Combat Mission Log

[Oberst Hajj]

Earlier this year a few of us were talking about a possible new Pilot Log book product. I really liked this idea, but I never had time to really pursue it. Over the last week or so it has been bouncing around in the back of my head again and I'd like to start nailing it down.

I would like for you guys to help me work out what all should be on it. My initial thoughts are that the finished product will be half letter sheet in size (8.5 x 5.5 inches). This should fit nicely into most of the side pockets on the bags out there (I'll make sure if fits the Ranger bags and any others that end up on the AA site).

Here is what I have for items that need to be on it so far:

Player's Info

1. Pilot's Name
2. Mission Date
3. Sortie Number
4. Health (for campaigns)
5. Plane flown

Opponent's Info

1. Opponent's Names
2. Pilot's Name
3. Plane Flown

Mission Stats

1. Kills
2. Shot Down
3. Forced Down (chased off)
4. KIA/POW
5. Retreated
6. Successful Recon
7. Targets Bombed
8. Targets Strafed

I'm looking at a faint background image on each page with information blocks "sitting on top of it". To conserve space, I'm thinking of placing check boxes next to each pilot's name for things like Shot Down, Retreated, etc. a Mission Objective block would have similar check boxes for targets bombed and the like. At the bottom of the page would be a notes section for writing down more detailed things from the mission.

The book would be bound and would have a nice cover with some artwork on it and possibly a clear plastic protective cover and thicker back.

Target price I would be shooting for would be less then $10.

Please give me your thoughts on what should be in it and any ideas you have for the layout.

[Oberst Hajj]

Here is a real quick MS Paint mock up of what I'm envisioning.

[Pope]

I like the idea and think you have covered what is needed.
Cheers Aled

[flash]

Can see this would be useful esp in campaign type scenarios - Like the mock up, it looks like it's meant for more than one time use in which case I would suggest multi boxes for dates/sorties/aircraft types/health and more check boxes for retreated & shot down plus addition of WIA. I think the missions need expanding eg successful: escort; CAP; air superiority; Balloon busting etc
What I would like to see is something that's reuseable, if possible, like laminated pages in a small ring binder? ie something you can use dry wipe pens or wax pencils on.

[The Cowman]

Sounds Awesome!

[Ed2]

You might want to add Location fought or Battle location or the like..

And yes, I'd probably pick up a few.

If you could also make up a cheaper version to give away at demo games, it would be good bait to hook new players.

[McKeever]

I'd get a copy or two. Maybe you could make it a .pdf? I agree with Ed2, be a great giveaway at demos.

[HardRock]

4 x 6 large index cards would also work. Especially as handouts. You can get mini file boxes for them.

A small hard bound book would be cool, although I'd rotate the page 90 degrees. Back to portrait from landscape. Just my 2 cents.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Looks very useful to me. Saves having lots of bits of paper about, like I have at present. I'd stick with Landscape.
Rob.

[Doug]

Excellent idea, as I don't know what pilot has done what! I all think I'll remember but don't!

[Volant Gun]

Great Idea Col!

Thanks again,
Frank.

[Bruce]

Good idea; some suggestions follow:
Add a place for the observer's name.
Add a place for the Pilot's and Observer's ACE and EXPERIENCE stats at time of the sortie.
Add a place for the Pilot's and Observer's ACE and EXPERIENCE skills at time of the sortie.
Add space to identify what ACE and/or EXPERIENCE skills have been earned/selected as a result of this sortie; or this could be written into the "Notes" space.

Some of us are "religious" about logging our aircrew's missions; but almost all of us track ACE and EXPERIENCE points and skills because we use the skills in game play. We are pretty casual about the structure of the logging thing but we expect each player that uses "SKILLS" to have some sort of "paper trail" that documents the pilot/observer's progression. We also encourage our players to "count" any/all games (not just league-play games) towards building these stats/histories.

[The Cowman]

I was just imagining this log bound in leather... and then I got even MORE drool on my keyboard. Keith you have to stop coming up with all this nifty potential stuff to spend my money on...

