DD_Fenrir

Thanks Mick, and sorry you had a rather pedestrian experience. Alas, them's the breaks with a dynamic campaign, if I could ensure some sort of targets I would but I have zero control over that aspect. Debrief is ready... Well 402nd certainly had the lions share of the luck today, with the boys 485th left hungry for action. Having been directed to Aachen to strike rail targets in and around the city, on arrival the 402nd found pickings moderately slim. A single train with only a handful of wagons was observed in the wrecked station and a few AAA guns surrounded the station area. 402 made short work of these but just prior to completion E/A were spotted to the Southwest - on inspection these became 6x Ju 52! However, just as Leakage White flight were about to engage, Leakage Red Leader reported enemy fighters above Red Flight over Aachen - White flight disengaged from the Ju 52s and headed back to Aachen. However a flight of P-51s of the 354th FG covering us, and they apparently made short work of the enemy fighters, the only moment of worry being generated by a single Fw 190 which dived towards and through White flight but whom inexplicably carried on all the way down to terra firma and crashed with a spectacular fireball into woods West of the city. Now free to engage the transports, the 402nd took off to the Southwest and encountered the '52s formed in two flights of three and a merry party ensued; 2nd Lt. Bertram Finknottle downed two of them for his first victories - nice way to break a duck Bertie! The rest fell singly to Lt. Arjen Efftee and 2nd Lts. Casey Baker, Fenton Rea and Dennis Mcfly, the latter on his first mission. A full house gents! Nice work on the clean-up - the Krauts will be smarting that loss, though sending groups of transports out in broad daylight and CAVU conditions, one wonders whet they expected. One assumes a measure of desperation on their part... Gathering the squadron back together Lt. Per Fesser led the group to Eupen to see what they could find as there were still unused bombs hanging off the racks of some of their aircraft - it would be a crime to waste them. Fortunately a train, some howitzers and a smattering of AAA guns were discovered and despite the obscuring of the targets by heavy smoke in and around the town the squadron set to and left the majority of the targets smoking wrecks. However, Bertie Finknottle was in for some excitement when a AAA gun disabled his right engine. Fortunately he was able to feather the engine in good order and, after some discussions as to whether to make for Bierset or try for home base, took off for Florennes with Red 3 covering. At this time, Lt. Per Fesser called a general regroup and RTB, with White Flight taking the opportunity to strafe a AAA gun and an artillery position as they crossed the front. Finknottle made a beautiful singe-engine landing first and the remainder of the squadron landed without incident at Florennes. The 485th saw little of any remark on their patrol near Houffalize, but Lt. Artiesbi managed to vent the squadrons collective frustrations on an AAA gun near Malmedy. All landed safely. No losses today gents - and it's not often we get to say that, so a very big positive in that regard. Another gong has been awarded! Congratulations Lt. Arjen Efftee, it seems your superiors hold your flying skills in some regard as they have deemed you fit for the Distinguished Flying Cross. Well done that man! Drinks are on Arjen boys! Hold up....Where'd he go....? Weather is looking ropey for the next couple of days, but we are expecting conditions to clear on the 24th October. [to be flown on Sunday 20th September]

The Bounce occurs because of either: a) carrying too much speed b) too nose low on touchdown c) too slow The majority of bouncers I saw the last time I was observing the 485th landings were due to a combination of a) & b), and the two are connected; with a too fast approach your nose is lower meaning the nose wheel will touch first. It's rebound will rotate the nose up, adding AoA - and ergo lift - whilst you still have airspeed. This causes the balloon. You instinctively push the nose down - and it puts you straight back into the cycle again; your nose wheel touches first, it's rebound will rotate the nose up, adding AoA, you balloon, you instinctively push the nose down... etc. You will continue is this pattern until you run out of flying speed or the nose-wheel breaks, whichever comes first. The key here is pushing the nose down - don't. If it's a big bounce, power up and go around. If a moderate bounce, hold the nose high attitude (as long as it's not too high!) and use a small addition of power to manage your rate of descent to terra firma. Try to memorise the position of the gunsight reticule above the horizon when parked - this is the attitude the aircraft should be in just prior to touchdown.

