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Rami's mission & scenery thread

Reply...

Good afternoon,

Here is the first mission...escorting Blenheims to Berat the day they received their Hurricanes; 20 February, 1941.

"title_string"=Hurricanes Vs R.A. - The new mounts see action
"summary_string"=Good afternoon! Our commanders in this theatre have been able to secure new Hawker Hurricanes for RAF 80 Squadron. These new aircraft should be much more effective against the Italians than the Gladiator biplanes we have been using. Today, you will test them out by escorting sixteen Bristol Blenheim bombers to attack the Italian airfield at Berat. Good luck!
"objective_string"=For several months, RAF pilots fighting in Greece and Albania were flying the Gloster Gladiator and managed to keep the Italians at bay with dash and daring, while suffering heavy losses. The addition of the Hawker Hurricane gave the Royal Air Force the upper hand, as it was more than the equal of both the Fiat Cr-42 & the Fiat G-50. It forced the Italians to deploy the Macchi Mc-200 Saetta into the theatre, an aircraft that was a relative match for the Hawker Hurricane.
"intelligence_string"=After taking off, you should meet up with the main bomber flight, & the other Blenheims will meet up with you before you cross into Albania. The enemy fighters in the area will be expecting Gladiators, so you will have the initial advantage of surprise, & an increase in performance over the Gladiators, especially in firepower, should allow you to make quick work of any Italian fighters. Above all else, make sure to protect the Blenheims!
"player_aircraft_name_string"=Hawker Hurricane Mk. I
"airfield_string"=Greece - Yania
 
Reply...

Good evening,

Here is the second mission...escorting Blenheim bombers to Valona on 27 February, 1941.

"title_string"=Hurricane Vs R.A. - Escort Blenheims to Valona
"summary_string"=Listen up! Blenheim bombers are being dispatched to Valona to cripple Italian fighter resistance in the area, and our flight has been asked to provide them with air cover. You will be accompanied by another flight of Hurricanes, and it is your job to make sure the bombers come back unscathed. Good luck!
"objective_string"=On 27 February 1941, nine Blenheims, escorted by an equal number of Hurricanes, bombed and badly damaged the enemy aerodrome at Valona. Over the target, the formation was jumped by thirteen Fiat Cr-42 Falcos. In the ensuing dogfight, the Falcos were able to reach the bombers and damaged five of them, although all were able to make it back to their airbases. Kill numbers were wildly inflated; further investigation revealed that these Italians lost two Cr-42 fighters, while the Royal Air Force suffered no losses.
"intelligence_string"=After departing Eleusis, you will meet up with the main flight of Blenheims close to Larisa, while the other Blenheim bombers will meet up with you near Paramythia. The other Hurricanes will protect the smaller bomber flight, it will be your job to guard the main force. You must keep any enemy fighters away from the bombers!
"player_aircraft_name_string"=Hawker Hurricane Mk. I
"airfield_string"=Greece - Eleusis
 
Reply...

Good morning,

Here is the third mission...A fighter patrol between Tepelene and the Albanian coast on 28 February, 1941. There will be a second sortie this same day, it was a busy one!

"title_string"=Hurricane Vs R.A. - "Pat" Pattle's first encounter
"summary_string"=To your planes, gentlemen! Several Italian flights, including fighters and bombers, have been spotted in an area between Tepelene & the Albanian coast. Your flight is being sent up to patrol, looking for these enemy formations. Gladiators from both RAF 80 Squadron and RAF 112 Squadron will also be in the area to assist. You should expect to see major action today. Don't come back empty-handed!
"objective_string"=On the afternoon of 28 February, 1941, the Royal Air Force engaged in one of the biggest dogfights of the entire Balkan campaign. During the initial engagement, four Hurricanes engaged retreating Sm-79s near Corfu, while Pattle's flight of four Hurricanes bounced ten Fiat Br-20s heading south from Valona. Pattle shot down two Br-20s before he was jumped by five Fiat G-50s while trying to clear his windscreen of smeared oil from one of the Br-20 Cicognas he shot down. As he retired to Paramythia to switch aircraft, eighteen Gladiators on patrol joined the fray, & claimed several Cr-42 and G-50 fighters shot down.
"intelligence_string"=The Italian fighters have been reported in an area between Tepelene and the Albanian coast. Another flight of Hurricanes just spotted Sm-79s, but we think that there are even more enemy aircraft out there. Gladiator patrols will also be in the region, so be careful what you shoot at! Take down all the enemy aircraft you can. Good luck!
"player_aircraft_name_string"=Hawker Hurricane Mk. I
"airfield_string"=Greece - Yania
 
Reply...

Good evening,

Here is the fourth mission...A solo fighter patrol between Tepelene and the Albanian coast on 28 February, 1941. "Pat" Pattle returns to the combat area after briefly heading to Paramythia, landing, and changing aircraft.

"title_string"=Hurricane Vs R.A. - "Pat" Pattle's second encounter
"summary_string"=Attention! Flying as "Pat" Pattle, you put down at Paramythia and hopped into a new Hurricane after your first Hurricane was damaged & smeared with oil. All the other Hurricanes and Gladiators were heavily engaged with enemy fighters and bombers when you left, & you're to fly back to the combat zone and engage any Italian aircraft that you see. Good luck!
"objective_string"=After Pattle nursed his damaged Hurricane to the aerodrome at Paramythia, he switched out aircraft & headed back to the combat area. While the Fiat bombers & their escort were nowhere in sight, Pat Pattle did spot a flight of three Fiat Cr-42 Falcos heading toward Valona. He pounced on the flight, downing two of the three Fiats before retiring to Paramythia. This proved to be the most successful days in the Balkans for the Royal Air Force, with twenty-seven kills & eleven probables. In reality, enemy losses were four bombers & three fighters, as well as several other bombers damaged.
"intelligence_string"=When you had to leave the initial engagement, the other Hurricanes and three flights of Gladiators were engaging Italian bombers and fighters close to the Albanian coast. You are to proceed there at once, engaging any enemy aircraft that are still in the vicinity.
"player_aircraft_name_string"=Hawker Hurricane Mk. I
"airfield_string"=Greece - Paramythia
 
Reply...

Good evening,

I added a fifteenth mission to the Gladiator campaign; the Italian bombing of Yanina airfield on 10 February. It was the only mission that Don Pyers did not do. This is the last mission before RAF 80 Squadron received Hurricanes on 20 February.

"title_string"=Gladiator Vs R.A. - Yanina under the gun
"summary_string"=To your fighters, gentlemen! Italian bombers have been pounding the airfield at Yanina. Your task is to get into the air & confront the Italian bombers directly, trying to bring down as many of them as you can. Don't let them continue getting away with this onslaught!
"objective_string"=On 10 February, 1941, the Regia Aeronautica took vengance on the Royal Air Force by pummeling the Greek airfield at Yanina. These attacks took place throughout the daylight hours, & involved all major Italian bomber types; The Br-20, the Sm-79, & the Cant Z 1007. The RAF and the Greek Air Force put up Gladiators and PZL fighters to try and counter the bombers, & over the course of the morning and afternoon, several enemy bombers were claimed to be shot down while waves of bombers struck the aerodrome at Yanina.
"intelligence_string"=After taking off, you will fly a patrol to the north of Yanina, looking for any sign of the approaching bombers. If you see bombers coming in, you are to engage them immediately, & try to make them abort before reaching Yanina. Good luck!
"player_aircraft_name_string"=Gloster Gladiator Mk. II
"airfield_string"=Greece - Yania
 
Reply...

Good afternoon,

I decided to build harbor facilities at Valona....here's what it looks like in Mission Builder. I'll post a pic or two when I convert it into GSL.
 
Reply...

Hello again,

Here is the view in free flight...now I just have to add the AA guns, vehicles, and ships for a mission. :jump:

Achim was also generous enough to create an airfield at Petrich, Bulgaria for this campaign.
 
Sequel Yeah, but.

Hey guys,

I've heard a lot of feedback over the years that the Gladiators! campaign ranks amongst your favorites. (And mine!) I was wondering if y'all would have any interest in a sequel. Back when Don Pyers did the original campaign, he also had a "coming soon" section with Hurricanes
If anyone knows of any other good sources for this, please let me know!

How about something as messy as "Second Battle of Sirte", S.E. of Malta. (Wiki description). Defense of Convoy, with a strategic loss, (but much aerial fighting) against the Italians, and in harbour defense against the Luftwaffe?
 
Reply...

