Ace of Aces manual
- Ace of Aces
- manual
===========
Ace Of Aces
===========
Document created by rstuart@ukonline.co.uk on 6th Dec 99 for
World of Spectrum: http://www.void.demon.nl/spectrum.html
Taken from the U.S. Gold compilation 'Solid Gold'.
Ace of Aces
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"Ace of Aces is a marvellous blend of flight simulation and arcade shoot em
up. The graphics are great." Commodore User Screen Star. "Puts all other
so-called action simulations in the shade" Your Computer Dec '86.
Ace of Aces (This section taken from the Ace of Aces casette inlay)
-----------
A Unique Opportunity to Experience the Magic of Flight and Exhiliration of
Aerial Combat.
"No British aircraft will ever bomb Berlin", Luftwaffe cheif Herman Goering
had often boasted. But in the middle of a Nazi anniversary speech in January,
1943, his listeners duck for cover as a carefully timed raid of RAF Mosquitos
strikes Berlin in broad daylight.
Ace of Aces captures the spirit and puts you in the cockpit of the Mosquito,
maverick RAF fighter bomber of World War II. Down the Nazi bombers, sink the
U-boats, outrun the V-1 rockets and stop the enemy trains. Choose your
weapons and fuel wisely - once you're out on mission, there's no going back.
To become Ace of Aces, you must complete all missions successfully.
1 From the moment you zoom through the clouds in a scrap with Nazi fighters
to the heart-stopping second you spot the U-boats of Kiel, the defence of the
Allied world is in your hands. Are you equal to the challenge?
2 Once you master a few flying tricks in your speed bomber, you tackle
strategy: selecting the right number of machine guns, rockets and bombs to
achieve your mission.
3 Your intercom flashes 'warning' on your starboard engine. An enemy fighter
attack has left your Rolls Royce engine in flames. Cut back your boost and
throttle. Hit the extinguisher before the fire spreads.
What does it take to be an Ace? From you, legendary British price and guts.
>From US Gold, legendary playability. US Gold has done its part. The rest is
up to you.
(c) 1986 U.S. Gold. All rights reserved.
Loading Instructions
--------------------
Commodore 64 Cassette
Press SHIFT and RUN/STOP keys together. Press PLAY on the cassette recorder.
Commodore 64 Disk
Type LOAD "*",8,1 and press RETURN.
Commodore 128
Play in 64 mode.
Spectrum Cassette
Type LOAD "" and press ENTER. Press PLAY on your cassette recorder.
Spectrum +3
Turn on your computer. Insert selected side of disk into drive and press
ENTER. Follow screen prompts where required.
Amstrad Cassette
Press CTRL and SMALL ENTER and then press PLAY on your cassette recorder.
Amstrad Disk
Type "RUN" DISK and press ENTER. Game will load automatically.
Important:
Please read this instruction sheet carefully before commencing game play.
Ace of Aces
===========
Keyboard Controls Spectrum and Amstrad
--------------------------------------
1 Front View 2 Left Hand View (port)
3 Right Hand View (starboard) 4 Bomb Bay
M Map SPACE BAR Pause
O Left P Right
Q Up A Down
X Fire (Spectrum) @ Fire (Amstrad)
All cassette versions are multi-load, follow screen prompts for instructions.
Control Functions (for Commodore versions only)
-----------------
* You may see your current status and pause the game by pressing SPACE BAR or
F7.
* Restart the game by pressing F1 or the RESTORE key.
* Toggle the sound on and off with the F3 key.
* Use F5 key to abort the mission and set the compass marker to return to
home base.
Selecting A Mission
-------------------
Once the load is completed your Group Captain will offer you the choice of
PRACTICE or MISSION(S). Make your selection by moving the joystick UP or
DOWN. Push the FIRE BUTTON to confirm your choice.
Practice
--------
If you select PRACTICE the program will immediately load the game. When the
load is completed you will be airborne over the English Channel. You must
engage and destroy enemy aircraft. When you're out of ammunition or fuel,
or badly damaged return to home base.
Use the practice mode to familiarise yourself with the aircraft and its
controls. To successfully complete PRACTICE, return to home base intact.
Missions
--------
As a perspective Ace of Aces, you may select any number of missions. Choose
a mission with the pointer (joystick UP/DOWN, FIRE BUTTON to select). After
highlighting the adjacent box, move point to "Begin Game" and hit FIRE
BUTTON. You will then be presented with "Accept" or "Reject". If you choose
to "Accept" you will then be presented with the INTELLIGENCE REPORT.
Intelligence Report
-------------------
CID (Central Intelligence Division) has prepared your Intelligence Report.
Top secret information from secret agents, resistance organisations and
aerial reconnaissance will locate the exact position of enemy targets.
Intelligence will also provide you with information on whether conditions,
recommended weapons and target sequence.
