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World War One Air Combat C ANVAS E AGLES V 3.6.2 War in the Skies 1914 - 1918 Not to be sold - Private Copy

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  • World War One Air Combat

    CANVAS EAGLES

    V 3.6.2

    War in the Skies1914-1918

    Not to be sold - Private Copy

  • 11..0000 IInnttrroodduuccttiioonn 11..1100 TThhee GGaammee

    1.11 General Game Background1.12 Extra Equipment Required 1.13 The Hex Playing Sheet

    11..2200 PPllaayyeerrss aanndd PPiilloottss

    11..3300 TThhee MMaarrkkeerr 1.301 Damage Markers 1.302 Information Markers 1.303 Altitude Markers 1.304 Tailing/Changing Altitude Markers

    11..4400 HHeexxaaggoonn FFaacciinngg

    11..5500 MMaanneeuuvveerr SScchheedduulleess 1.501 Maneuver Codes 1.502 Flight Tolerances

    22..0000 PPrreeppaarriinngg ttoo PPllaayy 22..1100 CChhoooossee tthhee TTiimmee PPeerriioodd

    22..2200 CChhoooossee SSiiddeess

    33..0000 SSeeqquueennccee ooff PPllaayy 33..1100 TTaaiilliinngg PPhhaassee

    3.101 Tailing Restrictions 3.102 Tailing Diagram 3.103 Same Hex Tailing 3.104 Effects of Tailing 3.105 Special Tailing Situations

    33..2200 MMaanneeuuvveerr SSeelleeccttiioonn PPhhaassee 3.201 Initial Maneuver3.202 Fuel and Maneuvers 3.203 Restricted Maneuvers 3.204 Non-repeatable Maneuvers 3.205 Climbing 29S2 (Immelmann) 3.206 Acceleration and Deceleration

    3.207 Turning 3.208 Move Written Markers

    33..2211 MMaanneeuuvveerrss aanndd AAllttiittuuddee 3.211 Flight Tolerances 3.212 Initial Altitude 3.213 Changing Altitude Diving 3.214 Steep Dives 3.215 Over Diving 3.216 Changing Altitude Climbing 3.217 Steep Climbs 3.218 Zoom Climbing 3.219 Regaining Maximum Altitude 3.2191 Stalls 3.2192 Burst Fire Types and Altitude 3.2193 Anoxia 3.2194 Collisions (optional)

    33..3300 FFuueell EExxppeennddiittuurree PPhhaassee 3.301 Gliding

    33..4400 MMoovveemmeenntt PPhhaassee

    33..5500 CCoommbbaatt PPhhaassee 3.501 Line of Fire/Fire Range 3.502 Same Hex Combat 3.503 Resolution

    33..5511 GGuunn PPllaayy 3.511 Clock Reference 3.512 Gun Play Altitude Bands 3.513 Gun Play Arcs 3.514 Weapon Mountings 3.515 Fire Arc Diagram 1.0 3.516 Fire Arc Diagram 2.0 3.517 Fire Arc Diagram 3.0 3.518 Fire Arc Diagram 4.0 3.519 Fire Arc Diagram 5.03.5191 Fire Arc Diagram 6.0 3.5192 Weapon ID and Ammunition

    33..5522 OObbsseerrvveerrss aanndd CCoommbbaatt 3.521 Firing Rules for Observers3.522 The Blind Spot

    TABLE of CONTENTS

    i

  • 33..5533 TThhee CCoommbbaatt VVaalluueess TTaabbllee 3.531 Bursts Lengths 3.532 Stability 3.533 Target Stalled 3.534 Attacker Speed 3 or 4 3.535 Firing with Flexible Weapons (F)3.536 Restricted/Spin Maneuver 3.537 Firing with Dual Weapons (R)3.538 Firing with Single Weapon 3.539 Deflection 3.5391 Fired at last turn 3.5392 Tailing a Target 3.5393 Target at a lower altitude3.5394 Target at a higher altitude 3.5395 Firer has a Minor Wound 3.5396 Firer has a Serious Wound

    33..5544 CCoommbbaatt DDiiee RRoollll 3.541 Drawing/Recording Damage

    33..6600 DDaammaaggee PPhhaassee 3.601 Total Wing, Tail or Fuselage Damage 3.602 Total Engine Damage 3.603 Red Marker Tail and Wing Damage3.604 Critical Damage (optional)3.605 Multiple Marker Effects 3.606 Same Altitude Front and Rear Hits 3.607 Special Damage Types 3.608 Spinning Aircraft

    33..7700 RReeccoovveerryy PPhhaassee 3.701 Unjamming Weapons 3.702 Spin Recovery 3.703 Reloading a Weapon

    33..8800 PPrroobblleemm PPhhaassee 3.801 Weapon Jamming

    33..8811 SSppiinnnniinngg 3.811 Testing for Spins 3.812 Effects of a Spin

    33..9900 FFiirree PPhhaassee 3.901 Fire Damage

    33..110000 FFiirree//SSmmookkee EExxttiinngguuiisshhiinngg PPhhaassee 3.1001 Fire Extinguishing 3.1002 Smoke Extinguishing

    44..0000 SSeeccrreeccyy

    55..0000 EEnnddiinngg aa GGaammee 5.01 Escape 5.02 Capture 5.03 Destroyed

    66..0000 TThhee WWeeaappoonnss 6.01 Carbines/Rifles 6.02 The Lewis Gun6.03 Combined Lewis & Vickers MGs6.04 Central Forces Light MGs 6.05 The Hotchkiss Machinegun 6.06 Belt-Fed Machine Guns6.07 Onboard Cannons (optional)6.07 Heavy Machinegun (optional)6.09 Le Prieur Anti-Balloon Rockets (optional)

    77..0000 AArrcchhiiee (optional) 7.01 Ground Fire 7.02 Anti-Aircraft Markers 7.03 Anti-Aircraft Placement 7.04 Anti-Aircraft Fire7.05 Friendly Fire (optional)

    88..0000 FFlliigghhtt LLeeaaddeerrss (optional) 8.01 Formation Flying 8.02 Breaking Formation 8.03 Formation Leaders 8.04 Wingmen

    TABLE of CONTENTS

    i i

  • 99..0000 DDuuaall CCoonnttrroollss 9.01 Observers as Pilots

    1100..0000 WWoouunnddss 10.01 Wounding Pilots/Observers 10.02 Minor Wound Effects 10.03 Serious Wound Effects

    1111..0000 LLaannddiinngg//CCrraasshhiinngg 11.01 Landing and Crashing 11.02 Surviving a Crash/Being Destroyed 11.03 Evading Capture

    1122..0000 MMuullttiippllee EEnnggiinneess 12.01 Multi-Engine Aircraft Damage Boxes 12.02 Maneuvering Multi-Engine Aircraft 12.03 Multi-Engine Aircraft Crew

    1133..0000 CCaammppaaiiggnn RRuulleess 13.01 Choosing Sides 13.02 Pilots/Observers 13.03 Destroyed 13.04 Bailing Out

    1133..1100 EExxppeerriieennccee 13.101 Novice Pilots 13.102 Experience Points/Special Abilities 13.103 Kill Experience Points

    1133..2200 TThhee MMiissssiioonnss 13.201 Starting a Mission 13.202 Ground Offensives 13.203 Winning a Campaign 13.204 The Missions Table

    1144..0000 TThhee FFlluuiidd GGaammee 14.01 Entery/Reentry Hexes 14.02 Fluid Game Rules 14.03 Returning to the Fluid Game 14.04 Fluid Game Turn Recording14.05 Fluid Games & Two-Seaters (optional)14.06 Fluid Game Turn Recording

    1155..0000 TTiimmeedd GGaammeess

    1166..0000 UUnnttrriieedd RRuulleess

    TThhee AAppppeennddiicceessAppendix A

    Allied Aicraft Game Statistics

    Appendix B

    Central Aicraft Game Statistics

    Appendix C

    Landing Table

    Crash Result Table Bailing Out Table

    Evade Table

    Injuries Table

    Appendix D Experience Table

    Special Abilities Table

    Concentrated Fire Table

    Appendix E

    Missions Table & Missions

    CCoommbbaatt TTaabblleess

    TThhiinnggss ttoo KKnnooww

    TABLE of CONTENTS

    i i i

  • 11..0000 IInnttrroodduuccttiioonn11..1100 TThhee GGaammeeCanvas Eagles is a multi-player air combat game set inthe time of World War One 1914 - 1918. Canvas Eaglesprovides the details of aerial combat: how the aircraftfly, and how they fight. Players then choose their air-craft and fight out their encounters using 1/72nd or1/144th scale model aircraft.

    1.11 General Game Background: Each player is afighter pilot in either the Allied (French, American,Italian, Belgium, Russian, Japanese, British, andCommon Wealth countries) or Central (German, Aus-tro-Hungarian or Turkey) air service. Each game is asingle dogfight in which players attempt to shootdown as many enemy aircraft as possible withoutbeing destroyed themselves. Some games may alsodepict the various bombing and reconnaissance mis-sions typical of this time period. The completion ofthese missions will become as important as thedestruction of enemy aircraft. There is no limit to thenumber of players which may participate in a singlegame.

    1.12 Extra Equipment Required: The players need toprovide a 1d6 die (six-sided die), an opaque contain-er, a hex playing sheet and miniature aircraft to playthe game. When playing the campaign game, anadditional 1d10 (a ten-sided die) is required.

    1.13 The Hex Playing Sheet: The hex playing sheetshould be compatible with the scale of aircraft beingused. We recommend the hex map should be least 10hexes by 10 hexes in size and divided into opposingtrenchlines. The opposing trenchline should be

    between 5 and 10 hexes apart. A trenchline systemcan be between one and three hexes wide; hex play-ing sheets can vary from one another.

    11..2200 PPllaayyeerrss aanndd PPiilloottssA person playing the game is a player; the personalitycontrolling the aircraft is a pilot. Players may controlmore than one pilot in the game, although, this is onlyrecommended for the more experienced players.

    11..3300 TThhee MMaarrkkeerrssThere are 35 damage markers, 18 tailing markers, and40 altitude markers (numbered 1 through 10).

    1.301 Damage Markers: There are 35 damage mark-ers, each with a blue and a red side. These markersare used to determine the damage an aircraft takes asa result of weapon fire. Most markers have a numberand a section (fuselage, tail, wing or engine) printedon them. The number indicates the amount of dam-age boxes/triangles to be crossed off on the AircraftData Sheet, for that particular section. The markersshould be placed in an opaque container for use dur-ing the game.

    1.302 Information Markers: These are "Fire",Smoke, "Spin", and "Being Tailed" markers. Whenan aircraft is on fire, issuing smoke, spinning, orbeing tailed, place the appropriate marker on the air-craft base stand.

