The Speed of Heat

the_speed_of_heat.zip

All scenarios in one zip file (updated 5/31/08)

1st_kill.btl

This scenario was adapted directly from Clash of Arms "The Speed of Heat!" boardgame.

"The First US Kills! 17 June 1965

Background: On April 4, 1965, NVAF MiG-17s had shot down two USAF F-105s. Two months later, Navy Phantoms would even the score by downing two MiG-17s. These were the first MiG kills of the war and occurred when a flight of MiG-17s attempted to attack two F-4B Phantoms of VF-21. Warned by radar, the F-4s turned into the MiGs and locked them up with radar several miles out. As the MiGs approached head on, the Phantoms launched Sparrow missiles which destroyed two and scattered the rest ending the battle almost before it began. It need not have been so simple."

Special rules: The US player may not fire missiles until their target has been visually sighted.

1stfish.btl

This scenario was adapted directly from Clash of Arms boardgame "The Speed of Heat".

"The First Fishbed Kill! 26 April 1966

Background: In early 1966, the NVAF MiG-21 force became operational. North Vietnam received MiG-21Fs from China and MiG-21PFs from the Soviet Union. On the 26th of April, three Fishbeds attacked a pair of 555th TFS F-4Cs which were escorting an RB-66 electronic warfare get. Two MiGs came in high while another came in low from behind. The two Phantoms negated the high MiG attack by diving underneath them. The RB-66 dove to safety while the lead Phantom zoomed back up and shot one of the high MiGs down. Moments later, the unseen low MiG made a pass at the pair but was spotted and evaded in time."

Modifications: An EA-6 takes the place of the RB-66.

Victory conditions: The NVAF can win by destroying the EA-6 (ie RB-66) while losing no more than one MiG regardless of points. Otherwise, the side with the most points wins.

alphastr.btl

This scenario was adapted directly from Clash of Arms Games boardgame "The Speed of Heat".

"Alpha-Strike on Kep! 1 May 1967

Background: When Air Wing 21 of the USS Bon Homme Richard attacked Kep airfield, it was the first of only a few occasions during the war when US pilots were allowed to attack enemy airfields and enemy aircraft on the ground. Diving through intense flak, the Air Wing's Crusaders and Skyhawks blasted Runways, hangers and several MiGs on the ground with bombs and rockets. When a flight of

MiG-17s intervened, one was shot down by an F-8E of VF-211 while another was downed by a Flak-suppression A-4C Skyhawk piloted by Lcdr. Ted Swartz of VA-76. His Skyhawk was in a rocket run when the MiG cut in behind him. Executing a tight climbing barrel roll, the A-4 ended up behind the MiG and Swartz fired some air to ground rockets at it scoring what he terms; "a lucky hit".

Buffs.btl

This scenario is adapted directly from Clash of Arms! games "The Speed of Heat" by JD Webster.

"Linebacker-II! Enter the BUFFs! December 1972

For an intense 11 day period, American B-52 bombers were committed to attacks on Hanoi and surrounding areas. They came in at night in trains of three plane cells, supported by heavy jamming and defense suppression aircraft. Each BUFF could carry eightyfour 500 lb bombs and they literally flattened entire military complexes, airfields and storage areas. Despite shooting down 15 B-52s, the North Vietnamese were unable to stand up to the assault and by the end of the campaign, their defenses had crumbled and the US aircraft were roaming freely about the country. This cracked them and they finally sued for peace. A month later, America's involvement in Vietnam had effectively ended and President Nixon comenced the withdrawal of US troops which lasted until late 1973."

Since there is no B-52 in FC2, I've substituted the Tu-16 for the B-52. The Tu-16s do not carry bombs. They simply need to fly over the target zone and survive potential attack by the MiG-21s.

downtown.btl

This scenario was adapted directly from Clash of Arms Games boardgame "The Speed of Heat".

"Going Downtown! Aug. to Dec. 1967

Background: The F-105 Thunderchief became famous for the courage its pilots displayed on their missions into the heavily defended airspace near Hanoi. Facing SAMS, MiGs and radar-guided AAA all at once greatly increased the heart rate, and greatly reduced the survival rate. In the later half of 1967, the "Thuds" would go "downtown" repeatedly to knock out and keep knocked out the extremely important Paul Doumer and Calae des Rapides railroad bridges. In these raids, the F-105s would often take heavy losses but would also tangle with and shoot down a fair number of MiGs. This scenario is typical of those raids."

f4vmig19.btl

This scenario is adapted from Clash of Arms Games boardgame "The Speed of Heat".

