tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80769039676860852512024-03-06T00:31:22.838+01:00KingAlbert's Short StoriesThis blog is a spinoff from my other blogKingAlbert Stories. Each post contains a short story I wrote based on the flight sims I fly.KingAlberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08889296271975575006noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8076903967686085251.post-58428919309466318532007-09-19T19:34:00.001+00:002007-09-19T19:44:21.438+00:00Carrier Swimming<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image01.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Crash are 3 stories I wrote after several crashes I made in the <a href="http://www.mission4today.com/index.php?name=Downloads&file=details&id=2793">Fortress Malta Campaign</a> from <a href="http://www.mission4today.com/index.php?name=Downloads&file=search&sa=152">vpmedia</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image01.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>We are en route to Malta. Our carrier has been loaded with several Spitfires. The air force jocks will take off from our decks and join the defenders of Malta, provided we can get close enough. The whole trip we Navy boys have been comparing our Seafires to the Spitfires. Unlike the Spits this is not a one way trip for us. We have the hooks to trap the arresting cables on the deck. Suddenly the alarm bells sound. Radar has picked up several echos heading straight for our armada.<br /><br />We are too far away from Malta, so its up to us sea lads to protect the carrier and its precious cargo for Malta.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image02.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>All of us rush to our fighters, which are hastily brought up on deck. We quickly jump into our cockpits, performing the a quick check. My mechanic shouts something about tanks and half empty, before his voice is drowned in the sea of roaring engines. The deck rush below my wheels, before dropping away underneath me as I take to the sky.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image03.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Below is are small armada. As the ships anti-aircraft gunners prepare themselves for the German attack, we rush to the sky.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image04.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Several miles away, a large formation of He-111's lumbers towards our armada. Equipped with torpedoes and bombs, they have only one target: our carrier.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image05.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Soon we are on top of them. Their shadows racing over the waves, reveal their position.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image06.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The wing commander cries tally ho and one by one we dive towards the low-flying bombers. Soon my first target appears in the gun sight. Shells and bullets rain down on the helpless bomber.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image07.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Riddled with holes, the bomber lumbers on. I am sure it will hit the water before reaching our carrier, but I have no time to admire its demise. There are too many bombers and to few Seafires to send them to Neptunus'realm.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image08.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image08.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The rest of my squadron pitches in too, as bombers start catching fire everywhere around.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image09.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>My second victim spins towards the sea, without an engine and rudder. There are no parachutes to be seen.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image10.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Circling around the enemy formation, I admire the strings of black smoke falling out of it. This Germans will learn that the Seafire is as deadly as it land-based cousin.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image11.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>There goes my third victim. This is not an attack, its a turkey shoot.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image12.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>By now we are within reach of the ships anti-aircraft artillery. Before me there is a wall of shrapnel, which I avoid by steeply climbing upwards.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image13.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>While circling safe outside the flak zone, I notice that the drama for the German bombers does not stop.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image14.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>A bomber tries to whiz by one of the escort ships, heading straight for the carrier, but our gun crews are bloodthirsty.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image15.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>There is a huge flash...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image16.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image16.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>and the bomber disappears in a giant ball of fire as the gunners placed a direct hit.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image17.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image17.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The poor escort ship is showered with debris as the bomber disintegrates.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image18.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image18.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>But I can't let our ship gunners have all the fun. With disregard for the danger, I dive straight through our own flak barrage towards another bomber skimming the waves.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image19.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image19.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I pull the trigger, but only my machine guns fire. I am out of canon shells. I spray the bomber with bullets, flashing underneath it. I doubt the effectiveness of bullets against these heavily armored aircraft but they are far from home and maybe one of my wing mates can finish him off.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image20.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image20.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I scream past our carrier. Before the war, people said the bomber would always get through. But we have proved that theory wrong. There is no single scratch on the carrier. All bombers were shot down or chased away.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image21.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image21.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>As I turn towards the carrier, ready to land, I notice the red blinking light that I failed to see during the battle. Suddenly I remember the mechanics words: fuel tank and half empty.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image22.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image22.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I lower the gear and hook, praying that I have enough time to make at least one approach.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image23.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image23.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Without a warning, my engine freezes. Out of fuel, in plain sight of the carrier. The fighter over, diving straight to the sea.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image24.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image24.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I pull as hard as I can on the stick. If I go nose first it will be the end of me. For a second I hope to make a glide approach but I am too far out.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image25.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image25.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Sirens sound on the carrier as my aircraft smashes into the sea.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image26.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_12/Image26.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I manage to struggle out of my cockpit, but the carrier won't stop, out of fear of U-boats. But one of the escorts lowers a lifeboat to pick me up.<br /><br />That evening I am back on board the carrier, when one of the spitfire pilots approaches me asking what's the use of a tail hook if we naval pilots swim aboard.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The End</span>KingAlberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08889296271975575006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8076903967686085251.post-45451132427056799152007-09-12T16:39:00.000+00:002007-09-12T16:43:48.670+00:00Tainted Cigar: 95th FIS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_06/Image01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_06/Image01.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The Cuban crisis has gone bad. The soviets under leadership of Nikita Krushchev did not back down, despite the US naval blockade. When all diplomacy fails, President Kennedy is left but one option: Destroy the soviet missiles on Cuba. Ousting the Cuban leader Fidel Castro will be a nice side-effect.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_06/Image02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_06/Image02.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Squadron: 95th FIS operating F-106A Delta Darts from MacDill AFB<br /><br />The F-106A would be the last dedicated interceptor in the US inventory and today we are going to prove it could meet its job requirements. As our fellow pilots have attacked the Cubans all day, it is time for the Cuban to try a counter-attack.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_06/Image03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_06/Image03.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We are on hold, ready to launch in a moment's notice, when word comes down. A flight of soviet bombers is heading for Florida. Now the gloves are really off, if the Soviets attack us in plain sight.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_06/Image04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_06/Image04.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Our jets spool up and in mere seconds we are climbing straight up into the sky. With its internal weapons-bay the F-106 remains a sleek killing machine without all the weapon racks that hang beneath the other fighters.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_06/Image05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_06/Image05.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The Soviet bombers are almost at their target, one of the many airfields from which we attack Cuba. The bomber crews might think they are almost home but they are in for a surprise.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_06/Image06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_06/Image06.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />With full afterburner, our flight has reached the enemy formation just in time. I hear the Falcon missile groan, indicating it has locked on the hot exhaust of the Soviet jets. I let the missile loose with much satisfaction.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_06/Image07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_06/Image07.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />In the bombers, the Soviet gunners watch in horror as one of them is shot out of the sky by my missile. Did they think they could come here without a fight?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_06/Image08.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_06/Image08.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I scream past the bombers, calling out to my wingman to attack the bombers on his turn.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_06/Image09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_06/Image09.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The bombers are about to release their bombs. We are too late to stop them but at least we will make sure they don't return to Cuba.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_06/Image10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_06/Image10.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My wingman has locked on to his target and fires a missile. We will make this a costly retreat for the Soviets.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_06/Image11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_06/Image11.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Another bomber plummets to the ground, trailing smoke and fire behind it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_06/Image12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_06/Image12.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I managed to turn my fighter around and begin pursuing the bombers again. Its a race against time, because my wingman is tearing them apart. One more bomber breaks apart in a fiery explosion.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_06/Image13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_06/Image13.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I fire another missile, killing of the last bomber. The Soviets might have bombed the airfield, but none of them returned homewards.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_06/Image14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_06/Image14.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Below us, smoke billows from the base. Luckily for use the only thing the Soviets managed to hit were some empty bunkers. The runway remained untouched.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_06/Image15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_06/Image15.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Returning home, I wiggle my wings to the ground crews. Hopefully somebody has a can of red paint, so that I can paint two red stars underneath my cockpit.<br /><br />The end.KingAlberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08889296271975575006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8076903967686085251.post-24036698870154484202007-09-05T20:28:00.000+00:002007-09-05T20:46:55.861+00:00Crash – Floating at the beach<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image01.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Crash are 3 stories I wrote after several crashes I made in the <a href="http://www.mission4today.com/index.php?name=Downloads&file=details&id=2793">Fortress Malta Campaign</a> from <a href="http://www.mission4today.com/index.php?name=Downloads&file=search&sa=152">vpmedia</a>.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image02.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Here I am, floating in front of the coast of Malta. Hopefully a fishing boat will pick me up soon. But while I am here, with the explosions of Italian bombs in the distance, I can contemplate on how I got here.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image03.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>As usual we were patroling over Malta. This little island, within flying range Sicily, had endured several attacks by the Italian air force. The Italians were bend on sinking this little island into the sea, since it helped us control the sea lanes between the Italian main land and the Italian troops in Libya.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image04.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Suddenly the radio crackled. A fishing boat had spotted dark shadows in the sky and had warned our base.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image05.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The Italians were there, bombers and fighters heading for our little island, hell bend on sinking it into the Mediterranean.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image06.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Our little formation of 3 Gladatiors immediately turned to face these attackers.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image07.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Within minutes, small dots appeared on the horizon. Small bursts of flak exploded between them as ships below trained their anti aircraft fire on the Italian raiders.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image08.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image08.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Now it was our turn, I dove straight towards bombers.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image09.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Tracer fire went up and back between the bombers and my fighter. But I had gained too much speed with my reckless dive and now overshot most of the bombers.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image10.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>A quick pull on the stick and this old biplane went up into a loop. Glancing over my shoulder I tried to single out my victim.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image11.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>But the Gladiator is too old for these kind of fights. The bombers easily outrun me and disappear in the clouds.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image12.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Suddenly tracer fire flashes over my wings. I yank the stick sideways, slipping out of the line of fire. An Italian fighter flashes by. Just like my Gladiator its an old bi-plane. Somehow I feel like I am back over the trenches in France, just like my father during the Great War.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image13.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>That Italian spaghetti eater won't escape me. I start to chase him through the sky.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image14.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>But again tracer fire reminds me that each wing leader has a wing man. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image15.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Now I am hastily dogding his fire, somehow the situation turned very bad quickly.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image16.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image16.