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#4491031 - 10/01/19 05:30 PM Re: BoB2 screenshots - the RAF campaign [Re: 33lima]  
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The two remaining stragglers have nearly reached the Channel coast. I don’t want to go too far out after them and happily, I catch up quickly with the hindmost Hun.

[Linked Image]

Anxious to get at least one of the remaining bombers before giving up, once again I break hard at the last minute, this time, upwards.

[Linked Image]

This results in another stall and spin out. By the time I’ve stopped the rotation, I’m going down nearly vertically, towards the town of Eastbourne, complete with a recognisably realistic representation of the layout of its railway station and yards.

[Linked Image]

By the time I’ve levelled off, the two Huns are well on their way home and I decide to call it quits. But today’s show is not over yet.

The skies are now clear; there’s not a Hun in sight, nor a friend, for that matter. And the R/T chatter has dried up. To get my bearings, I slide back the canopy and look down at the coastline. I recognise at once the prominent lighthouse at Beachy Head, with its red and white rings, and decide to amuse myself - and hopefully the virtual keepers - with a little flypast.

[Linked Image]

Out we go to sea first, fully throttled back as I spiral down, ignoring the warning horn that sounds in the Spit if you are under about a quarter throttle with the undercart up.

[Linked Image]

At a couple of hundred feet I level off, open her up a bit and take aim between the chalky-while cliffs and the lighthouse, on its little spit of sand. Tide must be out!

[Linked Image]

And through we go! I could have gone a little lower, but it would have been pretty stupid to have killed my virtual self by showing off.

[Linked Image]

Hopefully, I’m going too fast for the lighthouse keepers, if upset by my sudden appearance, to get a note of my markings.

[Linked Image]

I’m certainly well below the cliff tops, as I go past.

[Linked Image]

I pull up level with the landscape, where you can see that down low, BoB2’s flat-looking terrain is actually quite well-contoured.

[Linked Image]

Lighting effects like cloud and terrain shadows aren’t up to the standards of the likes of Cliffs of Dover, but I find BoB2’s bright greens and pale yellow-browns (I'm using a slightly brighter update by Boreas) correspond really well with the real-life appearance of the heaths and farmland of southern England in the summer sunshine. Outside of the main battle zone in 11 Group’s area, you do often get noticeable tile repetition, and there are some ‘painted on’ buildings, hedgerows and other features which don’t sprout 3d representations. But overall, I find BoB2’s terrain is still amongst the best, being a particularly good representation of the real battlefield – or the ground below it, anyway.

Anyhow, it’s time to go home. A check on the radio confirms the rest of the squadron is up ahead and somewhat inland. Rather than try to rejoin them or make the long-ish flight back to base alone, I quit and save. I like to get out while I’m ahead, and there’s been little enough opportunity to do that, these last few missions!

[Linked Image]

And to answer your question, Blade, my losses are about 530 with my claims under 400. However, the 'no fog of war' enemy info tab shows actual Hun losses nearing 600. Not a good rate of return, especially when you add in the damage to airfields and RDF stations.

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Last edited by 33lima; 10/01/19 05:35 PM.

SimHQ Battle of Britain II screenshots thread
CombatAce Mission Reports
"Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth." (attributed to Marcus Aurelius)

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#4491064 - 10/01/19 08:39 PM Re: BoB2 screenshots - the RAF campaign [Re: 33lima]  
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Some screenies from stock single missions, as a filler before the next campaign sortie...

Hurricane from 'Treble-one' attacking Dorniers flying west towards the Medway:

[Linked Image]

Al Deere in 'Kiwi' at the head of 54 Squadron...

[Linked Image]

...and in action against an evening raid on London on 9th September:

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

Attached Files shot_549.jpgshot_550.jpgshot_551.jpgshot_552.jpg
Last edited by 33lima; 10/01/19 08:43 PM.

SimHQ Battle of Britain II screenshots thread
CombatAce Mission Reports
"Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth." (attributed to Marcus Aurelius)

#4491318 - 10/03/19 07:09 PM Re: BoB2 screenshots - the RAF campaign [Re: 33lima]  
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...and there's an MHDOIF going for the LAST person to spot what's new here...

