3 more

Yes still on Burpa cavalry, and here are 3 more! I know and yet more to come. 5 more started and one shall be  finished by the time you read this.

I don't usually paint white (Greys)  horses, mostly sticking to various brown so this was a nice change for me. However I do not think I will paint any more for at least 3 months!

For the troops I have tried to stick to realistic colours for the clothing, mostly creams and beige. But with brighter turbans and waist sashes. This gives them more interest and to be honest stops me getting bored! Likewise with the shields. I did have problems with gold Acrylic paint, I always seem to. Therefore on these three figures there is a lack of Gold But I shall try to make it up on the next few, although now I have said that I regret saying it!

The final picture of the three shows all the group so far together. There will be more to coma and I hop to get them done soon, Weather permitting, but we have a 30 degree plus weekend forecast. Therefore I shall try to get most painting done long before the sun pours into this room!


PBB update

I now have the 4 players I wanted all signed up. I did invite 5 as a maximum but 1 declined as the game did not appeal to them. For those 4 I INTEND to send out the rules on Sunday. What is more I do intend to run it one blog post at a time. Which will mean that the game shall be slow but I will only be dealing with one person each post! This should mean much less work and hassle for me! (Fingers crossed!)

Football update:

We still Believe!

Faith has returned at least for now!

Until next time (Sunday I hope) take care have fun and dream big after all it does not cost you any more!

Burpa Cavalry!

Yes that's me back on the painting of Burpas. Thanks to Matt who has found out I enjoy painting these I managed (despite the heat) to finish 2 cavalry. I hope to finish 3 more tonight BEFORE the football.

I suspect they are both Wargames Foundry but do not know for sure. But if I was looking for them that is where I would start as they have that kind of feel to them. Both are 28mm in size and mounted on 25x50mm slotta bases.

There was no cleaning up. Matt does all that before I  get them and for that I am very grateful. Not that foundry usually have much in the way of flash These will help Matts forces grow a little larger. And while only 2 figures shall all help as I have mentioned 3 more are started and 5 more are based and ready for undercoating hopefully tonight!

PLAY BY BLOG (Invite only)

Meanwhile Back at the Ranch! I will admit I have been getting inspired and restless at the same thing. 5 Invites have been sent and so far 2 yes we want to play and 2 no we don't want to play. DAVE STONE if you are reading this check your emails!

I have ran play by blog games in the past with mixed results. This time I am starting very small. INVITE only and so far they have been sent. I may open it up to a few more people ONCE established.

I shall be using the Jimland rules to recreate expeditions in Victorian Africa. Combat will be abstracted as such you will only as a player be told of the results and not the details. For example: the vicious local tribesmen managed to surprise you and killed a porter (carrying food) before they were driven of with significant loss of their own life! You count 3 of the tribesmen slain and know at least as many are wounded.

Like I said keeping it as abstract as possible to make it as easy for me as possible..

I hope to detail the results here and maybe ( no guarantees) they shall do so on their own blogs! Maps will be given to players but until they return to Jim's Landing they will all be open to change. But once they have been back to Jim's Landing then the maps and discoveries can be published and a real map can be issued.

More details of this when it happens.

Dictator!

Today I am finishing my AK47 army.  I did stop playing AK47 when peter pig re-released the rules back in 2009. There fore I doubt I have ever put anything for this on my blog! (NO JOE NOT A NERW PROJECT! but finishing and old one!). In the "New rules" you are allowed a leader and a bodyguard on the table free of any points charge. In the old rules I was always of the opinion that my "General" would be far to busy elsewhere to make an appearance at the actual fighting. That being the case I never used one. But Under the new rules and as they are free points wise I thought I should get one.

So we have 3 stands for the AK47 Reloaded rules. In my head these are subordinates and not the real general but patsy stand ins used to make the Dictator look good. And I can cope with that!

 So 3 extra stands painted. One stand to represent the dictator himself with a single body guard. I have used the name General "Ukoomba" just as a made up name and not wishing to insult any nations language I just used a name that sounded right in my head. If this is a real word and is seen as offensive to anyone. Let me know what language and I will try to change it.

