After action report....

[pupaxx]

Hi all, after an hour session on ATAG this noon I would share my experience and thought...
I was on patrol over the channel at FL14, spotted 2 bogeys at 5-6 miles, after an 10min pursuit I identified an Hurry chasing a Bf109. Since I was in visual contact and identified the 2 planes, the combat developped in a continuous climbing, me pursuiving well spaced. Soon the situation turned favorable to the 109 that easily out-turned he hurry. Some explosive shells ripped off a wing of the poor Hurrybus. (P.s. the wing stayed sticked at mid air ... Bug?). The 109 broke away and turned to home. As for me I never managed to get a ballistic contact, my final Flight Level was 18.5, and as far I know this is the top operational height, it simply can't climb more than that. What surprised me most was the 109's FM and the Spit performance. At that height I was at 220Mph, throttle at 100% and Manifold Pressure +3.5 (well below red arc...strange!), oil temp 95-100, water temp 100, rad 85% open. Prop pitch at 63% coarse, RpM 2550-2600. These parameters (temps and pressure) kept constant during all the time so I continued the pursuit well confident in the engine health.
Suddenly the engine seized up, and it was a long gliding to hawkinge!
Do u think this event has something to do with Mixture leaning?. I suspect that depends on it. I flew all the time full rich!
Anyway, just one words on CloD high alt combat...simply amazing!