Into Winter Quarters...

The last show of the year, nearby at least, is Wargamer held in Halesowen, three junctions down the M5 from GHQ. I believe that supporting local events is important on the 'use it or loose it' principle. There are generally some really good games, a decent trader turn out and a Bring and Buy, so going along is a no brainer really. The last couple of years I've been on my own, as Phil was busy elsewhere, but today we went along together to see what was on offer and meet several local chums too. If you were there, then you will know why the title of this blog entry is so apt on two levels: the end of the campaigning year, as far as wargame shows are concerned, allied to the lack of heating at the event yesterday! Arctic conditions not withstanding I enjoyed my visit, met up with some chums, saw some games, and did a little shopping along the way. The games first, starting with my old chum Dave Page and the Kinver Wargamers and a WWII game, Greeks v Italians in 20mm ~

I always enjoy looking at Dave's games, so much detail n show and always an usual subject or unusual slant; its a shame he does n't take his game to more shows. Next up, my old club Alumwell and a 28mm Peninsular War game with a mortgage's worth of Grand Manner buildings on view ~

Now a smaller game, but no less beautifully formed, by the Wyrley Retinue ~

Next, another Napoleonic game in 28mm, sorry in advance but I don't know who it was by. Masses of figures and those Conflix buildings which seem to crop up everywhere ~

Another 28mm game, this time set in the Zulu War. You won't need me to tell you which battle it was! It features the buildings and figures sold by Warlord Games and Empress if you need a clue ~

Next, so I'm not accused of sizism, a game featuring the little chaps, the Battle of Issus ~

Not the easiest of games to photograph using an iPhone! There were also a number of Participation games running; I rather liked this one, "Eating Hitler" from a scenario by Howard Whitehouse I believe ~

A WWII fest at the show in many ways: firstly a Western Desert game ~

A switch to the Western Font ~

There were many other games on show, perhaps more than in previous years, and the show definitely had more folk through the door than in years gone by, but I thought I'd end this personal selection with a couple of shots which show a game which predates most of us I would guess ~

Puts our hobby nicely into context I think and ends my personal selection from Wargamer 2016. I'll finish with a couple of gripes, leaving the lack of heating to one side for now. There is no floor plan in the A5 sized programme and many games had no information available as to what or who it was, very frustrating and not very reviewer friendly. I know I could take notes, but its easier to snap the information and then incorporate it into the Blog. I almost forgot; what did I buy? Two triads of Foundry paints from Ainsty Castings! Definitely last of the big spenders!

En Avant mes braves!

While Phil and Di have been away for a few days R&R in the Lake District I have made a determined effort to press on with painting for my Wars of the French Revolution project, in the form of the Brigade Games figures I bought on the Flea Market at the October Derby Worlds.
The folk selling these figures had bags of stuff so I had a grand time rummaging through the boxes to see if I could make up another 24 figure battalion. In the end I couldn't find an officer or a standard bearer. For the former I eventually found a Mounted figure, a Russian as it happens from their Russian Colonels set, but I've painted him up as French and he will do! For the latter, amongst the Dromedary figures I found a standard bearer, so I've pressed him into service and painted him in a Hussar style scheme, after all, it's the Revolution and the commissary must provide what it can!

So far I've completed four of the six bases of figures and I'm well on with the fifth base of figures, in the Advancing pose rather than at March Attack like the others. If that seems odd, bear with me a moment please; the remaining base of figures representing the Elite Company are also Advancing and the two together will head up the column of attack formation, as will the odd attacking pioneer figure I've also completed. No vegetation on the bases yet, I'll do that once all six are complete. Together with the odd Trent Miniatures Battalion I have these will be the 1st & 3rd Battalions of the 5th Demi-Brigade de Ligne. For the 2nd Battalion I've decided to field a unit mostly in helmets. There are figures available from Eureka, Elite, Eagle, and Foundry Miniatures amongst others. I like the Eureka ones most, but cost dictates another choice this time. I've not seen any Elite Miniatures in the round and Eagle only have an advancing figure and an officer, so, as I want the Battalion to be in firing pose I shall be going with Foundry figures. That they are smaller I can live with; I've found you don't notice that when the battle is joined! As there is a buy 8 get 2 free offer on I've decided to make up a second Battalion in bicorne as one of the Paris National Guard battalions. I like the flags you see, no other reason.

