For a few years now a bunch of us guys have been playing War at Sea (WaS) on a semi regular to sporadic basis, since the last game we had, and the end of the campaign we were playing the group went and pursued various interests and we sort of drifted apart - any way to cut to the chase i got an email the other week saying one of the guys off the WaS forums was going to be holidaying here in west oz and might be keen for a game, was i interested - Hell Yeah!!!
so ive pulled out 200pts of US of A and am getting ready to play this coming sunday my force at this stage consists of;
Iowa
Intrepid
Avenger
Helldiver
Hellcat x2
San Diego
Cleveland
Kidd x2
Edsall x2
Jeremiah O'Brien
It is a 1943 build, and built to our house rule OOB which is for each 1 Capital, you must have 1 Cruiser, you must have 2 Destroyers etc etc
Im taking the camera for the battle so expect some pics after sunday
Wednesday, 13 February 2013
Friday, 25 January 2013
First Game, First AAR
So i travelled 45mins north to play my first game of Bolt Action on Wednesday, met a heap of new people and saw some great games, scenery, and armies painted for quite a few systems.
500pts UK vs USA (training exercise) somewhere on the English Moors
we rolled for mission and got scenario 3 "Point Defence" i elected to defend! a fault that will become apparent quickly
Set up
All UK forces off board the US dig in and weather a prepatory bombardment
left flank
.JPG)
Right flank
.JPG)
The US which was all , but for 2 units pinned by the bombardment took to ground the first turn, allowing the UK to move up and take position among the tree lines on the opposing ridge, turn 2 came and went with the US chaotically trying to clear their pins before the UK descended upon the objectives, to limited avail however with an exciting turn of luck while the US were regrouping the UK artillery unloaded aiming for my sole MMG team however due to lack of clear co-ordinates the shot went totally wide and hit the entire British right flank in the tree lines
A rallying cheers went up amongst the US who were just starting to raise their heads - 2 rifle squads, a Sherman, and the army HQ all pinned was this to be the downfall of the Brits?
Turn 3 seizing the opportunity the M24 sped out and around the orchard to take on the Brit Sherman from the side to no avail just a glancing hit, but rack up an extra pin Tommy and just to throw more confuzion into the mix the pintal HMG opened up and forced heads down along the tree line.
Turn 4 The brits achieved some rallying, with the far right squad rolling through their pins and taking out my opposing US unit that was approaching the tree line, the M24 moves closer again using the pintal HMG to suppress the squad hiding in the tree line, while this time the 75mm loaded the HE and targeted in reprisal the farthest squad (I must apologise at this stage nearlly all the photo's from my right flank were blurry and didnot come out) over on the right my mortar spotter has cleared his pins and is directing fire against a unit of rifles approaching towards my right flank objective, i have a mixed arm unit there that is also trying to defend the point, but they are taking casualties from a snipe team that on the extreme British left (they can just be seen on the edge of the pic below).
Turn 5 The Brits are hurriedly trying to remove those pins, or fire through them with the earlier miss fired arty, and 2 round of HMG fire from the M24 their right flank is almost locked down added to that the MMG although now missing a man is still adding to the fire as is now the HQ unit who suddenly grew a set and stroud up the field and took position assisting the MMG with adding fire into the tree line.
Over on my right sees our units engage in a bloody melee attack, which was quick and brutal with the US unit decimate the UK squad and as we were still being hampered by that sniper we took a consolidatory move into the nearby tree line and discover a radio team making a spearhead forward.
We both agreed to end it there and not play a turn 6 the US successfully defended its 3 objectives, and our casualties were 8 men. from memory the UK lost around 11 men i think...
What did i get from the game? Pins suck!!! and if i have chance to play the attacker i will - the prep bomb was so effective in tying me down for 2 turns if the UK arty hadn't of missed and hit his own units i would of been screwed! and those pins on the Sherman were so so critical, for me my star players were the M24, and my right flank mixed unit. My mortars did squat and with both spotter and crew pinned it took ages to fire and didnt score a hit all night, HQ didnt do a thing really running backwards and forward trying to help remove those pins achieved little and they worked better when they were firing on the enemy. Outstanding units for the enemy would have to be the Sniper and the rifle unit on my far left both these teams scored the majority of the kills and it was a shame that the rifle unit was targeted by most of my left flank force and destroyed... but thats warfare, im sure we made a few mistakes and did stuff wrong but it was an enjoyable game i loved the random activation (even when on 2 consecutive turns the UK pulled 3 or more activations in a row - next time im leaving the wife at home as she was the drawer of random dice).
All up a great game we played like gentlemen, no arguments, no grief - Warlord games you have aced it a fine product, and i will be travelling again on a Wednesday to play more games.