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

Attached Files shot_559.jpgshot_557.jpg
Last edited by 33lima; 10/03/19 07:10 PM.

SimHQ Battle of Britain II screenshots thread
CombatAce Mission Reports
"Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth." (attributed to Marcus Aurelius)

#4491341 - 10/03/19 11:08 PM Re: BoB2 screenshots - the RAF campaign [Re: 33lima]  
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That would be the 'Gun Tape' Sir! A nice little mod I take it?
Nice pics also 33lima.
Now, stop playing with WOTR and get back to work! The BOB waits for no man! biggrin

Get your fingers out chaps, here comes the CO.

S!Blade<><

Last edited by Blade_Meister; 10/03/19 11:14 PM.
#4491529 - 10/05/19 08:33 AM Re: BoB2 screenshots - the RAF campaign [Re: 33lima]  
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Yes that it's it Blade old bean! Boreas now has a mod available over on A2A that adds 8 or 6 red-doped gunport patches to BoB2's Spits, which - contrary to some posts online - were in use in squadrons, (f not at the factories which used something less visible) well before the BoB started.

The definitive version of the mod also incorporates fixes to the right rear fuselage/left lower rudder camo pattern, which Boreas quickly produced when I asked about the possibility of this being done.

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

I think the IFF Mk2 wires from fuselage to tailplane only appeared late in the Battle, by which time most Spits has swapped the TR9D HF radios for TR1133 VHF ones, which has the antenna inside the mast, no wire from mast to rudder, and dropped the little triangular pennant-like prong from the top rear of the mast (not on the BoB2 model), but interpretations still vary. The restorers of P9374 (who wanted to restore it to as near as they could to the exact condition it belly-landed on Calais beach on 24 May 1940) went as far as replacing a fuselage panel in the one they intended to use for the rebuild, because it had the little hole for the IFF aerial. And they even left off 92's GR squadron letters, because for unknown reasons they had been taken off this particular plane, which otherwise would have been GR-J...but I digress...

[Linked Image]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...auctioned-2-5million-fully-restored.html

The replacement PSU is sitting on my desk and unless it turns out it was really the mobo that was the source of my recent PC probs, I should be fully operational later today - including thanks to you with WotR and hopefully trying my hand at some work on skins.

Attached Files shot_561.jpgshot_562.jpg
Last edited by 33lima; 10/05/19 09:02 AM.

SimHQ Battle of Britain II screenshots thread
CombatAce Mission Reports
"Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth." (attributed to Marcus Aurelius)

#4491610 - 10/05/19 09:18 PM Re: BoB2 screenshots - the RAF campaign [Re: 33lima]  
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Great stuff as allways Lima


They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
#4491769 - 10/06/19 10:42 PM Re: BoB2 screenshots - the RAF campaign [Re: 33lima]  
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Thanks mate! Didn't manage any stick time with BoB2 this weekend, so pending the next mission report, here's another pic of Al Deere in the 9th September 'historic' mission.

[Linked Image]

And another of Boreas' gunport cover mod, also with his camo pattern fix (on this side, the Dark Earth lower rudder, which is Dark Green on stock BDG 2.13).

[Linked Image]

Attached Files shot_554.jpgshot_558.jpg
Last edited by 33lima; 10/06/19 10:44 PM.

SimHQ Battle of Britain II screenshots thread
CombatAce Mission Reports
"Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth." (attributed to Marcus Aurelius)

#4492743 - 10/13/19 04:21 PM Re: BoB2 screenshots - the RAF campaign [Re: 33lima]  
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The last of the morning raids slides back to the south-east and France. For a while, the map in the Ops Room is bare of activity. But soon after mid-day, they're back. The plots show nearly four hundred enemy aircraft are storming north-west across the Channel, headed for the southern reaches of London. With 11 Group on its knees, I wonder what on earth I'm supposed to do with this lot.

[Linked Image]

I order extra squadrons scrambled but soon run out of available aircraft, which, ominously, has never happened before. However, my standing orders havealready put up a pair of squadrons from 12 Group to patrol 11 Group's airfield. The best I can do now is to re-vector them to intercept the leading raid, Hostile 201, estimated at a hundred plus, coming in at 16,000 feet.

As it happens, my two squadrons have scores to settle with the Huns - 303 (Polish) and 310 (Czech).

