The First Kill Revisited

 Last year I tried a quick scenario for Spandau & Lewis based on the first confirmed kill in an aerial dogfight, scored by a French Voisin 3 crew over a German Aviatik in October 1914. You can read about it HERE.  

I set it up again this afternoon, although on a 2' square play area this time. In addition I added two objectives for the German plane to observe. If they could spot one and get home then that would be a draw. Spotting two and getting home would be a German win. Shooting down the French plane would obviously also be a German win, so long as they spotted at least one objective as well. The French simply have to shoot down the German plane. 

I note that in my previous write-up I missed a couple of stats. Both planes have a power rating of 0 (as you might expect), and both crews are average. 

Here's both the planes and he two objectives. Once again the French Voisin is played by a Farman. Tumbling Dice now do a Voisin 8, which will pass as a 3 at a pinch. I'm looking at ordering a set of their newer French planes. 

The German tried to throw off the French plane by switching objective. The Voisin turns to follow. There is an exchange of fire and the Aviatik takes some damage. 

The German observed the first objective as the Voisin came in for another pass. It scored some more minor damage.

The French crew was slow in turning in pursuit. These early-war planes are not agile. 

The Germans observed the second target and turned for home, but the French plane was coming in on an intercept course. 

The German observer kept up a steady fire with his rifle, but didn't come close to hitting the French plane. The French dropped in behind the German aircraft. 

But the French couldn't finish the German lane off. The Germans turned to throw off the French pursuit. Both aircraft were now low on ammunition. The Germans fired one last shot, which missed. The French observer kept his last burst back until the pilot could get him into a better position. 

The final French burst missed, and both planes headed for home with no fight left in them. The German plane was damaged - it had taken half of its hits - and the French plane was unharmed. But the Germans had made both observations so were the winners.

(I did test for the damaged German plane turning back onto a course home; if it went off one of the side edges then there was a chance it would be lost. And the damage it had taken made that a possibility.)

The second game went badly for the French from the word go, as the Germans slipped past them, firing a cheeky rifle shot that almost hit the Voisin. 

They observed the first target whilst the French plane struggled to turn in pursuit. 

Try as they might the French crew couldn't get a clear shot at the German plane. 

The Germans observed the second target and headed for home. 

The French pursued, but some nifty side-slipping by the Aviatik prevented a clear shot. 

Indeed the Germans managed to completely wrong-foot the French plane and leave it heading in completely the wrong direction. A burst of speed saw the German heading for home, undamaged and with both observations for a convincing win.

The French crew had managed only four shots all game. The Germ observer had, once again, emptied the magazine of his rifle, but had, once again, failed to score any damage.