Table Air Combat Game Design and Artwork ©2018 Andrew Nelson
Table Air Combat Game Design and Artwork ©2018 Andrew Nelson
Table Air Combat Game Design and Artwork ©2018 Andrew Nelson
Table
Permission given to print orAir Combat
photocopy gameuse
for personal design and artwork ©2018 Andrew Nelson 1
This is an early version of the Luftwaffe’s Each player has a flight of four fighters,
main fighter, and fought in the Battle of represented by two counters. It is suggested
Britain. The Bf-109 can’t corner as well that you use historical aircraft against each
as the Spitfire but its rate of climb was other, though a game can be played with
unmatched, allowing it to excel in multiple copies of the same aircraft.
vertical fighting. Although it has half as
many gun dice as the Spitfire or Each counter represents an element of two
Hurricane, The Emil’s wing-mounted fighters (element leader and a wingman)
20mm cannons pack a wallop. which fight as a team. Each aircraft
protects the other.
single aircraft.
2nd F4F-4
The element’s performance changes when
flipped. A single plane has fewer gun dice
and a lower defense, since it lacks a
wingman to cover its 6 o’clock position
If a “flipped” counter is hit a second time,
then the second aircraft has been shot down
and the counter is removed.
LEAD F4F-4 LEAD F4F-4
Span 38'
Length 29' 10"
This is how many ticks Weight 7975 lbs
Engine 1200 hp R-1830-86 Twin Wasp radial
your plane can move Airspeed 320 mph
each turn. Armament 6x .50 cal machine guns
GUN RANGE
LEAD
F4F-4
Slide the element along
the ruler’s edge. This
element can move up to
four ticks each turn.
LEA
D
F4F Guns
-4
Line up this little arrow
Firepower +1 +1
Speed
4 4
F4F-4 Wildcat
1941
Each aircraft has its own
Span 38' unique performance ruler.
Length 29' 10"
Weight 7975 lbs
Don’t use another aircraft’s
Engine 1200 hp R-1830-86 Twin Wasp radial performance ruler!
Airspeed 320 mph
Armament 6x .50 cal machine guns
GUN RANGE
Speed is measured in “ticks” which are multiples of the aircraft’s stall speed. Measure
movement against the little arrow on either side of the counter. This is more accurate than
using the front edge of the counter.
An aircraft can move any distance up to its maximum speed, but it must move at least one
tick. This is the aircraft’s stall speed, which is the slowest it can go and remain flying.
Defense
Airframe
Speed
4 4
An element can move up The element counter can start at
to its maximum speed. any place along the performance
F4F-4 Wildcat
It can move shorter, but ruler, so long as it stays within its
1941
it has to move at least movement limits. For straight lines,
Spanone
38' tick each turn. the green area makes straight
Length 29' 10" F4F-4
LEAD
Weight 7975 lbs movements easier, because you
Engine 1200 hp R-1830-86 Twin Wasp radial
Airspeed 320 mph don’t have to count ticks. It’s also a
Armament 6x .50 cal machine guns
quick way to compare speeds
between two aircraft.
GUN RANGE
F-4
F4
rotation accurate.
LE
Arm
a
Air ment GU
spe 6x NR
E n g ed .
32 50 ca AN
We ine 0m lm GE
ig 120 ph ach
L e n ht in
gth 797 0 hp eg
u
Spa 2 5 lb R-18 ns
n 9' s 30
-86
38 10" Tw
' in W
194
1 asp F 4F
rad -4 W
ial
ildc
at
Spe
ed
4 Air
fra
me
4 De
LEA
f en
se
D
Fire
pow
er
+1 F4
Gu F-4
ns
+1
LEAD F4F-4
Guns +1
+1
ower
Firep
nse
Defe
LE
AD
Air fr
ame 4
4
F4
d
Spee
F-4
cat
Wild
F4F-41941
The performance ruler can be 38' dial
Span 0" asp ra
29' 1 s
repositioned during your move Leng
th
ht
7 97 5 lb
hp R
-18 3 0 -86 Tw
in W
Weig 200
to make complex maneuvers. Engin
e
e 1
e
20 m
d 3 .50 cal m
ph
achin
e gun
s
Airsp nt 6x
me
Arma
GE
RAN
GUN
Energy is a representation of how well the plane can convert altitude into speed. Each plane
may have up to four energy. These are represented by green lights on the aircraft’s
performance ruler.
