Fullofit, I really enjoy your photos. Another great Aldi story too! Quick question: is there any way in WOFF to have a "free camera", or must you always use Spot View, or Player / Target View, etc.?
Raine, nothing special - I use the chase view (F1) and then adjust zoom and angle with the directional arrows on the num pad. Take a bunch of shots from different angles and then pick the best ones. Don't know if the "free camera" control exists.
"Take the cylinder out of my kidneys, The connecting rod out of my brain, my brain, From out of my arse take the camshaft, And assemble the engine again."
Carrick, Gilbear was lucky to survive that one! Keep him safe!
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Gilbear Du Bussy Sous Lieutenant Esc 81 La Noblette Ferme, Verdun, France.
June 21, 1917
I led 6 a/c on an afternoon aerodrome security flight. We manage to find some Bosche Recon a/c in 2 flights of 2 machines each. I led in a turning low attack then we scattered into everybody for zem themselves. I saw a big Hun a/c roll over into a spin being followed by Spads. My next attack was on the other flight of 2. Firing as I climbed under them then a highside pass diving blazing away all the time. I just couldnt seem to hit them pulling up, I heard the sound of farbic ripping so eased off the power and carefully flew down to our field.
Robert, I'm with you about transfers. I applaud your will power and desire to 'stick it out' until better planes arrive, that's what the real fellows had to do and so should we.
Member and provider of banjo music for the Illustrious BOC
Gilbear Du Bussy Sous Lieutenant Esc 81 La Noblette Ferme, Verdun, France.
June 22, 1917.
We had a nice Bosche day today. I was up acting as Section Leader and attacked 3 Recon types over the lines. We were at Max altitude going about 75-90 mph, spotting the e/a the flight turned into the enemy. At that time my motor stopped. Fired off a long range burst then waved to my #2 to take in the attack. Dropped into a power dive and got the engine to restart. Re attacking the enemy I saw 3 airplanes go down 2 Huns and 1 of ours ( Midair ? ). The remaining Hun dove for home as I fired off Long Range bursts. ( 243 rds ). The second flight, my flight of 4 a/c managed to sneak up on a 7 e/a flight by coming up under them. 3 broke off to fight us the rest went home. Mine kept trying to get me into a scissors fight, but after he got on my tail. I used full power to run away and do a reversal into him. Repeated 2 times and the e/a started to wobble as my bullets hit. next time around a chandel and fired off the last of my 400 rds. He became more unsteady and was losing height heading fo his side of the lines. L ater my wing man Cpl Leps stated he saw the e/a hit the ground. Kill # 3,
Case: Cooler Master Storm Trooper PSU: Ultra X3,1000-Watt MB: Asus Maximus VI Extreme Mem: Corsair Vengeance (2x 8GB), PC3-12800, DDR3-1600MHz, Unbuffered CPU: Intel i7-4770K, OC to 4.427Ghz CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 240M Liquid CPU Cooler Vid Card: ASUS GTX 980Ti STRIX 6GB OS and Games on separate: Samsung 840 Series 250GB SSD Monitor: Primary ASUS PG27AQ 4k; Secondary Samsung SyncMaster BX2450L Periphs: MS Sidewinder FFB2 Pro, TrackIR 4
It was like Christmas all over again. Jasta 18's CO, Oberleutnant Heino Griffenhagen was standing outside the door to his office holding his sides and letting a jolly laugh. Every pilot gathered in front of him was throwing his flight caps in the air, or shouting in jubilation. What brought this on? Only one sentence uttered by Grieffenhagen just a few second ago: - "Gentlemen, Idflieg decided to give us back our D.III's!" Aldi was ecstatic. Paul standing next to him grabbed his arm and started to jump up and down in place like a 3-year old. Walter let a sigh of relief, shifted the cap on his head to one side and jabbed Aldi in the ribs with his elbow: - "Let's go see what they did do our kites!" von Bülow was already halfway out when Grieffenhagen announced: - "Idflieg also ordered us to fly ... gently. This means shallower dives at reduced speed to avoid twisting of those lower wings. Now, get out there and be careful." This last bit was lost on everyone. They were all filing out and proceeding to their new-old machines. Despite their bulky flight suits everyone seemed to be hopping and skipping towards their planes. Even the oily-fingered brethren warming up the engines appeared to wear a smile on their grease-smudged faces. Aldi strapped himself inside the cockpit and the apparent comfort reminded him of the feeling when he was still small and sitting in his mother's lap. Even the smell of the plane was "nagel neu" - factory fresh. He made a mental note to spend more time painting his new insignia on the fuselage. They were all up in the air and forming up above the airfield to begin their patrol when the air raid sirens started to sound their warning wail. Aldi looked up and immediately found the reason. The area of interest that drew his eye was marked by the bursts of Flak high above them. A flight of French Nieuports was preparing to dive. Everyone tried to gain as much altitude as possible before the nimble fighters were upon them. They spread apart and waited for the inevitable. They came in full force diving and dodging Flak and airfield machine gun fire. Their plan was to divide and conquer. Divide they did, three went after von Bülow and Strähle and the other three came for Aldi and Ltn. Wiessen.
It's the conquering part that was problematic. The N17's quickly realized these were no ordinary D.II's. They could keep up with them and even fight back! Nieuports quickly changed their tactics and made a beeline for the front lines. Wiessen was already parked on one of the French scout's six when Aldi realized his dance partner deserted him. He followed the other Frenchman to the lines and beyond. He caught up with him over one of the enemy army bases and administered a series of Spandau lead transfusions.
