The Double D's

[Nightshift82 5]

7 March 1966

VA-55 'Warhorses'

2 A-4E (65)

Loadout:

2 LAU/3 rocket pods

2 AGM-45A Shrikes

1 300gal drop tank

 

This afternoon's mission breifing brought the worries that I had after the previous mission but worse! We were assigned to suppress enemy air defences around the Vinh Son Army Supply Depot. It was exciting to carry the Shrikes and couldn't wait to silence the audio RWR with some firepower. After we launched from the carrier we joined up at 3,000ft. to begin the big climb to 10,000ft.

Finding our targets was a tough task at first, but got easy to spot, but then the guns were firing at us and nearby firendly flights, the tracers were a flying!

Number 2 Ens. Hayes had his fangs out on this hop, taking out 5 AAA enplacements and one fire can radar, flight lead Ens. Sekuterski only bagged 3 AAA emplacements. On our way out I climbed above the gunfire to see if I can get picked up by radar to use at least one of my shrikes. I got the beep that I was being spotted on radar. I didn't know what direction it was comming from so tried to locate him on my radar, I got the in range que, but to no aval, didn't hit a thing with either shrike.

I drifted to a lower altitude when trying to score with the shrikes, AAA became a factor and it was time to go home.

Nevertheless we both got home without a scratch, mission success!

Edited October 7, 2010 by Nightshift82

[+Cliff7600 1,148]

Cool AARs!

 

After several attempts, I just don't survive the 2^nd mission, even in a jet...

Take off/mission/landing/take off/mission/DEAD! that's the pattern.

 

Good luck and keep the motor running

 

 

[Lt. James Cater 62]

http://combatace.com/gallery/image/16427-copy-of-clipboard-c8jpg/

2NOV62

 

We had our first loss today.

 

We were fragged to hit the runway at Merseburg and so decided to do something a bit different.

http://combatace.com/gallery/image/16428-clipboard-x2jpg/

 

We chose an inbound route that would take us between two Red air bases. The plan was for 2LT Barton Mosier and myself to go in with a standard loadout while everyone else was loaded with 10 CBUs each. When we got to the right spot, everyone would go down and nail the bases while me and Mosier kept on towards our IP.

 

It almost worked out that way.

 

3 and 4 of our flight went after one base, but COL Kasler was after something more and so took his flight on a direct heading to the target area and went to work. In the meanwhile, me and Mosier went on our way at 18,000ft and all was rather routine until we were just a few miles from the IP. We knew some Migs were in the area as a big fight was going on over and around Merseburg. Damned if a MIG17 came out of 11 low and neatly converted on us. I pulled hard onto a heading towards the target, now 24 miles away. Mosier fell behind in the turn and i ordered him to get back on my wing fast.

 

He didn't react fast enough and so the MIG was on him. I then ordered him to get out of there and go home but he was too busy evading to pay attention. Finally there was the dreaded call and i looked in my mirrors to see his Thud smoke heavily and begin to go down. I knew i was next and so punched tanks and dropped the nose some to increase speed. Damn, from our intial altitude of 18,000ft i was now at 14, and i wondered if i could stay ahead of the MIG before i got to 12,000.

 

Finally i rolled in and set up for the attack. I had to move the plane around a bit to line up on the runway, but i knew the MIG shouldn't be able to catch me now that i was in a dive.

 

Bombs away and full burner escape at 5000ft! Knowing that the others were still around and more Migs were entering the area, i sent 3 an 4 home and ordered everyone else to form up. It was the right move as the primary target was hit and we already lost one bird today. No need to tempt fate.

 

We stayed low and fast until we were out of danger from enemy fighters and then zoomed up to 15,000ft for the trip home.

 

Top man today was CAPT Stanley Shields. Number 3 in the lead flight. He went on a rampage and knocked out a number of AAA guns as well as a Bar Lock radar. his wingman,2LT Ken Pankhurst did a nice job as well and had his right stabilator shot up by a 14.5mm gun. luckily that was all and he nailed the gun with a CBU.

