The Journal of Air Combat Gaming

Issue #37 MiG Alley Revisited/OTR Bombers Jan/ Feb 1995

From the Cockpit

Jets was essentially Air Sup/Strike put on the computer with
some simplification twists (Charlie likes to use squares instead
of a hex grid and thus jets tum in 45 degree increments). What
Happy New Year! Hope everyone survived the has caused so much excitement, though, among the dyed-in-
holiday season without too much fuss. I did and I even the-wool computer gamers, is that FC and FC2 are the first air-
received a very interesting Christmas present ( check games to reach them which emphasize strategy and which have
out the current events column, next page). As I a boardgame feel. Computer gamers have long been over-
mentioned before, this issue kicks off year seven for saturated with flight simulator and arcade-style computer air
Air Power and of course, for many people, seven is a combat games in which you can only operate from the cockpit
lucky number. It should be a lucky year for us Air of a single airplane and where skill with a joystick and a fast
Combat Gamers as well. I can say that with all the thumb on the fire buttons is all that is needed to play. FC and
new products coming down the pike designed to FC2 allow them the bigger picture of multi-aircraft air battle
entertain just our unique type of aerial-minded die gaming. They like it! (We boardgamers have been on the right
rollers. To begin with, if COA is on the ball.Achtung-Spitfire! track all along!).
should be shipping at about the same time as this issue. A Speed I mention all of this because there is a potentially great
ofHeatmodule should be out by this fall, followed by the Pacific marriage in the works here for all concerned. Air combat
game for the Fighting Wings system early next year. Other boardgamers, especially this readership, typically enjoy the
things from COA are possible depending on how fast I can get high level of detail available to them but decry the tremendous
the work done. slowdown in the speed of play that comes along with that detail.
On other fronts, I expect GMT games to have8th Air Force The most common complaint about J.D. Webster-designed
the follow on card game to Rise of the Luftwaffe hitting the games (that's me) is that they are usually too chart-intensive for
stores just before Origins. The Avalon Hill Game Company just the non-grognard, However, it is that same attention to detail
released Charlie Moylan's Flight Commander II(FC2) game that draws a lot of the people to the games. Hey guys, a
for Windows and Mac computers. Among computer gamers it computer can solve this problem. Computers can whack through
has received some very good reviews. FC2 is a refinement of Big charts in a nanosecond. Think about it. FC2 has a familiar feel
Time Software's Flight Commander game which appeared to it that the old Air Superioritjplayers can grasp. However,
early last year (and which is reviewed this issue for us by John FC2 computer players are enjoying 30 plane furballs - some-
Caraher). Flight Commandergrew out of Charlie's Strike Jets thing we manual gamers can only dream of. Heck, a four vs. four
"shareware" game (reviewed in AP waaay back when). Strike fight can easily take five hours to game through manually, but
AIR POWER MiG Alley Revisited Issue #37
an FC2 player can knock off a 20-vs-20 in an hour or less
because the computer is doing all the hard work. An FC2 player FLIGHT COMMANDER
simply has to click on aircraft with his mouse and order its Big Time Softwae's
moves. The computer handles the rest, reporting and recording
any changes in speed and altitude automatically. ComputerAir Combat Game
Designed by Charlie Moylan
The second complaint most air combat board gamers have
is the lack of regular opponents. Charlie Moylan's artificial
Reviewed by John "Vulture" Caraher
intelligence, built into the FC series, has been described by
several people as being among the best they've seen. The Flight Commanderis the descendant of Charlie Moylan's
computer provides a good challenge, but better yet, Charlie has "shareware" air combat game for the Macintosh, Strike Jets
put in provisions for multi-human play and play by email into (see Air Power#27). Like its predecessor, FC is not the test of
the FC2 program so you can reach other gamers by modem or reflexes that computer flight simulators frequently are, but
even take turns with your best buddy while sitting around the nearer in concept the traditional "board" wargame, only
monitor. taking advantage of the smarts of the computer to provide not
only an opponent but limited intelligence and game manage-
My point in all this is: the computer age is among us. We ment functions. So what do you get for about $40 that the old
should take advantage of it. Just like electronic CDs will never Strike Jets didn't deliver besides a fancy box and printed
replace the London Philharmonic Orchestra, computer games manual? Several things: campaign scenarios, an on-line mini-
will never fully replace the joy of face-to-face manual game reference on the aircraft in the game, an improved user inter-
play. But computers can readily add to the enjoyment of manual face, more customization options and snazzy sounds and graph-
face-to-face play by taking over a lot of the chart intensive ics.
workload for the gamers.
The movement and combat systems are essentially identical
To exploit the possibility, Charlie and I are cooperating on to those found in Strike Jets. The combat area is divided into
making a computerized version of Over The Reich using the cubes 1/3 mile on a side, yielding eight-point facing with 90 or
same principles employed in FC2. That is still a year down the 180 degree arcs for most missile tracking and radar functions.
road but the possibilities are enormous if we do it right! Each turn represents eight seconds. Each turn a player may
give orders to any or all of his aircraft, including selecting air-
Well, take care gang! JDW to-air or ground attack weapon modes, radar work including
selecting a target to lock, deciding whether to launch a missile
Current Events if a target is in parameters (the computer tells you this, of
course) as well as plotting out a flight path.

J.D. Webster Buys A MiG-21 FishbedOkay, talk about Changes include the abolition of the old system of movement
excursions into lunacy- I decided to take my own advice from plotting. Now there is a square display with a "control yoke" in
a few issues back and buy an ex-East European fighter jet. I've the center. Pull the yoke downward and the aircraft side view
been loath to talk about it before now because there were so that shows pitch attitude tilts upward, and the resulting altitude
many red tape obstacles to overcome and some real fear that the gain appears. On the map, an arrow shows you where a
strangers that I was wiring my money off to in Europe would straight-ahead move would leave your aircraft; pulling the
disappear. However, now that it is all said and done, and now yoke left or right adjusts the arrowhead to show the final facing
that I can walk over to the local airport and stare at my own and flight path. As in Strike Jets one may only plot 45 or 90
genuine Soviet-designed (Czech-built) MiG-21F-13 Fishbed degree turns, and the 90 degree turns are treated as "high-G."
lying in a rented hangar in several large pieces awaiting In addition, maneuvers which in Air Supterms would be called
assembly, I am all smiles. This is "way-cool," as they say. displacement rolls may be selected by clicking border areas to
Perhaps in a later issue I will tell the full story on how this either side of the control yoke, and on second or subsequent
acquisition came to pass. For now, however, I have a number turns of vertical flight a 180 degree course change may be
of obstacles to overcome before I can put it back together. I have plotted ("Immelman" or "Split-S"). All in all, this system
to locate and purchase maintenance manuals, special batteries, makes movement plotting swift and fixes some of the sleazy
missile rails, drop tanks, pilot and braking parachutes, ejection tricks one could pull in the old system (my favorite being to plot
seat cartidges, training missiles and a demilitarized gun. This a straight-ahead move ending with 45 degree turns in opposing
takes time and about $10,000. So if any of you would like to directions; this counted as a high-G maneuver for favorable
donate to the cause and be a little part of history I would be missile attack modifiers but caused no deviation in course).
grateful. I am accepting donations in any amount but $50
dollar and up increments make you a named sponsor in the There is also a great deal of customization available. There
project. Send donations to Air Power Publications (MiG fund). are seven "advanced rules" options one may select that affect
Thanks. the level of realism the game exhibits. It is difficult to imagine
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The Journal of Air Combat Gaming New OTR Bombers Issue #37
playing without most of these; for instance, one of them is be prepared to start anew if you find you are ten turns in and you
"altitude." (That's right-an air combat game that caters to the have neither seen an aircraft nor been attacked (though one
computer geek who doesn't want to deal with altitude!) So the consolation is that it won't have taken very long to play the ten
first thing to do is click that "advanced" option that lets you do turns ... ).
stuff like climb and dive. Other "must have" options are radar
and visual contacting (without this all aircraft are spotted at all Overall, like its predecessor, Flight Commanderis no Air
times, taking away perhaps the best feature of a computer SupffSoH, but is definitely a viable alternative when you're
implementation), missiles track (attacks by missiles are re- alone with your Mac and looking to play an air combat game.
solved on the tum of launch otherwise), advanced ground Perhaps the best testimony is that this review has taken me a few
attack, and movement phasing (lets tailing aircraft plot after nights longer than planned to write because I'd run FC to check
seeing tailees moves). I also highly recommend using the stall/ something, then get distracted playing a game or two ("I swear,
GLOC option and not using the "high G tum limits" option this time that stinking bridge is going DOWN!").
( where a plotted 90 degree turn may execute as only 45 degrees
depending on factors such as pilot skill, aircraft maneuverabil- Postscript: A new edition of Flight Commanderhas been
ity and nearness to "corner speed"). In addition, one can published by The Avalon Hill Game Company. For the first
customize many features of the display and sounds ( one option time, it will be available for Windows (not DOS) as well as the
plays "radio chatter" at random intervals during play, not for Macintosh. No word yet on exactly what the differences from
information but for "atmosphere"). the original Macintosh version will be.

