SCENARIO
A Caproni Ca3 doing a run is intercepted by two Phonix D.Is. [In game terms this means the Caproni has to fly the length of the table and back.]
Planes
Italian: Caproni Ca3 flown by Casimiro Buttini with crewman Luigi Remitti.
Austrian: Phonix D.I flown by Karl Urban (sandy coloured), and one flown by Kurt Gruber (dark colour)
Special Conditions
Although we were not using altitude rules, we agreed the rear gun of the Caproni would have 360o arc of fire. This was to balance the extra fire power and damage points of two Phonix.
We also agreed that for the Phonix a gun jam could not be fixed, and so any Phonix with a gun jam would leave the playing surface as promptly as possible.
The Phonix pilots did have some Ace Skills. Urban had Acrobatic Pilot, and Gruber had Acrobatic Pilot and Perfect Aim.
Note on AAR: each photograph is labelled with a turn and manoeuvre number so that readers/viewers can get a sense of the progress of the game.
SO, ON TO THE PLAY …
As they approached, Urban made a wide flanking move, while Gruber headed straight for the Caproni – or as straight as you can when the Caproni makes for the flank.
In the first exchange of fire, Gruber uses his Perfect Aim, while both the front and rear guns of the Caproni can reach Gruber.
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And while the Caproni is out of reach of Gruber’s guns, he is not clear of either of the Caproni’s and his plane catches fire.
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Urban is finally in range, and he and Buttini exchange fire, causing Buttini’s gun to jam.
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Urban gets even closer, so close he collides with the big bird!
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Meanwhile, Gruber’s plane has been burning away, and succumbs to the fire.
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With a plane down, the Austrians send up Friedrich Lang in his Phonix with the red and white stripes on the wing.
Before he gets to the action Remitti, who is on the rear gun, blasts away at Urban – causing smoke to billow from his Phonix.
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It becomes clear that the strategy of the Caproni’s pilot is to fly near the edges so that it can’t be attacked from both sides.
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It is a long range shot at the Caproni by Urban, but unfortunately it jams his gun. All he can do now is head for home, and see if his squadron can send up a replacement plane.
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But getting home is not easy when there is a Caproni in the way. Not knowing yet that Urban’s gun is jammed Remitti gives him a burst. Meanwhile Buttini is firing at Lang who has arrived on the scene.
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Urban and Lang collide, so it is only Remitti who can get off a shot. Getting home shouldn’t be this difficult!
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While both the Caproni’s guns are now jammed Lang can’t take advantage of it because he is still tussling with Urban. Can’t he just get out of the road?!
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Finally, finally, Urban is home safely. But in the meantime the Caproni has gotten away from Lang.
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The Austrians send up Friedrich Welker in a Maachi. Unfortunately, he arrives not far from the Caproni and tries to out run it. He under-estimates the speed of the Caproni and suffers for his misjudgement.
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Finally Welker gets into a position to shoot following an Imellman, but it doesn’t go well as Buttini makes a direct hit on him, sending him spiralling down.
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If the Caproni is to be stopped it is up to Lang now. And he does his best to do it.
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However he can’t get out of the way of the Caproni’s rear gun, or both of them!
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The battle is lost. The game is over. Victory to the Italians!
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