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MAVERICK'S AIR COMBAT WARGAMES
Air Combat Games: These games reflect
an interesting area of wargaming. The
designer is restricted to a two-dimensional
format for simulating a three-dimensional
scenario (some designs have "cleverly"
avoided this dilemma by ignoring altitude.)
It is also a frustrating gaming arena
for aviation enthusiasts who often feel
that something is lost in the translation
(not surprisingly and perhaps inevitably
so.)
Air combat games traditionally make a
compromise between excruciating detail
and playability. It's generally not
enjoyable to spend three hours to
play thorough thirty seconds of actual
combat, but some games just about do that.
Indeed, some of the most enjoyable games
on this list are not particularly
realistic but still do an admirable job
of capturing the flavor of air combat
in a less complicated manner.
With the exception of a few titles, this is
a nearly exhaustive collection of all the
air combat board wargame titles published
to date.
Looking for games? I may have some of these for sale!
AIR COMBAT BOARDGAMES (PUBLISHER)
------------------------------------------------------------
ACES HIGH (3W)
ACES HIGH (SIMULATION GAMES/WWW)
ACES HIGH, WARGAMER 12 (WWW)
World War I game from 3W/WWW which spawned a small number
of related games. Originally published as a magazine game
and later released in two boxed editions. Other releases
in the series include an expansion: Blue Max (not the GDW
game), a stand-alone expansion: The American Aces, and
another magazine edition: Red Baron.
ACE OF ACES BALLOON BUSTER EDITION (NOVA)
ACE OF ACES FLYING MACHINES EDITION (NOVA)
AEE OF ACES FLYING MACHINES EDITION (NOVA)
ACE OF ACES HANDY ROTARY EDITION (GAMESHOP)
ACE OF ACES HANDY ROTARY EDITION (NOVA)
ACE OF ACES HANDY ROTARY EDITION, UNBOXED (NOVA)
ACE OF ACES HANDY ROTARY RICHTHOFEN EDITION (NOVA)
ACE OF ACES POWERHOUSE EDITION (NOVA)
The Ace of Aces series use a pair of books to recreate
WWI dogfights. The books consist of pictures of views from
the cockpit of your aircraft showing the location of the
enemy aircraft. Permitted manuvers are listed across the
bottom of the page. Each player selects a manuver and
the game system leads you to the appropriate page showing
your respective positions. The basic game is that easy.
Advanced rules allowed for further complexity but the
basic game is so fun and fast it's hard to give it up.
A favorite of gamers and non-gamers alike since anyone
can learn to play the basic game in a matter of minutes.
ACES OF ACES HANDY ROTARY DELUXE EDITION (NOVA)
ACES OF ACES JET EAGLES, DESERT STORM EDITION (NOVA)
ACES OF ACES WINGLEADER (NOVA)
These later "deluxe" editions came boxed with two books
that used black and white photographs of the actual aircraft
rather than drawings. In addition, charts and cards are
provided adding additional detail and some realism to the
game. Wingleader expanded the series to WWII fighters
(P-51 and FW-190) and Jet Eagles dealt less successfully
with jet fighter combat. Deluxe edition of Wingleader includes
additional aircraft and campaign rules.
ACES OF ACES WINGLEADER, DELUXE EDITION (NOVA)
This edition distributed through Chessex included an extra
24 aircraft and campaign game rules.
ACE OF ACES, FRENCH EDITION "VOUS ETES L'AS DES AS", ROTARY DELUXE IN SLIPCASE (GALLIMARD)
ACHTUNG SPITFIRE! (CLASH OF ARMS)
WWII
ADVANCED FIGHTER COMBAT (GAMESCIENCE)
Expansion adding aircraft and rules to Basic Fighter Combat
WWII miniatures rules, see below. Also released as part of
the Complete Fighter Combat System boxed set.
AIR ACES (INTERNATIONAL GAMERS)
A set of miniatures rules for WWII air combat.
AIR CAV (WEST END)
An update of Air Cobra.
AIR COBRA (OSG)
Attack helicopters in modern tactical combat.
AIR DUEL: DANGER ZONE (ONE SMALL STEP)
This modern air combat game is an interesting attempt
to bring Ace of Aces style mechanics to the tabletop.
AIR FORCE (AVALON HILL)
AIR FORCE (BATTLELINE)
Classic WWII air combat system using plotted movement.
