chuck yeager - "How Dare She!"

February 9th, 2008 · No Comments

chuck yeager - “How Dare She!”

A note to the detractors of my aerodrome and Royal Caledon Air Force…

First and foremost. I love Caledon and I love Victorian Steampunk.

My Second Life Group “Royal Caledon Air Force” was created as a military branch within Caledon to coincide with the opening of Connolly Aerodrome in Caledon Penzance in October 2007. RCAF and Connolly Aerodrome were created after consultation with - and the blessing of - Guvnah Desmond Shang (sim owner).

My definition of what is steampunk may be more liberal than your own, but I would certainly not say anything publicly against you or your opinion. We are not debating grand issues of our times. Let us agree to disagree and be done with it. Caledon is certainly big enough to encompass both our visions and RCAF is not a template you must follow.

RCAF is a military branch within Caledon. There are other military groups here if one so chooses and some citizens are in several of them. We are NOT a maritime group although some of us may fly seaplanes or sail our ships with the RCAF Ensign. We have NO INTEREST in competing with ANY maritime military group and encourage all our maritime sister organizations. I am always open to joint exercises with any other interested parties.

Another point I must repeat: Though it may appear so at times on the surface, we at Royal Caledon Air Force are NOT WW1 re-enactors! Officers of the RCAF may fly many assorted flying machines. For instance: My preferred means of flight is Group Captain August Breed’s 1909 Bleriot and 1912 Blackburn. Both are pre-WW1 monoplanes and I think quite smashing builds! I do fly other craft but these two are my favorites. I have fun flying them and will continue to do so.

A few may see a surface resemblance to a WW1 group and have visions of the horrific trench warfare that occurred so much in that war.

Here’s what I see…I see a Caledon group that loves to fly planes in a friendly and fun setting. What I promote within RCAF is individual achievement, group fun in a Caledon military branch, and a place for people to chat about flying and collaborate with each other on building projects related to flying machines.

When I think of RCAF, I do not see trench warfare, I see role-models from across RealLife history…

The Wright Brothers
The Lafayette Escadrille
Eugene Bullard
Bessie Coleman
Maude Rose “Lores” Bonney
Source: chuck yeager - "How Dare She!"