103rd Aero - Decals

Before adding decals - notice the muted roundel and rudder colors

Before Shapeways' recent demise, many of us in the Wright Flight were buying printed color aircraft from Reduced Aircraft Factory. These planes were filling in many gaps in our respective collections, but the colors, due to their very printed nature, were extremely muted or even slightly off. This was particularly noticeable in the primary color ranges, where blues, reds, and other solid colors simply do not come out as vivid as in real life. Usually the details for squadron markings and lozenge patterns were excellent, but the Sioux Indian heads on these 103rd Aero Squadron SPAD VIIs got lost in the mix. To rectify that somewhat I bought decals from Miscellaneous Miniatures to add to the planes, giving them a bit of a "pop." While the Indian heads on the decals are the early Lafayette Escadrille Seminole version, the decals came out looking rather good.

After, but before adding decal softener

Escadrille Americaine - Thaw's Nieuport 16

Before adding roundels

I am not 100% pleased with this one, but for a gaming piece it is decent. I took an Ares Nieuport 16, ripped off the top wing, removed the struts, tried to cut the rockets off, then reversed the struts so that the residue from the rockets that I could not remove would be less noticeable. I then painted it a nice AK Interactive Clear Doped Linen (version 2), gave it a little touch up, and applied Miscellaneous Miniatures decals (the bottom still retains its historical French markings). Thaw's N.16 is done.

The smoothness of the paint job does not match the Chapman N.11 I completed last year, and one can see some issues around the struts on the lower wings, but in the flesh it is not so bad. 

The finished product

There were two linen colored Nieuports in the Escadrille Americaine - Chapman's with confirmed American looking roundels on the top wing, and Thaw's speculated to be the same. Having these on the board against the normal green and brown Nieuports is a nice change of pace.

Looking pretty decent from a distance!

The base is a Rival Sky Games offering (I just received several bases - cost and shipping were very reasonable from Australia to the United States), while the mat is a new GripMats from Etsy (Break From Reality Games). Super happy with both of these products!

Kościuszko Squadron - The Decals (and Planes) Are Complete!

It seems to take me a bit of time to complete hobby projects - probably why I like to either buy painted planes, or have others paint for me. It is not that I am lazy in this aspect - time gets in the way and at times frustration with a quality looking finished project prevent me from doing more. However, in this case, while these two planes took me months to finally complete (and they aren't...still need to varnish them), at least I can say I am mostly happy with how they turned out.

Some things that still bother me - the Polish insignia on the top wings should be larger, the numbers should not have white outlines, a few of the decals are slightly crooked, and the squadron markings do not stand out. The painting is decent, but not superb (the fuselage color needs to be a tad lighter I think). Some of these issues are what they are - based on what I could find for decals, I used what I could source. As for painting, I could keep fiddling with this or that, and still not be 100% satisfied. The crooked decals are not really that noticeable, and as far as the tree feet distance rule...they look good. So, DONE (well, other than the varnish).

This is what I was shooting for:

And this is what I came up with:

Planes - Table Top Flights

Decals - I-94 (national insignia), Miscellaneous Miniatures (numbers and squadron markings)

Kościuszko Squadron - Let the Decals Begin!

I have been combing the world wide webs for some appropriate decals for the Table Top Flights' Ansaldo A.1s I've painted to represent the Kościuszko Squadron. While the sizing of the some of the following are a tad off, they will make these planes really pop.

First I ordered from I-94 to obtain Polish national markings. These have been applied on top of the upper wing and the bottom of the lower wing. While they should be a bit larger, they are looking good. The I-94 decals are easy to work with as the decals are individual, not one large decal film that covers the entire sheet. I have yet to place smaller national insignias on the tail, but once I tackle that the national markers are complete.

Today arrived the numbers and the Kościuszko Squadron decals from Miscellaneous Miniatures. These come on one large decal film, so close trimming will be in order. The black numbers have a white outline, which is not accurate, but I could not find something I liked that were close to the correct size. Not a huge deal...the white on the numbers going on the wings will barely be noticeable due to both the thinness of the white outline and the light colored wing. Along the darker fuselage the white outline y might be a tad more noticeable, but I can live with that. Black numbers, 5mm in height, in six positions, will be the task.

The squadron markings go on each side of the fuselage, aft of the number. One of the smaller (but not smallest) sized decals will be used. Should fit nicely with the plane number.

