Welcome to a world of combat in the skies!
Aerodrome® Aerial Combat Games
Aerodrome® Aerial Combat Games are easy-to-learn-and-play tabletop games of air combat in WW1, WW2 and the Korean War era.
About Aerodrome® Aerial Combat Games
How are Aerodrome® games played?
In Aerodrome® games, players “fly” small model aircraft around a “battlefield”, a playing mat with a hexagonal grid to regulate movement. Each model aircraft is mounted on a Flightstand (a telescoping antenna of a specific, standard size on a hexagonal base) to facilitate movement and to simulate altitude changes. Aircraft have some common characteristics, and other, differing characteristics, for flight, maneuvering, weaponry, ability to withstand battle damage, etc., in rough correspondence to their real-world counterparts.
The basic nature of the game is "dogfighting": trying to shoot down the players on the opposing side. However, depending on the specific game, rules also allow for "scenarios" with objectives such as balloon-busting, bombing, attacking ships with torpedoes, etc.
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What's special about Aerodrome® games?
Aerodrome® aerial combat games are just that: games, not detailed simulations. As such, they are designed to be easy to learn, quick to play and - above all - fun. By design, there is a lot that is abstracted in the rulesets; a player looking for a highly detailed simulation that may take hours or days to learn won't find it in the Aerodrome® game systems. That being said, there is a lot of interesting play involved in all rulesets, and some very surprisingly historical results can come about, particularly in Aerodrome® 2.0 when the more advanced rules come into play.
Perhaps the most distinguishing feature of Aerodrome® games is the use of a Wooden Control Panel by each player to mark and record movements, altitude, ammunition expenditure and damage suffered, by means of wooden pegs (maneuvers, altitude, damage) and expended .22cal shell casings (ammo). All three Aerodrome® games are designed to be played using the same Wooden Control Panels; they simply differ in how maneuvers are marked. (Note: These are not required to be able to play the games; they just make them look really, really good!)
What are the different Aerodrome® games?
Aerodrome® 1.1 is the original and simplest game, covering air combat during the "Knights of the Skies" era of World War I.
Aerodrome® 2.0 adds additional depth and just a little more complexity, to represent air combat during World War 2 and some pre-WW2 conflicts.
Aerodrome® 3.0 covers the period after World War 2 through the advent of the Jet Age, including the Korean War and other conflicts of the pre-missile era.
Aerodrome® 1.1 World War I Aerial Combat Game
Aerodrome® 1.1 was first released in 1992 and is the simplest of the games; it's been exceedingly popular and has been played at conventions and gaming groups around the country and around the world, as well as by families at home. The ruleset currently covers 68 World War I aircraft and their variants, with scenarios, optional rules, etc. A typical round of Aerodrome® 1.1 play, for 8-12 players, takes about 45-60 minutes and tends to last for about 10 or so Turns. However, experienced players can often complete a round in as little as 20-30 minutes.
Aerodrome® 2.0 World War 2 Aerial Combat Game
Aerodrome® 2.0 is the WW2 adaptation of the Aerodrome® 1.1 system. It is slightly more complex than Aerodrome® 1.1, with different maneuvers and combat mechanics, because aircraft in WW2 were faster and more maneuverable, and the range of aircraft types and weapons platforms was much wider than in WWI. Aerodrome® 2.0 can be used to play any theater or period of WW2, as well the Spanish Civil War, the Russo-Finnish War and other interwar conflicts. There are rules for strategic bombing, for air-naval combat, including the ability to play linked, two-table games for Midway-type battles, and other aspects of WW2 air combat in addition to straight dogfighting.
Aerodrome® 3.0 Korean War-Era Aerial Combat Game
Aerodrome® 3.0 – Korean War-era aerial combat – is under final development and will be published soon. Post WW2 air combat – prior to the widespread use of guided air-to-air missiles, beginning in 1956 – still relied primarily on machine guns and cannon fire. Taking this into account, Aerodrome® 3.0 plays much in the manner of Aerodrome® 2.0, with period-appropriate aircraft, additional mechanics and aircraft characteristics to account for the changes in aircraft performance, maneuverability and weapons platforms.
Where can I get more information about Aerodrome® games?
For more information about any of the Aerodrome® family of aerial combat games, where to get the equipment to play them, and where to find Aerodrome® games that you can play in, please email: