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General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: Swoop on March 13, 2001, 12:37:00 PM

Title: AAR: The Lancaster flight from hell. (long)
Post by: Swoop on March 13, 2001, 12:37:00 PM
I needed 4.8 measely perk points for an Arado.   "Right", thinks I, "Lancaster to Bishland here we come".


Took off from A29, it's elevated, and headed due west........as I climb towards the border I check the map and see a hoard of red dots about 50 miles ahead "balls", thinks I.  Ok, so I turn NW and attempt to skirt around em.....no worries.  

Approaching the bish factories, bout 40 miles out, I see a HUGE storm ahead......well I'm at 25k so no worries about turbulance.......um.......cra p, what about the target.  I fly on.

DOT!!!! ahead and above me!  "ruh-roh" thinks I.  It comes into dot range, 190!  gotta be a dora, "wimper" thinks I.

But wait, what's this?  He's flying right by......sure enough this 190 totally ignores me and just keeps heading east until he's out of sight.   ;-)  So I keep heading west.

Just as I'm wondering if the cloud bank will end I start getting flakked.....through the clouds.   "Bugger" thinks I.  That means the cloud bank is right over the targets......I'll have to fly on to the radar/fuel depots the other side of HQ......

So I'm just resigning myself to a long flight when I spot two dots on my 6, co-alt.  No icon yet, cloud below all around, 100 miles from any friendlies.

THE CLOUD BANK IS COMING TO AN END!!!!  I see an installation ahead, just ahead of the cloud layer......it's the troop training facility.  :-)  BIG GRIN, I'm gonna get my Arado!!!!!  

Dropped 7 on the grunt training......just as I finished the drop I check 6, TWO 190s!!!!  5.3k and 3.6k.   "oh toejam oh toejam oh toejam oh toejam oh toejam"

The first comes in....ping ping ping ping CRACK!  He's good, he came in spiralling, very hard to hit.....saw some hit flashes but nothing else.  He breaks off high left, only about 1k away......but the other is coming in now, no time to shoot at the 1st one.  The second is coming in dead 6 "Who's afraid of the big bad Wulf" thinks I.  "I am" added I.

But no worries, 1 exchange of fire later and the second 190 is going down.  I've lost my forward turret (? damn good shot to get a forward turret from dead 6) but oh well, I hardly ever use that one anyway.  No other damage yet.

The 1st 190 is still up there, about 1.2k high right.  Top turret......he comes in again, switch to rear turret......he's spiralling in again.....ping ping ping CRACK! He breaks high.....I'm aiming striaght up from the rear turret.....ping ping ping HIS TAIL FALLS OFF!!!! WOO HOOO!!!!    

"Ok, calm down, calm down.....long way to go yet" thinks I, totally elated at shooting down what looked like two Doras.

Dunno why I didnt notice earlier but smoke is now pouring from No3 engine, check damage but nothing listed.  (?)  weird.

I quickly turn around and head back towards the training facility......3 more away, 4 left.  Bugger, major cloud bank ahead......"um.....er......oh bugger it" thinks I.  I dive down to 15k, *just* below the cloud layer.......4 away on the ack factory.  Ok, that's it, time to go home.  ;-)  since I'm down at medium alt I decide to climb up 1000ft and fly home through the cloud layer.....no worries.

A quick 6 check and I see a hi dot through the grey out.......dunno how far it is away.  So I sit and watch it from the rear turret......AND REALISE IT CAN SEE ME A MILE AWAY COS OF THE DARK GREY SMOKE COMING FROM NO3 ENGINE.  Just to drive home the point, No3 engine dies at this point. Spooky.

It's another 190, coming in fast......5.6k, 4.5k, 3.5k, jesus, he's moving.....here it comes.....cant see the con so I fire just below the icon, I could see tracers coming back but no pings.....he's having just as hard a time hitting me.  Then, HIT FLASHES!  I've got a bead on him!  700yards back that 190 is getting pinged to hell.....he breaks off.......now I see lotsa dark grey and light grey smoke heading down.  Cool, I got him.