As you also get a stand of Bodyguards free (points wise) I have 3 body guards on a stand. I gave them white berets to make them stand out as I was not happy with any other colours. Green tended to blend in, red and blue already have far to many uses and yellow is hard to paint so White was my choice.

The last stand is a dead dictator. Just because one came in the pack but I cannot see it ever being used after all my armies never loose and my generals never get shot. No sir to even think so would be treason.

PLAY BY BLOG!

Just to make it officially clear I have stopped playing this. For me it was not working. I appreciate the time and effort you guys put in. But I was finding it more a chore than a joy so I have ceased. I do intend to run a game of some kind in the future, but one that is easier to control.

So just want to say thanks to those who were playing.

Turn 3 Klintanistan

First some game news. From this moment on I will be processing turns in the order they arrive.

This means several things. Firstly the international arms market does have a very finite level of resources. And they will be dealt with on a first come first served manner.

Secondly attacks (should there be any ) will also be dealt with in this order, so if you plan any hostile actions. Say for example you want to blow up another players assests perhaps a mine. If that player has already had his turn processed they will still get the money from the territory. This also applies to military attacks so if you want to attack an enemy BEFORE they attack you the turn reaching me first will strike first.

BUT...

And it is a "big but and I can not lie!"

Yes this was a real tank of the period!
And yes it is on a two wheeled trailer.

If you want to spy on another player you will get MORE information if the turn was later  than the person you want to spy on. As I will have not written their turn when I process yours if their turn comes in after your turn.

So from now on it is up to the players to try to balance and second guess what other players might, or might not do!

• I hope this makes it easier for me.
• makes each player plan their turns a little more as the time element is now crucial. As players determine if they want international aid more than information about an opponent.

Rumours and Gossip.

• The GIMP is the saviour of the nation.
• Secret Police are watching your leader.
• Italian contacts are unreliable in the game.
• The Order has the biggest military machine
• There really are NO Dodos honest they are desert eagles flying to the central highlands.
• Millistan is holding a great horse race the winner will be crowned as a prince.
• there is a Royal wedding being planned and no sign of any baby bumps either!
• At least 2 deep water ports have now been started. And more are planned.
• What on earth is Scottie Service?
• Millistan is giving land to soldiers free.
• DI7 is a real thing.
• The above is a lie!
• Franonia is recruiting
• There are now units of female soldiers so if you want any typing done....
• No you did not see a Yeti!
• An assassination is planned on a significant leader of another country.
• The workers hate the Order.
• Lock up your daughters
• There is not and never has been any spies. They are just the 5th column
• Some countries really want to buy more aircraft but no one is selling any.
• America has allied with a country. Don't mess with the Yanks.
• Maulisia is a hell hole do not go their they are likely to eat dodos or so I have heard.
• Canukistan is concentrating on building schools in preference to making an better army.
• The worm is slowly turning.
• At least 2 countries are close to a revolt by the.... Gulp ssshh don't say any more the secret police are everywhere.

That's all folks until nest time !

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.

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

 

 

A call to arms

2 years ago now I played a wargame on this blog with about 10-12 other players. I had fun so those involved will forever have my gratitude. For reasons beyond my control I was unable to play last year.  But this is another year and I would like to give it another go. Another set of rules another setting and another game entirely.

Background.

The country of Klintanistan (a made up imagi-nation Country). Has collapsed leaving a power void into which various leaders and factions push. And push hard. Never a rich country and never at the forefront of world politics Klintanistan was still valuable and had some assets and given the resilience of the people it was a country that could grow. Grow perhaps to be a world leader with as many colonies as Britain or Spain, who knows. All this is the future though and the now is a very different place.

The Location of the country is not needed for the game so feel free to think of it as anywhere you want. Maybe Central America, or the Middle east, Sub Saharan Africa, South east Asia Polynesia or even a country in Europe. (As all the game action will take place within the country it matters not where you think of it!). Just think "Back of Beyond" Somewhere.

