Mr_Dirt

Thanks Gentlemen it has been a Great 4th here in the middle of the USA.

OVS I disagree with you on the book and Frank Luke. I own the book and have finished it. The book is well written and it is pricey. The author explains in detail about the last flight of Frank Luke. There was three planes in the area that day which led to alot of confusion. Luke's last stand was witnessed by several French witnesses. They signed a confession of their storey right after the war ended. A german officer also gave his side which was very different in what the French said. The author spent several trips going to the scene of Luke's death and researched alot of material putting this book together. What he came up with seemed very reasonable to me. Luke was given the MOH for shooting down 3 balloons and engaging in a dogfight. It was also claimed he shot up and killed German Troops marching through the village he was shot down near. Luke then suposedly shot it out with troops who were trying to capture him. The author did a good job of putting the events of Luke's last day in order. He thinks Luke did shoot down 3 balloons, but only 2 flamed and one did not. The catch is only one was in sight of the French. Luke's friend from another Pursuit group shot down one of the ballonons and his wingman shot down the other. The friend was also shot down a short distance away. The author also shows that Luke never shot up the column of German Soldiers, but he was wounded and landed his plane. He crawled around a 100 yards from his plane towards a creek. It was getting dark and the Germans were approaching. Luke had swore he would not be taken alive he had enough strength left to rise up and fire 3 shots in the direction of the approaching enemy and fell dead from his wound. Now I do agree that he was not well liked by his mates, but Richkenbaker Spelling incorrect thought alot of him. If he would have lived he was to be transfered to Eddie's Command. I also think he deserved some recognition for shooting down 5 Balloons and Aircraft in less than an hour which was confirmed. I do know that many pilots turned and received credit for planes they did not shoot down, Luke should not be faulted for this. I agree with the other pilots you talk about they are heroes and worthy of books. I have read books on all of them, but in my humble opinion Frank Luke was worthy as well, he died for his country the same as the others. Now that is off my chest how is the Nova going I have not seen any comments about it Lately. Best wishes John

I can only get to 6 to 7 hours per pilot. I tend to fight no matter the odds or where I am over the lines. When you do like this the odds of getting 17 hours are very slim.

Voted OK because you can adjust the sim to easy or hard settings. If the sim is made to easy it becomes an arcade game. This sim is about history. If you fly without fear your life is short. If you practice the rules of aircombat you fight to survive. To me that is how it should be.

It is always wise to suck up to the Minister Of Finance in your Nation.

Welcome to the Friendly skies of OFF BHAH watch your six and Happy Hunting. I can also tell you if you are married your wife will become very unhappy about all the time spent at the computer LOL!

55 yo here added 3 Grandchildren in less than 2 years makes me feel really old. Two of these live with me in my house chasing one that is alost to the terrible Twos make me feel really old. The 19 month already knows the word Fly and sets on my lap and Flies her plane in BHAH, just not very well, but sometimes last longer than me.

Olham I see you live in Berlin. I read once there was a museum for MVR near the Brandenberg Gate before WWII. This museum was where the Baron's Silver cups were shown along with other items of his. The Russians sacked this place during the fall of Berlin. Has Germany ever tried for a return of any of these items. I contacted you once on the other OFF forumn under my old name jlynn. Thanks for an answer in advance. John

SE5A, Number 56 Brit, 2 confirmed, 7.5hrs 90% only use automixture

I was under the impression that it took a different cal gun to fire the incendiary round. I have read several books on Frank Luke saying he had on Vickers 303 and a different gun for incendiary rounds for Balloon busting. Is this wrong?

What an awesome collection. Like Siggi said just imagine touching something so historic. Very nice Thanks for sharing

Welcome too the Skies of BHAH glad to have you here. Good luck and good hunting>

I flew 56 alot . I have been flying with 54 and using the Pup.

Nothing wrong in what you did OVS. How is the Nova coming along?

Frank Luke also recieved the MOH in WWI

I agree luke's story would make a good film. He was a shooting star went much to fast. Another decent book is Terror of the Autumn Skies. I just finished it. Much like Luke's life over to Quick. THanks John

Thanks Royce I donated to restoring the monument, after someone posted a link to the story on the OFF forum a while back. I just finished the other book on Luke. I ordered this book after going to the site through your link thanks

In QC everything is an enemy I think. If you land at the airport tou took off from they will shoot at you.

Well worth the money, but it will make the little lady mad, because you will be hooked. You will want to spend all your tome flying and she will resent that LOL. The sim is the best I have ever played. Welcome to the OFF skies.

Thanks for your quick support. Hope you enjoy some time off it is well deserved. Thanks John

Very nice Catch, ejoyed the story and Video T^hanks for sharing

Thanks for sharing now so many can maybe find a loved one and honor them. May we honor all the living and the dead who have given their all. Thanks to all of them.

Keep an Eye onthose that are left. I knew I had problems and let it go for about two years. I was Pi**ing blood for about 6 months before I broke down and went to the Doc. I then had a stone as big as a tennis ball. The surgery is no fun. They insert a tube through your back into the kidney. They then go through the tube and break the ston into smaller pieces to remove it. They leave that tube in hooked to a pi** bag so you do not have to pass the fragments that are left. I am surprised they do not want to do what they call lithotripsy. THat means they break the stones into smaller pieces so you can pass them. None of these are fun so I wish you the best of luck and happy hunting in the OFF skies.

Very nice Stump very nice

Flying British Fighters now or should I say attempting to fly last about 5 hours then get shot down. But what fun!