AK 47 Tank Ok a JS2

For those that do not know AK-47 is a set of rules by Peter Pig. I have tried the newer set (still quite old now) and do not like them. I do however like the old AK rules. I also think the club would benefit from a continuous game. ( I am reluctant to use the word campaign as they seem to think we will play the same set of rules every time, and let's be honest we all want a change). So on Sunday I will propose starting an AK 47 series of games.

I hope to set it up like one of my old necromunda campaigns so people an drop in and drop out as the whim takes them. And yet still have consistency of groups and people. BUT no you will not be able to control more than 1 African faction. As a side note Shame Fran is not in the area as I really do think this would be his sort of game as it usually is devoid of hedges but does nave other things to hide behind.

Anyway this is a Zvedzda 100th scale (therefore many use them as 15mm) JS2 heavy tank used by a great deal of countries around the world in the 1970's . Painted in a fictional colour scheme which I think is suitable for Africa (You are of course free to disagree but Africa is rather large and it does have a WIDE variety of terrains).
The model went to together very easily and despite my best instincts really was fool proof. I will be interested in getting another of these just to give me some variety of units and Knowing the rules having a "professional" quality tank on the table costs a lot of points BUT does tend to scare the opponents in AK terms.

That's it for today. next time either more about the campaign proposal or far more likely some Vikings. Until then take care have fun and roll some dice like you are a dice rolling fiend intent on winning.

WIP and Spendz.

Yes it has been a SLOW week wargames wise. However here are the first Work -in-Progress (WIP) photos of the Dieselpunk project. I HASTEN (Capitals and underlined) to add that is only the rough and is subject to change  in a very big way. In fact I have reached this stage before and scrapped it all so I am aware that it may happen that way again.

The "donor" vehicle is a Matchbox "Yesteryear truck and equates to about 28mm. All good so far. I have to add some armour to the sides and a turret and maybe a mine or oils slick dropper to the back. I will have to see as I get closer to completion.  The biggest problem of course is that each panel is a 3d curve so it has to be cut and shaped separately, tried in place and then attached with superglue. It's tricky time consuming and frustrating BUT when it is finished I am sure it will look very Dieselpunk and will become a much cherished vehicle, even if it is horrible in game terms. As for game terms we will just have to wait and see. I have at this stage NO clue how it will do.

Wargmes Terrain Workshop
A great display
I am told Dave is a regular
visitor to the shop
so if he wants to meet face to face one time
just let me know and we will
make it Happen.

LUCID EYE
in sock

You may remember that 2 weeks ago we (as a club) could not attend a local show due to the POOR weather. So I thought I would cheer myself up and have a little spend. I was of course in Rochester Wargames and model Railway shop.  They seem to have a lot more stock in most of it of interest to me

LUCID EYE (LINK) are now stocked. A figure range I have seen on eBay but not in the "Flesh". If youi do not know the range click the link to find out more.

The shop has also started to stock 15mm figures. WW2 Flames of war has been in stock for ages, but now some ancients and I must say BRAVO for that.

I was also interested to see some 15mm Vietnam stuff. I am VERY picky about Vietnam wargames so I did not get any. However it is a pleasure to see it  among the usual GW fodder.

No I did not look for necromunda. I meant to just forgot.

Here is what I did buy!

• A 1/100th scale JS 2 This will be a quick add to my AK 47 force for battles in Africa. After all we all need some heavy tanks!
• A pack of Savage Core (lucid eye) figures. More of these when I paint them. I hope to start them this week
• 2 pots of much needed paint
• A rules supplement. I had to import this from America, took about 9 working days and is the supplement I really wanted for "Force on Force" but was never able to find in this country. (sold out was the most common answer) again more on this (but so far not able to put down) in an upcoming post.

Well that' it for today I promise to get on with some hobby stuff today after I make the Roast Dinner (No none for you) wash up and then paint the kitchen cupboards. So that is my day planned out.

All the best Clint. Have a good day folks.

progress is slow.

It is kind of like 1 step forward a massive re think 4 steps to the right, 1 step back, 2 steps to the Right and a few inches forward and then a load of doubt! You get the idea.