Date also need not worry us exactly. The technology is 1930's so yes you can have cars and trains and planes and even submarines.... but you will not be starting with anything quite so flash! Horse drawn vehicles predominate although a few cars and trucks are about they are rare rather than common and most people cannot drive! (at least in this country). ) I am not setting an exact date as we all know that WW2 started in 1939 and we all know that will have a major effect on world politics. Before it happens (if it ever does you will not know). Which is only fair as it will stop people reading ahead and having knowledge of the future. (I do not care if you have Crystal Balls in real life, that is a matter between you and the Doctor!) In this game you do NOT have knowledge of the future..

Each player will control one faction or region or leader or well you get the idea. Each turn you will get to balance your economy! (Very simple and abstract) and issue up to a maximum of 5 commands (commands may be repeated, and most likely will) .  These commands can be anything you like, anything that you think your country or leader would enjoy or approve of. But as all things take time most results will NOT be immediate. (One weeks play represents 2 month of time for the country!)

There will only be 2 seasons (Summer and Winter) with each season being 3 turns long.

I intend to play for 12 weeks (2 years in game) and then asses the situation. Things will probably start slowly as players both find their feet and work out the rules, but with some people you just never know. One player may issue 5 attack orders in the first turn. Which I might personally think Reckless, but you never know might turn out to be the winning strategy.

So all I am looking for at this stage is for bloggers(or Lurkers) to let me know they are interested in playing. (Max 10 to start) BUT some reserves IF a faction rebels against its leader for one rason or another.... it may just happen and then again it may not!)

The Following players already have:

Ray http://onelover-ray.blogspot.co.uk/ Rousell
Fran http://theangrylurker.blogspot.co.uk/ Lee
Michael (the Glorious People's Democratic Republic of Millsystan ) AKA generalissimo Millsy  Mills (NO Yamsin NOT GIMP, behave you!)
Roy http://nevermindthejankers.blogspot.co.uk/ Williamson
Bryan http://vampifansworldoftheundead.blogspot.co.uk/ Scott
Andy http://dagobbosgrotto.blogspot.co.uk/ Goboland (Real name Nash!)
Martin http://28mmheroes.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/house.html Cooke
Dave http://onemanhisbrushes.blogspot.co.uk/ Docherty Playing as The Peoples Undemocractic Republic of Docistan
Matt https://wargamesinthedungeon.blogspot.co.uk/ Crump
J http://lairoftheubergeek.blogspot.co.uk/ Miles


So as you can see there is room if you want to join in.

If you do want to play just leave me a comment below and we will sort out a starting position for you.

All the rules and setting are made up by me and I any resemblance to any persons or countries are purely a lucky guess on my part.

So feel free to make up any name that suits you if you want to play.
Turns will be every weekend so awnsers and turn details NEED to be back to me by FRIDAY at the VERY latest!

Bit of a read I know so sit down with a cup of tea and have a rest.

GAME Now FULL!

I have had a moment of stupidity and will accept the 3 reserve players as full starting players BUT there will be no reserves

This will mean if your economy crashes or your government gets ousted. all goods and belongings will be split among other players.

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.

PBB Game 2 (Zombies?)

I am about to Start PBB game no 2. Having had a couple of false starts I am keeping it small and low key this year, maybe bigger next, who knows.

There are currently 3 slots open for players on a first come first served basis. This will be more roleplay/skirmish than big battle. I will need 3 characters.

1 Troop commander. (yes they will be in charge )
1 Vehicle Driver, (WIMIK)
1 Vehicle Gunner. (40mm Auto Grenade Launcher)

Much like the last PBB game it is all experimental and therefore likely to go wrong so if it does please forgive me. But If you want to play this year you are welcome.

There will be 6 players in all and 3 spaces have already joined.

