Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate This Thread
Hop To
Page 19 of 26 1 2 17 18 19 20 21 25 26
#4503807 - 01/14/20 10:34 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
Thanks Fred!

It's now 20th August and somehow, Fighter Command has got through another hard day. In the critical south-eastern area, 11 Group is pretty well smashed, unless and until its battered airfields can be repaired and aircraft strength built up again. The whole burden of the defence now rests on the relatively smaller forces of 12 Group to the north and 10 Group to the west. The airfields of these Groups have become the main focus of the Luftwaffe's efforts, with raids ranging far and wide. Often they are un-intercepted, as I try to concentrate what squadrons I have on selected raids.

The first contact with one of this morning's many raids is made by 'B' Flight, No. 3 Squadron. I drop into QO-L, the Hurricane flown by the leader of its second 3-plane section.

[Linked Image]

The raid we've have come here to greet, just south of London, is ahead and still above us, closing diagonally from left to right. There's about thirty bombers, with as many escorts in two groups above them. The nearest bunch of escorts has already started loosening formation, indicating they are alert and reacting to our approach. Anyhow, the boss orders us to get stuck into them, so onwards and upwards it is.

[Linked Image]

The Hun fighters aren't diving straight down at us. Wisely, they seem to be keeping their height and manoeuvring for position, which they have plenty of time to do.

[Linked Image]

Below us is the distinctive presence of the airfield at Kenley. The base looks relatively undamaged apart from a scattering of visible bomb craters, but I know that it is currently out of action. At any rate, the raid is headed somewhere off to the west, probably going for one of 10 Group's airfields.

[Linked Image]

I pull up in anticipation of a tussle with the higher Hun fighters, leaving the other five Hurricanes climbing more slowly and lagging behind a little. I don't notice the lone Hurricane with the standard black spinner; it looks like our white-spinnered squadron is not entirely on its own in this little enterprise of martial kind.

[Linked Image]

I curve around after the raid, momentarily and dangerously losing sight of the manoeuvring escorts. The sudden warning over the R/T, directed at Blue 1 by Blue 3, tells me the Huns haven't lost sight of us.

[Linked Image]

I tighten up my gentle right-hand turn and look for the developing air battle. It's rather hard to find, considering that there's likely about twenty aircraft involved and they can't be that far off. There's a handful of aircraft milling about some distance away, further right, but they start going down long before I can get anywhere near them. I'm in no hurry to lose precious height investigating further.

[Linked Image]

Always conscious that it's the one you don't see that gets you, I keep changing course while I look around. There's quite a lot to see, like clouds of Ack Ack fire off to the north-west of London and some aircraft here and there, but it's all a long way off.

[Linked Image]

I'm not too bothered if the fight has gone low, but I am a bit worried about those fading Ack Ack bursts up above.

[Linked Image]

The gunners are tracking a target that's flying roughly east down the line of the Thames. I can't see what they're shooting at, so it's possibly an individual aircraft, a solo fighter being more likely in the circumstances.

[Linked Image]

Suddenly there's another, closer outbreak of Ack Ack bursts, lower down on the opposite side. They're tracking a small group of fast-moving aircraft that's going the other way and is now behind me. Three of them, 109s probably.

[Linked Image]

I really should ask the others where they've got to and re-join them, but they're clearly some way off. Three seemingly-unsuspecting 109s close at hand seems worth having a pop at, first. So after them I go.

I start to have second thoughts when I notice there's actually now four of them and they're closing in behind another group of similar fighters.

[Linked Image]

Maybe this isn't such a good idea.

...to be continued!

Attached Files shot_696.jpgshot_698.jpgshot_699.jpgshot_700.jpgshot_701.jpgshot_702.jpgshot_703.jpgshot_705.jpgshot_706.jpgshot_711.jpgshot_708.jpgshot_713.jpg
Last edited by 33lima; 01/14/20 10:56 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)

Inline advert (2nd and 3rd post)

#4503904 - 01/15/20 11:09 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
Before I can change my mind, the 109s begin a turn to the right. It’s now a bit late to run for it, so I fly on, like a rabbit caught in the headlights.

The Huns level out, heading back in my direction, but do not drop down. I’m now underneath their noses and sense they haven’t seen me, or at least, aren’t interested. It’s still a bit unsettling, though.

[Linked Image]

The 109s slip behind and change course again, but still heading away. The Ack Ack boys are banging away, but their rounds seem to be bursting between me and the Huns. At any rate, it looks like I’ve had a narrow escape!

