Pat Pattle
SOH-CM-2024
Steve O-1 driver sent me an interesting mission that is based on the work he was doing on Non Directional Beacons. Steve is an experienced RL pilot and has been sharing a little of his knowledge with me regarding their use.
The mission is a raid on Le-Touquet, taking off and landing in thick fog/low cloud from Eastchurch and using the beacon to find the airbase again on the way back.
I failed!
To dodge some 109's after the attack I got down into the cloud and flew the rest of the way back on instruments and even though I found the beacon ok I went off course a few degrees and lost my way in the goo. (There's also turbulence to contend with). Then only by decending below the cloud at less than 1000' could I pick up landmarks and using the inflight map find out where I was. Luckily I picked up a railway that I knew ran straight past Rochford - only 'cos I put that airfield there - and managed a rough landing. It's way too small for a B25!
This was all very immersive and had me wondering how many times this scenario happened for real. I've read accounts of people in the war hearing aircraft buzzing around in the fog trying to find the airfield. Now I sort of know what that feels like and was very pleased to get down in one piece.
I've attached the mission, I had to change the a/c to a stock one but I'm sure Steve won't mind and if you're reading this mate, many thanks!
This screenie doesn't do the weather file that Steve made justice. It really is a pea-souper and there's also some stunning clouds on the way to the target.
The mission is a raid on Le-Touquet, taking off and landing in thick fog/low cloud from Eastchurch and using the beacon to find the airbase again on the way back.
I failed!
To dodge some 109's after the attack I got down into the cloud and flew the rest of the way back on instruments and even though I found the beacon ok I went off course a few degrees and lost my way in the goo. (There's also turbulence to contend with). Then only by decending below the cloud at less than 1000' could I pick up landmarks and using the inflight map find out where I was. Luckily I picked up a railway that I knew ran straight past Rochford - only 'cos I put that airfield there - and managed a rough landing. It's way too small for a B25!This was all very immersive and had me wondering how many times this scenario happened for real. I've read accounts of people in the war hearing aircraft buzzing around in the fog trying to find the airfield. Now I sort of know what that feels like and was very pleased to get down in one piece.
I've attached the mission, I had to change the a/c to a stock one but I'm sure Steve won't mind and if you're reading this mate, many thanks!
This screenie doesn't do the weather file that Steve made justice. It really is a pea-souper and there's also some stunning clouds on the way to the target.
) I have a new challenge ... land safely ...