One energy point can be exchanged for an extra tick of speed during the element’s
movement phase. An element can only use one energy each turn in this way. The number of
green lights represents how many times each element can spend energy before it runs out.
Energy can also be spend to perform special maneuvers such as the Immelmann and
Wingover, which are explained later.
-4
F4F
Energy point by sacrificing one
point of speed in a straight line. LEA
D
This element can move 5
ticks this turn because it
This element would have a has used an Energy point.
maximum speed of 3 during
that turn, and would have to
move along the green edge.
t
W ildca F4F-4
F4F-4
D
LEA
1941
38' dial
Span 0" asp ra
29' 1 in W
Leng
th lbs -86 Tw
t 7975 p R-1830
h h
Weig 200 uns
e 1 mph ine g
Engin 320 mach
eed 0 cal
Airsp nt 6x .5
me
Arma
GE
RAN
GUN
Each element starts the game with full energy. Using small counters (such as coins or glass
beads) makes it easy to keep track of each element’s current energy. There are also paper
counters included in this ruleset.
Flipping an aircraft counter over does not affect the amount of energy it has, nor its maximum
energy.
Note that moving an extra tick while turning will allow an element to turn faster. Having
energy available can help your aircraft gain position on the enemy, or escape a bad
situation.
Some large aircraft (such as heavy bombers) have no energy. Fighters have at least one
energy, and most late-war fighters have four energy.
SPECIAL MANEUVERS
Special Maneuvers are “tricks” that let a plane deviate from a normal flight path. Special
maneuvers cost energy; a plane without energy (such as bombers) cannot perform a special
maneuver. A plane can do a special maneuver OR it can move normally. It cannot do both
in the same turn, nor can it perform more than one maneuver per turn.
Zoom Climb:
The Bf-109E can regain two energy in one turn by moving at stall speed in a straight line.
IMMELMANN
An Immelmann is a maneuver to reverse •Lose 2 energy.
direction quickly. A plane dives to build up •Move 3 ticks.
•rotate exactly 180°
speed, then does a half-loop followed by a half- tur
roll. Any plane with at least one energy can
n
3 ticks
aro
perform an Immelmann (including some light
Fw.190A8
LEAD
und 18
bombers).
Fw.190A8
LEAD
STALL SPEED
Firepower +2
Spitfire mk.II
Defense
Airframe
.II Bf.109E
mk
re
itfi 1939
Sp
eed
4 4
pitfire Mk.II
1940
STALL SPEED
MOVEMENT PHASE
All planes are moved before any combat can happen. The player with more elements moves
elements first. Once both players have an equal number of unmoved elements, a die roll
decides who gets to move an element last. A two vs. two battle usually has one side move a
single element. The other side moves both elements. The first side then moves the last
element. More details are explained in the INITIATIVE section.
COMBAT PHASE
Once all elements have moved, each element may attack. Damage takes effect at the end of
the Combat Phase (even if your element gets destroyed this phase, it can still attack). Any
damage taken this phase has no effect on combat. It is possible for two elements to shoot
each other down. A fighter element can attack only once per combat phase. Some aircraft
have tail guns and turrets, which can also attack.
Attacking
• Check for direction. A fighter can only attack directly ahead. Place a performance ruler
against the front edge of the aircraft counter to determine if the target can be hit.
• Check for range. Guns have a limited range. Use the performance ruler to determine if
the target is within range. If there is no target within range, then the element cannot attack
this turn.
