"Squadron(s) vs Squadron(s) gaming" Topic

What is the quickest game out there that can handle squadron vs squadron gaming in 1/600 or 1/300?

I strongly suggest you get a copy of Simulating War by Phil Sabin.
link

It includes a number of games he uses in his undergraduate and graduate and even professional military classes, including one called, "Angels 15" I think that would fit the bill.

It is designed to simulate attacks on USAAF bomber streams and each element represents roughly a flight of 4 aircraft. I have considered adapting it for the Battle of Britain with 1/600 scale aircraft mounted 3 or 4 to a base.

He runs games with multiple players who are not hobby wargamers in 90 minutes or so it seems. Plus you can easily add extra chrome if you like and it should be able to handle a few squadrons fighting it out at once.

It focuses on the advantage altitude gives you.

The book also has several other good rulesets in it, he uses them in his classroom at King's College London.

Let us know how you get on and what you decide to do with the project!

I would suggest the various Blue Sky rules ('Squadrons',
which deals with the Battle of Britain is the first).

The rules allow for the use of individual aircraft models.
I've done the 'Blue Sky – White Star' set (Bombing
campaign against Nazi Germany) with 86 B-17/B-24 models,
a dozen escorting P-51's and 18 interceptors of various
sorts.

Similarly, I've done Midway with 24 SBD's, 12 Devastators,
two groups of 6 each Wildcats (escorts) and 12 Zero
interceptors. The rules for the Pacific are 'Red Sun -
Blue Sky'

There are rules for the Med ('Blue Sea – Blue Sky'), the
Russian front ('Red Star – Blue Sky') and 'Black Cross -
Blue Sky' which includes very early war aircraft (Poland
France, etc)

There is a review and more info here:
TMP link

I use 1/300 models with smaller can be used as well.

I've read a few things about these rules too. These and BtH2 are the only rules I've seen that lend themselves to larger games.

Do the Blue Sky rules play solo at all? I don't have anyone to play against.

Also, do you really need all the books or are they more for the scenarios for that theater?

Has anybody played Blue Sky and BTH? If so would you share some thoughts each, specifically if you preferred Blue Sky – why?

I'd love to hear some comparisons too :)

BTH2, however Lacquered Coffins I purchased for $10 USD off wargamesvault over the weekend.

LC might be the fastest, however BTH2 uses squadron tactics and formations so I'd go with that. BTH2 is a great system for squadron tactics as that is really the focus of the game. I can't speak at all for Blue Skys.

Does BS-BS use plotted guessing system movement? If so I'd pass. I hate those types of games.

Blue Sky doesn't not use plotted movement like CY6

The Wing Leader series by GMT is outstanding for these kinds of battles. There's two boxed sets covering the war plus a supplement with more coming out. So far there are over 50 historical scenarios and some of the actions have quite a few squadrons in action. The system plays pretty fast and is well supported. You could just replace the counters with miniatures.

link

Blood Red Skies is being release by Warlord Games in April. Squadron v squadron but their planes are 1/200.

Wings at War is rather game-like but easily adaptable. Not sure if it'd be too good for actual squadron-on-squadron actions though. Not to mention the fact that the only two WW2 sets at the moment are Battle of Britain and Defence of the Reich 44-45.

Acctgman, the rules released for the different theaters
of WWII for the Blue Sky series contain scenarios for
those areas BUT also the stats for aircraft specifically
for those areas (Italian and Russian especially,
although Allied aircraft specific to a theater are
included as well).

Same is true for certain weapons systems and tactics as
well (e.g., Russian ramming tactic; Germans' stand-off
rocket attacks on bomber formations; V1 pursuit by
Allied interceptors and so forth).

Thanks Ed

Think I'll look into getting all the books.

"Sturmovik Commander is "3F style" (Fast, Flexible, Fun!)"
copied from Assault Publishing's website. TMP link: TMP link is a free download.

Acctingman,
I answered your question on the Wing Leader post. I do realize I am a heretic as I have a fine collection of 1/300 planes myself but I believe it fits the bill.

Thanks

Joe