    1.303 Altitude Markers: One alititude marker isplaced on the aircraft base stand to indicate to allplayers the altitude level each aircraft is currentlyflying. If the aircraft dives or climbs, the player isrequired to replace the previous marker with one thathas the correct current altitude indicated.

    1.304 Tailing Markers: There are two sets of tailingmarkers: one set of markers have the word Tailingon one side, and are marked L, R or S (Left,Right or Straight) on the other side. These are usedto secretly disclose the direction of your next maneu-ver to any pilot who is tailing you. The other markerset is labeled Changing Altitude on one side, andare marked Dive, Level or Climb on the otherside. These are used to show planned altitude

    Canvas Eagles 1914 - 1918

    1

    Example Hex Playing Sheet

    Trenchlines

  • 2changes to any pilot who is tailing you.

    11..4400 HHeexxaaggoonn FFaacciinnggDuring a game, each aircraft model must always belocated in a particular hexagon with its front pointingtowards one of the hexagons six sides.

    11..5500 MMaanneeuuvveerr SScchheedduulleessEach aircraft has its own Aircraft Data Sheet whichcontains a section, the "Maneuver Schedule", showingevery maneuver that an aircraft can perform. The air-craft's starting position is noted by an arrow facingforward, and pointing to the top of the page. Its end-ing position is shown by a solid black aircraft silhou-ette. Some maneuvers require no forward hex move-ment or facing change, these maneuvers are noted inthe Maneuver Schedule.

    Below each maneuver are its Flight Tolerance Codes,which include the Maneuver code, and the AltitudeChange Code.

    1.501 Flight Tolerances: Flight Tolerances are thecodes found directly under each maneuver diagramfound on each aircrafts Maneuver Schedule. FlightTolerances are divided into two catagories:

    Maneuver Codes: These consist of the maneu-ver number, a direction letter (L for Left, S forstraight, R for right) and a speed number. Eachcode describes in game terms the acceleration, andthe types of maneuvers that an aircraft can per-form. Altitude Change Code: The altitude changecode informs players as how much their aircraftmay dive, climb, whether it may fly level, or isrequired to change altitude in the next maneuverphase while performing that particular maneuverthis game turn.

    1.502 Early & Later War Charts: Players should notethat aircraft are divided into early war and later warmaneuver schedules. Games representing battlesprior to January 1917, use the early war maneuverschedule. Games representing battles from January1917 onward, use the late war maneuver schedule.

    Note: Early War and Late War maneuver schedules can-not be combined or used in the same game.

    22..0000 PPrreeppaarriinngg ttoo PPllaayy22..1100 CChhoooossee tthhee TTiimmee PPeerriiooddPlayers choose the year and the month their game willtake place, keeping in mind that Canvas Eagles air-craft are divided into two general sections: EarlyWar (1914-1916) and Late War (1917-1918). Thetime period will become very important because of theintroduction of newer aircraft throughout the war willeffect the number and type of aircraft available.

    22..2200 CChhoooossee SSiiddeessPlayers must determine which side they will be fight-ing on, with their choices being either Allied or Cen-tral forces. Generally, it is preferable that both sidesshould be of equal strength with regards to the num-ber of players in a game.

    World War I Air Combat

    The front of theaircraft must pointtowards a hexagonside

    Correct Facing

    Incorrect Facing

    Facing Diagram

    28R1-/X/-

    28L1-/X/-

    27S2C1/-/D1

    [1S0]-/X/-

    (Spin Check)

    [1R0]-/X/-

    (Spin Check)

    [1L0]-/X/-

    (Spin Check)

    The above maneuvers require the aircraft to remain inthe same hex; the aircrafts facing may change, but the

    aircraft does not leave its starting hex.

  • 33..0000 SSeeqquueennccee ooff PPllaayyCanvas Eagles in played in turns. To make the gameproceed in an orderly manner, the turn is divided intoa sequence of phases. In each, phase, only very specif-ic actions are possible. All players must finish onephase before starting the next phase.

    33..1100 TTaaiilliinngg PPhhaasseePlayers determine if they are either being tailed or aretailing another player. For any two aircraft, one istailing the other if the following two conditions apply:

    The aircraft being tailed is in the front tailingarc of the tailing aircraft.

    The tailing aircraft is in the rear tailing arc ofthe aircraft being tailed.

    Note: In the Tailing Arcs Diagram, the aircraft is techni-cally occupying both the front and the rear arc. Whicharc the aircraft actually occupies is determined in "3.103Same Hex Tailing" and 3.502 Same Hex Combat.

    3.101 Tailing Restrictions: The following restrictionsapply to tailing:

    An aircraft can only tail one enemy aircraft at atime. An aircraft may tail any number friendly air-craft. An aircraft cannot be tailed if the hex range isgreater than three hexes (special pilot skills canincrease this to four hexes; see Appendix D), or,the altitude difference is greater than one level. An aircraft cannot tail if it is on fire or smoking.

    3.102 Tailing Diagram: The tailing diagram showsfour examples of tailing: aircraft A may tail aircraftB; aircraft B, D and E may tail aircraft C (all aircraftare at the same altitude, or the difference is nogreater than 1 altitude level).

    3.103 Same Hex Tailing: An aircraft may tail anotheraircraft in the same hex only if following two condi-tions apply:

    Both aircraft are facing in the same direction. The tailing aircrafts maneuver from the previ-ous turn had a lower speed number than that ofthe aircraft being tailed.

    3.104 Effects of Tailing: During the maneuver selec-tion phase, the players who are being tailed must

    Canvas Eagles 1914 - 1918

    3

    Tailing Arcs Diagrams Aircraft's front facing

    1. Tailing Phase2. Maneuver Selection Phase3. Fuel Expenditure Phase4. Movement Phase5. Combat Phase6. Damage Phase7. Recovery Phase8. Problem Phase9. Fire Damage Phase10. Fire/Smoke Extinguishing Phase

    Tailing Diagram

    A

    B

    D

    C

    E

  • reveal both the direction, and any altitude change oftheir chosen maneuver to each player tailing them.Each player being tailed selects a set of directionmarkers (one marked L for left, S for straight or R forright) and passes the correct one to the tailing play-er(s). Each player being tailed also selects an "alti-tude change" marker (one marked Dive, Level orClimb) and passes the correct one to the tailing play-er(s). The markers are kept secret from all otherplayers.

    3.105 Special Tailing Situations: It is possible tohave a chain of aircraft tailing each other. In thesecases, the first player in the chain gives directionalinformation to the second player, who then decideson a maneuver and gives directional information tothe third player, and so on to the end of the chain. Itis possible to have a circular chain in which theleader, A, is tailing B, who is tailing C, who is tailingA. When situations like this arise, players each roll a1d6 and the player with the lowest die roll mustreveal directional information first.

    33..2200 MMaanneeuuvveerr SSeelleeccttiioonn PPhhaasseeEach player selects a maneuver from their aircraftsManeuver Schedule and records this on their Air-craft Data Sheet. Some restrictions may apply to themaneuvers a player may choose.

    3.201 Initial Maneuver: On the first turn, an aircraftmay perform any non-restricted maneuver whichappears on its maneuver chart.

    3.202 Fuel and Maneuvers: The aircraft must haveenough fuel left to perform the maneuver. The num-ber of fuel boxes remaining on the Aircraft DataSheet must be equal to, or more than, the speed num-ber of the selected maneuver.

    3.203 Restricted Maneuvers: Some maneuvers (num-bered 27-36) may only be selected if the previousmaneuver was a simple straight flight (maneuversnumbered 2, 3, or 4).

    Example: if the previous maneuver was 28, the aircraftmay not select maneuvers numbered 27 - 36.

    3.204 Non-repeatable Maneuvers: Maneuver codesenclosed in brackets (maneuvers 1, 28, 31 and 36) arenon-repeatable. These may not be chosen if the pre-vious maneuver was also a non-repeatable maneuver.

    Example: if the previous maneuver was 28, the aircraftmay not select maneuvers 1, 28, 31 or 36.

    3.205 Climbing Immelmann (29S2/27S2): Themaneuver 29S2 or 27S2, in which the aircraft climbs 1altitude level, is called a Climbing Immelmann.This is only possible if the aircraft first performed adive of more than 1 altitude level during the previ-ous movement phase. (see 3.218 Zoom Climbing).

    3.206 Acceleration and Deceleration: Players mayonly increase or decrease their aircrafts speed by onespeed number per turn.

    Example: If the previous maneuver had a speed numberof 3, the player could not select a maneuver with a speednumber of 1. The player could select a maneuver of speed2, 3, or 4.

    3.207 Turning: Aircraft with stability A and B cannotperform a left turn one turn, and a right turn on thefollowing turn (or vise versa). These aircraft mustperform a straight maneuver between directionchanges. Stability C ignore this rule.

    Example: An aircraft with Stability A or B performing a14L2 maneuver one turn may not perform a 14R2maneuver the next Maneuver Phase, although a StabilityC aircraft may.

    3.208 Move Written Markers: When players havecompleted their maneuver selection, they each mustplace a Move Written marker on their aircraft basestand. When all aircraft base stands on the game

    World War I Air Combat

    20R3C1/L/D

    Maneuver Diagram

    Maneuver Code

    Maneuver Name: #20-Right-Speed/Fuel 3

    Starting Pointwith Facing

    Maneuver Number

    Direction Letter

    Ending Positionand Facing

    ManeuverSpeedand FuelExpenditure

    FlightTolerances Altitude Change

    Code

    4

  • board have a Move Writtenmarker placed on them,then the Maneuver Selection Phase is over. In caseof a disputed move, it is best to leave the marker inthe aircrafts starting hex with the correct startingfacing during the maneuver phase. Remove themarker at the turns end, and place the ? side up toindicate that the aircrafts next maneuver selectionhas not yet been written.

    33..2211 MMaanneeuuvveerrss aanndd AAllttiittuuddee:: Aircraft may not dive and climb in the same turn.

    3.211 Flight Tolerances Codes: The Flight Tolerancecodes are found beneath the maneuver diagram.Players can tell at a glance, how much their aircraftmay dive, climb or if their aircraft may fly level forthat turn (certain maneuvers may not permit orrestrict an aircraft to flying level, climbing, diving,or may require an altitude change in the next maneu-ver selection phase). The following is a list of all thepossible Flight Tolerance codes and their exact mean-ings:

    C = While performing this maneuver, the aircraftmay climb up to its maximum climb rating.C1 = While performing this maneuver the aircraftmay only climb a maximum of 1 altitude level.D = While performing this maneuver the aircraftmay dive to its maximum dive rating or more (see3.215 Over Diving).D1 = While performing this maneuver, the aircraftmay only dive a maximum of 1 altitude level.L = While performing this maneuver, the aircraftmay fly a normal level flight. X = While performing this maneuver, the aircraftmay fly a normal level flight, but on the nextmaneuver selection phase, this aircraft MUST diveat least 1 altitude level. Aircraft with R or RRweapons MAY NOT attack aircraft at higher alti-tudes while performing X maneuvers.- = May not perform this action when performing

    this maneuver.

