Just last night, in various different aircraft, I tried flying around the pattern after take-off, let the other 3 get off the ground, hit burner & busted ass straight to the bombers. The best sortie, I got there in time to kill 2, but the rest of the guys STILL were too far back to help. This is why we need the F-20. I think I could've made it with that. (OK, I just REALLY want one. I've been attempting one as my first aircraft model, since I just can't wait for one, and have determined that I'll most likely just have to wait for one. LOL That stuff is a PITA. You guys who make the planes amaze me.) Anyway, as Nicholas said, I think we're just supposed to lose a few in this sim. Hell, try it in the BoB mod, you'll fail more often than not. But you can still kill 'em after it says you failed!