We're seeing a lot of new faces in the arena these days, owing no doubt to the recent WB's price cut and the flurry of promotional activities. I hear that iEN even has a small TV ad budget, now. No major changes in the game lately, though an update has been promised for the next month or so. The hotly-debated Ki44 made its debut, and is already undergoing a flight model review.

The "theatre planeset" idea seems to be working so far, though the tour-of-duty has been shortened to 14 days to accommodate the "ride specialists". The resurrection of the old Main Arena (all planes both sides) has drawn poor numbers so far, comfirming my belief that a lot of people will neither shit nor get off the pot, because either way they'd have to stop groaning.

Congratulations and thanks are due this season to 2nd Lt. Meteor, recipient of a shiny silver star for 6 months of service to the Business. More of the same to Captains Gldnbb and Wallyg for one year of dedimocation. Thanks, guys, and here's to many more nights of blood, sweat, and beers!

Three promising new puddin's joined our ranks this quarter, all three in quick succession. Ordinarily it'd be tricky integrating three new guys all at once, but these particular gentlemen are highly adaptable specimens who have required little coaching. A big Ferrety welcome to Drdyer, Invstr, and Drdeth.

Six Ferrets earned brevet promotions in the WW2 arena this winter. Congratulations are due to Andrew and Warone who made Major, to Gldnbb who made Captain, and to Nuker, Joystc, and Invstr who made Warrant. I call 'em brevet ranks because of our brand-new squad rank system, which hopefully makes more sense than formerly. Now a pilot's rank is in harmony with his position in the squad hierarchy, such as it is. I've also put a "cap" on the upper ranks to avoid top-heaviness: one Colonel, two Lt-Colonels, three Majors, four Captains. I like the symmetry.

In Squad Select Series action this season we finally saw the results of last fall's North Sea Summer campaign, wherein Andrew earned an Honour Cup and yours truly earned an Iron Cross 1st Class. We just finished up a real nail-biter of an S3 with the final frame of On The Beaches which the Luftwaffe narrowly lost despite a brilliant performance by our squad. I expect we'll garner a heap of awards for that one. The next S3 has us in RAF Spitfire Mk.V's pitted against the Luftwaffe's 109-F's.

The third Ferrets' Challenge air race was a success, drawing better than 30 pilots. Congratulations Sgt. -Wcat- of the 417 RCAF City Of Windsor squadron for his first place finish, and to Ferrets Andrew and Doones for their second and third place showings. Thanks to all who attended, and to the refs, and to iEN for coughing up a free month of WB's premium for the winner.

In other news, a half-dozen Ferrets showed up for our first-ever "Dawn of Aces" WWI event, hosted by the 95th Kicking Mules and codenamed Balloon Busters. We did just that, thanks to our resident ragwing expert Doones.

Finally, beloved Butterbar Meteor is skipper for the Satan's Angels Four-on-Four round-robin event scheduled for mid-April. A duelling event is another Ferret first - let's practice up and giv'm'hell, gents!

Col. H.C. Rana
Over and Out