Custom WWII Plane cards

[MrWibbles]

I thought I'd create this thread so that I can let you know as soon as new customised plane cards appear in my album (under my profile). The reason I am putting the cards in my album is that the cards I uploaded several days ago to the Files section, are still presumably awaiting moderation.

Anyhow, for now, I'm concentrating on early (1939-1941) planes particularly the lesser known types.

First up are two British Fleet Air Arm Planes - The Blackburn Skua and Fairey Fulmar. There are two cards for each plane:

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/BlackburnSkuaMkII_2_mini.jpg

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/BlackburnSkuaMkII_mini.jpg

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/FaireyFulmarMkII_mini.jpg

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/FaireyFulmarMkII_2_mini.jpg

The above images are reduced in size but the ones in my album are full sized high quality JPG's.

I'm in two minds about the Fulmar's speed, it was quite a slow plane (even at full speed it could only just about keep up with the Axis bombers of the time) but I'm wondering whether or not giving it an "I" rating is a little harsh.

Enjoy, and if there are any planes in this period you'd like to see a card for then let me know. :)

[MrWibbles]

Next, the Dutch Fokker XXI in Dutch and Danish markings (note that in my album, I've done two of each but as the camo's quite similar I've just posted one of each here)...

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/FokkerXXIDutch2_mini.jpg

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/FokkerXXIDanish1_mini.jpg

To go with the RAF Fairey Battle that's in my War in 1938 Campaign idea, I've additionally done a Fairey Battle in Belgian markings...

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/FaireyBattleMkII_Belgium_mini.jpg

[Marechallannes]

Nice work, interesting graphic style.

[MrWibbles]

Thank you :) I'm definitely starting to develop my own style and technique now. A big "Thank you" goes to Max Headroom for the advice and support he's given me. :thumbsup:

[MrWibbles]

I was in two minds about whether or not to post this next one as, after having completed it, I noticed in the files section there's already a rather nice card for it. It's certainly not my intention to replace anyone elses cards or step on anyone's toes!

Anyhow, here it is anyway, my take on the Italian G-50 fighter. Having created the Fairey Fulmar earlier, all sorts of Malta based scenarios have been going through my head with the Fulmar and Gladiator and I wanted to see how they'd fair against the G-50....

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/FiatG-50-mini.jpg

[FrankJamison]

I hope you don't mind too much if I steal if for the latter part of my Spanish Civil War campaign.



I was in two minds about whether or not to post this next one as, after having completed it, I noticed in the files section there's already a rather nice card for it. It's certainly not my intention to replace anyone elses cards or step on anyone's toes!

Anyhow, here it is anyway, my take on the Italian G-50 fighter. Having created the Fairey Fulmar earlier, all sorts of Malta based scenarios have been going through my head with the Fulmar and Gladiator and I wanted to see how they'd fair against the G-50....

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/FiatG-50-mini.jpg

[MrWibbles]

Hi Frank, I don't mind at all :)

At the end of the day, my motivation for doing the custom planes (apart from the enjoyment factor of course) is to give something to the WOW community and to make available in the game planes which probably wouldn't see the light of day in an official release.

[MrWibbles]

Max H has raised a very good point about the scale of the planes on my cards so I'm going to be making resizing adjustments accordingly particularly for the smaller planes. I'm grateful to Max and others for the constructive feedback - as WOW veterans, I really appreciate the kind advice and the benefits of your wisdom and experience with the game's mechanics.

[Jager]

I was in two minds about whether or not to post this next one as, after having completed it, I noticed in the files section there's already a rather nice card for it. It's certainly not my intention to replace anyone elses cards or step on anyone's toes!

Anyhow, here it is anyway, my take on the Italian G-50 fighter. Having created the Fairey Fulmar earlier, all sorts of Malta based scenarios have been going through my head with the Fulmar and Gladiator and I wanted to see how they'd fair against the G-50....

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/FiatG-50-mini.jpg

Go ahead and post it; let the market place decide. Besides, the more paint schemes (are they called "skins now; I'm so 20th cen.) we have, the more planes we can field.
Keep up the good work.
Karl

[Kaiser]

Would like to see more Spanish Civil War planes :) Me Bf 109 B, C and D, He 51, Fiat CR 32, etc
A nice ressource: http://www.zi.ku.dk/personal/drnash/model/spain/did.html

[MrWibbles]

Hi Daniel - duly noted, I'll see what I can do for you. :)

In the meantime, I've done some more Hurricane MKI cards for the game (three RAF for those who are into the Battle of France/Britain and for those who like the more unusual, one in Yugoslav markings)....