There are several "campaign" scenarios that come with Ed. Note: A comprehensive review of Flight Commander II
Flight Commander set during Desert Storm, the Falkands war will be published next issue. The author will be air game
and Vietnam. The Desert Storm campaign pits your A-10 designer Mo Morgan.
squadron against Iraq's best (which are better than real life-
here, you can get bounced by Mi Gs and have to defend yourself 11 11
with Sidewinders and that big old gun), the Falklands scenario THE VIEW FROM Ml GALLEY
pits your Harriers against the Argentines in missions ranging l,;�.iiiiiii.iiiiiii.iiiiiii.iiiiiii.iiiiiii.iiiiiii.iiiiiii.iiiiiii.iiiiiii.iiiiiii.iiiiiii.iiiiiii.iiiiiii.iiiiiii.iiiiiii.iiiiiii.iiiiiii.iiiiiii.iiiiiii.iiiiiii.iiiiiii;;.I
from fleet defense to close support, and in the Vietnam cam-
paign your main objective is to drop the Dragon's Jaw - and Article and Scenarios by James E. Meldrum
ultimately, support an attack on Hanoi with your F-4 squadron.
Each campaign involves selecting pilots for eight missions, and The air aspect of the Korean War is, like the rest of that
generally defeat on an important mission means you have to fly conflict, a nearly forgotten war. At that time the USAF was in
it again (took me three trips to drop the bridge in the Vietnam flux, making the transition from conventional (propeller-driven)
campaign). Flying all eight takes about two evenings of play, to jet-propelled aircraft. The USAF was still using World War
and dealing with pilot assignments and decisions about aircraft Two-era conventional prop-driven fighters like the P-51 (dur-
loadouts (constrained by your squadron's weapons stockpile) ing the Korean War known as the F-51) and tactical bombers
can be a nice change of pace from the "let the computer set the like the B-26 Invader. Even the the heavy bombers of the time
scene" that I usually select by default. It would be nice if there (like the B-29, B-36, and B-50, used in both the conventional
were more campaigns available, or a way for the user to create and nuclear strike roles) were propeller-powered. The only one
one (you can set up your own scenarios, but there's no auto- of these heavy bombers to see actual service in Korea, however,
mated way to link them together). was the B-29. At the same time the USAF was trying to
demobilize from its wartime condition and yet deal with some
Scenario generation is also improved from Strike Jets of the very real threats posed by a nuclear-capable Soviet
There is now a large number of generic target types to choose Union.
from (ranging from SCUD launchers to ships), and one can also
select air-to-air scenarios. Aircraft are drawn from 35 nations On the other side of the lines, the situation was largely the
represented in the database, and one may either specify number same, although the Soviets did not seriously demobilize after
of aircraft of a total "point value" for each side. In addition to World War Two. While no Soviet jet bombers saw action in
the 35 nations represented according to their modem air Korea, the Tu-2 tactical bomber, a plane with largely the same
forces, one may also draw from aircraft of the Korean, Viet- role as the USAF's B-26 Invader, was used, as werethel1-2and
namese, Falklands or Arab-Israeli wars. Selection and loading 11-10 ground support aircraft which saw limited action. Not
of aircraft can be performed either by the player or the com- until 1953, when the 11-28 first saw service with the Red Chinese
puter (which is good for limited intelligence play but can yield Air Force, could jet bombers have made any real impact on the
peculiar matchups). One thing to be aware of is that occasion- war. The main Soviet conventionally-powered fighters sup-
ally air-to-air scenarios turn into futile hide-and-seek exer- plied to the North Koreans were the Yak-3, -7, and-9, and also
cises, particularly when both sides have no radar or weak on a more limited basis the La-9. The Russian fighter seeing the
radars. Giving at least one side a ground-based radar is the best most service and making the largest impact on the air war was,
way to assure that combat will happen in this case; otherwise, of course, the jet-powered MiG-15.

3
AIR POWER MiG Alley Revisited Issue #37
The scenarios and variants included in this article are 4. This scenario could also be played using the F4U Corsair
intended to contrast the types of air actions fought by different since the Navy and Marines also used this aircraft in Korea.
kinds of conventionally-powered and jet-powered aircraft dur- 5. Players owing a copy of Over the Reichnay use P-51 unit
ing this era. All of the scenarios included here are intended for counters from that game.
play with CO A's The Speed of Heat game. Some of these are
intended as historical actions while others attempt to recreate Little Friends, 12 April 1951
situations typical of those encountered during a particular role
or mission. Though air warfare was in the midst of dramatic Background: B-29s of the USAF' s 19th Bomb Group were
technological change during the war in Korea, the impact of the plying their trade over the Yalu near Sinuiju deep within MiG
arrival of the jet age on air combat is but a dim memory; Alley when attacked by MiG-15s flying from the Communist
nevertheless, it makes for interesting gaming. base at Antung. USAF F-84Gs and F-86As engaged the MiGs
but not before several B-29s were shot up rather badly. This
*************** scenario is typical of that and other bombing raids. Here, a pair
ofF-86s are escorting a damaged B-29 on the homeward leg of
VIEW FROM MIG ALLEY - SCENARIOS its mission when the US planes are attacked by MiGs.

Tanner's Probable, 7 November 1950 Maps: Use the map set up from TSOH scenario K4.

Background: While on combat air patrol south of the Yalu Set Up: Side A - This side is the US player with one B-29 in
River, four F-51Ds of the 36th FBS were jumped by four MiG- hex B 1/3906 and three F-86A Sabre jets anywhere else on map
15s. The MiGs peeled off and attacked from head on, firing as B 1. The B-29 is at altitude 10 and all F-86s are at altitude 15
they came; the four F-5 ls returned fire as the MiGs went past. in echelon formation. All F-86s are at speed three on any
At that point neither side had sustained any damage. The Mi Gs allowed heading and the B-29 has a speed of2.0. All of the US
then reversed, approaching the F-51 formation from behind. At jets must begin the game with in three hexes of each other and
this point, one MiG turned prematurely and two F-5ls swung all must be at the same heading, speed and altitude.
in behind the Mi G with everything going for them except speed.
One of the F-5ls was flown by Cpt. Howard Tanner who got a Side B - This side is the Communist player with four MiG-1 Ss
two second burst into the MiG. The damaged MiG immediately at altitude 20, speed 3.0 as per the scenario K4 instructions.
zoomed up to do a quick damage check then flew away smoking
while the Americans quickly restored their formation. The next Notes:
MiG attack was ahead on pass with another exchange of fire by 1. Use all B-29 characteristics from scenario K4.
both sides after which the MiGs broke off their attack and 2. The B-29 is considered damaged at the start of the
returned to base. When the Americans returned to their base scenario. The B-29 has heavy damage and a speed of 2.0.
they found that not one of their planes had been damaged. 3. All aircraft on both sides are silver and are sighted at the
start of the scenario. All jets on both sides are making contrails.
Note: This is the action referred to in Air Power#32 where 4. Notes I, 2, 4, 6, and 9 from scenario K4 are in effect.
the Mustang pilot may have scored a probable kill a few days 5. Try playing this scenario using a B-36 instead.
after the action simulated in that article. 6. Pilot quality - Three of the Communist pilots are novices
and one is a veteran. All of the USAF pilots are regular.
Maps: Use the maps from TSOH General Scenario 3.
Victory Conditions:The Communist player wins by shoot-
Set Up: Set up and play General Scenario 3 with the US as ing down the B-29; the US player wins if the B-29 exits the map
side A and the Communists as side B. The US has four F-51Ds from the south map edge by the end of the game. Otherwise, the
in echelon formation at 10,000 ft. and any speed and the game is decided on the basis of points.
Communists have four MiG-15s in echelon formation at 15,000
ft. and any allowed speed. It Happens to the Best of Them, 12 April 1953

Notes: Background:Many of the leading aces of World War Two

1. All aircraft are sighted at the start of the scenario. All and several of the USAF Korean War aces, including top scorer
aircraft on both sides are silver. Captain Joseph McConnell, were shot down at least once. In
2. The US player wins automatically by eliminating a MiG. Captain McConnell's case, aMiG-15 came at him out of the sun
The Communist player must shoot down two F-Sls to win. and crippled his F-86, forcing him to bail out into the Yellow
Otherwise victory is on the basis of points. Sea. In this scenario )'.'.ill! are in Captain McConnell's plane
3. Players must have a copy of Air Power#32 containing the with a chance to tum the tables on your attacker.
article "Props Against Jets" to be able to play this variant. Use
the aircraft data sheets for the F-5 lD used in this scenario. Maps: Set up and play the "One Aircraft Advantaged I Guns

4
The Journal of Air Combat Gaming New OTR Bombers Issue #37
Only" variation of General Scenario 1. Aircraft #2 is an F-86A Scenario 3 except that the US player has two aircraft and the
flown by Captain McConnell; aircraft#l is a MiG-15bis flown Communist player has four, organized into two pairs. One of
by a Communist pilot. these is Group A as in the regular scenario instructions and the
other is Group C.
Notes:
I. The sun is in the West. Both aircraft are silver. Group A (Communist Player with two MiG-15s) sets up in
2. Capt. McConnell's plane begins the scenario with light the megahex centered on A2-1518. All aircraft face SSE and
(lL) damage; the MiG has already scored with one burst. start at altitude 20 and speed 5.0.
3. All other rules from General Scenario 1 are in effect.
4. As a variation, let Capt. McConnell's plane begin the Group B (USAF Player with two F-86Es) sets up in the
scenario undamaged. megahex centered on B2-4120. All aircraft face NW and start
at altitude 20 and speed 5.0.
Victory Conditionsfl'o win, the US player must prevent his
aircraft from being destroyed and exit either the east or south Group C (Communist Player with two MiG-15s) sets up in
map edge before the end of the game. If his plane remains on the megahex centered on A2-2528. All aircraft face Sand start
the map at the end of the game it is considered destroyed. The at altitude 12 and speed 5.0.
US player wins an automatic victory if he manages to shoot
down his opponent. The Communist player may be considered Game Length:20 turns
to have won a marginal victory if he manages to reduce the US
plane to crippled status (the historical result), which will cause Notes:
it to crash before reaching base. 1. One USAF pilot is an ace; the other is a veteran. The ace
is Major Davis. The identities of the USAF pilots are concealed
Variation:Korea was not the only place in the world where from the Communist player until one is shot down or the end of
air combat was taking place. On March 10, 1953, a USAF F- the game, whichever comes first.
84G was patrolling near the Czech border when it was bounced 2. The Communist player designates one of his pilots as
by two Czech MiG-15s and shot down. The USAF pilot ejected Veteran; all others are Green. Alternatively, the Communist
and landed just inside the Czech frontier. This incident was player may roll for pilot attributes.
typical of several other incidents talcing place between US and 3. Maps Al and Cl have a layer of clouds covering both of
Soviet aircraft around the world during the Cold War. For this these mapsheets from an altitude level of 13 to 15.
variant, give the Czech (Soviet) player two MiG-15s with 4. To make the scenario even more accurate, add one extra
regular pilots. The USAF pilot is experienced. Set up the MiG-15 to each of the groups of Communist aircraft. Now each
scenario as above, with the extra MiG deploying in any hex group has an Veteran pilot as a flight leader and all other
adjacent to the MiG used in the previously-mentioned scenario. Communist pilots will be Novices.
All aircraft begin the game intact with a full load of ammuni- 5. All aircraft are silver and are sighted at the start of the
tion. All aircraft are silver and are sighted at the start of the scenario except for group A, which has not been sighted.
game. The weather is clear but may be determined by the
players before play starts if desired. The USAF pilot wins by Victory Conditions:The Communist player wins by shoot-
either escaping from the west map edge or by shooting down at ing down either of the F-86s and losing at most one MiG. If he
least one of the Mi Gs. The Czech player wins by shooting down shoots down the F-86 flown by Major Davis he wins an
the US plane. Any other result is a draw. automatic victory. The US player must shoot down at least two
MiG-15s and not lose any aircraft to win. If playing with a total
The Death of Major Davis, 10 February 1952 of six MiG-15s, the Communist victory conditions remain the
same but the USAF player must now shoot down three Mi Gs to
Background: While flying as top cover for a group of USAF win and not lose any aircraft. In either case, the game is a draw
fighter-bombers, Major George Davis (one of the first USAF if the USAF player shoots down at least two and loses only Maj.
aces in Korea) and his wingman fought a superior number of Davis' wingman.
attacking MiG-15 fighters, shooting down three of them. These
victories brought Maj. Davis' total to 11 victories. While The Best Pilot I Ever Met, 4 December 1952
shooting down the third MiG, Maj. Davis' F-86 took a fatal hit
from a MiG that slipped in behind him. Maj. Davis' Sabre Background: The best pilot Major Robinson Risner ever
crashed before he could eject. Major Davis was posthumously met in Korea was a Communist pilot who led him on "one hell
awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for this action. of a chase" before Risner finally caught up with him and shot
him down. While escorting a formation of US bombers Major
Maps: Use the map set up fromTSOH General Scenario 3. Risner and his flight were attacked by four MiG-15s. After
malcing a pass throught the US bombers the MiGs tried to
Set Up: This scenario uses the same set up as General escape at low level. The US jets gave chase with Major Risner

5
AIR POWER MiG Alley Revisited Issue #37

,�
going after the particularly gifted enemy pilot who led him on 4. All aircraft are silver and are sighted at the start of the
an unbelievable cross country chase which finally ended over scenario. The weather is clear.
the enemy pilot's own airfield.
Victory Conditions:The US player must shoot one MiG

I� I
Maps:

I
down to win without losing an aircraft himself. The Communist

10 u 1� N� player must shoot down at least one US aircraft to win. Any

other result is a draw.