"MiG Threat Neutralized! 2 June 1972

Background: A pair of F-4E Phantoms of the 58th TFS were egressing a target area low on fuel when they spotted two MiG-19 Farmers approaching fast from their six o'clock low position. At this point in the war, the NVAF had become quite adept at tracking US aircraft which were low on fuel or damaged and vectoring MiGs after them. In this case, the effort to gain a cheap advantage failed as the F-4Es broke back down into the MiGs initiating a dogfight in which one farmer was lacerated by gunfire and went down in flames."

f8vsm21a.btl

This scenario was adapted directly from Clash of Arms "The Speed of Heat!" boardgame.

"Crusaders against Fishbeds! 1968

Background: On every occasion in which the F-8 Crusader met the faster, more maneuverable MiG-21s, the MiGs came out losing. The reason being that the Crusader pilots were better trained and far more aggressive. During the war, F-8s would bag four MiG-21s; the first was shot down by Cdr. Dick Bellinger, a VF-162 pilot who ambushed a low flying pair from behind on 19 October 1967. Not until 1968, did Mig-21s encounter F-8s again. The three scenarios f8vsm21a, f8vsm21b and f8vsm21c illustrate the situations in which the other three MiG-21s were shot down.

Set up one: 26 June 1968 Three F-8Ds of VF-51 were vectored against two MiGs near the coast. The Migs attacked from a height advantage but overshot and the F-8s reversed the situation and Cdr. L. Myers downed one with a sidewinder." "

f8vsm21b.btl

This scenario was adapted directly from Clash of Arms "The Speed of Heat!" boardgame.

"Crusaders against Fishbeds! 1968

Set up two: 1 August 1968. An F-8D from VF-51 and an F-8E from VF-53 on patrol together were jumped by two MiG-21s. The lead MiG fired one Atoll which missed then turned to flee. His wingman never engaged. The MiG was faster than the F-8s but not faster than the AIM-9D fired by Lt. Norman McCoy which killed it."

Modifications: The F-8D from VF-51 is represented by an F-8E instead. The MiG-21s are supposed to be MiG-21PFs, which are not cannon armed. However, Flight Commander 2 does not model any cannon-less MiGs, so MiG-21Fs have been substituted for the MiG-21PFs. This gives the MiGs a slight advantage over their historical counterparts. .

f8vsm21c.btl

This scenario was adapted directly from Clash of Arms "The Speed of Heat!" boardgame.

"Crusaders against Fishbeds! 1968

Set up two: 19 September 1968. Two F-8Cs vectored for an intercept spotted and pursued a MiG-21 which attempted to evade by looping. One F-8C, flown by Lt. Anthony Nargi, followed and destroyed the MiG with a sidewinder while the other covered. The MiGs wingman was also spotted and attacked by both F-8s but escaped"

Modifications: The F-8Cs that actually flew in this engagement are represented by F-8Ds. The MiG-21s are supposed to be MiG-21PFs, which are not cannon armed. However, Flight Commander 2 does not model any cannon-less MiGs, so MiG-21Fs have been substituted for the MiG-21PFs. This gives the MiGs a slight advantage over their historical counterparts.

f80vm15.btl

This scenario is adapted from the Clash of Arms boardgame ....The Speed of Heat.

"First Blood! 8 November 1950

Background: A few days earlier, P-51 Mustangs performing ground support missions had been attacked by Chinese MiG-15 jets. The Mustangs got away, but the stage was set for the first jet to jet battles as the USAF began using it's F-80C Shooting Stars as top cover. On the 8th of November, F-80s of the 51st FIW were patrolling at 20,000 feet near the Yalu river. Six MiG-15s were spotted on the Chinese side climbing rapidly to 30,000 feet. The MiGs leveled off, crossed the Yalu and dove upon the American jets which turned to meet them. The MiGs made one firing pass then broke off, some diving for the safety of the Chinese border. Lt. Russell Brown, latched on to one of these diving MiGs and shot it down to score the first kill ever in all jet air combat."

f86vm15.btl

This scenario is adapted directly from Clash of Arms Games "The Speed of Heat" boardgame.

