Members of the Mess:
I am proud to announce that the Ridgerunner (Tri-Cities, TN) Flight of the Tennessee Squadron took to the simulated skies for the first time on 27 November, gathering at our headquarters aerodrome, Dewayne's World (LGS), Kingsport, TN. Two offensive patrols, a photo mission and a two-seater vs. two-seater were flown.
Players:
McKeever
Aiden2160 (Preston)
Sir Grizz (Roger)
Shane
Nathan
Jeremiah
Review as follows:
OFFENSIVE PATROL #1
British: 1xSE5a
German: 1xAlbatros
Mac took off in an SE5a and encountered Preston in an Albatros just over the trenches. Although the Albatros pilot was good and gave one hell of a fight, the SE's better maneuverability, and especially speed, was too much for the older German machine. The Albatros exploded in mid-air. Mac's first official victory.
Winner: British
OFFENSIVE PATROL #2
British: 2xSE5a
Germans: 1xAlbatros, 2xFokker DR1
Mac took Nathan (rookie pilot) up, both in SEs. Jumped by an Preston in his Albatros, Roger in a Fokker Triplane and his pal Shane in another Triplane. Careful not to get into a turning fight with the tripes, Mac slipped to the right, Nathan slipped to the left. Nathan ended a maneuver with the Albatros in his sights and sent him down in a bloody great flamer!! First time at the controls of an SE and he gets a confirmed kill!
His victory was short lived. With Mac's ship damaged and trying to turn into the fight, a few turns later the rookie went down under combined fire of the tripes, becoming a smoking hole in the middle of No Man's Land. For a few turns Mac danced around with the tripes, but finally with his engine damaged and SE shot almost to pieces, used the SE's speed to make for home (better part of valor don'cha know).
Winner: Germans
PHOTO MISSION
British: 1xDH4, 2xSE5a
German: 1xFokker DVII, 2xFokker DR1
Mac took his DH4, escorted by Preston and Nathan in SE5s, off to take photos of a German crossroads. As they approached the lines, a flight of three Germans, Fokker DVII (Jeremiah), and two DR1 (Roger & Shane) moved to intercept. The SEs dashed out to meet the foe while the DH made for the objective. In the fight, the DVII took damage from Preston's SE and while trying to shake the SE off his tail, flew right into Mac's forward gun. The DVII went down trailing flame from a one-in-a-million shot. Although the escort was good, the DH still had to fight it's way to the target and due to a navigation error had to circle the target before photos could be taken.
Fortunately, by that time the escorts managed to take the pressure off the two-seater, resulting in a shared kill of Shane's DR1 by the SEs. Photos were successfully taken and the DH made for home (although heavily damaged (down to one damage point left by the time it left the board), while the SE's kept Roger's hands full.
Winner: British
TWO-SEATER DOGFIGHT
British: 1xRE8
German: 1xRumpler C.IVC
A just-for-fun dogfight to finish the day. mac took the RE8 and preston the Rumpler. Slowest fight the infantry ever witnessed. Became a circling fight with the observers (mostly) trading shots. Ended when the Rumpler ran out of damage points before the RE8 did.
Winner: British (barely)
LESSONS LEARNED
1. The SE5a is a wonderful dogfighter. Excellent speed and good maneuverability.
2. Though slow, the DR1 is a lethal opponent. Avoid getting into close, turning fights with the Tripe, even with a better Allied fighter.
3. The DH4 is a much better ship than you'd think at first glance. Good speed and able to take punishment. "A" deck rear guns are also an advantage.
4. The RE8 and Rumpler are slow and lumbering (yeah, Duh!, I know).
A good time was had by all. Looking forward to further patrols.
Thanks to all that participated.
MCKEEVER
Tenn. Squadron
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