Yes I agree Andrea was not going to get a "bit of lace" but I am now. My Dad made the 1/72nd Airfix model back in the 60' for me (well him rather). As for the pre-ordering I like it because you can get the mins when you have money, because with me when the mins are finally realeased I never have the money
I understand what you are saying, but I have to respectfully disagree. I am by no means a hardcore scenario player but I still have little desire to play with fictional liveries, and it would be a much bigger issue for those who are; I would definitely consider that part of the planes playability. I'm sure there are people who would purchase those planes, but it would be at the cost of others who would not, and it would alienate quite a few dedicated players. If Ares was capable of churning out dozens of different liveries for each plane type it would be different, but that hasn't been the case and given the production realities I think it's much better to focus on authentic aircraft first.
Well checked ARES and they still have tomorrow as the street date for the bombers so hope we will be getting them next week.
They're on ebay.com - saw 'em this lunchtime!
Having now carried out trials with my Lancaster over the Derwent reservoir,
I have reached the following conclusions:-
1. The chance of a hit is much harder to judge than ordinary bombing.
2. Because of the delivery measurement method, any slight slip when moving components over the map at any stage can result in a large discrepancy when the bomb arrives at the dam.
3. The aiming v is less than useless.
4. The dropping bomb template is superb for aligning with the center of the dam to see if a drop is going to be good.
5. Mohne is much harder than Eder.
6. It is great fun to play.
7. To get the most out of the game, I am going to have to order at least a second aircraft for Guy Gibson.
Rob.
Last edited by Flying Officer Kyte; 11-29-2014 at 02:08.
"Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."
Thanks a lot for your comments!
I fear that 3. is quite historical. I remember a scene fo the Dambusters movies from the '60s (I am not able to trace it now) where one of the crewmen throws away the item after deciding that it's pretty useless. Exactly as Luke in the matching scene of Star Wars, by the way.
In any case, a Y can give you an approxximate idea of distance, a factor that is up to you to decide exactly at the moment when you drop. The dropping bomb template just gives you directon, that's vital but as you say far harder to correct - and at the moment you use the template, just useful to decide if to drop the bomb or not.
I think it is because the dam is smaller it makes the radius tighter, so to get the stripes across the bomb to exactly align with the red line is harder.
Never mind the extra AA fire. I have only used the two guns on the ramparts so far.
Rob.
"Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."
I am not trying to knock the scenario in any way Andrea. Sorry if I gave that inference. I knew all about the problem with the aiming device. I think that two pins stuck into it would make it more like the real thing and at least give it a bit more use.
As for the rest I think it reflects just what these chaps were up against. It was not a piece of cake by any means.
I can see endless runs being made on the Dams, and for shows it will entertain many for hours.
I may even look into adding a map for the impossible Sorpe Dam with rules for its dangerous approach.
Once we get a lot of chaps together with a couple of aircraft each, we may even be able to run a mini campaign to attack all three dams. You have put the mechanism for this into the rules already.
Thanks for a great add on.
Rob.
"Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."
No offence taken at all! I was just commenting on my personal experience with these huge birds agains the dams. I was in doubt if to insert that item, in the end it seemed a nice gandet giving a lilltle help but not too much, so quite in the spirit of the scenario.
I will be curious to see how you develope all that. I would just advise to use a larger lake, if you are going to make them on purpose.
thanks again!
Thanks for the advice on the lake Andrea.
I'm glad I did not upset you with my comments as that was the last thing I would wish to do.
I will certainly be purchasing at least one more Lancaster if not two.
As my remarks were based on only three runs against each target I'm sure that the management will become easier.
Your sighting gadget did raise my own spirits when I saw it in the photos, so I guess that may be why I was so disappointed with it in its actuality. I'm sure that with a bit of tweaking we can make it work at least as well as the real one.
Rob.
"Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."
Excellent feedback, Rob.
Now you are going to make me buy two dam-busters... Dam-n!
There is no point in attacking the Sorpe dam. Its construction was different from the other two, which made it unsuitable for the bouncing bombs. The Sorpe dam was an earth dam whilst the other two were concrete and steel, so the Sorpe dam would not crack like them.
A picture of the Sorpe dam:
Voilà le soleil d'Austerlitz!
Thanks for the insight into that chaps.
I wonder why it was included on the list of targets? Maybe just to distract some of the German night fighters perhaps?
Rob.
"Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."
so jealous! gonna take a while longer to get em in Oz
Gonna take me a lot longer too, but that's only because the feckin' Royal Fail managed to lose them between 9.30 yesterday when Postman Prat put a note through my door, and 10.20 today when I went to collect them.
Hey-ho, look on the bright side, no doubt some postie's kid will be very happy when he gets them for Christmas
Run for your life - there are stupid people everywhere!
No, Rob.
They bombed it too, but the special bombs didn't destroy it. I'm shure they believed the could destroy it. Otherwise they would not wasted trained personel and special planes on this target.
The try it again with tallboy bombs vs. the Sorpe dam in 1944 but failed again.
The whole dambuster operation in 1943 was executed in low flight over enemy territory, so the German radar & nightfighters weren't able to detect them, anyways.
On the other hand some Lancasters were lost on the aproach due to the low flight.
Voilà le soleil d'Austerlitz!