    3.212 Initial Altitude: Aircraft begin the game at anyaltitude they are capable of flying, unless a scenariospecifies the starting altitude. Consult the AircraftsRecord Sheet to determine the maximum altitude thatyour aircraft may fly at during the game.

    3.213 Diving: Aircraft may descend to a lower alti-tude level by diving. Diving consists of specifyingdive in the notes box for that turn on the AircraftData Sheet. An aircraft which dives uses one lessfuel box than its speed number indicates. This maymean that an aircraft will end up using 0 fuel forsome maneuvers; a maneuver may never yield a neg-ative speed number. An aircraft that dives 1 altitudelevel is said to have made a Shallow Dive; any divegreater than 1 altitude level is called a Steep Dive.Diving as a result of a spin does not reduce the fuelconsumption for this maneuver; this maneuver stillconsumes 1 fuel box.

    Example: An aircraft diving while performing a speed 2maneuver will expend 1 fuel box after performing themaneuver.

    3.214 Steep Dives: Aircraft diving more than 1 alti-tude level will be moving 1 speed number faster onthe following turn. This means if an aircraft wereperforming a speed 2 maneuver and dives 2 or morealtitude levels in a single maneuver phase, at the endof the maneuver this aircraft will be moving at speed3. An aircraft cannot exceed its maximum speed asindicated on its Aircraft Maneuver Schedule. Suchaircraft are considered to be already at their maxi-mum speed.

    3.215 Over Diving: An aircraft may attempt to divemore than its maximum dive rating. The maximumdive rating is the aircrafts safe diving rate. For everyextra altitude level the aircraft dives beyond its maxi-mum dive rate, one BLUE damage marker is drawnat the end of the movement phase. All damageresults are placed onto the aircrafts wings regardlessof the section mentioned on the damage marker.Ignore references to pilots, observers, rudders,weapons and smoke, but do not ignore references tofabric tears and strut damage. An aircraft may notover dive using maneuvers with a maximum diverating of 1 (ie D1).

    3.216 Climbing: Aircraft may ascend to a higher alti-tude level by climbing. Climbing consists of specify-ing climb in the notes box for that turn on theAircraft Data Sheet. At the END of the maneuverphase, the aircraft will be at the higher altitude level.An aircraft may gain altitude levels equal to or lessthan its maximum climb rating. An aircraft that

    Canvas Eagles 1914 - 1918

    5

  • climbs 1 altitude level is said to have made a Shal-low Climb; any climb greater than 1 altitude level iscalled a Steep Climb. An aircraft which climbsuses 1 fuel box more than its speed number indicates.

    Example: Aircraft that climb while performing speed 1maneuvers expend 2 fuel boxes after performing themaneuver.

    3.217 Steep Climbs: Aircraft climbing 2 or more alti-tude levels in a single turn will be moving 1 speednumber less at the end of movement phase.

    Example: Aircraft that perform speed 2 maneuvers andclimb 2 altitude levels in a single movement phase, willbe moving at speed 1 at the end of the movement phase.

    Aircraft ending the movement phase with a speed of0 must test for spinning (see 3.81 Spinning).

    3.218 Zoom Climbing: An aircraft which dives 2 ormore altitude levels during a movement phase mayelect to Zoom Climb the following movementphase. A zoom climb allows an aircraft to climb witha fuel consumption of +0, rather than +1 for a normalclimb. ONLY when Zoom Climbing may an aircraftperform a climbing Immelmann 29S2/27S2 duringthe following turn (see 3.204 Climbing Immelmann29S2/27S2).

    3.219 Regaining Maximum Altitude: Most aircraftcannot regain their maximum altitude during thecourse of a game. Such aircraft can begin at theirmaximum altitude level, but once they have descend-ed from this level, they may not regain them. Withinthe context of the game, ascending to these altitudeswould take too long. Some aircraft have a + listednext to their maximum altitude on their Aircraft DataSheets. These aircraft CAN regain their maximumaltitude levels within the confines of the game.

    Example: The Vickers F5B Weapon Bus has a maxi-mum altitude listed as 5+. It can begin the game at alti-tude level 5, and can regain altitude level 5 once it hasleft it.

    3.2191 Stalls: Aircraft which attempt to climb to analtitude level that it cannot reach will stall. An air-craft may voluntarily choose a stall maneuver if theplayer deems it appropriate. Aircraft which stallduring a game, either voluntarily or involuntarily,must test to see if it goes into a spin (see 3.81 Spin-

    ning).

    3.2192 Burst Fire Types and Altitude: Firing a shortburst has no effect on the attackers maneuver for thefollowing maneuver phase. However, when firing amedium or long burst with a rigid mounted weapon(noted as Ror RR on Fire Arc templates) at anaircraft at a lower altitude, the attacking aircraft mustdive next turn. When firing a medium or long burstat an aircraft at a higher altitude with a rigid mount-ed weapon, the attacking aircraft must climb nextturn. If a higher altitude is unattainable the aircraftmust choose a stall maneuver the following maneu-ver selection phase and check for going into a spin(see 3.81 Spinning).

    Note: When firing medium or long bursts with flexiblemounted weapons, the aircraft does not have to dive orclimb the following movement phase.

    An aircraft performing a level flight maneuver withan X code for Flight Tolerance (example: -/X/D1)MAY NOT attack an aircraft which is at a higher alti-tude level.

    3.2193 Anoxia: This rule is used for Late War gamesonly. Aircraft operating at altitude levels 9 and 10must test to see if crew members pass out from lackof oxygen. During the Problem Phase Roll 1d6. Ataltitude 9: The crew member passes out on a roll of 5or 6. At altitude 10: The crew member passes out ona roll of 3, 4, 5 or 6. If the pilot has passed out, andtheir conscious crew members that can control theaircraft, the aircraft automatically goes into a spin(see 9.00 Dual Controls; see 16.02 Oxygen).

    Note: Observers also have to test to see if they pass out;however, if an observer passes out, the aircraft will not gointo a spin. Crew members who pass out may not fire,reload, or unjam their weapons. The crew member auto-matically recovers at altitude level 8, but a spinning air-craft must still recover from the spin (use normal spinrecovery roll); (see "3.81 Spinning").

    3.2194 Collisions (optional): If two or more aircraftend the movement phase at the same altitude and inthe same hex, there is a chance of a collision. Playersroll 2d6, and if the sum of any of players roll are thesame, their aircraft have collided. For determiningdamge, each player rolls 1d6 and take that many

    World War I Air Combat

    6

  • Red damage markers (players do not receive expe-rience points for collision red damage markers).

    33..3300 FFuueell EExxppeennddiittuurree PPhhaasseeEach player must cross off fuel boxes equal to thespeed number of the maneuver performed. Fuelexpenditure is effected by altitude changes (see 3.213Diving and 3.216 Climbing). When the last fuelbox is crossed off, the aircraft is out of fuel (see 3.301Gliding).

    Note: Aircraft which are out of fuel are still able to catchfire, issue smoke, and have a fuel tank explosion.

    3.301 Gliding: An aircraft that runs out of fuel, orwhose engine has been destroyed by damage, mustglide. Only aircraft which MUST glide are allowedto glide (players cannot stop their engines and glidein order to conserve fuel). Gliding aircraft can onlyselect maneuvers 2, 3 or 8 during the maneuverphase. If maneuver 2 or 8 is selected, the aircraftmust lose 1 altitude level every other turn. If maneu-ver 3 is selected, the aircraft must lose 1 altitude lev-els every turn (exception: aircraft that have a maxi-mum dive rate of 1, only lose 1 altitude level perturn).

    33..4400 MMoovveemmeenntt PPhhaasseeDuring the movement phase players must move theiraircraft as dictated by the maneuver they selected thatturn. The Aircraft Maneuver Schedule for the specificaircraft shows the relationship between the aircraftsstarting position and ending position for each maneu-ver. The arrow is in the starting position and the solidblack aircraft silhouette is in the ending position.

    Example: In maneuver 12, an aircraft moves two hexesforward and one hex to the left.

    In several maneuvers (maneuvers 1L, 1R, 27 and 28)the aircraft ends up in the same hex it started in,although it faces in a different direction. With maneu-ver #1, the aircraft does not change its facing nor doesit move at all.

    All movement is performed simultaneously. All play-ers move their aircraft at the same time (or at least inthe same phase). Any number of aircraft may occupyor pass through the same hex without colliding (seeoptional rule: 3.2194 Collisions).

    Note: During the Movement Phase aircraft that are cur-rently spinning must drop one altitude band (see, "3.81Spinning).

    3.401 Anti-Aircraft Fire: During the movementphase, aircraft that flew fly into or through a hex con-taining an anti-aircraft marker may be fired upon.Anti-aircraft fire is resolved as the last step of move-ment phase before continuing to the next phase.

    33..5500 CCoommbbaatt PPhhaasseeIn the game, Canvas Eagles, all guns on board the air-craft are referred to as Weapons. This reference isused because not all weapons used on board aircraftwere machine guns, but could also include rifles, car-bines, 37mm cannons, 47mm cannons, 11.5mmmachine guns, etc.

    During the combat phase each weapon, providing ithas a separate gunner, may fire at one aircraft in itsline of fire, even if the selected target already is beingattacked by one or more weapons. One weapon maymake only one attack during a turn. It may fire at anyone of several aircraft in the same target hex.

    At the beginning of the combat phase, any pilot whowants to fire must secretly record on their AircraftData Sheet the target of their fire and the length of theburst: either a short, medium or long burst.

    3.501 Line of Fire/Fire Range: Line of fire consists ofthe aircrafts own hex and the three hexes from theaircraft (see "3.51 Fire Arc Template").

    3.502 Same Hex Combat: An aircraft may fire at atarget aircraft in the same hex if following two condi-tions apply:

    Both aircraft are facing in the same direction(this also applies to observers aircraft). The speed number of the attacker's maneuverperformed in the maneuver phase is lower thanthe speed number of the targets maneuver.

    Note: The target aircraft is in the front arc of the attack-ing aircraft while the attacking aircraft is in the rear arcof the target aircraft. If the target survives the attack, itis now being tailed; (see , 3.103 Same Hex Tailing).