"Enter the Sabre! 17 December 1950

Background: The MiG pilots quickly learned from their errors in November, and on several subsequent occasions after they ran roughshod over the straight-winged USAF and Navy jets. The Air GForce decided it's F-80s and F-84s were outmatched so they rapidly deployed the swept-winged F-86 to Korea. The Sabres met the MiGs for the first time on 17 December when a flight of four F-86s ventured toward the Yalu. Four MiGs took off and climbed directly at the Sabres thinking they were less capable F-80s. Given the gift of a soon to be rare altitude advantage, the Americans dove into the MiGs and scattered them. Col. Hinton, the Sabre leader, shot one MiG down after a short but hectic chase drawing first blood for the F-86."

fishkill.btl

This scenario was adapted directly from Clash of Arms "The Speed of Heat!" boardgame.

"The First US Kills! 17 June 1965

Background: On April 4, 1965, NVAF MiG-17s had shot down two USAF F-105s. Two months later, Navy Phantoms would even the score by downing two MiG-17s. These were the first MiG kills of the war and occured when a flight of MiG-17s attempted to attack two F-4B Phantoms of VF-21. Warned by radar, the F-4s turned into the MiGs and locked them up with radar several miles out. As the MiGs approached head on, the Phantoms launched Sparrow missiles which destroyed two and scattered the rest ending the battle almost before it began. It need not have been so simple."

Special rules: The US player may not fire missiles until their target has been visually sighted.

fresco.btl

This scenario is adapted from the Clash of Arms boardgame ....The Speed of Heat.

"Fresco Valley Dogfight! 12 June 1966

Background: The sleek looking Navy Crusader fighters were first blooded in action in the summer of 1966 when four VF-211 F-8s were attacked from astern by MiG-17s. The battle scene favored the MiGs as there was a low overcast which took away the superior vertical capability of the F-8s. However, experience was on the Navy side and they broke into the Frescos firing cannons. A scissoring fight ensued in which the Crusader jocks gained the upper hand. Forcing an overshoot on one MiG, the Crusader leader, Cmdr. Harold L. Marr, fired an AIM-9 Sidewinder which missed. The MiG broke for home and Marr fired a second missile which blew the MiG in two. He then pursued a second MiG which he damaged with cannon fire. No F-8s were hit."

gunpod.btl

This scenario was adapted from Clash of Arms Games' air combat board game "The Speed of Heat".

"Enter the Gunpod! 14 May 1967

Background: As soon as the first MiG engagements occured, Phantom pilots began to lament the lack of cannons on their fighters. The Air Force finally rectified this in 1967 when the newly developed SUU-16 20mm gun pods reached Phantom squadrons. The 20mm pod was an instant success. On May 14 it claimed its first victims when F-4Cs of the 366th TFW, escorting F-105Ds, engaged a superior force of MiG-17s in a spectacular low altitude fight. Numerous missiles were fired to no avail but two of the Frescos were shredded by cannon fire and went down in flames."

Modifications: To represent F-4Cs with gunpods, the F-4Cs actually used in the historical battle are replaced by F-4Es.

haiduong.btl

This scenario is adapted directly from Clash of Arms Games boardgame "The Speed of Heat".

"Strike on Hai Duong! 10 May 1972

Background: The raid that precipitated the major air battle of 10 May, in which Cunningham and Driscoll became aces, was Air Wing Nine's attack on the Hai Duong Rail yards. In a closely coordinated strike, all the nearby SAM sites were suppressed by Shrike armed Corsairs as bomb laden A-6s and A-7s rolled in to blast their targets. AAA fire was heavy but the main threat to the attack birds was several MiG-17s which broke through the escorting F-4s to pursue them. One A-7 managed to damage a MiG with gunfire forcing it off a comrade's tail, and a second MiG was scared off another A-7 by an AIM-9 shot from Lt. Matt Connelly's Phantom.. Connelly would should down two MiGs later in the same battle."

Modifications: The F-4J is represented by an F-4C. The locomotive and train cars located in the train yard are represented by a tank and APCs respectively. The railyards themselves are represented by the bridge hexes.

lodge.btl

This scenario was adapted directly from Clash of Arms Games boardgame "The Speed of Heat".

"Death of Major Lodge! 10 May, 1972

Background: "Oyster" flight, composed of four F-4D Phantoms led by veteran MiG killer Major Bob Lodge, was the lead MiGCAP for a major strike. Cleared to fire early, Lodge and his wingman attacked four MiG-21s at long range with Sparrows, downing one apiece. A dogfight ensued with the remaining two and Capt. Stevie Richie in Phantom #3 nailed the third MiG as Major Lodge pursued the last, intent on gaining his fourth kill of the war. Suddenly, four MiG-19s surprised the F-4s. They fell in behind Major Lodge, cannons blazing and exploded his F-4; killing him instantly. The rest of Oyster flight, facing more MiGs, withdrew. Richie's kill was the first of five that would make him the Air Force's only pilot ace."

