S3 Series

We launched from M 109 and climbed NE for RV at 3.9X, but My bad ....I took off a couple of minutes late and
set CS too slow. Should have been about 180 -185 CS instead of nominal 165mph. As a result we caught the bombers
about half way between 4.9X and 5.9X and just at buff alt. We should have been above and in front of the buffs to
better scatter the attacks. Still having 80-90 gals on DT didn't help either. Most of us had to finally drop tanks
either because we were engaged, or in the 5.8 block in order to try and protect the buffs. The fight continued to big B
and the egress with those of us left having short fuel for the long trip home. The several who made it back had damaged planes and had to leave the
bomb group to rtb and re plane. I got caught somewhere south of city 78 climbing with low power to conserve fuel instead of busting home NOE.
(nicely done Dr dart). The one kill I scored was while I had drop tanks still....he must have crashed trying to land.
Lesson learned.....set climb speed for 195-200 mph and catch buffs sooner and higher.
FYI 4th has 1 fame P-51 and 2 frames P-47 left...