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>This guy remains on my tail, if I don't have a break soon, I will be history.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image17.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image17.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>In the distance one of my squadron mates has more luck sending an Italian fighter down the drain.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image18.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image18.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I bet that Italian pilot is now wondering how on earth he will get back to Italy, perhaps swimming?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image19.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image19.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>But there are still plenty of other Italians around to fight with. After having shaken of my pursuer, I roll after another Italian, trying to get a shot at him.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image20.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image20.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>But ironicaly he hits the sea before I even fire a single shot at him. I hope I claim him otherwise this will be a very empty dogfight.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image21.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image21.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Again tracer fire around. It looks like the entire Italian air force is after me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image22.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image22.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>A monoplane fighter flashes by. It's not fair! Why do these Italians have monoplane fighters and do we have to fight with these old obsolete wooden crates?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image23.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image23.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Like a mosquito, an Italian bi-plane follows the monoplane, taking potshots at me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image24.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image24.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The only thing I can do is try to evade their attacks as much as possible. But suddenly my engine starts to cough. Some stray bullets must have hit a line or oil reservoir, because I am slowly loosing power.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image25.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image25.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Luckily for me, the Italians ran out of fuel and headed back for home, leaving me with a crippled bird over sea. I am too low to bail out and have not enough power to make it to land. The only option remains ditching<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image26.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_11/Image26.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I can't remember the actual ditch because I knocked my head on the dashboard. The last thing I remember is the sea water rushing into the cockpit. Somehow I managed to get out of the cockpit and inflate my dinghy. Now I floating here, waiting for a boat to pick me up.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The End</span>KingAlberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08889296271975575006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8076903967686085251.post-78779778168277427262007-08-29T20:14:00.000+00:002007-08-29T20:18:27.035+00:00TC: 74 TFS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_05/Image01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_05/Image01.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The Cuban crisis has gone bad. The soviets under leadership of Nikita Krushchev did not back down, despite the US naval blockade. When all diplomacy fails, President Kennedy is left but one option: Destroy the soviet missiles on Cuba. Ousting the Cuban leader Fidel Castro will be a nice side-effect.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_05/Image02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_05/Image02.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Squadron: 74th Tactical Fighter Squadron Flying F-105D's from Homestead AFB<br /><br />The Cubans won't be attacked solely by day. With night raids we hope to prevent them from having any rest. Our flight of Thuds has been tasked to destroy targets in Port Havana.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_05/Image03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_05/Image03.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>In my cockpit I prepare to take off. The Thud is a rugged aircraft with lots of knobs and dials not like modern fighters with their touch-screens.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_05/Image04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_05/Image04.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>With full afterburner I roll down the runway. As I pull up, the airfield disappears into the darkness behind me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_05/Image05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_05/Image05.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>We cross the coastline. Stars shine down on our flight. Each aircraft fully loaded with bombs and guns.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_05/Image06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_05/Image06.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>US Navy fighters escort us towards the Cuban coastline. With a full compliment of bombs we only have our guns to defend any aerial defender. The sparrows of these F-4's will cover us in case a Cuban pilot is foolish enough to attack us.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_05/Image07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_05/Image07.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>At Havana Harbor nobody is expecting. The harbor is silent, its defenders fighting to stay awake unaware of the impending attack.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_05/Image08.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_05/Image08.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Like bats we dive from the black sky, ready to release our bombs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_05/Image09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_05/Image09.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The night is pitch black, until my hud is lit up by the explosions from the first bombs falling on the harbor.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_05/Image10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_05/Image10.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The first flight has released its bombs, illuminating the ground with their explosions.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_05/Image11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_05/Image11.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I drop my first bombs, pulling up hard to avoid slamming into to ground or hitting any cranes. Awoken by the explosions, Cuban gunners start firing blindly in the sky.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_05/Image12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_05/Image12.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>But our Thuds seem to appear from every direction as we perform a second pass, dropping the remainder of our bombs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_05/Image13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_05/Image13.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>This time, there is also tracer fire as troops on the ground start firing at us. But the damage is done, our bombs destroyed several facilities in the harbor.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_05/Image14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_05/Image14.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>We all form up again and head back for home. Nobody got hit and the Cubans got some major ordinance shoved down their throat.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_05/Image15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_05/Image15.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I put my aircraft down and taxi for the nearest parking space. Perhaps a quick beer in the canteen before I hit the sack. Tomorrow we will have to fly plenty of other missions.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The End</span>KingAlberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08889296271975575006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8076903967686085251.post-37299514503884366612007-08-29T17:56:00.000+00:002007-08-29T18:02:39.845+00:00NATO<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/Modern_Stories/NATO/Image01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/Modern_Stories/NATO/Image01.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />These AAR's are based on the NATO mod which can be found at <a href="http://www.column5.us/">column5</a>.<br /><br />1980 – Nearly two months after his inauguration, President Reagan faces the free world's ultimate nightmare: Soviet forces have moved beyond the iron curtain and are invading Europe. NATO will have to proof what its worth for.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/Modern_Stories/NATO/Image02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/Modern_Stories/NATO/Image02.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Phantoms from the RAF are ready for a CAP patrol over the Fulda Gap. Soviets tanks have crossed the border and are now pushing forward. Close Air Support fighters like the Harrier and the A-10 will try to stem the tide, but only if the NATO fighters can provide some form of air cover.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/Modern_Stories/NATO/Image03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/Modern_Stories/NATO/Image03.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The ground disappears quickly below the fighters as they race towards their patrol area.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/Modern_Stories/NATO/Image04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/Modern_Stories/NATO/Image04.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Soviet Mig's are already flying above the gap, attacking any NATO fighter who dares to approach the soviet tank armada.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/Modern_Stories/NATO/Image05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/Modern_Stories/NATO/Image05.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>But that won't deter our brave RAF pilots, in the style of their grandfathers, fighting against the Luftwaffe above Britain, they race forward, confident to sweep the skies clean of the Soviet threat.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/Modern_Stories/NATO/Image06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/Modern_Stories/NATO/Image06.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Suddenly the radiowaves are filled with the calm voice of the ground controllers. Some ground troops near a German town are attacked by Sukhoi fighters and need urgent assistance.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/Modern_Stories/NATO/Image07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/Modern_Stories/NATO/Image07.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>There is no time too lose, the WSO quickly locks the radar onto the low-flying Sukhois and soon a skyflash missile leaps forward to its target.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/Modern_Stories/NATO/Image08.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/Modern_Stories/NATO/Image08.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>But RWR of the sukhoi warned its pilot of the impeding danger. Quickly jinking his aircraft around, releasing chaffs and flares, he manages to shake of the missile.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/Modern_Stories/NATO/Image09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/Modern_Stories/NATO/Image09.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>But the second skyflash fired at the Soviet pilot, is not detered by his fancy moves and flares. The missile explodes underneath the fighter, which disintegrates in a ball of fire, out of which burning pieces fall towards the ground.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/Modern_Stories/NATO/Image10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/Modern_Stories/NATO/Image10.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>But to their horror, our British pilots discover that the Sukhoi's were a diversion. Out of nowhere a pair of Tupolevs appear and drop their full bombload on the hapless defenders of the German town.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/Modern_Stories/NATO/Image11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/Modern_Stories/NATO/Image11.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Some of these ground troops were Scottisch guards and the pilots want to avenge their death. The Tupolevs think they can escape by flying low, but soon the Phantoms are hot on their tail, shooting missiles at the cowardly bombers.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/Modern_Stories/NATO/Image12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/Modern_Stories/NATO/Image12.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>One Tupolev looses its wing as a skyflash missile explodes on top of it. The bomber spins out of control and slams into the German countryside. None of its crew escaped their death.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/Modern_Stories/NATO/Image13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/Modern_Stories/NATO/Image13.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>With the Soviet aircraft beating a hasty retreat it is also time for our British pilots to return home. The dogfight has consumed a lot of fuel and missiles.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/Modern_Stories/NATO/Image14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/Modern_Stories/NATO/Image14.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Soon their home base is back in sight. After a quick check, the aircraft line up for landing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/Modern_Stories/NATO/Image15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/Modern_Stories/NATO/Image15.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>As the aircraft touch the runway, ground crews are already busy preparing a new load of missiles for our brave fighters. The Soviets might have lost some fighters and bombers, but there are still plenty more of where they came.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The End</span>KingAlberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08889296271975575006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8076903967686085251.post-47808233634879065972007-08-15T19:52:00.001+00:002007-08-15T19:52:21.936+00:00Hayates<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image01.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>This AAR is based on the campaign Hayates over Manchuria (<a href="http://www.mission4today.com/index.php?name=Downloads&file=details&amp;id=2647">link</a> + <a href="http://www.mission4today.com/index.php?name=Downloads&get=2647">download</a>) by <a href="http://www.mission4today.com/index.php?name=Downloads&file=search&amp;sa=740">Poltava</a>.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image02.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>With Nazi Germany and Italy beaten, Japan remains the sole axis power still fighting. The Americans are slowly approaching the Japanese mainland and to make matters worse the Soviets have now also declared war on us. There have been numerous reports of Soviet troops approaching the boarder so this morning we will fly cover over our troops.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image03.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>We quickly form up and head for our designated patrol area.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image04.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>With the sun in our back we form a threat no one, even not the Soviets, will take lightly.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image05.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>We soon arrive over our troops to watch a horrible scene. Smoke and flame erupt from our lines. The Soviets have started their attack.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image06.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>There are the culprits, Soviet fighter-bombers.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image07.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I roll inverted, perform a split-S and dive towards the lead bomber.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image08.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image08.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>But I completely misjudged my speed and overshoots the Soviet aircraft. Luckly for me the pilot does not decide to turn his heavy anti-tank tank guns on me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image09.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Pulling hard on the stick I climb back above the bombers. I'll have to be more careful on my next approach.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image10.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>In I go for my next attack run. Tracers erupt from the back of the bombers as they start firing at my wingmen who are also joining the fray.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image11.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>this time i make sure I pull up behind the enemy fighter, giving myself ample time to spray it with shells and bullits.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image12.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I keep pouring shells into the aircraft but it just keeps lumbering on. I get so close to the enemy fighter that i nearly crash into it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image13.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>To my amazement, these Soviet aircraft can take a serious pounding. Any Japanese bomber would have turned into a giant fireball by now.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image14.