The Czechs are first to spot the raid and I accept the offer to fly with them, leading Green Section as usual. Right in front of us and a little higher up is a mass of bombers with clouds of fighters above and ahead of them. What hope have we against this lot? In the excitment, I've no time to look around for 303.

[Linked Image]

Before I can report the sighting, an AI pilot does so and the boss orders us to get stuck in. I edge Green Section further out to the right to give us a bit of elbow room.

[Linked Image]

I'm aim for the nearest group of bombers, which I recognise as Dorniers as we rapidly close the range. From the corner of my eye, I see one group of escorts beginning to break formation, reacting to our sudden onrush. I'll reckon I'll have time for a near head-on attack on the bombers before the 109s can stop me. After that, we'll have to play it by ear.

[Linked Image]

The Section is still with me as we close the last few hundred yards to the Huns. This is Green 3, in NN-E, with me just ahead and right in NN-R. Both out kites proudly display the Czech insigina next to our cockpits.

[Linked Image]

In we go! I'm aiming at the Hun on the outside of this group, out of shot to the left.

[Linked Image]

My first burst lashes out towards him. I have only a split second to aim and fire, and break away with no idea if I hit the Dornier or not.

[Linked Image]

Notions of coming around for another crack from astern are quickly abandoned when I see a 109 attacking another Hurricane. I bank left and try to get there in time. Meanwhile Green 3 is rather needlessly cluttering the airwaves to report he's got some hits.

[Linked Image]

I open up at long range in an effort to scare off the 109, and am as surprised as the Hun when I see the flash of some hits. But I'm too late, for the Hurricane goes into an ever-steeper dive until he's going straight down, traling a banner of grey smoke.

[Linked Image]

I chase the 109 left and right about the sky for a while but when I land some more hits, he rolls inverted and goes down. I lose sight of him and rather than following, keep my height, turning to clear my tail and check my surroundings.

There's a couple of vapour trails over to my right, which could be another chase, but long before I can get close enough to make out what's going on, both aircraft dive away.

[Linked Image]

Somebody reports low fuel, while someone else is calling for help from somewhere out of sight. A glance at my own fuel gauge shows that if I'm going to do anything useful on this flight, it'll need to be soon.

[Linked Image]

...to be continued!

Attached Files 18 Aug lunchtime.jpgshot_566.jpgshot_568.jpgshot_570.jpgshot_571.jpgshot_572.jpgshot_573.jpgshot_574.jpgshot_575.jpgshot_576.jpgshot_577.jpg
Last edited by 33lima; 10/13/19 04:31 PM.

SimHQ Battle of Britain II screenshots thread
CombatAce Mission Reports
"Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth." (attributed to Marcus Aurelius)

#4492762 - 10/13/19 05:43 PM Re: BoB2 screenshots - the RAF campaign [Re: 33lima]  
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The raid we attacked seems to have disappeared into thin air, or perhaps behind the clouds. I should probably ask the boss for a location and rejoined, but my attention is distracted when I catch sight of a single aicraft off to my lower left. He's just a speck but clear against the clouds, and flying south - a Hun, most likely.

[Linked Image]

I chase him for a while but he's going like the clappers. Even with a small height advantage, I can't get close enough to identify him, let alone shoot him down. However, he does lead me towards another small bunch of aircraft over on the right, which are milling about as if in a dogfight. Before I get close, one then another drops away and in a few seconds, the sky is clear again.

[Linked Image]

But not for long. A terrific Ack Ack barrage starts to my left, tracking a target moving fast on a slowly converging course.

[Linked Image]

I seriously suspect that he's a 109 homeward bound, possibly the same fellow I was chasing earlier. He starts a gentle right turn across my nose, giving me an opportunity to cut the corner.

[Linked Image]

No chance! He's still to fast for me. But once again, he leads me towards a group of other aircraft. A big group. Flying diagonally towards me, left to right. A different raid, and escorted to boot. I turn hesitantly towards them, knowing I should do something, but not sure what.

[Linked Image]

My decision-making dilemma is suddenly resolved then I hear the whine of a Daimler-Benz engine and a 109 flashes across my windscreen, just yards away. Happens much too fast for me to open fire. He may have been going for me, but was put off by my turn towards the bombers.

