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Thread: Early Doors Mission 7 July '16--"New Wings over the Trenches"

  1. #1

    Default Early Doors Mission 7 July '16--"New Wings over the Trenches"

    Mid July, the aerodrome was abuzz as new design planes were reaching the front. Two Halberstadt DIIs were arriving in Namur for the squadron and everyone was wanting to be the first to try them out. Hartwig was hounded with requests all day. Rolf claimed to have seen similar planes while on leave so he should get to fly. Arnold Neumann said he deserved to fly a single seater while Reinhardt Richter suggested a pilot with more experience like himself should bring one home.
    Orders from above told Obltn Hartwig Alder that he and his best pilot were to have the first sortie for evaluation. Alder and his chosen man were to go to Namur in the morning.
    Alder didn’t get to choose his man. The orders stated Ltn Büttner would be the other pilot at the request of KvL. “Ah, something is up”, thought Hartwig.

    When Alder and Büttner arrived at the airfield in Namur they were greeted by Karl vonLinder.
    “Herr Büttner, in gratitude for your action in saving my airship I would like to offer you this”. He swept his left hand wide and backed out of the way so Peter could see the decorated plane in the hanger behind him.
    Hartwig slapped Peter on the back and almost knocked him over. “Ah, another orange plane for our tiger. The enemy will all soon know you”.
    Peter didn’t know what to say and stuttered out a thank you.
    “Obltn Alder, you too deserve something more than the factory finish from what I hear. This one is for you”.
    “Vielen dank Kapitanleutnant, it will be an honor to fly this beautiful craft”.

    vonLinder had to leave for a meeting but told Büttner he would be contacting him. A friend of his was an engineer in the aircraft industry and he would be eager to hear about their plane’s performances.

    Hartwig gave Peter the details of the day’s flight. They would get the feel of their new planes for an hour or two, refuel, arm their weapons and have a pass at to the front before returning to the aerodrome. If they got into a little tussle, what could be a better way to test the new planes?

    After their exercise they were both feeling confident with their new planes. “So much more agile than the Eindekers, how did we even fly and fight with them”? thought Peter.
    Off they went and before they knew it the front came into view.
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    Heading east 2Lts Frank Barlow and William Tuffield were putting their new Nieuport 17s through some tests of their own.
    “A noticeable improvement on the 11s, I could actually like this French plane”, thought Tuffy.
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    Frank waggled his wings to get Tuffy’s attention. He pointed at two spots ahead just behind the lines and motioned to have at them.
    At the same time Hartwig and Peter saw the same thing.

    As they neared the trenches both lines opened up, straight up at their own planes! Hartwig cursed, “Damn infantry don’t even know who we are”!
    Tuffy screamed at the troops below even though he knew they could not hear him. His new plane was hit in the engine and started to smoke.
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    Hartwig’s plane was hit and smoke sputtered from the engine as oil sprayed along the fuselage. “Better get over the British trenches quick, I’d rather be shot down by them than by my own countrymen”, mumbled Hartwig.
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    Soon they were in range of their foes and lead flew across the sky. The troops on the ground stopped firing as they didn’t know who to shoot at.
    Peter took great aim but his small target didn’t seem bothered while his plane was ripped by Barlow’s Lewis.
    Hartwig was not noticeably hit but his smoke turned into a burst of flame. He didn’t see if he hit his mark.
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    With their planes smoking and burning Tuffy and Hartwig lost sight of each other and nearly collided.
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    The troops on the ground were cheering on their pilots even though they didn’t recognize who their own were.