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/HurricaneMkI-306SqnRAF_mini.jpg

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/HurricaneMkI-56SqnRAF-Mini.jpg

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/HurricaneMkI-43SqnRAF_mini.jpg

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/HurricaneMkIYugoslavian_mini.jpg

(As with my previous cards, the full sized JPG versions are in my Plane Cards album)

[Nightbomber]

Impressive load of work, Steve! You bring the game onto new levels of fun:D

[MrWibbles]

Thank you Andrzej, I really enjoy making them and I'm sure there's plenty more to come. Apart from my Fiat G-50, I haven't really focussed on the Axis planes yet....

[MrWibbles]

Hi folks,

I was asked if I could do a card for a Heinkel HE-51, so, always glad to oblige, here are a couple of HE-51's for you. One I've done in generic Condor Legion markings and the other in pre 1941 Bulgarian Air Force markings.

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/HeinkelHe51Condor1_mini.jpg


http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/HeinkelHe51Bulgaria_mini.jpg

(Full size versions are in the usual place)

[Nightbomber]

Good work, Steve. :thumbsup:

[MrWibbles]

Thanks Andrzej :) For my next two planes, I'm thinking of the Boeing P26 Peashooter in US and either Chinese Nationalist or Philippine markings and a Polikarpov I-153 in a variety of schemes.

[MrWibbles]

Here's my take on the Boeing P26 Peashooter, whilst it was tempting to go for one of the colorful pre-war schemes, I've opted for the olive-drab so that it looks right for gamers playing any Pearl Harbor scenarios.

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/BoeingP26USAAF_mini.jpg

Nationalist Chinese version to follow soon :)

[Max Headroom]

I'm liking that terrain again Steve..!:thumbsup: Is that an actual Pearl Harbour overview? I've done a peashooter, but gave it 15 hits (wild guess) and I do believe the close range damage should also be 'A' as it only had 2 x .303

[MrWibbles]

Hi Alan, some P 26's were kitted out instead with heavy cal machine guns (.30 and .50 inch) which is why I gave it a B at close range as I thought I'd go for the slightly better armed version. Regarding the damage I didn't think the plane was any more resiliant than say the Polikarpov I-16 which is why I settled on 14.

Regarding the terrain, glad you like, no not Pearl Harbor but I felt the built up area and the water looked the part.

[MrWibbles]

One quick change of clothes later and the P26 is back in Chinese Nationalist markings....

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/BoeingP26Chinese_mini.jpg

[MrWibbles]

Hi Folks,

My next projects are a couple more HE-51 in Luftwaffe markings and then a few flavours of Polikarpov I-153. After that, I'm going to be taking some time out to do review the planes done so far and also to do some work with the manuever decks to understand more about how they work. Hopefully then some of the guess work can be taken out of what deck to assign to a plane.

Please keep the pre-1941 plane suggestions coming though. Thanks again guys for the feedback/advice/suggestions so far. :)

[MrWibbles]

Hi everyone,

Here are three Polikarpov I-153's in Soviet markings. I'm happy to do versions for other countries eg Spanish Republic or Nationalist China if anyone needs these for their games.

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/PolikarpovI-1532_mini.jpg

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/PolikarpovI-1531_mini.jpg

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/PolikarpovI-1533-mini.jpg

Note: I will be revising some of my existing cards in light of comments and playtesting experience. The Fairey Fulmar and Blackburn Skua I've amended already to change the manuever deck from I to J to make them slightly more manueverable. Also, some of the smaller planes I've done will be resized on the cards to scale them a bit better. As and when these changes are made, I'll give you guys the heads up. Hope you are all having a great weekend.

:)

[MrWibbles]

Here's my take on a very unlikely terror weapon which had a thoroughly demoralising effect on the German soldiers fighting on the Eastern Front. The Polikarpov PO-2 "Mule" was a slow ex-cropduster pressed into military service. It was notoriously difficult to shoot down as it's cruising speed was more or less the stall speed of the BF109 and FW190 and also because it could take huge amounts of punishment. Used in night attacks, it would cut it's engines and glide over the German positions undetected at tree top level and suddenly unleash havoc before making good it's escape.

