hurricanemk1c 195 Posted August 26, 2015 Report Share Posted August 26, 2015 Last time you saw me I was escaping, unsucessfully, from J G's unfriendly friends, resulting in a rather unpleasant experience to say the least. After a few weeks of captivity, I awoke one morning to find my door unlocked and no one around. I suspected something, with the following note attached to the door: "We'll meet again sometime" Anyway, Jess had arrived into Pohnepi a few days earlier and the baton (which had been safely deposited in the murky depths of the Avro 730 - nice work Jess ) was once again in my hands. Just to find an aircraft to fly out to, appropriately enough, the Marshall Islands. A lot of history there (nothing to do with me, I think!) Turns out there is a Catalina ready to do a 'mock' anti-submarine patrol. Whilst not armed with depth charges, my new found friends were less than straight forward about why 'mock' was said mockingly. Another trap? Early the next morning the aircraft awaited us It has been a long, long time since I have flown the Cat, so following the checklist slowly and ensuring everything was working The engines spluttered, eventually, into life with the normal mass of exhaust Giving the engines a run up at 1700rpm whilst something a lot faster and more comfortable awaits some lucky person in the background With no ATC in operation and the wind non existent, we choose the easiest runway for departure - runway 09 The crew manning the blister guns sit tight whilst the aircraft reverberates with power-up Up, up and away 540nm of open ocean awaits us as we cruise at around 110mph and under 500ft Leaving land behind Heading out to sea Meanwhile, on a secret airbase known only to a few, a P-40E takes off with intellegence that an unknown, piston-powered aircraft threatens the baton's safety It climbs high above the Pacific Ocean to gain the advantage Of course, in the PBY we are completely oblivious, or at least I was Our nose gunner/observer yells out a warning - tracer fire 12 o'clock, 10,000ft At this point the two rear gunners announce that they are cocked and ready to fire. Demanding an explaination, my co-pilot explains. "We had information that one of your members was wanted for, things," Tibbets explained. "We wanted to help, so we arranged this Cat to fly you out with the P-40 cover. Word had been received from 'sources' that an attempt would be made to shoot down the baton carrier using a vintage replica aircraft. So, fly low and as fast as possible". With instructions like that, who can say no? Flying low is what I do best. I think I got down to about 20ft! Meanwhile, the combat goes on over our heads In the end, a splash of water confirms that the 'assasin' has been forced down but appears unharmed By this point, the Marshall Islands were in sight and preparations were in hand to land A touch out, but she'll straighten up alright A squeaky touchdown, but in one piece And finally all shut down As was our saviour It seems John has made a dodgy deal or two in the past - as did I when I helped him to escape in Leg 11! Mikael - try and stay safe! Things used: FSX, default scenery and weather, with the Aerosoft Catalina Combat scenes produced with IL-2: 1946 1 Link to post Share on other sites
hifly 925 Posted August 26, 2015 Report Share Posted August 26, 2015 A close shave there Chuck, a real adventure. I think a Mutley medal is deserved for keeping the baton flying. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Bruce (a.k.a. brian747) 142 Posted August 26, 2015 Report Share Posted August 26, 2015 The baton gets through! Well done, Chuck: a great PIREP. Cheers, bruce a.k.a. brian747 1 Link to post Share on other sites
stu7708 244 Posted August 26, 2015 Report Share Posted August 26, 2015 Oh, exciting times Kieran. Good job keeping your focus under pressure. Hate to rush you, but you'd better hurry out of here if you're gonna beat me to Pago Pago. I'm departing bright and early tomorrow morning, or so the CO of the base here claims..... 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Captain Coffee 2,030 Posted August 26, 2015 Report Share Posted August 26, 2015 A shoot out over ATWC Coral. Awesome. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
hurricanemk1c 195 Posted August 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2015 Thanks folks - was interesting to say the least! Link to post Share on other sites
mutley 4,495 Posted August 27, 2015 Report Share Posted August 27, 2015 Wow Chuck, there I was thinking the challenge had returned to safe ground. Well done and cut another notch in your belt Link to post Share on other sites
brett 2,310 Posted August 28, 2015 Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 Another flag for the P-40 and that beautiful Cat makes in down in one piece, helofa day in the skies sir. Not sure what the flag will look like, maybe a bright orange 'fro. Link to post Share on other sites
J G 927 Posted September 2, 2015 Report Share Posted September 2, 2015 Excellent PIREP Chuck! It seems the Putinfeld has upped his game, now he is after all of us and so it is not a personal vendetta against me as I first thought! his failure against you is a relief but also a worry. I fear things may get worse from here on. He seems to be getting more and more belligerent the further we get with this challenge. I will be watching my back, perhaps I had better set to and start arraigning an aircraft that will be able to withstand a strong attack. Link to post Share on other sites
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