It had a synchronized gun mounted along side of the engine which all 429 series were armed.
With the 230 hp Hiero engine, the 429 series had enough power to carry armor, multi-gun batteries and fragmentation bombs. 429.01 to 429.24 were intended as "infantry aircraft" and 429.25 to 429.48 as "battle aircraft", but the distinction between these two is not known. Since armor was short supply they were flown with out it and employed as general-purpose and low-altitude bombing machines. They were at the front in June 1918 and 5 took part in the post-war border strife in Kärnten.
Max speed was 160 km/hr (99mph)
climb was 1000m (3,3281 ft) in 4 min 58 sec
climb was 3000m (9,843 ft) in 18 min 51 sec
climb was 5000m (16,405 ft) in 58 min 48 sec
Pup for me also but I do wish they would sort out the wing profiles and stop being lazy by using flat slabs. Compare and Original S1 Camel to say a Sopwith Strutter…
I'm a huge fan of the F.E.2b -- and Ares really must (please?) release the one used by Capt. Frederick Libby (the American cowboy turned flying ace)!!!
To quote his wonderfully enjoyable memoir ("Horses Don't Fly"), "As for our F.E.2b, the enemy have a wholesome respect for it. A good observer can shoot from any angle and has a wonderful range of vision with the front gun. The rear gun is to keep Fritz off your tail when returning home from across the lines, when you can't turn and fight with the front gun unless forced to."
(It should be noted that for the observer to use the rear gun, he had to turn around and step up to stand on the rear lip of his seat, all without using a safety harness! Libby said, as an observer, he repeatedly had to use the rear gun in this manner, something he didn't much like doing at all!)
Oberleutnant Max Immelmann, in his own memoir, said he was much impressed with the F.E.2b, and its front and rear guns made it a foe he had to be rather cautious around! The F.E2b was widely used from 1916 until the end of the war, so its absence from WGF creates a very noticeable hole in the list of the war's most important aircraft.
One thing, though ... if Ares does release it, I hope they PLEASE give it appropriate rules to handle the observer's usage of both the front and rear guns!!!
-- Eris
Last edited by Eris Lobo; 05-16-2017 at 12:29.
I imagine that modelling the rear gun attached to a pole might be a problem and it could break off easily.
A crew management card and the existing rule about gunners changing position should be enough to cover the observer switching between gun positions.
Im sold on the Sopwith Pup, cant think of any other allied scouts i would like though that arent already in the reprint list. (*cough* SE5).
Pfalz D.XII looks like a poor mans Fokker D.VII (not a bad thing), quite like the idea of the LFG Roland or Fokker D.III, both interesting designs.
FE2 sounds good but not the BE2 (simply cos it looks too much like the RE8's i already got).
LVG C.V 2 seater would be good and the SAML S2 cos its about time we had an italian 2 seater.
Also, now that we are getting Ace Pilot Cards now, it would be good to get pilots that havent yet been supplied in the previous releases.
We need F.E.2b's!
Role
Fighter/Reconnaissance, Night Bomber
Manufacturer
Royal Aircraft Factory
First flight
February 1914
Introduction
September 1915
Retired 1918
Primary*user
Royal Flying Corps
Produced
1914–1918
Number built
1,939
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_..._Factory_F.E.2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZM9MqUqOKM
If the F.E.2b's were modelled with the observer standing up operating the rear gun, it could be a more substantial fixture but the quality of the figure used would need to be an improvement over the usual 'peg' figures.
