Some Tiny Air Combat at Koepang, DEI

[bigjackmac]

All,

It's noon on 13 February 1942, at an Allied airbase at Koepang, Dutch Timor, on the eastern edge of the Dutch East Indies (DEI).  The VF-63 Killer Pelicans, led by Lieutenant Shawn Collins and sporting brand new F4F Wildcats, were on the way to Philippines when the decision was made two days ago to cancel that trip and instead divert them to the DEI, so the USS Langley made a quick detour to Timor, dropped them off, and headed to Australia.  The Naval aviators had just enough time to get settled in and check their aircraft out before incoming bogeys of the Japanese 1st Air Fleet, operating out of Kendari, Celebes (captured 24 Jan 1942), were spotted.  The Killer Pelicans immediately scrambled six Wildcats to meet the enemy.


My initial setup.  I'm using some amazing, but teeny-tiny aircraft from "Thomaston," whom I met over on The Wargames Website when he posted some pics of what he calls "Tiny Air Combat" (https://www.thewargameswebsite.com/forums/topic/tiny-air-combat/page/3/), and I'm using some simple rules posted by "Tango" over on The Miniatures Page (http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=489811).  I've actually played seven dogfights using these rules already (yeah, taking me a long time to get them written up for some reason) and I really like them, but I've got a problem with my playing surface.  One, with the tiny aircraft, my old "Flight Leader" boards are a bit too busy.  Second, the Flight Leader boards are hexed, and my rules are designed for squares, and I really couldn't make them work with hexes, so this is the only fight you'll see with the Flight Leader boards.  Having said that, the playing surface for fights 2-7 is horrendous, I really need to do something to get better.  I also need some better lighting.  In any case, the Japanese are on the left and the Americans are on the right.


The fight is on!  Wildcats and Oscars twist and turn, seeking advantage in the South Pacific skies.  To see how the fight went, please check the blog at:
https://oldleadbreed.blogspot.com/2018/12/dutch-east-indies-12.html

This is the first of a series of seven fights, more coming right up.

V/R,
Jack

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Nice one Jack! 

[Steve J]

Great stuff

[pierre the shy]

Excellent stuff as usual Jack......those planes really are small 

[bigjackmac]

Thanks guys, I appreciate it!

And yes, Pierre, they are, sooooo cute!

V/R,
Jack

[Techno]

Good fun, Jack. 

Cheers - Phil

[Womble67]

Great stuff

Take care

Andy

[bigjackmac]

Thanks Phil and Andy, next fight coming right up!

V/R,
Jack

[bigjackmac]

All,

It's noon on Valentine's Day, 14 February 1942, at an Allied airbase at Koepang, Dutch Timor, on the eastern edge of the Dutch East Indies (DEI) and the Killer Pelicans immediately scrambled four Wildcats to meet the enemy.


My crappy, interim solution to finish off playtesting...


Wildcats charge in on the enemy bombers, breaking up the formation.  To see how the fight went, please check the blog at:
https://oldleadbreed.blogspot.com/2018/12/dutch-east-indies-13.html

Next fight coming right up.

V/R,
Jack

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Nice idea

[Terry37]

Looks awesome! I am going to have to check out those rules.

Terry

[Techno]

Great stuff !

Cheers - Phil

[Womble67]

Very good

Take care

Andy

[bigjackmac]

Thanks Andy and Phil!

Lemmey - It works, and my permanent tabletop is almost ready.

Terry -  I really recommend them if you're looking for some light fun that allows you to get quite a few planes on the table.

Next fight coming right up.

V/R,
Jack

[bigjackmac]

All,

It's noon on 15 February 1942, at an Allied airbase at Koepang, Dutch Timor, on the eastern edge of the Dutch East Indies (DEI).   The Killer Pelicans scrambled four Wildcats to meet the enemy.


Lt Allen charges in on the bombers, but miscalculates and overshoots (bottom left) without getting a shot off!  To see how the fight went, please check the blog at:
https://oldleadbreed.blogspot.com/2018/12/dutch-east-indies-14.html
Next fight coming right up.

V/R,
Jack