Kola Peninsula 1962 - Test run AAR

[acbennett3]

I title this last image "Do you want to live forever?" The B-52 successfully releases its bombs over the eastern most base in the Murmansk base complex (red dots over Severomorsk-1). It then goes on to survive 3 salvos from the SA-3 battery and the attacking Mig before all are destroyed in the blast.

The Murmansk area's luck just ran out also - previously had 1 Hound Dog malfunction, and a B-52 shot down to the North - this attack finally succeeded.

[acbennett3]

This run was a bit different then the first:
1. Due to launching all 24 Hound Dogs more hit their targets - even after 2 malfunctioned. This took out 1 of the PVO airbases and Migs and created holes in the Soviet radar coverage which the southern B-52's exploited. When I run this again from the beginning I will delay the 24 Hound Dog launch until the B-52's are even closer to the Soviet border. This will give the Soviets even less time to react.
2. The more Hound Dogs to intercept kept the majority of Soviet fighters busy and distant from the B-52's thus reducing their time and ability to detect the B-52s. The ADM-20 Quail decoys were just effective enough to draw them off a little more.
3. Not sure how realistic taking advantage of the Soviet radar hole was. SAC bombers had pre-assigned routes and targets and would not have too much flexibility to react to emerging battlefield opportunities - especially with 1962 era technology. But even 2 of the 3 center B-52's got thru in a very hostile environment so the southern 6 may have been successful even if they did not take advantage of the radar hole.

Watching the Military channel documentaries on YouTube I watched some episodes about cold war fighters/bombers never built. I know the Avro Arrow, TSR-2 and B-70 are in the DB - any chance of getting the F-103 and F-108?

I flew a UK TSR-2 over the defenses (I know, not the same time period by 5-10yrs), and while detected with its speed and 300kt Nucs (instead of mT) I was able to take out 4 different bases before being surrounded and chased down by 5 Migs on my way home.

Would be fun to have a B-70 Valkyrie strike escorted by F-108 Rapiers and intercepted by Mig-25 Foxbats with SA-2's lighting the way - the ultimate SAC bomber whatif…

[Coiler12]

any chance of getting the F-103 and F-108?

I flew a UK TSR-2 over the defenses (I know, not the same time period by 5-10yrs), and while detected with its speed and 300kt Nucs (instead of mT) I was able to take out 4 different bases before being surrounded and chased down by 5 Migs on my way home.

Would be fun to have a B-70 Valkyrie strike escorted by F-108 Rapiers and intercepted by Mig-25 Foxbats with SA-2's lighting the way - the ultimate SAC bomber whatif…

The XF-108 and YF-12 (similar ultra-fast canceled interceptor) are in the latest build. So you can go ahead and have your showdown.

[acbennett3]

Thanks - was using v398 CWDB - just looked in the v399 and there it (F108) is w/AIM47A Falcons. The CWDB incorrectly tags it as Navy instead of US Air Force though.

Just did a quick B-70/F-108 vs. a pair of Mig-25P's. F-108 closed and ided then got into a turning dogfight w/1 Mig while the other Mig kept going for the B-70. Mig stayed on the tail of the F-108 but was too close for its AAMs - no canon. Same problem w/the F-108's Falcons. But during their turning fight as the 2nd Mig got past min range the F-108 shot a pair of Falcons (while turning w/the other Mig) and shot it down. Unfortunately the Mig pulled the same trick on the B-70 as it passed by and exceeded minimum range.

Going to build this scenario out and try a hi altitude penetration next...
Also will look at the YF-12 with same AAMs.

[Fishbed]

I flew a UK TSR-2 over the defenses (I know, not the same time period by 5-10yrs), and while detected with its speed and 300kt Nucs (instead of mT) I was able to take out 4 different bases before being surrounded and chased down by 5 Migs on my way home.

Without getting into the prototypes, you could give the Mirage IV a try too (entered service in 1964). Wonder how this would go (but like the TSR2, would never have the legs to operate so far from its original bases without a couple mid-air refuelings..).