Aircraft: Map Hex Fae. Alt. Spd. Conf. Load

F-86F#l Bl 3710 N 3 4 CL 0
F-86F#2 Bl 3812 N 3 4 CL 0 World War Two
MiG-15 Bl 3706 N 2 4 CL 0

Game Length:20 turns

Notes:
1. The MiG may not fly above altitude level four for the
duration of the scenario.
2. The MiG begins the scenario with light (IL) damage.
3. The Communist pilot is a veteran. Air Combat Gaming
4. Both US pilots are veterans.
5. Set up North Korean AAA guns as per scenario K-9
anywhere within a five hex radius of the airfield on map Al. Chinese-American
Cooperation in China: 1943-1945
Victory Conditions:The US player wins by shooting down
the MiG-15. The North Korean player wins ifhe shoots down Everyone is familiar with the basic story of the "Flying
at least one F-86. Any other result is a draw. Tigers," the American Volunteer Group (AVG), that was formed
by retired army Air Corps Capt. Claire Chennault in the latter
Gunval, Winter 1953 half of 1941. The AVG commenced operations in late December
1941 and lasted for about six months. They were initially
Background: After a year of combat experience against equipped with a force of 100 P-40B Tomahawks from RAF lend-
Soviet MiG-15s, it became obvious to the USAF that the F-86's lease stocks. However, within a short time many of these were
armament needed to be more effective against the cannon- lost in action or rendered inoperable. Some P-40E Kitty hawks
armed Soviet fighter. Accordingly, a number ofF-86Fs were were added to the force soon after as reinforcements. Neverthe-
modified to carry four 20mm cannon. In one engagement less, the AVG fought a series of battles while out-numbered in
typical of the trial missions flown by cannon-armed F-86s, two China and also assisted the RAF in its desperate though futile
of these modified aircraft attacked a superior number of MiG- defense of Burma. By the time the worn-out AVG disbanded in
1 Ss. In a climbing attack hit and run attack, the two USAF July of 1942, their exploits were legend: they had been credited
fighters succeeded in shooting down one MiG before they had with 297 enemy aircraft destroyed on the ground and in the air,
to seek refuge at lower altitude. and twenty-six aces graced their squadron rosters. Though the
"Flying Tigers" are well known, the Army pilots who followed
Maps & Set Up:Set up and play General Scenario 3 with the in their wake are easily forgotten as little has been written of
Communist player as side A and the US player as side B. The them. This article is about what came immediately after the
major difference is that the US player begins at altitude 10. In AVG period.
this scenario the Communist player has four MiG-15bis and the
US player has two F-86Fs each with modified armament. The A VG's tired Tomahawks and Kitty hawks, along with a
few A VG veterans, were handed over to their follow-ons, the
Notes: newly formed China Air Task Force (CATF), which consisted
1. The US players use two F-86F fighters but both of these of the USAAF 23rd Fighter Group (FG) and the 11th Bombard-
specially modified aircraft are armed with four 20mm cannon. ment Squadron (BS). The four fighter squadrons of the 23rd FG
Accordingly, use the Roll to Hit, Ammunition, and Gunsight received additional and new P-40s to supplement those "beat-
Mod. information from the F-1 OOC data sheet from The Speed ers" handed in by the AVG. The Bomber Squadron arrived with
of Heat They are also equipped with the 6-3 slatted wing. a half dozen B-25Cs and Ds. Claire Chennault was given
2. Both US aircraft begin from a zoom climbing attitude. command of the CATF having been re-inducted in the USAAF
3. Both US pilots are veterans. Two Communist pilots are as a Brigadier General (the Chinese had unofficially given him
regular and two are green. the rank of Colonel while part of the AVG). They commenced

6
The Journal of Air Combat Gaming New OTR Bombers Issue #37
immediate operations against the Japanese in China, Burma, CACW Order of Battle
and French Indochina. For nine months they fought a rough Unit Availability Date Aircraft Type
war, subsisting on what supplies trickled in over the famous 3rdFG
"hump" and with whatever left-over planes they could scrape 28th FS November 1943 P-40N
together from the Middle East. During this time Brig. Gen. 32nd FS November 1943 P-40N
Chennault was lobbying to expand his forces and eventually he 7thFS January 1944 P-40N
received fresh aircraft and sufficient B-25s to carry on a SthFS January 1944 P-40N
sustained offensive. At the urging of both Brig. Gen. Chennault
and Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, the leader of China, this 5thFG
expanded force was commissioned, in March of 1943, as the 26th FS April 1944 P-40N
14th Air Force by General H. H. "Hap" Arnold, then chief of the 29th FS April 1944 P-40N
USAAF. Again, Brig. Gen. Chennault was placed in command. 17th FS June 1944 P-40N
As a numbered Air Force, the former CATF could begin 27th FS July 1944 P-40N
expanding and numerous additional squadrons, including the IstBG
first with heavy bombers, were assigned to it. They would be 2nd BS October 1943 B-25D & B-25H
equipped with B-24s and these would arrive in theater before 1st BS February 1944 B-25D & B-25H
the end of 1943. However, one of General Arnold's conditions 4th BS April 1944 B-25H
in forming the 14th AF was that the Chinese Air Force should 3rd BS June 1944 B-25H
begin to take over a greater responsibility for its own air war.
Note 1. The 28th & 32nd Fighter Squadrons were initially
equipped with P-40N-5 aircraft. The 7th & 8th Squadrons
The Chinese Air Force (CAF) had been almost totally
received P-40N-15 models. Replacement aircraft and those of
destroyed by the Japanese in 1940. In 1941, a large infusion of
later fighter squadrons were ofN-15 to N-25 vintage. The B-25
American lend-lease aircraft, mostly obsolete Vultee P-66 two
squadrons received H model aircraft beginning in February of
place fighter-bombers and Republic P-43A Lancer fighters,
1944. The D models were retired over time as they wore out. By
had done a lot to re-equip the CAF but not much to restore its
October of 1944, the first B-25J models were arriving. The 3rd
reluctant fighting spirit. In fact, in all of 1942, only eight small
BS did not actually arrive in China until September of 1944. It
combat missions were flown while over half the new aircraft
was heavily committed in Burma from June to August. In early
were rendered inoperable due to lack of spares and accidents.
Spring of 1945, P-5 ls became available for both FGs but P-40s
Chinese pilots were available in fair numbers, if somewhat
were not fully replaced until just before the war ended.
inexperienced, with more in training in the US. Still, the CAF
was unwilling to commit to action with its obsolete aircraft. Note 2. During the Autumn of 1943, the 14th AF fighter
Brig. Gen. Chennault's solution to this was to propose integrat- squadrons were being rapidly re-equipped from P-40s to P-
ing Chinese pilots into the well-led American outfits to give 5 lAs and P-38s. Their bomberunits had B-24s or B-25s. Many
them training and combat experience in the more reasonably of the cast-off P-40s were given to the CAF. In late 1944, P-
combat capable American aircraft types. This proposal was 51Ds became available in quantity. Also, the 10th AF was
accepted by all parties and the creation of a Chinese-American formed around the first B-29 units stationed in India. Attached
Composite Wing (CACW), as a sub-unit of the CAF but under to the 10th AF were several squadrons of P-4 7Ds.
the command of the 14th AF, was approved.
Note 3. The principal Japanese fighters contesting the pilots
of the 14th AF, CAF, and CACW over China were the late-
A training base was established in Karachi, India and by
model Ki-43 Oscar Ils and Ki-44 Tojos of the JAAF. Some units
August, the first American and Chinese pilots had commenced
used Tojos with the 20mm cannon armament. Frequently,
joint training. The CACW would eventually grow to consist of
Oscars were mistakenly referred to as "Zeros" in combat
two full fighter groups (four squadrons each), and a medium
reports. Few Zeros, if any, saw action in China after 1941.
bombardment group ( also four squadrons). In October of 1943
the Chinese-American Composite Wing was officially activated J.D. WEBSTER
as the first two fighter squadrons and a bomber squadron had
completed training. At the end of October, these three squad-
rons transferred into southern China and commenced opera- This Issue's Centerspeadl
tions in November from Kweilin, an airbase situated about 300
miles northwest of Hong Kong. From this time on, until the end AIR POWER PRESENTS THE B-25D, P-40N, KI-44
of the war, the CACW squadrons would fight alongside other "TOJO", AND KI-43 "OSCAR" FIGHTING WINGS
units of the CAF & 14th AF. The pilots, both American and SERIES DATA CARDS FOR USE IN CREATING SCE
Chinese, would give excellent accounts of themselves while NARIOS BASED ON THE ABOVE CACW ARTICLE
operating from numerous bases. The table below lists the MORE PACIFIC AIRCRAFT COMING SOON.
various squadrons of the CACW and their equipment:
NEW AIR POWER PUB.S FAX#: 313-761-3778