Following the Intelligence Report, a Mission Map will display the location
of major cities and targets. After you leave the Mission Map you will be
presented with the Bombardier's View of an empty bomb bay, ready for weapons
loading.
Loading Your Plane With Ammunition and Fuel
-------------------------------------------
Now you are ready to arm your Mosquito based on your choice of targets and
the Intelligence Report, i.e. if you choose to engage only enemy bombers and
their fighter support, you'll want your Mosquito to be light and
manoeuvrable. Therefore, concentrate on a maximum load made up of rockets
and cannon.
Weapons Section
---------------
(See image file AceOfAcesInstructions.jpg)
If your target(s) are U-Boats and Trains, you'll want to beef up your bomb
load with a minimum of cannon and/or rockets.
If you want to take a crack at Ace of Aces status by choosing all four
missions, then you'll want to carefully select your choice of weapons based
on your bombing and dog fight capabilities and the Intelligence Report.
Move the yellow box around to select areas by pressing up or down on the
joystick. If you wish to add or subtract bombs, rockets or cannons, move the
yellow box to adjacent "plus or minus" signs.
Once you have reached maximum load, the program stops you from adding further
weapons.
Use the + and - signs to add fuel tanks for long-range missions, i.e. U-Boat.
Once you're armed, hit "Done" and takeoff sequence begins.
Now you're airborne on a real mission. First check with your navigator to
make sure you're on course.
* While in the air, change views by giving the fire button two quick taps.
Then push the joystick in one of the directions as outlined below. You
may also type the appropriate number key.
Double Click and: Right: Starbord View or press 3
UP: Pilot View or press 1 Down: Navigator View or press 4
Left: Port View or press 2 Centre: Bomb Bay or press 5
* (for Commodore versions only)
Aircraft Controls
-----------------
Pilot's View (Front)
--------------------
(See image file AceOfAcesInstructions.jpg)
Compass
-------
Your initial compass heading is South. Change course by pushing joystick left
or right. The compass reading will reflect your new direction. The dark line
on the compass indicates the correct heading for the next target. After all
targets have been eliminated, the final heading will be to your home base.
Radar
-----
There are two radar indicators:
1. The radar "sweep screen" on the extreme right indicates the enemy
aircraft's relative distance from you.
2. The vertical dial indicates the enemy aircraft's relative altitude to you.
Intercom
--------
Your "intercom" indicator indicates trouble spots in the aircraft. When the
intercom blinks, hit the FIRE BUTTON twice and move joystick toward trouble
spot as described above. Practice cycling trough the positions. Learn how
to move smoothly to the different positions in your aircraft. Alternatively
press corresponding numeric key to select desired position.
Centre icon blinking, indicates a call from the bombardier that enemy ground
target is now in sight.
Airspeed
--------
This dial indicates your airspeed. In the above diagram it is set at 100mph.
Adjust from the engineer's view with boosters and throttle or careful use of
flaps.
Altitude
--------
This dial indicates your altitude. The above diagram shows it set at 2,000
feet. Adjust by pushing up or down on the joystick from the pilot's position.
Artificial Horizon
------------------
This dial represents your angle relative to the fixed horizon. When the plane
is angled, you will return. When the plane icon is in black, you are
descending. When icon is in white, you are climbing.
Engineer's View (Port/Starboard - sides)
---------------
The engineer/navigator controls the engines and propellers of the Mosquito.
(See image file AceOfAcesInstructions.jpg)
Throttle (RPM)
--------------
To change throttle settings, place the joystick diamond above the RPM dial.
Hold FIRE BUTTON and push joystick UP or DOWN to select setting.
Booster (Pitch)
---------------
Place joystick diamond above the booster dial and adjust similar to throttle.
The throttles and boosters function together. The throttles are like the
accelerator on a car. The boosters (which control the angle or pitch of the
propeller blades) are like the gear of a car. Set both high for top speed.
They must be in balance for efficient use of power and fuel and to avoid
over-revving.
The engine is over-revving if the RPM needle is in the red zone. Reduce
throttle immediately. If it won't reduce, then the engine is on fire. To
prevent fire from spreading, use the fire extinguisher.
If the Booster does not match the throttle then the engine will either run
away (over rev) or get bogged down (too high a gear).
Fire Extinguisher
-----------------
Place the joystick diamond over the fire extinguisher. Hold FIRE BUTTON down
and move the joystick to the RIGHT. Use extinguishers with care. Once an
engine is doused, it's permanently out. After you have lost an engine you
must adjust trim to maintain an even course.
Trim
----
Trim controls the rudder and therefore the direction of the aircraft. Place
joystick diamond over trim lever and move the joystick UP and DOWN with
FIRE BUTTON pressed to adjust trim and setting and maintain desired compass
heading.