• Roll gun dice. Set aside each die that is equal or greater than the target’s defense. Those
are hits. Do not add Firepower to the dice at this time. Firepower is for damage only. If
no dice hit, this element’s combat phase is over.
• Roll for damage. Re-roll the gun dice that hit and add your plane’s Firepower to each die.
If any one of the dice are equal or greater than the target’s airframe, then a plane has
been shot down and the target element must flip over at the end of the combat phase. If it
is already flipped over, the element is removed from the game.
An
y Bombers usually don’t have fixed guns, but they
can thing
be in
att this
have turrets which can shoot in all directions.
ack a
ed rea
. +1
Guns
+1
ower
Firep
nse
Def e
After all elements have
moved, check if any Air fr
ame 4
enemy targets are Spee
d 4
within this area.
ldcat
If this area overlaps any
Wi
F4F-4
part of an element’s
counter, the target can 1941
be attacked this turn. 38' adia
l
Span 0" asp r
29' 1 s Twin W
th lb 6
LEAD
Len g -8
7975 p R-1830
ht h
Weig 1200 h s
in e p e gun
E ng 3 20 m al machin
A6M-2
e e d 0 c
Airsp nt 6x .5
me
Arma
Zero
LEAD
GE
RAN
GUN
The Zero can be
F4F-4
Guns
Any dice that match Firepower +2 +2
or exceed the target’s
Defense score cause Defense
Guns
GUN RANGE
Note that damage does not actually take effect until the end of the turn. If an element is
flipped this turn, it has a chance to attack at full strength. If an element is destroyed this turn,
it can still attack as well.
After all the elements have a chance to attack, then damage takes place. Damaged elements
are flipped, and destroyed elements are removed.
Once the Combat phase is done, start over with the Movement phase of the next turn.
Continue until elements on one side are destroyed or have left the table.
LE
AD
Bf
-10
E 9
E 9
-10
Bf
AD
TABLE BORDERS
Aircraft that move off the edge of the table have retreated from the battle. They are removed
from the game.
Both German and American sides have t wo elements.
Roll a die to see which side gets
2nd
d
2n
Bf-109G-6
D g
51 stan
P- u
M
LE
AD
Bf
-10
9 G
-6
LEA
D
Mu
P-51
stan
D
g
The German side has more elements, so it must move elements first until
there are an equal number of unmoved elements.
a
uk
St
7B
.8
Ju
Then a die is rolled to determine which side has to move
d
2n
The German player will
a
uk
probably move the t wo Stuka
St
B
87
elements first, allowing the
u. J
Bf-109 fighters a chance to
AD
LE
react to the Spitfires.
E 9
see who has to move an
-10
Bf
E
element first.
9
-10
d
Bf
2n
AD
LE
If the die roll is Even
German side moves a Bf-109.
British side moves both Spitfires.
German side moves the second Bf-109.
LE
AD
If the die roll is Odd
Sp
itfi
re British side moves a Spitfire.
m k.I
I German side moves both Bf-109s.
British side moves the second Spitfire.
2nd
Spi
tfire
mk.
II
An element can pass over another element, but cannot overlap an element that hasn’t moved
this turn. This means you may have to move differently than you had planned.
An element can stop moving on top of another miniature that has already moved. But on the
next turn, the top element must move before the bottom element. This may give the bottom
element a tactical advantage.
An element can attack an overlapped element as long as its front edge overlaps.
Next turn, the Wildcat has to move before the Zero moves.
-4
LE
AD
A6
M
-2
Ze
ro
in any direction.
D
ELE
ME
NT
LE
AD
Bf
-10
9 G
-6
2n
d
P-4
7D
P-47D LEAD
II
k.
m
re
itfi
Sp
d
2n
II
k.
m
re
itfi
Sp
D
A
LE
Set up identical aircraft on opposite sides,
about 12 inches apart.
es
ch
in
12
DECISIVE BLUE VICTORY: Both Red elements are destroyed. Both Blue elements remain.
