Posted by
on 31 January 2018 - 06:46 PM
Salute all! I've been working on an unofficial promo video for Rise of Flight since last September. Today, it is finally done. Thanks to all who helped make it possible. I hope that your passion shines through in this effort. Enjoy! 
Posted by
on 10 June 2018 - 05:18 PM
Salute kameraden,
here are some pictures from 10th anniversary of the Jasta 6. I think that it was one beautiful action, we celebrated with friends from III./JG1 and 312thRAF. Have fun 
We are on the way - Tomas as driver
first evening - first celebrate...
...and our fighter ace was very happy 
next day - the decoration of the object by the flag of Jasta 6 and the flag of his Majesty. From left to right: Stefan, Tomas and Pfeil
becouse war is war, we did treaning in fire. Unfortunately we havent any Albatroses, so we used old good classic as you can see 
From left to right: III./JG1_Dejavu, III./JG1_Willy, with bow is 312_Lazy, behind him is I./JG1_Tomas ako JG1Tomas_J6, and the situation is controlled by III./JG1_Gunman
time on cake - was specially prepared for this opportunity. BIG THANKS to Tomas's wife Katka for the fantastic cake. We took it in 10 minutes 
photo of members I./JG1 aka Jasta 6 and III./JG1 - in the upper row stands (from left to right): Pfeil, Willy, Dejavu, Black (exmember of Jasta 6, he is excellent man), in the bottom row are Gunman, Tomas, Baron, Stefan
Thanks for looking
Posted by
on 02 June 2018 - 12:52 PM
About an hour north of Chelsea, Quebec. My best bud bought a cottage, they have a good run for a seaplane and we just need to update the dock.
S!
Posted by
on 13 March 2017 - 05:07 AM
During the last minutes of Saturday's Flanders in Flames mission, a train needed to be destroyed. It seemed like any other mission...until a horde of enemy planes showed up to guard it! Who can save us? Perhaps this is a job for the Phantom Bomber!
Enjoy!
Posted by
on 08 May 2018 - 03:47 PM
Posted by
on 21 October 2018 - 10:11 PM
Things took a really unexpected turn for me yesterday. Basically, my parents met with me and told me that they would be fine with me returning to flying ROF. This naturally came as quite a (pleasant) shock for me, as when my parents and I decided I should stop flight sims and PC games, I thought that this decision was pretty much set in stone and not subject to change.
Now, it's not that my parents brutally swooped in and forced me to give up simming lol. It was a joint decision we made, albeit a very hard one for me. And I still believe it was the right move at that time. Flight sims (plus a whole lot of other PC games) had really gotten a hold on me to the point where I wasn't trying any new hobbies and sacrificing time with my family. I know in JG1, one of our core mottoes is "real life comes first," but things had gotten to the point where real life was starting to take a backseat for me. Also, especially as my younger brother (Furious Flea) started to battle with ulcerative colitis and was hospitalized, it was crystal-clear that I needed to be available for my family rather than spending 2-3 hours on my PC every night.
Anyway, so that's why my parents and I jointly decided to pull the plug not just on ROF but every PC game. At that time, we thought that I would never do it again and just leave it all behind. That's why they suggested I sell my gear so that I wouldn't be tempted to re-enter it. So, when I submitted my resignation from the group, I honestly thought that I was done for good. I closed down my Twitch channel, sold my gear, and said my goodbyes.
That's why yesterday came as such a shock for me! I believe my time on leave was ultimately was a good thing. I started new pursuits, learned some new hobbies, and spent time deepening my relationship with my family in a way I probably wouldn't have if I was still flying every night. But now, I think I can put ROF in its proper place in my life and take to the skies again!
