[arthursmedley]

Originally Posted by AndyJWest

...And rotary engines are for people who enjoy flying sideways.

How to turn left in a Fokker Dr 1, part 1:

(a) Roll to the left, pull back stick.
(b) Recover from spin.
(c) Apply full left rudder, roll left, pull back stick.
(d) Recover from spin.
(e) Apply full left rudder, roll left, push stick forwards.
(f) Attempt to aim while turning.
(g) Recover from spin.
(h) Turn right instead, and hope to get a passing shot in as you circle in the opposite direction to the ruddy Camel jockey you are engaging. Miss.
(i) In a flash of inspiration, realise that if you fly inverted, you can circle to the left while turning right.
(j) Recover from inverted spin.
(k) Look for Camel jockey, and realise he's heading home, unable to shoot properly while having fits of laughter.
(l) Turn (right) for home. Land. Groundloop, write off Dr 1.
(m) Select Albatross, Pfalz, or anything else you can find with a black cross on the side, and an engine that doesn't have the propeller bolted to the crankcase - or failing that, volunteer for submarines, subterranean tunnel-digging, or anything else not remotely connected with aviation.

I agree with all this except item k. The Camel jockey would have long since spun in trying to avoid your first burst of fire or even lost it while trying to cock his guns.