OTT DYM - Mission 4 - "Some Mothers do 'ave 'em" - January 27th 1916 by Vagabond

[Vagabond]

“Well those French flyers certainly do themselves proud, you wouldn’t believe how good the food was on Thursday night, I know you don’t think much to French cuisine Uncle but it was almost orgasmic, if you pardon my expression”. “The best news of the evening was that they have received a shipment of the new Nieuport 11 Scouts and St Proud has said that he is sure he can let us have some of the Morane monoplanes they are making obsolete”. They seem to have a better way of doing things in the French Air Service, he intimated that his HQ don’t quite know how many planes he has and so won’t miss a few that don’t get sent back”. Major Kyte had a far away expression in his eyes when he thought about how he would change the current RFC organisation if he was in charge.

He continued “He’s also said he’s happy with the arrangement for us to have Rory MacNair and Henry De Lacy stay on here as Liaison Officers.


Rory and Henry

So that’s the good news but I’m worried about C Flight, what do you think Uncle”

There was a short silence as Uncle adjusted to the change in tone of the conversation “Umm, I know what you mean, their results have been good over the last couple of weeks they’ve knocked down quite a few Huns, but there is a problem with the morale or maybe it’s just they don’t seem to have enough of a team spirit unlike A and B Flights, I’m not sure I can quite put my finger on it”.

This conversation was taking place in the CO’s office away from prying ears but I guess if you’d asked anyone in the Squadron they would have expressed similar thoughts, even the boys from C Flight.


Drummond and Lawless

Drummond the Flight Commander was being eaten up with the thought that he’d left his observer Frank Lawless behind when they’d been shot down attacking the balloons 4 weeks ago. There was no way that he could have carried Frank back through the lines, but that didn’t make it any easier to live with. The Germans had informed them that Lawless had survived and was in a German Field Hospital prior to being shipped off to a prisoner of war camp. Drummond and Lawless had flown together for quite a long time, at least how time was measured in an RFC Squadron in 1915/16, they had discussed between them what would happen if they were shot down and where they might go if they were able to escape from captivity.
They had talked of making it to Mossyman Woods, there was a big field next to the woods, maybe a determined pilot could land and pick up a passenger. They had even talked of how they would be able to signal their arrival at the wood.
Drummond had taken to flying over the place every chance he got and in leading C Flight he seemed to be in more of a dream world. Unfortunately his pilots thought so too. They had been looking to Rory MacNair more and more for guidance and advice, this wasn’t a good thing as Rory was only there as a Liaison Officer with the French Squadron to the south of them, St Proud’s squadron to be precise.


Jack Cowan

“I think Drummond will snap out of it soon enough but it’s Observer Jack Cowan who really worries me” said Uncle “He’s lost 5 pilots in the last 2 months, I know he hated Jimmy Little, his last one but he’s formed a strong attachment to that daft young lad Vagabond, with his romantic notions and suit of armour. When Cowan was wounded and unable to accompany Vagabond on that last mission you know, where Vagabond nearly didn’t make it back and ended up in the hospital, I think he blames himself for all their deaths and this injury to Vagabond might actually be the final straw for him, tipping him over the edge”.

“I don’t know if you have the time to look through the boys records properly before they join us but I had a good look at Cowan’s, did you know he can fly?” the C.O. remarked. Uncle was taken aback by this, “Why isn’t he a pilot then” was the immediate response. “Well it appears when he volunteered his Recruiting Officer didn’t like Colonials and he’s from South Africa originally”. “He told him if he wanted to fly he should be a bird or become an observer, he went for the later option”.

Just then there was the roar of an aero engine opening up and taking off, they both looked at their watches at the same time, thinking, C Flight wasn’t due to take off for another 30 minutes. “I’ll go and check” said Uncle, he was back quickly and looking flustered as well as annoyed.
“That was a BE2, I checked with the ground crew and they are giving me that dumb look they use when they don’t want to tell the truth. It appears that a Pilot, muffled up so they don’t know which one!!!! has just taken a BE2 with no Observer and a full bomb load off over the lines. They did say that they thought he was going to attack Sternman Field, you know where we’ve had reports of an old German 2 seat plane sitting there, obviously a trap even a child would recognise it, the pilot must be mad or have a death wish.”

