View Full Version : The Balloon goes up.
Flying Officer Kyte
03-15-2011, 13:13
Here is a bit of a light hearted romp based on the flight of a German Balloon which slipped its moorings and floated toward the British lines, before the wind changed and floated it back again.
From this story I wondered if we could provide a bit of fun between two more serious sorties. The balloon should follow a random course at the speed of the fastest plane in persuit. The idea is for the Germans to shoot it down to stop it falling into British hands, and for the British to shoot it down to gain a kill. If the planes of each side happen to get a few shots off at each other in the chase, so much the better. Try it after a few beers, it is great fun. Nb. Rockets and incendiary rounds are not allowed as nobody had time to arm up.
Rob.
This looks like pure chaos...brilliant. I will have to bring this to my gaming group. Thanks.
Ditto. An excellent scenario idea; simple to layout and execute, novel, suitable for any number of players ......... and it really happened????
Sort of like an attack-the-moving-train scenario .... without a train .... without tracks.
So, Wing Co, where do you come-up-with these ideas? Or perhaps more to the point, what are you drinking or smoking?
I have added this one to next years winter agenda. Thanks.
The Cowman
03-15-2011, 17:41
Yep sounds like a hoot!
gully_raker
03-15-2011, 18:06
I do like that one, Rob,
Our Mob are always looking for some new Fun scenarios. Do you mind if we steal it? LOL!
Flying Officer Kyte
03-16-2011, 00:45
I do like that one, Rob,
Our Mob are always looking for some new Fun scenarios. Do you mind if we steal it? LOL!
Only if you can catch it and get it to land Barry.:p
Rob.
Flying Officer Kyte
03-16-2011, 00:49
Ditto. An excellent scenario idea; simple to layout and execute, novel, suitable for any number of players ......... and it really happened????
Sort of like an attack-the-moving-train scenario .... without a train .... without tracks.
So, Wing Co, where do you come-up-with these ideas? Or perhaps more to the point, what are you drinking or smoking?
I have added this one to next years winter agenda. Thanks.
I think that I first read about it in Balloon busting Aces, but it is mentioned again somewhere that I don't recall, just in passing in some book or another. I was reminded of it when I read an exploit about a balloon in which Biggles escapes across the lines after being shot down. Another game maybe???
Rob.
Interesting concept. How would you determine random direction?
Flying Officer Kyte
03-16-2011, 10:16
Interesting concept. How would you determine random direction?
Carry a set of cards similar to the aircraft ones, then just pick the three top cards at random each turn the same as for the aircraft.
Rob.
It would move every phase at the speed of the fastest plane? A balloon moves at the same speed as the wind, and the fastest plane would be flying 120+ mph! It would be very hard to catch a balloon in a tornado.
Maybe the balloon should move once per turn. 40 mph is a pretty stiff wind, but not a natural disaster.
I like this scenario - sounds like fun!
How about this:
Roll a 6 sided die
1 = Continues Forward 1 Card
2 = Slight Turn Right
3 = Continues Forward 1 Card
4 = Slight Turn Left
5 = No Movement
6 = Continues Forward 1 Card
This would give the balloon a 50/50 chance of forward progress making the wind speed something like 20 mph which the possibility of gusts.
The direction would be random because:
Slight Left Turn
Place a marker on the current front left corner to mark it's position. Holding the base in the back, pivot the card/mini until the center line is aligned with the marker.
Slight Right Turn
Place a marker on the current front right corner to mark it's position. Holding the base in the back, pivot the card/mini until the center line is aligned with the marker.
Movement would happen 1 time per turn and only 1 card for forward progress of the balloon.
Thoughts?
Flying Officer Kyte
03-16-2011, 12:48
It would move every phase at the speed of the fastest plane? A balloon moves at the same speed as the wind, and the fastest plane would be flying 120+ mph! It would be very hard to catch a balloon in a tornado.
Maybe the balloon should move once per turn. 40 mph is a pretty stiff wind, but not a natural disaster.
I like this scenario - sounds like fun!
