Richthofen: The Flying Circus, 1917

Richthofen: The Flying Circus, 1917 is a solitaire wargame covering fighting in the air over the Western Front in France throughout 1917 during the formation of the famous Flying Circus. You have the opportunity to play the role of the famous Red Baron -- Manfred von Richthofen flying either an Albatross D-II, or a Fokker Dr.1 triplane. You may fly other German fighter pilots and planes as well, with each pilot and plane individually rated. The game system handles the Allied side. Play takes place over a period representing one week, with you aiming to dominate the skies over the battlefield.

The game demonstrates the importance of good strategy and decision making, while acknowledging the part that fortune played in the life of a World War I fighter pilot as well. The system is highly playable and creates a solid narrative, with game time around an hour.

Richthofen: The Flying Circus, 1917 uses the Eindekker: Fokker Scourge, 1915 game system, modified to reflect the changing nature of 1917 air combat and technological advances. If you have played Eindekker, you will immediately know how to play this game. Two Scenarios are included, Spring 1917 and Summer 1917. In addition, an Advanced Game is included that provides modifications and different airplane characteristics, along with an Advanced Game Random Events Table.

Within the pages of this game book is contained all the rules, counters, ratings, game displays, game logs, daily record sheets, "pencil-mode" instructions (for playing without components), advanced game rules and ratings, and histroical commentary and aircraft profiles section... everything you need to play the game apart from two dice and a standard deck of playing cards.

The game system was designed by Bob Flood. In this Volume 2 of the series, Gary Graber has extended the system to cover later war aerial combat and missions.

As mentioned, the game system can be played in two ways. You may scan and print the game components, and play it as a regular solitaire board game. Alternatively, you can play it as a “roll & write” game in pencil-mode, where all you need (besides dice) are a pencil and the pencil-mode game logs and map, where you keep track of game events on the provided logs, and movement of your plane on the map, erasing and reentering its position as play unfolds. Either method may be used, depending on your own preference and playing circumstances.

If you have enjoyed Eindekker, you are sure to appreciate and enjoy what Richthofen has to offer. Original Game Design: Bob Flood. Richthofen & Series Editor: Gary Graber. Publisher: Minden Games.

—description from the publisher