I'm planning on flying one night a week, and not on Saturdays. I've grown to like having my Saturdays free, so I wouldn't be doing FiF. But honestly, FiF wasn't what I missed most about ROF. It was just the pure awesomeness of flying sorties with the guys in JG1 and the adrenaline rush of dogfighting that I missed the most. And now that I've been away, I think I am going to appreciate and enjoy that one night a week so much more! I’ll be reopening my Twitch channel too, so really looking forward to that as well. Finally, I've decided to focus purely on ROF, and later on Flying Circus. With only so much time available, it makes sense to focus on what I really love. 
So yeah...I'm back! Who’s ready to send those Entente boys down in flames?
Posted by
on 07 October 2018 - 07:50 PM
Posted by
on 01 February 2018 - 08:15 PM
Thanks guys! I am glad you enjoyed it!
Actually, Jason Williams personally commented on the ROF Facebook group. O_O Here’s what he said:
“Cole Austin - excellent video! The team thanks you for your effort. Flying Circus will be even better. Salute!”
I couldn’t believe it! I think he was impressed by the dedication and vitality the community still shows, even 9 years after ROF’s release. You guys are the reason for that. Salute!
S! The problem is.... half of the forums are people just bitching with no constructive comments. HotLead has shown that the real RoF community is positive and engaged. He not only demonstrated the visual beauty of the game but the vast variety of personal and community aspects as appreciated by the players.
The developers could not ask for a more fitting tribute to a marvelous sim.
Posted by
on 09 January 2018 - 04:29 AM
It was a number of years ago the I flew Flanders in Flames and Bloody April with you all as part of the Wingwalker's Squad. Some of you may remember that I started a sketchbook journal during the Bloody April tournament that I published after each mission. I used real events from the flying ( like stealing Adler's Pup by accident) and worked them into the story line. All the artwork was done on an Ipad.
This experience led to a much more refined World War I project that I have worked on over the last few years. "Rupp's Skizzenbuch" is a simulation of a German Unteroffizier's journal and sketchbook from World War I. The characters and story are based on the novel "The Blue Max" written by Jack D. Hunter in 1964. Primary sources including photos, postcards and news headlines are interspersed in the fictional work to tie the story to real-world events during the Great War.
The journal is being published online every couple weeks from now until Armistice Day in November. You can read the first two chapters here
PROLOGUE
http://www.thebluema...t.org/prologue/
An aging German immigrant passes away in St. Augustine, Florida. Among her personal effects a soldier's journal and sketchbook from World War I is discovered. The sketchbook is sent on to the Smithsonian's Special Collections Archivist for further study.
CHAPTER ONE - INTRODUCTIONS
http://www.thebluema...-introductions/
Unteroffizier Rupp Gerhardt introduces himself and explains what brought this “old campaigner” to the town of Beauvin and what services he provides to his squadmates at Jasta 77.
CHAPTER THREE – THE VILLAGE
http://www.thebluema...h3-the-village/
Rupp’s squad mate takes him for a wild ride in a DFW and ruins his aerial photo shoot of the Aerodrome requested by the Hauptmann. Angry with all of them he settles into some late night sketching and writes about the Aerodrome, the village of Beauvin and his lucrative side businesses.
CHAPTER FOUR - THE PEOPLE
http://www.thebluema...ch4-the-people/
Rupp’s goal was to survive the war, not to win it and he was willing to do just about anything to make sure he survived. In this chapter, he shares his insights into the strengths and weaknesses of his fellow squad mates and explains how he uses that information to his best advantage.
CHAPTER FIVE – NEW ARRIVALS
http://www.thebluema...5-new-arrivals/
Bruno Stachel arrives at Jasta 77 and meets Rupp for the first time. Their not so friendly introduction is interrupted by an attack on the base by a group of Sopwith Camels.
CHAPTER SIX – A MAN TO WATCH
http://www.thebluema...a-man-to-watch/
Luetnant Bruno Stachel has an immediate impact on Jasta 77 and not in a good way. Hauptmann Heidemann is trying to get to know his newest pilot and Rupp is sure he will either be the next Ace in the squad or dead within three weeks. It could go either way.