[Linked Image]

Up ahead is a large raid flying in roughly the same direction, maybe thirty bombers with two groups of escorts slightly below. The Ack Ack directed at them is bursting rather low.

[Linked Image]

Frustrated at my inability to earn my crust so far, I go for the low escorts on the right of the raid. They aren’t weaving, just holding position. I catch them up quite quickly, glancing in the mirror at intervals to check that someone else isn’t sneaking up on me. Ahead of these Huns is yet another raid, with the escorts above, this time. There’s no sign of any friends, just enemies. Lots of them. I must be off my rocker, trying to sneak up on this bunch. It's not as if I'm Albert Ball and this is 1916.

[Linked Image]

The tension mounts as I gain steadily on the Huns.

[Linked Image]

Finally the 109s I'm going after come into range and I start shooting, getting hits right away on my unsuspecting target.

[Linked Image]

I keep up my speed and basically blast my way through the 109s on the right of the bunch. They scatter wildly, some going left…

[Linked Image]

…and others going right. I haven’t shot down anyone, I’m sure, but I’ve hit at least one and shaken up a few more. This is more like it, and actually quite fun!

[Linked Image]

I hold off patting myself on the back, though…better wait to see if I survive the next few minutes.

…to be continued!

Attached Files shot_714.jpgshot_716.jpgshot_715.jpgshot_717.jpgshot_718.jpgshot_719.jpgshot_721.jpgshot_722.jpg
Last edited by 33lima; 01/15/20 11:49 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)

#4504089 - 01/17/20 08:41 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 quick look around shows my tail is clear, although there is an impressive array of imperturbable Teutonic airpower sailing overhead...

[Linked Image]

Then it's off I go, after the two 109s who have broken right.

[Linked Image]

I get a good burst into one of them, who drops like a brick, damaged and hopefully scared, if not actually shot down.

[Linked Image]

Next, I waste no time in chasing off his friend.

[Linked Image]

After he too goes down, I make my escape, as planned. This takes me in the general direction of another large raid.

[Linked Image]

But I'm not feeling that brave anymore. So when a handful of 109s come in contrailling from my right, I take the opportunity to slip in behind them, instead.

[Linked Image]

The Huns are fast if not going at full tilt, and a bit higher, so I close only slowly...

[Linked Image]

...until they start a turn to the right, which enables me to cut across the circle in the approved fashion.

[Linked Image]

They get the same treatment as the other 109s, Basically, I carve my way through their formation, snapping out short bursts as I go. The Huns seem suitably impressed and keen to get to know me better, but I don't hang around.

[Linked Image]

Unfortunately my ammo runs out at this point, a bit earlier than I was expecting. So I take a leaf out of the Huns' own playbook, roll inverted, and dive away.

[Linked Image]

Apparently, 109s were seen to do this more often than nose over, despite the fame attributed to that escape manoeuvre. Possibly because the latter was more uncomfortable, one reason Erich Hartman (as described in Edward H Sims' 'Fighter Exploits') often favoured the negative G diving turn to get away - being an uncomfortable manoeuvre to follow. But I digress...

The morning's raids are far from over and my next show soon beckons...flying Hurricanes again, now with 145 Squadron. As seen here near Corydon, with some of its buildings looking rather blackened from recent visits by the Luftwaffe.

[Linked Image]

This time, the 109s will turn out to be in rather better form!

Attached Files shot_723.jpgshot_724.jpgshot_725.jpgshot_726.jpgshot_728.jpgshot_733.jpgshot_734.jpgshot_735.jpgshot_736.jpgshot_737.jpgshot_738.jpg
Last edited by 33lima; 01/17/20 09:01 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)

#4504148 - 01/18/20 10:48 AM 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
Again, there's just six of us on this hop. This the view of my kite from Green 3, on my left. We're south of the Thames and to the west of the capital.

[Linked Image]

There are Huns about but the closer ones are a lot higher up. Fighter sweeps, sweeping hither and thither, possibly.

[Linked Image]

I'm not really sure what to do for the best, but a bit more height to do it seems indicated. I pull up a little, taking my own section with me and keeping a wary eye on the nearest contrails. Are they just changing course, or circling around after us? Hard to say.

[Linked Image]

Safe enough - the contrails recede out to the west. On either side, my numbers two and three are keeping up nicely...

[Linked Image]

...but the next moment, they are gone. Down below me, as it happens; you can just about make them out down in front, in the next pic. What are they playing at?

[Linked Image]

The whine of a passing Daimler Benz engine above the noise of my own Merlin provides a clue. Looking left, I can see a couple of 109s zipping past.

