Nungesser vs Richtofen: Dance of Death

**surfimp** · 09-22-2014 21:19

My son and I enjoyed a quick duel with our new-to-us Charles Nungesser Nieuport 17 flying against Manfred von Richtofen's Albatros D.II

We'd been looking forward to getting the Nieuport for quite some time, as Nungesser was truly a larger-than-life fighter pilot that my boys have loved learning about.

So it was with great excitement that the first fight began!

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The first pass, Nungesser displays his typical aggression by raking MvR's Albatros from stem to stern.
MvR fires back but does nothing by comparison.

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The two great aces circle one another seeking an advantage.

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MvR has miscalculated and allowed Nungesser a shot, which flies just wide.

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Nungesser grits his teeth and pulls back even harder on the stick, carefully aiming at the German scout. Fighting off a stall, he lets loose a punishing burst with MvR squarely in his sights. A 5 card becomes 6 with the +1 aiming bonus.

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MvR manages to elude Nungesser for a few moments but soon enough they are back into another merge. With 10 of his 14 damage points expired, MvR has no margin for error... he pulls into the vertical. So does Nungesser.

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MvR's aim is once again poor and he does only superficial damage to the French ace's Nieuport.
Nungesser, nonplussed, delivers the coup d'grace with another powerful burst.

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Victorious, the Knight of Death watches as his victim plummets to the earth... little does he realize that MvR, though wounded severely, will manage to successfully land his destroyed aircraft, and live to fight another day.

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**flash** · 09-23-2014 01:39

Nippy little bird that N.17 - glad you chaps managed to get one !

**gully_raker** · 09-23-2014 17:54

Well done "Beau Charles"!

**HotleadColdfeet** · 09-26-2014 07:47

Good AAR, Surfimp! I liked the details such as Nungesser's coming close to a stall after prolonged tight turning. All the ROF experience helped, no doubt.

I also like your N.17. Very cool!

**Flying Officer Kyte** · 09-26-2014 12:32

Excellent little encounter.
I did not get who flew which machine though.
Well done both.
Rob.

**surfimp** · 09-26-2014 13:16

Ah, sorry: my son was at the controls of Nungesser's N.17. Very well played, hopefully MvR's ghost can forgive me for letting him down

Thanks guys. My new iPhone 6's camera seems to handle low light better than the old one, should make posting these a bit easier now.

**Barkmann** · 09-26-2014 13:36

Great AAR sir!! Lovely to see the N.17 in action. But i wonder: does anyone have Nungesser's Nieuport 17 in this scheme? Its so awesome.

**Barkmann** · 09-26-2014 13:36

Wheres the image? Arggghhh!

**surfimp** · 09-26-2014 13:42

I'm guessing it's the silver N17 with the red, white and blue stripes on the top wing, in chevron configuration?

**Dan-Sam** · 09-26-2014 13:52

I always knew that Nieuport has a special potential! Nice to see this little plane shot down such an ace

**Barkmann** · 09-26-2014 13:55

Its something like that but a little different. Let me try again.

**Barkmann** · 09-26-2014 13:55

Nope.

**Barkmann** · 09-26-2014 13:56

Here. Thats the image i was trying to post.
http://roen911.deviantart.com/art/Ch...quot-270187985

**surfimp** · 09-26-2014 13:58

Originally Posted by Barkmann

Here. Thats the image i was trying to post.
http://roen911.deviantart.com/art/Ch...quot-270187985

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It's nice!

True confession: I love all of the French aces, even Fonck, but Nungesser is my favorite. What a larger-than-life character!!

And it's neat that Nexus released Raoul Lufbery's N17 as well... in real life, they became good friends, and Nungesser was a real fan of the Lafayette Escadrille. As an American, that makes me like him even more!

**Flying Officer Kyte** · 09-26-2014 14:20

Originally Posted by surfimp

Ah, sorry: my son was at the controls of Nungesser's N.17. Very well played, hopefully

Then please pass onto him my heartfelt congratulations Steve.
Kyte.

**Barkmann** · 09-26-2014 14:25

Thanks for getting the image! Didn't know that Lufbery and Nungesser were friends. That makes their minis much more special than they already were!

Thanks

Nick

**surfimp** · 09-26-2014 14:29

Nice video about Nungesser:

**Willi Von Klugermann** · 09-26-2014 15:35

Nice AAR Steve. Haven't seen you in the virtual skies lately.

**surfimp** · 09-26-2014 15:53

Originally Posted by Willi Von Klugermann

Nice AAR Steve. Haven't seen you in the virtual skies lately.

I must be missing you - because I've been flying nearly every night, after the kids are in bed.

My handle even got an upgrade - now I'm known as SurfimpGT

**Barkmann** · 09-26-2014 17:23

Nice video there Steve. When I started playing RoF the damn computer broked.

**Naharaht** · 09-26-2014 19:15

A good AAR there, Steve!

I tend to think that aces would try to avoid taking on an enemy nose to nose unless it was necessary.

**surfimp** · 09-27-2014 08:43

I don't know, Nungesser was kind of a maniac...

**Flying Officer Kyte** · 09-27-2014 08:54

Originally Posted by surfimp

I don't know, Nungesser was kind of a maniac...

Exactly my sort of guy then.

Rob.

**prymus** · 09-27-2014 15:57

Nice Steve, and congrats to the son. I used to play WW2 minis with my son, land battles. And always enjoyed 'losing' to him. Great fun playing with your kids, especially when they enjoy the same games. Play WGF with my wife and daughter, and 28mm Sci-Fi skirmish (Infinity) with my daughter. My son is now married with a new born, so we no longer play. But great memories.

**Willi Von Klugermann** · 09-27-2014 18:44

Originally Posted by surfimp

I must be missing you - because I've been flying nearly every night, after the kids are in bed.

My handle even got an upgrade - now I'm known as SurfimpGT

Congrats. I haven't joined a squadron yet. Nobody wants me because I suck. I believe most of the GTs are Canadian. With the 3 hr time difference I must be snoring while you're flying.