Real World BoB Hurricane Pilot's views on SOW

[Skoshi Tiger]

Originally Posted by swiss

You're right, only - no one did.

Other than that, I tend to trust paper over memories.

well, whatever.

Not implied by me!

I think people are entitled to be passionate about their views and in some cases both sides of a discussion can be right or wrong. (or both at the same times which is confusing! )

I tend to find the paper is good at recording the big picture of an event, but there are a lot of little details that are next to impossible to record.

It's these little details and anecdotes that I find fascinating

Cheers!

[BadAim]

Originally Posted by Skoshi Tiger

Not implied by me!

I think people are entitled to be passionate about their views and in some cases both sides of a discussion can be right or wrong. (or both at the same times which is confusing! )

I tend to find the paper is good at recording the big picture of an event, but there are a lot of little details that are next to impossible to record.

It's these little details and anecdotes that I find fascinating

Cheers!

That is exactly right, I have found that individual servicemen oftentimes have little understanding of what was going on around them in the big picture, but can recall the most minute details about their own little corner of the war.

I also also can relate to the pressure of the event impressing the memories deeply. I too can remember few things from 20 years ago, but I remember very clearly 28 years ago having my Camaro sideways at 110mph on the Highway sliding towards a bridge footing! I remember pulling off to the breakdown lane and getting out to walk off the adrenaline, much like the pilot in the Yak 50 thread. I can still taste that tinge of nickel on my tongue.
I have no Idea what the plate number on that car was, or the date of the incident, or any other myriad facts, but I can take you to the spot and describe what happened.

I guess my point is that the cold eye of the historian can only tell you a part of the story, and a necessary part, but it's the firsthand accounts that give history it's 'flavor'.

[Romanator21]

"As for the simulator I cannot pass comment for it was short and looked like a computer game which I used to play some years ago. I guess it is more like a game than a simulator. A hurricane would have been shot down long before it reached the Heinkels."

Although this could be in reference to the tail-gunners (the Hurricane was flying straight and level on their six for over a minute) it could also have something to do with the fighter escort. Just because the 109's had 20 minutes over London, didn't mean they couldn't be really nasty to the RAF. The Bf-109 was considered in many respects, the Spitfire's equal in the battle.

[Skoshi Tiger]

Originally Posted by Romanator21

Although this could be in reference to the tail-gunners (the Hurricane was flying straight and level on their six for over a minute) it could also have something to do with the fighter escort. Just because the 109's had 20 minutes over London, didn't mean they couldn't be really nasty to the RAF. The Bf-109 was considered in many respects, the Spitfire's equal in the battle.

To choose between either the 109 or spitfire at this stage of the war would be very hard indeed. In some respect the Spitfires had a distinct disadvantage, one being the Negative-G Cutout issue.

Where the Germans pilots had a lot more experience that the British at this stage, the British however had the Home-Ground advantage.

This is going to be one of the interesting things about the BOB Sim. How evenly matched the aircraft were!

Cheers!