[Linked Image]

Instinctively, I bank around after the nearest one. Who isn't that near. But he's turning, and I try to cut across him

[Linked Image]

Next thing I know, I'm being shot at from behind. Serves me right from taking my eyes off the second 109. Who's now sitting on my neck.

[Linked Image]

I somehow manage to get out of his way and turn the tables. At the same time the Ack Ack boys join the party. The 109 twists and turns like a snipe.

[Linked Image]

Suddenly it's me who has to take violent evasive action again, as a beggar with a yellow nose comes up from below and behind. I fling my kite over to the left to get out of his line of fire....

[Linked Image]

...but have no sooner recovered than I have to dodge again as another 109 puts in a head on attack and flashes past.

[Linked Image]

This is bloody dangerous!

...to be continued!

Attached Files shot_739.jpgshot_740.jpgshot_741.jpgshot_742.jpgshot_743.jpgshot_744.jpgshot_746.jpgshot_747.jpgshot_748.jpgshot_749.jpgshot_751.jpg
Last edited by 33lima; 01/18/20 11:02 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)

#4504159 - 01/18/20 12:01 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
I recover and go after the Hun with the yellow nose. He's out to the east over London and turning hard. I seem to be on my own out here, but I'm rather annoyed and determined to get these two.

[Linked Image]

Before I can get anywhere near the 109, rounds whack into me. Hit hard, I roll over and go down.

[Linked Image]

The Hun with the plain markings has wasted no time in coming after me. This pair is co-operating very well. Sadly for me. For the first time, I begin to feel trapped - the hunted, no longer the hunter.

[Linked Image]

I'm now quite low and head for the deck, twisting around as I go.

[Linked Image]

Despite the plentiful Ack Ack fire, the Huns won't let go. Yellow Nose is now back on my tail, too, and my kite is leaving a pronounced smoke trail.

[Linked Image]

By now I'm more or less back where I started, with Croydon visible in the middle distance. Except that I'm on my own...apart from two Huns who are determined to bag me.

[Linked Image]

I contemplate trying to get down at the requisitioned airport but know I'll never make it that far. So I slide back the canopy and start gaining height in a turn. Time to hit the silk! But the nearest 109 is now breathing down my neck.

[Linked Image]

I should maybe have tried a forced landing in those fields, but I doubt I'd have made it even that far.

[Linked Image]

Somehow I manage to shake off the Hun. But I'm still not high enough to bail out. I need to take a chance and start climbing again.

[Linked Image]

But it's not to be. Yellow Nose clobbers me from behind and my elevator control goes, leaving me going down instead of up.

[Linked Image]

The ground rushes up to meet me and before I can do anything else, it's good-night, Vienna!

Attached Files shot_752.jpgshot_753.jpgshot_754.jpgshot_755.jpgshot_756.jpgshot_757.jpgshot_758.jpgshot_759.jpgshot_760.jpgshot_761.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)

#4504220 - 01/19/20 01:32 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
About lunchtime on the 20th, 43 Squadron arrives south-east of London. It's come across from 10 Group's airfield at Middle Wallop as I manually scrambled it to intercept Hostile 201, a thirty-plus raid. The Ops Room map view below shows the squadron later, nearly home, with one aircraft less than the six it started with. How that came to pass, I will now relate.

[Linked Image]

Here I am in FT-K, leading the flight's second section. The morning's many raids are homeward bound by now, and at first, the skies look rather empty, apart from our six Hurricanes.

[Linked Image]

Somebody comes up on the R/T reporting tanks half empty, and soon after, the boss orders us to turn about and return to base. His section begins a turn to the left and is soon going home.

[Linked Image]

In frustration, I look at my own gauges. We might be pushed to regain Middle Wallop if we go much further and get into a fuel-hungry scrap, and many airfields in this area are still unserviceable. But I feel hopeful we could get down somewhere.

[Linked Image]

So I delay turning for home a little longer and instead, bank gently left and right, looking for Bandits.

And there they are! A raid of about thirty in three groups - unescorted bombers, I think.

[Linked Image]

Worth having a closer look, I decide, and lead the section after them. The closer we get, the surer I am that they are bombers on their own. If only we'd had the whole squadron up!

[Linked Image]

As the range winds down, the Huns begin a turn to the left, which helps me close in, and identify the enemy. They're bombers, all right - Dornier 17s.

[Linked Image]

I pick out one in the left-hand group and make an attack from astern. I take a few hits but I set one of the Dorniers smoking before having to break.

[Linked Image]

Pursued by Hun tracers but still in business, I realise the rest of the section isn't with me.

[Linked Image]

What the heck! As if this isn't dangerous enough!

