Sunday 12 April 2015

Gentlemen* start your engines.

* Ladies are welcome as well.

You may remember that last year I ran a game on my blog. I will be doing the same this year as well. But rather than ships of the Napoleonic Navy I will be using WW1 aircraft.

"Baron Raymond Von Dachs" will be "Leading" the Germans. At this stage I just need people willing to fly with or against him (no you cannot deliberately shoot your own side down, you know who I am talking to!) I have given Michael Mills (aka Millsy) the first choice to lead the forces of the Allies against this Vile Hun. If he chooses not to be involved or not to be a leader or to be on the same side as Ray I will be looking for another to step up. But he is my first choice as he does have an understanding of the rules I will be using. Which really will be a help.

So the Blog game this year will be WW1 dogfights above Flanders.  I will be looking for players on both sides so should you be interested. Ideally I would be looking for 12-20 players each willing to fly a single seat fighter plane for the Autumn-winter of 1917. So if you think you want to play kindly leave a comment letting me know and which side you would prefer. (I cannot guarantee you will get the choice but at least if you tell me I can try to fit you in on the side you would prefer.)


To the right you can see the very first move I have made in making the terrain you will be flying over. But I need to get a new saw blade to cut it. Mine is not "Man enough" to cut the board. Too old, too worn and that's the blade as well as me. I will do a step by step walk through as I make the terrain over the next few weeks. And you may take that picture as the first step. The boards are 19mm thick flooring from an old building project and I have decided to use them as opposed to shelling out hard earned on brand new materials having seen the cost of them at my local DIY store this morning. At this stage you could use board as long as you were confident it would not warp.  So Stage 1 is measure and cut the boards to size and shape.

Back to the planned game. I will be using the Canvas Eagles rules as they are a set I am most familiar with having been shot down over 20 times! If you do not have the rules they are downloadable FREE here http://www.maxeagles.com/index.html

Simply go to the PDF tab and once clicked the rules are on the free PDF page. Just look for the "Main rules" area. There are also all the aircraft play sheets for more aircraft than you will ever need. in a separate download area. To the right you can see my copy of the rules that I have printed and bound, so yours should look like this.

So that is the rules taken care of. I will point out any rules changes before play (there will be a few just to suit the play by blog format.) But I want some pregame training. Yes I have that covered as well. There is a free computer game, BLUEMAX, as well (this makes me sound very organised but it is not my doing.) It is an Italian website which runs a VERY similar game. There are differences but it is a very good place to start. Anyway you will find I here

http://www.youplay.it/default.asp

I fly under the handle "DirtyFoker1" on that site and tend to join in the larger games 8-18 players. So if you want to shoot me down and get some revenge for the pain and suffering I am about to inflict on you. I am in no way the best pilot in any game but I would say I was an OK pilot in that game.

But for the play by blog game I will be running. At this stage I just need a real name, a preferred side, (French, German or British) if you have a STRONG preference for a plane (has to be single seater and in COMMON active service in Autumn/Winter 1917 by one of those nations) and if you want a pilot name or an aircraft name that is also acceptable. (I have Named Rays and it may change when he reads this or he may not.)

As always any questions please get in touch, perhaps leave a comment. If you played in the last game preference will be given this time and those people already know my email address so drop me a line directly.

Players signed up so far: (I will add more as they are known to me)

  1. Ray Rousell (German Commander)
  2. Michael Mills (Allied Commander) Captain Sir Isembard Mafeking Barking-Madd-Smythe III
  3. Dave Docherty. (British erhm colonial foreign chappie!)
  4. Peter Douglas (British)
  5. Kyle lee (Canadian in British service)
  6. Roy Williamson (French)
  7. Edwin King (French) Capiteine Reynard "The Flying Fox"
  8. Robert Audin (French) No more French for the moment (Unless you are actually French then I will make an exception).
  9. Mathyoo (German)
  10. Lee Hadley (Germans)
  11. JMiles (Any)
  12. Phyllion (Any)
  13. Tamsin (Any)
  14. Michael Peterson (Any)
  15. Curt?
  16. Seb?
  17. Fran?
  18. Mysterious Aussie friend of Millsy!
First Reserves.
  1. Carl Packham.
  2. Kasper Froberg 
RESERVE PLACES ARE STILL AVAILIABLE IF those with question marks drop out!
Thanks for reading and chocks away!




32 comments:

  1. Great stuff... I will join the 20 minutes against Baron von Dachs .( or indeed the oter side as you need) But really flying with a colonial.. He will no doubt bring colonial ways with him!
    Time to polish the moustache eh!.

