First, the GOOD news! I decided not to wait until January to acquire a MAC. I picked up a CLASSIC earlier this week (Dec. 5th) and in fact all of my columns and articles this issue were done on the machine. Its a great computer, light years ahead of my old Atari, but expensive and it will probably be late January before my pocket book recovers and I can add a modem and get on some user networks. (Evolution takes time!).
Now, the BAD news. "Gunslingers", the Korea/Vietnam Air Superiority game, has been delayed until June of 1991. A number of production problems have cropped up and simply overwhelmed all concerned. Actually, I'm relieved as the way things were going, we would have had another Air Strike with all its massive errata on our hands if they had tried to rush it. This gives us time to do some articles on the changes involved in the second edition rules as well, so its not all bad news.
Okay, as of this issue, we're officially ceasing our policy of harassing our good neighbors up North. We were humbled yet again at Origins this year so for penance we've agreed to begin picking on some other equally bizarre and unusual group like people from California and furthermore, we've agreed to do a special issue devoted to Canadian aircraft and the RCAF. Also, as I instigated the whole "let's get the Canucks' thing, I will be punished by having to sign off this column with a Canadian "eh" (pronounced like hay without the "h") until Origins 1991. Full details of all this can be read about in the Origins Tournament Report, part 3, this issue. Of course, none of this prohibits "unofficial" harassment of those dirty sap-sucking lumberjacks, but officially, they've earned a break.
On to other things! Included in this issue are the rest of the unpublished Data Cards, scenarios and map for "Eagles Of The Gulf' Part 2 that was to have been published originally in Battleplan Magazine #10. Battleplan is still down for the count as far as anyone can tell. TSR recently released a Battle of Britain air game in a large box. I don't have much information on it yet but I did take a peak inside. Looks like its a strategic game on the Squadron/Group level. The units are represented by cards and plastic aircraft miniatures with clear stands.
The miniatures are Spitfires and ME-109s. The Spitfires are excellent, but the MEs look a tad out of scale. Nevertheless both are well done and professional looking as is the mounted game board and rules. The game is expensive, around 29 buckaroos, so I hope it is worth playing.
For those of you living in the Mid-West, I will be stationed in Tucson, AZ for a 3 to 5 month stint of active duty beginning on 22 January 1991. I have been given active duty orders to get qualified on Air Force A-7D Corsairs.
For those who don't know, I left the Navy to become an airline pilot with Northwest (please no drunk jokes!) back in 1989. In July of 1990, I completed the paperwork for a transfer from the Naval Reserves to the Air National Guard. Well, now I've been commisioned in the Guard and they want me to get qualified quick all of a sudden (wonder why?). I flew Corsairs for the Navy five years ago so its going to take a little work.
As to the merits of using the Corsair in desert environment? I can only hope I don't have to find out. Truthfully, there's very little chance of Air Guard A-7s going to Desert Shield as they are an old airframe with numerous problems like wing cracks cropping up and the spare parts/logistics pipeline to support them no longer exists. Well that's the news for now.
Oh, as for the humiliation being heaped upon me by the lack of our great Nation's ability to produce an Origins Champion, I say this: "Don't have a cow, 'eh!
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© Copyright 1990 by J.D. Webster
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