Ares Games
Results 1 to 29 of 29

Thread: New B-17F tested in combat

  1. #1

    Default New B-17F tested in combat

    Hi chaps. Only 24 hours had passed since the new B-17F Memphis Belle arrived and I decided to put it to the test flight.
    Here is how it all went.
    The legendary Belle's goal was to cross the 2m long table using RAP official rules of automated flight. No altitude.
    I took off in Fw 190 Dora to intercept it on the way back to England .

    The overall situation looked like this (Fw 190 on the left):


    The Belle.


    And myself


    I applied a usual tactics: a head on attack (considering B-17F version light front armament), than immelmann and tailing the bomber benefiting from consecutive fire additional A damage counters if possible.

    Initially the plan worked well, for the AI bomber turned against me.


    First close distance shots. Not bad. I got hit with 4 points (front Belle's crewmen must have been very nervous), while inflicting 10 points to the Fortress.


    But then, when I passed the bomber, I came through the hail of bullets. I had to be prepared for that. 8 points and I am on fire! Himmel!


    Immelmann, on fire, too far to shoot...


    Closing...opening fire!
    2 points inflicted by the rear gunner, but...Argh, explosion fire damage counter! The game is over.


    My parrot like Dora soaked 15! points of damage during just one pass and being on fire after immelmann on the tail of the Fortress...crap.


    16 points of damage inflicted on the bomber. Not bad for such a short action, but there were 34 points left...


    Conclusion.
    A rather historical outcome. Attacking a Flying Fortress with a lone wolf is a suiside mission. Of course the luck was not on my side, but I do not believe I would have taken down the bomber (without a lucky XP counter) if I had to fly around it.
    Try it on your own and feel that pain
    <img src=http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=2554&dateline=1409073309 border=0 alt= />
    "We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."

  2. #2

    Default

    Thank you for that insight, Andrzej.

    That's the question for the German attackers: How to bring enough pounds of bullets into this Fortress?

    The FW190D version is a good & capable fighter but you need two of them to fight one Fortress down. Add optional crew damage and you chances rise.

    Lets see what Bf.109K and Me.410 throw into the ring for a successful fight versus the B17s.

    ...and we haven't talked about those irritating Mustangs yet.
    Voilą le soleil d'Austerlitz!

  3. #3

    Default

    Right Sven.
    Check my thread below, please,
    http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/sho...961#post323961
    and try to solve the riddle...
    <img src=http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=2554&dateline=1409073309 border=0 alt= />
    "We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."

  4. #4

    Default

    Glad I got two FWs now.
    At least I have them against only a Lancaster.
    However, that was a very interesting trial Andy.
    Even without collecting the "Bang" you were taking some stick.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  5. #5

    Smile

    That will teach you to try to bring down such a famous plane as the "Belle" Andy.

  6. #6

    Default

    Im guessing a well timed attack with altitude rules would reduce the amount of hits you take. I would expect most pilots would have felt safest diving through formations of these bombers.

  7. #7

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Xen View Post
    Im guessing a well timed attack with altitude rules would reduce the amount of hits you take. I would expect most pilots would have felt safest diving through formations of these bombers.
    I would agree Evan. From what little reading I have done on WW2, it would seem common practice to ignore Fighter cover, zoom through the Bomber stream to distract and scatter them, then pick off any lame ducks, before making a get away.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  8. #8

    Default

    Excellent AAR, Andy.
    Give us more, please.

  9. #9

    Default

    Andy

    You are correct one on one is always a losing proposition. All those little stings add up.


    Rich

  10. #10

    Default

    Good job I got a couple of 190s from Santa to take on my Bit of Lace. Nice AAR Andy. Now the table is almost clear of the Christmas cheer hic I might give the FF an outing


    I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
    Coming down is the hardest thing

  11. #11

    Default

    You as well Paul.
    I am going to move the Christmas cake and Christmas chocolate log plus a few wine bottles after supper to reinstate my painting center.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  12. #12

    Default

    Doh .Small children arrived with cars and Lego. Mission delayed.


    I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
    Coming down is the hardest thing

  13. #13

    Default

    A good and useful AAR, Andrzej. It looks like the A.I. rules may need adjusting for bombers.

