While I like the diversity of the Ares offerings, there are times when I wish that they would release something like a squadron pack. Just a set of the same aircraft with consistent squadron markings.
Anyone else agree?
Barry
Wish list - squadron packs
While I like the diversity of the Ares offerings, there are times when I wish that they would release something like a squadron pack. Just a set of the same aircraft with consistent squadron markings.
Anyone else agree?
Barry
I could imagine that for an RFC squadron of Sopwith Camels or RAF SE5a's. Maybe for an Italian squadriglia but not for a German Jasta.
Ares Games goes this way for the upcoming WW II Messerschmitts, Spitfires, Hurricanes & Stukas. - One miniature and a set of decals.
Voilą le soleil d'Austerlitz!
I love the idea - that's why I paint up my own!
I laugh in the face of danger - then I hide until it goes away!
I'm with you!Originally Posted by Flying Helmut
I love the idea - that's why I paint up my own!
I love the idea - that's why I paint up my own!I'm just getting on this bus.
The degree of individuality on German aircraft makes it trickier, but for several types it's doable with a bit of careful research.
Albatros D.V - I'm not sure offhand, as I'd need to research wing camouflage patterns, but I suspect you can at least get 3 or 4 aircraft that are identical apart from the pilot's personal marking from one of Jasta 12 or 15, possibly Jasta 5 too.
Fokker Dr.I - I think Jasta 12 again, Jasta 19 for sure, probably others too.
Fokker D.VII - Jasta 15 probably, 18 probably, 40 an absolute gift - 10 known machines, at least 8 of which were identical other than one marking on each side of the fuselage.
Last edited by Dom S; 07-07-2016 at 09:53.
Thanks Don for saving my time. I was going to research and come up with a list like yours. Just to some.
Albatros D.III: Jasta 2, Jasta 50
Jasta 5 Fokker D.VIIIs
Jasta 6 Fokker D.VIIs
The painted plane idea was a unique and nice concept when it first came out. Problem is they got sidetracked with the company changeover and still have not recovered. Many airframes have been un avalible for years except through e-bay or third parties. The way the new rules are printed without plane cards makes the old production rules sets even more valuable for the maneuver decks and plane cards. With those you can at least proxy or replace the aircraft as with the new rules set, no planes ....no playing.... period.
Until such time as planes are made avalible again or at least the maneuver decks things will stay low key. The squadron boxes are an excellent way to get airframes and maneuver decks out there quickly. It should also be cheaper as most will not have the real fancy sticker jobs on them. The no maneuver deck attitude the company now has sort of stumps me, yes it means you have to buy their product to play, this I understand. But you need product avalible all the time for that concept to work. Some of the most important airframes have been out of production since the old company died. That is way too long for planes like the DH 2, Alb D3, or the SE5a to not be avalible. New unique planes are nice, but you have to have the basics covered or it is a waste of time and resources. We are also missing basic airframes STILL like the RAF FE2, RAF BE2, Sopwith Pup, Sopwith Dolphin, Nieuport 12, and many German ones also.
I love the game and timeframe, planes are nice also ( but the decreasing quality is worrisome), but see it as a fringe group not due to the rules but due to avalibility. If they tweak the rules boxes to include at least 2 planes and extra sets of maneuver decks that would be a good start. I just can not fanthom the concept that you have to buy planes that are mostly unavalible to play the game in the box as it is unplayable in it's current form. Selling the decks by themselves could also raise needed capital to ramp up production and get the molds needed to reproduce the older stuff.
Using decal options would work well for squadron packs of Entente models with fixed paint schemes, be they cammo or plain. Two or three squadron decal options could really step things up.
Less easy to get variety with German stuff as many paint schemes involved jasta markings of course.
Last edited by flash; 07-09-2016 at 04:13.
Sapiens qui vigilat... "He is wise who watches"
I agree. I'd very much like to see more of the older series of planes than the newer, rather obscure, models being produced. I have YET to get my hands on a few DH 2's, which strikes me as particularly ludicrous since they're highlighted in almost all of the game play examples in the WOG rulebook! My friends and I have wanted to play 100 year "anniversary" campaigns of WWI's air war, but have been somewhat stifled due to the lack of requisite reprints.
I am for all the above and my wallet is open.
Ho ho! I am happy ARES is going to release Hurricane sq pack with 303 markings. C'mon and take my money!
"We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."
I really don't care what they release I just wish they would release more often.
But this is the WW1 section, you 'Happy Jammer', you!Ho ho! I am happy ARES is going to release Hurricane sq pack with 303 markings
I laugh in the face of danger - then I hide until it goes away!
If the WW2 Squadron packs are a success, that will be an incentive for Ares to extend the idea to WW1.
Not to whine to much but something, anything more often would make me happier
I'm with you Darell. I can put up with minor blips, I'd rather be able to play more with more variety of planes myself.
