The Double D's

[+Cliff7600 1,120]

Hi guys!

 

I didn't find out the different mindset which I need.

I tried the same campaign, more carefully, and I had the same result : shot down by the first AAA I encountered.

It's time for propeller plane training or I'll stick with jets...

 

Good luck to all!

[+malibu43 142]

OK. I started my DiD campaign this morning. I'm bending the rules a little in that I'm going to use the same pilot for all my DiD campaigns so I can track my overall success/failure. But as far as each individual campaign goes, I'm playing by the DiD rules...

 

So I was going to try something easy for my first DiD campaign, but then I thought "what the hell, this is a game and it's supposed to be fun!" So I picked the campaign that sounded the most fun... 357th TFS flying A-10's in NF4+ Red Lightning.

 

First Mission:

 

CAS

4 x A-10A, each armed with:

- 4 x AGM-65B

- 4 x MK20

- 2 x AIM9

- ECM Pod

 

I don't remember right now where we're stationed or what the specific target area was, but I know it was CAS on our side of the FLOT very close to base. This made for a quick and relatively "safe" mission.

 

Our four-ship took off and climbed to about 8000' AGL for the short flight. Weather was overcast at about 10,000' with limited visibility. After we passed the IP I started a very shallow descent and set 3 and 4 loose on ground targets. My RWR was lit up briefly by a MiG-23 at my 12 o'clock, but he was quickly taken care of by the friendly CAP flight. As I neared the ground battle, I watched my RWR closely for any signs of the SA-8's that are frequently found with Soviet tank formations, but they did not show up. Once inside 5 miles, from an altitude of about 6000' AGL, I started letting loose with my AGM-65's (and let # 2 loose as well). Once all my AGM's were away I broke off and distanced myself from the target area before passing over it, just incase there were still some SA-8/SA-13's hiding down there. At this point I got the mission success message from Red Crown, and also found that the only AAA protecting the remaining tanks was a pair of ZPU-2's off to one side. Avoiding the area where the ZPU-2's were, I made 2 runs with my MK20's and 2 runs with the GAU-8. At that point I ordered my flight to form up and we turned back toward home.

 

Right about this time I got a call telling me I had a bandit on my tail and my RWR lit up with a MiG-23! I immediately broke right and ordered my entire flight to engage air. There were two MiG-23's mixed in with our flight, but before I could get my nose around for a shot on either one, the rest of my flight already had them falling to the ground trailing fire and smoke. So again, we formed up and headed home. The rest of the flight and landing was uneventful.

 

I forget the results of the debriefing, but we got > 10 primary targets and a couple MiG's. The location of this mission and lack of any serious anti-air defenses made his first mission a milk run. I won't expect the same luck on mission #2.

Edited September 24, 2010 by malibu43

[Lt. James Cater 62]

http://combatace.com/gallery/image/16347-clipboard-a17jpg/

18NOV62

 

Another mission,another loss.

 

Just from the location of the target we knew that it was going to be a hard one. All the way up to the Polish coastline! If we had trouble we were going to be in a terrible fix so far behind the lines.

 

Took a single flight up and ran into difficulties right off the bat. Dallas flight was up early and so there was no way that we were going to form up on them anytime soon since we also needed to get ourselves sorted. We had to climb to 25,000ft since down where Dallas was we'd run out of fuel. Damn those 53rd TFS Thuds!

 

By the time we got settled, there were about 25 miles ahead of us and i was praying hard that some patrolling Mig would not come across them. Luckily, it all went smooth as the only enemy planes around were bombers and soon after overflying Berlin we caught up with the Thuds. All was fine until we got to the IP. Two Mig 17s came up from 11 low out of nowhere and were in business. I now realized that we should have went down to cover Dallas. got to give the reds some credit, they had a hell of a plan. First they sent the 17s to tie us up, sent 21s after the Thuds, and then threw some MIG19s in so we couldn't just break away and go down on the tails of the 21s. I got the 17 lead rather quickly with my guns and after going on a bit at his wingman, was prepared to cover Dallas again when my wingman, Capt Suzanne called out that he was hit.