Air Force features air combat in the European theater
and a second game, Dauntless, focused on the Pacific.
AIR FORCE/DAUNTLESS EXPANSION KIT (AH/BATTLELINE)
Expansion set adds additional Japanese, British and
American aircraft as well as introducing aircraft for
the Italians and Russians.
AIR POWER (TSR)
A set of miniatures rules for WWII air combat.
AIR STRIKE (GDW)
AIR SUPERIORITY (GDW)
Modern air combat and ground support.
AIR WAR (SPI)
AIR WAR (TSR/SPI)
AIR WAR UPDATED EDITION (SPI)
Probably one of the most complex SPI "games" produced
(if you can call it a game.) Highly "detailed" system
for recreating jet combat. Takes some of the basic
concepts of the early SPI air games and buries them
in chrome and complexity.
THE AMERICAN ACES (3W)
Aces High series, see above for details.
B-17 QUEEN OF THE SKIES (ON TARGET)
B-17 QUEEN OF THE SKIES (AVALON HILL)
Interesting solitaire game where the player controls a
B-17 in various bombing raids over France and Germany.
Although the player's decisions are very limited and
the game boils down to rolling a bunch of dice and
consulting a lot of charts, it still makes for a tense
game and in reality a bomber crew had very little control
over most circumstances surrounding their flight.
BASIC FIGHTER COMBAT MANUAL (LOU ZOCCHI)
A set of WWII air combat rules for use with aircraft models.
This game requires a large open playing area (floor, ping
pong table, basketball court, etc.) to play. Flat cardstock
discs with aircraft info on them can be used if models are
not available. An Advanced Fighter Combat expansion book
added additional aircraft to the system. Also released as
part of the Complete Fighter Combat System boxed set.
THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN (TSR)
A simple boardgame featuring plastic Spiftire and Messerschmitt pieces.
THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN, LARGE BOX (GAMESCIENCE/RENWAL)
THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN, SECOND EDITION (GAMESCIENCE/RENWAL)
WWII
BATTLE OVER BRITAIN (TSR/SPI)
WWII
BLUE MAX (GDW)
BLUE MAX, SECOND EDITION (GDW)
WWI air combat game that has very accessible rules and is
quick playing while still retaining a good feel for the
period. In addition, this has the BEST looking counter
art for any air combat games (Mustangs is a close run for
the money.) Note that the first edition did not have any
altitude rules (!) but these were added in the second
edition. Another preference note: the manuver cards in
the first edition are heavier duty, but the second edition
damage and movement log sheet looks better.
BOMBER (YAQUINTO)
Allied strategic bombing campaigns over Europe in WWII.
BOMBS AWAY!, GAMEFIX 4 (GPG)
Simple card game dealing with the Allied bombing campaign
against Germany in WWII. Published in Gamefix magazine.
CHECK SIX! (Close Simulations)
Post-WWII jet combat game. Produced for U.S. Air Force under
Project Warrior. Later released by AH as Flight Leader.
CLASH OF EAGLES (CAMELOT GAMES)
WWII Battle of Britain air combat system similar to Blue Max.
COMBAT WINGS (TSUKUDA HOBBY)
Japanese game dealing with the Allied strategic bombing campaign
against Germany in World War II. The rules are in Japanese,
so all I know about the game so far is the English slogan on
the cover: "The Game of Eighth Air Force Bombing Target in Germany."
COMPLETE FIGHTER COMBAT SYSTEM (GAMESCIENCE)
Lou Zocchi's Basic and Advanced Fighter Combat games combined
in a boxed set that includes a mapsheet and counters allowing
it to be played as a board game or with miniatures.
CORSAIRS & HELLCATS (GMT)
WWII card game
DAUNTLESS (AVALON HILL)
DAUNTLESS (BATTLELINE)
The Pacific Theater expansion for Air Force. The Battleline
version was a stand-alone game while the current AH release
requires Air Force to play.
DAWN PATROL (TSR)
Re-release of Fight in the Skies with some improved components
but the same old creaky game system. See below.
DELUXE FIGHTER PILOT (GAMESCIENCE)
The boxed set for Fighter Pilot, a simple set of WWII air combat
miniatures rules released by The Little Soldier. A mapsheet
and counters are included to allow play as a board game. Also
includes Fighter Pilot Expansion which gives new fighters and
errata.