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>But there is no time to loose, already the next bomber appears in my sights. Again I close in fast, peppering the aircraft with gunfire. Debris of the bomber flings around my aircraft as I close the distance.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image15.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Again the aircraft withstands the beating, but this time its crew flinches. Both gunner and pilot elect to jump to safety. The aircraft might not be destroyed but at least it won't do much harm without a crew.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image16.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image16.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Another formation of bomber appears in my crosshairs. They shatter apart as i start firing away<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image17.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image17.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>This time I have more luck. As i spray my target with gunfire, a sudden flash appears in the left wing of the bomber. A small explosion, perhaps a fuel tanks ignited by my shells, tears apart the wing, sending the bomber in a deadly spiral to the ground. At least these bombers are not so invulnerable after all.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image18.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image18.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Its about time, because I just shot my last ammunition. Its time to head for home.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image19.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image19.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The damage to my fighter is superficial, but there are still some bullet holes in my canopy to remind me that these tail gunners do shoot back.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image20.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image20.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I gently put my fighter down. Taxiing from the runway, I signal the ground crew they should prepare my aircraft for another round. I won't stay long on the ground, because the Soviets might still send in a second wave.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image21.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_10/Image21.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Our flag waves in the early morning wind. I am proud of my country and my people. We will keep on fighting until those Soviet and American dogs are beaten.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The End</span>KingAlberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08889296271975575006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8076903967686085251.post-69757349450140707612007-08-08T21:31:00.000+00:002007-08-08T21:44:06.176+00:00Tainted Cigar: 511th FBS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_04/Image01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_04/Image01.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The Cuban crisis has gone bad. The soviets under leadership of Nikita Krushchev did not back down, despite the US naval blockade. When all diplomacy fails, President Kennedy is left but one option: Destroy the soviet missiles on Cuba. Ousting the Cuban leader Fidel Castro will be a nice side-effect. <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_04/Image02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_04/Image02.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Squadron: 511<sup>th</sup> FBS flying F-100D's from Homestead AFB</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Fighters and bombers all over Florida are preparing to strike at Cuba and the 511<sup>th</sup> is also ready to do its share. We are tasked to attack a SS-4 launcher near Sagua La Grande.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_04/Image03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_04/Image03.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">We are all eager to take to the sky and to take the fight to Fidel and Kruschev.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_04/Image04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_04/Image04.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">We form up above the sea and head for Sagua La Grande.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_04/Image05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_04/Image05.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">A flight of F-8's escorts us as we make our run for the island.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_04/Image06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_04/Image06.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">As we cross the coastline, we suddenly get some unfriendly company.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_04/Image07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_04/Image07.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">To my horror, one of my pilots screams he has to bail out, the Mig's bagged their first kill.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_04/Image08.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_04/Image08.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></p>We have to push on, I shove the throttle into full afterburner. <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_04/Image09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_04/Image09.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Below is the target, which need to be destroyed before the Soviets launch a nuclear attack against the mainland.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_04/Image10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_04/Image10.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The F-8's come to our rescue, but without radar guided missiles they have to move in pretty close to score a sidewinder-kill.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_04/Image11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_04/Image11.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">In a steep dive, I drop down on the Cuban site, quickly dropping my first pair of bombs.</p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_04/Image12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_04/Image12.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">My bombs fall close the launcher, but fail to damage it. Strangely all the Mig's have disappeared.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_04/Image13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_04/Image13.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_04/Image13.jpg"></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Clouds of black smoke around my plane, tell me why. The Cuban anti-aircraft artillery has entered the fray.<br /></p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_04/Image14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_04/Image14.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I make a second bomb run, but this time my bombs fall too far from the target.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_04/Image15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_04/Image15.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>In a stupid move I make a hard turn towards the target and make a strafe run.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_04/Image16.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_04/Image16.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Incredibly my stunt works, despite the fact that the missile is an extremely narrow target, I manage to hit its fuel tanks, set the missile and the surrounding vehicles ablaze.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_04/Image18.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_04/Image18.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">It's time to head for home. Ignoring the original mission plan, which called for a high altitude escape, I decide to fly low and fast over the Cuban countryside.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_04/Image17.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_04/Image17.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Flying low and fast, I notice an enemy radar station in front of me. With my latest strafing success in mind I decide to treat the radar station the same lead shower. But the radar station is closely protected by AA-guns which promptly open fire on. Their shells pierce through my plane, igniting fuel and munitions tanks. In a blinding flash my aircraft explodes and the mangle pieces fall to the ground.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_04/Image19.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_04/Image19.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>In an odd twist of fate, the burning wreckage tumbles straight onto the radar, destroying it in the process. But unfortunately President Kennedy will have to write one more letter to a grieving widow. <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: bold;">The End</p>KingAlberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08889296271975575006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8076903967686085251.post-7861531987014760842007-08-01T20:53:00.000+00:002007-08-01T21:01:41.381+00:00Tainted Cigar: 331st FS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_03/Image01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_03/Image01.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The Cuban crisis has gone bad. The soviets under leadership of Nikita Krushchev did not back down, despite the US naval blockade. When all diplomacy fails, President Kennedy is left but one option: Destroy the soviet missiles on Cuba. Ousting the Cuban leader Fidel Castro will be a nice side-effect.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_03/Image02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_03/Image02.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Squadron: 331st Flying F-104A's from Homestead AFB</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">As our Navy colleagues keep pounding the Cuban defenses, we are tasked to perform a fighter sweep over Gustavo Rizo Airfield. It's not the kind of mission I like to perform in a F-104. This fighter can only carry heat-seeking missiles. Unlike the Phantom we have to get in close for our kills. However we have the advantage of carrying an internal gun. If it gets real hot we can at least throw some lead at the enemy.</p><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_03/Image03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_03/Image03.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">With full afterburner, I take to the sky. The additional fuel tanks will allow us to reach Cuba with plenty of fuel left for a brawl.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_03/Image04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_03/Image04.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The first leg of our flight takes us to open sea, to confuse the Cuban radar operators of our target.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_03/Image05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_03/Image05.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">F-100's take of behind us, equipped with bombs to attack the radar sites.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_03/Image06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_03/Image06.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">As we cross the coastline, we are greeted by Skyhawks, returning from their mission. There are some Mig's hot on their tail they need to get rid off.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_03/Image07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_03/Image07.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I order my wingman to drop the fuel tanks and do the same myself. Without the fuel tanks the F-104 is much more agile.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_03/Image08.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_03/Image08.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Unfortunately we approach the Mig's head-on. We need a tail-lock for our sidewinders. A brawl in sky erupts as Mig's and F-104's try to get a shot at each other.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_03/Image09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_03/Image09.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Finally I get on the tail of a Mig. A whining tone warns me that the sidewinder has spotted his target. I pull the trigger and the missile leaps from its rail. </p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_03/Image10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_03/Image10.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">But the first missile misses its mark. I keep trailing behind the Mig and get a second warning from the remaining sidewinder. I fire and this time the missile disappears in the tailpipe of the Mig, which explodes in thousand pieces.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_03/Image11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_03/Image11.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I am now right on top of the enemy base, Mig's surrounding us and I have no more missiles left.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_03/Image12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_03/Image12.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I spot a second Mig below me. As I dive towards him, I realize I am without missiles. In a reflex I lead him and pull the trigger of my gun. The tracers lead nice up to the Mig, tearing away its tail.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_03/Image13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_03/Image13.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I pull hard on the stick to get out the suicidal dive towards the Mig, behind me its wreckage plummets to the ground.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_03/Image14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_03/Image14.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Meanwhile the Cubans have send Mig-21's to the sky. Unlike the Mig-15 and Mig-17's these fighters carry missiles. It's time to bug out.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_03/Image15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_03/Image15.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Using my higher altitude, I fly in full afterburner back towards the US. The Mig's don't follow me, perhaps out of fear for our own anti-aircraft artillery?</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_03/Image16.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_03/Image16.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I land safely back at base with two kills, one made with guns like in Korea or during WW2. That is something the F-4 jockeys will never be able to do.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The End</span><br /></p>KingAlberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08889296271975575006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8076903967686085251.post-50521172099413178382007-07-25T21:25:00.000+00:002007-07-25T21:31:12.039+00:00Tainted Cigar: VF-41<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_02/Image01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_02/Image01.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The Cuban crisis has gone bad. The soviets under leadership of Nikita Krushchev did not back down, despite the US naval blockade. When all diplomacy fails, President Kennedy is left but one option: Destroy the soviet missiles on Cuba. Ousting the Cuban leader Fidel Castro will be a nice side-effect.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_02/Image02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_02/Image02.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Squadron: VF-41 Black Aces aboard the Indepence<br /><br />Four Phantoms F-4B stand ready on the catapult. We are tasked with providing escort for Memphis flight, four skyhawks send out to bomb missile sites on the Cuban main land. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_02/Image03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_02/Image03.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>With a short interval we are all shot of the deck of the Independence.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_02/Image04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_02/Image04.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The four of us form up near the carrier and head for Cuba.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_02/Image05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_02/Image05.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>We are soon joined by the Skyhawks, each carrying a pair of Mk-82 bombs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_02/Image06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_02/Image06.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Contact! The WSO spots several bogies racing towards us. I drop the external fuel tanks and order the rest of the flight to do the same.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_02/Image07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_02/Image07.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The Cuban MIG's are too close and at first I overshoot my target. I make a hard turn away from the MIG's, creating some distance for my sparrows.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_02/Image08.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_02/Image08.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>When I line up again, I get a fire signal for the sparrow. The missile leaps from underneath my aircraft, races towards the MIG who tries to evade the missile in vain. Splash one.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_02/Image09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_02/Image09.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Below the Skyhawks start their bomb run on the missile site.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_02/Image10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_02/Image10.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>While the Skyhawks bomb the site, a wild dogfight has erupted above their heads as more and more Cuaban Migs race towards the site. But we are waiting for them.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_02/Image11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_02/Image11.