Anyone seen this.

Biggles... Lol

It's quite a common thing in the UK. Did you guys not know about it ?

My understanding is originally the character was called Biggles in homage to the WW1 flying ace. Since this wouldn't translate in the US, they shortened it to Biggs. Could be that you have a US version, the same thing as Gray and Grey squadron.

Inspiration for a lot of the Dogfights in Star Wars was taken from WWI and WWII dog fight footage.

Biggles was a very popular character in British Literature, think famous to the level of James Bond or perhaps Sherlock Holmes. Sort of the "adventures for boys" kind of thing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biggles

There's been recent court transcripts found that suggest he was actually based on a real WWI fighter pilot, but either way the character was pretty huge back in the day.

Seems a fitting homage to name a character in reference to it - though it's certainly a British thing

Of course, it's ironic that Jek Porkins actor, William Hootkins, also appeared in Biggles 20 years later:

http://m.imdb.com/title/tt0090729/?ref_=m_nmfmd_act_65

Small world!

I can't get the image of Monty Python's version of Biggles on a card out of my head...

My understanding is originally the character was called Biggles in homage to the WW1 flying ace.

That might be, but I can't find any trace of his name ever being Biggles in any source, not even wookiepedia.

Biggles? Is this a joke??

I wonder if i will get a Biggles Darklighter alternative artwork card to match mine. Have seen both versions here in the uk but thinking they only have biggs in the american copies of the game, wonder if the german or french versions are similar?

If Biggs and Biggles are both in range, do your enemy's ships just blow up when they can't determine who to shoot?

In Germany Biggs is of course Balduin Dunkelleuchter, named after a hero in the Thirty Years' War.

Baron Soontir Fel is Baron Manfred von Richthofen

and Backstabber is Hermann Göring

In Germany Biggs is of course Balduin Dunkelleuchter, named after a hero in the Thirty Years' War.

Baron Soontir Fel is Baron Manfred von Richthofen

and Backstabber is Hermann Göring

And Luke is Snoopy.

I can't get the image of Monty Python's version of Biggles on a card out of my head...

Me too. I keep seeing Graham Chapman in a flying helmet, RAF jacket and tutu. And every time Biggs/Biggles blows up I'll have to start saying he "Pranged his kite."

Any UK player that has an extra Biggles for trade, let me know. I'm interested.

Just bought my second core set. 1st one was from a local shop here in Aberdeen UK which gave me a Biggles. TO be honest I actually had not noticed as I play Empire. 2nd core set was from Amazon EU and was Biggs. I thought it was a different character until I saw the posts.

So which one do I field????

So which one do I field????

they're the same thing really, so it doesn't matter.

I've been asking for ages whether there is a Biggles promo card planned at some point and would this be Biggs or Biggles? I'd like to get a Biggs as it sounds way better. I always thought Biggles sounded stupid.

Must admit i think this has more than a whiff of BS about it, This game has been out for coming up to 2 years, IF they were going to do regional variations of the cards it would have shown up before now

will try to post pics or if anyone got any because i dont know how to upload

You could try here:

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/1163833/how-come-no-one-knows-about-this/page/3

EDIT:To buy or see pics I mean

Exactly! Thanks, wikkid_devil.

EDIT: OK, after watching that, I think I must have combined my memory of that sketch with this one below and possibly another with Graham Chapman in a tutu. Sorry, it's been a while since I've watched Monty Python. Great fun, though.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/JdCQwigh6H8

Someone creating new accounts now to keep it going.

Just saw on boardgamegeek and so set up profile here to ask question sorry )-:

Now I've joined tho... This forum looks ace

I swapped my Biggles for a Biggs - I didn't like the name as it didn't fit the stories.