VBCW AIR WAR - AIRFIX BLOOD RED SKIES

As we wait for the last of the "staff photographers" to wire their Spring Big Game 2022 propaganda battle photographs in to an anxious and over-excited Fleet Street, agog at the news of the Fall of Leominster, a return to VBCW Air Wars and Warlord/Airfix Blood Red Skies "Battle of Britain" boxed set. What's in the box ?

The box. And special dice for the game.

Four Airfix 1/72 kits - 2 x Spitfires and 2 x Me109s. Nice transfers/decals

Some rather nifty "spinning prop" displays, one for each aircraft.

Cardboard cut outs. Barrage balloons and game markers. The other side shows clouds.

More cardboard markers

Trait cards for the aircraft. There are only two in English - the remainder
are in different European languages. The short rules pamphlet is similarly in five languages.

Plastic gubbins for the game, including rulers and turning mechanics

The key to Blood Red Skies. Stands for the aircraft which can swivel into
different postures, conferring the all important "advantage" on aircraft.
There are enough for the 4 aircraft in the game, but the absence of more on
the after-market is a limitation on anyone wanting to fight "bigger games"

The 1/72 Blood Red Skies stands. The interior circular stands are from the original
Blood Red Skies games - the larger ovals have been introduced to allow for the
larger, heavier Airfix 1/72 aircraft. To the right, a Hereford 1938 "Vickers Venom"
with patent home made stand from a Tesco Coffee Pot Lid and bamboo skewer. Gribbly!

First impressions are that the rules are innovative and thankfully short. The anticipated difficulty lies with the aircraft stands themselves - the games rulers and turning mechanics are the same as for the original Warlord Blood Skies game, designed to be used in conjunction with the circular Blood Red Skies stand. The introduction of the "Airfix Oval" sabot base/stand could make manoeuvres "less than optimal". More when the planes finally take to the air.....