P40 Flying Tigers v. A6M Zeros

[Setarius]

Time: Late afternoon
Location: South East China


As a squadron of Mitsubishi A6M Type-0 fighters head home after an uneventful patrol. They are met by a trio of P40 Warhawk, also heading home after a quiet patrol.


The lead and right wing Zeros break right to engage a pair of approaching P40s. While the other pair of Zeros bait the single oncoming P40.


The lead P40, yellow dot, gets hit by two 20mm cannon shells doing major damage, while inflicting heavy damage on the lead Zero.
The trailing P40opens up with its 7.62mm Mgs on the trailing Zero doing significant damage and causing a trail of smoke to belch from the engine.
Zero gold star (5,2)
Zero no dot (2SMK,3)
P40 yellow dot (5)(6)


As the duo's take on each other, the lead Zero hooks right almost causing a 3-way collision.


The lone P40flies past the first Zero and exchanges shots with the trailing Zero.
Zero no dot (1,2,3)
P40 green dot (3,0,0)


The lead P40 does a quick reverse as everyone else scrambles to get in position for a shot.


A successful reverse put the yellow dot P40 in position to get a devastating shot on the pink dot Zero.
Zero pink dot (0,3,EXP)
KILL--P40 yellow dot


With the odds now even planes are trying to get in position for their best shot




With a difference in altitude the orange dot P40 was just out of range of the A6M to pay him back for the 20mm cannon round that caused the green dot P40 to EXPLODE during their exchange of gunfire.
P40 green dot (EXP)
Zero no dot (4,2)
kill--zero no dot

[Setarius]

With the odds in the Japanese favor again, the orange dot P40 is seeking to bring down the offending Zero. While the yellow dot Zero moves to cut off the yellow dot P40.


As the yellow dot P40 and Zero turn towards each other the Zero gains the advantage.
P40 yellow dot (2,0,3SMK)


The lead Zero takes a long shot with its cannon hitting the engine causing damage.
P40 orange dot (3ENG)


With his engine damaged and 3-2 odds against, the P40 pilot dives to get away, but can't seem to shake the lead Zero as another 20mm round rocks his aircraft.
P40 orange dot (3)


The P40s race for the deck and home as the Zeros try to finish them off.


As a cannon shell whistles by overhead, the lead P40 tries to come to the aid of a friend.
P40 orange dot (0)


Climbing to the Zeros level the lead P40 hammers the lead Zero at close range causing the pilot to jerk in the cockpit and sending the Zero crashing to the ground below.
His heroics though cost him because a Zero behind him let's go with a long range cannon shot causing the P40 to have a similar fate.
KILL--P40 yellow dot (2)
KILL--A6M Zero no dot (2)

[Setarius]

Butcher's Bill

Japanese left to right

A6M Zero yellow dot RTB 0 DMG 0 KILLS

A6M Zero no dot RTB 12 DMG 2 KILLS


A6M Zero pink dot SD EXP 8 DMG 0 KILLS

A6M Zero gold star SD WIA 18 DMG 0 KILLS


Allies left to right

P40 orange dot RTB 6 DMG ENG


P40 yellow dot SD 19 DMG 2 KILLS

P40 green dot SD EXP 3 DMG 0 KILLS


NOTES:

This is the second time I flew this mission in two weeks. The first time I deleted all the photoes because of major mistakes I made during play.
The mistakes were;
1) a plane taking a close shot at the enemy and for some reason the enemy did not shoot back.
2) a plane taking a shot at long range and dealing close range damage
3) a plane taking a shot when there was elevation difference that would not allow a shot.

So with these malfunctions I decided to redo the mission.
The outcome was completely different the second time around.

[Naharaht]

Thank you for posting this good A.A.R., Dale.

Were your Zeros using the original Wings of War statistics and manoeuvre decks or did you reduce their damage points to reflect their lack of armour and add 90 degree turn cards to give them more manoeuvrability?

[Setarius]

I used them just as they came out of the box, that is also why I called them A6M instead of A6M2 as it says on the box.
I don't have any spare 90 degree turns unless I use some of my D decks from WGF.

[flash]

A lively encounter Dale and a nice AAR