So instead of making scenery/terrain I painted up possibly the easiest things imaginable. Which is to say 2 "Tire Trips" from Ainsty Castings (Oh go on here is a LINK).  Will they be used? The awnser is Yes, I already have 2 ideas for them as I restart today my Dieselpunk idea.

In case you cannot see each base is 2 tires sunk 1/2 way into the ground. As I start to take a single step to the left it is possible I might have a WIP post next! Ahh but what for, that is the question!

So until next time a very indecisive Clint out for now and maybe back in a day or 2.

All the best Clint

ECW again

This just about brings my excision into ECW to an end. Yes I still have a few figures to paint only 1 pore Pikeman and he is missing a pike. (I shall replace the pike and then get him painted) and 4 more with shotte, but I have enough for now and that is all I need. (For now). I will get the others finished at some point, just not the foreseeable future.


 So we have 2 more shotte and 1 more pike. I  have enjoyed painting them and that is a wonderful thing for me as I have spent about 40 years avoiding the ECW in all wargames. So you never know maybe it is time to dip my toe.

All the figures are 28mm Warlord games and come from a single sprue. They are intended by me to be for En Garde but may well end up being used for another propose , time will tell. They are on 25mm square slotta bases. I just used what I had and the overall effect is acceptable to me. And that is the main thing after all. I am not looking to win any prizes except my own happiness. Perhaps that is the biggest Prize.

 As soon as the weather picks up I do intend to start making some scenery. So as this is officially the first day of spring I hope to get on with that very soon. I checked in the shed yesterday I think I have enough mateerials for a 4' square board. If so I will document it step by step on the blog.

Thanks for looking today and more again soon I hope. All the Best Clint

Snow stops play! So cattle instead!

Yes you did read that correctly. The snow is not so bad and we should be putting a game on at a show today. However we are not, nor are we having a club day either. Although the snow is not too bad the Ice is pretty bad. bad enough to have a local weather advisory saying we should only travel if it is nessercary.

So instead here are some "Warbases" Highland cattle. they are 28mm and come in a pack (of 3, those shown) for £4 which I think is quite reasonable for what you get. And if/when I need more I shall be happy to get some at that price.  The horns come separate so need to be attached but they go together very easily. Painting is equally easy. And as a consequence they group are easily finished in a day, including bases.

Over all a very quick and easy addition to the model collection and while they will not be in many games I am sure they will make a table appearance soon enough.

That's it for today. Not sure what next, either ECW or Vikings most likely. So until then take care paint if you can and roll some dice if you get the opportunity.

All the best Clint

Longships 1 (blue and orange)

Yes I have finally grasped the nettle and started my "Longships" force. Let me start by saying Longships is a se of rules by Peter Pig. Not the best set of rules but I have honestly played a LOT worse. Each force has to be 5 units (plus Skirmishers) and cannot be more than 400 points so you never need to paint far to many megalomaniac armies!

Each unit needs a leader @20 points x 5=100 points) each unit needs at least 3 Unarmoured stands.3x8 = 24 points (x5) totals 120.) So far you have spent 220 points out of the 400.  Therefore there are not so many choices.

On with the painted figures. These all come from my 40 year old Viking army so they are old figures. As such some will be saying I remember while others will be scratching their heads and saying "I have never seen... " Most of these figures are by TTG (Tabletop Games) at least 2 are Minifigs and one is Two Dragons. For those that really want to know.

I have painted them up with Blue and Orange shields so I can easily identify the units (and not historically accuracy). So a game convention and not one with any provenance!

Not the very best painted figures, but they will do for a game so further detail was not needed.

That is it for today. Thanks for looking and more again soon.

Epiphany (well sort of)

Ok that might be over doing it. (and It may be spelt wrong) but you get the idea. The figures are 20mm SHQ purchased at the recent Cavalier show (on Impulse). Personally I like 20mm figures and I like SHQ Miniatures and I like Cold war wargaming. Thus for me it is a shame they will possibly never get used.