As an aside, PWCG keep logs for individual pilots, accessed via the roster screen. This takes you to a pilot dedicated page that includes: personal log book detailing your specific air and ground victories medal box showing all medals currently awarded Pilot Photo (randomly selected from a library of pilot images) If any body would like me to screenshot their pilot page/logbook/medal boxes, then let me know and I'll send them to you, either via PM or I can post here if privacy is not an issue. As an example, here are mine:

So replacement pilots have arrived to bolster our ranks after the losses of the 19th: The 402nd welcomes 2nd Lt. Denis McFly. The 485th welcomes 2nd Lts. David Scott and Denis Richard. Rosters and scoreboard as of the morning of October 21st 1944:

AAR as promised. Well gents, another solid performance from the Group today in the face of some stiff opposition, though not without cost... With both the 402nd and 485th slated to hit the rail facilities at Düren the squadron leaders both came to a gentleman's agreement that the first unit to target would focus on the AAA and only when the guns had been silenced move onto the rail targets proper, so as to leave something of worth for the 2nd unit on scene. As it happened , the 485th, with it's base that bit closer to the front lines and thus less flight time to target, was always going to be first in the target area, and they dutifully set to working over the AAA guns - however they did such a good job that they still had bombs available after and then switched their focus to the rail facilities and trains in the vicinity. By the time the 402nd arrived the target was a smoking, cratered mess and the 485th had accounted for almost 15 enemy ground targets. The 402nd seeing the carnage felt their efforts best focused elsewhere and diverted to a secondary target area around the frontlines near Malmedy in an effort to assist our offensive operations in the region, with elements of the 485th also heading that way after finishing off the targets at Düren. The 402nd came across some enemy defensive positions and AAA guns around Lac de Robertville and accounted for many targets in this area. They then moved off in search of further targets and in the vicinity of Spa again discovered some AAA guns and other artillery interspersed among heavy woodland and attacked. Enemy aircraft did make a brief showing at this time, the RAF Tempest escort keeping most at bay, however a single Fw 190 slipped below the heavy cloud and managed to get among the 402nd; Lt. Efftee came off the worst in a head on pass against the Kraut fighter but managed to limp back and force land at Bierset field near Liège. 2nd Lts. Rea and Zook took umbrage with this and between the two hammered the 190 into the deck, ultimate victory being credited to Rea. The 485th found some further targets near the front lines in the vicinity of Eupen, with a train, artillery and vehicles succumbing to their firepower. Again though the flak and low level nature of the operations claimed their pound of flesh. 2nd Lt. Casey Baker caught a broadside of AAA whilst engaging ground targets near Spa and despite being wounded, losing an engine and experiencing control difficulties managed to belly in at Bierset field, though he came to a halt fractions of an inch from an airfield building having had to slalom his way through a collection of Mustang dispersed over the field! A stiff drink for that man is in order! Alas the remainder were not so lucky. The 402nds 2nd Lt. Denny Peeks aircraft was seen to hit the ground at high speed on an attack run in the Malmedy area; whether this was due to ground fire or a misjudgment in altitude we will never know. Similarly, the 485ths newest member was lost when his aircraft hit buildings in Düren; again, it is unknown whether flak was responsible or whether he misjudged his altitude evading ground fire. And finally, that doyen of the 485th, Lt. Dave Delta was sadly killed by the AAA gun he was attempting to engage near the rail centre at Düren. A fearless, dedicated and determined individual, his presence and fortitude will be much missed by all in the 485th. The results for this mission were: 485th: 20 ground targets destroyed. 402nd: 12 ground targets and 1 enemy aircraft destroyed. As a result of his performance during the last week of operations, HQ have awarded 2nd Lt. Fenton Rea the Groups first Distinguished Flying Cross. Our heartiest congratulations to Lt. Rea, and we hope his Craps habits have left him with sufficient funds to buy the obligatory first round in the bar! The next mission is scheduled for the 21st October as Met reports indicate tomorrows weather will be decidedly inclement. Otherwise a solid performance from you again today fellas. Keep up the excellent work. [Next mission event to be held Tuesday 15th September]

Thanks chaps - it's a long story but short version he's okay now and recuperating at home.

