Fighting Irish Forums

Hi guys,

I just wanted to drop by to say 'Thanks' for Sunday's session.

The night mission scared the pants off me. Despite owning Il-2 in all its incarnations since the day of release, I can't have flown more than two night missions over the last five years. Trying to stay in touch with the formation without accidentally slamming into one of you was a real test. In fact, I could have had an entire Japanese squadron tap dancing on my left wing and I probably wouldn't have noticed a thing.

I was kind of embarrassed at how profusely my palms were sweating.

I also distinctly remember dropping my bombs on the ships (OK - near the ships), pulling into a left-hand climbing turn and then suddenly feeling utterly disorientated and panicked. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out which way was 'up'.

Bringing my bird back and putting her safely on the ground in the pitch-blackness felt like a real achievement.

So, Mission #2...

Daytime! Beautiful daytime!

I felt a bit more in my element during that flight. However, that sense of control and fitting-in only survived until first contact with the enemy. I spent the first minute of the fight flying on someone's wing as he chased down a Zero. Suddenly, someone on comms mentioned that someone who was chasing a Zero was in turn being chased. Feeling a bit paranoid, I broke away and kept looking over my shoulders, but I couldn't see anyone.

A few moments later I found a lone Zero and began chasing him down. Unfortunately, I couldn't catch him, so I put my head down in the cockpit and started checking the manifold pressure, engine RPM and Supercharger settings. As soon as I looked back up, of course, he'd vanished.

For the next couple of minutes I was really paranoid, twisting a turning to try to reacquire him or, at the very least, shake him off my tail. Truthfully, though, I never saw him again and I was suddenly all alone in the skies.

Listening to Genosse getting beaten on by three Zeroes, I pushed south but had trouble regaining contact with anyone - friend or foe. Eventually I encountered a lone Ki and sent him down in flames before heading back to the airfield to make a truly appalling landing.

Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed myself and just wanted to say 'Thanks'. I'm learning and I'm still finding my comfort zone. I'm painfully aware that I'm rather quiet at the moment and, worse still, there were a few times when I was directly addressed and, having answered, discovered that my mic was muted - making me look rather ignorant. Anyhow, please bear with me and I will eventually get better - promise. In the interim, thanks again for putting up with me.

Cheers

Pizzi

Pizzicato wrote:... In fact, I could have had an entire Japanese squadron tap dancing on my left wing and I probably wouldn't have noticed a thing. ...

Yep, night missions are kinna like Genosse's singing.

They're ... special.



You did fine tonight Pizz. Don't knock your flying at all. Your attitude is spot on.

See you next time,


Falcon

All you need to remember before you take off is the heading to and from the target zone (grids). Just take your time and calculate the (roughly) course in degrees.

It could also be handy to notice some remarkable landmarks. I´ve to admit that these are hard to find at night times but you still have your RTB heading after you did your job in the target area.

No bothers about your ability to shake off someone of your six. It´s always hard work to do so ... even for the best virtual pilots ... and it doesn't matter if your enemy is an AI or a human pilot (which makes it in most case almost impossible to get rid off him depending on his skills).

Try to identify the enemy attacking aircraft and remember its disadvantages (poor climb rates or turn abilities, poor engine performance). Maybe you´ll find a way to use his disadvantage for your advantage?!

Finally no fear to fear. If you don´t feel some kind of 'panic' coming up while getting attacked by an enemy plane or you´re not afraid to fail hitting with your bombs the main targets then you simply need to find a different game. If you don´t get your kicks out of these emotions you´re wrong with IL-2 ...

Good flying, Pizzi!

Pizzicato wrote:I also distinctly remember dropping my bombs on the ships (OK - near the ships), pulling into a left-hand climbing turn and then suddenly feeling utterly disorientated and panicked. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out which way was 'up'.

Same thing happened to me ,just checked fuel guage on return and pulled "UP " straight into sea. It only takes a split second to get badly out of shape or lose contact.
As for night missions in general turn up the monitor brightness and if possible dim the room lighting.

Yep, night missions are kinna like Genosse's singing.

They're ... special.


Ahem,

Was I the only one last night to hear you treating us to a bit of your own musical 'magic' maestro Falcon? Quickly followed by some mumbling about forgetting your mic was switched on !!!!

Anyway, nice to fly with you last night Pizzicato.

"Frankie Marlene"*

Sitting in his cockpit,

flying through the sky

looking for the target

wanting it to die

he'll drop his load on them and then

he'll turn around and do it a-gain

he's our EFF EYE Genosse

he's our EFF EYE Genosse.






*sung to the tune of ...Lili Marlene

Thanx a lot, Stu!

So what can we expect at the FI karaoke session this Sunday - maybe a spirited rendition of "It's a long way from Tipperary"

Better start practising Frank