Background: In the first meeting between Sabres and Gnats, two F-86s engaged six Gnats at high altitude. In the short fight, which broke up when a pair of F-104s arrived to help, both sides overclaimed kills. The fact is, however, that despite being outnumbered 3 -1, Pakistani ground control gave the Sabres an even chance by warning them when any Gnats threatened their rear. The end result of the battle was one Sabre damaged, and though none of the six Gnats was hit, one which was low on fuel, and probably lost as well, lowered its gear and surrendered when it found an F-104 at its six during its egress. It landed at a nearby Pakistani airfield intact. Maps: G,H,I,J Game Length: 15 game-turns. Notes: 1.AII aircraft are silver. Gnats 1 through 4 are sighted at start. The F-86s are sighted at start. The F-104s are unsighted. 2. Aircraft loads: Each F-86 and each F-104 carries two Sidewinder AIM-9B IRMs. 3. Fuel is generated as in Air Sup. scenario G-4. The action occurs over Pakistani territory. 4. Pilot Quality: F-86s= R, R. F-1 04s= R, R. Gnats= R, N, R, N, R, R. The F-104 pilots have excellent confidence, no other characteristics apply. Players may roll for attributes if desired. 5. F-104A #2 enters play on any game-turn after turn 5, after all other aircraft have finished moving. It may enter from anywhere on the Southern or Western map edges at any altitude level within 5 of any Gnat. It does not enter with Any Gnats spotted. 6. Weather: Clear, contrails occur from level 28 to level 38. 7. Victory: To win each side must down at least one opponent and have more points overall. 8. Initiative: All pilots are NATO standard. Back to Table of Contents -- Air Power # 18 Back to Air Power List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 1991 by J.D. Webster This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com