The patient banked on its side and dove down smashing into the ground below. The operation was a success and Dr. Schwarzkopf swung his mount around heading for home. That's when the loud bang nearly deafened him. A stray blast of Flak hit his Albatros's fuel lines. Seeing his plane bleed Aldi tried to gain as much altitude as possible but the hemorrhage was rather serious and the engine, starved of fuel, begun to cough and died very quickly. Aldi started to glide and picked a good flat piece of land to land on. Everything started to happen quickly. 200 m - flight path still good. 150 m - field ahead is clear. 100 m - watch out for the trees on the right. 50 m - keep the speed up. 20 m - flare. 10 m - FENCE FENCE FEN... Aldi caught the fence with his starboard wheel, it came off with a loud bang. The airplane stopped in place and came down nose-first and stayed that way.
Aldi hit his head on the coaming and apart from a large bruise was generally ok. He quickly, but carefully unbuckled himself and made a run for the near woods. He spent the next two days in hiding, only proceeding at night. Needless to say the story Aldi told everyone after he got back was of great bravery and extreme heroism marked by Paul's gasps, winces and looks of astonishment. The rest of the week was spent on R und R.
"Take the cylinder out of my kidneys, The connecting rod out of my brain, my brain, From out of my arse take the camshaft, And assemble the engine again."
Gilbear Du Bussy Sous Lieutenant 2 Section Flt Leader Esc 81 La Noblette Ferme, Verdun, France.
June 23, 1917.
Mission : Dawn Patrol B Flt: 6 a/c E/A : Spotted 3 flts of Huns. 2 were much higher to the East # Three were a flight of 5 level and over 1600 meters West of us. Engaged: 4 Albatross Scouts. Height: 1800 meters.
Remarks; I led the section around turning into the e/a firing as we closed. The e/a scattered and I was able to do a scissors and get on his tail after 180 rds or so he fell off into a starboard sided spin and broke apart. Just luck that the other Bosche flights didnt dive on us. Kill #4
Esc Endorsement: Wingman confirmed the destruction of e/a. Esc Losses: 1 Spad Missing + 2 damaged Claims 2 e/a. Intell Rept: Crashes were confirmed 2 Albati Type a/c Paint jobs indicate they belonged to Jasta 19 or Jasta 36. Pilots KIA.
Yes - use the J key to activate it. Then use the stick to move forward and back. You can adjust by twisting the stick. Use the 8 and 2 keys to move up and down. I've found it easier to move vertically first and then forward/back.
Hmmm. This thread has given me food for thought!! Do you suppose that if I crashed all the N16 in my Squadron, I might just get an N17???
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Case: Cooler Master Storm Trooper PSU: Ultra X3,1000-Watt MB: Asus Maximus VI Extreme Mem: Corsair Vengeance (2x 8GB), PC3-12800, DDR3-1600MHz, Unbuffered CPU: Intel i7-4770K, OC to 4.427Ghz CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 240M Liquid CPU Cooler Vid Card: ASUS GTX 980Ti STRIX 6GB OS and Games on separate: Samsung 840 Series 250GB SSD Monitor: Primary ASUS PG27AQ 4k; Secondary Samsung SyncMaster BX2450L Periphs: MS Sidewinder FFB2 Pro, TrackIR 4
Remarks: I confirm both Recon type machines went down 1 for each section. I got in long-medium range shots at the remaing flt of 3 ( 400 rds) but they flew on.
You are most likely correct! Guess I'll just leave well enough alone!!
(System_Specs)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Trooper PSU: Ultra X3,1000-Watt MB: Asus Maximus VI Extreme Mem: Corsair Vengeance (2x 8GB), PC3-12800, DDR3-1600MHz, Unbuffered CPU: Intel i7-4770K, OC to 4.427Ghz CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 240M Liquid CPU Cooler Vid Card: ASUS GTX 980Ti STRIX 6GB OS and Games on separate: Samsung 840 Series 250GB SSD Monitor: Primary ASUS PG27AQ 4k; Secondary Samsung SyncMaster BX2450L Periphs: MS Sidewinder FFB2 Pro, TrackIR 4
Gilbear Du Bussy Sous Lieutenant 2 Section Flt Leader Esc 81 La Noblette Ferme, Verdun, France.
June 25, 1917.
Long range Aerodrome Raid. It was ok at zee start, but we ran into trouble. Sections 4 machines ran into 5 Bosche Scouts on the way out while still low. A wild fight and I only can confirm 1 e/a seen smoking. I lost 2 wing-mates that day also picked up a lite wnd with my Spad shot to bits,but did make it back to our side and landed on a road. The medics have me down for 3 days rest. will be down til the 28th.
Seems Gilbert is taking a beating as of late. No nurses to keep his spirits "up", so to speak???
(System_Specs)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Trooper PSU: Ultra X3,1000-Watt MB: Asus Maximus VI Extreme Mem: Corsair Vengeance (2x 8GB), PC3-12800, DDR3-1600MHz, Unbuffered CPU: Intel i7-4770K, OC to 4.427Ghz CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 240M Liquid CPU Cooler Vid Card: ASUS GTX 980Ti STRIX 6GB OS and Games on separate: Samsung 840 Series 250GB SSD Monitor: Primary ASUS PG27AQ 4k; Secondary Samsung SyncMaster BX2450L Periphs: MS Sidewinder FFB2 Pro, TrackIR 4