VP
500pts UK vs USA (training exercise) somewhere on the English Moors
we rolled for mission and got scenario 3 "Point Defence" i elected to defend! a fault that will become apparent quickly
Set up
What did i get from the game? Pins suck!!! and if i have chance to play the attacker i will - the prep bomb was so effective in tying me down for 2 turns if the UK arty hadn't of missed and hit his own units i would of been screwed! and those pins on the Sherman were so so critical, for me my star players were the M24, and my right flank mixed unit. My mortars did squat and with both spotter and crew pinned it took ages to fire and didnt score a hit all night, HQ didnt do a thing really running backwards and forward trying to help remove those pins achieved little and they worked better when they were firing on the enemy. Outstanding units for the enemy would have to be the Sniper and the rifle unit on my far left both these teams scored the majority of the kills and it was a shame that the rifle unit was targeted by most of my left flank force and destroyed... but thats warfare, im sure we made a few mistakes and did stuff wrong but it was an enjoyable game i loved the random activation (even when on 2 consecutive turns the UK pulled 3 or more activations in a row - next time im leaving the wife at home as she was the drawer of random dice).
All up a great game we played like gentlemen, no arguments, no grief - Warlord games you have aced it a fine product, and i will be travelling again on a Wednesday to play more games.
VP
Friday, 14 December 2012
Under wraps a peek at upcoming projects
A quick pic or two of some more scenery on the way after the trees are done.
And 6 ruined farm buildings - from my starter set and 1 ruined hamlet set
So here is 2 pics of the Ruined Church its almost complete - just a few more touches and she's table ready
Here is a project i started a whiles back for Blackwater Gulch - must get around to finishing it someday!
From Left to Right; A ruined bridge, A rocky formation, A ruined Church
So here is 2 pics of the Ruined Church its almost complete - just a few more touches and she's table ready
Here is a project i started a whiles back for Blackwater Gulch - must get around to finishing it someday!
THE SEEDY TREES
THE SEEDY TREES
So we have a tournament here in Perth in March, so while I'm waiting for my orders to arrive i thought i would knock up some terrain - first up some trees
So here is a step by step
First off i start with an old CD, I then using PVA glue some thin card (I use pattern making paper from the local Spotlight store)
I usually leave them overnight to dry with something heavy to press them down while drying.
(I should note here that i found through trial and error that glueing the paper onto the "data" side works best as there is a slight ridge around the center hole on that side)
Next step i add my texture coat, this i add to the non papered side (I should explain here that when the paper dries it creates a slight warping of the disc, forming a slight dome)
The next step sees me venturing into the garden to find some suitable sticks, once collected i cut them to length (what ever suits your needs) then i file the ends smooth and drill them through the middle.
Find some washers, and some of the scrap bits of card from the CD, then assemble as below
Now assembled
So we have a tournament here in Perth in March, so while I'm waiting for my orders to arrive i thought i would knock up some terrain - first up some trees
So here is a step by step
First off i start with an old CD, I then using PVA glue some thin card (I use pattern making paper from the local Spotlight store)
(I should note here that i found through trial and error that glueing the paper onto the "data" side works best as there is a slight ridge around the center hole on that side)
Next step i add my texture coat, this i add to the non papered side (I should explain here that when the paper dries it creates a slight warping of the disc, forming a slight dome)
Find some washers, and some of the scrap bits of card from the CD, then assemble as below
And like the Texture on the CD do the same around the based, and once dry cut it out
Now you should have your disc and tree base prepared and ready to attach
In the next part i will go through the painting, flocking, and making the tuft's
(The trees I'm using are from K&M these are quiet a few years old now)
Wednesday, 12 December 2012
Diplomatic Breakdown
So here we go this is the preamble to this blog which will continue in force in 13'
my aim here is to document my experience playing, painting, modelling in Bolt Action.
The Home Office will ensure that all reports are forwarded and that the Propaganda Dept will make sure that everyone is provided with up to date footage and stills from the front!
So the War is upon us - What are you going to do soldier?
VP
Update 22/12/12
I haven't posted for a few days now, the last of my orders arrived and now complete been busy assembling my US forces - i have to say I'm still 50/50 on the Warlord models the plastics (although tricky/fiddly) are great, but I'm finding their metal to be lacking sometimes.
I ordered a sniper, the only one i could find and its just yuck!!! to me a sniper has to be a pivotal piece on the field yet the one i have is sitting on his ass doing SFA!!! I'm probably going to bin him and modify a plastic.
My Chaffee went together so so well it is a beautiful model, very little flash and not much clean up needed (even the mold remnants between the tracks and wheels could of stayed if i wanted a "muddy" look).
The rest of the models went together well and I'm progressing well, I've started to compile a paint list need to go and buy the colours i don't have - I have only 20 more men to assemble and my 1000pt's are ready to go and im hoping to get a few games in this summer between painting and making terrain.