7
AIR POWER MiG Alley Revisited Issue #37
SJ Anglim Japan
RADAR 97 Broomfield Pk. Barn
CONTACTS! Guildford, Surry Jun Imai Dan Carlton
GU2 6LJ, England 6-17 -10- 20 I Funi bas hi 9900 Acacia Av. #49
It's that time again! Here is Setagaya, Tokyo Garden Grove, CA 92641
a current listing of subscrib- Phillipe Atcliffe 156, Japan
ers who are brave enough to Faculty of Engineering Lee Chmelsky
share their addresses in hopes Univ. of West of England Norway 17935 Martha St.
of finding nearby opponents. Fenchay, Bristol Encino, CA 91316
Without further ado: BS16 IQY, England Nils Gregor Johansson
Oscarsgate 22B Steve Crane
Australia
Bryan Barnard Oslo, Norway, 0351 1104 Pheasant Dr.
5 Brackendale Close Pittsburg, CA 94565
Mark Palmer
Camberley, Surry Scotland
17/45 Railway Crescent.
GU15 IHP, U.K. Mark Dwerlkotte
Burwood, NSW
Ian James Lacey 518 Coulston Ct.
2134, Australia
Bryn Jones 139 Dechart Terrace, Roseville, CA 95747
49 Deucharst Jesmond Menziehill 916-771-2125
Geoffrey Phipps
Newcastle, Upon Tyne Dundee, Tayside
62 Scylla Rd.
NE2 lJX, England DD24ET, Scotland Karl Fischer
Oyster Bay
4324 W. Pt. Loma Blvd.
2225, Australia
Nick Bloomfield Spain Apt. p
17 Cornish Rd, Stockwood San Diego, CA 92107
Canada
Bristol, Avon Jaime M. Martell 619- 226- 3466
BS14 8LU, England PL.Diamante 810
Lowell Dueck
Barcelona, Spain, 08012 Randy Grundstrom
#102-6525 Telford Av.
Chris Riches 2032 Junewood Ave.
Burnaby, BC
3 Bernwood Grove United States San Jose, CA 95132
U5H 2Y9, Canada
Blackfield, Southhampton Arizona
SO 45 lZW, England Fillmore Love
Steve Dulepka
Brett Hale 5421 W.93d St. #301
60 Lillico Dr.
Graham Worsfold PO Box 1446 Los Angeles, CA 90045
Ottawa, Ontario
93 Munster Rd. Fulham Kayenta, AZ 86033
KlV 9L6, Canada
London
SW6 5RG, England Elliot Hopkins Curtis (The Weasel) Maki
Martin Hubley
4545 N.15th St. #107S 4442 Bakman Ave.
# 1-170 Ivy Crescent.
France Phoenix, AZ 85016 Studio City, CA 91602
Ottawa, Ont.
602-240-2493 818-762-3581
KIM 1X6, Canada
Jean Forget
7 Rue Du Donjon Rob Pruden Dana Moreland
John Kuehn
Liancourt, St. Pierre 4660 N. Tonalea Trail 5139 White Oak Av.#16
#404-3835-107 St.
Chaumont en V exin Tucson, AZ 85479 Encino, CA 91316
Edmonton, ALB
60240, France 602- 749-0949
T6J 2N7, Canada
Sean Schoonmaker
Pedro Rodriguez Arkansas 2950 San Pablo Ave.
Mike Traynor
54 Rue De V arsouie Berkeley, CA 94702
175 Mc Gillivray St.
Salon de Pie Noel Wright
Ottowa, Ontario
13300, France 514 Drexel Ct. Mike Telson
KlS 1K7, Canada
El Dorado, AR 71730 454 Arch St
Germany 501-862-1614 San Francisco, CA
Kenneth Winland
94132-2718
281 Elmwood Ave.
Rolf Bliersbach California
Toronto, Ont.
Rathenaulatz 23 John Wright
M2N 3M9, Canada
5000 Koln Ed Allen 14562 Dickens St#l03
Koln, Germany 1629 Dwight Way Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
England
0221-21-81-99 Berkeley, CA 94703 818-386-1809
415-848-9495
8
 Nakajima Ki-43-lla Hayabusa Country: Japan Service Entry Date: November 1942

A/CType: Single engine day fighter

ffJ)
Engine(s): One Nakajima Ha 115, No F.I.
Eng. Pwr: 965 - 1165 HP, Radial Air Cooled
AJC Crew: Pilot
I
Maximum Speed: 330 MPH at 19, 100
Maximum Ceiling: 36,800 / 30, 100 / 21, 700 Feet
Defense Factor: 5 Size Modifier: +O
Damage Factor: 6 / 9 Endurance: 150
Cockpit View: Good Blind Area: Rear Low

Protection: Cockpit +1 Fuel +1 Engine +O

Climb Decel I Dive Accel: 3.0 / 1.0
Weight and Load Limit 1, 100 I 2 - 5
Wpn. Stations Weight Allowed Loads

1, 2 550 Bombs, Fuel Tanks

Class: F Victory Points: 3 - 6

AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE CHART

Altitude Minimum Maximum Maximum Min. Min. Min. Min. Altitude Average
Levels Band Speed Speed Dive Spd. TT (2) HT (3) BT (3) ET (4) Band Levels Rate Of Climb

5.5 400

�Ill
25- 30 HI 6.0 10.0 5.0 HI 1.,209
t MiW2tt MR ' .<, .. , ,.,.,.,. ss'···:·:·. ;;g :lit ::::�m:iot:
j:JiBJi:: !t] i: :: 1:}ey I Ii i®l§ : i: $9 it: 4.4§
1 1

MM : \!gi:�PfJ:t
1
(

7 - 12 LO 1.5 6.5 8.5 3.5 4.5 LO 7-12 3,200

1 -6 VL 1.5 6.0 8.0 3.5 4.0 VL 1 -6 3,300

FIRE POWER CHART POWER VERSUS SPEED CHART

Guns Type Weapons Ammo Criticals Levels Band 1.0- 4.5 5.0- 7.5 8.0 - 9.5 10.0 + Band
N1 One 12.7mm Ho-103 9 3 43+ UH UH
N2 One 12.?mm Ho-103 9 3 37-42 EH EH
31 -36 VH 2/3 1/- VH
25-30 HI 4/5 1 /2 HI
19-24 MH 6/7 2/3 MH
GUN ATTACK FACTORS 13-18 ML 8/9 4/5 ML
Range N1 N2 (TotaQ 7-12 LO 9 / 10 5/6 LO
1 -6 VL 9 / 10 5/6 VL
0 9 9 18 Banking FPs: 2 3 5 7
1 7 7 14 Side Slip FPs: 3 5 6 8
2 5 5 10
3 3 3 6
4 2 2 4 NOTES AND VARIANTS:
5 1.5 1.5 3 • All Ki-43-lls: Equipped with combat flaps. Allied code name was "Oscar".
6 1 1 2
Stations 1 & 2 may each carry one bomb of up to 550 lbs., two 66 lb. bombs,
7 one 54 gallon or 128 gallon drop tank.

WEAPON STATIONS DIAGRAM • Ki-43-llb: Later model with minor improvements to engine carburettor and
oil systems and wing bomb racks. No effect on game data.

• Ki-43-11 KAI: August 1943 model with ejector type engine exhaust stacks
providing extra thrust. Add 1 to all emergency power nos. in the VL to MH
altitude bands.
 Country: Japan Service Entry Date: May 1943
Nakajima Ki-44-118 Shoki
NC Type: Land Based Army Interceptor
Engine(s): One Nakajima Ha-109, No F.I.
Eng. Pwr: 1320 - 1570 HP, Radial Air Cooled
NC Crew: Pilot
Maximum Speed: 376 MPH at 17, 100
Maximum Ceiling: 36, 700 / 30, 100 I NA Feet
Defense Factor: 5 Size Modifier: +O
Damage Factor: 7 / 1 o Endurance: 140
Cockpit View: Fair Blind Area: Rear Low

Protection: Cockpit +1 Fuel +1 Engine +O

Climb Decel I Dive Accel: 3.0 / 1.0
Weight and Load Limit: 500 / 2 - NA

Wpn. Stations Weight Allowed Loads

1, 2 250 Fuel Tank, Bomb
Class: F Victory Points: 5 - 10

AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE CHART

Altitude Minimum Maximum Maximum Min. Min. Min. Min. Altitude Average
Levels Band Speed Speed Dive Spd. TI (4) HT (5) BT (6) ET (7) Band Levels Rate Of Climb

31 - 36 VH 4.0 6.5 10.0 5.5 7.5 9.5 11.0 VH 31 - 36 600

25 - 30 HI 3.5 7.0 10.5 5.0 7.0 8.5 9.5 HI 25 - 30 1,600

il !l ili!.li�!l�lli •i1 •1• l·-· · · · · · 1••1 •• • 1i•1•111111•·1• • • ·1i•· · · I · :· •1•11�1�·· ·1·1 1•:· ·
7-12 LO 2.5 7.0
1Mo
: • iii
11.0
> xs '}so
: ;1; :11�1$
3.5 5.0
ii
6.0
l[•i1
7.0
I 111•���l[i
LO 7 - 12
ii :
l�lll••i11

3,500
1 -6 VL 2.5 6.5 10.0 3.5 4.5 5.5 6.5 VL 1 -6 3,700

FIRE POWER CHART POWER VERSUS SPEED CHART

Guns Type Weapons Ammo Criticals Levels Band 1.0-4.5 5.0- 7.5 8.0- 9.5 10.0 + Band
N1 Two 12.?mm Ho-103 9 3 43+ UH UH
W1 One 12.7mm Ho-103 8 3 37-42 EH EH
W2 One 12.7mm Ho-103 8 3 31 - 36 VH 4/5 1 /2 VH
25 - 30 HI 6/7 3/4 HI
19 -24 MH 8/9 5/6 MH
GUN ATIACK FACTORS (118 /IIC) 13 - 18 ML 10 / 12 7/8 ML
7 - 12 LO 10 I 12 7/8 LO
Range N1 W1 W2 (TotaQ 1 -6 VL 10 I 12 7/8 VL
0 18/24 10 / 13 10 / 13 38/50 Banking FPs: 2 3 5 8
1 14/18 8 / 10 8 / 10 30/38 Side Slip FPs: 3 5 6 8
2 9/ 12 517 5/7 19/26
3 61 8 3/4 3/4 12 / 16 NOTES AND VARIANTS:
4 4/5 2/3 2/3 8 / 11 • All Ki-44s: Allied code name was "Tojo". Stations 1 and 2 may each carry one
5 3/ 4 2/2 2/2 7/8 bomb of up to 2201bs. or one 35 gallon drop tank. No snap-rolling allowed.
6 2/ 3 1 /2 1 /2 4/7
7 • Ki-44-IIC: Bomber killer variant having four 20mm Ho-3 cannons in place of
the four 12.?mm guns. Amm0= 4, and Criticals= 2 for each group. Use
WEAPON STATIONS DIAGRAM firepower information after the slash. All else as Ki-44-IIB.
• Ki-44-IIC: Second bomber killer variant having one 40mm Ho-301 cannon in

p.aw
each wing in place of the 12. ?mm. Gun data for W1 & W2 each as follows:
Firepower(range 0-7)= 20, 16, 11, 4, -, -, -, -. Totals: W1 & W2 only= (range
0-7)= 40, 32, 22, 8, -, -, -,-. Amm0= 1, CriticalS= 1 (-1 mod. to crit. hit damage).
/ ' Note: Most Ki-44-IICs served with home defense units. The Ho-301 must be
1 2
fired separately from the other guns per the large air-to-air cannons rule.
 Curtiss P-40N-20 "W arhawk" Country: U.S.A. Service Entry Date: September 1943

AJCType: Single engine day fighter

Engine(s): One Allison V-1710-99
Eng. Pwr: 955 - 1360 HP, Liquid Cooled
AJC Crew: Pilot

Maximum Speed: 350 MPH at 16,400

Maximum Ceiling: 31,000 / 25,400 / 18,300 Feet
Defense Factor: 5 Size Modifier: +O
Damage Factor: 9 / 14 Endurance: 125
Cockpit View: Good Blind Area: Rear

