As might be expected, the Ace of Aces system feels somewhat out of place in the era of BVR (beyond visual range) cornbat. The Jet Eagles edition attempts to build on the design concepts of the WingLeader edition but does not make the historical leap as successfully as the previous edition.

The components are very similar to WingLeader. One noticeable area of improvement is the rulebook which is presented in a much clearer and more comprehensive manner than WingLeader.

Another welcome improvement is found in the gamebooks. The opposing aircraft are depicted with a photographs of the F- 15 Eagle and MiG-29 Fulcrum. Your own cockpit and aircraft (including a radar screen inset and HUD messages) are drawings. The combination works to good effect and avoids the ugliness of the WingLeader books.

Individual aircraft statistics are again contained on Aircraft Cards. Information contained on each includes ammo capacity, gunfire damage by range, radar lock- on capability, countermeasures, ceiling, missile loads, and other statistics and modifiers applicable to the aircraft. In addition, each card has an array of 70 boxes for maneuvers. The layout of the cards is creatively done to mimic the appearance of a jet fighter cockpit including a HUD and control stick.

In addition to the Aircraft Card, each player has an Instrument Panel Card which contains charts and data necessary for play. Each player also has a missile card which gives the statistics for the various air-to-air missiles.

Needless to say, there is a lot more to think about in a game of Jet Eagles. This makes for a challenging and enjoyable game. However the missile combat mechanics are a bit stilted. Aircraft maneuvenng is stopped while the missile is maneuvered in an attempt to hit the target and only the target aircraft maneuvers against the missile. If the missile misses, a new starting page is selected from a table based on aircraft speed.

These mechanics, unfortunately, throw a monkey wrench right into the basics of the Ace of Aces system. I see Jet Eagles as Designer Alfred Leonardi's noble attempt to bridge one era too far. Jet Eagles is a fun game to play, and I do recommended that Ace of Aces fans give it a try. However, I cannot recommend it to those looking for a reasonably accurate recreation of jet fighter combat.

Title: Jet Eagles, Ace of Aces. Modern Air Combat Game
Product No. 015
Publisher: Nova Game Designs. Inc.
Date: 1990
Price: $24.95
Box: 9 1/2" x 11 1/2" with painting of a pair of F-15 Eagles dogfighting two MiG-29 Fulcrums. Shrinkwrapped.
Components: Two silver 4 1/2" x 6" gold gamebooks with black print on cover (one Red Force and one Blue Force.) (Figure 22, bottom) One 8 1/2" x 11" sheet with the six steps for basic play. Twelve 8 1/2" x 11" two-sided gray card stock Aircraft Cards. Two 8 1/2" x 11" card stock Missile Cards (one pink and one blue.) Twelve 8 1/2"x 11" card stock Instrument Panel Cards (one pink and one blue.) One 3" x 4" ziploc baggie containing four 5/8" diameter plastic discs (red, green, blue, yellow.) One 8 1/2" x 11" rules booklet bound with two staples.

More Ace of Aces Reference Guide

Introduction
1. Gameshop Edition
2. Initial Nova Edition
3. Early Handy Rotary Slipcase Edition
4. Later Handy Rotary Slipcase Edition
5. Powerhouse Slipcase Edition
6. Flying Machines Slipcase Edition
7. Balloon Buster Edition
8. Flying Machines Paper Cover Edition
9. Balloon Buster Paper Cover Edition
10. Handy Rotary Deluxe Edition, Matte Box
11. Handy Rotary Deluxe Edition, Glossy Box
12. WingLeader (WWII)
13. WingLeader with expansion set
14. Jet Eagles (Post WWII)
15. Jet Eagles, Desert Storm Limited Edition
16. Handy Rotary Richthofen edition
17. Handy Rotary Special Basic Edition
18-21. Overseas Editions
Other Titles and Unreleased Titles
Aircraft Listings
Ace Listings