Tobleone77 and Others,
––IMHO, if you are going to play an Axis & Allies games including Paratroopers,…the main point that I feel is vitally important is that the Air Transport and Paratrooper units be DEDICATED and SEPARATE pieces. By dedicated I mean that the Air Transports, Bombers, Infantry, and Paratroopers ARE what they are and cannot “MAGICALLY” transform into some other unit. :-o
––It doesn’t matter if you use the HBG units,…or pieces of paper to represent the Air Transports and Paratroopers in the game,…but that they are obvious to ALL players exactly what thy ARE.
----The use of dedicated units allows your opponents the opportunity to prepare a counter-strategy that includes the possibility of paratroop drops and/or non-combat air transport. I feel that this is a KEY POINT OF A&A GAMEPLAY!
––This point is completely nullified if a bomber and Infantry unit can “MAGICALLY” transform into a Air Transport and Paratrooper unit with much improved capabilities and deliver a complete surprise attack where the defender hasn’t had ANY opportunity to defend against this capability. IMHO this version of paratroopers is COMPLETELY UNFAIR and not true to AXIS & ALLIES GAME PLAY. All players should have the opportunity to know WHAT has been purchased by all other players when they are purchased.
––As far as using the HBG Air Transports and Paratroopers, most if not all, are available for separate piece sale and are relatively inexpensive if you prefer this method. I think I left out the Russian Air Transport that is now available from the list of German JU-52, American C-46, and Italian Air Transports that are currently available.
––Summing up, It’s not important WHAT you use to represent Air Transports and Paratroopers in your games. However, IMHO it is important that they be DEDICATED and SEPARATE pieces that can’t “MAGICALLY” transform into any other units.
“Tall Paul”