Origins 2019 Thursday
On Thursday I ran Guadalcanal ‘42
14 pilots battled over the Slot and the Island. USN pilots of course flew Wildcats while the Japanese flew Bettys or Zeros. When a Betty was shot down it was replaced with a Zero and vice versa.
The Japanese mission was to bomb Henderson Field. To do this they had to fly the peg of their Betty’s base over Henderson Field. Being a convention game I did away with the actual bombing rules to make it easier for the new players.
At the start you can see Phillip with his scary friend watching over his shoulder.
Bob paid no attention to her as he moves his Wildcat forward but Dave seems under her spell, head down in a trance.
A hopeful pilot measures up a shot that falls short. Things do heat up though as planes get into range and open fire.
Some Zeros have made their first pass through the Wildcats and Immelmann behind them while the Bettys look for Henderson Field. (just below the photo)
The lead Betty smokes and burns with a Wildcat pumping lead into it from behind.
Three Bettys start to line up their bomb run, two using the burning one as a beacon.
One Betty is taken down well before Henderson is in clear view.
A fresh Wildcat arrives hoping to take down a Betty before it drops it’s load.
Even while on fire the lead Betty stays the course and hits the pickle switch. As soon as he does a pair of Wildcats tear him apart. One end of the strip of Henderson is cratered. (bomb strike is marked)
A second Betty wrecks the opposite end of the strip and has the same fate as his leader.
At the moment the air is clear of bombers so the fighters flail away at each other.
Time for some Wings Twister.
A Zero flames on while another is downed just over Lungga Point.
Another Betty starts it’s approach but is attacked by two Wildcats.265
More Wildcats attempt to intercept but an unfortunate incident unfurls before their eyes. A Zero collides with a Betty moments before it would make it’s drop. The Zero flies on but the slight contact jostles a bomb loose from it’s rack, it tumbles in the bomb bay setting off a fatal explosion. The misfortune of the Japanese was ridiculed even by the Japanese pilots as everyone laughed heartily.
Only two bombers hit the target. Henderson was damaged but not put out of action for long.
Reply With Quote
Thanks to you and all the guys for your time and effort in putting these games together. 
Bookmarks