War Rocket - Hydra Miniatures

Several years ago I painted up a number of 28mm Flash Gordon Figures, but what I really wanted to do was Space Combat like the sci-fi Cliff Hangers from Saturday morning telly as a kid. When I saw Hydra Games Produce War Rocket how could I resist.

The models have sat unpainted in a box for several months but with the Evesham Wargames Club AGM this Sunday I was looking for a quick 1 hour game that did not involve Zulu's.





I quick read through the rules and we are ready to go, The rules follow a number of simple phases Orders, Delayed Action, Movement, Attack, Damage Phase & Recovery Phase. It seems to follow rather nicely with the slowest models always move first, and the fastest models always moving last.

The Delayed Action Phase allows you to move and fight before anyone else. Sneaky.

Each ship Firepower and Defense stats which should keep book keeping to a minimum. The rule book provides for 4 warring factions, but I have plan for the various Nations on Mongo, Each Space Fleet has 4 classes of ship I, II, III and IV. Depending on the size of the ship, Class I being single seater fighters and the like.

I have painted up a couple of the starter sets to enable me to play some quick scenario's I also brought some ships from Hangar 18 several years ago for a flash Gordon game, they are cast in resin so can be a little brittle but seem to compliment the excellent Hydra Castings.

http://hangar18fasaships.blogspot.com/

Full AAR to follow but in the mean time the gathering forces.....

Ming's Fighter Squadrons.

Class II War Rockets

Flash Gordon and Fighters from Frigia

Arborian Fighters

Until next time viewers.... 

Wargamers are so difficult to buy for?

Can I be the only one who gets that question leveled at them?

I don't see what the problem is....... so it's not available in the high street, can I help that?

As a gamer with varied interests in numerous periods I have a great list of things on the wargamers want list.

I hit the big 4 0 recently and finally convienced those around me that Wargaming goodies are the best presents...

I was really impressed and thanks to all.

On the reading front, I probably have enough to keep be going into the summer, a selection of Osprey books on Elizabethan Warfare, I blame Christmas Holiday TV for that request, I caught the Sea Hawk on one of the more obscure cable channels and that set me off on a new project (more on that soon..)

Anyway the following will prove to be useful inspiration to the half a dozen blisters from Foundry and their Elizabethan range, which are making there way up lead mountain.

279 The Border Reivers

256 The Irish Wars 1485-1603

Elite – Elizabethan Sea Dogs 1560 – 1605

As usual Angus McBride’s illustrations are top notice with plenty of detail and character.

The Egyptian Project has stalled in recent weeks, what with Gloucester Minicon and various real life issues  but I am hoping that the following reads will spark some life back into the project.

Napoleon in Egypt by Paul Strathern

Napoleon’s Egypt – Juan Cole

Both give some great accounts of the French in Egypt and the challenges they faced in a strange land and a fearless foe.

As a light read, I also received a copy of The Last Days of Thunder Child by C.A. Powell, I have been a big fan of H.G. Wells, War of Worlds for several years and have a 15mm British Home Front Army and Martian Tripods which need an outing.

The climax of the original book tells how the HMS Thunder Child takes on 3 Tripods to save the Steamer, this short novel gives the perspective from  the crew of the Thunder Child.

 

On the gaming front a number of items have found their way on to the need to paint pile.

 

Anisty Castings

Barricades (1503)

Trade Goods (3304)

I thought the Barricades would come in handy for ACW makeshift defences and for any other period that require a below par defensive position, perhaps even a barricade to keep out zombies if I can push ahead with the Pike, Shot & Zombie Stuff.

The Trade goods compliment my African and Middle Eastern Village and whilst never a first on a wargamers wants list, they come in so handy for all kinds of scenarios.

Architects of War

Desert Well

Donkey Mill

I have been a fan of the Architects of war stuff for quite a while but always felt it was a little on the expensive side, One of my rules of terrain buying is that it must be able to be used across several periods and genre’s. Having started on my Napoleon in Egypt project and already having a pile of stuff for Mexico, the above two items fit really well.

The resin elements come in a sand coloured finish that will make applying the initial undercoat, the pieces are really detailed furnished with additional pots and sacks, although the donkey looks a little small, it must be all that hard work....

 

Carey's Blunder - A Zulu War Participation Game.

Sunday saw the first outing of the Evesham Wargames Club Zulu War Participation game at Gloucester Minicon, the inaugural event in Gloucester.

We were keen to put on a game that would give players a feel for Sharp Practice but not tie them up for several hours.

The scenario was simple - Rescue the Prince.....

We made a number of tweaks to the rule set to provide a swift action.

All British players were classed as Bigmen, with the Officers and NCO's able to activate the Troopers.

The chain of command could only go downwards so for example the only person able to activate the prince was the prince himself.

We used the Physique of the Bigmen to record wounds, Captain Carey and Prince Imperial had a Physique of 5, whilst troopers only held a 4.

Alll Zulu's moved on the Zulu Blind Card on 2 Dice plus 3, which made them pretty fast if their card came up.