BLUE VICTORY: Both Red elements destroyed.
RED VICTORY: Both Blue elements destroyed.
DECISIVE RED VICTORY: Both Blue elements destroyed. Both Red elements remain.
During the Battle of Britain, the primary goal of the Luftwaffe was to destroy the RAF. Doing
so would allow a cross-channel invasion from France into Great Britain and complete
Germany’s conquest of Europe. This is a basic scenario between two flights of fighters.
E
09
-1
Bf
d
2n
E
09
f-1 B
D
A
LE
es
ch
LE
AD
Sp
itfi
re
m
k.
II
2n
d
Sp
itfi
re
m
k.
II
DECISIVE LUFT. VICTORY: Both Spitfire elements destroyed. Both Bf-109 elements remain.
LUFTWAFFE VICTORY: Both Spitfire elements destroyed.
RAF VICTORY: Both Bf-109 elements destroyed.
DECISIVE RAF VICTORY: Both Bf-109 elements are destroyed. Both RAF elements remain.
TAC VERSION 180724 Bf-109E ©2018 Andy Nelson
Permission given to print or photocopy for personal use 20
In this scenario, the Luftwaffe is escorting dive bombers against Chain Home radar
transmitters on the southern coast of England. The Royal Air Force is defending the target
with a flight of Hawker Hurricanes.
Ju.87B Stuka
LEAD
Spitfire mk.II
2nd
Ju.87B Stuka
2nd
12 inches
LEAD
Spitfire mk.II
Bf-109E
2nd
Bf-109E
LEAD
18 inches
As the Bf-109F came into service in 1941, older Bf-109E models were relegated to
jagdbomber duties. One purpose was attacking Soviet airfields during Barbarossa. An
effective payload was splitterpomben, also known as “butterfly bombs”. These tiny
fragmentation bombs deployed fins to twirl the bombs and slow the descent. Bombs that
didn’t explode on impact acted as mines, making it difficult for an airfield to return to
operation.
Splitterbomben
Luftwaffe: Two Bf-109E elements with butterfly bombs When dropping splitterbomben,
VVS: Up to five Yak-1 elements The 109E will attack any ground
target if flies over that turn.
•Full element: Roll a die for each
Yak-1 element
with no energy LEAD
A
Yak-7
target, then allocate which die
attacks which target.
LEAD
4 4
Bf-109E
hangars
target.
A
Yak-7
A A
Bf-109E
Yak-7
8 inches
A
4 4
parked aircraft
2nd
2nd
4
A A
fuel tanks
Yak-7
with splitterbomben 4
2nd
4
Loading the Bf-109E with bombs
will slow them down due to the
The airfield can launch new aircraft extra weight and drag. The
A new Yak-1 element can take off in four turns. aircraft’s maximum speed is
Turn 1: Yak-1 placed on runway (Defense 4) reduced by one tick, and Special
Turn 2: Yak starts rolling forward at stall speed (Defense 4) Maneuvers (such as Immelmanns)
Turn 3: Yak-1 moves forward at stall speed (Defense 4) cannot be performed.
Turn 4: Yak-1 can move normally (normal Defense, zero energy)
During take-off, the Yak can be strafed or bombed by Bf-109 Once bombs are dropped (or
The following turn, a new Yak-1 can be placed on runway. jettisoned), the plane will perform
normally.
The Bf-109 can prevent planes from launching by destroying the
parked aircraft. Bombs can be jettisoned before
movement, and will land
harmlessly.
DECISIVE LUFTWAFFE VICTORY: All targets hit, one Bf-109E leaves the table edge.
LUFTWAFFE VICTORY: Three targets hit.
DRAW: Two targets hit.
