Turn 22 Results

Boy! is it cold up that garage! Yes it is that time of the week again for another turn. And as you can see from the turn sequence it did come out in a remarkable even way this time.

As aleways I have started with an overall shot than then worked from left hand closest the land towards the front and then anticlockwise but this time only as far as the front.

HMS Inconsistent gets underway with a single mast. This ship is now in Spanish control as the Spanish flag has been raised and the Union Jack lowered. 

 HMS Cutlass was able to cross the T and bow rake the "San Francis" All the while HMS Agamennon fired a full broadside into the poor ship. Which is still afloat despite a direct hit to the powder store. (Red Joker Damage card was drawn).

 Mecedes sails back across the middle of the table and with HMS Pachyderm with problems of her own may just make it to freedom and the merchant ships in the Med!

 El Interceptor makes exactly the right move and IF the cards are favourable next turn will bow rake HMS Pachyderm with a complete intact undamaged broadside at point blank range. (Needing 2+ to hit with each firepower factor and causing double damage.

 Unicornico facing directly into the wind issued no turn orders so simply drifted in the tides and currents while the drinks cabinet was re-stocked!

Just one lucky shot and it is all over for Lucky Lee. Or Lee could go for the ram!

Well folks that's it for another week. I shall issue damage reports to all the ships either later today or by midday Monday.

All the best folks and brace yourself for the new year!

Merry Christmas Everyone

As it is now Christmas eve I would like to wish everyone of you a Merry Christmas.

We can't all have sunny weather everyday of the year!

But I do hope that the sun does shine on your life-

Often in the coming year and over this festive period.

And not all Santas will look like these.

Not in my shopping centre that's for sure!

Or there would be a LOT of Dads in the cue with the kids!

I hope you all get the presents that you want.

And Deserve in your Christmas stockings.

Have you all been naughty or nice?

I hope you have all been Nice.

Because Santa will Know!

He's checking the list TWICE!

 

 

Just for any female out there. He's a picture of me.

(JK)

Have a good few days and treat everyone near you with love and respect.

Cheers Clint



12 ACW figs

 Well here are some more from the Analogue painting challenge. !2 28mm ACW Plastic Perry miniatures. I managed to source these from young Ray with some of my Birthday money. Despite the fact that I gave up Birthdays many years ago people still insist on presents cards and making a fuss when all I really want is to forget all about it!

So please do not offer my any congratulations or best wishes or anything like that.

Anyway these are for me to try out the "Songs of Drums and Shakos "rules. Yes I am aware that the rules are for Napoleonic period and these were about 50 years out of period, but the basic rules should work very well. At least I hope so.

Not so much more to say about these. Perry miniatures, hard plastic easy to put together and fun to paint about covers it. I have some Rebs on the painting table at the moment so I would expect to get them finished by Tuesday next week.

Not drawing this out, thanks for looking and more again soon. Have some fun and paint some figures.

Best wishes Clint

Turn 21 Results.

Another one of those turns with NO Spanish ships shooting. Mind you only 2 British ships HMS Cutlass and HMS Agamemnon.

Most ships are seriously depleted now and any one could collapse (sink) from exhaustion. Most if not all are very battered.

The turn sequence was a nice mix which did result in long range shooting but nothing at all close. But Damage was done. Sometimes just long range shooting will weaken a ship just enough to make it easy pickings. Other times it just won't!

 Well we should all know the format by now.  First the Ariel view, then working anticlockwise from back left to front right. WE reall have done it a load of times now so I expect you Know the routine better than me.

 While Unicornico faces into the wind this turn safe in the knowledge that no British ships are in range. HMS Badger recovers from the collision with HMS Inconsistent. Crew can be seen untangling the rigging but no other details are apparent. Was Hms Badger playing possum?

 HMS Cutlass tries and very nearly succeeds in crossing the T of San Francis. While HMS Agamemnon and Cutlass empty shot into the Spanish vessel without reply. (The Spanish shooting was before movement so the damage was long range as the pictures are taken after all the runs actions are completed).

