Beating the odds, exciting survival stories

[Sokol1]

A difficult RTB.

My tipical Blenhein flights in ATAG's server follows the green lines in this map:



One day I decide try a long range flight, hunting for german trains.

Entering through the France "back door". No FLAK in this spot.



Low flight over (empty) railroads.



After about ~20 minutes of flight, the "CGI" report a train next to Le Guines. At momment I am too far, near to Rely Norrent Fontes, so change path for North.



This region - next to Calais - is populated with active Luftwaffe bases with heavy FLAK. With a eye on a 109 climbing up ahead, I notice a white smoke between trees.



The German traim!



Turn, lined up, and delivered the "milk cans".



So, the rear gunner report some aircraft parts flying away...

To mantain "level" flight, 45 degrees of left yoke became necessary.



I fly straight to England, but on route, a Minensuchoot...



With a difficult right turn I passed him.

Over England, north of Dover, a turn to left toward Lympse - my departure base, but this course put me near Hawkinge - "The vultures land".

Soon I see FLAK over this base and two strafing vultures.


The dot below AAA burst is diving a 109.

I go for the deck, near tree tops, and try pass unnoticed, but soon Batfink report a DB engine sound...



I did a hard left break turn at low speed.. get some hits, started leaking fluids, and fortunately the 109 lost contact.

Then carefully approached Lympse, align, lower flaps, wheels.



But touch too fast and Blenheim exceeded the runway... in front elevated rails... I jump over there and a small stream... and go for a tree lines - yes, a virtual ones, but fancied they were "real" and hit the gear lever... the Blenheim cartwheeling and stop in a cloud of dust.



Good emoctions for a ~1 hour of flight.

Sokol1