tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44728893703040779242024-03-18T06:12:52.002+00:00A Wargaming OdysseyThis is a long running and continuing journey around a collection of ideas, projects, games, models and a variety of wargaming related themes from my own imagination and from others. As I have been described as having the attention span of a forgetful goldfish you can rest assured the resulting subject matter will be diverse and (usually) entertaining! "He lived in a frenzy of enthusiasm — but nothing
lasted for long with him". David Crookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497436789811496047noreply@blogger.comBlogger2485125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4472889370304077924.post-28293343080248439392024-03-15T08:23:00.003+00:002024-03-15T08:23:34.546+00:00“Zulus….120 of ‘em!”<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjONc6fospJgalQJxS6Pwgidl7JTz3iSmojPDyItDvBb9sTOCoLJryQzVNwFDC37vB20upuLLZq65oBBliqpASFYVfoOWlBvdFLls7vpnQWdnfEJ41xG3Rsmm1B_AzjhI3Ny4BOfOpM8-KHk-EoPX1C5CnhN4PmW5qN1TXFuoZSBqLTCGLZA6TvQoLYPYg/s3264/IMG_0157.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjONc6fospJgalQJxS6Pwgidl7JTz3iSmojPDyItDvBb9sTOCoLJryQzVNwFDC37vB20upuLLZq65oBBliqpASFYVfoOWlBvdFLls7vpnQWdnfEJ41xG3Rsmm1B_AzjhI3Ny4BOfOpM8-KHk-EoPX1C5CnhN4PmW5qN1TXFuoZSBqLTCGLZA6TvQoLYPYg/s320/IMG_0157.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><b>At long last - I have only been on the lookout for these for around three years….</b></p><p>Back at the Cavalier show in February I got talking to Dave, the proprietor of <b><a href="https://www.1-72.co.uk/" target="_blank">1-72 Model Figures</a> </b>about the semi-legendary and seemingly nigh-on impossible to get hold of box of Unmarried Zulus produced by Hat Industries. Turns out he had six of these ‘back at base’ and so after a brief exchange of emails a parcel arrived yesterday with two boxes of them - 120 figures in total.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSiF_yOPPQEZBPVSnKs2lQEf1qacvR2CD0k8pNv70CfuKhMc8drRwfyUZG_cepRPFarcdSlVkOymRFWGfbmtGRxAwi5-j25iSDQ51Vd29oI1KyTBjIDyueGPK6MrGr0go2EDN2pA1aVLFVSoR1PghJimibfgsaeWXF093Rj0slULhiO-XuAMueSDP-z_E/s3264/IMG_0158.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSiF_yOPPQEZBPVSnKs2lQEf1qacvR2CD0k8pNv70CfuKhMc8drRwfyUZG_cepRPFarcdSlVkOymRFWGfbmtGRxAwi5-j25iSDQ51Vd29oI1KyTBjIDyueGPK6MrGr0go2EDN2pA1aVLFVSoR1PghJimibfgsaeWXF093Rj0slULhiO-XuAMueSDP-z_E/s320/IMG_0158.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>One of the four sprues in each box viewed from the front. There are two figures holding captured rifles to the box holds 8 out of 60 or 16 over the two sets. Possibly a little on the high side but close enough for my needs.</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_W8yWkxuS-p-a6EImv8hKmfzonYXW8w1h2HVELb2NhcjS7LpIsJ84tbkYZwCf3V4KSMFYmWXPRuX85Et_vCOkaPDsZBu-J60N6SNb7zHX2OBKt_EAtS7wQyVR_CQd5o8b7ZiQWDtZRUWoGuCh1eYn4QmXzB5rA3fxzv7vx5NGm0lhyGE694p8BCqmX8/s3264/IMG_0160.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_W8yWkxuS-p-a6EImv8hKmfzonYXW8w1h2HVELb2NhcjS7LpIsJ84tbkYZwCf3V4KSMFYmWXPRuX85Et_vCOkaPDsZBu-J60N6SNb7zHX2OBKt_EAtS7wQyVR_CQd5o8b7ZiQWDtZRUWoGuCh1eYn4QmXzB5rA3fxzv7vx5NGm0lhyGE694p8BCqmX8/s320/IMG_0160.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><b>The reverse side of the sprue.