 El Interceptor and Mecedes both head out to sea with only HMS Pachyderm able to intervene. But the condition of the Pachyderm (Packy to the crew) is uncertain. But then again Captain Hadley does not know the condition of the 2 Spanish ships.

 At the end of movement El interceptor was now in extreme range. But neither ship was within arch of fire. This has the potential of another T being crossed If the right and wrong moves are made be any ship.

With the end of this turn I would say that the British have just about become even with the Spanish fleet. Next turn may be pivotal. Or it might be a damp squib!

As ever if you need more Photos drop me a line. And next turn will be next Saturday 8am please. As I like to get all the turn processed in the hours of Darkness so as not to Impede my painting!

I WILL SEND OUT DAMAGE REPORTS ON SUNDAY> Please do not send any turn back until they are received or anytime after that..

To be honest I did expect this game to be over by Christmas, Looks like I got that wrong. Milsey has also suggested I write this up  for the Wargames Bloggers Quarterly (WBQ). I guess he means a "How to run a Play-by-blog game and not and AAR! I might be interested in doing that if you think it would have any value and be worth reading. I am flattered to be asked though! (Cheers Milsey).

An unexpected party!

Ok No Tolkien, Hobbit, Lord of the rings or even party. There was an unexpected Present though! Which is as good if not better, as I have always found parties to be a disappointment. While Presents are a joy to both give and receive. No It was not a secret Santa or anything like that. (well it might be but so secret that I don't know about it at all).

Yesterday I received a parcel. "Strange" I thought as it was not in an amazon box. "I have not sent for anything!" Ok I have sent for a few things from the North Pole if you are reading this James! So despite the postman saying it had been ticking I ripped into it. It did not explode!

It was from "Mantic" and was the last part of a "Kickstarter" I backed last year. I had already received some soldiers from them "Enforcers" and I must admit I was disappointed with the sculpts and the quality of the plastic and the flash that just would not come of easily even with a sharp knife. So truth to admit when that lot arrived I was totally gutted but I put it down to a bad experience and vowed never to do another crowd funding scheme.

Then yesterday fresh sculpts in decent plastics did turn up. No explanation just a new product. I must say it may well be on their web site but I was so disappointed last year I have not looked since. No I don't forgive or forget easily.

Still smile on my face now and I may get these painted up soon. Not sure anyone at the club will be playing the game now so it might be too little too late. But better late than never! I will get them done and then see what I think and if anyone is still playing!

That's it for today folks. Only 6 sleeps till the big day as I am sure those of you with kids will know by now. So take care have fun and paint up some figures. I know I will.

Analogue Painting challenge update:

I hope to finish 10 cavalry finished by Saturday and will then start some 28mm Reb infantry which I will try to get done for my posting day of Tuesday. It will be a push but I hope to get it all done. But the cavalry do have priority so until I finish them nothing else will get done.

Cheers Clint

LRDG Jeep.

Slowly (very slowly) increasing my WW2 20mm figures we have today another of the LRDG. Yes this time a jeep as opposed to a truck. I bought this one from Andy Grub (AKA Grubby Tanks) then promptly lost a wheel between the floor boards so If you look closely one wheel is different as Tim (Frontline) was kind enough to supply a spare one.

This vehicle was actually painted twice as it just looked too clean and tidy the first time and I wanted it to look rough and dodgy. (That's my excuse and I am sticking to it). As you can see the 2 crew have 3 machineguns. A lewis in the back and twin Vickers K's at the front for the co-driver. I did put all three of them on as I did not want you all saying it was undergunned! Come on we both know you would have!

This has already been on the Analogue painting challenge (Late last week) so it's about time it did make it here as well. The kit is mostly resin with some air bubbles and metal and did, apart from me loosing a piece go together with no difficulty. Nearly all the stowage is part of the same one piece resin casting just a sack or tarp added to cover air bubbles.