Protection: Cockpit +2 Fuel +2 Engine +O

Climb Decel I Dive Accel: 3.0 / 1.0
Weight and Load Limit: 1,500 / 2 - 6
>
Wpn. Stations Weight Allowed Loads
1, 3 500 Bomb, Rocket, Fuel tank
2 1,200 Bomb, Fuel Tank
Class: F Victory Points: 4 - 9

AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE CHART

Altitude Minimum Maximum Maximum Min. Min. Min. Min. Altitude Average
Levels Band Speed Speed Dive Spd. TT (3) HT (4) BT (5) ET (6) Band Levels Rate Of Climb

1¥: !• oi I �¥HJ :••• •]Ll;D••

31 - 36 VH 3.0 6.5 11.0 4.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 VH 31 -36 300
25 - 30 HI 2.5 6.5 11.5 3.5 5.0 6.0 7.5 HI 25 - 30 900

wmJ> <:•• :<Hzo< <: :is· �tgi< • Jlffio>

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7 - 12 LO 2.0 6.5 11.0 2.5 4.0 4.5 6.0 LO 7 - 12 2,200

1 -6 VL 1.5 6.0 10.0 2.5 3.5 4.0 5.5 VL 1 -6 2,200

FIRE POWER CHART POWER VERSUS SPEED CHART

Guns Type Weapons Ammo Criticals Levels Band 1.0 - 4.5 5.0- 7.5 8.0- 9.5 10.0 + Band

W1 One .50 Calibre M2 9 3 43+ UH UH

W2 Two .50 Galibre M2 11 3 37-42 EH EH
W3 Two .50 Galibre M2 11 3 31 - 36 VH 2/3 1 /- VH
W4 One .50 Galibre M2 9 3 25-30 HI 4/5 1/2 HI
19-24 MH 6/7 3/4 MH
GUN ATTACK FACTORS 13-18 ML 7/8 4/5 ML
Range W1 W2 W3 W4 (Total) 7-12 LO 7/8 4/5 LO
1 -6 VL 7/8 4/5 VL
0 9 18 18 9 54 Banking FPS: 2 2 3 6
1 7 13 13 7 40 Side Slip FPs: 3 4 6 8
2 4 9 9 4 26
3 3 6 6 3 18
4 2 4 4 2 12 NOTES AND VARIANTS:
5 3 3 8 • P-40N-5 to N-10: May 1943 to August 1943 four gun models. Delete guns W1
6 2 2 6 & W4. Stations 1 & 3 can each carry three bombs of up to 301bs. or one bomb
7 of up to 1 OOlbs. Station 2 may carry a drop tank of up to 170 gallons or a bomb
of up to 1,000lbs. Ring & bead backup sight available on these & all later Ns.
WEAPON STATIONS DIAGRAM • P-40N-15 to N-40s: Six gun models delivered from September 1943 to

�-
November 1944. N-20+ models have beefed up wings for one bomb, or drop
tank of up to 5001bs., or an M-1 o ATG rocket launcher on stations 1 & 3.
---,
• RAF Kittyhawk IVs: Lend-lease RAF N-5 to N-1 O models saw action in Italian
campaign as Kittyhawk F.B. IVs. N-15 and later lend-lease Kittyhawks used
I I exclusively by the Australians and New Zealanders in the Pacific Theater.
2 3 Delivery dates as for US models.
 B-25C/D "Mitchell" Country: U.S.A. Service Entry Date: January 1942

A/CType: Twin Engine Medium Bomber

Engine(s): Two Wright Cyclone R-2600-13
Eng. Pwr: 1450 -1700 HP, Radial Air Cooled
A/C Crew: Pilot, copilot, bombardier, turret
gunner, navigator/radioman.
Maximum Speed: 284 MPH at 15,000
Maximum Ceiling: 21,300 / 17,300 / 12,900 Feet
Defense Factor: 6 Size Modifier: +O
Damage Factor: 17 / 26 Endurance: 420
Cockpit View: Fair Blind Area: None
Protection: Cockpit +2 Fuel +1 Engine +O
Climb Decel I Dive Accel: 3.0 / 1.0
Weight and Load Limit: 5,300 / 5 - 15
Wpn. Stations Weight Allowed Loads
Bomb Bay 3 5,300 Bombs, Fuel Tank
1, 2, 4, 5 600 Bombs Class: M Victory Points: 8 - 16

AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE CHART

Altitude Minimum Maximum Maximum Min. Min. Min. Min. Altitude Average
Levels Band Speed Speed Dive Spd. TT (5) HT (6) BT ET Band Levels Rate Of Climb

31 - 36
25- 30 HI
: �! t�i Jitfl
1
?I§': .... : stsJ
l$Mlij MUt : @JMW ? $!�?••• • i : 1f:�99: t
7 - 12 LO 2.5 5.5 7-12 1,400
1 -6 VL 2.0 5.0 7.0 1 -6 1,600

FIRE POWER CHART POWER VERSUS SPEED CHART (per engine)

Guns Type Weapons Ammo Criticals Levels Band 1.0 - 4.5 5.0- 7.5 8.0- 9.5 10.0 + Band
N1 One .50 Calibre M2 15 3 43+ UH UH
FG One .50 Calibre M2 9 3 37-42 EH EH
TT Two .50 Galibre M2 16 3 31 -36 VH VH
BT Two .50 Galibre M2 12 3 25-30 HI HI
19-24 MH 1.5 0.5 MH
GUN ATTACK FACTORS 13 -18 ML 2.0 1.0 ML
Range N1 (Total) FG TT BT 7 - 12 LO 2.5 1.5 LO
1 -6 VL 2.5 1.5 VL
0 9 9 3 16 16
1 7 7 3 12 12 Banking FPs: 3 4 6 8
2 4 4 2 8 8 Side Slip FPs: 4 5 7 9
3 3 3 2 5 5
4 2 2 4 4 DEFENSIVE GUN COVERAGE NOTES AND VARIANTS:
5 3 3 FG: Front, high to low (Bombardier). • All B-25Cl'D: Pilot has gunsight for
6 2 2 TT: All high. N1. Stations 1, 2, 4, & 5 may each
7 1 BT: All low (Navigator./Radioman).* carry two bombs of up to 2501bs or
WEAPON STATIONS DIAGRAM each pair of stations could carry three
* Crewman in ( ) mans the gun. BT 3001b. bombs. A 215 gallon fuel tank
guns are sighted via a difficult to use may be carried in bomb bay (Wt.=
periscope system. To fire at targets in 1,500, load= 2, endurance= +90).
the various arcs, an acquisition die roll
� must be met first Front (<2), Front Typical Bomb Bay Loads: 1 x
Sides and borders ( <3), Rear Sides 200011:l., 2x 11 OOlb., 6x 250 to 6001b.,
I I (<4), Rear and its borders (<6). Only Bx 2501b., 12x 1101b.bombs, or one
1, 2 3 4,5 one acquisition attempt/turn allowed. Mk.13 air dropped torpedo.
The Journal of Air Combat Gaming New OTR Bombers Issue #37
Dale Yamamoto
1405 Marinovich Way Louisiana Drew Dorman Texas
Los Altos, CA 94024 5560 Pershing St. #505
Malcolm Pipes St. Louis, MO 63112 Bill Broussard
Colorado RR No. I Box 37 1621 Cheshire Lane
Choudrant, LA 71227 Nebraska Houston, TX 77018
Scott Johnson 713-957-0877
2039 Shiloh Dr. Massachusetts George Mendoza
Castle Rock, CO 80104 12727 S. 28th Terr. Utah
303-660-2029 Mike J. Andrews Omaha, NE 68123
900 Massachusetts Av. #3 David Bywater
Connecticut Cambridge, MA 02139 North Dakota 4892 Heath Ave
Kearns, UT 84118
Greg Kuntz Neil Galarneau Eric Verhulst
104 Hubinger Str. 898 Massachusetts Av. #63 RR#l Box 19 Virginia
New Haven, CT 06511-9287 Arlington, MA 02174 Hague, ND 58542
203-397-9287 701-336-7182 Steve Pancrazio
Seth Owen 1156 Hightop Rd. #206
Charlie V ousden 62 Howland Rd. Ohio Blacksburg, VA 24060
2 Park Place Apt. 9H Fair Haven, MA 02719
Hartford, CT 06106 Russell Anderson Terry Rooker
Maryland 4307 Arrowrock Ave. 3904 Doran Rd.
Florida Dayton, OH 45424-5003 Fredericksburg, VA 22407
Kirk Bonnevier
Shawn Mello Star Rt. Box 10 Mike Daniel John Vasilakos
1407 21st St. SW Leonardtown, MD 20650 329 Corning Dr. 3705 Forrest Grove Dr.
Largo, FL 34640 Bratenahl, OH 44108 Annandale, VA 22003
Michigan 703-642-5291
Illinois Mark Pawlak
Jeremy Caulfield 8005 Woody Hollow Dr. Washington
Eric J. Gard 4105 Lexington Dr. Cincinatti, OH 45241
Rte. 2 Box 463 Trenton, MI 48183 513- 779-4453 D .L. Creager
Casey, IL 62420 2005 Parkside Dr. #133
217-932-6180 J.D. Webster Chuck Turner Bremerton, WA 98310
1395 Kelly Green Dr. 2702 Lopane Ave.
Iowa Ann Arbor, MI 48103 Middletown, OH 45044 Mark Luscher
513-425-0903 2415 Thorndyke Ave. W.#303
Bruce Bender Chris Fawcett Seattle, WA 98199
1301 Knollcrest Dr. 463 N. Eton St.#D3 Pennsylvania
Fort Dodge, IA 50501 Birmingham, MI 48009 Dave Mcleod
515-955-7111 810-816-9893 Dan Foxman 8728 209th Pl. SW
PO Box 3163 Edmonds, WA 982020
Kansas John Gettel Westchester, PA 19381
5848 Smithfield Av. Military
Allen Hartzell East Lansing, MI 48823 Russ Lance
2930 SW Oakley #3 PO Box 364 CW2 Scott Abbott
Topeka, KS 66614 Minnesota Shillington, PA, 19607 USASFD-K
913-273-6424 APO, AP 96205-0086
Tom Brennan Robert M. Morris
Frank Oliver 14000 Quebec Av. 275 S. Bryn Mawr Ave.#Bl4 Major J. Moore
17250 SW Bannon Rd. Savage, MN 55378-1710 Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 HHC CMTC Box 371
Rose Hill, KS 67133-8150 Unit 28208
Lance Lange Tennessee APO, AE 09173
Jim Owens 1456 Fremont Ave.
2081 S. Fieldcrest St. Paul, MN 55106 Ronald Kehir David Tsui
Wichita, KS 67209 3328 Township Rd. USS Kinkaid DD965
316-729-7578 Missouri Antioch, TN 37013 FPO, AP 96670-1203
9
AIR POWER MiG Alley Revisited Issue #37
47 in their field of fire. If both P-47s are equally close, randomly
OverThe Reich: New Scenarios determine which will be attacked. All German combat fire
decisions, die rolling, etc. is done by the player not controlling
the Thunderbolt under attack (whether that Bf 110 is controlled
(A Two-vs-Two with a Twist!) by him or not).

by Scott Jewett of Anaheim, CA 6. All critical hit results against the German aircraft and the
P-47s are known to both sides.

