Wellington 'N for Nuts' airborne again

[ATAG_Slot]

Great dust off the cobwebs last night and big thanks to Meaks and Marlow for getting the bandwagon rolling.

Think we all managed to hit the target but the 109s (not sure if AI or real) took most of us out eventually
Think I got a nice spread down the runway before being bounced.

I could have bailed but didn’t fancy spending the rest of the war eating garlic onions.

Flew on mode 22 most of time which was helpful after losing starboard engine and all hydraulics.

Kudos to Snapper as lone survivor to make it back to Blighty for tea and crumpet.

Had a few lost joystick moments which I have never experienced before so could be due to server pings as when test checking in options the axis sliders were not working very well.
Tried to jump in a fighter to support second wave but bent several on take off as controls went dead.
Reverting to SP showed no problem so only over the MP server.

Another great fun flight and good to be back in the air with the Wimpy squad again.
Usual banter of course.

Per ardua ad astra

[Meaks]

Yeah,DerDa is right.....it was great hearing that banter again,and what's more the target was hit,in fact 50% destroyed,and I think we all had hits on the target,which was fantastic considering we had'nt got together for over year,outstanding first sortie.

The formation flying does,obviously need attention as we got mullered on our return journey home.....I knew that turret gun training would come in handy,not that it saved me of course,but at least I had the satisfaction of sending some good old British lead the attacker's way.

I really enjoyed myself last night,so thanks very much fellas for turning up and making it such a magic night

Sorry to lose Marlow due to enemy fighters as we got close to the enemy coast,just highlights the requirement of our fighter cover.

PS Did you make it home Snapper?.....I hope you did.

Bravo Gents

[ATAG_Noofy]

Sounds like you guys had a lot of fun.
Sorry I missed the sortie due to last minute impromptu guests.
Next time… btw what was your target?

[ATAG_Marlow]

Sounds like you guys had a lot of fun.
Sorry I missed the sortie due to last minute impromptu guests.
Next time… btw what was your target?

Hi everyone....yes, brilliant night last night and big thanks to all who turned up and had such fun!

We knew we were going to be rusty and, yes, I'm glad Dazza wasn't there to see the somewhat lose formation we attained. Our target was Le Havre Luftwaffe airfield and, our course, of 162 degrees out of Ford got us to within visual distance.

Unfortunately, the first wave were attacked by fighters as we neared the coast and as lead aircraft, I was hit on the first pass. I was surprised that the 109's seemed to overfly the rest of the formation to hit me. Were they AI who were programmed to do this? Either way there was nothing I could do and I went for 'an early bath.' Fortunately, I was within Allied lines and was 'picked up by a friendly fisherman.' Just my luck he hadn't brought his daughter along for the ride. Ho hum!

Mustering back at Ford, I was lucky enough to catch up with Vamps, who was sitting on the threshold contemplating on the wisdom of making a 'come back' to Welly flying after a long year's break. We quickly sorted out 'the old team' again and, soon after, found ourselves heading out on 162 degrees, whilst listening to the remains of the first wave fighting their way back to Blighty. Snapper seemed to have the luck of the devil and had managed to get clear of the pursuing figheters but many of the others had been 'caught in the net' and were going down, one after the other.

As we neared the enemy coast, Vamps and I knew it would soon be our turn but by extreme good luck Damon and his trusty Spitfire had come racing out from Blighty and, against all odds, had managed to find us to provide cover. Sure enough we were soon attacked. Damon kept the 109 at bay for some time before, somehow, the enemy aircraft clawed enough distance away from him to attack Vamps' welly. Soon after, Vamps reported that his aircraft had gone into a slow descending turn to the right and there was nothing he could do about it. Altering the trim made little difference. Looking back from my rear gunner position I could see Vamps slowly going down, almost under control, but I knew from coms that the control was sadly lacking. I prepared the rear turret for my own defence and tried to remember everythin Meaksy had told me; 'always turn on Mode 22 first and what ever you do............... don't forget to visit the elsan on your way aft!'

No attack materialised and, getting closer to the target, I began to line up for the drop. All went well until seconds before release when cannon shells poured passed the cockpit. Damn! So close!

In that moment of extreme crisis a few thoughts flashed through my stressed brain: 'Just a few more seconds....come on...you beauty!' And: 'I'm never flying with bloody Snapper again!'

But the aircraft stayed on course and, avoiding the plentiful craters marking the success of the first wave I planted my 'eggs' on an untouched part of the airfield and ........ran for home! (Yes, Dazza! Nose down and get the hell out of there!)

