My opponent was flying straight up. It was obvious that it was trying to escape.
I was approaching from behind the target. I am faster.
It turned to the left.
Still, climbing maneuver continued.
When I was about to shoot the gun in five seconds, I rolled and checked my surroundings. I could see two aircrafts above me. They were still small, but they were coming toward me.
Good job. They must be fighter escorts.
Four planes in total are converging into this location. Does it mean that this is a significant strongpoint?
I don’t think they knew that we have a fighter aircraft.
I got behind the target.
Fire.
Break away to the right.
High throttle.
I ascended.
The two planes above me had already split into two ways.
I turned the nose toward the one that was coming down first.
At the same time, I followed the trajectory of the other aircraft. As I thought, the one was trying to come around behind me.
The attack aircraft I had dealt with earlier plunged into the forest.
The orange fire was visible for a moment. No sound could be heard.
Now, two down. Another two left to go.
The engine condition was getting better and better. The sound was becoming smoother. I checked the oil pressure. The oil temperature was normal. I still had enough ammunition to shoot down 15 more targets.
Getting to the altitude of 500, I started turning.
I spent more time watching the birds coming from below.
The other one also started circling.
Let’s dance.
I cut into the circle of turning at once. But, I quickly brought it back.
Roll.
Would the bird from below come first?
Up.
While maintaining the inverted orientation, I took the plunge.
The opponent deflected to the right. It seems to be surprised. Is it a beginner?
I easily went around behind it.
But, the one above me was coming obliquely from the left.
Revving the engine.
While using the elevators to hold the airframe, I slowed down with the flaps to fake the move.
I will get it a little closer to me.
I pulled the flaps back in an instant.
Elevators neutral.
My aircraft accelerated.
I ascended slightly.
I got ahead of the opponent.
Up.
The opponent pointed upward, but it was a bit late.
I was flying inverted.
I saw the two enemy planes toward the ground.
Getting up even more.
Diving.
Roll.
The plane above me fell to the left. Is it trying to escape below?
The one beneath it was trying to climb.
I choked the engine.
Full flaps.
It became quiet.
I heard the sound of the wings cutting through the wind.
Getting it down slightly.
I did not roll to fake.
While going down, I had the aircraft horizontally oriented.
My body was pulled with the belt.
How light this aircraft is.
The enemy aircraft appeared in front of me.
I shot at it for a second.
Up.
Turning over.
While the world revolved about me, I looked at the one below me.
Flames.
I heard an explosive sound.
Now, three down.
I kept on descending.
The remaining one started turning. He’s going to fight me. That’s the way to go.
Half throttle.
I made a banking move with half flaps.
I was sweating.
The body is getting hot.
I released my left hand from the throttle lever and shook the wrist.
I was looking to my left.
Will my opponent come out first?
The turn radius was getting smaller and smaller.
I felt as if I could hear music.
I wondered if it was the rhythm of the engine cams.
Checking the meters. The oil pressure was normal. The oil temperature was a bit high.
Oh, I have yet to jettison the drop tank.
I think I can do it without throwing it away.
I took a deep breath slowly.
Calm down.
I am alive.
That’s right. This is the place where I live.
I tilted the control stick to the left slightly.
It was not anyone else’s decision. My body moved on its own.
I erected the wing upward like a sword.
The opponent turned to face me as well.
We were getting closer.
It shot at me, so I adjusted the attitude by getting the aircraft down.
We passed by each other.
Full flaps.
Keeping the engine slow.
Up.
I half-rolled at the top of the half-looping maneuver, and made an Immelmann turn.
The opponent tried to make a turn to face me.
Closing in.
I shook the airframe with the rudders.
My right hand wants to shoot the gun.
Is that too much to deal with?
The opponent was descending to the left.
I rolled, and pitched upward.
Toward the ground.
I pushed up the throttle.
On pursuit.
The speed increased rapidly.
I made a banking move slowly.
To the right.
I was 300 meters behind the enemy aircraft.
Same speed.
Approaching the ground.
Black forest.
More to the right.
I choked the throttle.
It’s time for the opponent to apply the brakes.
I guess it would make a feint move for the starter.
The enemy may think about getting it up and stalling. It’s a risky gamble, but if it works, it’d be a lifesaver. But he’s conservative and probably won’t do anything like that.
He’s making a feint maneuver.
I evaded it lightly, and stayed on its tail.
200 meters.
It rolled to the left by 180 degrees.
The ground was getting very close underneath us.
Still, I chased it.
100 meters.
A bit more.
Fire.
Pitching up to break away.
Did it get hit?
I held my breath and endured the acceleration.
I am pointing upward. My body was feelings lighter.
Rolling. I saw no enemy aircraft.
Flames rose from the forest, and white smoke spread in an instant.
It’s too bad. It seems that it is over already.
I brought back to the upright flight.
Climbing up further.
I banked the wings to look around.
I made a half roll once.
I checked the direction toward the ground.
Five columns of smoke.
Half roll again.
I checked the airspace toward the zenith.
The vast sky stretched on forever.
Nothing else was flying anymore.
It’s a beautiful sky. No cloud.
Shall I go up a little?
I turned on the radio. But, probably no one would contact me. I ascended to the altitude of 1,000 meters at once. Okay, there is no enemy aircraft anywhere.
There were thin clouds behind the mountains. They were the only things that I could not see.
Ah, I feel good.
How splendid it is.
My entire body was hot.
But, the air temperature was low. And the air was thin. I was not even wearing an oxygen mask. I can’t stay here forever.
I wondered if it would be better for me to land.
I still had not heard anything about where I was supposed to fly to.
If this plane could hold two people, I would give Fuko a ride. Or maybe I could take Sagara, who was on the ground, for a ride. I’d like to take her up to a height that a biplane can’t reach. Then, maybe she would understand a little more about my feelings.
I slowly descended, thinking of things I would never have thought of on the ground.
-5-