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Thread: Early War, At The Family Game Store, 8 Sept '14

  1. #1

    Default Early War, At The Family Game Store, 8 Sept '14

    A place holder, until I have time to think of captions...

    We were able to get in two battles. An early war dogfight...




    And zeppelin hunting...



    More to follow.

  2. #2

    LOOP
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    That zeppelin is just huge!!!

  3. #3

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    How do you resolve shooting at the zep, John? Measuring to the base or to the real thing?
    <img src=http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=2554&dateline=1409073309 border=0 alt= />
    "We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."

  4. #4

    LOOP
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    And it shooting back..... Where are the gunners?

  5. #5

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    Anthony ran the zepp, and he went with targeting the model, and return fire based on the guns' location on the model.
    Next time, I think we should try base to base, and maybe making some marks on the model for gun positions.

  6. #6

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    Quote Originally Posted by jbmacek View Post
    Anthony ran the zepp, and he went with targeting the model, and return fire based on the guns' location on the model.
    Next time, I think we should try base to base, and maybe making some marks on the model for gun positions.
    That is why I came up with this. A true 1:144 scale.
    Click image for larger version. 

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    <img src=http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=2554&dateline=1409073309 border=0 alt= />
    "We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."

  7. #7

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    Yeow! Looks great. Thats got to be over a meter long. I am starting to make a Zep for scenario 5 of Early Wars Open Doors but it will only be 2+ foot long.

  8. #8

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    Quote Originally Posted by Teaticket View Post
    Yeow! Looks great. Thats got to be over a meter long. I am starting to make a Zep for scenario 5 of Early Wars Open Doors but it will only be 2+ foot long.
    138 cm if memory serves well The mat measures 180*100 cm.
    <img src=http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=2554&dateline=1409073309 border=0 alt= />
    "We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."

  9. #9

    LOOP
    Guest


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    Is it playable at all? I mean if you shall move that thing around you need some space......

  10. #10

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    I had this problem with my shooting. If one uses Clippers rules of a ruler exclusion zone all around the Zep it means a plane can be hit anywhere on the table. The easy answer is if the plane can hit the Zep then return fire can hit you. It is true whether you use stick to stick, base to stick, or base to base things are fair that way.

    Personally for this type of action I think Base to base is the best.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  11. #11

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    Quote Originally Posted by LOOP View Post
    Is it playable at all? I mean if you shall move that thing around you need some space......
    It is not movable! It is printed ON the mat With a giant like that there is no need to move it IMHO - or suppose it is flying just straight - which was not uncommon.
    And I designed quite easy rules to fight it using altitude
    <img src=http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=2554&dateline=1409073309 border=0 alt= />
    "We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."

  12. #12

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    Now that we have one, I'd certainly like to experiment with the various options.

    And now, back to the AAR...

    We had a good turnout, with nine total. For the first mission, Pseudotheist (at left) took our two new players (a guy I went to school with, who I haven't seen since... 1985? and his son) under his wing.






    The first scenario was the ubiquitous dogfight, with early-ish planes. For the Germans, two Halberstadts and two Eindeckers. For the Entente, an Avro, two DH2s, and a Morane-Saulnier.




    PRS and I cut down the middle.




    And quickly dispatched one of the Eindeckers, with the help of Capt Willard.




    The fight continued for quite some time. But eventually, the Morane and a Halberstadt Eindecker went down.




    The Entente machines held the upper hand, but then Tusekine's Avro was taken out. Neither my DH2 nor Capt Willard's had taken much damage, so things still looked good for us.



    Then, after a bit of fancy flying...







    He and I were able to drop the remaining Eindecker.




    The battle, having lasted the better part of an hour, ended with an Entente win, as we let the Halberstadt run, because we heard the drone of zeppelin engines in the distance.



  13. #13

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    Quote Originally Posted by LOOP View Post
    Is it playable at all? I mean if you shall move that thing around you need some space......
    The ones that move are very slow compared to the aircraft Per. They can take a whole game to traverse two mats.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  14. #14

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    A very nice preamble to the Zeppelin mission John.
    I still love your terrain every time I see it.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  15. #15

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    Thanks. Though the mat of course is Todd's. And as I always say, the combination of that mat and the lighting in the room make for tough photography. I'd love to have an hour just to sit there alone and fiddle with my camera settings until I get one that is just right.

  16. #16

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    John, what makes photography so difficult? Is that mat too shiny?