    Happy to paint up my own chariot of th Sky's if need be.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Dave. I am really hoping to see you at Salute.

      I am more than happy to paint the planes as that way they will all look as if they belong together and with the terrain.
      I will consider you signed up.

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  2. Clint
    Please count me in if there is an empty chair for me in the RFC. I can also be a Bosch if there's too many Biggles wannabes.
    Cheers
    PD

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    Replies
    1. Sorry mate I forgot to email you as a player from last time (there will be others).
      I will put you down as a player with a preference for RFC (but not a strong one.)
      Thank you so much Peter.

      Delete
  3. Reporting for duty!

    I have no strong preferences, but I would not mind flying for the Germans.

    Also cheers for PDF and the game links, I will make sure to check them out!

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    1. Thank you Mathyoo. I will put you down for the Vile Hun! I would check out Bluemax link as soon as possible as a game may take several weeks to play on there.

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  4. Reporting for duty, Sir!
    I'll fly for either side and take any aircraft that is available
    thanks for doing this again!

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    Replies
    1. It really would not be the same without you so I am delighted to have you along for the flight.

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  5. Oh yes please Clint - the last game was a blast.

    Either side tbh

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Phil. It is great when players say either side I can just slot them in as needed then. Makes my life easier

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  6. Oh, go on then. I have no preference for nationality or aircraft type

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    Replies
    1. I am sure we can fit you in Tamsin. No doubt talk about it at Salute, but will fit you in where I can.
      Cheers Mate.

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  7. I wish you well with this venture, Clint, but I'm afraid I'll be following it as a spectator and not a participant. I just don't know enough about the period to justify joining in.

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    1. Thanks Bryan. No worries about that what ever suits you best. I hope it will keep you amused. It should start with the action a lot faster than last time as the planes have only limited fuel.

      Delete
  8. I'd love to be along for the fun if I may. I don't mind which side I'm on.

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  9. I'd love to be along for the fun if I may. I don't mind which side I'm on.

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    Replies
    1. So keen you have replied twice. A pleasure to have you involved sir.

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    2. Great!

      On consideration, can I be French - Capiteine Reynard "The Flying Fox"?

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    3. Wee monsieur! But do not expect me to write any turns in French or indeed to process any turns in French.

      Delete
  10. Hello Clint!
    If you've got a spare kite needing to be pranged, then I'm just the chap. Any side is good.
    Best,
    Michael

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    Replies
    1. Very pleased to have you along for the ride. And let us hope the green side does not come up too fast!

      Thank you Michael.

      Delete
  11. Hello Clint,
    If you require someone to make the numbers up I'd be willing to give it a go. I'll be happy to be a standby player, if needed.
    No preference - but if an Allied pilot, could I be French please.
    Roy

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    Replies
    1. No doubt about it Roy you are in. And French it shall be. Thanks for signing up and as I said the fun starts in a couple of months so get to know the rules and the planes and lets have some fun.

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    2. Righto. Or should that be Oui?
      I do have an email address for you already.

      Delete
  12. Hello Clint I afraid I can't resist this. Since my grandfather joined the French Air reserve just after the war I request the French please.

    Rob

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    1. What oh Robert. The last 3 people all wanting to be French. No Problem I will add you to the list.

      No more French from now on in.

      Delete
  13. I so want to do this, but just can't afford the time it needs or that you chaps deserve. I'll watch from the sidelines with great interest!

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    1. Thanks Paul. It would be great to have you involved but I completely understand. I am also wondering if I have bitten of more than I can chew. I thought the same last year.

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  14. Clint. If another player 'needs' to be a French pilot I will happily swap with them, and you can assign me another nationality.
    I have no problems being German.

    Whatever you require to do as the GM, I'm willing to act as a guinea pig

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    Replies
    1. No worries mate. I Just want to get numbers and nationalities done a week before Salute. That way I will be able to order for pick up on the day. Just to save mucking about later! I can actually have as many French players as I want at this stage, but as I will order the planes in the next few days I am trying to pin the list down.

      It Might have been easier in retrospect to give a list of planes and then let players pick on a first come first served basis. Still you live and learn.

      Cheers Roy

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  15. Clint is there still room for one more? look forward to seeing you at Salute and the annual Bloggers meet up.

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    1. I will officially count you as first reserve. But as I know Fran does not currently have internet access I would say there is a FIRM possibility that you will be able to play. But you may be under Rays command!!!!

      Yeah see you at Salute.
      Cheers Mate

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