From:    rogopp@auto-trol.com (Roger Opperman)
Subject: Re: Review of Hornet Leader (GMT)
Date:    17 Jul 91 22:36:47 GMT

Overall impressions were very good.  The game consistes of the
rulebook, a "target display", a "carrier display", a d10, one sheet of
counters and several decks of cards (pilot, a/c, mission event, target
and special event + some other useless ones).  Graphics quality is
outstanding, with the exception of the rulebook which had fuzzy
printing, but that may have just been mine.  The rules are fairly
clear and contain adequate decent examples.

This is a solotaire game which which places the player in simulated
command of a squadron of F-18 Hornet fighter/bombers.  To play, you
select a campaign from the "campaign cards" provided (there are a lot
of cards in this game).  The card will indicate that some of the
missions should be removed (major naval strike in Central America, for
instance) and that certain planes and SAM levels should be substituted
for what you will eventually draw on the mission cards.  For instance,
the easier campaigns will usually have a downgraded SAM threat and
will replace Mig-23s with Mig-21's, etc.

Next you shuffle the target cards and draw one.  This is what you are
out to destroy this mission.  This card will indicate a target, a
recomended number of Hornets to take, the anticipated SAM and Mig
threats, the possibility of special events, the possibility of intel
screwing up and, finally, the range and amount of ordinance you can
take.   

Next you draw a "mission event" card.  These can be good or bad.  You
might get F14 support or have your munitions selection severly
limited, for instance.  There are lots of these.

Next you randomly (within the constraints on the mission card) set up
the targets defences.  You can look at these to plan your attack, but
you should beware since there is a chance that intel has screwed up
and the defenses may change after you have committed to an attack.

Next you assign pilots, aircraft and weapons to the mission.  This is
easy at the start of the campaign but becomes a real mess later as
pilots are killed, injured and stressed out and as planes are damaged
and destroyed.  You get points for taking fewer planes than the
recommended number and lose points for taking more.  You can arm the
planes with Sparrows, Sidewinders, HARMs, Mavericks, Mk-82 and Mk-83s.
Range to the target is a SERIOUS limiting factor on your ordinance
load -- I've been told that the Hornet is a great plane except for its
range limitations and I believe it after playing.  You also assign
pilots to the various planes.  Pilots have different ratings for
coolness, air-to-air, air-to-ground and flying style (aggressive,
neutral and defensive).

Finally, you fly off and fight.  This already way too long, so I won't
describe the mechanics.  I found the combat mechanics to be the weak
point of the game, but honestly can't say how I would have improved
them without doubling the complexity of the game.  The fun here is
managing the squadron as it falls apart from fatigue (personal and
mechanical), not from blowing up things.  I've been thinking about
using _Hornet Leader_ as a scenario generator for _Air Strike_ and
getting the best of both worlds.

Summary: very good game if you like the genre.  Definitely shows you a
different aspect of modern combat aviation -- I was always thinking
about the book _Flight of the Intruder_ as I tried to decide which of
my shaken pilots I should risk on the next mission.

Roger Opperman