 

As soon as i looked back and saw those MIG19s i knew we had no chance and had to run for it. Diving down to treetop level we went full burner with the MIGs after us. I can't remeber exactly how fast we were going but when it seemed right, pulled the nose up and began a zoom climb. We didn't stop climbing until 35,000ft was on the altimeter and back to the front we fled.

 

Forget about false heroics. There were Migs on both flanks and behind us and no way were three Huns were going to make a fight of it.

 

No one saw exactly what happend back there so Captain Alan Suzanne has been declared MIA.

[Rambler 1-1 9]

2Lt Frederick took his fourth and fifth missions with the 563rd today, both strikes against targets in Haiphong and Dong Suong. The first mission went as planned, using a high-low-high tactic to save fuel and avoid MiGs. However, on final approach, 2Lt Frederick's aircraft, F-105D #490, suffered a compressor blade failure, starting an engine fire. 2Lt Frederick shut down the engine and glided the aircraft in for a landing, before turning off the runway and exiting the aircraft. He was not injured, but #490 is a write-off.

 

The second mission was totally uneventful, 2Lt Frederick now flying F-105D #492. The strike went as planned and Frederick then assisted his flight in destroying several secondary targets of opportunity in the area. This resulted in 2Lt Frederick being awarded the Air Medal and a promotion to First Lieutenant.

 

Yes, "In Thrust We Trust" is dead, and not even as a result of combat. Alas, the campaign goes on. Lt. Frederick has not named his new mount yet.

[Rambler 1-1 9]

GRAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! FFFFFFUUUUUU*************KKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I just had the most awesome mission, a deep strike over haiphong, and I even got a MiG in my thud. Then, after landing and quitting the mission, the game crashed and it didn't save! RAGE!!!!!! :angry2: :fu2: :fu2::angry2:

 

 

EDIT, TO AVOID TRIPLE-POST:

 

Lt. Frederick completed two more missions today, a SEAD over Hanoi and a strike over Dong Hoi. On final approach from the latter mission, F-105 #492 suffered an engine fire and Lt. Frederick was forced to repeat the emergency landing that destroyed #490. He now commands #493.

 

This is weird. I've never had an engine catch on fire spontaneously before, let alone twice in four missions. And now the squadron is getting short on thuds.

Edited September 26, 2010 by Rambler 1-1

[Lt. James Cater 62]

I feel for you Rambler, I had that happen to me on a few occasions.

 

http://combatace.com/gallery/image/16353-clipboard-a19jpg/

 

Alas,

 

Captain Jefferson Nighthawk was declared MIA after being shot down in a fight against overwhelming odds. During an escort mission, two flights of the 121st TFS and some friendlies were involved in a battle against a large enemy force. Captain Nighhawk accounted for a MIG21 and two MIG19s. When he was lost, he was engaged with 8 MIG19s while accompanied by only a single member of his flight. Despite the odds, Captain Nighthawk fiercely engaged the enemy and accounted for two before his plane was hit and caught fire.

 

He was last seen bailing out of his stricken aircraft.

[Lt. James Cater 62]

Just to let every one know. I have a Thud Pilot by the name of Edwin Flowers who is on a roll flying WOE 1962.

 

I'll post the briefings soon.

[474th_Fiftycal 0]

What are the DID standards, are they listed all togeather in one post.

[xclusiv8 35]

What are the DID standards, are they listed all togeather in one post.

 

check the first post in the thread

[474th_Fiftycal 0]

Thank you not sure how i missed that.

[Slartibartfast 153]

Well I am currently out of action due to my Joystick dying on me... New one order so should be back in the Virtual skies shortly... until then good luck guys and leave some for me to get...

[Lt. James Cater 62]

http://combatace.com/gallery/image/16361-clipboard-cjpg/

http://combatace.com/gallery/image/16362-clipboard-c3jpg/

http://combatace.com/gallery/image/16363-clipboard-c4jpg/

OCT/1962

 

Have had a fast and furious introduction to combat.Flew three missions with 2LT Lyle Combies and all three have been great. Our debut was a a perfect strike on enemy fuel storage at Eisenach. We both dove in and made a textbook attack with CBUs which destroyed everything.