  14. #14

    Default

    I put my Belle up against a KI-84 and a KI-61 and she survived with 8 damage left. The KI-84 had a few too many 0's

  15. #15

    Default

    Good American Boys! Yeaaahhhh!
    <img src=http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=2554&dateline=1409073309 border=0 alt= />
    "We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."

  16. #16

    Default

    Lil GR (aged 10) and I broke out my Christmas present this week - "Bit O Lace". Granted, he chose to fly it, as he had given it to me.

    We did a trial run - trying to play very quickly - just to get him from the middle of a table to the edge. I had 2 Japanese planes, a Ki-61 and a Zero. . He moved faster than I thought and I only got 1 pass with one (I turned the wrong way) and the other Immeled and got a second shot. All 3 planes survived but all were over half damage.

    Today we played a full scenario with him trying a bombing run. He picked the P-51 as escort. I took the 2 Japanese and added in 2 more for me! The Reggiane & the Yak-1 came on after we did 5 moves. They entered from the far end of where he started, target was 3/5 down the table. We played on the floor to have a big enough area, and I only took pictures of the final move, and the butcher's bill. (I'll post them later).

    The Ki-61 went after the bomber and the Zero & the P-51 went after each other (immels galore!) and the my Zero couldn't go right, so it became tough, and finally with 14 dmg I had just fly away as the P-51 had passed him and was going after the new arrivals. The poor Ki-61 misjudged the speed of the B-17 (my son did some stalls) and wound up right next to the bomber, basically touching bases (we rolled to see if I went over or under as we weren't using altitude)......and I blew up in thousand little pieces. He then bombed only 1/4 of the target and circled around, and came head to head with my incoming reinforcements. The P-51 made short work of the Reggie. A quick Immel, a few turns, and another stuck rudder put the Yak in an awful position. He was head to to head w/ both the B-17 and the P-51 at short range. They were side by side, and I was right in front of them. The already heavily damaged Yak took a another heavy dose and went down in flames.

    The bomber was 3/5 damaged, the P-51 over half, and I had 3 planes blown up and 1 slink away. I told him up front he should use the Wildcat, but he liked the sleek look. Next time I bring all the planes on at once and I'm still not sure it will be enough. I may have to give myself some Ace cards and abilities to boot!!!

  17. #17

    Default

    Enjoyed the read and pics . To bad it didn't last longer

  18. #18

    Default

    Thank you for your report, Mischa. I take it that the Japanese were desperate for aircraft to use the Reggiane and a captured Russian Yak.

  19. #19

    Default

    Not bad AAR, Mischa.

    It's a though job, while intercepting B-17s and B-25s, to determine the right point to turn around and follow the bomber in shooting distance.
    Voilą le soleil d'Austerlitz!

  20. #20

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Naharaht View Post
    Thank you for your report, Mischa. I take it that the Japanese were desperate for aircraft to use the Reggiane and a captured Russian Yak.
    The Japanese were indeed short-handed. Luckily the Italian Ambassador had flown over w/ a tiny escort and was kind enough to allow the Japanese Air Command to utilize it.

    I didn't do a very good job purchasing new airplanes for a balanced game, getting only what I liked the first time, as the only idle planes were: a french P40, a flying tiger P40, a Wildcat, and a Heinkel!, (or spits & FW-109 cards only).

  21. #21

    Default

    Further testing now...to be continued.
    <img src=http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=2554&dateline=1409073309 border=0 alt= />
    "We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."

  22. #22

  23. #23

    Setarius's Avatar May you forever fly in blue skies
    Users Country Flag


    Name
    Dale
    Location
    Kentucky
    Sorties Flown
    1,685
    Join Date
    Sep 2009

    Default

    A friend of mine still wants to do 3 B17" s and a few Mustangs as escort. I've told him only if I can have at least a dozen 190's.
    This AAR just goes to prove my point on that battle.
    Well written and well flown.

  24. #24

    Banned



    Blog Entries
    42
    Name
    [CLASSIFIED]
    Location
    [CLASSIFIED]
    Sorties Flown
    3,127
    Join Date
    Feb 2015

    Default

    Reading this thread is inspiring me to dust off the Boeing B-17F and play a Solitaire game with it but possibly with the Messerschmitt Bf.110C-7 as opposition. I will see if I am feeling up for a day of Solitaire play and take the B-17F up versus Axis in the air in the morning ... Followed by Avro Vulcan B.2 XH560 deployment against some form of ground target in the afternoon.