...to be continued!

Attached Files shot_762.jpgshot_763.jpgshot_766.jpgshot_764.jpgshot_767.jpgshot_768.jpgshot_769.jpgshot_770.jpg20 Aug lunchtime.jpg
Last edited by 33lima; 01/19/20 01:49 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)

#4504486 - 01/21/20 08:42 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
I end out well out to the right of the raid. From here, I can see that the Dornier I attacked is still trailing smoke, but still maintaining formation. For the time being.

[Linked Image]

Meanwhile, my numbers 2 and 3 are rejoining. Perhaps I've been too harsh on them and just didn't notice their attack.

[Linked Image]

Anyway there's still no Hun fighters anywhere to be seen, so in we go again. Rather than cross all the way over to the left for the sake of going for the bomber I damaged, I attack one on the near side of the formation, this time.

[Linked Image]

I start getting hits, closing in quickly. This looks promising!

[Linked Image]

But with the smoke from the bomber suddenly increasing, I lose a clear view of him and break too late, The first I know about it is when my Hurricane lurches violently and starts rolling left. Very fast. Looking out on that side, I can see the wing is no longer there! I chop the throttle and slide back the hood. Somehow, I also manage to make it out of my doomed fighter.

[Linked Image]

Up above, the Dorniers are sailing on, and my numbers 2 and 3 are no-where to be seen. Also missing is the Dornier I collided with - there are now nine aircraft I the right rear group, instead of ten.

[Linked Image]

There he is! Spiralling down and pretty clearly doomed. Problem is, so am I, unless my canopy withstands the sudden shock of opening, which is always in doubt in high-speed bailouts.

[Linked Image]

But all is well, and in another second I find myself dangling serenely under the silken canopy as the raiders rumble on, up above.

[Linked Image]

Evidently, everyone else made it back to Warmwell - hence the five aircraft showing on the 43 Squadron marker on the plotting table, in the first pic on the previous post. And in the pic below. This shows the dialogue boxes opened for the Mission Folder, Warmwell airfield, and the 43 Squadron 'Diary'. The latter has the 'Single' box ticked so it shows the results of that unit's last action. It seems somebody else saw Messerschmitts, but as we claimed none and lost nobody to them, they were probably far away - 109s can be very hard to spot unless they are close to a raid.

[Linked Image]

The Dorniers I damaged and shot down (all right, rammed!) were the only damage done to Hostile 201 (which per the Mission Folder, was making sure the fighter base at Duxford, further north-east, stayed 'critically damaged'). But for six Hurricanes up against that lot and many 109s not too far away, it could have been far worse.

Attached Files shot_771.jpgshot_772.jpgshot_773.jpgshot_774.jpgshot_775.jpgshot_776.jpgshot_777.jpgshot_778.jpg20 Aug lunchtime - 43 Sqn Diary after action.jpg
Last edited by 33lima; 01/21/20 08:55 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)

#4508983 - 03/01/20 07:27 AM Re: BoB2 screenshots - the RAF campaign [Re: 33lima]  
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 6,529
NoFlyBoy Offline
Hotshot
NoFlyBoy  Offline
Hotshot

Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 6,529
WOW! So pretty! Thanks for sharing! Where can I get this game?


[Linked Image]
#4508994 - 03/01/20 11:52 AM 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
Thank you NoFlyBoy!

BoB2 Wings of Victory is still on sale on the A2A Sims website - not sure but maybe a digital download:

https://a2asimulations.com/product-category/standalone/

It's also regularly available on eBay.

The latest updates (by the BDG community mod group, 2.13 being the very latest and best, link to it should be on the A2A BoB2 website) are not entirely compatible with Windows 10. The best result achievable is that missions CTD when you exit them so no debrief, leaving the many historical missions playable and the campaign I think, too, although the results of the mission you just flew won't be taken into account (the AI campaign engine takes care of things, instead). Some people can't get it to work even so well. But there is now a hybrid update available from Felizpe which is Windows 10 friendly, at the cost of some of the latest features, but with some new ones of its own:

https://a2asimulations.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=68917

I'm running Windows 7/10 dual boot with Win 7 on a separate SSD, but apparently Win 7 won't install readily on the most modern PCs, so that's not an option for all.

There are still improvements released by modders from time to time; most are linked to in the A2A BoB2 'Subscriber modifications' thread eg Boreas released a fix for the Sipt camo patterns, A and B Scheme variations for Hurris and Spits, and red doped gunport patches (absent in the original) to Spits, in six and eight patch variants.

