Blue fliegers,
Pls be advised that a new RAF twin engined aircraft has been encountered in the Channel Front. Our first indication that the RAF was developing a new twin-engined aircraft was several months ago when an RAF Pilot - PLTOFF Lewis - was captured asleep in a French girl's hayloft by our advancing forces south of St Omer. During interrogation PLTOFF Lewis mentioned that 2 other members of his squadron - FLTLT Groomit and SGT Hugh Seas - had recently been posted to Filton to join a 'Bader testing unit'. Our intelligence analysts have concluded that the aircraft being tested is a new Bristol fighter given the location (Filton) and the presence of Douglas Bader the famed RAF fighter leader as the leader of this 'Bader testing'.
Today one of our Zestorer pilots encountered an RAF twin-engined fighter near Manston and was lucky to get home. Despite having around a 5 km lead on the RAF fighter and flying his C4B at around 450 kph IAS on the deck the new RAF fighter was able to catch up after a 10-15 minute chase. In the ensuing combat the new fighter fired what looked like large calibre cannon shells at long range from underneath the nose as well as smaller MG rounds from the wings. The Zestorer pilot noted that the snub nosed fighter had some similarities with the Blenheim, most notably the engines and outboard wings but had a very different cockpit configuration and no turret. After damaging one of the C4B's engines the new aircraft disengaged possibly as a result of damage caused by the C4B's rear gun and our pilot was able to make a single-engined landing back in France. Our listening service advised that the call sign used by this pilot was Marlow who records show has previously been noted flying with Spitfire Squadrons. This further reinforces the assessment that the new aircraft is a fighter and not a bomber and is being flown by experienced fighter pilots.
In a strange twist of fate the Zestorer pilot's twin brother was probably shot down and killed later on during a low level raid on Manston/Eastchurch. He last reported being chased by a very fast new RAF twin-engined fighter that was gaining on him after bombing Manston and our listening service reported this aircraft was probably being flown by a pilot with call sign Snarglepuss. This call sign was extensively noted during the French campaign as being associated with Blenheim light bombers.
Given what little we know about the new fighter Zestorer pilots are encouraged to climb if being chased by the new fighter as the new fighter is possibly heavier than our Zestorers given its bomber heritage and may struggle to keep up in the climb. Also the big radial engines located on the wings suggest that the new fighter may not be as manoeuvrable (inferior roll rate possibly) as the Zestorer and may not be able to dive as fast as the Zestorer. These are yet to be confirmed so pls report back with further observations and thoughts on how to tackle this new fighter.
Ezzie
Bookmarks