Cpl. Ian "Coop" (Shelldrake) Cooper, (2ic,)Vehicle Driver
Pvt. Simon "Brum" Quinton 50. Cal Gunner
Pvt. Kasper "Frog" Froberg. (Mechanic or Medic yet to be decided and the Bosses choice, not his!))

I will be using the "TOTAL AR:SE" rules but you do not need a copy as I am happy to give one to you, or they are free on the interweb thingie IF you can find them. (I could not and had to be shown). A couple of rule amendments will need to be made for PBB and Roleplaying, but generally the same rules.

By Roleplaing I am not so interested in every word spoken but in actions of a single figure!

There are some mission clues in the pictures, (nothing at all cryptic) The setting is purely imaginary and is not meant to exist in the real world but some nebulous setting in North Africa or the middle east. IT WILL NOT BE A HISTORICAL GAME

I was hoping to start the game today, but a couple of hand picked players have not managed to get in touch with me hence the open call for 3 more players.

SO If you want to play, Please leave a comment and email me at Clintburnettagain (at)Hotmail(dot) C0m. Please read other comments and if someone before you has asked for a specific role respect them and select another. Every player will be able to try anything maybe just the once though but to a LESSER EXTENT THAN THE SPECIALISTS.

All I need at this stage is 3 players and my first job will be to give you Nicknames suitable for your character and the British army setting.

It is first come first served and I am ready to go. So should start next Saturday with turns each weekend thereafter.

That's it for now. All the best Clint

So it begins Part 1

Well the response from people wanting to play has lifted my spirits somewhat as I was thinking I might have selected a set of rules that were just a tad too challenging. Time (and hair loss) will tell if this turns out to be the case.

Firstly a big thank you to those who have responded a game is only as good as it's players. So cheers guys. Secondly I am still waiting to hear from at least 3 other players who played last year and therefore I have reserved places for them just in case. So the list may be just about complete but I am happy to take reserve places if anyone drops out.

Right on with what I have done! Because of the good weather I am willing to work in the shed. That is not something I choose to do in the winter, it's just too cold! My Jigsaw was indeed "Man enough" to cut the 19mm chipboard it was a struggle and did leave me sweating and swearing, but by taking it slow and clamping the board I was able to cut it quite accurately. Yes I could have used a circular saw but as that has teeth missing I though safety should come first and until I get a brand new blade for it I will not be using it.

I have put the first colours on as well. Using a mixture of Acrylic, poster and emulsion paints I have painted both boards green. Then I found a beige "tester" pot and painted that over the top and blended them together. The result a patchy surface to work from. I like the look of the boards now, but it is only the first step. The paint is on thick enough so none of the board shows through but It also looks like it does because the green is quite weak in tone and the beige is very similar to the boards starting colour. But this is just a base colour as the topographical landscape needs to be added so that you guys are flying over something and not just blank space.

I will not be adding hills in a three dimensional sense so this time out you will not need to climb to get over bumps in the game. Nor will most other features like roads, trenches, streams, towns and shell holes .

That's it for today, just a quick update so you know you are not forgotten. Like I said there are still reserve places in the game but for now the list is closed unless you played last year and have still to get back to me. Fran, Curt, Seb,  and the mysterious Aussie that I have heard through the grape vine wants to play.

Cheers Guys and may the green side not come up too fast!

Take care Clint

Gentlemen* start your engines.

* Ladies are welcome as well.

You may remember that last year I ran a game on my blog. I will be doing the same this year as well. But rather than ships of the Napoleonic Navy I will be using WW1 aircraft.

"Baron Raymond Von Dachs" will be "Leading" the Germans. At this stage I just need people willing to fly with or against him (no you cannot deliberately shoot your own side down, you know who I am talking to!) I have given Michael Mills (aka Millsy) the first choice to lead the forces of the Allies against this Vile Hun. If he chooses not to be involved or not to be a leader or to be on the same side as Ray I will be looking for another to step up. But he is my first choice as he does have an understanding of the rules I will be using. Which really will be a help.

