The Hunt for
Bed Check Charlie

Answer

by Marvin Scott

You may find some surprises.

F-94 Starfire was unable to fly low and slow enough to get a good shot at the PO-2. One F-94 collided with a PO-2, destroying both planes. Another F-94 crashed as it tried to slow down for a shot. My sources are not clear if it hit the PO-2. It seems on balance the F-94 produced a net loss. Shooting - roll a D-6: 1,2 = hit; 3,4 = collide; 5,6 = miss. Evading a peak - roll a D-6: 1,2,3 = miss; 4,5,6 = crash.

F3D Skyknight was also too fast for the mission. However, it did avoid crashes. Shooting - roll a D-6: 1,2 = hit; 3 = collide; 4,5,6 = miss. Evading a peak - roll a D-6: 1,2 = collision; 3,4,5,6 = miss.

F4U Corsairs were the most effective. Flying with flaps out and landing gear down to slow them down, they were able to take out the PO-2. One pilot became an ace. Shooting - roll a D-6: 1,2,3 = hit; 4,5,6 = miss. Evading a peak - roll a D-6: 1 = collision; 2,3,4,5,6 = miss.

F7F Tigercats were a success at first, but the PO-2 could outmaneuver them. They are credited with two kills. Shooting - roll a D-4: 1,2 = hit; 3,4,5,6 = miss. Evading a peak - roll a D-6: 1,2 = collision; 3,4,5,6 = miss.

Fairey Firefly was used, but I found no record of results. It looks good on paper. Shooting - roll a D-6: 1,2,3 = hit; 4,5,6 = miss. Evading a peak - roll a D-6: 1 = collision; 2,3,4,5,6 = miss.

AD-4 Skyraider. While it did kill a PO-2, it seems to be a case of spotting the enemy plane while flying an interdiction mission. Shooting - roll a D-6: 1,2,3 = hit; 4 5 6 = miss. Evading a peak - roll a D-6: 1 = collision; 2,3,4,5,6 = miss.

B-26 Invader also shot down a PO-2 while on another mission. Shooting - roll a D-6: 1,2 = hit; 3,4,5,6 = miss. Evading a peak - roll a D-6: 1,2 = collision; 3,4,5,6 = miss. Actually interceptor planes were not able to stop the Bed Check Charlie raids. Eventually the U. S. Air force bombed the airbases in North Korea, and that was the most effective measure taken. After this experience, the Air force decided to use missiles to defend its bases.

More Bed Check Charlie


Back to Table of Contents -- Lone Warrior #138
Back to Lone Warrior List of Issues
Back to MagWeb Magazine List
© Copyright 2002 by Solo Wargamers Association.
This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web.
Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com