 

As for Barton? The SAR guys went in and got him out of from where he went down about 20 miles from the target. He's banged up pretty bad i guess, but at least he made it home!

 

Better to lose a plane than a pilot.

Edited October 9, 2010 by Lt. James Cater

[Lt. James Cater 62]

Cool AARs!

 

After several attempts, I just don't survive the 2^nd mission, even in a jet...

Take off/mission/landing/take off/mission/DEAD! that's the pattern.

 

Good luck and keep the motor running

 

Hey Cliff, i went through a rut in which i lost about 5 pilots in a single week. A hiatus from DiD followed and back into battle with Jefferson Nighthawk. Now i'm doing everything possible to get the odds in my favor before i ever take off. Get in, do the mission, get out fast and go home.

 

I got a feeling that Edwin Flowers is the right successor to Jonathan Sykes.

 

Nightshift...Do what you have to and fly home. Never let complacency kill you. When you get blase', you die!

Edited October 8, 2010 by Lt. James Cater

[Nightshift82 5]

It's a funny thing as I did the same as Lt. but with only one four-ship flight.

 

3 May 1966

VA-55 'Warhorses'

4 A-4E (65)

Loadout:

#1 and #2

8 M-117 750lbs. bombs

2 AGM-45A Shrikes

#3 and #4

8 CBU/24

2 AGM-45A Shrikes

 

Our target today was the Power Plant Stuctures at the Ben Thuy Thermal Power Plant.

Due to Ben Thuy being so close to Yankee Station and being so south, I didn't antisipate much fighter activity I decided to leave the drop tanks on the ship and load up some extra firepower instead. But I have not forgotten that the NVA wasn't lacking in anti-air defences. Also I wanted to ensure a total kill on the whole power plant. Take off was a routine affair, joining up at 3,500 ft. to begin our climb to 10,000 ft.

Ingress to target was smooth for us for awhile, but the radio almost instantly opened up with hearing the phantoms letting lose with their AIM-7's. This made me a little uneasy to be honest, as it ment that there were MiGs this far south! About 30 miles from the coast, Red Crown called badits 11 o'clock, 5 miles heading Northeast! That was right for us! Instinctively I called for assistance before we had to abort and fight for our lives. A four ship of F-4's came to our rescue just as we got visual on the bandits....MiG-21's!

While the F-4's kept the MiG's busy, we deviated to the southwest at the river delta to follow the river all the way to the target.

The MiGs weren't a factor anymore now, but the AAA was, flight lead Ens. Sekuterski ordered 3 and 4 to engage ground threats to suppress ground fire. There was a flak burst that popped right between me and number 2, I bet I could have reached out and touched it as I flew by, scary and mesmerizing at the same time.

Finally reaching the target, we had a nice line up on the station, I ordered number 2 to go in first and I would take clean up.

I salvoed 3 at 100ms and let them loose...

We both hit both sides destroying the entire station. Great attack.

It was a beautiful sight flying away from our work of art, egress was a thing of beauty, we got lucky and slipped through a gap in the air defences.

Not a scratch on anyone, Power plant shut down and a promotion! Ens. Sekuterski is now LtJg. Sekuterski! He was also awarded the Air metal.

Mission success!

[+Cliff7600 1,148]

I went back in Europe for something really different. It's a France vs UK campaign flying a F-47N (what if )

1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd missions

 

EC 4/20, St André de l’Eure – F-47N Thunderbolt

 

05/29/60

 

Take off : 11.50 – Landing : 13.16

 

Target : Manston, Strike

 

Tuna 11 : 2Lt Charles Bréty / Tuna 12 : 2Lt Amédé Leblanc

 

Report :

 

We flew to Manston and our target was the runway.

 

My wingman missed but I dropped my two 800lbs bombs right in the middle of the runway. While we RTBed I worried about fuel consumption because we didn’t load some auxiliary tanks, but everything went OK. Anyway we tried to intercept some Canberra bombers on their way back but they were much faster than us…

 

10’ later

 

Take off : 13.26 – Landing : 14.51

 

Target : Maidstone, Strike

 

Tiger 11 : 2Lt Charles Bréty / Tiger 12 : 2Lt Hector Goujon

 

Report :

 

The planes were quickly reloaded and refueled and we went to destroy the Maidstone railroad station. On our way we formed up with two Skyraiders and together we joined the target area.

