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"Air power for later era TS&TF games" Topic


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Personal logo piper909 Supporting Member of TMP16 Jul 2016 4:25 p.m. PST

I've been toying with introducing some simple rules for air power for games using TS&TF in colonial conflicts and scenarios of the 1920s or early 1930s, looking mainly at the French in Morocco and the British on the NW Frontier.

I'd use Wings of War WWI airplanes as models and their use would have to be carefully balanced in game terms -- an airplane should be the equivalent of at least one Imperial unit, or if they are employed, the natives should get some bonuses or more relaxed victory conditions. I'd think no more than one airplane per game would be appropriate, and its appearance might be variable as to timing and entry point.

I haven't had a chance to playtest any of this yet, but here's what I've made rough notes for -- anyone else done this and have any ideas to kick around?
--
Airplanes move 36"/turn. They are activated for movement and fire the same as any other unit.

An airplane can be used to Scout and might reveal hidden enemies within a 24" radius; the Native player rolls 2d6 for each such unit based on its current location/target class: Target Class I, spotted on 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. Target Class II, spotted on 5, 6, 7, 8. Target Class III, spotted on 6, 7, 8. Target Class IV, spotted on 7, 8.

An airplane may attack by bombing OR strafing each Fire phase against any visible target within range. Planes carry only two bombs. Range for bombs: 8" Range for strafing with machine guns: 24"
Target Class
I II III IV
Bomb roll 6d20 1-8 1-6 1-5 1-3
Strafe roll 10d20* 1-7 1-6 1-4 1-2

* on a roll of 6 on 1d6, the machine guns jam this turn.

Friendly figures within 12" of a target unit will become casualties ("friendly fire") on any drawn Diamond casualty card.

Airplanes can be shot at by ground fire (small arms or machine guns only) as a long range, Class IV target. Two hits (cumulative) can be absorbed before the plane is either forced down intact (random direction, 4d6 distance, terrain permitting) or crashes (roll of 5-6 on 1d6).

Personal logo piper909 Supporting Member of TMP16 Jul 2016 4:37 p.m. PST

Sorry, my space bar set columns went all out of alignment in that post. I don't know how to fix hard margins or tabs or anything. Hopefully it's all still understandable.

Ragbones16 Jul 2016 5:42 p.m. PST

Great idea! I could finally refight the battle at the end of "High Road to China."

Winston Smith16 Jul 2016 5:43 p.m. PST

Man was not meant to fly.

Personal logo PaulCollins Supporting Member of TMP16 Jul 2016 5:53 p.m. PST

Just an FYI, in the Sword to Adventure supplement, a very good supplement for things like warlord China, there are rules for airplanes and armored cars. That doesn't mean that what you have here doesn't look good. It looks very doable. Nice job.

Personal logo ColCampbell Supporting Member of TMP16 Jul 2016 6:24 p.m. PST

Also see our "Red and White" (RCW) supplementary rules for using aircraft. Although the R&W rules are based on TSATF, they are based on Larry Brom's other rule system used in his larger scale games, so I think they would be applicable to smaller scale games.

link

Jim

Mako1116 Jul 2016 7:36 p.m. PST

Yea, I was thinking more along the lines of hot air balloons for the period.

Personal logo aegiscg47 Supporting Member of TMP16 Jul 2016 8:47 p.m. PST

The Courier had an issue that featured rules for WW1 in the Middle East that included rules for armored cars and aircraft. The bombing rules were well thought out and used a "spider" like template that was great.

Personal logo piper909 Supporting Member of TMP16 Jul 2016 10:12 p.m. PST

Ah, thanks, I didn't know about these other rules supplements! More to look into. I figured there had to be something already out there being used.

Bismarck17 Jul 2016 10:05 a.m. PST

His "with Ol' Gimlet Eye" banana wars rule set covers early aircraft in the campaigns in Nicaragua. Pretty neat. Can be devastating for the "natives" or if you roll the dice like I do, the old DH-4s spend a lot of down time for maintenance! ;-).

Personal logo ColCampbell Supporting Member of TMP17 Jul 2016 12:08 p.m. PST

Larry Brom's "The Sword in Palestine" may have aircraft rules. Maybe when Lori gets back from Historicon she can answer your original question.

Jim

Bismarck17 Jul 2016 1:57 p.m. PST

oops….just re-read the thread. I was thinking everybody was talking TSATF variants and then I saw a couple posts where others were mentioned. The "with Ol' Gimlet Eye" rules were written by Larry Brom. I started my post with "his". Took for granted that everyone would have known they were Larry's rules. And as the OP was looking for, the aircraft rules are appropriate for the 20s and early to mid 30s.

Sam

Personal logo piper909 Supporting Member of TMP17 Jul 2016 3:50 p.m. PST

I'll have to look for that issue of The Courier, I've got 'em all in a box in the garage.

Dale Hurtt09 Sep 2016 6:59 p.m. PST

Courier issue #62

Hey You10 Sep 2016 5:55 p.m. PST

I just bought Courier 62 from Wargame Vault. It has the scenarios but not the rules adaptations. The article refers to The Courier Volume 9 Number 4 for TSATF adaptations. and of course that issue is not in the Wargame Vault (at least I could not find it).

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