    During same hex combat, rear facing observers maynot fire at attacking aircraft that are at the same alti-

    Canvas Eagles 1914 - 1918

    7

  • tude level because the attacker is considered to be intheir Blind Spot. However, observers may fire atattackers who are 1 altitude level higher.

    3.504 Resolution: All fire is simultaneous. Damagedoes not take effect until the end of the damagephase. The actual resolution of each of the variouscombats may take place in any convenient order.

    33..5511 FFiirree AArrcc TTeemmppllaattee::The Fire Arc template shows the hexes in which aweapon may fire. Each weapon, or weapon grouping(some weapons were grouped together, such as twinSpandau or twin Vickers Machine guns, etc), will havea corresponding Fire Arc template.

    The Fire Arc template shows the Fire Arcs in a clockreference system for each weapon position. Theblacked arcs show the hex facing where the weaponmay can fire. If an arc is shaded as opposed to beingblack, the player may fire into this arc, but if a medi-um or long burst is fired, the aircraft will have to dive(for a lower arc) or climb (for a higher arc) the follow-ing turn.

    Note: Some aircraft have only one weapon, while otheraircraft come with multiple weapons each with their ownFire Arc template. Some of these may be optionalweapons which may mean players have a choice ofweapons, or must roll 1d6, prior to the start of the gameto determine if the aircraft is so equipped.

    3.511 Clock Reference: A modified clock referencesystem is used to determine directions, based on thefacing of the aircraft. Simply imagine a clock laid flaton the axis of the aircraft, with the 12 Oclock posi-tion being directly ahead of the aircraft, and the 6Oclock position being directly behind the aircraft,etc. This system can be used to determine exactlywhich hexes fall in the various clock position withrelation to the aircraft.

    3.512 Fire Arc Altitude Bands: The Fire Arc tem-plates show all firing arc positions and all altitudeswithin each arc for each weapon equipped on an air-craft. Firing directly up or down within the samehex is prohibited as this was never done in WorldWar One air combat.

    Low Altitude Band: The outer band on the Fire Arctemplate shows Low positions. To be low a targetaircraft must ONE altitude level lower than the fir-ing aircraft and in a different hex.

    Same Altitude Band: The center band on the FireArc template shows Same Altitude positions. Thetarget aircraft must occupy the same altitude as thefiring aircraft.

    High Altitude Band: The inner band on the Fire Arctemplate shows High positions. To be high, a tar-get aircraft must ONE altitude level higher than thefiring aircraft and in a different hex.

    3.513 Fire Arc: The clock position and relative alti-tude information is put together to form Fire Arcsthat define where weapons may fire. These arcs areidentified by combing the clock reference with thealtitude reference into terms such as 6 OclockLow, or 12 Oclock High, etc.

    3.514 Weapon Mountings: There are two weaponmounting classes (Rigid and Flexible) that affectCombat Values, and one sub-class (Wing Mounted)that does not affect Combat Values:

    1. Rigid Mounted Weapons (R): These areweapons that are fixed or immovable and general-ly operated by the pilot. To aim these weapons, thepilot aims the whole aircraft. If the weapon is atwin rigid weapon, the code will appear as (RR).

    2. Flexible Weapons (F): These are weaponsmounted on a swivel mounting that allows theweapon to swing through a horizontal arc. Theseare generally operated by the observer. Althoughthey have a wider arc of fire, they are also less accu-rate than a rigid mounting system. If the weapon isa twin flexible weapon, the code will appear as (FF).

    3. Wing Mounted Weapons (W): These areweapons which were placed on the tops of aircraftwings allowing the weapon to be fired over the arcof the propeller. Some weapons are a rigid mountedsystem operated by the pilot. These will have this

    World War I Air Combat

    8

    B

    Low Altitude Band

    Same Altitude BandHigh Altitude Band

    Aircraft Front Facing (always faces 12 O'clock position)

    Weapon ID

  • coding: RW (Rigid Wing Mounted Weapon). Otherweapons are on a flexible mounted system, operatedby the observer. These will have the code: FWO(Flexible, Wing Mounted, Observer operated). Wingmountings have no affect on Combat Value.

    3.515 Fire Arc Diagram 1.0: Fire Arc Diagram 1.0shows a forward facing, flexible mounted weaponoperated by the observer (FO). The 12 Oclock posi-tion shows all three altitude bands are blackened andtherefore this weapon may attack targets in the 12Oclock hex row, one altitude higher, or lower, aswell as attack targets that are on the same altitude

    level. In diagram 1.0, these hexes are marked, All.The same weapon may also attack targets that areone altitude higher in the 2 Oclock, and 10 Oclockposition. These hexes are marked as, H.

    3.516 Fire Arc Diagram 2.0: Fire Arc Diagram 2.0shows a rear facing, flexible mounted weapon operat-ed by the observer (FO). The 4 Oclock and 8 Oclockpositions shows that all three altitude bands areblackened and therefore this weapon may attack tar-gets in both 4 Oclock and 8 Oclock positions, onealtitude higher, or lower, as well as attack targets thatare on the same altitude level. These hexes aremarked as, All. The same weapon may also attacktargets that are one altitude higher and on the samealtitude in the 6 Oclock position, but may not attack

    targets that are at a lower altitude along this hex line.These hexes are marked as, H/S. The hex markedH is the Blind Spot. Same altitude level attacksinto the blind spot hex are blocked by the tail of theobservers aircraft (see 3.522 The Blind Spot).

    3.517 Fire Arc Diagram 3.0: Fire Arc Diagram 3.0shows a front facing, rigid mounted weapon operat-ed by the pilot. The R indicates that the weapon isa rigid mounted system. This weapon can only firealong the 12 Oclock position and shows that the

    Canvas Eagles 1914 - 1918

    9

    Fire Arc Diagram 2.0

    s Aircraft's front facing

    H/Blind Spot Hex = May attack only High Targets in this hex/Low and same Level Targets are prohibited.H/S = May attack High, or same Level Targets in these hexesAll = May attack High, Low and Level Targets in these hexes

    All

    A

    Rear Gun (FO)

    AllAll All

    AllAll

    AllH/SH/S

    H

    H/S

    H/S

    AllAll

    AllBlindSpot

    All All

    Fire Arc Diagram 1.0

    s Aircraft's front facing

    H= May attack only High Targets in these hexesAll= May attack High, Low and Level Targets in these hexes

    HH

    H

    HH

    HAll

    All

    AllH

    HAll

    HH

    All

    B

    Forward Gun (FO)

    H H

    Fire Arc Diagram 3.0

    s Aircraft's front facing

    All= May attack High, Low and Level Targets in these hexes

    All

    All

    All

    A

    Forward Gun (R)

  • level altitude band is blackened, while the high andlow altitude bands are shaded. This means that thisweapon is fixed to fire upon targets at the same alti-tude level, but may fire at targets at lower or higheraltitude levels: if a long or medium burst is fired at ahigher altitude target, the aircraft will have to climbduring next movement phase. If it fires a long ormedium burst at a lower target, the aircraft will haveto dive during the following movement phase (see3.2192 Burst Fire Types and Altitude).

    3.518 Fire Arc Diagram 4.0: Fire Arc Diagram 4.0shows a typical Allied/Central Forces rear mountedweapon. The FO indicates that the weapon is aflexible observer operated system. This weapon hasa complete 360 field of fire with some restrictions.

    3.519 Fire Arc Diagram 5.0: Fire Arc Diagram 5.0shows a rear mounted weapon found on the RolandC-II aircraft (Central Powers). The FO indicatesthat the weapon is a flexible observer operated sys-tem. This weapon has a complete 360 field of fire.

    World War I Air Combat

    H

    H

    H

    HBlindSpot

    H/S

    H/S

    HH

    H

    HH

    H

    ALLALL

    ALL

    ALLALL

    ALL

    H

    ALLALL

    ALL

    ALL

    ALLALL

    ALLH

    ALL

    HH

    H

    HH

    ALLH

    ALL

    Fire Arc Diagram 4.0

    s Aircraft's front facing

    H/Blind Spot Hex = May attack only High Targets in this hex/Low and same Level Targets are prohibited.H/S = May attack High, or same Level Targets in these hexesAll = May attack High, Low and Level Targets in these hexes

    A

    Rear Gun (FO)

    10

    H

    H

    H

    HBlindSpot

    H/S

    H/S

    H/SH/S

    H/S

    H/SH/S

    H/S

    ALLALL

    ALL

    ALLALL

    ALL

    H/S

    ALLALL

    H/S

    ALL

    H/SALL

    ALLH/S

    ALL

    H/SH

    H/S

    HH/S

    ALLH/S

    ALL

    Fire Arc Diagram 5.0

    s Aircraft's front facing

    H/Blind Spot Hex = May attack only High Targets in this hex/Low and same Level Targets are prohibited.H/S = May attack High, or same Level Targets in these hexesAll = May attack High, Low and Level Targets in these hexes

    A

    Rear Gun (FO)

  • 3.5191 Fire Arc Diagram 6.0: Fire Arc Diagram 6.0shows a forward mounted weapon found on theSPAD A2 aircraft (Allied). The FO indicates thatthe weapon is a flexible observer operated system.This weapon only has a partial arc of fire to the front.

    3.5192 Weapon ID and Ammunition: A few aircraftare equipped with multiple weapons that requirekeeping track of ammunition (ie two or more LewisGuns). These are noted on the Aircraft Data Sheet.Since it is assumed that all weapons start the gameloaded, a weapon ID, corresponding to the weaponID found on the Fire Arc Template, will appear nextto the ammunition drum to indicate to players whichammunition drum is loaded into which weapon.

    33..5522 OObbsseerrvveerrss aanndd CCoommbbaatt::All reconnaissance and bombing aircraft have two ormore crew positions and the additional crew mem-ber(s) are called observers. The observers field of firecan be different from the pilots field of fire as mostobservers were equipped with a flexible weapon (seethe Fire Arc template for each aircraft).

    3.521 Firing Rules for Observers:

    Observers may only fire, unjam or reload theirweapon(s) if their aircraft performed a non-restricted straight maneuver, or a simple left orright turn (maneuver #8, 14 or 20).

    Observers may not fire while their aircraft isspinning. Observers may fire at a different target than thepilot and may fire a different length burst. Observers never receive a modifier for tailing. Observers may receive a modifier for firing atthe same target as the previous turn providing hewas the one who fired. Observers receive the modifier for deflectionunless he is firing at a target that is facing directlytowards or directly away from his aircraft (ie theobservers aircraft is in the targets 12 Oclock or 6Oclock position). Observers may fire at a target even if their air-craft is issuing smoke or on fire. Observers may fire during same hex combat,with restrictions (see 3.502 Same Hex Combat).