I shall be left then, besides these two new battalions, with a regiment of French Hussars, two Austrian limber teams and an Austrian caisson team. I think that if I'm not careful this ongoing project could simply run and run, so I must be cautious in other acquisitions as storage space and table size are neither limitless. Perhaps some Trent Miniatures Scots Greys next Partizan, hopefully there'll be a command pack for the cavalry by then! So, no more waffle, back to painting now. A Bientot!

A bit windy today?

It seems at present that my painting efforts are as changeable as the British weather. I normally manage an hour or so first thing in the morning when hand and eye are properly rested, after that it's a lottery really. Having said that, recently I've been a bit more productive. I have finished the 31st Legere for my Wars of the French Revolution project, using the Brigade Games figures I purchased not long ago. These are the first I've tackled from that range, by Hicks I believe. The service from Brigade Games was first rate, just over a week from ordering to receipt. Can't argue with that from the USA to home! On the down side, some mould making or casting issues were sadly present: not so much flash and vent runs as missing buttons on cuffs and coats. Annoying really, as where they had cast correctly they were easy to paint! As I'm on a roll seemingly I've also started the Ligne regiment from the same manufacturer I bought  from the Flea Market at Derby Worlds last month. I hope to finish those before the festive season rolls into view!

Between finishing the Legere and starting the  Ligne I finished working on a European windmill which I hope will do for games from the ECW to the Great War. It has a bit of history to it which might be of amusement to you. I purchased it in March from a sale at Grand Manner. It languished in GHQ until August when I finally took the plunge and cleaned it up and sprayed it dark brown. All was going well, until... I just caught the sails on the corner of my desk! Disaster, the sails shattered into several pieces! Even though the breaks were clean it was obviously always going to be weak and, knowing how ham fisted I can be, it was sure to repeatedly fail. I might have been able to stick it to a backing of plasticard, but I mentioned my disaster to Martin at Warbases and he offered to have a look so I posted the bits northward! I had imagined he might make a 2mm MDF backing for the piece, so imagine my surprise when I rolled up at Derby Worlds to be presented with a completely new set of sails cut from MDF and ready assembled for me too. Now, that is service! they fit the bill perfectly and are lighter than the resin originals, but you can judge for yourselves in the picture I'm sure.

No game in GHQ this week as Phil and Di are away, up north in the Lake District. Looks as if they will have a decent few days, if cold. As I'm back in Billy No Mates mode I hope to make progress with my second Brigade Games French battalion, this time the 3rd Battalion of the 5th Demi-Brigade de Ligne. So, back to the painting desk it is. A Bientot mes Amis!

Oh, Oh, Oh What a Lovely War!

Phil and I played a Great War 1914 game in GHQ today. We would normally be using our own ever evolving rule set, a project in its own right which will probably rumble on on the back burner as long as we do without ever being finished, whatever that is in our wonderful hobby! Today, as we were both rather tired after the weekend away at Warfare, we decided to use Black Powder instead.
The Great War 1914 is a rare thing for us as a project, in that I painted the B.E.F. figures and Phil the 'Vile Hun'. They are almost all by Great War Miniatures, a fine range which could do with some expansion for 1914 gamers we think. (Some of the Hun are from Muttonchop I think.) We were really pleasantly surprised at how well the game played out, lasting fifteen turns either side of lunch. We played a simple encounter scenario to keep things moving along, giving each Commander in Chief a 9 rating and each Battalion Commander an 8 rating. Machine guns were counted separately from their battalions for morale and casualties but didn't need separate orders necessarily, moving with the battalion in normal circumstances. All deployed infantry units not in column in the game we counted as Partially Obscured. We also gave the B.E.F. the First Fire rule in every turn to try to simulate the "15 Rounds, Rapid Fire!" doctrine of the British. Anyway, enough flannel about rules, on to the game. The British won the dice off for Initiative and so moved first. I ordered the South Staffs forward to the road to dig in, which they failed to do!  The 17th Lancers reached the copse and deployed as dismounted skirmishers, supported by the battery of guns from the RHA. In resonse the Hun occupied the ruined farm and deployed two batteries of artillery on the B.E.F.'s right flank ~

