The Bomber will always get through
To be honest, I’m surprised AI managed to get this far with a Heyford. They are insane machines.
Two SPAD 510’s at ASI 3 and ALT 5 approach the bomber stream.
It was 1937 and the new Fascist French Government had responded to Britains Tarrifs with Mines and bombs and submarines.
The RAF was keen to shut down French Docks, especially Brest and Ushant bases. To this end, a large force was put together, including the very latest Bomber in the RAF, the deadly and fast Whitley. The Whitley was capable of keeping pace with the Latest French Fighter the SPAD 510. However, as there were not enough Whitleys availible, the geniuses at the Air Ministry decided to send a mixed formation of the Whitleys and the lumbering 140mph Heyfords.
“Let the Whitley act as a Citidel, around which they Heyfords shall find succour” announced the out of touch elderly ex naval officer responsible. “For the bomber shall always get through”
The Whitley leads the Heyfords. The Demon escort flies in the centre of the box. All at ASI 1 and ALT 6, except the Demon is at ASI 2
With little finesse, the SPADS bore straight in on the trailing Heyford, Styraight , Level, determined. Their combined 8 guns smashed 3 points off the Heyford at the rear leaving it on 9 structure. Fortunatly for the RAF, the damage was to struts and spars and nothing more serious.
The Return fire from the Whitleys nose turret, the Demons forward guns and the nose and dorsal turrets of two of the three Heyfords, scored three seperate hits on SPAD A to the left. However as each hit was singular, no critical damage was produced.
Still boring in, SPAD A gently arced to the right, but all other kites just flew straight ahead. Once again a hail of defensive gunnery fire blasted out from every position. SPAD A was reduced to 4 Structure and SPAD B to 6.
The Heyford at the rear was riddled and reduced to 7 structure. It also had its nose turret position hit and the gunner was wounded and out of action for this game.
SPAD A did a very nifty SIDESLIP LEFT and SPAD B bore straight in. With the angles now much improved, a total of 8 guns scored 8 hits and critical hits to the fuel tanks and flaps saw it burst apart in the air. The Crew bailing out although two were burned.
The return fire however was now furious. The Whitleys Rear Turret joined in and SPAD A started to break apart in mid air. Its pilot leaped clear and ripped open his chute
SPAD B was down to around 2 bursts and outnumbered 4:1. The Demon was coming around on his tail and it was time to say “Adui”. Tipping into a dive he weathered a hail of tail gunners fire, the Demon still being out of arc for its front guns. The Demons rear gunner let fly, but to no effect.
Leveling out at over 400 mph, the SPAD showed a clean pair of heels and returned to base on the deck!
