The searchlights were sweeping the skies and the night patrols were running racetrack patrol patterns awaiting a nocturnal visit from the great German Airships. They had come the last several nights and there was no reason to believe this one would be any exception to the rule. The stage was set for our Thursday Semi Regular Retirees Game with Mark Williams hosting a modified Wings of Glory WWI nighttime bombing raid at Miniature Market Retail Superstore Rock Hill.
Mark explains his player control sheet to Steve L as the game is set up. The Gray Lines represent searchlight patters that the players placed to spot the incoming behemoth.
This was a cooperative game scenario with all players (Nate R, Steve L, Greg D and Kevin F) all flying Sopwtih Camels or One & a Half Strutters. Players could set up not only their searchlight, but set its pattern and place their patrol plane’s racetrack before the game began. They would be able to adjust the searchlight angle each turn, but the planes remained in their pattern until a spotting was achieved.
For this game the Famed WWI Flying Ace on leave from the front was called upon to pitch in and help with patrol duties due to a shortage of pilots. He grabbed a nearby Sopwith Camel and took up his post to help defend the city.
It didn’t take long for the monster to show up in the searchlight pattern and those planes facing (Kevin F and Greg D) the newly acquired target immediately jumped into action. While the others remained on patrol until they could spot.
Greg pushed the throttle all the way forward as he could see the flashes of machine guns flickering from the Zeppelin aimed at Snoopy that was already in the fight.
Snoopy got in the first lick, but paid for it in damage from return fire. He also learned that this Camel that was assigned to him did not have very reliable machine guns as he was without one or both after the first solid salvo.
Nate circles around the nose of the airship while Steve & Greg swing around the clourds to line up for another run.
Greg’s two seater got in what proved to be a very fortunate shot setting the Zeppelin fuel tank on fire not only causing some immediate damage but a fire that lingered for several turns racking up hits to the airframe. It wasn’t without cost as the Zeppelin scored a similar hit to Greg in the exchange. Fortunately Greg’s rear gunner was on his game and put the fire out quickly.
Mark added some superb looking 3D clouds which really enhanced the look of the game table giving us a great presentation.
Once the Zeppelin was spotted players switched to using the standard 3 phase movement card system of the game. It was great to see Jules R and Ravi R stop by to visit for our last Retirees Game of 2025.
Snoopy and his much worse for wear Sopwith Camel circle around after flying under the airship.
Mark explains some of the logic behind his modified rules to the players.
It was tight maneuvering as the players and their planes jockeyed for position and a shot at the Zeppelin.
This ended up to be a game with two results. The first was an explosion by the Zeppelin which would send it down in flames as a result of the continued fire from the shot that Greg inflicted. The second which as we all elected to carry on just allowing the fire to continue to burn ended up with the airship delivering it’s cargo to Paddington Station inflcting heavy damage to the rail system and perhaps injuring Paddington Bear.
Thanks to Mark for putting on an interesting and challenging game for all to enjoy on a rainy December day. Thanks to all the players who participated and offered some advice on a few tweaks to improve it for a future running of this scenario Thanks as always to the fire staff of Miniature Market Rock Hill for their continued support.
This is a 1st-Class looking game!
Fantastic presentation Mark.
It really was a great presentation and a really fun game for all of us to enjoy. Simple rules but a complex situation as we tried to keep from running into each other and maintain the fire upon the Zeppelin.