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>It's like a turkey shoot, the Cubans don't have missiles, so they have to get within gun range. But with our radar guided missiles we can shoot them one by one out of the sky.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_02/Image12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_02/Image12.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I fire sparrow after sparrow. These Mig pilots must be real suicidal.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_02/Image13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_02/Image13.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The sky is filled with burning Migs plummeting towards the ground.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_02/Image14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_02/Image14.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Finally the calls comes that the Skyhawks have dropped their bombs and are heading home. It's time for us to bug out too.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_02/Image15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_02/Image15.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>A flight of Banshees arrive to cover our retreat.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_02/Image16.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_02/Image16.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>They mop up the remaining Cuban aircraft in the area.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_02/Image17.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_02/Image17.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The return flight is uneventfull. The Cubans are getting pummeled. I am the first to land at the carrier, with the rest of the wing hot on my tail.<br /><br />The mission was a success. I bagged three Migs. Nevertheless we lost 2 skyhawks. One to ground fire and one to a Mig who managed to sneak past us. It proves that despite the resounding success in the dogfight, the Cubans won't go down without a fight.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The End</span>KingAlberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08889296271975575006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8076903967686085251.post-19194731993142290912007-07-18T21:07:00.000+00:002007-07-18T21:14:20.227+00:00Tainted Cigar: VMF-235<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_01/Image01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_01/Image01.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The Cuban crisis has gone bad. The soviets under leadership of Nikita Krushchev did not back down, despite the US naval blockade. When all diplomacy fails, President Kennedy is left but one option: Destroy the soviet missiles on Cuba. Ousting the Cuban leader Fidel Castro will be a nice side-effect.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_01/Image02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_01/Image02.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Squadron: VMF-235 aboard the USS Coral Sea CV-43</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">One by one our four F-8E roll up to the catapult. Each one of us is carrying a full load of bombs and missiles. We don't carry defensive weapons like sidewinders, so if we encounter any air oppositions we will have to flee out of dodge city.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I am pushed back into my seat as the catapult hurls my aircraft over the deck.</p> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_01/Image03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_01/Image03.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I circle around the carrier, waiting for the other F-8's to join up.<br /></p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_01/Image04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_01/Image04.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Together we head for the Cuban main-land.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_01/Image05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_01/Image05.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Below us a couple of F-4's are skimming the waves, also heading for Cuba. These fighters will take care of any aircraft the Cubans launch.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_01/Image06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_01/Image06.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Our target is a is an encampment where the Soviets have stored some missiles. We don't know yet whether these missiles can carry a nuclear war-head and whether they are ready to be fired. But it is our job to destroy the camp.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_01/Image07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_01/Image07.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">As we reach the target are, I push my fighter into full afterburner, climbing some extra feet for my dive onto the target.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_01/Image08.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_01/Image08.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The Cubans and Soviets did not expect us, because there is no anti-aircraft fire as we dive towards the target. I release a ripple of bombs, drawing a line of explosions on the ground.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_01/Image09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_01/Image09.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">As I pull up, the enemy camp is billowed in smoke from all the bombs our flight dropped onto them.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_01/Image10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_01/Image10.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I turn the fighter around, this time I will use my zuni-missiles to pepper the target.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_01/Image11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_01/Image11.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I pull the trigger and the missiles speed away. The clouds above and around the camp make it hard to spot any target. The defenders must be awoken because the first puffs of black smoke appear in the sky.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_01/Image12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_01/Image12.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I make one final pass, dropping my last bombs when tracer fire whizzes past my cockpit. The gunners below are now definitely awake. It's time to head for home.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_01/Image13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_01/Image13.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">As we cross the coastline again, another flight of F-4's awaits us. It's good to know that our fighters are ready to protect us.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_01/Image14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_01/Image14.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Finally we arrive above the Coral Sea again and are quickly cleared to land.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_01/Image15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_01/Image15.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I call the ball and brings the F-8 down to the flight deck, grabbing the third wire.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_01/Image16.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/TaintedCigar/Mission_01/Image16.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The cable stops my plane abruptly. The deck crew signals me to taxi free of the landing deck. We might have fired the first shots but I know for sure we will fly many more missions over Cuba. Until that bearded dictator is chased away and those pesky Soviets learned that American democracy won't let itself to be bullied.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: bold;">The End</p>KingAlberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08889296271975575006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8076903967686085251.post-16998711289569848362007-06-20T20:12:00.001+00:002007-07-11T21:05:44.082+00:00Tunis<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_1/Image001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_1/Image001.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: italic;">Tunis is a four part AAR, detailing the events surrounding a 4 ship formation of Me-109's</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: italic;">-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /></p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_1/Image002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_1/Image002.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Libya 1942, a flight of 4 Me-109's prepares for a patrol over desert. The allies have landed in North-Africa, creating a second front in support for Stalin. Our job is to intercept any allied fighter and shoot it down.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_1/Image003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_1/Image003.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">One by one we take off. After forming up, we follow the coastline in search of enemy fighters.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_1/Image004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_1/Image004.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Overhead fly Stuka's. These dive-bombers had it hard above England, but here above the open desert they proof to be excellent tank hunters.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_1/Image005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_1/Image005.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">We arrive over the enemy controlled harbor. Flak explodes around us, but seems to be way off mark.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_1/Image006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_1/Image006.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Disaster, the wing-leader of the red element is hit by shrapnel. A faint line of smoke escapes from his engine, but the pilot still believes he can continue the patrol.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_1/Image007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_1/Image007.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">We continue the patrol, but I am worried about the red wing-leader. With his damaged engine he won't be able to keep up with us. I decide to shorten the patrol to get him home safely.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_1/Image008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_1/Image008.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Suddenly small specks appear on the horizon, rapidly closing in on us. American P-40's!</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_1/Image009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_1/Image009.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Two formations pass between each other, guns blazing in a vain attempt to score the first kill of the fight. I order red wing-leader to return to base. With his damaged engine he won't stand a change against the P-40's. </p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_1/Image010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_1/Image010.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">One of the P-40's dives towards the deck. Immediately I go after him. </p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_1/Image011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_1/Image011.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">A P-40 is not a British Spitfire. I have no trouble to keep sticking on its tail, peppering it with bullets and shells.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_1/Image012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_1/Image012.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">As the fight goes up and down in the sky, I see a huge explosion in the distance. I sure hope it ain't one of us.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_1/Image013.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_1/Image013.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The shells of my canons rip through the tail of the P-40, breaking it apart.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_1/Image014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_1/Image014.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The American pilot tries to bail out as the tailless aircraft plummets to the ground.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_1/Image015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_1/Image015.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">But I won't enjoy my victory for long. Without warning the world turns black, when bullets rip through my body. Slowly my Me-109 rolls over, with my lifeless body trapped in its cockpit.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_1/Image016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_1/Image016.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The Me-109 dives nose-first towards the ground, exploding as it hits the ground with tremendous speed.</p><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">End of this Chapter<br /><br /></span>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_2/Image001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_2/Image001.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_2/Image002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_2/Image002.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> This morning I take off with my wing-leader and a second element to patrol the Libyan desert. The allies have landed on the North African coast and we have to make sure that air superiority remains in German hands.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_2/Image003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_2/Image003.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> But the patrol turns almost immediately badly when the other elements wing-leader is hit by anti aircraft fire. Trailing smoke its pilot tries to keep up with the rest of us.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_2/Image004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_2/Image004.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> To make matters worse, we stumble upon a flight of American P-40's.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_2/Image005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_2/Image005.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> My wing-leader engages them, leaving me on his trail, trying to protect his back.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_2/Image006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_2/Image006.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> The Americans are good pilots, quickly one of them tries to jump on my wing-leader's tail.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_2/Image007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_2/Image007.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> But I am vigilant and won't let my wing-leader down.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_2/Image008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_2/Image008.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> Despite my warnings, my wing-leader keeps sticking on the tail of his target, while the second P-40 tries to latch onto my wing-leader.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_2/Image009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_2/Image009.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> At last I get into a firing position. Pulling the trigger, shells and bullets speed towards the P-40.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_2/Image010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_2/Image010.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> Trailing smoke, the wounded P-40 leaves the combat zone.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_2/Image011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_2/Image011.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> An explosion to my right catches my eye. I hope it ain't one of us.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_2/Image012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_2/Image012.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> But all that twisting and turning, made me slip out of formation with my wing-leader. We twist around each other in a desperate attempt to form sort of formation again.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_2/Image013.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_2/Image013.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> Suddenly a new fighter passes in front of me. Spitfires! In the heat of combat no one of use noticed these reinforcements.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_2/Image014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_2/Image014.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> Before I can react, the Spitfire slides behind my wing-leader firing a short burst.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_2/Image015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_2/Image015.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> I try to get behind the Spitfire, but my wing-leader is already trailing smoke. Slowly his aircraft rolls over towards the ground.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_2/Image016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_2/Image016.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> I scream to my wing-leader over the radio to bail out. But nobody jumps out his aircraft. With a sick feeling in my stomach I watch his aircraft crash into the desert.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_2/Image017.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_2/Image017.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> But I have no time to mourn my comrade in arms. Tracer fire sweeps around me. The other Spitfires and remaining P-40's are hot on my tail.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_2/Image018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_2/Image018.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> I try my best at evading them. I even dive down to the deck in a vain attempt to blend in with the ground.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_2/Image019.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_2/Image019.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> Bullets and shells wreak havoc on my plane. I am struggling to maintain altitude.