[Linked Image]

I pull up and around him in a big barrel roll, keeping him in sight. More through accident than design, this pushes him out in front and I'm onto him at once.

[Linked Image]

But not for long. I get some hits and he rolls over and go down. Just as I'm about to roll after him, with the boss babbling something about safety catches in my ear, I suddenly run smack into another big raid, which is wheeling across my front in an impressive display of brute force. Junkers 88s obviously, with a big 109 escort. I don't fool myself that they have turned away at the sight of a lone Hurricane.

[Linked Image]

This is going to be interesting!

...to be continued!

Attached Files shot_578.jpgshot_580.jpgshot_581.jpgshot_582.jpgshot_583.jpgshot_584.jpgshot_585.jpgshot_587.jpg
Last edited by 33lima; 10/13/19 05:53 PM.

SimHQ Battle of Britain II screenshots thread
CombatAce Mission Reports
"Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth." (attributed to Marcus Aurelius)

#4492779 - 10/13/19 09:00 PM Re: BoB2 screenshots - the RAF campaign [Re: 33lima]  
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The 88s turn across my front, while the 109s sail overhead. Without much in the way of conscious thought, I find myself banking right, to go for the bombers.

[Linked Image]

I pick my target and let him have it, closing in tight. The bomber banks right out of formation, shedding pieces. But suddenly, there's a bang and my left wingtip is gone.

[Linked Image]

What caused it, I'm not sure. My first reaction is that an escort must have caught me napping (again). But there's no sign of him. Return fire? Didn't notice that either. Could I have flown into some debris from the Hun? Possibly.

At any rate, I'm all too aware of the fatal effect on my aeroplane. Which is now giving a passable impression of a streamlined brick. I can't control her at all, so back comes the throttle, and back goes the cockpit canopy.

[Linked Image]

Time to hit the silk!

[Linked Image]

Just to rub it in, it looks like the Junkers might actually make it home!

[Linked Image]

But there's worse to come - of silk, there is none to be seen!

[Linked Image]

Not a good start to this afternoon's operations!

Attached Files shot_588.jpgshot_589.jpgshot_590.jpgshot_592.jpgshot_591.jpgshot_593.jpg
Last edited by 33lima; 10/13/19 09:05 PM.

SimHQ Battle of Britain II screenshots thread
CombatAce Mission Reports
"Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth." (attributed to Marcus Aurelius)

#4495685 - 11/02/19 10:42 AM Re: BoB2 screenshots - the RAF campaign [Re: 33lima]  
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Back at the Ops Room after a bit of a break, it's still lunchtime on August 18th and I accept a final offer to fly against the waves of raids that are battering our crumbling defences. This time I'm back in a Spitfire, flying with 65 Squadron (with which I've just started a campaign and set of mission reports, in Wings over the Reich). Here I am, flying as usual as Green 1, with Green 3 to my left. We're flying roughly south now, just below London, having come over from Middle Wallop in 10 Group to the west.

[Linked Image]

And there, up ahead. is the Hun raid we've been sent here to deal with. Three groups of bombers, with fighters above and ahead of them. I'm vaguely conscious of other groups of aircraft left and right, which may or may not be other RAF squadrons. But clearly, we alone are the defence, for now. From the Ops Room, I was acutely aware that we're at full stretch, having run out of additional squadrons to throw against the enemy. Next opportunity I get, I'm going to have to look at bringing re-inforcements down from 13 Group to the north, if the campaign AI doesn't do it for me.

[Linked Image]

I call in the Bandits on the R/T. Red Leader acknowledges and starts his patter. This time, his orders are that we select our own targets; more often, we in 'B' Flight are told to go for the fighters, but not today.

Selecting a target is easier said than done. For one thing, there's an awful lot to choose from; for another, they are still above us, close and coming on fast.

[Linked Image]

The raid's escorts react quickly. The ones ahead of the raid come to meet us, but I don't notice this because my attention is focused on the 109s above, which are doing a sort of wheeling manoeuvre. I'm watch them warily, expecting them to start dropping on us. But a flurry of calls on the R/T makes it clear that a battle with other escorts has already been joined.

