Balloon Busting Comedy Show

[Baxter]

Biggles Downunder and I met for a stoush last night at his place. My idea was to have a German balloon defended by two EIII's on the one side and a rocket armed N11 with ordinary N11 on the other. Local rules were that the rocket plane could not sideslip at all, smoke damage on the balloon was to be ignored but fire meant explosion. Also fire on an aircraft meant drawing a damage card from the deck that inflicted the fire each movement until a zero value card was drawn and then the fire was deemed to be out. I have been reading W A Bishop's book about his exploits in WWI so thought a different approach to fire might be fun. Never worked out that way at all.

Firstly my N11's veered away to one side of the map and bamboozled the EIII's into being on the opposite side of the balloon. When the balloon was getting close my dark defending N11 turned towards it getting within long range of the pale EIII coming from the other side. I was hugely tempted to fire at the balloon but thought seeing as I was supposed to be escorting my rocket plane I fired at the EIII instead. The result of that was 1 damage point to me and the EIII exploded! I did a sharp turn right then and headed for the rear of the balloon thinking to come around the other side for a got at the remaining EIII. My rocket bearing squadron mate closed to within range and then fired his rockets. The result of that was two explosion cards were drawn against the balloon! Realising that both myself and the remaining EIII were overlapping the balloon base at the time of the explosion we both drew C cards. I drew a zero and he drew a 10!!!!

I have never seen such a run of bad luck and my house rules did not even get a look in. I think we both laughed for ten minutes over that one.



Seeing as how the first game was really quick we swapped sides and tried again. This time I tried to get my EIII's to intercept the rocket N11 but misjudged the intentions of the definding N11 who not only peppered me as I passed his nose but succeeded in blowing up the balloon with his second close range shot at it!



Well that was our night of battling. Short and sweet. I guess this genius should have removed the explosion cards beforehand but it was a lot of fun

[Biggles downunder]

Yep, it certainly was a comedy caper

In fact at intervals through the second 'game' one or other of us would spontaneously start sniggering, then laughing - a great night that seemed to epitomize why we all enjoy this game/simulation so much!

[Setarius]

Sounds like you guys had a blast. Boom cards and gas bags go hand in hand from what I've seen. Very entertaining.

[gully_raker]

Wow those Balloons never had a chance.

What a flock of BOOM cards.

Gary just a warning NEVER listen to anything Mr Bishop writes in his book!

[flash]

Woomf - Flame on !

[Windy Jack]

Yep, it certainly was a comedy caper

In fact at intervals through the second 'game' one or other of us would spontaneously start sniggering, then laughing - a great night that seemed to epitomize why we all enjoy this game/simulation so much!

I'm sorry I missed the fun. Although between the EIIIs, the N11s and the laughter I'm not sure where I would have fitted!

[Biggles downunder]

I'm sorry I missed the fun. Although between the EIIIs, the N11s and the laughter I'm not sure where I would have fitted!

Definitely the laughter

[Baxter]

Had another instalment last night with Windy Jack at my aerodrome. Windy flew the Nieuports and I defended the balloon with my Fokkers. Got some solid hits on his rocket plane and set him on fire but not before he gave the balloon an explosion card! Decided beforehand that explosions would be half damage points so that was not so bad. What was comic was his rocket plane and the Eindecker I was chasing him with ended up colliding with the balloon and killed it anyway

War is a hell innit?