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_2/Image020.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_2/Image020.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> But the damage is to big. When a P-40 fires a salvo at me I try to duck my plane. But the proppeler touches the ground. The blades spin violently away as the rest of the aircraft crashes with breakneck speed into the ground. My death was violent but quickly.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">End of this chapter</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: italic;">-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: italic;"><br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_3/Image01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_3/Image01.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_3/Image02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_3/Image02.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> This morning I will lead the second element of a wing of 4 Me-109's.. We are tasked to patrol the desert. As part of our flight plan we will overfly enemy ships in the hope of luring some fighters into combat.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_3/Image03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_3/Image03.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> The first part of the mission is quite calm. We form up and head for the enemy ships.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_3/Image04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_3/Image04.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> But as we appears above the ships little but lethal flak-clouds appear amidst our formation.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_3/Image05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_3/Image05.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> Suddenly I hear a loud bang, followed by a deafening noise in the engine.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_3/Image06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_3/Image06.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> My wingman immediately reports that I am trailing smoke. I can also feel my engine rattling.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_3/Image07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_3/Image07.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> The flight leader immediately decides to abandon the mission and fly home. I struggle to keep up with the rest of the flight with my damaged engine.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_3/Image08.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_3/Image08.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> Suddenly we spot small dots on the horizon, approaching fast. American P-40's.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_3/Image09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_3/Image09.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> I am defenseless with a damaged engine, but the flight leader immediately turns towards the P-40's to lure them away. My wingman, realizing my dire situation, orders me to head for base right away, while he will cover my back. I obey him reluctantly.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_3/Image10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_3/Image10.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> Hurrying back to base I hear on the radio how the fight evolves. But as I fly further away, I loose contact with the rest of the flight<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_3/Image11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_3/Image11.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> My own wounded fighter calls for my attentions. I am loosing rpm's quickly. Without much power I slowly start loosing altitude.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_3/Image12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_3/Image12.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> I can line up with the runway, but I am too low and slow to make it. I prepare to crashland.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_3/Image13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_3/Image13.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> Without much time left to lower the gear I decide to go for a belly landing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_3/Image14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_3/Image14.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> The propeller hits the ground first, bending as it is smashed hard into the ground. But I manage to keep the plane stable as it settles on its belly and skids over the rocky desert surface.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_3/Image15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_3/Image15.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> I quickly jump out of the cockpit and run away from the wreck, fear that it the remaining fuel ignites. As I take cover in a nearby ditch, waiting for my rescuers coming from the base, I wonder what happened to my flight.<br /><br />If you wonder what happened to the fourth and last plane, read the next and final episode.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">End of this chapter<br /><br /></span><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: italic;">-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;" try="" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_4/Image01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_4/Image01.jpg" alt="" border="0" /><span style="font-style: italic;"> Tunis is a four part AAR, detailing the events surrounding a 4 ship formation of Me-109's</span><br />-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_4/Image02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_4/Image02.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> This morning i will fly part of a four ship formation on patrol above the Libyan dessert and coastline. As the most junior pilot I am assigned to fly as wingman for the second element.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_4/Image03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_4/Image03.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>We soon form up and start following the coastline. It's my job to protect my wing-leader, if we encounter enemy fighters. That 's the whole purpose of this mission, lure the enemy out for a fight.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_4/Image04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_4/Image04.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>As we turn inland, enemy flak starts firing at us. The small black puffs of smoke seem harmless, but each one of them hides a cloud of hot metal able to rip through flesh and tear apart fuel lines and cables.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_4/Image05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_4/Image05.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Suddenly there is a loud bang as one of those puffs of smoke blossoms up close to our formation. I quickly scan my instruments but nothing alarming is showing up. Until I look back outside. My wing-leader is trailing a thin line of smoke.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_4/Image06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_4/Image06.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Immediately the wing-leader of the other element, who leads this formation, decides to abort our patrol. The frontline is no place to stay when one of the aircraft has engine troubles.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_4/Image07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_4/Image07.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Suddenly the other flight warns us of enemy fighters. Four American P-40's are approaching us fast. My wing-leader is a sitting duck with his banged up engine, so I order him to head for home while I and the other flight will try to fend off the P-40's.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_4/Image08.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_4/Image08.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Reluctantly my wing-leader obeys. A P-40 has already single him out so I dive immediately towards his pursuer.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_4/Image09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_4/Image09.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The American pilot quickly seizes his pursuit as my tracers whiz him around the ears. Soon the sky is filled with roar of engines and the bristling of gunfire as we start an uneven match against the P-40's.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_4/Image10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_4/Image10.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Without someone to watch my back, I don't spot the dark silhouette diving from out of the sun. British Spitfires have come to the aid of the P-40's. Three Me-109 against eight enemy fighters, the odds are heavily stacked against us.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_4/Image11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_4/Image11.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I try to outrun the Spitfire on my tail by diving straight for the ground.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_4/Image12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_4/Image12.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>But the British pilot is good and stays on my tail, regardless of the evasive maneouvers I perform.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_4/Image13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_4/Image13.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Suddenly I hear the distinct sound of shells hitting my aircraft. The Spitfire is firing with everything he's got. A roar of flames explodes behind my cockpit and the stick goes dead.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_4/Image14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_4/Image14.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I am damn close to the ground and can feel the heat of the flames burning behind me. Its time to bail out. I quickly push the canopy open, which is pulled away in a blast of air. Releasing my belt, I prepare to jump. A final deep breath and I jump clear of the aircraft.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_4/Image15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_4/Image15.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>As soon as I clear the aircraft I pull the ripcord. With a hard bang the parachute opens above me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_4/Image16.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_4/Image16.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The last thing I remember is a loud deafening noise as the wreckage of my aircraft exploded next to me. The blast killed me instantly and mercifully enough quick enough for me to feel any pain.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_4/Image17.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_4/Image17.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Amidst the burning debris, my lifeless body floated to the ground.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_4/Image18.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_4/Image18.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The other flight tried to keep up the fight, but in the end were overwhelmed by the enemy fighters who had the larger numbers.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_4/Image19.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_09/Pilot_4/Image19.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>My body was never found, laying somewhere in the desert, waiting to be devoured by some coyotes.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">End of this chapter and this story</span><br /></p>KingAlberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08889296271975575006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8076903967686085251.post-1730795680593612672007-06-19T16:48:00.000+00:002007-06-19T16:50:37.730+00:00Lomac - TerrorEnjoy the movie, you can also watch it at my <a href="http://kingalbertstories.blogspot.com/2007/06/lomac-terror.html">main blog</a>.<br /><br /><object width="400" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/A22FmDTRUF8"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/A22FmDTRUF8" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="400" height="350"></embed></object>KingAlberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08889296271975575006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8076903967686085251.post-73266269606405515962007-06-14T20:12:00.000+00:002007-06-14T20:29:42.932+00:00Kondor Legion<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_08/Image001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_08/Image001.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: italic;">This AAR is based on a mission flown as part of FlatSpinMan'campaign “<a href="http://mission4today.com/index.php?name=Downloads&file=details&id=20">Luftwaffe Pilot: Legion Kondor”</a></p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_08/Image002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_08/Image002.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I recently arrived in Spain, together with my fellow pilots. Officially we are no longer member of the Luftwaffe, but that's just appearances. The German press calls us the Kondor Legion and we are here to support Franco against the republicans.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I scheduled a short flight around the base to familiarize us with the area, when the sound of engines arrive over the horizon.</p><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_08/Image003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_08/Image003.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">There were some new Me-109's expected this morning, so I guess the ferry pilots finaly arrived. Until an explosion rocks the hangars in the distance.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_08/Image004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_08/Image004.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Explosions rock the ground left and right of my aircraft. I feel the of the blasts in my neck.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_08/Image005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_08/Image005.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The republicans must have learned of our presence and are launching a quick dashing raid.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_08/Image006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_08/Image006.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I shove the throttle forward and speed down the runway. These SOB will pay for this.<br /></p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_08/Image007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_08/Image007.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The republicans only have small old biplanes, which are no match for our modern elegant Me-109. It does not take long before I am hot on the tail of a republican pilot.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_08/Image008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_08/Image008.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">These wooden planes have no armor protection and a quick burst is enough to hit the pilot. The aircraft spirals downwards and disappears in plume of smoke and fire as it hits the ground.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_08/Image009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_08/Image009.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I call out for my wingmen, but get no response. I press on my attacks against the remaining fighters.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_08/Image010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_08/Image010.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I pepper another bi-plane with bullets and shells. For minutes I spray the fighter but it keeps on flying regardless of what I throw at it.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_08/Image011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_08/Image011.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">These planes made out of wood and fabric are invincible. If I only could hit the pilot or the engine.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_08/Image012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_08/Image012.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Finally the engine of the fighter dies out. I probably hit some fuel line. I don't linger around it and focus my attention on another fighter trying to shoot me down.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_08/Image013.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_08/Image013.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">This fighter is a bit more modern, with a single wing but still with fixed landing gear. It does not take me long to circle around it. Unfortunately I have no more cannon shells left, so I'll have to finish it off with bullets.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_08/Image014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_08/Image014.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">After a few quick bursts the fighter starts trailing smoke. I assume he will go down soon, so I turn back towards my base.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_08/Image015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_08/Image015.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Suddenly I spot a flash in the corner of my eye, black smoke heads towards me. With a quick roll I avoid a mid-air collision. The SOB wanted to ram me!</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_08/Image016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_08/Image016.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Using the speed gained by diving on me, the fighter climbs vertically. I guess he will be preparing to bail out. But he won't escape me!. I pull the trigger, sending more lead into his direction.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_08/Image017.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_08/Image017.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">As the fighter comes over the top of his climb, he runs straight in the path of my bullets. This time he won't be so lucky as fire starts spreading around the cockpit.