    3.522 The Blind Spot: The first hex directly behindan aircraft is called, The Blind Spot. Observersmay not normally fire at targets in the Blind Spotbecause their aircrafts tail assemblage interferes withtheir arc of fire. However, the observer may fire intothe Blind Spot if:

    1) Their aircraft performed a level or a divemaneuver. In these cases, the observer may onlyfire at targets in the Blind Spot that are 1 altitudelevel higher.2) Their aircraft performed a climb maneuver. Inthis case, the observer may fire at targets in theBlind Spot that are at the same altitude level, or 1altitude level higher.

    Canvas Eagles 1914 - 1918

    11

    Fire Arc Diagram 6.0

    s Aircraft's front facing

    H= May attack only High Targets in these hexesAll= May attack High, Low and Level Targets in these hexes

    All

    All

    AllAll

    AllAll

    AllAll

    All

    Forward Gun (FO)

    A

    Blind Spot Diagram

    The "Blind Spot" hex

    s Aircraft's front facing

  • 33..5533 TThhee CCoommbbaatt VVaalluueess TTaabbllee::1) The attacker finds the column of the Combat ValuesTable on the Combat Chart that corresponds to therange. Players count the number of hexes between thefiring aircraft and the target aircraft. The number ofhexes plus the hex containing the target is the "hexrange". The first number shown is the Base Value.Make a note of this number.

    2) Examine the list of modifiers, and note applicableones along with their value. Some values have a plussign and are added to the base value, while othershave a minus sign and are subtracted from the basevalue. Use ALL modifiers that apply.

    3) The cumulative total of the base value and all theapplicable modifiers is the combat value. The CombatValue is used on the Combat Result Table.

    Note: If the cumulative total is zero, or less, then theattack has no effect. Although, the attacker has still fired,used ammunition, and the weapon may jam.

    3.531 Burst Lengths: Add the value for each lengthof burst fired. Medium bursts and long bursts canincrease the combat value. Use the plotted burst typerecorded on the Aircraft Data Sheet.

    3.532 Stability: Use the stability level of the attack-ing aircraft to determine the modifier. Stability LevelA is the best; Stability Level C is the worst.

    3.533 Target Stalled: If the target aircraft performeda stall maneuver (1L, 1R or 1S) this turn, apply thismodifier.

    3.534 Attacker Speed 3 or 4: High speed reduces theaccuracy of an aircrafts weapon fire. Apply thismodifier if the attackers speed was 3 or 4.

    3.535 Firing Flexible Weapons (F): If the attacker isusing a flexible weapon as per the Aircraft DataChart, apply this modifier .

    3.536 Restricted/Spin Maneuver: If the attacking air-craft performed a restricted maneuver this turn, orrecovered from a spin the previous turn, apply thismodifier.

    3.537 Firing with Dual Weapons: Use this modifierif the attacker is firing twin weapons.

    3.538 Firing with Single Weapon: Use this modifierif the attacker is firing only one weapons.

    3.539 Deflection: Attacks on targets from any angleother than from directly in front, or from directlybehind, will have the deflection modifier applied.

    Example: In the Deflection Diagram, aircraft A is thetarget. Aircraft B is firing with deflection (and includesa -2 modifier on its combat value computation). AircraftC and aircraft D are not firing with deflection.

    3.5391 Fired at last turn: If attacker fired at the sametarget as last turn (even if the final combat valuefrom the previous turn was zero or less), apply thismodifier.

    3.5392 Tailing a Target: If the attacker was tailingthe target during this turns tailing phase, apply thismodifier.

    3.5393 Target at a lower altitude: If the attacker is ata higher altitude than the target, apply this modifier.

    3.5394 Target at a higher altitude: If the attacker isat a lower altitude than the target, apply this modifi-er.

    3.5395 Firer has a Minor Wound: If firer has a minorwound, apply this modifier.

    3.5396 Firer has a Serious Wound: If firer has a seri-ous wound, apply this modifier.

    World War I Air Combat

    Deflection Diagram

    B

    A

    C

    D

    12

  • 33..5544 CCoommbbaatt DDiiee RRoollll::Roll 1d6 and find the intersection of the die roll andthe combat value on the Combat Result Table: thetable gives the number of BLUE and the number ofRed hits suffered by the target. Note the combatresults.

    Example: If the combat value (after modifications) is 11and the die roll result is 5, the combat result is B3R thetarget has received one BLUE hit and three RED hits.

    3.541 Drawing/Recording Damage: There are 35damage markers in the game. On each marker thereis a blue side and a red side. These markers aredrawn by the target player from an opaque container.Multiple attacks upon different targets are resolvedin any convenient order that the players wish. Allattacks are deemed to be simultaneous. If there ismore than one attacker firing at a single target dur-ing the same turn, then all attacks on that target mustbe drawn for at the same time. If the Combat ResultTable indicates that any RED damage markers arereceived then, the target player draws all the REDdamage markers first. The effects are then recordedon the Aircraft Data Sheet. Then, any BLUE damagemarkers are drawn and recorded, the markers arereturned to the container. Any other attacks on dif-ferent targets in the same turn are then drawn.

    Note: When conducting Fighter Sweeps or a Scramble(see Appendix E), attackers should record the number ofRED damage markers that they caused on enemy targetsas these are worth extra experience points.

    33..6600 DDaammaaggee PPhhaasseeDamage recorded in the combat phase takes effectduring the damage phase. That is to say, an aircraftdestroyed during the combat phase can still fire at atarget in the same combat phase. Most damage resultswill be hits marked off on the Aircraft Data Sheet.

    Example: A damage marker that states, 4 Wing Hitsinstructs a player to mark off four boxes on the wing sec-tion of the Aircraft Data Sheet.

    3.601 Total Wing, Tail or Fuselage Damage: WhenALL of an aircrafts wing, fuselage or tail boxes aremarked off, the aircraft has been destroyed.

    3.602 Total Engine Damage: When all of an aircraftsengine or fuel boxes are marked off, it no longer haspower and must glide from that point on (see 3.301Gliding).

    3.603 RED Marker Tail and Wing Damage: Aircraftmust test for spins when ever they receive REDmarker damage from the combat phase, in tail orwing sections (see 3.811 Testing for Spins).

    3.604 Critical Damage (optional): When all the dam-age boxes have been crossed off an aircraft section,and at least one triangle damage is crossed off, theaircraft is said to have suffered critical damage.

    Wings, Tail, Fuselage: Aircraft performingrestricted maneuvers with a critically damagedsection must roll 1d6: 1, 2, 3 or 4 = No Effect; if a 5or a 6 is rolled, the aircraft section has brokenapart and the aircraft is destroyed. Engine: Aircraft performing restricted maneu-vers with critically damaged engines must roll1d6: 1, 2, 3 or 4 = No Effect; if a 5 or a 6 is rolled,the engine has been destroyed/seized. Roll anadditional 1d6: 1, 2, 3 or 4 = No Effect; 5 = EngineIssues Smoke; 6 = Engine is on fire.

    Note: Die roll is made for each critically damaged sectionon the aircraft.

    3.605 Multiple Marker Effects: When two or moredamage markers are drawn that appear to mutuallyexclude the effects of one over the other, it is theMOST severe penalty that is used. Note which mark-er requires the longest turn wait before recovery, orthe marker that causes the most damage - it is thatmarker that will be in effect. If there is no difference,then the marker that was drawn first will be in effect.When multiple markers are drawn with RudderJammed results that have conflicting directions(Left, Right or Straight) then it is the first drawnmarker that is in effect. However, ALL damage print-ed on the all Rudder Jammed markers are to berecorded.

    3.606 Same Altitude Front and Rear Hits: If a targetand its attacker are both at the same altitude:

    Tractor Aircraft: All attacks from directly in frontthat result in tail hits instead become engine hits;all attacks from directly to the rear that result inengine hits, will instead become tail hits.

    Canvas Eagles 1914 - 1918

    13

  • Pusher Aircraft: All attacks from directly in frontthat result in tail hits instead become fuselagehits; all attacks from directly to the rear can yieldany type of hit.

    3.607 Special Damage Types: In addition to markingoff boxes, other damage types are also possible:

    Fuel Tank Hit: Lose 6 Fuel. The player IMME-DIATELY marks off 6 fuel boxes from the aircraftsfuel. If no fuel remains, the aircraft must glidestarting the next turn (see 3.301 Gliding). Engine Damaged: No speed 3 or 4 maneuvers.If the aircrafts current speed is 3 or 4, the follow-ing turn, it must be reduced to a speed 2 maneu-ver. Rudder Jammed: Must do LEFT/RIGHT/STRAIGHT maneuvers for the next 2 turns. Theplayer must choose any maneuver that is found inthe appropriate maneuver schedule column, andmay choose different maneuvers for each turn therudder is jammed, providing the maneuvers arefrom the same maneuver schedule column. Multi-engine aircraft still have to make a straightmaneuver between the two turns; these straightmaneuvers must either be a simple straight, ormust have a hex facing change in the direction ofthe rudder jam.

    Example: If the rudder of a multi-engine aircraft isjammed left, it may not choose straight maneuvers 7S1,13S2, 19S3 or 26S4.

    Fabric Tears: No restricted maneuvers. Theaircraft may not perform restricted maneuvers forthe remainder of the game. Fabric Tears: No speed 3 or 4 maneuvers. Ifthe aircrafts current speed is 3 or 4, the followingturn, it must be reduce to a speed 2 maneuver. Struts Damaged: No restricted maneuvers.The aircraft may not perform restricted maneuversfor the remainder of the game. One Weapon Destroyed. Players may have toroll 1d6 to determine which gun is destroyed ifthere is more than one weapon on the aircraft. Pilot Killed. Unless the aircraft is equippedwith with dual controls (and a living observer), ortwo pilots (one still living) aircraft goes into aspin. The aircraft will be destroyed once it reach-es 0 altitude level. Fuel Tank Hit: Explode. Aircraft is destroyed.

    Fuel tanks can explode even if there are noremaining fuel boxes. Pilot Wound? Must do a slower maneuver nextturn. Only check the pilot for a wound. Regard-less if pilot is wounded or not, next maneuverselection phase, the player must choose a maneu-ver that is one speed box less than this turnsmaneuver; the slowest possible maneuver is a stallmaneuver (1L0, 1S0 or 1R0). Pilot Wound? Must do straight maneuver nextturn. Only check the pilot for a wound. Regard-less if pilot is wounded or not, next maneuverselection phase, the player must choose aSTRAIGHT maneuver. Observer Killed. The observer or one of theoberservers/gunners in a multi-crewed aircraftare removed from game play for the remainder ofthe game. Observer Wound? May not fire for 3 Turns.Only check the observer for a wound. Regardlessif observer is wounded or not, he may not operatehis weapon(s) for three turns. On the fourth turnhe may fire his weapon again. Crew Wound? This symbol indicates a chancefor the pilot and/or observer to receive a wound.Roll a die for ALL crew members in the aircraft.Roll 1d6: 1, 2 or 3 = No Effect; 4 or 5= LightWound; 6 = Serious Wound.