I hope to have the planes fully decaled over the next few days, once once I do (and a coat of varnish has been applied) then the Snipes on the Hunt scenario will be ready to roll out at the local game store!

The End of a Baer

Paul F. Baer in front of his SPAD S.VII

As you may or may not know, I have a great interest in the Escadrille Americaine/Lafayette Escadrille/103rd Aero. I have a few planes to represent the various stages of this squadron, ranging from two Nieuport N.11 repaints (Rumsey and Chapman), to the Thaw/Lufbery Nieuport N.17, to four SPAD S.VIIs for the 103rd Aero. Also, one of the more compelling American pilots of the war, and one who was the American Ace of Aces for a short spell, was a member of the 103rd, that being Paul Baer from Indiana.

The flight log of the 103rd Aero is an interesting read. While it might not have all the details needed to flesh out scenarios, it does in some cases provide a framework to build a scenario upon. Hence the following scenario idea, based on Baer's last flight of May 22, 1918, in which he was shot down, captured, and kept as a prisoner for the remainder of the war.

The flight took place between 8:45 (when the patrol took off) until 10:45 a. m. (when most of the patrol returned). An hour into the patrol eight enemy fighters were spotted in the Laventie region (the term monoplace being used in the log to denote single-seater) - Laventie being a few miles west of Lille. According to the log, First Lieutenant William Dugan was attacked and in turn he performed a loop and fired but ten rounds until his Vickers jammed. Fellow flight member First Lieutenant Charles Wilcox "piqued" on two of the enemy fighters, which I believe means that he had a height advantage. After firing fifty rounds he was able to shoot down one of the fighters which fell en vrille - spinning out of control. Then First Lieutenant George Turnure piqued on the tail of another German, attacking it, following it for 2,000 meters, when the German appeared to be out of control. Dugan would state that he saw a German being hard pressed by a SPAD, which could have been Turnure's potential victim. It was also noted that the patrol saw a German piquing on a SPAD. Then the report simply states that Lieutenants (Paul) Baer and (Ernest) Giroux did not return. Baer was flying a SPAD S.VII, but Giroux was flying a SPAD SXIII. The 103rd, even when transitioning the the S.XIII would often prefer to fly the S.VII as it was more mechanically reliable.

So, how would one create a scenario from such information? We have five American pilots named to face off against eight Germans. We do not know the types of planes the Germans were equipped with, let alone their Jasta. Being that is was late May of 1918, there is a chance the fighters were Pfalz D.IIIas, Albatros D.Vas, or even Fokker D.VIIs (these being the most common types in service at the time, there could be other choices as well). Most likely the enemy was not using triplanes as this most likely would have been noted in the log. We do know that Baer was credited with an Albatros on this flight so can assume that at least part of the German flight consisted of Albatros D.Vas.

Dugan was attacked, seemingly even after the Germans had been spotted. Does this mean the Germans had a position advantage over Dugan? Were they tailing the SPADs of the 103rd? How then was Wilcox able to pique on two Germans? Did he maneuver for a height advantage or was he already at a higher altitude?

I would almost suggest starting the various aircraft at random locations. Have each plane roll a die, loser starts in the middle of the playing surface, then next lowest die rolls, using the chart below, to determine their place, then next plane starts based on that position, and so on. Would make a heck of a mess of planes on the table, to be certain!

I would be curious to hear your thoughts on this potential scenario!

Using Magnets to Overcome Beveled Stands

Ahhh, Wings of Glory developers...why oh why did you decide to use a beveled edge for your bases? A true pain in the arse to pick up. An idea that was presented on the Wings of Glory Aerodrome, and then camelbeagle motivated me by doing this himself. Ordered from K and J Magnetics for the thumbtack looking peg and the magnet below, let the video tell the story. Seems to work!

The Voss Effect

Transitioning some of my blog posts from over at the Wings of War Aerodrome to the blog so that others might enjoy!

Last Dance of the Hussar by Russell Smith

I have been working a bit with camelbeagle (Dan) on a Voss Wings of Glory scenario. Well, Dan has been doing most of the work, but I have been making a few suggestions about setup, aircraft, using more accurate climb rates, that sort of thing. For those who do not know, I have a side business - I give tours and talks related to the Civil War - American that is. So, historical accuracy is fairly important to me. Dan has planned a four on four fight, simply to keep the amount of players around the table at a reasonable number, with four SE.5s against Voss in his triplane, with a couple of Pfalz D.IIIs and an Albatros D.V making a late arriving appearance. 