Judging by the scores in the chat bar that followed, I had hit the target 'fair n square' and must have improved on the 50% damage scored earlier but, by then, I was too busy taking evasive action to note more. I was attacked at least three times before Damon once again, gallantly, came to my rescue and drawing the fighter away enabled me to make my escape. But I was in trouble!

Both engines were running well; temperatures holding but my elevator was not responding at all. I couldn't climb or control descent but by maintaining speed and using 0.2 of flap I could maintain height....just! However, Having thrown a lot of height away avoiding the attack of the 109, I was, by now, down to 2500 feet and the 'briny' was uncomfortable close. By this time, Damon reported that the 109 'had run' so provided I wasn't picked up by another enemy aircraft, I might get home but............ how to land the aircraft with no way of controlling my descent other than by throttles and trim.

'I'll bail,' I thought...and voiced the idea over coms. Where upon, Snapper who by this time had landed back at Ford, and was congratulating himself, sitting in the Mess, with Big Hilda on one knee and a box of doughnuts on the other, shouted: 'WHAAT! You can't bail Marlow! I'm sat here watching you come in!'

So, the challenge was there. Thinking: 'bang goes another 'glorious career' I jiggled the throttles and found I could just control my descent enough to allow for gradual height loss. If the descent threatened to turn into a dive I could prevent it by quickly applying more power, with flaps preventing the speed from building up too much....I was trying to land after all. Too much speed....BANG! (Which was of course, was what Snapper was waiting for...... though Big Hilda was probably waiting for something entirely different!)

Gingerly, I approached the airfield....down to 1200 feet...still not too fast.....pull the nose up with a burst of throttle! Gear down.......full flaps.....no change to the control (thank God!) and...... keep her like that....nose up...more power to flare...and I felt the wheels touch. I quickly killed all power and allowed the speed to drop off naturally.........touch of brakes........I was down! Result!

From the cockpit I could see Big Hilda jumping up and down and clapping her hands...at least I think that was what she was doing!

A great night was had by all! We must do it all again soon but we'd better not tell Noofy...or it might all end in tears! Salute!

[Dazza]

It sounds like you all had great fun without me. I expected as much ...... and of course the reported abysmal formation hehe. But that takes a whole lot of exhausting effort and focus - so not exactly everyone's forte. But as we've seen the ai gunner crossfire from aircraft close together is a far greater asset than being your own gunner. It's better for everyone's sake to put the effort into flying together over being a good shot.

As for Mode 22 / rear gunnery it's a stable platform, but also renders your aircraft as a welcoming, stable receptacle for enemy fire. It's a bugger to coordinate both hands to fly and shoot via mouse or 2 joysticks but at least you can jink a wing or employ rudder slip to evade some fire.

With damaged controls etc it's worth a try using Mode 22. When I lost half my tail in a 109 collision Mode 22 kept me flying, without it was a nightmare. Worth a go.

At the same time as you lot I was flying from LA to Toronto. No 109's but some lovely scenery, and a squashed Subway sub I brought with me. Better than overpriced rubbish sarnie they provide.

You've all done very well.
Looking fwd to joining in on ops asap

Daz

[Bonditaria]

109's seemed to overfly the rest of the formation to hit me.

Hi Marlow, that was me by myself, I'd already been up to London and had about 20litres of fuel left and still had a long way to go to safety. So one attack was all I could afford, and there you were out in front! After refuelling I found Vamps and Damon and settled for a final score of three aircraft destroyed according to the server, without taking any damage on my aircraft.

Fabulous to see the bomber formation, hope you all do it again soon!

[ATAG_Marlow]

Hi Marlow, that was me by myself, I'd already been up to London and had about 20litres of fuel left and still had a long way to go to safety. So one attack was all I could afford, and there you were out in front! After refuelling I found Vamps and Damon and settled for a final score of three aircraft destroyed according to the server, without taking any damage on my aircraft.

Fabulous to see the bomber formation, hope you all do it again soon!

Oh don't worry, Bondi! We'll be havin' another crack very soon, though the date is all 'hush, hush, don't yer know!

I'm rather pleased to hear that myself and so many others, were hit by a human pilot. Being knocked down by AI is so.....demeaning!

Trouble was: it was all happening so fast, I couldn't catch a name in the chat as to who the culprit was. I was too busy plummeting earthwards in my brolly, so just assumed it was an AI. However, come to think of it........all the Bondi clues were there......single 109 screaming out of nowhere....sudden strike with surgical precision......and no need for a repeat pass! It's got Bondi written all over it.......... and I'm sure you would have got credit for my welly if you were still around when I despawned.

