Republic of Dalmatia Imagi-Nation

[redleg]

The second day of competition has been very exciting. To start off, the attack pilots all completed the low level course. One ROD aircraft was damaged when a wing tip struck an obstacle, but there were no injuries and the aircraft was able to land safely. Despite that incident and several other penalties, the pilots all logged impressive times, but there can be only one winner:

Pilot #10 from RPNW Marine Squadron (AV-8B)

This morning the fighter pilots got to shoot with live ammo as they participated in the drone shoot – each fighter engaging a drone with cannon fire from internal guns or from an external gun pod. It was a very exciting event, with one fighter pilot coming out on top:

Pilot #9 from ROD’s VFA-6 Demons (F/A-18E)

This afternoon the fighter pilots were still busy with the head-to head competition. The competition was fierce, but in the end only 20 pilots advanced to round 2:



Big surprises as the RPNW pilots come storming in to take 6 positions in the 2nd round. The ROD meanwhile, only has a pair of fighters in this round, as do the KDF.

After such an eventful day, many of the pilots and ground crews chose to unwind at the Avatar Ale tent. Unfortunately, the attack squadrons finished earlier than the fighter squadrons, and some of their ground crew decided to remove their clothing and go back to work on the flight line. Operations were halted for some time as the naked ground crews were rounded up and herded into a safe location.

More excitement tomorrow as the attack pilots get to go live with the cannon shoot and the fighter squadrons jump into the pit-stop competition. And round two of the head-to head kicks off tomorrow as well!

[chrisswim]

Lt Thomas-Zing trying to land after today’s flights was cutoff by a MF-10 fighter from KDF. The F/A-18 C was cleared to land. The dumb S.O.B. came in hot on the port side of the Hornet passing it and landing. Tower called Thomas-Zing to circle around.
Later at social n dinner, Thomas threw a ‘zinger’ in the jaw of that x&#/ $ucker. Knock him down…. Then left a half minute later. Everyone knew it was bound to happen….
.
Congratulations!! to PRNW for excellent flying! Great sportsmanship.
And to ROD for the Fighter Rodeo, which is running smoothly. Also their pilot coming out on top.

[MechCommander]

POP Team Camp.
the pilots from No 401 Squadron are celebrating the fact that 3 of their pilots even made it to Round 2 at all. However the same cannot be said for the Bombardier Factory Demo Team, as none of their CF-21s has even made it to round 2. This is quite a embarrassment for Bombardier Aerospace and might pose a problem to their 5th Gen Fighter Program to the RCAF.

Here's hoping the Da Vincian and Feline Pilots in the Attack Category have better luck. the feline unit JG-10 is a veteran of the battle over Aleppo, a Year before.

[7.62]

None of the KDF contingent have been drinking the Avatar beer, not even the free samples!!!!!!
The rumour is that NC has spiked one of the tankers.
TP has been in short supply this evening.


Later an empty container marked "Dr Maple's industrial strength laxative, product of NC" was found on the ramp.

[MechCommander]

The Bombardier CF-21 display is closed for the rest of the event.

[redleg]

The guns were blazing today as the attack pilots all completed the attack cannon shoot. In this event, each pilot engaged a ground target with cannons – either internal guns or an external gun pod. The pilots shot exceedingly well, and the impact area got chewed up pretty good, but when the dust settled a single pilot was declared the winner:

Pilot #11 from the KDF’s 41st Air Brigade, A Flight (KF-30)

At the squadron level, the fighter squadrons competed in the pit-stop competition by having all 12 aircraft fully loaded and in the air. The entire squadron landed, downloaded all ordnance, uploaded new ordnance, refueled, and got back into the air. The winning squadron with the fastest time (adjusted for penalties) was:

POP’s Bombardier Demo Squadron (CF-21)

The fighter pilots that advanced to round 2 went head-to-head again today, flying two missions in a spectacular demonstration of dogfighting skill. These 20 pilots are the best in the imagi-nation world, but 4 pilots rose to the top of the heap, and they will be moving on to the final round tomorrow:



Tomorrow these 4 pilots will fly 3 missions, and at the end one will be crowned Top Dogfighter for 2024!

In addition to the dogfighting, the attack pilots get to make a big boom with the live bomb drop competition. And then, once all aircraft are on the ground, our international panel of aircraft maintenance experts will conduct the aircraft maintenance competition!

