Great book about WWI (planes and trenches and tanks)
 

Read Details and Reviews by clicking here.
http://www.jeffshaara.com/images/lastman_thn.pngTo the Last Man by Jeff Shaara, 2004. A novel of the First World War, including the voices of John "Black Jack" Pershing, the "Red Baron", the Lafayette Escadrille and the young Marines who save Paris. A National Bestseller and winner of the 2005 American Library Association's "Boyd" Award for Excellence. Order now and get your personalized copy today.
Read Details here. Excerpts of Reviews here.

WWI novel
 

As a purist and a researcher of WWI aviation history, I do not normally read novels about someone's idea of what happened during WWI. I think they call it creative license. It somehow goes against my grain. I prefer hard evidence and factual material. The discussions here stimulate my interest and please me, having accurate information and a lively particpation. Also it acts to tell me that I am not alone with my obsession/sickness. I started my research at the early age of 16. As a matter of fact, I still have the first book that got me started/hooked. It's called They fought for the Skys by Quentin Renolds. My research has been and continues to be a lifelong hobby. I will, however, wait until one of you reads this book and gives me a non-biased opinion of this book. What are your thoughts Gentlemen?

Technical and history books and magazines are all I actually read. I do like movies about WWI though. All Quiet on the Western Front (the original B&W) is one of my faves. Never read the book.

Thanks for the book suggestion, I will check it out. :)

Dumb mechanic(me) did not notice he knocked the elevator connector loose at the receiver on the Kavan Albatros. When landing about 10 feet high the elevator quit and the plane crashed. It was getting to look rather sad anyway. I desided instead of just fixing it was time for a rebuild. I filled in all the creases and damage on the front of the fuselage, reinforced the wings with CF, and repainted the front of the fuselage and wings.

Hey Degreen, I like the new paint. I'd like to see it fly! I have one of those still in a box... I need to build it!

When you build it don't even waste time installing gearbox and motor that comes with the plane. Mine lasted 3 flights and burn up on the 4th flight. It flys much better with a brushless motor. Do you live in Indy? I am about 75 miles south of there. Drive down and watch it fly, if I haven't crashed it by then. HAHA

Albatros
 

Boy De, you are an artiste'!!!! :eek::D:cool: Nice rebuild. :) A plane like that you cannot just throw away. Marty

Hey Degreen, nope, I live in NC. (Just a big Indiana Jones fan... :ws: )

I'm a big fan of the Blue Max... watch it when ever I find it on.

The RB movie
 

Yes Boys, I have the new RB movie (don't ask me where I got it!) and all I can say is the special effects are awesome :eek::D! The story line loosely follows the life of the RB but it's not accurate (what movie is?) :rolleyes:. The DIIIs and DVas are accurate and nicely reseached (camo is wonderfully done). :) I did not see the whole movie yet, so more comments to come.:);):D Steve, PM me or I'll call, I've got something to tell you. Marty

WWI site
 

Boys I want you to check out this website. It has tons of photos and information about WWI. Enjoy! Marty

http://wwi.lib.byu.edu/index.php/Main_Page

try this site too.
http://thevintageaviator.co.nz/

Fuselage is finished for my Nieuport 17 Flying Fish. I may have the eye too big for scale but I am hoping it can be see when flying. All the black forward of the cockpit is painted and the teeth are pieces of white sticker. The teeth were the hardest part to do cause I do not have a picture that could be scanned in to make the teeth.

Very nice job. Did you apply decals or paint by hand? DP

Kiwi......Long time no see!!!!!!

Glad to see you here!!

I made a sticker for the scales. I scanned in picture, cropped the side of the fuselage to the size of the E-flite Nieuport. Use that to make a fish scale and use it as a pattern to paste the scale in place. I then printed it on white sticker paper(30 sheets $12 Staples). I did the same thing with the eye. I am hand painting(using marking pens and black paint) the wings and tail. Made stars using sticker paper for the wings.

How ww1 planes are painted?
 

Hello all,

I am about to embark on painting the GP Spad VII after recovering to remove stubborn wrinkles. I am undecieded between painting by hand or airbrushing it. I believe during WW1 they painted by hand that leaves a sharp line between the colors? If that's the case then painting by hand will give a more accurate results. If the separation between colors are feathered, then airbrushing is the only way to go. I can't tell from looking at the old photos on the Web. DP

I believe the plane would look most authentic with sharp color separation - brushed on or masked for airbrush. Unless you're talking about a streaked Fokker, and even that is brushed on.

Degreen, the fish plane looks GREAT!

Lower wing and tail fins painted.

Something looks fishy! :D

As long as it don't smell fishy

Fishy
 

I guess I should renew my "fishing license" for my Pfalz. Might be easy to bait into a dogfight. Marty

It will probably be in a "school" because it is a training plane.

It will not have a gun.

Perhaps the other planes in the "school" will be armed and protect it.

I'm waiting with bated breath to see this flying fish. Will it rise to the occasion? or fall flat? Is it really a trainer or has it some other porpoise? Any one have a Fokker done up as a red herring to take it on? Now that would be a fluke. All this punning has made me hungry, off to get some chips. :D:D:D