It's 1000 on 19 February 1942, in Darwin, Australia, and a massive air raid by Japanese carrier aircraft is inbound. The Chickenhawks are down to 12 pilots and aircraft, but they scramble everyone, four pilots in three successive flights, rising to defend the myriad ships docked in the bay, nearly defenseless against the coming onslaught.
Lt Kimble already led one flight into combat, downing one Zero and four Vals without loss, though two Vals entered the harbor. Captain Jordan is leading the second flight into action now.
I'm using some amazing, but teeny-tiny aircraft from "Thomaston," whom I met over on The Wargames Website when he posted some pics of what he calls "Tiny Air Combat" (https://www.thewargameswebsite.com/forums/topic/tiny-air-combat/page/3/), and I'm using some simple rules posted by "Tango" over on The Miniatures Page (http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=489811).
The new set up, sun blazing and reflecting off the warm waters of the Timor Sea. Six Japanese bombers are inbound from the west (left), escorted by three fighters, as four P-40s rise to meet them from the east (right).
The fight starts in the north, where Zeke 02 screams ahead, cutting right and opening fire on Lt Sanders' P-40...
Which promptly goes down in flames, though the good Lieutenant is able to parachute to safety and is scooped out of the bay several hours later by an Australian fisherman.
Zeke 01 (top center) follows his aggressive wingman (right, with Captain Jordan at far right).
In the south, Zeke 03 holds steady, straight and level (bottom center), dispassionately taking in the unfolding aerial battle.
Meanwhile, Captain Jordan cuts right past Zeke 02, then back left, making a pass at Zeke 01 (top left)…
The P-40's six .50-cal heavy machine guns tear the Zero a new rectum, pieces of it falling like confetti into the sea!
Lt Cotton, not as much a hotdog as he was before getting shot down in the Dutch East Indies, is unsure of himself and sputters ahead (top right). His wingman, Lt Gann, has no such compunction; he charges in and makes a pass at Zeke 03 (center bottom), guns blazing...
Lt Gann misses and passes by the enemy fighter.
And the Japanese bombers push east. You can see the speed difference between the Val dive bombers (center) and the slower Kate torpedo bombers (top left).
Zeke 02 finds himself in a bind: he can't reach Lt Cotton (far right), Captain Jordan is already passed him (top left), so he turns right (center) to go after Lt Gann (bottom center), though it's leaving his tail to Lt Cotton.
But in the south, Zeke 03 picks up on Zeke 02's (top center) dilemma, so he cuts hard left (right) to help out.
As Lt Gann sputters right (bottom center).
And Lt Cotton remains indecisive. He wants to jump Zeke 02's tail (far left), but he's worried about Zeke 03 (bottom center left), so he just sputters ahead, straight and level (top center).
And Captain Jordan is so distracted, screaming into his radio for his two knuckleheads to engage, that he only manages to sputter left (top left, with Lt Cotton at far right and Lt Gann off camera to bottom center)!
As the bombers push ahead. Captain Jordan (top center) and Lt Gann (bottom center) are in danger of the Vals simply running past them, though the Japanese fighter escorts have done the Americans a favor by getting in the way and inadvertently breaking up the Vals' formation.
Zeke 03 is rearing to go: he zooms past Zeke 02 (center), then cuts right and opens fire on Lt Cotton (top right)…
But he misses (just visible at top right), as Zeke 02 cuts right, through the Val formation (left), paralleling Lt Gann (bottom center), gone defensive.
But Lt Gann remembers that he's here for the bombers, not the fighters, and he pulls a sweeping right turn, crossing Zeke 02's nose (left), to pull in behind Val 03 (top center). Lt Gann stands on the triggers, knocking the dive bomber out of the sky, but his P-40 is damaged by the tail gunner!
From the east, Lt Cotton dodges fire from Zeke 02 (top right), cuts left (left), and goes to guns on Val 02...
The Val careens into the sea as Lt Cotton (center, with Lt Gann's damaged P-40 at top left) continues to press his attack, pushing through defensive fire from Val 01 (bottom center) and pouncing on Zeke 02 (bottom left), damaging the Japanese fighter!
*Lt Cotton is getting some swagger back!
