Well, I thought I would share a really great time I had last night in the MA. For most of you, this would be old hat stuff, but for me, it was an event to remember.
As most of you know, I am not a good pilot, as I really do not have the time to practice as much as I need to. That said;
I hopped in a P51D last night and was just doing some flying manuevers at what I thought was a fairly secluded spot in the MA.
When I spot two of my comarades (AKSWulfe and I did not catch the other pilot name) chasing a dot, which I figured was an enemy fighter. The enemy pilot was on the deck trying to extend from the fight.
I was at 10K and so could not really tell what was happening, so I dropped the nose and went for an intercept with the extending ememy.
When I got into icon range, the enemy was a 51D also, and was successfully leaving AKSWulfe and company behind. Now, in the back of my mind, I am thinking, "rightfully this kill belongs to those other 2 pilots". I hit WEP and kept the nose over, when I got under D1 I let lose a burst and pinged the enemy a few times. He immediately went into an upward loop, probably hoping to get on my 6. I had too much speed at that time so I continued knowing he would not be able to get a shot at me at my speed.
What the enemy pilot did not realize, was AKSWulfe and company were still back there and when he came around, they got him.
For me this was a huge event. It was the first time I got on a pilots 6, and, even though I did not get the kill, my commrades held thier line and got him.
Now, I had turned to rtb, and was about halfway home, when I run into 2 enemy pilots. They had alt advantage on me, so me being the novice, decided to turn back and head towards my commrades. They nosed over and got a couple of pings on me, before they lost thier speed advantage.
They stayed on my 6 though, and I lead them to AKSWulfe and Verm, who had just arrived. I did not execute a perfect draw, but I felt really good when I saw my commrades open up and take them down. Later Verm and AKSWulfe gave me some pointers on executing the draw better <S>.
By this time, AKSWulfe and I were both suffering from being wounded, so we rtb'ed. I almost made it back, before crashing at the end of the runway.
All the above was happening around A31 last night and I have no idea who those enemy pilots were, but it was a lot of fun.
Now, I am back at the tower, and decide to head back up, taking a heading directly over A31.
I arrive there at 10K, and I spot some remote dots, which did not bother me, but this 109 was closing on me, so we proceed to try to get the shot on each other. During that time I notice 6 other enemy fighters around me.
I continue to manuever around and try to get that shot on that 109. 3 of the other enemy fighters were starting to take thier shots at me. Some were close, and I did get pinged once. Still turning and burning like a maniac though I manage to get out of thier sites. I notice I am running low on fuel and decide I better rtb.
Now I am in the middle of 7 fighter planes, with low e and only 6K altitude. I was sweating by this time and not really sure how to escape. I knew there was at least one other P51D enemy near me, so I knew I needed the most speed I could get.
I invert and roll downward, hitting the WEP at the same time. All the while fearing my stick movements would rip off my wings in this loop. I break level at 2K, and look back and am leaving all behind.
I make it back to the field, touch down, just as the fuel is gone, cost and sit in the cockpit for 5 minutes, shaking and sweating and feeling better than I have felt in a long time.
No kills, but was not killed either. For me this was an incredible triumph. <S> to those enemy fighters above A31 for the most immersive fun I have ever had.
When I finally calmed down, I got on Ch1 and saluted whoever it was up there at A31 and DR00 came back and asked "were you that 51?". I said "yes". Then, to cap it all off,...as if the fight was not enough,...he simply states "great flying".
Now folks, for me, this was the epitomy of my time in AH. I am even getting pupmed talking about it.
I hope this novice pilot hasn't bored you. I just had to tell the tale.
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Roy "Skuzzy" Neese
President, AppLink Corp.
http://www.applink.net skuzzy@applink.net
[This message has been edited by Skuzzy (edited 09-14-2000).]
