Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Fourth of July Dawn Patrol : Boxkites WWI Aircraft

The Lion's Den Wargames club has some long standing traditions and one that is really special is the morning aircraft wargame that we call Dawn Patrol.  We have for the last 21 years met on the mornign of fourth of July and played some version of aircraft game that features 1/72 scale airplane models mounted to sticks and played garden style in the early morning air of the backyard.
Our wargame has featured WWII, Star Wars, WWI, Modern jets etc...  This year we played our 10th anniversary edition of the rules called Boxkites.  A great WWI version of this backyard game.
Jasta 11 forms up over the French country side.  From left to right we see Bill C., Ken V, Ted C, and Jon Mark H.  this formation would have it's day in the victories to be scored on the allies!

As always, fireworks and pyrotechnics abound.
A dogged allied lion's den gamer peals through smoke.
Never leave your wingman!

The furball.

Erstwhile allies assemble on the far end of the field.
Here we see Steve G. Carl C., Terry C, and Mike C.
Airplanes in the foreground.


Jon Mark describes to Mike just how easily it is to be shot out of the sky.

Bill laughs his time away in a French farmhouse as he was shot down behind enemy lines.

Here we are flying along with the Candied Asp MO Fokker. and the REd Baron!  Bringing up the right flank is the Shiest Weasel.

Tip of the wing to a downed foe, and a tip of the hat in return!!

As the morning wore on German victory tallies rose and the game would go to the german pilots.
The officers mess included a great biscuits and gravy breakfast provided by Paige Van Pelt.

The Asp flies off to victory with 2 kills and a full plate for breakfast.

5 comments:

  1. I love those clothespin aircraft . . . looks like you had a lot of fun.


    -- Jeff

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  2. Those newest Fokker triplanes are a slightly different design than the one just using a straight clothespin. Are those newer ones based on clothespins that have been shaved and sanded here and there?

    I've toyed with the idea of a simple wargamme involving these planes in which you set them at random in the backyard and kills are registered when a clear line-of-sight on the target exists, after which the shooting plane is moved and, if it winds up in the lineup of an enemy aircraft within range, it is shot down in turn. Somewhat based on the air combat system devised by Peter Shulman for his decades-long wargamme involving large-scale armies and airforces played out on the grounds of his farm in upstate New York.

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  3. "Those newest Fokker triplanes are a slightly different design than the one just using a straight clothespin. Are those newer ones based on clothespins that have been shaved and sanded here and there?"

    YES, those are all clothespins but my long-time friend Mr. H. has wood filled the prongs and sanded them to perfection.

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  4. This is brilliant and inspiring! Thanks for sharing this. I'm going to look for Boxkite rules now
    Cheers
    Thomas

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