“Who the hell is the pilot, I’ll have his guts for garters” muttered the CO. “OK get C flight in the air, in view of this latest missive from our Lords and Masters at HQ we need to get an escort up with any bombing mission, tell them to escort the damn fool back here”. “We’ll sort out the rest of the mess when they land”

Drummond was briefing his Flight when Uncle arrived, hot and flustered, even though it was a cold January day with still a touch of frost on the ground.


Berry and O’Flynn

He quickly explained that the training flight that Drummond had planned, to familiarise Flight Sergeants ‘Bouncer’ Berry and Liam O’Flynn with the terrain between the Drome and the front lines would have to be abandoned. Berry had visited the lines before but having chased after an enemy Observation Plane and loosing it, had returned to base by the pretty route i.e. he got lost.
He had to stop at 9 Squadrons field to refuel and ask for directions home, this hadn’t endeared him to Major Kyte who was ignoring the resulting jibes from 9 as best he could.

So about 15 minutes after the BE2 left, C Flight followed, they were all flying French Moranes, courtesy of St Proud. 5 Minutes later one was returning, it’s engine spluttering and coughing, oh bugger thought Uncle, that’s Drummond, I’ve got two inexperienced pilots going over the front lines for the first time into certain danger, I’d better go and start my letters home, and with a sad expression on his face he turned for the hut that he called the Squadron Office.

Two hours later Drummond and Uncle were sat outside the Squadron Office facing East, peering up into the cloudless January sky searching vainly for any sight of the returning C Flight planes to no avail. “I should have been with them” Drummond muttered to know one in particular". “Your engine was spluttering like the Devil with a mouthful of Angels” Uncle quietly rebuked him “We can’t baby sit these young men, they have to learn what this air fighting is all about”

Just then the CO emerged from his Office looking grave. “I’m afraid that I’ve just had a call from the front, it seems as if 3 of our planes, 2 monoplanes and a biplane have been shot down over the front lines. They were jumped by at least 3 Eindekers, all of enemy planes flew back off towards Hunland, it looks like we were right about the Sternman Field being a trap.” I’ll let you know if and when I hear any more news but I don’t think our boys will be coming back to night, you’d both better stand down”

Oh one last thing, when I received the call from Bob Dewhurst telling me about our pilots he said the damnedest thing had happened in that sector, the 2nd Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry had attacked the German lines, apparently without orders. They took about 500 yds of the German trenches before the counter attacks drove them back. It seems like the men just made a spontaneous decision and went for the enemy. They are trying to decide if they should hand out medals or disciplinary action. My money’s on Decorations, we need some fire and initiative in our troops , things are looking very bleak at the moment and this is just the ticket.

[Vagabond]

AAR

I was laying there in my hospital bed, contemplating to world in general and Nurse Briddie O’Brian in particular when they wheeled 2 new men into the ward. It wasn’t officially the RFC’s ward but 9 out of 10 of the patients in the ward were from the RFC, mainly flyers of one sort or another.

There was always great excitement when a new casualty was admitted, some were keen to cop for a Blighty, which meant a wound severe enough to get you returned home and out of the war, some wanted to get straight out of their bed and go back to the killing or being killed, there was a 3rd kind, the ones who didn’t want to be out of it but pleased for a bit of a respite from the fear and tension that was flying in early 1916, I fell into the 3rd kind.
The excitement was mainly due to our boredom, there was nothing to do all day except wait to heal and think about Nurse Briddie O’Brian, so we were all keen to hear the latest news from the front.

Cowan I shouted, what the hell are you doing here, what a stupid question but I was so excited to see my Observer Jack Cowan being wheeled down the aisle to the bed next to mine that I wasn’t thinking straight. Sorry I realize I should have introduced myself before, 2nd Lieutenant John Vagabond, recently flying with 6 squadron, mainly in FE2b’s but on my last flight I was allowed out in my current flight leaders Morane monoplane named Gladys, which I proceeded to get trashed by some big hairy Prussian who shot and wounded me in the process. Jack perked up at the sound of my voice and smiled, a weary smile but right then I was filled with joy, that smile meant he was going to be alright. The other man was Berry, more often known as ‘Bouncer Berry’ for reasons everyone who had seen him land knew only too well.

As they tucked Jack into bed I was eager for news and bombarded him with questions, how when and why, we have an hour before the delectable Nurse O’Brian brings the evening meal, tell me what happened.
It all gushed out, he told me of his fears and worries, and there I was acting as his Father Confessor and me being years younger and certainly less wise, but sometimes an ear is all you need to be.