The idea at the time was just to let everyone have a crack at the balloon as it careered madly about the table, not actually catch it and run it to earth. Some plane would have a shot only to see it zoom away, and just as he thought that was it for the night the veering wind, in this case drawing an Immelmann for the balloon, brought it wizzing back at him. Dodge that my lad!. Just a bit of fun. The speed of the balloon makes all the difference i assure you.
Rob.
That's pretty cool, but what if the balloon was a mission timer. The defending force has to knock out the attacking force before the balloon is destroyed and the attacking force has the knock the balloon out before it reaches the other side of the table.
Flying Officer Kyte
03-16-2011, 12:54
How about this:
Roll a 6 sided die
1 = Continues Forward 1 Card
2 = Slight Turn Right
3 = Continues Forward 1 Card
4 = Slight Turn Left
5 = No Movement
6 = Continues Forward 1 Card
This would give the balloon a 50/50 chance of forward progress making the wind speed something like 20 mph which the possibility of gusts.
The direction would be random because:
Slight Left Turn
Place a marker on the current front left corner to mark it's position. Holding the base in the back, pivot the card/mini until the center line is aligned with the marker.
Slight Right Turn
Place a marker on the current front right corner to mark it's position. Holding the base in the back, pivot the card/mini until the center line is aligned with the marker.
Movement would happen 1 time per turn and only 1 card for forward progress of the balloon.
Thoughts?
It's a fun game Keith, not an excercise in logistics. Yuo play it that way if you like. I just put it up for an idea for fun between the serious matches of the evening.
Rob.
The idea at the time was just to let everyone have a crack at the balloon as it careered madly about the table, not actually catch it and run it to earth. Some plane would have a shot only to see it zoom away, and just as he thought that was it for the night the veering wind, in this case drawing an Immelmann for the balloon, brought it wizzing back at him. Dodge that my lad!. Just a bit of fun. The speed of the balloon makes all the difference i assure you.
Rob.
I gotcha...the kind of scenario that Yakkety Sax would compliment well! Gonna have to try it when my balloons arrive.
grumpybear
03-16-2011, 17:46
great idea sounds like fun
MayorJim
03-19-2011, 09:32
It's a fun game Keith, not an excercise in logistics. Yuo play it that way if you like. I just put it up for an idea for fun between the serious matches of the evening.
Rob.
LOL! ...nevertheless, at least keith is giving it some thought. Maybe just play a randomly selected slow aircraft manuever card once a turn...an Immeleman would mean the wind shifted :D
I think this sounds like a great scenario. I am going to try it when I have a chance.
MayorJim
03-27-2011, 16:21
Anybody try this yet? ...any AARs?
jamesmhebert
08-12-2011, 09:08
...based on the flight of a German Balloon which slipped its moorings and floated toward the British lines, before the wind changed and floated it back again.
From this story I wondered...
Rob.
Is there an actual occurrence that happened? If so, I'd love to read up on it. And other balloon stories from the period.
Anyone?
Flying Officer Kyte
08-12-2011, 10:46
Is there an actual occurrence that happened? If so, I'd love to read up on it. And other balloon stories from the period.
Anyone?
Yes James, it is based on an actual occurrence. I can't put my finger on the book I got it from as I have read a lot of books in the last three years, and it was only mentioned for a couple of paragraphs.
Rob.
Recently acquired mmy first balloons and I like this concept. Thanks for sharing.
flyingryno
08-19-2011, 17:35
Maybe tomorrow night. WE were going to play a game any way.
Trying this afternoon....looks like fun and a chance to try the ballon thing again
pflanzer
12-18-2011, 09:01
Kind of a late AAR. We played this following a Ballon Busting event at Enfilade last year. It was interesting. The baloon was plenty random in its movements. So much so that it took few hits. This could have been because the damed thing kept sliding off one side of the table and popping up on the opposite side. The guys got tired of flying back and forth and just started shooting at each other. I would suggest that you mark the corners of the baloon base that you intend to use for maneuver. It makes it a little easier to track.http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=15481&d=1309061204
Tony
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