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Snowy
08-31-2010, 06:29
BACKGROUND:
As this competition is to commemorate the first aircraft to be shot down, I thought it would be appropriate to create a scenario to rescue said pilot.
This is an attempt to create a general situation which would incorporate most aspects facing a pilot attempting such a venture.

Our pilot, having the misfortune to have his engine knocked out, attempts a forced landing behind enemy lines.
He manages to just miss a clearing, striking the only tree stump within a hundred yards, tearing off the right wings and landing in a large shell hole.
He decides to 'hunker' down until he can make his escape. His wingman, seeing the situation heads for the airfield with a plan in mind.

PLAYERS: 1 - 6

Snowy
09-01-2010, 08:58
THE SCENARIO:
The rescuing pilot, flying an RE8 2 seater, must accurately land and taxi to the crash site.
Once he has rendezvoused with the stranded pilot, they must turn the aircraft for a take off.
All the while he must dodge Anti aircraft artillery and anti aircraft machine gun fire.
If that wasn't enough, an artillery officer is taking pot shots with a howitzer while he is on the ground.

Two fellow pilots fly escort and try to keep the gunners heads down in the trenches.

The enemy, seeing this activity, responds with two of its own fighters who try their best to even the score.
In a twist of fate, a roving ace also joins in and tries to take out the RE8.

SETUP:
Game area is 1 meter square (3ft square)
On one side is a trench line.
The crash site landing area is just outside machine gun range.
Lay out the components as per the diagram.
The two seater and escort arrive from the trench line side of the board and fly at 2,000ft through anti aircraft fire.
The enemy fighters arrive from the opposite side as soon as trench strafing begins, or the landed aircraft is turned ready for take off.
Once airborne, an enemy ace arrives halfway down one side or the other. To simulate surprise, the ace may choose either side.
To escape, the two seater must exit over the trench lines to the same side it entered.

Snowy
09-01-2010, 09:03
SPECIAL RULES OBSERVED:
Altitude Rules
Landing Rules
Solo Anti Aircraft Artillery rules
ACE rules
Ammo depletion rules
Trench strafing Rules
Machine Gun Rules

VERSATILITY:
While I have modeled this target for the scenario, it need not have this sort of detail. You can simply mark out a 9x27cm landing zone or cut out some material and place an aircraft model half way along its length as wreckage.
Any aircraft may be used, so long as one is a two seater for the rescue. Any nationality may be used as well.
This can be a solo play game without the additional aircraft or as many as 6 can play, more if additional aircraft are brought in. The solo game was fun and challenging. When we played with two, it took about 45 minutes.

VARIATIONS:
For more challenges, use fuel and ammunition expenditure rules. This was a 'spur of the moment' sortie and little or no preparation was made on the rescuing side.
In addition, if the pilot being rescued is an ace, now you have the interesting combination of an ace manning the rear gun of the RE8.
Use Ace gunnery rules.
Any nationality combination may be used. The downed aircraft could be German, behind allied lines. Your choice.

LANDING YOUR AIRCRAFT:
If you think landing on a 9x27 'patch' doesn't sound difficult, I suggest you try it a couple of times. It may surprise you. I attempted it twice on solo missions before I got it right. I had to come around again.
I strongly suggest having the landing player aide printed out and available for reference.

Snowy
09-01-2010, 14:11
NOTES:

The Officer taking pot shots with his howitzer has to take a little time to 'Re Lay' his gun.
As such does not actually begin firing until the two seater is turned around for take off.
Use solo Anti Aircraft Artillery special rules to decide the effectiveness of the shots.

The enemy fighters do not arrive until the trench strafing begins or the rescuing aircraft is turned for take off. The enemy ace does not show up until the two seater is airborne again.

If the rescuing aircraft 'misses' the clearing, it is considered on broken ground and is lost. The rescuing aircraft may 'abort' the landing at any time and come around to try again.

When playing solo or without the Ace showing up, I have used the 'A' damage deck for the AA machine guns. When using the Ace, use the 'B' damage deck for the AA machine guns as they would be too powerful otherwise.

Snowy
09-01-2010, 14:17
THE MAKING OF A TARGET:

Step 1:
Lay out the plan on the wax paper. As per the rules, the landing area has to be at least 90 x 270 mm. Remember to include such features as shell holes. Having a mini on hand helps with the size proportions.

I use a latex caulk product which works very well. Make sure it is latex based.

Step 2:
Start the layout with a 'squirt' along the outline. This is layer one. You can use as many layers as you like if you need thickness.

Step 3:
Begin to fill in the areas outlined. In this case we want to build up the edges, while making the center thin and flat. Note the additional bead on the edges and around the shell holes.

Snowy
09-02-2010, 06:36
Step 4:
The field is beginning to take form. The finish is smooth and needs attention after it sets a little. You have plenty of time.

Step 5:
Use a roller or some sort of roughing device. By lightly running the roller over the surface, it lifts the smoothness and creates a rough finish. You may need to do this several times.

Step 6:
After you have allowed the model to cure, usually a day or so, it is time to add depth. I use a dark wash. In this case it is black wash. Note that the model has been peeled from the wax paper at this point.

Step 7:
Highlight with a light brown, your choice. Just to break down the dark wash.

Snowy
09-02-2010, 06:37
Step 8:
Add a light and dispersed scattering of flocking using a minimal brushing of white glue, just enough to show color. You should now have a nicely finished model.

Yes, for those of you wondering, that WAS a perfectly fine SE5a scout before I wrecked it. Sorry if some of you are feeling queasy right now. :o

Snowy
09-02-2010, 14:25
POST GAME REPORT:
Pic 1
Overview

Pic 2
Starting positions

Pic 3
First move from the allies' side

Pic 4
Second move. The flight dropped to level 1 and so the anti aircraft machine guns have openned up. The Anti Aircraft artillery got in a shot as well. Minimal damage so far.

