AAR; Raid on Southend.

**FarEast** · 12-07-2014 16:14

Having completed 2/3 Hansa-Brandenburg W.29's I decided to give them a spin to see how they fared against the RNAS.

No storyline today, but I think you'll get a very good idea how it went down from the photos.

As the two aircraft converge both pilots fire simultaneously on each other.

One of the W.29's Immelmann turns on to the tail of his foe.

A Sopwith Camel tries to distract the enemy W.29 from his wingman and succeeds with disastrous results.

The remaining W.29 decides to head home.

The remaining RNAS Camel Decides he's had enough also

Butchers Tally:

I think this one was a draw!

**Willi Von Klugermann** · 12-07-2014 16:58

Enjoyable AAR. Thanks for sharing.

**gully_raker** · 12-07-2014 18:35

The W 29 is certainly no "slouch" in Combat with the rear firing arc & "A" guns at the front.

**FarEast** · 12-07-2014 18:42

Those rear gunners gave the camels a real pounding, its no wonder that with the introduction of them into the North Sea and English Channel, they gained air superiority that they didn't lose until the end of the war.

**Doug** · 12-07-2014 23:11

From past games their no so good against a Feilixstow

but they certainly are a match for the Camels.

**flash** · 12-07-2014 23:25

Nice one James, that looks terrific !

You may want to check rear gunners rule for firing during Immelmann moves for future games - apparently they can't which is really annoying !!

**FarEast** · 12-07-2014 23:32

Hey Doug,

I've been reading up on the history of these amazing aircraft and the tactics they used against the Felixstowe's

Once the Germans had worked out that the RNAS was flying a spider web patrol pattern the W.29's and 12's would fly out to sea and land, (conserving fuel) they would wait till an enemy patrol would fly over then take off and hit them from underneath or just hound them. The are accounts of several of the W12 and W.29 pilots bringing down several of the big birds in one day!

So maybe in game dynamics are wrong and the Felixstowe is to strong and the committee need to adjust?

**FarEast** · 12-07-2014 23:41

Originally Posted by flash

Nice one James, that looks terrific !

You may want to check rear gunners rule for firing during Immelmann moves for future games - apparently they can't which is really annoying !!

the one rule I forgot

**flash** · 12-08-2014 00:20

I do all the time - really annoying, along with turning when on fire which I nearly always forget in the heat of battle !!

**flash** · 12-08-2014 00:23

I do all the time - really annoying, along with turns when on fire thing which I nearly always forget in the heat of battle, and the A card damage if you do !!

**Nightbomber** · 12-08-2014 00:52

Great report - thanks for posting it, James.

**Flying Officer Kyte** · 12-08-2014 01:08

Originally Posted by FarEast

So maybe in game dynamics are wrong and the Felixstowe is to strong and the committee need to adjust?

The Felixtowe's stats are official ones James, so outside the remit of the Stats Committee.
Your AAR was great, despite the lack of story line, and as you say spoke for itself. Every time I see your tracer flashing out on these photos, I wish I had time to make a set for myself. They look superb.
Rob.

**HotleadColdfeet** · 12-08-2014 13:55

Nice report James! I especially liked the clouds and tracers. Very real looking!

**FarEast** · 12-08-2014 15:32

Originally Posted by Flying Officer Kyte

The Felixtowe's stats are official ones James, so outside the remit of the Stats Committee.
Your AAR was great, despite the lack of story line, and as you say spoke for itself. Every time I see your tracer flashing out on these photos, I wish I had time to make a set for myself. They look superb.
Rob.

After I read that I realised I have the cards as I own Flight of Giants...... ohh and the model arrived yesterday!

Have a look at these for how W.29's dealt with Felixstowe's!

http://www.wingnutwings.com/ww/produ...tid=3117&cat=1

**Doug** · 12-08-2014 19:12

You make a good point there James any flying boat attacked from below and unseen can be bad news for the flying boat no matter how many guns it has

For me the Feilixstow is the Sunderland of WW1. I must admit that in the games I have had once German aircraft are sighted I dive down to 2 pegs to prevent this then fly figures of 8 so I can get maimum number of guns to shoot at the attackers.

