Long Ships (2nd Unit)

Yes some more 15mm Vikings for my second unit in Longships. Longships in case you had forgotten is the Peter Pig game of the same name concerned with Viking/Anglo Saxon warfare.

As we only have 400 points here is another unit ( a small one). ! leader (compolury), 3 Un-armoured stands (again compulrory) and 3 Armoured stands. Only 7 stands in the unit but 3 armoured stands count this unit as superior!

A mixture of makes. Tabletop games, two Dragons, Minifigs and a few I just do not know. So if you do more power to you as I have no idea. But they are all 15mm in size. I do not mind some being taller then others after all we are all different in real life.

I went for a Blue and white shield colour scheme just to conveniently tell one unit apart from another and NOT being historically accurate. As this will count as a Superior unit I hope it will aquit itself quite well on the tabletop although I know a few bad dice rolls and the unit will flee. But this will be the standard unit composition of my force. At least until a few games in and I reserve the right to reassess te force when I see how it plays.

That's it for now. More 15m coming soon and some 28mm now started. Until next time take care and paint as much as you feel like.

Part of Gettysburg Day 2.

Gettysburg today

At the club yesterday we played PART of Gettysburrg (day 2) Using the Fire and Fury rules. I was part of the Confederate attack I wasa to play the part of Hood and Peter was to play Mc Laws. Tim played the Union forces and his job was to stop us. Tims figures, club terrain and while not totally accurate it was good enough to get a feel of what was happening in the battle, back in July 1863.

Devils Den in real life
at the battlefield.
in modern times.

My objectives were to take round top and Devils Den. Peter was to inflict twice as many casualties on the enemy as we both took in reply. Both objectives had to occur within 10 turns this would be very challenging indeed. I measured the distance and no matter what I could not cover the distance within 8 turns, which was the original game length, I was about 20cm short no matter how lucky I got no matter what I did . Therefore Tim who set the scenario out boosted the scenario length from 8 to 10 turns. Still tough but at least physically possible without all my troops being Langford Christie!

And so the battle begins:

My starting position
My objectives not shown,
still in the distance.

Turn 1
Peter on the left
Me on the right.

Peter on my left
The rivers were streams and fordable
the whole length
 



Turn 2
All moving slowly forward
Ok me going as fast as I could

Turn 4
I am still moving as fast as I am able
 

Turn 4
Pete pushes forward and starts to inflict damage

Turn 5
I prepare to assault Devils Den
all the while advancing towards Round top
with a dream of getting Artillery to the top

Turn 5
Tim is struggling to move troops from reserve
Pete and Tim are now locked in a battle
and without support from reserve Tim tries to turn our left flank
with limited success

Turn 6
It is a close run thing
My asrtillery has now managed to destroy Tims guns
Tim has the position but is low on ammunitio
 



Turn 6
Peter continues to inflict casualties
he does however take some of his own.
Tim has a brigade in the woods which refuse to advance
 

Turn 7
Time Guns destroyed I can cross the stream
and begin the clibd up Round Top
mean while in rhe Devils Den I become low on ammunition
and "disrupted" which mirrors Tims troops

turn7
Peter pushes into the centre
while his left wing is forced to give ground
it is anyones game

Turn 8
I rally the troops and keep Tim "disrupted" and low on ammunition.
One big push an we shall have the devils Den



Turn 8
With Peters left wing in retreat and Tim following up
Peter is able to bring ALL his cannon to bear.

Turn 9
Tim holds Devils den as my first unit if pushed back
and retreats. My second unit is ready for another attempt next turn though.

Turn 9
Peter brings all 4 gun batteries to bear on a single unit.
It survives but drops to a "worn" classification.
Elsewhere Peters Infantry is slowly getting the upper hand.
Tims troop in the wood still don't move!

Turn 10
One last push and I succeed and hurl Tim back but not out of the Devils Den.
Tim Counterattacks and retakes the position.
Curses foiled again.

turn 10
On the Left Tin keeps pushing the left wing and peter keeps pushing the centre.
Eventually Peter's Artillery is just too strong.
but is it enough.

End Game

Conclusion:
At then end of the game I held Round top. But did not take the Devils Den.
we counted up the Casualties. We had lost a total of 27 stands, which is quite a lot
Tim and the Union had less than 54 stands!
So It was a Tacticle Victory to the Confederates.
Yes  we could have done better. But we could also have done a LOT worse.


Final thoughts: I need to get my 2 6mm ACW armies finished. As the rules were fine and the game was fine and fun.

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.