CHAPTER SEVEN –FIRST KILL
http://www.thebluema.../ch7-firstkill/
Leutnant Stachel, frustrated by his unconfirmed kill a few weeks earlier, makes a point when he drops an RE8 right on the Hauptmann’s front porch. Bold, skilled and cruel, Stachel’s begins to make a reputation for himself.
CHAPTER EIGHT – THE BIG PUSH
http://www.thebluema...the-big-push-1/
The Big Push begins and Jasta 77 is in the thick of the fight. German pilots like their chances of winning, especially when they hear the new Fokker DVII’s will be delivered soon. Rupp can’t figure out why the Hauptmann is giving Stachel special treatment, but he knows he better figure it out soon.
CHAPTER NINE – THE CIRCUS COMES TO TOWN
http://www.thebluema...-comes-to-town/
It has been quite a week for Bruno Stachel. He shot down two more enemy aircraft, had a job offer from the Red Baron and got a nice write up in the Berlin papers. Hauptmann Heidemann seems to be putting Stachel on the fast track.
CHAPTER TEN – DON’T BLAME THE MESSENGER
http://www.thebluema...ch10-messenger/
The Hauptmann sends Wili and Bruno on a road trip to introduce the “Black Angel” to German High Command located in Spa. Along the way they make a stop to visit Wili’s Aunt and Uncle, the Graf and Gräfin. Sparks fly and a fire is ignited between sweet Kaeti and young Bruno. She proves to be more than a match for the Cobra.
CHAPTER ELEVEN – A DEAL WITH THE DEVIL
http://www.thebluema...with-the-devil/
The Big Push starts to fizzle out. Von Richthofen is shot down over the Somme Valley. The only good news is the arrival of the first Fokker DVII for test flying. The aggressiveness of this machine is a perfect match for young Stachel, but he is counting heads to decide if he will be assigned one when the rest arrive later in the week. Rupp enters into a business arraignment to satisfy Stachel’s drinking habit, but he is having second thoughts.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN – HEIDEMANN MAKES A HERO
http://www.thebluema...n-makes-a-hero/
Stachel’s drinking gets worse, but the kills keep piling up. With the Hauptmann’s support, he demands that his Fokker be painted all black and asks for a unique slogan to be painted in English on the upper wing. Realizing what a good customer Stachel has become, Rupp raises his price. Amid all that Stachel surprises everyone when he risks his life to save a French school girl who falls into an icy stream. Angel or Devil? A little of one, a lot of the other.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN – THE BOTTLE AND THE BLUE MAX
http://www.thebluema...nd-the-blue-max
Stachel finally achieves his goal of being awarded the Blue Max. While Stachel’s achievements in the air are extraordinary, on the ground his drinking begins to take a toll. Heidemann’s publicity campaign goes into full swing and Stachel is overwhelmed by all the attention.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN – THE BLACK ANGEL ON TOUR
http://www.thebluema...-angel-on-tour/
Heidemann continues his campaign to make Stachel famous and sends the Black Angel on tour. Stachel fits in a stop at Sonnenstrahl to visit with the Gräfin and attempts to blackmail her over Wili’s journal. Things do not go well and Kaeti reaches out to Rupp for protection. Rupp has just what Kaeti needs.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN – THE BIG PUSH GETS PUSHED BACK
http://www.thebluema...ts-pushed-back/
The tide begins to turn against Germany in the Great War and Jasta 77 is forced to relocate to Coucy. A shortage of replacement parts and fuel is making it a struggle to keep aircraft in the air. The Fokker DVII is plagued by engine problems and Leutnant Stachel has a very close call.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN – THE BEGINNING OF THE END
http://www.thebluema...ing-of-the-end/
Heidemann gets an invite to attend the Johannisthal Trials near Berlin. This event brings the most accomplished aces together to test fly the newest aircraft and is the perfect venue for Heidemann to show off his young rising star. Rupp makes the mistake of getting in the way and Heidemann punishes him severely for it.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN – STARTING OVER
http://www.thebluema...-starting-over/
Rupp gets sent to the front lines at Bellicourt and discovers what life is like in the underground tunnels of the St. Quentin Canal. Kettering has taken over Rupp’s mail delivery service and sends a messenger to him with an apology, a box of cigars and an update on the continuing adventures of Hauptmann Heidemann and Leutnant Stachel.
