Air Force (1976)

A tactical simulation of air combat over the Europe during WWII. Each player controls one or more aircraft represented on the board with one counter per plane. A card contains all the relevant maneuverability, speed, and weaponry data. Each plane is also has a log column containing ammo records, damage records, moves, altitude, speed, and attitude. All movement is pre-plotted and then executed on the board simultaneously. Hits are determined based on relative facing, range, and gunnery factors and are rolled on a CRT. Damage is scored against various components (wing, fuselage, engine, etc). Rules are also included for air-to-ground combat. Victory is by scenario. Republished by Avalon Hill in 1980.

Expanded by:

• Dauntless
• The GENERAL Vol.20,No.6: "Before the Queen" [adds 5 British bombers]

from "The Avalon Hill General Index and Company History, 1952-1980"

Air Force (1980)
Previous design (Battleline) redesigned by Avalon Hill
Designed by Craig Taylor
Development by Kevin Zucker

A controversial redo of an established favorite. AH developer Zucker opted to replace the numerical ratings of the aircraft with more visual colored diagrams calculated to aid the beginner in comprehending a complex game. The jury is still out on whether he made the right decision.

Magazine References:

The GENERAL Index Article List:

• The GENERAL Vol.17,No.3
  • Air Force/Air Force Dauntless Expansion Kit – “The View from the Cockpit - A Preview of the Air Force/Dauntless Game System” (Commentary) Dr. David S Bieksza
  • Design Analysis - “Air Force II The Story Behind the AH Revision of Air Force"” (Commentary) Kevin Zucker
• The GENERAL Vol.18,No.2
  • Air Force – “Air Force Analysis - An Evaluation of the Planes of the New Air Force” (Design Discussion) David Bottger
  • Air Force – “Ten Air Force Scenarios ” (Scenarios) Unknown
  • The Question Box - Air Force
• The GENERAL Vol.20,No.6
  • "Before the Queen: British Bombers for Air Force" (Variant Discussion) Michael Anchors
  • Air Force/Dauntless – “Zero! A Tactical Handbook” (Tactics) Michael Anchors
• The GENERAL Vol.26,No.5
  • Air Force – “R.A.A.F. - Random Appearance Air Force” (Variant Discussion) Jerry Hall
• The GENERAL Vol.28,No.3
  • Air Force – “Eastern Skies - An Air Force Variant” (Variant Discussion) Andrew Visegrady