</b></p><p>These are for my 20mm soft plastic Zulu War project in which the British rank and file and mounted troops have been sourced from the board game War in the Age of Imperialism. </p><p>The main reason I was so keen to get this set was due to the fact that the majority of the figures are one piece castings so no separate shields or weapons (with a single exception). The ESCI Zulus feature separate shields and weapons and these are, in my opinion, a royal pain to deal with. The only drawback is of course that these are Unmarried Zulus and so lack the distinctive head ring that the married veterans wore. The tribal figures from the aforementioned board game may be usable in this case but I will need to check. In any event there is another box of Hat Zulus that features the married types although guess what? That is currently equally as difficult to get a hold of! </p><p>Expect a further update on this project in 2026…. :-)</p>David Crookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497436789811496047noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4472889370304077924.post-48137711283228918232024-03-14T10:52:00.002+00:002024-03-14T10:52:36.753+00:00“This War Without an Enemy”<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1sd_ninTKQPbFpc91aiNVJiFOtoCBhDRWXw52FM09_f5JP2zF_aRw_IsN5Ogeyt_nK_ZrtQZNBBn6o8-DhQ3Mi2Yajcr_sq4OhVGHL1lwt1r8qOW8BK9Y1JgD8s5z_A9b4UHoJ9YnI5GMgW4y5zyv4Unxg_mMl2zuFlabMyvJm_qV0K5F6OYU-rijpQ/s3264/IMG_0150.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1sd_ninTKQPbFpc91aiNVJiFOtoCBhDRWXw52FM09_f5JP2zF_aRw_IsN5Ogeyt_nK_ZrtQZNBBn6o8-DhQ3Mi2Yajcr_sq4OhVGHL1lwt1r8qOW8BK9Y1JgD8s5z_A9b4UHoJ9YnI5GMgW4y5zyv4Unxg_mMl2zuFlabMyvJm_qV0K5F6OYU-rijpQ/s320/IMG_0150.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>The box lid….</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik9URn8r9_rJnpe4eg6HKVoCI35UiKwxY75drnTb5ZXwlxRgMkTL0swvfQVqAKCYT5ROMSL29TtTC9XtSV1bx-GFuYZgYMqAtqutzIlxE2M99H4L9Kg4bUyNSExVA_VCucWbdAoUYqDBFRi-zxUBOHfiXVrS7zak7wSU59ygBDBOmCSMhOXkI1QOtRBUk/s3264/IMG_0151.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik9URn8r9_rJnpe4eg6HKVoCI35UiKwxY75drnTb5ZXwlxRgMkTL0swvfQVqAKCYT5ROMSL29TtTC9XtSV1bx-GFuYZgYMqAtqutzIlxE2M99H4L9Kg4bUyNSExVA_VCucWbdAoUYqDBFRi-zxUBOHfiXVrS7zak7wSU59ygBDBOmCSMhOXkI1QOtRBUk/s320/IMG_0151.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>…and the underside</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>The English Civil War is one of the periods of history I have never been able to make my mind up about! I have gamed it using figures (not mine I hasten to add) and have gone through not one but two WoFun collections - the 28mm version is now with Mr Fox - and a very fine job he has made with them using a DBA inspired set of rules and some custom movement trays - and the 18mm version which has also gone. I built up a small collection of reading material for the period but for whatever reason it never really got off the ground for me. Even watching the film Cromwell a couple of times failed to really engage me. It became one of those periods of history that I would be interested in only under certain circumstances such as a visit to a castle or Manor House that featured during the war, possibly viewing some museum exhibits or similar and so it not a long stayer as such. In many ways I had the same feelings about the American Civil War on land, the saving grace for me in this instance being the naval side.<div><br /></div><div>This War Without an Enemy is a board game produced by Nuts Publishing and offers a strategic game of the period of the civil war using blocks for units and notable personalities and a card driven area movement system. Unit blocks have a number of hit points that can be reduced by damage and tactical battles are resolved on a stylised battle mat - I have the neoprene version of this along with the game printed version.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZjzdHlQbL9SjX-j4Hm08FhyMyDW6exXICkdQXQT9F194UPOyQMt2iCjRCBhNqdEUPAn5sQYNo8d9QWttDhh4NF-aWh9Jm7IMCt5EXWa_M15l64DloRABC40PeY2xvICJ38fF66kh7V4yMAmCiPXWVoAaSbr6NIr5vQjJ_T20FgwdrWLJHC4UaN13s-I/s3264/IMG_0152.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZjzdHlQbL9SjX-j4Hm08FhyMyDW6exXICkdQXQT9F194UPOyQMt2iCjRCBhNqdEUPAn5sQYNo8d9QWttDhh4NF-aWh9Jm7IMCt5EXWa_M15l64DloRABC40PeY2xvICJ38fF66kh7V4yMAmCiPXWVoAaSbr6NIr5vQjJ_T20FgwdrWLJHC4UaN13s-I/s320/IMG_0152.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>The rules, playbook, unit and personality blocks and the two decks of event cards that drive the game</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0abh4XeCGaZTFEOOMrIZFji2yIers1Hbg102aZZUGHzUyFF4ZQbKh1gz2DVz5zi9CYROnHEBHTn8NJv88J50UfepazHHR4WBt0U4lEz-rMtB7R7dGZwR6xskz70c2yf_APDZWf9EIgA1v36xSizBOzg-ML582V7Qiwt7ESmzG4Sjt7bflZczT9pQH8Tw/s3264/IMG_0154.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0abh4XeCGaZTFEOOMrIZFji2yIers1Hbg102aZZUGHzUyFF4ZQbKh1gz2DVz5zi9CYROnHEBHTn8NJv88J50UfepazHHR4WBt0U4lEz-rMtB7R7dGZwR6xskz70c2yf_APDZWf9EIgA1v36xSizBOzg-ML582V7Qiwt7ESmzG4Sjt7bflZczT9pQH8Tw/s320/IMG_0154.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Scenario set ups for 1642 and 1644 - there is a full campaign game covering the entire war</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBh6Ee85KkAXEdnLbP547VPV83eQ8MrSk2_jmYCC3DIW5dsdCwx_cfnNS_Vx4ddAq7z2OPTks-UtYD3d0YQkReYm1499PQyYOuWZiX3794BxOs2BDb52oPJeDVSjEShsxB372fh1VHlBkI5sV8jI-gawO4wZBJrssfDm3rK6YsxDmlNgpu1IsmMtjk5B4/s3262/IMG_0155.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3262" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBh6Ee85KkAXEdnLbP547VPV83eQ8MrSk2_jmYCC3DIW5dsdCwx_cfnNS_Vx4ddAq7z2OPTks-UtYD3d0YQkReYm1499PQyYOuWZiX3794BxOs2BDb52oPJeDVSjEShsxB372fh1VHlBkI5sV8jI-gawO4wZBJrssfDm3rK6YsxDmlNgpu1IsmMtjk5B4/s320/IMG_0155.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>A close up of the unit and personality blocks</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73sHRXxXHMFxyPU70WGqMHk9jirxwvLx9LvX-QbscYCj9O5RuhaVH1dhBItSwTG_bB0MzwFn_ptJGarxYpku2T6AbnqYFc4yDjRoR4D6Ze9TeOc4X4FNAiXglWtgFN7A57I6TNDv-1-gU_1NfMY921sSbrTgVyj2qDGONPPb3fz7KHzBC9exqQ7aPvT8/s3264/IMG_0156.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73sHRXxXHMFxyPU70WGqMHk9jirxwvLx9LvX-QbscYCj9O5RuhaVH1dhBItSwTG_bB0MzwFn_ptJGarxYpku2T6AbnqYFc4yDjRoR4D6Ze9TeOc4X4FNAiXglWtgFN7A57I6TNDv-1-gU_1NfMY921sSbrTgVyj2qDGONPPb3fz7KHzBC9exqQ7aPvT8/s320/IMG_0156.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The neoprene version of the tactical battlefield map.</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I really enjoy block based games and in many ways - cards excepting - this reminds me of Napoleon by Columbia Games. That also features a separate stylised battle board for resolving tactical battles - a pretty neat idea akin to a figures based campaign where the units are moved on a map and the figures are deployed on the tabletop for the resolution of the action.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyways, an opportunity arose for me to pick up a secondhand copy at a price I could not refuse and so here I am, once again looking at the ECW and ruing the disposal of the 18mm Wofun and of the books I had acquired. I am not so fussed about the former but the latter will require some eBay attention methinks! Luckily most of the books I had - no more than half a dozen or so - are for the most part readily available and more importantly are not expensive.</div><div><br /></div><div>For the record whilst I was typing this I had the theme tune from the BBC TV series ‘By the Sword Divided’ running in my head - is this trying to tell me something?