Enthusiast

Enthusiast · 2 November 2008, 11:00 PM

It's getting late, so I'll wrap this up quickly.

My name is Josh, and I've always been fascinated with aviation. Ever since I was 5 (when I first flew in an airplane), the idea that man could conquer the sky has aroused curious interest in me. I plan to someday become a pilot for a profession. Perhaps I would even write a book about my experiences.

I first learned of the website back in 2000 (or thereabout) when I was seven. I had owned a copy of Red Baron 3D for a few years and had bought the first Red Baron (the DOS one) from a GoodWill in Moberly, MO. That's when I really became interested in World War I and dogfighting.

Anywho, I used to do PowerPoints about the aces. I still have them in a folder somewhere in my closet (I'll have to dig them out someday). The Aerodrome was my favorite site for finding information. I had never bothered to register on the forums, however, because I did not begin to actually expand into online communities until around three years ago (which still doesn't excuse me, lol).

My family has a long history in aviation, and I attribute that to my heritage (I am half Iranian and half German). As far back as I could trace, the first person in my family to fly an airplane was my great grandfather on my mother's side, who was a cropduster in the '20s (he made very little money, however, and they had literally no money).

Since that time, I've had relatives who flew planes in World War II and the Vietnam War (my grandfather's brother on my mother's side was also in the Korean War, but he was drafted as an infantryman). My Uncle Masoud flew a helicopter during the Iran-Iraq War, and he eventually deserted the country (quite a funny story which I'll have to tell you sometime).

As far as wars in general are concerned, we've traced as far back as the First Crusade for my father's side of the family. We could only find records for my mother's side of the family dating back to 1520, but I've had relatives in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Civil War, and World War I (there again, my Great-Uncle John was an infantryman with the 2nd Landing Division in World War I) for her.

Since it's nearly 1 a.m., and since I have school tomorrow, I'm out. I look forward to using this site and discussing air warfare in the First World War with you all. Whilst I have been underestimated in the past for my knowledge of aviation (because of my age), make no mistake. I know more than some people think (not to say that I'm brilliant, however; I do not approve of braggarts). It seems to be a pretty even and good crowd, so let it begin.

AAC Cadet Leader · 3 November 2008, 08:09 AM

enthusiast,
welcome to the aerodrome! for a fifteen year old, it looks like you already have a lot of smarts. do well in school and attain your aviation dreams.

FliegerJG1 · 3 November 2008, 10:35 AM

Hello Enthusiast,

Welcome to the Aerodrome! It's great to see you here! If you love WWI aviation, this is the place to be and to learn. Any questions, just let me know if I can be of any help.

FliegerJG1

Troy Raines · 3 November 2008, 11:38 AM

Welcome to the Aerodrome, this is the place for WWI. Can't wait to hear the story about your uncle.

Enthusiast · 3 November 2008, 01:49 PM

Back.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony Raines

Welcome to the Aerodrome, this is the place for WWI. Can't wait to hear the story about your uncle.

He was a helicopter pilot. Anyway, about 6 years into the war, he took off in one, without permission, and flew over into Turkey. The Turks were, naturally, suspicious as to his intentions. However, since he had a French-made Gazelle, they allowed him to land. In exchange for passage to the United States, he gave up the copter. The Turks escorted him to the American Embassy in Istanbul, and after a long negotiation, he was granted citizenship.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FliegerJG1

Welcome to the Aerodrome! It's great to see you here! If you love WWI aviation, this is the place to be and to learn. Any questions, just let me know if I can be of any help.

Thank you, I certainly will keep in touch should I have any questions.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AAC Cadet Leader

welcome to the aerodrome! for a fifteen year old, it looks like you already have a lot of smarts. do well in school and attain your aviation dreams.

Thanks for the compliment. I try my best. That's all you can do, methinks.

Ricardo Reis · 6 November 2008, 09:28 AM

welcome aboard! make yourself comfortable

Roadhog · 23 November 2008, 09:50 PM

Dear Josh, You have fallen in amongst kindred spirits. During the Civil War some of my relatives took part in General Marmaduke's (don't laugh it is a real name) raid on Moberly, Missouri. The dirt roads were so muddy and bad and the weather so terrible that after the raid, they wrote a song about it.

BTW, I am a retired Army MP brigade commander and have loved WWI aviation since I was a little younger than you, building balsa wood and tissue airplanes. My father was a pilot but my eyes were too bad to even try. If I can help you give me a shout since I have several images of pilots and planes and I share what I have. VR, Scott Price, a.k.a. Roadhog

tcrean7828 · 24 November 2008, 08:00 AM

Mate,
Welcome to the flagship of the Aerodrome - where the greatest minds on the planet get together and talk about their favorite subject - WW1.

ttfn

tcrean7828

tom

P.S. Werner Voss fan here.