Flames Above the Falklands - La Muerte Negra!

I mentioned yesterday that I had painted both sides for Wings at War Flames Above the Falklands but had not got round to actually playing a game. So, this afternoon I decided to set up a quick 'pick up and play' game to learn the rules and to actually make use of the models I've painted. I haven't sorted out any terrain, helicopters or ground targets yet, so this game was a simple air to air clash.

The basic scenario was an interception by two Sea Harriers on CAP of a pair of IAI Daggers, the latter on a low level bomb run to strike the frigate HMS Plymouth on picket duty. The Argentinians had no IR missiles, as they were carrying bombs but did have guns and afterburners, while the SHAR's were armed with AIM-9L all-aspect IR missiles, so it was really only going to go one way!

The game kicked off with the Sea Harriers moving first on an interception course with the Daggers, whose pilots wisely decided to split up, one heading East to decoy the RN pilots and the other heading South East to work around toward HMS Plymouth. 

The SHAR pilots also decided to split up, however, with each picking a different Dagger to attack. The first SHAR moved to within 10cm of the first Dagger and launched a Sidewinder, which hit but only damaged the Dagger causing it to jettison it's bomb load. 

The two aircraft then fired close-range snap shots at each other, with neither scoring any hits but both resulting in low ammo. The second SHAR meanwhile moved to cut off the second Dagger but was just out of range for a missile attack at the end of the move. 

In the following turn, the first SHAR pulled a tight turn and got on the tail of the damaged Dagger, launching the last AIM-9L and blowing it out of the sky. The other SHAR also moved to intercept the second Dagger and destroyed it with another AIM-9L shot, blowing it to pieces with a roll of 6. 

The game ended in a complete British victory, which is what I expected and not a surprise, but it was good fun and I enjoyed it in spades. I'll hopefully get another game in tomorrow but will give the Argentinians four Daggers rather than two, which should make life a lot more difficult for 'La Muerte Negra'. 

Have a great New Year and thank you for following Jim's Wargames Workbench in 2022!