Captain Jordan smiles to himself, watching Lt Gann and Lt Cotton swarm. He pulls left and covers some serious ground (center, with Lt Gann left of him and Lt Cotton below him), looking to finish off the last of the Vals (bottom center).
The Kates moves up (top left) and the last Val straightens out, heading for the harbor (bottom right). Zeke 03 (right) isn't sure where the hell he's supposed to be...
So he cuts hard right (far right) to try and cover Val 01 (bottom right), but it's not likely to work, owing to the three P-40s swarming nearby (top left). Meanwhile, Zeke 02 (far left)…
Stays defensive, cutting hard right to give the Americans some bad angles. But Captain Jordan (top right) isn't interested...
He charges straight in (center), braving defensive fire as he hammers away at Val 01 with his own machine guns...
But both miss and Captain Jordan overshoots! Things are looking up for Val 01 an Zeke 03 (top center)…
Lt Gann is only able to nurse his stricken Warhawk gently right (top right), as Lt Cotton (bottom right)…
Pulls hard right (center), alongside Zeke 02.
The Kates continue to plod along (top left) as Val 01 (bottom right) sprints for the finish line, knowing Captain Jordan (bottom center) is suddenly in a bad spot due to Zeke 03 bearing down (just above him).
And Zeke 03 runs straight in on the good Captain (left), guns blazing...
But the Japanese pilot misses, and he cuts hard left (center), in behind Val 01.
While further west, Zeke 02 stays defensive, jinking right, then cutting hard left (top right).
Captain Jordan is playing a very dangerous game, zooming in between Zeke 03 and Val 01, trying to catch the dive bomber without getting shot down. He does take some defensive fire for his troubles, but has no problem dodging it.
While further west, Lt Gann's damaged P-40 continues sputtering east (far right), opening up the distance between he and Zeke 02 (top left), which is not far enough that Zeke 02 can't get to him...
Lt Cotton gets tired of screwing around with the Japanese fighter jock that doesn't want to fight (Zeke 02, bottom right), so he cuts left and guns it, running in on Kate 01, .50-cals spewing hot, thumb-sized projectiles...
Lt Cotton misses Kate 01 and cuts left, going nose to nose with Kate 02. He continues firing...
But his aim is thrown off as the Kate's forward firing machine gun pumps rounds into his P-40, damaging it! He flinches and shoots by the torpedo bomber (bottom left), which allows the Japanese tail gunner to take a shot, but he misses!
And then the Japanese bombers push east again, with Val 01 (bottom right) getting very near the target area.
At that moment, Zeke 02 decides to pounce. His tail clear since Lt Cotton went after the Kates, the Japanese fighter pilot is free to engage, so he cuts hard right and pounces on Lt Gann's damaged P-40, guns blazing...
But he misses and overshoots!
As Zeke 03 moves up (center, with Zeke 02 and Lt Gann at far left), into a sort of aerial 'No-Man's Land,' waiting to see what Captain Jordan (bottom left) is going to do.
But Captain Jordan quickly does the math and figures out he's not going to catch Val 01 (far right), so he cuts left onto Zeke 03's tail (center), .50-cals thundering...
But the Captain misses and cuts right, pulling alongside Zeke 03!
As Lt Gann (center) pulls hard left, going after the Kates (top left) and leaving Zeke 02 in his rear-view mirror (bottom right).
And Lt Cotton pulls his damaged P-40 around to the right, looking to get back on the Kates.
As the enemy bombers move up. Pretty sure nobody's going to stop Val 01 (bottom right).
Zeke 02 sputters left (center) as Zeke 03 (far right, next to Captain Jordan) mentally reviews his tactical options.
Fairly sure Val 01 (bottom right) is gonna make it, he disengages, pushing the throttle to the wall and cutting left (top left) to protect the Kates.
Captain Jordan gives up on Val 01 (off camera to right), pulling left (right) to chase Zeke 03 (top center), though this gives Zeke 02 (far left) an opportunity.
Lt Cotton pushes straight in, guns hammering away at Kate 03 while doing his best to dodge defensive fire, and both miss!
As Lt Gann pulls left and makes a head-on attack on Kate 02. Both pilots squeeze the trigger, and again both miss!!!
As Val 01 enters the harbor...
