editions and some inscribed by author. Books on tape and CD are also available. If the books you want are not currently available you have a personal want list available of up to 200 books. You may well imagine that I have a list full of WWI and Age of Sail books and I do. But I can tell you that I am number 1 on the waitlist for most of the books I want. When a book on my list becomes available I can have auto accept for it or I may review the book to see if I still care to receive it. This works either by paying for the book to be sent to you or by listing your unneeded/unwanted books that others then request from you. You send the book via media mail postage. When the book is received by requestor they acknowledge the fact and you are rewarded a credit. This credit then allows you to request an available book at no further charge to you, the sender pays the postage. I have completed my collection of; C.S. Forester-Hornblower series Patrick O'Brian-Aubrey/Maturin series Alexander Kent-Bolitho series H.P. Lovecraft and so many other books including "Ace of the Iron Cross" by Udet, "Hat in the Ring" by Frandsen, "Frank Luke: the Septmeber Rampage" by Haiber and I could go on and on. So if you find money is short or you believe in recycling and you like/love to read this may be a good source of books for you and a way to share your unwanted books. There is no charge to join and no charge per transaction. I have saved a lot of money and not paid the site one cent. I've been at this for a year and a half now. Link http://www.paperbackswap.com/index.php Sorry this is available to US addresses only. If I can do this you know it's foolproof. If my explanation is not clear the website will help you to understand. Best Wishes, Jim aka Rickitycrate

We are blessed with having a very generous group here. I have been on the receiving end more times than I can count.

If that is so, well then I'm thinking of moving. My people came from there so maybe they would let me back in. Doubtfull if they knew me. Maybe I could at least see HMS Victory and visit Shuttleworth.

Olham, The OFF multi-player is really very fun. I did it twice and really enjoyed myself. I have miised opportunities and sometimes really don't have long enough time to bother the guys with my coming and going. Wifey can come up with things out of the blue. Excuses, I know, I know...

Way to go Lou. Kinda satisfying to make a good score. I just found a copy of "No Parachute" so I have a small idea of how you feel.

Yes, the multi-player. I don't need another campaign type sim. I look for the online multi-play like I knew from RB3D. I see that CK will compliment OFF and that we will perhaps have the best of both worlds.

Absolutely right Steve. Sorry to have not pointed this out.

Well, I should not be shocked to learn it is indeed Stiffy's abode. One thing I appreciate by meeting my fellow OFFer's is that I am not the queer, weird nut case that is alone with his appreciation for the things that encompass our shared interest. Thank you gents and best of health to you all.

Widow, I envy you the dog. Many happy years with her sir. I am unable to have a dog at this time but I take-in other peoples dogs for a day or weeks at a time. It is my "job" right now. I only wish it paid more as I do enjoy the dogs very much. I used to show dogs, Chows and French Bulldogs, with modest success. Besides my Koi I currently have 2 parrots. Angel is an excellent speaking African Grey and Winger is a rescued Amazon Orange-Winged.

Imagine how much more success you will have with her as you learn her charms.

Stiffy, is it still 1916 where you live? I really like the period look to your pic surroundings. Very cool.

Yes I think you are SOL. I'm set up for CK but can't seem to find the time for IL2 just yet. Maybe with winter setting in. OFF is so deep I can't seem to fly anything else.

Welcome back you hun, you.

Nice, I'm glad to get to know you guys better. I'll give it a go... Worldwide Stamp collecting since I was 9 years old (any donations appreciated) World War One Aircraft model building Koi keeping Collecting WWI and Age of Sail books, also H.P. Lovecraft Age of Sail modelling Ukulele/guitar hack Music fan classical to Black Metal Bird feeding/watching I love fishing but don't get out much There's more but that's enough. I have so many interests. But I'm not too good at any of them. Thanks for the topic OvS. I happen to have a 1967 "Blast OFF" by Williams. It's in fair shape and I picked up new bumper stock for it.

I must learn how to do this. Thanks for the encouragement Lou.

Bullethead, what's old gear for you is new kit to me. I got my X45 a couple weeks back, still adjusting to it, and I think it's great but no FFB. Now I know what to do if I have your experience down the road, thanks.

