Olham

Thanks for those details, Bullet - I would rather trust your book(s) here. My source was German Wikipedia (the site wasn't even available in English yet), and a post somewhere in "The Aerodrome". What I find interesting is, that the Austrian Daimler has been so much stronger than the German. Germany in general was obviously more of an industrial state at that time already - but still the austro-Daimler was the better engine. As for the German attitude towards Austria I can only say: "Looking down one's nose is not the best perspective for catching the whole picture."

Thanks for all the detail, Bullet! I hadn't known there had been an OeFFAG Albatros D.II - well, 16 of them. The production numbers were incredibly small for a big Kaiserreich like Austria-Hungary. Shows, how much Germany already was a more modern industrial state. A real pity they couldn't have worked together much more, and shared their good points. If even the Austrian D.II had a better performance, and then their D.III even so much better wing structure, they could have built great fighters together. The Germans could have given the Austrians the faster firing LMG 08/15, and both sides would have... would have... could have... Oh, the war is long over.

I see what you mean - I found this painting of a Phoenix by Jerry Boucher:

This is the Albatros D.III (OeFFAG)*, which was built in Austria under license. The craft had a different (stronger) engine - the Austro-Daimler. The Series 253 had a longer engine; that's why the spinner was dropped. Another major improvement was a much sturdier lower wing, which did not fail in dives, like on the German Albatros sesquiplanes. The craft is said to have had a great climb and speed. It was prefered by the Austrian fighter pilots before even later designs of other fighters, until the end of the war. Series 153 / 253 Engine: Austro-Daimler 200 PS......... /.. 225 PS Top speed: ...................188 km/h......./...202 km/h Climb to 1.000 Meter:....2 Min 30 Sec /...2 Min 15 Sec Climb to 3.000 Meter: .10 Min 15 Sec /...9 Min 15 Sec Climb to 5.000 Meter: .21 Min 40 Sec / 20 Min 15 Sec * Oesterreichische Flugzeugzeugfabrik AG (Austrian Aircraft Factory PLC) .

I don't know which flag you have in mind, Bullet? Like most states, Austria-Hungary had a State Flag, a National Flag, and War Flags. Here is what I found for "National Flag":

As we posted about the Albatros D.III (OeFFAG) from Austria; here is a long video of Mayrhofer's replica with the original Austro-Daimler engine (hear that sound!) on it's maiden flight day. Enjoy! http://s306.photobucket.com/albums/nn277/kolomay/?action=view&current=AlbatrosErstflug.mp4

Found this photo on "Flickr", with no further info about the location. The short text said even wrongly, that it was a Pfalz or something. Does anyone know, where this aircraft is on display? And can anyone identify, wether it is a Haberstadt D.II or D.III ? .

Logical suggestion, Bullet, but I wonder if it would look as good as this order of colours. And the only other nationality anyone might guess from this order would be the French. Who were also Entente and on the same side. No problem.

The Fokker is stunning, iti - especially the cowling with it's reflecting light and shine. Also the prop and here especially the fixation metal parts look super-realistic. Maybe the two wood types of the prop could differ a bit more? The figure of Voss seems too softened to my eye, compared to the clear, sharp aircraft. The tunic and cap could do with a bit of uniform cloth texture, while the cap screen should go more in the diredtion of the cowling - sharper, clearer reflection. Also the buttons might need to get adjusted to that, being metal parts. The face is always most difficult. Maybe you can make the nose-shadow less deep, and the eyes a bit sharper. That could be all that's needed?

Congrats, Hasse Wind - isn't it a step like from the Messerschmidt Bf109 to the Me 262?! Whoosh!!!

Wow, what a pretty girl! She is colourful like a medieval jugglers family's acrobatic girl who walks over the marketplace on the high wire, with no safety net. And yet, the colours are of the same dignity such a graceful girl would have through her courage. Very nice job done, Lou! .

HumanDrone and Panama Red, your two avatars almost make a sequential slideshow here. Thanks for the info; and I also found out that they are "scale models". Damn - and I had thought I had found a very interesting paint job on an original Halberstadt! Here are two "real" Halberstadts - the tail was quite simple indeed.

Just found this website (AeroScale) with great old photos of the "Stropp" Albatros on display in America in the 1920s. Enjoy. http://www.aeroscale...topic_id=179304 .

I have found it. It is displayed in one of San Francisco's International Terminals. See here: http://www.honoluluagonizer.com/?m=201006&paged=2

Ah, okay - thanks, Lou!

Yes, I see what you mean. You were talking about the "power of the impact" this early game had on you. Like the first kiss, the first love - even if you find a better lasting relationship later, the first time will always remain a memory. Here is a cute little video of the intro and the first mission of "Wings of Glory". And watching it, I remembered the feelings quite well, that the characters talking and the music arose. .

Ah, I understand now, what you mean. I must have missed a lot - I don't know any of the other games above. An older game that struck me quite a bit was "Return to Castle Wolfenstein".

OMG - did we really play that? I didn't have an AMIGA and so I never played "Wings". But I played "Wings of Glory", which looked much alike. But I must say, that this line was rather written, cause in our memories, things seem to be growing: The emotional impact that Wings’ game playing experience had on gamers has never been quite replicated in the history of the industry. "Over Flanders Fields" has beaten anything I have ever played before, by far.

Wow, great list, Lou - nobody bothered to explain it so illustrative like you did, my friend! Now, that explains many of the problems I had to face on so many occasions! For example, I understand now, why my Albatros was never flying that much faster (or slower), when I used No. 6 as a throttle! Mmuahahahahahhaaaaa!!!! And it is very comforting to hear, that you Camel jockeys also have such funny compasses, which often seem to me like a game of "Twister", or "let's guess, where 'home' lies!". (The cute little bastards almost seems to hum "North, south east, west - home is best!") .

Well, in a very simple way, Google StreetView seems to work like this?

Thanks a lot, Lou! I have changed and completed the Jpeg, and changed it in post #1. Don't tell my superiours, that a Camel pilot had to explain my favourite aircraft to me! But hen it comes to technics, I'm a bit dumb. So I still don't know, what a "Spark Control Handle" or a "Fuel Pressure Gauge Valve Control" do? PS: Lou, it hits me each time I see the greasy grin of your new avatar - frightening!

Wow, that sure looks great! I guess it will firstly rather be used for architects and construction businesses? It seems to be a huge amount of data, which might make it too complex for games? But who knows - maybe a way can be found to use it there also?

...and form a cushion for the later fallers - Mmuahahahahahaaaa!!!!

Like the flying and fighting, the drinking also needs quite a bit of training. I guess compared to you our veteran Bullethead, you are a newbie there. But that's nothing to be ashamed about.

OFF with "Hat in the Ring!" is literally crammed with history and stuff to discover. You remind me now - I still need to fly an American campaign "seriously". (Not that I never tried - but I never lasted too long against aircraft like the Pfalz, the Fokker Dr.1, and the Fokker D.VII).