“It was a daft idea from the start and I should have known better, but I’ve been in planes with better men and they died and I didn’t, it all seems so unfair” he muttered. “So I decided to hit the Hun on my own, no one else to take the consequences”. “What do you mean” I responded.
“Well I got the lads to load up a Bee with a full bomb load and went for that airfield just over the lines” “But who flew it for you”. “It’s a long story and I’ll tell it to you later but I have my Pilots Ticket, awarded in South Africa before the war” “Bloody Hell” was all I could think to say.


“Anyway” he continued I’d dropped a full load of bomb’s on Sternman’s Field, what a lovely feeling that was and I’m on my way home when I was jumped by 2 Eindekkers. I’d forgotten how slow those Bee’s are, they had no trouble overhauling me.

Text relating to photo is beneath it.


In the distance I could see a couple of monoplanes coming my way, I was sure they were ours, besides I’ve never seen a Hun monoplane over our side of the lines, so I threw the Bee about as much as I could.


But to no avail, they were both pouring lead into my plane, the engine began to stutter and I still had quite a long way to make it back. The rudder felt slack to port and the airspeed dropped so much I was worried she would just fall out of the sky. I guess that’s why they gave them those big wings, to keep them aloft when travelling at walking speed.


Anyway I pulled as hard a turn to my right as I could and the Fokker’s were so fast and eager to get at me that they over shot.


Indeed they almost collided, I think they just touched but didn’t appear to do any damage to each other – mores the pity, but it meant I was flying clear of them.


It was then that I realised our chaps hadn’t actually seen me before, because suddenly they turned in my direction. I was pleased of course but didn’t want to see them get into a dog fight on my account.


By now the Elll’s had recovered from their near miss and were chasing after me.


Just a moody shot of the Eindekkers.


Just then, I felt rather than heard the pale Fokker open up and completely miss me. I didn’t recognise who was flying the Red nosed Morane but the one with the Black nose I was sure was being flown by Berry. My blood ran cold as we were on a close collision course, he had side slipped into my path.


Bouncer Berry had jinked to starboard, almost into the path of the Bee.


“Sure enough we flew straight into each other”. At that point Berry who had been so quiet, interjected, “I’m so sorry Cowan, I was sure you would go right, I should have known the sensible thing was for you to hold your course and let my more nimble plane move around you. It’s all my fault”. Don’t worry said Jack, we both made it home and I think I shall get the blame".


The Fokker’s were so close together and far too competitive that yet again they collided with just a slight kissing sound which of course wasn’t heard over the sound of the big rotary engines.

This was the end of turn 2 and the game is over.


Attracted by the smoke, like a shark to blood, a lone Rumpler Cl on his way back to base after a successful bombing raid turns off his course to see if there are any small fish to be gobbled up. They have an aggressive crew and will be quite happy to increase their score of British planes.

Turn 3 opened with the arrival of the 3rd German plane, if I’d read some of the other games before playing mine this plane would have been a Halberstadt, but I hadn’t and so Schwartz Hund flew into the air arena.


The two British planes have crashed in No Mans Land.

The two Huns survived their second collision and were turning fast to starboards aiming to hunt down the remaining Morane. The Blue one turns fastest and opens fire on the O’Flynn in the Red Nosed Morane.


Causing some slight damage that seems much worse than it really is because of the plume of smoke that erupts from the damaged oil line. This though does have a bad effect for O’Flynn who is blinded by the smoke.


He doesn’t see where the Blue Fokker is going and they collide, or more like another quiet smooching kiss, because there is little or no damage to either plane.


They all continue their mad turn to starboard and pass each other, and at this point O’Flynn decides that rather than run for home as a smart pilot would do, he is going to continue the fight.

Roll 1D6 and 1-4 run home 5,6 stay and fight, rolled 6, I took over from the AI and probably spelt the death knell for O’Flynn.


The Fokker’s continue to turn, trying to get in sight of O’Flynn, who is having a stroke of luck shooting at the Rumpler that doesn’t have a forward firing gun. It’s always good when they can’t shoot back.


The Morane and Rumpler pass so close together but the Fokker’s have turned far enough and both open fire together, they are so close again.


