Whistling Death

About this board game

Whistling Death is a World War II Pacific air-combat game for 1–4 players, with an approximately 240-minute playing time. Released in 2003, it is the third game in J. D. Webster’s Fighting Wings series, following Over the Reich and Achtung Spitfire.

The game includes 110 scenarios covering a broad range of Pacific air-war situations. These include flight training, introductory air combat, air-to-air combat, air-to-ground missions, air-naval engagements, and mission-level scenarios.

• 3 flight-training scenarios
• 5 introductory air-combat scenarios
• 58 air-to-air combat scenarios
• 4 air-to-ground scenarios
• 32 air-naval scenarios
• 8 mission-level scenarios

Whistling Death features 40 distinctive aircraft alongside numerous ship types. Its components include 420 half-inch aircraft counters, 140 half-inch by one-inch ship counters, and 60 larger ship counters measuring three-quarters by two inches that players must cut out. A map, rule book, scenario book, aircraft and ship data cards, and player aids complete the set.

The game represents a substantial selection of Pacific air and naval operations, although the official description notes that ground support is the only facet of the Pacific war missing. The varied scenario mix lets the game move from training and introductory encounters to large-scale mission-level situations.

Long out of print, Whistling Death offers a detailed way to experience early Pacific air battles within the Fighting Wings series. Players seeking a taste of this setting can also look to Tiger Wings, which is identified as another way to explore early Pacific air combat.