Snowy
09-02-2010, 14:45
Pic 5.
Third move. Another round of AA machine gun fire. No damage points received, but one camel can no longer make left turns. Both Camels return with strafing fire. The German response is now activated.

Pic 6.
New round. First move and now the German fighters are seen making their entrance, starting at level 3.

Pic 7.
2nd move. Notice the RE8 is side slipping to get into place, is now at level 1, having avoided AA machine gun fire. No one was in range for firing.

Pic 8.
3rd move, the Camels are coming around for another run. The German Fokker DVII's are closing in on them. Notice the RE8 has banked and is on a final approach. (I tried a couple of solo games of this scenario before doing this. I was fully prepared to abort and over fly the field.)

Snowy
09-02-2010, 14:50
Pic 9.
"Honest Sir! I had him in my sights when this giant hand appeared...!"
The German fighters make their first attack.
The AA machine gun hits hard with a 5 damage card, but receives a 4 damage card in return. This gun is now out of action.
Notice the RE8 in the background in the stall phase of landing. I allow a little yaw adjustment with this card.

Pic 10.
Both the DVII's are firing at both Camels.
The RE8 is in the straight phase of landing, looking good.

Pic 11.
The Camels push ahead to strafe the next AA machine gun before evading. The DVII's turn into them, one getting a shot off.
The RE8 is now safely down and rolling to a stop. The artillery officer is trying to relay his howitzer.

Pic 12.
Another view of the same. This shows the path of the RE8 clearly. I was very happy with my landing!

Snowy
09-02-2010, 14:56
Pic 13.
This is the phase both pilots turn the RE8. It is now positioned to take off.
Yes, that is an SE5a you see, wrecked in a shell hole.

Pic 14.
Meanwhile, one Camel reverses the odds by attacking a surprised DVII, delivering a quick 4 points of damage. This was a good covering maneuver to allow the other Camel to press the attack on the second AA machine gun.
As the RE8 is ready for take of, this is the trigger point for the entrance of the German ace. (With just two playing, this option was not used. Instead we used the A deck when firing the AA machine guns.)

Pic 15.
Now the fur flies! The Camel is caught in a cross fire from the ground and air. Didn't Richthofen have this situation? Luckily he only takes one damage. He delivers 3 points of damage to the AA machine gun.
In the background, the RE8 is on the move, picking up speed. Notice the artillery round marker. (For looks only) This was a near miss and no damage occurred to the aircraft.

Pic 16.
The DVII's break off and head toward the RE8 now that it is airborne.

Snowy
09-03-2010, 13:28
Pic 17.
With one Camel heavily damaged and the other one only able to turn right, they decide to limp home. Nothing much they could do to protect the RE8 which is now fully in the air. The howitzer got one last shot in and scorched his tail. No damage as a 0 card was drawn. The DVII's are not quite able to attack yet.

Pic 18.
The RE8 is banking for the home direction. It trades bursts with the DVII's. Too little too late.

Pic 19.
One more burst is delivered as the RE8 sets a straight course for home.

Pic 20.
By the time they could come around again, the DVII's would be chasing the RE8 over the allied lines at low altitude. Not a good position to be in. We decided to call the game. The overall victor was the RE8. The DVII's came so close to downing one Camel which would have given the victory to them. Sooo close! This was a fun scenario, taking about 45 minutes in all. The solo games actually took a little longer as there was just one of me. :cool:

I hope you enjoyed the scenario and have fun trying it yourself!

Oberst Hajj
12-11-2010, 03:27
A very nice mission man!

Scott
12-11-2010, 08:35
Looks great ... I need some time off work to get to all these projects I have in mind now.

Guntruck
12-11-2010, 08:50
Well now, you learn something every day. Latex caulk eh? It's me off to B&Q tomorrow then.:D

Liking the landing zone, although I hope that wasn't a WoW SE5 that was sacrificed :eek:

Flying Officer Kyte
12-11-2010, 12:10
Another magnificent peice of work. The landing field and aircraft would make a good diorama in its own right, without the scenario to go with it. An altogether outstanding creation. With all these models coming along at once, the rest of us are going to need to up our game.:)
Rob.

The Cowman
12-11-2010, 15:38
Holy Cow Erin!!! That is just absolutely amazing!!! Talk about putting a ton of work into something!

With your permission I may borrow this idea and do something very similar at Origins 2011 as one of my events. I will be sure to give you full credit for all your hard work! :)

crashx
12-11-2010, 18:17
Wonderful project and scenario!!! Bravo!!!

Snowy
12-14-2010, 10:50
Holy Cow Erin!!! That is just absolutely amazing!!! Talk about putting a ton of work into something!

With your permission I may borrow this idea and do something very similar at Origins 2011 as one of my events. I will be sure to give you full credit for all your hard work! :)

Ken, go to town with it! Your imagination is the only limitation. Make sure you take pictures and share! ;)

Goering Ace
12-14-2010, 13:17
Great mission, Erin!! I submitted a similar rescue mission for a recent contest a few months back, but you took it one step further with the landing patch and some additional gunfire (and I think an extra plane :) ). Good job! I'll have to give your version a try!

Hamburger
12-14-2010, 18:42
Neat!

KiltedWolf
12-12-2011, 10:41
Played this last night at our fly-in and everyone enjoyed it! I will be making this landing patch for the next time -- thanks for posting the tutorial.

Cheers!

Hunter
12-14-2011, 01:54
Very good mission. Like all the effort in making this scenario.