So the Blog game this year will be WW1 dogfights above Flanders.  I will be looking for players on both sides so should you be interested. Ideally I would be looking for 12-20 players each willing to fly a single seat fighter plane for the Autumn-winter of 1917. So if you think you want to play kindly leave a comment letting me know and which side you would prefer. (I cannot guarantee you will get the choice but at least if you tell me I can try to fit you in on the side you would prefer.)


To the right you can see the very first move I have made in making the terrain you will be flying over. But I need to get a new saw blade to cut it. Mine is not "Man enough" to cut the board. Too old, too worn and that's the blade as well as me. I will do a step by step walk through as I make the terrain over the next few weeks. And you may take that picture as the first step. The boards are 19mm thick flooring from an old building project and I have decided to use them as opposed to shelling out hard earned on brand new materials having seen the cost of them at my local DIY store this morning. At this stage you could use board as long as you were confident it would not warp.  So Stage 1 is measure and cut the boards to size and shape.

Back to the planned game. I will be using the Canvas Eagles rules as they are a set I am most familiar with having been shot down over 20 times! If you do not have the rules they are downloadable FREE here http://www.maxeagles.com/index.html

Simply go to the PDF tab and once clicked the rules are on the free PDF page. Just look for the "Main rules" area. There are also all the aircraft play sheets for more aircraft than you will ever need. in a separate download area. To the right you can see my copy of the rules that I have printed and bound, so yours should look like this.

So that is the rules taken care of. I will point out any rules changes before play (there will be a few just to suit the play by blog format.) But I want some pregame training. Yes I have that covered as well. There is a free computer game, BLUEMAX, as well (this makes me sound very organised but it is not my doing.) It is an Italian website which runs a VERY similar game. There are differences but it is a very good place to start. Anyway you will find I here

http://www.youplay.it/default.asp

I fly under the handle "DirtyFoker1" on that site and tend to join in the larger games 8-18 players. So if you want to shoot me down and get some revenge for the pain and suffering I am about to inflict on you. I am in no way the best pilot in any game but I would say I was an OK pilot in that game.

But for the play by blog game I will be running. At this stage I just need a real name, a preferred side, (French, German or British) if you have a STRONG preference for a plane (has to be single seater and in COMMON active service in Autumn/Winter 1917 by one of those nations) and if you want a pilot name or an aircraft name that is also acceptable. (I have Named Rays and it may change when he reads this or he may not.)

As always any questions please get in touch, perhaps leave a comment. If you played in the last game preference will be given this time and those people already know my email address so drop me a line directly.

Players signed up so far: (I will add more as they are known to me)

1. Ray Rousell (German Commander)
2. Michael Mills (Allied Commander) Captain Sir Isembard Mafeking Barking-Madd-Smythe III
3. Dave Docherty. (British erhm colonial foreign chappie!)
4. Peter Douglas (British)
5. Kyle lee (Canadian in British service)
6. Roy Williamson (French)
7. Edwin King (French) Capiteine Reynard "The Flying Fox"
8. Robert Audin (French) No more French for the moment (Unless you are actually French then I will make an exception).
9. Mathyoo (German)
10. Lee Hadley (Germans)
11. JMiles (Any)
12. Phyllion (Any)
13. Tamsin (Any)
14. Michael Peterson (Any)
15. Curt?
16. Seb?
17. Fran?
18. Mysterious Aussie friend of Millsy!

First Reserves.

1. Carl Packham.
2. Kasper Froberg 

RESERVE PLACES ARE STILL AVAILIABLE IF those with question marks drop out!

Thanks for reading and chocks away!

Conclusion and after thoughts of the PBB!

Most important to me is I want/need to thank everyone involved in my first Play by blog game. Without you all It would have been a flop. So Once again I thank you all, from the rabid players to the casual followers. All of you deserve my thanks.

How It started.