[Oberst Hajj]

Good idea; some suggestions follow:
Add a place for the observer's name.
Add a place for the Pilot's and Observer's ACE and EXPERIENCE stats at time of the sortie.
Add a place for the Pilot's and Observer's ACE and EXPERIENCE skills at time of the sortie.
Add space to identify what ACE and/or EXPERIENCE skills have been earned/selected as a result of this sortie; or this could be written into the "Notes" space.

Some of us are "religious" about logging our aircrew's missions; but almost all of us track ACE and EXPERIENCE points and skills because we use the skills in game play. We are pretty casual about the structure of the logging thing but we expect each player that uses "SKILLS" to have some sort of "paper trail" that documents the pilot/observer's progression. We also encourage our players to "count" any/all games (not just league-play games) towards building these stats/histories.

Noted

I was just imagining this log bound in leather... and then I got even MORE drool on my keyboard. Keith you have to stop coming up with all this nifty potential stuff to spend my money on...

Sorry, not going to happen, I want all this stuff too!

[The Cowman]

Noted

Sorry, not going to happen, I want all this stuff too!

LMAO! OK, OK... twist my arm....

[MayorJim]

Noted



Sorry, not going to happen, I want all this stuff too!

We can always bind them on our own...good idea.

[RonaldRS]

that would b nice to keep track!!!

[pistonpopper]

A few years back we did something similar. Basicly it was just a large roster with almost the same stuff your talking about, but it was on a large piece of foamcore board, & we had it hanging up above our playing area. We recorded kills by both pilot & observer, crashes, survivors, plane damage, etc. Looking back now I guess we were running a campaign of sorts. Back then we were "flying" 1/72 model kits, mounted on plastic long stemmed cocktail glasses, minus the cup part!

[tonyc206]

I've created a multi-page excel spreadsheet to keep track of pilots through my campaigns. I use one sheet for German Pilots, one for British Pilots and one to record the results of each mission. There is a final sheet that is a template for a combat record to record the data during a game.

I'm happy to share it if anyone is interested?

[Aero825]

Ooooh, aaaaah, the idea sounds great, I would love one. Try putting down lines for the places where you have to write. Always helps.

Hunter

[Badin23]

This may be a bit off topic but I am weighing in on this being a great idea. When my oldest son was little he was in scouts and we kept a model rocket flight journal, took pictures of the rockets we built and recorded all the flights, and disasters. I recently found it and shared it with him again and we chatted about 25 minutes about how much fun we had. If anyone has an older teenager you know that long positive conversations are rare. I recently introduced my 8 year old to the game so I'd definably pick up a few if available for te same reason.

[Oberst Hajj]

It's still in the works... just not enough time to push it through right now.

[tonyc206]

I've uploaded my campaign spread sheet to the files area

Combat Records

[Oberst Hajj]

I've been working with Max Headroom to get some progress done on this project. He has designed the cover layouts for me and the actual log pages are being revised and tweaked.

I'd like you guys to give me some feed back on the title of some of the covers. Should we go with a translation or the official names of the different services:

Translation



Official

[tuladin]

If you want to translate it to German, I believe it would be "Logbuch."

[Oberst Hajj]

Yeah, we were just using the official names, not translating the whole text. I don't think I explained that very well. lol

[tuladin]

Possibly move the text slightly lower on the page like this?

[Ed2]

Either way is O.K. but, I would think "Luftstreitkrafte" would appeal to our Germanic cousins more.

I'm not too wild about the out of focus Dr.1 (makes me feel like I should put my reading glasses on).

[Flying Officer Kyte]

I would go with the German version too. Anyone with an ounce of interest will be able to understand it.
Rob.

[Canuck]

I prefer the German version as well. Keith, would making the pages of the log perforated for tearing out cost significantly more? This would enable us to give the sheet away as a hook to new players at a CON or Tournament without having to give away a whole book.

[Oberst Hajj]

Not sure how much cost that would add. Could be a lot as it would limit where they could be printed up.

[grumpybear]

I really like all of it . grand idea . Another goody add to have to have list.

[Oberst Hajj]

Okay guys and gals, the design and layout of these are all done now. The next step is to source a place to have them made up.

Here are some final samples:

Front Cover



Log page



(this web image is a little fuzzy... the printed one is nice and crisp )

I also still have to work out how many sheets will go into the books. They are double sided and the inside of the front and back covers are also printed as log pages. I think the number of pages will be determined by the cost to have them made up.