  17. #17

    LOOP
    Guest


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    Quote Originally Posted by Flying Officer Kyte View Post
    The ones that move are very slow compared to the aircraft Per. They can take a whole game to traverse two mats.
    Rob.
    That is understandable. But a mission with a zeppelin must easy become targetpractice!? (against a target that bites you back ) Don't get me wrong I just love the thing but as a opponent in a game,
    how slow it may be, it must easy become monotonous bringing it down.
    As I said before don't get me wrong. It is just so awesome and the scale of it makes it even more .......... awesome. But there must be some issues in gameplay....
    Correct me if i'm wrong..

  18. #18

    LOOP
    Guest


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    Aboute zeppelins..... Did all have 4 gunners or did smaller have fewer? Perhaps only in the gondols below?
    How slow do they move? In WoG-speed. A cm? Less?
    The fact that they flew so high that fighters had trouble catching them. What level do they fly at? Playing senarios with zepelins, it must be easier to make a strike against a landing zepelin or at their home base than taking one out on a bombing mission. How do you bring them down? Rockets? Incendinary bullets? Or just a lot of bullets?

    It is a fascinating piece of flying history.

  19. #19

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    Right all you Zep fanatics out there Per has thrown down the gauntlet.
    Now give him the truth about Zeps. If it comes only from me he may think I am biased.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  20. #20

    LOOP
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    Perhaps I should open a new thread on this.....

  21. #21

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    Quote Originally Posted by LOOP View Post
    Perhaps I should open a new thread on this.....
    Might be the best solution Per.
    If you do, put a link here or people will just keep adding stuff here now we have set the ball rolling.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  22. #22

    LOOP
    Guest


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    Well said and done. I've started a new thread "Zeppelins in WoG"

  23. #23
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  24. #24

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    Quote Originally Posted by LOOP View Post
    Perhaps I should open a new thread on this.....
    Thanks! I appreciate it!

  25. #25

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    Quote Originally Posted by RJG173 View Post
    John, what makes photography so difficult? Is that mat too shiny?
    I think it is the opposite. The mat seems to absorb light. It's a matte finish, so maybe there is some interaction between it, and the overhead lighting, which isn't the best. Like I said, I wish I had an hour or two just to sit there and find the right settings on my camera.

  26. #26

    LOOP
    Guest


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    Your welcome
    This is your thread and it should remain that way

  27. #27

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    I'll continue the zeppelin attack story later today...




    As I understand it, it is, or is based on, the current "Early Doors" scenario.


  28. #28

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    We faced off versus the zeppelin as it was returning from a mission. My thoughts were completely on destroying the beast. Someone said, as we climbed into our planes, there was a town in it's path that it might try to bomb, but that the town was protected by AAA. Also, there were rumors of enemy fighters in the area. Our plan, "don't worry about the fighters, and concentrate on the zepp."

    "We" consisted of a group of four BE2s (Capt Willard, PRS, the young James and his dad Jim) and an FE2 (me).




    Tusekine ran the zepp.






    The enemy fighters? Three Eindeckers, played by Pseudotheist, Bob, and Mike.




    Pay no attention to the other gamers in the background. That's the weekly Pathfinder group.




    Oh, wait! It looks like one of my wingmen is a... 1 1/2 Strutter? Anyway, I'm about to make my run, hurtling my machine at the aerial behemoth. Meanwhile, Capt Willard has taken a shot, and is banking, while PRS is trying to come back around.




    Off to the west, there are flashes from the ground, and the muffled sound of explosions. Two more British planes join the battle. (I believe we lost two, but frankly, I was paying so much attention to the zepp I don't know what was going on around me. I do know the Eindeckers were concentrating on the AA, and that the two B-deck explosions were pulled early on.)



    More later...

  29. #29

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    Yes, my guns jammed when we made our first run, so I flew wide while I cleared it to avoid the Zep's guns.

  30. #30

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    Quote Originally Posted by jbmacek View Post


    As I understand it, it is, or is based on, the current "Early Doors" scenario.
    Here is the set up for the Early Doors scenario

    Click image for larger version. 

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    and here is a link to the scenario description

    http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/sho...y-2nd-3rd-1916

  31. #31

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    Quote Originally Posted by jbmacek View Post

    Two more British planes join the battle. (I believe we lost two, but frankly, I was paying so much attention to the zepp I don't know what was going on around me. I do know the Eindeckers were concentrating on the AA, and that the two B-deck explosions were pulled early on.)


    More later...
    We respawned the first three kills as British planes, and the fourth as another Eindecker. So the Zeppelin faced a total of eight British planes, but fortunately no AA guns as the Eindeckers did quite a number on them.