STARTING

Right that has got the cringy bit out the way. But I do mean it. It started when in casual conversation with Ray (HMS Badger). When he said he had only played a few games last year. Right I thought let's play a game via the blogs. I had previously played a game on Ian (Shelldrake)'s blog but that was more roleplaying still huge fun but I instinctively knew that Ray was not a roleplayer. So I had a quick think and wondered what type of game I could do. As I knew Alan Abbey and had played my fair share of games of his "Blood Bilge and Iron Balls" and had found the rules instinctive and yet challenging. Most importantly I was familure with them and had a few ships as well as some sea and coast boards I quickly settled on that as the way to go. So I emailed a few bloggers I had dealings with in the past and offered them the chance to play in order to establish a core group. I then advertised it on my blog and invited others to join in. I will admit I got a few more than I was first expecting and as the format of playing a game via a blog had not been tested by me I approached it with no small apprehension. I did think I could make a complete fool of myself. Oh well never mind it has happened before and I have little doubt it will happen again, and probably again after that a few dozen more times! Yeah it's called life.

By using a commercial set of rules I did have the advantage that I was not going to think on my feet. I may well be good at tripping over them but less good at thinking on them. Anyway a couple more people I did not know asked to join and well in for a penny in for a pound. That could be even more people to see me fail. So they were given Frigates because I had run out of painted ships of the line by that stage. I wrote a scenario based on the British keeping the Spanish fleet in port while the Spanish would have to break out and escape of the board.

So It begins.

Having not run a Play by blog game before I was determined to stick to the rules and told the players what the rules were and how to order their ships to move and the priority of their fire. One of the mistakes I did make was starting them all too far apart. The result was the first five weeks or so just straight moving and not a single shot being fired. I consoled myself by knowing that once it did start then it would end quickly. I thought the  first few moves might also allow players to try a few manoeuvres out and get the hand of their ships. Only Captain Lucky Lee did so (HMS Pachyderm) as I had positioned him rather proactively close to land and the Spanish fleet and rather than go in thinking he was superman decided to use his discretion and set a course parallel to the Spanish.

Juggling Cats

For those five or six starting turns all the players were obeying orders and forming battle lines and behaving sensibly. And then the first shots were fired. From then on it was every man for themselves as each captain did their own thing. That is when the game really did become like "heading cats!" At least for me. Great fun. several players did not understand "port and Starboard" and a few mistakes were made mostly leaving them facing into the wind with them wanting to move straight ahead directly into the wind. But let's not dwell on that. I made a couple of errors as well. If you do this yourself and set up a game needless to say try not to do that, but if it happens and sometimes it will so be prepared to say you are sorry and it was your fault. The two players I know it happened to (one on each side) were very understanding about it and the game went on.

Some players gave orders that you knew were the wrong thing to do both in the rules and in history. But that is the joy of the game. As every player has free choice to command their ship as they see fit. Many times players would do something surprising. Things you would know would lead to problems a couple of turns down the line, but that is probably my knowledge of the rules and not their mistake as much. A couple of players were down right suicidal wanting to ram and board enemy ships before they were sufficiently damaged to ensure success.

Conclusion

After 24-25 weeks the battle was finished. Few ships were still intact. Several had struck their colours one had actually sank and two had been captured. Two were not captured in the battle but would have surrounded after the battle due to lack of crew and the close presence of the enemy. It really was close at the end. At about turn 20 I thought it would be a clear Spanish victory. but the British were able to swing the pendulum the other way and the game ended with a minor British Win.

I am not going to sort out Victory points. Mostly because I don't actually like them but also I find them an artificial construct. That said these players dis capture prizes.

Lee Hadley HMS Pachyderm Captured a 64 gun ship of the line and sunk another.
Miles Reidy in a frigate did board and capture HMS Inconsistent for the Spanish
Dave Docherty and Peter Douglas Combined managed to capture a 74 gun ship of the line.(The Spanish Flag ship)
Curt Campbell in HMS Challenge did board SS Pina colada but was beaten off as he just lost too many crew in the assault. As the game ended in a British victory Pina Colada would surrender to Captain Campbell after  the game. If It had been a Spanish Victory HMS Challenge would have struck their colours and surrendered to them. It really could have gone either way on these two ships.

