by Keith Tracton, 20 July 2026
If you are a fan of WWI aerial combat, Ace of Aces is a title you simply must explore. Originally created by Alfred Leonardi and published by Nova Game Designs in 1980, this two-player “flip-book” game remains a unique gem in the hobby. Unlike traditional wargames, it requires no large board or map, giving it perhaps the smallest footprint of any game in a collection. The game functions through two separate aircraft books; you and your opponent each pilot a plane by resolving secret maneuvers and cross-indexing page numbers to see the resulting view from your respective cockpits.
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The classic has recently returned via a successful Kickstarter as the “Powerhouse series” remake, which focuses on a high-stakes duel between two iconic aircraft: the agile, heavily armed German Fokker D7 and the legendary French SPAD 13. This new edition is much more than a simple reprint. While it includes the original version with Mr. Leonardi’s own notes and clarifications, it also features a comprehensive set of refined rules and an advanced game mode. This mode introduces dice and custom coins to track complex variables like ammunition levels, gun jams, stalls, and critical hits.
For those looking for deeper immersion, the Powerhouse series adds an optional campaign mode where players can build a pilot’s career over multiple engagements. You can even utilize historic Ace biographies, such as those of Fritz Rumey or Georges Guynemer, which provide special stats and rules that directly affect gameplay. The physical production has also seen a significant upgrade; the original simple slipcase is now a beautifully constructed compact box featuring a dedicated drawer for tokens and dice, and the interior pages have been colorized to enhance the feel of flight.
While the game is designed to be played book-to-book, I recently decided to experiment by “mapping out” the moves using my old copy of Avalon Hill’s Richthofen’s War. To match the new edition’s aesthetic, I even created colorized counters for the SPAD 13 and Fokker D7. In this experimental setup, I translated the game’s three range bands into hexes: Short range was set to two hexes, Medium to three or four hexes, and Long range to six hexes.
Every standard game of Ace of Aces begins with both players on page 170, representing a “Long” range encounter where both pilots have a “Tally Ho!” sighting of the enemy. Each of the 223 pages in the books features a maneuver bar at the bottom with three speed settings: slow, cruising, and fast. This system is elegantly logical; certain advanced maneuvers, like a barrel roll, require specific momentum, meaning you must fly straight at cruising or fast speeds for a turn before the move becomes available.
In a recent session, the German pilot executed a tight, slow right turn to line up a shot, while the French SPAD pilot mistakenly attempted a loose left turn at cruising speed. This maneuver placed the SPAD directly in the Fokker’s sights at Short range. In Ace of Aces, each plane can typically take 6 hits before being downed, and the damage is indicated directly on the page. The Fokker’s page confirmed a successful “SHOT!”, inflicting 4 damage points on the SPAD in a single burst.
The battle concluded quickly when the SPAD tried to use its engine power for a tighter turn, but the Fokker pilot was too “cagey,” side-slipping to the right to maintain a tailing position. When a pilot successfully tails an opponent, the victim must reveal whether their next move will come from the left, center, or right group of maneuvers, giving the pursuer a massive tactical advantage. The Fokker landed two more hits, and the SPAD was downed.
Because dogfights are often resolved in under 10 minutes, Ace of Aces is an ideal travel game for planes or trains. Whether you are a veteran pilot or a newcomer, the Powerhouse series is a fantastic way to experience the tension of WWI aerial combat through a classic system that remains as fun today as it was in 1980.
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