Blackronin
06-01-2014, 09:41
May 30, 1940
"C'mon lad! Up we go! Take out that wet clothes and roll this blanket around yourself." "Than-thank you." "Don't talk for now. You're shaking. Drink this. I was saving it for when we dock at Dover but you can have it." "Thanks. The German?..." "Gone home, my lad. Those who survived... You boys were angels up there." "Thanks..." "Where are you from?" "Por... Por... Poland." "You Poles are brave. That's a given, my boy."
We were in route to Calais to cover for the embarking of thousand of men. My first combat mission. I had arrived to the 145th this morning and was assigned to the blue section under Flight Officer Kyte. He was talking with another pilot when I met him. "Pilot Officer Dave Sailor, sir! Reporting for duty on orders from..." He waived his hand to shut me up and shook my hand with a firm grip. "Yes. Yes and all that... I'm Kyte and this here is Joachim. A special kind of Polish. We three are now Blue Section." I shook Joachim's hand and he gave me a warm smile. "How many solo flying hours do you have son?" Asked Kyte. How the hell did he know that I hadn't combat experience? "Thirty-seven, sir." He smiled sadly. "That many, eh?! Listen son, we're going up in a few hours. You'll be my second. Stick with me. Better. Glue yourself to me. Always. Joachim will be there to cover us. Understood?" I felt a sting of fear that moment. And then the calm voice of Joachim. "I'll be there to cover you."
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We were flying to calais when the voice of Squadron Leader Barrie betrayed the radio silence we've imposed on us. I was following F.O. Kyte like a trained dog and Joachim was behind me. "Blue Leader. Drop formation with your section. There's two ships filled with men ten clicks north-east from us. Fighter Command says that there's ten or less bandits going their way. Protect the ships, Kyte. There's 3000 or more of our boys in those two ships steaming for Dover." My heart race. Then F.O. voice calmed me down. "Very well, sir. Good hunting above Calais. Blue Section. Follow me. Sailor, maintain a tight formation with me." And we left the Squadron.
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We've saw the ships a few seconds before Joachim voice rattled in the radio. "Six bandits two o'clock. Stukas. Me-109's and 110's." And then the calm voice of F.O. Kyte. "We're lucky. I was expecting more. The stukas are our priority lads." I felt that this time I should answer. "Yes sir. Roger that sir." There was a soft laughter from Joachim and the voice of F.O. Kyte. "No, no, my boy. You stick with me. My tail is your priority." I felt ashamed but their voices weren't mocking were just amused. "Copy, Blue leader", I said. And then Joachim saved me from the shame. "Protect our boss, Dave", he said and we dove into the circus.
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The Me-109's put themselves between us and the Stukas and we made a frontal passage.
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Both fired against F.O.Kyte and both failed. I wonder how did they knew he was our top pilot.
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We all fired against the nearest Me-109 and we all scored a hit. I was thrilled with the sound, the shaking and the power of my eight machine guns. This wasn't so hard after all. But Blue Leader's voice made me return to reality. "Keep up with me, Dave. The Stukas are our target." And we pressed on.
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Suddenly we were in the middle of the German formation and F.O. Kytes words became true. The only thing I was looking at was the tail of his plane.
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One of the Stukas fired against Blue Leader again. Heavy with bombs, they were still manoeuvring those Stukas with skill.
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At the same time we fired back. I was again able to hit the Stuka. "I hit him!" I said. "Yes you did. Watch your six. Those Me-109's will be back." "Yes Blue leader", I answered happy with his praise and I looked back.
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And I was able to see Joachim hitting hard the second Messerschmitt.
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And then we moved past them. Joachim still behind us. F.O. Kyte's voice spoke quickly. "Follow me in this manoeuvre, son." I nodded before I realized that he couldn't see me. "Yes sir", I shouted. My eyes in the manoeuvre we were making and at the same time in Joachim's manoeuvre.