Welcome Prey, June 1944 7. The last German aircraft to move each turn may not end
its move in the same hex and at the same altitude as the other
Introduction: This scenario is inspired by the aviation Bf 11 O. Neither Bf 110 may declare breaking off from combat
painting "Struck by a Thunderbolt" by Heinz Krebs. unless the other has been destroyed.

Background: As heavy bombers of the 15th AF head for 8. Victory Points: VPs are awarded only to a player's P-47
Budapest, Bf 11 Os of the Eastern Front veteran 11/ZG 1 "Wasp using the following system:
Wing" rise to intercept. When the Germans leveled off to verify a. Points scored against either Bf 11 0 are added
their positions relative to the enemy bombers far above, they to the P-47's individual score.
were surprised by Thunderbolts of the 325th FG "Checkertail b. Points scored by either Bf 110 against the P-
Clan" which zoomed up from below to hit their welcome (meat· 47
on-the-table) prey. The Bf 11 Os took heavy losses. Both units are subtracted from its individual score.
made changes after this battle · The 325th converted to P-51
Mustangs and the "Wasps" never flew the Bf 110 into battle in 9. Victory: The Player with the most VPs is the winner (ties
daylight again. are possible); however, a player with a negative VP total or
whose P-47 was shot down or otherwise destroyed may never
Maps: Ground Terrain. win.

Aircraft: Allied = Two P-470-10 Additional Rules: Pilot Quality - All pilots are veterans.
Axis = Two Bf 110 G2/R3 (An Alternate History Mission)
Set Up: Place the #1 Bf 110 in hex 2220 and the #2 Bf 110
in hex 2121, both facing NNE, wings level, at altitude 4.0 and By Karl "Hollywood" Mueller of Montgomery, AL
speed 5.0 (level flight). Place the #1 P-47 in hex 2630, and the
#2 P-47 in hex 2728, both facing W, in a LB at altitude 3.4 and Adler Tag, Again: August 1, 1943
speed 6.0 (zoom climbing).
Background (Hypothetical): Following the Wehrmacht's
Game Length: 20 game turns. key victories at Stalingrad, Moscow, and El Alamein in 1942, and
the decisive Japanese successes at Midway and Oahu, Hitler
Special Rules: ordered planning to begin for a new attempt to invade and
1. This scenario is a two-player competition between Allied conquer the British Isles before substantial American ground
pilots. Each player controls a "flight-pair" that consists of one P- forces could arrive in Europe. By the summer of 1943, as
47 and one Bf 11 O each having the same aircraft ID number Guderian's Panzers completed the German conquest of the
(either pair #1 or #2, randomly determined prior to play). Each Caucasus and the Afrika Ko rps finally reached the Suez Canal,
player flies and fires the guns of his pair per the rules below. sufficient Luftwaffe strength had been redeployed from the Urals
to France, the Low Countries and Norway to begin what would
2. For turn #1, only the P-47s roll for initiative. Both Bf 11 Os soon be known as the "Second Battle of Britain". On the opening
have initiative numbers of "1" for that turn. From game-turn #2 day of the German air campaign, Luftwaffe bombers and fighter-
to the end of the scenario, all aircraft roll for initiative normally. bombers pounded British radar and command installations and
struck RAF and USAAF bases in southeastern England. In this
3. Both P-47s are flown normally the entire game. However, mission, a Staffel of Me 410 light bombers based in Normandy
they may only fire at the other player's Bf 110 until only one is tasked with bombing a Fighter Command airfield in south·
remains in play. With only one Bf 110 left, both may P-47s may western England.
attack it.
Mission Orders: Execute a low-level attack against the
4. On game turn one, the Bf 11 Os may only move straight Fighter Command sector airfield at Middle Wallop as a diversion
ahead for all five of their FPs. This should cause one to end in for major Luftwaffe strikes against air defense targets in south-
hex 2624 and the other to end in hex 2722 still facing NN E. They eastern England. If weather or Allied defenses prevent attack·
will both have +4 accel carry due to full military power. Begin- ing the target, bomb the Fighter Command airfield at Warmwell
ning on turn #2 they are flown normally by their respective on the Channel coast instead.
players.
Mission Aircraft: Twelve Me 410A-2
5. The Bf 11 Os must fire all eligible guns at either P-47 that Four Fw 190A-4/U8
is in range of the nose or rear guns. They fire on the closest P- Six Bf 109G-6/R3

10
The Journal of Air Combat Gaming New OTR Bombers Issue #37
Interceptors: Four Spitfire IXC 4, 5 Bf 109G-4 Spitfire VG
FourTyphoonlB 6, 7 Bf 109G-6 Spitfire IXC
Four P-470-5 8 Bf 109F-4 TyphoonlB
9 Bf 11 OG-2/R3 Typhoon IB
OMT Set Up: 10 Ju 88C-6 P-38J-1
Friendly Border: 1 Enemy Border: 4
Int. Airfields: 4, 5, 6, 7 EW Radar: 4 No Bf 109 fighter encounters allowed beyond square 4 or Fw
Heavy Flak: 6 Medium Flak: 4, 5 190 encounters beyond square 6. No Spitfire fighter encounters
Alt. Target: 4 Target: 5 in square 1. Ignore any such results.

Special Rules: Hostile/Friendly Non-Fighter Types

1. No more than six interceptors initially per airfield. die roll German
1-2 One Bf 109G-4/R3 reconnaissance aircraft in
2. Me 41 Os each carry four SD250 bombs in station 2. They VH band
receive one point per bomb dropped on Middle Wallop (square 3 (4) Two (Four) loaded Fw 190A-4/U1 fighter
5) and one point per two bombs dropped on Warmwell (square bombers in VL band
4) from the LO or VL band. No points are awarded for bombing 5 Four Bf 11 OG-2/R3 fighter bombers loaded
through clouds. Undamaged Me 41 Os must fly in a single fixed with bombs in LO band
formation until they bomb a target or abort the mission. 6-7 Three loaded Me 410A-2 bombers in ML
band
3. Mission fighters may use sweep or close escort tactics to 8 One damaged Me 41 OA-2 straggler in LO
protect the bombers, but the Fw 190s musttake off when the Me band
410s do. 9-10 Six Do 217E-3 bombers returning to base in
MH band
4. Strafing: Mission fighters and unloaded Me 41 Os may
strafe Allied airfields. Allied interceptors may not fly beyond the die roll Allied
Channel ( aircraft and pilots are being conserved for the coming 1 One unarmed B-24 transport in VL band
battle). 2-3 One damaged B-17F straggler in LO band
4-5 Three B-17Fs returning to base in MH band
5. German Fighter Bases: The Germans have an airfield 6-7 Six loaded B-26B-10 bombers in ML band
(without prepared runways) in square 1 (on the Cotenin penin- 8 Four early Typhoon I Bs loaded with bombs in
sula}, and Bf 109s may start there or in the home base square LO band
or both. The Fw 190s must begin in the home base square. 9 One unarmed recce Spitfire IX in VL band
10 One recce Mosquito PR. IV (converted B. IV)
Notes: in HI band
1 . Squares 2 and 3 are the English Channel. Air-Sea Rescue
is available there for both sides. There is no "underground"
network in England.

2. Spitfires may carry 50 gallon drop tanks. P-47s and Over The Reich Data Card Corrections:
Typhoons have no tanks.
P-381 -Min. HT speed in VL band should be 3.5.
3. The Focke Wulfs each carry 66 gallon drop tanks on their
wing stations (and have reduced armaments as a result), and P-51B/C & Ds - Add to "All" Note: Combat
the Bf 109s can each carry one 66 gallon tank. Mission fighters Flaps, usable at speeds up to minimum +6.0.
may return to base to refuel and/or rearm once.

4. National training standards: l.uttwaffeeexcellent, RAF and

USAAF=average. NOTICE! NOTICE! NOTICE!
Variations: WITH THIS MAILING, ALL 55 SUBSCRIBERS
1. Allow the Fw 190s to carry an 80250 bomb (ora third tank)
on station 2. WHO PAID $3.00 FOR U.S. FIRST CLASS MAIL
SERVICE (WHICH UNFORTUNATELY WE
2. Replace the Me 41 Os with Bf 11 OG-2/R3s, each carrying COULD NOT PROVIDE) HAVE BEEN CREDITED
two SD500 bombs and two 66 gal drop tanks, and give the 190s
each a third tank so the mission can strike a more distant target. WITH ONE EXTRA ISSUE. YOUR EXPIRATION
ISSUE NUMBERS HAVE BEEN EXTENDED BY
Aircraft Encounter Tables ONE, AS YOUR CURRENT MAILING LABELS
Hostile/Friendly Fighter Types
SHOULD INDICATE. WE APOLOGIZE AGAIN!
die roll German Allied THANK YOU.
1-3 Fw 190A-4 P-47C-5

