First off: I allowed myself a second attempt at this mission because my plane simply decided to explode the first time. I reviewed the track, and neither myself nor the enemy caused this. Just "KABOOM", near the target and that was that. No flack, no fire.
Okay, to the actual mission:
Orders were to fly the rail route between Coutances and Villadieu, and to destroy rail traffic.
We left the base without incident, but we knew that rocketing and strafing trains was about the most dangerous thing a fighter pilot could do. Those rockets are fragile things, and I had a dream te night before that my plane just plain exploded in the air.
I spotted a train and ordered the attack, which I led.
Suddenly I heard a raking sound, and one of my wingmen yelled "Number One, get out! Get out! Bail!" Well, I wasn't falling out of the sky, at least not all of me. My elevator had either been broken, or shot off. Not bailing, no Sir! I throttled up and used the first notch of flaps to get myself above the action so I could direct my flight.
In my use of flaps avoiding flak I got my flaps jammed. I did a few practice turns to see how much room I needed to get onto the 210 approach for my landing. I flew a couple of miles to the East of the runway, and watched my magic-no-it-ain't-real compass indicator until it pointed to a heading of 240 and began my turn, knowing it would be pointing to 210 by the time I got around.
I had a pretty good alignment with the runway, and coming in hot with what amounted to takeoff flaps was tricky. (I turned the guncam on for this because I wanted to prove that I could do it.Will submit footage later this week.) I goosed the engine just before touchdown to lift the nose, and did bounce a bit, striking the twin booms a little, but mostly unhurt. I claim 10 rail cars.
addendum: A mechanic who calls himself "Barnesy", or something like that, did extensive work on my plane. I am beginning to suspect that he may actually be a saboteur. Recommend he be questioned about my plane parts falling off.