What's next?

Well indeed what is next? I have been asked to write it all up for WBQ and I will attempt to do so. Should I succeed the author and the publishing editor both want to see it.  I know them and have wargamed with them both and count them as friends so not a big deal really just a couple of mates being nosey! And no doubt extracting the urine! Oh yes they will.

Will there be another game?  Well the short answer is Yes. Well not exactly the same as I do not want to do another ship battle that lasts quite so long this year. So I am thinking of another game setting and maybe come back to sailing ships in the following year. The criteria I am working to is a single vehicle, be it air, land or sea based per player. For me this is important as it allows independence among players. So far I have considered Aeronef, aquanef (both Victorian Sci fi) WW2 Tank battles, Modern tanks. giant robots, Modern, WW1 and WW2 Aircraft, as well as ACW, ww1 and WW2 fleet battles, I have even considered GZG Full thrust! So there really is a lot of choices but luckily I do not have to decide just yet. They really do all have both advantages and disadvantages. One thing I know for sure is that the more choices I offer the more varied the answers I will receive as we all like different things. It also needs to be based on a simple set of rules that I am familure with. I would even consider squad level infantry actions but that will need to be tackled in a very different way. So feel free to suggest any period/setting you like as you never know it just might spark my interest.

When you ask? Well I was thinking beginning of July. As that would give me long enough to recover and push the "RESET" button! Both of which I really do need to do.

I realise todays post has been incredibly self indulgent and I thank you for struggling to the end. Even if you just skipped to the end as far as I am concerned thank you and well done.

On to the next game. Cheers Clint. Paint monkey is getting bored and I really do need to get some more figures finished for the challenge.  2 entries ready so far this week but very small ones no bombs that is for sure.

It is all over now!

Firstly let me get my apologise out of the way. I am sorry this is a day late I just had real life get in the way and lost track of time.

This is the final turn of my first PPB Game and I will just write up the actions of the turn. Next weekend I will do a break down of what worked and what didn't. Victory points and a conclusion. So just hold on till then before offering congratulations and commiserations.

I also need to apologise to Lee as last turn I turned his ship the wrong way. Totally my fault as I turned it right instead of left that he ordered. It had no impact this turn but it so easily could have and Lee was very understanding and there was no speaking of walls and being lined up when the revolution came.

The turn sequence had the Spanish moving first and then the British shooting. This worked both for and against them.  Only one ship was able to shoot but it was sufficient in a David and Goliath way to make another ship strike it's colours.

So here is the final situation. It has taken nearly 6 moths to reach this outcome. And a really big thanks for all those that have followed it and more thanks to all the players for taking part each is very valued in their own way.

 Unicornico turns so that she has enough of the wind to move. While HMS Badger now back in British hands still does not have sufficient fighting crew to continue having struck its colours much earlier in the game. HMS Inconsistent (now in Spanish hands) is down to a single mast and in a bad way. But still able to sail.

 HMS Cutlass a frigate manages to get the only shot of the turn completely de-masts San Francis which can only turn AND does enough crew hits to render San Francis unable to carry on and she therefore strikes her colours. Just before she can fire back. (which would have hurt HMS Cutlass quite a lot).

 HMS Agamemnon Sails out of arc of fire and heads towards HMS Pachyderm and El Interceptor.

 Mecedes heads directly towards a shoal but is out of arc when Pachyderm gets the opportunity to fire so escapes this turn un harmed.

Captain Hadley sets himself up perfectly to Bow rake El Interceptor next turn. However El Interceptor is within one turn of escaping from the board with very little damage. So with all the Spanish ships of the line either escaped or captured and only two frigates and a prize left on the board I feel little choice in calling the game over.

Due to the damages and lost ships and of course prizes I have to acknowledge this as a MINOR British Victory. 4 or 5 weeks ago I would have thought it was going to be a Spanish Victory.

Well played everyone. I have had a blast sorting the game out and I will sum the game up next weekend.

All the best Clint