DESERT FALCONS, AIR SUPERIORITY EXPANSION (GDW)
Modern
DOGFIGHT OVER FLANDERS (TABLETOP GAMES)
WWI miniatures rules.
DOWNTOWN (GMT)
Vietnam War tactical-operational scale game of American air attacks
in and around Hanoi.
EAGLE DAY (HISTO GAMES)
You know it's probably a good idea to stay away when the rules
state: "Eagle Day is played in full turns, each representing
ten minutes of time. Each week has 20 full turns..." (!)
EIGHTH AIR FORCE (GMT)
Second release in the Down in Flames card game series
following up Rise of the Luftwaffe. Adds additional
aircraft and rules.
FIGHTER BOMBER (TSUKUDA HOBBY)
Japanese game set in the jet era. The rules are in Japanese
so all I know about the game so far is the English slogan on
the cover: "The Game of Fighter Bombers Attack on the Ground
Target."
FIGHT FOR THE SKY (ATTACTIX)
WWII Battle of Britain
FIGHT IN THE SKIES (THIRD EDITION) (MIKE CARR)
FIGHT IN THE SKIES, FOURTH EDITION (GUIDON GAMES)
FIGHT IN THE SKIES (FIFTH EDITION) (TSR)
FIGHT IN THE SKIES (SIXTH EDITION, SECOND PRINTING) (TSR)
Old, creaky WWI air combat game that TSR called an RPG because
of some bare bones rules for campaigning and characters.
Not what one would consider an RPG today, and not what one
would consider a decent air combat game today. But it had a
large following in it's time (before many air combat games
existed) and is supposed to be good fun. Re-released as
Dawn Patrol.
FLIGHT LEADER (AVALON HILL)
Jet combat. A revision of Check Six!
FLYING CIRCUS (SPI)
FLYING CIRCUS, S&T 31 (SPI)
Classic SPI design which became the basis for Spitfire
and Foxbat and Phantom. Simple, playable game which
explored concepts adopted in many later air combat games.
FLYING TIGERS (GAMESCIENCE)
Sorry excuse for an air combat game especially when
you consider it came from the designer of the reasonably
detailed Luftwaffe and Battle of Britain. But of course,
even though it is abominable in a historical sense, it
still might be a fun game...
FOX ONE (ONE SMALL STEP)
Card game of jet fighter combat.
FOXBAT AND PHANTOM (SPI)
FOXBAT AND PHANTOM DESIGNER'S EDITION (SPI)
An early air combat game focusing on modern (70's) jet
combat. Simple, accessible system focused on playability
rather than an all-out facade of realism which was the
downfall of Air War. The designer's edition came boxed
with mounted mapsheets.
HORNET LEADER (GMT)
Innovative solitaire game where a player controls a
group of F-18 hornets through a series of strike
missions. Aircraft and pilots must be rotated and
assigned to various duties. Player selects weapons
loads and attack routes. Threats include enemy fighters,
SAMs, AAA and occasional bad luck. Excellent game
with great replay value.
HORNET LEADER II PLAYTEST KIT (GMT)
HOSTILE AIRCRAFT (GOBLINTOOTH ENTERPRISES)
WWI miniatures
KAMIKAZE, F&M 31 (STEVE JACKSON GAMES)
KNIGHTS OF THE AIR (AVALON HILL)
WWI
LONDON'S BURNING (AVALON HILL)
WWII Battle of Britain
LUFTSCHIFF (SIERRA MADRE)
WWI solitaire game where player controls a Zeppelin in
raids over Britain. Highly playable even with great
attention to historical detail. Followed by an expansion
kit (Riesenflugzeugabteilungen) which featured the "giant"
bombers of WWI.
LUFTWAFFE (AVALON HILL)
WWII Allied strategic bombing campaign over Europe.
MALTA, CLASH OF EAGLES EXPANSION (CAMELOT GAMES)
WWII Mediterranean Theater.
MIG KILLERS (GAMESCIENCE)
Jet combat
MIG KILLERS EXPANSION KIT (GAMESCIENCE)
The cover says "240 Extra Aircraft Counters" but inside
the game says "Enclosed you will find 240 die-cut counters
that have been mistakenly cut off-register and/or
improperly bonded to the cardboard." Really!