    3.608 Spinning Aircraft: An aircraft in a spin duringthe Movement Phase MUST reduce its altitude by 1level. It may not select another maneuver, but ratherits player marks 0S1 on the Aircraft Data Sheet forthe next turn; this maneuver consumes 1 fuel box forthe turn. Spinning aircraft that have dropped to alti-tude "0" have crashed.

    Note that the altitude loss due to a spin does not reducefuel consumption.

    33..7700 RReeccoovveerryy PPhhaasseeDuring the recovery phase, a pilot may attempt ONEof the following: unjam a weapon, attempt to recoverfrom a spin, or reload a weapon.

    3.701 Unjamming Weapons: For a pilot to unjam aweapon, the aircraft must have performed a simplestraight maneuver, #2, 3, or 4; no diving/climbing is

    World War I Air Combat

    14

  • permitted. For an observers to unjam a weapon theaircraft must have performed an unrestricted straightmaneuver, or maneuvers 8, 14, & 20 (simple left orright); observer may attempt to unjam a weaponwhile the aircraft is performing shallow dives orclimbs. Weapons are unjammed on a roll of a 4, 5 or6 and may be used normally the following turn.

    3.702 Spin Recovery: To recover from a spin, thepilot must Roll 2d6:

    Aircraft recovers from a spin on a roll of 7, 8, 9,10, 11 or 12.Modifiers to die roll: Stability A +1; Stability B +0;Stability C -1; Novice Pilots/Observers -1

    Note: A novice is a pilot with less than 50 experiencepoints (see 13.101 Novice Pilots).

    When the aircraft recovers from the spin, number thehexsides that the aircraft now occupies from 1 to 6(make the aircrafts original hex facing 1 and thenmoving clock-wise, the next hexside will be 2, etc.)and then roll 1d6. Face the aircraft toward the hex-side equal to the die roll. On the next movementphase, the aircraft must perform a maneuver with aspeed number equal to the highest speed number theaircraft is capable of performing.

    Exception: Aircraft which only have ONE maximumspeed maneuver may choose this maximum speed maneu-ver or a maneuver that is ONE less than maximum.

    3.703 Reloading a Weapon: Pilots may reload aweapon providing the aircraft performs a simplestraight maneuver (2S, 3S or 4S); no diving/climbingis permitted. Observers may reload a weapon pro-viding the aircraft performed a non-restrictedstraight maneuver, or a simple left or right turn(maneuver #8, 14 or 20); observer may attempt toreload while the aircraft is performing a shallow diveor climb.

    33..8800 PPrroobblleemm PPhhaassee

    3.801 Weapon Jamming: Players who fire long burstsmust test their weapons for the possibility of jam-ming. Roll 1d6 and if a 5 or 6 is rolled, the weaponhas jammed (see 3.701 Unjamming Weapons).

    33..8811 SSppiinnnniinngg::The spin maneuver is shown on the Aircraft ManeuverSchedule (the box labeled, Spin). Select this maneu-ver if the aircraft is spinning. Aircraft pilots may vol-untarily choose a spin maneuver providing the pilothas the experience ability (see Appendix D). Spinsmay be a result of a stall, RED damage marker in thetail or wing, or may be chosen by the pilot if he hasthe skill (see Appendix D, The Special AbilitiesTable).

    3.811 Testing for Spins: Only one spin roll is madeduring the Problem Phase, regardless of the numberof reasons to check. Roll 2d6 to test if an aircraftgoes into a spin:

    The aircraft spins on a roll of 2, 3, 4 or 5.Modifiers to die roll: Stability A +1; Stability B +0;Stability C -1; Novice Pilots/Observers -1

    Note: A novice is a pilot with less than 50 experiencepoints (see 13.101 Novice Pilots).

    All spinning aircraft drop down one altitude levelduring the Movement Phase. On the Aircraft DataSheet, spinning aircraft mark their turns maneuveras 0S1, and the aircraft model is placed into a nosedown position. Aircraft automatically spin if itspilot is killed or passes out (see 3.2193 Anoxia).

    3.812 Effects of a Spin: Pilots and observers may notfire their weapons while their aircraft is spinning.

    33..9900 FFiirree DDaammaaggee PPhhaassee

    3.901 Fire Damage: Players whose aircraft havecaught fire must draw one BLUE marker and recordthe damage; damage is applied immediately.

    33..110000 FFiirree//SSmmookkee EExxttiinngguuiisshhiinngg PPhhaasseePlayers whose aircraft are on fire or smoking mayattempt to extinguish the fire or smoke.

    3.1001 Fire Extinguishing: Roll 1d6, and on a roll ofa 5 or 6 the fire goes out; remove the fire marker andreplaced it with a Smoke marker. If the aircraft per-formed a sideslip (maneuver #8, 16 or 17), the fire isout on a 1d6 roll of 4, 5 or 6.

    Canvas Eagles 1914 - 1918

    15

  • 3.1002 Smoke Extinguishing: Roll 1d6, and on a rollof a 6, the smoke is extinguished; remove the smokemarker. However, if a 1 is rolled, the smoke becomesa fire; place a fire marker on the aircraft.

    Note: The smoke extinguishing die roll cannot be modi-fied by performing a sideslip; aircraft that catch fire dur-ing during the Smoke Extinguishing Phase do not takedamage until following Fire Phase.

    44..0000 SSeeccrreeccyyPlayers are required to keep several things secret fromother players - including players from their own side.

    Players should NOT tell ahead of time themaneuver their aircraft is to perform. The direc-tion of the maneuver and changes in altitude isdisclosed only to those players who are tailing. Players should NOT tell ahead of time what tar-get they intend to shoot at, or what type of burstwill be fired. It must, however, be written downon the Aircraft Data Sheet. This is then declaredout loud before the Combat Die roll is made. Players should NOT tell when their pilot orobserver has been killed, even if the resultingdeath puts their aircraft into a spin. Players should NOT tell the degree or type ofdamage their aircraft has taken, except the follow-ing: smoke, fire, spins, or the destruction of anaircraft. These are announced when they happenbecause they would be obvious to an enemypilot/observer. Players should NOT tell when their weaponshave jammed, or when ammunition is depleted. Players should NOT tell that their aircraft isgliding. Players may NOT jointly plan their maneuvers,as aircraft did not have radios. Once in the air,pilots are on their own.

    55..0000 EEnnddiinngg aa GGaammee5.01 Escape: Eventually, a pilot may wish to leave

    combat and head back to the aerodrome. Escapesmay be prompted by low fuel, severe damage, etc.

    A pilot escapes when his aircraft flies off theedge of the game board behind the starting linefor his side. A pilot escapes if his aircraft has landed safelyin friendly territory, or if it has landed in enemyterritory, where the pilot successfully returned tohis airdrome (see 11.0 Landing/Crashing).

    5.02 Capture: A pilot who has landed in enemy terri-tory and has not returned to a friendly territory iscaptured (see 11.03 Evading Capture).

    5.03 Destroyed: An aircraft is destroyed whenALL of the damage boxes and triangles in any of thewing, fuselage or tail sections are all marked off orits pilot is killed (exception: 9.00 Dual Controls &12.00 Multple Engines).

    66..0000 TThhee WWeeaappoonnssThere were many different types of weapons used inaerial combat during the First World War, but withinthe scope of this game, only six of the most commonlyused weapons are dealt with in any detail.

    6.01 Carbines/Rifles: These were the first unofficialweapons used by both pilots and observers duringthe first eighteen months of the war. The number ofaircraft shot or forced down by carbine, shotgun, and

    World War I Air Combat

    Weapon TypesWeapon Drums AmmoCarbine/Rifle - Unlimited

    Lewis Gun (pre-June16) x4 3

    Lewis Gun (as of June16) x4 5

    Hotchkiss MG 25-round strip mag x8 2

    Hotchkiss MG 50-round drum mag x6 3

    Central Forces Light MG x2 10

    Vickers MG/Spandau MG - Unlimited

    37mm/47mm Cannon - 8

    16

  • rifle fire is quite surprising. These weapons arerather ineffective in gaming terms, but players arewelcome to reenact a 1914 air battle if they wish.Carbines/rifles may only fire short bursts, are con-sidered to be flexible (F) weapons, and have anunlimited supply of ammunition. Regardless of thedamage indicated on the Damage Markers, Car-bines/Rifles only inflict "1" point of damage to anysection hit during combat; however, all other dam-age, such as Strut Damaged, Fabric Tears, PilotKilled, are still possible. Players will have to deter-mine the Fire Arc template by aircraft type them-selves, or may use theGeneral Fire Arc templates.

    6.02 The Lewis Gun: The Lewis Gun was the stan-dard light MG used by most allies two-seater aircraft,and many of the early war single seater fighters.This weapon used a drum magazine that must bechanged frequently in combat. Consequently, playerswho use the Lewis Gun, must keep track of theirammunition expenditure. The Lewis Gun normallycomes with five boxes of ammunition. Mark off 1box for a short burst, 2 boxes for a medium burst,and 3 boxes for a long burst.

    Optional: Players may want to use the historicalammunition capacity for the Lewis Gun. Therewere two types of Lewis Gun ammunition drumsmanufactured during First World War. The origi-nal drum magazine held 47 rounds of ammuni-tion, while the later model (introduced late June1916) held 97 rounds of ammunition. Therefore,before July 1916, the Lewis Gun drum magazinecontains only 3 boxes of ammunition, while afterthis date, the Lewis Gun drum magazine contains5 boxes of ammunition.

    6.03 Combined Lewis & Vickers MGs: Aircraftmounting both a Lewis Gun and a Vickers Machinegun (the Nieuport 17 and the SE5a, among others),both weapons must be fired at the same time and firethe same burst type, but are checked for jammingand unjamming separately. If one gun is jammed, the

    other may still fire. If the Lewis Gun has only a shortor medium burst remaining, it may be combined witha long burst from the Vickers MG and counts as amedium burst from dual weapons.

    6.04 Central Forces Light MGs: The Central Forcesused a variety of light MGs during the First WorldWar (including a large number of captured LewisGuns). For game purposes these have been mergedinto one basic weapon type. This weapon uses adrum magazine that must be changed frequently incombat. Consequently, players who use this weapon,must keep track of their ammunition expenditure.The drum magazine for this weapon holds 200rounds of ammunition, that translates into 10 ammu-nition boxes. Each weapon comes with 2 drum mag-azines. Mark off 1 box for a short burst, 2 boxes for amedium burst, and 3 boxes for a long burst.

