tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876094833626726742024-03-18T01:48:37.898+00:00THE WARGAMING SITEA blog dedicated to all kinds of wargaming. WW2, WW1, Renaissance, Napoleonic, ancients, naval wargaming, Seven Years War, Thirty Years War and lots more besides. I tend to focus on 6mm and 1/2400 scale.
Contains painting, scenery, terrain and basing tips with battle reports, tactical musings, historical references and a whole lot more.Broedershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218127480258279732noreply@blogger.comBlogger1079125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-587609483362672674.post-30962091147271401902021-01-13T21:34:00.005+00:002021-01-13T21:37:45.749+00:00Battle of the Falklands - a Full Thrust scenario<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal">Battle of the Falklands<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A Full Thrust Scenario by Phil Broeders<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Authors notes<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This scenario is based on the The Battle of the Falkland
Islands, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a First World War naval action
between the British Royal Navy and Imperial German Navy on 8 December 1914 in
the South Atlantic. The British, after their defeat at the Battle of Coronel on
1 November, sent a large force to track down and destroy the German cruiser
squadron. The battle is commemorated every year on 8 December in the Falkland
Islands as a public holiday.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Admiral Graf Maximilian von Spee commanding the German
squadron of two armoured cruisers, SMS Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, the light
cruisers SMS Nürnberg, Dresden and Leipzig, and the colliers SS Baden, SS Santa
Isabel, and SS Seydlitz <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>attempted to
raid the British supply base at Stanley in the Falkland Islands. The British
squadron consisting of the battlecruisers HMS Invincible and Inflexible, the
armoured cruisers HMS Carnarvon, Cornwall and Kent, the armed merchant cruiser
HMS Macedonia and the light cruisers HMS Bristol and Glasgow had arrived in the
port the day before.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Visibility was at its maximum; the sea was placid with a
gentle breeze, and the day was bright and sunny. The vanguard cruisers of the
German squadron were detected early. By nine o'clock that morning, the British
battlecruisers and cruisers were in hot pursuit of the German vessels. All
except Dresden and Seydlitz were hunted down and sunk.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Scenario<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You can run this as a stand-alone OR following on from the
Battle of Coronel IV (see previous post) <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If as a stand alone make Side A full strength.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If a follow-on allow basic repairs (1d6 damage
boxes replaced per damaged ship).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
Canopus was used on the previous scenario, do not use it in this one.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The ships of Side A are joined by three fuel carriers
(merchant ships).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They plan to raid a
major refuelling station belonging to Side B – thinking it undefended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fuel carriers will take as much fuel as they
can and then make their escape<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The fuelling station is located <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>near an asteroid in a small asteroid field known
as The Falklands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A number of asteroids are
to the side of the large asteroid, blocking the view (and hiding Side B’s fleet).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Side A must approach the refuelling station until the enemy
is spotted (see Setup).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once spotted Side
A can choose to stay and fight OR to run for it (based on victory conditions
below).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The three fuel-carriers will aim
to run automatically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Set-up<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Place the refuelling station (any space station model will
do) on the LH corner of one short edge of the table (assuming a 6’ x 4’ table)
and the asteroids 1 ½ ’ from the short edge that the refuelling station is on
and about 1 ½’ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(essentially screening
the refuelling station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Fleet A arrives from the same short edge but the opposite
corner, led by the light cruisers with the refuellers in the rear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Once Fleet A gets within 1’ of the asteroid field both fleets
are deemed spotted by each other and can open fire (assuming spotting through
the gaps in the asteroids).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Fleet B is then placed by Player B in a formation of choice between
the asteroids and the LH long side of the table. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Fleet A must escape by reaching the opposing short edge<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The map below may help with layout</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lwpwu8vcwRQ/X_9oA9rOLVI/AAAAAAAAbu0/eDXSQhhRc_Azc6YeBTgD_USSPkMQ-yAlQCLcBGAsYHQ/s938/Falklandschlacht.jpg" imageanchor="1" referrerpolicy="origin" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="938" data-original-width="536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lwpwu8vcwRQ/X_9oA9rOLVI/AAAAAAAAbu0/eDXSQhhRc_Azc6YeBTgD_USSPkMQ-yAlQCLcBGAsYHQ/w366-h640/Falklandschlacht.jpg" width="366" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Opposing Forces<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Player A</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2 cruisers<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3 light cruisers<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3 merchant ships<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Optional : </b>if following on from the Coronel scenario maintain
damage less repaired damage (see above).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><br />
<b><o:p><br /></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Player B</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1 battleship (optional - see below)</p><p class="MsoNormal">2 battlecruisers</p><p class="MsoNormal">3 heavy cruisers</p><p class="MsoNormal">2 light cruisers</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Optional – </b>Canopus is a battleship <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(if not used in the Coronel scenario) which
has engine trouble <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and thus immobile but
can fire its weapons at any ship in range.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Canopus can be placed anywhere to the left of the asteroids.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Victory conditions</b></p><p class="MsoNormal">Player A wins a major victory by escaping the entire fleet
off table</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Player A wins a minor victory by escaping all fighting ships
off table</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Player B wins a major victory by destroying all the enemy
fighting ships<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Player B wins a minor victory by destroying half the enemy
fleet (including the fuel ships)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Player B wins a minor victory by destroying 3 of 5 warships.<o:p></o:p></p>Broedershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218127480258279732noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-587609483362672674.post-31189683936506176932021-01-11T15:53:00.006+00:002021-01-12T09:09:25.819+00:00Battle of Coronel IV - Full Thrust Scenario<p> Battle Of Coronel IV</p><p>A Full Thrust scenario by Phil Broeders</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Author’s Notes</p><p>This scenario is based on the Battle of Coronel – a WW1 encounter between a squadron of modern German warships and a scratch-built British squadron on 1 November 1914, off the coast of central Chile near the city of Coronel. The East Asia Squadron (Ostasiengeschwader or Kreuzergeschwader) of the Kaiserliche Marine (Imperial German Navy) led by Vice-Admiral Graf Maximilian von Spee met and overpowered a British squadron commanded by Rear-Admiral Sir Christopher Cradock.</p><p>The engagement probably took place as a result of misunderstandings. Neither admiral expected to meet the other in full force. Once the two met, Cradock understood his orders were to fight to the end, despite the odds being heavily against him. Although Spee had an easy victory, destroying two enemy armoured cruisers for just three men injured, the engagement also cost him almost half his supply of ammunition, which was irreplaceable. </p><p>Shock at the British losses led the Admiralty to send more ships, including two modern battlecruisers, which in turn destroyed Spee and the majority of his squadron on 8 December at the Battle of the Falkland Islands. I will be doing a scenario on this subsequent battle shortly.</p><p>Note that the British were supposed to have the old battleship Canopus (Can o’ Peas) in the squadron but boiler trouble (and the mental health of the chief stoker!) meant that the battleship was slow in getting into action but actually played a role in the subsequent Battle of the Falkland Islands. Players can choose whether to include the Canopus in this battle to balance the forces but can’t use it in the subsequent battle – or vice versa.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Scenario</b></p><p>At the start of a sector-wide conflict between two opposing forces – two squadrons of both sides are patrolling around Coronel IV – a key planet, albeit far from the main theatre of operations due to its position controlling a number of trade routes and jump points.</p><p>Side A has a well equipped and potent squadron , side B has had to pull together a scratch force of different ships – one of which is an old battleship with engine trouble that may (or may not) be able to meet up with the squadron.</p><p>Player B’s flagship is expected to fight to the death – the other ships in the squadron have other ideas. Once a Side B ship has taken fire, roll 1d6 each turn. On a roll of 6 that ship will ‘run for it’ and attempt to exit from the nearest table edge.</p><p>Player B’s flagship also has fire control issues. Tick off one FC marker on the flagship card before play.</p><p>Player A will aim to destroy or cripple as many of Player B’s ships as they can. Note however that any damage to Player A’s ships must be ‘carried over’ into the following scenario (Falkland Islands). </p><p>Also if Player A loses one or more ships, the remainder will in turn ‘run for it’ and attempt to exit from the nearest table edge.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Set-up</b></p><p>Both players should draw their squadron formation on a piece of paper prior to play then roll D6 to see which table edge they come on from. 1-2 and 5-6 are the short-edge of the table, 3 and 4 the long edges. In the event of a tie, roll again. This denotes the surprise that neither was expecting the other to be there. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Opposing Forces</b></p><p>Player A</p><p>2 cruisers</p><p>3 light cruisers<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></p><p><br /></p><p>Optional - To denote the difference in class provide Player A’s ships with 3 more hull points per ship.</p><p><br /></p><p>Player B</p><p>2 cruisers (designate one as flagship – the flagship has one FC token marked off at the start of the battle)</p><p>1 light cruiser</p><p>1 ‘auxiliary cruiser’ – use an armed merchantman or similar</p><p>Optional – 1 battlecruiser (if chosen make this ship slower by 2 MU’s compared to the slowest Player A ship)</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Victory conditions</b></p><p>Player A wins a major victory if half or more of the opposing force is destroyed</p><p>Player B wins a major victory if Player A is forced to run for it</p><p>Player B wins a minor victory if all ships except the flagship escape off table</p><div><br /></div>Broedershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218127480258279732noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-587609483362672674.post-82780594165078784872021-01-05T13:30:00.001+00:002021-01-06T10:47:39.195+00:00Goeben & Breslau Full Thrust Scenario<p><b>The Goeben and Breslau Incident</b></p><p>A Full Thrust scenario by Phil Broeders</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Author’s Notes</b></p><p>This scenario is based on the search for two German ships in the Mediterranean during the early stages of WW1. Rather than be trapped in the Adriatic the Germans broke out into the Mediterranean and – knowing they were subject to a hunt by allied forces – eventually made a run for Turkey who received the ships as a gift from Germany and subsequently used them in the Black Sea (and were considered a major reason why Turkey entered the war on Germany’s side). They did bombard allied positions in North Africa and were seen as a major threat to troop convoys and merchant shipping in the area.</p><p>Note that this set-up could allow for 3-4 battles in one sitting as players try different routes and force allocation.</p><p>Also both players can choose to scatter some asteroids and other detrius around the table!