[Linked Image]

Looking around, there's a lot of cloud at our level and I can see no sign of anyone except the 109s above, whom I'm now chasing. They obviously have plans of their own and are rapidly disappearing into the milky whiteness of a cloud bank.

[Linked Image]

I give up chasing them and instead turn left to cut off a single aircraft which I see slipping away in that direction. I think he's a bomber, but it's hard to tell, in the murk.

[Linked Image]

Sure enough, it's a Dornier, but by the time I can see him clearly, I'm almost on top of him. I break left and away as we pop out briefly into a patch of clearer sky, glad to escape being hit as I do so.

[Linked Image]

Here we go again! The Hun keeps flitting into and out of thin cloud, but holds a steady course...

[Linked Image]

...and this time I'm able to line him up for an attack from below and behind.

[Linked Image]

A few good bursts and the crew are taking their leave. He must already have been damaged, to have left the safety of his formation. But a kill's a kill.

[Linked Image]

Now then, time to work out where everyone else has disappeared off to!

...to be continued!

Attached Files shot_570.jpgshot_571.jpgshot_572.jpgshot_573.jpgshot_574.jpgshot_575.jpgshot_576.jpgshot_577.jpgshot_578.jpgshot_580.jpg
Last edited by 33lima; 11/02/19 10:51 AM.

SimHQ Battle of Britain II screenshots thread
CombatAce Mission Reports
"Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth." (attributed to Marcus Aurelius)

#4495691 - 11/02/19 11:29 AM Re: BoB2 screenshots - the RAF campaign [Re: 33lima]  
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My sense of guilt at leaving the boys to shift for themselves is only increased when I hear the boss calling the squadron to reform and realise I've completely missed their party. For now, all I can see are Huns, two raids one roughly behind the other, streaming contrails as they roll on remorselessly.

[Linked Image]

In response to my request, the boss tells me they are a few miles to my west, heading back to Middle Wallop, most likely. I'm going in the opposite direction and turn around, after them. I can see what looks like an RAF fighter formation out to the west, just visible beyond my upturned wing in the pic below...

[Linked Image]

...but they don't seem to be missing an aircraft. Getting closer, I can see that they're Hurricanes...

[Linked Image]

...so I break off and continue to search visually to the west. I'm reluctant to show myself up by repeatedly asking them where they've got to.

[Linked Image]

Suddenly, I realise that I'm not alone amongst the clouds. A big mob of Huns is heading south for home. This could be the same raid we met earlier. It has three groups of bombers (one with an empty slot, which could be my victim). And fighters sweeping ahead and above.

[Linked Image]

After a moment's hesitation, I give in to temptation and at full throttle, come up and around, after them. Ignoring calls from my distant comrades to rejoin them.

[Linked Image]

Soon, I'm sailing along behind the right-hand group of bombers. Above, there must be about thirty 109s. I'm for the high jump if that lot decides to do something about me. But hopefully the last thing they're prepared for at this point is a single Spitfire sneaking up on them. We'll soon find out!

[Linked Image]

I tear into the right-hand rear bomber, determined to get him in the single pass which is all I'm going to risk.

[Linked Image]

Got him! The Dornier falls away to the right, in flames!

[Linked Image]

I don't wait to see what reaction this gets, but roll over into a steep power dive, changing my heading as I rush earthwards amidst the clouds.

[Linked Image]

Nobody seems to have come after me, so I throttle back and begin to level out. Looks like I've got away with it!

[Linked Image]

No such luck for my victim, who has clearly had it.

[Linked Image]

Not a bad day's work. At least I'll have something to show for my efforts, when explaining my absence to the others!

Attached Files shot_581.jpgshot_584.jpgshot_585.jpgshot_586.jpgshot_587.jpgshot_589.jpgshot_590.jpgshot_591.jpgshot_592.jpgshot_593.jpgshot_594.jpgshot_595.jpg

SimHQ Battle of Britain II screenshots thread
CombatAce Mission Reports
"Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth." (attributed to Marcus Aurelius)

#4495803 - 11/03/19 04:04 AM Re: BoB2 screenshots - the RAF campaign [Re: 33lima]  
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A nice run 33lima. The boys will be proud of you even though they were concerned for your absence.