 

 

It was pretty lousy, I missed and wasted the 500lbs bombs and we finally destroy the building because we had some new narrow 250lbs bombs that can be loaded at the HVAR stations. As soon as the job was done we tried to rescue the AD-4s that were calling for help but we were too late. I tried to engage a slow Hunter fighter but when I was winning on him a F-86 Sabre Dog overtook me and hit the Hunter with his 20mm cannons. The Brit had his engine damaged and was loosing speed. I shot a long burst, the pilot ejected safely.

 

22’ later

 

Take off : 15.13 – Landing : 16.43

 

Target : Worthy Down, Recon

 

Gopher 11 : 2Lt Charles Bréty / Gopher 12 : Maj Gaston Casenobe

 

Report :

 

A simple Recce mission.

 

We learned that the Skyraiders that we escorted had been shot down.

 

And someone gave me the credit of the F-86D victory over the Hunter. The right thing should be to share it, half a victory for both of us…

Edited October 8, 2010 by Cliff11

[+Cliff7600 1,148]

I've been shot down by a Hunter on the 4^th mission, pilot killed.

Too much dogfight, not enough safety...

but that was fun

Edited October 8, 2010 by Cliff11

[Lt. James Cater 62]

http://combatace.com/gallery/image/16434-clipboard-c9jpg/

3NOV62

 

What a hell of a mission!

 

We decided to expand on the previous misson by taking up more birds.

http://combatace.com/gallery/image/16435-clipboard-x3jpg/

 

Combies and i had six MK117s while everyone else was hauling ten CBUs each.

 

http://combatace.com/gallery/image/16436-clipboard-x4jpg/

 

The plan was the same. Pick a route near some Red bases and go down on them while the strike guys keep on going and hopefully attract the attention of enemy fighter controllers.

 

Can't say that the enemy was distracted by the strikers as we didn't have a Mig come anywhere near us the whole flight and the guys pounding the ground targets were undisturbed. They took advantage to make a number of training range style attacks.

 

The enemy ground fire was heavy, as there were numerous guns in the area. Three Thuds took serious damage but everyone was alright. 1LT Lawrence Fox and 2LT Holbert Cary really hit the jackpot by destroying Bar Lock radars. Taking into account the radar CAPT Shields knocked out the previous mission, we probaly are degrading their ability to track friendlies as they near the front in that area.

 

We have a good idea where another Bar Lock is a bit to the west of the ones knocked out. Looks like it's time to take out that one as well.

[Lt. James Cater 62]

http://combatace.com/gallery/image/16434-clipboard-c9jpg/

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3NOV62

 

Sometimes you can have things go bad and still get lucky.

 

Max effort once again and we so put up three flights with Blankenhiem being the area to be stepped on while me and Combies went in to hit the strip at Zerbst.

 

From the start it was a screwed up mission. It took a long time for everyone to get settled at 18,000ft and so that meant that we had to go slower than usual and due to the drag from our loads, burnt too much fuel for our satisfaction. By the time we got to where everyone went down, Combies and i had big problems as we were deep into our drop tank levels and even though we climbed up to 20,000 to try to stretch our fuel. It was going to be rough going if we had to use full burner for an extended period, say MIGs chasing us.

 

And Migs are what happened next!

 

About 40 miles from the IP, a pair of MIG 21s were coming up from 9 low and we knew we had a big problem. Despite that i waited until they were turning on our six before taking us down in a steep full throttle dive. At about 5,000 ft, Combies gave warning of a missle launch amd even though i thought they didn't have a chance i whipped the Thud around and hoped that they would just shoot and run. Well, that was a forlorn hope so we jettisoned everything and set up for a fight. To hell with the mission, we were just trying to get out of here in one piece!

 

2V2 at low level, MIG21 vs F-105. What they had was manuverability and being over than their own turf. Our advantage was better low level speed.

