Epower, loved that bit in the Gallery. It is amazing the man could reproduce the sheen on the fabric in such a lifelike fashion at the time when others struggled with perspective or even proportions. That reading in the tub followed by a sponge bath seems such a contrast to that “accidental” toilet flushing when I’m in the shower.
Lou, welcome back! I was afraid you’ve forsaken us for some better sim, like Farm Simulator, or SimFishtank. Glad it’s only a momentary lapse. Oh dear, I can already hear the pirate calls when Abbott walks into the mess with an eyepatch on. Lucky that the weather is what it is and allows Freddy sufficient recovery time.
Naturally the claim for the Camel behind the lines with no witness had been denied. Zygmunt didn’t expect anything else. As they neared the Vlisseghem aerodrome on their defensive patrol, they encountered a gaggle of Camels with Strutters in tow. A confusing mass of aeroplanes ensued once the flights merged to do battle. Ziggy singled one out and began to track him. He noticed the Strutters join the fight as well. He had the upper hand, but another Camel came from out of nowhere and ruffled Hahn’s tail feathers. There was nothing to do but to abandon his original target and take care of this new one. But it was that new target that was taking care of Ziggy. The pilot had to be of some renown, he had a large white L painted on his top plane and was handing Ziggy his arse on a plate. There was no getting away. That Camel turned circles around this dreadful Albatros. Zygmunt had had enough of this experiment and wanted his old D.V back. They continued to play this game and Hahn was the big loser. Finally, Ltn Becker came to the rescue and the two of them were able to chase the Englander away. When Zygmunt landed after the mission, he was so frustrated with his mount that after getting out he stood by it and gave it a hard kick. “- Do dupy!” He was sure his Albatros groaned. Ernst Wendler, the Jasta CO watched him from afar and signalled to come see him after Ziggy’s outburst. Hahn didn’t care. He had had enough of this subpar machine. “- Sit down Leutnant.” Wendler pointed at the chair in font of his desk after Zygmunt came in and saluted. “- I see you’re not happy with the equipment Kaiser is providing us.” “- Sir, I ...” Hahn was formulating a feeble defence. “- Save it. I don’t care.” Wendler waved him off. “- Leutnant Gros was shot down this morning. I need someone to take over from him and lead Schwarm Zwei. Do you think you’re up to it?” Zygmunt’s eyes went wide. Him, a Schwarmfürher? Why not? The corners of his mouth began to curl up involuntarily. Was that a smile? “-Jawohl, mein Fürher! I’ll do my best!” “Gut!” Wendler was pleased. “- Now, about expressing your frustration on our equipment ...” “- But you just said you didn’t care.” Zygmunt was confused. “- That was then. Now that you’re my Schwarmfürher I expect you to behave like one. Is that understood?” “- Jawohl! Loud and clear. But ... I’m going to need a better plane if I’m to keep up with the rest of the Jasta.” Zygmunt crossed his fingers behind his back. “- You’ll have your old D.V. It will be available to you tomorrow. Anything else?” “- The food in the Kasino is ...” “- Don’t push your luck, Leutnant. Dismissed!”
A flight of enemy bombers and its escort were already crossing the lines after dropping their cargo on Ghistelles. Zygmunt was in pursuit, but not gaining in his slow Albatros. He gave up and as he was turning around to return to base empty handed, another flight of enemy planes came into view. Sopwiths! He did not look forward to this fight after this morning’s encounter. Once the initial attack was over and everyone was paired with their opponent. Zygmunt battled one of the Englanders while keeping close to another pair fighting nearby. Everyone else seemed to have been driven further down after the first wave. The two aviators sparred for a while with Hahn attempting some aggressive maneuvers, the result of which was him loosing the Sopwith somewhere. After realizing he was free of his oppressor. He decided to help his wingmate with his own pesky adversary. The two Fliegers pounced on the single Britisher damaging him to some extent. In the meantime Ziggy’s original target returned for more. The two men were back at it, banking and diving. This time Hahn had the upper hand and drove his foe down to the ground. The Sopwith now running away, already near his own side of the mud. Zygmunt was relentless in his pursuit and in the end shot down his Tommie.
He looked around to check the skies and noticed another pair still battling. It was his wingmate still sparring with his opponent. He was in trouble and diving for the deck while the Sopwith was close on his heals. Zygmunt didn’t think twice and directed his machine to help his wingman. It didn’t take long before he was on the Englander’s tail, chasing him across the mud. He finally dealt him a fatal blow and the plane veered to the right. Zygmunt followed and was astonished to find him crash just mere meters from his first victim. The two columns of smoke became one.
"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."
