Man Moment Machine MVR. Let's count the mistakes

[JFM]

I'm not taking sides (although I hope attacks have ceased because IMO they drag down everybody) and I understand some feelings are high, but re: HITEB bear in mind that it is the tale, not he who tells it. People may do whatever they want, of course, but IMO not reading it only deprives oneself.

[Ginger.]

If it was decreed I could only keep one book from my collection about WW1 birdmen.. it would be 'High In The Empty Blue' by Alex Revell.

[alex_revell]

Stephan,
I've looked in vain in my post to find the words: ignorant, stupid, and clot. All I can say is. If the cap fits, wear it.

[crankcase]

...feeling like a U.S. marine visiting Fallujah...
I appeal to all to lighten up a bit... I went back over the posts from the beginning to get a sense of the flow and i think i can see where people are coming from...

Stephan repeated an old tale which has been repeated in other places and inadvertently passed it on. he has quoted a few older works which have since been debunked. Stephan stepped onto a bit of a minefield here.

Alex has gone over this a hundred times and, like my Dad telling me to put the milk back in the fridge for the umpteenth time, is ready to pour a gallon over one's head!

It is easy for people who are active researchers to lose patience with laymen. I experience this all the time when I ask our IT coordinator to rectify a "problem" with my laptop. She exhibits considerable graciousness in indicating the refresh button!

Frankly, I for one could have made the same mistake as Stephan. There has been a lengthy break in my covering the relevant literature and even now I can recall a documentary video "where they flew and where they fell" (cannot recall the author) -- this was some 20 years ago -- narrating something to the effect that the circumstances of McCudden's accident were so embarrassing that high command quietly buried him without a big send-off. (DISCLAIMER DISCLAIMER -- just quoting from a dubious non-authoritative source!!!).

This forum exists to correct errors and it can be done quickly and efficiently. I couldn't possibly take the time to research thru the forum threads ALL the archived accumulated discussion about a subject before venturing to make a comment (or reading all published works in advance, otherwise why use the forum?). This makes the forum awfully redundant, yes, that is the nature of these spontaneous, on-line sites. How many newcomers to the forum would we have to execute on 21 april when they ask repetitive questions about the death of the Red Baron (refer them to Ginger, I say!).

I appreciate the books that were recommended on the subjct of McCudden, but i also looked in vain for a substantive reply to Stephan's question. I don't think it should be the nature of this forum to reply with "read the book". And Yes! i hereby commit to obtain and read Alex's book HITEB, unconditionally! I greatly admire Alex’s work "Brief Glory" (which I strongly recommend to put on your list, Stephan) and his scholarship.

My only plea is to ease up all around, have patience with one another, educate one another, and have some fun on this forum!
Have a great week!
marc

[Stephan]

So wear it then Alex. Analwart Troll, C--- & a few other words fit you well also. If the shoe fits, like you said, wear it.

This is your quote Alex. & you have the gall to mention etiquette? Unbelievable. The shoe fits you no doubt.

"It appears that your ignorance of email and web etiquette, matches that of your ignorance of WW1 aviation."

Jim Dandy once said; The difference between David Lee Roth & myself is that I never used fame to gain altitude over other people. Alex may well be a fair/decent author, but he's also a dandy twat with a healthy case of altitude sickness. Denigrate, not educate is his calling card.

[bristol scout]

Wow Stephan,

That is an elegant rebuttal--erudite and overflowing with adult commonsense.
The logic is inescapeable!
This is not the way to debate! If you wanted to be 'educated' (your word) then perhaps you should have asked the question, or asked for confirmation of the story you quoted--'Iv'e just read he goofed---is that right?' sort of question-----but the word 'goofed' was yours and yours alone Stephan----and it sounded like a statement of 'fact'----At the very least a question mark after it might have got you a much more infomative response!

Your descent to verbal abuse has helped no one here---but especially yourself! I doubt now very much if you will recieve a considered reply, from the man who "Knows more than anyone about 56 squadron and ...McCudden" Taken from-----
Cross & Cockade---Vol.19 No.2 1988.------Which is a shame, because many here would dearly like to hear Alex's 'take'.
Dave.

[alex_revell]

Posting an attachment on the forum seems to be a complicated affair which I don't feel inclined to undertake, but for anybody who would like my 'take' on the McCudden crash, please send me an email at sqdn56rev@tesco.net and I'll send them a scan.
Regards

[AAC Cadet Leader]

this thread is being closed by request of a forum member due to members' misconduct.
~moderator, AAC