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

Attached Files shot_782.jpgshot_694.jpg
Last edited by 33lima; 03/01/20 04:58 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)

#4509027 - 03/01/20 04:49 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
Early evening, 20 August 1940

The lunch-time raids have crept south off the map and there's a welcome break. Announcements stream into the Ops Room - replacement aircraft allocations, a worn-out squadron being posted north for a rest and most welcome of all, Coltishall fighter base in 12 Group is back in action, though still damaged. The bases in the crucial 11 Group in the south-east are still all out of action and I need some of these to come back on stream.

The Luftwaffe is going to allow no such thing, it seems, for at tea-time, the next wave of raids is being plotted, with the main effort coming right towards the heart of 11 Group.

[Linked Image]

I had ordered paired squadrons from 12 Group - 46 and 310 Squadrons - to patrol 11 Group's airfields and as the raids sweep north-west, I divert both of them to intercept Hostile 651, which consists of thirty-plus Heinkels. Today's raids seem to be covered by strong fighter sweeps, rather than closely escorted, so I'm hopeful of being able to catch some bombers before the 'snappers' can react.

[Linked Image]

No. 310 (Czech) Squadron has less far to go so meets the enemy first. As usual I drop in as the leader of Green Section in 'B' Flight. I'm in NN-R as our twelve Hurricanes rush north-west after Hostile 651.

[Linked Image]

Behind us is another raid, Hostile 652, which from their formation, also looks to be unescorted bombers.

[Linked Image]

We're over the south-western outskirts of London; nearly directly below is the distinctive landmark of Hampton Court Palace.

[Linked Image]

Out to my right is Green 2; thanks to Boreas's recent mod, he's in the 'A' Scheme upper surface pattern, while my kite has the mirror image 'B' Scheme, as does Green 3, out of shot on my left side.

[Linked Image]

I open the throttle and lead Green Section slightly further out to the right of the squadron, to give us some elbow room. Up ahead, the bombers are attracting some Ack Ack fire. At this point I notice a midge-like cloud of fighters moving out to the right of the bombers, barely visible in the pic below. There seems to be about thirty of them, at least.

[Linked Image]

This could turn rather nasty! At least Green 2 is undeterred...

[Linked Image]

...as is Green 3.

[Linked Image]

At this point, the bossfinally comes to life on the R/T and orders us all to get stuck in - nothing too fancy, pick your own targets. Of which there are plenty - too many, if anything!

...to be continued!

Attached Files 20 Aug tea time.jpg20 Aug tea time 2.jpgshot_794.jpgshot_793.jpgshot_796.jpgshot_795.jpgshot_797.jpgshot_801.jpgshot_799.jpg
Last edited by 33lima; 03/01/20 05:04 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)

#4509038 - 03/01/20 06:37 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
As we race after the bombers, I keep an anxious eye on the Hun fighters, which have drifted well out to our right. By this time they have started contrailing, so perhaps they have also climbed. Watching the contrails, I notice that they have turned sharply and are now on a course which is bringing them closer, instead of taking them further away.

[Linked Image]

Up ahead, the bombers start turning left. This is good, since it will take them away from the enemy fighters, as well as enabling us to cut the corner.

[Linked Image]

Which of course is what we do.

[Linked Image]

The bombers catch me out by continuing their turn until they are nearly coming right at us. They are Dornier 17s, not the Heinkels I was expecting.

[Linked Image]

The angles aren't right for a head-on attack so I come in around behind the bombers. At the same time, Blue Leader - my flight leader in fact - is on the air announcing he's going in. I decide to go for the right-hand rear Dornier, not noticing a group of fighters further ahead, just in front of the bombers.

[Linked Image]

I start shooting and get hits on the bomber. Just at that moment, I see the fighters ahead come rushing through the Dorniers. My first thought is that they're 109s, but they're actually more Hurricanes - from our own squadron, or possibly 46 has arrived.

[Linked Image]

I'm my surprise, I stop shooting momentarily. Meanwhile, the Dorniers have started dropping their loads.

[Linked Image]

The other Hurricanes roll right and curve away. Green 2 and Green 3 have fallen behind a bit, but are now closing in on the Dorniers.

[Linked Image]

I resume shooting. My target starts smoking and drops out of formation to the left.

[Linked Image]

There's another Dornier ahead of him in the leading wedge and I make a split second decision to carry on and attack him, instead of breaking off. This quickly turns out to be a rather bad idea, for suddenly, there's tracers coming at me from all directions and I'm hit repeatedly.

[Linked Image]

By this time, incidentally, I'm right over what must be the bombers' target - Northolt airfield. Which hardly looks worth attacking, since all but one of its hangars, and most of its other buildings, are just rectangular piles of greyish rubble. I suppose the enemy wants to keep things that way.