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_08/Image018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_08/Image018.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I am more cautious and I trail the fighter as it pulls a fiery tail behind it. To my horror the pilot still sits slumped in his cockpit, while flames rise from within and around the cockpit. I hope that my bullets killed him before the flames got to him.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_08/Image019.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_08/Image019.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Satisfied that there are no more enemy fighters left, I head back for base.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_08/Image020.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_08/Image020.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Above my base, I see why no one of my wingmen reacted to my calls. My aircraft had been the first in line to take off. As such the republican bombers must have used me as an aiming point, hitting all fighters behind me. The Kondor legion has just arrived and already we have 2 pilots to mourn for. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: bold;">The End</p>KingAlberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08889296271975575006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8076903967686085251.post-26751910154859683292007-06-06T22:25:00.000+00:002007-06-06T22:35:45.458+00:00Spitfire Test<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image000.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image000.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">This AAR is based on mission from the campaign <a href="http://www.mission4today.com/index.php?name=Downloads&file=details&id=4">“Battle of Britain: Hurricane Season”</a> designed by <a href="http://www.mission4today.com/index.php?name=Downloads&file=search&sa=34">Cobra427so</a>.<br />---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image001.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Yesterday a new aircraft arrived at our base. We have been fighting off the Germans with our faithful Hurricanes, but now at least one slender Spitfire arrived. And I have been selected to fly a test run with. I climb aboard the agile fighter, preparing myself for an early spin. But the Krauts have other ideas.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image002.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Radar detected a large formation of German bombers, heading this way.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image003.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">They are heading for the harbor and must be stopped at all cost.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image004.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">There is no time left to switch planes now. I guess I'll have to take the Spitfire into combat. Lucky for me the crew chief did load her up with fuel ammunition boxes.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image005.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">But first the rest of the squadron has to take off. Some of my co-pilots even use the taxiways to take off as quickly as possible.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image006.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Finally the last Hurricanes have left the tarmac. They race towards the oncoming Luftwaffe bombers.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image007.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I taxi to the start of the runway. The Spitfire is harder to taxi with its smaller wheelbase. The long nose forces me to zigzag to keep spotting the road.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image008.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I reach the start of the runway, which is by now completely deserted. I line up and push the throthle full forward. Like stallion the Spitfire jumps forward.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image009.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Above me, the first Hurricanes have already encounters the Luftwaffe escorts, Me-109's.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image010.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The German bombers pass right over my base as I leave the ground. But our runway is not their target. They are heading straight for the harbor.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image011.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I am too late to prevent them from dropping their bombs. I hope my Hurricane-brethren had more luck. But I decide to tail the bombers while they make their retreat over the channel.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image012.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The Germans try to escape in the low-hanging clouds. I dive down, trying to catch up with a bomber which is heading for nearby safety of the clouds. I quickly fire a burst with my guns, setting the starboard wing aflame.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image013.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image013.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">At first sight the damage seems irrelevant, but somehow my attack must have spooked some of the crew, because quickly small dots jump out of the plane.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image014.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">But there is no time to loose, this is a target rich environment and the German escorts are all gone. A second bomber feels the wrath of my anger.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image015.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">However I closed in too fast and have to dive below the bomber. Its belly gunner tries to hit me but I am too fast.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image016.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">A quick loop brings me back on the tail of the bomber. This time I take my time for the shot, making sure that every bullet hits the target. Like a saw, my bullets tear through the bomber, shearing of its tail. Like a leaflet the bomber tumbles towards the sea. There are no parachutes.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image017.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image017.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I have no time to admire my latest victims plunge to death. I already focus on my next victim. But a Hurricane beats me too him, peppering it with gunfire. As I close in I spot small dots leaving the aircraft.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image018.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The crew of this bomber finds it also wisely to abandon ship.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image019.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image019.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">There is no use to waste good ammunition on a crew less bomber, so I peel off. But as quickly as the fight started, as quickly it is over. There are no bombers to be seen. I dive below the cloud deck, hoping to spot a lone bomber limping back home, that I can finish off but the sky remains empty.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image020.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_07/Image020.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />There is nothing left for me but to go home again. As I touch down, I am in awe of the beauty, strength and lethality of the Spitfire. I sure hope we will replace our Hurricanes for the Spitfire. <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: bold;">The end</p>KingAlberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08889296271975575006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8076903967686085251.post-29924222848821733562007-05-30T21:10:00.000+00:002007-05-30T21:19:28.356+00:00Cold Channel Ditch<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image01.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">This AAR is taken from a mission flown in the campaign </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.mission4today.com/index.php?name=Downloads&file=details&id=1847">“Luftwaffe Pilot: Battle of Britain”</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> by </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.mission4today.com/index.php?name=Downloads&file=search&sa=104">FlatSpinMan </a><span style="font-style: italic;">. This has been by far the most unique mission I have ever seen in a campaign. </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image02.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Me and my wingman were cruising along the British coast, free-roaming to search and destroy British fighters. We did not find many fighters but we did bump into a lot of anti aircraft fire. Unfortunately my wingman was not lucky. A shell hit his engine, severing fuel line. His engine immediately froze and now he is forced to ditch his fighter.<br /></p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image03.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">A Ju-52 ambulance plane already replied to our call for help but it will take some time before they can reach us. </p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image04.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I fly alongside my wingman so that he knows I will be watching his back while he tries to ditch the aircraft. Hopefully those pesky British ground gunners have not warned any RAF fighters.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image05.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">But my hopes were too high. A Hurricane speeds towards our crippled formation. My wingman can't evade the attacker so I will have to get rid of him.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image06.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I immediately turn towards the Hurricane, who at first seems to focus on my crippled wingman.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image07.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">But the British pilot realizes that from the two of us in the formation, I am the most dangerous one and he shifts his attention to me.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image08.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image08.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">By now I am turning towards him, his aircraft creeping closer and closer into my cross hairs.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image09.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">But the Hurricane has a tighter turn circle and my first shots fall way behind it.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image10.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Like in a deadly ballet we twist around in the sky. I try to figure out a way to get behind the Hurricane and deny him his tight turning circle.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image11.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Then the British pilot makes a mistake. After some many circles, he tries to outrun me by climbing straight up. For the first time I get an easy shot on him. I must not miss it or my wingman will be toast.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image12.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">With blazing guns I stick onto the Hurricane. My bullets and shells pepper his wings.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image13.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Suddenly the left wing of the Hurricane separates, sending the aircraft into a violent spin.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image14.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The canopy is thrown off as the pilot tries to escape from his crashing bird.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image15.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">It must be hard to jump out of a spiraling aircraft, but somehow the pilot manages to crawl out of the cockpit and jumping overboard. The tail misses him by an inch.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image16.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image16.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The only aircraft the British pilot will fly for now is his parachute.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image17.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image17.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Meanwhile my wingman is making his final preparations to hit the water.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image18.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image18.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">He has lowered his his flaps to get the most lift while trying to settle down on the water.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image19.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image19.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The propeller bends as it hits the water. Even at these slow ditching speeds, water is a tough as concrete.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image20.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image20.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">With a huge splash the aircraft noses down into the channel waters.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image21.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image21.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The Ju-52 arrives on the scene. I hope my wingman got out of his plane and can stay afloat until the junkers lands.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image22.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_06/Image22.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Its now time to bug out for me too. These hops over the channel consume a lot of fuel, something which we don't seem to carry enough of. I leave the Junkers behind and head for my home base.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: bold;">The end</p>KingAlberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08889296271975575006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8076903967686085251.post-57176896362945183522007-05-23T21:34:00.000+00:002007-05-23T21:44:00.528+00:00Attack on Seaplane Base<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_05/Image001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_05/Image001.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">This AAR is based on a mission flown as part of the </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.mission4today.com/index.php?name=Downloads&file=details&id=2166">“White Sun, Blue Sky”</a><span style="font-style: italic;">-campaign from </span><a href="http://www.mission4today.com/index.php?name=Downloads&file=search&sa=306"><span style="font-style: italic;">Chris Blair</span><br /></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"> </p>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_05/Image002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_05/Image002.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Two P-40's are ready to fly over the Burma jungle. Reconnaissance flights have indicated that the Japanese have a seaplane base nearby. They are unaware of the location of our base (we occupy an abandoned RAF field). If we can destroy the seaplane base, the surrounding sky will be in our hands.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_05/Image003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_05/Image003.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">One by one we take off. Both me and my wingman carry a single bomb. Our mechanics have devised a way to rig the P-40 with bombs, so now we have something more heavy then bullets to throw at the enemy.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_05/Image004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_05/Image004.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">We reach the waterways and start to follow the river, leading us straight to the base.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_05/Image005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_05/Image005.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">There is the base. The Japanese are completely caught off guard, there is no AA fire and all the planes are moored alongside the docks. I quickly order my wingman to attack on his own while I prepare my own dive.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_05/Image006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_05/Image006.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">As I dive towards the target, my wingman drops his bomb. Unfortunately it lands to short, showering the bridge next to the base in water.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_05/Image007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_05/Image007.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">“Bomb away”, I pull the makeshift lever and my bomb tumbles towards the ground. I have to pull up quickly to avoid the blast of my own bomb.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_05/Image008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_05/Image008.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">My bomb misses the docked seaplanes and blows instead a nearby building up. Lets hope it contained some supplies or perhaps it was the pilots barracks. </p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_05/Image009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_05/Image009.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">This means we will have to use our machine guns to pepper the base and destroy the airplanes.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_05/Image010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_05/Image010.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I turn the aircraft around and start making run after run on the base.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_05/Image011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_05/Image011.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">My bullets kick up water around the seaplanes. Perhaps that building I hit, did indeed accommodate the pilots, because no one is rushing towards the planes.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_05/Image012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_05/Image012.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">It's a real slaughterhouse. Again and again, my wingman and I dive onto the base, guns blazing, destroying aircraft after aircraft.