Blackronin

[B]When Aces Meet - A Spanish Civil War Mission[/B]
[B][I]Prague Summer CON - Friday 16:00[/I][/B]

[IMG]http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/PS%20CON%20-%20When%20Aces%20Meet/DSC_0244.jpg[/IMG]

During the Spanish Civil War duels were scheduled between Nationalist and Republican pilots.
One is so famous that it became legend.

In this free recreation of such an event, players pick randomly a plane and an Ace ability over the skies of Madrid.

[B]Opponents[/B]

[B][I]Republicans:[/I][/B]
1 Ace, 2 Veterans, 5 Regular pilots
4 I-16/10 [COLOR="#0000FF"]B/A - J deck - 15 Hit points[/COLOR]

[IMG]http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/PS%20CON%20-%20When%20Aces%20Meet/DSC_0246.jpg[/IMG]

2 Fokker D.XXI [COLOR="#0000FF"]B/A - K deck - 14 Hit points[/COLOR](There is proof of only one flying during the Spanish Civil War but a second is probable)
2 Dewoitine D.371/372 [COLOR="#0000FF"]A/A - ZL deck - 14 Hit points[/COLOR]

[IMG]http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/PS%20CON%20-%20When%20Aces%20Meet/DSC_0245.jpg[/IMG]

[B][I]Nationalists[/I][/B]
1 Ace, 2 Veterans, 5 Regular pilots
4 Heikel He.51 [COLOR="#0000FF"]A/A - ZM deck - 16 Hit points[/COLOR]
4 Me-109C-1 [COLOR="#0000FF"]BB/B - K deck - 14 Hit points[/COLOR]

[IMG]http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/PS%20CON%20-%20When%20Aces%20Meet/DSC_0247.jpg[/IMG]


The rules:

a) 16 players.
b) Planes randomly chosen.
c) Ace, Veterans and Regular pilots randomly chosen and kept secret from the other side.
d) Sides start at 2 rulers away from each other.
e) Either side wins if: Ace makes two kills or enemy ace is shot down.
f) Ace abilities: Nacionalists - Ace cab add +1 to his damage. Republicans: At any time, once per game Ace can replace his maneuver for any other legal maneuver.
g) Using ace abilities reveals Ace.
h) Aces and Veterans can ignore one damage.
i) Only aces can fire after a reverse maneuver.
J) To speed up game use [B]Nightbomber[/B] rule: Everyone uses high speed until engine damage. Then uses only low speed. No altitude rules.


[IMG]http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/PS%20CON%20-%20When%20Aces%20Meet/DSC_0251.jpg[/IMG]

[I]As we were getting ready to start the convention, those of us who arrived earlier to prepare our games had the chance to see some of the new series of planes that Andrea brought from Rome. Andy is talking with Andrea. I had finished my preparations for the upcoming game.[/I]


[IMG]http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/PS%20CON%20-%20When%20Aces%20Meet/DSC_0253.jpg[/IMG]

The game was ready to start.

[IMG]http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/PS%20CON%20-%20When%20Aces%20Meet/DSC_0254.jpg[/IMG]

I introduced everyone to the slow decks and taught them how to use them. Some people were really stunned and a bit disappointed by the low speed. But then they understood how well they turn and reverse. ;)

[IMG]http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/PS%20CON%20-%20When%20Aces%20Meet/DSC_0255.jpg[/IMG]

Playing with 16 players is hard. But everyone was so focused on the game that my work was really easy and fun.

[IMG]http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/PS%20CON%20-%20When%20Aces%20Meet/DSC_0256.jpg[/IMG]

Starting positions and initial planning.

[IMG]http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/PS%20CON%20-%20When%20Aces%20Meet/DSC_0257.jpg[/IMG]

The Republican were shinning at the beginning of the battle.

[IMG]http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/PS%20CON%20-%20When%20Aces%20Meet/DSC_0259.jpg[/IMG]

Everybody was planning their moves and playing it as I was shouting plan, move, fire solutions. I confess. I did some voices...

[IMG]http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/PS%20CON%20-%20When%20Aces%20Meet/DSC_0261.jpg[/IMG]

The sharks were in for the kill... But the Republicans weren't aware of it.

[IMG]http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/PS%20CON%20-%20When%20Aces%20Meet/DSC_0264.jpg[/IMG]

The Dewoitines looked shinning and bright...

[IMG]http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/PS%20CON%20-%20When%20Aces%20Meet/DSC_0265.jpg[/IMG]

Ready to meet head on.