MISSION ALOFT (JIM BUMPAS GAMES)
This self-described operational-tactical game focuses on
air-to-ground and recon missions from 1960-1980.
MUSTANGS (AVALON HILL)
WWII
MUSTANGS AND MESSERSCHMITTS (FALCON GAMES)
WWII miniatures
NORAD, CONFLICT 4 (SDC)
NORAD (MISHLER COMPANY)
Simple presentation of Russian strategic bomber strike
on U.S. in early 1960's. Originally appeared as a
magazine game in Conflict.
OVER THE REICH (CLASH OF ARMS)
WWII
PANZERZUG (WINSOME GAMES)
Card game depicting late WWII allied fighter attacks on
German rail assets.
RAF (WEST END)
Solitaire strategic air game where the player controls
the British air units during the Battle of Britain
against the German attack which is run by an innovative
card system. A classic solitaire design which is both
tense and challenging.
RED BARON, WARGAMER 48 (3W)
Aces High series, see above for details.
RICHTHOFEN'S WAR (AVALON HILL)
WWI
RIESENFLUGZEUGABTEILUNGEN LUFTSCHIFF EXPANSION (SIERRA MADRE)
Expansion for Luftschiff, see above.
THE RISE OF THE LUFTWAFFE (GMT)
WWII card game
ROLLING THUNDER (COMMANDO WARGAMES)
ROLLING THUNDER (GROUP THREE GAMES)
Vietnam
SKYHAWKS, WARHAWKS COMICS MODULE #8 (TSR)
Simple "game in a comic book" of fighter combat during
the Battle of Britain.
THE SPEED OF HEAT (CLASH OF ARMS)
Jet combat
SPITFIRE (3W)
WWII
SPITFIRE (SPI)
WWII
STURMOVIK, CLASH OF EAGLES EXPANSION, PARABELLUM 0 (CAMELOT GAMES)
WWII Russian Front. Released in first issue of
Parabellum magazine.
THEIR FINEST HOUR (GDW)
WWII Battle of Britain.
THUNDERBOLT-APACHE LEADER (GMT)
Solitaire game of modern close air support. An offspring
of the Hornet Leader system, it shares many advantages.
Requires careful decision making and mission planning by
the player, and adds additional detail and complexity over
the Hornet Leader system.
TOP GUN (COUNTERS) (FASA)
TOP GUN (PLASTIC PLANES) (FASA)
Modern jet combat
ULTIMATUM (YAQUINTO)
Unusual game of global brinksmanship in the 1950-70's which
features ICBMs as well as strategic bombers and interceptors.
VCR DOGFIGHT (SPINNAKER SOFTWARE)
WWWII. Unusual hybrid wargame using VCR footage for
combat resolution.
WINGS (EXCALIBRE/YAQUINTO)
WINGS (YAQUINTO)
Highly rated WWI air combat system. Features a few differnt
rule systems in one package allowing a range of play from
highly detailed combat recommended for only a few aircraft
at a time to simplified rules allowing for mass air battles.
WINGS OVER FRANCE (LAMBOURNE)
WWI solitaire
ZEPPELIN, S&T 159 (SPI)
WWI Zeppelin raids
AIR COMBAT RELATED BOARDGAMES
-----------------------------
For those who are interested in more than just
air warfare, these games incorporate air combat
rules but are not solely focused on aerial combat.
AIR AND ARMOR (WEST END)
Modern tactical air support.
BOOTS AND SADDLES (GDW)
Part of the Assault modern tactical combat series, adds
airmobile infantry rules.
CARRIER (VICTORY GAMES)
WWII
CARRIER BATTLES (RISING SUN SIMULATIONS)
WWII
CV (YAQUINTO)
A follow up to Flat Top that uses the same system to
recreate the carrier battles at Midway. Exceedingly
detailed and not as highly acclaimed as Flat Top.
F.E.B.A. (Close Simulations)
Modern air support game. Produced for U.S. Air Force under
Project Warrior. Later released by AH as Tac-Air.
FLAT TOP (AVALON HILL)
FLAT TOP, SECOND PRINTING (BATTLELINE)
Detailed simulation of WWII carrier warfare in the
Solomons. Players control individual ships and
small groups of aircraft in a cat and mouse game
of search and destroy. Followed up by CV which
applied essentially the same system to Midway, but
Flat Top is generally rated as the better of the two.
