McCudden Vs 'Green-Tail'. (56sqn vs Jasta 5)

Updated 18/4/08.

Just a quick note to confirm that this mission will work with the expansion pack and April 08 patch, as long as

you have ALL required skins, terrain etc installed.

 

 

 

A Quick Mission for First Eagles: "McCudden Vs "Green-Tail"

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This mission is a re-enactment of an actual aerial combat that took place on Monday 18th February 1918, at

approximately 10.30am, between two "elite" units: 56 Squadron RFC and Jasta 5.

 

56 Sqn were based at Lavieville, near Albert. Led by Major James McCudden VC (57 victories).

Jasta 5 were based at Boistrancourt, near Cambrai. Led by Oberleutnant Richard Flashar. (2 victories)

 

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McCudden gives a quite detailed account of the combat on page 255 of his excellent book 'Flying Fury'. Essential

reading for any student of the first air war.

In the book he describes several encounters with an Albatros DV which he dubs; "Green-Tail". He acknowledges

the flying ability and bravery of the German pilot repeatedly. In fact, McCudden thought it was "Green-Tail" that

killed his good friend Cpt Richard Maybery (21 victories), on 19/12/17 during a fight with Jasta 5.

 

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To set the scene:

 

McCudden's flight took off at about 10.00am from Lavieville on an Offensive Patrol, and crossed the lines over

Bourlon Wood at 13000 feet...Almost immediately they spotted a patrol of Albatros DV's below...

 

This is how McCudden descibes the action in his book:

 

"I signalled the attack to the patrol, and down we went, with the sun behind us. I singled out the leader and

fired a good burst from both guns, and I must have riddled the pilot, for he still flew on straight until the machine

burst into flames, and it then fell over sideways. I got a plain view of the Albatros as it fell a flaming wreck.

It was "Green-Tail"! Maybery was avenged!"

 

McCudden went on to score a second victory during this dogfight, bringing down another Albatros DV very soon

after despatching "Green-Tail".

 

There has always been controversy over exactly who "Green-Tail" was, McCudden describes the plane as having

a white inverted 'V' on the top wing, and the letter 'K' on its fuselage.

It's now pretty well established that his two victims that day were Unteroffizier Justus Kaiser who was killed, and

Uffz Von Stein who survived the encounter, but was wounded.

It's likely that they weren't from Jasta 5 at all, but from Jasta 35 who were also based nearby, and often flew

alongside Jasta 5.

 

The Jasta 5 skins available for FE, with their green tails will do nicely for our purposes though!

 

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Mission and game limitations:

 

For the purposes of this mission (seeing as we don't yet have a skin that fits perfectly), We'll have to choose one

of the currently available Jasta 5 schemes as "Green-Tail"...

Well, fortunately there is one with an inverted 'V' on the wing, which I consider to be the closest match.

So if you want to duplicate McCudden's actions, that is the plane you have to single out and bring down, plus at

least one other.

 

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Mission Guidelines:

 

When the mission starts, you'll be at an altitude of approximately 12,500 ft. with a few miles to fly until you reach

the lines over Bourlon wood. Keep climbing until you reach 13000 ft or even a bit higher, and keep to a heading

of around 60 degrees.

Don't forget, you're looking for the Albatros with the white 'V' on the upper wing. although it's not a mission goal,

so don't get target fixated!...And make sure you SIGNAL YOUR WINGMEN when you sight the enemy by pressing:

'TAB', then '1'. Otherwise you'll be on your own!

 

That's all I'm going to tell ya...Good Luck!

 

PS. I've decided to start this mission in the air because at the moment FE is not geared up very well for take off's

and landings.

 

PPS. I've included a few German two seaters roaming the area that you can hunt down after the main furball....

If you survive and have any ammo left!

 

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Requirements and installation:

 

All skins and terrain are available from the downloads section of the Combat Ace website.

 

To fly this mission, you'll need:

 

Flanders Terrain

By Edward.

 

SE5a 56 Sqn, RFC,1917 - Two versions.

By dhasdell.

Available on Page 7 of the WW1 skins download page

Not absolutely essential, but these markings are more accurate than the stock versions.

Please note: If you want to fly as McCudden, then you'll have to select No.6 at the 'Loadout' screen.

Nothing I do can induce the game to give the correct number automatically. Dunno why!

 

Jasta 5 skins X 5.

2 by JFM. 4 by Warbirds. (Yeah, I know that makes 6. Read on...)

Available on page 13 and 16 of the WW1 skins download page

Note that there are two versions of Flashar's "Dragon"...Only one required so take your pick!

 

Many thanks to all the above artists for their most excellent contributions to this great game.

 

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Install the mission by unzipping the downloaded file to the following path:

C:/Program Files/Thirdwire/WW1/Missions

 

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Phew!...Sorry for the long winded intro. I hope you enjoy flying this Quick mission and find it challenging enough.

I've tried to make it as authentic as the game will allow.

 

If you find anything wrong with it, or have any suggestions please let me know via any one of the FE forums.

 

Cheers!

 

Bucky.

 

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