Hooraw,

I could throw that into Desert Air Force, but I see a couple of problems with that. First, I'd need information on the air battles, specifically what types were involved, how many there were, and what their objectives were. (For example, torpedo attack, air cover, etc.) Second, I loathe missions that involve building or working with convoys, because they are a royal pain in the arse.

It doesn't mean I won't do missions with convoys or ship formations if I have no alternative, but I typically avoid them like the plague.

That's why Pedestal is taking me so long to update; I can only stand working on one or two missions at a time.
 
Reply...

Good morning,

Here is the next mission...1 March 1941. Hurricanes, after a successful bomber escort, dropped down to make strafing runs at Valona harbor. There were three separate flights escort flights that day, and no aerial opposition was reported.

"title_string"=Hurricane Vs R.A. - Strafing runs at Valona
"summary_string"=Listen up! Your flight has been ordered to escort a pair of Blenheims being sent out to strike Valona harbor. Other flights sent over Albania today have reported no aerial opposition. Let's hope our luck continues this afternoon, but make sure you don't let down your guard.
"objective_string"=1 March 1941 saw Hurricanes of RAF 33 Squadron and 80 Squadron escort Blenheims three separate times. The targets included Berat, Valona harbour, and Paraboa. Zero aerial opposition was reported. Seeing no enemy fighters, Lieuteant Pattle & Pilot Officer Percy Newton of 33 Squadron dove down below cloud to look for enemy shipping in Valona harbor. Seeing a large merchant vessel, they made strafing passes on it, with Pattle making a second strafing pass at very close range. This mission is an amalgam of the day's activities.
"intelligence_string"=After taking off, you'll link up with the Blenheims & the other Hurricanes near Paramythia. Once you cross into Albania, the other Blenheims will head for Berat, while you head for Valona. If you find no aerial opposition, you may break away from the bombers when they turn for home, and strafe any shipping you find in Valona harbor. Good luck!
"player_aircraft_name_string"=Hawker Hurricane Mk. I
"airfield_string"=Greece - Yania
 
How do you do these so fast? It takes me at least a week or two to do one. Maybe I add too many triggers and events. Hummmm...
 
Reply...

Blood_Hawk23,

I've done missions for so long now I pretty much have a set way of doing specific types of missions; fighter sweeps, bomber escorts, intercepts, etc. The circumstances and specifics change based on geography, aircraft types, and other variables, but the way I set up the triggers and events basically doesn't change. I copy and paste a lot of texts, and there are many other various "tricks" that an experienced mission builder can do to cut down their workload.

(Ready-made layouts are a great example of this...)

Accordingly, I can churn missions out pretty quickly when I have the time to do it.

This next mission, by the way...will be a doozy. Thirteen Blenheims, escorted by ten Hurricanes with seventeen Gladiators assisting, against sixteen Fiat G-50s and fourteen Cr-42s. :icon_eek:
 
Reply...

Good evening,

Here is the next mission...4 March 1941. A massed dogfight over a small Italian naval force that was shelling the Albanian coast. Blenheims were sent out to attack them, heavily escorted by Hurricanes and Gladiators. They encountered equally strong Italian air cover that was protecting the small naval force. A series of running dogfights took place as a result, and in the process, Australian "ace" Nigel Cullen was lost.

"title_string"=Hurricane Vs R.A. - Tangling over the fleet
"summary_string"=Listen up! Italian naval vessels have been shelling coastal towns near Valona, & Blenheims are being dispatched to attack the enemy ships. The Italian vessels reportedly have very strong fighter cover, so along with your ten Hurricanes, Gladiators of RAF 80 and 112 Squadrons are being sent along to assist on this mission. Make sure that the bombers can attack the ships and get back home alive!
"objective_string"=On 4 March, several Italian ships, with strong air cover, shelled the Albanian coast. Blenheims from RAF 211 & 84 squadron were dispatched to attack the vessels, & were escorted by Hurricanes from RAF 33 and 80 squadron and Gladiators from RAF 80 and 112 squadron. Over these Italian vessels, a series of running dogfights commenced. The Royal Air Force claimed to encounter about thirty enemy aircraft, mixed between Cr-42 and G-50 fighters. During this mêlée, Flying Officer and Australian "ace" Nigel Cullen was jumped by a Fiat G-50 and never seen again. Total British claims amounted to about ten Italian fighters shot down, and at least five more damaged. The Italians claim to have only lost three or four fighters.
"intelligence_string"=After taking off, you'll link up with the Blenheims and their Hurricane escorts near Paramythia. Your flight of two will be above the formation, acting as weavers to look for any sign of trouble & head off any Italian fighters. The Gladiators will also drop back slightly during the flight to protect the rear of the formation. If you spot enemy aircraft, tear into them without hesitation, and draw their fire away from the bombers. Good luck!
"player_aircraft_name_string"=Hawker Hurricane Mk. I
"airfield_string"=Greece - Yania
 
Reply...