</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Scenario</b></p><p>A sideshow as a start of a major conflict engulfing several sectors, in sector Midi two powerful ships are making a run through what has become suddenly hostile territory. They have four potential routes to take to get to the safety of a neutral sector – and the allied forces (although more powerful as a single unit) must cover all four areas of operation to prevent escape. This means either splitting up their force or gambling on choosing the correct route and bringing overwhelming force to bear. </p><p>Player A controls the Goeben and Breslau. Player B controls the Allied forces. Although the Allied forces are larger, player B must cover four potential areas of operation. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>Set-up</b></p><p>Whichever Sub-Sector Player B chooses as its route to the neutral sector, place whatever the sub-sector contains in the centre of the table (assuming a standard 6 x 4 foot table). </p><p>Note that Goeben has 1 Thrust Rating higher than the Allied battlecruisers (irrespective of points allocation). Player B should inform player A of his BC's thust rating and Player A should adapt his stats accordingly.<br /><br />Goeben should have the same points rating as B's BC's and Breslau the same points rating as the B's Cruisers. </p><p><br /></p><p>Player A writes on a piece of paper which Sub-sector (A-D) they choose as their route to safety. </p><p><br /></p><p>Player B writes down the force chosen to cover each sub-sector on 4 separate pieces of paper (A-D). Obviously each ship allocated can only be in one subsector! This is a trust exercise so B may be required to show all 4 pieces of paper if required to show the totals add up! </p><p><br /></p><p>On Player A’s reveal, Player B shows the force allocated to that particular sub-sector. Player B then lays out his force wherever he chooses on the table. </p><p><br /></p><p>Note that Player B can choose to leave a Sub-Sector without cover or with a token force to have more force available in other sub-sectors– but risks Player A having a free run and easy victory.</p><p><br /></p><p>Player A enters from one short edge (chosen by coin toss) and must get his force to the other side of the table. If using a square or round table choose a random compass point (N E W S) on the table from which Player A enters and must exit from the opposite table edge.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b> Areas of Operation</b></p><p>1.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Sub Sector Alpha : contains a small allied space station</p><p>2.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Sub-Sector Beta : A convoy of 4 merchant ships carrying allied supplies</p><p>3.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Sub sector Gamma ; an allied repair station</p><p>4.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Sub-sector Delta : a jump gate </p><p><br /></p><p><b>Opposing Forces</b></p><p>Player A</p><p>3 battlecruisers (battleship), 4 cruisers, 4 light cruisers, 12 destroyers (can be reduced based on models available), 4 various merchant ships, 1 space station, 1 repair station</p><p><br /></p><p>Player B</p><p>1 battlecruiser (battleship). </p><p>1 cruiser</p><div><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Victory Conditions<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Goeben gets off table – 10 points<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Breslau gets off table – 7 points<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Each allied ship destroyed<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Destroyer
– 2 points<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Light
Cruiser – 5 points<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Cruiser –
7 points<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Battlecruiser
– 12 points<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Merchant
Ship – 5 points each<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jump Gate
– 5 points<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Repair
station – 10 points<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Space
Station – 15 points<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Goeben crippled / destroyed / captured – 20 points<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Breslau crippled / destroyed / captured – 12 points<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Player with highest points total wins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Note that Player A can win even if he loses
both ships as long as he inflicts sufficient damage on the allied side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><br /></div>Broedershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218127480258279732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-587609483362672674.post-67352958973615621242021-01-03T19:43:00.000+00:002021-01-03T19:43:21.346+00:00The Matapan Incident - a Full Thrust scenario based on the Battle of Matapan<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>The Matapan Incident<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A Full Thrust scenario by Phil Broeders<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Author’s Notes<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is a contact battle between two long-standing enemy
forces (and can form part of a campaign if you like).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forces can be any two forces you choose but
should consist of standard forces with recognisable ship types rather than
exotic aliens etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is based on the
Battle of Matapan in 1941.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To set the tone for this scenario, inform the commander of Force
B that he has limited ship numbers in this sector and does not wish to risk its
ships unduly unless it can concentrate forces against an inferior force – and so
will avoid battle with an equal or superior numbered enemy.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is a tough battle for Player B – although he may not
realise it at first and think he’s about to engage in a turkey shoot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he
has the sense to scout ahead or at least not leap into the dark, he should have
the ability to get away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If not it is highly likely that his fleet will
be battered and possibly lost completely.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Background<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Force A is covering troop movements in Sector Medi as part
of an ongoing war against Force B and its ally and is attempting to land troops
on a planet (Greka 2). <br />
<br />
Force A’s cryptoanalysts have managed to break one of Force B’s code and are
reading their signals for the first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The first message broken, the cryptic "Today’s the day minus
three," was followed three days later by a second message reporting the launch
of a Force B battle fleet from their base on Matapan - comprising one
battleship, six heavy and two light cruisers, plus destroyers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their aim is <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to attack the merchant convoys supplying Force
B’s <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>forces in this sector – specifically
those supporting the invasion of Greka which is held by Force B’s allies (Force
C).<br />
<br />
The intelligence breakthrough was concealed from Force B <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>by ensuring there was a plausible reason for Force
A to have detected and intercepted their fleet. In this case, it was a
carefully directed reconnaissance craft that briefly contacted (then evaded)
Force B’s battlefleet.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As a further deception, Force A’s commanding Admiral made a
surreptitious exit after dark from a starport hotel at their main base on
planet Alix (known to be under surveillance by spies paid by Force B) to avoid
being seen boarding his flagship – the main battleship of Force A. He had made
a point of arriving at the hotel <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the
same afternoon with his suitcase as if for an overnight stay, and spent time in
the hotel lobby and restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An
evening party on the flagship was advertised for that night for local dignitaries
and ambassadors to attend <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but was never
meant to take place.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">At the same time, there was a failure of intelligence on the
Force B’s side. Force B had been wrongly informed by their allies (Force C) that
Force A’s fleet had only one operational battleship available and no carrier
(one of Force A’s carriers having been damaged in a tussle with a portion of
Force C’s fleet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In actual fact, Force
A could field 3 battleships and a carrier (a replacement carrier being warped
to the area to bolster Force A).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Scenario setup<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This should be a refereed game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dole out the forces accordingly but keep the
numbers for Force A secret from Player B but let player A have full knowledge
of the ships in Player B’s command (as gleaned by their intelligence coup).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Inform Force B’s commander that he has the largest force in
the sector at present, that there is a convoy of merchant ships in the area –
50% of which must be destroyed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Inform the
commander that the enemy force is weaker than his own but if he feels that his
force is in danger then discretion will be the better part of valour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also inform him that his fleet recently
chased off a snooping scout of Force A’s but he has probably been spotted –
meaning the convoy may get away and that Player A will have a good idea of the
forces Player B has.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Player B’s orders
are to destroy more of the enemy than he loses of his own force, that
destruction of the convoy is his highest priority and he must pass through Force
A’s covering force to do so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Player A’s objective is simple – lure Force B into the trap
and use the firepower at his disposal to destroy the enemy fleet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The player should use the initial cruiser
force to ‘pin’ the enemy in place until such time as his main force shows up –
if it survives that long. Note there is a convoy of merchant ships but on the
other side of Force A!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Battle set-up<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Assume a 6 ‘x 4’ table lengthways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Designate one narrow end as A and the other
as B with a mid point being 3’ from either edge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then assume 2 ‘virtual’ tables X and Y (on either
side of the short edges of the initial table – Z).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The referee should have two sheets of A4
showing the positions of the opposing main battlegroups – especially the
carrier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It may also be useful (space
permitting) to have a separate table available should action leak off table Z
(e.g. Force B’s cruisers get onto table X for example).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Force A deploys its cruisers / destroyers (see below) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>within a 1’ of the midpoint of Z on side X and
Force B deploying its cruisers within 2’ from the edge of side Y.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both sides should face each other but speed
and formation is up to the discretion of the players. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Initially the opposing forces should only have half their
cruisers and 1/3 of their destroyers ‘on table’ on Z - with the remainder of
their forces on one ‘table’ away (each side) and converging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So Force B will have 3 heavy cruisers, Force
B will have 4 light cruisers initially – plus 1/3 of the destroyers available.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
All remaining units will comprise the main battlegroup of each side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both commanders must provide the referee with
the layout of their main battlegroups at the start of the battle. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Force B’s main battlegroup will come on table <b>two turns</b>
after the start of the game from Table Y i.e. Turn 3 – in the same formation as
designated at the start of the game and moving at the speed designated by the
commander.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Force A’s main battlegroup is assumed to start at the back edge
of Table X and heading towards Z at full speed – the referee will need to
determine where the force is on table X as the overall battle commences. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If Force B sends a destroyer to scout beyond the current
table – and it makes it off <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the short table
edge - it will spot Force B’s battlegroup – and a complete lack of convoy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Force B can launch its fighters / torpedo bombers as soon as
Force B’s main battlegroup appears on Z – i.e. on Turn 3. (consider them as
ready for immediate launch based on the limitations of the actual force chosen
i.e how many fighters that particular carrier can launch at any one time).