The South Staffs steeled themselves for the storm of fire about to engulf them. If only they could reach the road and dig in they might yet hold their position awaiting support ~

The Hun sensed an early opportunity and hurried a Battalion into the orchard opposite the South Stafford's position to support the Jaegers holding the ruins of the farm. In the distance you can just make out the columns of the Scottish Division, who are making very slow progress up the road to the front ~

While the Gordon Highlanders and the Borderers made slow progress towards the front line, the RA battery was already in position and shelling the enemy held farm. There was no sign of the bulk of the Hun force as yet, but there was no time for complacency in the British command ~

Brigadier Bykleigh takes stock of the position, taking advantage of the cover provided by a high wall! He is awaiting news from the front line troops before committing the remainder of his force to action. "Where are those Hun Battalions?" ~

Well, if he waits for a certain Captain Blackadder to pass on the information the war will be over! ~

The South Staffords remain exposed short of the road and suffer dreadfully from the Hun artillery. They anxiously await support, which seems very slow to materialise. In the distance the Scottish Division Battalions are also stalled as they try ot flank the Huns in the farm ~

On the B.E.F.'s left flank the Gordon Highlanders are stalled and the Borderers are caught in column and take heavy casualties. Note: its a bad idea to fail a command order roll when facing entrenched machine guns and infantry! At last though the Dragoon Guards reach the artillery copse and offer some support to the beleaguered Staffords. The Shropshire Light Infantry are still a long way in the rear though! ~

The B.E.F.'S position seems to be steadying now. The K.O.S.L.I. and the Highlanders are both getting into action in support of their hard pressed colleagues. The Hun in and around the farm are proving very stubborn foe, despite being Shaken and Disordered they hold their ground bravely. There will be a few Iron Crosses awarded today I feel ~

In fact so stubborn is their resistance that they force the Borderers to Retreat and lick their wounds! I was finding the Jaegers an especially tough nut to winkle out of the farm ~

At last the Battalion supporting the Jaegers has Broken and flees to the rear. Despite a number of machine gun 'jams' the tide is turning slowly for the B.E.F. With the Gordons now Shaken and the Borderers still regrouping the game could still go either way ~

Back in the B.E.F.'s centre the Staffords are forced to Retreat Shaken while their Machine Gun Company holds their position to cover the retreat and the RHA battery threatens the flank of any advancing Hun. The situation is tense here ~

Despite being Shaken and Disordered the Staffords and their supports force the Hun along the ridge opposite to Retreat. The fortunes of war are swinging first one way, then the other ~

Finally, in Turn 14, the Hun's resolve collapses and his troops rush to the rear. The Gordons have finally driven the Jaegers from the ruined farm and the Hun's centre has collapsed under fire from the K.O.S.L.I. who late in the action arrive in the nick of time to save the day ~

A splendid game, swinging first one way and then the other. Black Powder worked so well with a few tweaks to the characteristics of the troops. In three weeks' time when we are next gaming here in GHQ we will be trying the game for a second time. In this replay we will make a few changes: Battalions will be represented by 5, not 10, bases of infantry (even though we will have to deploy an imaginary  machine gun company for the second battalion) and machine guns will have a close range bonus at 12" not 6". As Phil will be away next week it will be a good while before there is another game report from GHQ. I hope to use the time profitably to finish more troops for the Wars of the French Revolution project and for the VBCW. Pop back soonish to see how I get on.

Safely Back from 'The South'!

