B-17 Queen Of The Skies

Decided to do a little solitaire gaming today. Broke out my copy of B-17 Queen Of The Skies. It's an old Avalon Hill game from the Eighties. Last year I bought a CD with all the files on and have printed them out. Not quite as good quality as the original game but cheaper and easier to find nowadays!

B-17 Printed out and ready to go

The adventures of B-17F Amber Gambler could now begin.
The Amber Gambler's crew consists of the following members.
Pilot: Chris Hopkins
Co-Pilot: Simon Hanna
Bombardier: Peter Hanna
Navigator: Adam Wright
Engineer: Dan Clifton
Radio Operator: Jason Coombes
Ball Gunner: Damon Smith
Port Waist Gunner: Jason Taylor
Starboard Waist Gunner: Lee Owen
Tail Gunner: Adi Clark

The missions begin in January 1943.
For the Amber Gambler's first mission we were assigned to bomb the railyard at Amiens in France. The RAF would provide fighter cover for the whole mission so hopefully it should be a piece of cake! The mission started with the Amber Gambler taking to the skies over Poddington. After forming up in the middle of the squadron the squadron met with the fighter escort and headed off to France.
There was no sight of the Luftwaffe until we got over French territory and then we spotted them. Fortunately the RAF drove off two waves of fighters and the Amber Gambler proceeded to the target unmolested. The weather over the target was good and the flak was light  and the Bombardier, Peter Hanna proceeded to drop the payload on target, achieving a 20% hit rate.
After the bombs had dropped the Luftwaffe managed to get a pair of FW190's past the RAF fighters and attacked the Amber Gambler but fortunately their aim was poor and no hits were scored.
Heading back to Britain the flight encountered more Luftwaffe planes, mostly driven off by the RAF though one got through. Didn't do him much good though as Engineer Dan Clifton peppered him with bullets causing major damage and forcing him to break off.
Then the welcome sight of the White Cliffs of Dover appeared ahead and the Amber Gambler was almost home and the first mission was complete!

Amber Gambler's crew ready for action

Mission 2:
The USAAF decided to keep the first few missions simple and for this mission we were tasked with bombing the Luftwaffe airfield at Abbeville in France. The RAF would once again be providing close fighter support.
The Amber Gambler was again fortunate to be in the middle of the squadron (safety in numbers!) and had an uneventful trip to the French coast. Over the target the Luftwaffe fighters had a running battle with the RAF but one FW190 piloted by an Ace managed to break through coming in high in front of the Gambler. In the nose compartment Pete Hanna took aim with his gun and blew the Nazi plane out of the sky! First kill for the Gamblers crew!!
The Gambler reached the target in clear skies and avoided all the light flak but Pete must have been dancing around the nose compartment too much celebrating his kill as he completely missed the target with his bombs!
Turning back towards Britain the flight of B-17's watched as the RAF dealt with the Luftwaffe and proceeded back towards Poddington.

Another mission done, just 23 more to go!! It's going to be easy right?!