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/PolikarpovPO-2-mini.jpg


http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/PolikarpovPO-2Winter_mini.jpg

The plane could carry a small bomb load and was armed with one rearward firing .30 cal machine gun. Although it has no forward firing armament, I've left the front arc in anyway.

(Full sized high quality JPG version in the usual place)

[MrWibbles]

I'm not sure how many Brewster Buffalo fans are out there or if I'm just in a minority of one but the latest plane cards I've done (and which I can't wait to playtest) are two flavours of Buffalo. The first is in US markings and saw action during the Battle of Midway, the second is in RNZAF markings and was based in Singapore.

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/BrewsterBuffaloUS_mini.jpg

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/BrewsterBuffaloRNZAF_mini.jpg

EDIT: Typo on card! Damage should be 18 and not 14. I've updated the versions in my album accordingly :)

[MrWibbles]

Hi everyone.... I've uploaded a Luftwaffe Heinkel 51 to my album and there's a preview of it on my War in 1938 thread under "Campaigns". Next up will hopefully be a Fokker G1 - a heavily armed twin boom Dutch fighter (sort of a cross between a BF110 and a P38 Lightning). The planes near enough done - I just need to put it on a card and work out the stats for it.

After that I'm open to suggestions from you, has anyone got an early (ie in service before 1941) plane that they'd like to see a card for?

[MrWibbles]

Further to my earlier post, the Fokker G1 is now complete and in my album. A bit of an odd plane because on one hand it packs a punch with it's 8 x 0303 inch MG's but it was incredibly slow with a top speed roughly the same as an Aichi Val. However in fairness to the plane, it was meant to fulfill a variety of roles - fighter, reconnaisance and ground attack. I intend to use it in the latter role with a mission objective to strafe/bomb German ground forces and have it escorted by a couple of Fokker XXI's.

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/FokkerG1-mini.jpg

[Kaiser]

As a two engine aircraft the card should be twice as wide as a regular card but not longer.

[MrWibbles]

Which is exactly what I've done with the G1, I have made it a little wider but it isn't any longer - the template I used for the size of the card is based on one of Max's custom cards (I believe I used his BF110A as a starting point).

Anyhow, not sure that the sizing rule for the larger WWII planes is completely set in stone to be honest.... looking at the custom card files in the Files section and other cards that artists on here have done, there seem to be a variety of interpretations as to what size a twin engined card should be. Until the official rules for the larger planes are released, I think the matter of sizing is open to interpretation.

EDIT: The full sized version of the G1 is now in my album - I completely overlooked the small matter of uploading it earlier.

[Kaiser]

Uhmm your card looks longer than wide. I guess you have to turn it 90°.
I assume the card sizes for multi-engine aircrafts is the same as for WWI.

[MrWibbles]

No worries Daniel, I think the shape of the plane has got something to do with that. Not sure about WWI card sizes as I haven't got that flavour of Wings of War (yet!). Roll on the official rules for the larger WWII planes.

[MrWibbles]

Had to do a card for this... the Fairey Fox which came into service during the 1920's and was still in active front line service with the Belgian Air Force in 1940. Apparently one is credited with downing a BF109 - it's not clear whether the German plane crashed as a direct result of the Fox's gunfire or because the pilot couldn't believe his eyes at what he was up against and as a result lost concentration!

Anyhow, here's a Belgian version for you. I may do the Royal Navy's seaplane version of it in due course.

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/FaireyFoxMkVIBelgium_mini.jpg

[richard m schwab]

Steve!

Your hit points for the PO-2 should be reversed, a 12 is more like it! The expression lightly constructed really covers the PO-2! Here are a couple shots of the MAM`s PO-2.

Rich

[Max Headroom]

Anyhow, not sure that the sizing rule for the larger WWII planes is completely set in stone to be honest.... looking at the custom card files in the Files section and other cards that artists on here have done, there seem to be a variety of interpretations as to what size a twin engined card should be. Until the official rules for the larger planes are released, I think the matter of sizing is open to interpretation.

Yeah... Steve's right. All the sizes of custom cards for anything other than single seaters are just personal experience playing DoW and all of us are still waiting for some official rules for twin engine planes and more... Bring on the Rain of Destruction!

[MrWibbles]

Hi Rich, I can see where you're coming from, however I had a good reason for the unusally high damage rating I've given it. The PO-2 was a bit of an odd one, from what I've read it could take a heck of a lot of damage which, when you look at it's construction (as your photo above shows) does defy logic. I wanted to reflect that in the game hence the unusually high figure.

