Olham

Pol and Bullet - you just convinced me, that I'm a good pilot then, as I can handle the Camel nicely. And I like her flying very much. Only the rather poor overall view, with the use of an "attic window", is a little setback. But anyway - I'll do more campaigns with her.

No problem to be a British pilot; I like the British ways to handle things - a refreshing diffence to being German sometimes. I had a Camel pilot, David Oldham, in 65 RFC Squadron, but he didn't last long. But I'll definitely start one again. Here's my Albatros DIII in Jasta 11, Feb. 1917. Yesterday, I downed two Pups from RNAS-9 with it yesterday. See more in sticky thread "Reports from the front". But until summer, it's a long time. Perhaps I'll see you near Arras...

Yes, as Siggi says, MackLroy. When you pick one for your changes, look first, which number the standard photo in your log has. Then put an X before the number of that original in "pilot photos". Give your pilot pic that number now, and throw it in there. No, they are all aircraft. All SPAD XIII. The French must hate me by now. I wonder, when they will bring up Guynemer or Fonck, to stop me. Edit: No, Guynemer was dead then already.

In February 1917 he was a member of Number 3 Naval Squadron that was operating with the British Army near the Cambrai front. "Bloody April" was in 1917. In the site it says, Collishaw flew near Cambrai in Feb. 17? I have just started a Jasta 11 pilot in January 1917, in Brayelles. So, if he lasts long enough, I should get the chance to duell with Mr. Collishaw. But that Tripe is a great turn fighter, I assume? And Collishaw even had two guns mounted - that will get tough then...

Okay, James, I'll see what I can do. But when I put some good work into it, I must be allowed to add it to the contest; which means others can download it too. But that is also the case with all my own good skins. Good grief, Widowmaker - have you discovered the "killer craft" for you now? So you are "Schwarze Witwe" now?

The second letter is indeed written in a haste. I can't recognise all. It reads: BB, 30. 12. 42 Lieber Lindemann! Wie seinerzeit am .... ...., schicke ich Ihnen heute meinen z.b.V. zur Entgegen- nahme eines Bildes mit Wid- mung vom Kommodore. Ich selbst bin leider heute verhindert, werde jedoch gelegentlich noch- einmal vorsprechen. Im Voraus herzlichen Dank li. Kamerad. BB (Berlin Brandenburg?) 30. 12. 42 Dear Lindemann! Like at that time at/on --- ---, I send to you today my z.b.V. (zur besonderen Verwendung - an Adjutant for special duties, I assume) for the receipt of a picture (photo) with dedication of the Kommodore. Myself, I am unfortunately prevented today, but will call on you again occasionally. Thank you very much indeed in advance d(ear) comrade.

Wouldn't it be Hermann rather? Well, here's my translation: My dear Hermann annexed I send to you a signed card of me as a remembrance, as (you) wanted, with my best wishes. I was really very peased about your letter, and wish you much pleasure with (your) collecting. Hans Joachim Marseille

Yes, I noticed that too, Pol. Those who say, it was quirky and hard to control, can't be that much worse pilots than me. But one thing I noticed, is the difference in flight model, between stick controlled rudder (easier on mine) and real pedals (the Albatros is a lot trickier to fly with those, I found).

Wow - 56 has more aces than I need (or could deal with - Lol!!) OvS - what does MFJ and Seafrosta mean? Just had my second sortie with Jasta 11 - with the Red Baron himself, and more aces. (see: Reports from the Front). And yes - I met some Pups from RNAS-9. Two of them will be missing in the mess this evening. But they are very agile turn fighters, and I don't know, what had happened, had they not collected some hits from ground fire before (I saw in the report afterwards, that they must have attacked a balloon base).

James - seeing you are a good "old" OFF Forum member, I'd suggest, you should try to define, what sort of painting you would like, and in which colours, and on what plane. And then, either me, or some other genius from our "skinners community", will do a personal skin for you. What do you say?

What is MB ?

Good grief - the only tree for miles. He must have had some dog's genes in him.

Hasse: One of my wingmen had got behind the Nupe and shot it down, saving my pilot in the process! Couldn't you hug them sometimes? I think I found, that your wingman 1 will follow you, when you press "attack", and then "help". He will stay with you then and attack planes near you. But that means all planes - even the one you are hunting. I do it anyway still, when the situation gets too close, and mine saved my "sitting device" several times.

OvS: Olham, sign-up with Jasta 11, and pick a fight with RFC 56... or even Jasta 4 should get you many of the RNAS squadrons... so should any of the MFJ's or Seafrostas. Okay, thanks, OvS - I have just started a pilot in Jasta 11 yesterday, in January 1917. So I should meet them sooner or later. Tttiger - I had two encounters with the Bristol fighter. They are extremely agile and strong. When I am not given the direct order to attack them, I rather let them pass. I may be crazy, but not suicidal. Yes, Hasse Wind - I will try the SPAD myself one day. It must be a good fighter, when you use the right tactics. And for the Brisfits - see above. Thanks for the names, Rugbyfan. I have shot down Gerald Constable-Maxwell in "a former life" (Lol!) This time, I will try to last much longer.

Albatros D Va and D Va 200 also tend to tip towards the left - I always start with the stick bent half to the right side. Also she needs a little rudder right. That seems to do it.

Do you like Chicken Massala? Yes? Would you like it every day? That's how I feel with SPADs. I think, I would be so surprised, if another craft would appear here at my field Vauxcere, that I would forget to shoot it down.

Today's afternoon patrol along the front line was done very much like Siggi's DiD standards, except that I used target cone some moments. But mostly I had TAC, cone and labels off. That was thrilling, the sun was burning brightly, and I constantly scanned the sky and ground. I used a tactic from Interlocutor - I pressed "attack" every now and then. Cause, as he said, your wingmen would normally also see enemy craft, and react to that. We were almost home, when I did that again, and they dropped away to our rear right. I must confess, it took me a while to make out, what was going on, and which enemies were there, and where. They were of course SPAD XIII again, from Esc.151, with a red and yellow band on their wings. Although we got assistence by D VIIs, Leutnant Gottschling didn't make it. My other two men returned home with me, after me shooting down two of the SPADs. Here's my pilot's log - I haven't got that far since a long time; due to collisions, Flak and other problems. I hope, he will last some longer - I'd like to see some confirmations. You may notice, that a lot of my claims were rejected due to lack of witnesses. Next time, I'll saw a second hole into the fuselage and take my solicitor with me.

Yes, please do so, CJ; perhaps it's even better; or I can work it into one.

Yes, I knew the Early Aviator site. Also google for: Vintage Aviator (I forgot the correct adress).

This graphic display shows the introduction times of the German fighter aircraft. Also can you see some Jastas, were it was available earliest. (If anyone can correct something here, you're welcome, and I'll change mistakes, or add data). This graphic does NOT show the full time, a plane type was used; but only the time, until a new aircraft was introduced. I hope, this may help some with their decision, to try the German side for a change. Enjoy!

Those silly germans. This is neither silly nor funny - what did you think, where the Albatros come from?

..So long to Edmund Blackadder the 31st!!...arise Sir Edmund the 32nd!!...your carriage awaits!!!....with a six foot box in the back of it!!:rofl:

Mmmm - that looked much better. Now you got me hungry, Pol! And there was something with roastbeef too - my god - I have nothing in the house and my mouth is watering so I might drown (whoosh! door slamming...) ... ...

I have aircraft on 5, effects on 3, clouds on 1, all other on 2; and it's looking good.

Hahaha! "Mr. S.E.5a" speaking (Lol!)