 

Lyle and i concentrated on the leader, while also keeping an eye out for a chance to make a run for it. The last thing we wanted to be was defensive so we did our best to keep on the MIGs. They were turning hard and i did what some WWII P47s vets told me about fighting ME109s. When they break, pull the nose up and roll away from them. The Thud is no P-47 but i tried it. It was sorta rough going but luckily the fight started going up in altitude we ended up making a few head on passses at each other before i got an angle on the lead MIG. He was in a shallow dive at about 2 O'clock low and as he would break left i knew i had a chance as he would bleed off speed while i would be coming in full bore.

 

I closed in and as he began to break, i pulled lead for all the plane was worth and pulled the trigger as soon as a flicker appeared at the bottom of the canopy.

 

Scratch one MIG!

 

The plane blew up in a fireball and an ejection seat flew out of it. As i came back around a chute was clearly visible.

 

Time for deal with second MIG. He didn't seem so agressive after one head on pass so idecided to run for it. Another pass in the direction of the front and we just kept on going at 5,000ft. The MIG tried chasing us but he didn't have a chance.

 

As soon as we were clear, i led us up to 20,000ft and set course back to where the others were shooting up the enemy. As we got near, we received some great news. Apparently, one the other units heading up to Zerbst took care of our primary target as well as their own. Oh Happy Day!

 

Time for everyone to go home.

 

They did a hell of a job and CAPT Shields destroyed another radar. That was great since three of our guys got hit. COL James Kasler got it the worst and was wounded. Number 4 in his flight 2LT Jerry Williams's plane was hit also but 2LT Cecil Wells from number three flight was lucky not to have been shot down as his plane was riddled.

 

How Kasler made it back is really something as his aircraft was shot up really bad. We all hope he makes it back soon.

[Lt. James Cater 62]

http://combatace.com/gallery/image/16507-clipboard-c10jpg/

http://combatace.com/gallery/image/16507-clipboard-c10jpg/

http://combatace.com/gallery/image/16509-clipboard-x5jpg/

NOV62

 

Looks like i made some errors concerning earlier sorties.

 

Anyways, since this was going to be a deeper penetration, we chose to forgo using anyone but Lyle and myself. We wanted to get things together without having to waste the time and fuel required for form up.

 

It was a milk run. Both of us carrying a pair of 2000lb bombs and the only hassle was during the actual attack. During the dive, i saw a pair of AN-12s on the ramp and so decided to drop high and then strafe them while still in the dive.. Well, one switch error lead to another and not only did i waste the bombs, i couldn't set up the guns fast enough before i got to a critical altitude. The last straw was knowing that some MIGs were heading into the area from the southwest so we just got the hell out of there at mach+ on the deck.

 

Good thing Combies did his job better than me.

[Lt. James Cater 62]

http://combatace.com/gallery/image/16536-clipboard-c12jpg/

6NOV62

 

We lost our first man today. 2LT Ken Pankhurst crashed after bombing some gun site.

 

It was a long mission and we took a full three flights to let loose. Another radar is gone but nothing is worth the loss of Pankhust. Combies had a close call. On the way out we were being chased by MIG 21s and one of them got a missle hit on his bird. Good thing the Thud is a tough aircraft.

[Lt. James Cater 62]

http://combatace.com/gallery/image/16569-clipboard-c13jpg/

http://combatace.com/gallery/image/16570-clipboard-c14jpg/

NOV62

 

Nothing much to report. Both missions were pretty much milk runs. The CAS sortie did have a bit of action. just after we got to work, a flight of MIG19s came into the area so i sent everyone home after deciding to make a quick strafing pass and then run for it.

 

As it turns out, one of the MIGs got onto me and was determined to get me even as i exited the area on full burner. So i decided to make him work for it. Puling up hard, i zoomed the Thud up to 22,000ft and kicked the rudder a bit so i could watch him burning fuel climbing up after me. I was at full throttle and so no way was i an easy target for him.

 

Once he leveled off at about 25,000ft about 1.5 miles back and started coming i got set. When his nose dropped, so did mine. All the way back down to the deck and then full burner. He finally thought better of it and turned away.