    Frank Immeled and caught the German by surprise. Peter felt a sting in his right leg.
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    With no idea where the other was, Tuffy and Hartwig tap each other’s wings in a ball of smoke and fire.
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    Tuffy broke back towards his lines to try to clear his smoke while Hartwig did the same with his fire.
    Peter let his plane make a long gentle turn while he tied his scarf around his leg.
    Hartwig’s fire kept eating away at his plane while more ground fire set Frank on fire!
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    While turning to keep the flames away Frank and Hartwig met and exchanged telling blows. Frank’s engine responded badly to the fire.
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    As Hartwig dealt with a fire and jammed guns Tuffy returned to the attack once his engine stopped smoking. Trying to sneak around a cloud, Tuffy found Hartwig a bit busy but missed his mark. Hartwig never saw Tuffy but heard his bullets zipping by all around him.
    Peter took aim at Frank and did little damage but added to the flame’s fuel by hitting an oil line.
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    Hartwig, with more than enough trouble, heads for a cloud to lose the Englishman.
    Peter used his new plane’s agility to line up a close clean shot but the pain in his leg distracted him from taking it. Frank notices his dilemma thinking he was done for but the tiger isn’t firing? He slips under his hunter and avoids being a target.
    “Crap, I remember Tuffy saying that this orange plane comes right up on you and doesn’t fire. Is he stupid or so good he likes to toy with us”?
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    With his engine sputtering and on fire Frank makes for home.
    Hartwig also heads for home as the fire is relentlessly eating away his plane.
    Tuffy spots him exit the cloud and makes for him but just can’t quite catch him.
    Peter sees Hartwig’s situation and turns in to help leaving the burning Englander to his fire.
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    (ground fire was a 2/no special damage on Büttner, forgot to place the card)


    Peter uses a cloud to sneak up on Tuffy as he had done to Hartwig. He takes an aimed shot but misses, alerting Tuffy to his predicament.
    Frank praying his fire goes out before its too late.
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    Tuffy and Peter eye each other thinking quickly how to get the advantage on each other.
    Peter acts first and Immels but again the pain causes him not to be able to fire.
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    Tuffy figures he will lure the tiger in and spring his move...too slow!
    Peter follows Tuffy for a few seconds regaining composure and makes his move and rips into the Nieuport.
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    The tiger tries to pounce but Tuffy’s Immel brings bot fliers to arms length.
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    As they both turn towards each other, eyeing each other carefully, both pull away.
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    Both Immel with the same plan of attack. Tuffy gets the better angle but Peter avoids Tuffu’s guns by a wisker.
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    As they once again pass closely Tuffy again wonders about the untaken shots.
    Peter salutes his foe and heads for home. The Englander has flown well and Peter’s wound is hampering him more than he had hoped, so time to head home while his new plane is still in good shape...
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    Just as Peter reached friendly lines one last British marksman fires from the trenches.
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    Catastrophe! The fuel tank is hit and explodes tearing the plane apart. Peter spirals down into the German trenches....
    Tuffy hears the shouts and cheers from the British trench line. Looking back over his shoulder he sees his nemesis falling down. Mixed feelings fill his heart. Not an honorable way to go.... but better him than me! Time to head back and see how Barlow fared.
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    Butcher’s Bill

    Obltn Hartwig Alder RTB
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    2Lt Frank Barlow RTB
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    2Lt William Tuffield RTB
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    Ltn Peter Büttner SD EXP WIA NML
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    Ok Dave, I’ll let you roll this one for Herr Büttner! Will Büttner be the first ace to die in the campaign?

    On the Butcher's Bill I put the ground fire upside down to tell it easier from all other damage cards.
    Last edited by Teaticket; 02-20-2015 at 15:04.

  2. #2

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    Wow what a set to Peter. Great AAR and even better photos. Did you go round the neighbourhood snapping the aerials off old cars for the planes pegs

    Hope your Ace makes it fingers crossed.


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

  3. #3

    Thumbs up

    What a great set too!
    Exceptionally superb AAR Peter. That had everything, Smoke, Fire, Wounds, Explosions & Close Escapes!
    Worthy of much Rep!

  4. #4

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    Quote Originally Posted by tikkifriend View Post
    Wow what a set to Peter. Great AAR and even better photos. Did you go round the neighbourhood snapping the aerials off old cars for the planes pegs

    Hope your Ace makes it fingers crossed.
    My flight stands are extending magnet tools. They have a magnet on the end making it perfect for this. Our chain store, Sears, used to have them for $1 in the cheap bin. After they sold out they came back with their 'Craftsman' brand name on them and now they are $5. Glad I got a dozen the first time around.

  5. #5

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    Impressive from start to finish Peter.
    I just love that Tiger stripe Halb. Makes a real statement on the table.
    I hope Buttner makes it even if just to see his wonderful colour scheme again.
    Those AA marksmen have done us all a lot of damage this time around. I hate AA.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  6. #6

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    What a nail-biter Peter - great AAR. Keeping my fingers crossed for Büttner - it would be a sad way for such a promising ace to meet his end.