I know the kind of wargame I want and have never found the correct rules. You can imagine what I wanted looking at the pic on the left. I have even looked into making and casting the "Iron Cow" Yes Bryan I know if I ever do you want one in 28mm scale. I know this. But I would be working in 20mm IF I ever did it, or maybe in 15mm depending on the other manufacturers and what they make to fit in as opposition. But my plan has always been 20mm.

Anyway that will have to wait. Probably till I die and someone else does it! So hold your breathe if you want but I would not advise it!

OKAY so why the Epiphany? Well while looking for some suitable "The Zone" rules I can across "Black Opps" by Osprey. Now I will admit they would be kind of suitable, but they would need a few tweaks to get the flavour right. What they would suit is Vietnam. Now the Vietnam conflict is just my thing and I have 2 forces ready to go. In fact they are itching to get going and have been for a LONG while. In a weeks time I do have a Veitnam game (Peter Pig rules) at a show. Personally I do not like these rules as I feel they are more about the game than the conflict. Yes I have looked at SEVERAL other sets of rules Including (but not limited to) FNG, Buckle for your dust, Body Count, Force on Force, Skirmish Sangin, Specte and even Flames of War. None of them quite give what I am after. FNG is closest but I do not like the mechanics as they come across as unwieldy. However "Black Opps" is the right scale (about a squad) easy to explain and use and should I hope, give a good Vietnam game. So that is my plan at this stage.

Thanks for reading my babble. next time some Vikings. (I hope)

German Heavy Infantry

Of course the German heavy infantry is robotic, efficient and uncaring. That goes without saying. (It is not true of the German people I have met! at least no more true than the English in my opinion). They are of course Ironclad Miniatures (LINK) and they could be any nationality of robot but for my force they just happen to be German. There is no badge or insignia so feel free to use them as any nation that you wish!

They are armed with a variety of unknown weapons. I have taken 2 to be burners as Robots tend not to suffer from burns and heat quite as much as a human. ! weapon is a rifle, No reason why they cannot use human weapons. The last weapon is big and chunky and is well I do not know what. But it should count as a heavy weapon and do a shed load of damage.

The last Pic shows the whole German force together for IHMN. It shows an armoured vehicle the Heavy Infantry and the normal (Human ) troops. And that should (I hope) be enough for the Germans in Her majesties Name force. And should give the Royal Navy plenty to get tier teeth into.

So now I have 2 forces for the game I need to start playing and get them on the table.

Next time something historical. I PROMISE.

Until then all the best chin up and paint away as well as your brush will let you.

All the best Clint

Saxon raid on Ireland

Saxons Raiding
and starting on the right

Matt played the Irish. he like playing the Irish in "Longships" and this time did not say Potato even once (that I heard), he said it a lot last time, it was his victory chant! Graham and me split the SaxonsLike wise as far as I recall we did not say "Sheep!" or "Wool" or even mead.

Saxon Skirmishers and
a Saxon unit
WE started with 4 Units the irish
started with 1.

I am afraid the game does not look very exciting at all. Graham is a lovely bloke but has less interest in how things look and more in how they work. Each to there own of course and that comment is not meant as a criticism at all.

When you fight the Irish in "Longships" they will have more skirmishers than you. You just have to accept that from the very beginning it's just a fact of life. They will also have on the whole LESS armour and larger units no matter which force you take.

First we had to find his army.
It kept moving
until we could eventually
3rd attempt pin him to a location.



When Matt settled on a location.
It was no surprise he was next
to a steep and rough Hill
Which I would have to fight my way up!



matts second Unit arrived very swiftly
In the town and bogged Grahames troops down
in a street to street house to house fight.

Rather than a frontal assault on the hill I went
to the side and attacked.
The Irish rolled remarkably well.



My Saxon unit was pretty much spent
And Matt was able to hold the hill.
Until very near the end and
I was able to send more troops
which both supported Grahames flank and the battle on the hill.

As the game ended. Both of matts units
fled the table.
But he had managed to Just bring 2 fresh units from
towns close by . It was anyone's game.
Matt looked physically the worse for wear,
Somewhat drained and weary.

