 

Our third i don't have a debrief at the moment but it went well. We flew 20 miles past the target and turned onto a heading that would allow us to bomb an enemy runway and get out fast heading back towards the front. Even as were were turning at the IP, a few MIG17s were onto us. They chased us all the way to the target, down on the bomb run, and about 20 miles on the egress route. They didn't have a chance though, we were doing about mach 1.5 at 5,000ft and left them in the dust.

 

The second mission was nice but it was all Combies. Turned out i had some mechanical problem and couldn't drop anything. When some Migs got onto us, i called Combies and jettisoned everything. We proceeded to get out of there at full burner right over the trees.

 

So far we've been doing what we can to get up to altitude and speed before we hit the river but i wonder what things will be like when we begin deeper strikes. Even though we haven't been going too deep, the fuel consumption has me a bit worried. Especially when we hear of HQ types studying maps around Berlin and along the Baltic.

Edited October 6, 2010 by Lt. James Cater

[Nightshift82 5]

1 December 1965

VA-55 'Warhorses'

4 A-4E (65)

Loadout:

6 Mk82 bombs

1 300gal drop tank

The target was a warehouse near the port of Haiphong. It was a beauitful day to fly in Southeast Asia dispite the kick off of Operation Rolling Thunder for Ens. Sekuterski. The ingress to the target was smooth as silk after everyone joined up.

There were bandit calls all over the radio but nothing that were close enough to be a threat and triple A was light. One single pass by flight leader Ens. Sekuterski took out the warehouse, number 2 dropped his payload on a KS-19 destroying it. Number 3 and 4 held their ordnace and with out deviation could not find targets of opportunity.

The flight formed up feet wet and returned home with out a scratch.

A successful mission!

Edited October 5, 2010 by Nightshift82

[Slartibartfast 153]

Yeah LT Those long range missions are a bit of a bind sometimes...

 

Nice pictures Nightshift... welcome to the madness... the scooters a tough little jet that should bring you home most times...

[Nightshift82 5]

13 December 1965

VA-55 'Warhorses'

2 A-4E (65)

Loadout:

6 Mk82 bombs

1 300gal drop tank

The target was in Haiphong again, but our task this time was taking out a rail bridge crossing just north of the delta. Since the last mission went so well and the AAA and MiGs were not much of a factor we decided to take only 2 A-4's in our flight. Ingress was once again a smooth one, joining up feet wet at 10,000 ft.

The target was easily visible just before reaching feet dry and there was no harassment, it was going to be another text book hop. We decided to deviate about 5 miles to the north to get a straight north-south line up on the bridge. Then the AAA started to warm up, it was considered light, but still made us grind our teeth.

But the deviation paid off as an easy run by flight lead Ens. Sekuterski dropped dead on target destroying the bridge and taking out a train running through it.

Then it got interesting, MiG calls were just as heavy as the last mission, but some how a MiG broke through the TARCAP and escorts.

It's a good thing that the A-4 turns well and Ens. Sekuterski had enough airspeed to dodge the MiG-17, not giving the communist flyer an easy target.

After 3 turns in a rolling scissors, Ens. Sekuterski got a snapshot opportunity on the MiG-17, knocking out it's tail.

Number 2 was lagging behind and formed up while still holding his ordnance over feet wet. Both A-4's returned home with out a scratch, but one came home a MiG killer! Mission success!

[xclusiv8 35]

Very nice nightshift!!

[Nightshift82 5]

Thanks Slartibartfast and xclusiv!

 

Now for some more business!

4 Feburary 1966

VA-55 'Warhorses'

4 A-4E (65)

Loadout:

6 Mk82 bombs

1 300gal drop tank

Today's target was a warehouse near the Bai Thuong barracks. It was a warm morning at Yankee Station where the sun was rising like in a painting.

Forming up feet about 10 miles from the carrier with everyone good to go. Ingress was smooth and there was no enemy air activity in our area and AAA was nearly non-exsisting. It was a good morning to be flying in Southeast Asia.

Cloud cover was light making the warehouse an easy spot comming in. Flight lead Ens. Sekuterski dove in dropping his ord right smack on target!

