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Polybius (200-118 B.C.), Universal History, Book I, Chapter 35

When did you first start writing? (grin)

Before you continue debating me on the details of World War One aviation, it is only fair to warn you that I have had some of my material published in Over The Front: Journal of the League of World War One Aviation Historians :-)

Congratulations and a sincere Thank you for your works.

Okay Brian, I was hoping to see this discussion continue. I know you're not as old as Polybius is, so tread carefully, my friend.

Congratulations and a sincere Thank you for your works. ..... I was hoping to see this discussion continue...

Well, if you have any particular questions about World War One aviation, FreepMail me and I will try to get you an answer.

And now, for your amusement, here is one of Anthony Fokker's wildest creations: The experimental Fokker V.8 with not two or three or even four but five wings. The design was not a success. Fokker flew it twice in short test hops and then ordered it scrapped. I take that to mean that V.8 tried to kill Tony. :-)

<< Before you continue debating me on the details of World War One aviation >>

I wasn't, you will note, "debating the details of" ... anything. Beyond, that is, the age of that tired old [But good] joke about all dem fokkers.

<< When did you first start writing? (grin) >>

Nineteen fifty nine. [Boring ol' "Operations and Training" manuals, mainly.

But I started flyin' 'em slightly more than twenty-nine thousand command hours ago, in 1953 and first-solo'd [In a sailplane] in December of 1954: aged 13. My Student Pilot Licence was issued on December 14 1957; my PPL [Validated by telegram] on December 14 1958; [The same year I joined the Air Force] CPL on December 14 1960 [Validated by telegram] and ATPL [Validated by telegram] on December 14 1962. [BIGGER grin!]

So there!

And bow to Polybius's superior skill in every department except that of estimating the age of that joke.

[Man's gotta reserve a bit of 'face!']

Well.

OK.

He's right about them fokkers, too.

Mutter ... Mutter ... Mumble ... Mumble ...

<]:^)~<