Patrol leaders did sometimes use jeeps as opposed to the more normal Chevrolet light truck so we have to assume the co-driver is the team leader and as such some junior officer. Given that the LRDG was mostly concerned with "Road watches" patrols were usually quite small but as they were often out for weeks at a time everything had to be carried on whatever vehicle they were using. So everything to get you there and back, all the food and water you would need and ammunition and repair kits as well as tarpulins and blankets to keep you warm at night watching a very boring road in the small hours without being able to leave your position and yet still stop any trucks moving without lights in the dark.

Well that's it for today. I shall be working on some more "Paint monkey" figures for the painting challenge and Matt for the next few days so I will post the AAR of the game I lost at the Club on Sunday soon.

All the best for now seasons greetings and all that malarkey. Have a good day and all that and with luck see you back here soon.

Cheers Clint

Turn 20 Results.

Gain very little firing this time, Just two British ships. But It has been eventful despite that. As you can see the turn sequence favoured the Spanish. But alas when they came to shoot not a single target was in arc. Also lots of players did not send any orders in so they just continued in a straight line. One captain sent in about 5 emails. No problem with that at all as It makes intentions clear and allows me to work to them more closely.

 We are used to this shot by now. As You can see all the action is all over the place.

 HMS Badger Commanded by the valiant crew of "Mecedes" Rammed HMS Inconsistent further damaging both ships. But has now come to rest lying along side one another. A risky but hopefully profitable manoeuvre. In the background "Unicorico" is turning back towards port maybe returning home. Who can tell?

 HMS Cutlass turning to port (but not the port) brings HMS Badger out of arc. But has the plucky frigate got ideas of grandeur and is thinking of taking on the 74 gun San Francis?

 HMS Agamennon was able to bring fire on San Francis (every dice I rolled turned out to be a 5 or a 6) and at long range did damage to the Spanish flagship. One can only imagine that Seb the captain will not take this lightly!

 Mecedes and El Interceptor have the open sea ahead of them. As It stands only one British ship could possible stop them IF they choose to leave the table and create havoc in the Med!

 Same ships just a different angle but with Unicornico in the background.

 Unfortunately SS Guano took a Broadside from HMS Pachyderm. Fortunately only one shot hit. Unfortunately for Captain Mills is was enough. SS Guano is now sinking. Her Hull reduced to a sieve and the sea rushing in to fill it as the crew abandon ship. Sorry Lee no prize money here, that ship is bound for Davy Jones. Unlucky Millsy but you did carry the fight to the enemy to the last.

 The Captured "Mermaids Revenge" will make it from the board next turn barring disasters or a Kraken. (There are no sea monsters in this game!)

 

 

 

So that is the end of turn 20. I will try to send out damage reports this afternoon. As always if you want, need or desire any more photos get in touch. I shall look forward to any orders the Saturday next week 8am as per normal. But for Now I am back to the painting.

 

A Big thanks to all the guys playing and with luck I will see you all on the internet very soon.

 

Kindest regards Clint

Ping Pong!

Today we have a parting gift to Fran (AKA the Angry Lurker). Postie has a nickname for Fran of the "Kung fu Panda". Ray also has a nickname for him and Fran for Ray. And neither of them are "Golden drop of sunshine!". They are of course FULL of swearing and extracting the urine! So with no further ado here is Ping the Panda by "Bombshell miniatures!" A very nice if small sculpt of the big guy. I hasten to add that this is not Kung fu Panda as Bombshell call him Ping and any similarity between the two are purely coincidental.





As you can see from the second picture Nothing like him despite my painting trying to make them twins.

So I shoved the figure in the post and sent it to "Postie, somewhere in Gravesend" And that should be enough of an address for the Royal mail to have no idea. Maybe some random "postie" will benefit from this  who can say.

Back in the painting challenge I have had a little upset. I spent2 days working on some (22) Sci Fi vehicles and when I looked at them this morning in the light I saw that I just could not be happy with them. So I have had to put them away for now, probably till next year as I sulk and brood about them. A word to the wise NEVER try to use an ORANGE wash on figures after 10pm. They really did look shite in the morning!

