Dispatches from the front XXXV - Getting stuff done.

February already...

Whilst real life can often get in the way in the final quarter of the financial year, thank heavens for a hobby that keeps me occupied outside of work.

Sticking with the theme of getting stuff done it looks like February is shaping up to be another Crusade month, after the Cotswold day I still have a pile of Arab and Christian forces to get done. But first up a Sarissa Radio Station, a gift from a friend from his to do pile.

The Sarissa kits go together really well and a swift paint job and a bunch of posters to make it suitable for a number of games for Modern Africa and the Visitor mash up in Zikanga.

The Arabs are prepped and based over Christmas so time to get them on the paint table.

Meanwhile another year older a whole pile of inspiration for the year ahead.

So many plans so little time.

A Rumble in the jungle - A Nuts encounter.

The return of mid-week gaming...

A casual conversaion about comics of our youth lead to  the urge to unpack the Marine Corps on another adventure in the Pacific.

For those too young to remember, the Warlord Comic, Union Jack Jackson was a British Royal Marine serving with the US Marine Corps in the Pacific campaign. To distinguish himself from his American comrades Sgt. Lonnegan and G.I O'Bannion he painted a Union Jack on his helmet, hence the name.

Here we join U.J.J. and the gang as they seek out a Japanese OP, deep in enemy territory.

Played using the fantastic Two Hour Wargames Rules, which give a real comic book feel in a as the rules describe 2 hours.....

The mission is simple clear the jungle paths of enemy pickets, break into the enemy compound and destroy the radio equipment, which will clear the way for the main beach landing, real boys own stuff.

The Japanese have holed up in the compound with a full section of Infantry, this will be a tough nut to crack.

Sgt. Lonnegan leads his squad on to the table assisted by U.J.J. and G.I O'Bannion, all is quiet as they approach the first clearing. No sign of the enemy.

Much like spot the ball there 4 Japs hidden in the photo above....

 

Hidden amongst the under growth Japanese pickets lie in wait, seeing the marines enter the clearing they snap fire revealing their ambush far to soon.

The marines return fire forcing the Japanese defenders to duck back and forcing one to run for his life.

The short exchange of fire leaves several enemy soldiers dead or injured and many with their heads down as U.J.J. and the marine squad blaze away with the 2 Bar's, O'reily is hit but his comrades drag him to safety, to check on his wounds.

The Japanese commander in the compound leads his reserves into the jungle to stem the advance of the USMC, both sides waiting for the other to make their move.

Corporal Connor takes his fire team to right and catches the Japanese napping forcing several to dive for cover in the undergrowth.

But Capt Nija a veteran of several campaigns knows the best form of defence is attack and leads a heroic charge against the marines catching them cold, before they could fire again.

After a short but bloody melee the American fire team is either dead, injured or has fled into the jungle. Capt Nija is very satisfied with his work.

Sgt. Lonnegan, U.J.J. and G.I O'Bannion, angered by the loss of their comrades seize their moment and rush forward, killing a number of the Japanese defenders.

Capt Nija keen to add to his tally of the day, leads another charge into the rear of the advancing marines, but Union Jack Jackson and is section are not to be triffled with.

The Japanese attack is a failure, Nija lies dying at U.J.J.s feet his men wiped out. The marines had avenged their comrades.

Now for the radio, a rash attempt at forcing the gate is met by a blase of gun fire coming from the house, but U.J.J. stands tall as his men duck back.

 

U.J.J. fires a clip from his carbine, felling the Japanese Sargeant defending the window, great shooting under fire from the Brit, his comrades cheer from the safety of the stone walls.

With their officers and NCO's out of the fight, the remaining defenders surrender and stumble from the house, for them the war is over.

A cracking scenario, played out in less then two hours, with around 15 figures a side.

Right off to the loft I am sure I boxed those comics away somewhere....

Sarissa - Laser Cut Japanese Terrain

Having missed Salute, I was pleased that Dane was able to come to my rescue picking up my order from the guy's at Sarissa, having completed the first units for the RJW project and with the Lard day fast approaching, I was on the lookout for a suitable Manchurian farm, Japanese would have to do.

Laser Cut terrain is certainly en vogue at the moment and I must say I was rather impressed with various packs needed to make my farm and compound.

The Sarrisa packs range from various Japanese buildings and walls, they come away from their MDF prints very easily and fit together very well.

 

The Gate and Peasant farm house, the main pieces needed for my farm and compound within the design you can choose to have the shutters open or closed, once complete the pieces are sturdy and robust.

Front of the compound added to the 5mm MDF board, sharp sand to be added once the wood glue has dried.

 

Rear of the compound.

So next up the paint job, despite two coats of paint and inking the Laser Cut print still shows through, which was important to retain the detail. I need to add various farm implements and perhaps a tree or two to make it a little more Chinese in feel.

  

The rear of the Chinese Compound, could this be the weak point?

 

Japanese troops sneak up on the Russian defenders. I decided to glue the gates shut, I toyed with half open,but thought they might be a little fragile.

I am pleased with how this turned out, but am still torn between the wider terrain discussion if I factor the cost of each kit, the time taken to build the various pieces, construction the compound and paint time, would I be better purchasing cast resin?

This model is light weight, but will it stand up to to the stresses of regular gaming.

I guess time will tell.