VVS VICTORY: Both Bf-109E destroyed
DECISIVE VVS VICTORY: No targets hit
Though the Luftwaffe had been supplied with the Bf-109F, The Romanian Air Force continued
to use the earlier Bf-109E. Cut off from supply lines, Romanian 4th Army has come under
attack from the Soviet Army and has been cut off from supply lines. With the Soviet Army
only a few kilometers away from Karpova Airfield, the Romanian Air Force provides ground
support with bomb-laden Bf-109s.
.
Bf-109E
2nd Bf-109E
A
Both Bf-109s are loaded with bombs, so their maximum speed is reduced by 1, and they
are not able to perform Immelmans or other Special Maneuvers.
Bombs may be jettisoned before movement, but will land harmlessly. Planes that jettison
bombs can fly normally this turn. Dropping bombs will allow an element to fly normally
the following turn.
The IL-2 is not affected by its bomb load, and may attack repeatedly.
8 inches
Yak-1
2nd
Yak-7
A
A
Il-2
8 inches Il-2
LEAD
TARGET AREA
3" x 3"
Points are awarded for each pass completely over the target area. A complete pass
means going from one side, through the center, and off the opposite side.
Bf-109s can only drop bombs once, then they fly normally. The Soviet Il-2 can
make an unlimited number of passes. The Yak-1 does not score points.
2 points: Flying over the target area with a full element The airfield was surrounded by Soviet forces
1 point: Flying over the target area with a half element two days later. As Soviet tanks crawled
2 points: Leaving the table with a full element across the airfield, the Romanian pilots
stuffed ground personnel into compartments
1 point: Leaving the table with a half element of their Bf-109s and retreated by air.
When Soviet Union supplied the I-16 Mosca to the Spanish Republicans, It be came apparent
that the German He-51 biplane was no longer sufficient. Germany started sending the new
Bf-109 to the Condor Legion, a group of German pilots flying for the Spanish Nationalist
faction.
Like most air forces of the time, the Republicans used a three-aircraft “vic” formation.
However, the Luftwaffe had developed a new formation: A four-aircraft Schwarm, which
could split into two-aircraft Rotte. The Spanish pilots of the I-16 are concentrating on flying
formation with the leader, and were unaware of the Bf-109C approaching from the rear.
Condor Legion: Two Bf-109C elements
Spanish Republican: Three I-16 half-elements
I-16 are in “vic” formations. They may not
form into 2-plane elements.
Ishak
I-16
A
Ishak
I-16
A
LEAD
2nd
2nd
Bf-109E
LEAD
LEAD
A
Bf-109E
Ishak
6 inches
Ishak
A
I-16
I-16
A
A
Ishak
I-16
A
Ishak
I-16
A
2nd
2nd
2nd
The I-16s should move in groups of two or three for
initiative purposes:
The Bf-109C had two. 7.92mm machine
Move three I-16s,
guns in the nose, and one 7.92mm in
Move both Bf-109
each wing. Therefore, the Bf-109s have
Move the other three I-16s
+0 firepower for this scenario.
or
DECISIVE LUFTWAFFE VICTORY: All I-16s destroyed, both Bf-109 elements survive.
LUFTWAFFE VICTORY: Two I-16s destroyed.
DRAW: Element of either side flies off the edge of the table.
VVS VICTORY: Both Bf-109 elements destroyed.
DECISIVE VVS VICTORY: Both Bf-109 elements destroyed, three I-16 elements survive.
On the way to Tobruk, German and Italian forces taken the offensive against British forces.
Part of the British defensive line was the city of Bir Hakeim. This city was well-defended by
the 1st Free French Brigade. Luftwaffe Bf-109E of JG 27 escort Stukas for close air support.
They are attacked by South Africa Air Force 5th Squadron flying Tomahawk IIB.
Luftwaffe: Two Bf-109E elements with one energy
Desert Air Force: Four P-40IIB elements with no energy
Guns Guns
Firepower +0 +2 +1 Firepower +0 +1 +0 +1
12 inches
jettisoned, an element’s
maximum speed is P-40 IIB had two .50
reduced by one tick, and machine guns in the nose,
the element cannot and two .30 machine guns in
perform special each wing.
maneuvers.
