cptroyce

Olham-thanks for posting those stats..personally I enjoy those compilations. As I recall, the 17 hours was a "stat" that pertained to the Brits during the Bloody April campaign, and then seemed to be perpetuated as the War" stat from the early RB3 forums. Regards, Royce

Having had many, many, many, many, many ,many, many, many, many, hours devoted to RB3 FM building, IMHO...the process is to research as much as you can as to how these great craft flew (pilot reports, data, etc.). Then get the FM editor program Air Wrench and A/C editor-two excellent programs that lend themselves to CFS generated files-learn about the aviation parameters that they can alter, and then try and duplicate the behavior that your research has described. It is an absolutely wonderful endevour that will "alienate you" from those you love, but at the end of the day, you will have created something that may endure for a long time and be used by 100's of fellow enthusiasts around the world! Regards, Royce PS- "Back in the day", there weren't programs like Airwrench and A/C Editor...these programs allow you to alter sim a/c down to the "n'th degree" I believe.

Was on another forum I frequent about "between the war aviation", and in relation to a review of The Red Baron film, a post from You Tube showed what flying these crates was all about...Ernst Udet in the cockpit. Something to see if one hasn't had a chance to view some of the old stunting films. http://mainescenery.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=grill&action=display&thread=8541 Regards, Royce

I just bought a Samsung 24" HDTV 50,000:1 Dynamic Contrast 1920x1080 monitor and I must say I am loving it. OFF looks like a whole different world..slap on the digital something headphones and, well...I'm gone. Each man's budget is what it is, obviously...in NYC this monitor cost $300, which I find really worth the money. Couldn't recommend it more highly. Regards, Royce

Not to get involved in this political "tete a tete" (but Hellshades point is well taken), your pic of a particular viewpoint just went out to my politically liberal friends! Royce

creaghorn - Thanks for this compilation; a great addition to OFF! Royce

Flyby - I'm not an "expert" on WW1 aviation matters, but familiar enough from doing research of interest etc. It seems that Sopwith Tripes became operational in February 1917 and stayed around for about 3 months May/June 1917, until the Camels became available for operations and basically replaced the triplane. The Fokker Dr1 Triplane became operational to the Jasta's around September/October 1917. So I would think that combat between the two aircraft probably didn't occur..unless there was a stray Sopwith Triphound still flying during the Fokker's brief time in the sky Regards, Royce EDITS FOR SPELLING

continued: From Bowman: We were at about 2,000 ft and a mile behind German lines. This left Voss in the middle of the six of us, which did not deter him in the slightest. At that altitude he had a much better rate of climb..and frequently he was the highest machine of the seven of us, and could have turned east and got away had he wished to, but he was not that type and always came down on us again. His machine was exceptionally manoeuvrable and appeared to be able to take flying liberties with impunity. I myself had only one crack at him..I put my nose down to give him a good burst and opened fire; perhaps too soon. To my amazement, he kicked on full rudder, without bank, pulledhis nose up, gave me a burst while he was skidding sideways; and then kicked on opposite rudder before the results of this amazing stunt apperaed to have any effect on the controllability of his machine". Royce

Dr1 and manoeuvrability: From Frank Tallman's (renowned stunt pilot and aviator) book "Flying The Old Planes" : Flying a rebuilt from scratch replica, (the only difference being a 165 hp Warner engine instead of a 110 hp Le Rhone) "...the triplane was airbourne in about 300 feet with an 8knot wind directly on the nose. The climb out was at about 55 mph, and as I began a climbing turn i felt ailerons as stiff as a boiled shirt; it felt like our old Navy HUP heliocopters when we turned the hydrolic boost off. You very nearly need both hands for the ailerons." Crusing at 95 mph..getting used to everything except the Mack truck like ailerons..I stalled the plane and it fell through at about 50 mph..recovery was easy and loss of altitude slight. Putting the red bird in a Lufberry circle, I could see how you could cut the circle small enough to nearly chew off your own tail". Re looping: In a fit of daring, equal to grabbing a live leopard by the tail, I decided to try a loop. Picking up (speed) to 120 mph, I pulled (her) up, but because of the placement of tghe wings it was hard to orient with the horizon. A most uncomfortable feeling. Unfortunately I was a little slow and did not pull tight enough at the top and barely got over. As the triplane fell through (the loop) , I wondered whether the entire stack of wings might not collapse...my nerves took longer then the triplane to recover from the loop." Pilot excepts: Rudolf Stark- Jasta 34 : "At first we find these new machines strange to fly. But they are extremely sensitive to the controls, and rise up in the air like a lift. You climb a few hundred meters in the twinkling of a second and can go round and round one spot like a top". Carl Degelow Jasta 36& 40 described the triplane as "remarkable". For the British view, comments from McCudden, Bowman, Cronyn of 56 Sqd and Hammersley and Chidlaw-Roberts of 60 sqd all flying SE5's, after their epic flight with Voss 23 September 1917: Hammersley was the first to be attacked by Voss, who got on his tail and put a burst of fire into him, causing severe damage. From McCudden: Voss turned in a most disconcertingly quick manner; not a climbing turn or Immelmann, but a sort of flat half spin. By now the German triplane was in the middle of our formation and it's handling was wonderful to behold. The pilot seemed to be firing at us all simultaneously...his movements were so quick and uncertain none of us could hold sight of him at all.. I got a good opportunity as he was coming at me nose on and slightly underneath me...I got him well in my sights and pressed both triggers. As soon as I fired, up came his nose at me and I heard clack,clack, clack, clack, as his bullets passed close to me and though my wings. I distinctly noticed the red yellow of his spandau guns. As he flashed by me I caught a glimpse of a black head in the triplane with no hat on at all". Got to put my daughter to bed at the moment, will follow up post in a bit. Regards, Royce