There is a lot happening as we head into the end of the week, but we ask that all participants kindly control themselves, and monitor their alcohol intake. Last night several pilots gained access to the press tent where the pool of reporters was working, and they performed a lively pole dance for their captive audience. Unfortunately, the center pole of the tent gave way under the enthusiastic performance and the tent collapsed. No injuries were reported.

[MechCommander]

POP Team Camp Vulture Feild
(Lt Daniel McDavid on the phone with the BA president): "Hey Boss we managed to get first place in the Maintenance portion of Competition. Well its the best we can do. but it will save the 5th Gen fighter Project."

(Lt Marcus Davis): "Pilot, if you win top dogfighter, your it for the job of flight instructor for the RCAF, we need good pilots in the Airforce."

[chrisswim]

The Avatar Beer & Ale is always free to the pilots and ground crews.
Balzac Republic send it over in Flying Kegs. Two more which landed this evening for tomorrows festivities.
We expect that KDF might win since they are drinking ‘Rat Piss’ their home brand. But they don’t know better.
Fortunately, the two pilots saw each other, but fellow pilots kept the two away from each other.

[MechCommander]

Propaganda Officers from the POP. began sticking propaganda posters around Vulture Feild showcasing the amazing accomplishments that the POP Team has displayed through out the course of the Rodeo from the Bombardier CF-21s major win in the Maintenance competition, to the New Canadian Pilot from No 401 Squadron RCAF labelling him as "The Wonder Pilot." for making it to the final round.

[redleg]

Your posters have been removed and you are on notice: Any more of your BS and all POP squadrons will be ejected from the remainder of the event. We are considering not inviting the POP to future events since you have a track record of being a-holes (you may recall a previous fighter rodeo where you attempted to take off early for an event).

And at least get your facts straight. Your squadron won the pit-stop competition, not the maintenance competition. Maintenance is this afternoon.

[7.62]

4 ship of KF-30 on the way back from the bomb range today.

[redleg]

The Fighter Rodeo was beyond exciting today! The attack pilots made a huge boom with their bomb drop competition. Each pilot dropped a live 500 lb bomb on a stationary target and was graded for accuracy. It was an earth-shaking event, and in the end one pilot took home the bomb drop trophy:

Pilot #4 from the CoC’s 55th Air Wing (F/A-18C)

In the afternoon, a panel of 5 distinguished maintenance experts from France, the Vatican, Mexico, Malaysia, and Ireland evaluated all of the competition aircraft and determined that one squadron stood out from the rest as the best maintained squadron:

KDF’s 25th Air Brigade, 33rd Squadron (KJ-10)

And finally, in what is to some the highlight of the rodeo, the final 4 fighter pilots took to the air for the final of the head-to-head competition. Each pilot flew 3 missions, one against each of the other finalists. The competition was fierce, and the spectators were dazzled by the impressive dogfighting skills on display. But as Connor McCloud used to say, there can be only one.

The winner of the 2024 dogfighting competition and recipient of the 2024 Top Dogfighter trophy is:

Aircraft #9 from the KDF’s 7th Air Brigade, A Flight (KF-30)

Congratulations to the KDF!

Today’s events went perfectly, all except for the sound system at the spectator area. The loudspeakers near the grandstands broadcast play-by-play details of the dogfights high overhead, but when they began to broadcast sounds of people relieving themselves, there were a few complaints. Our technicians traced the microphone lines past the empty boxes of Dr Maple’s Industrial Strength Laxative over to the porta-potties by the flight line, and the micro phones were removed.

Have fun tonight but get ready for tomorrow’s air war! Orders will be presented at each squadron’s ready room at 0600!

[redleg]

Those KF-30s are beautiful aircraft!

[MechCommander]

I do remember what happened in the previous Rodeo. but rest assured in future Events The POP will be better behaved.

[7.62]

A great victory for the KDF as they take the top dog trophy for 2024.
This is a major endorsement of the KF-30 project by the Air Force. While not a very stealthy design it gives the KDF an excellent multi roll platform for both the fighter and attack missions.
Lots of power, canards and thrust vectoring make it a deadly opponent in a close up fight.
In conjunction with Karmanaskis locally designed and built KF-10, it provides the prefect hi-low mix force structure.

The beer will flow tonight!