"Best 'simple' WWI dogfight rules" Topic

..that are not WoW (Wings of War).

I have and like WoW but I am bored with the card rules and would like to use the planes with another set of rules. I need rules that are as easy as possible as I play with my kids (10yr and 13yr) who do not yet have the patience for the complex.

I am at a loss for a simple set of WWI rules that incorporate all types of planes and not (as I've seen) some that only cover a handful of planes. I also would not be interested in the Areodrome rules for what it's worth.

The rules can be hex based or not. The planes I use ARE the WoW planes (as I have them all).

Thanks in advance.

Blue Max fits the bill.
It's grown up older brother Canvas Eagles" is free on the net. Just Google it.

I love the adaptation of the Mustangs game from Avalon Hill years ago.

They are available free from the Yahoo group:

link

Or I can e-mail you a copy.

They are about the same complexity level, are hex based but have data for lots more planes.

Mark "Extra Crispy" Severin
Owner, Scale Creep Miniatures
ScaleCreep.com
SteelCrush.com
DeepFriedHappyMice.com

Blue Max … all you need is a hex mat, the planes, and some form of altitude stands or indicators.

Here is the Blue max yahoo group site, for easy download of plane charts and rules.

link

also try youplay.it , for an online version that has no altitude, but will give you 1) a look at the rules and 2) a feel for how the game mechanics work.

I use Canvas Eagles charts, for movement purposes only,… only because CE has a HUGE aircraft inventory compared to Blue max. plus they give a fairly good timeline on their website for the introduction of the newer aircraft.

CE is here: eaglesmax.com
Enjoy!

Blue max

Airwar 1918 by Wessex. Version 1 is oop. V2 is due any day. A lite version Airwar 1917 is available free from Wargames Vault.

Another vote for Blue Max.

Airwar 1918 by Wessex is VERY simple.
Blue Max is a level higher.

………….Doug

For 'simple' WOW is the standard IMO.

I guess I would ask you. It sounds to me that you wanting rules that are not a 'guessing game'?

Many many WWI air rules sets are just that. As mentioned above Blue Max is fairly basic. Plus you can try it on line at:

youplay.it

I've played hundreds of on-line games and find it a rather time consuming amusement.

If you are looking for a 2D game -- again Blue Max should fill the bill.

If you are looking for a 3D game or a game that gets away from guessing, you are into a whole nuther kettle of fish. As a rule, these games tend to have a little more 'meat' on them both because of the 3D aspects and the need to use mechanisms other than guessing to determine what point combat will occur.

mjc

How about Dawn Patrol from TSR?

Aerodrome is very easy to pick up, I witnessed several 10-15 year olds playing the game competently after only 1 turn…

BigJoeDuke

I really like Aerodrome, especially since you asked about simple rules. It typically uses larger scale model planes but I am sure you could adapt it to work with the Wings of War planes. Canvas Eagles/Blue Max is quite good as well, but its slightly more complex.

Steve

Wood and Canvas :-)

Grimm

Go to juniorgeneral.org

There are rules for WWI, WWII, and Korean War air battles which are aimed at young people, but which are great fun in their own right. They are easily taught; the games were up and running in about 15 minutes. I've used them with tremendous success in my after-school classes of 5th and 6th graders.

Thanks guys, this is very helpful. A few things.

Crispy – could you e-mail me those? I actually own the original AH Mustangs (it's a dusty box on the top shelf). Would love to see them then I can join the group if I like them (thanks for the offer).

Inari7 – Dawn Patrol from TSR, is that an old board game too or is that generally available? What are your thoughts on it?

Grimmnar – Wood and Canvas – now there's one I've never heard of. Do you know who makes that?

BlueMax'er – I do have an old copy of those rules but I think they may be too much for my kids. I'll take another look at them now though. Thanks OFM, Yankyaeger for the link and the rest of you on this. I'll look it over.

I'll also have to give Airwar 1918 another look, I looked at the freebie a while back and now forgot what it was all about. And Chris J. I'll go to that site and take a look (jr Gen) I'd forgotten about that.

I think you would be surprised at the level of complexith that kids can handle, even relish. Kids can be very proper little rules lawyers?
Blue Max/CE really "walks" you through maneuver with the charts.

Thanks OFM, I'm taking a second look because of yours and others comments.

I was able to get my 11 &12 year old kids and their friends off the computer(at least for awhile)with games of BlueMax. now some twenty yrs. later we play a card activated mod of Canvas Eagles.

Toofatlardies have "algernon pulls its off" which by all accounts is jolly good fun according to an article on aircraft rules in battlegames magazine. It is hex based

I have a copy but not tried it out yet (but will when I get some time). I also have and enjoy Wings of War, and the article followed a similiar path to you (and then me)
You can get it as a pdf download from their web site.

Well, you could try 'Instant Spandaus' which is free here:

link

Actually, IS is probably the most complex of the 'Instant' series but that is relative.

At its most basic I would say ideal for kids.

NL
(Designer of Instant Spandaus)

Scarab – Just bought Algernon pulls it off and you're right, I think this may be the rules for me.

Thanks Nelclaret but those are some beefy rules there.

I am still waiting for some time to get on and play them so please keep me posted if you have an opportunity either via this site or the scarab info email- thank you.

Dawn Patrol has simple rules and is still played by a large group of players around the world! We have annual tournaments and even a published newsletter. It is out of print at the moment (there is a new edition in the works) but it is available to play for free online on VASSAL.
There is still a community of players that communicates regularly on dawnpatrol.org, drop a line there with any further questions!!
Our group of players in MN has been playing now for over 30 years!!

My son was playing Hostile Aircraft at 10 yrs… 10 years ago. Absolutely the best system for a real 3-d dogfight… 10 min to 6 hours, depending on how you design the scenario and how many play. The best part: each plane type is completely defined on a single control sheet. The mini, a stand, that sheet, and a dry-erase pen are all each player needs to play. The game judge supplies the dice, rulers and, looks up the results of combat on one more single page quick-reference. No hex board to paint… play it on your dining room table and pick it up in 5 min or less. Any aircraft that saw combat in any front, even rare types like Pfalz Dr.1 and Bristol M1.c monoplane are included in the game. Balloons? Sure! AA (if you want to add it)! Kids like the cute stuff! I play it on occasion with a kid in one of the game groups I attend, and he is only 9. – you can find it listed here. I like WOW, but sometimes you just need MORE…
Happy gaming – Pete