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The gunner in the Stuka fired once again against F.O. Kyte and hit him in the left wing.
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Then the other gunner hit me in the fuselage and for no reason at all my hands began to shake.
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The gunner in the Me-110 fired and hit Joachim's plane and I couldn't believe that Blue leader had put us in such a position. "The Germans are good shooters" Joachim's voice was amused as if he was aware of my thoughts. And then he let loose a voley.
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The Stuka shook violently under the licking of the eight Vickers machine guns. And "the Stuka dropped the bombs!" I shouted. "Yes, son. Keep up with me."
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Then, for a moment only sky above me. No Me-109's coming back at us, no Stukas aborting the mission.
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Maybe to protect our manoeuvre Joachim's Hurry went under the German's fire.
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And then I lost Blue leader's tail and a Me-109 was moving against us. A Me-110 had reached the ships and began strafing them.
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He made some damage I understood later.
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But from the ships gun fire erupted targeting both German fighters circling around them.
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The retreating Stuka fired once again against Blue Leader.
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The Me-109 did the same, but to small effect. At the same time i was wondering to where would F.O. Kyte navigate.
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And he fired back at the Me-109 hitting him hard. It was a wonder how the German plane was still on the air.
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I lost Blue leader tail and suddenly I was on my own. I surveyed the battle unsure in what to do. "Circle the battle, Dave. Don't put yourself at risk. I'm going after the remaining Stuka. Joachim, on me." "Yes sir!" We both replied.
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The ships kept firing against the Me-110.
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I could see them both moving away from me, chasing the remaining Stuka. A Me-110 was behind me and the other Stuka and the battered Me-109 seemed to be moving away.
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The ships kept firing and defending themselves.
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Then the Stuka's pilot start strafing one of the ships. I wanted to shout to my companions to speed up. I was so far away that there was nothing I could do. So many lives... So many lives threatened and impotent to escape...
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The gunner kept firing at us with some degree of accuracy. Joachim's plane was filled with holes already. But he kept firing.
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He almost shot to pieces the remaining Me-109. But it wasn't enough nor it was his major target.
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They were closing on the Stuka, but the bomber was almost over the ships. One bomb could sunk easily those old transport ships.
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The ships fired frantically against the Stuka.
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The stuka started the short dive against the ships, still firing against them.
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My companions start firing from long range at the Stuka making small damage and incapable of divert it from its prey.
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The gunner firing against Joachim's Hurricane and hitting him again and again.
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I went for a loop to get myself into the combat again. And as I made the hard manoeuvre I couldn't stop myself to be amazed at me, for my eyes never left the Stuka's as he dived hard against the ship.
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In a few moments his bombs would be set free and the live of hundreds of men would be sealed by the skill of a German pilot...
"Can you send a message to my Flight Officer telling him that I'm fine?" "That's already done. He wouldn't stop talking to us until we told him we've fished you safely from the waters." "Thanks." "I saw you taking that Hun down. Brilliant." "Thank you." "We all were praying for all of you up there, lad." "Doing our job, sir." "Indeed. One more cup of tea?" "Yes please." "The boys at Dunkirk were always complaining that the RAF had let them to fend for themselves. But I knew that you were up there above the clouds fighting for us like angels. And we don't see them angels, do we?" "I guess we don't" "Nah! We don't. And when I'd listen to the whistling of the Stukas. That terrible whistling... I would always think. That one got away from our boys up there..."
Scenario Briefing
1. Pilot Officer Dave Sailor is a rookie. He can only copy his wing leader manoeuvres. If he looses his wing leader tail he will fly as an AI until the end of the scenario or his first kill.
2. Stukas are loaded with bombs. All manoeuvres except straight manoeuvres will be done at slow speed while they have bombs.
3. Both ships have 30 damage points. They move so slowl (compared to air combat) that they will move one ship length each 10 turns. They will fire at any plane in range with one A damage.