Good afternoon,

Here is the next mission...the first of two on 23 March, 1941. On this mission, Blenheims attacked Berat airfield in Albania, flying in under a low cloud deck. They were escorted by Hurricanes and Gladiators, and not much action was seen until the formation neared the Greek border on their return.

"title_string"=Hurricane Vs R.A. - Blenheims under the clouds
"summary_string"=Listen up! Despite the cloud cover, Blenheims from RAF 84 squadron are heading out anyway to raid the airfield at Berat, flying underneath the cloud deck. Your flight has volunteered to escort them, and you must keep any Italian fighters off of the bombers, making sure they come back alive.
"objective_string"=On the morning of 23 March, "Pat" Pattle led RAF 33 squadron in combat for the first time, leading thirteen Hawker Hurricanes as they escorted six Bristol Blenheims to strike the aerodrome at Berat. They were joined by eleven Gladiators from RAF 112 squadron. Heavy cloud cover over the target forced the Blenheims to bomb from just under 500 meters, but they made a successful strike, and AA defenses inflicted only minor shrapnel damage to the bombers. However, anti-aircraft fire did more damage to two Hurricanes, who returned to Larisa. After leaving Berat, they were jumped by two Fiat G-50s near the Greek border, and Flying Officer Chandler Dyson's Hurricane was badly damaged.
"intelligence_string"=After taking off, you will meet up with Blenheims from Eleusis, and bring them up to Berat, linking up with Gladiators from Paramythia along the way. As you approach the target, stay alert for Italian fighters and stick close to the bombers. You must ensure the Blenheims come back alive! Good luck!
"player_aircraft_name_string"=Hawker Hurricane Mk. I
"airfield_string"=Greece - Larisa
 
Reply...

Good evening,

Here is the next mission...the second of two on 23 March, 1941. On this mission, ten Hurricanes strafed Fier airfield in Albania. Before reaching the airfield, the Hurricanes ran into approximately twenty Fiat G-50s and Mc-200 Saettas. In the ensuing dogfights, several fighters on both sides were claimed to be shot down, while combat reports showed no losses. Only two Hurricanes, flown by "Pat" Pattle and Vernon Woodward, actually reached Fier airfield to strafe it.

"title_string"=Hurricane Vs R.A. - Entrance of the Saetta
"summary_string"=To your planes, gentlemen! After our first venture into Albania today, we've been ordered to return there and strafe the aerodrome at Fier. We hope that by coming in so soon after the first raid, we can catch the Italians napping after the raid this morning. Make your ammo count, & inflict as much damage as you can!
"objective_string"=After the morning escort on 23 March, Pattle was back at it during the afternoon, leading a flight of ten Hurricanes to strafe the Albanian airfield at Fier. As the Hurricanes neared the aerodrome, they were attacked by some twenty Fiat G-50s and Macchi Mc-200 Saettas. In the ensuing dogfights, both the British & the Italians claimed losses, but the actual combat reports indicate no losses. "Pat" Pattle was furious that due to the encounter with enemy fighters, only he and Flying Officer Vernon Woodward actually carried out strafing runs at Fier. This mission also announced the entry of the Macchi Mc-200 Saetta to the Balkan theatre. This fighter was comparable to the Hawker Hurricane, with the notable exception of armament.
"intelligence_string"=After taking off, you'll fly a nearly direct course to the airfield at Fier, setting up about ten miles out for the attack run. When strafing the airfield, keep low & fast; this will ensure your best chance for survival. If you encounter any enemy fighters, engage them at will; the best way to maintain air superiority is to eliminate any opposition!
"player_aircraft_name_string"=Hawker Hurricane Mk. I
"airfield_string"=Greece - Larisa
 
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