And the Kates push east (center left), ever so slowly. We now have three P-40s facing two Zeroes and three Kates, practically a brand new fight, as slow as the Kates move.
Zeke 03 pulls up and left (top left), getting into position to protect the Kates (far left) and putting more distance between himself and Captain Jordan (bottom right). Zeke 02 (bottom left) looks on...
Before pulling ahead and skidding right, opening fire on Captain Jordan...
The Japanese pilot misses and zooms by, now leaving himself out of position to protect the Kates.
As Captain Jordan makes a gentle left (center), leaving Zeke 02 behind (bottom right) and himself in position to either go after Zeke 03 (top center) or the Kates (top left).
Despite being damaged, Lt Gann pulls an Immelman, reversing course 180 degrees and pulling onto Kate 01's tail! Lt Gann opens fire, as does the Japanese tail gunner...
Both miss, and Lt Gann overshoots, subjecting him to more defensive fire, which also misses!
Lt Cotton giggles a little at Lt Gann missing the dead-on tail shot as he coaxes his P-40 up onto Kate 03's tail, where he dodges defensive fire and waits to the last possible moment to open fire...
Dropping the low-flying torpedo bomber into the warm, blue sea! But as he's congratulating himself he pulls forward a little too far (top left, with Lt Gann at far right), allowing Kate 01's tail gunner) center) a shot, though he misses.
The two remaining Kates continue east.
Zeke 02 pulls left, trying to get back in the fight (far right), as Zeke 03...
Cuts left, taking a shot at Lt Gann...
Zeke 03 misses and cuts right (center), looking dead at Lt Cotton (far left).
With defensive fire from both Kates coming in and a Zero making a point-blank run, Lt Gann is a bit shaken up and cuts right, subjecting himself to more defensive fire from Kate 02 (bottom left), though it misses, too.
As Lt Gann is stumbling through the sky (bottom center), Captain Jordan jigs right and left (top right) to get behind Zeke 03 (top left)…
As Lt Cotton cuts right, braving defensive fire from Kate 02, and opens fire.
*I missed a pic! Defensive fire misses and Lt cotton damages Kate 02, then passes in front of her, where she gets another try at defensive fire, which also misses.
And then the Kates push east, with Zeke 02 at far right and Zeke 03 at top left.
Zeke 02 cuts left (center) to face Lt Gann and Lt Sanders (far left).
As Zeke 03 pulls hard left (bottom left), behind Lt Gann and Lt Sanders.
Lt Gann comes left (center) and takes a shot on Zeke 02, but misses!
While Lt Cotton cuts hard left and shoots through the Japanese bomber formation (top right), hoping to line up a better shot as they pass by. Meanwhile, Captain Jordan (top center left)…
Pulls hard left, directly onto Zeke 03's tail, and opens fire...
Splashing the enemy fighter (far left)! The Kate pilots cruise east and scan the skies nervously, aware only one escort remains (Zeke 02, bottom right).
Zeke 02 guns the engine and cuts right (left), firing on Captain Jordan...
But he misses and Captain Jordan pulls left, past him.
And as Captain Jordan (bottom left) eyes the Kates, Lt Cotton pulls left (top center left) to get at Zeke 02. Meanwhile, Lt Gann (bottom right)…
Pulls left, paralleling the Kates (bottom right).
Ha, I just realized I cheated, I screwed up! I gave Captain Jordan another move! Captain Jordan guns the engine of his P-40, pulling further away from Zeke 02 (far left), up alongside Kate 02 (bottom right).
The Kates continue their march to the east.
As Zeke 02 pulls off one helluva maneuver to get back on Captain Jordan's tail! The Japanese fighter's 20mm cannons and 7.7mm machine guns hammer at the American fighter...
I swear Zeke 02 needs new glasses, or to re-zero his guns, because he misses again and overshoots (bottom center), pulling in behind Lt Gann.
Captain Jordan scootches left (top center), onto Kate 02's tail, and both planes cut loose...
The Kate heels over and hits the wavetops, cartwheeling several times as Captain Jordan's P-40 pulls ahead and defensive fire comes in from Kate 01's tail gunner, missing.