G
2nd
KittyHawk
KittyHawk
LEAD
G
A A
LEAD Bf-109E LEAD Bf-109E
A A
G
2nd
6 inches
KittyHawk
KittyHawk
LEAD
G
Bf-110C
He-111
2nd
Bf-110C
LEAD
German
Bf-110C German
Bf-110C
12 inches
Luftwaffe
+2 for each He-111 full element crossing objective line
+1 for each He-111 half-element crossing objective line Four Swiss Bf-109E elements
+2 for each Bf-110 full element destroyed 2nd Bf-109E 2nd Bf-109E
Glue a coin to the center of Fold each side over. Glue the top flap over.
the miniature.
The element counters are designed to wrap around a coin (an American nickel is ideal). The
blue edge areas account for the thickness of the coin and ensure a straight edge.
The counters work with standard printer paper. If you desire a more sturdy design, consider
printing them on cardstock. Depending on the thickness of the material, you may have to cut
the counters apart and reassemble them on both sides of the material.
Guns Guns
Firepower +2 +2 Firepower +2 +2
Defense Defense
Airframe Airframe
Speed
4
Speed
4 4 4
Bf-109E Bf-109E
1939 1939
Engine 1050 HP Daimler-Benz 601 V-12 Engine 1050 HP Daimler-Benz 601 V-12
Airspeed 342 mph Airspeed 342 mph
Armament 2x 7.9mm machine guns Armament 2x 7.9mm machine guns
2x 20mm cannon 2x 20mm cannon
It’s easier to cut this if you fold it in half first. Glue the halves together. If using white glue,
use a bare minimum (tiny dots) to prevent the moisture from warping the paper.
The performance ruler can also be mounted on cardstock for a more sturdy design.
Depending on the thickness of the material, you may have to cut both halves apart and then
glue them together.
A A
LEAD Bf-109E Bf-109E 2nd
B B
LEAD Bf-109E Bf-109E 2nd
C C
LEAD Bf-109E Bf-109E 2nd
D D
LEAD Bf-109E Bf-109E 2nd
E E
LEAD Bf-109E Bf-109E 2nd
F F
LEAD Bf-109E Bf-109E 2nd
G G
LEAD Bf-109C Bf-109C 2nd
H H
LEAD Bf-109C Bf-109C 2nd
J J
LEAD Bf-109C Bf-109C 2nd
K K
LEAD Bf-109E Bf-109E 2nd
L L
LEAD Bf-109E Bf-109E 2nd
M M
LEAD Bf-109E Bf-109E 2nd
N N
LEAD Bf-109E Bf-109E 2nd
O O
LEAD Bf-109E Bf-109E 2nd
F F
LEAD Bf-109E Bf-109E 2nd
0
A LEAD A SECOND D LEAD D SECOND
2 2 2 2
Bf-109E Bf-109E Bf-109E Bf-109E
1
0
B LEAD B SECOND E LEAD E SECOND
2 2 2 2
Bf-109E Bf-109E Bf-109E Bf-109EZ
1
0
C LEAD C SECOND F LEAD F SECOND
Each element should have an energy counter. When an element uses or regains energy, just
rotate its counter to keep track of the energy left. These counters work best if a coin is glued
to the bottom (so they don’t move if you breathe on them).
0
G LEAD G SECOND K LEAD K SECOND
2 2 2 2
Bf-109C Bf-109C Bf-109E Bf-109E
1
0
H LEAD H SECOND L LEAD L SECOND
2 2 2 2
Bf-109C Bf-109C Bf-109E Bf-109E
1
0
J LEAD J SECOND M LEAD M SECOND
P SECOND
Bf-109E
Bf-109E
2
P LEAD
Bf-109E
Bf-109E
Bf-109E
2