Can you imagine how many miniatures Ares would sell with SE5a and Fokker D.VII squadron packs? I would suggest the numbers would astound.
I may be unique, but rather than a box with identical planes and a sticker sheet to make them up the way that you want, Id rather have a set of 3 different planes each representing a different squadron with a sticker set for each which you could make 5 or so models from.
That way those of us happy with just one representative plane from each squadron could buy one pack, while you guys that want 5 nearly identical planes from a single squadron could buy 5 packs and get complete 3 different squadrons at once.
Then again, they could just release the one generic scheme as a single with a sticker sheet and you could just by 5 of them. Couldn't you? Seems just as good as a multi pack of them. Maybe do an unstickered single to test the waters.
It's rather the point of releasing with a decal sheet that you only need a single plane, not any kind of multi-pack.
I would prefer a matchup of a Alb D3 or D5 vs the SE5a. Both were active late 1917 and both are early sculpts very difficult to get. Fok D7's seem to be easier to get so are not as vital to reprint.
EDIt:..OK looked, the D5 is not anywhere near as rare as the D3.
Edit pt 2...DH2 vs the Alb C3 as a interesting fight?
Last edited by Shadowcat; 07-12-2016 at 00:47. Reason: Add on
Okay that's good to know. As long as they don't replace all the more unique planes in a series, I certainly don't mind if they do 1 out of the 3 with a sticker sheet.
So, my original thought was more about sets of planes from the same squadron that could be used together in a historical fashion. Something like 4 fighters from Jasta 6. The customize yourself with decals is fine, but, would be hard for Central powers.
Barry
True enough!
Most Jastas would be unsuitable for a "single plane, lots of decals" option.
Trouble is, flying a kette of Jasta birds, or a flight of Entente kites, seems to appeal only to a small, niche market.
Those who can repaint, like myself, already do so, reducing the interested group even further.
Targeting a commercial release at only a small part of the market would be hazardous, to say the least.
I wish Ares would do so, but I don't think they will - the risk is too great.
I laugh in the face of danger - then I hide until it goes away!
100% agree, I think some more variety in the Duel packs would be great, like D.VII vs Snipe, SE5a vs Albi D.III. Or even a Squadron pack like a 56 Squadron of 3 SE5as would be awesome.
I'd be in that parade!
I laugh in the face of danger - then I hide until it goes away!
I quite like the idea of squadron packs for WW2, but for WW1 I have to admit I prefer the individual paint schemes for famous pilots like Richtofen, Udet, Guynemer, Fonck, etc. To me, having a wide variety of colors and patterns on the board adds to the fun of WW1 dogfights.
That's exactly what draws many first-time punters to the tables at conventions where we in the U.K Wing run participation games.
The colourful little planes are a great attention-getter!
Thank you, Ares!
I laugh in the face of danger - then I hide until it goes away!
I can't imagine a lot of situations where I would try flying 3 or more planes from a single squadron in a game. And if you are playing with other people on your side, you'd probably want to use more distinctive schemes.
I'm more for a big variety of distinctive schemes than SE5 D1, D2, D3, etc.
Same thoughts myself.
A squad of identically painted miniatures with a bit of variation in decals doesn't really add to game play for me.
For when I get in my obsessive compulsive historical re-creation mood, being able to muster a single squad of planes would be cool....but that will rarely (if ever) happen for me. Just don't play with that many planes at any one time.
From a game play perspective, distinct paint schemes are much more useful/add to the game.
(But yes, I plan on purchasing a WW2 BoB starter set and several "Squad Packs" when they come out, though I know they will just sit around or be used to make a scenario! That specific battle just calls for it!)
It would be a GREAT fight ... if only one could get his/her hands on a DH2!
I would buy them!
What do you reckon about a Flik 41J Oeffag 153 series Albatros D.III squadron pack?
Last edited by Carl_Brisgamer; 08-23-2016 at 02:17.
OT: Am I correct in thinking the D.III/153 has a D.V tail? So much for the 153 as a straight reprint... might need as much a full new sculpt as the 253.
Would love it, I already hand painted two of them having the other two would just be grand.
I think they would solve a lot by simple adding Decal sheets and not worrying so much about making a plane individual out of the box.
Many of us will of course want to represent a squadron, without having every aircraft have the same markings and serial codes.
As Ares is going that way with WW2 I hope it is a success and convinces them to try it with WW1.
I totally agree with Jeff and Green Alfonzo.
Moreover, Ares Games has once proposed a plane with the same painting and just a different personnal marking : the Siemens Schuckert DIII
The model that had a different painting was a best seller and sold out : pilot Lange.
The 2 other models with the same painting can still be purchased in web gaming store : pilots Veltjens and Von Beaulieu Marconnay.
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