CHAPTER NINETEEN – Kaeti’s Revenge
http://www.thebluema...kaetis-revenge/
A tragic accident, an unwanted promotion, a forced marriage. Poor Bruno….even when he does the right thing he can’t seem to catch a break. Meanwhile, Kaeti sends Rupp a letter with a large cash payment to settle her debt with him. Rupp needs one more lucky break to put his “exit plan” in place. He hopes that break comes soon, he is not sure how much longer he will last in the Tunnels of Bellicourt.
CHAPTER TWENTY – The Yanks and the Lucky Break
http://www.thebluema...he-lucky-break/
The Americans start making their presence felt on the Western Front and things are heating up at Bellicourt. Rupp’s Hauptmann sends him into harm’s way to photograph a crash site. Rupp is angry about having to put his life at risk on a whim, but the Breguet provides just the lucky break he was looking for.
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE – Leap of Faith
http://www.thebluema...-leap-of-faith/
The Battle of the St Quentin Canal begins and the inexperienced Americans manage to push the Germans back with a lot of help from the more seasoned Australians. Rupp takes advantage of the chaos while retreating through Nauroy and hides away in the belfry of an old church. A giant leap and a bad landing send his “ best made plans” into a tailspin.
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO –Recovery by the Sea
http://www.thebluema...ery-by-the-sea/
Rupp manages to continue his ruse while he recovers from injuries at the American Hospital in Étretat. There are rumors all around that Germany is ready to surrender. The Americans are in a mood to celebrate, but Rupp only becomes more withdrawn. All the lying and the sleepless nights are taking a toll on him. He needs to find a way out before his luck runs out.
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE –The Long Road Home
http://www.thebluema...long-road-home/
The train breaks down half way to St. Nazaire. Locals invite injured soldiers into their homes overnight while the locomotive is being repaired. Rupp spends a quiet night in a peaceful villa with a house cat and a view of the vineyard. It’s the first time in weeks that he has had time to think in a restful place. He comes to realize that he needs to adjust his plans one more time.
EPILOGUE
http://www.thebluema...t.org/epilogue/
On the Centennial of Armistice Day the Smithsonian confirms the authenticity of Rupp’s sketchbook and informs the family. In St. Augustine ( Jack Hunter’s hometown) the Historical Society underlines this discovery as providing unique insight into the experiences of one German soldier who survived the Great War.
Rupp’s final sketch is discovered in the last sleeve of the journal and it documents both the end of his wartime experience and the beginning of his long road back to home, health and recovery.
Posted by
on 21 May 2017 - 06:09 PM
I worked the Airshow Saturday. Morning was beautiful. Blue sky, gentile breeze and the day was shaping up to be perfect for an airshow. A few planes made test flights.
At 12:15 we started to move the guests back to the spectator line in preparation for flight operations. Then a sea fog blew in from the north, the wind picked up and the ceiling dropped.
No flying.
In order to provide some entertainment for our guest, many of the aircraft were started up and taxied along the spectator line so everyone could get a good look at each airplane and at least hear the engines running. Not the same as flying, but the best we could do in the circumstances.
I didn’t work Sunday, but it was overcast with a 1500 ft ceiling, and I understand they did fly.
