Algy Flies Down Under - Scenario A

 

The first historical scenario for the Algy Flies Down Under project is set in early November 1916. A bombing raid by five BE2c and a single Martinsyde G100 on the airfield and military targets at Beersheba has just taken place and the Australian aircraft are making their getaway. 

Two Fokker Eindeckers of Flieger Abteilung 300 take off to chase the retreating raiders, only to be taken on by one of the BE2c's which has been field modified with a Lewis mounting for the observer to act as an escort. The 'Tinsyde' joins in to give the Eindeckers a nasty surprise, forcing both of the German pilots to abandon the pursuit. 

As such, it's a simple dogfight scenario but made more interesting by the unusual armament of the Australian aircraft and by the relatively limited performance of the BE2c and the Fokker EIII. The pilots were all experienced flyers and so skill ratings will be veteran, making it a fairly even match in terms of ability. 

...more details to follow!

Aussie Aircraft Adaptations

An addition to the research material I've accumulated for the Algy Flies Down Under project, after finding a reference to it in another source. I'm hoping the book will help fill in some details on the early phase of the Palestine campaign, during which the AFC deployed a variety of obsolete or obsolescent aircraft, primarily for photography, observation, bombing and escort duties. I'm particularly interested in field adaptations to the BE2c in an attempt to turn it into an effective escort machine...not without some success, as well as retro fitting rearwards firing Lewis guns to Martynside G100 scouts. You've got to admire their enthusiasm!

https://3sqnraafasn.net/subpages/WackettFirstCombat.htm

Aussie Aircraft for Algy Flies Down Under

 

Be2 / Be12a

Be2c

RE8

Martynside G100

HP O/400

For the Algy Flies Down Under scenario play testing I'm using the tried and tested option of 1/600th scale models from Tumbling Dice. I did think about using some very nice Oddzial Osmy 3mm models that I have in the lead pile but the earlier aircraft are missing, so Tumbling Dice it is again. There are most of the types that I need in the range but I'm going to have to do some adaptation and conversion work to cover the line up required, especially for the Germans.

Here we have the two seater observation machines, with the single seater escorts and a single but very big bomber. The Be2e and Be12a models use the top wing from the RE8 on the fuselage of the Be2c, otherwise being interchangable as they looked very similar. The Be2c is straight out of the pack but on its own as there were only four of them in the squadron line up. The RE8 is also a standard model but the two Martynside G100 single seaters were adapted from an Airco DH4 model by  the simple addition of a wing mounted Lewis gun.

I added rear guns to the RE8 and exhaust stacks to all of the BE2 type aircraft, which was a fiddle but worth it for aesthetic reasons, even if they are a bit too tall. I tried shorter brass wire stacks but they weren't very visible, so the longer ones are visually better. The HP O/400 is a bit over the top but may actually feature in one ahistorical scenario that I'm thinking of including, just for kicks.

Next up will be the Brisfits...

Small Footprint Solo Skirmish Down Mexico Way

The Warbases free postage offer at the weekend got me thinking about a small scale solo skirmish project again. The last iteration of this was the Ravenfeast Viking era rules bounced back to the eighth century, using the exceptional Wiglaf Miniatures 18mm figures for West Saxon and Mercian raiding forces. I really love the scale and scope of the rules, while the figures are packed full of character, some of Mark Copplestone's best work I think. 

This is very much still on the cards but I'm also tinkering with a Wild West alternative, again using free rules , a small figure count and a minimal footprint. The rules are Ruthless from Little Wars TV and are just two sides of A4, so definitely concise and fast play enough. The figures would be from Peter Pig, of which I have a small stash, or from Check Point Miniatures, which have a small but very characterful range...

...as always, it's just an idea at the moment but there's an order in with Warbases for some Wild West buildings, so watch this space. The idea is to fit everything into a single 4 or 5 litre RUB for portability and storage, terrain, figures, rules, the lot. I have a whole stack of Wild West terrain in 28mm but it takes up the boot of the car when I use it at the club, not to mention the figures and rules. In 15mm and with some careful organisation, it should all fit in one box that I can easily carry under one arm. Result!

Over The Front Back Issue Bargain

The back issues of the Over the Front journal are available as Amazon print on demand or in pdf digital format, the latter costing only $9.99 for four issues. This is an absolute bargain and gives you access to some invaluable information for air wargaming projects, including my Algernon Pulls It Off! article, where Volume XIII includes an issue on The Forgotten Fronts. This should help to fill in the details I need for the German units on the Palestine Front, which would otherwise be very difficult to track down. Talky Ho!

Algy Flies Down Under

I was planning to go to the Colours wargaming show up the road in Newbury yesterday but, unfortunately for me, my daughter decided she was going to move in to her new student accommodation in Exeter, so I was down there shifting boxes instead. I like Colours as a show and a venue and I'm a bit miffed to have missed it for a second year in a row, but needs must. At least it saves me from spending pocket money on things I don't really need!

