Starting to BoB

This is the start of my Back of Beyond (BoB) force. Here are 2 " frontline" trucks from the WW2 range AND THIS IS A LINK. These are both miss-cast (so I get them free sometimes). I have decided to do BoB not in the usual 28mm scale but in the more familiar 20mm or 1/72nd scale. The reasons are clear to me. Firstly I do have the terrain already at that scale and secondly a club member (Tim) makes all the figures and vehicles I need. Okay that is a very slight exaggeration he does not make Chinese warlord or Afghan troops. But almost every thing else.

I shall be picking up an order from him at the club tomorrow. Which should give me almost all of a single force I need

Back to these trucks. I THINK (but do not know) they are both Russian of the era, The one on the Left I think is a Gaz AA truck which I think was a copy of the Ford Model A built under licence in Russia. While the one on the right (I am more confident) is a Zis  5v  Lorry. Both have a French inspired great war camouflage pattern. In the BoB any colour scheme is accepted and no one complains if the varnish on the buttons is the correct shade or that the epilates are the correct hue. This is because no one really knows and what is more no one really cares. So if that is your kind of thing within wargaming good luck to you, but you will not find it here (on this blog or this setting). The advantage of painting them like this is 2 fold. 1 I can then use them for Spanish Civil War without the thought of a repaint and 2 they are as likely t be correct as ANYTHING else. yes I could have painted them a dull green for the Russian front in WW2, but where is the fun in that.

Rules wise I will be using "Triumph and Tragedy" which I purchased last weekend. And being really honest I think they are good. Simple and clear and while not a competitive set of rules, I for one, do not think the setting and period call for a set that is competitive. So not for rules lawyers at all. Which suits me. I am not planning on doing a rules review other than they are 40 pages long and soft cover.  They cost me £12.00 and as far as I am concerned good value for money. Yes there are things missing but what set of rules do we not think that about. Anyway I hope to have a BoB game by the new year (or there abouts) and will show my treasures tomorrow (figures I got from Tim).

That's it for now. More BoB talk soon, I hope, maybe a bit more tomorrow when I post the Zombtober post and my club loot.

Until then have fun and enjoy as much as you are able.

The Good the bad and the Ugly

Starting with the Good.

I was at the wargames club yesterday and I had done a deal with Matt. I am now the (Semi) Proud owner of a LOT of unpainted lead. Yay me! WE all like lead and this is something I am after in particular. About 2 and a half armies of un painted 6mm American Civil War lead, all Irregular miniatures and knowing Matt more ACW siege cannon that any club member could ever waggle a stick at. Ok Only about 8 guns in all but all whopping great siege guns in 6mm. I am only mentioning the siege guns as I have never seen them in a game of 6mm ACW.  There are also a LOT of Infantry and Cavalry and quite a few artillery. SO we now all know what I have planned for the next Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge..... Most if not all the troops are undercoated already in a dark grey so I will probably re-undercoat in a lighter grey. And that is the good out of the way. But a very nice Good as far as I am concerned.

The Bad. Well there are a couple of bads really. The local council are looking to change the classification of the charitable status of the hall which may mean that after 30 years we are forced to either close the club or move the club. Only time will tell what happens so .... Moving on.

The second Bad is that I have not yet finished the latest turn in the Klintanistan Game. Sorry guys real life (and the rugby). I make no excuses, I just did not get round to it. The good news is the one person who got their turn in 2 hours after the deadline will not be penalised in the game now. I will get the turns ready end sent out NEXT weekend. Sorry about that just realife stuff getting in the way.

Now the Ugly. It is ugly because I forgot my Camera. At the Club yesterday Graham and Richard (called Dick in the club) played a game against Matt and myself. We played "Bloody Barons" by Peter Pig and while Matt and me were Yorkist, Dick and Graham were Lancastrian. here are some of the highlights.