Before players could mount they had to amass a numerical value of 10.

The gallant band of defenders.

Game 1 - 3 Players.

When you umpire you hope games go a certain way, not this time all plans went out of the window, players hot footed it for the donga, with scant regard for the Prince leaving him their horses and the Zulu scout behind.
Fortunately a group of troopers paused at the entrance to the Kraal and became the target for the Zulu's their combined fre was able to suppress and drive off two small groups of Zulu, driving them into the long grass.
Corporal Grubb and Prince had a narrow escape breaking through the Kraal fence and skirting the outside of the board before reaching the safety of the Donga.
Mean while the scout attempted to hide out behind the Tiffin Tent only to be spotted and swamped by the zulu.
Victory to the British Player.

Game 2 - 4 Players

More of a challenge for the Imperial Players as the Zulu Cards came out early in the deck and a good dice roll brought the Zulu's very close to the Kraal entrance blocking the most direct escape route to the Donga.

Troopers Abel and Le Coq struggled to mount their horses as the Zulu broken in via the back wall of the Kraal, while the Prince was grabbed by a second group of Zulu who narrowly missed dragging him from his horse.

Trooper Rogers was caught trying to flee the camp and was brought down.

Captain Carey attempted to hold the Zulu at bay with the aid of Crp Grubb and Trooper Cochrane but were unable to save Rogers.

Trooper le Coq made it to the lip of the Donga before he secumbed to the stabbing Assegi.
On the right Trooper Rogers attempted to make a break for the Donga but was attacked after steeping to close to the Zulu and becoming the target of a swift Zulu move.

The Prince once again was able to mount and ride for safety.
Victory to the British Player.

Game 3 - 5 Player

Last game of the day and a bunch of chaps from the Cheltenham club stepped up to the plate, what a difference experience makes, Captain Carey calmly stood in the centre of the deserted village and ordered the patrol to mount, the patrol fitted their saddles and rode for the gate, but something was wrong, in the confusion Carey was left behind without a mount and the Zulu's were closing in fast.

Carey maintained his decorum and fought off the Zulu each time they advanced, he was like a man possessed, his herioc actions forced a number of the players to come to his aid, in the attempted rescue Crp Grubb was seriously wounded, Carey stood over him and beat back the Zulu again.
Srgt Willis Rode back into the melee creating a path for Carey to flee through.

Carey and Willis leap frogged each other firing into the Zulu hordes, it was not long before Willis had his horse shot from under him, but he continued in his rear guard action inflicting shock on the Zulu hordes closing in.
Last turn of the game saw Carey and Willis reach the Donga, the Zulu morale was broken and the shock points forced them to ground.

Elsewhere the Prince had headed for the Donga and was half way to Natal before Carey had driven off the Zulu.

Victory to the British Players and VC's for Carey and Willis...

Creating a participation game Part 3

A day to go and I think we are there.

Having run through the game on a couple of occasions, I have made a couple of tweaks to the running of the game. The plan is not to tell the players that they are competing against one another.

I have completed the latest releases from Empress, these mounted Infantry will represent the Natal Troopers escorting Louis and will help separate the officers from the troopers, I can't be sure from the research how the Natal Horse Troopers were dressed, but the red tunics give that Hollywood feel which hopefully will appeal to players without the detailed historical knowledge.

Cpt Carey & the Prince Imperial.

For the senior NCO's I will be using the Natal Mounted Police Troopers to be easily identifyable from the troopers.

To represent the Officers bivouac camp I have the tents completed, I should only need one.

I have painted up several mounts to represent the dimounted characters horses, I have also painted up a couple of dead markers should the mounts be killed.

We are using a cut down version of the Too Fat Lardies Sharp Practice Rules, we felt that players would need to reminded of the basic's, so I have photographed the figures and will attach them to reference sheets, with details of the movement and weapon ranges.

Handouts and rule summaries will be needed together with some spare measurement tapes.

Plenty to do before the show date of the Sunday 29th January.

Bolt Action Rules AAR - Play Test....

Sunday night saw the first outing of the Evesham Wargames Club of 2012, 4 games on offer, I was lucky enough to play test the forth coming rules from Warlord Games - "Bolt Action" the Game.

It would be wrong of me to share anything of the rule set or unique mechanisms but as with many of Rick Preistly's previous offerings they are quick to pick up but the challange lies in how you position and order your troops.

It's been quite a while since my Jungle terrain got an airing, but it does give a great feel for the pacific, the scenario was simple, US marines and Japanese Infantry were both given the orders of seizing the village.

The initiative and order mechanism has a slick feel to it, which keeps book keeping to a minimum. I had the luck of the dice in the first rounds pushing my infantry forward.

Mean while the Marines pushed their armour along the track flanked by infantry.

My Japanese reached the entrance to the village and the tanks moved into an over watch position awaiting the slow progress of the US Marines.

Mean while the sneaky yanks had pushed through the jungle to the right flank of my Japanese and had moved into a strong firing position and were putting exstreme pressure on the section holed up in the wooden hut.