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_05/Image013.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_05/Image013.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">As I fire my last bullets, I buzz the target for a final time. Its time to form up and head back for home.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_05/Image014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_05/Image014.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">But we have company, a lone seaplane arrives overhead just as we are pulling out. I have no more ammunition so my only option is to make a run for it.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_05/Image015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_05/Image015.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">But the fighter gains on us. As we close in on our own base, I realize that if the Japanese pilot spots it, he will warn his superiors, who will certainly send a raiding party. The enemy fighter closes in on me, eager for an easy kill. I order my wingman, who still has some ammunition left, to attack the fighter while I will lure him away.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Initially the plan succeeds, the Japanese pilot comes first after me. But he spots my wingman, on his own tail and turns on him. Now my wingman is in trouble.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_05/Image016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_05/Image016.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I have nothing to throw at the Japanese fighter and if I don't do anything he will kill my wingman. In a desperate move, I dive after the fighter. I hope that by sticking on his tail, I might unnerve him and make him break off the attack.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_05/Image017.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_05/Image017.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">My plan succeeds, the Japanese pilot breaks of the attack on my wingman and start to fly up and down in a vain attempt to shake me off. But I stick to his tail, pinning him so that my wingman can close in for the kill.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">After loosing the Zero, my wingman climbed to higher altitude, return back towards the fighter and dives with a screaming engine towards the Zero, still trying to outrun me. Both my wingman and Zero fly head to head. But the Zero pilot is still to busy, shaking me off.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_05/Image018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_05/Image018.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">A quick burst of machine gun fire is enough to send the Zero spiraling to the ground, trailing smoke and fire. The pilot manages to bail out.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_05/Image019.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_05/Image019.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Low on fuel and definitely too low on ammunition, we return to our own base. The Japanese pilot never saw our base, and even if had seen it, he is now stuck deep into the jungle, miles from any friendly support. I would not want to be in his shoes.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: bold;">The End</p>KingAlberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08889296271975575006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8076903967686085251.post-43493935845341301762007-05-16T21:22:00.000+00:002007-05-16T21:46:46.063+00:00BOB - Sqn 74<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image001.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i>This is an AAR based on the mission, BOB SQN 74, I designed. You can download the original mission at <a href="http://www.mission4today.com/index.php?name=Downloads&file=details&id=2360">Mission4Today </a></i><i>. You can also find the original thread at <a href="http://www.simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2211453&page=2#Post2211453">SimHQ .</a></i><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i>The mission was designed using information gained at the Battle of Britain Historic site. Its not intended to be a complete faithful representation of the events but offers 'my take' on the events.</i><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i>SPOILER WARNING: If you intend to play the mission, you might want to wait with reading the AAR, because it is possible that some events might be revealed.</i></p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image002.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Scramble, Scramble! Radar has detected a number of bogeys, crossing the channel. Some hurricanes are already directed towards them, but we are to take off and assist them.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image003.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Radar can't give us an exact number and type of aircraft, but in all likelihood He-111's will lead the German attack.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i>(In real life the attack was done by a D0-17, since its not present in the game, I replaced it with a He-111)</i></p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image004.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal;">This is the target of the Germans. Ships bringing vital supplies to the UK. We will have to show them that the RAF means business.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image005.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal;">Ambulances are waiting besides the runway. Let's hope we won't need them.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image006.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal;">Our fighters are spread around the airfield, in case the Germans come after our airfields.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image007.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal;">Hurricanes are already speeding towards the interception point. Lets hope we arrive in time.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image008.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal;">The He-111 lumbers towards the ships. Because of the rain and poor visibility the bomber has to remain below the cloud cover. For a single bomber it is heavily protected.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image009.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Bf-109's zigzag above the bomber, looking for RAF opposition. <i>(in real life the single DO-17 was escorted by 10 Bf-109, just like in this mission)</i></p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image010.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal;">Our flight of 4 spitfires forms up. The sea appears in the distance, still cloaked in soaking rain. If we find the ships, we'll try circling around in the hope of detecting the German bomber before it drops its bombs.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image011.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal;">Suddenly the hurricanes announce over the radio that they detected German fighters. The immediately attack them, but they fail to spot any bomber.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image012.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal;">The He-111 however has spotted the ships and steers towards on of them.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image013.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image013.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal;">The bombardier crawls on his belly, using the bomb sight to aim for one of the ships.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image014.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal;">Bombs away!!!</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image015.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal;">A large plume of water erupts near the ship. The bomber missed!</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image016.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal;">The ships continue their mad dash towards the safety of the harbor.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image017.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image017.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal;">Our flight arrived to late to stop the He-111, but I immediately dive after it. I split my flight in two. The second element goes after the fighters protecting the bomber while I will destroy the bomber together with my wing man.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image018.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal;">The bomber pulls a hard left one, but I stick to it like a bee to honey and pepper it with bullets and shells. Parts of the tail separate as pull away, making room for my wing man to take a shot.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image019.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image019.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal;">But he won't have to waist his ammunition, as I speed past the bomber it starts to plummet towards the sea, spinning around like dead leaf.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image020.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image020.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The bomber impacts the water, which is solid like concrete at these speeds. I saw no parachutes.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image021.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image021.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal;">With the bomber gone, I decide to aid the rest of my wing and the hurricanes. I spot an aircraft trailing black smoke, so I figure that if I follow the smoke in the opposite direction I should arrive at the dogfight again. The burning aircraft blows up in the sky. Luckily it turned out to be a Bf-109.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image022.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image022.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal;">Another flight of spitfires is nearing the coast and the fight. It looks like the tables will be turned against the Luftwaffe.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image023.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image023.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal;">I join the fight, the Germans are to busy fighting with the other spitfires and hurricanes, and fail to notice me or my wing man. We quickly jump upon an unsuspecting Bf-109.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image024.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image024.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Like they say, the one that gets you is the you did not see. The German fighter bursts into flames and its pilot decides not to stay with his burning aircraft. I wish him good luck in the freezing waters of the Channel.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image025.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image025.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal;">High above a wing of German fighters, loops above us, trying to gain a better position to dive on us. I pull my spitfire into a vertical climb, chasing the Germans who are at the top of their loop.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image026.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image026.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal;">I race into the sky, the higher I get, the slower my speedometer turns. I aim for the German wing man. His aircraft appears for a mere second in my gun sight but I pull the trigger.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image027.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image027.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal;">Behind me, my wing man yells that I bagged the German. I have no time to see the wingless wreckage fall to the ground, as I struggle to keep control of my fighter which is near stalling.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image028.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image028.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal;">As I dive towards the sea, I single out another German fighter. But my speed is to big and I pull too many G's. The world turns black.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image029.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image029.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal;">Immediately another German dives behind me. As I regain my vision, the tell-tale smell of cordite is in the air as German bullets whiz by my cockpit.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image030.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image030.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal;">Luckily my wing man watches my back. He jumps onto my attacker and blasts him out of the sky.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image031.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image031.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal;">I in turn, attack the wing man of my attacker. The poor bastard tries to outrun me, but I clutch on to him like a hungry dog to a bone.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image033.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image033.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal;">I am running out of ammunition, but with my last burst, I manage to set the fighter ablaze. The German fighter climbs before its engine quits, but still the flames lurk around the aircraft.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image032.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image032.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal;">I follow the aircraft, expecting the pilot to bail out any moment now. The fire must by now have reached his cockpit.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image034.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image034.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal;">But the fighter rolls over and crashes into the sea. Either the pilot was killed by my bullets or overcome by the fire. At least one German less to invade my country.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image035.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image035.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal;">Its time to head back for home.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image036.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image036.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal;">Back at the base a freak accident takes place. One of the hurricane pilots lands his aircraft to hard. The aircraft careens over the runway. The pilot jumps out of the cockpit, but the now pilot less Hurricane swerves right towards some parked aircraft.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image037.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image037.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal;">To their horror the ground crew sees the aircraft rolling right to them.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image038.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image038.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal;">The Hurricane crashes straight into a fully fueled spitfire. With a tremendous explosion both aircraft explode, detonating other aircraft parked around them.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image039.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image039.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal;">How is this possible? Four aircraft are lost without taking a single German fighter with them!</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image040.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image040.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal;">When it is finally my turn to land, one of the wrecks is still burning.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image041.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_04/Image041.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal;">Shutting down my engine, I am glad to have survived this mission. If it was not for that freak accident in the end, I would consider it a real success.</p><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The End</span>KingAlberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08889296271975575006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8076903967686085251.post-79887568267142423982007-05-09T20:11:00.000+00:002007-05-09T20:45:48.343+00:00Pearl Harbor 41<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTP2Z2FBJ8m3XoF3oWioxIqiP18el8PDrpPhNQL2jILZxbwTPMO6WB76omzBe6luA-sIWhW_fQe3Mwqf0UAyplCnauxzg6t7SioSqZHAdkkCZmUzwXoAuwEpvw9PIvvqt7BW4xr8ZXyoc/s1600-h/PH_001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTP2Z2FBJ8m3XoF3oWioxIqiP18el8PDrpPhNQL2jILZxbwTPMO6WB76omzBe6luA-sIWhW_fQe3Mwqf0UAyplCnauxzg6t7SioSqZHAdkkCZmUzwXoAuwEpvw9PIvvqt7BW4xr8ZXyoc/s400/PH_001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062662657799536114" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i>This AAR is based on the sets of single missions created by Major Dragon (you can find the original announcement of the missions at simHQ <a href="http://www.simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2200517&page=5#Post2200517">here</a></i><a href="http://www.simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2200517&page=5#Post2200517"><i></i></a><i>.</i></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i>This AAR deals with the mission “P-40s Defend Pearl Harbor 2”. I only added some scenery to make the environment more lively.</i><br /></p> <p style="border-style: none none solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color rgb(0, 0, 0); border-width: medium medium 1px; padding: 0cm 0cm 0.07cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i>SPOILER WARNING: I suggest you quit reading this AAR if you still want to fly Major Dragon's mission, otherwise some mission details might be revealed.</i><br /><br /></p> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBLQCp2nGd6sq00CiiS9BblPfpXI4xuz-BlA-zCzHF_QbGKZ0ddZxwz0KMqmY4J7viJy9QljMUR8F8JEaatZlY2LDn1W5mOJxFwzjyeNk7yTKKt3tkiVtBaf_qky52XLXdITgv_nPssc/s1600-h/PH_002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBLQCp2nGd6sq00CiiS9BblPfpXI4xuz-BlA-zCzHF_QbGKZ0ddZxwz0KMqmY4J7viJy9QljMUR8F8JEaatZlY2LDn1W5mOJxFwzjyeNk7yTKKt3tkiVtBaf_qky52XLXdITgv_nPssc/s400/PH_002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062662528950517154" border="0" /></a>All is quite at Belows field. Most pilots are still in bed, while my flight prepares for an early morning patrol. I'll be flying tail-end Charlie. We taxi our planes to the start of the runway.