Friday 27 September 2013

A tiring day but one with optimism...

I have been off work today as my company gives you a free day on the occasion of your birthday (which is tomorrow) which was much appreciated. The day has been a tiring one though - not least of which because my son, SWMBO and I had to drive to Reading and back (nearly five hours for the round trip). I won't bore you with all the tawdry details but suffice it to say it was worth the trip and the outcome went a long way towards a particular goal.

After we had got home SWMBO decided that tackling the weekend shopping would be a good idea this afternoon rather than tomorrow and so after having undertaken this as well I am now feeling rather tired. However, I am going to tackle something on the gaming front and so I will be preparing the first of the figures for use with my 42mm 1930s/WW2 project. I previously mentioned that I am going to use 30mm square bases and so have a supply currently winging their way from Peter Pig. Inspired by Battle I have decided on the composition of the forces I will be aiming at from the outset. They are quite modest and can be added to as required in the future. I am going with the following organisation:

  • 4 x 8 figure sections, each of an NCO (Smg), 2 x Smg figures, 3 x Rifles firing, 1 x Rifle advancing and 1 x grenade thrower.
  • HQ of an officer, a radioman, a senior NCO and a Rifleman
  • 2 x HMG each of two figures 
  • 1 x Mortars with a crew of two figures 
I have yet to decide about artillery and vehicles although I have seen some rather cunning and top secret ideas currently in progress by a renowned fellow blogger.

The organisation started out as mirroring that in Battle but as written these were intended for 1944 -1945 whereas I am looking at much earlier so I will have no need for rocket launchers. I have fudged the line up slightly to allow for HMGs and a Mortar at quite a low level but as we are missing LMGs this does not seem too harsh - fewer HMGS than LMGs seems better compromise in my opinion.

I have been thinking about uniforms and have decided to go with green and brown as the base colours, one for each side and thinking ahead will use camouflage jackets for units designated as elite so they are easily identifiable. 

The next step will be ready the 84 figures I will be suing and so my plan is to have these based and undercoated before the end of the weekend.

11 comments:

tradgardmastare said...

Have a great birthday tomorrow!
Best wishes
Alan

The Ferrymen said...

David,
Many happy returns. I will lift a couple in your honor tomorrow.

Just to be clear, each figure is going to be on a separate 30mm base?

Regards,
John

Jim Duncan Wargamer said...

Happy Birthday DC.

I've stopped counting mine!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday!

More companies should have that policy. Also, one that allows you to skip the company birthday party for everyone who's had a birthday each month, ugh.

Are you sure you want to mirror the two sides' organizations? I realize you have a limited number of figure poses, but I think different organizations would make the games more interesting, tactically.

Using the exact figure mix you could do:

2 x 11 figure squad, each of an NCO (Smg), 3 x 6 Rifles firing, 2 x Rifles advancing.
1 x 13 figure squad (assault squad) with NCO (Smg) 8 x Smg 4x throwing grenade

HQ of an officer, a radioman, a senior NCO and a Rifleman

Heavy weapons squad
1 NCO (Smg)
2 x HMG each of two figures
1 x Mortars with a crew of two figures

Or you could vary the mix of figures for a completely different organization.

Just my tuppence...

All the best,
Stuart

Sidney Roundwood said...

Happy Birthday, David. Very civilized getting a day off for your birthday as well!!

Robert (Bob) Cordery said...

David,

Happy birthday!

I hope you have a great day.

All the best,

Bob

David Crook said...

Hi Trad,

Many thanks old chap!

All the best,

DC

David Crook said...

Hi John,

Each figure will be on a 30mm square base - and as luck would have it they arrived this morning.

All the best,

DC

David Crook said...

Hi Stuart,

The actual line up when used in a game will be determined by what I have in mind for the scenario so the orbats are not carved in stone. I certainly have more than sufficient figures to cater for all occasions! The selection described was really just to get me started.

All the best,

DC

David Crook said...

Hi Sidney,

Cheers old chap! Although my birtday is today it was good to have the day off gratis!

All the best,

DC

David Crook said...

Hi Bob,

It has not been too bad so far - more to follow in due course!

All the best,

DC