An Early War Battle - Played at Hammerhead on Newark Showground on 14th March 2020.

This was the first game of the day played at Hammerhead, held in two halls on the Newark Showground, Newark-upon-Trent, Nottinghamshire on 14th March 2020.

The table.

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The Entente side consisted of two Morane-Saulnier monoplanes, a B.E.2c with a single Lewis gun that could be moved between two rear arcs and one left of forward and a Bristol Scout with a single Lewis gun firing in an arc left of forward.

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The Germans had three Fokker Eindeckers and on the left a Pfalz monoplane, which looked just like another Fokker.

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The Entente pilots were Alex (son of Dirigible) [flying the Moranes] and Hedeby [flying the B.E.2c and the Bristol Scout {at least it was made by Bristols}]. On the German side, Dirigible flew the Pfalz and the green Eindecker, Flying Helmut had the central brown Eindecker and Naharaht the one on the right.

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After the first three moves the aircraft were approaching the centre of the battle area.

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Dirigible's planes headed for the Moranes, Flying Helmut turned to port and headed for a large cloud, Naharaht flew towards the Bristol Scout. The Moranes and Bristol flew straight forward, whilst the B.E.2c turned to port. It waas already lagging behind.

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On the right of the arena, the Bristol turned to port and the B.E.2c fell into line behind it. Naharaht flew straight on and fired at the Bristol but did no damage! Flying Helmut had almost reached the cloud.

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On the left, the Pfalz went head to head with a Morane, whilst the green Fokker exchanged shots with the other Morane.

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looks like fun! i really love those clouds!

On the right all the aircraft flew straight ahead allowing the Fokker to shoot at the B.E.2c, which was unable to shoot back. However, the Fokker's bullets did no damage (again).

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Likewise over on the left all the participants flew straight on. The Pfalz and one Morane had jammed guns from the previous bout of firing.

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As the B.E.2c plodded forward the Bristol Scout and Fokker both turned to starboard. The B.E.2c's observer was too startled by the near collision to fire at the Fokker. Meanwhile, Flying Helmut's Fokker had emerged from the far side of the cloud and turned back towards the other three aircraft.

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On the left, the only pilot not to fly straight ahead was in the green Fokker, who turned to starboard to cover the Pfalz's tail.

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:thumbsup: Looking forward to the next Episodes. :D

Flying Helmut's Fokker was nicely poised to swoop down on the tail of the B.E.2c.

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The Bristol Scout flew straight on to use his angled gun to shoot at the balloon. Both the B.E.2c and Naharaht's Fokker turned to starboard.

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Skimming the edge of the cloud, Flying Helmut's Fokker began its attack run on the two-seater.

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Over on the left, the two Moranes and the Pfalz performed Immelmann turns whilst the green Fokker turned to starboard.

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The Bristol Scout turned to port and fired at the balloon (no damage). The B.E.2c flew straight on. Naharaht turned his Fokker to starboard again. Flying Helmut flew out form behind the cloud, fired at the B.E.2c and his gun promptly jammed!

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The two Moranes and the Pfalz had to fly straight following their Immelmann turns provoking some head on firing between the leftmost Morane and the Pfalz. The green Fokker continued turning to starboard.

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The Bristol Scout turned sharply to port to avoid the balloon. The B.E.2c also turned to port, right in front of Naharaht's oncoming Fokker. In the exchange of fire the B.E.2c's angled forward gun jammed. Having already fired the observer was unable to shoot at Flying Helmut's blue banded Fokker flying straight on.

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The leftmost Morane flew straight on but his wingman turned slightly to starboard to meet the starboard turning green Fokker in a head to head exchange of firing. Meanwhile the Pfalz had turned to port to attack the right hand Morane from the rear.

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The pilot of the leftmost Morane, on fire from the previous exchange and with a jammed gun, was further dismayed to see his wingman go down under the combined fire from the Pfalz and green Fokker.

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Things were not looking good for the Entente pilots.

On the right, the Bristol Scout turned to port and the B.E.2c flew towards the balloon. Naharaht's Fokker with a gun, which jammed in the last exchange, flew behind the B.E.2c. Flying Helmut turned to starboard.

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On the left, the fire damage at the start of the turn finished off the final Morane. This made Dirigible very happy because he had shot down both of his son's planes (something which doe snot usually happen). The Pfalz flew straight ahead and nearly collided with the green Fokker, which had turned to starboard.

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Hedeby's Bristol Scout and Flying Helmut's blue banded Fokker flew straight past each other. The B.E.2c turned to port to avoid the balloon. Flying Helmut, with a freshly unjammed gun, fired at the B.E.2c. Naharaht's Fokker flew ahead past the balloon.

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The Pfalz headed over to the right to aid his compatriots whilst the green Fokker straightened out from its turn.

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Flying Helmut's last burst of bullets had proved too much for the B.E.2c and it fell from the sky.

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Flying Helmut turned to port and saw the B.E.2c crash on the ground and burst into flames. The Bristol Scout pilot flew straight towards home. Naharaht also flew straight preparing to make an Immelmann turn and come back.

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Alone against four enemy machines, the Bristol Scout pilot turned to starboard and headed for home. Flying Helmut turned to port to pursue but it was clear that he could not catch the Bristol in time. Likewise Naharaht, who had made the Immelmann turn, was too far behind, as were the Pfalz and green Fokker over on the left. The combat was over.

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The battle was a resounding success for the Germans. It was clear how vulnerable the slow, barely manoeuvrable and poorly armed B.E.2c was. Also we saw how frail some of the aircraft were, being shot down after only a few hits. Things would change in the years to come.

THE END.

Attachment fairy has struck David :(

Thank you, Dave. I think that I have fixed it now.