4. Planes may strafe the ships doing normal damage. The Stukas can bomb the ships. Stukas were particular proficient in this kind of bombing. When they dive the following table is used:
Stuka Bombing Table (1D6):
1 - Nothing. Bombs failed the target
2 - 1 C chit. Near miss.
3 - 3 C chits. Hit the ship.
4 - 5 C chits. Hit the ship heavily.
5 - 10 C chits. Hit the ship midship.
6 - Sunk the ship.
5. Flying Officer Kyte is an ace with 5 kills and the Ace Combat ability: Sniper.
6. Pilot Officer Joachim Franciszek is an ace with 13 kills (2 official) and the following 2 Ace abilities: Acrobatic pilot and Perfect Aim.
7. Using the Advanced Solo Charts.
8. Using the Reverse Manoeuvre Rules and Tables for AI planes:
Reverse Manoeuvres
Immelmann - Fast straight - Reverse - Fast straight (Can't fire after the Reverse manoeuvre)
Half-loop - Fast straight - Reverse - Stall (Can't fire after the Reverse manoeuvre)
Split-S - Stall - Reverse - Fast straight (Can't fire after the Reverse manoeuvre)
Looping - Fast straight - Reverse - Stall - Reverse - Fast Straight (Can't fire after the 1st Reverse, the Stall and the 2nd Reverse manoeuvre)
Inverted Looping - Stall - Reverse - Fast Straight- Reverse - Stall (Can't fire after the 1st Reverse, the Fast Straight and the 2nd Reverse manoeuvre)
Each time a AI plane rolls to make a Reverse manoeuvre roll it the following Table:
Up or Down Table
1-4 - Reverse manoeuvre going up
5-6 - Reverse manoeuvre going down
Then place a fast straight or a stall. Then when the next manoeuvre is due roll again:
Reverse manoeuvre going up Table
1-2 - Immelmann
3-5 - Half-loop
6 - Looping
Reverse manoeuvre going down Table
1-5 - Split-S
6 - Inverted Looping
"C'mon lad! Up we go! Take out that wet clothes and roll this blanket around yourself." "Than-thank you." "Don't talk for now. You're shaking. Drink this. I was saving it for when we dock at Dover but you can have it." "Thanks. The German?..." "Gone home, my lad. Those who survived... You boys were angels up there." "Thanks..." "Where are you from?" "Por... Por... Poland." "You Poles are brave. That's a given, my boy."
We were in route to Calais to cover for the embarking of thousand of men. My first combat mission. I had arrived to the 145th this morning and was assigned to the blue section under Flight Officer Kyte. He was talking with another pilot when I met him. "Pilot Officer Dave Sailor, sir! Reporting for duty on orders from..." He waived his hand to shut me up and shook my hand with a firm grip. "Yes. Yes and all that... I'm Kyte and this here is Joachim. A special kind of Polish. We three are now Blue Section." I shook Joachim's hand and he gave me a warm smile. "How many solo flying hours do you have son?" Asked Kyte. How the hell did he know that I hadn't combat experience? "Thirty-seven, sir." He smiled sadly. "That many, eh?! Listen son, we're going up in a few hours. You'll be my second. Stick with me. Better. Glue yourself to me. Always. Joachim will be there to cover us. Understood?" I felt a sting of fear that moment. And then the calm voice of Joachim. "I'll be there to cover you."
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We were flying to calais when the voice of Squadron Leader Barrie betrayed the radio silence we've imposed on us. I was following F.O. Kyte like a trained dog and Joachim was behind me. "Blue Leader. Drop formation with your section. There's two ships filled with men ten clicks north-east from us. Fighter Command says that there's ten or less bandits going their way. Protect the ships, Kyte. There's 3000 or more of our boys in those two ships steaming for Dover." My heart race. Then F.O. voice calmed me down. "Very well, sir. Good hunting above Calais. Blue Section. Follow me. Sailor, maintain a tight formation with me." And we left the Squadron.