Olham- What is the phrase in German for "hanging on the prop" ?? I read it somewhere in relation to the Dr1 but can't find it now. Tonight I'll try and post some pilot reports on the manoeuvrability of the triplane. There's one I believe from a British pilot on the combat flying of Werner Voss..really astounding. Royce

UP- Excert from "In The Cockpit - Flying The World's Great Aircraft". The Fokker Triplane by Peter Kilduff..." The Allies had no way of knowing just what it was like to fly the Fokker triplane or to perform one of it's most interesting tactics - that of seeming to 'hang on it's propeller with the nose raised to pour machine gun fire into the undersides of an adversary". A case in point was described by Thomas B. Buffum, an American who flew with the French Spad fighter squardron Escadrille SPA 77: "The new Fokker triplanes...seemed strange to us, but apparently had marvellous manoeuvrability, especially in standing on their tails and shooting straight up". From a combat report of Josef Jacobs: "...I left kicked my rudderand swung toward one of the fighters, when I was jumped from behind by three other SE5's as well as three Bristol fighters that came in shooting at me. At this warm welcome, I stood my triplane on it's tail and got out of there to gain some altitude from which to engage the enemy again". I'll post the information regarding it's agility in another post. Regards, Royce

UP- Let me see if I can dig up the information (give me a day or so..real life etc.) and I will post it here. If you are at all interested in the subject of WW1 aviation (and it seems that you are) try to read that book I mentioned. I found it facinating..title not withstanding ;>) Royce

This thread is Deja Vu from the RB forums of 10-12 years ago.."The Dr1 is Porked" debates went on and on for years. When I(among several others)was "tinkering/toiling" on the FM mods for RB, I did alot of reading on the Dr1. I recall from first hand accounts that I had read, that while the Dr1 could climb wonderfully and had the ability to "hang on the prop"(I forgot the German phrase for this..Olham?) and fire at an enemy above, it apparently was very hard/non-responsive to turn; which surprised me. Some accounts likened it to turning a truck. For anyone interested, there is a terrific(IMHO)book called "Three Wings For The Red Baron"...don't mind the inane title..that deals with much of the physics, statistics, and engineering background behind the Dr1 as well as many other models. Regards, Royce

I saw D9 last night and I enjoyed it quite a bit. Thought the concept theme was very "unique" and done in an interesting fashion. Actually liked it more then I thought I would. As for my 2 cents on Apocalypse Now.. the original uncut version is available on CD..it is a masterpiece IMHO, and as far removed from the version released in theatres as to not be comparable. See the original directors cut if you can. Royce

Olham - >> "Moxie" ??? << Thirites American slang = "Balls, Guts, the right stuff" '>)

Terrific psot! Thanks..that's going into my file memorabilia file! Royce

Maybe it's me..but I love those Belgian skins. Please send them for d/l Royce

Luther1517 - Welcome aboard. This is a great group of WW1 and simming enthusiasts...you'll enjoy your flight time here!! Regards, Royce

JR- 40?...your just a "rookie" Have a great day!!!! Regards, Royce

HITR .... Terrific update all around guys!!! Love the wind noise and in the "watch what you wish for area"...flew in two rain storms..the wind buffeting effect made the a/c difficult to handle as it should and actually made me woosey/dizzy! Terrain looks great as well. OFF is quite a bit more immersive and keeps getting better and better!! Regards, Royce

Well OvS and I seem to be of the same mind >> Booze is no excuse.. << No, sorry gents, I am a much less forgiving sort I suppose, particularly in matters of utter disrespect; and especially for those that gave their lives so you can take out your d**k and pee all over a memorial to their memory..perhaps it's my generation. That kid would be doing some very, very difficult time in prison to contemplate his next drink... Royce

Winder- One word... AWESOME! Royce

To anyone "on the fence"..you will never regret getting OFF. If you have the least bit of interest in WW1 aviation or flight/combat simming in general, this is probably the best purchase one could make in a PC flight sim. As for CFS3 needed for the OFF base files..not only can you use the CFS3 disc for OFF which would be ones primary interest since you are reading this forum, but the CFS disc can be used for WW2 ETO(European Theatre of Operations) expansion, WW2 MAW(Med.Air War), and WW2 PTO(Pacific theatre of Operations), all extraordinary add ons using the base CFS3 disc. Royce

Stiffy- I don't have TiR either...believe we'll need to be more careful then most ;>) Royce

I vote for manual or auto mix is pilot's choice. As for a/c type, just like the flyers of old, you get what's available at the the time...so no preference on my end. Regards, Royce