    6.05 The Hotchkiss Machine gun: The HotchkissMG was used by both the French and British forces insmall numbers up to mid-1916. At first the weaponemployed a 25-round strip magazine that did notgive the gunner the benefit of a long burst of fire.Late in 1915, a 50-round drum magazine was issued.The drum magazine seems to have only been used byobservers rather than pilots as it may have been diffi-cult for the pilot to fly the aircraft and reload thedrum magazine at the same time. In the game, the25-round strip magazine has only 2 ammunitionboxes. Each machine gun comes with eight, 25-roundstrip magazines); if the 50-round drum magazine isused, the weapon receives 4 drum magazines, with 3ammunition boxes each.

    6.06 Belt-Fed Machine guns:

    The Vickers Machine gun: This is the standardbelt-fed machine gun for virtually all Allied air-craft, although other weapons were also used.The Spandau Machine gun: This is the standardbelt-fed machine gun used by almost all Centralaircraft.Ammunition Limit (optional): The game doesnot require players to keep track of ammunitionexpenditure for belt-fed, rigid mounted, machineguns. However, players may use a limit of 20ammunition boxes for all belt-fed machine guns.

    Canvas Eagles 1914 - 1918

    17

    A

    Rear Gun (FO)

    General Carbines/Rifles Gun Play Templates

    A

    Front Gun (F)

    Note: Gun Play can vary by aircraft type

  • 6.07 Onboard Cannons (optional): A few aircraftwere armed with cannons during the first World War.Cannons were not very effective. They were heavy,slow to reload, created toxic fumes which causednausea for the crew, and were not very accurate.Only a few French aces seemed to have had any realsuccess with the weapon although a single hit oftencaused enemy aircraft to be blown to bits. Some ofthese were: a variant of the Voison, which wasequipped with a forward firing 47mm cannon, inplace of its observer, and a variant of the SPAD 7 andthe SPAD 12 which both had a 37mm Cannon mount-ed to fire through the propellor shaft (the SPAD12 was virtually identicle to the SPAD 13). Fighteraircraft armed with 37mm cannons usually had a sin-gle belt fed Vickers Machine gun with which to aimthe cannon. The pilot would fire the machine gunand when hits were observed would then fire thecannon. The cannon was a single shot weapon thathad to be reloaded between shots (treat the same asreplacing an ammo drum). There are two methods offiring the cannon in the game:

    1) Free Firing: Very inaccurate. When a target iswithin the attackers range and fire arc, the pilotmay fire the weapon using the Free Fire penal-ties (needless to say, it wasnt easy to hit a targetwith a single shot). When firing, the cannon canONLY fire a short burst. If any damage hasoccured then a hit has resulted -- ignore this dam-age and move up to column 13. Roll an additional1d6 on the 13 column to determine the damage tothe target aircraft.

    2) Aimed Fire: Fairly accurate. The pilot firstfires his single machine gun and if a hit isobtained upon the target, and depending upon thetype of hit, the player then rolls an additional 1d6to determine if the cannon has ALSO hit the tar-

    get. If the sum of the die roll, plus the belowmodifiers results is 6, or greater, the target hasbeen hit. The cannon hit will shift the damagetable up by additional 8 columns.

    Example: A player announces that he is firing his singlemachine gun at an enemy aircraft on column 8. A 5 isrolled, which yeilds a single blue and a single red hit.The player then announces that he will now attempt tofire his cannon at the same target aircraft. A 1d6 isrolled, a 5 results, +1 is added to the die roll, to make it aresult of 6. This means that the cannon has also hit thetarget aircraft. The fire result table is shifted up by 8columns to the 16 column. An additional die roll is madeon the 16 column to access the combined cannon andmachinegun damage.

    6.08 Heavy Machinegun (optional): A few aircraft,mainly the SPAD 13, were equipped with a singleheavy 11.5mm machinegun. These were generallyused for ballon busting missions. Add +3 to theCombat Value when firing.

    6.09 Le Prieur Anti-Balloon Rockets (optional):Some allied aircrfat were equipped with the le Prieuranti-balloon rockets. The maximum range of a rocketis one hex, and all firing is conducted on the 1 col-umn on the Combat Table. The rocket bearing air-craft only has enough rockets for one attack. Anyhits scored will destroy the balloon. Rockets may notbe used against enemy aircraft, ground or naval tar-gets. Aircraft which may use rockets are noted onthe maneuver charts.

    77..0000 AArrcchhiiee (optional)All anti-aircraft fire occurs at the end of the movementphase (see 3.401 Anti-Aircraft Fire). There are threetypes of anti-aircraft fire:

    1) Ground fire from trenchlines hexes2) Light Anti-Aircraft Fire from designated units3) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Fire from designated units

    7.01 Ground Fire: An aircraft may be fired upon byground fire if the aircraft flew into or through anenemy trenchline hex at altitude level 1 or 2; roll 1d6for each hex flown into or through. Use column 2, on

    World War I Air Combat

    FREE FIRE PENALTIESRANGES: 3 2 1 0

    P -6 -6 -6

    HIT TYPE: B R/B-R 2R/B-2R 3R++0 +1 +2 +3

    18

  • the Combat Result Table. Ground fire may not fireat aircraft leaving a trenchline hex, only those aircraftthat have flown through or ended their movementphase over a trenchline hex.

    7.02 Anti-Aircraft Markers: Roll 1d6 at the start ofeach game to determine the number of anti-aircraftmarkers a side receives. Each battery or concentra-tion of anti-aircraft units is represented by a singleAnti-Aircraft Marker. For games involving two ormore hex playing sheets, players may want to doublethe number of Anti-Aircraft markers used per side.

    1: None2-3: x1 light anti-aircraft marker4-5: x1 light and x1 heavy anti-aircraft marker6: x1 light and x2 heavy anti-aircraft markers

    Modifier:+1 to die roll for Late War games

    Note: Due to the defensive ground armaments, Observa-tion Balloons markers are also light anti-aircraft markers.

    7.03 Anti-Aircraft Placement: Anti-aircraft markersmay not be placed on mission marker hexes, trench-line hexes, or in the same hex as other anti-aircraftmarkers. Anti-aircraft markers may be placed up to

    three hexes behind the trenchline.

    7.04 Anti-Aircraft Fire: Anti-aircraft fire may notattack aircraft leaving the anti-aircraft marker hex,but may only attack aircraft that flew across or endedthe movement phase in the same hex as an anti-air-craft marker. Roll 1d6 on the Combat Result Table:

    Ground Fire: Roll on the 2 column

    Column shift modifiers:-0 Target is at altitude 1-1 Target is at altitude 2

    Light Anti-Aircraft Fire: Roll on the 4 column

    Column shift modifiers:-1 Target is at altitude 1-2 Target is at altitude 2-3 Target is at altitude 3-1 Target is is flying at speed 3 or 4

    Heavy Anti-Aircraft Fire: Roll on the 4 column

    Column shift modifiers:-1 Target is at altitude 2-2 Target is at altitude 3 - 4-3 Target is at altitude 5 - 6-1 Target is flying at speed 3 or 4

    7.05 Friendly Fire (optional): When an aircraft fliesover its own trenchline hexes, it must test for friendlyfire. Roll 1d6: 1-2: Ground troops fire on the friend-ly aircraft; 3, 4, 5 or 6: Ground troops hold their fire.

    88..0000 FFlliigghhtt LLeeaaddeerrss ((OOppttiioonnaall))Players may wish to elect squadron leaders as anoption. At the beginning of the game (if both sidesagree), one pilot on each side may be designated asquadron leader. The only benefit of having squadronleaders is so that other players may fly in formationwith the leader.

    8.01 Formation Flying: Despite the secrecy rule, air-craft on the same side may fly in formation while inthe air. In any maneuver selection phase, any pilotsin the same hex as the squadron leader and facing in

    Canvas Eagles 1914 - 1918

    19

    The 1pdr Pom-Pom(Light Anti-Aircraft Gun)

    12pdr Krupp-Daimler Motor Gun(Heavy Anti-Aircraft Gun)

    French autocannons were equipped with a 75mmgun and was in fact, remarkably successful in this role. The pom-pom was successful only until pilots learned to fly higher than the weapon could shoot.

  • the same direction may declare themselves flying information with him. The pilots may then recordthat maneuver on their own Aircraft Data Sheet andperform it during the movement phase.

    8.02 Breaking Formation: Pilots may break forma-tion at any time by simply recording a differentmaneuver than the one their squadron leader record-ed. Pilots whose aircraft cannot perform thesquadron leaders maneuver must break formation.

    8.03 Formation Leaders: If a large number of playersare playing, one or more pilots should be designatedas formation leaders (in addition to the one designat-ed as squadron leader). Each side should have thesame number of formation leaders.

    8.04 Wingmen: One or two players may be designat-ed as wingmen for each formation leader. Wingmencan fly in formation with the formation leaders.

    99..0000 DDuuaall CCoonnttrroollssOnly a few two-seater aircraft were fitted with dualcontrols. Dual controls allows the observer to fly theaircraft if the pilot is killed or wounded. Dual con-trols only allowed for the most basic of flying maneu-vers as the elevator controls were often limited, anddual throttle controls were often NOT included.

    9.01 Observers as Pilots: Observers may take overflying anytime during the game, but with the follow-ing restrictions (unless otherwise noted on the Air-craft Maneuver Schedule of the aircraft):

    The observer is considered to be a Novicepilot (see 13.101 Novice Pilots). May only per-form unrestricted straight maneuvers, and simpleleft and right turns (maneuvers #8, 14 and 20). The observer may not reload, or fire, the pilotsor their own weapons while flying the aircraft. The observer must abort the mission while fly-ing the aircraft. The aircraft may not increase its speed unless itperforms steep dives. The observer receives a -2 penalty on the Land-ing/Crashing table.

    1100..0000 WWoouunnddss 10.01 Wounding Pilots/Observers: During thecourse of a game a pilot or observer may be wound-ed. When a fuselage marker is pulled indicating aCrew Wound?", roll 1d6 for the pilot and for theobserver. When a fuselage marker pulled indicatingPilot Wound?, or Observer Wound?, roll 1d6 onlyfor the pilot or the observer: a roll of a 4 or 5 meansa Light Wound has resulted (cross off onepilot/observer box); a roll of a 6 means a SeriousWound has resulted (cross off two pilot/observerboxes). When three wound boxes have been crossedoff, the pilot/observer are killed.