**FarEast** · 12-08-2014 20:29

Also from what I have read low over water is not the place a Felixstow wants to be either.

Images courtesy of Wingnut Wings.

Click image for larger version.

Name: 0001-Felixstowe F.2a N4305 being attacked by an unidentified 1.C Staffel Hansa-Brandeburg W.29 o.jpg
Views: 56
Size: 112.5 KB
ID: 152641

Click image for larger version.

Name: 0002-Felixstowe F.2a N4305 being attacked by an unidentified 1.C Staffel Hansa-Brandeburg W.29 o.jpg
Views: 55
Size: 112.8 KB
ID: 152642

Click image for larger version.

Name: 0003-Felixstowe F.2a N4305 under attack on 31 July 1918 _0121-38_.jpg
Views: 55
Size: 116.2 KB
ID: 152643

Click image for larger version.

Name: 0004-Felixstowe F.2a N4305 under attack on 31 July 1918 _0121-41_.jpg
Views: 54
Size: 130.0 KB
ID: 152644

Click image for larger version.

Name: 0005-Felixstowe F.2a N4305 under attack on 31 July 1918 _0121-42_.jpg
Views: 55
Size: 126.4 KB
ID: 152645

**Flying Officer Kyte** · 12-09-2014 01:50

Certainly don't look too healthy to me James.
I have only used mine on anti U Boat patrols so far, and they have a pretty good record against them.
Rob.

**FarEast** · 12-09-2014 02:55

Oh the Felixstow was the top off the evolutionary development for anti-submarine duties, however the W.29 was designed to counter everything the RNAS had to offer and soon after it's introduction the RNAS and RFC lost air supremacy over the North Sea and English Channel. It was directly responsible for the RNAS ordering all airships to coastal duties only as with its speed, maneuverability and fire power it meant certain death.

I found out that patrols were ordered not to engage W.29's so to counter this W.12's and W.4 was engage the enemy and then suddenly the W.29's would come out of nowhere..... very interesting history on not only the aircraft but also the tactics the Imperial Navy introduced to wrestle control of the skies from its enemies.

The game/campaign I am working on is hopefully going to reflect this - it will be a tough run for the RNAS after 1917 but I think its about time old Bosche got some love around here

**Twisted_terrain** · 12-09-2014 04:53

Originally Posted by Flying Officer Kyte

I see your tracer flashing out on these photos, I wish I had time to make a set for myself. They look superb.
Rob.

I'm with Rob on this one they look awesome, is it clump foliage on the flash end?

**Doug** · 12-09-2014 19:27

Great photes James. Have to lobby Andrea for ARES to make both the HB29 and the Filixstow. In my view the Feilixstow would sell a lot better than the heavy bombers they have got planed.

**FarEast** · 12-09-2014 20:58

Originally Posted by Twisted_terrain

I'm with Rob on this one they look awesome, is it clump foliage on the flash end?

Take a look here:

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/sho...re-range-ruler

**FarEast** · 12-09-2014 20:58

Originally Posted by Doug

Great photes James. Have to lobby Andrea for ARES to make both the HB29 and the Filixstow. In my view the Feilixstow would sell a lot better than the heavy bombers they have got planed.

I would have to agree with you!

**flash** · 12-10-2014 01:20

Originally Posted by FarEast

Also from what I have read low over water is not the place a Felixstowe wants to be either.

This was a Felixstowe that had force landed and was taxiing for home when it was caught by Christiansen a well known pilot based at Zeebrugge who pounced on it and strafed it to destruction - then claimed it as a kill. I read that in an Osprey naval Aces book whilst Memsahib was Christmas shopping yesterday !!
Apparently the W.29's used to fly in gangs of five and had formations for defence and attack.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Christiansen