1. Poor dice rolls meant we were Defending.
2. Dick has the King arrive and fight on his side. (darn it)
3. First shot (Artillery) Matt manages to kill an enemy Household cavalry stand. No saves versus cannon so just blown away.
4. Lots of our troops do not arrive in time for the start of the battle.
5. Treachery means that a Lancastrian Noble considers changing sides and he need persuading to join the fight. This means our left wing is not under pressure at the start of the game. But he can join the fight 2 turns later. But te left wing did have a breather.
6. I Fail to moyivate any troops for four turns in a row.... 2d6 with 2 or 3 being no motivation.... yeah bad dice rolls what can I do.
7. Matt makes an inspiring defence of a town. Matt in the town only had levy troops and mostly archers. Yes being charged in the flank and being attacked by retinue quality troops managed to first hold the charge in one turn and then beat them off. being beaten by levy must have hurt them as they then failed a morale check and routed from the field. Three cheers for the levy troops.
8. The following turn The Lancastrians attack the centre (again commanded by Matt I was still twiddling my fingers due to lack of in game motivation). Again a Brilliant defence saw Matts Retinue troops beat of lance armed Houshold heavy cavalry in the open. And as a bigger surprise they also routed from the field. Bye bye Lancastrian cavalry. Another brilliant defence by Matt.
9. A Lucky (and I do mean lucky and not skilled) opportunity shot by my unmoving retinue unit close to the centre manages to kill the KING. (I called myself Kingslayer at every opportunity from then on!)
10. I finally manage to motivate myself from now on.... Honest Matt it was the Dice I was not holding back despite what the opponents were saying. (It Really was the dice).
11. I send my retinue from the laft most side of the hill and engage Dicks Retinue. As a peculiarity of the rules Once combat is met you can decide to carry on with your turn OR to fight it out there and then. I chose to carry on with the turn.
12. The Yorkist cavalry motivate and being household troops get D6+1 action points. I rolled and got a six. So I sent them charging into a levy unit which had come out into the open. (This was the reason for my delay in sorting out the combat, as if I had failed to motivate or failed to motivate sufficiently I could have moved the Cavalry into a supporting position.)
13. Crash band wallop. heavy armoured Knights against a peasant levy (Yes things could have gone terribly wrong but instead 5 enemy bases removed and no casualties to myself. The Levy routed from the field immediately.
14. This bolstered me and with no side support the Lancastrian Retinue that my retinue wee fighting Also lost the fight and were swept away as well leaving the left wing with but a single unit to fight my pretty much undamaged horde.
15. The Center Hill does get taken despite Matts best effort and they are pushed off of the hill. But as Mat was facing at that point 3 enemy units to the 1 he had irt was only really a matter of time. And matt manages to bring the last of our LATE reserves on just where they are needed and hold the line.
16. The countdown clock reached the allotted time and the game was over.

We only had enough time left to pack up and not to work out victory points but it was clear to all players that the King was now dead and the House of York still had an intact army. The Lancastrians only had about 2/5ths of the starting bases left.

And that was the battle we fought yesterday. I know you would have liked some pictures but All MY fault, I have no camera phone (nor wish to have one) and I forgot the camera on the day. All I can say is sorry about that.

Klintanistan turn 2

All the turns should be sent out. I dread sending the wrong turns to the wrong players but feel it will happen at some times. Anyway here are a few lies and a few truths and a few romours about what is Going on.

here goes....remember not all you read is true or even by other players....but some are.

The Order is a religious movement that has taken over one of the countries. No possible good can come from this.

One country has discovered a precious metal deposit, but I am not saying who.

The dodos were fake it was all a scam to dupe game hunters.

Rayolia has collapsed and no longer functions as a state GreedyKlint has swooped in and seiezed control.

Russia has withdrawn its support from Centralandesh.

This winter will be very harsh and many of the poor are not expected to survive.

 One country has 2 armoured trains.

harvest festivals are currently being held because of a bumper crop.

Germany does not now nor ever has done have designs on foreign powers.

Mills1stan has the largest army. So large that every man woman and child is now bearing arms.

Secret police are everywhere, you may think it was a cat you heard last night but you are wrong.

Docistan has the most content workers.

There is bandit trouble in Franonia travellers are advised to stay clear.

Someone is building a deep water port.

Japan is only willing to trade with countries that have copper or Iron deposits.

Docistan has a viable air force and has even allowed normal people to fly their planes.

Go to Goboland they welcome heath tourists!

Goboland do not welcome health visitors except from their own people.

Scottlandia has the highest levels of literacy among the ladies on the continent.

Spies have been seen in several countries you are advised not to wear trench coats even in the winter.

Franonia has now paid the army and with a healthy bonus as well.

One country is building a deep water port.

The national flag of Klintanistan used to be 3 vertical stripes (Blue white blue) with a gold crown.

Gimp is a real thing!

