P-38M night intercept

This evening I decided to do an intercept with the P-38M in Il-2 (with UP3). The time: 2300hrs; weather: overcast with low ceilings
An unidentified aircraft has just over flown the air base, taking off to identify and neutralize target.
Engines on, black out conditions
https://www.simviation.com/phpupload/upl ... 242371.jpg
Turning to the North to begin the hunt
https://www.simviation.com/phpupload/upl ... 265066.jpg
Target identified: H8K 'Emily' flying boat
https://www.simviation.com/phpupload/upl ... 218390.jpg
Moving to attack from below...the stalk begins
https://www.simviation.com/phpupload/upl ... 214485.jpg
So far the 'Emily' crew seems unaware of my position......
https://www.simviation.com/phpupload/upl ... 173674.jpg
Or not....as I came up to fire the tail gunner with his 20mils opened up. This would be a point-blank gun battle in the dead of night several thousand feet above the water.
https://www.simviation.com/phpupload/upl ... 174489.jpg
The P-38M eventually fell to the withering defensive fire.The fire fight lasted only a couple of seconds before my P-38M caught fire. You can see the fireball from my crash near the right float of the 'Emily' in this shot.
https://www.simviation.com/phpupload/upl ... 177588.jpg
Latter on the 'Emily' caught fire from its wounds.
https://www.simviation.com/phpupload/upl ... 258702.jpg
And down she goes into the darkness.
https://www.simviation.com/phpupload/upl ... 266075.jpg
With UP3 installed I find night intercepts have taken on a whole new level of immersion. Now the dark is truly DARK and frequently during my night missions you can fly right past an enemy aircraft without knowing.
So obviously this is best played with all the lights turned off and blinds drawn, brightness turned to mid and huddled close to the screen
An unidentified aircraft has just over flown the air base, taking off to identify and neutralize target.
Engines on, black out conditions
https://www.simviation.com/phpupload/upl ... 242371.jpg
Turning to the North to begin the hunt
https://www.simviation.com/phpupload/upl ... 265066.jpg
Target identified: H8K 'Emily' flying boat
https://www.simviation.com/phpupload/upl ... 218390.jpg
Moving to attack from below...the stalk begins
https://www.simviation.com/phpupload/upl ... 214485.jpg
So far the 'Emily' crew seems unaware of my position......
https://www.simviation.com/phpupload/upl ... 173674.jpg
Or not....as I came up to fire the tail gunner with his 20mils opened up. This would be a point-blank gun battle in the dead of night several thousand feet above the water.
https://www.simviation.com/phpupload/upl ... 174489.jpg
The P-38M eventually fell to the withering defensive fire.The fire fight lasted only a couple of seconds before my P-38M caught fire. You can see the fireball from my crash near the right float of the 'Emily' in this shot.
https://www.simviation.com/phpupload/upl ... 177588.jpg
Latter on the 'Emily' caught fire from its wounds.
https://www.simviation.com/phpupload/upl ... 258702.jpg
And down she goes into the darkness.
https://www.simviation.com/phpupload/upl ... 266075.jpg
With UP3 installed I find night intercepts have taken on a whole new level of immersion. Now the dark is truly DARK and frequently during my night missions you can fly right past an enemy aircraft without knowing.
So obviously this is best played with all the lights turned off and blinds drawn, brightness turned to mid and huddled close to the screen