 

Too bad i didn't have a missle as he would have made a nice target.

Edited October 20, 2010 by Lt. James Cater

[Lt. James Cater 62]

http://combatace.com/gallery/image/16572-clipboard-c15jpg/

http://combatace.com/gallery/image/16573-clipboard-c16jpg/

http://combatace.com/gallery/image/16574-clipboard-c17jpg/

NOV62

 

Nothing really dramatic lately. The Reds have pretty much run out of steam and are being pushed back. In particular there has been a very strong thrust by our ground forces in the south and they've created a sizable salient. If they break out of there they could head towards Berlin without too much trouble.

 

We've been pretty successful with the 105. About the only times we have to worry is if we are intercepted while we are inbound, or if a MIG21 is close enough for a missle shot while we are making a getaway after bomb release. There is nothing made that can catch us down below.

[Lt. James Cater 62]

http://combatace.com/gallery/image/16580-clipboard-c18jpg/

13NOV1962

 

We had a hell of a mission!

 

Took some lumps and gave some out. Everyone came along with 2LT Mosier and myself.

 

Near the IP at Altenburg Nobitz they went looking for targets while we continued towards the primary. Everything was a piece of cake until the egress. We had a MIG21 chasing us at a distance so i figured that we could throw him off with a Rollercoaster. So up we zoomed to 20,000ft and turned towards the front. Sure enough he came up after us so as soon as he was getting within missle range we dropped our noses and headed for the trees. You got to give this guy a lot of credit for trying. He came on down and even fired off a missle at maximum range.

 

Not willing to take a chance of an unlikely fluke hit, we broke into the Mig and the fight was on! It quickly became apparent that we had all the cards. 2V1 at low level, plenty of fuel, guns,and a pair of Sidewinders for each of us vs one missle for him. There was nothing he could do except hope we either crashed or some buddies of his showed up. Anything he tried in order to disengage would have been hazardous to say the least.

 

And that's what finally happened. He avoided a pass by Mosier and was wings level just a bit ahead of me. He hit his burner but it was too late. I got in a good burst and blew off most of his starboard wing. He then snapped inverted and flew into the ground still in full burner.

 

By now, everyone was heading home so we went to altitude and cruised home.

 

Then something unlikely happened. Earlier i sent 3 flight home a bit early since they were going too far north and i didn't want them to run into any MIGs while they were doing their thing.

 

Instead, a MIG21 intercepted them while they were approaching the base and hit 1LT Gerald Mosier's aircraft with 2 Atolls. It's a tribute the the boys at Republic that Gerald was able to land that heavily damaged bird!

 

Well, we wen't too far away and so me and Barton went down to find that MIG. It didn't take much to find him and another fight was on! We had an even bigger advantage this time as We were about 20 miles from home and the MIG had a long way to get to the front lines.

 

Well, i got him. Not with weapons though.

 

I was coming in behind him too fast to get the sights on him so decided to zoom just ove him and set up for another pass.As it turns out, he decided to pull up just as i was going to pass over him. There was a shudder, a flash, and flames in the mirrors. Oh hell, we made contact! I see more flames in the mirrors and check the engine readouts just before getting set to punch out. Damn this bird is smoking heavily, the controls feel funny but nothing seems too critical so i decide to stay put.

 

Trying to land was a hell of a challenge. It took 5 tries and a low fast approach that took virtually the whole runway to slow a stop. What got the MIG was the port stabilator. It broke off hitting him and that's what made it such a pain trying to get the aircraft down.

 

Another great example of the great work by Republic!

Edited October 27, 2010 by Lt. James Cater

[+Cliff7600 1,148]

Scary!

 

I guess you won't do that everyday

[Lt. James Cater 62]

Scary!

 

I guess you won't do that everyday

 

http://combatace.com/gallery/image/16679-img00668jpg/

 

Not if i can help it!

[Lt. James Cater 62]

http://combatace.com/gallery/image/16680-clipboard-c19jpg/

http://combatace.com/gallery/image/16681-clipboard-c20jpg/

15NOV62

16NOV62

 

Looks like we've broken through in the south.