KRIEGSMARINE (SIMULATIONS CANADA)
Tactical naval game incorporating air units.
A LINE IN THE SAND (TSR)
Operation Desert Storm.
MIDWAY (AVALON HILL)
WWII Pacific Theater.
RED STORM RISING (TSR)
Modern hypothetical NATO versus Soviets.
TAC-AIR (AVALON HILL)
Modern air support. A revision of F.E.B.A.
05/30/04
Return to Mavericks Boardgame Closet
AIR COMBAT BOARDGAMES (PUBLISHER)
------------------------------------------------------------
ACES HIGH (3W)
ACES HIGH (SIMULATION GAMES/WWW)
ACES HIGH, WARGAMER 12 (WWW)
World War I game from 3W/WWW which spawned a small number
of related games. Originally published as a magazine game
and later released in two boxed editions. Other releases
in the series include an expansion: Blue Max (not the GDW
game), a stand-alone expansion: The American Aces, and
another magazine edition: Red Baron.
ACE OF ACES BALLOON BUSTER EDITION (NOVA)
ACE OF ACES FLYING MACHINES EDITION (NOVA)
AEE OF ACES FLYING MACHINES EDITION (NOVA)
ACE OF ACES HANDY ROTARY EDITION (GAMESHOP)
ACE OF ACES HANDY ROTARY EDITION (NOVA)
ACE OF ACES HANDY ROTARY EDITION, UNBOXED (NOVA)
ACE OF ACES HANDY ROTARY RICHTHOFEN EDITION (NOVA)
ACE OF ACES POWERHOUSE EDITION (NOVA)
The Ace of Aces series use a pair of books to recreate
WWI dogfights. The books consist of pictures of views from
the cockpit of your aircraft showing the location of the
enemy aircraft. Permitted manuvers are listed across the
bottom of the page. Each player selects a manuver and
the game system leads you to the appropriate page showing
your respective positions. The basic game is that easy.
Advanced rules allowed for further complexity but the
basic game is so fun and fast it's hard to give it up.
A favorite of gamers and non-gamers alike since anyone
can learn to play the basic game in a matter of minutes.
ACES OF ACES HANDY ROTARY DELUXE EDITION (NOVA)
ACES OF ACES JET EAGLES, DESERT STORM EDITION (NOVA)
ACES OF ACES WINGLEADER (NOVA)
These later "deluxe" editions came boxed with two books
that used black and white photographs of the actual aircraft
rather than drawings. In addition, charts and cards are
provided adding additional detail and some realism to the
game. Wingleader expanded the series to WWII fighters
(P-51 and FW-190) and Jet Eagles dealt less successfully
with jet fighter combat. Deluxe edition of Wingleader includes
additional aircraft and campaign rules.
ACES OF ACES WINGLEADER, DELUXE EDITION (NOVA)
This edition distributed through Chessex included an extra
24 aircraft and campaign game rules.
ACE OF ACES, FRENCH EDITION "VOUS ETES L'AS DES AS", ROTARY DELUXE IN SLIPCASE (GALLIMARD)
ACHTUNG SPITFIRE! (CLASH OF ARMS)
WWII
ADVANCED FIGHTER COMBAT (GAMESCIENCE)
Expansion adding aircraft and rules to Basic Fighter Combat
WWII miniatures rules, see below. Also released as part of
the Complete Fighter Combat System boxed set.
AIR ACES (INTERNATIONAL GAMERS)
A set of miniatures rules for WWII air combat.
AIR CAV (WEST END)
An update of Air Cobra.
AIR COBRA (OSG)
Attack helicopters in modern tactical combat.
AIR DUEL: DANGER ZONE (ONE SMALL STEP)
This modern air combat game is an interesting attempt
to bring Ace of Aces style mechanics to the tabletop.
AIR FORCE (AVALON HILL)
AIR FORCE (BATTLELINE)
Classic WWII air combat system using plotted movement.
Air Force features air combat in the European theater
and a second game, Dauntless, focused on the Pacific.
AIR FORCE/DAUNTLESS EXPANSION KIT (AH/BATTLELINE)
Expansion set adds additional Japanese, British and
American aircraft as well as introducing aircraft for
the Italians and Russians.
AIR POWER (TSR)
A set of miniatures rules for WWII air combat.
