Blood Red Skies

 Blood Red Skies is an excellent set of rules for WWII Aerial Combat. I have always loved the game system with one exception - the movement system is a big challenge particularly for a new player. I have addressed what I consider to be a potentially fatal drawback by adapting the rules to a hex based movement system. 

Here is a pic of a game in progress using the hexes:

I make a one to one relationship of inches to hexes so I do not have to change the rules in any way. Even though the hexes are 1.25” each, the rules are unaffected. I have models face a hex side and make a 45-degree turn as on hex side and 180-degree turns as three hex sides. I also have developed a template to show when an aircraft is ‘tailing’ an opponent and when the shooter is in range to fire and when in short range. 

We played several games of BRS as part of a recent Northern Conspiracy club game day. The game day was a combination of land (Blitzkreig Commander Rules), sea (General Quarters Rules) and BRS for air combat to recreate a fictitious Italian and German invasion of Malta in 1942. This campaign gave me an opportunity to paint some really interesting aircraft and paint schemes. Here are some photos of planes I painted for the game day:

These aircraft are a combination of Warlord resin, 3d prints and Warlord plastics. All of the decals are from Miscellaneous Miniatures. 

The day went well with three BRS games.  The Axis definitely had the better of the games through out the day. There were some interesting scenarios being generated by the pre-game campaign play. I do not have access to game photos on my current device, so I will have to do another post for game narratives/recaps. I think the hex system worked really well and I look forward to more games in 2025. 

Back Again

I am back to give this blog thing another try. I have actually been doing quite a bit of gaming and modeling over the past couple of years. I just couldn’t find time to do any blogging about the hobby. But I want to share what I’ve been up to in the hobby arena, so let’s get to it!

Through the last two years of hobby time, I have been concentrating on the following games and scales:

• Blood Red Skies WWII Air Combat in1/200 Scale
• Axis & Allies Angels 20 WWII Air Combat in 1/100 Scale
• Cold War Commander Modern Battlegroup Combat in 15mm Scale
• One Hour Skirmish WWII & Modern Combat in 28mm Scale
• Soldiers of Napoleon Napoleonic Division Combat in 28mm Scale

Kind of an eclectic mix, but I like variety in gaming. All of these games and systems provide for fun games and some really enjoyable painting opportunities. I hope you enjoy looking at what I have been able to do.