The Wargamer

 If the original Making History game lacked many units, Making History II appears to be more than making up for it.  For instance, take a look at these biplane bombers; they're just the start of a massively expanded library of units that will be included in the sequel. 

Making History II uses 3D models representing the key weapon systems from the early to mid-20^th Century. Every nation in the game has its own unique model track that includes rare armaments of the minor nations and systems that were left unfinished at the end of World War II. Muzzy Lane plans to release galleries of these units regularly over the next few months on their making-history.com Gaming Headquarters site.

Biplane bombers were among the earliest bombing aircraft developed, and these models represent the first level of bombers available to players in MHII.  So what role do bombers overall play in MHII?  Quite simply, if it's an object on the map bombers can attack it.  Bomb lines of supply, resource producers, roads and railways, land and naval units, airbasesand if you catch planes on the ground they can be bombed as well.  Bombers can not only bomb cities, but specific targets within cities such as research facilities or industry.  Research leads to upgrades that increase aircraft range, accuracy, defenses, and payload.   Bombers can also be used for long range reconnaissance and some bombers have target-specific advantages, such as torpedo bombers against ships.  They are vulnerable to damage from other aircraft, from ground or naval units, and from fixed anti-aircraft emplacements.

Aero A.101

Role: Biplane Bomber

Manufacturing Nation: Czechoslovakia

Introduced: 1930

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Maximum speed: 265 km/h (169 mph)
• Range: 845 km (562 mi)

• Armaments: Machine guns
• Payload: 500 kg (1,100 lb)

The Aero A.101 was a biplane light bomber and reconnaissance aircraft.   The A.101 was an attempt to improve the Aero A.100 by enlarging it and fitting it with a more powerful engine. However, even with 33% more power, performance was actually inferior, and the Czech Air Force was not interested in the type. Production did result, however, when 50 were ordered by Spanish Republican forces for use in the Spanish Civil War. Some of these aircraft were captured by Nationalists while en route and used against their original buyers.

 

Breguet 19

Role: Biplane Bomber

Manufacturing Nation: France

Introduced: 1924

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Maximum speed: 214 km/h (133 mph)
• Range: 800 km (500 mi)

• Armaments: Machine guns fore and aft, and one pointing straight down
• Payload: Up to 472kg of bombs, either attached to the fuselage or in a downward-facing bomb bay

A trademark of the Breguet 19 was the wide usage of duralumin (precursor to aluminum) as a construction material, instead of steel or wood. At that time, the aircraft was faster than other bombers, and even some fighter aircraft. It came equipped with radio, while the recon version had a camera mounting.

Due to these features it met with a huge interest in the world, and served in air forces in over 20 nations as either exports or local manufactures that made use of its design. 

 

Caproni CA.73

Role: Biplane Bomber

Manufacturing Nation: Italy

Introduced: 1924

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Maximum speed: 180 km/h (112 mph)
• Range: 540  km (336 mi)

• Armaments: Machine guns fore and aft
• Payload: Fuselage bomb racks

The Caproni Ca.73 was an Italian airliner produced during the 1920s which went on to serve as a light bomber in the newly-independent Regia Aeronautica. In the early 1920's, Italy's military planners still relied upon World War I-vintage Caproni Ca.3 bombers, and a replacement was soon sought. The immediate solution was to repurpose the Ca.73 as a warplane by adding a gunner's position in the nose, and dorsally and ventrally amidships. Ca.73s remained in frontline service until 1934, and from 1926 onwards participated in Italy's military actions in North Africa.

 

Fokker C.V

Role: Biplane Bomber

Manufacturing Nation: Netherlands

Introduced: 1925

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Maximum speed: 215 km/h (132 mph)
• Range: 1,000 km (621 mi)

• Armaments: Machine guns
• Payload: Sixteen 8kg bombs

The C.V was the first multi-role aircraft and it was manufactured in a variety of versions; the customer could choose from five different wing constructions and engines.  The landing gear could be changed from wheels to pontoons. The aircraft became an export success for Fokker, it was sold and/or license manufactured in Bolivia, China, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, the Soviet Union, Sweden, and the US The Dutch Air Force used the C.V in front line service against the German Luftwaffe during World War II. After the Dutch surrender, the aircraft were taken over by Luftwaffe and used on the Eastern front until 1944.