Victory points were added up. And despite the Saxons plundering a "Gift From GOD!" the final points tally was close. In the end it was a narrow Victory to Matt. he beat us by 11 Victory points. Which considering most games have about 30 points difference was quite close.

Congratulations Matt a worthy winner.

Despite loosing I still like the rules and am indeed trying to balance a force of my own. The problem being the want for heavily armoured troops against the need to keep the points down.

I shall try to get a good fighting force though and will show them as I go on this blog.

Wargames Club Gifts.

One of the great things about my club, and not every club is like this, is that if a member has more than he needs he gives it to another member. This week for example I gave Matt a figure (right) and a set of rules I had a spare copy of. (Thanks to Jon Rogers who very kindly gave the spare set to me). I only had his thanks which is actually worth more than I can say. Likewise Tim knew I wanted some 20mm tank turrets. (Dieselpunk project maybe something to show by weekend, don't know yet.) and he likewise gave me 3 resin Tank turrets. He claims they were miss cast, and the hulls might be but the turrets are fine. And I am likewise very grateful.

Now about this figure.... Yes it is a 28mm "Belt Fed" Girl from Col Bill. Firstly let me say It was an absolute joy to paint and I may well get one for myself! As a gift it was not expected and I am sure Matt was delighted. It should fit in with his VBCW 28mm figures quite well. After all (Repeat after me) "You can never have enough Lewis Guns!". I gave her a blue skirt so she could be a member of the Anglican league! matt did say that her state of undress would not make her suitable! feel free to disagree.
I did take a pic of her from the back but the pic was out of focus and if you have seen 1 cream coat you have seen them all. The figure (unpainted) retails for £3 and to my mind is one of the better of the sculpts but most are quite good IF they are of the right period for you.

3 20mm Turrets

There is a battle report coming but being honest it is not very visual so I may leave it out. I will just have to wait and see what else I get done this week.

So until next time take care have fun and paint figures. All the best Clint




++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Post Script: I forgot to mention I was also given a few LotR figures, they are still in my bag. Thanks Tim

The Germans are started.

At the Selwg show (last year) I was lucky enough to pick up these. They are By Ironclad Miniatures ( Link ) part of their Victorian science fiction range. I originally got them for "In her Majesties Name" and that is at this stage what I hope to use them for.

There are 2 packs here, the leaders and the men. So a rather affordable group of characters. Originally having talked to the owner they were going to be armed with Maces to give them a more "Tutonic" feel and personally I think I would have preferred that. Not that I am at all disappointed with the swords/knifes, but Maces would have bee just a little different.

That's todays very brief update. More again soon, as I already have 2 posts ready to go. And hope to have a third one before the day is out.

That is it as the thaw begins. All the best Clint

The Foot (started for ECW)

Yes only a start do not get excited there are only 4. Not that I will be doing many. The Absolute most I could have in "En Garde" is 18. And then they would be the least able and most lightly armed. The very cheapest troop is 4 points (and is shall we say "a Reluctant" soldier at best with no real skills) To give them either a pike or a matchlock (Arquibus makes no difference in the game) is another 3 points. So 7 points for the cheapest of the cheap. Which means for 100 points 18 troops likely to run for the hills at the first opportunity. So as I said I will not need many.


I do hasten to say I have already started some more. Another 2 with guns. I was going to do another 2 with pike as well but for now I have lost a pike.

They are on 25mm slotta bases just to keep them all the same, Clearly the pikes do not fit on the bases but they are stable enough to play with and do not fall over (Famous last words). That being the case I shall continue with this as the base system.

I have only purchased a single sprue at present but may get more in the future as to be honest I am enjoying them. So who knows I may et more, but at this stage I do not plan to.

The last pic did not really come out in focus but hard luck it is too cold to take it again I the snow. And it still gives an idea.

The basic uniform colour is green with cream cuffs. I have no idea if this is a specific uniform but I do know it is generic enough to be on either side. And I did want them generic so they could fight on either side. because that is the kind of guy I am firmly perched on the fence and happy to be there.

That's it for today as it continues to snow and is generally unpleasant weather wise. All the best and take care

Clint