Was going to put them up last night crash but jo's dad was rushed to hospital. If I get the chance to do so tonight, I will.

Done! 2nd Lt. Dave Scott will be on the roster imminently.

What underpants... 😉

I strongly suspect this is from the 15th October Mission, as you are in the Red 3 slot - the low Eastern sun corresponds with the early morning mission we flew that day, with Fruitbat leading the squadron. Not long after this we ran into those 2 Fw 190s and then 2 further Bf 109s joined the melee.

UPDATE! https://github.com/heclak/community-a4e-c/releases/tag/v1.4.1

The rosters and tally board as of the morning of the 19th October 1944:

Another morning of success for the 370th Fighter Group, gentlemen. As the Limeys like to say, "jolly good show!" Operations commenced at 0800Z with the 485th FS attacking enemy ground positions ahead of a push by the 9th Armoured Division, and the 402nd FS covering both the 485th and the ground forces from any potential enemy air intervention. The 402nd drew first blood, spotting a force of ~6 Fw 190A aircraft crossing the frontline near Wanne and looking to intercept the 485th; the 402nd made a clean bounce and 2 e/a went down on the first pass by the squadron. The remainder stood little chance and were mopped up in short order, with Lt. Per Fesser & 2nd Lt. Fenton Rea claiming 2 each and one each awarded to Lt. Arjen Efftee & 2nd Lt. Louis Zook. Furthermore, this means that in the course of a single mission the 402nd not only can boast of producing the 370th FGs first ace, but tremendously the first unit in the group to produce three - yes, that's THREE! - aces! Congratulations to Lts. Arjen Efftee and Per Fesser & 2nd Lt. Fenton Rea for reaching this particular milestone, all three now having reached the coveted 5-kill mark. Excellent work gentlemen! Arjen FT would have been the Squadron and Group Top Scorer, had not one of his claims been denied by Wing HQ. Furthermore we also have a new Bronze Star recipient: congratulations to 2nd Lt. Louis Zook! Not to be outdone, the 485th took their task with gusto and between them accounted for 22 claims against ground targets, practically doubling their total ground claims since operations began in October in a single mission! Incredible work gentlemen and a tribute to your tenacity and acumen; you truly embody the spirit and calling of the 9th Air Force in your dedication to supporting our ground troops. Alas, this determination came at a cost, with enemy AAA damaging numerous airframes and resulting in the tragic loss of FO Tim Pookie, the SWPTO veteran who joined the unit only days before. His aircraft was seen to crash in a fireball after being struck by flak as he made an attack run. A sobering reminder that the Flak respects no amount of skill or experience. It looked almost as if it was to be a doubly hard day as Capt. Hawker Siddley was seen to crash land behind enemy lines, also a victim of the intense low altitude AAA barrage that was thrown up by the Krauts; however, thankfully he was recovered by advancing friendly forces, with only a few new nicks and cuts, courtesy of the Wehrmacht. A remarkable day gents, and one that would normally earn you some well deserved rest... however, Met reports good weather for tomorrow, the 19th, so easy on the liquor tonight boys, you'll need clear heads for the morning. Well done, though boys, really well done. [Next mission event to be held Sunday 6th September]

Hi chaps, I've got my own personalized skin, please find attached. P38J25_402nd_Fen.dds

Hi chaps, In an effort to provide some more visual clues as to how the AWG-9 - pronounced "Org(hard g) Nine" - radar operates so you have a better chance at understanding it's limitations I have CAD'd up some diagrams for your delectation:

I am most despondent about this development - not just for Flying Legends but for the warbird scene as a whole. Legends was the antithesis of the bland "air fair" formats that have increasingly popped up as organisers try to generate more revenue for less content, but it appears this is the route IWM are branching down. We'll probably see them rebrand some time soon as the W in that acronym is "too aggressive"... If we're increasingly going to have to deal with a mentality that wants to censor the undesirable or unpalatable in our past in the name of inoffensiveness then we tread a path leading to a culture of bland conservative veneer hiding a repressed seething undercurrent of malcontent. And that historically has always gone so well... 🙄

Is North Weald an option?