With no MiGs in the area and AAA being light Ens. Sekuterski ordered a second pass taking out targets of opportunity. Number two took out a triple A piece while flight lead drew fire, three and four went in knocking out a MG nest and another triple A piece. Fire and smoke were on the menu today for the NVA.

After the second run flight lead called to rejoin and egress following a river to lead the flight to the sea.

Triple A then opened up in anger at our flight as if they were angry that they were woke up so early in the morning.

After reaching feet wet, number three called out that he had suffered heavy damage to his aircraft and limped it with in two miles of the carrier to eject. He is wounded and will be recieving the purple heart.

All in all the mission was a success despite losing an aircraft, but saving the pilot.

Edited October 6, 2010 by Nightshift82

[Lt. James Cater 62]

Nice work Nightshift! Better losing a plane than a pilot any day.

 

Will type up results of three missions tommorrow after i get out of work. Any MIG driver who wants to catch a Thud has has his work cut out for him.

[Nightshift82 5]

Thanks Lt., it's a good feeling to save the pilot, and he will be going to spend time with the nurses anyway. I'm starting to get a little nervus for the next hop as the air defences are growing, and we've haven't been going in too far from the water. It's only going to get worse from here on.

[xclusiv8 35]

The A.I actually did that? Took the aircraft damaged out to sea to get rescued?

 

Thanks Lt., it's a good feeling to save the pilot, and he will be going to spend time with the nurses anyway. I'm starting to get a little nervus for the next hop as the air defences are growing, and we've haven't been going in too far from the water. It's only going to get worse from here on.

Stay above 10 000 feet!

 

Im thinking of doing a Vietnam campaign myself. I have all of the SF2 games but have only played with SF2 and Nato Fighters. Mainly its because i just cant hit the target without advanced avionics to guide me. Could you tell me how you do it nightshift?

Edited October 6, 2010 by xclusiv8

[Romflyer 25]

The A.I actually did that? Took the aircraft damaged out to sea to get rescued?

 

 

Stay above 10 000 feet!

 

Im thinking of doing a Vietnam campaign myself. I have all of the SF2 games but have only played with SF2 and Nato Fighters. Mainly its because i just cant hit the target without advanced avionics to guide me. Could you tell me how you do it nightshift?

 

 

Maybe have a read through this http://www.simhq.com/_air/air_055a.html

[Nightshift82 5]

The A.I actually did that? Took the aircraft damaged out to sea to get rescued?

 

 

Stay above 10 000 feet!

 

Im thinking of doing a Vietnam campaign myself. I have all of the SF2 games but have only played with SF2 and Nato Fighters. Mainly its because i just cant hit the target without advanced avionics to guide me. Could you tell me how you do it nightshift?

 

 

The A.I. in fact did, but I think it was that he lost his engine at the time and called out the generic 'I'm Hit!' and bailed, or maybe the A.I. is programmed like that when an aircraft cannot land on a carrier?

 

With the dumb bombing without advanced avionics thing. To make it simple as possible (I A.D.D. out everytime I try to read the simhq article), it's all about practice, hight and angle. My whole concept is that the steeper the dive angle, the closer to the center of your gunsight you aim. And the closer you are to the target, the more accurate you are going to be. It's a risk/rewards game.

How I like to do it is to come in at least 5,000ft. under me, nose in at about 70 degree angle at my target. With the target about 1/4 of the way from the lower edge of my gunsight drop my bombs at around 1,500ft. Salvo and ripple times play a big factor as well, with the A-4E loadout of usually 6 mk82's I like to salvo 6 and ripple 100ms for large targets and 140ms for targets like airfeild fuel tanks, hangars and runways where multiple targets will be hit if lined up.

I guess you can say it's like kentucy windage of a sort, but the best way to practice is to setup a strike mission in single missions with your aircraft of choice with enemy air and ground defences to light, weather to clear, and time of day noon. I acually have a pilot I use just for practice bombing when I want to try out a new plane type. I'll try to take screen shots right when I drop my bombs to give a better idea of it.

[Lt. James Cater 62]

One thing i'll add is to make sure you don't go too low on the pullout the flak up North is murderous . Best thing for you to do, xclusive, is to go to the Range and practice. Nothing beats repetition to get things in a certain way without thinking about it.