Modifications: The F-4Ds are represented in this scenario by F-4Es.

Special rules: MiG-21 surprise: The MiG-21s may not change heading, speed or altitude until an F-4 or F-4s missile is sighted or the missile attackes a MiG.

migalley.btl

This scenario was adapted directly from the Clash of Arms Game "The Speed of Heat" by JD Webster.

"MiG Alley Furballs! 1952-1953

Background: The F-86 Sabre was sent to Korea to establish air superiority at all costs. Sabre units therefore entered "MiG Alley" knowing that the MiGs, alerted by ground radar, would always meet their F-86 formations with position and altitude advantages. Despite this, and being outnumbered in nearly every fight, Sabre pilots, many of whom were veterans and aces of World War 2, scored heavily against the inexperienced MiG pilots. Though the A and E models of the Sabre were slightly inferior in performance, the MiGs still suffered losses at a 5 to 1 rate. When the improved F models of the Sabre entered the war, MiG losses nearly doubled and "MiG Alley" was no longer a place of danger to allied aircraft."

migtrap.btl

This scenario was adapted directly from the Clash of Arms boardgame "The Speed of Heat".

"MiG Trap Fails! 16 April 1972

Background: A flight of F-4Ds from the 13th TFS were on MIGCAP mission during Linebacker when they met a pair of silver MiG-21s head on. The flight was about ot engage when a third camouflaged MiG, further back and lower down was sighted. The flight split with one pair of F-$s going after the silver MiGs and the other pair taking on the "ambusher". After a short maneuvering battle, one of the silver MiGs and the camouflaged MiG were shot down; both by sparrows. The radar officer of the F-4 which downed the camouflaged MiG was Capt. Jeff Feinstein. This was the first of five MiGs he would get during his tour to become the Air force's third and final ace of the war."

op_boloa.btl

This scenario was adapted from Clash of Arms' boardgame "The Speed of Heat".

"Operation "Bolo"! 2 January 1967

Background: Col. Robin Olds, the legendary leader of the "Wolfpack" (8th TFW), planned an elaborate deception in which a large force of F-4C Phantoms pretended to be a vulnerable F-105 strike force. Bad weather hindered the mission, but numerous MiG-21s responded to the bait. Under GCI control, they began to pop up out of the clouds on all sides of the Phantoms. To their dismay they did not find bomb laden F-105s but MiG hungry F-4s. A large melee ensued involving 12 of the F-4s and as many MiGs. The better trained USAF pilots prevailed and seven of the MiGs were confirmed destroyed for no loss. This scenario shows the initial setup of Col. Old's flight in the action."

op_boloob.btl

This scenario was adapted from Clash of Arms' boardgame "The Speed of Heat".

"Operation "Bolo"! 2 January 1967

Background: Col. Robin Olds, the legendary leader of the "Wolfpack" (8th TFW), planned an elaborate deception in which a large force of F-4C Phantoms pretended to be a vulnerable F-105 strike force. Bad weather hindered the mission but numerous MiG-21s responded to the bait. Under GCI control they began to pop up out of the clouds on all sides of the Phantoms. To their dismay they did not find bomb laden F-105s but MiG-hungry F-4s. A large melee ensued involving 12 of the F-4s and as many MiGs. The better trained USAF pilots prevailed and seven of the MiGs were confirmed destroyed for no loss. This scenario shows the initial setup of Col. Olds flight in the action."

Variant: Four flights of F-104s took part in this operation but encountered no MiGs (they were meant to escort the F-4s back to base at the end of the mission). In this variant version of this scenario, F-104Gs have been used to substitute for the F-4Cs. Historically, the F-104C was the F-104 variant used in the operation. Since FC2 does not model the F-104C, F-104Gs are used instead. The F-104Gs carry AIM-9J missiles, rather than the historical AIM-9B.

openroun.btl

This scenario is adapted from the Clash of Arms boardgame ....The Speed of Heat.