In reading accounts of the action (September Evening: The Life and Final Combat of the German World War One Ace Werner Voss by Barry Diggens and Lt. Werner Voss: Germany's Greatest Teenage Ace by Walter Musciano) it is apparent that Voss cannot be given too many ace abilities. I have an Ares Voss Pfalz on its way, mostly for the ace ability cards, and a couple of Pfalz D.IIIs offered by Reduced Aircraft Factory of a couple of the German pilots involved. Dan has 56 Squadron in hand. 

Looking forward to testing this scenario and then hosting for the Wright Flight in the future. When we do, we'll be certain to post an after action report!

By the way, the Musciano book was written in the 1960s, and the colors given for Voss's various planes are questionable at best...stating that his Fokker and Pfalz has red noses...Rudolph would be proud.

Kościuszko!

After a couple of months of not touching any of my Wings of Glory projects, I have been slowly working on a pair of Ansaldo A.1s for the Kościuszko Squadron. I believe I have them completed from a painting perspective - now I just need to order decals to mark the planes. They are not perfect, but looking pretty decent I think, and once the decals have been added and a final coat of sealer has been applied, they should look good on the tabletop. 

These are resin prints, from Table Top Flights. Good prices and service from Mike over at Table Top. Painted with Vallejo corn brown for the fuselages, and AK Interactive clear doped linen version2 for the wings and tail.

Oops, just noticed I forgot the radiator on the top wing, so I have now taken care of that task, and with a little more touchup around the radiator, the painting will be completed.

I've put together the framework of a scenario, pitting the two Ansaldos, along with a Camel, against two Soviet Sopwith Snipes. Balance should be decent - the Ansaldos are similar to the SPAD XIII, so think boom and zoom. The Snipes are speedy and maneuverable, but slightly balanced by the Camel. The scenario, called Snipes on the Hunt, is available in the Downloads section to the upper right.

Wings of Glory AAR

The repainted Nieuport 11

So the announcement came on the Wings of Glory Aerodrome - the July session of the Wright Flight would be Nieuport 11s facing off against Fokker eindekkers. We had a large turnout, with over a dozen players. Apparently last minute a decision was made to do some sort of odd Cthulhu game? WTF? I didn't drive an hour to game fantasy! Luckily the G Dog brought planes to stick with the original plan while the heretics played in the other event...but then also appeared on our table Nieuport 16s and Halberstadt D.IIIs! Would my little Chapman N.11 make it? (repainted with AK Interactive Clear Doped linen version 2 as it matched the color already present on the bottom of the plane very well).

The target for the Allies was a drachen, with three N.11s and one N.16 facing off against a pair of Fokkers and a pair of Halberstadts. To be honest, I was having too much fun poking one my Nieuport partners to focus much on the game or take many pictures, but one N.11, the target of my fun, was able to cause a fire on the balloon as he himself was shot down, both from plane damage and a second pilot wound. Another N.11, using incendiaries and colliding with the balloon, also inflicted a great amount of damage. I used my Nieuport to snipe at the opposing German aircraft, avoiding the the ground fire while throwing out a little damage here and a little damage there. I started taking hits in return, and decided, with the remaining Nieuports now heading beck to Allied lines, that it was time to leave the fighting as well. The balloon burned up before reaching ground, so it was an Allied victory.

Staying on the periphery, causing damage as I go

The flaming Jean Navarre Nieuport, before meeting his demise

In the future I will be certain to bring extra planes and gaming mats to help stick with the original plan as all I brought was my single Nieuport 11.

A Little 1948 AIW After Action

Initial Egyptian Setup

I have these lovely painted planes for the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, but the Rob W. scenarios I have from Wargames Illustrated are all rather small in scope, which prevents me from hosting moderately sized games at the local store. So I decided to just throw a dogfight together to allow me to get these birds on the table. Of course, I also wanted to show off my new gaming mat, so here we have AIW over Pearl Harbor!

And the Israeli deployment

The planes I decided to use, so nicely painted by Kevin at Miscellaneous Miniatures, were four Spitfire Mark Vs and two Macchi M.205s for the Egyptians, facing off against two Spitfire Mk.IXs and two Avia S.199s for the Israelis. I had each player roll randomly for aircrew quality, the Arabs having a one in four chance for a skilled pilot, and the remaining pilots as green. For the Israelis, there was a one in four chance for a veteran, the rest defaulting to skilled. The results? Six green Egyptians against one veteran S.199, and the remaining Israelis skilled. I was thinking this might not be a good day for the Egyptians.