  25. #25

    Default

    Have a look at the German Gun Camera shots on U tube. There are some nasty ones of how they took down the B17's. You can actually see the German pilot walking his bullets across the wing to the engine then down the left side of the fuselage from rear to front before peeling away.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  26. #26

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Aussietonka View Post
    Reading this thread is inspiring me to dust off the Boeing B-17F and play a Solitaire game with it but possibly with the Messerschmitt Bf.110C-7 as opposition. I will see if I am feeling up for a day of Solitaire play and take the B-17F up versus Axis in the air in the morning ... Followed by Avro Vulcan B.2 XH560 deployment against some form of ground target in the afternoon.
    would that be avalon hills b-17 queen of the skies? ive had a lot of fun playing that game!

  27. #27

    Default

    Queen of the Skies, got that in the loft somewhere! Great game.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  28. #28

    Banned



    Blog Entries
    42
    Name
    [CLASSIFIED]
    Location
    [CLASSIFIED]
    Sorties Flown
    3,127
    Join Date
    Feb 2015

    Default

    The Boeing B-17F versus Messerschmitt Bf.110C-7 skirmish I had in mind for November 1st 2015 never went ahead: Not sure why but it is more than likely that I still was not well enough to play Wings of Glory at all. Avro Vulcan B.2 XH560 definitely never went up that day as also intended ... I really have not been at all well and experienced just over a month of no WGS activity at all in this neck of the woods.

    Also I would have two Boeing B-17Fs by now like I do every other type of WW2 Heavy Bomber but Galactic Models in Derby saw fit to mess me around with this order

    Compared with the two Boeing B-17Gs I now have thanks to Aerodrome Accessories / AA sending the second

    Both of these Seventeen-Gs are in for an outing on November 17th 2015 ... Not sure what against just yet but be rest assured the opposition will be both exciting and challenging!

  29. #29

    Banned



    Blog Entries
    42
    Name
    [CLASSIFIED]
    Location
    [CLASSIFIED]
    Sorties Flown
    3,127
    Join Date
    Feb 2015

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Tonx View Post
    Both of these Seventeen-Gs are in for an outing on November 17th 2015 ... Not sure what against just yet but be rest assured the opposition will be both exciting and challenging!
    The Boeing B-17G missions I had in mind for November 17th 2015 went ahead: A pair of them flew two sorties during which they were attacked by a pair of Japanese fighters.

    Mission 1: Allies lead by A Bit O' Lace. Accompanied by Glory Glory Men United! Two aircraft deployed with one returning - attacked by Kawasaki Ki-61-I-KIAD and Nakajima Type 84 Hayate Axis fighters. Both confirmed destroyed.

    Mission 2: Allies lead by A Bit O' Lace. Accompanied by Glory Glory Men United! Two aircraft deployed with two returning - attacked by two more Axis fighters with both confirmed as destroyed.

    Photos: Top Five Featuring Both Missions:

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	7. Glory Glory Men United!.jpg 
Views:	31 
Size:	178.6 KB 
ID:	182231

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	8. Enemy Sighted.jpg 
Views:	31 
Size:	183.5 KB 
ID:	182232

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	100_8069.jpg 
Views:	32 
Size:	182.8 KB 
ID:	182233

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	100_8076.jpg 
Views:	32 
Size:	159.8 KB 
ID:	182234

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	100_8080.jpg 
Views:	32 
Size:	194.1 KB 
ID:	182235



Similar Missions

  1. Solo Rules tested. Downed by an AI pilot.
    By Nightbomber in forum WGF: House Rules
    Replies: 162
    Last Post: 04-24-2014, 01:59
  2. Hor's d'Combat
    By Lt. S.Kafloc in forum Officer's Club
    Replies: 25
    Last Post: 08-20-2013, 23:58
  3. Obscure combat first?
    By Etairos in forum WGF: Historical Discussions
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 01-29-2012, 14:04
  4. Hors de combat
    By flash in forum Officer's Club
    Replies: 20
    Last Post: 01-11-2012, 10:22
  5. Two-Seater combat.
    By Belis4rius in forum WGF: Mission Discussions
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 12-09-2009, 02:30

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •