Canberra Project

My father's recent passing has prompted me to begin a new, small project. My father flew the B-57 Canberra bomber for the US Air Force in the 1950s. As a tribute, I decided to paint up a B-57.

Tumbling Dice Canberras

But, being a gamer, I decided I wanted to play with the minis I paint. End result = new project.

I wasn't sure about the setting so I posted a query on The Wargames Website. I got some good info, but in typical warwell fashion I'm probably going to dispense with good advice and go off on a crazy tangent. More on that in a moment.

But first, the miniatures. I ordered some 1/600 scale Canberras from Tumbling Dice. I also needed some opposition and escorts so I picked up MiG-15s and F-86 Sabres. I know these would likely have been superseded by the mid-50s (the probable setting for my campaign) but I can make do. Besides, they'll work better if I ever decide to do some straight-up Korean War scenarios.

So what is the setting of this project? My initial inclination was a re-start of the Korean War, and I may still do that. However, I am now thinking of an imagi-nation. For colonial gaming, I once devised an Indian Ocean island called Rapala. I'm thinking of using it for a 1950s Cold War campaign. Naturally, the US gets involved, sending military aid (including a squadron of Canberras) to the beleaguered anti-communist forces on the island.

Now my next quandary is rules. Originally, I planned to modify Kaptain Kobold's excellent Spandau and Lewis rules (as I've done for 1930s and even space dogfights). However, I want the Canberras to be the stars of the show. Most air combat rules (including S&L) focus on dogfights. There is typically not much to running a bomber - go straight and fast until you get to the target. Not much in the way of maneuvering.

So, are there any rules that focus on bombers? I thought about games like B-17 Queen of the Skies but that focuses on heavy bombers. I then thought of Bommerz over the Sulphur River. I never played it myself but I downloaded the rules and think it may make a good starting point. I'll continue to consider rules until the minis arrive.