RAF cover
1986BGG rank #3,703

RAF

by John H. Butterfield · Hobby Japan

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Players1
Time180m
ComplexityMedium
Age12+

About the game

What is RAF?

This solitaire game of the Battle of Britain is card-driven with card decks covering Events, Attacking Forces and suspected targets. Game mechanisms deal with Radar warning(and lack of), weather and observer corps. The cardstock map covers southern England with graphics for airfields, industrial sites and ports. You control British, Commonwealth, Polish and Czech Air Force Squadrons, positioning the day's patrols where you believe the Nazis will strike. Day after bloody day, the RAF must rise to battle the modern fighters of Luftflotte 2 and 3 while Nazi bombers pound England into ruin - and submission. You must intercept German bombers, sacrificing dwindling men and equipment to halt the German war machine. The game system controls the Luftwaffe, directing a coherent bombing campaign against targets vital to British survival. A unique card system hides the strengths, compositions, and targets of the German strikes until after you've decided where your squadrons will patrol, and which raids you'll intercept. You make the decisions that could save democracy. RAF offer three scenarios. The Hardest Days, The Thin Blue Line, and The Battle of Britain cover the entire struggle from beginning to end. The game is playable in as few as 3 hours or as many as 10. RAF includes: One full-color 22" x 34" map of southern England 160 full-color counters 134 target, event, and force cards (the rules correctly indicate 134 playable and numbered cards. There are 3 blanks in each set that are not used in the game bringing the physical count to 143 - 144 including dummy "title" card.) 16-page rules book One six-sided die Counter tray with lock-on lid Game scale is Gruppen and Squadrons with one-day turns. For one player. Three to ten hours to play. Ages 12 and up. (from the back of the box and user's description)

How it plays

Mechanics

Area MovementCampaign / Battle Card DrivenDice RollingMovement PointsRatio / Combat Results TableSimulationSolo / Solitaire Game

On the shelf

Categories

Aviation / FlightWargameWorld War II

Questions players ask

Questions to bring to BoardGameBrain

  • How do setup and the first turn work in RAF?
  • When does scoring happen and what ends the game?
  • How should the table resolve an unusual timing or rules interaction?