I fly all the way out and all the way back which usually takes about an hour on average, often meeting intruders on the way!
My new Nieuport 17 is fragile but teaches you not to be ham-fisted. It gathers speed very quickly in a dive and heavy stick handling will shed your wings. However, you soon get them back with a harp as a bonus. It took five trial take-offs and crashes before I learned to get the tail up - almost immediately.
First patrol, lost my wings in a tight turning fight with the E.III. Second, ran out of fuel after damage from 'archie' ( which is what they called flak in WWI). Despite the damage which must have punctured the tank I had a long battle with up to three Albatros chaps without result. Had to put down in 'no-man's-land' then taken to hospital. I am determined to complete at least one patrol in the Nieuport 17.
Have spanking new S.E.5a too! Completely the opposite. Robust, very fast and throaty. Requires different tactics to the Camel. High attack speed, break away and come in again at speed. I can't see anything catching me in that.
I have encountered white 'Very' flares on two occasions and assume they mean 'give way' to another aircraft on landing, so, I do.
'Find your enemy and shoot him down - everything else is unimportant.'
