Pilot: No.54 Joker (KL-J)
Storm of War 3.0 Campaign - Sortie #1
06 March 2016
Spitfire 1a 100 Octane - Serial # P9431
The following blog belongs to myself, Jack Wall, aka No.54 Sqn Joker (KL-J) and recounts my simulated flying experiences playing IL2 Sturmovik, Cliffs of Dover on the Storm of War Server.
Red and Blue are the designated identifies of the corresponding RAF and Luftwaffe teams in the simulation. History is not forgotten and in fact, this simulation encourages it to be remembered. The simulations centres around the Battle of Britain era of the WW2 air war history. It is in this context that you are invited to read and follow my progress as a virtual pilot. We have assumed a virtual identity of No.54 Squadron, and information about the real No.54 Squadron can be found here.
After a hugely successful SoW 2.0, the break over the last couple of months had been both necessary and enjoyed by all. Many pilots from various Sqns, both Blue and Red could be seen flying during the intermission on other Il2 servers in preparation and now, on the 6th Mar 2016, we were all back on SoW for this 'shake down' opening mission of the SoW 3.0.
It was a shakedown not only for the Squadrons involved but also the server Admins, Reddog, Philstyle and Dietrich who has been very busy over the break developing SoW 3.0 complete with it's new features and improvements.
I was flying Spitfire 1a 100 Octane, Serial # P9431 having initially been assigned to a Hurricane. I'm always happy to fly the Spitfire but we only have a very limited number of them and much fewer than the also limited number of Hurricanes. So as a result, my new tasking, as is the SoW experience, added an increased sense of responsibility to my already giddy nervousness.
Start up check lists are from memory here. No paper lists to reference.
It typically goes as follows;
- Throttle full idle and then crack it forward an inch
- Propeller pitch full fine
- Magneto 1 on
- Magneto 2 on
- Radiator fully open
- Fuel fully open
- Confirm Chocks In
- Clear Prop
- Engine Start
With my canopy open, I'm engulfed in the sound of the Merlin engines 12 cylinders erupting into life.
I do a control surface check, Ailerons left & right, Elevators left & right, Rudder left & right. Gun sight check and then as I'm watching the water and oil temps rise, I also check around me getting ready to take position in my Flight's taxi to the runway. The radio is already coming to life from my Flight leader and I begin to taxi into position even as the engine warms. I keep the throttle just cracked enough not to overheat.
Today, No.54 Sqn Rabbit formation and organisation is as follows;
Red flight
- Fat Ben - Rabbit Flight Leader & Red1
- Moby - Red 2
- Roll_e - Element lead & Red 3
- Merlin - Red4
Green flight
- Ghost - Green Flight lead & Green 1
- Reddog - Green 2
- Joker - Green 3
I left the canopy open as I rolled into Green 3 position behind Reddog and Ghost, our Green Flight Lead. The Hurricane four ship flight, led by FatBen, had just taken off before us. I only closed my canopy after I was wheels up and climbing. The noise is like a symphony but it gets too disturbing once your in flight. Besides, you cannot hear anything on the radio.
No.54 were vectored by TOPHAT, towards the Dover area of England. The SoW simulated RAF ground control borrows it reference in this simulation from history also. Other SoW players take on the challenging job of trying to correctly interrupt a radar simulation screen only they have access to.
On SoW 3.0 the Blue team are coming across the channel with Bombers and fighter escorts with the aim to destroy Red's simulated radar sites, factories and airfields.
To have better chances to attack and destroy the Red's simulated manufacturing sites, supply yards and indeed airfields, they will use bluffs and mis direction to penetrate Reds defences. TOPHAT has the unenviable task of coordinating all the various squadrons in the air to stop this simulated attack. It gets very tense very quickly.
To have better chances to attack and destroy the Red's simulated manufacturing sites, supply yards and indeed airfields, they will use bluffs and mis direction to penetrate Reds defences. TOPHAT has the unenviable task of coordinating all the various squadrons in the air to stop this simulated attack. It gets very tense very quickly.
Whilst there is no criteria for win or lose on SoW, the aim of the server is one of a more simulated teamwork orientation. This is not an individualistic personal score type of gaming experience, there are clear measures of success for each side.
If Blue can successfully bomb their designated targets, (they have active targets which they much focus on, which Red are not aware off initially) then, they earn the ability to chose their next target and thereby, keep control of their experience and to an extent, the element of surprise. Red are predominately defending and by thwarting Blues attacks, RED's aim is to prevent Blue from gaining greater control. It's a very subtle by truly commanding tug of war (pun intended) that ensues.
So this is the background and the following video is my cockpit recording of my sortie.
If Blue can successfully bomb their designated targets, (they have active targets which they much focus on, which Red are not aware off initially) then, they earn the ability to chose their next target and thereby, keep control of their experience and to an extent, the element of surprise. Red are predominately defending and by thwarting Blues attacks, RED's aim is to prevent Blue from gaining greater control. It's a very subtle by truly commanding tug of war (pun intended) that ensues.
So this is the background and the following video is my cockpit recording of my sortie.
Until the next time, go handy!
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