These will proceed from a point the referee thinks the carrier will be at on X
on Turn 3 and at best speed – these too need to be tracked by the referee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The arrival of fighters on table (if Force B has not scouted
table X) should indicate to player B that a larger force than expected may be ‘over
the horizon’ – as no carrier is expected to be in this sector!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Player B faces a difficult decision once the main
battlegroups meet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He must escape the
trap but also damage Force A more than he is damaged himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the longer he hangs around, the more
likely he will lose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Force B is assumed
to have escaped once the battleship (or the largest remaining ship) has reached
the mid-point of Table Y.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If Player B wants to make a run for it, then a ‘stern chase’
will ensue with Force A assumed to chase at full speed and firing out of
frontal arcs while Force B cannot fire back from their rear arc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So a choice may need to be made by B to
escape in zig-zag formation (to get shots off) but reducing the speed of
escape.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Victory conditions<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Either force inflicting more damage on the opposing force by
the end of the engagement is deemed the winner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is based on the number of damage points (boxes) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>inflicted in total on all ships hit by the
enemy.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Opposing forces<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Force A <o:p></o:p></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1 large carrier (mixed force of fighters and torpedo bombers
numbering 18 in total)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3 battleships<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">7 light cruisers<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">12 destroyers <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Force B<o:p></o:p></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1 battleship<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">6 heavy cruisers<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2 light cruisers<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">12 destroyers<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Note that the number of destroyers can be reduced based on
ships available to the players (and table space) but ensure the numbers are matched
for both forces (e.g. 9 to 9, 6 to 6 etc)<o:p></o:p></p>Broedershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218127480258279732noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-587609483362672674.post-40431221449890950362020-12-11T16:58:00.001+00:002020-12-11T16:58:08.074+00:00Mojo back with a couple of new projects<p> I've been painting up starships for some time over the past couple of months. Torn between Full Thrust and another rule set. But its a lot of fun! </p><p>Most of the fleets are commensurate with Earth politics so you have Russian, German, British etc. with mixed abilities. Full Thrust allows for weapons and ship customisation so more flexible. Fast, fun and with a damage effect system that sees ships degrade in combat (or simply blow up for the smaller ones). </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-32Be-cxtxSY/X9Oki3xHQbI/AAAAAAAAbdk/jrbYsRYo11QELGG-_VZErOcNdTwuQOSUgCPcBGAsYHg/s3222/20201211_125113.jpg" imageanchor="1" referrerpolicy="origin" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2347" data-original-width="3222" height="466" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-32Be-cxtxSY/X9Oki3xHQbI/AAAAAAAAbdk/jrbYsRYo11QELGG-_VZErOcNdTwuQOSUgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h466/20201211_125113.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QcaGRcp5snw/X9Oki413D0I/AAAAAAAAbdk/shIFWBBMUNIdKxae7HhZZ1jr9dhfkgCrQCPcBGAsYHg/s3613/20201211_131542.jpg" imageanchor="1" referrerpolicy="origin" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2323" data-original-width="3613" height="412" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QcaGRcp5snw/X9Oki413D0I/AAAAAAAAbdk/shIFWBBMUNIdKxae7HhZZ1jr9dhfkgCrQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h412/20201211_131542.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wzpbKtlcRc4/X9Oki5dbOJI/AAAAAAAAbdk/-GfSTRnNq4E_XwcT6MGbR3xDpUSMwPSCQCPcBGAsYHg/s3864/20201211_131809.jpg" imageanchor="1" referrerpolicy="origin" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2334" data-original-width="3864" height="386" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wzpbKtlcRc4/X9Oki5dbOJI/AAAAAAAAbdk/-GfSTRnNq4E_XwcT6MGbR3xDpUSMwPSCQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h386/20201211_131809.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nkQum278HKY/X9Oki0is9DI/AAAAAAAAbdk/2kc1khZ1X2s1oeL8j_DgvgRQsdua_UuFgCPcBGAsYHg/s2986/20201211_132210.jpg" imageanchor="1" referrerpolicy="origin" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2074" data-original-width="2986" height="444" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nkQum278HKY/X9Oki0is9DI/AAAAAAAAbdk/2kc1khZ1X2s1oeL8j_DgvgRQsdua_UuFgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h444/20201211_132210.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HBuBGBDY5q8/X9Oki62JROI/AAAAAAAAbdk/IlZ_7_UpPsQGZKhrYi4XGqS2QKWOT052gCPcBGAsYHg/s3349/20201211_132343.jpg" imageanchor="1" referrerpolicy="origin" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2024" data-original-width="3349" height="386" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HBuBGBDY5q8/X9Oki62JROI/AAAAAAAAbdk/IlZ_7_UpPsQGZKhrYi4XGqS2QKWOT052gCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h386/20201211_132343.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xoObTCQ1C-Q/X9Oki-UrpwI/AAAAAAAAbdk/ZJGEhImh4o0xxZznCW3KH08vqs4QPid_QCPcBGAsYHg/s3644/20201211_132444.jpg" imageanchor="1" referrerpolicy="origin" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2106" data-original-width="3644" height="370" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xoObTCQ1C-Q/X9Oki-UrpwI/AAAAAAAAbdk/ZJGEhImh4o0xxZznCW3KH08vqs4QPid_QCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h370/20201211_132444.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Broedershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218127480258279732noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-587609483362672674.post-65250182443954292272020-10-14T15:53:00.002+01:002020-10-14T15:53:16.443+01:00No apologies<p> I noticed that I hadn't posted since March (when Covid lockdown hit). This co-incided with a new job, the boys coming home to stay and many other factors. The upshot was (with wargaming put on hold) that I just stepped away from the hobby completely. I did some online stuff playing Steel Division but we found that our router and my old PC were not up to the job (with everyone in the house - and the rest of the street being online at the same time) so I just jacked it in. <br /><br />Then I realised that - in all honesty - I would probably never look to wargame much again. So I made the decision to sell off a large proportion of my troops to raise cash to buy a new PC and fund other fun activities. In the end it raised about £2,000 and I still have a load to get rid of.<br /><br />Logically thinking - for me - the vast majority of the troops I'd painted would never see the table again. I could keep them in their boxes for purely sentimental reasons but they'd just end up gathering dust. I preferred to see them pass on to people who would get pleasure from them. <br /><br />This included my extensive collection of trees and terrain which all went to good homes (and I occasionally see them pop up in the buyer's blogs and Facebook posts). </p><p>I did invest some of the cash raised to fund both some aeronef and space fleets which I can solo game with if the need requires. They're both genres I've been interested in playing and I'll have fun just painting them up and having a quick game when required. </p><p>I'm sure I'll get the mojo back one day but for now its a case of taking time to sell off the remainder and put the funds into other projects. </p><p>Which then begs the question about the blog. I'm not going to close it down because people still visit it through Google and I hope glean some useful information from it but in terms of regular blogging about wargaming...I don't think much will happen on it in the future.<br /><br />A massive thank you to all who have passed this way, commented and engaged. I will - as the French have - say au revoir for now.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Broedershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218127480258279732noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-587609483362672674.post-55712863828929807722020-03-19T21:32:00.001+00:002020-03-19T21:32:26.202+00:00Light Box<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Got a light box at last - only a few quid on Ebay with built in LED lights....and selection of backdrops.<br /><br />6mm bocage experiments are the first into the box...<br />
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Broedershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218127480258279732noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-587609483362672674.post-8580755130440959232020-03-18T12:39:00.002+00:002020-03-18T12:39:33.124+00:00Self-quarantining<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Coronavirus. People locked into their homes. 'Working' from home. Not allowed out for 2 weeks.<br /><br />Wargamers with lead mountains : "My time has come"</div>
Broedershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218127480258279732noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-587609483362672674.post-40923671319910787802020-02-09T22:22:00.000+00:002020-02-09T22:22:06.994+00:00Winter trees on Ebay<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Selling off my 6mm winter tree collection...<br />
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Broedershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218127480258279732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-587609483362672674.post-91631789007574539852020-02-09T17:28:00.006+00:002020-02-09T17:28:41.305+00:00Airplane stands for my Aeronefs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've been working on different ideas for my aeronef stands - and finally got a solution I'm happy with.<br />
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For the Aeronef and Imperial Skies rules, hexagonal bases are required. I found a guy on eBay who does laser cut acrylic shapes for very competitive prices (20 different sized bases for just £8). I had some small hexagonal mdf shapes for another project available - and bought a few bits from B&Q. These were N4 nuts and washers, a 1m length of N4 gauge metal (essentially a very long bolt) and a similar length of plastic tubing.<br />
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The nuts are glued to the mdf hex shapes (40 in total). Once dry, one half are glued to the acrylic hexes, the other half have a washer glued to the reverse side (we'll call this the 'top nut').<br />
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Then the N4 guage metal screw is cut to size. One end screws into the base, the other into the top nut. This can then be covered (if desired) by a length of plastic tube to mask the screw.<br />
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My aeronef have a magnet glued to the bottom of each ship. This attaches to the washer on the top nut during play - but is easily detachable for packing away.<br />
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The only issue is the superglue fumes have fogged the acrylic! I'll have to find a solution to get this off.<br />
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Broedershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218127480258279732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-587609483362672674.post-41291895082605591192020-01-28T20:15:00.003+00:002020-01-28T20:15:40.660+00:00Some of my Eastern Front WW2 winter stuff on Ebay<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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On sale now! I'm getting rid of some of my Eastern Front winter stuff to clear the decks and use the funds for other projects. If you're interested, they're on Ebay now.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cVVP7eYmf0s/XjCU4hEz1VI/AAAAAAAAYWg/uxRSzPdBAOozJgQF9SHyohdRGJ_h77qJwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/ju%2B57%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1199" height="478" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cVVP7eYmf0s/XjCU4hEz1VI/AAAAAAAAYWg/uxRSzPdBAOozJgQF9SHyohdRGJ_h77qJwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/ju%2B57%2B2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ju52 </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tz-r07PkIz0/XjCT-yYtDmI/AAAAAAAAYVs/cPE1MYmTwzMiQPFbLauiO8YYoXJ-Bn72gCEwYBhgL/s1600/aerodrome%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1199" height="478" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tz-r07PkIz0/XjCT-yYtDmI/AAAAAAAAYVs/cPE1MYmTwzMiQPFbLauiO8YYoXJ-Bn72gCEwYBhgL/s640/aerodrome%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">German aerodrome</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U8OO0Dr_-zc/XjCU23iFwDI/AAAAAAAAYXI/aYh7j_kLIAYZmtiX9_adYL532lTXS9iEQCEwYBhgL/s1600/depot%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U8OO0Dr_-zc/XjCU23iFwDI/AAAAAAAAYXI/aYh7j_kLIAYZmtiX9_adYL532lTXS9iEQCEwYBhgL/s640/depot%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Depot</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Go-zaNvn3f0/XjCU2AoYF0I/AAAAAAAAYXQ/UZLL0E6D7E0iImKgQ-S_wqcBK_KSUKxFQCEwYBhgL/s1600/chuirch%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1199" height="478" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Go-zaNvn3f0/XjCU2AoYF0I/AAAAAAAAYXQ/UZLL0E6D7E0iImKgQ-S_wqcBK_KSUKxFQCEwYBhgL/s640/chuirch%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Church</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yp_0yJEnzuA/XjCUCIufV6I/AAAAAAAAYVw/qyNWZD75WDowO_CuC3_Eqx7BG5c7J2A8QCEwYBhgL/s1600/He%2B111%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="259" data-original-width="533" height="310" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yp_0yJEnzuA/XjCUCIufV6I/AAAAAAAAYVw/qyNWZD75WDowO_CuC3_Eqx7BG5c7J2A8QCEwYBhgL/s640/He%2B111%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He 