posted 05-27- 09:11 AM               

I had flown Warbirds many years ago. It looks better than it used to, but is still a bit dated in the graphics department. I suppose WBIII will fix all of that.

I flew in a P51 as one of about 30 escorts for a group of 25 or so B17's. We left from a base in England, and hooked up with the B17's somewhere over France. The target was Berlin. With our fuel tanks topped we flew about 2000 ft. above the formation of B17's.

We didn't see the first enemy fighters until about 90 miles from the target. At first there were only a few FW190's coming in on what amounted to suicide runs. It was really impressive to see those 50's on the B17's open up almost in unison as the fighters approached.

A few minutes later a more co-ordinated attack of 2 squadrons of FW190's attacked.

The tactics the escorts used were good. We chased away the enemy fighters without going after them for trophies. Well, a couple did, but overall the escorts...escorted! What a concept.
The target was looming ahead and the B17's began the bomb run in earnest. Just ahead and to the North I saw a large formation of more Fw190's heading our way. It wasn't just groups of 8 or 10 this time, but was 20 or 30. They came in fast, cannons blasting.

Two B17's lost engines and fell away from the formation. There was so much gunfire it was difficult to makeout who was who.

As I was diving down, but still above the formation of bombers I caught sight of a lone 190 streaking past the formation of bombers, I headed to intercept him at what I thought would be a perfect angle. My guess at his turn was right on and I was opened up my guns as I continued to accelerate towards him. I saw as my rounds found the target. I couldn't have been more than 100 ft away when I saw, and felt 50 cals rounds streaking all around our 2 planes. The gunners from those B17's not seeing me, or not caring were filling our little area of the sky with a firey rain of lead.

Just then....and explosion!

I'm not sure what killed me. The gunfire from the B17, the explosion of the 190 (we exploded almost simultaneously), or a collision, but explode I did.

I wish I could say the bomb run was a roaring sucess, but from the radio chatter I could decipher it seemed the Luftwaffe gave as good as it got.

Berlin lived on.

So, all in all it was a pretty good time. The setting was not the old Air Quake that I always hated about Warbirds, but instead had a historical feel to it. I like that.

The planes fly o.k., but no where's close to the feel you get in SDOE. Sure wish we could get a 10th of that number of fliers online. Oh well, somedays we do.

Just thought I'd share my experience. If anyone is still reading, the Free Weekend of Warbirds last through tomorrow.

PR=FC=

posted 05-27- 01:03 PM            

Thanks for sharing PR, that was a good read.

Werner

posted 05-27- 02:19 PM               

Very little lag. Warbirds like Aces High and the soon to be out World War II Online don't experience the same issues we do as well as the other boxed sims out there. I couldn't tell you technically what they do, but I know they take care of the brunt of the processing of whats going on in the game on there end. Thats why they can have the numbers of planes they have and very little lag.

SDOE actually does pretty good for games of this ilk.

BTW, I flew again tis morning as a B17 pilot. I was Lucky enough to sneak through the net of Axis planes to a smaller airfield and drop my bombs right down the middle of the runway!! It was sweet.

Then I turned my plane around, put it on AP and jumped to the gunner postions and got two kills!!

I'm going back for more. It's just so fun to fly online with real people.

I'm looking forward to the FREE Month of World War II Online in about a week.

Hope some of my friends here try that out.

posted 05-27- 03:49 PM               

Escorts that actually escort eh?

That is new, I've almost never seen that in SDOE.

I'm guessing the intercepting fighters actually avoided the escort and attacked the bombers?

What a novel idea.

posted 05-27- 03:56 PM               

Yes the interceptors did go for the bombers and for the most part ignored the fighters. Strange!

When you purchase WWII Online your get a free month online, when you order from EB you get an extra free month (or thats what I have been told).

I'm anxious to try it out, although it would have to be pretty dran god to make me want to pay to play each month.

posted 05-27- 04:50 PM               

Yeah a free month with purchase doesn't sound very free to me.

posted 05-31- 11:55 PM               

YOU were one of those frog bastages that kept carpet bombing our air-fields?

Grrr...

What was your handle over the weekend, BTW?

posted 06-01- 05:44 AM               

Yeah, I did enjoy bombing! I actually surprised myself by hitting the mark quite a bit to.

As to my handle, I believe it was showing as 'rogerh' to everyone. I tried numerous times to change that to Pvt.Roger, but was never very successfull.

I did have a great time. I loved the Historical Arena. I'm afraid I don't enjoy the regular areana very much.

PR=FC=

posted 06-01- 09:17 AM               

easy... "mindset"

FSSDOE from day one catered to the quick and dirty dogfights. Since bombers had bugs and ground targets were not registered... why bother?

posted 06-01- 09:18 AM               

most of the time, the Main Arena is completely empty. That weekend was the first time I've seen people actually in it (probably because it was where all the newbies went). I was actually forced to play in there since the usual arena for everybody (WWII Arena in which Axis fight against Allies using a rotating plane set) was empty since it wasn't on the list of free arenas. I thought the main arena was a little odd with its 2-way, 3-way and 4-way dogfights. I was very relieved when everybody switched over to the historical arena which is more...historical.

posted 06-01- 09:43 AM            

Werner

posted 06-01- 10:07 AM            

Just put the time and date in when you want to go on and I for one will join ya.

On a side note, did ya get that goody I sent ya, check yer email