[MrWibbles]

Hi Folks, hope you're all having a good week so far. Just posting a quick heads up regarding my next few custom cards.... Gamers who want to recreate the Blitzkrieg attacks of 1940 may be interested to know that I'm working on Belgian airforce planes. Coming up soon will be the Renard R31 and the Fairey Firefly (no, not that Firefly but the 1925 biplane fighter that was still in service during 1940). There will also be some more Dutch planes too. This phase of the war should keep me busy and you in new custom cards to try out for a while yet.

:)

[Kaiser]

We also need quite a few French planes :) The Dewoitine D.520 alone isn't enough. A Morane-Saulnier MS.406 would be cool.

[Max Headroom]

Not intending to crash the party, but to you Daniel I have done a couple 406's a while back in my albums:
http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=17970&d=1311891397http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=17973&d=1311891425

[MrWibbles]

Hi Daniel, you'll be pleased to know that I've got some interesting French planes lined up to follow soon.

In the meantime back across the border in Belgium, I've two planes for you - The parasol winged Renard R31 reconnaisance plane and the Fairey Firefly MkII....

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/RenardR31_mini.jpg

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/FaireyFireflyMkII_mini.jpg

(as usual, full sized JPG versions in my album)

[MrWibbles]

And very nice they look too Mr Headroom :)

[csadn]

The PO-2 was a bit of an odd one, from what I've read it could take a heck of a lot of damage which, when you look at it's construction (as your photo above shows) does defy logic.

It wasn't that it could *absorb* a lot of damage -- it was that most weapons of the period were sufficiently powerful to punch straight through without doing much more than leaving a bullet-sized hole in the fabric. In order to "properly" damage the plane, something substantial had to be hit, like a wing spar, or the engine, or the crew.

Not sure how to simulate this in _DoW_, esp. given the way the damage system works.

[David Manley]

Not sure how to simulate this in _DoW_, esp. given the way the damage system works.

Its an effect that few air to air rules cover all that well. Also the machine gun vs. cannon question - you really need various damage effect tables for combinations of weapon vs. target type to get a good appreciation as to why nations armed their aircraft the way they did.

From a WoW perspective I'm glad I restrict my gaming to WW1 where these issues are pretty much second order (unless you get into fun and games such as the 37mm cannon on the Spad XII)

[MrWibbles]

It wasn't that it could *absorb* a lot of damage -- it was that most weapons of the period were sufficiently powerful to punch straight through without doing much more than leaving a bullet-sized hole in the fabric. In order to "properly" damage the plane, something substantial had to be hit, like a wing spar, or the engine, or the crew.

Not sure how to simulate this in _DoW_, esp. given the way the damage system works.

Exactly Chris.... The PO-2 was so crudely and flimsily constructed that the Germans found that most of their cannon/mg fire added a little more air conditioning to the structure of the plane but done little in the way of major damage to vital components (probably because there weren't that many) so, yes, "absorb" maybe wasn't the correct word to use. David has hit the nail on the head regarding an adequate way of representing this with the existing damage rules within the game. Giving the plane what seems to be an illogically high number of hit points was my way of trying to represent this - I realise that it's not perfect and players are free to give it lower hit points if they prefer.

[CappyTom]

Great job guys. Is there any Swordfish card already out in any of the sets?

Tom

[MrWibbles]

Thanks for the feedback Tom, glad you like the cards. Plenty more to come!

Regarding a card for the Swordfish, Max Headroom has created a brilliant card for it so you're in luck.

[CappyTom]

Thanks

[MrWibbles]

Hi everyone... recently added to my album is the Douglas DB8 as used by the Dutch as a dive-bomber/ground attack aircraft.

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/DouglasDB8a-2N_mini.jpg

[Max Headroom]

Re. the PO-2... I would be enclined to assign it not quite as high a damage threshold, say 18, but appoint a damage rule whereby if you drew the engine damage symbol, you hit a major part of the plane and you're a gonner. Something like that anyway...
By the way Tom, the Swordfish is in my TORDEDO PLANE Album.

[csadn]

Its an effect that few air to air rules cover all that well.

Actually, I can think of one game immediately which handled it perfectly -- _Space: 1889_. Every gun in the game has both a damage rating, *and* a penetration rating. If the ratio between armor value of the target and penetration value of the gun is sufficiently high, the game gives the shot a chance to "rip through" the target, doing only one point of damage.