So here are a couple more shots of "Ping the panda" to be getting on with.

And now the 15mm Sci Fi is scrapped I will start some 28mm ACW in stead.  The first 12 are primed and with luck I shall have them done by Tuesday which is my next scheduled challenge day post.

Thanks for looking. I shall start the ACW figures later this morning  once the Primer is nice and dry!.

Hope you are having a good day. All the best Clint.

Egyptians (Paint Monkey)

I call myself Paint monkey because of the mess I make. not because I look like a chimp! (thanks Ray lol you Feckin' Ejit!). For my first entry in the painting challenge (Currently working on entries 3 and 4) I painted up some circa 1882 Egyptians for Matt's colonial collection/gaming.

A total of 24 figures by Perry Miniatures. 2 Officers 2 standard bearers and 2 musicians and 28 rankers.

As you can see they have a pretty basic uniform. White tunic and trousers Black webbing and a red fez. Apart from the officers who wear navy blue instead of white. This made them ideal for the challenge as It meant I could constrain myself to a very limited palette. Starting from a white undercoat they were first painted cream as opposed to grey as I wanted then to look more attuned to the desert and grey would have given a colder look. I don't find painting white easy but if you start with a light grey or cream base coat for blocking in, it does help a lot.

These got me off the mark and earned me 124 points About 1/10th of my target.

Thanks for looking today. next time will be a Pressie for Fran. which as of last night is also on the Analogue hobbies web site challenge.

All the best Take care and with luck see you all soon.

Turn 19 results.

As I wait for basing materials to dry I have time to post the latest turn of the PBB game. That being turn 19.

As always I will start with the overall board and then working anti clockwise from far back left to the front and them to the right. The turn sequence let the Spanish move and fire first. Not that they had so much shooting to do. But they (well Misley did some). Many ships have got a second wind and are returning to the fray while others are using the discretion better part of valour and leaving the table. Not sure how this one will end now.

 The overall shot of the battle clearly shows the level of confusion and the complete lack of organisation. 2 Ships HMS Challenge and Pina Colada have now left the board both under their own power and command. HMS Challenge being very slightly better off may take Pina Colada as a prize IF the British win the game. If the Spanish win Pina Colada will return to Spanish control.

 HMS Badger has ben reactivated this time with a prize Spanish crew from Mecedes. Which has now turned left and sprinted up the board.

 HMS Cutlass was then able to bring fire on HMS Badger but with very little effect due to the very long range. But at least one hit was done. HMS Agamennon has now managed to turn back into the fight. And now is at extreme range for Capitan Seb in the San Francis.

 The two Spanish Frigates are now heading across the board towards HMS Pachyderm but at this stage are so far from the fight that it will take them 2 maybe 3 turns to get in range. depending on what they and HMS Pachyderm decide to do.

 As you can see in this picture HMS Agamennon and San Francis really are at extreme range. No wonder when Captain Douglass ordered the crew to fire not a single shot landed.

 Captain Milsey did manage to fire at HMS Challenge as the ship sailed from the board, but did not inflict sufficient damage to slow the exit in any way. So Captain Curt and the remaining crew of HMS Challenge are now safely out of the game. But Captain Milsey did manage to get the parting shot.

 This has bought Captain Milsey and Captian Lucky Lee now into EXTREME range of each other. You need a 6 on a d6 to hit at that range. But both ships are damaged and only I know which one is better off. So for both captains it is a test of nerve to see which one (or both) breaks for open water.

The Mermaids revenge with her prize crew are heading to safty and the open seas. Anyone looking for a loan might want to talk to Lee's captain in 6 months time when the prize money comes through!

That's it for today. I will send out damage reports tomorrow as I want to use what light I have left to paint. As usual you will have 6 days to get your turn back to me before the next move is carried out.

All the best Clint