S!Blade<><

#4496379 - 11/07/19 07:46 PM Re: BoB2 screenshots - the RAF campaign [Re: 33lima]  
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Evening is approaching and the raids are coming thick and fast. The airfields of 11 Group are being pummelled relentlessly, disabled one by one. I can put up only limited opposition. My next opportunity to fly is with 603 Squadron, sent down with a Hurricane outfit to patrol Biggin Hill. The paired squadrons are in the air in time to be diverted to intercept a large raid crossing the Thames Estuary, possibly headed up the Estuary to Northolt, one of the few 11 Group bases still operational.

If you hesitate while considering an offer to fly, you are liable to start as the action is being joined, and in this case I find myself on my back as we roll in after the raid.

[Linked Image]

I go straight for the nearest target, specifically a Heinkel on the fringes of the formation, and manage to do him some harm.

[Linked Image]

I break up and away, having taken some hits in return.

[Linked Image]

Coming around again, the raid is ploughing on, with some escorts above. In between, there are fighters milling about.

[Linked Image]

I join some Spits which look to be forming up for a pass at the bombers...

[Linked Image]

...but we are headed off by a swarm of 109s, and a free-for-all quickly develops.

[Linked Image]

I pull up and around after the nearest Messerschmitt. The raid streams remorselessly on towards London, but there is nothing I can do about that now.

[Linked Image]

I get some hits on the 109 and he goes down, with me hard on his heels.

[Linked Image]

He pulls up again and I stick with him. Just when I think I have him, my guns stop working. Why, I have no idea. I can't possibly be out of ammunition. But I'm forced to watch the Hun get away.

[Linked Image]

Shortly afterwards, the boss orders us to pack up and go home. I'm only too glad to oblige...more or less.

[Linked Image]

Not everybody is going home, though, An aircraft explodes and disintegrates over to my right. A fighter by the look of it, ours or theirs it's impossible to say. A 'chute is falling away below it, so perhaps the occupant had a lucky escape.

[Linked Image]

There are planes milling about in various directions and in frustration I chase a group, whose tail end Charlies look Hunnish.

[Linked Image]

But after they disappear into the clouds, I realise how silly I'm being and make a diving turn to get away. Coming out of cloud, I see an airfield below, which from its location north of the Estuary and appearance, I think is probably Hornchurch.

[Linked Image]

So that's where I end up, after tootling around for a while to make sure I'm not being followed.

[Linked Image]

It hasn't been a good day, and I'll be glad when it's over. Eleven Group is about finished, and it looks like we're in sore need of a miracle

Attached Files shot_569.jpgshot_571.jpgshot_570.jpgshot_572.jpgshot_573.jpgshot_574.jpgshot_575.jpgshot_576.jpgshot_577.jpgshot_578.jpgshot_579.jpgshot_580.jpgshot_581.jpgshot_582.jpg
Last edited by 33lima; 11/07/19 07:57 PM.

SimHQ Battle of Britain II screenshots thread
CombatAce Mission Reports
"Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth." (attributed to Marcus Aurelius)

#4496384 - 11/07/19 08:26 PM Re: BoB2 screenshots - the RAF campaign [Re: 33lima]  
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Fred901 Offline
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Fred901  Offline
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 6
Hi 33lima,

This airfield is not hornchurch but rochford near Southend-on-sea.

#4496408 - 11/07/19 11:27 PM Re: BoB2 screenshots - the RAF campaign [Re: 33lima]  
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33lima Offline
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33lima  Offline
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Posts: 2,712
Belfast, NI
Quite right, too far east to be Hornchurch, well spotted.

Next hop, a little later on that afternoon, is with 79 Squadron, whose Hurricanes are intercepting a raid south of London, possible target Croydon

[Linked Image]

The boss spots the Huns and calls them in, warning of fighters.

[Linked Image]

I lead Green Section anxiously left, to counter a move by what looks like the aforementioned escorts, who are wheeling around as if to head us off. However, I soon realise they are actually bombers, turning away from, not towards, us. It looks like we are too late to save Croydon from being bombed.

[Linked Image]

It's probably situations like this that led over-eager defenders to report bombers turning away when threatened. Which rarely happened in reality, it seems.

Be that as it may, we take up the chase. In our enthusiasm, we seem to have got a bit ahead of the rest of the squadron.