111's</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B7DijbrUV4Y/XjCU06fV9hI/AAAAAAAAYXA/7vcR-3QWNZgPiBLtVPu02zWN4a5gbM2YACEwYBhgL/s1600/building%2B1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1199" height="478" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B7DijbrUV4Y/XjCU06fV9hI/AAAAAAAAYXA/7vcR-3QWNZgPiBLtVPu02zWN4a5gbM2YACEwYBhgL/s640/building%2B1a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Factory</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5z5uzeA7C80/XjCU35jgo0I/AAAAAAAAYW8/ZSKrUNE7IHcru7mwdTC46dkazDNkxqdagCEwYBhgL/s1600/dug%2Bin%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5z5uzeA7C80/XjCU35jgo0I/AAAAAAAAYW8/ZSKrUNE7IHcru7mwdTC46dkazDNkxqdagCEwYBhgL/s640/dug%2Bin%2B2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dug-in troops</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ppHnLbzYinw/XjCU4UHUqII/AAAAAAAAYXM/NdiBslGZNnYoK32oz3jiZ0RvnqH0dRpxQCEwYBhgL/s1600/farm%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ppHnLbzYinw/XjCU4UHUqII/AAAAAAAAYXM/NdiBslGZNnYoK32oz3jiZ0RvnqH0dRpxQCEwYBhgL/s640/farm%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Russian farm</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F_D1hgDP_G0/XjCUx_BXB6I/AAAAAAAAYXE/ezrw0qU0XA86gsDckep-Tlfgi18NxAYsgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Me110%2Bpack%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F_D1hgDP_G0/XjCUx_BXB6I/AAAAAAAAYXE/ezrw0qU0XA86gsDckep-Tlfgi18NxAYsgCEwYBhgL/s640/Me110%2Bpack%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me 110<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ICR0evpChE/XjCU5CQx2eI/AAAAAAAAYXM/aV8xiWBng6osWIm2349-Hh1NH00Flb9WQCEwYBhgL/s1600/silo%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ICR0evpChE/XjCU5CQx2eI/AAAAAAAAYXM/aV8xiWBng6osWIm2349-Hh1NH00Flb9WQCEwYBhgL/s640/silo%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grain silo</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5ETu4rFgcm4/XjCUyh7gC8I/AAAAAAAAYXA/wTw-X_10fcUwgHVpsccWKQmWXS3lZ8aBwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Russian%2Bbomber%2B1%2Bpack%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5ETu4rFgcm4/XjCUyh7gC8I/AAAAAAAAYXA/wTw-X_10fcUwgHVpsccWKQmWXS3lZ8aBwCEwYBhgL/s640/Russian%2Bbomber%2B1%2Bpack%2B2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tu 2<br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OqypWgg5rlY/XjCU5DPo-hI/AAAAAAAAYXE/EriZdKMK9LMjfA5szFQHgISzE1y-LxnQwCEwYBhgL/s1600/russian%2Bbombers%2B3%2Bpack%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="259" data-original-width="533" height="310" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OqypWgg5rlY/XjCU5DPo-hI/AAAAAAAAYXE/EriZdKMK9LMjfA5szFQHgISzE1y-LxnQwCEwYBhgL/s640/russian%2Bbombers%2B3%2Bpack%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pe 2's</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jeNlhMvPLeI/XjCUzYShx8I/AAAAAAAAYXI/BwjATz1Rdg4j5FVtoC6WZXYKL4BiBfq2wCEwYBhgL/s1600/Russian%2Bfighter%2B3%2Bpack%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jeNlhMvPLeI/XjCUzYShx8I/AAAAAAAAYXI/BwjATz1Rdg4j5FVtoC6WZXYKL4BiBfq2wCEwYBhgL/s640/Russian%2Bfighter%2B3%2Bpack%2B2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sturmovich</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zmoMH15NzM4/XjCU5xU4zZI/AAAAAAAAYXQ/5mzr1n-CT9wcNkRvwm1oWucVMlmvcPwzQCEwYBhgL/s1600/village%2B3b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1199" height="478" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zmoMH15NzM4/XjCU5xU4zZI/AAAAAAAAYXQ/5mzr1n-CT9wcNkRvwm1oWucVMlmvcPwzQCEwYBhgL/s640/village%2B3b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Russian farm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xj3yIo_Lcyc/XjCU0BGEcfI/AAAAAAAAYXA/cyREJ8NezpIe3-5s98ThsEvUuxCKm1y0ACEwYBhgL/s1600/Russian%2Bspitfires%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xj3yIo_Lcyc/XjCU0BGEcfI/AAAAAAAAYXA/cyREJ8NezpIe3-5s98ThsEvUuxCKm1y0ACEwYBhgL/s640/Russian%2Bspitfires%2B2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Russian Spitfires</td></tr>
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Broedershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218127480258279732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-587609483362672674.post-69004075025192525132020-01-19T20:51:00.003+00:002020-01-19T20:51:48.261+00:00The search for water-slide decals<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As part of the Aeronef project, I wanted to find the right size of waterslide decals which would fit with the period. I've seen a few with WW1 aircraft decals which seemed to fit but have had a long search to find the right size. Essentially 1/600 scale or smaller ideally<br />
<br />
After about 10 days I came across <a href="http://domsdecals.com/epages/81fc44d0-907b-42a4-9f72-8d3238c7e6b2.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/81fc44d0-907b-42a4-9f72-8d3238c7e6b2/Categories/1d0d2cade49078f9d43bbdfab67abbc0">Dom's Decals</a> - and found a treasure trove of potential decals - WW1 German, French, British, American etc as well as - amazingly - Bulgarian which are (almost) he same as early (pre-Communist) Russian!<br />
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Even better, rather than the $5 - $12 proce range, they're just £2 a sheet!<br />
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Big order heading his way,,,,<br />
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<img alt="1/600 WWI German Maltese Crosses (White Outline)" height="400" src="http://domsdecals.com/WebRoot/Store5/Shops/81fc44d0-907b-42a4-9f72-8d3238c7e6b2/54F4/3BC3/71B2/E373/AB80/0A48/350D/5A3B/609866114067.png" width="308" /> <img alt="1/300 Egyptian Roundels (1953-58)" height="400" src="http://domsdecals.com/WebRoot/Store5/Shops/81fc44d0-907b-42a4-9f72-8d3238c7e6b2/54F4/3BBB/586F/CA88/FC6C/0A48/350D/5A51/095393535291_ml.png" width="308" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="1/600 WWII US Star With Red Centre" height="400" src="http://domsdecals.com/WebRoot/Store5/Shops/81fc44d0-907b-42a4-9f72-8d3238c7e6b2/54F4/3BF8/D6A1/96D0/BB82/0A48/350D/5A8A/670497355887_ml.png" width="306" /> <img alt="1/600 Bulgarian Crosses (1941-44)" height="400" src="http://domsdecals.com/WebRoot/Store5/Shops/81fc44d0-907b-42a4-9f72-8d3238c7e6b2/54F4/3BB4/2315/1AFB/2521/0A48/350D/5A92/971993577733_ml.png" width="308" /></div>
Broedershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218127480258279732noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-587609483362672674.post-27121601177564172852020-01-17T17:46:00.004+00:002020-01-17T17:46:55.832+00:00So it begins...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I was waiting for the first of my Aeronef ships to arrive from Brigade Models - and they turned the order around very quickly. Its a starter pack - British vs German - and a good way to start you off (as you have forces to fight each other but are not overwhelmed by the numbers involved (so they should be painted up quickly then give the basis to build a fleet upon.<br />
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The stands the ships come with are ok but I wanted to give the impression of flight (i.e. being higher than an inch above the table). So I crafted my solution - acrylic tubes which slot neatly over the existing stand and at the other I superglued small flat head tacks.<br />
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Each model has a magnet glued to the bottom which attaches to said tack but can be removed for easy storage. Also you don't then need a stand per model owned but simply enough for the scenario you're currently playing. The tubes were custom made for inner thickness and can be easily sawed in half.<br />
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I deliberately cut some at different lengths to simulate the 'nefs flying at slightly different heights. The rules make no account for height (it assumes that to fire at an opponent you have to be on the same level that they are). <br />
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So - next stop will be to start painting the two sides up. More to follow...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B9vc6Z_pGtw/XiHweDvo82I/AAAAAAAAYEc/5dX9q6xcW38d1G0zuPiLrm_arPWuiWvpgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200117_172738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B9vc6Z_pGtw/XiHweDvo82I/AAAAAAAAYEc/5dX9q6xcW38d1G0zuPiLrm_arPWuiWvpgCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200117_172738.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">British on your left, German on your right. No turrets attached yet..</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g73UGXxV4LE/XiHweD3tjAI/AAAAAAAAYEc/G39pD07XkIM7ip4yDXln84ByMKPahH5VACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200117_172925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g73UGXxV4LE/XiHweD3tjAI/AAAAAAAAYEc/G39pD07XkIM7ip4yDXln84ByMKPahH5VACKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200117_172925.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My custom system in place. Tube with nail glued to top slides over the base. Magnet on ship holds it in place during play</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_JDnhtzHOTY/XiHweEzcIFI/AAAAAAAAYEc/lkf9b7Rn73MjKkDyYMOB-Dlw1jie87aYQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200117_172844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_JDnhtzHOTY/XiHweEzcIFI/AAAAAAAAYEc/lkf9b7Rn73MjKkDyYMOB-Dlw1jie87aYQCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200117_172844.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With ships removed to make it easier to see how they go together</td></tr>
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Broedershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218127480258279732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-587609483362672674.post-10183399655378281432020-01-05T16:47:00.002+00:002020-01-05T16:47:34.181+00:00It had to be....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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So I plumped for the obvious starting pack - British vs German.<br />
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One cruiser, one light cruiser and 8 patrol nefs (destroyers basically) each. <br />
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The British fleet is the Exeter, Orion and 4 Cossack and Steadfast class patrol nefs<br />
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The German fleet is the Koln, Emden, 4 VA7 and 4 SA15 patrol nefs.<br />
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Awating their arrival with bated breath...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x1yi3HsD7Nk/XhISiutpHYI/AAAAAAAAX_0/RdtLuUzCEes2WxTLgqMfhF9XwZH5798bwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Exeter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x1yi3HsD7Nk/XhISiutpHYI/AAAAAAAAX_0/RdtLuUzCEes2WxTLgqMfhF9XwZH5798bwCEwYBhgL/s640/Exeter.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exeter<br /><br /></td></tr>
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Broedershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218127480258279732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-587609483362672674.post-30436167950312361892020-01-03T11:32:00.000+00:002020-01-03T11:32:01.421+00:00What fleets to get?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In my new Aeronef project, the first port of call is clearly which nation(s) fleets to buy. Clearly there is no point just buying one so I need to have a 'home' fleet and a natural enemy and then build up additional enemies over time.<br />
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Aeronef lends itself to being scaled up - Brigade Models provide starter fleets for £22 each which can form the base for larger fleets as additions are made. There are also starter packs at £30 which provides two small national fleets to face off with.<br />
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In Aeronef, enemies can be found around the globe - as can alliances (which will break and be re-forged over time). For example, the official Aeronef timeline shows Britain fighting a combined Franco-German alliance. However, there's no reason why the Germans (or French) could break the alliance and either fight each other or join up with traditional foes.<br />
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The Japanese can face off against the Russians, the British, the Americans and possibly the French and Germans. The Russians can additionally fight the Americans - over the skies of Alaska for example - there is a great scenario where a Russian 'nef flight arrives in America on a goodwill mission to lessen tensions in the region, heads for home....then comes back to attack the American 'nef base in Alaska! <br />
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There is also the option to 'refight' historical battles such as Tsushima (where the Japanese can take on a Russian fleet that has flown half way around the world), Coronel (where German 'nefs maul a mixed bag of British 'nefs - who then get their revenge in the skies around the Falklands!). <br />
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The Chinese have no 'nefs of their own but can buy from the other powers (creating - like the Pirates - a mish-mash fleet comprising 'nefs from different nations). There is the possibility (when I've emptied the piggy bank) of a variation of 55 Days in Peking - where the Western Powers pull together a 'nef fleet to take on the Chinese fleet to save the Westerners trapped in the capital. <br />
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As you can see, there is so much to go at...<br />
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So - which to go for. Clearly I HAVE to have a British fleet. And the initial opposition I suppose must be either German or French. After that - its open season.<br />
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The Japanese fleet is a thing of beauty and I will definitely be buying some of their units - and give them the Americans to fight (Pearl Harbour 1890? Midway 1891?).<br />
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I like the madness of some of the Russian designs as well - and this will give me a 6 way initial scope to create a range of scenarios to fight.<br />
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And then - South America, Turkey, Austro-Hungary, Italy ....this is going to cost me a fortune! </div>
Broedershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218127480258279732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-587609483362672674.post-61299816761493820912020-01-02T13:02:00.002+00:002020-01-02T13:02:20.014+00:00Aeronef!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've been thinking about the fun I get from the hobby for some time now. I have a lot of troops from different eras - Samurai, WW1, WW2, Renaissance etc. and many have not seen the light of day for a few years now. <br />
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Russ and Mark have got into Star Wars tabletop (the one with the big ships, dice and cards...you know what I mean) and seem to get a lot more enjoyment as a result.<br />
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So I thought "What would I really like to try?" - and I came across the Aeronef Rules from <a href="https://www.wargamevault.com/browse/pub/2492/Wessex-Games">Wessex Games</a> and the models from <a href="http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/Aeronef/index.html">Brigade Models</a>.<br />
