Stache 10 Posted June 7, 2021 That was a hot landing, though the fields. Glad you managed to not find a fence and survived. Them two seaters are dangerous to a pilots health. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TROOPER117 146 Posted June 7, 2021 2nd Lt Pixie Turkington Smythe. 17 Nov 1917. Attack on enemy Troop Lager, Sector FA 6102. It's a fine day to clobber Fritz, let's hope they aren't expecting a surprise party. 'A' flight is with us today, so we are up in force. Approaching the target area and making our descent when a huge bunch of Hun albatros appear below us. All thoughts of attacking the camp went out the window, as Mannock, Tud, McIrish, Billy Graham and Pixie all dived down onto the enemy machines. Pixie soon found himself on the tail of a red, white and blue albatros... three good bursts into him and belching smoke it turned over and dived towards the ground. Suddenly, Pixie felt a hammer blow to his back... he still had control of his aeroplane and dived in a tight spiral. Looking back he could see another albatros, a red and blue one, firing but just missing as he tightened his turn... he knew he was hit and his head hurt now and things were getting darker and blurred. His S.E.5 had sustained some hits but he still had power and control, but he knew he had to outrun his now two pursuers and try to make for the lines. He put her nose down and gave it full throttle... The enemy machines followed him all the way to the lines but eventually turned away... he'd outrun them! He could hardly see now, but there was a track he thought he could land on if his luck still held... Pixie did land his aeroplane... within friendly lines, but sadly, by the time an infantry section could get to him he had succumbed to his wounds. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
catch 81 Posted June 7, 2021 Oh no! Pixie! Another gallant pilot goes west. He will be missed. Tough luck Troops. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
catch 81 Posted June 7, 2021 1st Dec 1917 1146 hours Sortie: Whatever .... After his near death experiences, twitchy wounds and the relentless ongoing war, day after day, week after week ...., Spiv is listless, uncaring, unmoved. Another day. He sets off with B flight in auto mode on a .... whatever. Just get through it. What's the point? To kill? Or be killed? Yes, that's it. When will it end? When he dies .... He gets his first kill, drinks too much in the mess, and throws up. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stache 10 Posted June 8, 2021 (edited) Great Video Catch - Congratulations on your first confirmed victory. Trooper - Sorry to hear of Pixie's demise... oh so close. Edited June 8, 2021 by Stache 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rick Rawlings 138 Posted June 8, 2021 TROOPER: NOOOOOOOOO! catch: YESSSSS! This war is all over the place! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
catch 81 Posted June 8, 2021 (edited) 10 hours ago, TROOPER117 said: Suddenly, Pixie felt a hammer blow to his back... he still had control of his aeroplane and dived in a tight spiral. Looking back he could see another albatros, a red and blue one, firing but just missing as he tightened his turn... he knew he was hit and his head hurt now and things were getting darker and blurred. That is a great clean shot of you on the Albies tail Troops. And I know exactly what it's like to be bleedin' out and heavily wounded! Again, my condolences. Lady luck has been with me so far but I can tell you chaps that I'm as nervous as a novice in a knock-shop every time I go up now. Or so I've heard. Enough of this lone wolf hero stuff. I'm sticking to my squadies if I can from now on. I ain't no Ball. Safety in numbers. Give those ruddy huns a glimmer of a chance and you're dead meat baby! They're mean and they seem to be increasing in numbers, blast them! I was just lucky to bounce a stray in my last mission. I have a feeling that won't last. Edited June 8, 2021 by catch Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TROOPER117 146 Posted June 8, 2021 Thanks all Yes, Pixie is gone, bless im!... I didn't think I would get down in time as on that first hit he was down to 50% health and steadily dropping. It was either get down quick and land, but I was well over sausage side and it would be capture anyway, or chance my arm to see if I could outrun those two behind. After loosing Fritz and co, I ran the gauntlet at low altitude over the Jerry lines, but I think Pixie was hit again by ground fire as he yelped out loud... I made friendly lines and put straight down near our trenches. Health was now at 20% as I shut the engine down and exited the game. I was informed I had landed successfully and a load of other gumph so I thought I'd cheeked it... then I was informed I had died of my injuries, lol! Oh well, I have enjoyed the ride and will keep glued to the forums to see how you are all fairing! Remember to keep checking your arse-end... you just might find a sausage nosher creeping up on you! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rick Rawlings 138 Posted June 8, 2021 Tim Tully Mission 10 This one was my fault. I should have checked the time more closely and bumped it back a couple of hours... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