[Linked Image]

At this point, I'm distracted by a group of aircraft crossing my nose from right to left, contrailing as they go. Hun fighters? After a moment's hesitation, I turn after them.

[Linked Image]

But they turn out to be a squadron of Spitfires, less one of their number. Heading home they must be; they're certainly showing no interest in the Huns. I suppose I was lucky to catch them up, flying a Hurricane! And they were lucky I didn't mistake them from 109s, from astern.

[Linked Image]

Feeling rather sheepish and glad to find that Green 2 and 3 haven't followed me, I turn back after the raid, which now looks rather a long way off.

[Linked Image]

to be continued!

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Last edited by 33lima; 11/07/19 11:32 PM.

SimHQ Battle of Britain II screenshots thread
CombatAce Mission Reports
"Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth." (attributed to Marcus Aurelius)

#4496465 - 11/08/19 12:07 PM Re: BoB2 screenshots - the RAF campaign [Re: 33lima]  
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,712
33lima Offline
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33lima  Offline
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,712
Belfast, NI
I race after the raid, feeling rather lonely but determined to do some shooting, on my own if necessary.

[Linked Image]

The R/T has been quiet for a while - I recall the boss ordering the squadron to reform, then somebody reporting low fuel. A check of my own reveals I'm getting low too, but far from desperately so. And looking right, I can see that I'm not entirely alone. Two other groups of aircraft appear to be chasing the Huns, a larger one slightly ahead of me and a smaller group off my wingtip.

[Linked Image]

I push down the nose a little to gain speed, and begin to pull ahead of the smaller group, which looks like a vic of three, so can't be the rest of my own Green Section.

[Linked Image]

Up ahead, the raid is slowly getting closer - very slowly. I can see now that there's three groups of bombers, with no sign of escorts. Which is good news, except that these bombers seem very fast. Junkers 88s free of their bombs, I begin to suspect.

[Linked Image]

The larger group of pursuing fighters gives up the chase, and slowly fades in to the low sun astern.

[Linked Image]

But I can see in the mirror that the smaller group is still in pursuit.

[Linked Image]

Painfully slowly, I creep closer to the raid. The third group of bombers, in the lead, is partly visible just below my starboard wing, in the pic below.

[Linked Image]

By this time, we've reached the South coast. I think Beachy Head is somewhere directly below. I've come to hate fighting over the water, but there's no point worrying about that now.

[Linked Image]

I slide slowly out to the right of the Huns, intending to tackle the right hand marker on that side.

[Linked Image]

Creeping into range, I start lashing out with short bursts, trying to land some hits before the return fire gets going.

[Linked Image]

Boring on in, I keep shooting. Fragments and sparks fly from the Junkers as smoke streams back from him, blocking my view.

[Linked Image]

Up and away I go! I brace for the hits from the big formation's gunners, but none come.

[Linked Image]

At first I think my bomber is still in formation, then I see he's not. I don't see him go into the drink, but I'm pretty certain that's where he's headed.

[Linked Image]

Time for another go!

to be continued!

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Last edited by 33lima; 11/08/19 12:17 PM.

SimHQ Battle of Britain II screenshots thread
CombatAce Mission Reports
"Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth." (attributed to Marcus Aurelius)

#4496493 - 11/08/19 02:32 PM Re: BoB2 screenshots - the RAF campaign [Re: 33lima]  
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,712
33lima Offline
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33lima  Offline
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,712
Belfast, NI
The skies seem clear - apart from me and about thirty Hun bombers. Well, twenty-nine, now. Let's see if we can make it twenty-eight.

[Linked Image]

I take the one next to my original victim. There's a satisfying display of smoke and sparks as my rounds crash into him.

[Linked Image]

And down he goes, blazing merrily, with the crew wisely getting out of it.

[Linked Image]

This time, though, the Hun gunners are on the qui vive and my break takes me into a rather vicious crossfire. Hits clunk noisily on my airframe and I turn hard for home, to assess the damage before contemplating coming back for another pass.

[Linked Image]

My engine note is no longer steady and the revs are surging up and down a bit. I'm leaving a wide trail of grey smoke, as if I needed any further evidence of my engine damage. So there'll be no more passes, not today. Time to go home!

