Air Combat: a Primer for Wargamers (Cont.)
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Issue #17 Air Combat: Spring 2007 A Primer for Wargamers Like moths to the flame, wargamers cannot resist the urge to partake in air com- bat. Whether it’s the thought of men dueling one on one in the clouds with jets over Vietnam or flying canvas and wooden aircraft over the trenches in WW1, there is an entire host of games on the subject. Ac- tual air to air combat is a very complex subject, so it should be no surprise then that in gaming this is what creates the most arguments amongst gamers. So, what Ken Chandler F-4 art from the USAF web site. kinds of games are out games, how air combat is back to. Mustangs & there for gamers that deal portrayed, the complexity Messerschmitts was one of with air combat and how level, and the overall game the first miniatures rules complex are they? play value. Again, this will that crossed the barrier be highly subjective de- between board games and As with Ancients, pending upon your point of miniatures by using flight ACW, Napoleonics, WW2, view. If you’re just a cas- stands. These first few and others, this will depend ual air gamer, then discus- games along with some greatly upon what you are sions about the turn radius others that are long forgot- trying to simulate, what of an unloaded F-4 Phan- ten, formed the core of air resources you or your gam- tom in 1969 will bore you combat gaming for that era. ing group have, and how to tears, but if you’re into Gamers were pretty knowl- much time that you can that era, then you will keep edgeable about the periods, invest. There are so many reading on to determine if had time to invest in re- miniatures rules, board this rules set is how you search, and many long games, and card games that envision air to air combat. hours were spent discuss- it would take a book to ing the performance of the detail all of them and how First, there have been P-38 against the Zero in the they simulate the subject. air combat games since the Pacific Theater. This doesn’t even include hobby really got going in the vast number of flight the 60’s and 70’s. Richto- Times have changed simulators for computers fen’s War by Avalon Hill and today’s air combat that are available. and Foxbat and Phantom gamer has many choices, by SPI were two board but limited time to enjoy In this article we will games that many air com- the hobby. look at several sets of bat gamers trace their roots miniatures rules and board (cont. on p. 14) Inside this issue: Special points of interest: Interview with Patrick Wilson of TVAG 2 • Interview with Patrick Wilson of The Vir- Board Game Reviews 6 tual Armchair General. WW2 North Africa Battle Report 8 • WW2 North Africa battle report. WASATCH FRONT HISTORICAL GAMING SOCIETY SOCIETY GAMING HISTORICAL FRONT WASATCH ITNOG Vittoria Scenario Replay 11 • Editorial on card driven wargames along Air Combat scenario replays 19-21 with plenty of board game reviews. Wargame Downloads reviews 22 • Huge section on air combat gaming with two battle reports. Warning Order Paper Terrain review 24 Interview With Patrick Wilson of TVAG for $75.00 (serious money back is requires a bit more explaining. then!), I bought in immediately--my membership number was "001"--and In 2000, I was offered the job of U.S. my game designing interests became Retail Sales Rep for The Foundry. This was more serious. That same year, I met a an amazing period when my long standing certain madman--Mr. Jeff Key--who Anglophilia was tested, and though it has was just forming up the "Southwest survived, it is a more mature relationship Regional Association of Wargamers" than before. When, however, after an amaz- here in Oklahoma City, and through ing ride, Foundry switched its business him and his own circle of gaming model to direct sales from Nottingham via friends was introduced to the Internet, I was "let go." I must say, for a "Diplomacy" and other games. In that few days there, I didn't exactly feel same year, we collectively decided to "emancipated"--or at least no more than the try our hands at the (then new to us) little guy does who's getting thrown out of Fletcher Pratt Naval Wargame, and the lifeboat by the big guys. our first annual Convention--WarCon Still, for some years I had become de- I in OKC in July of 1970--was given pendent on the job and too fond of being at over to it almost entirely. It was a home, so the logical step was to go