Following the game already reported on by Carl we changed things up a little and for the second game we had a Caproni Ca.3 run the gauntlet of a pair of Albatross D.IIIs
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Carl took the controls of the Caproni while Rod and I took a D.III each and headed into action.
On sighting the Caproni Rod and I make our moves, Rod took his D.III out across the path of Carl's Ca.3 While I turned left and looked to get things started early. Carl turned to meet my approach, it wouldn't long before the bullets were flying.
Misjudging my closing speed a little I passed across the nose of the bomber but fortunately avoided damage from the high deflection burst from the Italian gunner.
Performing an Immelmann I was able to put myself in a good firing position got a good burst off at the Caproni from behind. It was clear it had done a lot of damage.
I was anticipating some serious return fire but luck was with me as Carl's gunners struggled land decent hits. Meanwhile, Rod was making his approach and would soon join the fight.
It was at this point that luck started to turn. the guns jammed on my Albatross and left me sitting in the sight of the Caproni's guns. While the damage received from their next burst was light It left me smoking.
With Rod closing in for his turn at Carl and guns to get cleared I opened some distance to get out of range.
Rod put his Albatross on the Caproni's tail and put his first burst in,he was just short due a difference of altitude but he did get a taste of Carl's guns, though he got out it unharmed. Carl them managed to get some distance on Rod and I as we made a misstep and had to regroup to have another go.
While Rod's D.III was hot on the Caproni's tail, yet just beyond range, I had anticipated (wrongly) that Carl would make a move to the left.
Moving back to correct my mistake I could only watch from a distance as the other Albatross(Rod) exchanged fire with the Caproni (Carl), each landing minor damage on the other each time. All the while the edge of the map and the bomber's escape loomed ever closer.
Carl put his experience to good use as both Rod and I made moves in anticipation of a reaction that never came. While we expected a move to get out of our closing fighters his bomber was able to put distance on us again. My move to cut off a left turn again was pointless as I later learned that, due to rudder damage, he was unable to turn left.
And so it was that the Caproni was able to make its escape, although sporting a good deal of damage that would keep the mechanics busy for a while. Rod and I, on the other hand, would have some explaining to do when we got back to base.
Thank you to Carl (Carl_Brisgamer) for the game, the scenario and the planes to fly and to Rod for playing. A thank you also to Paul for playing host and joining in on the previous game. It was a very enjoyable day that I look forward to repeating in the future.
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