Lewis Gun - Scenario 01 versus lone Albatros C.I
After some discussion about the evolution of the Lewis Gun I decided to experiment. In the first scenario I have a Bristol Scout armed with two Lewis Guns; one mounted on the Port side and one over the wing. The opponent is a lone Albatros C.I.
By the rules the Lewis Gun in this era can only fire three-times before reloading. The two guns cannot fire together so a B deck is used.
I was itching to try out my new Lewis machine guns on some unsuspecting Hun aircraft. I had one mounted on the portside like Hawker did on his aeroplane, but in addition I had a wing mounted gun to give me a wider field of attack.
My opportunity came in mid August as I was called upon to reconnoiter the front. It was a mostly clear day, but there was a weather front moving in from the east.
As I approached the front I saw him; an Albatros two-seater. Up until now all I could do was smile and wave as we flew by each other. Then the Huns ungraded their machines by arming them with machine guns and instead of waving I had to keep my distance.
But now, I could answer them. No more running…
I flew dead on towards the Albatros and as I closed I opened fire with my port gun. She immediately sprouted flames and veered to starboard. Her gunner peppered my plane lightly as I pass.
Attachment 133634
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I went into an Immelman as the flames flared threatening to engulf the Albatros.
Attachment 133643
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I then closed the distance to ensure my quarry did not escape.
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When he tried to turn back towards his lines I dissuaded him with a quick burst her and there. During this time I silenced his gunner.
Attachment 133642
By then it was all over. The Albatros was nearly engulfed in flames when it finally started its earthward journey. It crashed well behind our lines and I was able to finish my original mission.
Butcher’s Bill
Charles Lewis Diamond RTB / - / 1 victory
Albatros
Pilot SD ET / WIA POW /
Observer SD ET / KIA /
The Albatros caught fire the first time it was fired upon, but I forgot to add the fire/smoke to the picture until later. The attack was made during the 1st phase of turn 2 and did 2 fire/1 rudder. During the second phase the Albatros did a 2/0 gun jam.
On turn 3 and 4 the Albatros suffered 2 and 0 fire damage respectively. In the 3rd phase of turn 4 the Scout score a 1 crew hit (Observer). During the third phase the observer scored a 0.
On turn 5 the Albatros suffered 3 fire damage. The Scout scored hits in phase 1 and 2 (2+1, 2+1) and the Albatros went down. Scoring the fire damage early skewed the results somewhat, so I will experiment with additional scenarios to see just what limitations having a Lewis Gun that can only fire three times before reloading truly gives. In this scenario the port gun was fired once and the wing gun three times.
Last edited by WWIflyingace; 05-26-2014 at 12:54.
Chuck try adding the adamage cards to the pictures, that way it is easier to follow the action and dialogue. I'm sure there is a discusion elsewhere as to the BB scout not being used much or the over wing gun being removed as it interfered with the compass. Nice AAR though, you could also try giving the observer two wounds before death and limiting his firing with 1 wound, and reloading, when executing difficult maneuvers.
See you on the Dark Side......
I experimented with the damage cards in the picture thing and do not like the way they ruin the photo.
I read that in the early going just about every RFC squadron was assigned one or two scouts. They were mostly used for escort duties and were armed with two carbines (one on each side). Then the Lewis gun was mounted. Yes, they were mounted on the port side of the fuselage, but sometimes both sides and sometimes with a gun over the wing. In one of my other threads I have photos of the different gun configurations. There is even one with three guns! The problem you are referring to I believe was with the Bristol F.2 which isn't the same aircraft.
The Bristol was also the first carrier aircraft.
It was also used for homeland defense after it was withdrawn from the front.
Hi Chuck! I think most chaps like to show the cards drawn by each aircraft particularly in Solo games as it adds to the enjoyment of the reader to see just what is happening.
Likewise I like to take pics with the range ruler so viewers can see the firing arcs.
IMHO it flows better with this approach rather than seeing the pics & then trying to match the dialog from a separate post but hey its your AAR so do what floats your boat.
Oh just one query. Would not the Albatross have been able to return fire in the last card of turn 3 & the stages of turn 4 before the Observer was wounded? Plus the Albatross would have been able to shoot in the phase the Observer got wounded.
You can see that when you show the rulers & cards in the pics that it makes for ease of following the action.
Not trying to be "picky" just that it is difficult to follow the action the way you are currently posting your AAR's.
Last edited by gully_raker; 05-24-2014 at 17:35. Reason: Correction & additional info
Guess, I'll just have to stop sharing the results. Oh well.
But here is the move and firing log (good catch on the Albatros, it did indeed fire but got a zero).
Attachment 133891
1,2,3 are straights
6,7,8 are right turns
9,10,11 are left turns
12 is a stall
14 an Immelman
15 a slide slip right
So the planes weren't in range of each other until the last phase of turn 4. The observer was down all of turn 5, but the Albatros went down before the end of the turn.
I must admit that I have stopped reading to the end of the scenario, because it makes the story disjointed, when having to try and work out what is going on Chuck. I hope you will continue to post AARs, but accept that some of us are hard of understanding at our advanced ages.
Rob.
"Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."
I know I've read somewhere about the Scout being fitted with a second gun but being removed as it hampered it's effectiveness. Perhaps this is what I'm remembering, the scout couldn't carry the weight of a second gun efficiently so it was removed(?) Perhaps the more erudite on aircraft characteristics could shed more light on this than I.
It was not meant as a complaint Chuck or trying to be pedantic, it was just a comment.
See you on the Dark Side......
I've haven't encountered anything like that. The only problem I noted in my research was when they tried to mount a synchronized Vickers machine gun. When they tried to mount it in the center in wouldn't work. So they mounted it on the port side. So only a few were armed with synchronized guns; I believe it was six. These beasts were in service from March 1916 on. The rest were armed with one or two wing mounted Lewis guns. I believe the first was in February 1916.Originally Posted by Skafloc
Weight wise two Lewis guns were barely heavier than a single Vickers.
OH, you guys!(I'm putting these little funny faces in so you guys know I'm not mad.)
In fact when I read an AAR with the sticks and numbers in I stop reading immediately!I do love the creative special effects people use, like clouds and some of the nifty smoke, fire and explosion effects.
To me the AAR should be like the game. No one sees the numbers until the plane is down!
But you win.From now on to bring harmony I will put the stick and cards in.
OH, you guys!
In fact when I read an AAR with the sticks and numbers in I stop reading immediately!
But you win.
Had to laugh at that last post!
Oh, and Neil there is another possibility you might be thinking of. It was rare for RFC pilots to arm their machines with two Lewis guns on the wing as there was concern that firing both guns could damage it.
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