Having only read the conversation and topic as displayed in this thread, I'd like add these observations, even though I'm somewhat guessing at what the connotation of respect, honor and fairplay are as defined in previous discussion.
Respect should be initially given in some small measure simply because the other player is like you. He enjoys flying, fighting and AH. He may be something of a flight buff, WWII buff, or just someone who enjoys the game or gaming.
To illustrate, I ride Harleys exclusively in real life. To me they are the only ride and I don't understand why others would want to ride any other type of bike. However, regardless of the machine, we all love cruising the open road and we all experience the same dangers of the road. So while I may not understand, or closely identify with non-Harley riders, I always give them respect for what we do have in common. It's the same for me in AH.
Honor is a tough one to evaluate in a war game. We are really not afforded any great opportunities for displays of honor or chivalry. Therefore, I equate honor somewhat with a person's type of gameplay. Now this is a tough one because on one hand everyone pays their $15 and has the right to play the game as they want. I advocate this as a general rule. On the other hand, I have little respect nor think there is much honor in those who clearly game-the-game for purpose of score. As in flying a few dozen missions in a fighter scored as a fighter, then flying every other fighter sortie scored a Attack, simply to skew the player's score. It's not cheating, but it's not really honorable either. Admittedly, for this type of thing, there can be a fine line that's hard to define for everyone. In such a case, some might find a player is just being clever and appropriately gaining an edge, while others might find the same action wrong and underhanded. Ergo, the eternal arguement.
Fairplay to me is also about gameplay. Many play this game differently, and want different experiences and types of enjoyment out of it. BaldEagl talked about 1 v. 3, then 4 and 5, but what wasn't clear to me is, where did this happen? If I'm defending a base from attack, even initially with just a small number of bandits (and I don't how many more may be soon to arrive), I want bandits down fast to prepare for the next wave. 1 v. 1 chivalry duels are out the window in that case, unless the friendly wants it that way and can call everyone else off. Otherwise, the proper tactic is 'reasonable' gangbang, or rather stacking the odds in your favor to end the fight quickly, then gain alt for the next group of bad guys.
On the other hand, finding a 1 v. 1 or 2 battle between bases, where nothing tactically critical is in peril, honor and fairplay would be nice. If I don't know the engaged friendly, I try to make a point to ask if assistance is needed before piling in. But in a war game simulation, with opposing sides battling it out, and so many involved in the 'war' aspect of the game rather than just dogfighting, it seems silly to expect some medieval jousting scenario with additional challengers on the sideline patiently waiting to battle the winner of the current 1 v. 1 fight. Right or wrong, good or bad, HiTech developed this into a war game, that features WWII air combat simulation, but that's no longer what it is exclusively about.
Finally, about attitudes and courtesy. Too many people offer the excuse "it's only a game" to validate their poor behavior and attitude after they trash, bait or bad mouth people on 200. While we are playing a 'game', we are doing it with real people, using time from our 'real' lives. We bring our real feelings with us. We are engaged in a competition and a social activity at the same time, neither of which is it considered honorable or courteous to engage in disrepectful bad behavior.
Unfortunate, many with very shaky egos see this as the perfect place to 'act out' their darker side with seemingly no consequences. For myself, what repect, honor and fairplay in AH means to me is, applying the same courtesy and manners as I would in real life, facing another player over a chessboard, or pool table, or on a soccer pitch. The anonymity afforded by the Internet too often brings out the worst in some people's nature, that which they hide in real life due to the social ostracism that might occur if displayed in public, or to family and friends.
At least this is my story and I'm sticking to it.
