Olham

I am just reading K.F. Kurt Jentsch's book "Beim Jagdflug tödlich verunglückt?" again. He wrote there, that the German Jasta Echelon formation wings would change from one side to the other in turns, to prevent anyone from falling behind. Unfortunately he doesn't go into such detail as to how they knew who would cross overhead and who crossed under the others. Also he did not mention flare signals, but I guess such a manoeuvre would have been introduced by a flare signal. Another detail I found there was, that the training at the Jastaschule Famars (S of Valenciennes) included formation flying, and the attacking of balloons.

The first pic shows the area where the Famars aerodrome was. The Chateau in the distance is situated short way after the traffic circle you see on the traffic sign. I have no knowledge, if it was required for the German officers at Famars, but it is quite likely, as the German officers often took quarter in Chateaus. PS/Edit: Just found a French site, where they say the Chateau was bombed in 1918. That seems to make it even more likely that it was used by the German military. Then I also found a colour photo of the empty ruin of the Chateau, with a Nissen hut outside of it. Maybe the airfield was still used in WW2? Sources: http://www.famars.fr/le-village/histoire.html http://www.donnees.nord-pas-de-calais.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/diren/phototheque/produit.php?ref=B%E2timent_88%20&id_rubrique=17

Seems I have found a map with the Jastaschule Famars (south of Valenciennes), which I mentioned in post #1. At least does this 1918 map show an airfield and several larger buildings or barracks at Famars. I have projected them into a satelite view of today, and I was asthonished to see, that the formation of trees in western Famars has not changed much at all since those days.

I knew that all the time! I have actually tried to use this knowledge - I tried to thwart the eavesdropping operations by sending to the Secret Services (and thereby the governement) thoughts which might influence their decisions in that direction, that they would raise the rents of old poor people, and add 5 more bank holidays to the year. With no success so far though...

Update 2 October 2012 - 09:34 h Berlin time (= GMT + 1) legalbeagle10, Alabama added. OFF wins "The Heart of Dixie" The maps are in post 1 of this thread

Well, the 'tinkering' is no problem, beagle. But lines like "bug" or even only "so-and-so error" might cast a negative light on a game or a sim for passers-by. I would always suggest to seek for advice and help by using a bit more subtle words - it will always be given. You'll see: this is a sworn-in, fine community here. And now I'll add you to the maps - I've seen you sent a PM.

There are two new screenshots over at SimQH. Only two, but fine shoots of a forthcoming project. I guess in qiet times like these they are more than welcome. http://simhq.com/for...tml#Post3649825

Welcome back! Waiting to hear about your 'adventures' and impressions, Capt. - and hopefully some photos. But first: have a good start back into the treadmill.

... and maybe a bit carefree! Imagine our safety measures today, before anyone would allow this. The insurance companies would scream out loud: "We won't pay in case of accident!" Back then, they simply did it.

How is it going, Tony?

Well, you British have your traditions. The rain is one of them. I remember watching one of the Queens last birthday's "Trooping the Colours" - it was raining cats and dogs, and the soldiers must have got soaked to the very bones. But they did the whole show. That's an example for toughness.

Ah, thanks for the explanation - I had never used it, thinking it would be totally random. But since I much prefer flying in nice weather, I should give it a try then. In spring and summer of course. .

I have read Arthur Gould Lee's great book "No Parachute!" some time ago, and it is probably my No. 1 book of all books from WW1 pilots I have read so far. Now I'm wondering how the follow up book "Open Cockpit" might be. Could he write something new after the first, or at least write about the same time again in an interesting way? Perhaps those of you, who love the first, and also read the second book, can tell me what you think?

I had hoped you would respond, cause I knew you liked 'No Parachute' a lot. Thank you, Dej!

Thanks for this pronounced book tip - I will get it some day (maybe for Xmas). You could make a big red mark-up text line saying "Don't pass this line, if you don't want to spoil the book for yourself." I won't participate here any further, cause I want to read it first. But this is a forum for discussing such stuff, so carry on, Bullet. .

Northern France, Southern England, Belgium and Germany benefit a lot from the Gulf Stream. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_Stream We have rather mild winters. But the air coming in from the North Atlantik brings rain quite regularly..

Life changes every moment - we only keep forgetting. And we are fragile acrobats, sometimes on the high wire. I really wish her all the best - that it will all get okay again, Tony!

Some phases during WW1 were especially bad. I have the theory that the permanent shelling may have released so much gun powder, cordite or whatever they had in there, that the clouds rained off more than usual. Here is a climate table for Paris of today. The blue curve are the rainy days per month.

Did you follow the install proceedure in the correct order, with all the patches?

Now you understand, what I mean when I say I love that lady! ... Yes, I know the craft and have posted about it several times. There is even a good video on the web about her maiden flight.

Not having any expertise to show off with in this case, I am nevertheless very glad that you posted this, Dej. After more than 90 years these photos surface now; and if only to give people like me a better, closer insight into the lives of British airmen of the time. Some shots are almost intimately close, and they make little stories around the photographed persons come up in my mind. Every-day-life little stories; stories of failures and success, and of the spare time inbetween; time they knew to fill with life, as I have learnt from Cecil Lewis' own writing. Thanks a lot for posting these links, Dej! (Bookmarked!)

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