</div><div><br /></div><div>No figures were harmed or purchased during the writing of this post…. :-)</div>David Crookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497436789811496047noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4472889370304077924.post-27531836198617959972024-03-13T08:15:00.004+00:002024-03-13T08:15:40.734+00:00More on Developing the Portable Ironclads Wargame<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRndlOdjQnLPJyUuo8g5ORRZ5pINWeaWtlzRSd_qH_boUEfgka60BJs1_XNjrOyWCgW4paSqQlg037bEE1DuyyUrFJRRg5SN_UVwchW98Qa2LQZRhgLgoLRwdcVphvEWUK3Kas_FgK5wMAw1xn09aDTaaTrRgwclUYaPLZOqPP4z_fLlpsNvDd67x6zY/s3264/IMG_3431.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRndlOdjQnLPJyUuo8g5ORRZ5pINWeaWtlzRSd_qH_boUEfgka60BJs1_XNjrOyWCgW4paSqQlg037bEE1DuyyUrFJRRg5SN_UVwchW98Qa2LQZRhgLgoLRwdcVphvEWUK3Kas_FgK5wMAw1xn09aDTaaTrRgwclUYaPLZOqPP4z_fLlpsNvDd67x6zY/s320/IMG_3431.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>A ‘Pell-mell’ affair as the Union attempt to force a conclusion against a mixed Confederate force. Note the monitors bombarding the fort at the top of the picture.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>What’s in a name?</b></div><div><br /></div>Work has continued, albeit rather sporadically, on Developing the Portable Ironclads Wargame. After a bit of a rethink I have reverted to the original title rather than describing it as a ‘Revised and Expanded Edition’ as I think this better reflects the contents. To be honest it is largely a moot point because in essence a ‘Revised and Expanded Edition’ is exactly what the new book will be. However, following on from the precedent set by Bob with the Portable Wargame, I reckon that calling it ‘Developing’ is more in keeping with the overall Portable naming convention. So ‘Developing the Revised and Expanded Edition of the Portable Ironclads Wargame’ it is then….Only kidding, just ‘Developing’!<div><br /></div><div>There is also an important new addition to the new book. As well as including rules for using a square grid as well as the original hexagonal version I will also be including rules for using single hexes and squares rather than two. The rationale behind this is that the use of single grid areas works better for smaller scale models. For example, a single Hexon tile, measuring 4” across the flat sides, will happily take a 1:1200th scale model. For the record I am looking at 6” grid areas for my own collection but then my models are rather on the large side!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Freebie Alert!</b><br /><div><br /></div><div>In the meantime though, I do have some welcome news. I shall be publishing an errata for the original book which will be available as a free PDF. I will make it available on the blog and also a couple of the facebook groups I belong to - The Portable Wargame and Gridded Naval Wargames. This is by no means an onerous document - thankfully - but it will help to tidy up a few things. I will be working on this over the next couple of weeks and will advise when ready.</div></div>David Crookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497436789811496047noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4472889370304077924.post-78702799781309398362024-03-11T17:21:00.004+00:002024-03-11T17:21:51.890+00:00The Tactical Board Game….Part 1Over the past year or so I have been quietly amassing a selection of tactical board games. For me there are many advantages in pursuing such a path and I am sure that a fair few of these will strike a chord or two!<div><br /></div><div><b>Convenience. </b>After readying a game for tabletop action it simply a case of setting it up, fighting the battle and then putting it away in its box. No fuss and very simple indeed!