Tuesday 5 May 2015

Casualties. (20mm Britannia)

Well I will admit that the Bank Holiday did give me a little extra time. So here today a little earlier than expected are my latest figures.

Two castings picked up at the Salute show from Andy at Grubby Tanks. They are Britannia 20mm castings which are now supplied by GRUBBY TANKS (Link) These five figures help to round out the Vietnam conflict figures I re-painted, and re-based a couple of weeks ago. It is only in "Vietnam War" wargames rules have I ever needed to worry about casualties being taken to a safe place, be that an aid station or medivaced out to a civilized hospital. Oh and in Afghan war as well now I think on it. Oh and in zombie games, but that really is different!!

So we have a figure carrying another over his shoulder and two figures carrying another between them. Both very characterful figures and totally useable in the "FNG" rules by 2 hour Wargames. Needles to say if a casualty needs taking off table during a game the squad will lose more than just the single casualty, it will require at least 1 more to move them. So suddenly your squad is down 2 fighting troops for the time it takes to get the guy to a safe place. And maybe even then if there is no handy medic to act as a guard until help arrives. It is just another example of how warfare really is and not as we like to play it. I am equally sure in earlier centuries the same thing must have happened! It's just that only from the Vietnam conflict onwards do rules take this into account.

The final picture is just a "Proof" for the local club painting challenge that the figures were painted in this time period and not before. Yes I know that sounds kind of daft, but hey they want some evidence and not to just take each others words. So who am I to argue? It just seems a bit.... well "untrusting!" To me if we don't trust other wargamers then perhaps I or them are in the wrong hobby!

That's all for today. I hope this finds you well. All the best from rainy (today) Kent. Cheers Clint
 

18 comments:

  1. I like to see casualty figures (especially in zombie games) so well done for adding these to your collection.

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    1. Thanks Bryan. I suspect the single figure carrying will get used the most as everyone wants to keep as many fighters in the front line as possible.

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  2. Nice paintwork, they look the business. Have to admit that casualty removal is something that I hadn't given any thought to, but after reading what you've said I think it sounds like a cool mechanic to add to squad-based rules.

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    1. Thanks Roy. Getting your own wounded to safety is vital in todays press driven world. Perhaps less so in ancient times but we are all about playing a game at the end of the day so what works best for you is the right solution. In a squad based game you don't need to move wounded to safety but if you don't you had better win the day!

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  3. They look excellent Clint, nice one!

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    1. Cheers Ray. the first of my Salute figures now painted.

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  4. Love the character of these! Many Vietnam rules include Free World Force casualty aspects, which is very thematic. I quite like rules/scenarios that give VPs to different sides for different conditions. Its not of the great aspects of playing the NVA/VC is that you can charge in heedless of casualties, knowing that the same is not true for your opponent.

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    1. Thanks Paul, I agree the perceived imbalance of firepower does indeed need some addressing and how casualties are dealt with is a very nice way of doing so.

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  5. Always good to see casualty figures. Great job Clint!

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    1. Thanks Bob. As mentioned above it does seem to be only in modern wargames rules that they are used. (With notable exceptions).

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  6. Casualties are certainly an important part of the psychology of modern, western armies (not that they are irrelevant to *any* force throughout history). It's good to see some attention paid to this.

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    1. Thank you C6. The credit for this must go to Britannia for making the castings, If they had not I would have had to use counters or something.

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  7. Nice work on the casualty figures, Clint. I hadn't thought about using them for a zombie game. If Trooper Bloggins has been bitten, I'm not sure I want him on my shoulders when he turns!
    Your club seems to have a rather suspicious mindset!
    Cheers,
    Michael

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    1. Thanks Michael. As for the clubs painting comp, I think I may be pulling out, partially because of the trust issue and partially because of the very poor format they have selected. By that I mean you have to put it all on the club forum which is not picture friendly.

      As for casualties in zombie games being medevac-ed. Firstly it would depend on how fast zombies take to turn from humans to zombies, It would also depend on if the cause was known which may not be the case in the "outbreak" Phase. Thirdly it might also depend on if there was a known cure. If there is no cure being bitten is a death penalty so it would make sense to finish the bitten off as quickly as possible. So all in all until the parameters are set we cannot know if it is an option or not!

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  8. Nice work as always mate.

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    1. Cheers mate that's all I need for my Vietnam figures for a little while.

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  9. They look great very characterful looking additions. People do try it on sometimes though!

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    1. Thanks Brummie. Some people will always try to pull a fast one, but really what's the point!

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