[Linked Image]

In for a penny, in for a pound - despite the hits I complete my attack on the second Dornier, and break upwards at the last moment, only just missing him.

[Linked Image]

Crikey, this is dangerous!

...to be continued!

Attached Files shot_802.jpgshot_803.jpgshot_804.jpgshot_805.jpgshot_806.jpgshot_807.jpgshot_809.jpgshot_810.jpgshot_812.jpgshot_813.jpgshot_814.jpgshot_815.jpg
Last edited by 33lima; 03/01/20 06:48 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)

#4509044 - 03/01/20 07:27 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
Up and over the Dornier we go! Already my engine's running roughly and I feel like I'm trying to clear Beecher's Brook on a cart horse.

[Linked Image]

As I pull away, I'm unaware that the Hun fighter sweep is passing across to my rear. They are making no effort to intervene, possibly short of fuel and having to run for home.

[Linked Image]

Suddenly, there's a loud explosion somewhere behind and below. A bomber, probably the one I just attacked, has blown up, leaving only smoke, fire and flying aeroplane fragments.

[Linked Image]

I come around again after the Huns. It looks like Green 2 and 3 have made their attacks. One bomber near the front is streaming smoke and another is going down in flames, parachutes falling away behind.

[Linked Image]

More Hurricanes attack as I struggle after the Huns. A second Dornier falls away to the left in flames...

[Linked Image]

...while more 'chutes are popping open next to a bomber which is going down vertically, clearly doomed.

[Linked Image]

The increasingly erratic note of my engine concentrates my attention on my own situation. Engine coolant temperature is fine but the needle in the oil temp gauge is up against the stop. The revs are fluctuating wildly, with the needle flicking up and down between 2,800 and 2,200. I'm barely making 180 Indicated...

[Linked Image]

...and no longer gaining on the bombers, which are in fact beginning to draw away from me. Time to go home!

[Linked Image]

As I bank away, I get a good look at the mess the Dorniers have made of what's left of Northolt.

[Linked Image]

The Ack Ack boys are no better pleased with this than I am, and they let fly as the Huns turn for home, still under attack from the occasional Hurricane.

[Linked Image]

Well, we managed to catch a raid without close escort and certainly did it some damage, but we didn't stop the Huns from doing what they came here to do. Not so good.

Attached Files shot_816.jpgshot_817.jpgshot_818.jpgshot_819.jpgshot_820.jpgshot_821.jpgshot_822.jpgshot_823.jpgshot_824.jpgshot_826.jpg
Last edited by 33lima; 03/01/20 07:33 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)

#4509084 - 03/02/20 12:33 AM Re: BoB2 screenshots - the RAF campaign [Re: 33lima]  
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 6,529
NoFlyBoy Offline
Hotshot
NoFlyBoy  Offline
Hotshot

Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 6,529
Originally Posted by 33lima
Thank you NoFlyBoy!

BoB2 Wings of Victory is still on sale on the A2A Sims website - not sure but maybe a digital download:

https://a2asimulations.com/product-category/standalone/
I will look into it. Thanks!


[Linked Image]
#4509162 - 03/02/20 01:59 PM Re: BoB2 screenshots - the RAF campaign [Re: 33lima]  
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2,079
Blade_Meister Offline
Member
Blade_Meister  Offline
Member

Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2,079
Atlanta, GA, USA
Excellent to see you back in the saddle over here 33lima. "trying to clear Beecher's Brook on a cart horse". hahaha I looked it up and as I suspected this involved a Steeple Chase, The Grand National Steeple Chase no less. I did not know each fence has its own name though. Nice Mission with 2 Victories for your boy. Good show old bean! thumbsup

NoFlyBoy, I purchased my copy of BOBII WOV on CD format from a seller on E-bay. Unfortunately I have still not installed or flown it yet do to other commitments. One day I will! winkngrin

S!Blade<><

Last edited by Blade_Meister; 03/02/20 02:04 PM.
#4509223 - 03/02/20 07:57 PM Re: BoB2 screenshots - the RAF campaign [Re: 33lima]  
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,079
JJJ65 Offline
Member
JJJ65  Offline
Member

Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,079
Czech Rep.
Thx for report, 33lima. It always wake up my taste to continue my campaign in BoBII.

#4509794 - 03/06/20 08:19 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
Soon after, the second squadron sent to cover 11 Group - No. 46 Squadron, also flying Hurricanes - spots the enemy, just north of London. No, not that lot over to our left...