And once more they collide but this time there is a grinding tearing sound and they both take a massive amount of damage, O’Flynn sees this and whoops with joy. That is until the rear gunner in the Rumpler starts tearing lumps out of his plane.


O’Flynn makes a Rookie error and continues straight, intent on building up some speed to make an Immelmann turn and attack one or other of his badly damaged tormentors.

At this point I’m feeling confident that O’Flynn will shoot down one or other of the enemy planes.


His turn is perfect, he comes screaming back at the badly damaged Elll only to remember the rule that precludes a Rookie firing after an Immelmann turn, Bugger and the pale Fokker has a field day shooting into the Red Nosed Morane.


Sending it to ground well behind the German trenches.

Now the game is truly over.

[Vagabond]

Butchers Bill


Ltn Otto Dehmisch = RTB 0 Kills

ObLtn Josef Schneidewind = FRTB 1 Kill (O’Flynn)


Vzfwbl Wilhelm Heinrich P2 = RTB 0 Kills
Ltn Bertram Hohndorf O = RTB 0 Kills





AM1 Jack Cowan O = COL(EXP) –NML – 0 Kills
C&W : Rolled 8 -3(EXP) -1(NML) = 4 Injured Skip 1D6 Scenarios - Rolled 5 = Skip 5
E&E : Rolled 6 -1(EXP) -1(WIC) +1(NML) = 5 In Hiding Skip 1D2 Scenarios – Rolled 1 Skip1
Skip 5 Scenario’s


F/Sgt Wilfred Berry = COL – NML – 0 Kills
C&W : Rolled 6 -2(COL) -1(NML) = 3 Injured Skip 1D6 Scenarios - Rolled 4 = Skip 4
E&E : Rolled 6 -1(WIC) +1(NML) = 6 In Hiding Skip 1D2 Scenarios – Rolled 5 Skip 2
Skip 4 Scenario’s

F/Sgt Liam O’Flynn = SD – ET – 0 Kills
C&W : Rolled 7 -1(SD) = 6 Injured Skip 1D3 Scenarios - Rolled 1 = Skip 1
E&E : Rolled 11 -1(WIC) -1(BEL) = 9 They didn’t even see me.
Skip 1 Scenario

“So tell me how you both got back” I asked. Jack looked embarrassed, something I’d never seen before. Berry spoke up “It was amazing, I found out later that Jack had had a run in with some of the Durham Light Infantry, a bar fight that apparently they remember well” Anyway, we were both hurt quite badly in the crash and as I fell out of my plane and started to limp towards our lines, this idiot” and here he gave Jack such an admiring glance that Jack turned even redder. “Well he crawled round and got into the Observers seat of the Bee and started to return the fire that was coming from the Huns on the ground”. “I swear the Lewis barrel glowed red. Anyway the area of the lines we had crashed in was the domain of the D.L.I, they recognised the top hat Jack was wearing and with a howl the whole of the 2nd Battalion charged forwards.
They never would have made it without Jacks Lewis gun providing covering fire but they ran past the Bee and straight at the German trenches, the Huns took to their heels as if the Hounds of Hell were after them, which I suppose they were.”

Some of the D.L.I. returned and carried us back to our lines and later the German counter attacks pushed the rest of them back to their original positions. I was told that in the bar fight Jack had KO’ed their best hope for the Light Heavyweight Boxing Champion of the 3rd Infantry Division, they hold him in awe, as well as with a little hostility.

Just then Liam O’Flynn walked into the Ward, with a big grin on his face. “I heard the full story from the D.L.I. I managed to keep my head down as the Germans were running away from them and it was an easy matter to convince them I was a flying companion of the famous (well famous in the Durham Light Infantry) Airman Jack Cowan, they helped me back but I’d only sprained my ankle so will be back in the air soon enough. You two don’t look so good but the Doctor said you will be OK. Well until the C.O. gets hold of you I mean.

Back at the Drome the C.O. and the Adjutant were in deep conversation.




