Based on Strikefighters 2 Europe jun 2010 and DLC on Australian/ NZ skyhawk released 25th June.

Its 2 days after ANZAC day, 1979 and HMAS Melbourne was moored in Portmouth, UK as part of a goodwill tour when war broke out in Europe. Immediately , through our treaty obligations, we were asked whether we could help. The Melboune was not ready to fight a sea war so it was decided that our Skyhawk squadron would be deployed to germany to support. By the time we arrived in germany, losses had been great on all sides and as we were able to fullfill strike as well as escort roles, our first mission was to fly air cover for a B52 strike on a russian airfield. We realised how desperate things were when we were tasked for such a critical mission protecting such valuable assets and that the americans would use these giants on such a mission. Our worry was we were both outgunned and slower than the russian and her allies airforce. So the mission planners threw the whole available squadron at the mission.

This would be the first time in action since vietnam and the boys were nervous.



ready to go




take off




forming up






We met two groups of 4 B52's , the first group was set ahead of us at 30,000 feet, the second behind us at 25,000 feet

The strike was against a key Soviet Bloc forward airfield and was timed such that the airborne air defences would be drawn away by stikes further north. Unfortunately like all good plans, the enemy did not play along and a reserve squadron of fishbeds scrambled, luckily they could only get the first group off the ground in time.

We scrapped as best as we could, but 1 burned through our defenses and took out a B52.

The other 7 B52's hit the airfield in 2 strikes and here are bomb bursts across the airfield.



We were pretty down on the flight back as we had lost a B52 and had not taken out a ruskie but just driven them away.

Our spirits lifted later when we received a call that the raid had closed the airfield causing significant damage and then we received a call from the Yank squadron both thanking us, and letting us know that they saw at least 4 shutes from the striken bomber.
Time for a good german beer.

Footnote - whilst strikefighters series may not have the advanced graphics of other flight sims, the sense of air combat, and TK's attention to details and "facts" is what gives me such enjoyment. See for yourself, photo from the HMAS Melbourne circa 1979

Nice little AAR Digger

Nice AAR Digger

Day 2 of our deployment, afternoon

I and my wingman get called into the briefing room. It now appears that the b52s scored hits only to the taxiways which the russians have repaired overnight and expect to be fully operational tomorrow. We have been tasked as a 2 ship strike to hit the main runway at low level. we will have top cover from 4 US Phantoms so this is what we are best at , hit the enemy hard with air supremacy support.

I leave the room confident and a little nervous at the same time as our squadron is now in the spotlight.



outbound with a gift for Ivan




merging with the "hired help"



close up of the lads



Some 20 miles to target ( or 32 kilometers for the sophisticated ), we get a radio call both from an AWACS and the phantoms , that a 4 ship group of Ivans is trying to bounce us. We release our drop tanks, whilst the phantoms put their foot to the floor and surge ahead, and with a salvo of missiles I see1 then 2 then 3 then 4 hits, boy i'm glad they are on our side, someone will become an ace today.

As the phantoms swing around, we turn toward the airfield and take a direct line in, straight down the runway. There is AAA comin up but not as much flack as I thought , the B52's yesterday must have churned them up good.

We both hit the main runway with multiple hits and as I have 2 bombs left, make the call with the little AAA, that i'll make another pass as the main buildings remain unhit. Maybe theres someone important in there. I miss the control tower but take the 2 buildings out next to it. Wow , seconday explosions so thats spiced it up a bit.

We turn for home and chalk up a great result for the team.
Aussies doing our little bit to the effort.

.

wingman dropping tank, as news of the threat reaches us



Phantoms storm off for a punch up



thats a kill and a worry off our back



target ahead



thats a hit, pulling off target



We catch some news when we are back at base. To the north the British and Scandinadian forces, whilst driven back are using old Monty's layered defense and kill the enemy, not worry about real estate unless its strategic.

In the centre, the German and US forces and other NATO forces, whilst hurting are giving as good as they get. This is where the soviets are throwing their mass, division after division as they know its a race for time before the convoys arrive with materiel from stateside. They need to split the forces, its like a re-run of the battle of the bulge but fought in Germany.

Whoever controls the skies and sealanes in the next 3-5 days will decide the outcome, we know we will be busy and looking around the room we all wonder who wont be here in 6 days time

Good to see the Scooter in action over terrain other than Vietnam and Middle East.

mission 3

As described with the news from our previous mission, below is a map of the front, as you can see the bulge is expanding. We have been redeployed north with a shared airfield with RAF Lightnings ( we assume they are using them for high altitude russian bomber interception) and more to our liking a french airforce mirage squadron. Over breakfast, an english speaking pilot, forgot his name shared with us the loss of his squad. leader which had shook up the lads.

They were on a fighter sweep and were jumped by migs just after a brace of SAM S2's were fired at them. He doent know what hit the SL, one minute he was there, next a flaming ball crashing to earth. He then had to fight his way out against 4 migs, fired 2 out of 3 of his missiles but no hits. Still made it back alive but we are all wondering how we can keep up the fight with this level of losses




situation board, you can see the large bulge developing




our french and brit friends at base




The French SL and his wingman outbound on the fighter sweep, note the different markings, they hadnt had time to integrate their squad. markings in the rush to the front


SAM launch!!!!!!!!! Seconds before the loss of the SL


death of the SL



The wingman tries to fight back but both missiles miss as tight shots




the dogfight, face of the enemy, jinxing away at bingo fuel


Now for our mission. The briefing map shows a slight bulge on the northern front and the british troops are going to counterattack at the the north end of the bulge. We have been tasked with close air support and we kitted up with both rockets and cluster munitions.

The run north was uneventful, we arrived over target with a tank brawl underway and found a russian tank platoon exposed without anti air or air support. it was a "dingo shoot" and after 2 passes, first with the cluster munitions, themn with rockets we took the russians apart. As we pulled off target, we could see the british armor advancing.

No sign of the russian airforce and we wondered whether the meat grinder in the middle of the front has taken their eye off the ball.

So 3 missions and no losses yet in the squadron. How much longer we wonder.



outbound



off target, first pass




off target second pass

Footnote: This AAR includes the new DLC of the Mirage. Having "died" as I flew the SL plane, I watched using the F6 key the dogfight between the other Miage and the Migs. It was the most entralling experience I have seen in a fight sim, with all planes looking like they were being flown by real pilots, and you could see the difficulties in that era of getting a kill.

These are very cool AARs!

Great stuff! Could we possibly get some cockpit shots?

cockpits for you enigma




A4G







french mirage

I so want to play this. Does this still have the pop up issue where buildings pop up 2 clicks away so if you're flying above 400 knots you have no chance to adjust?