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To give you a brief understanding, Aeronef is essentially a sort of Steampunk / Alternative History where Victorian Era nations discover a scientific way of creating an anti-gravity machine which gave rise for the ability to build - in the easiest way I can describe - warships that can fly. As an added factor, meteorites from a mysterious source have landed in remote parts of the world and the minerals from these are found to have far superior anti-grav capability! <br />
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Nations with large empires (such as Britain) have harnessed these (as have nations with large land masses like Brazil on which the meteroites have fallen) - creating a leap forward in the arms race. Other nations have to rely on the older technology but are looking to expand into areas where the meteorites have fallen to benefit - only to come up against the nations defending them...creating any number of potential scenarios.<br />
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The rules are exceptionally simple - big ships shoot more but are not very manouverable...small ships are nippy but don't pack much of a punch. Action is D6 based - with hits only on a 6. Small ships may only have 2-3 attack dice, the big ships can have 20+! Each hit takes off armour points and each 25% of points lost, the number of attack dice and movement points are also reduced by 25%. <br />
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Movement is also simple - small ships move further (faster) and can turn more frequently. Large ships move less far and can often turn just once per game turn. Bases are hexagonal and each ship has a firing arc based on the hexagonal facing. So a large ship with multiple turrets may be able to fire in any direction - smaller ships may only be able to fire from their front.<br />
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Movement is split into 2 phases - each ship moves half their alloted distance each game Turn, any actions are resolved (such as shooting) and then move their remaining moves (having adjusted for damage etc). Each ship may only fire at one target per turn - again making gameplay simple and can do so at the start - middle or end of the Game Turn. This brings its own risks as a smaller ship manouvering to attack a larger ship may be obliterated half way through the game Turn as the big ship decides to fire first. Alternatively a ship may fire initially then move away.<br />
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There is no altitude difference to worry about (as in some aerial games) so a ship may actually be above an enemy ship but neither gains and advantage. This makes gameplay much smoother.<br />
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There are several things I like about the rules (in addition to the above). You can easily add in your own additional house rules for a start such as weather effects (high winds can reduce turning ability for example). Ships are customisable so you can trade armour, gunnery, speed and manouverability - and Brigade provide additional turrets and gun types to facilitate this.<br />
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There are a plethora of units and most nations have a particular trait or units. For example, the Turks have War Balloons (literally a ballon with guns attached) which cannot move but can be used to defend land targets from bombing. The Russians have floating batteries. Pirates have a flying torpedo vessel which essentially has a powerful bomb on a spar to its front - a bit like a kamikaze but they attach said bomb before flying off to reload (if they make it in). For the nations without access to the meteorite minerals, there is great reliance on dirigibles (called Digs in the game); the Germans for example.<br />
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Bombing of land-based targets (such as airbases, ports etc.) can be done by units with a bombing capability. To denote land targets, Brigade have 3mm scale buildings (a smaller scale than the 1/1200 scle of the aerial ships) but create that 3D impression (i.e. they are smaller as they are far below!). And are cheap as chips!<br />
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The rules cost about £5 and each supplement about the same (one set of linked scenarios based on a Hungarian noble takimg his battleship over to Turkey to extract revenge for the death of his family in a Turkish bombing raid on his castle) was just 67p!<br />
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One of the supplements is Land Ironclads - huge machines that trundle across the ground shooting lumps out of each other. The rules fit in with the Aeronef rules (again, big Ironclads move slowly but shoot lots with the same 6 to hit rule and the same effect of fire on turning, weapon damage etc.<br />
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Throw in naval miniatures of the period and you have a fun, three dimensional wargame platform that can take place anywhere in the world. Oh, and Martian invaders can play a part as well! <br />
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So this is what I'm going to focus on in 2019. I'm going to sell chunks of my existing metal mountain to fund it (so all my 6mm WW2 Russian and German 6mm, my Spanish Renaissance Army, my WW1 Austrians etc. are going on Ebay over the next month and a new adventure in the Victorian skies will start...<br />
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Broedershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218127480258279732noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-587609483362672674.post-76252336987059862862019-11-16T10:19:00.000+00:002019-11-16T10:19:14.458+00:00ACW - CSS Albermarle<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In April 1864 the newly commissioned Ironclad CSS Albemarle got underway, her mission was to clear the Roanoke River of all Union vessels. The Confederates army was besieging Plymouth NC and after the Ironclad ran past the town it was surrendered to the Confederates under General Hoke as the position now out of supply became untenable .<br />
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The Albermarle continued down river and encountered two Union gunboats USS Miami and USS Southfield who tried to trap the Alebemarle between them but she passed through the two vessels and rounded on the USS Southfield ramming and sinking her. On May 5th 1864 the Albemarle and CSS Bombshell were escorting a troopship CSS Cotton Plant down the Roanoke when they encountered several Union double ender gunboats at the mouth of the river.<br />
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The battle of the Sound commenced in which the Union vessels were bested by the Ironclad but the Confederates lost the CSS Bombshell to the larger Union force. The USS Sassacus tried to ram the Albemarle but had her boilers shot through by Albemarles rifled guns and the USS Miami tried to unsuccessfully sink the Ironclad with her spar mounted torpedo. Undefeated but with her smoke stack shot though, the Albemarle retreated up river out of the action for repairs.<br />
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The Albermarle dominated the Roanoke river throughout the Summer of 1864 until the night of 27th of October when she was sunk by the daring attack of Lt Cushing using a spar torpedo mounted on a stem launch.<br />
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Spithead Miniatures have reproduced all the vessels including the steam launch in this set of models so that these battles can be recreated in 1/1200 scale, some of the Double ender gunboats involved in the actions are not included in this set but they are available separately from out Union ranges.<br />
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Broedershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218127480258279732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-587609483362672674.post-41821519803275747452019-06-12T13:57:00.002+01:002019-06-12T13:57:50.213+01:00I agree. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">‘Wargames are played, for the most part, without the supervision of an umpire. The game relies on the integrity of the individual players to show consideration for other players and to abide by the rules. All players should conduct themselves in a disciplined manner, demonstrating courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, irrespective of how competitive they may be. This is the spirit of the wargame.’</span></div>
Broedershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218127480258279732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-587609483362672674.post-63795415860034956992019-06-09T17:48:00.001+01:002019-06-09T17:48:43.969+01:00Regia Marina - rebased and repainted<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My first 1/3000 fleet was that of the Regia Marina - Italy's Mediterranean fleet. On the surface, they represent a powerful force - and were among the 'prettiest' of WW2's fleets (especially with their distinctive red and white aircraft recognition stripes). <br />
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If they had been used aggressively and in conjunction with the Regia Aeronautica and the Luftwaffe they could have dealt Cunningham's forces in the Med a serious series of blows. The combination of Taranto and the reluctance to risk their ships meant that in reality the RM were essentially just a fleet in being. However on the wargaming table they do pack a powerful punch, <br />
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Being my first fleet they were also the first I had painted and - in retrospect - I wasn't happy with the results. So over the past couple of weeks I've been repainting the main capital ships - battleships, cruisers and aircraft carriers and the results are below. The hardest part is trying to get the red stripes to be of equal width and angle - trust me, not as easy as it looks. The solution was to use a red pencil with a fine tip and a very small ruler!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xuwK0muWF6M/XP026PF4rTI/AAAAAAAAW7A/6utLCWTYYTEvuI-Lb99s1P8-_DN1RshtwCKgBGAs/s1600/20190609_141112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xuwK0muWF6M/XP026PF4rTI/AAAAAAAAW7A/6utLCWTYYTEvuI-Lb99s1P8-_DN1RshtwCKgBGAs/s640/20190609_141112.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The capital ships in their carrying case (a £1.50 document holder)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jK8TyEqMvho/XP026HYx9qI/AAAAAAAAW7A/Gh13p4hVyPwTspTofnFNObExwvD9sguSQCKgBGAs/s1600/20190609_140937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jK8TyEqMvho/XP026HYx9qI/AAAAAAAAW7A/Gh13p4hVyPwTspTofnFNObExwvD9sguSQCKgBGAs/s640/20190609_140937.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A couple of cruisers </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dq4p7_S7DQ0/XP026N1YcaI/AAAAAAAAW7A/b_8YFmgOn8UgfLP8pQUCI0eqSZPKb-Z5wCKgBGAs/s1600/20190609_140927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dq4p7_S7DQ0/XP026N1YcaI/AAAAAAAAW7A/b_8YFmgOn8UgfLP8pQUCI0eqSZPKb-Z5wCKgBGAs/s640/20190609_140927.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guilio Cesare - older battleships but still potent</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yjeBPE-9r7c/XP026G0r7aI/AAAAAAAAW7A/hJNy90JEiT8uUmi-6ynHhl_aKFRzSUkswCKgBGAs/s1600/20190609_140918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yjeBPE-9r7c/XP026G0r7aI/AAAAAAAAW7A/hJNy90JEiT8uUmi-6ynHhl_aKFRzSUkswCKgBGAs/s640/20190609_140918.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Littorio Class battleship - heavily armed, armoured and significant AA capability</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ah1GDdjHViw/XP026FN2iCI/AAAAAAAAW7A/q73dePmK0UMx7aoCL9QevsA1cqaxUNpLACKgBGAs/s1600/20190609_140834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ah1GDdjHViw/XP026FN2iCI/AAAAAAAAW7A/q73dePmK0UMx7aoCL9QevsA1cqaxUNpLACKgBGAs/s640/20190609_140834.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fleet at sea (actually more capital ships than Mussolini had!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KOeRcTxu41I/XP026FpK8kI/AAAAAAAAW7A/tgx7k5jFwKMwJ3H6R7WjjCw9zwyXh1IWQCKgBGAs/s1600/20190609_140842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KOeRcTxu41I/XP026FpK8kI/AAAAAAAAW7A/tgx7k5jFwKMwJ3H6R7WjjCw9zwyXh1IWQCKgBGAs/s640/20190609_140842.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side view fly-past showing off the red/white air recognition stripes. No confusing these with any other nation </td></tr>
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Broedershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218127480258279732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-587609483362672674.post-12390918985640395322019-05-28T22:21:00.000+01:002019-05-28T22:21:16.747+01:00Napoleonic ships (1:2400) <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've had these for some time but hadn't got around to painting them until now.<br />
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They're from Tumbling Dice who do a good range of historic ships covering Classical, Spanish Armada, Anglo-Dutch Wars, Napoleonic, Victorian and Age of Battleships (pre WW1) with plenty of budget starter packs.<br />
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I'm reading about the development of the Royal Navy and the Anglo-Dutch Wars sound like a blast (a recurring series of naval skirmishes and battles as two emerging nations tried their level best to wrest control of global trade from each other). I'm certainly going to invest in a couple of fleets of these in the future.<br />
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But for now I'm focusing on the Napoleonic era - I've ordered a second starter pack to have two opposing and closely matched fleets.<br />
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I've not painted them for any particular nation (such as the black and yellow of the majority of British ships) but a neutral shade to fit any nation of the time (flexibility you see).<br />
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Rules are Fighting Sail from Osprey. Easy to learn, well balanced and fun. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RqnTTDbMsEc/XO2gzK1KWTI/AAAAAAAAW34/GXOJqFF7VjkRl7kxzQRatxxjYOZ3v8kzQCKgBGAs/s1600/20190528_192153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RqnTTDbMsEc/XO2gzK1KWTI/AAAAAAAAW34/GXOJqFF7VjkRl7kxzQRatxxjYOZ3v8kzQCKgBGAs/s640/20190528_192153.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fleet - 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th rates </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bQMCSyVPE9g/XO2gzIZPDnI/AAAAAAAAW34/gtw-JWLJK8oD2GwBG4n7APi6TvsGMgTVQCKgBGAs/s1600/20190528_192158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bQMCSyVPE9g/XO2gzIZPDnI/AAAAAAAAW34/gtw-JWLJK8oD2GwBG4n7APi6TvsGMgTVQCKgBGAs/s640/20190528_192158.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wrecks of different rate ships (even teeny brigs)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p1cQyO6Bm0g/XO2gzPbPIzI/AAAAAAAAW34/Np_WQy07jtwz9kemS8xDVu_u1brSe5twwCKgBGAs/s1600/20190528_192210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p1cQyO6Bm0g/XO2gzPbPIzI/AAAAAAAAW34/Np_WQy07jtwz9kemS8xDVu_u1brSe5twwCKgBGAs/s640/20190528_192210.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fleet under sail</td></tr>