;-)  heh, no worries, 1 engine out, forward turret out, no other damage.  70 miles to get home and I'm almost invisible.  Easy.


Bollocks was it.


50 miles from home, outta nowhere, a 109 appears right on my six and starts firing.  I tell ya, I was so shocked I dropped my coffee.

"SHIT toejam toejam, where's the rear turret" scream I as I manage to hit every button except the one to get to the rear guns.

ping ping ping CRACK!  Now I'm in the rear turret (at last) and the 109 has broken off low right.  And get this, at 100 yards below me his icon went out......I musta been *just* above the bottom of the cloud layer.

"Ok, so now what" thinks I, but not for long cos there he is again, 300 yards off my low 5 o'clock and closing.  ping ping ping CRACK!

This time I reach the rear turret first button.  However, with only 187 rounds left it doesnt take long to empty it at this 109.....dunno if I hit it, was to busy trying to find the key for the top turret.   He breaks off again low right and, sure enough, the icon disappears.

So here's the situation.  We're in total grey out.  I'm firing at this 109 by aiming just below his icon.  He's tracking me by the smoke trail and probably firing at me the same way.

Ok, 40 miles to go....no rear turret.....cant aim at this 109 like this.....let's drop below the clouds.

So I do.  What a mistake'a to make'a.

I drop below the cloud layer just as matey boy here in the 109 is coming back up for me.....and he see's me dropping and gives chase.  Just as I'm heading for the top turret....ping ping ping CRACK!  Bugger.  Top turret taken down.   So I start manouvering instead......and this 109 comes straight past me.  "Crap, wish I still had the forward turret" thinks I.

This continues for a while, the 109 coming in from somewhere high rear.....me manouvering.....him missing and flying past.  Until the 3rd pass that is......ping ping ping CRACK CRACK CRACK BANG! "Ooooo toejam" thinks I.  Damage now shows oil leaks in the remaining 3 engines......now got dark grey smoke coming from all 4 engines and a white line of fuel as well.....christ I mutsa been a sight.

"Swoop copy, you in trouble"

I pause for a sec, unable to believe I might get out of this......"YES, HELP!"

It's Kronos my CO, he's above the cloud layer in.....um....forgot to ask.

"Ok, I'll be right down"


"YAAAAAY" Thinks I.


Meanwhile this 109 is coming in again......more manouvering, I can see tracers all around me.....no hits.....again he overshoots.   We're down to 5,000ft now......AND THERE!  MY BUDDY COMING THROUGH THE CLOUDS.   The 109 hasnt seen him yet, he's manouvering himself to my high 5 o'clock again.......mwaaaaahahahahaha aaaa.  Kronos takes a shot, misses but the 109 musta panicked cos he broke off hard......

So for now I forget the 109 and start worrying about my stricken bird......how the hell I'm still in the air God only knows.

ping ping ping

WTF!

damn 109 came back.....Kronos right on his tail.


I break right, the 109 overshoots again.
VICTORY 1 by Kronos of No272 "Whispering Death"

:-)

"You ok Swoop?"
"No, not really, I'm about to lose all 4 engines"

splutter

"Yup, there they go"


But now I'm only 20 miles from a friendly base, no cons around......the gear still works (phew) but the flaps dont.  One real hard landing and a spin later and I'm sat there on the grass with no wings left.  Wow.

So I .EF    3 kills, 1 assist and Bish troop training bombed to hell.  10.85 PERK POINTS!!!! YEAH!!!!  GOT MY ARADO BACK!!!!


sigh, guess what happened next.

I'm sat on the runway at A29 wondering if I should attempt to take off without RATO so I can save them for later (Ar234 will do 550mph with RATO), but I decide no, better to take off safely.....so I'm belting down the runway on full power, RATOs engaged....the nose lifts.....the runway runs out.....I pull up slowly.....the rear lifts....I immediately lift gear to reduce drag.....AAAAAAARGH......I'm dropping....PULL UP, PULL UP.......nope.  BOOM!.

