Squiffy and the Condor

After what seemed an age, I took a trip to Gods Own Country and met up with Squiffy for a few games of Blazing Skies. We decided to do a “sort of Semi-campaign” where instead of a Squadron, we just followed one complete tool of a Pilot and his one man war on the “Bally Hun”.

First steps were to give him stats. We were going to ingnore G force Optional rules and so just focused on Gunnery and Pilot Skills. Squiffy started with +0 guns and the Skill “Experten”, which allowed him to always see the Hun as “Streaming Smoke”. A very powerful skill!

Next we decided Squiffy would jump around in theatre of war in a manner similar to Johnny Red Redburn of “Battle” comic in the 1980s. One day he might fly a Tomahawk, the next he might fly a Dewontine. He is after all a jolly fine chap, and happy to fight wherever posted.

As in the Character “Johnny Red”We decided to start on a “Hurricat” a Catapult Armed Merchantman. These Hurricanes were launched with rocket assistance from a catapult on several Armed Merchants in order to defend convoys from the prwling , circling Fw200 Condor Maritime Bombers of the Luftflotten.
I’ll be honest. I had no idea what version of the Hurricane became Hurricats, and we were very keen to get into a proper fight, so I agreed Squiffy could have the Twelve Gun Hawker Hurricane Mk2 B. The most guns on a single engine fighter in the war! However with only 250 rounds per gun, Squiffy would need to conserve ammo.

As we were not in the Atkins Gamesroom, but set up on Squiffys dining room table, this game I hope, respected viewers, demonstrates how you really dont need much space to have a really great game! The Plastic bag in the centre is notable.
Behold in the foreground the Fw200 Kondor. Kondors were huge, 4 engine, long range, inflammable, weakly constructed, heavily armed patrol bombers. I’ll be honest here. They are nothing against Squiffys Hurricat, but because of their size, carrying a cannon, and their work in tracking convoys, they are seen ( like many German aircraft) as something special.
In the Background and above the Kondor is Squiffy in a Hurricane. If you dont know what this is, I think you came here by accident. You know what it is, what it does……

THE MISSION.

Its a Photo Recon and wireless home. The Kondor must locate the convoy represented by a plastic bag. Standard PR rules applied. Squiffs has had notice of the Kondors approach and we skipped navigation for him. The Kondor had to roll navigation to get to the battle and succeded easily. They spotted ships, and only needed a photograph to confirm!

Squiffs had climbed to Angels 12 and the Kondor was at Angels 9. His mission is to give the Jerry a dam’n good thrashing….

I was rather surprised at the low ceiling of the Fw200. 20000 ft …easily in range of heavy AA fire and not an issue for even a Firefly to intercept.

Squiffs approached in a lazy turn .The Kondor was having real issues getting lined up for its Photo-Shoot of the latest fashions of 1941 Liberty Ships.
Squiffs also dipped into a dive and gained a great deal of speed. However, when faced with the Kondors nose on angle, he held back from firing. He had exactly four bursts to finish the Tuton! Meanwhile the 20mm cannon in the Kondors Dorsal Turret, under the thumb of Hauptmann Friedensliebhaber hammered at the plucky Briton and a cannon round exploded on the plexiglass, wounding Squiffy in the face..

The “Large” trait in a closing snapshot meant Squiffy still riddled the Kondor.. 11 dice scoring two critical hits and 7 structure damage from 22 total , but these were to the Kondors Spars. The return fire was ineffective. Gunners hit on a 6.

The Hurricane diving below took a strafing from the Ventral gunner. One point of damage as holes appeared in the Hurricat. The Hurricat Half Looped and bled off speed. Now firmly on the Kondors “Six” the 11 dice scored another 7 hits and shredded the Kondors wings and ailerons. The Kondor was down to 8 structure and its undercarridge was shot out. It passed over the convoy and a D6 of 6 took a beautiful picture which would be approbated at High Command!
Squiffy triggered the Radio Transmitter and spoke clearly “ Ok Old Bean. Thats quite enough. bail out and I’ll let you live!

The Jerry however noted the hurricats lack of speed after his half loop. He placed the Kondor into a Dive. If he got down to the deck, then he could extend the range and get out of the Hurricats .303s. The Kondor dived and the edge of table (Thick clouds) were a turn away, but the altitude was down to angels 3.

Squiffy had one last burst before the Kondor escaped.

The Kondor dived down. The Dorsal Gunner , kept on firing his 20mm cannon and Squiffs took a hit to the Aileron.

His return burst fired into the disintergrating Kondor. The Kondor pilot in a desperate need for speed, had dove beyond the never exceed speed of the Fw200 and the wings , weakened by Squiffy, ripped off at the roots.

The Dorsal gunner, ventral gunner and co pilot went down to the sea. The Pilot and Forward dorsal , navigator and R/O escaped.

Squiffy managed to roll well for his navigation home and despite the bleak seas and the damaged Aileron, Squiffy landed in Iceland. For Tea and the award of an Infamous Flying Cross.

Buffalo over Java