11
AIR POWER MiG Alley Revisited Issue #37
Germans were so very short sighted in their pilot programs in
Relavant Reading both their quality and quantity, especially after the attrition
started on the eastern front in '41. Their commanders failed to
BOOK REVIEWS notice and plan against the terrific losses they were sustaining.
Given the year-plus lead time necessary to produce good pilots,
To Command the Sky the Germans had lost the battle by mid-1942, but they just didn't
know it at the time. I'm getting somewhat beyond the contents
by Stephen L. McFarland and Wesley Phillips Newton
of this book, this subject being better covered in Luftwaffe by
Reviewed by Steve Jantscher Williamson Murray.
To quote from the epilogue, "The major contribution of
To Command the Skyis a history of the battle for air
strategic bombing by June 1944 was its role in bringing about
superiority over Germany during the period of the Eighth Air
the weakening of the Luftwaffe's fighter arm, particularly the
Force's most desperate battles, between 1942 and 1944. From
day fighters, through attrition. Not many of the crews who flew
the Smithsonian history of aviation book series, it has 328
in the B- l 7s and B-24s during ARGUMENT and over Berlin
pages, copious end notes, a bibliographic essay, selected bib-
realized that their principal role was that of serving as bait to
liography and index. Also included are 32 pages of black and
lure the enemy fighters up so that their "Little Friends" could
white photographs of both aircraft and personalities covered in
( to use contemporary slang) "waste" the enemy. The American
the book. The photographs are of a general stock nature and
fighter pilots, in the final analysis, really did the primary job of
intended for lay individuals, and will not overly interest WW2
wasting. No other specialists in the American armed forces
aircraft experts.
were more deadly at a crucial time in the war, in spite of their
The basics aside, I must say that the true value this book tendency to exaggerate their claims. Of course, they had the
provides is a comprehensive history of the decline of the advantage of overwhelming numbers. Their German oppo-
Luftwaffe fighter force through the direct targeting of that force nents were no less brave, but were the victims of bad and even
by the Eighth Air Force. The overriding requirement to achieve insane leadership. One of the most neglected subjects by
air superiority prior to D-Day forced the various Air Force historians of the air war over Europe has been training - but
commanders to develop the strategy to force a fight with the then the Luftwaffe neglected it also. The record clearly shows
Luftwaffe, and then beat it. its bearing upon one side winning air superiority and the other
yielding it in 1944."
Early attempts at fighter sweeps resulted in hardly ever
seeing a German aircraft, while at the same time those few This book also puts into context the need for air superiority.
aircraft that escorted the bombers would invariably tangle with It was not needed to allow our bombers to bomb with lower loss
"Gerry." It is surprising to admit, but it took the generals some rates, but rather to allow the successful prosecution of the
time to discover that to beat the German airforce, one had to battles to come on the western front starting with D-day.
find it, and the best way to find was to be around bombers trying Eisenhower told his troops that if you see an aircraft, it will be
to bomb the factories producing German aircraft. For it was ours. The other side of the coin was a Wehrmacht joke reported
only by threatening unacceptable damage from the sky that the in Stephen Ambrose's recent bookD-Day June 6, 1944 which
Luftwaffe would be forced into a fight in the air trying to defend had it that if the plane in the sky was silver it was American, if
those factories. This may sound simple, but to those brought up it was blue it was British, if it was invisible it was ours [i.e.
on the ideas and strategies of strategic bombing, it was thought German].
that the only way to gain air superiority was with bombers,
This book is a gem of a study of how two major powers fought
through bombing the factories and airbases. Fighters ( or
for air superiority. Their moves and counter moves. Of set backs
pursuit) were needed, if at all, for defense of your own bases.
and wrong turns. This book has its heroes and bums, on both
Generals Spaatz, Doolittle and Kepner came to realize that sides, and is a really good read. You won't find too many cockpit
the bomber had taken on a secondary role in the air campaign, stories, but you will find good solid history written in an
from being the primary cause of enemy destruction to becoming interesting style. If you want to know more about the "why"
the bait to lure up the Luftwaffe, and then with better pilots and behind your games of Over the Reich then this book is for you.
machines (and more of both) to create a favorable attrition rate You can get it at either White W olfBooks at 1-800- 724-3024 for
upon the enemy. The romance of singles combat behind the $31 or Zenith Books for $35. It's money well spent!
guns of one's Mustang or Focke-Wulf gave way to the wastage
factors of production and attrition so reminiscent of World War
I. The "Big Week" and Berlin raids were direct and successful The First Team, & The First Team and the
attempts to force the Luftwaffe to come up and fight.
Guadalcanal Campaign
The authors also point up the other critical factors affecting
two books by John B. Lundstrom
the Luftwaffe in their fight for air superiority. Among them are
the oil problem (pretty self-explanitory for students of WW2 Reviewed by Steve Jantscher
history) and their shoddy pilot production programs. The
12
The Journal of Air Combat Gaming New OTR Bombers Issue #37
The First Team 546 pages, seven appendices covering;
Naval flight training; Fundamentals of aerial fixed gunnery; ALTERNATE TOPOGRAPHY FOR AIR GAMING I
Fighting colors, insignia and markings; Naval flight forma-
tions and the "Thatch Weave"; Japanese combat methods; List Are you starting to get bored with your Air Strike maps? Do
of U.S. Navy fighter pilots; Bureau numbers of fighter aircraft you feel a little awkward using the Speed of Heat maps for Gulf
in squadrons embarked November 1941-June 1942. Notes, War scenarios? You're not alone. Many of us have flown over
sources and index sections are included too. those wonderful Air Strike maps so may times we have the
terrain memorized. And frankly, the jungle cover on the TSoH
The First Team and the Guadalcanal Campaign Szf maps even feels out of place for hypothetical Korea scenarios.
pages, five appendices titled; The significance of the captured
Zero; List ofU.S. Navy fighter pilots; Bureau numbers of fighter One of the best places to turn for new maps is other
aircraft; Fighting colors, insignia, and markings; Fighting wargames. Some of the best are found in GDW's First Battle
series, including Test of Arms (a wide range of actions from
Five nonflying personnel. Notes, sources and index sections are
1950 to the present), Battlefield Europe (hypothetical future
included too. Both books contain action and posed (pilot by his conflicts in central Europe), Blood & Thunder (WWII Eastern
plane) photos that are excellent in most often being identified as Front), and Sands of War (desert war from WWII to the Gulf).
to the pilot (U.S. and Japanese). Both books are published by These maps use 250 meter hexes, which is a bit small for Air
the Naval Institute Press. Strike, but they actually translate remarkably well. For instance,
there are different types of town/urban hexes which substitute
These two books are the best history I have read on air for the Air Strike building hex types. The Sands of War maps
combat operations described from a naval air standpoint. In tend to be pretty "flat," which is good for Air Strike scenarios in
fact, these two books represent two of the top five history books the Gulf. On the other hand, there are also some pretty hilly
I've ever read or owned ( and ask J .D. how many history books maps, which do well as Korea. When adapting elevations, you
I have). These books are a "must have" addition to any aircraft/ have some choices. You may decide to treat each elevation
history buffs library. Do not read the rest of this review, just go level as 1000', or one Air Strike altitude level. This is easy and
out and buy these books and be ready to learn all there is to produces a much more mountainous setup. On the other hand,
know about that desperate first year (Nov. '41- Nov. '42) of air you might treat single elevations as really big ridge lines,
blocking LOS for aircraft at their level, but not above them.
combat from flattops during World War Two in the Pacific. This
Elevation two can then be treated as a "real" altitude 1 hill. You
is history the way it should be written, with painstaking atten- can even flatten the terrain further by requiring Elevation 3
tion to detail. Numerous times throughout the books the author before treating it as a full 1000' level. All the Sands of War maps
identifies individuals from both sides involved in an air combat. are geomorphic and feature a hill in one corner, extending off the
The research and effort involved in writing these books is map. This can lead to some odd effects, since you either have
evident on every page. valleys bounded on the sides, or a big ridge down the middle of
the map! A small price to pay, though. Blood & Thunder uses
Of course most readers here know the general outlines of the semi-geomorphic maps based on real terrain maps. All the
naval war from the attack on Pearl Harbor to the end of the maps for the First Battle games are well-done and attractive.
Guadalcanal campaign: the high losses in ships, aircraft and
The second major option has been used very successfully at
men on both sides, and the relatively even or worse odds facing the Origins Air Strike tournaments. Real topographic maps are
the U.S. forces during these battles. These facts are well known, used, with a hex-grid laid over them! The effect is stunning and
but these books bring the details to life. Accurate accounting of really adds to the play experience. Buy two Chessex Crystal Mat
each and every sortie flown from both sides accompanies every Mega-mats with 1" hexes, hex dots, and hex numbers. These
combat that occurred, and most search sorties too. are carefully laid over 1 :26,000 scale US Geological Survey
maps. Any map of about 1 :25,000 scale will work, butthe USGS
These were the desperate "shoestring" times for the Naval maps are readily available, cheap, and cover virtually every type
Air Arm, as well as for the Marines and Army throughout the of terrain imaginable. Just a tip: part of Ft. Knox is very similar
Pacific. The noble story of how F4F-3s and F4F-4s out-fought to West Germany - the armor school saves a lot of money by
the Japanese, who were flying better-maneuvering aircraft, has trying equipment out there instead of shipping it across the
never been better told. If reading these books doesn't make your Atlantic. Elevations are both simpler and more complicated
mouth water in anticipation of a Pacific Theater version of Over using real topographic maps. Elevations may be read directly
the Reich, you're dead! These books are about fighter combat. from the map, which eases things. As a general rule, look at the
hex-center dot. It the elevation there is at least 950', consider the
In fact, for those of you who read the book Guadalcanal by
hex to be an altitude 1 hill. Ridgelines are a bit more difficult. A
Richard B. Franks (another excellent history), you know that
good rule is that any hex containing at least three "thick"
much of his telling of the air battles was from research provided elevation lines is a ridge hex. On the other hand, you may want
by the author of these two books, John Lundstrom. to look at the overall elevation situation between two hexes -
there may be a very gentle slope which would effectively block
I find it hard to recount general storyline of the books here
LOS. In any case, establish the rules before the game begins!
because of the great amount of detail contained in them. These As a bonus for OTR players, JD noted that the "La Bataille"
are true finds for those interested in fighter combat during series from Clash of Arms uses almost the same ground scale
WW2. Go out and buy them! You won't be sorry. as OTR! Yes, now you too can strafe the field of Waterloo!
Steve Jantscher Ethan "Rush" McKinney
13
AIR POWER MiG Alley Revisited Issue #37

Incoming! Dear J.D. Webster,

After receiving four issues ofAir Power I wanted to make a
few commentaries. AIR POWER IS GREAT!! We find many
things from new scenarios to data cards and information. I was
very happy to hear that you are working on a WWI project
( Canvas Falcons) so that we can trace the history of air warfare
from 1914 to 1999 through Canvas Falcons, Fighting Wings,
and Air Powergame systems.
As for me, I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of Achtung-
Spitfire! In a previous letter, I asked you whether the French or
Polish Air Forces would be present in the game. To a certain
Dear J.D., extent the answer was in the first issue of Air Power I received,
no. 31. There it mentioned that the French and Italian Air
I want to take a moment to compliment you on your Forces would be published later in modules, and that way more
deditication to accuracy in regards to OTR and TSOH data French planes could be included than would have been possible
cards, as portrayed in "Incoming" #35. I have been involved in in Achtung-Spitfire!Good news! I also hope that the Russians
the design process for several successful wargames (SPQR, will come soon to the Fighting Wings series.
Enemy at the Gates to name a few) and it has been my
experience that such attention to detail pays long-term divi- However, because I am French, I would like to say a few
dends in terms of customer confidence. things about our planes. Of the 1679 German planes claimed
destroyed or severely damaged, French fighters alone claimed
I noticed a tendency in your newsletter to be almost apolo- about 1,003 during the 1940 campaign in France. The heroic
getic about the success of OTRand the resulting recent domi- fight and sacrifice of the French Armee de! L'air is often
nance in terms of WWII on the content ofAir Power As with any forgotten. Nevertheless, they fought well and with bad condi-
business endeavor, sales are an indicator of the popularity of tions ( changing airfields many times due to the German ad-
the system. If the market place rewards a " ... deluge of WWII vances). Fighters such as the D.520, Hawk 75A, MS.406, and
stuff. .. " you would be well-advised to continue the present Bloch 152 had many successes; the D.520 (147 kills) was the
trends. For those of us who are primarily historical gamers, best French fighter, unfortunately only one group was so
please keep up the good work. equipped, four others had Hawk 75s (311 kills). The MS.406
Don't worry about the plethora of OTR data cards in Air was the oldest fighter and took many losses but still had 280
Power. I have never met an air gamer who complained about kills. The Bloch 152, like the WildcatandP-47,couldtakeheavy
having too many air data cards for any game system! Another damage and return. It was credited with 193 kills. Other
positive trend would be continuing the brief one to three aircraft such as the Caudron 714 and Potez 631 scored other
paragraph designers notes and comments pointing out some kills. Bomber groups were equipped with the Breguet 693 and
feature of the aircraft or specific challenge found in research- Leo 451. Both were effective attack planes but suffered heavy
ing particular aircraft. losses.