Operational history
Role
Fighter/Reconnaissance, Night Bomber
Manufacturer
Royal Aircraft Factory
First flight
February 1914
Introduction
September 1915
Retired
1918
Status
Retired
Primary*user
Royal Flying Corps
Produced
1914–1918
Number built
1,939
Variants
F.E.1, Vickers VIM
The F.E.2a entered service in May 1915 with No. 6 Squadron RFC, which used the F.E.2 in conjunction with B.E.2s and a single Bristol Scout.[21][22] The first squadron to be equipped entirely with the F.E.2 was 20 Squadron, deploying to France on 23 January 1916.[11] At this stage it served as a fighter-reconnaissance aircraft*– eventually about ⅔ of the F.E.2s were built as fighters (816) and ⅓ as bombers (395).[6] The F.E.2b and F.E.2d variants remained in day operations well into 1917, while the "b" continued as a standard night bomber until August 1918. At its peak, the F.E.2b equipped 16 RFC squadrons in France and six Home Defence squadrons in England.
On 18 June 1916, German flying ace Max Immelmann was killed in combat with F.E.2bs of No. 25 Squadron RFC. The squadron claimed the kill, but the German version of the encounter is either that Immelmann's Fokker Eindecker broke up, after his synchroniser gear failed and he shot off his own propeller or that he was hit by friendly fire from German anti-aircraft guns. In any case, by this time the F.E.2b was at least encountering the German monoplane fighters on more or less even terms and the so-called "Fokker scourge" ended.[23]
By autumn 1916, the arrival of more modern German fighters such as the Albatros D.I and Halberstadt D.II meant that even the F.E.2d was outperformed and by April 1917, it had been withdrawn from offensive patrols. Despite its obsolescence in 1917, the F.E.2 was still well liked by its crews for its strength and good flight characteristics and it still occasionally proved a difficult opponent for even the best German aces. Rittmeister Baron von Richthofen was badly wounded in the head during combat with F.E.2d aircraft in June 1917*– the Red Baron, like most German pilots of the period, classed the F.E.2 as a "Vickers" type, confusing it with the earlier Vickers F.B.5.
In combat with single-seater fighters, the pilots of F.E.2b and F.E.2d fighters would form what was probably the first use of what later became known as a Lufbery circle (defensive circle).[24][a] In the case of the F.E.2, the intention was that the gunner of each aircraft could cover the blind spot under the tail of his neighbour and several gunners could fire on any enemy attacking the group. On occasion formations of F.E.2s fought their way back from far over the lines, while under heavy attack from German fighters, using this tactic.[26]
Although outclassed as a day fighter, the F.E.2 proved very suitable for use at night and was used as a night fighter in home defence squadrons on anti-Zeppelin patrols and as a light tactical night bomber. It was first used as a night bomber in November 1916, with the first specialist F.E.2b night bomber squadrons being formed in February 1917.[27] F.E.2bs were used as night bombers in eight bomber squadrons until the end of the First World War, with up to 860 being converted to, or built as bombers.[27] Service as a night fighter was less successful, owing to the type's poor climb and ceiling.[28]
F.E.2bs were experimentally fitted with flotation bags for operation over water and were also used to conduct anti-submarine patrols, operating from the Isle of Grain at the mouth of the Thames River.[6]
A total of 35 aircraft derived from the F.E.2 were sold to China in 1919 by Vickers as Vickers Instructional Machines (VIM), to be used as advanced trainers, having a redesigned nacelle fitted with dual controls and powered by a Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII engine.[29]
Good find, Gallo Rojo!
It's hard to believe that the last WGF release (or re-release) is now two months past and we have nothing concrete about the next series, not counting the Series 4 reprints due sometime next year (as welcome as SE5a and Pfalz D.III will be).
I think it is time for some official teaser about Series 10.
Good choices all here! Glad to see you have 'returned to the Front', Chris! You've been missed
All the best,
Matt
Come on, man! Make time for the important things in life!
All the best,
Matt
If anyone is going to Gen con perhaps they could ask at the Ares desk for news of Series 10 and, if a number of people did that, perhaps we might get some news soon.
I admire your optimism
Early war planes of any nationality need more attention in my opinion.
Obviously after the Balloons have been reprinted!
What I'd love to hear is a preliminary "estimate if all goes well" hoped for release quarter. Obviously the schedule will slip from that, but I'm wondering if best case is "late 2017" or "early 2018."