What!?!?!

Yeah, this isn't the first time I have seen a disconnect between what the game registers in terms of ground kills and what PWCG registers, and to whom. According to PWCG seems Zukker & Wingy accounted for the bulk (2 each) with myself and FT picking up one each. I wonder if the game is registering bulk damage where PWCG seems to be looking at last damaged... who knows.

Lt Fryer had one helluva morning. Having brought down an enemy aircraft, on his flight back to base his cockpit suddenly filled with smoke, we suspect from an in cockpit electrical fire. Unable to see and almost overwhelmed by the smoke and fumes he managed a first rate belly landing not far from Liege. After escaping the aircraft he went back and single-handedly retrieved the extinguisher and managed to put out the fire. He and his aircraft were picked up and were trucked back to base.

Rosters & scoreboard as of the morning of the 18th: Please note we welcome a new pilot to the 485th, Tim Pookie. He's an ex-enlisted who started out flying P-40s in the New Guinea Theatre.

Quite an eventful sortie for the group today; both the 402nd and 485th were assigned air patrols in the area east of Verviers between Malmedy & Eupen. It was a beautiful, clear dawn, however that blinding eastern sun held some surprises as both squadrons ran into e/a well behind friendly lines, with 485th encountering a mixed force of long nose Fw 190s and Bf 109s around Angels 10 - needless to say, a robust engagement ensued. 485th took some casualties but the Krauts paid dearly for it, 8 e/a being shot down. However, we are sad to report that Lt Denny Pook is missing presumed killed. Others hit in the fighting did manage to safely RTB however. The 402nd got tangled with a pair of Fw's at 20,000+ ft, only to be joined by a second pair of 109s looking to bushwhack them whilst they were distracted with the 190s. Thanks to some excellent teamwork, some sticky situations were avoided and all the bandits were eventually smacked down. The squadron then descended to search out targets of opportunity and discovered some fierce fighting on the ground in the vicinity of Limbourg. Diving into strafe, despite some pretty spirited AAA, the squadron decimated an enemy artillery position that was engaging a push by the US 5th Armored Division and also took heavy toll of the surrounding flak positions, with only one P-38 taking damage; Lt Fesser managed to get his well ventilated airplane back to home base safely, though he did run out of gas whilst taxiing back to dispersal! The 5th AD send their heartiest thanks and say they'll be asking for us by name in the future! Great work all. With that we have some more fruit salad to throw at the chests of some esteemed brethren! 2nd Lt. Casey Baker has received a Purple Heart for his miracle escape from the collision with the Fw 190 he experienced on the 12th. Maj Mick Payne-less & Lts. Delta and Apeehill of the 485th and Lt Per Fesser of the 402nd have all been awarded the Bronze Star. Warmest congratulations gentlemen and keep up the sterling performance. Next mission will likely be the 18th October [event to be held Tuesday 1st September 2100BST] as Met reports indicate that the weather is clamping in for a couple of days, so rest up boys and see if the CO will grant you a pass into Charleroi...

Dave, I hadn't realised till I spoke to Mick this morning that you'd crashed and were killed - PWCG didn't even log it so I assumed you'd force/crash landed in friendly territory. With BluBears similar indestructibilty in evidence from last weeks mission this points to a PWCG logging error. I will raise a thread regards it over at the Sturmovik forums. As for now we'll say you also had one in a million escape from the jaws of death and were discovered unconscious in the wreckage of your P-38 by a force of advancing US troops.

Rosters as of the morning of the 15th October 1944: [Mission to be hosted on Sunday 23rd August 2020]

So to summarise, the 485th and 402nd are neck-and-neck on confirmed air kills, but with more than double the number of 402nd ground targets destroyed of all types and having accomplished all this having flown one less sortie than the 402nd, looks like the 485th are currently the top of the 370th FG rankings right now. Well done Maj. Payne-Less and all you 485th jocks!