“Well it looks like we were right to be worried about Cowan” said the C.O. “However there’s even worse news I’m afraid. I’ve had a communiqué from the C.O. of the D.L.I. a Colonel Douglas McVeie, it seems as if he’s recommending half a dozen of his men for medals after the attack on the German trenches and he has said that he’s happy to add his name as a second to mine if I put Cowan up for a gong”

“Good grief” exclaimed Uncle, “he should be grounded for this escapade, where would it end if we allowed pilots to decide on their own missions, even worse as he’s not even a pilot” “I realise he had extenuating circumstances, and it was a very brave act and if he was an Officer on a recognised mission he would be up for a medal, humm it’s all a bit confusing”

“I’ll leave it to you to decide” said the C.O. “I’ll back your decision whatever you decide. Just one thing, the hospital say he will be at least 5 weeks before he’s fit for duty, maybe we should even consider sending him back to Blighty for pilot training? I hear there’s a string of single seat scouts due out here over the next few months and we’re going to need Scout Pilots more than Observers.

A final point that you need to consider is what the hell we do with Berry, by his own admission this collision was his fault, that’s 3 planes he’s put out of action, he has a better score against us than the German Airforce.”

With that he turned on his heel and walked over to the Mess, leaving Uncle deep in thought.

[ShadowDragon]

I hope you can sort out the picture thing. Great story but sad that O’Flynn didn’t make it back. KIA or POW?

[Vagabond]

I hope you can sort out the picture thing. Great story but sad that O’Flynn didn’t make it back. KIA or POW?

Sorry Paul, I personally prefer to read these stories through at one sitting and just struggled to get it all out in one go because of the picture restraint. So my apologies for that.

Turns out I needed to increase my membership, it took ages to find where the attachments folder was, and I should have been reducing the picture sizes even more than I currently do, I take them down to 800 pixels wide but I think I need to degrade the quality to reduce the individual file sizes.
If you get back to the Butchers Bill you will see what happened to O'Flynn, I'm hoping he has the luck of the Irish.

[flash]

Another superb tale of derring do from your chaps John, loved the pics and the story telling

Uncle says:

Well we're astounded. We've been given a proper thrashing and lost three machines due to the reckless action of one individual and yet HQ have decided that we should give the blighter a medal and send him off to flying school...!
Seems he inspired half the front into reckless action that's boosted the morale of all about so he's getting rewarded.
Have to say, he is a damn fine shot.
AM1 Jack Cowan is awarded the Military Medal (MM) for his service & victories over the front.
he will attend flying school once recovered from his wounds - doubtless that will be accelerated somewhat due to the fact he is already a pilot.. Should be back for the last mission with any luck.
ObLtn Josef Schneidewind: is awarded his pilots badge for his first victory

Tally looks very good again, some minor issues:
in E&E use BEL rather than ET, I have corrected it.
Ltn Otto Dehmisch I marked as RTB as he didn't have enough damage to be FRTB.
Who the (expletive deleted) are Vzfwbl Albert Ulbricht & Ltn Gerhard Vahldieck ?
They're not on your roster and you already have three crews listed, two of which were available. Please use them. (Nothing makes Uncle cross more than having to create unnecessary paperwork - except perhaps post op suggestions..)

[ShadowDragon]

Sorry Paul, I personally prefer to read these stories through at one sitting and just struggled to get it all out in one go because of the picture restraint. So my apologies for that.

Turns out I needed to increase my membership, it took ages to find where the attachments folder was, and I should have been reducing the picture sizes even more than I currently do, I take them down to 800 pixels wide but I think I need to degrade the quality to reduce the individual file sizes.
If you get back to the Butchers Bill you will see what happened to O'Flynn, I'm hoping he has the luck of the Irish.

Luck of the Irish indeed. Nice ending and glad you got the picture thing shorted.

[Vagabond]

Who the (expletive deleted) are Vzfwbl Albert Ulbricht & Ltn Gerhard Vahldieck ?
They're not on your roster and you already have three crews listed, two of which were available. Please use them. (Nothing makes Uncle cross more than having to create unnecessary paperwork - except perhaps post op suggestions..)

I've no idea who they are, I have them on my spreadsheet and wasn't able to look at yours when I was doing the tally.
Mea culpa, I'll look tomorrow and see if I can figure it out. It may be when I printed the name tags out I did some in reserve and then forgot about it. Forgetting seems to be something that happens to often nowadays. Although if that's the case I dont know why I didn't put the name tags on the photo. It's all a bit of a mystery!
No need to include them, I'll look and see who should have been flying and change the post and PM you if that's ok.
I dont want a cross uncle

[Stumptonian]

Well that was certainly a different (and very entertaining) take on this mission, John.
Excellent story line, and well illustrated to boot!
Interesting use of ‘Uncle’ as well.
REP on the way.