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Storage. </b>A game in a box and boxes are easy to store. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Cost. </b>A premium quality tactical board game may set you back around the £100 mark but for that you will get two or more side to fight with, the playing area and any terrain applicable - usually printed on the map or in conjunction with terrain overlays. Compare that to amassing similar forces using models and factor in the cost of paints, brushes etc.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Time</b>. When your new board game arrives getting it table ready can usually be managed in an evening or two. Compare this with the time to assemble and paint two forces of models.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>On the Grid. </b>This is I guess where things can get a little muddied. I am a committed grid based gamer, so much so that grids are pretty much all I fight over these days. This makes the crossing the psychological hurdle into board games very much easier - in fact I probably took this leap several years ago with my block armies.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have made no secret of the fact that I am a reluctant painter and so giving up on producing armies is not really a great sacrifice. I will still tackle skirmish type stuff and of course anything naval, aerial, deep space or vehicular will continue as normal and indeed, I still have a few projects in this regard that require some attention in due course.</div><div><br /></div><div>Without further ado the following are a selection of the tactical games I have - a couple of which are repurchases - and a bit of an insight into why they are there.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP8pSmhjmlm_83WOQSWjzyjkvM-yjz3RL47c9q3ZG9OjFNMR9qyNMPuOE4spJ0y3o63KY4TT9Sqenak5IboNlxWghqB31VgvfEoEZZj956jny1XJBQD3Vn5YvNGeXsctePfVhHll7q60S9_BgkWQpLrMYIvpSsS-YJeukPuGBeUcnPdJTtEsgsZyLOBOA/s3264/IMG_0147.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP8pSmhjmlm_83WOQSWjzyjkvM-yjz3RL47c9q3ZG9OjFNMR9qyNMPuOE4spJ0y3o63KY4TT9Sqenak5IboNlxWghqB31VgvfEoEZZj956jny1XJBQD3Vn5YvNGeXsctePfVhHll7q60S9_BgkWQpLrMYIvpSsS-YJeukPuGBeUcnPdJTtEsgsZyLOBOA/s320/IMG_0147.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Command and Colours. Of the above titles the Samurai and Jacobites are self contained in that there are no expansions. The American Revolution has a single one which includes the French whilst the Medieval title will probably feature several expansions. The first of these covers the Crusades which I will certainly get when available.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In many ways the above games from the Command and Colours stable represent a step up from the original Battle Cry and Memoir 44 in that in addition to the usual command cards there are some bespoke tactical options that further nuance gameplay. Memoir 44 moved in this direction as did the Ancients and Napoleonic versions but only after several expansions. This definitely adds to the playing experience and decision making. For me the issue with Memoir 44 and the Napoleonic and Ancient versions is that to get the full experience one has to be fully invested in the system which means acquiring most if not all of the expansions. I have in the past gone down this particular rabbit hole but from here on in I intend to be far more selective about any game that needs multiple expansions!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZmPPyvo-XHj9UbDAvv9u7oQ7NnSaG4jZoaIf292jIAJqAKYoXCWEb_Kb-KTxJ2iyMwnH017dttehANAtkzCEZ5lmBJxfRfXQNtl6qOS2Y84SplbnIn_Zf1UGAjQMGNLBj0S6sbOoT9HJRzFo_ZbxuW3BU9JAoBxtzmm33vSBP8mG0almcplB8s8T-nQ/s3264/IMG_0148.