Flight Leader

flight_leader.zip

All scenarios in one zip file (updated 3/28/08)

85-1.btl

This scenario is adapted from "Flight Leader" designed by Gary C. Morgan and published by The Avalong Hill Game Company.

"85-1: Bekaa Valey, Lebanon, 1982. During their first campaign in southern Lebanon, the Israeli Air Force won an unprecednted series of one-sided victories over the Syrian Air Force (some sources claim that at least three Israeli air craft were lost and up to a dozen others damaged). F-16s were credited with 44 'kills' and F-15s with 40 'kills' during this period (the remaining 'kill' was credited to a F-4E).

border.btl

This scenario is adapted from "Flight Leader" designed by Gary C. Morgan and published by The Avalon Hill Game Company.

"Border Clash: North Africa, 1984. Egypt and Libya have almost gone to wr on a number of occasions and some of the 'incidents' have led to serious fightng (most notably in the clash around Salum in July, 1977). The F-16A (Egyptian variant), MiG-23B (actually a MiG-23E) and Mirage F-1 (actually an F-1E--Libyan variant) aircraft in this scenario are less capable than the standard types. The Mirage IIIC is actually a IIIE (identical in the game)."

box-in.btl

This scenario was adapted directly from the article "Wings Over Korea. Additional Scenarios for Flight Leader" by Roger K. Horkey, published in "The General", Vol. 26, #3.

"The "Box-In": Korea, 1953.

During the last winter of the war, the North Koreans--aided by the Soviets--developed a strategy for dealing with the constant US Sabre patrols that effectively kept their MiGs north of the Yalu River. Called the "box-in", this strategy required careful monitoring of Sabre positions and time-on-station. Just before the Sabres would have to return to base due to fuel constraints, the Koreans would send some aircraft over the Yalu to take up positions over the Chongchun River. When the US jets headed home, they were pursued by MiGs from over the Yalu. Low on fuel and preoccupied with the MiGs behind them, many US aircraft were lost--most becoming fuel "kills", unable to reach the safety of UN-held airspace. The war ended before the Allies developed a successful counter to this tactic."

drgnjaw1.btl

This scenario is a direct adaptation from Avalon Hill's "Flight Leader" boardgame.

"The Dragon's Jaw (version 1): North Vietnam, April 4, 1965

"Anyone who is not completely terrified doesn't understand the problem."-Thud Ridge. These were the first air-to-air losses suffered by the United States in the Vietnam War. Two F-105s on their way to bomb the massive Thanh Hoa Bridge (known to the Vietnamese as "The Dragon's Jaw") were lost to no North Vietnamese losses. Although repeatedly bombed and heavily damaged by both the USAF and the USN, the "Dragon's Jaw" would not finally fall until hit by "smart bombs" on May 13, 1972."

Alternative opposing forces are provided for a "variant" version of this scenario where F-100 escorts (which were historically out of position to participate) are available.

Version 1 includes no escorts.

drgnjaw2.btl

This scenario is a direct adaptation from Avalon Hill's "Flight Leader" boardgame.

"The Dragon's Jaw (version 1): North Vietnam, April 4, 1965

"Anyone who is not completely terrified doesn't understand the problem."-Thud Ridge. These were the first air-to-air losses suffered by the United States in the Vietnam War. Two F-105s on their way to bomb the massive Thanh Hoa Bridge (known to the Vietnamese as "The Dragon's Jaw") were lost to no North Vietnamese losses. Although repeatedly bombed and heavily damaged by both the USAF and the USN, the "Dragon's Jaw" would not finally fall until hit by "smart bombs" on May 13, 1972."

Version 2 includes F-100 escorts (which were historically out of position to participate).

In the original scenario set up from "Flight Leader", the F-100Ds are supposed to be armed with sidewinder missiles. However, F-100Ds in FC2 cannot be armed with missiles, so this escort is only cannon armed.

f84vm15a.btl

This scenario was adapted directly from the article "Wings Over Korea. Additional Scenarios for Flight Leader" by Roger K. Horkey, published in "The General", Vol. 26, #3.

"The Roar of Thunder (Version a): Korea; January 23, 1951

In what would become one of the most impressive aerial victories in the conflict, 33 US F-84 Thunderjets returning from a ground attack mission were intercepted by 30-odd MiG-15s. Four MiGs were brought down (two by Lt. Kratt) and four damaged without loss to the US planes."

Version a is scaled-down in scope compared to the actual battle, employing eight aircraft on each side.

f84vm15b.btl

This scenario was adapted directly from the article "Wings Over Korea. Additional Scenarios for Flight Leader" by Roger K. Horkey, published in "The General", Vol. 26, #3.

"The Roar of Thunder (Version b): Korea; January 23, 1951

In what would become one of the most impressive aerial victories in the conflict, 33 US F-84 Thunderjets returning from a ground attack mission were intercepted by 30-odd MiG-15s. Four MiGs were brought down (two by Lt. Kratt) and four damaged without loss to the US planes."

Version b is the full-sized battle, with 33 US aircraft and 30 North Korean aircraft in flight at the same time. The beauty of FC2 is that you can place as many aircraft as you like under AI control. That feature may come in handy here!

falklan1.btl

This scenario was adapted directly from Avalon Hill's "Flight Leader" boardgame.

"Bomb Alley Part 1: San Carlos Water, South Atlantic, May 21, 1982.

The Argentine Air Force pressed home its attacks on the British fleet as troops were landed off the Falklands, producing the busiest day of air-to-air combat in that conflict. Lt. Commander Mike Blisset and Lt. Commander Neil Thomas caught four loaded Argentinian A-4s and got one each."

falklan2.btl

This scenario was adapted directly from Avalon Hill's "Flight Leader" boardgame.

"Bomb Alley Part 2 Late Afternoon Battle: San Carlos Water, South Atlantic, May 21, 1982.

The Argentine Air Force pressed home its attacks on the British fleet as troops were landed off the Falklands, producing the busiest day of air-to-air combat in that conflict. Lt. Clive Morell and Flight Lt. John Leeming caiught three Argentinian A-4s that had completed their bomb runs and were returning home. Morell got two "kills" and Leeming got one, all with missiles."

ironhand.btl

This scenario was adapted directly from Avalon Hill's "Flight Leader" boardgame.

"Iron Hand Over Thud Ridge: North Vietnam, December 19, 1967

Captain Drew and Major Wheeler

scored the last MiG "kill" of 1967 and the last to be credited to an F-105 during this mission. The F-105s in this scenario are two-seater F-105F "Wild Weasel" conversions (officially called "Iron Hands" flights at the time).

"Wild Weasel, Wild Weasel, they call me by name.

I fly up on Thud Ridge and play the big game.

I fly o'er the valleys and hide 'hind the hills.

I dodge all the missiles, then go for the kills."

--The Wild Weasel Song

migvmig.btl

This scenario was adapted directly from Avalon Hill's "Flight Leader" boardgame designed by Gary C. Morgan.

"MiG vs MiG: Bangladesh (East Pakistan), December 16, 1971

This was the second round of the undeclared war between India and Pakistan (this time over a revolt in East Pakistan, which became independent as Bangladesh as a result of the war) found some units on both sides flying MiGs (actually, the Pakistani aircraft were J-6s, Chinese copies of the MiG-19)."