WHERE IT ALL BEGAN--WHY I LOVE WINGS OF WAR

**Walter Nowotny** · 07-30-2016 23:41

I was digging around the closet and I found one of my favorite Childhood Games, "Dogfight" by Milton Bradley. I remember getting this game for my Birthday. I don't remember the exact year, but I must have been about 6 or 8 years old. I thought it was the coolest thing, next to my Snoopy Models by Monogram but that's another story for down the road. I played with the game for hours and the planes even longer. My Father enjoyed it as well, being a WWII Vet he had a great interest in WWI and the Brave flyers. I remember him meeting an American WWI ace through his business contacts and even getting Eddie Rickenbacker to autograph his book for him. WOW!!! The book is still in the Family.

As I dug the game out I knew I had to play it. My wife was busy watching some God-awful show on the Hallmark Channel, so I knew I was on my own. I set the game up, perused the rules briefly and was off. In no time at all I was 7 years old again flying fearlessly right toward the enemy. My arthritis didn't bother me, my recently pulled tooth didn't bother me, the future didn't bother me and the worries of the world didn't bother me. I played two complete games with the DVII's taking one victory and the Spad's the next. I was in Heaven. After Playing I reflected on WOW. It was crystal clear why I had been drawn into this game. The same reason I am a still Model Railroader, it's great to be young and care-free again. It's like Christmas every time I fire up the train set, and like my Birthday every time I play Wings. Who could ask for more??!!

You can still find Dogfight on Ebay. I highly recommend it. The planes are smaller then WGF. I think they are around 1/200 scale and not as detailed, but the first version of this game came about in 1964-1965. It is a fast paced game and takes skill and luck just like WGF. The graphics are excellent and the game also came with an informative booklet about the WWI Flyers. Each squadron comes with its own "Dashboard" to set the cards in just like Wings and you can play up to four players. I hope you all get a chance someday to play this great game or at least enjoy the pictures and story. Well, I have to go now and blow out the candles and unwrap my Presents!

**flash** · 07-31-2016 00:02

Happy birthday Jim, at least you know why you're predisposed to play Wings !

**milcoll73** · 07-31-2016 02:03

i recall seeing this game years ago but never played it. blue max was what started my on aerial combat games.

**clipper1801** · 07-31-2016 07:40

Happy birthday! And thanks for the past. I too heard the sirens call through Dogfight, got scolded at school for drawing Snoopy on everything. A few years ago in a spell of nostalgia I dug my copy out of the closet and spent an evening in the 60's. Recently I went on a spending spree and repurchased it, Broadside, Regatta, and a second Mattel Vacuformer : )

**Nightbomber** · 07-31-2016 10:48

What a fantastic story, Jim

. It must have been like time travel with lots of joy. I too keep some old youth games (like 1st edition of Talisman) in my closet. These precious moments are truly hard to beat.

.

**Stumptonian** · 07-31-2016 12:32

Looks like a cool game.

I should check with a few of my old gaming buddies to see if anyone still has it.

**Teaticket** · 07-31-2016 13:13

Ahhhh, the memories. I had this game way back when and loved it dearly. It definitely was the best of the 4 game set. I wish I hadn't sold it off when I was clearing out closets a decade or two ago.

**matt56** · 07-31-2016 13:33

I was just searching on ebay for Dogfight earlier today, Jim! I remember in 1964 getting my copy and playing the bejeebies out of it - my dad (also a WW2 vet) was building Aurora 1/48 scale WW1 planes at the time and hanging them from my ceiling...talk about jumping in at the deep end! It was one of my favorite games from childhood, and I'm sure it and my dad's models cemented my undying love of all things WW1.

Thanks for being crazy like I am - I must definitely get a copy of the game now to do some strolling down Memory Lane!

All the best,
Matt

**csadn** · 07-31-2016 14:57

I'll be honest -- I prefer _Dogfight_ over _WoG_.

I have fond memories of 5th Grade, where our teacher had a copy in the games cabinet; I had a standing offer of $20 to anyone who could beat me at it... *no one* collected. >:)

Originally Posted by clipper1801

Recently I went on a spending spree and repurchased it, Broadside, Regatta, and a second Mattel Vacuformer : )

Which edition of _Broadside_ did you get -- first edition, where Blue always wins; or second, where the rules causing the problem were fixed?

**Walter Nowotny** · 07-31-2016 16:01

Originally Posted by matt56

I was just searching on ebay for Dogfight earlier today, Jim! I remember in 1964 getting my copy and playing the bejeebies out of it - my dad (also a WW2 vet) was building Aurora 1/48 scale WW1 planes at the time and hanging them from my ceiling...talk about jumping in at the deep end! It was one of my favorite games from childhood, and I'm sure it and my dad's models cemented my undying love of all things WW1.

Thanks for being crazy like I am - I must definitely get a copy of the game now to do some strolling down Memory Lane!

All the best,
Matt

OOOOHHHHH THE AURORA MODELS!! Now were talkin'. I loved building those. You can still find them but they are a bit pricey. The artwork on the boxes was fantastic! Did you know that Aurora used the same boxes for the WWI planes that they sold their Slot Car track and accessories in? I love old Aurora stuff.

**gully_raker** · 07-31-2016 16:28

That's a great story Jim!
Its always interesting to learn how folk get interested in WW1 Aero & Gaming.

**BellMW54** · 10-18-2016 19:28

I just saw this and, yesssss, I too had Dogfight as a kid! I was recently thinking of it as I pulled out my old copy of Broadside and wondered whatever I did with it.

I tried to remember the details of the game; I remembered the four aerodromes, the Spads and Fokkers, the AA guns, the crosses and roundels you'd would slide onto your flight stand for victories...but I'd forgotten about the cards, so thank you for posting so many pictures...it's a flight down memory lane!!

**Walter Nowotny** · 10-18-2016 19:38

I'm so glad you found the post. Dogfight is such a terrific game, I wish someone would re-make it. I'm glad I could help the happy memories flow again. Jim

**Boreas** · 11-05-2016 13:01

Happy days!
I was looking through the forum at various posts & saw yours...

I purchased dogfight last year - not because I'd had it in my youth, but quite the opposite.
A relative of mine owned it, & every time we'd visit, I was beside myself trying to get
someone to play it with me. Needless to say - that didn't happen often enough!

Now that I own it, I still can't get anyone to play it with me - but at least I can admire it
every occasionally...

Thanks for stirring the memories Jim.
Philip

**Naharaht** · 11-06-2016 12:39

It looks like a good game. I have never heard of it before now.

**Hedeby** · 11-07-2016 01:49

Wow in these days of everything being re-released and re-imagined I would love to see some of these classic games brought back to life for a new generation to enjoy. Thanks for posting

**Mike George** · 11-07-2016 07:24

I remember the game well, and we took a 4’ by 8’ sheet of play wood and make the map bigger and made 1/72 scale models and played with them. We had a great time also.