Rules for the F-86F-2 Sabre

While the scenarios I am creating include the following rules for using the F-86F-2 Sabre as part of Project Gun-Val, I thought having the rules included as a blog post might be useful. As of this date, I have four Project Gun-Val scenarios available on the Downloads page, with maybe two or three more to work up. After that I hope to create a Project Gun-Val scenario mini-book and offering it as a pdf download. In the meantime, here are the rules and stats for the F-86F-2 Sabre.

• F-86F-2 stats: B7 + 2 Hx, 93/75, R2/d6, @FF: 4xMC.
• Due to the high muzzle velocity of the 20mm M39 (T-160) cannons on the F-86F-2, use a twelve-sided dice (d12) for each firing gun.
• The T-160 cannon had a high rate of fire, therefore will check for ammunition depletion at one aircrew level lower.
• The T-160 cannon had an issue with dispersion at longer distances. Firing at ranges greater than six hexes is suffers a -1 die roll modifier.
• Conversely, the APG-30 radar provided greater accuracy at longer ranges. Add a +1 modifier to all F-86F types when firing at four hexes or greater within the target's tail arc.
• Compressor Stall – When the cannons on the F-86F-2 were fired, exhaust from the guns created a cloud of gas directly in front of the nose intake which could cause engine flame out. When an F-86F-2 fires its cannon an aircrew check is required, with a -2 modifier for CABs HIGH and above and -1 for CABs MEDIUM to HIGH BOTTOM. A failed check results in an immediate reduction of one speed at the end of the phase, and a loss of one speed on each subsequent turn, plotting only forward turn codes, until the engine has been restarted. Once restarted, speed is immediately set to 2.

Here is a silent video showing some of the effects of the 20mm cannon on the Sabre.

Another Scenario

Admittedly, my newest scenario has a lot in common with the "Protecting Them All" scenario in the Battles Above 1 scenario book. To be honest I used it as the basis, but, upon reviewing various historical sources, I believe some of the details of the original scenario were missing or in need of updating. Then I took my interpretation to a different level by checking the facts using AI and have created a scenario that has more of a grounding in the history of the engagement that took place on July 16, 1944 between the fighter group later known (well after World War II) as the Tuskegee Airmen and Mussolini's Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana, although it is still unconfirmed the number of Italian fighters that were present.

Flight Deck Decals 3D prints painted by Misc. Minis.

On the Downloads page you will now find "Duel With the Veltro," a game ideal for four or five players. Due to damage a lone B-24, after bombing Weiner Neustadt, is making its way home, stalked by at least a pair of Macchi C.205Vs. Arriving just in time is a flight of P-51Cs from the 302nd Fighter Squadron. 

Commission Time

I am finally getting around to sending off some commission work to Miscellaneous Miniatures. While I am becoming proficient in my painting skills, my limitations are mostly solid colored aircraft, and what I am sending off to have painted are, for the most part, planes that need more brush work, or ones that go along with planes Misc. Minis has painted for me in the past and I want to keep consistency.

Vietnam - While I had bought the decals needed from Misc. Minis and Sieben Schwaben, and thought to tackle this one on my own, the amount of decals having to go on each American aircraft is something I just do not want to deal with applying so many and am completely happy allowing someone else to do that work. 

Tuskegee - I have owned the planes and the ANR decals for quite some time for a scenario in the Battles Above 1 scenario book and I think it will make a great convention game with four fighters on each side and a crippled B-24 that I could run. I am changing the scenario a bit, bringing it more inline with the historical encounter. 

Slovak-Hungarian - I have a pair of Heinkel He 70s that will allow me to bring another scenario to the table top. I think that will take care of my collection for this war.

Burma - I have a collection of Allied and Japanese planes for this ongoing project. I decided to expand upon the handful of scenarios I could host previously, so in the future more Flying Tigers games will be making an appearance on the tabletop and the blog.