Lt Cotton's (top left) tummy has been a bit upset with the change from DEI to Australian cuisine, and a sudden sneeze at 800 feet above sea level causes a sudden shart, which causes him to sputter left ineffectively... What just happened is now referred to as "the shnezz."
While Lt Gann pulls left, running for his life (top right), hoping his skipper (Captain Jordan (left) will save him from Zeke 02 (bottom left).
As the last torpedo bomber, Kate 01, pulls left alongside Lt Gann. This presents a very tempting target to Captain Jordan (bottom left), who became an ace on this mission. Does he go for another kill, or help Lt Gann out?
Looks like it doesn't matter, because Zeke 02 once again pulls a pretty amazing maneuver, gunning it, cutting left, and pulling in directly behind Lt Gann (center right), guns thundering away...
Lt Gann's P-40 bursts into flames and noses over. Lt Gann is able to bail out, and though he's quickly scooped up by an Australian patrol boat, he's badly burned! Zeke 02 cuts left in an attempt to protect the Kate, but he doesn't make it and her tail is wide open.
And Captain Jordan takes advantage, braving defensive fire to push straight in on the torpedo bomber's tail, guns blazing...
But somehow the new ace misses, flashes by, and cuts right! Unbelievable...
Further west, Lt Cotton is still trying to clean things up. Australian sailors are amazed when they see the P-40 sputter left again, it's canopy pushed open, a soiled flightsuit being tossed out...
Kate 01 pushes straight past Captain Jordan, keeping nice and close, defensive. Thus begins a long game of cat and mouse between the P-40 and the torpedo bomber, the sole remaining escort (Zeke 02, bottom left) struggling to get in the game, Lt Cotton (way off camera to left) also struggling to get back in the fight, a twisting, turning furball with no one able to gain advantage.
Zeke 02 moves up, defensive (top center).
Captain Jordan pulls right, trying to create some space for engagement.
Lt Cotton is still wiping himself down.
The Kate pulls right, nearing the target area.
Zeke 02 comes off high.
Captain Jordan can't get a shot on either, so he tucks in nice and close on Zeke 02.
Lt Cotton is finally cleaned up and get back in the engagement area.
The Kate pulls ahead again, so near the objective area he can taste it.
Zeke 02 pulls in behind to protect his rear port quarter, knowing Captain Jordan's attack will have to come from that zone.
Captain Jordan is forced up and around, cutting hard right to take a terrible deflection shot...
He misses and overshoots. It's all down to Lt Cotton.
He cuts loose, but can't reach...
Before Kate 01 enters the harbor.
Wow, that was a helluva fight, with the Japanese losing two Zeros, two Vals, and two Kates, and the Americans losing two P-40s. Worst of all, a Val and a Kate made it to the target area to join the two Vals already there. Lt Sanders was shot down and picked up, returned to base, no problem, but Lt Gann was badly burned and will miss quite a bit of time. Here are how the kills shook out:
Captain Jordan - 3, becomes the units second ace
1st Lieutenant Cotton - 2, brings his total to four
2nd Lieutenant Gann - 1, brings his total to two
Captain Jordan, in recognition of his combat leadership here and in the Dutch East Indies, his three kills in this engagement, and his becoming an ace, was meritoriously promoted to Major, and awarded the Bronze Star with "V" device.
Next fight is coming right up, Captain Biasucci leading a four-ship flight up to meet six Kate torpedo bombers escorted by four Zeros. Yes, four P-40s vs four Zeros, to get at the six Kates, should be interesting!
V/R,
Jack
Hey jack,
ReplyDeleteThat was a harrowing fight! Though I did get a bit of chuckle when you talked about the cheating...haha. Can’t wait For the next fight, love the stuff that you put out.
Morning brother, last fight coming up. Yeah, I try not to cheat, but my discipline ain't what it used to be ;)
DeleteV/R,
Jack
Poor Darwin. Well, bombers and fighters made in through in real life on that day so it does reflect reality.
ReplyDeleteShaun,
DeleteYeah man, don't take it personal, I'm reflecting real life! ;)
Hope all is well man, and I still need to fully scope out your small, gridded rules. And don't fret, I'm going to try and keep doing dogfights, but I'm getting back to WWII land fights shortly.
V/R,
Jack