What Do You Mean We Don't Have Enough Flying Boats? the Family Game Store 13 July '15

[jbmacek]

Yes, the best laid plans of gamers do go astray. Or in this case, a barely laid plan. We had no where near enough flying boats for the eight of us. In fact, we were having a hard time coming up with any combination of planes that made sense. Fortunately, we were able to scrape together enough American fighters for a couple of rousing games, starting with... wait for it... the ubiquitous opening dogfight!

Coming from the west, a group of Americans, mostly Nieuport 28s, and a lone SPAD XIII.




From the east, they meet up with two Fokker Dr.Is, and two Albatros D.Vs.




More later...

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Oh John! You are a tease.
Rob.

[matt56]

LOVE the game mat, John! Whence comes that glorious beastie?

All the best,
Matt

[Tonx]

The 3D effects on your gaming mat really are excellent - liking them a lot.

This all looks like good fun - my FLGS used to run a gaming night every Wednesday at which I would always be seen either Solitaire or with the Wife as my most regular opponent playing Wings of Glory WW2 / WGS. Hopefully to be replaced soon by an alternative idea scheduled for Sunday afternoons. Hope so as I really miss playing Glory every Wednesday night!

[Baxter]

Magnificent photo. I must get myself a map like that. Puts everything else in the pale by comparison.

[Flying Helmut]

Looks like you don't have enough water for any Flying Boats!

I look forward to subsequent pictures of this scrap!

[jbmacek]

The battle opens with two American planes breaking left, heading for the lone Dr.I.




This draws off the D.Vs, who give chase.




As we pass, the red triplane takes some serious damage from the Nieuports.




The battle thins out. My Nieuport - #16 - decides to have a go at the yellow triplane.




We exchange fire. I'm getting lucky with low value damage cards.




The first explosion of the evening. Things are looking good for the Americans.




My Immelmann does not pay off. The yellow Dr.I and I are overlapping.




And down goes the first Nieuport. Lost (mostly) to three illegal maneuvers which resulted in a like number of A damage cards.




Now at even numbers, I suspect the remaining Dr.I is heavily damaged. I have just about no damage -- mostly zeroes at this point, with a couple 1s and 2s.



More later...

[jbmacek]

Looks like you don't have enough water for any Flying Boats!

Good point. We'll have to remember that for next month.

[Setarius]

I agree excellent looking mat you have there. Waiting for the rest of the story.

[Stumptonian]

That is an awesome map.

Where did you get it ?

[RJG173]

John, I think you should make a FAQ about Todd's map. These questions/comments come up every month.

Will there ever be an AAR for the June meeting? I cannot seem to find one, if it exists.

[gully_raker]

Hey John!
You are getting as bad as Neil (Skafloc) with your Teasing AAR's.
Agree with everyone on your really great mat.

[jbmacek]

John, I think you should make a FAQ about Todd's map. These questions/comments come up every month.

Is has?!?! I hadn't noticed.
I did take a pic of the logo about three or four AARs back, since it is so frequently commented upon, but finding it might take time, so Todd could give us a answer quicker.

Will there ever be an AAR for the June meeting? I cannot seem to find one, if it exists.

My June AAR is very short. We played a very complex bombing mission with barrage balloons and altitude. I was shot down right away (or possibly caught on fire and played straights thus taking As which downed me), and since I had other things I needed to attend to, I left. The End. One of the other players might be able to fill you in. I heard from Paul that it lasted the entire evening, something of a marathon session for Wings of War/Glory.

[jbmacek]

Two Germans behind, and one ahead, but I think I can run the gauntlet and survive their fire. Hopefully in so doing, I can set up a shot for the SPAD.




My reward for being audacious? Boom!




Otherwise, I was in relatively good shape. Not that it mattered after the boom.




The Germans next manage to take out the SPAD, and the remaining Nieuport, now aflame, decides to head for home, making this an overwhelming German victory.




Scenario 2, Gothas with escorts bomb the crossroads, while a flight of American planes tries to intercept.




The opening volleys come from the Albatros escorts. We wade through them, doing some damage in return, on our way to the bombers.




Two quick deaths - a double pilot hit beings down the SPAD, while a burst from my Nieuport causes the D.V to explode.

[jbmacek]

The bombers have gotten through our line, and now we attempt to catch up.




Our defense is hampered by poorly manufactured bullets. (It seemed as soon as our machines cleared a jam and fired on those Gotha beasts that we'd get jammed again.)




Anthony manages to clip the corner of the crossroads with half of load of bombs. He also shoots at my plane, and it catches fire.




I swing about, firing on the other Gotha as it drops its bombs.




The Gotha is destroyed, but its bombs hit and destroy the crossroads.




There wasn't long to go until the store closed, certainly not enough time to start another game, so we decided to play this out until the end. Bad news for Capt Willard, who draws an explosion for his SPAD.




Can three Nieuports and a SPAD finish off, or even catch, the D.Vs running for home?




I'm lining myself up for a run on Baumer's Edelweiss.




Wooo!




PRS was able to catch the remaining D.V before he reached the edge of the board.




But couldn't bring him down before he escaped.




As always, a hearty thanks to Todd (for arranging this, and the awesome mat!), as well as Mike, Paul, Anthony, Will, and the rest of the gang!

FIN.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

More great games there John.
Some folks get all the luck.
Rob.

[Hedeby]

Thats one hell of a gaming mat - where / how did you get it?

[Jager]

I'm sure it's the same as mine from Game On Terrain Mats:
http://gameonterrainmats.com/aerial-view-terrain-mat
Karl

[gully_raker]

I enjoyed those AAR's John & it sounds like everyone had a great time shooting almost everyone down.

[Flying Helmut]

I'm sure it's the same as mine from Game On Terrain Mats:
http://gameonterrainmats.com/aerial-view-terrain-mat
Karl

Thanks for the link, Karl!

[Marechallannes]

Great AAR, John.

Impressive flight of US scouts. Nice to see them all in flight together.

[LOOP]

Great stuff

[jbmacek]

Thanks! Glad you liked it! Stay tuned for next month, when hopefully we'll do flying boats.

[jbmacek]

I'm sure it's the same as mine from Game On Terrain Mats:
http://gameonterrainmats.com/aerial-view-terrain-mat
Karl

Yep, that's the place.

[tikkifriend]

John those mats and the AARs deserve mega rep. Well done and keep flying over that wonderful terrain.
paul