Big changes this quarter in the land of WarBirds, and positive ones at that: a half-dozen of new planes, a new Battle of Britian terrain, and a new pricing plan, just for starters. More importantly, large-scale terrains and a 'theater planeset' in the World War II arena. No more Zekes over the English Channel! The Emperor be praised! All those rocket surgeons who swore the big maps would never work for 'arena play' are now contentedly eating crow.
Four new Ferrets joined our ranks this quarter, raising our average squad night attendance to something just shy of ten pilots. A sincere ferrety welcome to the formerly honorary Wallyg, the rare and elusive Destee, -Bigd- a.k.a. -Bdawg, and to Snofox's longtime wingman Kavikk. Welcome home, gentlemen.
Congratulations and thanks are due this season to a number of Ferrets old and new. Second Ossifer Doones received a Shiny Gold Star for his second year of devoted service. Lt. =Troy=, in addition to earning his trainer's wings (and related superpowers) received an equally Shiny Gold Star for one year of service. Sgts. Joystc and Snofox, meanwhile, earned Shiny Silver Stars for six months of rampant ferretry.
In World War II arena action, new guy -Bigd- hit the ground running and made Warrant, while Wallyg earned his Captain's bars. Again.
As a squad, the Ferrets earned 'Squad Select Series' campaign ribbons for two events this quarter: as Allied losers in the Reap the Whirlwind event, and Axis victors in North Sea Summer.
The second ever Ferrets' Challenge air race was a success, drawing 40-odd participants. Thanks again to iEN for donating a month of WarBirds premium account to the first-place finisher, Lt. -Dbng- of =||= Hells Aces =||=. Congrats, -Dbng-, and to everyone who participated. The carnage at the first checkpoint was unforgettable, not to mention hilarious. It's especially funny because it's not happening to me.
Owing to the large number of talented people in our squad, we've introduced a new feature we like to call 'amateur night'. The top six 'non-coms' are rated according to height and hair color, and each one gets to command an entire squad meet, all by his lonesome. We tested the concept for an entire 'Magical Mystery Tour' and had such a great time that the concept has been extended. Henceforth, the last Thursday of each tour of duty shall be set aside as 'Night of the Living Non-com'. Thanks and congratulations to you all for a job extremely well done.
The WarBirds Players Convention 2003 was held in November, and though no Ferrets attended in person, we did manage to fly the 'Evil Con Mission' and witness the geeky glory of EC03, a giant paper airplane. No smoking!
Finally, it is my sad duty to record here the tragic death of our friend and comrade Andrew 'Zacker' Stadler. Thanks once again to everyone who attended the memorial flight. A fitting tribute for a terrific guy.
Col. H.C. Rana
Over and Out