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We've saw the ships a few seconds before Joachim voice rattled in the radio. "Six bandits two o'clock. Stukas. Me-109's and 110's." And then the calm voice of F.O. Kyte. "We're lucky. I was expecting more. The stukas are our priority lads." I felt that this time I should answer. "Yes sir. Roger that sir." There was a soft laughter from Joachim and the voice of F.O. Kyte. "No, no, my boy. You stick with me. My tail is your priority." I felt ashamed but their voices weren't mocking were just amused. "Copy, Blue leader", I said. And then Joachim saved me from the shame. "Protect our boss, Dave", he said and we dove into the circus.
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The Me-109's put themselves between us and the Stukas and we made a frontal passage.
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Both fired against F.O.Kyte and both failed. I wonder how did they knew he was our top pilot.
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We all fired against the nearest Me-109 and we all scored a hit. I was thrilled with the sound, the shaking and the power of my eight machine guns. This wasn't so hard after all. But Blue Leader's voice made me return to reality. "Keep up with me, Dave. The Stukas are our target." And we pressed on.
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Suddenly we were in the middle of the German formation and F.O. Kytes words became true. The only thing I was looking at was the tail of his plane.
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One of the Stukas fired against Blue Leader again. Heavy with bombs, they were still manoeuvring those Stukas with skill.
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At the same time we fired back. I was again able to hit the Stuka. "I hit him!" I said. "Yes you did. Watch your six. Those Me-109's will be back." "Yes Blue leader", I answered happy with his praise and I looked back.
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And I was able to see Joachim hitting hard the second Messerschmitt.
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And then we moved past them. Joachim still behind us. F.O. Kyte's voice spoke quickly. "Follow me in this manoeuvre, son." I nodded before I realized that he couldn't see me. "Yes sir", I shouted. My eyes in the manoeuvre we were making and at the same time in Joachim's manoeuvre.
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The gunner in the Stuka fired once again against F.O. Kyte and hit him in the left wing.
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Then the other gunner hit me in the fuselage and for no reason at all my hands began to shake.
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The gunner in the Me-110 fired and hit Joachim's plane and I couldn't believe that Blue leader had put us in such a position. "The Germans are good shooters" Joachim's voice was amused as if he was aware of my thoughts. And then he let loose a voley.
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The Stuka shook violently under the licking of the eight Vickers machine guns. And "the Stuka dropped the bombs!" I shouted. "Yes, son. Keep up with me."
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Then, for a moment only sky above me. No Me-109's coming back at us, no Stukas aborting the mission.
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Maybe to protect our manoeuvre Joachim's Hurry went under the German's fire.
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And then I lost Blue leader's tail and a Me-109 was moving against us. A Me-110 had reached the ships and began strafing them.
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He made some damage I understood later.
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But from the ships gun fire erupted targeting both German fighters circling around them.
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The retreating Stuka fired once again against Blue Leader.
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The Me-109 did the same, but to small effect. At the same time i was wondering to where would F.O. Kyte navigate.
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And he fired back at the Me-109 hitting him hard. It was a wonder how the German plane was still on the air.
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I lost Blue leader tail and suddenly I was on my own. I surveyed the battle unsure in what to do. "Circle the battle, Dave. Don't put yourself at risk. I'm going after the remaining Stuka. Joachim, on me." "Yes sir!" We both replied.
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The ships kept firing against the Me-110.
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I could see them both moving away from me, chasing the remaining Stuka. A Me-110 was behind me and the other Stuka and the battered Me-109 seemed to be moving away.
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The ships kept firing and defending themselves.
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Then the Stuka's pilot start strafing one of the ships. I wanted to shout to my companions to speed up. I was so far away that there was nothing I could do. So many lives... So many lives threatened and impotent to escape...
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The gunner kept firing at us with some degree of accuracy. Joachim's plane was filled with holes already. But he kept firing.
