Past the Fokker scourge
The intention of this scenario is to mirror the change of air superiority as different aircraft became available. It is one we played four years ago. It will start with Fokker E.III and Morane-Saulnier. When each of them is downed they will be replaced by Halberstadt D.III and DeHavilland DH2 respectively.
Victory conditions: The side that has aircraft still flying while all opponents have been downed is the victor.
Starting positions: The initial aircraft are about 1/3 of the way up the cloth towards the centre. (This is in recognition of their slow speeds.) The replacement aircraft will join the fray from about a quarter of the way up the cloth towards the centre.
If the scenario goes according to history, the Fokkers will account for the Morane-Saulniers. Then the DH2s will deal with the Fokkers. Finally, the Halberstadts and DH2s will battle it out, with the favourites being the Halberstadts. But is that how it turned out? Read on to discover the answer.
The aircraft approach, and two are in range for a long distance shot.
Then the fighting closes in.
A Fokker EIII gets in another shot before his gun jams.
Fortunately for the Central Powers, the other Fokker can reach the same Morane, causing smoke to billow from it.
You can still shoot when you’re smoking!
An embarrassing tangled web. The two Morane’s collide, but the Fokker escapes that fate. (This is an embarrassing situation because the two Moranes were controlled by the same player!!!)
With a devastating result for one of the Moranes. (Remember that the total damage for a Morane-Saulnier is only 10 points!)
You can still shoot when you’re smoking! Just a different target.
Close encounter, but no damage done. (The bases were just overlapping, but wouldn’t stay balanced one on the other.)
The first of the DH2s has now entered the fray.
A double whammy causes the Fokker to explode, but not before it gets a shot off at the DH2.
Meanwhile, the Morane and Fokker haven’t given up.
The Fokker gets another hit as a Halbestadt lurks in the background. There should be some relief because the DH2’s gun has jammed.
And the Halbestadt makes its mark – down goes the final Morane-Saulnier.
Despite being on fire the Fokker is after the DH2.
An Immelmann by the DH2 turns the tables.
DH2s to the left and to the right – ouch!
It’s time for the DH2 to feel some pain; at close range.
But it can be given as well as received!
The DH2 finally gets a telling shot into the Fokker. (Not only did the damage tally reach the total, but the second wounded crewman would have meant the end of this gallant fighter anyway.)
As it was now 9.15pm we decided to end our game, declaring it a draw. The Fokker pilot was entitled to enter the game in a Halbestadt, but it was too late in the evening for that.
Final positions and final scores: (If you look really hard you can see the peg and the base of the second DH2 at the top of the picture.)
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Originally Posted by Spoonfrog
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