AIR STRIKE (GDW)
AIR SUPERIORITY (GDW)
Modern air combat and ground support.
AIR WAR (SPI)
AIR WAR (TSR/SPI)
AIR WAR UPDATED EDITION (SPI)
Probably one of the most complex SPI "games" produced
(if you can call it a game.) Highly "detailed" system
for recreating jet combat. Takes some of the basic
concepts of the early SPI air games and buries them
in chrome and complexity.
THE AMERICAN ACES (3W)
Aces High series, see above for details.
B-17 QUEEN OF THE SKIES (ON TARGET)
B-17 QUEEN OF THE SKIES (AVALON HILL)
Interesting solitaire game where the player controls a
B-17 in various bombing raids over France and Germany.
Although the player's decisions are very limited and
the game boils down to rolling a bunch of dice and
consulting a lot of charts, it still makes for a tense
game and in reality a bomber crew had very little control
over most circumstances surrounding their flight.
BASIC FIGHTER COMBAT MANUAL (LOU ZOCCHI)
A set of WWII air combat rules for use with aircraft models.
This game requires a large open playing area (floor, ping
pong table, basketball court, etc.) to play. Flat cardstock
discs with aircraft info on them can be used if models are
not available. An Advanced Fighter Combat expansion book
added additional aircraft to the system. Also released as
part of the Complete Fighter Combat System boxed set.
THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN (TSR)
A simple boardgame featuring plastic Spiftire and Messerschmitt pieces.
THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN, LARGE BOX (GAMESCIENCE/RENWAL)
THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN, SECOND EDITION (GAMESCIENCE/RENWAL)
WWII
BATTLE OVER BRITAIN (TSR/SPI)
WWII
BLUE MAX (GDW)
BLUE MAX, SECOND EDITION (GDW)
WWI air combat game that has very accessible rules and is
quick playing while still retaining a good feel for the
period. In addition, this has the BEST looking counter
art for any air combat games (Mustangs is a close run for
the money.) Note that the first edition did not have any
altitude rules (!) but these were added in the second
edition. Another preference note: the manuver cards in
the first edition are heavier duty, but the second edition
damage and movement log sheet looks better.
BOMBER (YAQUINTO)
Allied strategic bombing campaigns over Europe in WWII.
BOMBS AWAY!, GAMEFIX 4 (GPG)
Simple card game dealing with the Allied bombing campaign
against Germany in WWII. Published in Gamefix magazine.
CHECK SIX! (Close Simulations)
Post-WWII jet combat game. Produced for U.S. Air Force under
Project Warrior. Later released by AH as Flight Leader.
CLASH OF EAGLES (CAMELOT GAMES)
WWII Battle of Britain air combat system similar to Blue Max.
COMBAT WINGS (TSUKUDA HOBBY)
Japanese game dealing with the Allied strategic bombing campaign
against Germany in World War II. The rules are in Japanese,
so all I know about the game so far is the English slogan on
the cover: "The Game of Eighth Air Force Bombing Target in Germany."
COMPLETE FIGHTER COMBAT SYSTEM (GAMESCIENCE)
Lou Zocchi's Basic and Advanced Fighter Combat games combined
in a boxed set that includes a mapsheet and counters allowing
it to be played as a board game or with miniatures.
CORSAIRS & HELLCATS (GMT)
WWII card game
DAUNTLESS (AVALON HILL)
DAUNTLESS (BATTLELINE)
The Pacific Theater expansion for Air Force. The Battleline
version was a stand-alone game while the current AH release
requires Air Force to play.
DAWN PATROL (TSR)
Re-release of Fight in the Skies with some improved components
but the same old creaky game system. See below.
DELUXE FIGHTER PILOT (GAMESCIENCE)
The boxed set for Fighter Pilot, a simple set of WWII air combat
miniatures rules released by The Little Soldier. A mapsheet
and counters are included to allow play as a board game. Also
includes Fighter Pilot Expansion which gives new fighters and
errata.
DESERT FALCONS, AIR SUPERIORITY EXPANSION (GDW)
Modern
DOGFIGHT OVER FLANDERS (TABLETOP GAMES)
WWI miniatures rules.
DOWNTOWN (GMT)
Vietnam War tactical-operational scale game of American air attacks
in and around Hanoi.