[Linked Image]

...this bunch, up ahead. I report them on the radio and hear myself calling them in - bombers, straight ahead and level, plus a bunch of fighters in a different direction.

[Linked Image]

The boss acknowledges and orders us to pick our own targets. The bombers up ahead are crossing from right to left and I begin a turn after them. At the same time, the Huns start making a course change of their own, revealing themselves, even at that range, to be Heinkels, with their distinctive wing planform. There's what looks like another bunch of bombers ahead of them. Hard though Fighter Command has been hit, I know we have been taking an especially heavy toll of the Messerschmitts, and coming across bombers like these - without close escort - seems to be much more common than before.

[Linked Image]

Green 2 and 3 are still with me, but the rest of the boys seem more interested in the leading group of bombers and slide out to our left. So be it. I carry on after the nearest bombers.

[Linked Image]

There are about thirty Heinkels in two or three groups and I come around in a curve or pursuit after the nearest lot.

[Linked Image]

Their turn throws me off initially and I end up banking across the rear of the bunch I intend to attack. Fortunately, I seem to be doing so out of range of the enemy gunners, and there's still no sign of Messerschmitts.

[Linked Image]

Green 2 and 3 have not quite kept up with my wanderings but look to be lining themselves up for an attack of their own.

[Linked Image]

Right, here we go!

...to be continued!

Attached Files shot_827.jpgshot_828.jpgshot_832.jpgshot_833.jpgshot_834.jpgshot_835.jpgshot_837.jpg
Last edited by 33lima; 03/06/20 08:23 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)

#4509797 - 03/06/20 08:40 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
Things go wrong fairly quickly. I come up on the right-hand Heinkel from behind and below and start shooting. But I soon start taking hits, including one right in my armoured glass windscreen.

[Linked Image]

I bank clumsily back to the left to get out of the line of fire and with a high overtaking speed, flash past the Huns, without being hit again.

[Linked Image]

More through luck than judgment, this moves puts me into position for a pass at the group of bombers on the left, which is slightly ahead of the others. The bomber gunners give me another warm welcome.

[Linked Image]

I get some hits on one of the bombers but have to break away before observing any particular results.

[Linked Image]

I go wide then bank right to come in for another crack. By this time, Green 2 and 3 are also having a go.

[Linked Image]

They seem to have opened fire at rather long range and break off without having done any more visible damage than I did.

[Linked Image]

My next attack produces much better results...

[Linked Image]

...and this time, the return fire seems to be absent, or at least, much less apparent.

[Linked Image]

Up and away we go once more. Disappointingly, my target seems to have shrugged off all the hits. Just how many .303 rounds can these Hun bombers soak up?

[Linked Image]

I'm going to have to go in again!

...to be continued!

Attached Files shot_839.jpgshot_840.jpgshot_841.jpgshot_842.jpgshot_843.jpgshot_844.jpgshot_845.jpgshot_847.jpgshot_846.jpg
Last edited by 33lima; 03/06/20 08:46 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)

#4509800 - 03/06/20 09:18 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
The good news is that the bomber I attacked is now lagging behind the others, trailing some faint grey smoke, mixed in with his contrail.

[Linked Image]

My next pass ends abruptly when the bomber blows up under my fire!

[Linked Image]

Aircraft parts large and small whirl through the air and I hold my breath, until I burst through into clear skies on the far side of the inferno. No doubt about that one!

[Linked Image]

Emboldened by my success, I line up for another attack on the same formation...

[Linked Image]

...but my ammo runs out after the shortest bursts and I break off hastily, pursued by tracers from the vengeful Hun gunners...

[Linked Image]

...who can still see the remains of the disintegrating Heinkel falling from the sky.

[Linked Image]

I watch the Huns go for a while, hoping to see Green 2 and 3 have another go.

[Linked Image]

But nobody shows up, and after getting a bearing from the boss, I fly off towards the west to rejoin the squadron, who seem to have given up due to low fuel, having come rather far.

[Linked Image]

My own Hurricane is showing no particular signs of damage, so all in all, it's hasn't been too bad a show.

[Linked Image]

This is the 'Hostiles List' as seen almost immediately after my two engagements of the evening. Hostile 651's thirty Dorniers have been well whittled down, but have somehow exacted a heavy toll on our interceptors.

[Linked Image]

This is 310 Squadron's Diary, the unit that mauled, and got mauled by, those Dorniers. As they had 12 Hurricanes in the air, I'm not sure why it's reported they had 8 damaged and 12 lost, but at least only two pilots are casualties.