I'm really excited to be back into some WWII gaming its been a long long time since my 1/72nd scale battles graced the table, and this new 28mm scale is perfect for a quick afternoon game, I am eagerly awaiting the release of the Japanese lists on the 4th of Jan and I will need to make a decision between them or Soviets as my next force (the Soviets are close to my heart, having played them at 1/72nd scale many years ago, but the Japanese will make a Pacific opponent for my US force and make more sense - so i have to choose between Heart or Sense). I almost fell over earlier today was "talking" to the missus about spending more money on gaming and she surprised me by agreeing that i need new paint, foam for scenery, and some rubber sheeting for road sections - i was flabbergasted!!!
So to wrap up this update the US war-machine is steaming ahead my specialists are all undercoated and if i had the paint for the webbing, helmet's, and HBT's i would be painting tonight instead of updating this. I will post some pics of my WIP soon.
Anyway i will wish everyone a Merry Xmas and Happy New year
VP
I have been painting over the festive break (between work and family that is) I have finished my first team! my US FAO here is 2 pics
.JPG)
.JPG)
And supported by a MMG Team
So I'm off to a flying start this year, even had time for a side track
More to come as they are painted
VP
I have just finished 500pts, so while im painting the next 500pts i thought i would try and get some games in, anyways here is a pic
Holy tuxedo's Batman - or what a weekend!!!
Rant time...
Well to start there goes over $100 down the drain, In December i committed to a tournament and supplying some of the terrain, i ordered a heap of terrain and bought some modelling stuff for said terrain anyways i have spent the last 2 weeks basing and painting the terrain only to find out Sunday morning when i wake up my terrain is no longer required - So there goes precious time and money that could of been spent on more figures and painting the army! grrr...
Just going over my list for said tournament, thinking i only had about a dozen men to go and i find i have under calculated, I now have an extra 10-12 men to assemble and paint! grr...
So i was planning on getting a game in on Wednesday but this week is now going to be flat out assembling the shortfall and hopefully getting them ready by the end of the month - at least i can put the terrain on hold though most of it is almost complete, im just hoping i can get most of the assembly done by Thursday (pay day) so that if i need to order some extra models i can asap.
VP
Hirst Arts
My order should be here in a few days and i have one squad left to paint, so I'm hoping that i can finish them by the time my parcel arrives!
I have big plans for this I have put a 20kg bag of casting plaster waiting for me at work and once ive got the molds a mass casting is in order
the plans are for an entire city/town with bridges and such.
Well suprise suprise my molds arrived today!!! i have to say very impressed they are not what i was expecting they much better, I had this image of them being a "Bit" big but they appear to be a right fit for my BA table - look out gothic city on the way...
Bricks, Paint, and Planes
with said Hirst molds here now i have been casting like crazy, to little avail! it would seem I am going to be casting for ages to get enough blocks to build what i want - oh well keep the tally rolling
made some interesting experiments the plaster, after several web searches i gave up trying to add colour to the blocks. Food colouring didn't work!, Acrylic paint didn't work - I had given up when by chance one of my customers at work was asking me about molds and plaster and such and he suggested I try an oxide powder, so off I trot down to Bunnings (Bunnings is a large chain Hardware here in Oz) and got me a black oxide - i will report later this week if this works.
Painting, I have been painting my ass off this week i have all my regs done and now only need to finish 2 MMG teams and we are done over 1000pts the Yanks are 99% finished woo hoo!!!
adding to this i have glued together my P38 Lightning which im using as my Airstrike model, needs a bit of green stuff to fill some gaps and then get an undercoat on Tuesday after i have visited the local hobby shop to get some acrylic rod for the stand.
so yeah been a lot quiet on the blog, but all to a good endevour - the completion of my U.S force, i will post a group pic once they are finished.
gripe for the night!!! Amazon and Ebay - have to say im tired of dicks who find it too hard to post outside of America, come on people! fuck its not hard to get an air quote and i really wouldn't mind paying extra to get it here! really finding the lack of Howitzer equipped AFV models to be frustrating Tamiya did a StuG III with the StuH 42 option, and dont even try looking for a 105 Sherman.
Arrghh...
VP
my aim here is to document my experience playing, painting, modelling in Bolt Action.
The Home Office will ensure that all reports are forwarded and that the Propaganda Dept will make sure that everyone is provided with up to date footage and stills from the front!
So the War is upon us - What are you going to do soldier?
VP
Update 22/12/12
I haven't posted for a few days now, the last of my orders arrived and now complete been busy assembling my US forces - i have to say I'm still 50/50 on the Warlord models the plastics (although tricky/fiddly) are great, but I'm finding their metal to be lacking sometimes.
I ordered a sniper, the only one i could find and its just yuck!!! to me a sniper has to be a pivotal piece on the field yet the one i have is sitting on his ass doing SFA!!! I'm probably going to bin him and modify a plastic.