carrick58 23 Posted June 8, 2021 Lt Cecil Saidwick Hit by Ground Fire on a Railyard attack mission. Losing power and puking smoke I tried to avoid numerous fenced only to hit the TREES Pilot Ka Put KIA 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
carrick58 23 Posted June 8, 2021 (edited) Sir. Tell Air Marshall Rawlins that another pilot ate it. Edited June 8, 2021 by carrick58 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TROOPER117 146 Posted June 8, 2021 Rick... searchlights, tracer everywhere, Huns in the dark, sudden death lurking... what's not to like? Flying in the dark, atmospheric and dangerous! It looked great. Carrick, unlucky mate... come and join the dead club. I'll buy you a drink, have a bloody Mary 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rick Rawlings 138 Posted June 8, 2021 Trooper: Ugg! I hate missions in the dark! carrick: NOOOO! Those trees are a real pain, but more on that later... sorry to see you go! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
catch 81 Posted June 8, 2021 I'm very sorry to hear Cecil bought it carrick. If it's any consolation I must inform you that he was a very well liked member of RFC 40 and a jolly decent chap. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rick Rawlings 138 Posted June 8, 2021 10 minutes ago, catch said: I'm very sorry to hear Cecil bought it carrick. If it's any consolation I must inform you that he was a very well liked member of RFC 40 and a jolly decent chap. Much like his user! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
carrick58 23 Posted June 9, 2021 The Staff of the Rawlins Challenge was discussing over breakfast, The Challenge Winner pilot will require. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lofty_c 9 Posted June 9, 2021 wow, I thought week 2 had started slowly, but only for me, it seems. 2 pilots lost in the first half of the week, and the official report ran "all quiet on the western front..." I had one early morning recon escort that almost put me to sleep: it was dark, even at 7:00 a.m., and there weren't any huns up, despite going up and down by Lens. I thought I had a photo of a searchlight blinding me in my cockpit, but I guess the plate got broken or something. the next flight, we were detained to patrol on our side of the lines, as reports have been coming through of the Huns getting a bit bolder and coming over (just ask Reed Landis!). Sure enough, we found a half dozen, and gave them what for. I personally made sure that there would be at least one less Hun on our side in the future... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rick Rawlings 138 Posted June 9, 2021 (edited) ... It's pronounced Franken-steen... lofty_c: Yes, I think week 2 will be a doozy! Edited June 9, 2021 by Rick Rawlings Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Baldric 42 Posted June 9, 2021 (I had severe runtime crashes during attempts to run missions on 18 November, so resorted to the Toolbox for repairs and slid into the 19th November) (Personal Journal entry) 19 November 1917- Mission 4- We were to head to Loos Junction and attack the rail yard there. 'A' Flight to provide cover. By 0900ish we were well over the front into Hun lands and the C.O. (Major Chickering) lead us down over the train yard. Surprisingly there was a locomotive just starting to fire it's boiler when we swooped down on them. These were my first shots since training. I watched the dirt and muck fly in a straight line and I riddled the boiler with Vickers and Lewis (sounds like a medicine!). We made three passes, then home for tea. Not sure what has happened to the Hun, but they seem loathe to come up and fight. Oh, and after the briefing today that was all about the ferocity lately of the Hun Ack-Ack, well, I think we saw four puffs tossed at us. Timely reminder about low level fighting and being aware of enemy rifles and MG's since Pixie bought it. A bit late that advice. 