The tactical I operational systems in OTR are a HUGE As for the Pacific, we will fight, I hope, in actions over Pearl
addition to the game system for obvious reasons. I tend to like Harbor, the Philippines, Guadalcanal, Midway, Rabaul,Leyte,
to use the old Yaquinto "Bomber" for a more detailed opera- Marianas, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and finally, over Japan. Thanks
tional system but in any case the whole idea is inspired. As you for the great work so far. I hope, nevertheless you have some
know better than I, the pre-engagment operational and tactical free time left with your family [geeze, not if I have to meet this
decisions are often the deciding factor in air-to-air engage- request! Ed.].
ments. Sincerely, Florent Loyer, Surgeres, France.
Thanks again, Boyd Schorzman, Seattle, WA
Dear Flo rent and other European subscribers, I must confess
that Achtung-Spitfire! emphasizes mainly the RAF contribu-
Dear J. D.
tion to the air war in Europe. I did not purposely neglect the
I have just bought Over The Reich! enjoy itandlmustadmit French, Italians and Russians. However, I did delay making
that since I have it, I have put my old Air Force box on the shelf. aircraft data cards for them for the simple reason that my current
library is inadequate with regards to aircraft of those nationali-
Yet, I'd like to have more aircraft at my disposal. Indeed, what
ties. American books on WWI I tend to stick with the USAAF and
about WWII air combat over the Pacific? My old Dauntless box
RAF. I have very little information on French and Italian aircraft.
seems a marginal alternative to an eventual "Over The Pacific" This is therefore, a CRY FOR HELP. If you would like to see
game which would, and surely must, be on its way. French and Italian aircraft modeled with the same accuracy as
Thanks, Jean Sebastien Grosse, Bretigny, France. U.S. and RAF aircraft, please find, xerox, translate, and send me
any information you have as soon as possible! Thanks, JDW.

14
The Journal of Air Combat Gaming New OTR Bombers Issue #37
envelope of the ARM. Is altitude difference counted in
Questions &Answers determining this range (as it is for RG Weapons)?
• Yes, altitude differences are considered.

AIR POWER RULES - THE SPEED OF HEAT 7. Rule 26.1 -ARM Flight: (This question also applies to
rule 27 .1, CG rocket flight). The rule states that AR Ms fly as
1. Rule 9.4 - SSGT: The rules say, to gain the benefit of air-to-air missiles. Does this include all speed attenuation
an SSGT modifier that an A/C must expend FPs while on a effects? If so, do ARMs or CG rockets have sustainer
tracking line. Can the FPs expended on this line be ex- motors for any number of turns?
pended while banked into a turn, or should the A/C be flying
level, that is to say, not having ended a turn just before • The two ARMs in TSOH are not considered to have
sustainers, nor do CG weapons. Later ARM models which will
entering this FP required for SSGT?
be listed in AS-II may have sustainer data shown for them.
• There is no requirementto be wings level for SSGT. As soon
as an aircraft is on a tracking line and expends an FP, whether 8. Rule 26.1 -ARM Attack Recognition: Can a SAM unit
turning or not, it can perform SSGT assuming the other require- with an integral EWR recognize an ARM targeted on the
ments are met (within six hexes of range and target in field of fire same SAM unit's TTR, if the EWR has the launching aircraft
of guns or limited radar arc equivalent before the FP is ex- detected but the TTR does not have the launching aircraft
pended). locked up?

2. Rule 6.1 - Power Settings: If idle power is selected and • Yes-considering that the technicians for both sets of radars
a 0.5 is already carried forward from the previous game are sitting in the same control van for SA-2, and SA-3 type
turn, should we use it? And if our start speed is, for example SAMs, and even some later models of SAMs, I don't think there
would be any problem. Its the site being attacked after all.
5.5; if we select idle, should we carry the 0.5 FP to the next
turn?
9. Rule 19.4.1 - Barrage Jammers: Although frequency
• Idle power changes the start speed only, reducing it by 0.5. limitations are specified for podded BJMs, no limitations
Any carried 0.5 FP is unaffected and may be carried forward are specified for aircraft with internal BJMs (e.g. EA-3). Are
again or must be mated with a half speed if going to idle created internal BJMs limited as to the frequencies they can jam,
the half speed. If your start speed were 5.5 with no previous 0.5 and if so, what are the limitations?
carry, idle would reduce it to 5.0 and no half FP would around to
be carried forward. • For TSOH aircraft, the frequency limits are the same as
those listed for external pods.
3. Rule 16.6 - Auto-Track Radar Mode: Can the Auto-
Track mode be influenced by jamming from an AJM or Questions submitted by Dave Conn, Waukee, IA.
BJM?
• As far as the game system goes, jamming will not affect the
FIGHTING WINGS RULES - OVER THE REICH
auto-track mode's ability to get an automatic detection. I con-
1. Rules 11.2, 13: There are two sets of reductions to
sider the range at which auto-track works (usually 10 miles or
engine power in the game: the ones for loading and severe
less) to be an effective burn through range for detection.
However, such jamming still has its normal game effects on the damage and those for engine critical hits. The first are
fractional while the second tend to be flat reductions in
lock-on attempt die rolls.
numbers. Which of these do you calculate first? It obvi-
ously makes a difference in terms of power available.
4. No specific rule: Does the radar/ECCM number have
any influence upon the air-to-ground mode? (Concerning • Damage points are taken first, then fractional losses due to
radars with ground navigation and attack modes). loads or severe damage status.
• In terms of game play, no. ECCM ratings are for countering
2. Rule 11.2: According to the rules, every two points of
jamming against the air-to-air functions of aircraft radars.
power lost to engines "not knocked out" reduces max
Questions submitted by Michel Thibeault, Torey, France speed by 0.5. A lot of bombers have less than two points of
power available per engine. Does the first two point loss on
5. Rule 15.1 - IRM Seeker Head Lockups: This rule the critical hits table to a particular engine still cause the 0.5
provides that, if two targets are equally close to an aircraft speed reduction? If not, how is this calculated. So far this
firing an IRM with a limited FOV, the target locked up is is the part of the game I've found most confusing.
determined randomly. If multiple IRMs are fired at the same
• The revised phraseology (used in Achtung-Spitfire!) is
time and two or more targets are equally close, is only one
easier to understand. It reads: Each two real power points lost
roll made to determine which target is locked up for all the
to damage on active engines (i.e. engines not knocked out and
missiles fired, or is one roll made for each missile?
not counting points below "O") on any aircraft, single or multi
• One roll is made per missile after it is successfully launched. engined, reduces its max level speed by 0.5, not to exceed the
speed loss for engines knocked out on multi-engine aircraft.
6. Rule 26 • ARM Launch Procedure: The rule requires
that a successful launch be made while in the listed range Questions submitted by Noel Wright, El Dorado, AR

15
AIR POWER MiG Alley Revisited Issue #37

Coming up in futue issues: ;�Jp; P{J ,\ ER Jan I Feb1995

More Wings I OTR I AS I TSOH Data Cards BIG CHEESE J. D. Webster

Updates on the O.J. Simpson Trial EDITORS John Caraher, Chris Fawcett
Over The Reich Replays, New Product Reviews COLUMNISTS Jim Meldrum, Dan Verssen
More Meldrum Variants (eeksl) ARTIST Tony Stanfl (He's great!)
The Usual Stuff by J.D. Webster & Friends
AIR POWER is published two or more times a year (six
usually). All rights on the contents of the journal are reserved. No
part of the journal may be reproduced, in whole or in part, without

UPCOMING CONS: prior consent of the publisher. Portions of the journal may be
explicitly released from these restrictions. Use of a product

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name without reference to its company or trademark does not
constitute a challenge to its trademark status by that company.

When? 13 to 16 July 1995 BACK ISSUES are available at US $3.00 for domestic
subscribers and US $3.50 for overseas subscribers, postage
Where? Philadelphia, PA included. Some back issues are original prints, some are photo-
at the New Convention Center copies. All issues still available.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES Any previously unpublished

• Featuring J.D. Webster, and Air material is welcomed. Articles, reviews, scenarios, etc. should
Superiority I Speed OfHeat I Over The be submitted on 8.5 x 11 white paper, typed and double-spaced
or submitted as text only files on an IBM or Macintosh formatted
Reich I Achtung Spitfire Tourneys 3.5" diskette. Artwork should be full or double-sized, on white
paper, and camera-ready. All submissions become the property
For info and registration contact: of AIR POWER Publications. Contributers receive credit for one
free issue for each 3 pages (or less) of their work which is
Andon Unlimited, PO Box 3100 published per issue.
Kent, Ohio, 44240
Send letters, comments, questions, sugges-
Or Phone: 215-673-2125 tions, etc., with SASE for reply, to the address
listed below. Your feedback is welcome!
Notice: All Air Power back issues are still available
SUBSCRIPTIONS: All payment must be made in US
for sale. Limited quantities of#2 through #10, however. Order
dollars. Payment may be made with checks drawn on US
10 or more and reduce cost by 50 cents per issue ordered.
banks only, or via International or Postal money order. No
billing option Please send your name, address, shipping
option (if applicable) and payment to the address below.
Air Superiority /Air Strike Current Rates (as of January 1995)
games for sale! Single issue US $ 3.00
Single issue (overseas). US$ 3.50
Air Power has acquired all remaining stock of GD W's
1 year (6 issues) US $14.00
Air Sup/Strike games. Replace your worn out, pizza and
2 years (12 issues) US $22.00
beer stained components with brand new ones (No boxes).
Canadian & Mexican Add US $3.00 per year
• Map Sections: $0.50 (Specify by letter code)
Overseas Surface Add US $5.00 per year
• Data Card Set: $2.00 (Specify AS or STR)
Overseas Air Mail Add US $15.00 per year
• Rules/Scenrio Booklet: $2.00 (Specify AS or STR)
• Play Aid Booklet: $2.00 (Specify AS or STR) Direct subscription inquiries, address changes, and
• Air Sup. Counters: $2.00 general feedback to:
• Air Strike Counters: $2.00 (Specify sheet 1 or 2)

Complete Air Sup. or Strike game in zip-lock: $8.00 ea.

AIR POWER Publications
(Great gift to get your friends hooked on air gaming!)
1395 Kelly Green Dr.
SPECIAL SALE!! ORDER 4 or more games for $6.00 Ann Arbor, MI, 48103
each or 8 or more for $5.00 each

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