"Before there were Fighters" Prequel to the Campaign (Nightbomber - Central Powers)

[Nightbomber]

The Old Man did not look happy at all. There were still no scout machines available to the Jasta.
Directing artillery fire was the last goal his young hot shots wanted to pursue.
One flight after the other with no real chance for an aerial fight was an annoying duty.
They heard the nearby units were armed with the deadly Eindeckers and started to decimate the enemies. They did not.

That lovely sunny day he was about to send another crew for observation duty. This time Andreas and Edward will fly the boring mission...

..............
Andreas von Oppeln and his observer Edward Kozik flying a new, blue-gray Albatros C.1 were watching the shells falling into the mud, while the enemy biplane flying straight toward them appeared on the horizon! Andreas hit the left arm of his partner showing him the incoming enemy...

[Please ignore the altitude dials, the game is played without altitude]



Both pilots seemed to take on each other, flying right straight forward...



The planes passed each other ("This is the Be2c" shouted Edward) - but only the German gunner was the one to open fire. The German plane stayed away from the Englishman's gun! Edward's first burst of rounds hit the target!



Now both planes seemed to disengage, but only to let the observers aim better!
This time the English gunner hit the Albatros with no effective return fire.



Both pilots turned their planes against each other.



But it was Andreas, piloting a faste plane, who managed to outmaneuver the Brit, allowing his Gunner Edward to spray the lead and perforate the canvas of the English plane almost to pieces! Damn, the intense fire caused a jam of his machine gun...



A fruitless pass...







Now the observer's gun spoke again, but - this time - to no effect



The faster German plane could stay outside of the Be2c firing arc...but the gun jams again. Verdammt!





Andreas tries to stay away from the Englishman's fire and he does his job really well. But Edward can not keep the English two seater in his gun sight long enough...





"Stay on target, stay on target..."



The English gunner tries to aim at the closing Albatros...



....but Andreas turns tightly to avoid possible fire. This tactics pays off, but not for long...



Suddenly both planes collide in the air! Fortunately for the German crew, their plane proves to be the tougher one. The "kaltfleisch" is much weaker fir this kind of close encounter...The yellow biplane gets out of control abruptly and goes down to meet it's destiny down below...





Andreas and Edward touch down in their Aerodrome cheering the first Jasta's victory! This victory boosts the Unit's morale, but it won't take long to mourn their Kameraden...

The Butcher's Bill:



Von Oppeln and Kozik: RTB/1 kill.

[Nightbomber]

It was a very fun and interesting mission to play. Thanks Baz!
1. Albatros has the edge over the enemy. It's a faster and more durable plane. It can outmaneuver a Be2c opponent, which is definitely a slower plane.
2. We really lack a solo chart for a */B two seater; the X- decks are straightforward oriented, while we need an option for a pilot to turn it's back, just to allow his gunner to fire.

[WWIflyingace]

Place the solo template on the PC plane. You'll get the 2-seater to turn away allowing the gun to fire more often.

[flash]

It was a very fun and interesting mission to play. Thanks Baz!
1. Albatros has the edge over the enemy. It's a faster and more durable plane. It can outmaneuver a Be2c opponent, which is definitely a slower plane.
2. We really lack a solo chart for a */B two seater; the X- decks are straightforward oriented, while we need an option for a pilot to turn it's back, just to allow his gunner to fire.

Thanks for being the pioneer Andrzej - that was a great first encounter !
The solo charts for */B two seater 'acting aggressively' don't exist - will be interesting to see what solutions come up but that's where being the I in AI will come into play again ! lokking for ward to having a go myself now.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

A very instructive little scenario Andy.
Young von Oppein did a workmanlike job there. If you can't shoot 'em down knock 'em down.
I'm sure that we will hear much more of that young man should he survive the first few weeks.
Rob.

[gully_raker]

Well Andy thats one way to finish off an opponent!
Just like my Spad VII did to that Albatross D.II in my AAR.

Maybe one way to fix the Ai thing is to reverse the turn arrows from the original Solo charts.

Thank you for being the first to try out the Scenario.

[Nightbomber]

Maybe one way to fix the Ai thing is to reverse the turn arrows from the original Solo charts.

Yes, that would be the cure, Barry. But we must take into account the predictability of AI moves. Hmmm..., I think we need our Blackronin again

[fast.git]

Well flown, Andy! It's the first time I've seen such kites in the air against one another... so I'm most appreciative of your insights. Those of us familiar with the capabilities of the later-war aircraft may be forced to rethink our previous tactics!

[Brambo]

A nice start to the Early Doors Campaign Andy, who needs guns when you can ram them Ref the AI two-seater problem, what about placing the solo template and when it states a segemet use 2-3 segments to the left or right. For example, the template comes up with 2 so change to 11 or 10. Just a suggestion.

[Teaticket]

Yes, that would be the cure, Barry. But we must take into account the predictability of AI moves. Hmmm..., I think we need our Blackronin again

I'm not Blackronin but I just finished a chart for XA-B, and one for XC-D early planes in the solo 2nd generation style. Want them posted with the other 2nd gen. charts?

[Nightbomber]

Great news, Peter! Of course post them, please

[Teaticket]

Great news, Peter! Of course post them, please

Ok, just submitted them. Not sure how long for them to be visible. Any suggested changes or critiques, please let me know.
They will be under files, scenarios, solo rules, 2nd gen....

[gully_raker]

Look forward to seeing those Peter.

[Teaticket]

Look forward to seeing those Peter.

XA-B and XC-D are up. Give them a whirl and let me know if anything should be changed.

[Archidamus]

Nice AAR Andrzej - and congratulations to the Jasta for its first victory, but beware, Entente pilots will have their revenge (I hope)

[Teaticket]

Do you actually get a kill credit for a collision? I should have rammed the BE2C in my battle, maybe I would have done better!