FYI Monty, on the French The Early Years campaign with the Morane Saulnier H at the same airbase with mountains, none of the AI aircraft crashed into the hills while the AI flew this type of plane, and they attacked enemy aircraft. Guess the pilot being able to shoot had something to with that (in comparison to the Voisin III).
What a thrill to take the Marane Saulnier H with it's upward shooting gun and very limited single clip of ammo and actually shoot down a bomber! With engine smoking and stopped, it nose dived into the river with me following it down with a huge grin. I didn't have any ammo left, why bother the other three bombers! Bomber didn't explode, never got an "aircraft destroyed", it was just standing on its nose on the shore of the river as I passed low, hoping the crew was okay. Didn't care if I got credit, I did my duty. Landed very happy. Of course, the campaign credited me with the air victory and I was on my way to WWI ace status. If I survived.
PS: Another mission in campaign encountering four bombers, first knocked out by AI ally performing a diving collision. I came in and took the wing off second, turned, and shot down number three. Difficult with the very small amount of ammo for MS H. Of course, my engine was smoking and rudder was damaged, but got behind and below number four (last bomber) and pulled the trigger and EMPTY! Didn't realize I was chasing the bomber with no ammo. Limped home and got credit for two more kills. I can't believe I hit anything with that up shooting gun with no aim point, but I'm starting to get deadly with it.
PSS: Maybe I shouldn't be so excited. Next mission I shot down three more bombers with the MS H and rounds left for the fourth bomber, but he got away because my crate was smoking, shaking, and losing power. Fortunately near the landing strip so I got down safely with mission complete, three more victories. No big deal, but doing this with the small ammo load of the MS H, gun angled up, no aim point, surprises me. I guess you learn by experience and with MS H, you don't fire until you know your going to get a hit. When I get to shoot straight to the front of the plane, I'll probably miss now. Whatever, I'm knocking them down, but the crew chief is really upset because I keep bringing back my kite all shot up.
PSSS: The next mission (stormy, nasty, low visibility) saw the bomber ace approach the next four bombers and I was immediately shot dead. The now unharmed MS H traveled downwards as the bomber gunners cheered. The bomber plague was over! The nasty gnat dealt with. Okay, 2nd attempt, turning a very sharp turn with full rudder and stick fully back to get behind bombers, I lose sight of bombers, turn hard again and lose control of the MS H as it stalls and goes into a spin. After recovering from the spin I heard the bomber crews laughing in the distance. Shot down two bombers and went home, wounded, embarrassed, and wet.
And next was final mission of the campaign, I shot down 3 more bombers (getting to be a habit) for a campaign total of 11 air victories, 1 KIA, two awards, and a promotion. If I only could have flown and shot as well with the MS H from the beginning, but I think I got it figured out. Loved pulling it out of an accidental spin, fun stuff. Thanks for the trip Monty!
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Topic: DEVELOPMENT THREAD - DAWN OF FLIGHT CAMPAIGNS (Read 53300 times)