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZmPPyvo-XHj9UbDAvv9u7oQ7NnSaG4jZoaIf292jIAJqAKYoXCWEb_Kb-KTxJ2iyMwnH017dttehANAtkzCEZ5lmBJxfRfXQNtl6qOS2Y84SplbnIn_Zf1UGAjQMGNLBj0S6sbOoT9HJRzFo_ZbxuW3BU9JAoBxtzmm33vSBP8mG0almcplB8s8T-nQ/s320/IMG_0148.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>A reworking of the old Yaquinto game ‘88 features combat in the desert and is both very tank centric and detailed - detailed as in types of ammunition used and part of the target hit. Beautiful to look at and with everything up to and including Tigers in Tunisia.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Panzer series was originally published by Yaquinto back in the day but the series has been updated and given a makeover by GMT Games. This will allow me to indulge my fondness for armoured battles in the desert. It is not the only tactical level game I have for the desert but the other one will feature in part two of this post. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In many ways my drift into board games for tactical battles was inevitable given the reasons above. I would add though that when the time comes for our inevitable down sizing I will be handily placed and without masses of painted figures and terrain to worry about.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Horses for courses and all that.</div><br /><div><br /></div>David Crookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497436789811496047noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4472889370304077924.post-30106208932271803482024-03-08T12:40:00.001+00:002024-03-08T12:40:03.787+00:00Hitting the Beach - Heroes of Normandie Style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-exR3zUgKke3BFoRegiVcSAhsvTBCohMOhrNOCTSCmaTQNj1a8OsovHdsigaaNTFpQMgFfgGXT-rOO-1PNsGUsuMV607LSIW7QenM_XSUFX9JtkB0C5-hI_Nt9TC0PUui26JGf2hHH50TgrMfYhElgDVy4bqhVISWbdagXJOG2yF-LeL5DU-fur0X8Wk/s3264/IMG_0127.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-exR3zUgKke3BFoRegiVcSAhsvTBCohMOhrNOCTSCmaTQNj1a8OsovHdsigaaNTFpQMgFfgGXT-rOO-1PNsGUsuMV607LSIW7QenM_XSUFX9JtkB0C5-hI_Nt9TC0PUui26JGf2hHH50TgrMfYhElgDVy4bqhVISWbdagXJOG2yF-LeL5DU-fur0X8Wk/s320/IMG_0127.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>The scenario pack sleeve - yes it really does feature a ‘hero’ character that looks like the above!</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnalgOloafVphScSVwRYMjj_ybt_U6YQs55CsrIbUTmByBFIpKiideFDbYnJowKXXFKDc29sv54EMhrsVJdGDrgHxojEel-5o815tyzuZrcXQ8wfbQi5wNGIUQFvIMOERNYFOXJZWcmwuk3jvb4UYjKKLuEQK0fVeTXuaUgA7rBpaBgwIRiJ5ZCUN_35k/s3264/IMG_0128.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnalgOloafVphScSVwRYMjj_ybt_U6YQs55CsrIbUTmByBFIpKiideFDbYnJowKXXFKDc29sv54EMhrsVJdGDrgHxojEel-5o815tyzuZrcXQ8wfbQi5wNGIUQFvIMOERNYFOXJZWcmwuk3jvb4UYjKKLuEQK0fVeTXuaUgA7rBpaBgwIRiJ5ZCUN_35k/s320/IMG_0128.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The back of the outer sleeve - note the use of squares.</b></div><div><br /></div>Following on from recent post about Heroes of Normandie the first of the two expansions I was able to source has arrived. The D-Day Scenario pack consists of six double sided geomorphic terrain boards and three sheets of counters. The former features everything you would expect in a littoral based game so the sea, beach, defences and the beginnings of the hinterland are covered whilst the game counters include a lot of offensive and defensive stuff - bangalores, grapnels, shovels, flamethrowers etc for the former and various beach defences for the latter. The US have an engineer type unit whilst the Germans have a fortress style garrison. All very ‘Saving Private Ryan’ - in