    Would give you rep if I could - still need to spread it around apparently

  7. #7

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    Well, that was a proper shindig ! Roll for Büttner eh ? Such pressure !! Well if you're gonna go maybe going undefeated in the air is the way to do it...

    It is with a heavy heart that I have to report that Büttner rolled......





    BOX CARS !

    Ltn Peter Büttner: Rolled 12 -3 EXP -1 WIA -1 NML (even if in amongst his trenches) = 7 Bruised - Skip 1 Scenario - Lucky dog !

  8. #8

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    Quote Originally Posted by Flying Officer Kyte View Post
    Impressive from start to finish Peter.
    I just love that Tiger stripe Halb. Makes a real statement on the table.
    I hope Buttner makes it even if just to see his wonderful colour scheme again.
    Those AA marksmen have done us all a lot of damage this time around. I hate AA.
    Rob.
    Well Rob, we won't see this Halberstadt again if Büttner lives, nothing left to fly!

  9. #9

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    Quote Originally Posted by flash View Post
    Well, that was a proper shindig ! Roll for Büttner eh ? Such pressure !! Well if you're gonna go maybe going undefeated in the air is the way to do it...

    It is with a heavy heart that I have to report that Büttner rolled......





    BOX CARS !

    Ltn Peter Büttner: Rolled 12 -3 EXP -1 WIA -1 NML (even if in amongst his trenches) = 7 Bruised - Skip 1 Scenario - Lucky dog !
    WHEW!!!! Thanks for rolling Dave. I couldn't roll it myself. If it was another plane out gunning me maybe, but not from mudsloggers.
    Since he made it we'll have to see how much influence or deep pockets vonLinder has for a new tiger.
    Shouldn't there have been a +2 for being an ace?

  10. #10

  11. #11

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    Thanks guys. When on fire and you get hit with smoke damage, what do you do? I treat it as resetting the fire markers back to three.

  12. #12

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    Quote Originally Posted by Teaticket View Post
    Thanks guys. When on fire and you get hit with smoke damage, what do you do? I treat it as resetting the fire markers back to three.
    I agree.

    The RAP rules state that a plane on fire is also considered to be smoking, and receipt of smoke damage while already smoking results in three turns of fire.

  13. #13

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    Quote Originally Posted by Flying Helmut View Post
    I agree.

    The RAP rules state that a plane on fire is also considered to be smoking, and receipt of smoke damage while already smoking results in three turns of fire.
    My interpertation exactly.

  14. #14

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Teaticket View Post
    Shouldn't there have been a +2 for being an ace?
    I do believe there should

  15. #15

    Smile

    Quote Originally Posted by FarEast View Post
    I do believe there should
    Depends on what skill you gave him.

  16. #16

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    Quote Originally Posted by gully_raker View Post
    Depends on what skill you gave him.
    Modifiers to dice roll:
    Ace: +2 ---------------------------------Your pilots skill helps his landing
    Exploded: -3 -----------------------------Boom card drawn for any reason - overrides flamer/collision
    Flamer: -2 -------------------------------Downed by fire or downed whilst burning
    Collision: -2 ------------------------------Downed due to Collision
    Shot Down -1 ----------------------------Just shot to bits!
    Wounded: -1 per wound ------------------Receive 2 wounds & you're shot down
    Landed safely in Aerodrome: +3 -----------Made it !
    Crash landed in No Mans Land or Sea -1 ---Not the safest or smoothest place to land
    No mention on what Ace ability is needed... just the fact he is an Ace gets the +2

  17. #17

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    If this is what I think it means then Büttner won't have to miss a mission.

  18. #18

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    Dave, I keep forgetting to get you my new observer. Ernst Schmidt drew the short straw.

  19. #19

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    Quote Originally Posted by Teaticket View Post
    ...Shouldn't there have been a +2 for being an ace?
    DOH !! Of course - in which case he's OK on a nine - he is a lucky dog !!

  20. #20

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    Quote Originally Posted by Teaticket View Post
    Thanks guys. When on fire and you get hit with smoke damage, what do you do? I treat it as resetting the fire markers back to three.
    I don't if it's smoke, I do if it's fire.
    I'm not sure that is the intent but rather the application of any restrictions smoking brings.
    If you're 'smoking' as well do you leave a smoke marker on after you removed the last flame marker ?Smoke markers are removed at the end of the turn, flame markers at the beginning, so you're still vulnerable if you pull a second smoke marker that turn !