free- case of mass love-at-first-sight. lancing, and The (Virtual) Armchair Gen- eral (TVAG) was re-born. I had the great Patrick Wilson, the owner of The Virtual The next year, the one-and-only Duke Seifried was our GOH, and he introduced good fortune to become acquainted with Armchair General, or TVAG as it is affec- Bobby Jackson (easily one of the industry's tionately known, is one of the driving forces us to that other great narcotic, Napoleonics. A year later, our 25+ regular membership-- top four or five sculptors), and we collabo- behind Victorian Colonial wargaming. rated on producing a line of figures based TVAG has many new and interesting prod- way too big for our usual game rooms-- groaned under the weight of lead. But being on the historical (not movie!) Gangs of New ucts coming out for gamers and Patrick was York he had started for his own enjoyment. kind enough to answer a few questions of wider appetites--some would say simple gluttony--I was the first to buy into ACW With my long time gaming companion and about TVAG. (the classic K&L 20mm figures produced in creative colleague, Mr. Chris Ferree, we read the book and developed our first dedi- 1) How did you get started in the hobby? Shawnee, Oklahoma), and then Ancients, as well as skirmish gaming cated set of rules for sale via Like so many, from infancy I played via Mike Blake/Ian TVAG. with toy soldiers (particularly all the old Colwill/Steve Curtis' At the same time, I collabo- classic Marx figure sets of the 50's), and classic "Rules For West- then board games like "Conflict," "The rated with the late Spyros Kou- ern Gunfights" in '71. American Heritage Game of The Civil mousis in Piraeus to act as his U.S. Distributor of his unique War," "Dogfight!," and the like. In '75, a group of us collaborated on the first 15mm figures lines for the War I had begun reading military history miniatures game I wrote of Greek Independence, The (primarily WW II) when I was around 11, and sold, "Cordite And Balkan Wars, and subsequently and eventually acquired some 500 titles in Steel" through TSR. some remarkable Hoplites, and paperback. I read "Rise And Fall of the Other titles followed, ultimately his ground breaking Third Reich" when I was 13--but make no some published, others Footballers. claim to full appreciation of all the history not. In 1981, I tried my The design for TVAG was and related subjects involved at that time! hand at a "brick and mor- largely based on my spending But it was in 1962 that I asked for and tar" store, The Armchair as little cash as possible--not a got for my birthday Avalon Hill's General selling not only bad deal for a business if you "Stalingrad." From that point, there was no all manner of historical wargames materi- can do it. I acted as the "go between" from looking back--"serious" wargaming was my als, but Militaria (God, what I'd give for customer to manufacturer. I take a portion passion. I owned every AH game after that, some of the treasures I sold just to make the of each sale, less than if I were paying a and the first non-AH boardgame was Lou rent!). After two years, I closed the doors-- Distributor or Wholesaler's break, leaving Zocchi's classic "Battle of Britain." debt free, but almost "cash free," too. more profit for the manufacturer. In return, I handle all sales issues, created the original I had been buying and painting the old Still, by that time other developments had set me in the groove that I have called TVAG site, and promote the products. All Airfix figures and ROCO Mini Tanks in the collected postage goes to the product's pro- "home" for some 25 years now. early 60's, but never quite tumbled to the vider for mailing himself directly to the means of gaming with them in any sort of 2) How would you describe The Virtual customer. Thus--especially for Overseas regular fashion. Armchair General? products--there is no extra shipping time In 1970, I subscribed to "Strategy And from manufacturer to me and then to the Well, two answers come to mind. One is customer. Similarly, with little or no inven- Tactics" Magazine, and when James Dunni- somewhat basic--my food source. The other gan took over, and offered Lifetime Subs tory here, there's never any danger of an Page 2 WARNING ORDER Interview With Patrick Wilson of TVAG (cont.) item being out of stock and having to wait realistic as anything in life and history by tury Games. to be shipped to TVAG to fill a languishing being uncertain.