Grazing Over Rabaul

Artist Credit: Aviation Artwork created by Redtail7.

 

Grazing Over Rabaul

 

From August 1943 until January 1944, the famed U.S. Marine Corp fighter squadron known to many as 

VMF-214 “Black Sheep Squadron” blazed a trail of aerial combat successes in the skies of the South Pacific 

islands. Over islands like Bougainville and Rabaul, the “Black Sheep Squadron” performed fighter sweeps, 

ground attack, and bomber escort missions to help dislodge the IJN and IJA from their island strongholds. 

VMF-214’s colorful and charismatic leader Major Gregory “Pappy” Boyington was said to have stolen his 

command and outfitted it with the U.S Marines Corp's best of the worst behaved pilots and ground crews. 

They were labeled “outcasts” and “misfits” by the USMC’s rank and file. This combination of “Black Sheep” 

produced one of the most lethal combat groups to see action in the South Pacific and one of the best 

combat records as well. This SNAPSHOT will reenact one such common aerial engagement between 

VMF-214 and elements of the IJN and IJA over the island of Rabaul.

 

Arena:

SEAII

 

Country Percentage:

Allies 50%

Axis 50%

 

Allies:

F4U-1 50%

F4U-1A 50%

 

Orders:

All aircraft will launch from Vella Lavella airfield A98. The force will perform and mass fighter sweep to the 

harbor at Rabaul. The objective is to destroy any and all aircraft found in the area.

 

Axis:

A6M3 33%

A6M5-B 33%

KI-61 33%

 

Orders:

Launch all fighters from Rabaul IJN airfield A65 and repel the American’s fighter sweep. Destroy any 

enemy aircraft operating in the control area around Rabaul harbor.

 

Restrictions:

 

None

Victory Conditions:

 

The side with the highest attrition count by the end of hostilities will lose the frame.

 

Arena Settings:

 

1.   Terrain The - NewBrit

2.   Icon Range - Short

3.   Radar - Off

4.   Fighter and bomber warning range – 36,960

5.   Tower warning range – 36,960 feet

6.   Visibility - 17 miles

7.   Wind - light

8.   External view for bombers (F3) - on

9.   Friendly Collisions - off

10. Enemy Collisions - on

11. Kill Shooter - on

12. Fuel 1.0

13. Ack .8

14. Time – 0700

 

Designer Notes:

 

CM Notes:

 

Designed By:

Redtail7 July 2014