A possible way to handle the Po-2: The firer draws his damage chits, then places them in an opaque container; then the Po-2 player draws one of the chits -- whatever he draws is what damage is actually inflicted, while everything else "rips through".

[MrWibbles]

Guys.... Thanks for the suggestions regarding handling damage for the PO-2. I think for starters, as per Max's suggestion, lowering the hit points to 18 is the way to go. I do like Chris's suggestion though based on Space: 1889 and that would make an excellent "optional" rule.

Next plane on the production line is the Blackburn Roc - I meant to do a card for it when I done the Fulmar and the Skua but got sidetracked.

[MrWibbles]

Hi everyone...

As promised, the Blackburn Roc. I've done two versions, one in earth/dark green and the other in sea grey/slate grey camouflage. Although, like the Defiant it had no forward firing weapons, I've left the front arc in. You have a choice regarding rear field of fire. Either use the 180 degree rear arc or if you prefer a wider field of fire, use the front arc inverse(ie any target outside of the front arc can potentially be hit).

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/BlackburnRoc2_mini.jpg

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/BlackburnRoc1_Mini.jpg

[David Manley]

In theory they could fire directly ahead, the guns firing down the sides of the cockpit. I'm not sure if anyone was ever brave enough to try it though!

[MrWibbles]

Hi David... thanks for your post, I was researching the Roc on the internet earlier and came across some photos of the Roc with the guns facing forward. I know the Defiant definitely couldn't fire forward but information is sketchy on the old Roc. I guess as front firing is a bit more precarious/difficult due to more limited visibility a custom rule could be implemented to allow a 360 degree field of fire but targets outside of the rear arc take half damage ie A instead of B.

[David Manley]

I've alwats liked the Roc. One of my first decent 1/72 conversions was to make one from the Frog model of the Skua with the Airfix Bolton Paul defiant turret added. You could then convert the Defiant into a target tug variant.

[MrWibbles]

Frog kits.... ah, fond memories. Youngsters today don't know what they're missing out on!

[David Manley]

My brother had quite a few, the Shackleton (awesome model), a couple of Gannets and a beautiful Sea Fury .

[csadn]

As promised, the Blackburn Roc. I've done two versions, one in earth/dark green and the other in sea grey/slate grey camouflage. Although, like the Defiant it had no forward firing weapons, I've left the front arc in. You have a choice regarding rear field of fire. Either use the 180 degree rear arc or if you prefer a wider field of fire, use the front arc inverse(ie any target outside of the front arc can potentially be hit).


I recall reading somewhere that the turret-fighters had the ability to aim the guns to fire directly forward -- it involved first pivoting the guns to full vertical, then rotating the turret to face dead ahead, then pivoting the guns back down. It was not often done for two salient reasons: first, the guns could not be synchroed to the prop, so there was a high risk of prop damage; second, the gun barrels would be just behind the pilot's head, and would scare the [*CENSORED*!] out of him every time they were fired. Have to see if I find the ref, tho', so don't quote me on it.

[MrWibbles]

Hi Folks...

Here's three versions of the Westland Lysander for you. The MkII is based on a plane that flew ground attack sorties during the Battle of France. Also there are two Lysander MkIII's - one in desert camouflage and the other in night-black.

(Full size JPG's in my album)

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/WestlandLysander1_mini.jpg

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/WestlandLysander2_mini.jpg

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/WestlandLysander3_mini.jpg

[warrenn]

Have to say u do the cool planes few have thought of doing.. warren

[MrWibbles]

Thanks for the kind words Warren.

I've always been fascinated by the little known planes particularly those in the first half of the war and that's been reflected in my cards for the game.

[MrWibbles]

Hi everyone,

Today's plane is the Fiat CR 32 "Freccia", a rather beautiful Italian biplane fighter that could definitely hold its own against the Hurricane in skirmishes over North Africa. I have opted for the version with higher calibre MG's hence the punch it packs at close range. There would have been more than two flavours of CR32 but disaster struck with me accidentally saving a "flattened" version of the master Photoshop file (and losing all of the layers in the process). Consequently I'm going to have to redo the original at some point so I can let you have a Condor Legion, Nationalist Chinese and other variations.

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/FiatCR321_mini.jpg

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/FiatCR322_mini.jpg

Coming up soon, most likely over the weekend at some point will be the Romanian IAR 80 fighter which is a rather nice albeit obscure plane that can be used for Axis vs Soviet or Axis vs American games. I was reading up on the IAR 80 and a particular air battle where a squadron of IAR 80's ambushed a raid of P38 Lightnings and inflicted considerable losses on the Americans.