How many pages would you like to see in it?

[Ed2]

Depending on how thick the paper is, 20 to 25 double sided pages?

How many different log books are you going to make? So far you showed one each for the Germans and Brits.
Don't get mad but, any plans for the Italians, Russians, French,Turks, not to mention the Yanks?

[Flying Officer Kyte]

I concur with what Ed said vis pages. I think that the Italians, French, Belgians, and Americans should be included, once you see how sales go. the Yanks are a large market.
Rob.

[Oberst Hajj]

I was initially thinking 24 double side sheet plus the inside covers. That would allow you to record 50 sorties total per book. I think that would be a good compromise between thickness, expense and usability.

As for what nations I'll be doing:











That is it for now. If sales are good and enough of you want a different nation, I'll consider having it made.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Hi Col.
Would it not be better to have the British log with the title "Royal Flying Corps"
Rob..

[Oberst Hajj]

I don't know, would it? You Brits are the expert on this sort of thing. Bear in mind that these log books are geared towards WWI if it matters.

[wargamer]

Just a suggestion, but perhaps it might be easier to make up these sheets to fit into a notebook with clear outer sleeves, and 3 hole the logsheets to go into the notebook.


Then sell the sheets as covers, perhaps a aerodrome form for the back cover, and then sell the logsheets in 50 or 100 page sets.

[Oberst Hajj]

I was wanting these to be more like actual log books, but if I understand what you are saying, the basics of it are to offer these in such a way that you could add pages to them?

[Ed2]

Why not start a "Log Book pledge site" listing all countries. This way you'll get a good idea of which country and how many to publish. Be sure and have a multiple choice option for those of us that would like more than one country.

[Ed2]

I personally like your way Keith. It gives it a real era Log Book look, not just another binder on the table. And it's easier to fit into most transport cases.

I was wanting these to be more like actual log books, but if I understand what you are saying, the basics of it are to offer these in such a way that you could add pages to them?

[wargamer]

I was wanting these to be more like actual log books, but if I understand what you are saying, the basics of it are to offer these in such a way that you could add pages to them?

Well, there are various sizes of notebooks you could build, the normal 8.5" x 11", or smaller ones like the ones used in dayrunners or similar organizers. The real idea was that the sheets being looseleaf would be easier to make available to new players.

Adding pages would of course be a plus.

[MayorJim]

The idea, in general, seems fine. I'm not entirely sold on having a separate log book for each nationality though. The reason is: I like to fly planes of all nations...the number of log books I'd need could really add up. Perhaps the pages in the book could be sold as inserts while the "covers" could be interchangeable...or use the "covers" as inserts, similiar to different chapters in a binder? I don't have the answer, but the general concept seems good...just my thoughts...

[Badin23]

I love the idea, and so will my kids!

[Oberst Hajj]

The idea behind doing different nations was just to give flavor to them for those that wanted it. There is nothing stopping a single book from being used for different pilots. Each page has an area to list the pilot and plane type flow, so keeping track of different pilots in the same book should be pretty easy.

I'm still looking at the "notebook" idea, but honestly I'm leaning towards the logbook style.

[Oberst Hajj]

The idea behind doing different nations was just to give flavor to them for those that wanted it. There is nothing stopping a single book from being used for different pilots. Each page has an area to list the pilot and plane type flow, so keeping track of different pilots in the same book should be pretty easy.

I'm still looking at the "notebook" idea, but honestly I'm leaning towards the logbook style.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

I don't know, would it? You Brits are the expert on this sort of thing. Bear in mind that these log books are geared towards WWI if it matters.

Yes Col. It should be Royal Flying Corps until 1918, when it combined with the R.N.A.S. to become the R.A.F.
Rob.

[Oberst Hajj]

Noted and changed

[Doug]

One problem I see is that Canada, Australia and New Zealand are are at the moment considerd to be part of the RFC, not that I am knocking the RFC but the ANZAC's were not part of the British Army (I cannot speak for Canada as I don't know), my surgestion (although not technicaly correct) to use somthing like Imperial Royal Flying Corp. I don't know? Rob have you any idea what phrase to use that does not offend British members but satisfies us colonials. I know this is nit picking and would seem very futile but still one does have pride in one's own country.