 

Come in high towards the target area then drop the nose to build up speed, then roll into a dive bomb approach.

[Lt. James Cater 62]

http://combatace.com/gallery/image/16421-clipboard-c6jpg/

http://combatace.com/gallery/image/16422-clipboard-c7jpg/

OCT/NOV62

The missions just keep on coming and we are taking them in stride.

 

The CAS mission was a really nice one. The Reds were making a big push and even as were were taking off to support our troops, enemy aircraft were within 30 miles of the base. Had four Thuds loaded with 5 CBUs each on alert and so away we went. We knew the situation was drastic, so we just went up to 10,000ft and headed towards the front at high speed. Once we got there, there were masses of Soviet tanks and we went to work. Just as we began our attack, someone called "Bandits" and sure enough we had some Mig17s to keep us company. It was all over in two passes. Bombs away and tanks exploding. Then off to the races!

 

It wasn't even close though, the Migs gave up quick and so up to 15,000 we climbed. It was soon apparent that a massive enemy airstrike was going on in the vicinity of our base, so everyone throttled back and we swung south of the worst of the fighting. The radio was full of calls and our side was taking a beating. I lost count of how many Huns were seriously hit after nine. The Reds just slaughtered them.

 

When the worst was over we turned northeast and hoped to get in the pattern quick before the Migs noticed us. As we were about 15 miles out and dropping below 10,000ft, a MIG17 stooging along the deck on a reciprocal course, flew right under us. 3 and 4 were to continue home while 2 covered me. I already had the gun set up so i rolled the plane and turned hard to get behind him. The MIG was really moving, but nothing outruns a Thud on the deck. The range closed swiftly and i doubt that he even knew i was there. Once within 400 meters i pulled the trigger and bagged the MIG! Oh happy days!

 

Needless to say it went to my head a bit and so decided to repeat the trick with another MIG17 we ran across. This one broke into two attacks so i said "to hell with it" and went on home.

 

The Finsterwalde mission was another wild one. 2LT Combies and i took 4 CBUs and a 650 gallon centerline tank each as we wanted to be in and out fast. It didn't quite work out that way. As we neared the roll in point, i noticed a nearby airbase and decided to hit the fuel tanks there as well. So Combies went after the primary while i went after the base. It would have been nice but Combies missed the target and so we were in a bind. Luckily, i only dropped two CBUs so i quickly set up and went after the primary, which was a little over two miles away. To make matters worse, a pair of MIG17s came out of nowhere.

 

Combies was evading for all he was worth, i was dodging AAA, the MIGs were trying to kill us. The CBUs dropped and no doubt they were going to do the trick so full burners and let's get the hell out of here!

 

Talk about agressive MIGs! They were on us so long i was worried about fuel and so we did the "rollercoaster". Zoom climb to about 15,000ft and wait for the MIG to climb up, then push the nose down and haul ass. We did it twice before they gave up trying to get us.

 

Another mission i didn't get a debrief on was to Karl Marx Stadt. We were after a warehouse and it really showed the THUD at it's best. Me and Combies took a standard loadout on this one. Six MK117s and two 450 gallon tanks. We took our time climbing to altitude and didn't really push the throttle forward till we got to the front. Then it was high speed to the IP. We had it set up so the IP was 30 miles NW of the target with the egress route continuing towards the SE for 20 miles. Then we would head back to the front over a heavily forested area.

 

It all went according to plan.

 

As we were nearing the target, a pair of MIG 21s tried climbing up from 11 low but they were no threat. We were already nose down within 20 miles and no way were they going to be able to convert on us. That's how it played out. We dropped bombs within a second of each other and went full burner at 5,000 ft.

 

The flight home was routine. Turns out i put three 117s into the warehouse, and those two MIGs we left in the dust? Intell monitoring radio told us they were both Honchos!

 

Really made us feel a whole lot better!

Edited October 7, 2010 by Lt. James Cater

[Nightshift82 5]

Great job Lt.! Nothing like screaming HA HA at the MiGs while they try to reach you. But better when you get show them up and take one out!