Aeronautica Imperialis

Recently I've been playing a bit of Aeronautica Imperialis, one of Games Workshop's less-than-mainstream games, all about aerial combat in the 41st millennium. 

You can see some of the models, data cards, and Ace Maneuver guides
in this shot. Along with a dozen d6 and a 2-page QRG you're good to go.

It's played on a hex map, with each player employing maybe 3-6 fighters and bombers from the usual W40k factions. Each Faction's fighters have their own peculiarities, and the gameplay really rewards knowing and exploiting your faction's strengths. The turn and movement systems are a lot of fun, and if you can work out the tactical plays (I've still got a way to go!), I can see it very much developing into challenging dogfights rather than games of aerial Yahtzee.

Scoring hits in the game isn't easily done, and you've got to play with altitude and speed while employing "Ace Maneuvers" to get the best attack angles while denying your opponent. If you can tail them, you get an extra opportunity to shoot, so that's a really important goal. Ace Maneuvers are how everyone secretly locks in how they intend to fly during the turn e.g., swooping to a side, doing a U-turn, and a whole lot of others. Different planes can go different heights, and speeds, perform fewer or more maneuvers etc. It only takes 30 minutes to get some appreciation as to what's going on and trying to outfly your opponent.

After a couple of games at the club, I went as far as purchasing a copy myself which I'm currently building and will paint up in due course. It has been a long time since I purchased any 'retail game' - so that should give you a sense as to the potential I can see in it. 

Here's a mates collection that includes a few different releases
including a Forgeworld Ork Bomber (light gray, left-side)
The models are very nice - a great size with just the right 
amount of detail.

The planes' reference cards aren't too overwhelming and while
there's the means to tweak loadouts, it isn't crazy variable.

I couldn't help myself: I've magnetised a few of the planes.
Lots of effort for little in-game reward 😁
that sounds like hobby time to me!