A few minutes later, when I stopped sobbing, I decided to go fly it in the TA to console myself.


S! 190s
S! 109
S! Kronos (damn good timing).


  (http://www.swoop.com/images/logo_small.jpg)  

[This message has been edited by Swoop (edited 03-13-2001).]
Title: AAR: The Lancaster flight from hell. (long)
Post by: Karnak on March 13, 2001, 12:53:00 PM
That Lanc is one tough bird. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif)

Sorry to hear about your Ar234B though. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/frown.gif)

------------------
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother

Bring the Spitfire F.MkXIVc to Aces High!!!

Sisu
-Karnak
Title: AAR: The Lancaster flight from hell. (long)
Post by: Ripsnort on March 13, 2001, 01:02:00 PM
Damn, I laughed, I cried!  Great AAR!  (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
Title: AAR: The Lancaster flight from hell. (long)
Post by: BigGun on March 13, 2001, 01:06:00 PM
Very good story...isn't life a squeak!!!

BgMAW
Title: AAR: The Lancaster flight from hell. (long)
Post by: AcId on March 13, 2001, 01:16:00 PM
Thats what makes this game so great......Everyday after a couple sorties or a couple 10, 20 sorties you can reflect upon said sorties and find an incident during your time online that is worth talking about. I can't remember the last time that I logged off unhappy.
Good story Swoop.

------------------
XO VMF-222 The flyin deuces
(http://home.swbell.net/r-azar/vmf222.gif)
Title: AAR: The Lancaster flight from hell. (long)
Post by: NHFoxtro on March 13, 2001, 01:22:00 PM
  Nice AAR,I enjoyed it, and good flying, to bad the reward didn't work out. You'll get it next time    (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)

[This message has been edited by NHFoxtro (edited 03-13-2001).]
Title: AAR: The Lancaster flight from hell. (long)
Post by: hazed- on March 13, 2001, 03:56:00 PM
swoop if we could all GIVE you an arado we would right all?  (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
funny aar swoop

hazed
p.s. give swoop my perks? noway!  (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/tongue.gif)
Title: AAR: The Lancaster flight from hell. (long)
Post by: metronom on March 13, 2001, 04:28:00 PM
A very nice one Swoop  (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
Enjoyed every part of the story.

Sailor

Title: AAR: The Lancaster flight from hell. (long)
Post by: Ddriag on March 14, 2001, 02:21:00 AM
More AAR's.
They sure beat whining.

I have a book about the US/UN operation in Somalia (Cant remember title at mo.) I'll offer it as a prize to the best AAR I read on this BBS. Competition starts now, closing date is 31 March 2001. I'll make a thread, and entries can be posted there. I may open a vote at the end, or I may just decide myself.
And yes, I am prepared to post the book to anywhere in the world.

Ddriag
56 (Fighter Sqn) RAF "Firebirds"
Title: AAR: The Lancaster flight from hell. (long)
Post by: Jochen on March 14, 2001, 02:39:00 AM
 
Quote
I'm sat on the runway at A29 wondering if I should attempt to take off without RATO so I can save them for later (Ar234 will do 550mph with RATO), but I decide no, better to take off safely.....so I'm belting down the runway on full power, RATOs engaged....the nose lifts.....the runway runs out.....I pull up slowly.....the rear lifts....I immediately lift gear to reduce drag.....AAAAAAARGH......I'm dropping....PULL UP, PULL UP.......nope. BOOM!.

I actually wathced your takeoff from tower, I think it was on sunday evening in some med field in north?

I noticed you spawned in Ar 234 heading NW and decided to see how it goes. I never noticed you started your RATO's however. Soon after runway ended you plummeted down and I guessed what must have happened...

