"Collins was unlucky enough to be the only one fuelled and loaded when another scramble came. The weather was tolerable with a bit of cloud and Collins soon found the bandits - 3 Ju88s heading over the coast having just completed a raid"
This was based on an encounter between Ju88s from LG1 who were intercepted by a lone spitfire after bombing the Westlands Aircraft works. The Luftwaffe had to get as many planes as possible off the table, Collins had to shoot down as many as he could.
Collins is rated with a Regular pilot rating the Ju88s conjured up 2 Aces and a Regular. The Luftwaffe's good rolling continued into set up with 2 of the Ju88s starting in an Advantaged state.
Turn 1
Collins decides the situation does not require subtlety and comes in fast and hard inflicting a hit on a Ju88 and with a failed save the Luftwaffe aircraft goes down a level. The Germans all get a chance to fire using their turrets but the Hurricane is too swift and nimble for their gunnery.
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| Collins opens the engagement |
Turn 2
The advantaged Ju88s move first this turn and go full throttle for the table edge. Collins gets another shot at the Ju88 he hit last turn but misses. He then burns advantage to ensure he gets on the bomber's tail but his subsequent shot also misses. The Germans blaze away with their defensive guns but it proves ineffectual.
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| The Hurricane gets in behind the flight of Ju88s |
Turn 3
Nothing much happens this round. The Germans all move first and Collins uses his turn to up his advantage level ready for turn 4.
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| An uneventful turn |
Turn 4
Collins gets in behind his target and lets off a burst - its a hit! The German fails and this time it means one of their engines has been knocked out slowing the aircraft for subsequent turns.
Turn 5
Collins persistence pays off this round. Another hit and the damaged Ju88 plunges into the Channel. Confidence up Collins tries for the flight leader but misses. The Germans again fail to register a hit.
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| One bomber downed another in his sights! |
Turn 6
The first Ju88 fires with no effect. Collins' first round of shooting misses but his second inflicts some damage on the flight leader but he must have got too close as he in turn takes a hit and fails to save!
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| The Luftwaffe and RAF exchange boom chits |
Turn 7
The Germans move first with the flight leader managing to inflict another hit on the Hurricane. If Collins fails he will have two boom chits and have to break off. In keeping with my habitual dice rolling standards Collins fails, so this will be his last turn in combat. He doesn't make anything of it missing with both shots before turning his Hurricane round and nursing it home.
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| Collins dives away and heads for home |
Luftwaffe win - 2 aircraft escaped
"'Heavy escort was there, sir'? Collin's mechanic asked when he saw the number of holes in the Hurricane's airframe.
'Eh, yes...,' Collins replied somewhat sheepishly, '...a fair few but I got lucky; you know spun, dived... bit of throttle.'
The mechanic didn't look as impressed with Collins' piloting skills"
