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[gmkump]

So I've been flying Monty's DOF campaigns, and I was on one that had me approach balloons and ground target in the middle of an active battlefield.  I'm in a very slow Farman MF11.  Two other friendlies also attack, but they are shot down by FlaK.  So here comes my turn.

I don't get very close to the balloons before I'm shot down by FlaK.  It is big stuff, and I lost my wing.

2nd attempt.  This time I take the time to get high and behind, approaching from the rear.  No go.  Within a certain radius of the balloons, the big FlaK starts up and takes out my engine, so I coast to a safe landing behind enemy lines (serves me right from coming from rear), under FlaK fire over half the way down.

3rd time, don't even get close, again, the heavy FlaK shoots me out of the sky.  Ouch!

I tried weaving, changing altitude, but this MF11 is so slow, floats like butterfly, but dies with ease.  Finally I just landed and accepted my incompetence in this Farman MF11 and moved on with the campaign.

So what is the best tactic for surviving this big FlaK?  I love the explosions, can hear them from kilometers away, and it sure is exciting flying through it, but what can be done to extend one's life span?  Is it just dumb luck and due to MF11's slow speed and poor maneuverability that it winds up just being a turkey shoot for the AA gunners?

What is my problem, luck or sloppy tactics?  From one who wants to live a little longer in WWI AA.

[SAS~Monty27]

It is hard, damned hard.  But I have put you onto a learning curve that will take you through the next war in Europe, the Western Desert, the Pacific and then have you killing SAMs and ZSUs with an F-100 and cleaning out the Bekkah valley with an F-16!  Amazingly, the same rules apply.  Approach obliquely, never fly straight.  In the old Farman don't get too close either.  Side-Slipping past archie with a deflection shot is as exhilerating in a Neiuport as it is in a Thunderchief, same rules apply...