Overview

Ace of Aces: Handy Rotary Series is a two-player aerial combat game simulating World War I dogfights. The game uses a unique picture book system — each player has a book showing cockpit views of the opposing aircraft. Players simultaneously select maneuvers, cross-reference page numbers, and navigate to new pages representing the result. No board, dice, or markers are needed. The goal is to accumulate 12 points of damage on your opponent’s aircraft to shoot it down.

Components

• 2 pilot books (one “German” book, one “Allied” book), each containing cockpit view illustrations with maneuver options at the bottom of each page
• Rules sheet with basic, standard, and advanced rules
• No board, dice, or additional components required

Setup

1. Each player takes one book (German or Allied).
2. Both players agree on the rules level: Basic, Standard, or Advanced.
3. Both players open their books to the same starting page number (as specified in the rules).
4. Play begins.

Turn Structure

Each turn (representing a few seconds of aerial combat) proceeds simultaneously:

1. Select maneuver: Each player looks at the illustration on their current page showing the enemy aircraft from their cockpit view. Along the bottom of the page are available maneuvers (e.g., barrel roll, tight turn left, straight ahead), each with a corresponding page number.
2. Announce page number: Each player selects a maneuver and announces the page number listed under that maneuver to their opponent.
3. Navigate: Each player turns to the page number announced by their opponent. On this new page, they look up the maneuver they chose and find the page number under it.
4. Resolve: Both players turn to this final page number (which should be the same for both). The illustration shows the new relative position of the two aircraft.
5. Check for hits: If the current page shows the enemy aircraft in a valid firing position, the attacking player scores damage.

Actions

Maneuvers

Maneuvers available on each page include various aerial combat moves. While specific maneuvers vary by page (reflecting the current aircraft positions), common options include:

• Straight ahead
• Turn left / Turn right (tight or wide)
• Barrel roll
• Climb / Dive
• Immelman turn
• Split-S

Firing

When a page shows the enemy aircraft in a targetable position, the player may fire. Damage is scored according to the rules level being played.

Basic Rules

• Simplified combat: if you can see the enemy in your sights, you score a hit.
• No ammunition tracking, altitude, or wind considerations.
• Guns always work.

Standard Rules

• Adds ammunition tracking (limited supply of bullets).
• May include altitude difference considerations.

Advanced Rules

• Adds all standard rules plus:
  • Wind speed and direction effects on maneuvers.
  • Gun jamming (guns can malfunction; clearing a jam requires specific maneuvers).
  • Altitude bands affecting available maneuvers.
  • More detailed damage tracking.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

• Each successful hit inflicts damage points on the opponent’s aircraft.
• The first player to accumulate 12 points of damage on the enemy aircraft wins the game.
• If both players score simultaneous killing blows, the result is a mutual destruction / draw.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Simultaneous selection: Both maneuver choices are made at the same time — neither player knows the other’s choice before announcing.
• Page verification: After navigating, both players should arrive at the same page number. If they do not, a selection error occurred and the turn should be replayed.
• Solitaire variant: Solitaire rules exist (available as a community creation) allowing a single player to fly against a programmed opponent using decision tables.
• Series compatibility: The Handy Rotary Series (WWI biplanes) uses the same core system as the Wingleader Series (WWII fighters), though the books and aircraft are different.
• No table required: The game can be played anywhere two people can sit facing each other with their books.

Player Reference

Rules Level	Features
Basic	Core maneuvers and firing only
Standard	Adds ammo tracking, altitude
Advanced	Adds wind, gun jams, detailed damage

Turn flow: Select maneuver → Announce page number → Navigate to opponent’s page → Look up your maneuver → Both arrive at same page → Check for firing → Score damage

Win condition: First to deal 12 damage points to the opponent