[IMG]http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/PS%20CON%20-%20When%20Aces%20Meet/DSC_0275.jpg[/IMG]

A rush of hands, frantically pushing their machines in a path of destruction...

[IMG]http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/PS%20CON%20-%20When%20Aces%20Meet/DSC_0276.jpg[/IMG]

And the kids thinking, planning, considering their possibilities. They would endure until the very end.

[IMG]http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/PS%20CON%20-%20When%20Aces%20Meet/DSC_0277.jpg[/IMG]

For a glimpse of a moment everyone alive. Sixteen machines roaring and maneuvering.

[IMG]http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/PS%20CON%20-%20When%20Aces%20Meet/DSC_0278.jpg[/IMG]

Andrea piloting for the Republic. An Italian fighting the Fascists? There a lot of them in the Spanish Civil War.

[IMG]http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/PS%20CON%20-%20When%20Aces%20Meet/DSC_0279.jpg[/IMG]

Me making voices. Some waiting, others maneuvering.

[IMG]http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/PS%20CON%20-%20When%20Aces%20Meet/DSC_0280.jpg[/IMG]

An Heinkel 51 seizing an opportunity.

[IMG]http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/PS%20CON%20-%20When%20Aces%20Meet/DSC_0282.jpg[/IMG]

The Republicans starting to lose ground. Their Ace unable to stand against the modern Me-109's.

[IMG]http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/PS%20CON%20-%20When%20Aces%20Meet/DSC_0284.jpg[/IMG]

Kuba and Viktor showing already the material they were made of.

[IMG]http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/PS%20CON%20-%20When%20Aces%20Meet/DSC_0285.jpg[/IMG]

Planning their maneuvers in the name of the Republic.

[I][B]Note:[/B] There are two people that should have won the best attire for the CON. One is Sven with his French Naval attire. Can you name the other one?[/I]

[IMG]http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/PS%20CON%20-%20When%20Aces%20Meet/DSC_0286.jpg[/IMG]

Unfortunately the best dress didn't save someone from being the first causality of the battle...

[IMG]http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/PS%20CON%20-%20When%20Aces%20Meet/DSC_0287.jpg[/IMG]

But the battle raged on...

[IMG]http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/PS%20CON%20-%20When%20Aces%20Meet/DSC_0289.jpg[/IMG]

First eight against eight. Then six against eight...

[IMG]http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/PS%20CON%20-%20When%20Aces%20Meet/DSC_0291.jpg[/IMG]

A firing lane being measured...

[IMG]http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/PS%20CON%20-%20When%20Aces%20Meet/DSC_0292.jpg[/IMG]

The dark hunters proving fast and deadly.

[IMG]http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/PS%20CON%20-%20When%20Aces%20Meet/DSC_0293.jpg[/IMG]

The Republicans unable to stop them.

[IMG]http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/PS%20CON%20-%20When%20Aces%20Meet/DSC_0294.jpg[/IMG]

An Heinkel 51 leaving a dark cloud of smoke behind him.

[IMG]http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/PS%20CON%20-%20When%20Aces%20Meet/DSC_0295.jpg[/IMG]

A lonely I-16 in the midst of the fray. The Aces hiding their abilities until the very end.

[IMG]http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/PS%20CON%20-%20When%20Aces%20Meet/DSC_0301.jpg[/IMG]

Then five against eight... The Republican fate sealed...

[IMG]http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/PS%20CON%20-%20When%20Aces%20Meet/DSC_0308.jpg[/IMG]

Then four...

[IMG]http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/PS%20CON%20-%20When%20Aces%20Meet/DSC_0315.jpg[/IMG]

Then three... Two kids and a new player for the Republic. Amazing.

[IMG]http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/PS%20CON%20-%20When%20Aces%20Meet/DSC_0316.jpg[/IMG]

Kuba in his I-16 fighting alone against four Nationalist machines. Viktor in his Dewoitine defending the Ace in the remaining Fokker D.XXI.

[IMG]http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/PS%20CON%20-%20When%20Aces%20Meet/DSC_0317.jpg[/IMG]

Kuba goes down. And the Fokker receives salvo after salvo...

[IMG]http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/PS%20CON%20-%20When%20Aces%20Meet/DSC_0318.jpg[/IMG]

Some of the Nationalists don't have targets anymore...

[IMG]http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/PS%20CON%20-%20When%20Aces%20Meet/DSC_0319.jpg[/IMG]

And then the Ace goes down....
The Nationalist shot down 7 planes without losing one.
But in the end, seeing their damage we would see how lucky they were...

And the story is told.
And that is how it may have ended in that hot Summer of 1938...


[B][I]Photos: Camille Bru[/I][/B]