"Alternative to Bag the Hun?" Topic

I've played Bag the Hun to destruction over the last decade or so and I'm looking for an alternative, not that there's anything wrong with it but mainly because I need to refresh.

I'd like a non-hex based system, fast play, focussed on formations rather than just individual aircraft and definitely not CY6, which I'm not a fan of. I'm planning to switch from 1/285th to 1/600th scale too, so that I can have larger formations of aircraft and multi player friendly scenarios.

I've looked at Sturmovik Commander as one option but would appreciate some more ideas. I already play Wings At War too, so that's not on my wish list.

Thanks for your help.

Jim

You could try Wings at War at get your aircraft at the same time.
link

Canvas Eagles – rules and aircraft stats are free, though it is a "hexed" system.

Not sure where you get them on-line though, now that Yahoo Groups is shut down. Probably from a Groups.IO site, if there is one with the files for them.

We've had tons of fun at the local club with these, and using 1/144th scale planes.

I already play Wings At War but thanks for the input.

Isn't Canvas Eagles a WW 1 set of rules?

Mustangs and Messerschmitts is a floor based, 3d flying game. A special stand needs to be constructed for 1/72 scale aircraft. Tons of fun, but steep learning curve.
I always thought it would be neat to make a tabletop version with tiny stands suitable for 1/300-ish planes.

Ah, yes, sorry.

I don't play BtH so was thinking of WoW, WoG, because I saw the WaW reference, and thinking WWI erroneously.

M&M as posted above will work.

While my answer above was for the WWI game, it was not technically incorrect, since there is a WWII variant called Knight's Cross, which uses the CE engine, rules, maneuver templates, etc., etc..

I don't know if it has been migrated over to Groups.IO from Yahoo Groups or not, but it would be worth checking out if you will reconsider your preference to avoid hex based gaming.

Duel of Eagles, a set of rules from QRF that uses curved turning templates would be another option, though I don't know if they still have them for sale. They use curved turning templates, similar to those from X-Wing, but QRF came up with them first.

Movement is in centimeters for each 10 MPH of airspeed, so at 300 MPH your plane moves 30 cms., or roughly one foot. There are rules for climbing and diving too, as well as for special maneuvers.

Initiative rolls determine who moves and shoots first, and that and shooting uses D10 dice.

It's a great set of rules for fun, quick games, using just a few aircraft per side.

If both players are evenly matched, and only have a plane or two each though, getting an advantage to shoot down the other guy's plane(s) can prove difficult to do, which can be either refreshing or frustrating, depending upon your point of view.

Games of four on four reduce that a bit, since the tabletop is a more target rich environment.

With a little tweaking, you can play more planes per side, e.g. activating aircraft by formations rather than individually, to help speed up game play a bit.