My Chaffee went together so so well it is a beautiful model, very little flash and not much clean up needed (even the mold remnants between the tracks and wheels could of stayed if i wanted a "muddy" look).
The rest of the models went together well and I'm progressing well, I've started to compile a paint list need to go and buy the colours i don't have - I have only 20 more men to assemble and my 1000pt's are ready to go and im hoping to get a few games in this summer between painting and making terrain.
I'm really excited to be back into some WWII gaming its been a long long time since my 1/72nd scale battles graced the table, and this new 28mm scale is perfect for a quick afternoon game, I am eagerly awaiting the release of the Japanese lists on the 4th of Jan and I will need to make a decision between them or Soviets as my next force (the Soviets are close to my heart, having played them at 1/72nd scale many years ago, but the Japanese will make a Pacific opponent for my US force and make more sense - so i have to choose between Heart or Sense). I almost fell over earlier today was "talking" to the missus about spending more money on gaming and she surprised me by agreeing that i need new paint, foam for scenery, and some rubber sheeting for road sections - i was flabbergasted!!!
So to wrap up this update the US war-machine is steaming ahead my specialists are all undercoated and if i had the paint for the webbing, helmet's, and HBT's i would be painting tonight instead of updating this. I will post some pics of my WIP soon.
Anyway i will wish everyone a Merry Xmas and Happy New year
VP
I have been painting over the festive break (between work and family that is) I have finished my first team! my US FAO here is 2 pics
.JPG)
.JPG)
Hopefully i will get better with the camera as i go...
I also got some off-cut vinyl tile from work so im in the process of making a "white box", now all i need is to get my lighting worked out
VP
Well some new arrivals for the new year, two days down and two teams/units done without further ado
The M24 Chaffee
VP
I have just finished 500pts, so while im painting the next 500pts i thought i would try and get some games in, anyways here is a pic
Holy tuxedo's Batman - or what a weekend!!!
Rant time...
Well to start there goes over $100 down the drain, In December i committed to a tournament and supplying some of the terrain, i ordered a heap of terrain and bought some modelling stuff for said terrain anyways i have spent the last 2 weeks basing and painting the terrain only to find out Sunday morning when i wake up my terrain is no longer required - So there goes precious time and money that could of been spent on more figures and painting the army! grrr...
Just going over my list for said tournament, thinking i only had about a dozen men to go and i find i have under calculated, I now have an extra 10-12 men to assemble and paint! grr...
So i was planning on getting a game in on Wednesday but this week is now going to be flat out assembling the shortfall and hopefully getting them ready by the end of the month - at least i can put the terrain on hold though most of it is almost complete, im just hoping i can get most of the assembly done by Thursday (pay day) so that if i need to order some extra models i can asap.
VP
Hirst Arts
My order should be here in a few days and i have one squad left to paint, so I'm hoping that i can finish them by the time my parcel arrives!
I have big plans for this I have put a 20kg bag of casting plaster waiting for me at work and once ive got the molds a mass casting is in order
the plans are for an entire city/town with bridges and such.
Well suprise suprise my molds arrived today!!! i have to say very impressed they are not what i was expecting they much better, I had this image of them being a "Bit" big but they appear to be a right fit for my BA table - look out gothic city on the way...
Bricks, Paint, and Planes
with said Hirst molds here now i have been casting like crazy, to little avail! it would seem I am going to be casting for ages to get enough blocks to build what i want - oh well keep the tally rolling
made some interesting experiments the plaster, after several web searches i gave up trying to add colour to the blocks. Food colouring didn't work!, Acrylic paint didn't work - I had given up when by chance one of my customers at work was asking me about molds and plaster and such and he suggested I try an oxide powder, so off I trot down to Bunnings (Bunnings is a large chain Hardware here in Oz) and got me a black oxide - i will report later this week if this works.
Painting, I have been painting my ass off this week i have all my regs done and now only need to finish 2 MMG teams and we are done over 1000pts the Yanks are 99% finished woo hoo!!!
adding to this i have glued together my P38 Lightning which im using as my Airstrike model, needs a bit of green stuff to fill some gaps and then get an undercoat on Tuesday after i have visited the local hobby shop to get some acrylic rod for the stand.
so yeah been a lot quiet on the blog, but all to a good endevour - the completion of my U.S force, i will post a group pic once they are finished.
gripe for the night!!! Amazon and Ebay - have to say im tired of dicks who find it too hard to post outside of America, come on people! fuck its not hard to get an air quote and i really wouldn't mind paying extra to get it here! really finding the lack of Howitzer equipped AFV models to be frustrating Tamiya did a StuG III with the StuH 42 option, and dont even try looking for a 105 Sherman.
Arrghh...
VP
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