Good work, Bondi! (Even if you are a little misguided in your choice of air force! ) The sim is always an exciting place when you're around! Catch you next time! Salute!

[ATAG_Noofy]

Unfortunately, the first wave were attacked by fighters as we neared the coast and as lead aircraft, I was hit on the first pass. I was surprised that the 109's seemed to overfly the rest of the formation to hit me. Were they AI who were programmed to do this?

Tip: The lead aircraft, or lead navigator, does not necessarily have to fly in front. You can be in a random position in the formation and lead the others from there (5 degrees to the right, 3 degrees to the left, etc.).

Also on the TWC server you can call bombers as "cover" to increase the number of aircraft in the formation. If each of you called 1, 2 or 3 flights of 8 aircraft, that would have been the hell of a large formation. I had compiled a guide on how to do that. Here it is: TWC Server user guide.pdf

A great night was had by all! We must do it all again soon but we'd better not tell Noofy...or it might all end in tears!

Too late

[DerDa]

Hi Marlow, that was me by myself, I'd already been up to London and had about 20litres of fuel left and still had a long way to go to safety. So one attack was all I could afford, and there you were out in front! After refuelling I found Vamps and Damon and settled for a final score of three aircraft destroyed according to the server, without taking any damage on my aircraft.

Fabulous to see the bomber formation, hope you all do it again soon!

Good luck for me.
I was second on the right behind Marlow and sa your attack and parts flying away from his plane.
Then I watched you climbing away, wondering when you would turn around to finish me off.

It didn't happen, but by watching you I almost lost the others.


Dazza is perfectly right: a close formation of five Wimpys would have been a much harder target.
But I had to struggle a lot to keep my place close to the leader. All matter of practice.

[ATAG_Marlow]

Ha haaaaaggghhh!

Great tips there, Noofy. Many thanks...and thanks for the TWC guide. I'm sure we will all be looking at that closely.

I know how to call in extra aircraft but not how to get them to bomb on my target. Somehow, I feel guilty calling in bombers just to be fighter bait....and anyway we've already got Meaksy at the back to soak up the cannon shells....and he loves that position!!

But, you're right! That's the way forward....strength in numbers, and all that!

Cheers and....Salute!

[ATAG_Noofy]

Ha haaaaaggghhh!

Great tips there, Noofy. Many thanks...and thanks for the TWC guide. I'm sure we will all be looking at that closely.

I know how to call in extra aircraft but not how to get them to bomb on my target. Somehow, I feel guilty calling in bombers just to be fighter bait....and anyway we've already got Meaksy at the back to soak up the cannon shells....and he loves that position!!

But, you're right! That's the way forward....strength in numbers, and all that!

Cheers and....Salute!

It is all in the guide.
You have to provide Knickebein coordinates to your bomber escort.
If Knickebein is off, they will stick to you and follow you. If Knickebein is on, they will resume own navigation to target and drop bombs on it. More on how to interpret Knickebein coordinates here.
What I usually do is to turn Knickebein on just before reaching target so bombers will release their bombs.
If you get shot down, remember to turn Knickebein on before bailing out so your escort will continue to target and drop their bombs.

For example, to bomb Le Havre airfield, the command sequence would have been:
<kadd 157374, 57870 to indicate the coordinates of the airfield (since it is a large target, the less accurate coordinates <kadd AO5.9.4 would have been enough)
<kon to activate Knickebein
then after the bombing run type <koff to turn Knickebein off so that bombers can return to base.

PS: I am not the author of this guide. I just compiled it into a sharable document. The source is here (and from in-game help menus), all credits go to TWC_Flug.

[ATAG_Noofy]

Our target was Le Havre Luftwaffe airfield and, our course, of 162 degrees out of Ford got us to within visual distance.

162 degrees is the direct geographical heading

2022-07-01_215909.jpg

Had you read the Wellington correction chart, you would have seen that on this heading, the correction is +8 degrees (+10 declination -2 deviation = +8), and the precise heading to follow should have been 162+8=170 degrees (assuming no wind)

2022-07-01_220002.jpg

[ATAG_Marlow]

Ahhhhh!

And that makes sense because on both occasions......first and second wave of bombers...when we were close enough to recognise the coastline and where we were...we found we were about 20/30 miles east of Le Harvre airfield and had to turn right (west) to come up to the target. This actually worked well because it meant we had a great line of sight on the target and could prepare for the drop effectively.

But I am going to have to give those 'knicker bindings' a lot more attention! Ta much! Salute!