Modern air combat

Introduction

I used to play the board games 'Air Superiority' and 'Air Strike' a few years back, and gradually built up quite a range of modern jet models (in 1/300 scale).

Although 'Air Superiority' and 'Air Strike' are enjoyable games, it would take us a long time to play a game with more than a handful of aircraft on each side (days, not hours). And neither I, nor my friends, have enough time these days for games that long.

We tried some rules called 'Phantoms', that looked like they might give a quick, fun game. Full details can be found at http://www.wfhgs.com. Although these games were OK, they didn't really catch on in the Wassail Games Club.

Now we are having a go again with the Avalon Hill's 'Flight Leader'. So far it seems to be ideal for us: simple and fast.

Models

I use a combination of home made, commerical metal, and commercial plastic models. See this page for some photos, and this page for details of the models I own.

Player aids

Some player aids for 'Phantoms' (such as counters) may be found on this page.

Basing

I use simple plastic bases (32 mm x 51 mm) with a brass rod that accepts a wire exiting the rear of each aircraft. Heights have to be recorded on paper or by placing a counter or die on the base.

I experimented with adjustable height poles - like I use for my WWI aircraft - but the greater weights of the jets made these too unstable.

The bases have adhesive coloured circles on them to differentiate them. I currently have enough stands for six flights (white, black, blue, red, green, yellow), each of four aircraft.