The Spad XII for Algernon Pulls It Off!

I've been playing around with ideas to make it possible to use the 37mm cannon armed Spad XII in Algernon Pulls It Off! over the last couple of days. This was a development of the Spad VII but in many respects was a very different machine, armed with an engine mounted Puteaux 37mm Semi Automatique Moteur Canon and a single Vickers machine gun. It was much heavier than the Spad VII, making it a tricky aircraft to fly, especially as there was no control column, while aiming was particularly difficult:

"The machine I mention is the only one of its kind in the American service, so I am very anxious to try it out. They gave it to me when Putnam was killed. Guynemer had one and Fonck and Deullin each have one, and have used the with fair success. . . This special gun is difficult to use, but if a shot ever hits a Hun he might just as well say his prayers and give up, if he has time to think about anything at all." 

Charles Biddle, 13th Aero Squadron

The cannon breech was located between the pilot's knees and was loaded and fired one round at a time, producing a cloud of smoke in the cockpit with each shot. Only twenty were produced and these were allocated to experienced pilots only, most of whom were already aces, including Guynemer, Fonck and Biddle. It's a real beast of an aircraft and the armament requires some adaptation of the firing and damage rules in order to work. The Vickers was often dismounted to save weight but I will also need to factor it in to the firing options.

I've worked out what I think is needed to make the steps in the firing and damage procedure fit the 37mm single shot armament. This includes a change to the length of burst modifier mechanism and a revision of the process for critical hits, the latter borrowed in part from Bag the Hun. I also need to adapt the numbers for Rate of Climb, Speed and Manoeuvre ability, which is relatively simple. Finally, I am considering some one off rules for having a smoke filled cockpit, which caused real problems for pilots trying to retain situational awareness, to to mention control of their aircraft!

...more on all of this in a later post.