Volume 36, Number 2
February 17 Gaming Report
Five Indy Squadron members played five games on Saturday, February 17, 2024 in Lewisville, IN, the most games the squadron has played in a single day in quite a long time. Everyone was delighted to see three-time squadron champion Kevin Richeson return after a long absence and we were all grateful to Nelson Skinner who provided brats, hot dogs, chips and dip, soft drinks and snacks throughout the day.
February 17 Gaming Report
Five Indy Squadron members played five games on Saturday, February 17, 2024 in Lewisville, IN, the most games the squadron has played in a single day in quite a long time. Everyone was delighted to see three-time squadron champion Kevin Richeson return after a long absence and we were all grateful to Nelson Skinner who provided brats, hot dogs, chips and dip, soft drinks and snacks throughout the day.
Game 1
The Germans (Rick, Kevin) flew Pfalz DIII's against the 180 hp SPAD VII's of the French (Jonathon, Stephen, Benjamin) in June 1918. The game's climax occurred when Jonathon's SPAD and Kevin's Pfalz exchanged head-on fire followed by a triple attack on Kevin that left his DIII crippled and smoking. Kevin managed to escape combat and the fight broke up with no victories claimed on either side.
Game 2
The Shepherd boys formed their own flight for the first time in their young Dawn Patrol careers when they flew two Pfalz DIIIa's against the Nieuport 28's of Stephen and Kevin, as well as the Salmson 2A2 photography two-seater of Rick. The scenario was set deep in German lines in June 1918.
Jonathon's Pfalz drew three attackers on the game's third turn, absorbing 17 hits primarily from Kevin and Rick. Jon's German pilot was lightly wounded and passed out shortly afterward. As his Pfalz tumbled earthward, Ben took a head-on shot at Rick's Salmson. Stephen's Nieuport flew in for a bottom shot at the Pfalz as well and Ben's airplane was riddled with 14 hits. Rick's fire knocked out the Pfalz's engine and Ben glided to a safe landing in German lines, followed by his brother who had awakened in time to land at the same airfield.
Rick was credited with a kill over Ben's Pfalz, and both German pilots survived the action.
Game 3
French Nieuport 17 pilot SGT Ferdinand Steniello (Stephen, 12/5) reached ace status on the strength of a double kill in this June 1917 mission. Steniello pumped 24 hits into Kevin's Albatros DIII until its Mercedes engine burst into flames and exploded. To Kevin's credit, he had remained in the fight with severe damage and a jammed machine gun in order to protect his wingman.
But Jonathon's Roland DIIa fared little better. After being hit and tailed for three consecutive turns by Steniello's Nieuport, the German cut his engine and survived a crash landing behind German lines. Steniello was then promoted to Adjudant and added the Legion d'Honneur service medal to his Medaille Militaire and Croix de Guerre.
Game 4
Three experimental Oeffag 253 Albatrosses were flown on a secret mission by Jonathon, Benjamin and Stephen just inside German lines in July 1918 when they met a pair of Bentley-powered Camels piloted by Kevin and Rick.
Rick and Stephen exchanged head-on fire from 200 feet and shot each other down. Stephen's Oeffag went down in flames and exploded while Rick's Camel glided across No Man's Land to make a safe landing inside British lines. Benjamin and Jonathon flew well and returned their top secret Oeffag airplanes as ordered, although Jonathon's Alb suffered damage and crash landed at his home field.
Game 5
This low altitude, April 1917 Italian Front scenario matched the Hansa-Brandenburg DI's of Kevin and Jon against the Nieuport 11's of Rick and Stephen. The only real action occurred when Stephen's Nieuport pilot scored a light wound on Jonathon's Hansa flyer, who immediately dove to a crash landing just inside Austrian trenches. The Italian pilot was credited with a confirmation.
Listen to an Original Sopwith Camel Rotary Engine
The Germans (Rick, Kevin) flew Pfalz DIII's against the 180 hp SPAD VII's of the French (Jonathon, Stephen, Benjamin) in June 1918. The game's climax occurred when Jonathon's SPAD and Kevin's Pfalz exchanged head-on fire followed by a triple attack on Kevin that left his DIII crippled and smoking. Kevin managed to escape combat and the fight broke up with no victories claimed on either side.
Game 2
The Shepherd boys formed their own flight for the first time in their young Dawn Patrol careers when they flew two Pfalz DIIIa's against the Nieuport 28's of Stephen and Kevin, as well as the Salmson 2A2 photography two-seater of Rick. The scenario was set deep in German lines in June 1918.
Jonathon's Pfalz drew three attackers on the game's third turn, absorbing 17 hits primarily from Kevin and Rick. Jon's German pilot was lightly wounded and passed out shortly afterward. As his Pfalz tumbled earthward, Ben took a head-on shot at Rick's Salmson. Stephen's Nieuport flew in for a bottom shot at the Pfalz as well and Ben's airplane was riddled with 14 hits. Rick's fire knocked out the Pfalz's engine and Ben glided to a safe landing in German lines, followed by his brother who had awakened in time to land at the same airfield.
Rick was credited with a kill over Ben's Pfalz, and both German pilots survived the action.
Game 3
French Nieuport 17 pilot SGT Ferdinand Steniello (Stephen, 12/5) reached ace status on the strength of a double kill in this June 1917 mission. Steniello pumped 24 hits into Kevin's Albatros DIII until its Mercedes engine burst into flames and exploded. To Kevin's credit, he had remained in the fight with severe damage and a jammed machine gun in order to protect his wingman.
But Jonathon's Roland DIIa fared little better. After being hit and tailed for three consecutive turns by Steniello's Nieuport, the German cut his engine and survived a crash landing behind German lines. Steniello was then promoted to Adjudant and added the Legion d'Honneur service medal to his Medaille Militaire and Croix de Guerre.
Game 4
Three experimental Oeffag 253 Albatrosses were flown on a secret mission by Jonathon, Benjamin and Stephen just inside German lines in July 1918 when they met a pair of Bentley-powered Camels piloted by Kevin and Rick.
Rick and Stephen exchanged head-on fire from 200 feet and shot each other down. Stephen's Oeffag went down in flames and exploded while Rick's Camel glided across No Man's Land to make a safe landing inside British lines. Benjamin and Jonathon flew well and returned their top secret Oeffag airplanes as ordered, although Jonathon's Alb suffered damage and crash landed at his home field.
Game 5
This low altitude, April 1917 Italian Front scenario matched the Hansa-Brandenburg DI's of Kevin and Jon against the Nieuport 11's of Rick and Stephen. The only real action occurred when Stephen's Nieuport pilot scored a light wound on Jonathon's Hansa flyer, who immediately dove to a crash landing just inside Austrian trenches. The Italian pilot was credited with a confirmation.
Listen to an Original Sopwith Camel Rotary Engine
Rick Receives RBF Cup
At long last Rick took possession of the Silver Cup for his victory in the 2023 Red Baron Fight. The cup was not finished by the engraver in time for presentation at the event and when it came in, he missed the next gaming day. So after several months of delays, he was presented with the traditional honor due every RBF champion at last week's gaming session.
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