Test Your Imagination

Ok folks...time to test your imaginations.

Here is the scenario:

You are transported back through time via some time travel mechanism and end up in Britain sometime in 1917 or 1918. You are a civilian and have the opportunity to enlist in the RFC if you so desire. Now, knowing what you do about the events regarding combat aviation of that period, would any of you actually be nuts enough to volunteer to fly for the war effort? If so, what type of plane would you elect to fly? Don't worry about altering history or anything - this is just a wild and fun exercise in "what if..."

If it were me, I'd keep my hind on the ground, thank you very much. From everything I have read about WWI air combat I have come to the sane conclusion that having my feet planted squarely on the turf and watching the aircraft fly overhead will do me just fine. Although I am very intrigued by flight and find those legendary machines wonderous contraptions, there ain't NO WAY you gettin' me up in one of dem!!! (Pardon the ebonics).

Don't try and be a hero...Be honest and realistic about your decision. Try and put yourself in that period and judge how you might react. I will say this, if I was about to be drafted into the infantry to serve on the Western Front I'd leap at the RFC and request a rigger or mechanic's job. Look folks...I just want to LIVE, LIVE, LIVE! (Let's see, wasn't that line from Hell's Angels?)

Here is one more challenge. If you HAD to fly in ANY air war of the last century, which would you choose? That's definately a tough one so can someone tell me which was the SAFEST? Methinks the Gulf War air campaign afforded the best chances of survival.

Before I get into trouble for using the word "nuts" to describe the desire to fly in the unforgiving skies of WWI, let me clarify what I meant. I, in now way, am implying that WWI airmen were crazy for volunteering to fly. They were extrememly BRAVE men and I have the utmost admiration for anyone who exhibits such unusual characteristics. But sometimes there is a fine line between bravey and foolishness. Since most of us in this forum already understand the incredible dangers that were inherant in simple civilain flying during this period, I think we can all now look back and say how crazy it was. But I don't think those men knew of what we know. Makes you wonder about how much these volunteer cadets knew about their life expectancy after being posted to a front line squadron. I think the sheer newness of flying cast ignorance on these young men so eager to fly. But hey, the world needs men and women willing to take such enormous risks to enable humankind to achive great things. These airmen of the Great War certainly earned their place in history.

I have always had a fear of heights and flying in commercial jets always makes me a little uneasy. Still, I am fascinated by flight and if I can overcome my fear of crashing and dying, I'd actually like to learn to fly an ultralight.

Ok...on with the original thread!

Chris,
Given that I concur so much with everything you wrote, Tyre Kicker First Class would suit me just fine!!
But, if I had no choice and I couldn't fit a Harrier jump jet into said Time Machine, then I'd have to go for a Brisfit.
The thought of having a couple of Lewis guns covering my tightly clenched rear-end would make me feel soooooo much better!!
Can't think of any war I'd *like* to have taken part in, though if pressed , it would probably be flying Spits in the BoB. At least if you were shot down and managed to jump, you would be over your own lines!!
Cheers
Paul

[stephen]

Camels.




In a New York minute.

it's the ground for me. it's one thing to dream of flying, but quite another doing it. i once read a quote by an anonymous sargent who was trying to discourage troops in his unit from transfering into the flying corps. he said "it's a long way to fall, and you only falls once." that would pretty much do it for me. more fun to watch.

leon

[Vigilant]

If I found myself slap bang in Regents Street in 1917 next to the RFC recruiting office (pay for officers 2 shillings a day etc) I would have 2 problems to be honest:

(1) I am scared. No parachute; fuel tank above your legs; come off it!

(2) I have a moral objection to killing German lads without a good reason. I am not sure that the War presented a good enough reason.

So while I was thinking about it I would probably join the Royal Army Medical Corps and be a stretcher bearer or similar. Just to be on the Western Front would be incredible - if I could get a transfer to an RFC squadron as medical officer that would be great of course.

Obviously after the war I would buy an army surpluss Camel for £10 and really enjoy myself!

I think I'd be in the Lafayette Escadrille. They really didn't get shot up too badly comparitively and they were treated pretty well by the French. And SPADS were quite rugged. Yep, A SPAD XIII would do the trick. I would sample the local french women too. "L'amour, mais oui,...uh, hu, hu. (said with bad, cheesy french accent)

I would fly Pups and Camels, but I would also be a German agent. I would supply information to the Fatherland, and on April 21, 1918, I would
hole all the fuel tanks of 209 Squadron. That way none of could take off, and MvR would not go chasing after Wop May at low level.
Fra Ltn Jeni

[mike_baram]

As much as I love the old biplanes, I think I'd wait a generation. Give me a Hurricane in the BoB...it could take more punishment than the Spit, albeit it lacked the glamour. Or, a P-51 Mustang or P-38 Lightning.
Of course I'd probably wind up flying a Brewter Buffalo. I don't get no respect.

[Rittm]

Me in England in 1917!! I'd be in trouble there! I'd look for Fraulein Jeni and get a flight back home where I belong. And yes, I'd do it ll over again and I prefer the old planes over the new stuff. There is something missing from jet flight. No cold wind in your face and you can't look out and down. Old planes are like bicyles, you can see everything and feel everything while a jet is like riding in a car.

Rittm