[Linked Image]

This is 46 Squadron's Diary, showing they had a much quieter time, with just one victory claimed and one Hurricane damaged - my own, in both cases.

[Linked Image]

Anyway, the day's activities are nearing an end and we're still in business - only just!

Attached Files shot_848.jpgshot_849.jpgshot_850.jpgshot_851.jpgshot_852.jpgshot_853.jpgshot_854.jpgshot_857.jpgshot_858.jpgHostiles list 20 Aug evening.jpg310 sqn diary 20 Aug evening.jpg46 sqn diary 20 Aug evening.jpg
Last edited by 33lima; 03/06/20 09:37 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)

#4509872 - 03/07/20 12:15 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
The day's not over yet, though. Thirty Heinkels have bombed the fighter base at Digby, well to the north in 12 Group's territory. I've managed to scramble 56 Squadron from the airfield, and they catch the raiders as they run southwards for home.

[Linked Image]

Fifty-six is at reduced strength, having been posted north for what should have been a rest from the rigours of service in 11 Group. There's just six of us against thirty, but we'll do our best. Happily, we're well out of range of the 109s.

[Linked Image]

Just at that moment, the boss comes up on the R/T and orders us - Keta Squadron, BoB2 using authentic squadron code names from the Battle - to go home!

[Linked Image]

In an effort to prevent this, I call in the Bandits, using BoB2's radio command menu.

[Linked Image]

He acknowledges, but continues to lead his section off to the right.

[Linked Image]

This puts me in a bit of a quandary. These Huns have just bombed our base and I'm disinclined to let them get away scot free. So I hold my course. Incidentally, you can see that our Hurricanes' undersurfaces are in the early 1940 black and white, with aluminium fuselage and tailplane and the roundels added to aircraft operating from, or over, France.

[Linked Image]

I check my fuel gauge, in case we're short of juice, but no, that's not the problem.

[Linked Image]

So on we go, while the other section continues to drift away.

[Linked Image]

Up ahead, there's about twenty bombers in two groups. There's a third group, further ahead. I decide we'll have a crack at the nearest bunch, on the left.

[Linked Image]

There's an awful lot of Heinkels, and very few Hurricanes, but what of it? In we go!

[Linked Image]

...to be continued!

Attached Files 56 sqn intercept 20 Aug evening.jpgshot_859.jpgshot_860.jpgshot_861.jpgshot_863.jpgshot_864.jpgshot_867.jpgshot_866.jpgshot_868.jpgshot_870.jpg
Last edited by 33lima; 03/07/20 12:30 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)

#4509882 - 03/07/20 02:50 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
I select as my intended victim the Heinkel on the right rear of the Hun formation and as his wingspan fills the ring in my reflector sight, let him have it. It's smaller target area but as in real life, it seems better to concentrate on an engine that pour rounds into the fuselage. The Heinkel lurches up and left, out of formation.

[Linked Image]

Meanwhile Green 2 and 3 are still with me...

[Linked Image]

...and come under some long range tracer fire from the second wedge of bombers, on our right.

[Linked Image]

Feeling adventurous if not actually bulletproof, I make a tight 360 degree turn and come in for another pass, this time at the next bomber ahead...

[Linked Image]

...pulling up wildly at the last moment and leaving a second bomber smoking, too. With my original target already trailing well behind, I've now forced two damaged Heinkels out of formation.

[Linked Image]

Now, all I need is to have enough ammo left to finish them off!

...to be continued!

Attached Files shot_871.jpgshot_872.jpgshot_873.jpgshot_874.jpgshot_875.jpg
Last edited by 33lima; 03/07/20 02:56 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)

Page 19 of 26 1 2 17 18 19 20 21 25 26

Moderated by  RacerGT 

Quick Search
Recent Articles
Support SimHQ

If you shop on Amazon use this Amazon link to support SimHQ
.
Social


Recent Topics
Carnival Cruise Ship Fire....... Again
by F4UDash4. 03/26/24 05:58 PM
Baltimore Bridge Collapse
by F4UDash4. 03/26/24 05:51 PM
The Oldest WWII Veterans
by F4UDash4. 03/24/24 09:21 PM
They got fired after this.
by Wigean. 03/20/24 08:19 PM
Grown ups joke time
by NoFlyBoy. 03/18/24 10:34 PM
Anyone Heard from Nimits?
by F4UDash4. 03/18/24 10:01 PM
RIP Gemini/Apollo astronaut Tom Stafford
by semmern. 03/18/24 02:14 PM
10 years after 3/8/2014
by NoFlyBoy. 03/17/24 10:25 AM
Copyright 1997-2016, SimHQ Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.6.0