The Israelis sweep in from the Egyptian ten o'clock

Each side closed in, but early in the fight an S.199 was shot down, odds increasing to 2:1 for the Egyptians. For several turns to follow, a lot of dancing around occurred, and even a conga line was formed at one point. The veteran Israeli, flying the S.199, lined up an Egyptian Spitfire at close range, hitting the Spit. This occurred three times with the same antagonists, but the Arab's dice were "lucky" as all three times double sixes were rolled, fighting off engine or airframe damage, but resulting in lucky hits. In every case the lucky hits (two engine fire chances, two panics, and one chance for a fuel tank leak) were ably handled by the Egyptian. From now on, that plane will be given a veteran aircrew!

The skilled Avia S.199 takes the sole engine hit of the game

Two Egyptian Spitfires were lost, one which had declared a shot at an approaching plane, and rolled the dice. The plane happened to be one of the Egyptian Macchis! Fortunately the shot was a miss, but that player will always be reminded of that faux pax. 

The Israeli Spitfire heading for home before calling it a night

The veteran Avia, having rolled many doubles himself, was down to heavy machineguns. One of the two Israeli Spitfires was downed, and the other one ran out of ammo. At this point it was one against four as the Israeli Spit that had no ammunition left to engage dove for the deck. The game was called at this point. Both sides lost two aircraft, but points leaned towards the Egyptians, and certainly a moral victory for the Arabs.

Planes are Raiden, mat is Deep Cut Studio.

Heroics & Ros Letov S.328

In my quest to find suitable miniatures for the Slovak-Hungarian War project, I was at a bit of a loss when it came to the primary Slovak bomber, the Letov S.328. One possible scenario calls for three of these planes, and in checking both Raiden and MSD Games, my two usual sources for aircraft, I was hitting a wall. A Google search for 1/300 Letov pointed me to the Heroics & Ros site, an old line that specializes in the 6mm world. Fortunately H&R make the S.328. I had never placed an order with H&R, but the process was easy, and shipping to the United States was not unreasonable in both price and shipping time. I placed my order on June 30th and received the planes July 10th...nice delivery time from the UK!

The planes are not too badly detailed. Being H&R, an older line as mentioned, I wasn't expecting much, but I sort of like the style. Plus, once paint and decals have been applied, they will look just fine!

The Slovak-Hungarian War - The Books

A short post today as I slip ever more deeply into this obscure conflict. Here are some titles that cover the aircraft and the air campaign as a whole.

Miroslav Bily and Jiří Vraný - Avia B-534: Czechoslovak Fighter. MBI Publishing, 2008. This title only covers the third and fourth versions of the B.534, with more pages than the Vraný title below. However, it is difficult to locate and I have not seen a copy to examine its worth.  

Gianni Cattaneo - Aircraft Profile No. 22: The Fiat CR. 32. Profile Publications, 1965. This series, while long out of print, is still usually available on eBay and aftermarket sites. Just a handful of pages, with some color profiles and black and white photos.

Josef Krybus - Aircraft Profile No. 152: The Avia B.534. Profile Publications, 1967. 

George Punka - Fiat CR 32/CR 42 in Action. Squadron/Signal Publications, 2000. A typical Squadron offering with plenty of technical details, photographs, and color profiles.

Csaba B. Stenge - Baptism of Fire: The First Combat Experiences of the Royal Hungarian Air Force and Slovak Air Force, March 1939. Helion Publications, 2014. If you want just want one title, this is it. Comprehensive coverage of the conflict, illustrated with color aircraft profiles representing the aircraft used by both sides, along with black and white photographs. Helion titles are not inexpensive, so try to find a discount code or an aftermarket shop to pick up your copy. 

Jiří Vraný - Avia B-534. MBI Publishing, 1994. This title is in both Czech and English and is a fairly deep dive into the development and the technical aspects of the four versions of the B.534. Numerous pictures, line drawings, and color profiles accompany the text. 

Jiří Vraný - Letov S-328 Volume 2 - the Luftwaffe, Slovak Air Force, Bulgarian Air Force, and Slovak National Uprising. Jakab, 2005.