More early war planes. And more French two-seaters
Farman F.40
Anatra Anade / Anasal
Operational history[edit]
F.E. 2's were one of the few aircraft that was used from 1915 to 1918.
The F.E.2a entered service in May 1915 with No. 6 Squadron RFC, which used the F.E.2 in conjunction with B.E.2s and a single Bristol Scout. The first squadron to be equipped entirely with the F.E.2 was 20 Squadron, deploying to France on 23 January 1916. At this stage it served as a fighter-reconnaissance aircraft*– eventually about ⅔ of the F.E.2s were built as fighters (816) and ⅓ as bombers (395). The F.E.2b and F.E.2d variants remained in day operations well into 1917, while the "b" continued as a standard night bomber until August 1918. At its peak, the F.E.2b equipped 16 RFC squadrons in France and six Home Defence squadrons in England.
On 18 June 1916, German flying ace Max Immelmann was killed in combat with F.E.2bs of No. 25 Squadron RFC. The squadron claimed the kill, but the German version of the encounter is either that Immelmann's Fokker Eindecker broke up, after his synchroniser gear failed and he shot off his own propeller or that he was hit by friendly fire from German anti-aircraft guns. In any case, by this time the F.E.2b was at least encountering the German monoplane fighters on more or less even terms and the so-called "Fokker scourge" ended.
By autumn 1916, the arrival of more modern German fighters such as the Albatros D.I and Halberstadt D.II meant that even the F.E.2d was outperformed and by April 1917, it had been withdrawn from offensive patrols. Despite its obsolescence in 1917, the F.E.2 was still well liked by its crews for its strength and good flight characteristics and it still occasionally proved a difficult opponent for even the best German aces. Rittmeister Baron von Richthofen was badly wounded in the head during combat with F.E.2d aircraft in June 1917*– the Red Baron, like most German pilots of the period, classed the F.E.2 as a "Vickers" type, confusing it with the earlier Vickers F.B.5.
In combat with single-seater fighters, the pilots of F.E.2b and F.E.2d fighters would form what was probably the first use of what later became known as a Lufbery circle (defensive circle).[24][a] In the case of the F.E.2, the intention was that the gunner of each aircraft could cover the blind spot under the tail of his neighbour and several gunners could fire on any enemy attacking the group. On occasion formations of F.E.2s fought their way back from far over the lines, while under heavy attack from German fighters, using this tactic.
Although outclassed as a day fighter, the F.E.2 proved very suitable for use at night and was used as a night fighter in home defence squadrons on anti-Zeppelin patrols and as a light tactical night bomber. It was first used as a night bomber in November 1916, with the first specialist F.E.2b night bomber squadrons being formed in February 1917. F.E.2bs were used as night bombers in eight bomber squadrons until the end of the First World War, with up to 860 being converted to, or built as bombers. Service as a night fighter was less successful, owing to the type's poor climb and ceiling.
F.E.2bs were experimentally fitted with flotation bags for operation over water and were also used to conduct anti-submarine patrols, operating from the Isle of Grain at the mouth of the Thames River.
A total of 35 aircraft derived from the F.E.2 were sold to China in 1919 by Vickers as Vickers Instructional Machines (VIM), to be used as advanced trainers, having a redesigned nacelle fitted with dual controls and powered by a Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII engine.
Yes, early planes are more than welcome.
I also had an another idea - another pair of large planes! The natural remaining pair is the Caproni triplane for the Entre, and the Friedrichshafen G.III for the Central Powers. The G.III would certainly be interesting to play, keeping moving the side/rear gunner as needed.
Also, considering the amount of Austro-Hungarian aircraft available, something Italian to oppose them would be nice. Ideally something that served on the western front as well, and can have a paint scheme or two for the Italians. The Italian Nieuport 17 we just got was badly needed, and just what I had in mind.
Remember, the Flight of Giants box had 8 different large aircraft if I remember right. We only got 4 of em as models so there is another potential release out there.
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