  21. #21

    Default

    Very true Dave, a problem I have encountered recently


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

  22. #22

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by flash View Post
    I don't if it's smoke, I do if it's fire.
    I'm not sure that is the intent but rather the application of any restrictions smoking brings.
    If you're 'smoking' as well do you leave a smoke marker on after you removed the last flame marker ?Smoke markers are removed at the end of the turn, flame markers at the beginning, so you're still vulnerable if you pull a second smoke marker that turn !
    Tim mentioned and supported what I read into the rules. The rules do say you are considered to also be smoking when on fire, so as with just smoking, a second smoke turns into fire. Resetting the fire markers to three seems to follow the rule.

  23. #23

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    Quote Originally Posted by flash View Post
    I don't if it's smoke, I do if it's fire.
    I'm not sure that is the intent but rather the application of any restrictions smoking brings.
    If you're 'smoking' as well do you leave a smoke marker on after you removed the last flame marker ?Smoke markers are removed at the end of the turn, flame markers at the beginning, so you're still vulnerable if you pull a second smoke marker that turn !
    Yes, I would extinguish the fire at the start of the third turn, but continue smoking until the end of that turn (think of the visible flames being snuffed out, but residual smoke issuing a little longer).
    You are correct in saying that you are vulnerable to a second smoke damage card until the smoke is removed at the end of the turn - GOOD! This should encourage burning planes to deviate away from a dogfight until the flames and smoke are gone, instead of continuing to mix it up whilst highly vulnerable to further, potentially fatal, but wholly avoidable damage.

  24. #24

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    Quote Originally Posted by Teaticket View Post
    Tim mentioned and supported what I read into the rules. The rules do say you are considered to also be smoking when on fire, so as with just smoking, a second smoke turns into fire. Resetting the fire markers to three seems to follow the rule.
    Easy tiger ! You asked what we did, not what interpretation we support !
    Last edited by flash; 12-18-2014 at 06:45.

  25. #25

    LOOP
    Guest


    Default

    That orange Halberstadt is a beuty!!

  26. #26

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    Quote Originally Posted by flash View Post
    Easy tiger ! You asked what we did, not what interpretation we support !
    I sit corrected!

    I didn't mean to come across as looking for support on how I interpreted the rules. I thought Tim did what I did. Not sure now if that is so now. Anyway, looks like I am a bit tougher on my planes with smoke and fire.

  27. #27

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    Quote Originally Posted by LOOP View Post
    That orange Halberstadt is a beuty!!
    Thanks Per. Unfortunately one sortie and it is out of the campaign, boom!

  28. #28

    LOOP
    Guest


    Default

    But perhaps they saved some paint at the base and could paint another......

  29. #29

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    Quote Originally Posted by LOOP View Post
    But perhaps they saved some paint at the base and could paint another......
    I do hope so.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  30. #30

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Teaticket View Post
    I sit corrected!

    I didn't mean to come across as looking for support on how I interpreted the rules. I thought Tim did what I did. Not sure now if that is so now. Anyway, looks like I am a bit tougher on my planes with smoke and fire.
    It is how it reads so not an unreasonable conclusion to come to - I have enough problem remembering no straights and two smokes make a fire if I'm honest ! - I'm just not sure that was the intent. I'll ask Andrea for clarification.

    "He is wise who watches"

  31. #31

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    Quote Originally Posted by flash View Post
    It is how it reads so not an unreasonable conclusion to come to - I have enough problem remembering no straights and two smokes make a fire if I'm honest ! - I'm just not sure that was the intent. I'll ask Andrea for clarification.
    It will be interesting (and clarifying) to hear what Andrea says on this.

  32. #32

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    Quote Originally Posted by Teaticket View Post
    It will be interesting (and clarifying) to hear what Andrea says on this.
    Keep me posted please. I have a vested interest in this discussion.
    Kyte.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  33. #33

  34. #34

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    Another shock ending, all be it a good final result for Buttner.
    a really great AAR and deserving of all the REP you get

  35. #35

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    A great AAR Peter, your photos really give it atmospher.

  36. #36

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    Thanks Trev. Tough ending but Büttner dodged a catastrosphe, for now anyway!



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