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He almost shot to pieces the remaining Me-109. But it wasn't enough nor it was his major target.
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They were closing on the Stuka, but the bomber was almost over the ships. One bomb could sunk easily those old transport ships.
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The ships fired frantically against the Stuka.
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The stuka started the short dive against the ships, still firing against them.
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My companions start firing from long range at the Stuka making small damage and incapable of divert it from its prey.
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The gunner firing against Joachim's Hurricane and hitting him again and again.
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I went for a loop to get myself into the combat again. And as I made the hard manoeuvre I couldn't stop myself to be amazed at me, for my eyes never left the Stuka's as he dived hard against the ship.
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In a few moments his bombs would be set free and the live of hundreds of men would be sealed by the skill of a German pilot...
"Can you send a message to my Flight Officer telling him that I'm fine?" "That's already done. He wouldn't stop talking to us until we told him we've fished you safely from the waters." "Thanks." "I saw you taking that Hun down. Brilliant." "Thank you." "We all were praying for all of you up there, lad." "Doing our job, sir." "Indeed. One more cup of tea?" "Yes please." "The boys at Dunkirk were always complaining that the RAF had let them to fend for themselves. But I knew that you were up there above the clouds fighting for us like angels. And we don't see them angels, do we?" "I guess we don't" "Nah! We don't. And when I'd listen to the whistling of the Stukas. That terrible whistling... I would always think. That one got away from our boys up there..."
Scenario Briefing
1. Pilot Officer Dave Sailor is a rookie. He can only copy his wing leader manoeuvres. If he looses his wing leader tail he will fly as an AI until the end of the scenario or his first kill.
2. Stukas are loaded with bombs. All manoeuvres except straight manoeuvres will be done at slow speed while they have bombs.
3. Both ships have 30 damage points. They move so slowl (compared to air combat) that they will move one ship length each 10 turns. They will fire at any plane in range with one A damage.
4. Planes may strafe the ships doing normal damage. The Stukas can bomb the ships. Stukas were particular proficient in this kind of bombing. When they dive the following table is used:
Stuka Bombing Table (1D6):
1 - Nothing. Bombs failed the target
2 - 1 C chit. Near miss.
3 - 3 C chits. Hit the ship.
4 - 5 C chits. Hit the ship heavily.
5 - 10 C chits. Hit the ship midship.
6 - Sunk the ship.
5. Flying Officer Kyte is an ace with 5 kills and the Ace Combat ability: Sniper.
6. Pilot Officer Joachim Franciszek is an ace with 13 kills (2 official) and the following 2 Ace abilities: Acrobatic pilot and Perfect Aim.
7. Using the Advanced Solo Charts.
8. Using the Reverse Manoeuvre Rules and Tables for AI planes:
Reverse Manoeuvres
Immelmann - Fast straight - Reverse - Fast straight (Can't fire after the Reverse manoeuvre)
Half-loop - Fast straight - Reverse - Stall (Can't fire after the Reverse manoeuvre)
Split-S - Stall - Reverse - Fast straight (Can't fire after the Reverse manoeuvre)
Looping - Fast straight - Reverse - Stall - Reverse - Fast Straight (Can't fire after the 1st Reverse, the Stall and the 2nd Reverse manoeuvre)
Inverted Looping - Stall - Reverse - Fast Straight- Reverse - Stall (Can't fire after the 1st Reverse, the Fast Straight and the 2nd Reverse manoeuvre)
Each time a AI plane rolls to make a Reverse manoeuvre roll it the following Table:
Up or Down Table
1-4 - Reverse manoeuvre going up
5-6 - Reverse manoeuvre going down
Then place a fast straight or a stall. Then when the next manoeuvre is due roll again:
Reverse manoeuvre going up Table
1-2 - Immelmann
3-5 - Half-loop
6 - Looping
Reverse manoeuvre going down Table
1-5 - Split-S
6 - Inverted Looping