Dawn Patrol 2016

Every year on 4th of July we have a dawn patrol aircraft game in the morning in the backyard.  This is garden wargaming at it's best.  The game has been played in a variety of genre but has settled mostly on WWI aircraft and is called "Boxkites".  Rules written by Ken Van Pelt.

And for your viewing pleasure here is a "yuuu-huge"  photo dump.

The German planes are tasked with getting photographic reconnaissance behind an allied barrage balloon barricade.

The flying circus.

French barrage balloons.

Go little weasel, go!

Smoke effects by Carlos Pyrotechnics.

Terry getting shot down.

taka taka taka.......

The Asp taking extreme damage.

Taunting the enemy by landing at their base and taking a selfie.

The barrier.

"This is the area we need reconnaissance."

The Asp is shot down.

Thanks for looking in...

Blue Max WWI Air Combat

Point of purchase to table elapsed time 48 hours...

World War One air combat with Blue Max.  This game was our Thursday night event as we gear up for the centennial of the aviation dates of note.

The game was well received and we jumped in with all the optional rules in effect and sorted out a 4 on 3 German victory.

Exceptional components for this older title.  The map is good enough to warrant two copies of the game.

Gameplay was pretty easy to teach.  We discussed how to miniaturize this game and what we might start creating for 3D aircraft models.

As gamers do we probably won't leave well enough alone.  I like the look but it is fun to make things for gaming.  So I expect some smallish 3D aircraft minis in the future.

Thanks for looking in.  Check your six and leave a comment.

Fourth of July Dawn Patrol : Boxkites WWI Aircraft

The Lion's Den Wargames club has some long standing traditions and one that is really special is the morning aircraft wargame that we call Dawn Patrol.  We have for the last 21 years met on the mornign of fourth of July and played some version of aircraft game that features 1/72 scale airplane models mounted to sticks and played garden style in the early morning air of the backyard.

Our wargame has featured WWII, Star Wars, WWI, Modern jets etc...  This year we played our 10th anniversary edition of the rules called Boxkites.  A great WWI version of this backyard game.

Jasta 11 forms up over the French country side.  From left to right we see Bill C., Ken V, Ted C, and Jon Mark H.  this formation would have it's day in the victories to be scored on the allies!

As always, fireworks and pyrotechnics abound.

A dogged allied lion's den gamer peals through smoke.

Never leave your wingman!

The furball.

Erstwhile allies assemble on the far end of the field.

Here we see Steve G. Carl C., Terry C, and Mike C.

Airplanes in the foreground.

Jon Mark describes to Mike just how easily it is to be shot out of the sky.

Bill laughs his time away in a French farmhouse as he was shot down behind enemy lines.

Here we are flying along with the Candied Asp MO Fokker. and the REd Baron!  Bringing up the right flank is the Shiest Weasel.

Tip of the wing to a downed foe, and a tip of the hat in return!!

As the morning wore on German victory tallies rose and the game would go to the german pilots.

The officers mess included a great biscuits and gravy breakfast provided by Paige Van Pelt.

The Asp flies off to victory with 2 kills and a full plate for breakfast.