    10.02 Light Wound Effects: A pilot with a lightwound may not perform restricted maneuvers andreceives a -1 on the Combat Chart. Observers with alight wound receives -1 modifier on the CombatChart. Pilots with light wounds receive a -1 penaltywhen landing their aircraft on the game board.Pilots/observers inflicted with a light wound receivea -1 penalty when attempting to evade capture afterlanding on the game board.

    10.03 Serious Wound Effects: A pilot with a seriouswound may not perform restricted maneuvers andmay only turn left or right using maneuvers #8, 14 or20 (left or right). A pilot with a serious woundreceives a -3 modifier on the Combat Chart, may notattack targets at long range, and may not reloadweapons. Pilots with serious wounds receive a -3modifier when attempting to land their aircraft onthe game board. Observers with a serious woundreceive a -3 modifier on the Combat Chart, may notattack targets at long range, may not perform obser-vation, strafing or bombing missions and may notreload weapons. Pilots/observers with a seriouswound receive a -3 penalty when attempting toevade capture after landing on the game board.

    World War I Air Combat

    20

  • 1111..0000 LLaannddiinngg//CCrraasshhiinngg11.01 Landing and Crashing: An aircraft may landby diving to the ground while performing a maneu-ver that allows diving. Aircraft that are not attempt-ing to land at 0 altitude level it will automaticallycrash and be considered destroyed. Roll 2d6 on theLanding Table (Appendix C). If the aircraft wasdestroyed, proceed to the Crash Result Table(Appendix C).

    11.02 Surviving a Crash/Being Destroyed: The crewof an aircraft that crashed or was destroyed have achance of surviving, although in some cases thischance can be very slim. Roll 2d6 on the CrashResult Table (Appendix C) adding/subtracting allapplicable modifiers to/from the die roll.

    11.03 Evading Capture: After surviving a crash, roll2d6 on the Evading Table (Appendix C) to deter-mine if the surviving crew is captured or successfullyevades capture. A successful evade means the crewmember has safely returned to his own lines.

    Note: All surviving crew are required to roll on theEvade Capture Table no matter where they maycrash/land their aircraft unless its off board. Even if anaircraft lands within its own trenchlines, it is possiblethat the enemy may have recently captured these trench-lines or may be in the process of attempting to capturethese trenchlines.

    1122..0000 MMuullttiippllee EEnnggiinneessDuring the war, there were quite a few multi-engineaircraft with two, three or four engines.

    12.01 Multi-Engine Aircraft Damage Boxes: Themaximum number of wing boxes an aircraft canhave, regardless of the aircraft's size, is always 40;the maximum number of fuselage boxes an aircraftcan have, regardless of the aircraft's size, is always28. The number of Engine Section damage boxes alarge multi-engine aircraft will have depends uponthe number of engines found on the aircraft.

    After the engine section has taken 50% damage, theaircraft must drop its bomb load (essentially, abortthe mission). When there are only 2 damage boxesremaining, the aircraft must lose one altitude levelevery other turn.

    12.02 Maneuvering Multi-Engine Aircraft: Before amulti-engine aircraft can perform left or a rightmaneuvers, it must first perform a simple straightmaneuver (maneuver #2 or 3).

    12.03 Multi-Engine Aircraft Crew: If a damagemarker requires an observer to be wounded or killed,this will refer to a gunner; a die roll may berequired to determine which gunner has been hit.Similarly, if a pilot and co-pilot are both present anda damage marker requires a pilot to be wounded orkilled, a die roll may be required to determine whichpilot has been hit. If the pilot is killed or wounded,the co-pilot may take over flying, providing the air-craft has a living co-pilot. If a pilot or gunner iskilled, they cannot be hit again on a subsequent turnby another damage marker; damage markers indicat-ing a crew member hit, only applies to living crewmembers.

    Canvas Eagles 1914 - 1918

    21

    Multi-Engine Damage Boxes

    Engines Damage Boxes2 7/33 8/44 10/4

    Example:

    7/3 = 7 Normal Damage Boxes+3 Critical Damage Triangles

  • 1133..0000 CCaammppaaiiggnn RRuulleessThe campaign game can begin at any time betweenJune 1915 and November 1918. Although each cam-paign game can be organized differently, with thebasic campaign game, each month is divided into oneweek intervals, with every gaming session, regardlessof the number of games played, being equal to oneweek. As the campaign progresses, pilots will gainexpertise, be wounded or killed, and new types of air-craft will become available.

    13.01 Choosing Sides: Players choose the side thatthey wish to play on. The sides should be made upof equal numbers of players. The pilots that playerscreate during the game may not change sides duringthe campaign, although players themselves mayswitch sides, providing the sides remain equal.

    13.02 Pilots/Observers: At the start of the campaigngame, players may have two experienced pilots andone experienced observer. If both pilots are out ofplay during the course of the campaign, then a newpilot may be created; if the observer is out of playduring the course of the campaign, a new observermay be created. Replacement air crew always beginas novices.

    13.03 Bailing Out: Parachutes are only available forthe German aircrews from February 1918 to the endof the war. The player announces during the move-ment phase that the crew of the aircraft is bailing out.Crew cannot bail out if the aircraft exploded. Assoon as the pilot bails out, the aircraft will automati-cally go into a spin. Roll 2d6 on the Bailing OutTable (see Appendix C).

    1133..1100 EExxppeerriieenncceeAs pilots fly, they gain experience that may be used toacquire abilities. A pilot with less than 50 experiencepoints is a Novice.

    13.101 Novice Pilots: A novice may not tail enemyaircraft, but may tail friendly aircraft. Novices maynot perform restricted maneuvers. Pilots who accu-mulate 50 points or more are considered experiencedpilots and are not subject to novice restrictions.

    13.102 Experience Points/Special Abilities: Pilotsand observers receive special abilities as they accu-mulate experience points. One ability is receivedwhenever the pilot or observer reaches 100, 250, 500,750, 1000, 1250, 1500 points, etc. A pilot or observermay also receive one ability for every five enemy air-craft they personally destroyed; these are Ace Abilities(see Appendix D, Special Abilities Table: Ace Abili-ties). Pilots can have pilot or gunnery abilities, whileobservers can have gunnery or observer abilities.Consult the Experience Table, and the SpecialAbilities Table (Appendix D).

    13.103 Kill Experience Points: If two pilots areshooting at the same aircraft when it becomesdestroyed the experience for the kill is shared= bothpilots receive 12 experience points. Two-seater pilotsdo not receive experience points for their observerskill, only for their own. Likewise, observers do not

    World War I Air Combat

    22

    Dicta Bloke1. Always try to secure an advantageous position beforeattacking. Climb before and during the approach inorder to surprise the enemy from above, and dive onhim swiftly from the rear when the moment to attack isat hand.

    2. Try to place yourself between the sun and the enemy.This puts the glare of the sun in the enemys eyes andmakes it difficult to see you and impossible for him toshoot with any accuracy.

    3. Do not fire the machine guns until the enemy iswithin range and you have him squarely within yoursights.

    4. Attack when the enemy least expects it or when he ispreoccupied with other duties such as observation, pho-tography or bombing.

    5. Never turn your back and try to run away from anenemy fighter. If you are surprised by an attack onyour tail, turn and face the enemy with your guns.

    6. Keep your eye on the enemy and do not let himdeceive you with tricks. If your opponent appears dam-aged, follow him down until he crashes to be sure he isnot faking.

    7. Foolish acts of bravery only bring death. The Jastamust fight as a unit with close teamwork between allpilots. The signal of its leaders must be obeyed.

  • receive experience points for their pilots kills, onlyfor their own.

    1133..2200 TThhee BBaassiicc CCaammppaaiiggnn MMiissssiioonnssPlayers should designate their trenchline that shouldbe no less than 3 hexes between the board edge. TheAllies and Central Forces must each place their specialmarkers within the space between the board edge andtheir trenchlines:

    1) Place two markers indicating observation bal-loon hexes. 2) Place one marker indicating an HQ location. 3) Place one marker indicating an airfield location(this serves as a target for enemy bombing/obser-vation; players do not use this as their home air-drome). Note: There must be at least one hex between markers.Players may move the location of these markersbetween games, but not during a game.

    One player from each side rolls 1d10 on the MissionTable, and then assigns aircraft and pilots to themission. Regardless of the mission rolled, some air-craft may be assigned to fighter sweep after assign-ments are made to the mission. Only one aircraft oneach side may attempt to complete this mission. Thisaircraft does not have to be revealed to the oppo-nents until the mission is completed. The aircraftattempting the mission must be of the appropriatetype: two-seaters are used for bombing/observation,while pursuit aircraft are used for fighters sweepsand scrambles; either type may be used for strafing.

    13.201 Starting a Mission: Each CO determineswhich game board edge hex(es), behind his owntrenchline, the mission aircraft will start. Missionsend when all friendly aircraft are either destroyed orhave landed/escaped, or when all enemy aircraft aredestroyed or have landed/escaped.

    13.202 Ground Offensives: For most of the cam-paign game ground troops will occupy their respec-tive trenches, but occasionally there may be a minoror major offensive in progress. At the beginning ofeach game, one player rolls 2d6 and consults theGround Offensive Table (found at the bottom ofThe Mission Table). Ground offensive onlybecomes important when pilots make a forced land-

    ing on the game board.

    Example: If an allied pilot/observer survives a crash land-ing in No-Mans Land during a central forces groundattack, he stands a better chance of being captured; if hesurvives a crash during an allied forces ground attack hestands a better chance of making it back to the airdromesafely.

    13.203 Winning a Campaign: The player with thepilot/observer with the most experience points at theend of the campaign is declared the winner.

    13.204 Dual Campaign Totals: Ideally there are twototals to keep track of during campaign games. Play-ers should keep track of individual totals so thatplayers may build their skills, but players shouldalso total their experience points so it can be deter-mined wether the Allies or the Central Powers arewinning the air war. For determining which side iswinning, all experience points awarded to two-seateraircarft for completing their missions are DOUBLED.

    Note: Doubling experience points for two-seaters is onlyfor campaign games and ONLY used to determiningwhich side is winning the airwar. Experience points forpilot/observer skills is NOT doubled.

    13.205 The Missions Table: Each side rolls Roll 1d10on the Missions Table to determine the mission forthe squadron. See Appendix E for the MissionTable and for the Ground Offensive Table.

    1144..0000 TThhee FFlluuiidd GGaammeeThe fluid game is an abstract, continuous gaming sys-tem designed for fun, fast playing at conventions. Theadvantage of the fluid game is that new players mayjoin the game at anytime without having to wait for anew game to begin. There is no real set playing timelimit, although it is suggested that players set a play-ing time of 2 hours or more, and once this time limithas been reached, the current game ends when thenormal rules for Ending a Game has been attained.Players all play Fighter S