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Douglas SBD Dauntless
Kate from Tora-Tora-Tora (Modified AT-6 Texan)
Douglas SBD Dauntless
FG-1D Corsair
AD-4 Skyraider
FM-2 Wildcat
Junkers Ju-52
CurtissP-40E
De Havilland Mosquito
P-51D Mustang
Bell P-63 King Cobra
Goxhill Tower
AT-6 Texan (front) P-64 (back)
Flak 37 88mm Gun
B-25
Posted by
on 30 December 2016 - 09:19 PM
Posted by
on 01 August 2018 - 11:46 PM
Hi,
From the looks of the present FC, we will be using RoF for Black September and FiF 2018 fall. Not much new there.
For the FC version of FiF. We have many options.
The number of live or killable object is greatly increased. In the past we have randomly selected one of three targets. With FC we can have all three as live targets. So..... 3 real bridges not AAA trucks, 3 factories, 3 Trains, 3 Ships, 3 airfields and 3 on road convoys.
I think the standard HQ recon is still a viable mission, Both Deciman and AnKor are looking into it but it will probably be after FC is released
Trains will have MG cars for defense.
Bridges will have a machine gun for defense. No flak gun. Maybe 2 MGs
Factories will have one distant Flack gun and one close in MG instead of 2 flack guns.
The other thing is the ingame repeating target list. Much of this can be replaced with icons on the map. The example is the factory. You start out with 3 icons on the map. As the targets are destroyed the icons are removed from the map. That way you know what still needs to be done. For pop up targets it is the same thing. When you complete the artyspot or a recon, rescue, general capture, spy mission etc. You will get a message that a new target is active. You will see a new icon on the map and if you mouse over, it will say if it is a ship or trucks or horses etc.
This is just the beginning.
Posted by
on 22 June 2018 - 04:30 AM
WELL.... this will be taking up my attention for the next few weeks... I just was hired by CAE Parc Aviation SimuFlite in Dallas as an instructor Type check airman on the Phenom 100 and 300 so I have to bag both type ratings and go to work. Amazing software on this thing and a fair amount of thurst. When I pushed up the throttles it really put me back in my chair. It is a hoot to fly.
Posted by
on 14 June 2018 - 05:00 PM
Just saying thank you for all you've done . You have helped give some life support to the ROF community .
Best of luck and success in your future .
You will be sorely missed my friend.
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Posted by
on 03 June 2018 - 05:19 AM
Over the years I have built scale working steam locomotives however this year I wanted to try something different. It was building this WNW kit that lead me to JG1. While far from being perfect I am content with the end result. Next is a late Roland CII.
!S!
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Posted by
on 12 November 2017 - 10:31 AM
I was looking for a photo of Reinhard for my profile, and ran across this one on the warnepieces blogspot site:
http://1.bp.blogspot...olders 1918.jpg
I don’t know the credentials of this guy as a historian, but I enjoyed his site, and I’m pretty sure the men in the photo are correctly identified:
Left to right: Kurt Wüsthoff, Wilhelm Reinhard, Manfred von Richthofen, Erich Löwenhardt, and Lothar von Richthofen.
You’ll notice that the image of Wüsthoff is okay, but the photo becomes more distorted and skewed as you scan from left to right. All the other copies I’ve seen of this photo are the same. If any of you have skill with photoshop or paintshop and want to fix this, it would be a boon to all who like to keep a gallery of WWI aviation heroes .
A few things induced me to post this:
The pose: linked arms. Truly, brothers in arms.
Their youth: Wüsthoff was only 20 when he earned the Pour le Mérite he is wearing.
This American holiday: Veterans’ Day.
This sentence at the end of the photo caption on the warnepieces blog: “Their combined victory total was 221.”
If you’ve ever flown a light plane with a light wing-loading on a windy day or when there are cumulous clouds in the sky, add the wind of an open cockpit, the cold and lack of oxygen at altitude...you wonder how they ever did it. It’s just incredible. I know you know all this, but really... Right??
I meant to get this posted yesterday, but it’s never a bad time to say “Thank you for your service!”, and “Salut!” to all brave patriots who have served their country.
