Dusting Off A Classic

Snap-shot: Mansourah

Egyptian MiGs attempt to intercept Israelis

7 October 1973, 0745hrs

Over Mansourah Airfield, Egypt

Our group had previously played through 18 of the 27 missions included in the Star and Pyramid campaign book for the Check Your 6! Jet Age rules.  It has been well over a year since the last time we played any of the missions.  As a testament to how easy the rules are, we got 6 players through this game without problem.

The Forces:

Egyptian Air Force:
6 MiG-21MFs with 1 Veteran pilot, 1 Skilled pilot and 4 Green pilots
3 Light AAA
1 SA-3B Battery

Israel Air Force:
2 F-4Es (cover flight) with 1 Veteran pilot and 1 Skilled pilot
2 F-4Es (bomb flight) with 2 Skilled pilots
4 A-4N with 1 Veteran pilot and 3 Skilled pilots

The Israeli orders were simple, the 2 F-4s loaded out as bombers were to hit the runway, while the A-4s bombed the airbase facilities and command center adjacent to the runway.  This left 2 F-4s to cover the bombing run, entering a few turns into the game.

The Egyptians mission was also straightforward: keep the runway from being bombed, while destroying as many Israelis as possible.

Modern French Army - Part 4, The Aircraft

For the most part this section and the models contained in it are just for wargaming eye candy.  There is no real or realistic need to place a model of a jet or helicopter striking from long range on the table. Their effects are represented by generic in-game rules, but I like the completeness that they bring to the force.... and there is the outside possibility that they might, for some reason, appear in some other state in the game. The transports, on the other hand, will almost certainly be on-board in games.

The camouflaged helicopters were painted by me, using the exact same paints and techniques as I used on the vehicles.

THE HELICOPTERS:

SA 330 Puma

(QRF)

The Aerospatiale SA 330 Puma is a medium transport helicopter, carrying up to 16 passengers, flown by the French Army.  It can also operate as a gunship, mounting a 20mm cannon from the side door.  It is fast and durable, being able to operate fully loaded, with just one operational engine. There are increasingly less numbers in operation with the NHIndustries NH90 replacing it.