The FE2b, Adlers and Dualing Solo Pilots
After recently receiving my Shapeways FE2b FCN12 from Reduced Aircraft Factory, I wanted to try out some scenarios involving historical encounters between the FE2b and German opponents. The first encounter was Richthofen’s first aerial victory against Lt. Morris and Rees. The second scenario was Lt. McCrubbin’s victory over Max Immelmann, the Adler von Lille. Due to my recent enforced COVID isolation, I was looking at doing it as a solo game per Herkybird’s templates. But instead of me piloting one of the aircraft, I wanted both planes to each use the solo rules. I call it “dualing solo”.
AAR #1: Richthofen’s First Victory-Dualing Solo Game
In his first aerial victory, the Red Baron was flying an Albatros D.II against the RAF FE2b flown by Morris & Rees.
Special rules:
1. The special damage effects are ignored except for the Boom card which is fatal.
2. No altitude rules.
3. The “rear” gun on the FE2b was actually in the front and the observer had to stand up and shoot over the top wing. Since altitude is not being used I decided to roll a single die to see if the target was within line of sight of the rear gun. If an even number was rolled, the target could be fired upon. If an odd number, the target was not visible.
Both planes start 24 inches apart facing each other.
The Albatros and the FE2b engage in close quarters straightaway. The FE2b takes serious damage. The special damage of fire on the Albatros is ignored per the solo rules.
The FE2b gets in a good position to fire on the Albatros and inflicts more damage.
The FE2b maintains a good angle on the Albatros and continues to roll even numbers on the rear gun shooting rule #3 above.
The Baron finally is able to return fire.
The FE2b continues to take more shots chipping away at his foe.
After pulling an Immelmann, the Baron is finally able to close in and inflict serious damage while the FE2b continues to whittle away at the Albatros.
At this point the Albatros has received 12 damage points with only 2 left. The FE2b has received 13 and has only 1 damage point left. Both planes close in on a final face-to-face, do or die action. And……down goes the FE2b.
Using the solo rules for both planes took longer than when a human has the controls of one of them but it was still enjoyable. And the curse continues – this was the first air battle for my FE2b!
AAR#2: Der Adler von Lille-Dualing Solo Game
The second scenario pits the Fokker E.III of Max Immelmann aka the Eagle of Lille (in the form of Ares Buddecke’s Turkish Fokker) against the RFC FE2b flown by Lt. McCrubbin and Corporal Waller. Like the Red Baron scenario, instead of me flying against a “solo” pilot, both planes fly “solo”.
Special rules:
1. The special damage effects are ignored except for the Boom card which is fatal.
2. No altitude rules.
3. The “rear” gun on the FE2b was actually in the front and the observer had to stand up and shoot over the top wing. Since altitude is not being used I decided to roll a single die to see if the target was within line of sight of the rear gun. If an even number was rolled, the target could be fired upon. If an odd number, the target was not visible.
Both planes start 24 inches apart facing each other.
Both planes head towards each other and in the initial flurry of bullets, Max scores a fatal blow against the FE2b!
I later remembered that the Adler von Lille had taken down another FE2b in the 25th Squadron earlier that fateful day, so that was this “other” FE2b.
I decided to continue the scenario since one turn was way too short to end this game and drew another card for the FE2b.
The FE2b has a rear shot but a die roll per rule #3 determines the Fokker is not visible.
The FE2b gets a close range shot and its telling.
Yet another unanswered hit from the FE2b and more serious damage.
Again a close range shot from McCrubbin only to totally miss this time.
Finally the Eindecker closes on his tormentor but suffers a fatal blow.
The Adler von Lille goes down.
Meanwhile McCrubbin’s FE2b has barely a scratch.
After the initial encounter, Immelmann was never able to get into range of the FE2b until the very last encounter. I was hoping for more of a fight between the two but it was either Boom or Bust for Max!
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by camelbeagle
Bookmarks