Wilhelm
Posted by
on 15 September 2017 - 05:05 AM
This was my 5th online race and the 3rd on this weekly series on Assetto Corsa which is different than iRacing because it is FREE.... no charge is good ! Any of you interested in getting back in a race car and don't want to have t buy the store each week, this is a great way to go. The racing is getting better FAST... and I think it will rival iRacing very soon. That group has more drivers because it has been around longer, but the number of people signing up on AC... and the fact that you get pick up a race almost any time at no charge is tough to beat.
Shaun Cole of SIMPIT is hosting a weekly race series that is using the Porsche Carrera RSR 3.0 and this is week 3. Jake (aka Snaggle) and I have been racing this one and we thought we would put up a video here for you so see the quality of the graphics and racing. Shaun is the host and he will try for about 10 laps to catch a yellow #17 Porsche in front of him while talking and answering questions during the race... he gets quiet when it gets close... Guess who is driving the Yellow #17 car??? yeah... that would be me. I ended up 7th and he took 8th.
Have a look, hope you enjoy it.... LOTS of fun... and you can't beat the price.
https://youtu.be/OBgHcYzkBkU?t=984
Posted by
on 21 November 2016 - 11:18 PM
Posted by
on 03 October 2016 - 01:18 AM
Here are some pictures I took at the Military Aviation Musuem’s Biplanes and Triplanes 2016 Airshow. Some were taken on Friday’s practice day and the rest at Saturday’s full event.
We were lucky the weather cooperated on both days.
S!
Lee
Fokker Dr.1
Flight line on Friday
From left to right: Strutter, Fokker C.I, Halberstadt CL.IV, Fokker D.VII
Albatros D.Va
Nieuport 17
Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter
Fokker D.VIII
From left to right: Strutter and Fokker D.VI
Fokker D.VI
Ford Model T chassis Ambulance
Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter. This is the replica used in the movie "Flyboys"
1911 Curtiss-Ely Pusher replica. Built to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Naval Aviation.
Ford model T chassis with Huck Starter.
Flight Line Saturday show day.
Flight Line Saturday show day.
Rotary Engine Demonstrator
More birds on the Flight Line
From left to right: Fokker E.III and Fokker D.VIII
Looking East
Fokker E.III (did not fly)
Blériot XI
Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter
From left to right: Fokker D.VII and Albatros D.Va
Albatros D.Va
Albatros D.Va
Halberstadt CL.IV
Fokker D.VII with printed fabric lozenge camouflage and Hall Scott engine.
Fokker D.VII
From left to right: Fokker D.VII, Halberstadt CL.IV and Fokker C.I
From left to right: Fokker C.I, Fokker D.VII, Halberstadt CL.IV and Fokker D.VII
From left to right: Fokker D.VIII, Fokker Dr.1 and Fokker D.VI
Fokker C.I
Fokker D.VI
Fokker D.VIII
From left to right: Fokker D.VI, Fokker D.VIII and Fokker D.VII
From left to right: Fokker D.VI, Fokker D.VIII and Fokker D.VII
From left to right: Fokker D.VI, Fokker D.VII and Fokker D.VIII
Posted by
on 30 August 2016 - 11:14 PM
My 1 day trip to the Brome County Historical Society in the Eastern Townships...
After Mause told me to go and see at Knowlton one of three Fokker D VII in the world with its original fabric (not a replica), another in Munich and one at Bourget (France).
It's my pleasure to show some of the pictures I took today of this great WW1 plane.
This Fokker D VII (FOK D VII (ALB) 6810/18) was shipped from Camp Borgen, Angus Ontario on May 27, 1920 to Knowlton at a cost of $112.50.
It was said that this plane was sent in 1918 to the Jagdgeschwader 1 (JG 1)!
But was not confirm by anyone at the BCHS.
Cheers,
Gen
