"Rules for big air battles" Topic

I am looking at doing ww2 in 1/300th or maybe 1/600th (not sure i could paint them).

are there any rules suitable for large battles.

But would like to have each player control at least a squadron (12 planes).

Many Thanks
Rich.

The old, Blue Skies series of rules.

Not sure if the newer variant is still for big battles. It might work still, but the cost of the newest release is a bit shocking.

I much prefer the more reasonable pricing of the older ones, despite their multiple book format, e.g. one for each theater, and/or period of WWII, which makes them more expensive than some, as well.

"Bag the Hun: uses lots of aircraft I think…..

With the Blue Sky series, each player can easily control a dozen a/c.

Blues Skies series is great for 'large' battles..still find them on e-bay and a few of the advertised vendors here. there is also a Yahoo group with lots of information that is useful.

Not sure if the newer variant is still for big battles. It might work still, but the cost of the newest release is a bit shocking.

Yes, Blue Skies is still the same system.

At around $100 USD/volume, the price for the Black Cross/Blue Skies and Lost Squadrons modules is higher than we're used to, but not so high compared with the prices of state-of-the-art boardgames, or of an army of unpainted metal miniatures. The purchaser should consider that he gets several entire air forces in each box, enough models to play the dozen or more large historical scenarios included in each rule set, so he doesn't need to build up a big collection of metal 1/300 models unless he chooses to.

Each volume contains a couple of hundred excellent quality full color 1/300 cardboard miniature airplanes. BC/BS contains a full set of models for the Battle of Britain. LS includes French, Dutch and Polish air forces, and additional British and German planes.

If you already have a full collection of metal models for BoB, then the BC/BS package may not be attractive. If you're just starting on the period, BC/BS will give you everything you need to put on big, attractive games immediately, while you build a collection of lead models. Or don't.

I have a big collection of 1/300 WWII planes, love them dearly, am working on more as we speak. But I will never in my lifetime build up a big set of 1940 Armee de l'Aire, or a dozen PZL.11c fighters, or a dozen Do.17s. There just aren't enough years. The BC/BS and LS boxed sets are good value for my gaming dollar. And I can perfectly well use the Blue Skies cardboard planes for other rules designed for 1/300 models.

Just my thoughts.

Cheers for the replies,

I will look at Bag the Hun, Blue Skies is too much for me.

Richinq, you should check out luftwaffe 46. You can run 12 planes per person. You can run mid to late war and what ifs.

Jim

The basic Blue Skies rules are available from Ebay on a regular basis, see below

auction

I would recommend them. If you do go that way email me I have a large collection of unofficial stats for the series I am willing to share.

fatman_bear1@yahoo#co#uk replace the # with.

Fatman

How about one of the Wings at War series from Tumbling Dice? I've easily modified the Battle of Britain set for early pacific and run games with large number of aeroplanes. You can download Desert Spitfires free which gives you an idea of how they work.
PS I use tumbling dice 1/600 planes and they are a joy to paint! Markings are from Doms Decals, who also sells the models.

Bag the Hun works well with quite a lot of planes; it actually rewards formations.
A player can easily control 12 planes or so.