Hehe...
Let's see.. 412th FS upped with 2x 190D9s and headed out on patrol NW.
We spotted 6-8 P-47D-30s and 2x P-38Ls which we promptly bypassed in search of bomber formations.
After about 15 more minutes of flying, and no bombers in the area, we decided to head back towards A17 where P-51s and the P-47s were reported.
I found a P-38 flying in and took a dive on him. Being a rookie in the D9, I was unble to maintain firm control in the dive and wasn't able to put a killing shot on my target.
After getting closer to A17, I spotted some lower contacts to my west and started pursuit, figuring they may be the bombers I was looking for.
Unfortunately, the contacts turned out to be P-47s. I dove in to engage to trialing 47s, but was unable to get a good shot before they saw me coming. The other two kept heading West, but in a steady climb. I knew they would be back.
My wingman went lower in pursuit of another 47, but was jumped by a second which dispatched him before I could respond.
I then fought with / extended from the P-47s for several minutes, getting various off angle firing shots at them, but never getting a clear advantage. I finally got saddled up on a P47 as I saw the other two fly back over head.
Disregarding the danger, I kept on my target hoping to score lucky with my 20mm, but to no avail. A quick stream of tracers from a high-angle HO of another P-47 resulted in the loss of my left flap and elevator.
I extended and then saw the P-47s breaking West again. I figured them for low fuel and once again gave pursuit. This time, I was able to close within 300 yards of one of them, but lost tally as he rolled and went under my nose. Knowing the other two were coming around again, I spilt-S and tried to bug out. I looked back and was putting distance between me and 3 of them, but one had a steeper dive and was just starting to nose up again.
Tracers went flashing by and my left wing departed from the aircraft. Upon bailout, I was informed that Sancho had shot me down....
Flying TODs in those kind of odds is a fruitless exercise for the outnumbered, and boring for those in the hordes. I hope that someone can find a way to fix the Saturday TODs. As it stands today, there is a 5 - 0 vote to withdraw the 412th from Saturdays. Even we cannot put up the numbers we do on Friday.
This week, we fielded 15 pilots on Friday, and only 2 on Saturday. As mentioned, a 3rd was present (late) and was not allowed to take part, which didn't help us, or his outlook on the TOD very much at all.