Whilst the rules provide the Japanese with a strong morale the weight of fire forced the section to become pinned and ineffective, not surprising really given that the US armour and a Flame Thrower team added to the Japs discomfort.

Finally after 3 rounds of the fire the Japanese section could take no more with killed and pinned littering the hut, they were destroyed and removed form the game.

Meanwhile the fire fight on the left had drawn a significant number of US forces away from the exposed US right flank

Thus allowing the Japanese to push through the centre of the village aided by the destruction of one of the Stuart's.

As we reached wrapping up time at the club the Japanese launched a final Banzi attack on an isolated US section, defeating them in Hand to Hand and removing them from the game, but at a significant loss to their own number.

As with any play test we came away with some questions around process and game play, but the rules played well, fast and low in book keeping, we had the rules pretty much nailed in a couple of turns...
I look forward to seeing how these develop over the coming months and look forward to the finished product in the summer.

Bolt Action Wargames Rules - Pacific War - Revamp

Several years ago I started on a WW2 project to fight out encounters on Guaducanal, like a number of project my head was turned by other ideas and shiny metal and the figures were consigned to a carry case.

However with the recent press release from the guy's at Warlord Games...

"Warlord Games and Osprey Publishing are teaming up to create Bolt Action: World War II Wargames Rules. Written by veteran game designers Alessio Cavatore and Rick Priestley, Bolt Action is a fast, fun 28mm wargame that rewards tactical play, but doesn’t get bogged down with excessive
tables and charts. The main rulebook is scheduled for a July 2012 release, followed by a series of books covering the armies of the major and minor powers of World War II."

 
http://www.warlordgames.com/13483/warlord-games-and-osprey-publishing-announce-partnership/

Coupled with the facts that one of our number at the Evesham Wargames Club has been asked to play test the rule mechanism before release, I thought it was high time the Pacific Collection got an outing... Besides he had invited Rick down to help out with the rules run through........

The figures are largely westwind with a number of the Battlehonors range added in, these are true 25mm scale, but when based and painted it's difficult to tell the scale variants apart.

I struck me how my painting style has changed over the years (improved???) and the existing collection was a little to shiny and plain for my liking and they were in need of a 60 minute make over...

A liberal wash of Devlin mud, highlighting of the skin tones, and metal items, together with Silfor on the basing and a coating of Testors Dullcoat to take the shine off has given them a far better Pacific feel...

US Marine NCO's from Battle Honours.

US Marine Pinned Markers

US Marine .50 Cal HMG Team, moving and deployed.

Japanese LMG Team Deployed.

Japanese Infantry Gun.

Japanese Sniper Team.

Japanese Command Squad, Westwind Miniatures.

I had a couple of Japanese tanks still in bare metal so these were rushed into service.
Type 97 Chi-Ha Medium Tank, Type 89 Chi-Ro Medium Tank to counter this I also completed a couple of Anti-Tank teams and flame thrower teams for the US Marines.

Each squad is built around strength as set out in both the US and Japanesse Army Manuals, which gives the Japanese a great number of riflemen, but the US Marines an extra BAR per squad.

I also found several recruits hiding out in the "spares" draw, these were pressed in to service providing the Japanese with additional support with the introduction of knee mortars for section 4.

The OCD wargamer in me is screaming out to buy some additional troops in the form of HMG's and light Tanks for the Yanks and more Japanese from Warlord, but I am fighting the urge to see how the new improved skirmish force perform and the rules pan out...

Full AAR report to follow.

As always comments welcome.

Renedra & Pegasus Plastic Terrain Pieces

Keeping up with my plan to complete the projects sitting in draws and cupboards. I thought this week I would turn my attention to a couple of terrain items...

First up.

Renedra - Tents.

A multi purpose terrain peice, 4 tents and a camp fire, these will work for anything from the Zulu War through to the American Civil War. I figured that a tent and a camp fire will come in handy to represent Lt Carey's camp at the forthcoming particapation game at Gloucester Minicon.

The pieces come in a grey pressed plastic which needs a couple of coats of white undercoat to cover up the grey base colour.

I decided to base them to make them a little more robust and include the camp fire as being so small it was likely to be lost.


I have given them a quick wash of GW Gryphonne Sepia Wash and wiped off the excess to give them the lived in look.

Pegasus Hobbies - Cactuses.

I picked these up cheap off e-bay with the intention of providing scenics for a texas war project that got as far as 20 figures, I thought I would make and paint them to compliment my Napoleonic French in Egypt campaign, they will serve as rough ground and places for the sneaky arabs to hide in, but also double for rough ground in the donga for the forth coming Zulu game.

The Cactus come in two different sizes one of large plants the other of a smaller variety. First impressions are terrible they are bright green and the plastic feels a little cheap, but they go together really well and with a liberal coating of undercoat and some dry brushing they look really nice and are a perfect match for 28mm figures.

I based up some lose pebbles and some scenic brush to compliment them, the project took a couple of hours to complete, but I can see a use in several games.