Bullethead, perhaps it's a bit like a game within a game. Similar in many ways to piloting a scout but very different. And then there's is Piloting two-seaters, yet another strategm and experience. I use the stick to take off. We are accustomed to TIR for viewing so what can compare to that? I also use my HOTAS as I have my buttons assigned for zoom and external views. I think the challenge of hitting the targets is reflective of RL. This role/challenge may be familiar but it's different. If we choose observer more our skills would develope. I am very comfortable with gamepad as for the last 10 years I've played PS2 and Xbox a great deal. I have not looked into it yet but maybe the pad can have commands assigned along with the HOTAS. I would like to "look" with the right thumbpad. Much to learn. The devs have obviously put work into this Observer position, granted not as a primary concern but it is there for us. If I had more playing experience with CFS3 I would see the limitations that the devs. are dealing with too. One thing to help pass the time during lulls in the action is to select other craft to view and cycle through that action. We've putted along and in the distance there may be a furball that is watchable and entertaining(at least to me). I've been impressed by seeing sometimes 6 or more types of craft in the nearby theatre this way. Still I have much to learn and stradegy to develope. Some sandbox we have ,huh?

The hazards of war. This kind of thing still happens.

For all the times I've been hit by friendly fire, you'd think I'd seen this just once That must of really made you sit up in your seat Was it a close call for you too? No Duce, It was in front of me but not close and he was riddling a squadmate of mine at the time. I was just formulating an action to get after him and save my countryman and then, pow. That was settled. I've seen it before but kind of perrifally (sp). This was in my clear field of view.

I fear repeating myself but I would like to add my comments to this thread. Like most my experience with this is limited. I am not an expert by any means. Taking Off 1). I agree, switch to Observer shortly after take-off. Looking Around 2). Views. As I've said in other threads, I use a gamepad for the Observer position. The left thumbstick controls gun aim, the directional pad acts as hat switch. I also use Zoom to draw a better bead when firing at E/A. Cruising Along 3). I don't have a problem with the movements of the crate piolted by the A/I. I am not in control much like the guys that did this in real life. Flight Commands 4). Controlling the plane from the back just doesn't make much sense so I change positions if needed. It's a simple matter I find. Bombing 5). I have to attempt bombing more than I have. I don't have much to say at this time for lack of experience. Combat 6). My experience has been that the E/A are reluctant to press the attack just as we should be if the shoe were on the other foot. They do fire when they are within range. I take their firing at us as indication that they are within our range also. This may take some time to evolve. I've taken hits and I've dropped enemies or at least got them smoking, damaged and falling out of the attack completely. I've seen squadmates go down in flames. Again, I tried this position with my flightstick and was bedeviled to control the gun with any accuraccy. Useing the gamepad helped me a lot to improve my shooting. I do think the style of combat that unfolds is craft match-up dependant. The scout speed v.s the two-seater speed etc. Climbrate, squad ratings and who knows what facters in. Shooting 7). I agree with Bullethead and Canvas Wings on this point. And perhaps the post flight summary can reflect the observers actions in P4? Landing 8). The A/I pilot eventually lands the plane. Not as soon as I would and not as safely as I would. But so far so good, although it's been a white-knuckle experience at times, haha. I enjoy watching the flight land. And I enjoy sitting on the feild for awhile looking around and listening to things. Summary Perhaps observing is not for everyone. I find the way I observe is akin to flying DiD, although I warp. I'm along for the ride and maybe for some that is not a gratifying experience. I was wondering since it seemed the Scout flying/action was so realistic for a sim how about the observer aspect? It is very different from pilot and may be to difficult an adjustment to make. In RL it was always observers becoming pilots, I am unaware of pilots becoming observers. I find the observer experience to be rewarding and another aspect of the war that I will enjoy from time to time. Even the Gotha is flyable and the obsever positions are available, that's fun too.

You didn't know Big Brother was Russian? My, my and they wonder why so many are turned off by the internet connection? Maybe write back and say make me an offer. A two for one deal maybe, or case of vodka thrown in to sweeten the deal. Wow.

I saw on Fox that the kid was found in the garage attic hiding in a box. Sounds like a stunt a might have pulled. I wonder about his punishment.

Short story. Recently on a Scenario mission Our Fokker DVII's against Spad XIII's I saw German AckAck blow a Spad out of the air a short distance in front of me. I almost cheered.

I say Widow after that whipping give the lad a medal. Since he is OFFing let's see him on Olham's map. I can understand if you want to protect him from the characters on this forum tho. Clearly you're a right good influence on the lad. His writing is brilliant IMO for most any age and leaves us wanting more.