A little game of "What am I?"
Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2003 11:01 amPTO: Summer 1944 Runup at 1800 hrs.
We were airborne on a regular CAP at 1830 and spent an uneventful two hours. Just as we were about to start for home at 2030, Agate 9 (Saipan GCI radar) notified us that there were Bogies coming from the north.
At about 2049, we had closed to minimum range, but with flaps down, throttles closed, and flying less than 95 mph, I could not stay behind the Bogie. As I overshot, my gunner got a visual. It was a Betty Bomber. I overshot this Betty three times. The Betty had evidently seen us and was now trying to run, as he was picking up speed. On my fourth intercept, the Betty was up to 155 mph indicated. I closed in behind him, my first burst (40 rounds of 20mm and 46 round of .50cal ) hit his right engine, which burst into flames and exploded. I broke hard right and watched the Betty go down.
Agate 9 vectored us back to the base, about 130 miles away, and we landed on Siapan at 2235. This CAP had lasted over four hours.
Everything you need is here, you have the place, the time, some idea of crew complement, and the job the plane was built to do. Don't cheat. I will post answer in just a few. Some of you already know the answer, others will figure it out in a short time, hope you enjoy.
Fido ;D
We were airborne on a regular CAP at 1830 and spent an uneventful two hours. Just as we were about to start for home at 2030, Agate 9 (Saipan GCI radar) notified us that there were Bogies coming from the north.
At about 2049, we had closed to minimum range, but with flaps down, throttles closed, and flying less than 95 mph, I could not stay behind the Bogie. As I overshot, my gunner got a visual. It was a Betty Bomber. I overshot this Betty three times. The Betty had evidently seen us and was now trying to run, as he was picking up speed. On my fourth intercept, the Betty was up to 155 mph indicated. I closed in behind him, my first burst (40 rounds of 20mm and 46 round of .50cal ) hit his right engine, which burst into flames and exploded. I broke hard right and watched the Betty go down.
Agate 9 vectored us back to the base, about 130 miles away, and we landed on Siapan at 2235. This CAP had lasted over four hours.
Everything you need is here, you have the place, the time, some idea of crew complement, and the job the plane was built to do. Don't cheat. I will post answer in just a few. Some of you already know the answer, others will figure it out in a short time, hope you enjoy.
Fido ;D
Is this really payware? I'm sure AvHistory has a freeware Black Widow 