It is impossible to knit with camel wool.

Zyder tastes very refreshing but who is Zyder and why would I drink them.

Calm before the storm

Well the title says it all. Tomorrow I will start to process turn 2 of the Klintanistan game. So I wanted something quick and easy and to be honest something I did not really care too much about to paint. So here is a Battletech Zeus model.

It is cast in a really unfriendly plastic to cut and paint and is not even one of my favourite Battletech mechs. But despite my dislike it is not a bad battletech mech. It does have a variety of weapon systems long Range Missiles, and Autocannon (5) for long distance shooting Large and 2 medium lasers for short ranges and medium ranges  and sufficient armour to withstand many if not all return fire. I think my main criticism is that for an assault mech it just does not have a knockout punch in any weapon system which does give it a rather ambiguous role in a mech lance. At 80 tons it has average speed and manouver nothing too slow and nothing to fast. To me it seems like a mech that has no firm purpose but tries to do several roles. As such it does all the roles in a half hearted manner.

Just my opinion of the mech and I do know when played well it can be effective, But if you are going to have an assault mech you want a brawling mech and not a multi role mech. Well that is how it has always played in my games.

Not a very exciting post today. But I am trying to clear the work bench as I have several things started and nothing much near compleation.

Currently on the table is a piece of terrain that I hope will come out good enough to cast in resin and that is taking it's time. 10 Burpa Cavalry, Some 20mm Russian civil war figures, and a few 15mm Sci Fi figures that I bought at the Selwg show and a single Sikh in 28mm  . So lots of things started and nothing finished except this mech for now. But with luck next week there should be a few interesting things finished.

Before I go Roy has been publicising the Klintanistan game. Click this link to find out just a little more. LINK ... This was put on By Stu at Col Bills I am told and that is not actually the Klintanistan flag officially. But I am happy for it to be labelled as such and you are welcome to make your own flags up for Klintanistan given it's fractured state.

That is it for today. Thanks for looking. All the best Clint

A Few More Burpas.

Yes I know even more Burpas. Again these are for Matt. Mostly a gun and crew and a few extras. As usual they do come from a variety of sources mostly Foundry and Empress I am told. But I did not buy them so I cannot verify this at all without a lot of internet searching.

This little lot was actually finished before the Selwg show but have taken a while to surface on the blog due to other commitments.


 If you Know Matt you will Know he likes his artillery. This just gives the Burpas a single gun, but one can imagine they will like it as it does give them some "Heavy" support.  As long as I am not expected to carry the gun across the mountains I am happy to paint it for him. But Carrying it across mountains does just seem like hard work to me so I will pass.

So one gun and 6 crew, which should be enough for a serious rate of fire, assuming they know what they are doing. But you can easily take the commander and spotter away and use them for something else.

OPPS

Just a quick apology I seem to have made a mistake on the Klintanistan Game and there should be some more money in the countries accounts. Not all countries. The Problem vcame as my hand written notes were absent during the turn process and I was having to look for them and write turns at the same time. Thay have now turned up and I Promise to adjust your treasuries (where accounts were wrong) this turn. It is important to say that no one is getting less money.

Teething problems and I will rectify as fast as I am able.

A Thank you and a Thank you.

I forgot my Camera at the club yesterday so no AAR, which is a shame.  So no The men who would be Kings pictures although I was wiped out to a man in the first game but was still in fighting shape by the end of the second which was counted as a draw.

But that is not the reason for todays Post. Firstly it was not my Birthday (that is still to come this year). I did however receive 2 very welcome presents.

Here is the first.

A gift from Roy over at http://nevermindthejankers.blogspot.co.uk/ which is the Colonel Bills blog run by Roy.

This is a Beltfed miniature and for me will fit right into the Very British Civil War Troops I have. very nicely painted I do not think anything needs changing at all she will fit right in.

So many thanks to you Roy very much appreciate.
















My other gift was from Matt the guy I do a lot of painting for. Having seen my blog  and the Judge Dredd figures a couple of weeks ago he donated another Ape gang. Unpainted of course but this does give me enough Apes to put together a proper Large Ape gang. And we all like ape gangs don't we... Oh yes we do! This could be a subtle way of him saying that he wants some JD games in the near future and I shall try to make that happen now.

The picture shows my UNOPENED ape gang boxed at the top and then Mats opened and very welcome gift underneath.  This should give me more than enough apes to cause a couple of Judges trouble.