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Broedershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218127480258279732noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-587609483362672674.post-32737516643893700112019-05-06T21:21:00.001+01:002019-05-06T21:21:41.618+01:00Best paints for wargaming miniatures (Part 1)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Saw this on the Fauxhammer website which I thought I'd share with you.<br />
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It is their idea of the Best Paints for Miniatures and Wargames Models 2019. So a few caveats before we start. This list is their choice, not mine. They themselves say that 'best' is subjective - it depends on what you want the paint to do (so a 1 coat paint vs an airbrush paint depends entirely on how you paint yourself). Best can also mean 'most sold' which is not about paint quality but availability, price and promotion.<br />
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The list was based on their own readers' feedback and votes.<br />
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They also summarised the strengths and weaknesses of the paints involved.<br />
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I've also added my own experiences to the paints on the list that I've used myself.<br />
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So without further ado...<br />
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<b>15. Creature Caster - Pro Acryl</b><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--PFf67Kba-o/XNCHeAm35VI/AAAAAAAAWwY/sSOtCGIo_M4RfdeaUJpN0BObr73szA9HQCKgBGAs/s1600/435D3722-9974-44B7-8E38-FDB4CAB67B23-906-000002C032233BAF.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="678" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--PFf67Kba-o/XNCHeAm35VI/AAAAAAAAWwY/sSOtCGIo_M4RfdeaUJpN0BObr73szA9HQCKgBGAs/s640/435D3722-9974-44B7-8E38-FDB4CAB67B23-906-000002C032233BAF.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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People are quickly falling in love with these paints. Whilst the Pro Acryl range is relatively new on the scene, they are lauded for having really dense pigment, ensuring great colour coverage in just a few layers. Even though they are quite pigment heavy, they still thin very nicely and work great with brushes or airbrushes alike. Due to their properties, they are an excellent choice for blending and dry with a matte finish.<br />
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The entire range is acrylic based (if you couldn’t tell from the name). They currently consist of 24 colours & 5 metallics. These paints come in 17ml dropper bottles with a unique twist cap lid which prevents all clogging. (It’s the best bottle type in this whole list).<br />
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You can buy the whole set or individual colours, direct from the Creature Caster’s online shop. Creature Caster is a US based company so there are some slightly heavier shipping costs outside of this region. But they aren’t prohibitive costs (unless you want to buy individual bottles). Although they could do with an Amazon or eBay presence for wider reach.<br />
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This set is gaining popularity fast as more people hear of them.<br /><i><br /></i><br />
14. <b>Mig Jimenez - AMMO</b><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TMJ_5eaIjAM/XNCLlDAHKgI/AAAAAAAAWw8/B14dxpAyf2EmKHgjaTf5ImB2DqBVLj5IwCKgBGAs/s1600/012D4814-E9DD-4A02-B813-1C26C3B4FCC5-906-000003250436285E.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="678" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TMJ_5eaIjAM/XNCLlDAHKgI/AAAAAAAAWw8/B14dxpAyf2EmKHgjaTf5ImB2DqBVLj5IwCKgBGAs/s320/012D4814-E9DD-4A02-B813-1C26C3B4FCC5-906-000003250436285E.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Mig has an almost overwhelming range of paints. Primarily directed at real-world scale models such as Tanks, Ships and Aircraft. They have over 240 standard hues, many of which are matched to real-world colours. They also have ranges of metallics & crystal paints too. Not to mention their mediums and varnishes.</div>
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All of these paints come in 17ml dropper bottles and can be used with a brush or through an airbrush. they are one of the more inexpensive products on the market. But that doesn’t mean they are a “cheap” product.</div>
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A stand out of the Mig range is their set of weathering effects. Including Washes, Streaking Effects, Nature Effects, Water Effects Mud & Others. They even supply grass and leaves. Mig are specialists in the weathering field so if you want to grime up your mini’s especially vehicles. these are definitely worth your consideration. They even have a series of magazines walking you through all of the techniques so you can master them easily.</div>
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All of the products can be bought as individual pots/bottles or for some minor savings; They have a wide range of collective sets.</div>
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<i>Phil's comment : I have tried a couple of their weathering range and found them excellent. No idea as regards the paints but I assume they are of the same high standard.</i></div>
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<b>13. AK Interactive</b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sF3X9IBqMgs/XNCNAglu4kI/AAAAAAAAWxI/THkpsoxQBZoaJrODA257EvnKCWMGzVd8ACKgBGAs/s1600/670F247F-D62D-463A-87D0-F58839C434AA-906-000003250CB62670.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="678" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sF3X9IBqMgs/XNCNAglu4kI/AAAAAAAAWxI/THkpsoxQBZoaJrODA257EvnKCWMGzVd8ACKgBGAs/s320/670F247F-D62D-463A-87D0-F58839C434AA-906-000003250CB62670.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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AK is another brand who specialise in paints for historic scale models. You’ll find lots of similarities between AK and Mig. That’s because Mig Jimenez (of Mig) previously worked for AK. Parted ways and started his own company.</div>
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They have a paint range of over just under 400 paints with 100 (what they call) real colours. Matched to real-world historic vehicle & infantry paints. They also have a handy conversion chart matching their paint colours to other brands. This is available on their website. The acrylic colours range comes in the standard 17ml dropper bottles. Whereas the real colour paints come in 10ml pots (similar to the Tamiya’s Mini pots). All paints are suitable for Brush or Airbrush.</div>
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Again though, just like with Mig Jiminez – the stand out here is the weathering products. They provide Weathering pencils, Streaking Effects, Dust Pigments & Real Metallics. They even have a series of books and other resources so that you can learn how to apply the products for amazing results.</div>
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<b>12. Badger - Militare</b></div>
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Badger’s Minitaire range is another series dedicated to miniature painters and model makers. Like their Stynylrez Airbrush primer paints. These paints are specifically designed for airbrush use. But you can brush them on if you wish. They come in 30ml dropper bottles with flip-cap & pour lids. Each 30ml bottle is about the same price as other range’s 10ml – 17ml bottles. After a shake, they will run through most airbrushes without the need for thinning.<br />
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There are 80 colours in the set and getting the complete set makes the price a bargain. If you are looking to airbrush entire armies to get them out of the door quickly, then a few bottles of this would be perfect for your initial base coats and highlights. If you really want to save money, the Complete paint set is a steal. They are just a bit tricky to find online nowadays.<br />
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<b>11. Warcolours</b><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--FQ2q0klH8A/XNCQU1AlBjI/AAAAAAAAWxg/xjovubnVRrEnNWSz5xQ4uQCcl1pcWvVyQCKgBGAs/s1600/BBF04E8B-EE27-478C-B54D-6C5A51815C53-906-000003251CD8E1F6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="678" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--FQ2q0klH8A/XNCQU1AlBjI/AAAAAAAAWxg/xjovubnVRrEnNWSz5xQ4uQCcl1pcWvVyQCKgBGAs/s640/BBF04E8B-EE27-478C-B54D-6C5A51815C53-906-000003251CD8E1F6.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Warcolours are another great range dedicated to miniature painting. Almost directly comparable to ranges like Creature Caster’s Pro Acryl set. This range has over 180 paints in 15ml dropper bottles. They also have a nostalgia ’88 range. Which matches the colour, bottles, feel consistency and…. erm… smell (apparently) of the Original 1988 Citadel Colour range. <br />
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The one-coat base paints have a matte finish and are pigment dense for good coverage. The rest of the range has a satin finish. Many users have lauded these paints for their behaviours when layering and glazing. Another set that works well through an airbrush.<br />
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These are available directly from the Warcolours website, as individual bottles or in sets.<br />
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<b>10. Secret Weapon</b><br />
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Secret Weapon is another company focussed on miniature painting products – mainly resin products for modding existing wargames such as Warhammer or Infinity. Their paint range is rather small. Their mech Acrylics range has 30 Colours and their Weathering Acrylics also have 30 paints.<br />
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The stand out for Secret Weapon though is their large range of washes (again 30 of them). Using these paints to pin wash or shade your miniatures really adds depth to the model without much need to thin them. Thanks to how fine the pigment is in these washes. you’ll ensure that the colour depth sits exactly in the recesses you need them to.<br />
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The range comes in 20ml dropper bottles for application with a brush or airbrush.<br />
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<b>9. Black Hat Miniatures – Coat d’arms</b><br />
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There are a lot of claims online that the Coat d’arms paints are the same as the 80’s to early 00’s Citadel Paints. And that the manufacturers of these paints were the guys who supplied Games Workshop with that Citadel range. As far as I can tell, this hasn’t been confirmed, but I’ve emailed the UK distributor to ask. From several comparisons online these are comparable to the Classic Citadel Colours, but they are not an exact match.<br />
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Nevertheless, these paints are loved by oldhammer fans for that nostalgic look & feel. They even come on the classic (80’s Citadel era) flip-cap bottles.<br />
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<i>Phil's comment ; I have quite a few Coat d,arms paints. Pretty good paints in my humble opinion.</i><br />
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<b> 8. Green Stuff World</b><br />
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Green Stuff World – named after the popular moulding compound (properly known as Kneadatite) which was used to manually sculpt the master models for Citadel Miniatures before Digital Sculpting took off. The term ‘Green Stuff’ was popularised by Games Workshop and other model making companies who used it. GSW is a company focussed on miniature modelling customisation.<br />
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GSW specialise in products that are somewhat outside of the usual box. Their products help you create features and effects which are truly unique to their brand. A favourite amongst converters.<br />
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The real standouts of their range are the Metallics, Colourshift (Pearlescent & Irridescent) paints and Fluorescent paint. Along with their ‘out of this world .effects paint, such as Spider Serum for creating realistic webbing.<br />
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All products can be purchased from Green Stuff World directly and come in individual (various sized) dropper bottles, They also sell some theme sets.<br />
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<b>7. Tamiya</b><br />
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Tamiya is a well-known brand of scale models. For miniature painting they are really smooth, pigment-dense paints that generally finish with a matte to satin texture. Their Tamiya Color glass bottles with twist caps come in 2 varieties; standard 23ml or the mini 10ml with over 50 standard colours available.<br />
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Most people pick these up due to general availability in their region over other brands, they are very common in most hobby stores. But the most commonly used colours by most miniature painters aretheir clear colours. Which are similar to Games Workshop’s Gem Paints.<br />
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Simply apply a clear coat over a metallic surface to tint that colour and give a candy effect where the metal shine is below a lacquered surface. This is especially good for jewels.<br />
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Another thing they succed with are their compact Weathering Master Sets, which are small parces of 3 dry pigments with a provided applicator brush.<br />
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<i>Phil's comment : I bought a load of Tamiya paints a few years back - and regretted it ever since. Not sure if I was using them correctly but found the coverage to be poor and within a short time the pigment would solidify meaning i had to thin them down and put a ball bearing in each pot to keep some form of consistency. Some may think them the gold standard (and maybe they are better for airbrushing) but I won't be buying them again.</i><br />
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The top 6 will be published in my next post!<br />
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Broedershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218127480258279732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-587609483362672674.post-5452551636982261552019-04-23T22:44:00.000+01:002019-04-23T22:44:08.105+01:00Refighting WW1 naval battles<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
