AAR 20th JAN - First sorties in spit2b

Speedy77 nearly fell of his bicycle with excitement when he saw the shiny new Spit 2b waiting for him as he arrived at Vliss airfield. How they laughed and pointed at his fluorescent pink stabilizers, but with an embarrassing fall avoided ‘who’s laughing now he thought to himself’. Taking off his bicycle clips, helmet and untangling himself from the handle bar tassels, he then strode purposefully across the airfield to the Spitfire.

Looking at the Spitfire made him feel funny, and he couldn’t help wrapping his arms around the nose, and giving the cannons a little kiss…. “ahem, your Mae West sir” said a voice from behind him. Turning around Speedy said “CO?”. “No Sir” said the short rotund lady “I’m Britney, your ground crew”. “Ah” said Speedy, “easy mistake to make in this light. Well…erm ...I was just…erm, yes the paint seems dry so I’d better be off”. As Speedy took off he noticed Britney giving him the special ground crew salute, a loosely clenched fist moved in a rapid up and down motion. ‘what a team’ thought Speedy.

Climbing East from Vliss, Speedy headed towards Schilde where heavy enemy EA was reported in support of an axis attack. With the two other friendlies on the mission already over the target Speedy got as much height as he could. Entering the west of the target area at 17K. Check his long six he notice a lone grey con trailing him and slightly below. Keeping eyes on the con he began a climbing turn, at the distance closed the grey turned into a red circle of a 109. The 109 pressed on looking to force a head on pass, Speedy let the E1 pass below him and continued his turn coming around above the 109s 6. Diving in on the 109 he fired a long burst of cannon and mg, which removed the entire tail section of the 109, sending it spiraling down to terra firma. Continuing on to Schilde at 17K, Speedy noticed a large gaggle of cons over the town at 10K. As one of the cons appeared to be climbing out, Speedy dove catching the F1 at the top of his climb and firing a good burst of cannon the F1 went down in flames. The remaining cons now all seemed to be 109s, so speedy gained more alt and tried a series of slash attacks on the 109s which were now desperately climbing to meet the lone spitfire. After scoring a few hits, the alt advantage was becoming less and less and at 5 vs 1 Speedy thought it time to disengage, starting a shallow dive out to the West with the 109s in hot pursuit. After a long drawn out chase 1 F1 remained in the hunt, now at deck level Speedy was forced to turn. Speedy evaded the first attack and the 109 zoomed climbed above the now lower and slower Speedy. Down came the 109 firing and hitting speedy in the Torso, losing control the Spitfire slammed into the ground. 2 Kills

Seeking Revenge speedy lifted again, heading once again to the Schilde area at 17K. Spotting tracer near Antwerp he dropped alt to find a lone Ju87 dicing with the Antwerp flak. Throttling back Speedy dove on him scoring numerous hits causing the 87 to trail smoke, climbing back up for another pass, he saw AI tracer hit the 87 and it explode. By now another friendly had joined speedy, and also 2x 109s. A furball developed with Speedy scoring and taking hits from the 109s. Leaving one 109 smoking and seemingly dead stick, no vis on the second 109, and low on ammo, Speedy turned south to RTB at Brussels. On landing he discovered he had 3 kills.

Much to Britney’s annoyance (she had to pack speedy’s suitcase and bicycle) , Speedy took 19 Squadron south to Cambrai for his third sortie. Taking off to the familiar ground crew salute, he was joined by a hurricane, and headed south to Laon. EA had been reported, and the pair found 2x 109s harassing the town. A straight 2v2 engagement ensued. Quickly dispatching his 109, Speedy turned to help out the hurricane who was taking hits. Now the numbers were in their favor the pair forced the 109 low and slow and saw him crash into the ground. Wary of the nearby Berry AF, Speedy called RTB and both pilots landed safely at Cambrai. 2 Kills.

On return to Cambrai, Speedy found F/O Dezey who had gotten lost on the way to Cambrai. Dezey explained that even his best GCSE French was not much help. It seems ‘Je mappelle Dezey and ‘Je joue au football’ didn’t get him far. Anyways they took off from Cambrai and headed to Schilde that was once again in trouble. The pair found a lone Ju87, and Dezey dove on it in his spit 1a, the Ju87 saw him coming and broke forcing Dezey to overshoot. Speedy was following up and throttle back to stay with the Ju87. At close range he opened up and exploded the Ju87, unfortunately the explosion or debris mangled his prop and speedy’s spitfire was now a glider. Speedy put down short of Brussels and got a RES with 1 Kill.

With 8 kills in 4 missions, Speedy announced in the mess that ‘drinks are on me!’ Fortunately, other than Bader (the squadron three legged cat), he was the only one there. Downing his pint of ale, he mulled over the dramatic difference the cannons made to his successes. With that, he put on his bicycle clips, cycle helmet, removed the sticks from his wheels (how they always got there was beyond him, they could cause a nasty accident), and set off for home.

:lol

that's more like it! Show them damn jerries what the game is! good work Speedy.

damn, I'll try and get on tonight, even if it's just to have a gleg at this 'Britney'...

Excellent report, I was laughing out loud before I'd finished the first line!