Landing Gear
------------
Landing gear will always be in up position unless you want to reduce speed
suddenly. This is a useful tactic in trying to evade enemy fighers. Once
selected, with joystick DOWN and FIRE BUTTON depressed, drop the gear and
the Mosquito will slow down.
Fuel
----
This indicates the amount of petrol remaining. Check status frequently,
especially on long range missions. When a tank is empty, move the bomb bay
to view. Using the joystick move the diamond cursor over the fuel tank
registering empty and with the FIRE BUTTON down, throw drop lever. Reducing
the load by dropping empty tanks saves remaining fuel.
Flaps
-----
To move flaps up and down, place joystick diamond over flap lever, depress
FIRE BUTTON and move joystick UP and DOWN. Use the flaps to lose speed
quickly. Caution: this may cause damage to aircraft.
Navigator's View
----------------
The map will reflect the information provided in the Intelligence Report.
This includes target locations, enemy strengths, strategies and their
destinations.
(See image file AceOfAcesInstructions.jpg)
Strategy
--------
Check map frequently. Watch icon movement. Get familiar with their repective
speeds. Your challenge is to intercept the Train, Bombers and V-1 rockets
before they reach their destinations and to destroy the U-Boat pen before the
enemy subs set out to attack Allied convoys in the North Atlantic.
Note: The fastest route is always a straight line from takeoff to target.
The black marker line on the Pilot's compass indicates the correct heading
and therefore the fastest route. Keep that marker centred on your compass
and follow your progress on the navigator's map.
Bombardier's View
-----------------
The bombardier's view will tell you how many of each weapon you have
remaining.
(See image file AceOfAcesInstructions.jpg)
Fuel Drop Switches
------------------
Drop when indicated empty to improve fuel economy.
Guns/Cannon Switch
------------------
Select weapons choice depending on target.
Bomb Bay Door
-------------
Switch open to see enemy target.
Tactics
-------
Bombing U-Boats/Trains
(See image file AceOfAcesInstructions.jpg)
Check Navigator's map to determine when you are in general are of enemy
target. Decrese altitude to 1,000 feet or less and set air speed to 100 mph.
Open bomb bay doors when you are over target, you should see enemy target -
if not, circle back and try again. Joystick UP/DOWN moves the bomb sight
correspondingly in order to line up target. Joystick LEFT/RIGHT moves the
target into view under your cursor. When target is in sights, press FIRE
BUTTON to drop the bomb.
Train
-----
The POW train is enroute to Berlin. You must stop it and free the POW's on
board. Aim at cars labelled with iron cross. Avoid Red Cross POW cars. Points
are deducted if POW cars are bombed.
Note: You get only one crack at the POW train so be precise about altitude
and air speed.
U-Boat
------
The U-Boats are preparing an attack on North Atlantic shipping. Stop them
before they launch. Once you have opened your bomb bay door, the U-boats
will be alerted to your presence and begin diving. Consequently each of the
U-boats will be successively smaller and more difficult to hit.
Note: Once underwater, they will not re-surface for the duration of your
mission so be certain of your correct airspeed and altitude.
Dog Fight/Bombers' Tactics
--------------------------
Cross hair turns red when in range of enemy target.
Push joystick UP/DOWN/LEFT/RIGHT to centre target in sight, (i.e. fly your
plane till nose points at enemy).
To switch from cannons to rocket go to bomb bay screen and push switch RIGHT
or LEFT, you get double points for destroying enemy air targets with rockets.
Enemy fighters attack randomly without warning. Once an enemy fighter turns
up on radar, your plane icon will freeze on the map. You MUST down the enemy
fighter before he gets you. And make it quick, you're burning up fuel.
Enemy fighters will attack in greater numbers after you have struck at their
Train and U-boat targets.
V-1 Buzz Bombs
--------------
Stop the V-1's before they launch on London. V-1's are slower than fighters
but if they're too close to your aircraft when exploded, the shrapnel may
damage your Mosquito.
Bombers
-------
Stop the bombers before they reach London.
Tips
----
Don't double click when firing, you may accidentally change screens. With a
full load of bombs you may need extra speed in order to climb.
Your airplane will speed up as you drop bombs and fuel tanks. The extra
weight drag is removed. Keep this in mind when bombing U-boats and Trains.
Status Screens
--------------
You may see your current status and pause the game by pressing the SPACE BAR.
Scoring
-------
Bomber - 100 Rocket Kills - Double Cannon Kill
V-1 - 150 Safe Return - 2000
U-Boat - 250 Extra Bombs - 50
Train Cars - +200 rockets - 30
POW Cars - -200 fuel - 10
Engine - 500 cannon - 10
(c) 1986 ARTECH
This compilation (c) 1987. Manufactured in the U.K. under liscence by
U.S. Gold Limited, Units 2/3 Holford Way, Holford, Birmingham B6 7AX.
Copyright subsists on these titles. All rights of the producer reserved.