While plans for fighting the entirely unhistoric battle between the Goeben and assorted British ships sent out to hunt her down, I'm also blowing huge chunks of my birthday money on building up elements of a British naval force to fight a few historic battles during the period and - much more fun - some 'what if's' or indeed some 'why the hell not's<br />
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So to start I decided to focus on the two battles that (aside from Jutland) constitute the best known naval battles of WW1 - namely Coronel and Falkland Islands.<br />
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So to do so I need the ships. The German fleet I already have so all the German ships in both battles I have already. <br />
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For the British I've had to go to a couple of sources but now have for the Falkland Islands the two battlecruisers (Inflexible and Invincible). the armoured cruisers Carnarvon, Kent and Cornwall and light cruisers Bristol and Glasgow. I'm missing the Macedonia so may have to substitute it with another merchant ship of similar size (although it did not participate much in the actual battle). I do have Canopus as well (she looks weeny but packs 12" guns....).<br />
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Tumbling Dice do a nifty 1/2400 Age of Battleships range covering late Victorian to early 1900's - I needed to get the Otranto from them as my other source (Navy Models and Books) do the Davco range but I couldn't find the Otranto anywhere in it. I also sprang for the collier Mercedes to represent von Spee's coal supplies.<br />
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In addition, Good Hope (Cradock's flagship) is also on order so all necessary ships are present.<br />
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The only issue with WW1 naval conflict is that actual battles are few and far between. Jutland was a major battle but in its aftermath the bulk of the German fleet stayed at home and were penned in for the rest of the war. In addition, the epic tale of the Emden would make a good map based wargame (with the allies trying to pin her down and the German player attempting to cause as much havoc and damage as possible before inevitable defeat) but as a naval wargame would last about 20 minutes.<br />
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In addition, the battles of Coronel and Falklands were hugely one-sided affairs (one for the Germans, one for the British) which don't make for much fun for the players.<br />
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So this leads more into the realms of what-if scenarios which allow for balancing as well as greatly expanding the scope of wargaming potential.<br />
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For example<br />
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Coronel 1. Cradock's force falls back onto the Canopus, whose limited movement but 12" guns would help balance the battle.<br />
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Coronel 2. HMS Defence is attached as planned to Cradock's force to make it a much more potent force.<br />
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Falklands 1. The German force catches the British in harbour while coaling...meaning the big ships are at a distinct disadvantage before they can get underway. But must run the gauntlet of the 12" guns of the Canopus.<br />
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Goeben / Breslau 1 - the ships attempt to attack troop movements from North Africa to France as originally planned<br />
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Adriatic Bedlam - with the stalemate on land, the Austro-Hungarian empire plans for opening up a second front by attacking the Italian Adriatic coast - but must eliminate the Italian Navy first. The Goeben and Breslau are 'borrowed' back from the Turks to aid their allies.<br />
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Tsingtao - The German's send out a significant force from home waters to defend their colonies - including the key port of Tsingtao - and have to fight the Japanese naval force sent to capture it.<br />
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The latter concept (i.e. a naval strategy to strangle Britain and France by threatening shipping routes, merchant ships and ports through surface vessles) would allow for the development of any number of scenarios - such as the larger ships in the Kaiser's fleet showing up around the globe. Consider the Derflinger or Von der Tann popping up in the South Atlantic or along the trade routes from South America and SE Asia. <br />
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Similarly the Japanese could use the opportunity of weakness in their allies and start the expansion of empire 20 years early by grabbing the key territories of the allies while they are stretched by the fight in Europe. <br />
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So if you can ignore history, there is a plethora of ideas that could be utilised to get more from the period.<br />
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Broedershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218127480258279732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-587609483362672674.post-47569563346985482862019-04-14T15:14:00.001+01:002019-04-14T15:14:23.094+01:00General Quarters II scenario - Pursuit of the Goeben (1914)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Pursuit of the Goeben</h3>
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The scenario is based on real events right at the start of WWI. The Germans knew that war was about to be declared and had advised their ships captains accordingly. The BC Goeben and its escort LC Breslau made up the Mediterranean Division were in the Adriatic initially but transferred to North Africa where they bombarded French positions and were then ordered to attack troop transports traveling from North Africa to France.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The SMS Goeben </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HMS Defence</td></tr>
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<br /><br />The French and British were aware of the German threat and had heavy escorts lined up to protect the convoy and hunt down the German threat.<br /><br />However the Goeben's commander decided to head in the opposite direction, toward Constantinople, with the aim of transferring the ships to Turkish command and then operating against the Russians in the Black Sea.<br /><br />A hunt was ordered by the Allies to track down and cripple / destroy the German force before they reached Constantinople.<br /><br />Historically the Allies' response was sluggish and disjointed and only a small British force managed to contact the enemy but the commander eventually gave up the chase (following the orders not to engage a stronger force than his own). The scenario simulates a better organised and braver response.<br /><br /><b>German Force</b>Goeben (a Moltke class battle cruiser) and Breslau (light cruiser)<br /><br /><b>British Force A</b>Four armoured cruisers (Defence, Black Prince, Duke of Edinburgh, Warrior) plus two Beagle class destroyers.<br /><br /><b>British Force B</b>Two light cruisers (Gloucester and Dublin) plus two Beagle class destroyers.<br /><br /><br /><br /><u>Special rules</u>The German ships are independent commands due to poor radio equipment. German players to sit apart and communicate by note passed to the referee who then determines how much of the message gets through (e.g. 1 in 3 words is lost). Similarly the British communications between the two Forces are similarly hampered (but not between ships in each Force). Players have 15 seconds to write their communications then hand to the referee.<br /><br />Ships can opt to use heliograph communication if within 20cm of each other but then count as an illluminated target for the next turn.<br /><br />Set up will see the Germans steaming at half speed to conserve fuel steering SE. British forces to enter at predesignated points at referees control. Germans may NOT change speed or course UNTIL an enemy ship is spotted. <br /><span style="font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 1.4;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 1.4;">Historically Goeben had boiler trouble. If running your own scenario you could prohibit Goeben from reaching full speed or (if she does) roll d6 each turn at full speed - a roll of 6 counts as Boiler Room roll on the Critical Hit table (speed moves to next box down). Add cumulative +1 each turn Goeben is it full speed (so +1 Turn 1, +2 Turn 2 etc.).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 1.4;">Also the Germans had limited opportunity to re-arm. Reduce Goeben and Breslau to 12 shots (as opposed to the usual 18)</span></div>
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<b style="font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 1.4;">Victory Conditions</b></div>
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Germans get Goeben and Breslau off the opposite end of the table both with half hull points intact. Major victory<br /><br />Germans get Goeben off the opposite end of the table with at least 2 British AC<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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crippled and with at least half hull points intact (i.e. pursuit unlikely). German Victory.<br /><br />With larger ships close by, any other result is a British victory.</div>
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Broedershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218127480258279732noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-587609483362672674.post-40728729586066469982019-04-08T21:45:00.002+01:002019-04-08T21:45:41.671+01:00Agincourt - everything you think you know is wrong<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Saw a very interesting video on You Tube today which investigated what actually (or at least what they think actually happened) and out forward a very plausible explanation as to how 7,000 English managed to defeat over 20,000 mostly well armoured French knights.<br />
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<b>1. The French plan was a good one, but....</b><br />
Contrary to the accepted version of the battle, there was no massed cavalry charge bogged down in the mud and cut to ribbons by the famed English longbow. The majority of French knights approached the English lines on foot. <br />
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The French plan was for the crossbowmen to be in front of the massed French knights (on foot) to shoot at the men-at-arms in the middle of the English line (of which there were c. 1,500). Mounted knights were supposed to sweep the English bowmen from the flanks and leave the knights on foot to finish off the English nobility.<br />
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What actually happened was the French knights either ignored or misunderstood the plan. <br />
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There <u>was</u> an attempt by some French knights on horse to attack the longbowmen on the flanks of the English line but in actuality very few knights agreed to do this (many preferring to attack their opposite numbers in the middle of the English line where glory (and profit) called (see below) rather than waste their time and effort on bow-armed peasants.<br />
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There was no return crossbow fire either. The French crossbowmen could have inflicted some casualties on the English but would have fared badly against their bow armed counterparts who could fire 4x quicker. In reality they were pushed to the rear by the knights eager to close with the English knights<br />
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So the French attack was mainly a charge of foot by the majority of French knights towards the middle of the English line.<br />
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<b>2. Why charge the middle of the line?</b><br />
This was still a time of chivalry. There were expected codes of conduct in battle and knights expected to be captured and released on payment of ransom should the battle go against them. A juicy ransom could set up a man-at-arms for life so seeing the English line (with the King of England's and his retinues' banners in the middle of it) the French knights would ignore the peasantry on either side (confident in their arrow-proof armour) and go where the money and glory lay.<br />
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This meant that irrespective of terrain, the 20,000 would 'funnel' towards the centre of the English line - setting up a crush of French knights and reducing room for manouvre - in a desire to get to grips with the most lucrative targets - specifically Henry himself!<br />
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<b>3. The longbow did NOT win the battle</b><br />
While the English arrows (with iron bodkin points) could penetrate iron armour (as they did at Crecy and Poitiers) they were useless against steel - the new miracle metal which the vast majority of French knights were clad. The French knights on foot were confident of being protected from English arrows whiich simply bounced off well-made steel.<br />
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And why were the arrows made from iron rather than steel? Essentially cost! Making steel was a relatively new process and took time and money to get right. Bowmen knew that the arrows they fired would probably never be seen again once fired so there was no great desire to significantly increase the cost<br />
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But their horses were not. On the flanks the English bowmen's volleys brought down many of the horses involved in the flank attack and so the charge petered out. This was crucial for two reasons - it preserved the width of the English line and - as the French knights were converging on the English nobility - freed up the archers to become foot soldiers instead. <br />
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Bear in mind that the battle lasted 2 hours...but the arrows were expected to be fully expended in the first 15 minutes of battle. It was the 1 hour and 45 minutes of hand-to-hand combat that decided the outcome. But how could 20,000 lose to 7,000?<br />
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<b>4. So why were there over 5,500 archers in the English army?</b><br />
Again, cost rather than effectiveness was the key. Documents for the period show that archers' pay per day was around half that of men-at-arms. So you could field twice as many archers as men-at-arms for the same cost. Henry V was virtually broke (he had to pawn the Crown Jewels to fund his expedition) so getting more men for his money made sense. And it was to prove the correct decision - but not for their prowess with the bow.<br />
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<b>5. The terrain was the main reason for victory</b><br />