[MrWibbles]

I've redone my master Fiat CR 32 image now so heres two Spanish Nationalist and one Regia Aeronautica CR32 to go with the two previously uploaded...

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/FiatCR323_mini.jpg

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/FiatCR324_mini.jpg

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/FiatCR325_mini.jpg

Finally here's the Romanian IAR 80 fighter, there are actually two versions of this card in my album but for this plane the camouflage and marking schemes used seem to be pretty uniform so the only variation on the second card is the background terrain used.

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/IAR801_mini.jpg

[MrWibbles]

Hi everyone,

I've made a start on some French planes with more to come. First up are three planes for you, the little known Arsenal VG 33 which saw some limited action before France fell in 1940, the Caudron C 714 which was flown by Polish volunteer squadrons and finally the unusual looking Breuget BR 270 reconnaisance plane:

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/CaudronC7141_mini.jpg

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/ArsenalVG331_mini.jpg

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/BreugetBR2702_mini.jpg

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/BreugetBR2701_mini.jpg

There are two versions of the Caudron and Arsenal in my album but the camo schemes are quite similar so I've only put a single image for each up here.

Also, I revamped the IAR 80 completely because I messed up with the damage rating but mainly because my original design was over weathered and I just wasn't happy with it (it's not just you miniature painters this happens to!)

;)

[Nightbomber]

Nice cards, Steve. I like the Caudron of the Warsaw squadron ("Andrzej")!:thumbsup:

From Wikipedia:

On 18 May 1940, 35 Caudrons were delivered to the Polish Warsaw Squadron, the Groupe de Chasse polonais I/145, stationed at the Mions airfield. After just 23 sorties, adverse opinion of the fighter was confirmed by front line pilots who expressed concerns that it was seriously underpowered and was no match for contemporary German fighters.

On 25 May, only a week after it was introduced, French Minister of War Guy la Chambre ordered all C.714s to be withdrawn from active service. However, since the French authorities had no other aircraft to offer, the Polish pilots ignored the order and continued to fly the Caudrons. Despite flying a fighter hopelessly outdated compared to the Messerschmitt Bf 109E, the Polish pilots scored 12 confirmed and three unconfirmed victories in three battles between 8 June and 11 June, losing nine in the air and nine more on the ground. Interestingly, among the aircraft shot down were four Dornier Do 17 bombers, but also three Messerschmitt Bf 109 and five Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighters.

The Caudron fighter was also used by the Polish training squadron based in Bron near Lyon. Although the pilots managed to disperse several bombing raids, and although they did not score any kills, they did not lose any machines.

Our brave Flyboys must have been happy to fly such a modern aircraft comparing to P-11's they used in September 1939.

[MrWibbles]

Hi Andrzej, I thought you might like that particular Caudron for some reason! ;)

What got me about the account above is the heroism of the Polish flyers who knew that if they followed the French order, they'd effectively been grounded as there was simply nothing else available for them to fly. Instead they courageously carried on fighting in planes that simply weren't up to the job.

In researching the planes for the cards I've done so far, I've been deeply touched and moved by the stories behind some of the planes and the brave young men which flew them.

[warrenn]

Sooo cool!!! Glad someone has went and started the french and italians!

[MrWibbles]

Glad you like the new cards Warren. There are some excellent French and Italian plane cards already in existance which Max Headroom created - they're worth checking out, he's done an awesome job with them. Because I'm concentrating on quite specific early periods of the war, my selection of custom cards can focus in greater detail on a particular nationality often unearthing some interesting/unusual planes along the way. Keep an eye on this thread because there are quite a few French planes coming up in the not too distant future.

[MrWibbles]

Developing an idea I've seen elsewhere on here, in due course I am going to be doing collections of custom cards set out ready to print in PDF format. The PDF's will follow a specific theme, for example "French planes - 1939-40", "Spanish Civil War" "Holland and Belgium" etc. My thinking is that a single PDF containing several planes in a specific theme saves time in not having to download individual plane cards and also enables people to print them more economically.

[Nightbomber]

Developing an idea I've seen elsewhere on here, in due course I am going to be doing collections of custom cards set out ready to print in PDF format. The PDF's will follow a specific theme, for example "French planes - 1939-40", "Spanish Civil War" "Holland and Belgium" etc. My thinking is that a single PDF containing several planes in a specific theme saves time in not having to download individual plane cards and also enables people to print them more economically.

