Hawks vs. Kates (7-Dec-41)

Background: On December 7, 1941, many US aircraft were destroyed on the ground. Included in the few that did get airborne were a pair of P-36As that were aloft in time to intercept the Japanese second wave. The two Hawks tangled with two vics (six) torpedo-laden Kates on their way in. Historically, they shot down 3 Kates. Can you do the same?

Map: Blue sky

Aircraft: USAAC = 2x P-36A Hawks
IJN = 6x B5N2 Kates

Setup: Set the Kates up in two Vics at 6.0 (2426, 2525, 2626, 2428, 2527, 2628) at speed 3.5. Set the P-36As at 7.0 (3018, 3117) at speed 5.5.

Game Length: 20 turns

Special Rules:

  1. Kates are all armed with a torpedo - treat as loaded.
  2. For the purposes of this scenario, count Kates that drop their torpedoes before the end of the game as a kill - a Kate without a torpedo cannot sink anything!

Additional Rules: All P-36 pilots as regular. Kates are 4 regular, 2 green (1 green to each vic). Generate characteristics if desired for the P-36s only (the Japanese are second wave bomber pilots).

The P-36 Hawk was published in Air Power #49. The B5N2 was published in Air Power #40.


To Bomb Hanoi (Jan-41)

Background: Thailand launched a few raids against Vichy French Indochina. One raid “featured” Thai simplified Hawks meeting MS.406s while escorting Martin 139 bombers toward Hanoi. Historically, the Thais claimed to have shot down two, which the French denied.

Map: Blue Sky

Aircraft: Royal Thai Air Force = 4x Hawk 75N
Vichy Armée de l'Air = 4x MS.406

Setup: Set up the Thai fighters in 1819, 1920, 2020, 2121 headed East at 12.0. Set up the French in 1834, 1935, 2035, 2136 headed West at 11.0.

Game Length: 20 turns

Special Rules: none

Additional Rules: If you wish to generate pilots, generate each side from the “Limited” category.

The Hawk 75N and Martin 139 are available on Uncle Ted's. The MS-406 was published in Air Power #48.

Variant: Try this with Hawk 75Ns armed with Madsen cannon. Add the Martin 139 bombers in a fixed formation more than 10-15 hexes away. from their escort.