1:200 WW2 aircraft

[Moggy]

Yep, gone into something different. A bit inspired by Mikes wonderful rules. Great game at a squadron level.  I decided to go into the dog-fighting side of things and immediately looked at Blood Red Skies(BRS). 

ON first read and a little solo play I have had to make a firm descision not to use these rules. Yes they have some very interesting concepts that are generally well executed. However, like a lot of rulesets they seem to have a lot of major holes in them (not going into details here.

So that means creating a ruleset that, while partially based, on some of the concepts in BRS, will differ.  I do like the scale and there is quite a wide range of aircraft availability.  I'm initially consentrating on the Pacific theatre mid war so air-power is resonable still in the balance.

It will be hex based so as to iliminate measuring and speed things up.

First three lots of aircraft coming along nicely and have figured out what basing I will be using for the first 3 flights of aircraft (Zero - photo attached), F4F and RAAF P40 kittyhawks to defend northern Australia(having problems sourcing decals for these in scale so may have to take liberties with this aspect).

More pics to come as and when things are ready.

This is not to detract from Mikes great work but to compliment it.

C

heers

Derek

[Sean Clark]

I like them Derek, and the basing showing them above the cloud is great!

Who makes the models?

[Moggy]

Those are the Zero's supplied with the Midway Version of BRS. The others being the F4F. Get 6 of each in the box.

The P40s I obtained from RocWorks which I think are even better.  I have ordered some more models from them.  B25, SBD Dauntless, Judy s and Lilly s so each side will have a fighter flight, light and a medium bomber flight.

The bases made are in 3 sections all magneticaly joinable so no changing things, just put straight onto another section and hey presto.  They will all have a tail of cloud so driection of the aircraft can be made out from that if they move slightly.

I will be marking ammo markers (5 per plane) all to be placed against the pole( more little magnets) and 1 removed each time firing. Trails of smoke when hit.

Even have working rules from bombing/torpedoe attacks using BRS rules pretty well. 

When I say a new ruleset its more a modification to the BRS set to replace the concepts that just dont feel right. Suprisingly not that many. Plus a few mods to take into account playing on a hexmap.

[Moggy]

Her are the P40s and F4F.  Decals still to be applied






Derek

[John Watson]

Try miscmini Derek. They have Aussie Kittyhawk decals at 1/200 scale.
John

[Moggy]

Thx John, knew someone would come through for me. Order placed

Derek

[Moggy]

Japanese Zeros now done (apart from a matt varnishing).

Photo shows the flight circling part of a naval task force.  New mat (72 x 48) from Wargames direct - Etsy £50 inc p+p. Lovely detail on it.

Derek

[Moggy]

IM thinking of using my 1200 scale fleets with them but want the surface unobstructed by raised items.

Derek

[Colonel Kilgore]

They look great, Derek. And the mat really does work well.

Simon

[Moggy]

First 3 flight done .



Zero flight from Kaga




Fighting 6 Flight from USS Enterprise




75 Squadron RAAF (Port Morsby)

Next is making a nice transparent hex-map to use them with.  Then start the next flights. Have some Judy and SBD. A flight of B25 and Lily bombers. They are a bit larger than the fighters so may have top rethink the basing for them.

Derek

[Colonel Kilgore]

Nice work, Derek - they look mighty fine.

You can buy transparent hex sheets. I had one years ago to play with gladiators.

I found this on the interweb - I presume other options are available: https://gamerboard.tp-media.at/shop/index.php/en/grids#rasterA1

Simon

[Moggy]

Thanks for the link. Had a look and they only got to A1 size which would be a little small for what I need. (44 x 44").  Well on the way with it now though so will persevere.

Gave up trying to do it with a ruler so its freehand traced over a collection of printed sheets. Not too bad really.. Will put a picci up here once its done. 

The only issue I have with it is shine-ness but have that figured (I think)  Coat it with talcum powder and brush it round. Seemed to work well with the sample piece I did first and leaves a hazy cloudy type effect which would be perfect for what I am trying to achieve.

I dislike marking up a lovely battle map that I may want to use for non-hex based gaming.

Derek

[Big Mike]

Derek,
Great to hear you have started to game air wars. The 1/200 scale planes look very nice indeed.
We'll be at Beachhead this weekend launching the WW2 Air War rules for 1/600.
Cheers
Mike     

[Moggy]

Great News Mike.  I look forward to my autographed copy....... Yes I will buy it as I do like your rules.

I did have a go using the Blood Red Skies and wasn't overly keen on what I found.  Some good concepts which work well but just give the feel of air combat of the period in my opinion.

Going to bodge together my own. Hopefully keeping it down to half a dozen pages Mine will be the skirmish game to your company level one hehehe.

Look forward to seeing you.

Derek

[Moggy]

Kawasaki KI 48 (Lily) ready to fly.





Derek