"Opening Rounds! 4 April 1965

Background: A major effort to bomb the Than-Hoa bridge was in progress but bad weather forced several divisions of attackers to enter holding patterns to await their turns to go in. Suddenly, four MiG-17s broke out of the overcast behind four F-105s of the 388th TFW which were orbiting at slow speed. Despite a desperate call to break, the MiGs closed in on the lead pair of "Thuds" and shot them both down before breaking off to face a pair of F-100 Super Sabres that intervened. The MiGs out-maneuvered the "Huns" and dove away to safety. This was the first successful MiG attack of the war."

Some modifications from the original mission: The F-100Ds are supposed to be equipped with 2 AIM-9B missiles. However, according to the FC2 Mission Builder, F-100Ds do not carry missiles, so they are solely cannon armed for this scenario.

pauldooum.btl

This scenario is adapted directly from Clash of Arms Games boardgame "The Speed of Heat".

"Fall of the Paul Doumer! 10 May, 1972

Background: Hanoi's main railway bridge, the mile long Paul Doumer, had been damaged and had portions of it knocked out many times during the war. Always, in the past, this had required a major effort from masses of strike aircraft and the bridge was usually repaired within a month. On the 10th of May, USAF jets attacked the bridge using new weapons, Laser Guided Bombs. The accuracy of the LGBs was such that just a few F-4s dropping them were able to demolish the bridge and render it unusable for the rest of the war."

phnvfarm.btl

This scenario was directly adapted from Clash of Arms boardgame "the Speed of Heat".

"Phantoms and Farmers! 18 May 1972

Background: Two USS Midway F-4B Phantoms of VF-161 were on MIGCAP mission when they were vectored against two MiG-19 Farmers that had just taken off from Kep Airfield North of Hanoi. The Phantoms crossed the coast of Vietnam at about 11,000 descending and picking up speed. About five miles from the airfield they spotted two silver Mig-19s and turned to get on their tails. The MiGs saw the threat and turned into the Phantoms initiating a turning dogfight which spit the F-4s out. In the melee that ensued, one MiG lost sight of the second F-4 and got shot down by an AIM-9. The second MiG turned to flee and was shot down by the second F-4."

showtime.btl

This scenario was adapted directly from Clash of Arms Games boardgame "The Speed of Heat".

"It's Showtime! 10 May 1972

Background: During a major strike near Hanoi, seven F-4J Phantoms of VF-96 (call sign "Showtime") found themselves embroiled in the midst of almost twenty MiGs of all types. A dangerous and fast paced dogfight developed with MiGs so think they were getting in each others way. Though shot at repeatedly, three of the Phantoms accounted for six MiG-17s in the battle and all but one managed to return safely to their carrier. A SAM missile shot down Showtime 100 as they left the battle. In it were Lts Cunningham and Driscoll. They had just downed three of the MiG-17s to become the first and only Navy Aces of the war. They were rescued by helicopter after safely ejecting."

Modifications: The F-4Js are represented by F-4Cs. Cunningham and Driscoll are in Phantom #4.

thudvmig.btl

This scenario is adapted from the Clash of Arms boardgame ....The Speed of Heat.

"Thunder-Hog Gunfight! 29 June 1966

Background: A flight of four F-105Ds of the 388th TFW on a flak suppression mission spotted four MiG-17s attacking from the left rear. The "Thuds" jettisoned their ordnance and broke into the attack. The lead pair of MiGs overshot the rear element of F-105s but continued on to attack the lead element damaging both "Thuds" with cannon fire before overshooting them also. A free-for-all developed and one of the damaged F-105s reversed and shot down his attacker. The second element of F-105s also fired several shots before the surviving MiGs disengaged. This was the first recorded F-105 MiG kill of the war."

tombdies.btl

This scenario was adapted directly from Clash of Arms boardgame "The Speed of Heat".

"The Death of Col. Tomb! 10 May 1972

Background: North Vietnam's mystery leading ace, Col. Tomb, supposedly had 13 air to air victories when he encountered Showtime 100, an F-4J of VF-96 during an air battle on 10 May 1972. In the F-4 were Lt. "Duke" Cunningham and LTJG "Irish" Driscoll. Showtime 100 had already scored two kills and was attempting to egress the battle area when Col. Tomb's green and brown camoflaged MiG-17 met them head on with cannon blazing. What followed was a classic one against one dogfight in which the nimble Mig consistently held the advantage until the expertly flown F-4 did the unexpected as both aircraft spiraled upward in a rolling scissors maneuver. The Phantom crew selected idle power and used speedbrakes to force the MiG out front. The trick worked, Cunningham and Driscoll became Aces and Col. Tomb became history."

Modifications: A F-4M was used to substitute for the F-4J.