Milne Bay, September 9, 1942. 80th Headhunter 39s are sent to cover Aussie Beaufighters(HINT! HINT! Hey I can dream can't I?) on a raid to Buna as the Aussie troops are starting to push back against the Japanese on the Kokoda Trail.
Yes the 80th Headhunters actually had 39s at that time and the skins on the 39s we're flying are correct for the time
Our intrepid heros, in this case Soulyss and CorkyJr head out to face those evil Japanese Zeros.
Naturally Soulyss in the lead, barely misses the water tower.
But the two P39s manage to form up and head out into the late afternoon sky over New Guiniea.
The fight is still close to Milne Bay so they are soon locked in a fight to the death with the Zekes. Corky manages to knock the tail off one. (OK so it's a N1K. It's got meatballs on the wings)
Soulyss in the meantime has knocked down three enemy planes including this Zero that Corky flew by while trying to cover Soulyss's tail.
Typically Corky has managed to let his element lead get shot up.
Somehow they've survived though and they are headed home to Milne Bay as night is beginning to fall. Of course it wouldn't be a Headhunter flight without some sort of problem and Soulyss goes deadstick from lack of oil to the Allison engine.
They stretch it as far as they can and the field is in sight. But will Soulyss make it or will he end up swimming?
He's so low and slow now that Corky can't hang with him much longer and make it himself.
With nothing he can do, Cork adds power, kicks the gear and flaps out and heads for the Milne Bay strip.
Somehow Soulyss makes the beach, but obstacles are in his way.
Never fear, just bounce over them.
Always important to have a soft touch on landing. Note the 38 taking off. Must be one of those 39th Bastages that got the 38s while we got their hand me down 39s!
Just because it's proof I can land, and look good doing so.
39s are kinda pretty. Larry did a nice job on this 80th Cobra flown by Norb Ruff
Somehow Soulyss coasts to the runway and our two intrepid Headhunters have survived to fight again!
