Picture of the Day (Other eras)

[THeTA0123]

Bristol F.2 The best 2 seater fighter of WW1. It first gained infamous reputation points when the first patrol was met my Manfred von richthoven's Flying circus, in wich 4 out of 6 planes were shot down.

However, it was then discovered, the F.2 was very manouverable for its size and weight, and became a very effective fighter. It could keep up with most 1917 german aircraft(and even 1918 ones) while having a strong 'sting in the tail" with either a single or dual Lewis gun.

It was also considered one of the sturdiest designs in the Royal flying corps.

[VonMudra]

Also produced the greatest observer-ace of all time:



Charles George Gass- 39 kills as an observer gunner on the Bristol.

Gass soon showed his proficiency with the Lewis guns. He began by driving an Albatros D.V down out of control on 22 April 1918. Then he began one of the most spectacular months in World War I aerial warfare.[1][2]

On 7 May, Gass was gunner on a Bristol piloted by ace Alfred Atkey; Gass was in Atkey's plane by Atkey's request. They flew one of two Brisfits that took on 20 German scouts. Gass and Atkey destroyed five of the attackers, sending two of them down in burning meteors of falling wreckage.[1][2]

He nailed another German on the 8th while teamed with John Everard Gurdon. Then on the 9th, he and Atkey repeated themselves. Once again they flamed two Germans; additionally, they destroyed another German and drove two down out of the battle.[1][5]

They then reeled off a series of multiple victory days. Two on the 15th; three on the 19th; three more on the 20th; two each on the 22nd, 30th, and 31st; three on the 27th. Gass had scored 28 times in the month, all but one in conjunction with Atkey. No one in World War I scored more victories in a single month.[1] He officially transferred to the nascent Royal Air Force on 22 May 1918.[6]

Gass and Atkey scored another double on 2 June, which were Atkey's final victories. Then Gass was teamed with Lieutenant Edwin Babbage, and scored twice on the 5th. On 26 July, he shot down another German while teamed with Lieutenant Samuel Thompson.[1]

In August, he was teamed with Lieutenant John Everard Gurdon, who had been the pilot of the other Brisfit on 7 May. They tallied five wins together, with the last coming on 13 August. Gass was transferred for pilot training soon after, but the war ended before he qualified for his wings.[1]

Gass's final tally totalled 39. Broken down, they amounted to 5 destroyed in flames, including one victory which was shared with other planes; 12 others destroyed; 22 down "out of control".[1]

It was the sort of performance that had garnered multiple decorations for single seat fighter pilots. For Gass, it brought a Military Cross gazetted on 16 September 1918, the citation read:

    2nd Lt. Charles George Gass, Lond. R., attd. R.A.F.

    For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During many engagements, generally against heavy odds, he destroyed five enemy aircraft. He showed great ability and an entire disregard for personal danger.[7]

He received his MC from King George V at Buckingham Palace on 16 November 1918.[8]

[Captain Pyjama Shark]

Not to mention being briefly flown by Biggles!

[Turkish007]

Two Turkish soldiers stand guard on the Soviet border, circa 1940's

[Dukat]

Still life somewhere in the Ukraine.

[Born2Kill 007]

Israeli soldier with Spike anti-tank missile launcher (wikipedia)

oh and a prety awesome video from today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qj73y4JAXOU

[Dukat]

Gaza City, today.

[Tankbuster]

Rezang la today

sorry for the second pic but it helps understand what happened there.

[Dukat]

Demolished railway viaduct over a road leading towards the city of Donezk, Ukraine.

[PanzerKnacker]

New war, old guns. Somewhere in Croatia 1991-1995

[Tankbuster]

Bren gun is best gun.

[Born2Kill 007]

[Born2Kill 007]

[Dukat]

Old men toying with guns, whose functionality they barely understand, always look extra ridiculous, especially when in front of children.


Gaza, today.

[Turkish007]

Turkish-Georgian border joint exercise, 30.09.2013