So while no AAR there is at least a pile of lead and a well painted figure. All of which is good as far as I am concerned.

Thanks for looking today and with luck more goodies to show come Wednesday.

All the best Clint

Turn 1

By the time you read this I will have processed the first turn and sent them back. (that is my next task, before breakfast.).

Most importantly everyone who sent a turn in did something I was not really expecting. As well as turning in great turn sheets and actions some of the ideas were just brilliant and not what I would have thought of at all.

So a big THANK you to the Players.

2 Players did NOT get thir turns in on time so I will say again the DEAD line is 12 (midnight) o'clock Friday night Greenwich Mean Time. As it takes about a1/2 hour (usually more) to process a turn (I expect time will go more swiftly when I get in the swing of the game) and as I have 13 players this games does take up a full and fun day for me. One of the rason it takes so long is that I have to cross check all the countries actions with the turn sheet and make sure no one is doing something that the other is either not aware of or Needs to be aware of.  Do not think it is too much work as the rewards I get from doing this are great.

Enough chat what is Happening.

Klintanistan update: Speculationn  and rumour's. (some are true some are partially true and some are completely fictitious It is up to you to come to your own conclusion..

A nationwide talent search has taken place to find a truly great folk singer to inspire confidence respect and loyalty in one of the factions. A country wide tour has just started and the workers are particularly over joyed with this treat.

Franonian Troops are currently selling their rifles. As poverty strikes this faction the troops are selling anything they can in order to  buy their next meal, but tax collectors are still taking the taxes from the factions populace.

This is completely true, honest! there are no secret police in any former part of Klintanistn. You may speck freely on any subject anywhere you choose.

There is currently a shortage of geologists in Klintanistan maybe a university might invest in creating a course for them to excel at this might lead to better mining opportunities.

Several Trade and diplomatic representatives have been seen in Europe eager to shake hands and approach more 1st world countries. Some of these delegations seem overly happy, perhaps they are enjoying a holiday.

The secret police are everywhere! No one expects the Klintanistan inquisition!

More secret "Gulag" style Mines have opened in the region these last 2 moths then ever before.

Millistan is spreading stories in order to give countries misinformation.

France has sent military aid in the form of vehicles to klintanistan and while no one is completely aware of the destination they will confirm that they are of a military nature.

Conscription has been introduced in some of the faction.

The Rich are getting Richer and the Poor, well no one cares about them so what does it nmatter.

Rayolian Troops have been extorting money from their own population without any official backing.

The Last breeding Pair of Dodo has been discovered and many are flocking to the area eager to acquire them for zoos or a circus. After all if there is two there are probably more.

Ducanistan now has an air force. small at present but definitely bigger than any other Klinanistan Nation!

Great archaeologists have found a lost city. details are scarce and it is not made public the location as yet but it may be Roman or Hittie or even Atlantis the more extreme news papers report (but very few are believing the Atlantis story only crackpots) unless of course you know better.

The Dredging of a harbour is taking place and it is expecting that deep water cargo vessels will start to transport bananas from Klintanistan to Europe.

Japan has shown some excitement about these new fledgling countries.  At present it is not known why but perhaps it sending humanitarian aid to them. Or perhaps they are exploiting them for raw resources.

Cavalry troops are being introduced by more than one country despite the trench warfare of WW1.

3/4 of the countries have now introduced conscription, looks like someone is expecting trouble.

A gold mine is somewhere in the lands but is being kept very secret for fear the country will be attacked. I do not know where it is but I do know it is not here more is the pity.

Crates labelled "Maxim" have been seen on the Russian Docks in the Ukraine. maybe Maxim is a womans magazine. (like you will believe that one!)

Mexico has also sent a trade delegation to Klintanistan Probably looking to support the more left wing countries their.

One country is building a fleet of Trade airships to better export things in bulk to Europe.

Like I said some of these are true others are less true or even just wild speculation. have fun reading and with luck your turn sheet will arrive soon.

All the best Clint

The cartoons are just for fun and do not represent any player in the game, Unless of course you know better.

ALL TURN RESULTS NOW SENT

So if yours has yet to arrive and you have already checked the junk mail
Drop me a line and I will resend it

Klintanistan Starting territories.