EAGLE DAY (HISTO GAMES)
You know it's probably a good idea to stay away when the rules
state: "Eagle Day is played in full turns, each representing
ten minutes of time. Each week has 20 full turns..." (!)
EIGHTH AIR FORCE (GMT)
Second release in the Down in Flames card game series
following up Rise of the Luftwaffe. Adds additional
aircraft and rules.
FIGHTER BOMBER (TSUKUDA HOBBY)
Japanese game set in the jet era. The rules are in Japanese
so all I know about the game so far is the English slogan on
the cover: "The Game of Fighter Bombers Attack on the Ground
Target."
FIGHT FOR THE SKY (ATTACTIX)
WWII Battle of Britain
FIGHT IN THE SKIES (THIRD EDITION) (MIKE CARR)
FIGHT IN THE SKIES, FOURTH EDITION (GUIDON GAMES)
FIGHT IN THE SKIES (FIFTH EDITION) (TSR)
FIGHT IN THE SKIES (SIXTH EDITION, SECOND PRINTING) (TSR)
Old, creaky WWI air combat game that TSR called an RPG because
of some bare bones rules for campaigning and characters.
Not what one would consider an RPG today, and not what one
would consider a decent air combat game today. But it had a
large following in it's time (before many air combat games
existed) and is supposed to be good fun. Re-released as
Dawn Patrol.
FLIGHT LEADER (AVALON HILL)
Jet combat. A revision of Check Six!
FLYING CIRCUS (SPI)
FLYING CIRCUS, S&T 31 (SPI)
Classic SPI design which became the basis for Spitfire
and Foxbat and Phantom. Simple, playable game which
explored concepts adopted in many later air combat games.
FLYING TIGERS (GAMESCIENCE)
Sorry excuse for an air combat game especially when
you consider it came from the designer of the reasonably
detailed Luftwaffe and Battle of Britain. But of course,
even though it is abominable in a historical sense, it
still might be a fun game...
FOX ONE (ONE SMALL STEP)
Card game of jet fighter combat.
FOXBAT AND PHANTOM (SPI)
FOXBAT AND PHANTOM DESIGNER'S EDITION (SPI)
An early air combat game focusing on modern (70's) jet
combat. Simple, accessible system focused on playability
rather than an all-out facade of realism which was the
downfall of Air War. The designer's edition came boxed
with mounted mapsheets.
HORNET LEADER (GMT)
Innovative solitaire game where a player controls a
group of F-18 hornets through a series of strike
missions. Aircraft and pilots must be rotated and
assigned to various duties. Player selects weapons
loads and attack routes. Threats include enemy fighters,
SAMs, AAA and occasional bad luck. Excellent game
with great replay value.
HORNET LEADER II PLAYTEST KIT (GMT)
HOSTILE AIRCRAFT (GOBLINTOOTH ENTERPRISES)
WWI miniatures
KAMIKAZE, F&M 31 (STEVE JACKSON GAMES)
KNIGHTS OF THE AIR (AVALON HILL)
WWI
LONDON'S BURNING (AVALON HILL)
WWII Battle of Britain
LUFTSCHIFF (SIERRA MADRE)
WWI solitaire game where player controls a Zeppelin in
raids over Britain. Highly playable even with great
attention to historical detail. Followed by an expansion
kit (Riesenflugzeugabteilungen) which featured the "giant"
bombers of WWI.
LUFTWAFFE (AVALON HILL)
WWII Allied strategic bombing campaign over Europe.
MALTA, CLASH OF EAGLES EXPANSION (CAMELOT GAMES)
WWII Mediterranean Theater.
MIG KILLERS (GAMESCIENCE)
Jet combat
MIG KILLERS EXPANSION KIT (GAMESCIENCE)
The cover says "240 Extra Aircraft Counters" but inside
the game says "Enclosed you will find 240 die-cut counters
that have been mistakenly cut off-register and/or
improperly bonded to the cardboard." Really!
MISSION ALOFT (JIM BUMPAS GAMES)
This self-described operational-tactical game focuses on
air-to-ground and recon missions from 1960-1980.
MUSTANGS (AVALON HILL)
WWII
MUSTANGS AND MESSERSCHMITTS (FALCON GAMES)
WWII miniatures
NORAD, CONFLICT 4 (SDC)
NORAD (MISHLER COMPANY)
Simple presentation of Russian strategic bomber strike
on U.S. in early 1960's. Originally appeared as a
magazine game in Conflict.
