Somewhere high above the Austrian coast of the Gulf of Venice, 1918, an Austrian UFAG C.I and an Italian M.5 seaplane on a recon flight catch sight of each other.
The Austrian pilot, arguably in a less nimble* plane, still manages to bring the Italian broadside into his front sites.
He opens up with his front-mounted Schwarzlose machine-gun, perforating the flying boat.
The Italian pilot attempts evasive action, with hopes of turning the tables ...
but the Austrian swings around behind him.
RA-TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT! The Schwarzloze spits again, biting into canvas and wood.
Knowing it's better to live to fight another day, the M.5 breaks off from the fight and begins the journey back across the Gulf of Venice.
The Austrian cursed his luck - the Italian got away. Perhaps next time.
* My judgement about handling is based strictly on the Wings of War maneuver deck included with the plane, comparing it to the M.5's maneuver deck.
The rules for this little engagement were the WWI Aerial Combat Rules from Junior General (no optional rules used) combined with the Wings of Glory Duel Pack rules (free download) (the basic rules section) and maneuver cards. The former appears to be based on or at least is very similar to the latter given the presence of a deck of maneuver cards in both. Saturday night, I wanted something quick to get the planes on the table (bed actually) and not spend my time nose buried in a rule book and these suited the bill.
The Junior General rules use a hex grid, and Wings of Glory uses some kind of proprietary ruler. So, I marked a short rod with 2" range bands corresponding to the Junior General hex ranges. 2" was based on a gut feeling. 3" or even 4" might make more sense. In any case, it worked for me.
Honestly, I was expecting to only be mildly amused by such a small encounter with no altitude rules, nary a cloud, no ground cloth, etc. but it was so much fun. I didn't track turns or how much time I played - but it was more turns than you'd think, even with 3 cards played per plane per turn. The rules were quick to pick up and honestly the lack of altitude rules didn't seem to impact my enjoyment.
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| Top down view of the recently received Austrian UGAF C.I. I love the camo pattern. |
My poor judgement of how much distance the Wings of Glory cards move a plane led to the break off of the fight by the M.5 - it literally moved off the bed to my surprise. No special solo rules used - but it was easy to make the best decisions for each without bias or pretending I didn't have knowledge of both sides, because I couldn't remotely anticipate how the maneuvers might work out in play. That might change as I develop familiarity with them.
It may be too soon, but I'm already looking to expand my air forces.
In the meantime, with these two planes, I'll play more dog fights, add trench strafing missions (using some recolored Junior General top downs - or maybe someday, 1/300 infantry) and some ship strafing missions (perhaps with 1/2400 ships) as well.
Oh and try some other rules. Maybe.
If I have learned anything from my figure-based wargames, simple suits me better - which is why I return to Morschuaser and his mechanisms and leave the complexity for my boardgaming.
Sounds like successful outing to me!
ReplyDeleteIndeed it was! Now if only I'd stop searching eBay for a Caproni Ca 3 bomber. (1/144 scale, not 1:1)
DeleteOh I say! Shooting at one another - hardly the actions of gentlemen!
ReplyDeleteWell, to be fair, only the Austrian did any shooting. The Italian thought about it (still a blight on his character), but was dissuaded by the bullets ruining his lovely flying machine.
DeleteSplendid Little models - "Seaplanes and flying boats" - one of my favourite Blandford colour refrerence books that wasn't about uniforms.
ReplyDeleteAn intriguing sounding book!
DeleteI am sorely tempted to pick up the other Wings of War M.5 models - one is painted as flown by an American pilot (for Italy I believe) and the other is a captured plane, flying the Austrian colors.
It seems to have been issued by Macmillan in the USA - Kenneth Munson Falying Oats and Seaplanes since 1910 - second hand for example in the USA https://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=22921504949&searchurl=an%3Dmunson%2Bkenneth%26sortby%3D20%26tn%3Dflying%2Bboats%2Band%2Bseaplanes%2Bsince%2B1910&cm_sp=snippet-_-srp1-_-title3
DeleteGreat models John - simple suits me best too!
ReplyDeleteI find when I'm playing with my toys, generally, I'd rather be looking at my toys than a rule book. For some reason, my brain is more forgiving with counters and hexes!
DeleteJohn, It all reminds me of my 1970s childhood, making WW1 Airfix aircraft, then hanging them from the ceiling with thread. Those models look very collectable.
ReplyDeleteMichael
Oh they are very much so. Unfortunately, some of the out of production models - the large bombers in particular, like the Caproni Ca. 3, fetch amounts that I cannot justify spending.
DeleteThat first photo is a ripper! Great to see that you are into this campaign already. I really look forward to your 'combined arms' actions to come.
ReplyDeleteRegards, James
Thanks, James!
DeleteI am glad the planes are pre-paints or I might never get to play Italian front games!
Blowing my only trumpet here, but is the Free Stuff section of my blog is the link to a set of rules for WW1 air combat with no cards, no re-plotted moves and no altitude. They aren't prefect, but they'll give a fun game.
ReplyDeletehttp://hordesofthethings.blogspot.com/p/free-stuff.html
Thanks Kaptain Kobold! They were already on my short list of games to try!
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