In more positive news, I've had a thumbs up from Nick for the Lard Mag Palestine article, which is great as I can now crack on, the next couple of days being a good time to get stuck into the scenario short list. In a turn up for the books, the Facebook group poll has also bowled a googly and my original title for the project came out as the popular choice. I've tweaked it a little to match the previous Lard Mag content, so it's now officially going to be Algy Flies Down Under.

...that's going to need some explaining!

A 'Bloody Paralyzer' in Palestine

I've discovered that No.1 Squadron AFC operated a single Handley Page 0/400 bomber from September 1918 to the end of the campaign in Palestine. I'd like to feature it in a fictional action and have some ideas for a potential scenario, with it used as in the transport role with an escort of a couple of  Brisfits. 

According to Aeropedia:

"Although used for bombing operations by No 1 Squadron AFC, it seems after arriving in Heliopolis, in Egypt, as well as attacking Turkish means of communications between the Turkish Headquarters and the 7th and 8th Armies, one of the principal tasks of C9681 in the Middle East was to transport supplies to the advanced airstrip at Azrak in Jordan to assist Lawrence of Arabia in his activities, these including fuel, oil and spare parts for the Bristol Fighters operating in the area. It seems a number of flights were made carrying supplies'

A bit different and hopefully good fun.

Algy Goes Out in the Midday Sun

I wasn't particularly happy with the title for the Lard Mag article, 'Algy Goes Down Under', as it caused no end of confusion about the focus of the project. After a bit of head scratching I came up with half a dozen alternatives and put them to the popular vote on the FB group in a none too serious poll. 

'At 12 noon, the natives swoon and no further work is done. But mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun.'

The top option was 'Algy Goes Out in the Midday Sun' to paraphrase Noel Coward, so that's what I'm going with from here on. I did consider 'Algy and the Flying A***holes', which is what observers were nicknamed by the Aussie pilots on account of their insignia, but I thought that might be a bit too risqué, even for the Toofatlardies readership!

Sabotag3d Aircraft for Algy Goes Down Under

We've had friends staying over the weekend so I've not been at the workbench at all. Before they arrived, however, I cleaned up,q magnet based and undercoated some 1/300th scale Sabotag3d aircraft for the Algy Goes Down Under Lard Mag project. I was a bit miffed to have to get the polarity right for the magnets, as I don't usually have to bother, but apart from that it wasn't too much of a faff. There are six F2B Bristol Fighters and a single RE8 to paint up over the undercoat of Army Painter German Field Grey, which was all I had in the rattle can collection. Next, will be the PC10 for which I'll use the usual Foundry Phlegm Green Shade, perhaps lightened a touch with some Phlegm Green. 

Farting about with Firing Arcs for Algernon Pulls It Off!

Revised Firing Arc Diagram 

Ring and Rail Mount Flexible Gun Arcs

Fe2b/d Observer Pintle Mount Gun Arcs

Oblique Left or Right Fixed Pilot Gun Arcs

Be2c/d Bar Mounted Observer Gun Arcs 

Something that has caused quite a lot of confusion for players of Algy are the firing arcs for different aircraft, mainly because the diagram in the rules was lifted straight from Bag the Hun and doesn't correspond to the real thing or the aircraft data tables. I've been tinkering about with it and have modified the diagram by adding the blind spot for observers due to the tail, as well as rewriting the descriptors. The latter needs some tweaking but makes more sense than the existing text. I've also been experimenting with arcs of fire for particular aircraft and armament, using the diagram to mark out what can be targeted in each case. 

It seems to work with the caveat that the aircraft data tables for the RFC / RAF have to be ammended to match (they didn't make sense in the first place and don't correspond to the German equivalent either). I've posted some illustrative diagrams on the FB group but, this far, no one has made any comments, no doubt because it's a bit abstract and boring, unless you have actually uky tried to use the rules as they are for a game. Anyway, it's all useful stuff and I may well incorporate it into the Lard Mag article as a rules option.

1/300th 3D Printed Brisfits and a Harry Tate

                  

On the work bench now are some very nice but also scarily fragile 3D printed F2b Bristol Fighters and a single RE8, destined for the skies over Palestine in 1918. These were printed for me by Paul Edwards at Sabotag3d and they're super models but give me the fear as they're a little delicate. I've already snapped an RE8 so I'll have to be extra careful with the others. The paint scheme for the Brisfits is also a challenge as they were often given white panels to keep the crew from overheating, so some careful brush work will be needed I think! 

Chocks Away!

I'm just starting the background research for the Lard Mag Algy article on No.1 Squadron Australian Flying Corps in Palestine c1917-18.

It turns out that there is a lot of potential for some good Algy games, primarily featuring the Brisfit, but also the Be2c, Be12, RE8 and Martynside G100 Elephant, for the AFC.

