This is a beautiful picture. I love the light and shadows. The aircraft really pops from this angle. I'm guessing it must be a friendly coming into land, (perhaps der Rotekampfflieger dropping by for a visit) judging by the lack of concern by the ground crew. :wink2: -- AlWell who could be viewing this beautiful aircraft from this angle ?
Bishop Vs The Baron (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Firebat
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Very, very nicely executed. Lots of detail and the POV is impressive. Me thinks Billy is going for a VC.:wink2: -- AlIt's BILLY .....coming in hard and fast before anyone realizes the danger.
wayne556517
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BILLYrant mate i like it.
Firebat
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Thank you men !
It was Captain William Avery (Billy) Bishop's day off and he "got away just as the first streaks of dawn were showing in the upper sky," he recalls. His idea was that an early morning raid behind the lines on a German aerodrome might represent a low risk opportunity for high returns. When he told a couple of friends about it, "they were not entirely in favour of the expedition," he confesses.
He had his own reservations as he flew along, "The aerodrome was pretty far back from the lines," writes the war ace. "I was not even certain where I was ...scurrying along, close to the ground, zigzagging here and there, one's sense of direction becomes slightly vague." But Capt Bishop quickly got his focus back when he approached the line of parked aircraft: "I pointed my nose towards the ground, and opened fire with my gun, scattering the bullets all around the machines and coming down to 50 feet in doing so," he recounts. The Germans quickly rallied to get their fighters airborne. The one-man raid resulted in two planes being shot down on take-off plus another being dispatched during a quick dogfight. A fourth skirmish ended in a draw as the famous aviator emptied his gun before finally turning home.
The war hero evaded the enemy and made it safely back to Filescamp, an aerodrome near Arras in northern France, but his Nieuport 17 was badly shot up. It took a lot of skill and courage to fight aloft in these early aircraft built of wood, wire and canvas.The young pilot was shaken by the event. " had the terrible sensation that I would suffer from nausea any minute ...The thrills and exultation I had at first felt had all died away, and nothing seemed to matter but this awful feeling of dizziness and the desire to get home and on the ground." Because of this bold, single-handed assault in enemy territory, Capt Bishop received the Victoria Cross "for conspicuous bravery and skill", the first ever awarded to a Canadian pilot.
It was Captain William Avery (Billy) Bishop's day off and he "got away just as the first streaks of dawn were showing in the upper sky," he recalls. His idea was that an early morning raid behind the lines on a German aerodrome might represent a low risk opportunity for high returns. When he told a couple of friends about it, "they were not entirely in favour of the expedition," he confesses.
He had his own reservations as he flew along, "The aerodrome was pretty far back from the lines," writes the war ace. "I was not even certain where I was ...scurrying along, close to the ground, zigzagging here and there, one's sense of direction becomes slightly vague." But Capt Bishop quickly got his focus back when he approached the line of parked aircraft: "I pointed my nose towards the ground, and opened fire with my gun, scattering the bullets all around the machines and coming down to 50 feet in doing so," he recounts. The Germans quickly rallied to get their fighters airborne. The one-man raid resulted in two planes being shot down on take-off plus another being dispatched during a quick dogfight. A fourth skirmish ended in a draw as the famous aviator emptied his gun before finally turning home.
The war hero evaded the enemy and made it safely back to Filescamp, an aerodrome near Arras in northern France, but his Nieuport 17 was badly shot up. It took a lot of skill and courage to fight aloft in these early aircraft built of wood, wire and canvas.The young pilot was shaken by the event. " had the terrible sensation that I would suffer from nausea any minute ...The thrills and exultation I had at first felt had all died away, and nothing seemed to matter but this awful feeling of dizziness and the desire to get home and on the ground." Because of this bold, single-handed assault in enemy territory, Capt Bishop received the Victoria Cross "for conspicuous bravery and skill", the first ever awarded to a Canadian pilot.
Great job with the pics and story. This particular episode, which won Bishop the VC, has come under a lot of scrutiny over the years. It is the only VC awarded for an action that had no independent witnesses to verify the actions. The award was issued only on Bishop's own report, his own word. Highly unusual. More than one imminent WW1 airwar historian now believes that the action never took place. Years of study involving German airfield locations, action reports, loss reports, have yielded no matches to any of Bishop's claims. There is no record of any air raid performed on any German airfield on the day in question and no match for the type of aircraft Bishop claims to have shot down in the correct time frame or location. All of which means nothing in the end. The award was made and Bishop remains a valid hero of WW1. -- Al
waynepoo
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It's BILLY .....coming in hard and fast before anyone realizes the danger.
Brilliant work Alex, if not a trade secret how do you edit the photo to get such a great result?
Wayne.
Firebat
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Wayne
This photo was not edited. It is all in the lighting, you can't use a flash as many do, you need photo lighting, I bought mine from Amazon, there are many choices and they are not that expensive.
The Aircraft in this pic was hung with fishing line and I got on a step stool and filmed it. I did remove the fishing line with a photo editing program and added a flash.
Best
Alex
Mr. Lancer
I researched the raid by Billy and found the same info you stated above, but we will just have fun with it as we see fit here. There are many innacuracies in my story but this is kind of a fun story. Alex
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Alex, it is fun. I'm just a rivet counter concerning WW1 aviation, what some might label a kill-joy.:wink2: And please, not so formal. My name is Al.^&grin
Firebat
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Al
I am all for rivet counting and I appreciate what you add to the storyline as I am more a student if WWII. I had to go this route here, because there were not correct aircraft available etc.
John Jenkins ( He is a rivet counter also ) had contacted me and he is having a lot of fun with it also.
The Great Crusade is my more serious project. I am having trouble getting motovated to begin Episode V..... it will eventually happen. It is just a LOT of work.
Al
John is a great guy and I can well imagine he is enjoying your pictures. He really has an interest in a lot of different stuff and wants to get it right. His aircraft are simply unbeatable and there are more on the way. While waiting for the motivation to kick in for E-V, perhaps some more Red Baron?:wink2:^&grin -- Al
Firebat
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Planning and shooting these angles is a lot of fun. Alex
swalterh
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Billy sweeps through his run causing some damage to the Aerodrome.....Or did he !
Really wonderful shots. It sure makes one have to appreciate the time and creative energy that goes into the preparation.
Great stuff.
Shane
Firebat
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Thank you Shane......This is it for this segment, but the story will continue...I need more supplies ^&grin
Firebat
2nd Lieutenant
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Thanks Tom
I told you I would be still doing stuff
.......Soon I will be previewing my new website for upscale Diorama making.Regards
Alex