Malta 1942

Hope everyone had a smashing holiday season!   I had plenty of relatives over so played English tour guide. The weather has been mild compaired to most of the US so it was easy to get around.   Not much game stuff for Christmas; just some Peter Pig WW II scots and partisans and one US Duster for my vietnam scenarios. However with some Christmas money I ordered some scenery from "fights on" for my air games and will order " Donnybrooke" a set of horse and musket skirmish rules. From what I have read they have incorporated most of the fixes I have been making to Sharpe Practice. I will probably meld the best of both rule sets keeping big men but getting rid of shock.

Finally played a Bag the Hun game using my spitfire squadron based in Malta. This is an interesting squadron as they have many veterans but no one gets along and the squadron CO was killed the first mission out and has yet to be replaced. The Group Captain doesn't feel either Flight Lt is promotable. Four of the pilots are on a CAP mission...

Flt Lt   Wilson    Unsuportive/ skirt chaser               Vet
F/O Jamie Farnsworth   Cocky/ skirt chaser

Sgt Randel    Cocky/ family       Vet   Flying demon    1 kill
Sgt Scrum Patson    Cocky/ religion    Vet

" Redbridge this is Central Line. Bandits approaching north of your position angles 12." Flt Lt Wilson acknowledges and moves north finding Italian bombers. He manages to move his flight in behind the bombers.

The initial shots are not effective as the bombers rumble on. The Brits doggedly continue and Flt Lt Wilson gets shot down by return fire!
Then a nautical voice appears over the wireless, " Redbridge, this is Seaweed. Thought we would come and play if that is ok. "

A random event brings 2 Fulmars into the battle!!

Sgt Scrum Patson gets one!!!

Another is turned back!

Another action shot!

Scrum manages to down another bomber and one more aborts of the 8 bombers attacking. Fortunatly they do little damage to the airfield.

Post game Flt Lt Wilson manages to bail out and will miss one mission. The squadron is introduced to Lt Stephens RN, and his stranded Fulmars. The big news (other that Scrum getting 2 kills in one mission) is the new CO shows up; Sq Ldr Joey Lynch. His is a 3 kill veteran with a huge ego out to make a name for himself. The squadron already dislikes him!

Also inluded 2 pictures from some horse and musket stuff I have playing around with. This is a wagon ambushed by Sneaky Pete.