I decided to run a re-play of the first scenario, using different tactics for the Japanese to see what happened. The game started with the Japanese bogeys advancing in one formation, then swinging round in a break turn behind the R-5. The R-5 spotted the bogeys and the rear gunner opened fire on Lt Col Matsumura but missed. The I-16's now zoomed up behind the Ki-27's and got on the tail, Lt Sharapov opening fire on Sgt Maj Tatsumi but with no luck due to a good saving throw by the Japanese pilot.
In Turn 2, the Japanese shotai fire card came up first before they were in position, so the initiative was with the Soviets. The I-16 fire card was dealt next and Lt Sharapov opened fire on Sgt Maj Tatsumi, but once again failed to cause any damage due to a good saving throw. The R-5 dropped down to ALT 1 and began to jink but the Ki-27's were able to swing in and get on it's tail at very close range, taking fire from the rear gunner but without any effect. Lt Col Matsmura now returned fire on his character card, with a long burst at dead close range inflicting critical instrument damage on the R-5.
In Turn 3 the 'on the tail' rules meant that most of the move cards were redundant, so it was going to be the decisive turn for combat. The I-16's opened up first, with Lt Sharapov once again firing at Sgt Maj Tatsumi, only to have a gun jam and one ineffectual hit which the target saved. Lt Col Matsumura now opened fire on the jinking R-5 using the shotai fire card, forcing the R-5 to hard evade after suffering two hits. The R-5 rear gunner replied but with no luck. Now, Lt Col Matsumura's character card was drawn and he opened fire a second time, hitting and killing the pilot of the R-5, which immediately flipped over and plunged down to explode on the ground below.
In Turn 4, the R-5 having been shot down, the Japanese now attempted a formation Immelmann turn to take on the I-16's. This was pulled off by Lt Col Matsumura and Lt Suzuki but Sgt Maj Tatsumi fluffed it and shot straight ahead instead. The I-16 tail was now broken, as Lt Sharapov failed his stay on the tail test, forcing the pair of Soviet fighters to zoom onwards. In an attempt to get behind the two I-16's, Lt Col Matsumura now pulled two consecutive break turns but Lt Suzuki failed to stay with him in the second, ending up pointing in the wrong direction completely. The Japanese shotai was now broken apart but Lt Suzuki still had a line of fire on Lt Sharapov, opening up with no effect. The I-16's were now in spitting distance of the edge of the table and with one move were off.
This was a clear cut Japanese victory, with the R-5 shot down and the I-16's effectively forced off before they could cause any damage to the Ki-27's, despite several attempts to do so. The R-5 gunner did attempt to bail out at the very end of he game but, as it was only at ALT 1 when hit, he didn't get out in time. The key to the scenario this time was to keep the Japanese formation intact, which made it harder for the I-16's to pick off lone fighters. I can now write the scenario up as it works well without any need for corrections or further edits. The next scenario is ready to play test, so I'll get that one organised today and, hopefully, only have to do one run through this time?
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