The Germans will be able to deploy Rumpler and AEG 'C' type two seaters, escorted on occasion by Albatros DIII, Albatros DVa and Pfalz DIII scouts.

The decision I have to make now is on a scale for play testing. I usually opt for 1/600th for cost/time reasons, but I'm also considering 1/300th, as I have quite a lot of what's required already in the 3D printed pile from Sabotag3d. 

It's a toss up between being able to paint up almost everything I need quite quickly and having more detailed models that might be good fun to paint, albeit at a slower pace. I'd also need to order some more 3D printed models to cover the earlier phase of the campaign.

May be I should just flip a coin?! 

Algy Lard Mag Plan B

After reading up on the Paraguayan Civil War for potential Algy scenarios, it is looking a bit of a stretch, although a couple of actions could be turned into workable games with a bit of imagination. So, to cut to the chase, I'm now going back to an idea I had months ago instead, focusing on No.1 Squadron of the Australian Flying Corps during the latter stages of the campaign in Palestine. There's enough in this to create at least half a dozen decent scenarios, with most of the aircraft readily available in different scales. It's early days but I'll get started next month on the preliminary reading and research. 

Napoleonic Naval Spanish Third Rates

It's back from the holiday so back to the workbench to finish off three 1/2400th Third Rates for the Spanish Fleet. These are the 80 gun San Rafael with the 75 gun Algerciras and Bahama. I have another four of these to assemble, hopefully by the end of the week, after which I'm going to wrap up the summer production line with a handful of Royal Navy second rates. 

Solo Vietnam Skirmish Campaigns

This popped up on the Ganesha Games group last week and I thought it sounded right up my street - designed for solo wargaming, a small number of figures, compact terrain and a full narrative campaign system - what's not to like? The rule book arrived while I was away so I've only just had a flick through but I'm enthused, which is a rare occurrence these days, being a grumpy old git. Anyway, I'm going to do some number crunching and rummaging in the lead pile, the current train of thought being either 15mm or 10mm with Hexon tiles for the terrain layout. If I can stretch it to French Indochina then even better. A project for next year perhaps? 

Yes, we have no bananas..

I'm back from the holiday at last, which means I can also get back to the workbench, once the unpacking and tidying up is done. One thing I'll be looking into is a potential Plan B Algy article for the Lard Mag, which is going to focus on the Paraguayan Civil War of 1922. I now have the relevant Helion Publishing book for this and, together with some sage advice from Nick, I'm hoping to be able to scrabble together a few scenarios, at least one of which will feature the eponymous ace himself. It's early days but I think I can write up a decent submission, especially if I add some semi-historical 'What If?' twists, the working title being 'Algy Goes Bananas'... just don't hold your breath! 

Bag The Hun Lard Mag Break

                                        

After some more thought I've also decided not to submit an article for Bag the Hun to the Lard Mag this year. I've had articles and scenarios published in several magazines and specials over the last few years but I think I need a break, as it takes a lot of time to research, write, play test and draft each submission. I do sometimes wonder if it's worth it, to be honest. Not that I don't have some good material to work on, which I will save for later issues. Anyway, time for a break from Bag the Hun...hopefully someone else will take up the challenge? 

Cromwell's (Mad for War)s at Sea

The last book of the holidays is a re-read of this excellent book on the English Civil War and Anglo Dutch War naval theme, which I have previously dipped into for wargaming inspiration. This might give some clues about what I'm thinking of doing this autumn as far as naval wargaming is concerned, as I've had enough of air wargaming for the moment and want to focus on nautical projects instead. I've not had a crack at Mad for War yet, despite having the rulebook and lots of model options in several different scales, so it's one of the things at the top of the list once I get back home in a few days. 

Algy's Aeronautical Almanac Grounded

After some considerable thought and based on what I've collated thus far, I don't think that it's the right time to put together the Algy Aeronautical Almanac article for this year's Lard Mag. As a result, I'm going to bump it over to the following issue, by which time there should be enough additional material to make it worthwhile. A big thank you to Mervyn Douglas and Chris Stoesen for contributing their ideas and resources, which will be stored for later development. Don't panic though...there will be something submitted for Algy this year that I have up my sleeve. In the meantime, I'm going to focus on an article for Bag the Hun instead, for which I'll be able to dedicate more time for research, writing and play testing. 

Tally Ho!

Napoleonic Naval Spanish Frigates

I'm almost at the end of the assembly line for the 1/2400th Napoleonic Naval ships, the penultimate launch being these sixth rate 34 gun Spanish Mahonesa class frigates alongside an unrated 18 gun Xebec, which as yet has no name. I really like the Tumbling Dice 28/32 gun frigate model (ASN11) which comes with an integral base and is easy to assemble. I've used it for the 34 gun frigates as it is just about the right size and layout compared to contemporary illustrations, as you can see from the painting.