  32. #32

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    Quote Originally Posted by tusekine View Post
    Here is the set up for the Early Doors scenario

    Click image for larger version. 

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    and here is a link to the scenario description

    http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/sho...y-2nd-3rd-1916
    I am flattered that you should see fit to fly my scenario chaps.
    Hope you all enjoyed it.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  33. #33

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    It was quite fun. Thanks for dreaming it up.

    And as one can see, Clipper's zepp looks marvelous!





    PRS has come up behind the zepp, while I have brought my gun to bear again. Capt Willard is getting dangerously close to an approaching Hunnish Eindecker horde.




    And he goes down in flames, from the zeppelin's guns, as I recall.




    The next phase, and a view from above. I have a shot at Pseudotheist's Eindecker.




    I take it, and then find myself amidst the group of Eindeckers.




    Curses. Not only am I now on fire, but I took another shot at a passing Eindecker, resulting in gun jam.




    Action shot!




    The lumbering zepp is at the halfway point. My FE2, ablaze and gun jammed, flies under the belly of the beast.




    And now one of my companions is also ablaze. But hurrah! The zepp appears to be nosing earthward.




    With two flaming planes beneath it, I can't help but think, "time to throw another zepp on the barbie."




    I was able to survive the fire. With the jam cleared, I hope to be able to turn back around and do more damage to our foe. My fiery friend... with those Eindeckers on his tail... it doesn't look good for him.




    And he is gone. PRS has lined himself up for a shot, but is also surrounded by enemy machines.




    The zepp's nose lunges skyward. They seem to be in trouble. Both PRS and I take shots. PRS' shot has started a fire in the zepp's tail section. The return fire from zepp causes his BE2 to erupt into a ball of flame.




    We started this scenario around 7pm, and it was about 8:55 at this point. The L-42 was down to one section left, I believe, when Anthony drew the zepp's fire damage.



    Hurrah!!!

    A fun scenario, all things considered. There was plenty of zepp to keep the attackers busy, and the defenders had their choice of ground or aerial targets.

    And I was happy to end the night with no explosions in my hand!!!

    FIN

  34. #34

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    Great AAR! Thanks, John.

  35. #35

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    Quote Originally Posted by jbmacek View Post
    It was quite fun. Thanks for dreaming it up.

    And as one can see, Clipper's zepp looks marvelous!
    You are more than welcome John.
    You all did it justice and Dave's fine Zep made it look great on your table.
    thanks for giving it another testing for me.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  36. #36

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    Looks like a" Whole Lotta Fun" John. Great mats too.


    I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
    Coming down is the hardest thing

  37. #37

    Smile

    Quote Originally Posted by LOOP View Post
    Aboute zeppelins..... Did all have 4 gunners or did smaller have fewer? Perhaps only in the gondols below?
    How slow do they move? In WoG-speed. A cm? Less?
    The fact that they flew so high that fighters had trouble catching them. What level do they fly at? Playing senarios with zepelins, it must be easier to make a strike against a landing zepelin or at their home base than taking one out on a bombing mission. How do you bring them down? Rockets? Incendinary bullets? Or just a lot of bullets?

    It is a fascinating piece of flying history.
    G'day Per!
    Having just completed a Early Doors campaign scenario against a Zep ( see Over the Trenches AAR's) I can assure you it is fun!
    The Zep uses the XD deck from Flight of the Giants & the model used is for the Zep with 5 guns in the forward Gondola, 4 in the rear one & one gunner at the tail. Damage points are 128 but you can cause more damage with fire & you can use Rockets & Incendiary Ammo to help take the beast down.

    Check out Rob's BRF which gives a Gas Cell template for you to record cell damage etc.
    Bet you will enjoy a Zeppelin "Tilt"!
    As you will see in my AAR I made a Zep template as I do not have a Zep model like some "lucky buggers" that visit here.

  38. #38

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    Thanks for the plug Baz, even if you did include the phrase "Lucky buggers" ( I notice that the blue pencil censors allow that phrase, even though Richard is somehow deemed to corrupt the morals of a generation more than bu**ery.) "My asterisks".
    If Per wants to see a bit more of Zeps in action he should have a look at our photos from Doncaster on the U.k. sub forum, where we have three of the beasties in action. N.B. two of those have a double machine gun at the stern which proved the undoing of many an unsuspecting Allied pilot on the day.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  39. #39

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    This must have been a serious game, a cage match and they locked you guys in! 6 men enter, one man leaves?



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