...at Partizan with Phil and William.
We three 'Sad Beggars' spent a fine day attending the Newark Irregulars' annual Partizan wargames extravaganza on Sunday. Despite delays and detours, due to break downs and seemingly everlasting roadworks, we arrived in record time, parked up on the runway and joined the short queue for entry to what now must surely be considered as THE show for any serious historical wargamer. As is now usual it was crowded with gaming goodness for the delight of what I understand was its record attendance.
It was William's first time at Partizan, although he has been with us to several WMMS in the past. I was a little apprehensive about how he would cope with the crowds, as I had been last year with Reuben, but I need not have worried. He was off like a rat up a drainpipe to the Warlord Games stand for a Bolt Action fix!
Somewhat relieved I left him to it and tootled off to do my modest shopping: four packs of figures for my Darkest Africa diversion and three paint triads from Wargames Foundry - very disappointed in a big hobby player having no show deals though; six for five packs of tufts from Great Escape Games; preordered, at a discount, 3mm bases from Warbases. That was it. William on the other hand bought three large boxes for WWII Bolt Action, several paints and weathering powders. I think he is leaving grandad behind...
The games: well of course very many of the expected standout standard, even some of the participation games! (For me they are a pointless intrusion - their absence would create more space to appreciate the display games and provide an area of social seating for we over 21's!) By now of course there will be many video and pictorial appreciations of the show available on line, I will limit myself to those which matched my interest or caught my attention ~
McPhearson's Ridge, Gettysburg 1863 - an ACW spectacular from
The Bodkins. A group of outstandingly talented chaps who can be absolutely relied on to put on a superb show!
The Iron Brigade ~ lead by Kevin Calder, a good friend all the way from Aberdeen, with a beautifully conceived Samurai game replete with castle and numerous splendid group scenes and vignettes. I really liked the Koi water feature!
A second ACW game, Second Kernstown 1864 by
Bramley Barn Wargames Club, visually pleasing but for the gaming aids left on the table. A no-no for we veterans of display games.
The
Boondock Sayntes'
Lucknow game, a visual extravaganza of a display game. I especially liked the destroyed building effects in the last photo.
The League of Augsberg's splendid game showcasing both Warfare Miniatures and the new revised edition of Beneath the Lily Banners by Barry Hilton.
An AWI game, Chatterton's Hill, 1776, by
Steve Jones I believe.
The Back of Beyond! From the
League of Extraordinary Kriegspielers! I always love their tongue in cheek display games! So much to see and inspire!
A selection of quite superb building groups. The schloss and town were on the game by
The Friends of a Military Gentlemen. I find these types of display something I can aspire to, but sadly never reach. That's a major joy of Partizan though, it always leaves you with ideas for your own wargames table!
Another fine group of buildings, this time from the venerable Hovels range, on
Simon Miller's game showcasing the coming Lust For Glory rules I believe.
Of course there were many, many more outstanding games; almost too many to take in and fully appreciate, at least for me. A case for less is more in my opinion. Others are free to disagree of course. One slight downside though, ventilation! Walking back into the hall after lunch I was struck sharply by the fug! Perhaps our collective noun really is a Stink of Wargamers?
It wouldn't be fitting to close without mentioning the other joy of Partizan, namely the chance to meet up and chew the hobby fat face to face with geographically distant friends. Too many to mention really, but meeting fellow Blogger SteveJ at last stands out for me. A shout out too for Dave O'brien, Matt Crump and the newly retired Aly Morrison. William's verdict on his first Partizan? When's the next one grandad? Torch passed on there I think.