Again, popular belief is that the battlefield was hammed in on both sides by woods funnelling the French. This is not the case. The terrain around Agincourt (or Azincourt as it should be know) has barely changed since 1415. The battlefield is still home to the same 3 villages that were there when Henry V set up camp and the area has nearly always been farmland. <br />
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Standing on the battlefield it looks like a wide open plain. It is only when you study a map of the terrain that you see that the sides of the battlefield has significant slopes to each side and that the English were at the narrow part of this high plateau. <br />
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As the French men-at-arms were converging through this natural funnel they were squeezed into an area half the width of their starting point. If you've ever been in a crowded area where a lot of people are trying to get in or out through a narrow entrance (like leaving a football ground or a Black Friday when they open the doors) you can see how easy it is to bump into other people, to trip and fall and cause others to trip over you in their turn....<br />
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Add to this the soil around Agincourt. We know that it had rained the day before the battle but it is unlikely that (as is commonly believed) the area had been recently ploughed. This takes place in March not October. However the soil in this area of France is not dry and sandy nor clay but a soil that absorbs water really well. Unlike clay (which offers resistance to weight but can be slippery) the Agincourt mud was especially thick and cloying when wet. The French men-at-arms found themselves more than ankle deep in this thick cloying mud and each step was a physical challenge. <br />
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French knights would find it extremely difficult to walk - never mind charge - in these conditions. Steel foot armour (steel being extremely non-porous) would sink straight down and offer considerable suction resistance when trying to pull it back out again. This would have led to the French men-at-arms becoming stuck, falling over (and having others trip and fall over them in their turn) and quickly becoming exhausted. <br />
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As the crush developed (funnelled by terrain and a lust for profit) the French would have presented a long, thin line of men slipping, falling and tired out well before reaching the English men-at-arms who were waiting for them and who didn't have to struggle through mud to get to their enemy....<br />
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And the same mud that hindered the French was no hindrance to the lightly armed archers on their flanks. Cloth and leather (being porous) gave nothing like the resistance that steel footwear did. The archers left their bows and set about their noble enemies with knives, bodkins and the same mauls they 'd used to hammer their protective stakes into the ground. <br />
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The French nobles found their lightly armed enemies to have no sense of chivalry or honour. The English would simply kill one after the other by either a knife thrust through gaps in the armour of massive hammer blow to chest or head. <br />
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Coming in at the flanks, they simply massacred the exhausted French knights as they attempted to extricate themselves from the crush and the mud.<br />
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This explains the huge discrepancy in casualties - the English lost a few hundred, the French thousands.<br />
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The same was happening on the front line. Because of the crush, the terrain and the actions of the archers on the flanks, the French attack - rather than being an overwhelming rush against a much smaller force - became the opposite. The French in the front line were probably outnumbered when they reached the English men-at-arms (who were certainly fresher than their opposition). This would also explain the high number of prisoners the English nobles took during the battle - hurried to the back of the line to be guarded by their squires and hangers-on. <br />
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Later on (with the English thinking the result was still in doubt) Henry ordered these knights murdered in the worry that - should another French attack come, they could rearm and attack the English in the rear. The English men-at-arms refused to carry out the order (more from thoughts of loss of ransom than squeamishness) and so the majority were killed by the archers returning from the flanks.<br />
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So there you go! Fairly compelling and many miles away from Shakespeare's version! What do you think?<br />
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Broedershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218127480258279732noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-587609483362672674.post-2763065222275246732019-04-08T00:01:00.000+01:002019-04-08T00:01:46.686+01:00Torpedo Rules in GQ1 and GQ2 <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
After a couple of refresher games of General Quarters we found the main problem was when we started firing torpedoes at each other (especially the Japanese Long Lance). It was initially assumed that you simply had to a) choose a target and b) guess which one of 4 directions the target ship chose next turn (maintain, port, starboard or reverse course). <br />
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However the rules are more nuanced than that and requires considerably more input by the referee.<br />
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So lets look at the basics....<br />
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Before firing torpedoes, the attacking ship must obviously have some torpedoes left, have the right arc of fire (at least 30 degrees from bow or stern), have the capability of firing from the side facing the enemy and the target ship is in range OR will be when both ships have completed their move. <br />
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And of course they <u>must</u> have line of sight to the target. Smoke or other ships between the attacker and target mean that torpedoes cannot be launched.<br />
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The number in parenthesis in the shows the number of torpedoes that ship can fire each Game Turn. So if a ship has two numbers in parenthesis (e.g. (3) (3) it has tubes on either side and the number denotes the total amount it can fire off each Game Turn. It denotes the number of torpedoes ready for use in each Game Turn.<br />
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The player can specify how many torpedoes they want to fire each Turn but it cannot exceed the number left.<br />
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Note that on some ships they start with a single number in parenthesis e.g (10) but in subsequent armament boxes this drops to two numbers e.g. (4) (4). So initially the ship could fire 10 torpedoes at one target but once damage has been inflicted this capacity is reduced to 4 from each side (or less as torpedoes are used up or lost to enemy damage).<br />
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Players can (if they wish) make Dummy attacks with torpedoes (potentially forcing an enemy ship to manouvre). They simply write 'Dummy' on the slip of paper passed to the umpire.<br />
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To attack the attacking player writes down the target ship, expected heading and how many torpedoes are being fired (within the limitations mentioned above). For example 'Bismark - P - 4' means the attacker is aiming to torpedo the Bismark, expecting it to turn to Port next turn and is committing 4 torpedoes to the attack.<br />
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The attacker has 4 options to choose in terms of direction. Port, Starboard, Maintain or Reverse.<br />
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Note that in order to Reverse the ship must be stationary for at least 1 Game Turn. If the ship has sufficient speed and manouverability it may change course to be facing the other way. However it will depend on the quadrant it ends up in once it has completed the move....<br />
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Working out hits is then a case of dice rolls and measurement. Starting from the marker measure to the middle of the target ship. For WW1 range is 24" or 16" for light torpedoes. For WW2 its 36" or 72" for Long Lance. <br />
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Players can optionally choose to run Normal or Deep. Normal will run along the surface and impact any ship in its path buy will hit torpedo belts on battleships (minimizing its effect).. Deep will miss smaller ships but will have increased effect on larger ships.<br />
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Modifiers can be applied to the chances to hit or miss (such as if the ship can manouvre). <br />
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<b>Worked Example</b></div>
The Italian cruiser Trento is attacked by two German Z class destroyers (one on either side of it). As the ships close Trento opens up all its guns at the nearest of the two and manages to knock out 2 armament boxes (reducing its torpedo complement from (8) to (4).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ofYZnQeMspI/XKpp8Tl98_I/AAAAAAAAWmc/OCn6vXQF-mM2mJp1YoSd7wVsls2mOj8pgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ofYZnQeMspI/XKpp8Tl98_I/AAAAAAAAWmc/OCn6vXQF-mM2mJp1YoSd7wVsls2mOj8pgCKgBGAs/s640/IMG_0008.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trento finds herself in a terrible place.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good shooting reduces the attacking potential of the top Z destroyer by half!</td></tr>
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At the end of the firing phase the German player announces two torpedo attacks. Markers are placed in the middle of each attacking ship on the attacking side. Two notes are passed to the referee (Trento - M - 4 for the closest ship and Trento - S - 8 for the bottom-most ship).<br />
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The Italian player doesn't know what's planned for him but knowing he's reduced the attacking potential of the closer ship he tries to bluff the Germans by heading <u>closer</u> to the better armed destroyer (thinking the Germans will think he'll aim to increase the gap between the two and go to Port. He decides to move to Starboard.<br />
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Having received the German attack target (and before the Italian movement) the referee places a marker (such as a matchstick) alongside the base of the target ship BEFORE it moves. For Long Lance attacks which can run over 2 Turns the referee may want to have markers for ALL potential targets to ensure headings of each are marked down to keep the other player(s) guessing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6OofS9OtMSo/XKpvEoAM_qI/AAAAAAAAWms/5cucP1cHZ_ouaZD6ucwaBMHvKMjG-uwigCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6OofS9OtMSo/XKpvEoAM_qI/AAAAAAAAWms/5cucP1cHZ_ouaZD6ucwaBMHvKMjG-uwigCKgBGAs/s640/IMG_0010.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matchstick shows the position of the target ship before movement</td></tr>
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Moves are then made for all ships. Before gunnery starts the referee announces the two attacks. The 4 torpedoes from the topmost ship go wide (as they assumed the Italians would go straight ahead) and the marker is removed. <br />
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The second attack is different though. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IZwa9KOUC7k/XKpxu9eiVVI/AAAAAAAAWm4/JFoBLQ_HWEgq0Q1NXsBrk3KiPtPnzGoqwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IZwa9KOUC7k/XKpxu9eiVVI/AAAAAAAAWm4/JFoBLQ_HWEgq0Q1NXsBrk3KiPtPnzGoqwCKgBGAs/s640/IMG_0012.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The template shows the Trento has indeed gone to Starboard</td></tr>
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Using the matchstick as a reference point its easy to see the direction the target ship has ended up in.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hmE8OJiBGJ0/XKpyh9GgQUI/AAAAAAAAWnA/FsJ0fjwR11kH5AtXzw97DpOPcoj9zvUKwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hmE8OJiBGJ0/XKpyh9GgQUI/AAAAAAAAWnA/FsJ0fjwR11kH5AtXzw97DpOPcoj9zvUKwCKgBGAs/s640/IMG_0013.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working out the mechanics</td></tr>
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Now comes resolution. The Germans have got 8 torpdeoes off. Measuring from the marker to the end position of the Trento shows 23cm (we use cm rather than inches to to keep ranges sensible for space available). The range means no changes to the numbers on target. The Trento was bombing along at 13kts so 3 torpedoes are removed leaving 5 potential hits.<br />
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A poor roll and check on the hit table means just one torpedo hits - but a good roll on the damage table (Trento has 5 DEF) means the one torpedo takes off 2 Hull and 1 Armament. <br />
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Trento's guns can still bring retribution against her attackers but with speed reduced by half she is lucky that the Germans have fired all their torpedoes meaning she may yet live to fight again....<br />
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<u>Alternative options</u><br />
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<u>Speedy</u><br />
To speed up play, players may opt to simplify the attack. Instead of choosing a heading the attacker simply rolls a D6. On a roll of 5-6 he hits (i.e. guesses correctly) then the other modifiers are applied. This is essentially the same odds are choosing one of three headings (ignoring Reverse as an option).<br />
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<u>Fun!</u><br />
The attacking player chooses an angle from which he wishes to attack (30-60-90-120-140) degrees. A matchstick is placed at the side of the attacking ship. At the end of the movement phase the referee measures the angle chosen for the attack and measures along the line. Any ship along that line (enemy and friendly) is subjected to attacks (closest first). The amount of torpedoes hitting each target is taken off the remaining torpedoes available. So if two ships are in line and 6 torpedoes are fired with one hitting the first ship then 5 go on to the next. This method may make players think twice about loosing all their torpedoes off in an area where their own ships are also located.<br />
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Broedershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218127480258279732noreply@blogger.com1