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhS-rbV1kZa3BbUWzGitqWVL8ttR0E6Vj5EYfha48uDxgfFHOupJNnUVT1cTNHZiwfv0IXSX5l3qx4SXjUVBXHXhenem4xZR3B-HxXwddB3qFE7-duoKjwhb_ObAigIGhSgXbgvs7wij8/s1600-h/PH_003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhS-rbV1kZa3BbUWzGitqWVL8ttR0E6Vj5EYfha48uDxgfFHOupJNnUVT1cTNHZiwfv0IXSX5l3qx4SXjUVBXHXhenem4xZR3B-HxXwddB3qFE7-duoKjwhb_ObAigIGhSgXbgvs7wij8/s400/PH_003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062662533245484466" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Suddenly explosions rake through the airfield, blasting apart a hangar and nearby aircraft. My first thoughts is that some mechanic fouled up and created a fire.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg46A357BMiZY7hjH-YiyYQfxrRjTKMjmL0mbSReSNGEYmWLKVURpRgb0_cWgiD1umhqmDmhgSIiMmhqpIPMXyr4l_64r_fdAwwh22OiOt9BzgExUO88AypZ-IVQrjPKG7b5KBmbuFhw8Y/s1600-h/PH_004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg46A357BMiZY7hjH-YiyYQfxrRjTKMjmL0mbSReSNGEYmWLKVURpRgb0_cWgiD1umhqmDmhgSIiMmhqpIPMXyr4l_64r_fdAwwh22OiOt9BzgExUO88AypZ-IVQrjPKG7b5KBmbuFhw8Y/s400/PH_004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062662537540451778" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">A white shadows soares overhead. I recognize the red sun painted on its wings. The Japanese are attacking us!</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFFI2duftTfivAuquKmidUlg2lNrqkm_rZohyhvO8pCxwN138PluQJfDfmYc862RP96sitF487-DGYW7UNCTt6YwzpqmHMeTLBvKqaPyFA2tZ_O1Cyd47a7TF5ttdsllu-99RUhA4gfI/s1600-h/PH_005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFFI2duftTfivAuquKmidUlg2lNrqkm_rZohyhvO8pCxwN138PluQJfDfmYc862RP96sitF487-DGYW7UNCTt6YwzpqmHMeTLBvKqaPyFA2tZ_O1Cyd47a7TF5ttdsllu-99RUhA4gfI/s400/PH_005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062662541835419090" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Clouds of dust appear around the P-40 in front of me, we are singled out by some Zeros.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnWdxbaX1Ev3U25rUKQXu20qODv36qn3qr_2lrWJE3uKCa-70-EoH2Mv3S_rkTPBMckVxeNTltnek_sqAzNf_kb1Q2zabYylqyCHfVDiquS9tmS3sAAAnZP8kafFPH_xHr0mIjPA3yh_I/s1600-h/PH_006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnWdxbaX1Ev3U25rUKQXu20qODv36qn3qr_2lrWJE3uKCa-70-EoH2Mv3S_rkTPBMckVxeNTltnek_sqAzNf_kb1Q2zabYylqyCHfVDiquS9tmS3sAAAnZP8kafFPH_xHr0mIjPA3yh_I/s400/PH_006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062662550425353698" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Ground crews quickly come to our rescue, grabbing machine guns and firing with everything they've got to the Zeros buzzing around the airfield.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvLMDz-K82YQ72xHHnlquS_zuuddrk031Kyq3tFtrUIpGQmiPaK9seSVu_3Ak6VA88VaNc-sfwTSguCezVTV1h49P9M036umNPyjZk7HWjaJT-xF3rxyK_lRWcFa0FBqNcdjBgjOEeLsY/s1600-h/PH_007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvLMDz-K82YQ72xHHnlquS_zuuddrk031Kyq3tFtrUIpGQmiPaK9seSVu_3Ak6VA88VaNc-sfwTSguCezVTV1h49P9M036umNPyjZk7HWjaJT-xF3rxyK_lRWcFa0FBqNcdjBgjOEeLsY/s400/PH_007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062658483091324242" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">It's too late, the P-40 in front of me bursts into flames. My wing-leader is able to take off, but I am stuck here behind the burning fighter.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0AklF-llgckllaDKPq-zQF85GR3-vuHnSHwfKeLvDCFw5U1eVRDMZN2BmjOXEyKPuC2JhyvXJ5QWkeCa68fj2xChFNwrb_RpGFcZn4a_l9ny4EtYoVgW0kelA1U5sWxViqkyMN6nCko/s1600-h/PH_008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0AklF-llgckllaDKPq-zQF85GR3-vuHnSHwfKeLvDCFw5U1eVRDMZN2BmjOXEyKPuC2JhyvXJ5QWkeCa68fj2xChFNwrb_RpGFcZn4a_l9ny4EtYoVgW0kelA1U5sWxViqkyMN6nCko/s400/PH_008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062658487386291554" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I push the throttle and taxi around the burning wreck. I avoid looking at the body of my fellow-pilot, slumped forward in the cockpit.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWCjakLatgYYN1Oymld7N6TJz-Qqk4Zding2KcMVaGwe8CgyWCNFA7IfxcLh-TtjQMIKwHSkv2HDnaa4YpcQn-p6WC-GzMq19pNZMpnsc2ebW2RKU88yYq3sKYpXCMmvlcoQHc4Lq7MY/s1600-h/PH_009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWCjakLatgYYN1Oymld7N6TJz-Qqk4Zding2KcMVaGwe8CgyWCNFA7IfxcLh-TtjQMIKwHSkv2HDnaa4YpcQn-p6WC-GzMq19pNZMpnsc2ebW2RKU88yYq3sKYpXCMmvlcoQHc4Lq7MY/s400/PH_009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062658491681258866" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I quickly take-off, retract the gear and pull the aircraft in a tight to shake off any Zero who might be heading for me. Zeros are everywhere, circling the airfield and strafing aircrafts and buildings.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHX1GSmZu3oT9AMJkzmnjNBZC4TaHHKtTcvqilEw3Qxxqa49Dze1dG7A8gRcTW0eeULmL8i2GlYvP8DxuLtnJ-gh6PdOzeqIjq7DdVXpC8JtktOQPFm7ajBVdYj-ZqQA0NJash3MV4qM/s1600-h/PH_010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHX1GSmZu3oT9AMJkzmnjNBZC4TaHHKtTcvqilEw3Qxxqa49Dze1dG7A8gRcTW0eeULmL8i2GlYvP8DxuLtnJ-gh6PdOzeqIjq7DdVXpC8JtktOQPFm7ajBVdYj-ZqQA0NJash3MV4qM/s400/PH_010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062658495976226178" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I spot a single Zero, flying low above the ground after his strafing run. At first sight I think the pilot must be hurt and trying to crash land. But then he starts climbing.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXYYfzDWtC6kS3LKFV8no_im0LX7CWlOd8mjkBnT_inIRXZBpMd_V-pLuHhMpLnTthwNayYygAsICQB-Gp4bZy-OQCAktsbvzwU-GHyDEvu8ldrqs5Vh3COIv-YDfJV8wYWkO1LhNE5g/s1600-h/PH_011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXYYfzDWtC6kS3LKFV8no_im0LX7CWlOd8mjkBnT_inIRXZBpMd_V-pLuHhMpLnTthwNayYygAsICQB-Gp4bZy-OQCAktsbvzwU-GHyDEvu8ldrqs5Vh3COIv-YDfJV8wYWkO1LhNE5g/s400/PH_011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062658500271193490" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I roll the aircraft over and quickly dive behind the Zero as he tries to climb to safety. I pull up on its tail, sending a blast with my machine guns. The Zero explodes in a ball of fire. Parts of the cockpit tumble towards the ground, but I have no time to savor my first kill, there are still plenty of Zeros buzzing around.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixY9DcTypFA2dSPK78_zrg7EpXEU-pImDPa00P8ze8ondTikIy6otPq1TubcM7ko_O9rIIqzmRQ7NY9k6oK2QE_H9WVYp7bDbqgxyil5EZm8X_T3aI8Sfga-fnYWAwdYfyfXGxEawjJ1c/s1600-h/PH_012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixY9DcTypFA2dSPK78_zrg7EpXEU-pImDPa00P8ze8ondTikIy6otPq1TubcM7ko_O9rIIqzmRQ7NY9k6oK2QE_H9WVYp7bDbqgxyil5EZm8X_T3aI8Sfga-fnYWAwdYfyfXGxEawjJ1c/s400/PH_012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062657452299173122" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Another Zero has spotted me and pulls behind my tail. Bullets whiz by my cockpit as I violently twist through the sky</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxren_6tIoxkMOBXVBt7j-yR5tA1NooZoLc-QfqcjOYwvCdK1M958M_tH3TdyZOmyeppC51ai8eWUJ8ZMpx0BLSrwXS-UNJC8ql0AUFG4dDChEB_4kGkhVzki6ZYzqL4vCy0WWaemx1XU/s1600-h/PH_013.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxren_6tIoxkMOBXVBt7j-yR5tA1NooZoLc-QfqcjOYwvCdK1M958M_tH3TdyZOmyeppC51ai8eWUJ8ZMpx0BLSrwXS-UNJC8ql0AUFG4dDChEB_4kGkhVzki6ZYzqL4vCy0WWaemx1XU/s400/PH_013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062657460889107730" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">To shake off the Zero on my tail, I pull the P-40 into a hard loop. The Zero-pilot tries to follow me , but fails.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34B25xglP1DGxHCa9Pp5yq8GVyZn-RAtoRjVcha7yx5P2YyfV8198ZidevSCvfR4tGQgs6rQknJTL0VRtg7ZYFTtpG3ONoYWE5PbVfF4UCs9S7-y4I4HHfmFR4GsUq_Y2thUmlv49aaU/s1600-h/PH_014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34B25xglP1DGxHCa9Pp5yq8GVyZn-RAtoRjVcha7yx5P2YyfV8198ZidevSCvfR4tGQgs6rQknJTL0VRtg7ZYFTtpG3ONoYWE5PbVfF4UCs9S7-y4I4HHfmFR4GsUq_Y2thUmlv49aaU/s400/PH_014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062657469479042338" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">As I pull out of the loop, I spot another Zero making a run against some parked fighters.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-hkKGA1HlH6U9UIwK_2bvD2bKwxHnvNMQW_2mSDYCWGTv1pd5JiO8hjHRudZHfqlpMSRSeNvB7AmnOeAtu0wABgUI9TtVubwLrZg9OLHKNc5w15Z8OwzYtufdTdiiYRRjATSkGKHuyg/s1600-h/PH_015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-hkKGA1HlH6U9UIwK_2bvD2bKwxHnvNMQW_2mSDYCWGTv1pd5JiO8hjHRudZHfqlpMSRSeNvB7AmnOeAtu0wABgUI9TtVubwLrZg9OLHKNc5w15Z8OwzYtufdTdiiYRRjATSkGKHuyg/s400/PH_015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062657473774009650" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I dive behind the zero, who turns away. We twist and turn at low altitude. If we go any lower we will hit the trees. The Zero jinks and twists and heads for the nearby mountains.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8GBncbbySO_PEeq5secT_SKV0P3f86AG7n2l2Z0h-HvuR6vMAH1SfimJNmMBXhJj7l06sDyoW7fCUIVe-GRy-hintTPo9PJMzb0WhYiyqiFmLbtNZ3jimHJ2Y4jSGTevoL4veHaUoaVk/s1600-h/PH_016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8GBncbbySO_PEeq5secT_SKV0P3f86AG7n2l2Z0h-HvuR6vMAH1SfimJNmMBXhJj7l06sDyoW7fCUIVe-GRy-hintTPo9PJMzb0WhYiyqiFmLbtNZ3jimHJ2Y4jSGTevoL4veHaUoaVk/s400/PH_016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062657478068976962" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">But I catch up with him near the ridge. My guns blast and dirt is kicked up around the Zero as he flies mere feet above the hill.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOpzuCECE6qR-kXRwIYhbcACIGxOaaddnxYqkx62VrVGyivBgI4AlVXHKIxjZwXT_LHdZTStKFZ_zo7BY0_jFXbZKOz9LDqBg29D0ofm2jvn0-98VyNVor8BVjLyu37VIlVsODTnsHiY/s1600-h/PH_017.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOpzuCECE6qR-kXRwIYhbcACIGxOaaddnxYqkx62VrVGyivBgI4AlVXHKIxjZwXT_LHdZTStKFZ_zo7BY0_jFXbZKOz9LDqBg29D0ofm2jvn0-98VyNVor8BVjLyu37VIlVsODTnsHiY/s400/PH_017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062657065752116402" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Was the pilot distracted by my bullets whizzing around his cockpit or did i mortally wound him? I don't know but the Zero slams into the mountainside.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpG_dkjvunqo546PeGORo-YcmajE8SeL6I7Fy4hKZrNBpMj3jy9m1zftYKNjvT4X-a5KUV6o-J7J7ztqSPM-mSe7wSJn_4SlbujzLNjVlaAbyAVh-udFwObYLuHE5y6DpJ7rz8KkiPjJw/s1600-h/PH_018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpG_dkjvunqo546PeGORo-YcmajE8SeL6I7Fy4hKZrNBpMj3jy9m1zftYKNjvT4X-a5KUV6o-J7J7ztqSPM-mSe7wSJn_4SlbujzLNjVlaAbyAVh-udFwObYLuHE5y6DpJ7rz8KkiPjJw/s400/PH_018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062657074342051010" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">A convoy that happened to pass by the airfield, also comes under attack of the marauding Zeros.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTSI3FCUGA24lsGnI3GIolwzzEDTyYcKFzTcFT735fklPyuQtwV-eJ6WNjR0tfsLES0zGCBFfIZzNHQYH_Ye4QX0Jk4Dllyi5iB_UzNLwpBkSaUDFqjwFa6XeBq7FX7QfnIT_rhGwL6y4/s1600-h/PH_019.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTSI3FCUGA24lsGnI3GIolwzzEDTyYcKFzTcFT735fklPyuQtwV-eJ6WNjR0tfsLES0zGCBFfIZzNHQYH_Ye4QX0Jk4Dllyi5iB_UzNLwpBkSaUDFqjwFa6XeBq7FX7QfnIT_rhGwL6y4/s400/PH_019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062657082931985618" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal;">I shoot down my last Zero. The pilot manages to bail out, I am confident that the people below will have a warm welcome for the Japanese pilot.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwYXhupQ-HLyQG7aIukt2oAaZe1DZueZpnU4o8-GXWOIbYD0iu3EgKOOOjU5peCuUqtdP_AjVwlnbBKGgEgPjhI-STjNng3-29hoexAg-nWyCYflXIFqcp3YrT5k6vFN51FArN_S4gg8/s1600-h/PH_020.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwYXhupQ-HLyQG7aIukt2oAaZe1DZueZpnU4o8-GXWOIbYD0iu3EgKOOOjU5peCuUqtdP_AjVwlnbBKGgEgPjhI-STjNng3-29hoexAg-nWyCYflXIFqcp3YrT5k6vFN51FArN_S4gg8/s400/PH_020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062657087226952930" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal;">The attack ends as abruptly as it started. Suddenly I spot no other planes anymore, beside the my wing-leader.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJoYcyQAe0SUG4wdxp16NDVDnxj8U-4FBb-8n1uFk4SAdBM726wEgC7vI7MBjJjJSSRjGrfl_lO-0CbNjdtodRFo_s26riKhHmQLHWlJskkzBT_nieavroOcZe28pkYd360UQGW_ddVhA/s1600-h/PH_021.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJoYcyQAe0SUG4wdxp16NDVDnxj8U-4FBb-8n1uFk4SAdBM726wEgC7vI7MBjJjJSSRjGrfl_lO-0CbNjdtodRFo_s26riKhHmQLHWlJskkzBT_nieavroOcZe28pkYd360UQGW_ddVhA/s400/PH_021.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062657091521920242" border="0" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal;">As I land I notice the burning buildings and wreckages around the airfield. The Japanese will have to pay for this cowardly attack.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b>The End</b></p>KingAlberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08889296271975575006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8076903967686085251.post-580654009874733792007-01-24T18:59:00.000+00:002007-01-24T19:12:11.768+00:00Train Attack<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >Train Attack</span><br /><br /><span class="post_inner"><span id="body0">The P-51 flew over the landscape, alone like an eagle searching for a prey. Lieutenant Scott Fuller was pissed. His squadron was tasked with protecting a flight of bombers. Not long after they crossed the coast, Focke-wulfs had jumped them.<br /><br />Like everybody else, Scott had dropped his fuel tanks and engaged the Germans. But in the heat of the battle he had lost sight of his wing leader. Following a Kraut down to the deck separated him even further from the pack. The Focke-Wulf was probably out of ammunition because he made a beeline for the nearest airfield. Scott was smart enough not to follow him over the airfield.<br /><br />But now he was low and separated from his squadron. With his tanks gone there was no use in trailing the bombers who had lumbered on despite the ferocious air battle around them. As he headed for the coast and home, Scott noticed a railway. If he did not find any worthy opponent in the sky, he still could shoot some trains with supplies for the German war machine.<br /><br />After fifteen minutes following the railway, he spotted the black smoke of a locomotive.<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_02/1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_02/1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span class="post_inner"><span id="body0">He gently pushed his Mustang into a dive. Squeezing the trigger, the 6 .50 machineguns flashed as bullets whizzed towards the train.<br /><br />His first rounds felt short and kicked up dirt alongside the track. With small inputs Scott corrected his path.</span></span><br /><span class="post_inner"><span id="body0"><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_02/2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_02/2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span class="post_inner"><span id="body0">The bullets tore through the carriages. The machinist tried to increase his speed, but stuck onto the tracks there was no place for him to hide. Whatever was in the carriages in caught fire and now the locomotive was but a flaming torching speeding on the tracks.<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_02/3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_02/3.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span class="post_inner"><span id="body0"><br />The train flashed underneath his wings, reduced to smoldering wreckage. Scott pulled hard on the stick in case some of the carriages contained ammunition. He did not want be caught in the debris of an exploding train.<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_02/4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_02/4.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span class="post_inner"><span id="body0">The wings of his Mustang lit up as his guns fired a steady stream of lead to the train.</span></span><br /><span class="post_inner"><span id="body0"><br /></span></span><span class="post_inner"><span id="body0"><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_02/5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_02/5.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="post_inner"><span id="body0">A deadly line of bullets, kicked up dirt alongside the track, swirling like a deadly finger towards the train. The first bullets pierced the carriages. Hot lead blew through the boxes in the carriages, igniting their contents.<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_02/7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_02/7.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="post_inner"><span id="body1">The boxes contained ammunition for machine guns and rifles. Hand grenades were packed in boxes alongside boxes full of flares. However gründlig the Germans are, someone really made a mess of the loading scheme. And now the .50 bullets were breaking the boxes, heating the ammunition and setting of the grenades. Slowly the carriages were engulfed in flames, which raised the temperature even more cooking the grenades.<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_02/8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_02/8.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span class="post_inner"><span id="body1"><br />Eventually on grenade exploded, followed by another grenade who set off another. Like an unstoppable cascade grenade explode until the flames erupted through the carriages in a violent explosion. Sending shockwaves and thunder even Scott could here as he rolled above the train.<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_02/9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_02/9.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="post_inner"><span id="body1">Satisfied with the destruction of two trains, Scott pointed the nose of his Mustang towards the home base. It no longer mattered if he did not shot down a Kraut on this mission. Blowing up the trains would deprive the Germans from ammunition. Not as satisfying as a burning fighter, but at least they would have two trains of ammunition less to fire at the bombers.<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_02/10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/KingAlbert/WWII%20_Stories/Story_02/10.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">The End</span></span><br /></div>KingAlberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08889296271975575006noreply@blogger.com