PAW 2013 Plymouth

Hi all,

I drove down to Plymouth today to attend my first convention of 2013, PAW. Living about 40 minutes up the A38 means that this has become an annual trek to kick off the new year, and it seemed to be well supported and with a good number of traders in attendance.

As well as picking up "stuff" that would save me a bit of postage, I really enjoy seeing games that inspire the "creative juices", and two games close by the entrance to the hall grabbed my attention.

First off was "The Battle of Hampton Roads" with some lovely large scale ACW ships and monitors
presented by the BAD Wargamers. The models and scenery were very eye catching,

The other game I spent some time looking over was the marvellous Pegasus Bridge scenario in 20mm run by The Society of Gentlemen Gamers. A lot of time and effort in modelling and research had gone into this lovely game, and having put together the kit for this in 15mm I really must get my version up and running. Thanks to Don for sharing his knowledge about this battle as I picked up some very interesting info about the defences around the bridge when the Ox and Bucks landed.

Peninsular War - The British are Coming!!


In December I moved out of my "comfort zone" and added to my Fantassin and AB collection of British Peninsular figures with my first purchase of the Campaign Game Miniatures (CGM) range (see my December 10th post). I was very pleased with the figures on first inspection, and I hope you will agree, they compliment the rest of my collection.

I have included some comparison shots to help others embarking into Napoleonic 18mm and are wondering if the various ranges are compatible.

My impression of the CMG figures are very positive.
Positives
1. Little or no flash to contend with.
2. Excellent clear detail, which is easy to pick out with the brush
3. The range of poses are very good and of equal quality, with no "dodgy" poses.
Negatives
1. My only quibble and it's a very small one, is that the rolled great coats on the packs seem a little small.





Campaign Game Miniatures - 36th & 6th Foot




Campaign Game Miniatures
 (Mounted Colonels AB, Colour Bearers and drummers Fantassin, Flags GMB)

As you will see I have used AB mounted colonels and Fantassin colour bearers and drummers. The current range of British from CGM are very much aimed at the 100 Days Campaign and thus the officers are in shakos rather than bicornes. Also when it comes to anything using a horse, AB are very hard to ignore, their horses are superb.

For the Peninsular War I would look at using the CGM British Line in stovepipe shakos but not the commands, For the Light's and Riflemen I would use the ordinary ranks and the commands.




CGM on left, Fantassin on Right

I think the all various ranges are very compatible, with differences so inconsequential that when they are together on the table they become irrelevant.

That being said, because the ranges are so compatible, I have given some thought to my future planned purchases.

The Fantassin figures certainly bring a lot of character to the table with an excellent range of poses, and I am very pleased with them. The small downsides with them is that the quality of some of the poses and the detail leaves a little bit to be desired. The overly small back pack and rolled coat on some of the figures can be slightly disconcerting. The metal is also quite hard and can be difficult to trim any flash, particularly on the bottom of the bases. However they "paint up" nicely and bring a nice variety to any army.

AB are to my mind and many others still the "Gold Standard" when it comes to 18mm, but the price of the figures makes using them as the sole contribution to my collection prohibitive. As I am working to a budget and I would like to complete my army before I die, the other ranges are a welcome addition. Not only that but I feel the collection benefits from the variety offered by the different makes of figure.




CGM on the left, Fantassin on the right




CGM on left AB on Right with Fantassin colour party and skirmishers




CGM on the left, AB on the right

So in conclusion. I think at present CGM figures are going to form a significant core of my British infantry with a smattering of AB and Fantassin to add variety. None of the current ranges are able to tick all my boxes when I put a battalion of figures together and as you can see I have found no problem in mixing various figure ranges into my units. Times have never been better than now for Napoleonic wargamers when it comes to choosing figures and I have as yet to try out the new offerings from Blue Moon. As this range grows I will be looking at recruiting a few of their "stout fellows" to help liberate the Peninsular from the Corsican Ogre, and I have a mind to sending a force of them to deal with those troublesome Yankees in Canada.

Busy New Year!!

Well we're already 13 days into 2013 and I haven't posted a word.

The reason I have been so remiss is down to several things. Firstly the day job is taking up more focus with the need to get a good start to 2013. Secondly I got a big present from Santa Claus (whose been a good boy then!!) that has been taking up my time namely an IPad 2

Needless to say this little toy has been at my side since Xmas day and I have busily setting it up to do the things I want, mainly storing my digital wargames literature, including books and rules. I now have all seven volumes of Oman's History of the Peninsular War at a finger tips touch away amongst other goodies so my reading time will now be vastly enhanced, happy days.