I am safely back from 'The South' and am none the worse for it! Phil, Di, Sue and I have been down to Reading over the weekend: the ladies for a shopping fest and us chaps to take in the Warfare show. It must be four or five years since Phil and I have been down for the show, which once used to be a regular on our calendar. We had a good time I think, though our plans for today's trip home were somewhat  scuppered by the tail end of Storm Angus ~ bl**dy Jocks even stealing our storms now! To be serious though for a moment, I enjoyed my day at the show. I met some good chums, who I'd not seen for a time, chatted with some new folk about their games, saw several fine games too (pictures in a minute, patience please) and, naturally spent some money on toys and sundry bits and bobs! But the real highlight was chatting with Martin and Diane from Warbases and seeing my Roman Villa prototype in the round, and watching others' reactions to the pieces. I'm really looking forward to the first one wending it's way to me in December, I have great plans for it too! Now, to the games! I should say there were others there which I didn't photograph; not because they were necessarily poorer than the ones I chose, but rather that they were in periods or scales which didn't push my buttons as a wargamer. So, here we go! First up a couple of games from the Wars of the French Revolution period: Napoleon in Egypt and the French in Fishguard ~

Napoleon in Egypt 28mm by Steve Deeprose and chum

Napoleon in Egypt 28mm by Steve Deeprose and chum

Napoleon in Egypt 28mm by Steve Deeprose and chum

Napoleon in Egypt 28mm by Steve Deeprose and chum

The French invade Wales by Tring Wargames Club

The French invade Wales by Tring Wargames Club

The French invade Wales by Tring Wargames Club

Next up, a 28mm Ancient game with lots going on to catch the eye but no attribution I can be certain of, sorry~

Now, forward in time to WWII ~

Americans in Normandy? By Huntington & District Wargames Society?

Americans in Normandy? By Huntington & District Wargames Society?

The Ardennes by Earlswood Wargames Club

The Ardennes by Earlswood Wargames Club

Now, I'll apologise again to any gamers whose noses are out out of joint because I haven't featured their games. My selection is arbitrary and purely personal, based on my interests and what I think makes a good wargames show game. The next chap along might well have totally different views and produce a different selection. One man's meat, etc...
Some other observations based on the visit after a four or five year hiatus: I've gone right off Bring and Buys, too much overpriced tatt for my tastes; shows of this size are all a bit samey, for me the standout ones have the standout games; some traders are as old, or older, than me ~ that's a worry for the future of our hobby; shows need some extra sitting space, some of us are not as young as we once were!
Frankly, there are just too many shows of the same ilk, showing the same things, far to often, taking too little notice of anything beyond the bottom line. If this sounds harsh, well, I've been a show organiser myself in the past (WMMS 1970's - 1980's) and we always strove for standout games. If it didn't measure up you weren't invited back. We wanted the show to grow for both the punters' and the traders' good.
Games presented by a couple of chaps who really want to play are counter productive, you need someone to talk to visitors about your game and its unique qualities. If, like Phil and I were before age forced our retirement from Display gaming, you are only a couple of chaps then you need to sacrifice playing for chatting to the visitors, perhaps incorporating a bit of programmed movement and activity (Dave O'Brien and Barry Hilton of the League of Augsburg are very good at this.)
Finally, 'Competition Games', what is the point? A bit like synchronised swimming if you ask me! That leads me to my final observation, what is the rationale behind a two day show? We were there on the Sunday and it was very quiet at times. Think of the traders's expenses needlessly wracked up just so some chaps can roll dice and push little men about for two days. If I were a trader I definitely would n't bother with the expense of the second day ~ think of Triples' fate...
Now, in case you think I have become a curmudgeon over the weekend, I did enjoy my visit to the show. But, it has a definite 1980's air about it: the dated sports hall venue; the poor car parking facilities; the overpriced and limited catering facilities; the general lack of care and tidyness in that area. Something else which strikes me now: the very amateur, locked in time nature of the look of many of the trade stands. The C21st has not reached some areas of our hobby yet.
For us its about as much travel time to Warfare as it is to the Partizan shows; which would  I choose if I had to? A no brainer for me, the new venue Partizan every time ~ modern venue, ample free parking, light and air, seating, only the catering letting the site down! Would I go to Warfare again? Well, yes, but not every year I think.
Finally, my loot ~

Definitely not the last of the big spenders am I? Pulp Figures' Drawing Room Detectives; Perry Miniatures French Napoleonic Staff set from Colonel Bill's; F&IW British and French Regular Infantry from Redoubt; Gamers' Grass tufts from Great Escape Games; much MDF from the kings of MDF, Warbases! Now, back to painting my French Light Infantry to complete the Light Demi-Brigade of 1793-95 in Flanders...