[Linked Image]

As I head back north, I pass a pair of Hurricanes chasing after the Huns. Just two, not the vic of three I saw earlier. They could be Green 2 and 3, very possibly.

[Linked Image]

I let them get on with it. I've got troubles enough of my own.

[Linked Image]

My kite's been holed on both sides, and while she's answering to the controls, she's losing power and with it, height. Do I have enough of the latter to get back to dry land? I'll know soon enough!

[Linked Image]

...to be continued!

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Last edited by 33lima; 11/08/19 04:49 PM.

SimHQ Battle of Britain II screenshots thread
CombatAce Mission Reports
"Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth." (attributed to Marcus Aurelius)

#4496515 - 11/08/19 04:32 PM Re: BoB2 screenshots - the RAF campaign [Re: 33lima]  
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,712
33lima Offline
Senior Member
33lima  Offline
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,712
Belfast, NI
A look at the instruments confirms the rate of my height loss, that fuel is becoming critical, and that while water temperature is fine, that for oil is not. Although the latter might be a faulty gauge, as it was similar, earlier in the flight).

[Linked Image]

I ease back on the fading power a bit and turn gently in the direction of the nearest visible land. At the same time I try to find a decent balance between forward and vertical speed, with the power I do have.

[Linked Image]

After a while, I begin to feel confident I can cover the distance - it's not a short hop but I've my rate of descent isn't too bad, set against the altitude I've got left.

[Linked Image]

Nearing the coast, I lose sight of land as I run into banks of clouds. This leaves me flying on instruments for a short while...

[Linked Image]

...until I break out into clearer skies below and on the other side. I make a gentle left turn until I'm headed west, towards our base at Warmwell in 10 Group territory.

[Linked Image]

It's a long way off though, and I'm now too low to have any hope of making it. A check with the Controller tells me the nearest airfield is about twenty-odd miles away in very nearly the same direction. So that's where I'm going to try to get down. Or try to.

Now that I'm over the land, my height loss has become all the more alarmingly apparent. I slip past the port of Newhaven...

[Linked Image]

...then Brighton slides by to my left...

[Linked Image]

At that point I remember there's an airfield on the other side of the river just beyond Brighton. I rack my brains for its name. In fact, it's what is now Brighton Airport, called Shoreham in 1940. Its hangars come onto view on my left, and I decide that regardless of wind direction, I'm going to avoid turns for now and just swing onto a roughly north-to-south approach as I draw level with the grass field.

[Linked Image]

At this point, things begin to go wrong. I'm not far above the maximum safe speed to drop my undercart, so that's soon reached, but nothing happens when I try. The emergency system does the trick, but now the flaps won't go down. All the while I'm running out of time, space and height, and still going rather fast. Too late to do anything but flare, chop the throttle, put her down and hope for the best. I've no time to admire the inter-war Art Deco terminal building, now war-camouflaged like the hangars on either side.

[Linked Image]

I make one alarmingly-high bounce, somehow avoid a somersault, make a smaller bounce on the second touch-down, and then roll along the grass. The next shock is that my brakes aren't working. I pull hard back on the stick again, to increase drag on the tail wheel, but am soon sliding across the perimeter tracks.

[Linked Image]

Finally, I roll to a near stop and start a wide, slow turn across a cornfield and back to the hangars, under the bemused gaze of some local sheep.

[Linked Image]

Hopefully the airfield's human occupants are all either looking the other way, or have closed their eyes while waiting for the sound of the crash. Glad to be able to disappoint any such, I slowly and gingerly taxi towards the sheds.

[Linked Image]

As sorties go, it could have been worse!

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Last edited by 33lima; 11/08/19 04:48 PM.

SimHQ Battle of Britain II screenshots thread
CombatAce Mission Reports
"Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth." (attributed to Marcus Aurelius)

#4496626 - 11/09/19 01:56 PM Re: BoB2 screenshots - the RAF campaign [Re: 33lima]  
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2,079
Blade_Meister Offline
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Blade_Meister  Offline
Member

Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2,079
Atlanta, GA, USA
Nice series of missions 33lima. You are getting me inspired to to get back in the saddle and make a final push to position mine to a first Episode posting. Maybe by Christmas??? hahaha

S!Blade<><

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