A.A.R Euro TOD 1 - "Battle Ground Philippines"
Frame 3
Date:
9.6.2002
Roster:
Red Flight:
GA
Swap
Ogun
Keeler
Blue Flight:
Bozon
Duvel
Nilsen
Dm2
Green Flight:
Easykill
Fogold
Iceydee
Jensk
Brown Flight:
Dassmort
Rompa
Onnie
Sarge1
Plane:
F6F-5 Hellcat
Mission Objective:
Defend the fleet!
Events:
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We started this mission with an all time viking record of a 4 full flights! What a force...
Takeoff went fast and almost without goofs. Almost, because Easykill climbed into the wrong plane and found himself flying a F4U-D. We love you Easykill :)
The Plan was simple - all allied forces defending the fleet in the first phase. What a sight! 4 squadrons buzzing around, F4Us and F6F stacked up to 30k and CHogs patrolling at 15k. Lots of amuzing "cons spotted" calls that turned to be another friendly formation.
Blue formation climbing. And waving to green flight.
After about 20 min. of chasing friendlies, we hear on the radio some squadron engaging N1Ks near our location. We are ordered to head back to the CV, and turn looking for a fight. As my formation nears the fleet, we see a large battle going on ahead. It seems like the allies have the upper hand and I decide to keep our alt and look for more bandits. At this point, dm2 reports "low on fuel". He must have taken less than 100% since the rest of us still had a little less than 50%. So he's forced to glide back to the carrier while we continue a trio. We spot a suspicious formation behind us that turned to be Dass' brown formation, but as we turn around again, I see a battle raging W of the fleet. Coming close to investigate we find a few friendlies fighting a formation of Ki61's (Tony). A quick look a round, and in we go, guns blazing!
Bandits!... Diving in followed by a hord of vicious vikings.
I order my flight to start from the top - high Tonys first, and not to be temped into diving low. It is going nicly and we patiently jump on every Tony that lifts his head, keeping out superior position. Opertunities come quickly. I spot a Tony fixed on Rompa and dive after him. Getting within d700, I fear he's going to hit Rompa so I open fire - the Tony is covered with hits, a few pieces fall and he's breaking low and left trailing black smoke - he's not going to make it home...
Take this tojo!!!.....
I pull high and reverse slowly after him. Nilsen, on my 6 turns and attackes the Tony while I watch from above. Looking for Duvel, I see him passing his time showing those other Tonys some of his offensive moves, so I allow myself to get a little further away.
Go get him Nilsen!
I think Nilsen managed to put a few more holes into the injured Tony but another friendly comes and puts him out of his miseries. I make a wide turn and come back above the furball. I see Dass, Duvel, Onnie and Sarge working a couple of Tonys and I dive in to help. On the way down, I spot Nilsen comming out of the fight with a third Tony on his tail. Quickly changing direction I come to the rescue.
View of the furball from above. Nilsen is pulling an amazingly sharp reversal I can't follow.
Nilsen suprises me (and the Tony) with a VERY hard half loop and I'm too fast to follow this. He dives back into the fight and the Tony decides to quit. Another Tony is trying to leave without saying goodbye. I won't allow such a behavior in my party, so I drop on his 6 and give him a piece of my mind.
...And don't forget your wing!...
Pleased with myself I turn around and face a formation of 9 fresh A6M5 (zeke) joining the battle from above...
Only Bill Gate's bank balance has so many zeros in it.
Two zeros find me and ride my 6. I use the high speed to shake the off and find the other zeros coming down on me. Nose low, zig-zag, and I'm pulling away. Checking 6, as always, there is a bunch of bandits and a Duvel on their 6.... He picks off two of them, leaving only 2 chasing me now.
First 2 zekes being shaken (not stirred). And duvel showing up from nowhere to help with the others.
While dragging the remaining zekes, I see Rompa, dead ahead, having a tight duel with another zeke. The latter spots me closing in on him and pull on of those "on the spot" zeke moves. We go past each other in a hair raising HO, but we both miss.
Hold on Rompa...
Going another one or two rounds, I check the fuel gauge and realize this is REALLY high time to RTB. I turn toward the fleet and see Duvel doing the same, leaving the fight. But looking at my 7 oc, I see Rompa entangled with a whole bunch of zekes. Another look at the fuel gauge - this is going to be extra tight.... but you can't leave a viking behind!
Rompa in a tight spot. And a worried look toward the fuel gauge.
Pulling high and to the right, I let Rompa pass underneath me, then I'm diving toward the six zekes. It work, all the leading zekes pull their noses toward me to spoil my shot. I dont even bother shooting, just blasting through, diving to the deck and heading after Rompa. We both leave them fast behind... pewww...
Lets get the hell out of dodge...!
That's it, fuel shows empty. Still have a few second of engine to use, and I go into gliding procedure: shut down engine, reduce RPM, auto engle to keep about 210mph IAS. The fleet is now visible at 12 oc. I'm aligning myself with the closest carrier and glide on. Hmmm... going to be a little short, so I place my bet on a few more seconds of engine. Gamble paid off, and I'm on a perfect glide-path with a little E to spare, and still have a few seconds of fuel. AndyH joins in the final with his smoking F4U-D (or is he just smoking one of those damn cubans again?). YES! I'm going to make it, easy as pie.. NO! WAIT! what is this? the white trail behind the carrier is curving to the left... can't be that the CV is .... is... TURNING?!
That's the navy for you.... turned out that the sun through his quarters' window, disturbed the admiral's sleep, so he ordered to turn the ship around so the sun would be on the other side... Too late for me now, starting engine, hitting full throttle I try to take the Hellkittie through the corner and land. Can't do it in time, and I hit the deck at a 30 degrees angle off, the hook catches the wire but one wheels is alreay off the deck and I flip overboard.
AndyH and me coming home