50 Mission Crush

50 Mission Crush is a role-playing wargame that puts you in command of a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber during World War II. You are part of the 8th Air Force 306th Bomber Group, based in England, and must survive fifty bombing raids over France and Germany. Historically, the average lifespan of a B-17 crew member was just 18 missions, making your goal a true test of endurance. As pilot, you select your ten crew members, determine bomb-to-fuel ratio, choose cruising altitude, and navigate across a map of occupied Europe. En route, you face flak batteries and enemy fighters, with weather affecting visibility. After each mission, the computer awards points for bombing accuracy and enemy aircraft destroyed, leading to promotions and medals.

DOS

Released in 1986 by Strategic Simulations, Inc., the DOS version arrived two years after the Apple II and Commodore 64 originals . The game runs on IBM PC compatibles and retains all core mechanics: crew management with experience gains, fuel and bomb load selection, navigation via compass directions, and random encounters with flak and Luftwaffe fighters . Graphics utilize CGA resolution, typical of mid-1980s PC titles, with basic monochrome or four-color displays . The simulation combines wargame elements with RPG progression—crew members become more accurate and efficient with each survived mission . Critics noted the game was "realistic but dull" with little room for player skill, while a former B-24 bombardier praised its authenticity, stating "it was all there: bomb load, ammo load, gas load, route out, fighter escort, flak at the target" . Missions last approximately ten minutes each .