Thanks to the Brave 13 (players) and STOOPID 1 (me) we are about ready to start. You should have had 2 emails from me, One concerning how to fill out turn sheets and one with starting territories,But if you are playing and have not you need to contact me as soon as possible.

I can be contacted at Clintburnettagain(@)Hotmail(.)co(.)uk
Just take the brackets out and it should get to me.

I will email back to make sure I have a link to you.

So each player starts with 5 territories. At the game start they are NOT secret. You all have lived in Klintastan for a while and all know the locations of certain things.

The starting territories are:

1. Grain, Grain, Livestock, Livestock, Game hunting.                 Roy Williamson
2. Grain, Livestock, livestock, Coal, Timber.                                                Bryan (Vampi) Scottlandia
3. Friuit, Grain Grain Livestock, livestock                                                     Phillion
4. Fruit, Livestock, livestock, livestock, Livestock.                                     Millsy Democratic Republic of Millsystan
5. Grain, Grain, Livestock, Livestock. Livestock.                                         Ray The badger
6. Fruit, Fruit Grain. Livestock Livestock.                                                     Andy Nash Goboland
7. Fruit, Grain, Grain, Livestock, Coal.                                                          Miles Ubergeek "Great Republic of 'Murica-Stan" or GRM for short.
8. Fruit, Grain, Livestock, livestock, Game Hunting.                                  Fran (angry Lurker) Franonia
9. Fruit, Fruit, Fruit. Livestock Livestock.                                                      Martin Cooke  Malusia
10. Fruit. Grain. Grain. Livestock.  Timber.                                                    Peter Douglas
11. Fruit, Grain Grain, Livestock, Livestock.                                                   Mathyoo
12.  Grain. Grain. Grain. Copper Copper.                                                        Matt  Crump Penrithistan
13. Fruit, Grain, livestock, livestock. Coal.                                                     Dave Doc The Peoples Undemocractic Republic of Docistan

I have included any names I know after the player. And no there is not a competition to make me type the longest name! Although you might wonder with Millsy and Dave Doc. (I bet I am not the only person that worries about them both!)

Names may change and typefaces are because I cut and paste them from different sources.

It may look like some starts are better than others. You are free to think that and act accordingly perhaps by cheering or booing them in the comments. But they were all generated randomly and if someone seems to have an advantage in something I feel sure one or more players WILL attack them in some way.

As always any questions I will try to awnser as best I can without breaking any confidences. SO DO NOT ask what has player x done this turn! But I know you will not do such a thing  anyway.

First turns to be in by MIDNIGHT GMT Friday NEXT week!

 

best of luck guys

Cheers Clint

 

 

Sikh Medical and machine gun teams (and PBB game news)

 Yes some more 28mm figures for Matt. Something to fight the Burpas!

In the top two pics I have no idea of the manufacture (neither dos Matt) as they were purchased from eBay as bare metal. The sculpts were not so very good, And the figures seem quite tall. So If you know who makes them let me know as they seem to do some interesting stuff and we all need troops moving wounded figures and carrying stretchers.

they have been painted to fit in with some other troops of his that I painted a few years ago. So while the colours might match the figures really do not. As most of the rest of his Sikh troops are Foundry. And I find Foundry just that little bit small (25 as opposed to 28mm).

Talking of foundry the figures in the last 2 pics are foundry (or so I believe) but maybe with a head swap on the Machinegun team.  Again painted to colour match his existing figures. But the rocks and ground work should be a little pinker (I painted the wrong base colour) if it was to be a perect match. But unless you place them next to each other you will not notice, and even if you do, rocks are natural so some variety will exist.

Along with the machine gun team (now in pointy Turbans) there are 2 buglers. And these should round out Matts forces quite nicely (at least until Sunday when I see him next!)

Change of Subject!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On Saturday I plan to ask for players in another Play by blog game. I could not put a play by blog game on last year and did so miss it. I am not going to make excuses it is just that real life got in the way. All my fault and until I get a more economical time machine not a lot I can do about it!
So the planned game is a geopolitical game set in the 1930's . No exact date or place given as I know some of you are fierce history buffs and that may affect play.
I have already contacted some players and all responses have so far been positive and places are filling up. In this game you will be the leader of a faction in the now fragmented "Klintanistan." (a Kingdom which has lost its leader). So that is just a heads up and an acknowledgement of Saturdays (Weekend) post.

Thanks for looking today. All the best Clint. Ex President for life of Klintanistan.