This should be awarded with a "Special Ops" medal, Steve.:) I like the "themed plane cards" idea very, very much.:thumbsup:

[MrWibbles]

Thanks for that Andrzej.... I think the idea's got potential at least. With the WWII expansion cards so far they seem to be themed around planes eg various Spitfires or BF109's in a variety of colour schemes and nationalities. Whilst there is nothing wrong with that approach, my intention is to theme according to a specific theatre or phase of the war with the markings of the planes being done accordingly (so no more Belgian Hurricanes having to pretend to be British for Battle of Britain games!)

[Nightbomber]

EXACTLY! Although I have nothing against Belgian markings at all. Historical theatre packs would be great.

[MrWibbles]

Just a quick update - due to being grounded at the moment (the M.O. has declared me unfit to fly for the time being), things have been a bit quiet on the Custom Card front. Normal service will be resumed very shortly with more French planes. Hope everyone is having a good week.

[flyingryno]

I'd like to do a Midway Isl campaign It'd a short and sweet. Using your Brewster Buffaloes vs Zeros, and a very few Wildcats. basically it was four carriers worth of Zeros vs. A squadron of Buffaloes, and 4 Wildcats and AA. This would be only the first day. Maybe later add the carrier battles. lots of dive bombing and torpedo runs, fighter escorts. First I'll make my maps of Midway in 1/200 for the full effect. cards for the Carriers. possibly 1/200 hmm little large just standard card for them. still should look good.

[MrWibbles]

@flyingryno: Good luck with the Midway Island scenario which IMHO seems to have been overshadowed by the subsequent carrier battles. Let me know please how you find the Buffalo card especially the manuever rating I assigned it. Other custom cards for it that I've seen have given it a "C" which puts it in the same category of manueverability as the Zero which to me doesn't reflect how hopelessly outclassed the Buffalo was in dogfights with the Japanese plane. I've playtested the Buffalo with an E rating and definitely prefer using the E deck over C for it although I may try it with a G and see how that goes.

Would love to see photos of your Midway island battle and a battle report. Great idea for a scenario.

[MrWibbles]

This might be of interest to any of you who also play Check Your 6! As I'm not in a position to "upgrade" to minis yet, I've converted some of my DOW designs to be compatible with a 1" Hex grid for purposes of Check Your 6! games. The following are example planes I've done.

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Check%20Your%206/HurricaneMk12.png

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Check%20Your%206/FiatCR323.png

As this is a Wings of War/Glory dedicated forum, I'm not going to post my Check Your 6! designs on here but if anyone is interested in my plane counters for the game, feel free to message me.

I've kept my counter design deliberately sparse although I may experiment with the design by adding key information for ease of reference.

[Jager]

Those would be useful for those of us who also play JD Websters' Fighting Wings games. Might ask you for a few of those ;)
Karl

[MrWibbles]

Hi Karl, no problem, I'd be only too happy to provide you with hex plane counters. The one's above need to be fine tuned as the plane's camouflage is doing it's job a bit too well and when they're printed off, the plane's are a bit indistinct, however this is easily fixed. What planes are you after and are you playing on a 1" hex grid or 1.5"?

[Max Headroom]

Re. the Buffalo, I'd given it a 'D' deck. I think anything other than C or D may be too quick.
A question on the fasci of the Italian planes... How come some images show the fasci symmetrical (as on your Fiat CR32) yet on many I've found they are mirrored (as in the Fiat that I did, and others)?

[MrWibbles]

Good question Max, I wish I could come up with an equally good answer. To be honest, I'd never noticed the mirrored fasci before but I've had a look at some planes on the web and you're spot on - some do and some don't.

Regarding the Buffalo, you're probably right. Since doing the card I found a post which summarises the characteristics of the Decks and E is a little fast for the poor old Buffalo. C seems to be a truer reflection of it's speed but the Zero and Buffalo in the same category just doesn't sit right. I'll test it with a D as it's slower than E. I was toying with the idea of giving it J or K like the Polikarpov I-16. Thanks for the advice - as always, it is very much appreciated.

[MrWibbles]

@Max H..... Oh bother! Good job I've only done the one Italian plane - it does seem that the wing markings are mirrored. It's an education belonging to this forum! With my markings, I use PSD decal sets that I downloaded from an IL2 skinning website and these don't have the mirrored roundel so I can at least console myself with the fact that I'm not the only one to fall foul of this. When I get round to doing some Italian planes in due course, the roundels will be mirrored. Grrrrrrrrr!

