Needing to test out solo rules with early war aircraft, I played the following recon mission. It is between a BE2c, tasked with making observations of a suspected forward landing area for the Germans, partnered with a Bristol Scout, against the defending Germans - an Aviatik C1 and a Pfalz E1.
Altitude rules were played but using the OTT Campaign altitude rules rather than the conventional ones. The rates of climb and descent are greater and there is no range penalty within five pegs height difference. An explanation of these may be found on the OTT thread. I also used Immelman turns even though I'm uncertain if the Aviatik C1 was capable of such a manoeuver - grateful if someone could put me right on that one.
Arcs of fire were restricted according to the plane cards I have and the Bristol Scout did not have a machine gun mounted on the top plane. The Aviatik I assumed could fire each manoeuver, regardless of whether the shot was forward or to the rear. This is because I understand the machine was fitted with sliding rails on either side and a machine gun on each rail (again, I'd be grateful for a correction if I am wrong). The BE2c was made to take a manoeuver to move the single gun, should the observer need to change its position, left to right or front to back. Hope this was correct. So, let the trial begin:
Flying East, a BE2c is tasked with reconnoitering a possible forward landing area being used by the local opposition. It is escorted by a Bristol Scout. Two German aircraft, on a defensive patrol of the area, spot the Tommies and, recognising the Bristol Scout for what it is, attack from the latter's "blind side". The observer, in the forward cockpit of the Aviatik, gets in the first shot, at long range, but misses.
The guns of all four machines blaze away. Both British aircraft are hit, with fire breaking out on the BE2c and a nasty oily trail of black smoke immediately beginning to trail behind the Bristol Scout, through the hot desert sky. The return fire from the Bristol misses and its gun jams! The observer in the BE2c, however, takes a long range pot at the Aviatik and is rewarded by a luck strike that does a fair bit of damage. And with the opening salvo done, they flew past one another, no doubt with a shaking of fists or a ridiculous friendly wave - we shall never know!
The two German aircraft turn about. The Pfalz E1 to attack the BE2c and the Aviatik C1 to take on the Bristol scout.
But the pilot of the Bristol scout is having none of that. He attempts to turn and attack the Pfalz, but sadly, for him; happily for the German pilot, he cannot turn tightly enough and simply flies down the throat of more machine Gun fire. Leaving the BE2c exposed to the attack by both German aircraft.
The Bristol Scout turns about furiously to defend its' ward. Opening fire on the Pfalz, a few minor hits are scored. The Aviatik observer returns fire but misses at long range. The pilot of the latter then dives beneath the Pfalz and a second burst from the observer leaves the Bristol Scout unharmed. But this time, the Tommy scores, damaging the engine of the Pfalz Eindecker; very inconvenient!
A second burst from the Bristol damages the Aviatik this time, causing the left rudder to seize up temporarily, but fortunately for the German crew, the guns pouring lead at them suddenly stop! And the little Pfalz takes a beating from the BE2c as well. The crew of both German aircraft must be rattled as neither of the marksmen in them manages to score with their return fire.
Quickly, the observer in the Aviatik regains his composure and with the Bristol Scout unable to return fire, its pilot preoccupied with trying to unjam his gun, he fired a burst at close range. The pilot of the Bristol Scout feels something slam into his arm, numbing him for a moment. So, with the German forward landing area having been reconnoitered, the mission completed, it was obviously time to call it a day. Turning for home, the pilot of the Bristol Scout followed the BE2c, its fire now extinguished, in a westerly direction and home.
The Germans hadn't quite given up, of course. The Aviatik turned to give chase, firing its machine gun as it did so, but the distance was too far and the aircraft not quite fast enough to catch up after its turn was complete.
The Tommies escaped, the Pfalz landed safely and the Aviatik gave up the chase after a short while.
Thus ended the mission successfully, although with three of the aircraft pretty beaten up. The BE2c, despite the fire which did little damage, escaped relatively unharmed, having been well prtected by its escort.
The end
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