01 | 02 | 03 | 04 |
05 | 06 | 07 | 08 |
09 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
The Germans aggressively went after the Russians getting in numerous shots at the interceptors before the Russians could complete their slow deliberate big left turn. The Russians then got in some shots of their own at the German escort, bringing one down. The remaining German escort then COLLIDED with the offending Russian bring the Russian down by collision with little damage to himself. In the meantime the remaining Russian was pumping all the lead he could into the bomber....... Noted in the game was when the Russians completed their 'Circle Left Climb' they were, to their chagrin, a mile behind the bomber. |
An epic struggle… ‘Scattered Resistance’ was the fourth fighting wings scenario I've completed. I picked it because it had a relatively small number of planes, two BF109F-2’s, two I-16’s and a Ju88 and also because it looked like fun for either side. It’s a real asymmetric struggle – the Bf109’s have superior speed and power, but are hampered by poor armament. They only have two crappy MG’s and a 15mm cannon which gives crits on 3’s. The Type28 I-16’s are much slower (5.0 vs 7.0 level speed) and clearly the airframe was too small and light for the weight of their cannon because they have to be at speed 4.5 to pull hard turns and dive speed for break turns. They do roll well and sideslip very easily. Their firepower is roughly double the 109’s and with 20mm cannon crit on 2’s. With typical shoddy Soviet workmanship they have simple gunsights and are unstable. My rubles/reichsmarks would still be on the fascisti if it was a head to head fighter struggle, but it isn’t. The Ju88 is on a crucial photo run and must fly in a straight line, constant speed, bank and altitude or the pictures are ruined. The Germans get 10VP if the pictures are taken, and the Russians get 10VP bonus if the Ju88 is shot down or doesn’t take its snaps. My alternative title for the scenario would be ‘Stop that Pigeon! Now!!!’ – that 20 VP swing is worth more than both Russian fighters – essentially stop the Ju88 and you win, don’t and you lose. On turn 12 the Ju88 exits the map – whatever happens is going to be fast and furious. Hank randomly got the Soviets. A closer look at set up shows the Russians in a fairly crap position. Speed 3.0 – yes three point zero, 9,000 feet and a little ways in front of the Nazis. The Ju88 is at 10,000 and the fighter escort off to one side at 10,500 and on one leg of a weave. The Rata’s sped up a little before doing a slow left turn and climbing. I accelerated my boys to attack speed, and as they turned in Bf109#1 rolled over and dived to come onto I-16#2 from the rear quarter like a ton of bricks. Bricks that got +20 for break turns and rolled high but intimidating none the less. Bf109#1 took another shot at I-16#2 from behind and did 3 hits and a non-offensive critical. Meanwhile I-16#1 did a wider turn to come round behind him, while Bf109#2 did a split-ess then pulled some climbing high-g turns to bleed speed and try and get round I-16#1. Bf109#1 had to idle to get a shot at I-16#2 which was firing cannon at Range6 at the Ju88 – still not a bad shot on the 6’o clock line, and given the I-16 has a paltry 5/8 hits staying out of defensive fire has its advantages. The odds were good but I think I only did a couple of hits, and paid full price for not watching my six. The other I-16 (Vet-Ace) got in to range 0 and blew the shit out of me, 8 hits and trailing landing gear, while the Ju88 was hit in the left engine and started spewing flames. The next turn, every plane was firing at someone, the Ju88 was trying to shut down an engine while severely damaged Bf109#1 was trying to raise trailing landing gear. It was a busy turn. Bf109#1 was caught with too low a speed, concentrating too much on a kill and paid the price getting shot down by I-16#1. I-16#2 got closer to the Ju88, did some more non-critical damage to it, but took a point from the dorsal guns which was enough to tip it into severe damage. The fire turned into a major fire and the engine did not shut down. Bf109#2 sprayed fire widely but hit no one. Ooooh. Next turn a choice - avenge my Rottenfuhrer, or try and protect the bomber and go for I-16#2 who is slowly getting closer to the recon bird. I opt for righteous vengeance and manage to get a range zero shot. Bf109#2 is the worst shot in the staffel clearly as his first three shots were over 90, over 70 and over 90 – unfortunately the last one was a long burst which jams---drum roll---the fecking cannon. I swore long and hard enough to ascend to Valhalla and for Ice Giants to ask me to tone it down a little… But what’s this fickle dice gods? A collision check? A collision check that destroys a perfectly good I-16 – previously unscratched - with a Vet-Ace pilot while only doing 6 points to my Bf109? Why thank you. This is in fact my first air-to-air kill. Never mind all that stuff about energy management and a chess match – better lucky than good my friend. Better lucky than good. The scenario is still at a nail biting stage, it’ll be a couple of turns before Bf109#2 can get to I-16#2. In the meantime the Ju88 is going to have to take some pain, but the I-16 is only a couple of hits from dying itself. Meantime the engine is shut down but it will take another 9 turns…ample time for the major fire to reach the fuel tanks and blow me up. Should I dive to put it out? But no pictures and definite scenario loss – gotta tough it out and trust to luck. I-16#2 uses up the rest of its cannon ammo (only 6 shots total for the Rata’s) and gets a couple of points off severely damaging the Ju88 but not quite making it while taking a hit or two itself. As it turns to dive away, Bf109#2 takes a long range shot – does 2 hits and kills it. The worst shot in the staffel has two kills baby. We roll for the fire – 10 – fire goes out. Whoooo – breath easy after the most exciting game I’ve played so far. Although probably IMO a bit pro-German. [Thanks to Craig Benn, the Germans in this game, for this AAR] |