[gully_raker]

Another classic tale from your pen John!

Great photos & the story line woven cleverly.
You will just have to get those pilots of yours trained to avoid collisions!
Mind you those Huns need to sort that out as well!

Rep on its way provided it does not collide with one of your lads.

[flash]

...Interesting use of ‘Uncle’ as well....

Not to be encouraged... it may have... repercussions

[mikeemagnus]

Hahahahaha Loved that John. What an amazing number of collissions And I have to ask whether or not I am correct in thinking I might have spotted one or two references to stories about Biggles?
I really enjoy your story telling and admire the cheek in working a medal for young Cowan - makes a refreshing change Pics were good too - altogether first rate Rep thoroughly deserved I reckon

[Vagabond]

Hahahahaha Loved that John. What an amazing number of collissions And I have to ask whether or not I am correct in thinking I might have spotted one or two references to stories about Biggles?
I really enjoy your story telling and admire the cheek in working a medal for young Cowan - makes a refreshing change Pics were good too - altogether first rate Rep thoroughly deserved I reckon

I used Dave's D8 AI for all the planes until there was only O'Flynn left on my side and then I took over his plane, which didn't last long I find that the AI works incredibly well, once the planes have a target they go for it, but because the two Elll's started close together it was always going to be a little fraught, chasing after the BE and once that was gone the Morane. I stopped using altitude and so accept this is the result of that decision.

Biggles ! who is he? I've been working my story line up into to my game scenario for June for a while now, I know you might think this is just a load of old tosh but there is direction behind it all you know. However as Biggles is my main inspiration for playing these games you will see lots of things that might or might not be references to him.

Although I was really brassed off with Cowan he fully deserved Uncles recommendation, he was supposed to go on this mission - get grounded and come back to flying just as my character John Vagabond came out of hospital and we could resume our flying partnership together. Who am I going to get to direct me back to the Drome, point out enemy planes, and get silly drunk with me in the Mess? I'm going to end up as a sad lonely solo pilot, maybe even flying those diminutive FE2b's the DH-2, I'm not even sure they will carry my armour.

When Cowan went down in No Man's Land I was looking for a way for him to escape and his run in with the Durham Light Infantry a couple of episodes ago was the perfect way to do it. The story just grew. Sorry

[zenlizard]

"If you can't shoot 'em, ram 'em".

And no doubt the Germans are considering awarding Wilfred Berry with the Iron Cross, 2nd Class for his victories.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

I was very impressed by your pre mission, mission and post mission reports John.
For sheer impertinence they are the best I have ever read. Bye the way you owe me a new pipe to replace the one of which I bit through the stem whilst reading the last part, with your recommendations to Uncle.
On reflection it has probably all worked out for the best, and Uncle and I have decided to turn a blind eye this time. Often the best option when faced by a fait accompli. However, if you ever let one of your Flight run amok like that again, it will be yourself making a close acquaintance with the DLI. for the duration of hostilities.
Woe betide the next pilot who sticks his neck out. I will wring it like a Christmas Turkey.

Bye the way, your Flight have extra duties for the next two weeks. Uncle will pass you the gen.

Kyte.

(Still apparently CO of this Circus) only by the good graces of General Trenchard.

[Vagabond]

I was very impressed by your pre mission, mission and post mission reports John.
For sheer impertinence they are the best I have ever read. Bye the way you owe me a new pipe to replace the one of which I bit through the stem whilst reading the last part, with your recommendations to Uncle.
On reflection it has probably all worked out for the best, and Uncle and I have decided to turn a blind eye this time. Often the best option when faced by a fait accompli. However, if you ever let one of your Flight run amok like that again, it will be yourself making a close acquaintance with the DLI. for the duration of hostilities.
Woe betide the next pilot who sticks his neck out. I will wring it like a Christmas Turkey.

Bye the way, your Flight have extra duties for the next two weeks. Uncle will pass you the gen.

Kyte.

(Still apparently CO of this Circus) only by the good graces of General Trenchard.

Sorry you didn't like my story line, The pipes in the post.

[Teaticket]

Wonderful story John. Cowan's getting the Flashman treatment!

Collisions! Ouch! Thats why I use the collision cards (when not using altitude) to cut it down to 1/3.

Love your Germans. Always nice to see different planes compared to the official releases.