All,
Apologies first! I met way too many people, too fast. Only a few were wearing their name tags, and that doesn't help with Forum names. So, in my pictures, I will try to identify the one's I remember, and I tried to match up Forum names. Please help, if you can, and I will edit my posts. Sorry if I got any of this wrong, or my memory was bad.
Overview
What a blast! I got in more face-to-face WoG gaming in two days than almost all my gaming in the last year combined (including Skype games).
It was great to put faces to names (obviously didn't do too well with remembering them all, but with everyone's help, I will learn them after the fact), and try out different scenarios with different house rules. It appears no-one plays this game exactly like any-one else. There are always little adjustments or interpretations. But it was all fun. Getting shot down in the Saturday evening tournament by a person who only started playing during the event (his second game ever was against me) was humbling. But I did win a book for taking the fewest hits in two rounds, and because of the generous prize support from Ares, I also got a few minis over the two days for participation.
Book Prize:
Aces High - The War in the Air over the Western Front 1914-1918 1999, 192 pages, by Alan Clark. This prize generously donated to the event by Rick57. I owe him, yet again! Review Link
The Bring and Buy was interesting, but because this was a convention for all sorts of miniatures games, not too much WoW/WoG stuff was there. However I scored Big Time on an Italian Caproni for so cheap it was ridiculous. Also, there were dealers from some of the local gaming stores, and they were selling some WOG gear. Their prices were Brick and Mortar, though, and I was too stingy to pay more (US Dollars are slightly more than Canadian at the moment) than I needed to. I will get some stuff on line, as even with shipping and exchange, I will save money. I just have to wait longer.
I bought a package of "Pilots and Observers", a Fokker D VIII and decals (actually D VIIs) from the Reviresco booth, as I need the crew for my paper planes (Yay), and the D VIII is not available anywhere, even in paper. The D VIII is to take on my Snipes. I even found a few used books, besides my prize:
Aircraft Camouflage and Markings 1907 - 1954 (4th Impression) 1961, 234 pages, by Bruce Robertson. Review Link
Heros & Aeroplanes of the Great War 1914-1918 1966, 128 pages, by Joseph A. Phelan. Review Link
The Games:
Fri 7:00PM
Sink the Emden, by Doug Nolan [mrdugsir]
Wings of Glory, 4 hrs, P, 12 players, Game, Kids/Under 12
Allied pilots will attempt to bomb and torpedo the Emden while Axis pilots defend. The Wings of Glory game system will include a modified altitude system. No experience is necessary and instruction will be provided.
I had way too much practice with flying bombers in the games, but that was all to the good, I suppose. The practice I gained in flying the "Over the Trenches - The Final Months - Mission 2b" was instrumental in my approach to bombing on the tables this weekend. And in Doug's "Sink the Emden" game, I cheated a bit. In the OtT's mission, the targets were the size of pickle barrels. The Emden was at least two pickle barrels wide, but a football field long! Guess which direction I decided to fly? I didn't take any pictures, but others did. I hope they decide to share on this post.
Sat 9:00AM
Bomber Sighted!, by David Mebust [dmebust]
Wings of War, 4 hrs, B, 8 players, Game, Kids/Under 12
Sirens whine as Jasta 5 takes to the air. Intercept and destroy the Allied bomber, then return to base. Join us as the Knights of the Sky joust for supremacy over Europe. Especially looking for beginners and young players, old hands welcome too.
Link: Lloyd's description of the events, and pictures.
Picture: Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, Brent, Dave [dmebust], Lloyd [Lloydthegamer], John (Reviresco?, just visible), Unknown
Open Flying, by Doug Nolan
Wings of Glory, 4 hrs, P, 8 players, Game, Kids/Under 12
Learn to play Wings of Glory. Planes will include single seat fighters, two seat scouts and heavy bombers. No experience is necessary and instruction will be provided. Prepare yourself for the evening’s tournament. Drop in and play a game or two.
Robert [rcshield], and his son Kyle, Doug [mrdugsir]; The WoG Display: Mannesman-Poll Triplane-Bomber (Dave [Clipper1801]’s monster), and Prizes from Ares (Note the Sails of Glory proto-type game in the center of the pile of planes)! Bill Hughes [conepipe] arranged the prize support. NOTE: I didn't participate in this, I was in the Bomber game above.
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Sat 2:00PM
Strafers over Papua, by Lloyd Bowler
WOG WWII, 4 hrs, Z, 10 players, Game, Newcomers
USAAF takes on the JAAF. B25s escorted by P40s duke it out with Oscars and Tonys.
Didn’t see much of this, as I was bombing trains (actually just getting shot down).
Rain Pain on the Train!, by Tony Pflanzer
Wings of Glory WWI, 4 hrs, 10 players, Game, Newcomers
A German supply train is attacked by Entent two seaters and their escort. Can they destroy the much needed supplies or will German air patrols stop the attack dead in its tracks.
Link: Pat's description of the games.
Close-up of the Train, pre-carnage:
John, Pat [pstapleton53], Dawn [Tony’s Social Coordinator], Mitch Berdika, Tony [pflanzer], Unknown, Rick [Rick57]
Sat 7:00PM
WW1 Air Tournament, by Doug Nolan
Wings of Glory, 4 hrs, P, 16 players, Tournament, Newcomers
WW1 Double Elimination Tournament for 16 players. Each pair of pilots will use the same type of plane for their battle. Basic Wings of Glory rules will be used. The winner will receive prize support provided by Ares Games.
I didn't take any pictures for this, either, as I was busy trying to wi.. have fun!
Link: Jim's description of the events.
Aerodrome Boys:
Front Sitting (L to R): Tony [pflanzer], Pat [pstapleton53], Jim [James Denberger]
Standing (L to R): Rick [Rick57], Doug [mrdugsir], Mike [OldGuy59], Bill Huges.
Lots of other drome members were around, but we couldn't coral them for the photo. Next time, we have to schedule an event, I think.
Summary
Many thanks to the organizers, and to Doug, Bill, Tony, Lloyd, Dave, Jim, and any others I didn't get to meet that put on super WoW/WoG gaming events. This doesn't happen without effort, and I certainly enjoyed the camaraderie, learning and sharing all things WoW/WoG. The trinkets and books were an added unexpected treasure trove.
Til next time,
Mike
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