OVER THE REICH (CLASH OF ARMS)
WWII
PANZERZUG (WINSOME GAMES)
Card game depicting late WWII allied fighter attacks on
German rail assets.
RAF (WEST END)
Solitaire strategic air game where the player controls
the British air units during the Battle of Britain
against the German attack which is run by an innovative
card system. A classic solitaire design which is both
tense and challenging.
RED BARON, WARGAMER 48 (3W)
Aces High series, see above for details.
RICHTHOFEN'S WAR (AVALON HILL)
WWI
RIESENFLUGZEUGABTEILUNGEN LUFTSCHIFF EXPANSION (SIERRA MADRE)
Expansion for Luftschiff, see above.
THE RISE OF THE LUFTWAFFE (GMT)
WWII card game
ROLLING THUNDER (COMMANDO WARGAMES)
ROLLING THUNDER (GROUP THREE GAMES)
Vietnam
SKYHAWKS, WARHAWKS COMICS MODULE #8 (TSR)
Simple "game in a comic book" of fighter combat during
the Battle of Britain.
THE SPEED OF HEAT (CLASH OF ARMS)
Jet combat
SPITFIRE (3W)
WWII
SPITFIRE (SPI)
WWII
STURMOVIK, CLASH OF EAGLES EXPANSION, PARABELLUM 0 (CAMELOT GAMES)
WWII Russian Front. Released in first issue of
Parabellum magazine.
THEIR FINEST HOUR (GDW)
WWII Battle of Britain.
THUNDERBOLT-APACHE LEADER (GMT)
Solitaire game of modern close air support. An offspring
of the Hornet Leader system, it shares many advantages.
Requires careful decision making and mission planning by
the player, and adds additional detail and complexity over
the Hornet Leader system.
TOP GUN (COUNTERS) (FASA)
TOP GUN (PLASTIC PLANES) (FASA)
Modern jet combat
ULTIMATUM (YAQUINTO)
Unusual game of global brinksmanship in the 1950-70's which
features ICBMs as well as strategic bombers and interceptors.
VCR DOGFIGHT (SPINNAKER SOFTWARE)
WWWII. Unusual hybrid wargame using VCR footage for
combat resolution.
WINGS (EXCALIBRE/YAQUINTO)
WINGS (YAQUINTO)
Highly rated WWI air combat system. Features a few differnt
rule systems in one package allowing a range of play from
highly detailed combat recommended for only a few aircraft
at a time to simplified rules allowing for mass air battles.
WINGS OVER FRANCE (LAMBOURNE)
WWI solitaire
ZEPPELIN, S&T 159 (SPI)
WWI Zeppelin raids
AIR COMBAT RELATED BOARDGAMES
-----------------------------
For those who are interested in more than just
air warfare, these games incorporate air combat
rules but are not solely focused on aerial combat.
AIR AND ARMOR (WEST END)
Modern tactical air support.
BOOTS AND SADDLES (GDW)
Part of the Assault modern tactical combat series, adds
airmobile infantry rules.
CARRIER (VICTORY GAMES)
WWII
CARRIER BATTLES (RISING SUN SIMULATIONS)
WWII
CV (YAQUINTO)
A follow up to Flat Top that uses the same system to
recreate the carrier battles at Midway. Exceedingly
detailed and not as highly acclaimed as Flat Top.
F.E.B.A. (Close Simulations)
Modern air support game. Produced for U.S. Air Force under
Project Warrior. Later released by AH as Tac-Air.
FLAT TOP (AVALON HILL)
FLAT TOP, SECOND PRINTING (BATTLELINE)
Detailed simulation of WWII carrier warfare in the
Solomons. Players control individual ships and
small groups of aircraft in a cat and mouse game
of search and destroy. Followed up by CV which
applied essentially the same system to Midway, but
Flat Top is generally rated as the better of the two.
KRIEGSMARINE (SIMULATIONS CANADA)
Tactical naval game incorporating air units.
A LINE IN THE SAND (TSR)
Operation Desert Storm.
MIDWAY (AVALON HILL)
WWII Pacific Theater.
RED STORM RISING (TSR)
Modern hypothetical NATO versus Soviets.
TAC-AIR (AVALON HILL)
Modern air support. A revision of F.E.B.A.
05/30/04
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