Olham

Yo, the SPAD could dominate the situation, if the pilot wanted it. My AI-choice is set to "historical", so the sim varies between the "aggressive AI" and the original AI made for HitR; which is more defensive and flying safely. These SPADs were the second type - they remained high, until we had climbed all the way up to them. When my men fired up at them, they became active and circled with us. Had they attacked and dived away, to re-climb a dominant altitude out of our range, and repeated that on and on - we would have had a tough bite. But when he circled with my wingman, I shot him up - or down.

What do you mean with "thing" ?

Three of their SPAD VII did not return today - I brought one of them down. Tough and fast fighters - they must make mistakes, which allow me to get at them. This pilot made two. He remained at my altitude. He tried to turn-fight with me. He fell just north of our lines, 1 mile north of Le Claon in the southern Argonne.

I couldn't really make sure, which engine it is - it is listed under "late Merlin powered variants". Perhaps you try it - see here: http://en.wikipedia....red_variants%29 .

"STALKER - Shadow of Cernobyl" and "Clear Sky" were very good IMHO. Endtime-Athmosphere - not everyone's cup of tea. Both should be patched with the latest patches though - the released DVDs had quite a few bugs.

Well, I'll find a way of using the new OFF II maps on my second monitor - good compromise, eyh?

I came to OFF Phase 2 in October 2008, and since then, I was flying most aggressively in the years 2009 and 2010. It changed slowly but surely during 2011, and I thought to myself that it isn't too hard to collect lots of victories, while I couldn't get hurt, and when I didn't bother, if my pilot died. I simply created a new one. But during 2011 I began to care for my wingmen more and more, and I realised, that it felt better to bring some of them back alive after a fight, instead of returning with lots of kills - but alone. I began to use my wingman commands even better; I avoided any risky fights (so I avoided lots of them); and I concentrated mostly on helping them in their fights. I still got enough victories collected that way, but not by far as many as before. Still though - it was much more contenting. Now we all know, that the enemy AI won't let you step out of fights easily, and so it was still hard to bring more than one or two wingmen back. But today I managed to do so - all six of them appeared, when I signalled to assemble! What an overwhelming feeling, to see your six comrades coming from all angles, climbing towards you! I was really touched and had goose skin! It had not been an eventless patrol - we had first attacked 3 R.E.8 bombers, and then we had clashed with several Nieuports of the aggressive Escadrille 82: the fight was going up and down and round about, until we were at treetop level. But keeping my wingman behind me (with the "Help" command), I could attack each and any Nieuport, which started to pester one of my men. My wingman kept my six clear. When it was over, I had seen 3 Nieuports going down - the rest had either run home, or they were also shot down. The flying back in fine May weather with all my 6 wingmen was accompanied by good feelings! I wonder if anyone else flies like that recently?

Damn, I hate to see lines reading like this one: Sorry, we have not been given the rights to stream this film in your area. But thanks anyway, Shiloh - I think I have seen it on German TV.

Yep, it is a slow evolution; can't be pushed. Let it all out, until one day you feel it has changed.

Keep that sense of alertness, of being on the watch-out; the fear for "your" life - and the feller may have a chance to survive the war.

Nazis seem to be very fascinating for many, as we can recognise in so many films. Their efficiency, their well organised terror, their Blitzkrieg successes... And didn't they know how to tailor some dashing uniforms? Sleek as sharks. But the eyes of sharks cause me goos skin... Tom, to be honest, I haven't read about Boelcke yet, but will fill that gapp as soon as possible. Boelcke must have been a fine character, from all I did read in notes and quotes. I know that Jasta pilots often had a drink with Entente pilots, and showed them round their aerodrome, and to their aircraft. Not all pilots felt good and friendly with that, but some really felt quite happy, that their opponents were not dead, but only prisoners now. Carl Holler from Jasta 6 must have gone too far in such a situation. It seems that he drank several glasses of wine with a French pilot he had downed, and the wine may have made the two men laugh together loud. Holler was removed to another post, and he was even under threat to be court martialed for fraternisation. As if it was not understandable for many, that Holler was glad his victim had survived. Some of the base wallahs and the brass want to eliminate such feelings - in every war.

Yeah, flying by map is as close to the real thing as I get. I also have a second, older 4:3 monitor, which is fine for that. I open the map in my drawing program and draw lines for the course I want to use (often a bit different to the straight lines - I follow rails and rivers, or lakes are helpful). Borrowed the idea from Lou, to write any special notes of events at the spots in the maps, where they occured. The railways and lakes are very correct - I have often paused right over a lake, or railway crossing or bridge, to note the latitude and longitude - and checked that in Google Maps. And it was mostly very correct, or at least very close.

Yeah, I had seen it - great documentary, Javito!

Surely one of the most interesting British originals of our younger history - born into a time, when you could still be a pioneer in many areas, he seems to have made the most of it. A true British engineer and gentleman of a strong generation, gone. Rest in peace, Mr. Sopwith - your name will never die.

I'll continue flying with no aids - but I bet it will be much harder to survive. I will fly at least one serious French and one serious British campaign.

Barmy. Of course are we barmy! Did I say silly? How silly! I meant "barmy"! Silly me!!

Just found these two beautiful ladies in this photo from the Buddecke website. I hadn't know that they had such moments of leisure in the Jastas - looks like holidays on Norderney! http://www.buddecke.de/jasta43.htm

Good one, Mike - rotten phantasy, but funny!

Did they have signs on the craft: "Careful - Fast growing wing!" And an order from high command: "No picking apples during missions!" God, we are silly!

Great to see how they trained the shooting part; fine little film - thanks for sharing, Carrick!

Just found two interesting parts in the "Flieger-Album" website, about aerial reconaissance. Still haven't found out, if the site can be read in English too - it seems not. But even the pictures are interesting enough, and you, Hasse Wind, may have to re-activate your school German. Enjoy! http://www.flieger-a...hotographie.php http://www.flieger-a...m1weltkrieg.php It looks like they even used carrier pigeons in the early day, but I didn't find anything about how successful or not that method was.

Aaaaah - ha! Yes, that makes sense!

No wonder the S.E.5 is so hard to beat - Albatros wings only ever break! It isn't fair!

It is real, yes. You don't need a focus with a small lens opening (11) and a short exposure time (125th). But still - when did it release?

I hope you didn't loose your conduct, and gave her a hug and a kiss, before you had a glimpse at the books. Great to hear, Lou! Well, I hope it is still a decent read in English - JFM or someone else said, the translation was a bit lacking here and there. At least I hope you can still trace his humour.