 

US and West German units have made some really big gains. In fact, you can pretty much say that the Red Army has collapsed. Our guys slammed two Corps into the line north and northwest of Erfurt and crushed the enemy. Meanwhile, the Brits have been attacking east of Hamburg. They really haven't made much progress but they are keeping the Reds from reinforcing against the attacks in the south. Right now, the 1st Panzer division is pushing hard towards Berlin. If they take Brandenburg that should be it.

 

Both missions we flew were rather routine. Now that the front has been pushed back we have the advantage of being able to fly at more fuel economical speeds and of being able to get closer to the targets before we know that their radar will pick us up.

 

On both missions MIGs tried to intercept us but it was too late. From the IP we are at full military power and at 20 miles we begin a shallow dive in order to be at our fastest before the actual attack goes in. Once bombs are dropped we head on out at full burner. Unless they manage a perfect intercept, they have no way to real chance to catch us.

 

Had Col Kasler and Capt Craig as wingmen. From now on i'll be using the LTs to get them as much cmbat time as possible.

[Lt. James Cater 62]

http://combatace.com/gallery/image/16683-clipboard-c21jpg/

http://combatace.com/gallery/image/16684-clipboard-c22jpg/

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http://combatace.com/gallery/image/16686-clipboard-c24jpg/

 

NOV62

 

The war is over!

 

The West German 2nd Panzer division crushed the Red tank forces in the south captured East Berlin and cut off all enemy forces to the west.

 

The last few days saw heavy fighting in the air. The enemy fought back hard against Allied airstrikes and made some deep attacks of their own, but too little too late.

 

For those of us in the 22nd TFS it is with regret that we should have lost a man at the dawn of victory. 2LT Halbert Cary was shot down strafing an airfield after we had finished bombing a company of Red tanks that ambushed advance unit of the 2nd Panzer. I actually thought it was Capt Shields that went down. It wasn't until i called for them to rejoin that i realized we lost Halbert.

 

So the final toll was two pilots KIA and three F-105s lost. All things considered, it's not as bad as we expected given the aircraft and the things we had to do with it. We must also count our blessings as we suffered the least losses of any Thud squadron. Rather than just fling ourselve at the targets, it was a lot better to use a combination of the aircrafts' strengths and proper route planning and avoiding doing anything really stupid.

 

RIP 2LT Ken Pankhurst

RIP 2LT Halbert Cary

[Lt. James Cater 62]

From the looks of things, people seem to have abandoned the DiD challenge. I think i might sign up in various forums and pitch the WO series and see if we can get more pilots involved. As things are now, i can't take flying seriously unless it's DiD.

 

 

Major Edwin Flowers will fly on!

[Slartibartfast 153]

I am still flying... I will be planning a new campaign next week once I have settled in my new apartment.

[Lt. James Cater 62]

I am still flying... I will be planning a new campaign next week once I have settled in my new apartment.

 

Great news to hear!

 

I'm already three missions into a tough new campaign. Will post reports later on today.

[+KnightWolf45 1,147]

hi this his a very long topic can someoe give the basics rules pls

so can join you guys

[Lt. James Cater 62]

The basic rules are rather loose and simple.

 

One pilot to a campaign. Any year, any game and you declare any really notable MOD you are using.

 

A shot of the debriefing screen is preferable,IRfanview and XNview being the two best programs for that as far as i know(I use XNview).

 

All sorties are end to end although you can Alt N on the way home. Check out the parts of the thread here from Dec 2009 to JAN 2010 and you'll see the most common settings.

 

If you survive a campaign, you can either retire the pilot or keep him flying.

 

Go out and have some fun!

[+KnightWolf45 1,147]

fuel and ammos usage normal or hard? landing has fm allows right all i need to now for now

[+Cliff7600 1,148]

I do agree with you Lt, DiD flying mode is better than anything.

 

Now I'm trying to improve my skill because I just can't survive. We'll see...

 

Welcome Cocas!

Fuel and ammos set on hard.

Landing and FM normal or hard, that's my advice.

 

Good luck!