20 November 1917 Mission 5 Escort RE8's of RFC 21 while they photograph the front line and look for movement. A first for me. Tudhope has the lead today while I'm ass-end Charlie. We manage to almost make a mess of the rendezvous with the RE8's but by 0910h we were doing our escort job. The sky was clear in spots, a lot of broken cloud just a hundred+ feet above us. I was taken by surprise as a flight of enemy Albatross DV's swept out of the cloud above us and dove straight for the RE8's ignoring 'B'Flight. The melee was on. The gloves were off and these guys needed a pounding. I saw my lead dive so I followed suit but I lost him in the twisting diving fight. One hapless enemy flew into my sights and I gave him a hammering burst. When I thumbed the firing levers the whole aeroplane seemed to shake and I swear I was a mere hockey rink ice sheet length away. The main burst blew through his cockpit and followed him down. His craft quit twisting then it spun as he augured in. There were clods of grass and earth flying all over. I just managed to pull up when his machine torched. After the short sharp fight was over I eventually spotted the RE8's beavering away, so climbed up, joined by Mannock, Tudhope. We finished the escort, watched our charges safely home, then flew to Bruay. Both Tudhope and Mannock confirmed that I earned a kill when we went to file our reports. So, one confirmed. I've a ways to go to reach BB's heights but I'll try. The CO was 'chuffed' when he heard all of the RE8's made it home. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rick Rawlings 138 Posted June 9, 2021 Great reports, Baldric, and congratulations on you confirmed and bringing back everyone safely, which is even better! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rick Rawlings 138 Posted June 9, 2021 Tim Tully Mission 11 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mandrews_2 11 Posted June 9, 2021 24 November 1917 In which Stephen Edwards V gets shot up again After a 3 days of weather washouts, both A and B flights were sent up 6 planes strong each to patrol our lines. We just arrived at the start of our patrol when we were met by at least as many DVa flying from the other side, and we turned to taken them on. To says it was a bit of a scrap would be putting it mildly. I got shot up several times, and whether I actually hit any Huns I don't know. A bullet puncturing my fuel tank made me decide I'd had enough, and I figured I'd best get out of there. As I dove, one or two of the Albs took a few last shots at me; but they turned away as I crossed back over our slide of the lines. I was approaching Etrun when the engine cut out; but I managed to put her down safely (if a bit roughly). They say it'll take a day to repair. I'm off to the bar for a whiskey or two. I need it. 26 November 1917 In which Stephen Edwards V makes a boom Harry, McIrish and I were assigned to go balloon busting. This time we're after the one east of Vimy. It's actually a beautiful day for flying -- blue sky with white puffy clouds. I expect a lot of activity. To my surprise, we seem to be the only ones in the air. As we cross the lines, I keep looking for trouble; but we get to the balloon with only a cloud or two to oppose us. As arranged, Harry dives first, then McIrish, then myself. As I make my dive, I can see some smoke rising;, and I let loose. I see my bullets hit their mark and suddenly "boom". Up she goes. I pull up and start scanning for defenders. Nothing to be seen. I figure we might now attract some attention and turn towards our lines. Once across, I circle for a bit and meet up with Harry & McIrish. Before you know it, we're home. Job done. I put in my claim. I can't see this being denied. 27 November 1917 In which Stephen Edwards V gets a bit of jewelry 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
catch 81 Posted June 9, 2021 2 hours ago, Baldric said: Both Tudhope and Mannock confirmed that I earned a kill when we went to file our reports. So, one confirmed. Congrats Baldric. Well done old bean. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Baldric 42 Posted June 9, 2021 Thanks Catch, I almost crapped my pants when that Jasta 30 boys burst through the clouds. Nice to get a surprise like that lol Well done Mandrews, a nice bit of 'shiny' earned. Tim Tully, you devil you...spending the rest of the war stuck in the Heidelberg Convent for Young Girls, teaching Home Ekonomiks! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
catch 81 Posted June 9, 2021 (edited) 13 minutes ago, Baldric said: Tim Tully, you devil you...spending the rest of the war stuck in the Heidelberg Convent for Young Girls, teaching Home Ekonomiks! Lol. I was thinking the same. Strudel is a classic euphemism. You're not foolin' anyone Rick! [edit] But I must say I enjoyed your vid. And nice deadstick (conveniently next to the Convent) in horrid weather. Edited June 10, 2021 by catch 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