Anyway it has become a bit of a time hoover and I am conscious that the figures will not paint themselves so next week I am back in the routine to get my Napoleonics up and running.

It looks like I will be play testing the Rolica scenario first weekend in February. When I am happy with the set up I will post a copy for anyone whose interested.

I will also post some pictures of my Campaign Game British that I'm painting up for Vimiero. These figures are lovely and I am really pleased with the results.

Yesterday I got in my first wargame of 2013, at the Devon Wargames Group where some of the guys pulled together a  Battlegroup Kursk game which gave me my first look at these rules. I have posted my impressions of these rules together with a report on the Devon Wargames Blog. See my links to find the blog report.

Up Close and Personal on the Russian Front - Battlegroup Kursk

I am now really thinking about building up my Russian front stuff using Plastic Soldier Company's growing collection of 15mm offerings. In addition several of the guys at club are interested in building Perry plastic 28mm Wars of the Roses figures to use with "A Coat of Steel" rules from the Perfect Captain. I really would like to play these rules.

However I must stay focused and get projects completed before embarking on others. 

Robin Hood - Escape from Nottingham

Medieval Skirmish is not usually my thing, but I had a great time playing a little Robin Hood affair up in North Devon yesterday.

These character skirmish games can often lead to very memorable games because of the laughs they create. My character was the Bishop of Nottingham and as you will see in my report on the Devon Wargames Blog, it really was touch and go if he would escape the clutches of Little John and his men.

If you're interested just click on the Blog link to the Devon Wargames Group page

Great times, great fun

Happy New Year

Happy Xmas

 



A little known episode during Sir John Moore's retreat to Corunna occurred on December the 24th 1808 when the British army began the retreat over the mountains beyond Astorga. Napoleon pondered his decision to drive the "British Leopard" back to the sea. There must be a better way to bring his most implacable foe to the negotiating table. It was then that Marshal Soult came up with the idea, and the rest as they say is history.

Wishing everyone a happy, peaceful Christmas and prosperous New Year in 2013

Jonathan

Tamiya's Small Pointed Brush

Hi all,

I thought I might post a little note on a very important subject, when it comes to painting small soldiers, and that is getting the right brush for the job.

Sadly I have been searching around for a local supplier since my local art shop packed up. I like to support my local retailers when I can, and when it comes to brushes I like to see what I'm buying.
For me, there are two things in particular I want from a brush, especially when it comes to painting detail:

• A fine point to the brush.
• An ability to withstand several weeks of constant use, being dipped into various acrylic colours and being washed in water.

If I can get those qualities I am very happy



Tamiya Small Pointed Brush 87017

Well after messing about with various suppliers offerings of "fine detail" brushes including trying out the Games Workshop range, I have finally found a brush that appears to tick the boxes.

The Tamiya Small Pointed Brush has been brilliant and has done everything I have asked of it, with five weeks in of constant daily use and I still have a beautiful point to work with. I also have a model shop locally who stocks the range and at £2.79 I am very pleased with the results I've had.

One other thing I have found really useful is a tip I saw mentioned on the web, that is cleaning the brush occasionally in Tamiya airbrush thinners. The alcohol is able to remove dried in acrylic pigments that water doesn't and helps maintain the brush for longer. I have tried this and found it to be so. It is quite surprising to see the "gunk" that comes out in the thinners.

Anyway, I think the Tamiya brushes are well worth looking at.

Operation Charnwood Campaign - IABSM

I think "I Aint Been Shot Mum" from the Too Fat Lardies are a brilliant set of WWII Company level rules.

I have pulled together a campaign game as a Cyberboard module to make running the mini campaign a whole lot more easier. Operation Charnwood is featured in the Christmas 2011 Special Magazine available from the Too Fat Lardies website.

I have put a link up on my resources section for the module. Just download the three files and stick them in a folder marked Charnwood and select the gamebox in Cyberboard. All the maps, counters and briefings are included.

In addition you can follow my links to the Cyberboard site if you haven't used this brilliant tool. Its great for boardgames but is also excellent for wargamers who want to run campaigns.



Cyberboard screen shot