The player then moves the plane to the target using the number pad keys, and on each turn may ascend or descend in 5,000 foot increments.

This tradition was started by the 8th Air force flying personnel as a mark that separates the fledgling from the battle hardened survivor of 25+ combat missions.

The crush cap identified its wearer as an experienced pro, and was as much a part of his identity as his leather flight jacket.

The wear of the "50 Mission" cap is prohibited in the current USAF, since headsets are no longer worn over headgear.

Antic in 1985 liked 50 Mission Crush's detailed combat simulation, ease of use, and quick game play, but criticized the "very simple" graphics, slow speed, and overreliance on random events over skill.

In a 1987 article for Computer Gaming World in which he recounted incidents from his World War II career that playing the game reminded him of, the author stated "it was all there: bomb load, ammo load, gas load, route out, fighter escort, flak at the target, cloud coverage, bombing accuracy, battle damage, fuel and ammo conservation, route back, more fighter encounters and finally, 'enough fuel to make it across the pond?'

[3] A writer for the magazine, however, rated the game two of five points that year, calling it "realistic but dull, with little room for player abilities".