I am trying hard in my most PC fashion to avoiding statements linking postal services and turkeys. Nonetheless, Thanksgiving Eve witnessed the arrival of the new Lancasters and B-17's. Many thanks to Keith and Andrea/Ares for very nice design, production, packaging, and delivery. Will I fiddle with them? You betchum, Red Ryder! Some people will mess with anything! . Nonetheless, the WoG models (someday we may get flamed or worse for that!) represent an unbeatable bargain. Ride on!!!!
The other great event of the holiday weekend also brought the house down, but in a more literal fashion. Our volunteer fire brigade had the opportunity to enjoy a Saturday morning of practice alternately torching and extinguishing a house that was already slated for demolition. I am happy to report that the remnants, excepting the chimney and a metal sink landed neatly in the basement.
Ron
A limited supply of reinforcements just landed in the AA store for those of you that missed out on the first batch.
Many thanks Keith for making a larger hole in my wallet.
After getting the Belle today I have just benefited from ordering the G version at a preordered nice price tonight
By the way: the F version arrived with lost (broken) dorsal .50 guns (damn!). Was it just mine model or you guys also got the gunless turret?
"We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."
Andy, sorry to hear about the broken Belle You can contact Ares directly for a replacement.
Out of all of the Heavies, I think Lace is by far the best looking one. They did a good job on it, too bad the engine nacelles are the wrong color... they should have been white per the squadron markings. I can see how they made that mistake by looking at color photos though, they were really oil stained on the real thing!
"We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."
And speaking of "A Bit 'O Lace"
Curses, foiled again.
I only sent an order in at the weekend, and now the Lancs are available again.
Rob.
Well that's one less replacement you have to worry about Keith.
Lend lease payment sent.
Rob.
Last edited by Flying Officer Kyte; 12-01-2014 at 23:09.
"Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."
Finally got hold of mine yesterday. No problems with the guns, but had problems with the props - one Lanc and a B17 had bent props, one of which needed a touch of Superglue, and a whole engine fell off of the other B17. This isn't really good enough given the cost of the things. The damage is probably due to the boxes being slightly less deep than they should have been, and the cellophane window being too flimsy to provide protection when another box or two is put on top of it.
Run for your life - there are stupid people everywhere!
I did a quick look when I got mine; one bent prop noticed, but I was a bit disturbed that none of the boxes were taped shut. I was like they all been opened and repacked.
Karl
It is impossible for a man to begin to learn what he thinks he knows. -- Epictetus
"Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."
This does not bode well : I finaly gave in and asked ( and presumably got ) for "abit of lace" ,a couple of 190s and Mustangs from Mary, Oh and a B17 as well I agree that Keiths packaging is robust but from the sound of it the damage appears to be originaly from the factory where they are packed . Would this be China perhaps ?
I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
Coming down is the hardest thing
Probably the play soccer with those "war game" toys in the parcel center...
Voilà le soleil d'Austerlitz!
"We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."
I'll report back to Ares with the packaging concerns on these.
Sorry to hear this Steve. All the ones I've peeked at through their window look okay... but I'm sure I miss some from time to time. Can you tell me if I packed your Heavies standing up or laying down? Perhaps that could make a difference?
My Heavy from AA was placed horizontally and well secured with bubble foil. The damage simply could not happen on the way from Colorado to my place.
However it had not been taped originally, the box was like not shut completely and it was really too soft to provide a real safety. As Rob wrote, they must have cut the costs of packaging.
I remember that WGF bombers were much better secured in their boxes.
"We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."
No arguments with the way they were packed by you Keith. I think the lack of clearance between the window and the prop is the problem - any pressure on the window presses down on the prop. Not quite in the same league as the SoG broken mast saga, but something Ares needs to think about.
You packed them laying down but I am not sure this makes a difference if during their journey the parcel ends up on their side.
Run for your life - there are stupid people everywhere!
Not sure if it is the packaging in my case but the boxes the planes come in were not what you'd expect for new shape. They looked a little stressed or were handled badly at some point. Should they be better constructed?
I had 2 broken MGs on one of the B-17s. Not major but I now have to fix them.
Last edited by Teaticket; 12-05-2014 at 08:27.
Sorry to hear about the busted up 17s, seems the flak over the Pacific and some cases Atlantic was more intense than anticipated! Hopefully, mine will arrive in decent shape!
This is really the first WDS-thread i have posted on.
And I'm afraid it can be an expencive one.
I'm starting to feel a craving to buy growing in my heart. Those B-17:s are NICE!!
First stress-test of B-17 Memphis Belle in fight has been done yesterday. AAR will follow.
"We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."
My 4 ordered bombers arrived yersterday in Germany.
I'm happy to be the proud owner of 2 Lancasters and 2 B17s now. All models are really beauties and worth each dollar I payed.
First I have to say that they were perfectly packed & protected in the parcel.
One propeller blade of a B17 was bend over the engine, because the left wing wasn't fixed in the plastic inlay when I opened the parcel.
Maybe the left wing wasn't pressed into the plastic inlay enough and the bomber moved a little bit in this package. Nothing to blame anybody for and a colatteral damage due to the transportation.
I fixed it with a drop of plastic glue.
A word to the Lancaster bombers: They're real nice to watch and the contents of the Dambuster versions are impressive. Grab one if you can.
Thank you Aerodrome Accessoires for this great, pricy and fast service to Germany.
Voilà le soleil d'Austerlitz!
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