AAR Frame 3 (repost from FSO squad BBS)

[humble]

Fun fun night overall, I got caught up in the initial fight with the Ki-84's. I remember trying to climb up to one of them chasing one of us, I got forced off him and then popped up on another following solar I think right as Tracer or Sled gave the order to disengage. Somebody check 6'd me and I got a range call. As I broke down I saw a Ki-84 crossing at 600+ and popped off a few rds, 1 flash was observed. As I sped up going down hill I noticed a second ki-84 chasing a friendly (non squaddie). I closed to less then 400 and just as I pulled the trigger he broke up and away. I pushed nose down and left to avoid any possibility of a barrel roll attack and noticed a 2nd friendly being chased by 2 cons. I quickly closed on them and fired on the trailer which blew up.

I exited the area at high speed/low alt as per orders headed to A24. Once clear I reduced RPMs and climbed. While inbound to A24 I observed dots below and 2 my left, I flew toward them and identified Trash engaged with 2 enemy cons. He quickly dispatched one and I engaged the other successfully. We climbed toward the fight at A-24. Trash and I observed bombers attempting to exit low from a-24 and dove in to clear them. While we successfully accomplished that task we were unable to gain an offensive position and were eventually forced away by successive waves of high fighters. Eventually the 4 surviving fighters were able to form up and return to A108 to rearm.

Shortly after take off bases both north and south began to flash. Immediately after that 2 Ki-84s were observed inbound to A108. While both of these planes were successfully engaged the end result was the entire force at A108 was relatively low and slow. 4 Ki-61's engaged with an altitude advantage. While maneuvering to engage these 4 planes multiple high Ki-84 and Ki-61 planes were observed (15+). I elected to disengage and vector north to gain altitude and observed Ramon engaged with 3 or more enemy airplanes. I had enough speed to close and engage. While 2+ planes broke off I was able to engage and destroy a Ki-84. As I flew thru the formation Ramon was able to transition to a position above and reengage. This in turn allowed me to climb and for Ramon to then fly under me. I again engaged the enemy formation and scored significant hits on a 2nd Ki-84 which then augered.

Ramon and I successfully fought a running engagement from A108 to A106 pursued by a mixed force of 6-10 Ki-84/Ki-61 fighters. After rearming at A106 we took off and joined with a 327th pilot (Newman) and flew toward P111. Newman was slightly in front and spotted and engaged a Ki-84 that had been pursuing a friendly near P111. 2 other Ki-84's quickly joined the fight as did Ramon and I. I observed Ramon hit and destroy one Ki-84 with a high deflection crossing shot and I was able to successfully engage the 2nd Ki-84 while he tried to clear Newman from the 1st Ki-84. Newman chased the original Ki-84 back toward A106. I was able to fire and hit the Ki-84 but ran out of ammo during the engagement. We played tag with the Ki in the area of A106 and eventually Ramon landed. As I settled in on final the Ki came back to engage Newman so I aborted my landing to help. Once we chased the Ki-84 away I again attempted to land. As I was on final a Nikki attacked the field and I again aborted my landing. After additional friendlies arrived I was finally able to land at A106.

[Flyboy]

nice write up humble, and good to see you!

[Halo46]

That was fun Snaphook, it was JG11 at A24, you guys were just too fast for us to get on even though we had the alt and numbers. Wish I could fly as smooth as you, had you in my sights a couple times, just couldn't make up the difference in speed. I was going to congratulate Ramone(?) for not taking a HO shot when we passed so close, checked film and he did shoot, just too late though, don't really blame him being out numbered though. That pass made me think of top gun, "there he went, there whooo went!"...lol   Nice guys, great flying.   

Regards,
Hobo

[DrDea]

 <S> to the attack on 26.Well planned and it was a blast to be in the middle of that muddle

[humble]

That was fun Snaphook, it was JG11 at A24, you guys were just too fast for us to get on even though we had the alt and numbers. Wish I could fly as smooth as you, had you in my sights a couple times, just couldn't make up the difference in speed. I was going to congratulate Ramone(?) for not taking a HO shot when we passed so close, checked film and he did shoot, just too late though, don't really blame him being out numbered though. That pass made me think of top gun, "there he went, there whooo went!"...lol   Nice guys, great flying.   

Regards,
Hobo

I was pedaling pretty hard:). No question in my mind that FSO is a much tougher test of overall SA/ACM then the MA. The short icon range really forces quick decision making with regard to relative E state as well an enhanced awareness of whats around you. I know I kept looking up at the higher dots... definitely gets interesting when you realize they're all red. I think I dragged Ramon in pretty deep there. I was trying to clear another squaddie and buff formation when a bunch of you guys dropped on me. Circumstance only gave me one window to scoot thru and I lost my orientation to the map. A 2nd attack forced me to dodge again specific to the threat. So I'm zigging while the rest zagged. Here I am telling Ramon on squad vox he's in to deep...and of course they're all busting up telling me to look at the map and sure enough I'm screaming on the deck at 375 right at A24 . Ramon was probably fighting back to me and I know I was in a sea of red for a bit.

We ran into a set of Ki-67's on the way out. Their escort seemed to hit us pretty hard perceiving us as a threat to the egg haulers. I don't know that we ever really reformed fully. I'd say we lost a couple (out of 12) initially and had 4 or so strung out...only leaving 6 or so actually with the buffs. With the initial attrition in the actual buff defense and pressure on the guys catching up we seemed to be sorely over matched. Given the circumstances I'd have squirted rounds your way early on...as much to announce I was coming on through as to try and hit you. With the tremendous dive stability the Ki-61's have I couldn't afford to give away any speed at all...think i had 3-4 at a time at 800 or so multiple times.

Fun fight and from my perspective a great defense at A24. Also amazed how many fighters you guys were able to put over A108/P111 on the second strike. Ramon and I were very lucky to get out. Looking at the event log the 327th seemed to take a pretty bad beating at the end and they are a fine bunch of sticks and well led/disciplined in FSO. What I found surprising was all 6 kills were Ki-84's in spite of the high number of Ki-61's I saw. The 61's might not have the raw performance #'s but they are very formidable in FSO, seemed like I always had 1 or more bearing down on me from behind but could never commit to any in front. Is the Ki-84 a bit sluggish in roll rate at the high speeds we engaged at? Seems like they (Ki-61) just easily flicked out of the way while the Franks gave me a brief look. Noticed I had 3 assists but cant recall even hitting that many planes...

[Nefarious]

Nice AAR. 

[Stampf]

"Fun fight and from my perspective a great defense at A24"

Thank you Snap.  We kept our staffel tight all night.  We mananged to preserve A24 pretty well, while destroying 15 raiders.  The best part was that we lost no pilots in action last night.  2 a/c damaged re-arming, and 1 disco.  Everyone else made it home.

You guys played it well too.  A very fun engagement. 

[humble]

Ahhhh...that explains the Ki-61's a bit. not really fair having the 109 drivers in the 61's:). I never really got to the fight at A24, from vox traffic on squad it sure sounded like they were hard pressed by both your Ki-61's and the Ki-84's. I found the combination of the two planes very formidable, the Tony (with alt) being very effective at keeping the obviously faster la's off balance. The natural tendencies of the Frank drivers to want to T&B did appear to leave them vulnerable any time the Tony's were not present. All three assists were on Franks also. Very formidable plane in FSO when well handled IMO...great flying anytime you can cover your CAP assignment, inflict major casualties and bring everyone home...very rare accomplishment

[humble]

nice write up humble, and good to see you!

nice to see you back up and flying

[daddog]

Very nice AAR.