[Jager]

There was a difference between the Buffalos sold to Finland, and the later, heavier versions used in the Pacific and indochina. I'll look for the data Sunday.
Karl

[MrWibbles]

Regarding the Buffalo, it amazes me how the Finns made such a success of it. Initially they were up against the early primitive Russian fighters but even as the Russian planes got better, the Brewsters still managed to hold their own. Compare this with the largely negative experiences of the Commonwealth and US pilots using the machine.

It'd be interesting to see the stats for the different versions. I think Max is right though that "E" is a bit too fast and so I may settle on a "D" which puts it into the same category as the Wildcat. The stats on my cards are only suggestions and I rely on and really appreciate the wisdom and kind advice of more experienced gamers on here.

:)

[warrenn]

hey Mr W can u print your planes pics without a background, like as a .png file i use them on excel playing cy6 or wow online. so i can put on my own backround or use themap as a backdrop. warren

[MrWibbles]

Hey Warren :)

This shouldn't be a problem at all. What planes were you interested in, did you want a hex outline round the plane (but with no background) and what sort of size are we talking about? My revised template will produce a hex that's one inch across, top to bottom.

I'm happy to do the planes for you but it won't be immediately as I've got some WOW cards to finish and also I've got to get some CY6! Battle of France planes (particularly the Germans) created.

[MrWibbles]

Coming up soon (the planes are done, I just need to place them onto the card and work out the stats) will be the following....

Bleriot Spad 510 (biplane fighter similar in performance to the Gloster Gladiator)

Koolhoven FK58 (Dutch built fighter used by L'Armee De L'Air)

Loire-Nieuport 411 (single seat dive bomber/ground attack. This was originally intended to be a carrier based strike plane but as the situation grew more desperate in France, several units became land based and carried out sorties, with very heavy losses, against the advancing Germans)

[warrenn]

Mr W
any plane of any size is appreciated. no background of any sort needed since we have a hex map already. so like i said i realy like your collection od the different planes since everyone has done the spitfire, mistang, focke-wulf .. wich i have copies of but you have very different aircraft i do not have top views of. thanx warren

[MrWibbles]

A flying visit (no pun intended) to advise that two of the three French cards I've been working on are now finished and have been uploaded. These are the Bleriot-Spad S510 and the Loire-Nieuport 411:

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/BleriotSpadS5101_mini.jpg

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Wings%20of%20War/LN-4112_mini.jpg

The full sized JPG's are in my album.

[MrWibbles]

Hi everyone, apologies for the lack of cards this week.... Life outside of the squadron's been a bit hectic so new DOW graphics have had to take a bit of a back seat. Rest assured the Koolhoven fighter will be ready soon. I've been busy converting my plane graphics into Check Your 6! counters and am quite pleased with how they've turned out. Here's a screenshot of my counters in action with a scrap between a Flying Tiger P-40 and a Zero.

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp315/steve-streeter/Check%20Your%206/Dogfight.jpg

[csadn]

Re. the Buffalo, I'd given it a 'D' deck. I think anything other than C or D may be too quick.
A question on the fasci of the Italian planes... How come some images show the fasci symmetrical (as on your Fiat CR32) yet on many I've found they are mirrored (as in the Fiat that I did, and others)?

The non-mirrored versions appear to be in error -- everything I've been able to find on the topic says the wing logos were always mirrored, with the hook outboard.

[Jager]

Interesting, Stve. Do you play PbEM with Check your 6? I've looked at the game (I think I'm on the yahoo list) but haven't played.
Karl

[Kaiser]

IA this still going on?

What about this planes?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakajima_Ki-27

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtiss_F11C_Goshawk

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polikarpov_I-15

All served in the CBI area.

[MrWibbles]

Hi chaps, sorry for not having posted here for a while. My impromptu break has been due to difficult circumstances at home at the moment. When things have settled down, production will resume. Hope everyone's keeping well.

[Kaiser]

No problem :) Take your time :)

[Jager]

Hi chaps, sorry for not having posted here for a while. My impromptu break has been due to difficult circumstances at home at the moment. When things have settled down, production will resume. Hope everyone's keeping well.

Hope things work out, and you can enjoy the holidays.
Looking forward to your return, when you can manage it.
Karl

[Guntruck]

I've just found this thread and your album. Am liking it very much. :thumbsup: