[TMP] "Canvas Eagle and Skytrex 1/144" Topic

pauld895

11 Dec 2005 10:15 a. m. PST

"Canvas Eagle and Skytrex 1/144" Topic

19 Posts
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I just stumbled upon these rules generalissue.com/canvas.html and downloaded very professionally put together and look like great fun. On the strength of a read through I promptly purchased a Skytrex SE5a and Fokker DVII from eBay. Can't wait to try does it play well with 2?
11 Dec 2005 10:29 a. m. PST

Monkey Hanger Yes it does

We use a mixture of the rules along with blue max rules at our local club.A really nice set of rules. The skytrex aircraft are very nice too (though a little fiddly to put together) MH :-) Also see youplay.it (blue max online for free)

Back to the Biplanes Message Board

1,942 hits since 11 Dec 2005

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[TMP] "Canvas Eagle and Skytrex 1/144" Topic

1994-2009 Bill Armintrout Comments or corrections?

ajbartman

11 Dec 2005 11:05 a. m. PST

Have been playing Blue Max online for over a year. Usually have several games going. Usually play while drink my coffee first thing in the morning. Actually pretty neat that you can play from folks from around the world. Ghost train
11 Dec 2005 11:21 a. m. PST

I use those rules too,well a version of them. If you start with the basic blue max rules and add a few of the details from canvas falcons you can get a right good scrap going add still have it fast playing! Oh and I bet you'll have more aeroplane models than you know what to do with soon. They are addictive! pauld895
12 Dec 2005 7:02 a. m. PST

Thanks chaps yes, knowing my willpower I will end up with squadrons of the blighters. BTW, the Axis & Allies Miniatures Hex Maps look just right for flying over. If you havn't got the game you can download the maps from here link Chocks away, save me a kipper I'll be back for breakfast
12 Dec 2005 9:45 a. m. PST

battlepack2001

I've been playing this for a while (youplay.it andcanvas eagles) at least I was until I moved from Vancouver. great rule set.
14 Jan 2006 6:13 p. m. PST

GreyONE

http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=60483 (2 of 10)7/11/2009 12:40:35 PM

[TMP] "Canvas Eagle and Skytrex 1/144" Topic

Played Canvas Eagles last night at our club. We will be putting on Canvas Eagles games at the upcoming convention in March 2006. I will be adding new markers and mats for my game, as well as making new Tailing Cards. I also have to paint up more models and repair a bunch that have been damaged from last years gaming. So much to do so little tme.
13 May 2006 10:39 p. m. PST

SeattleGamer

GreyONE . . . I'm curious, just what scale aircraft do you use? I'm guessing 1/72 since you just came out with 5" hex mats? I recently discovered your great Canvas Eagles stuff and have narrowed it down to Skytrex 1/144 or a variety of 1/72 models. There appears to be a big problem tracking down reasonably priced 1/72 kits though. The smaller scale should still look colorful enough, and the playing field doesn't need to be so large. But . . . there's something about those larger models in the photos that keeps pulling on my wallet.
27 May 2006 2:52 a. m. PST

Timmo uk SG

I have terrible problems deciding on scale to use for any project, it is the bane of my all my wargames. I like detail favouring big scales but then I like big games favouring small scales The only time when I had no deciding problem was with Napoleonics. Years ago, as a student I assembled a load of Skytrex 1/144. I made about 20 of them and got better at it quite quickly. In a mad clear out they all got sold and I gave up
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[TMP] "Canvas Eagle and Skytrex 1/144" Topic

WW1 until I tried to make a Red Eagle DR1 last Christmas when my interest came back after 15 or so years. Damn thing drove me to distraction as they ain't easy to get all square etc. I gave up as rapidly as I started and a quick look at 1/72 with its nice thin trailling edges, and decent detail got me going again in that direction so I bought a large number of 1/72 plastic kits (about 45) from a variety of places, local model shops (one who deals in 2nd hand), friends who had old kits hanging about and of course ebay. I highly recommend the latter but you may have to dig deep for the rarer stuff like Sopwith Triplanes, DH2's and the SE5a. Having amassed so many I began building one and yet again gave up (bear in mind I have an army I've been adding to in 25mm for 25 years so I have tenacity generally). Building delicate plastic kits can take ages. Having now slowly sold almost all of the 1/72 (which I class as my biggest wargames mistake ever) I have now just bought a few more Skytrex 1/144 and am determined to give them another go as I do like the scale. A friend is helping me out a bit as he has built over 80 of them and does great paint jobs. I'd summarize some advantages and disadvantages of each scale: Both are quite fiddlesome to make up. 1/144 are more robust, take much less playing and storage area and are just big enough to do full paint jobs. Many types are available but not all and scratch building, though possible, is not that easy. You will have to hunt out better decals as the Skytrex ones are generally inaccurate. ((DOM any chance of some acurate ones?)) Possibly a bit more expensive over all than 1/72 though this depends on what types you're after. Two seaters don't get too massive on the table top. A flight of three Bristol Fighters needs space in 1/72.

http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=60483 (4 of 10)7/11/2009 12:40:35 PM

[TMP] "Canvas Eagle and Skytrex 1/144" Topic

1/72 far greater scale detail. Guns and struts look much better. I replaced the cast struts of the Red Eagles with brass ones and I'll do so again. 1/72 can be too delicate for gaming especailly if you use the gorgeous Eduard or Roden kits which IMHO are for modellers not gamers. Loads of decals are available. Kits for popular types can be had very cheaply on ebay 1.00 GBP 2.00 GBP but an SE5 can cost 5-6 and they don't come up that often. You need lots of space to play and I think the sky looks unrealistically crowded if the ground scale is too tight. Plastic models need more storage space and are more delicate. I do what I didn't!!! Buy a couple of each scale and make them up and see which you enjoy assembling as you will have to spend some time making up your airforces. The final thing that prompted me back to 1/144 is that TooFatlardies are releasing a new set of rules for the era based on their WW2 offering Bag the Hun which I understand will allow for at least a dozen planes each side which is far more what I'm after as you can have realistic flights and squadrons. I've seen far too many 1/72 games with one Dr1, one DVa and one DVII against a Camel, Pup and SE5 highly unrealistic. Now I'm suggesting the playing area for 24+ planes will need to be reasonably large even in 1/144. There was a new range planed for 1/144 by Hertzadog but it was shelved. Shame as they promised to be better models using etched brass for details. The Red Eagles are a little crude when you consdier what Rod Langton manages in 1/200. There is a smaller range of resin kits by SRAM in 1/144 but these are serious modelling projects. Good luck with whatever you decide. I've now been side tracked by 1/300 WW2 air (no flippin struts!) and WW2 naval

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[TMP] "Canvas Eagle and Skytrex 1/144" Topic

pauld895

30 May 2006 1:26 p. m. PST

Despite my initial enthusiasm I still have only the 2 planes all nicely painted and transferred though. Time, money (lack of/spousal control of tick as appropriate),the fact that they're not shoes and therefore not a necessity, other games and lack of willing guinea pigs (err, sorry opponents) have not led me to play a great deal of CE. The Wings of War card people are bringing out a pre painted range back end of this year though 1/144 I believe. Double Ace
12 Jul 2006 10:11 a. m. PST

Reviresco also do some 1/144th scale aircraft in metal. I believe they may be a bit easier to put together, and they look very nice. Sadly, I haven't assembled or painted any of mine up yet, but still want to buy more. I've also bought a few of the Model Power WWI aircraft, and they are quite nice, and reasonably priced, considering they are already assembled and painted. Too bad they are not a consistent scale. Some are 1/63, some close to 1/72, others around 1/79 1/83rd. Go figure. Not sure why the manufacturers aren't smart enough to know that they would sell boatloads more of the things if they just made them a consistent size, instead of fitting them to the box. I mean really, how much can a slightly larger box cost? If they are concerned with just having one, make it large enough to fit the biggest range of fighter or bomber, and add filler. All manufacturers know how to do that. End of rant..

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[TMP] "Canvas Eagle and Skytrex 1/144" Topic

BlackWidowPilot

05 Aug 2006 8:26 a. m. PST

Hey people, REVIRESCO's latest offerings include the Salmson SA2 two-seater. IMHO they're a superb scale for aerial dogfighting and John keeps coming up with all sorts of surprises. My hope is that he'll do some more large aircraft adding to his AEG twin-engine bomber with some Caudron and Capronis;D Leland R. Erickson Metal Express metal-express.net
07 Aug 2006 6:04 p. m. PST

irishman

Ive been pretty set on Canvas Eagles as a rule set, since its good, has a great variety of planes (pretty much all of them). It also has a 3d component, though I am a but concerned about having to make all those stands. Im hoping Sr. Hairy might help me out there. So Do I even need Blue Max? michaeljconroy CANVAS EAGLES MOVES TO erichotz.com/eaglesmax.html
13 Feb 2007 4:31 p. m. PST 13 Feb 2007 3:46 p. m. PST

michaeljconroy

So, if you buy 1:144 scale planes, what size hex should you use to be realistic for canvas eagles? I'll assume twice as big for 1:72. Michael
14 Feb 2007 5:26 a. m. PST

GreyONE

http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=60483 (7 of 10)7/11/2009 12:40:35 PM

[TMP] "Canvas Eagle and Skytrex 1/144" Topic

"So, if you buy 1:144 scale planes, what size hex should you use to be realistic for canvas eagles? I'll assume twice as big for 1:72." Strange as it seems, it really doesn't matter that much. I play a WWII version of Canvas Eagles using 1/144th scale models and use game mats with 5 inch hexes. My players often tell me that I should be playing using 6 inch hexes, but that is mainly because we play using bombers (quite a lot actually). A group of players at my local club play Mustangs using 1/300th scale models and use 4 inch hexes. If you really want to be traditional, a group of Blue Max players that I knew, numbering about 16 players in all, used to play in 1/144th scale on game mats with 3 inch hexes. This fits nicely. However, if you get two or more aircraft in the same hex (and this will happen often during large air scraps) you may find 3 inch hexes slightly crowded. Still, I'd think about 3 inch hexes as a good solution.

E.H.
14 Feb 2007 5:27 a. m. PST

GreyONE

One last note, for 1/72nd scale, we play on 5 inch hexes. I also play Spanish Civil War Air Combat in 1/72nd scale using 5 inch hexes, which can get crowded when using JU86 bombers. E.H.
14 Feb 2007 8:07 p. m. PST

Top Gun Ace

http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=60483 (8 of 10)7/11/2009 12:40:35 PM

[TMP] "Canvas Eagle and Skytrex 1/144" Topic

Actually, you can use these for 3" or 4" hexes, depending upon the size and weight of your models, since the bases are thin enough to overlap, and even permit inverted maneuvers to be simulated, as well as any attitude of diving, climbing, or banking too. auction Click on "View Seller's Other Auctions" to see more of them for sale. With the 4" hexes, you can use them for even the 1/76th scale WWI Corgi diecast metal planes, or their approximately 1/100th scale WWII aircraft. You can buy the aircraft for about $5.00 USD $7.00 USD on the internet. They work very well for most 1/350th 1/72nd scale aircraft. Of course, we also sell them direct, if you are interested in avoiding the auction process. E-mail me for more info, and prices. I hope that helps.

Best regards, Rob Topgun Marketing LLC topgunace111 AT yahoo DOT com Bluebear Jeff
29 Mar 2007 1:41 a. m. PST

http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=60483 (9 of 10)7/11/2009 12:40:35 PM

[TMP] "Canvas Eagle and Skytrex 1/144" Topic

How do the Skytrex 1/144th and Reviresco 1/144th planes compare size-wise? We all know that scales don't always agree . . . so how do these look side-by-side?

-- Jeff Sorry - only trusted members can post on the forums.

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