Meanwhile, in Northern Maryland...

[zenlizard]

Despite much delay caused by an issue I had to deal with as part of convention staff, I did get to run a Learn-and-Play WGF game at the most recently concluded Chessiecon 2016. The convention itself is a literary S/F con, but gaming is a fair portion of it-we have both a board gaming room, and a video gaming room. But I got three newcomers for the event, one of which arrived about halfway through the game.

Due to the aforementioned issue, I presented a fairly stripped down version of the rules to the principals (and even more brief to the person who showed up as reinforcement). We didn't use altitude, optional tailing rule, collisions were ruled to only happen if base overlapped central post, no special damage except boom card (which, as it turned out, never came into play anyway). The scenario was a clash of single-seaters over the Somme, late 1916. As there were only two participants initially, I sat out the first part of the game, and acted as gamesmaster, explaining in detail how the damage needed to be applied, gun jams, corrections in the case of card selection error (happens a lot with Immelmanns in particular). The result was an epic battle, much maneuvering, as each player got the feel of his aircraft, and how it worked in the game. Without further ado:
Representing the French, in Guynemer's SPAD S. VII, Thane Tuttle:


And the Germans, in Boelcke's Albatros D-II, Greg Sandstron:


over the Somme, starting on the offest (Intentionally chosen by me to try and avoid the stereotyped head-on pass in games at events; also give the players the chance to see how their aircraft performed a little before actually trying to blow each other out of the sky):


And they're off and running:

[zenlizard]

Thane uses his aircraft's speed to effect, getting in the opening shots of the game:

(but missing, and not only that, ending up with a gun jam)
then the two initiate a turning battle, each trying to get on the opponent's tail:

Then Greg tries is hand at an Immelmann:

which Thane counters with one of his own:

and in the end, Thane gets the upper hand, after clearing the gun jam:

[zenlizard]

Further maneuvering results in a near-collision:

following which, the two put some distance between them:

then, each attempts to close in for a kill shot:

and another firing pass, this time for each of them:

which Greg gets the better end of, dealing 4 points to the SPAD, which receiving 2 points in return.
Then Greg dodges Thane's attempt at inflicting further damage:

[zenlizard]

The pilots pass each other. Hopefully, while waving, they're using all five fingers.

And Thane initiates another turning battle:

And ends up on Greg's tail, but with a horrible deflection angle:

While Greg demonstrates that two can play the turning game:

Sooner or later, someone had to do something else. Then answer is another Immelmann:

[zenlizard]

And another head-on pass, this one with actual firing opportunities:

The Albatros' superior firepower proves more effective here, as he inflicts 2 points of damage, while the SPAD completely misses.
Then Greg gets in another shot:

Following which, each player separates again:

And attempts to re-engage with advantage:

Determined to not allow himself to be out-maneuvered, Thane counters:

[zenlizard]

Greg wants more separation, but Thane has the faster aircraft, and is determined to close in:

But Greg wants no part of an attack:

By now, the pilots are probably shaking their fists in frustration:

Then it's back to back at the Zombie Jamboree:

[zenlizard]

Like two boxers late in the match, neither one is willing to commit that fatal mistake:

So they come at each other again:

And Thane attempts to reverse on Greg:

[zenlizard]

(I did say this wa an epic battle, yes?) But what's that on the horizon? The fight seems to have attracted the attention of some nearby aircraft. Has the cavalry arrived?
For the French, reinforcements come in the form of Sue Bowen, flying a Nieuport 17.

While over the other side of the lines, there appears a nondescript Halbetrstadt D-III. (At this point, I stopped playing gamesmaster, and picked up an airplane of my own).
The situation quick becomes alarming for the SPAD:

which Thane counters by deciding to make a beeline for the new, seemingly more potent threat:

Without, unfortunately, the support of a fellow pilot, as Sue, being entirely new to the game, mis-judges relative speeds and positioning:

And the Germans quickly demonstrate the value of mutual support:

Following which, Sue re-enters the fight:

[zenlizard]

But not in time to prevent a dual attack:

Dicta Boelcke #8: "...pay attention that several comrades would not go after one opponent."

Then I get in some effective shots:

And Sue manages to get into the dogfight for reals:

And another head-on pass:

[Sagrilarus]

What's the date for this next year please? I'll put it on my schedule.

[zenlizard]

Again, hte Germans demonstrate the perils of lack of effective two-way radio communication:

But has one or more of the German pilots proven effective? The SPAD seems to be running for home:

Giveng the Germans the opportunity to try and take out the Nieuport:

Then the Germans momentarily break off to see what effect their fire might have had:

Lo! The sPAD isn't running, just trying to get maneuvering room:


...at this point, every one involved realized how low their fuel was getting, and broke off by mutual consent.
(that is, after several real-time hours had passed, it was time to give over the space to the next even scheduled for the hotel atrium).

Many thanks to Thane, Greg & Sue for a very enjoyable game. In the end, nobody did get shot down, but all agreed it was a good game, and the three certainly did like the experience of learning to play Wings of Glory.

[zenlizard]

What's the date for this next year please? I'll put it on my schedule.

Chessiecon is always held on the weekend immediately following Thanksgiving, in Timonium, just north of Baltimore, MD. Dates for next year are 24 to 26 November: I'm likely to run another Learn-and-Play on Saturday evening.
Our website is: http://chessiecon.org/

[Carl_Brisgamer]

Great little fight there Sam. Many WW1 dogfights ended with no result, so you can be satisfied the evenly balanced engagement delivered an historically accurate outcome.

[Dwarflord22]

Thanks for taking the time to share a great AAR!

[gully_raker]

Well done Sam for introducing new chums to Wings!

[flash]

Good effort Sam, looks like they all had a good time & all got home in one piece !

[zenlizard]

"One piece" being the operative here for sure.

[Sagrilarus]

I have a group of about ten guys down Annapolis way. I could see if a contingent is interested to help next year. A fair number of them are high schoolers that need public service time and this would be a fun way to earn it.

[BobP]

Sam I did not know about this con. I will put it on my calendar for next year. I guess I need to check the calendar section if you post it.

[BobP]

Just checked the dates you mentioned and see it is Thanksgiving weekend (the day after Thanksgiving). Might be better if it was held the weekend before or after Thanksgiving. I think many people travel or have family for that weekend. You may get a larger turnout if it was a different date. Just a thought.

[zenlizard]

Family obligations for Thanksgiving? Bring the family to the con...