I just left the CT. When I logged there were 12 German, 9 VVS, so I stayed VVS. I flew the La-5 (though my preferred ride is the 190A-5) and found some guys buzzing around (ammo, shamus, band, to name a few). Suddenly one of the guys says, "Let's hit something!" So we go on a mission to get 52.
Shamus, another fellow and I (sorry, can't remember name now) upped B-26's and proceeded to hit the field. I dropped my whole load square on the VH, yet it survived (odd). I get a fighter, drop to strafe, get hit an injured, come to and kill another fighter, strafe two buildings down and crash strafing the VH.
Next up, La-5. I had intended to go back to 52 via 51, but a Fw interrupted our return party (there were three of us). We got him, but by this time we were practically on the field. The three of us arrive to find two Fw's and a 109 a bit higher than us. The 109 strayed away from the 190's, presumably to make a flank run. The two guys with me appeared to be winging and went for the 190's. I figured I would take the 109 for a moment.
I turned into the 109- he was hoping I would go for a pure HO, and he dropped under my nose. I went vertical and pulled around hard. He did what I figured; he went for all the alt he could, hoping I would follow the rope. I didn't. I followed for a moment to keep him off the other two, then turned into the 190's.
The first 190 went by, guns blazing. I rolled through that and found the next 190. He was a bit off-angle, and was forced to duck his nose away. I managed a snap on his engine and he began smoking. It was time to turn, because the 109 was coming...
...there! He was 650 or so back and closing. A split-S and I forced him to climb again, meanwhile I am back into the 190's. Damn, gotta love the acceleration of the La! We had worked low by now, just where the La likes it. I make a beeline for the two 190's... waitaminnit! These aren't smoking! Yup, the smoking one is still spiraling overhead. No fair, these goons were bringing friends! I hit a 190 hard and continue through. Time to check for the 109 again...
...just in time, and this time there's a couple of 190's with him. One of the good guys had bought it by now, and I was getting in deep, too. I make for the 190's again. I don't really want an HO, so I roll past the first one. The second one takes a big bite out of my right wing, and I began to spiral down... Looks like I am done for, because the 109 is back there licking his chops.
I manage to bring the beast under control right about wave level. I radio I am out with a broken wing- that is, as fast as I can type the message. I managed to finally get it trimmed to fly with full WEP and 320mph. I'm wondering all the way back how it's gonna act when I try to land. I zoom in to see I am lined up for the runway. This looks like it will be ok...
...then, as I neared the base, what do I see? An enemy flakpanzer and tank sitting right off the edge of the field! They are pretty much in my line of approach. I am forced to evade as best as possible, barely able to hold the plane under control as a pull to the right. I then attempted to head in, as I was by now slow and barely able to hold onto it. As I neared the runway the plane began a slow but unstoppable roll to the right. Holding all the left rudder I could manage I was able to land upright at about 120mph, no wheels, and skidded to a stop.
I called the two GV's out. I then upped an Il-2. Now, I am the world's worst ground-pounder, but I figure if I don't do something they will vultch the runway for easy kills. So, I load rockets and start a slow climb to 3K. I figure I want that much to be able to drop on them with the rockets...
... and I may as well have forgotten that tactic, 'cause I cleanly missed. Fortunately help arrived in the form of Band, also in an Il-2. The odds had improved considerably, because with two of us to watch killing them would be much easier. We came in together without so much as a word between us; we knew what we needed to do. We knocked them down over and over. I finally looked at my watch and discovered my time for the night was over.
Is the CT fun? Naw...
P.S. A big S! to all the LW pilots and armor tonight. It was a good time, and even though the furballs were small, they were packed with action and ACM. I also noted I had no rubber bullets- splashed a Fw on my first hop with a bee-yoo-ti-ful full 90 degree deflection snapshot. In the MA that wouldn't have done anything.