Didn't say anything at all, I thought it was the best thing to do at the time.   (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)

I have enought points for 37 Ar 234's so I could give you a few if it would be possible as a reward for great story!

------------------
jochen Gefechtsverband Kowalewski

Units: I. and II./KG 51, II. and III./KG 76, NSGr 1, NSGr 2, NSGr 20.
Planes: Do 17Z, Ju 87D, Ju 88A, He 111H, Ar 234A, Me 410A, Me 262A, Fw 190A, Fw 190F, Fw 190G.

Sieg oder bolsevismus!

[This message has been edited by Jochen (edited 03-14-2001).]
Title: AAR: The Lancaster flight from hell. (long)
Post by: Laika on March 14, 2001, 03:09:00 AM
I do like a good AAR, nice one  (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
Title: AAR: The Lancaster flight from hell. (long)
Post by: Saintaw on March 14, 2001, 05:52:00 AM
I gotta know who that 109 was, if he missed you so many times... he must be from the same school as I  (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif)


Great writeup Swoop !

Saw
Title: AAR: The Lancaster flight from hell. (long)
Post by: Dmitry on March 14, 2001, 11:12:00 AM
 
Quote
swoop if we could all GIVE you an arado we would right all?

exelent story - wish i could help with perkies

------------------
Best regards
Dmitry aka vfGhosty
Title: AAR: The Lancaster flight from hell. (long)
Post by: Swoop on March 14, 2001, 02:42:00 PM
Thanks guys, it was a hell of a mission.....I just hadda share.

Jochen, I definately engaged RATOs.....about half way down the runway (50mph IAS), white smoke and a roaring sound......

Oh well, back up to 28 perk points......getting there.  ;-)

 (http://www.swoop.com/images/logo_small.jpg)
Title: AAR: The Lancaster flight from hell. (long)
Post by: Kronos on March 14, 2001, 09:17:00 PM
Hehee just for the record... I didnt miss him (the 109) the first time... just didnt get enuf pings...

The second time of course i nailed him... but i cant remember his name.

And of course I was in my trusty P47D30.

And am always available to help a friend in trouble  (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)

It was a great sortie you had swoop  (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)



------------------
Kronos
CO No. 272 Squadron "Whispering Death"
---> http://members.home.net/wchiasson/no272/ (http://members.home.net/wchiasson/no272/)
Title: AAR: The Lancaster flight from hell. (long)
Post by: Swoop on January 16, 2002, 02:01:21 PM
cos search works now and it's a cool story........ ;)


MORE AARs!   They're fun to read.


(http://www.swoop.com/images/logo_small.jpg)
Title: AAR: The Lancaster flight from hell. (long)
Post by: Curval on January 16, 2002, 02:47:55 PM
Great story Swoop......
Title: AAR: The Lancaster flight from hell. (long)
Post by: Thrawn on January 16, 2002, 03:37:05 PM
I remember reading that story the first time.  Still had me biting my nails.:D
Title: AAR: The Lancaster flight from hell. (long)
Post by: mjolnir on January 16, 2002, 03:40:23 PM
Damn Swoop, great story, but it hurt to hear about the Arado.  If you're in a real hurry to get another one, just goon a couple bases.  12.5 perkies a piece! :)
Title: AAR: The Lancaster flight from hell. (long)
Post by: Dingy on January 17, 2002, 09:10:56 AM
LOL!

Omg!  I soooooo feel for ya Swoop!  Great story.

-Ding
Title: AAR: The Lancaster flight from hell. (long)
Post by: Swoop on January 17, 2002, 10:23:04 AM
:-)   thx guys.  BTW, I'm up to around 700 bomber perkies now so I can crash loadsa AR234s.......in fact, been racing Oct clean accross Mindinao at low level in 234s recently, we tend to pick up quite a trail when we do.  ;)

Hasnt anyone else got a great AAR to post?  They make great reading.......

(http://www.swoop.com/images/logo_small.jpg)