fact there is a set of overlays available from one of the associated Facebook groups that feature Captain Miller and his unit from the film, the idea being you could print them off, mount them on suitable card and away you go. <div><br /></div><div>The rest of the contents look something like the below:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg086p0Q_0jwxwza0l6M0RNhuo9rnX7Xkb-vTa3V9EBFbXrzDeDaS_XW1mt7HLhzOWEGBFhxmO72AMeEJukG5DhWMJldUAkvpDuS7QexlFtTHDsZiR57s7Jwuk6iYzXVshU4UYcZotOkdLZD74vitgdU3AtBDguD1EL5MG0rOo_6m5pTwL6PLPOEAwf6Rg/s3264/IMG_0129.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg086p0Q_0jwxwza0l6M0RNhuo9rnX7Xkb-vTa3V9EBFbXrzDeDaS_XW1mt7HLhzOWEGBFhxmO72AMeEJukG5DhWMJldUAkvpDuS7QexlFtTHDsZiR57s7Jwuk6iYzXVshU4UYcZotOkdLZD74vitgdU3AtBDguD1EL5MG0rOo_6m5pTwL6PLPOEAwf6Rg/s320/IMG_0129.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Two of the game boards. These are 7 x 7 squares and the squares themselves are 40mm across. Ideal Portable Wargame sized actions methinks - certainly for 15mm although 20mm would work (vehicles typically deploy over two squares).</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtbTMVguvhhUBfBTACm_b_IHx_68Tzat3-k0WRuQKVS7a54v_MmxYrYY5fYuCi9PHkL-KDPWyvyA98M6j4dOoxPmUhMT4W1WBNEhVpIhsPiFDWZfRa3dVLVy0amGQR1moxPoPUignIpey98lcX3CUCQbQmZKOjf67y6Ly9WviLsDqHW3LdHUE3NypeiNM/s3264/IMG_0130.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtbTMVguvhhUBfBTACm_b_IHx_68Tzat3-k0WRuQKVS7a54v_MmxYrYY5fYuCi9PHkL-KDPWyvyA98M6j4dOoxPmUhMT4W1WBNEhVpIhsPiFDWZfRa3dVLVy0amGQR1moxPoPUignIpey98lcX3CUCQbQmZKOjf67y6Ly9WviLsDqHW3LdHUE3NypeiNM/s320/IMG_0130.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Landing craft, beach defences and part of the Atlantic Wall</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTbq6YZTcvmNz_X2Fr0JFVZoX6K9ASWF8JfLr21QkX5HiS5lM5q9kTflJMOv5RCw8fR97YfV_CL1k9FnQv8WcB0nVp3EPDGRz7N1YQJWRdd46gs0Q3zjBg-B_iPRXZ0gBc10Xpx0b77CCPGbMQ8LDleisGzcV2Bm-JupXPbsTr6-XHTyOFe2ncwujNec/s3264/IMG_0131.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTbq6YZTcvmNz_X2Fr0JFVZoX6K9ASWF8JfLr21QkX5HiS5lM5q9kTflJMOv5RCw8fR97YfV_CL1k9FnQv8WcB0nVp3EPDGRz7N1YQJWRdd46gs0Q3zjBg-B_iPRXZ0gBc10Xpx0b77CCPGbMQ8LDleisGzcV2Bm-JupXPbsTr6-XHTyOFe2ncwujNec/s320/IMG_0131.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>The Germans and yet more defensive positions</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQToMy0oChuKh2kEX663XviCozXOLiZqGKXoeX8W9nyh2yyEPtJ8MaGOoi41rvHDWiBucRfL1CzTLUXleaevKGzzW3FHdtc3WJMBFyvv07u0RZMKJtIeUmO3Vde6UUneiy7vDxlwbOEpOQ7K1gLM5eqdApreIAckBY9cakYoMTUO1c4ZxhoXuLfnXaV5U/s3264/IMG_0132.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQToMy0oChuKh2kEX663XviCozXOLiZqGKXoeX8W9nyh2yyEPtJ8MaGOoi41rvHDWiBucRfL1CzTLUXleaevKGzzW3FHdtc3WJMBFyvv07u0RZMKJtIeUmO3Vde6UUneiy7vDxlwbOEpOQ7K1gLM5eqdApreIAckBY9cakYoMTUO1c4ZxhoXuLfnXaV5U/s320/IMG_0132.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>A close up of the units, in this case the Germans. Everything you need to know about the unit is featured on their counter</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdyzD4lkFjDLL_GAJtj5HCTmRxI8FFWF4ZTGRyY90kOSSMcORaOtMWg0pYvG11WoJtwB1W3xu4pkkZAso0M6ZfuyCk7oRhF3bUQcpWH3_nHUkoajEzPy877ahr-F0nvg6N0SgUKUFGS-mGPJA96_QmTUZvtzjwlhRyxq-3sFWbhMlQrLhfpvb17WRBb80/s3264/IMG_0133.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdyzD4lkFjDLL_GAJtj5HCTmRxI8FFWF4ZTGRyY90kOSSMcORaOtMWg0pYvG11WoJtwB1W3xu4pkkZAso0M6ZfuyCk7oRhF3bUQcpWH3_nHUkoajEzPy877ahr-F0nvg6N0SgUKUFGS-mGPJA96_QmTUZvtzjwlhRyxq-3sFWbhMlQrLhfpvb17WRBb80/s320/IMG_0133.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>The Americans along with some hardware for tackling the defences and yet another piece of the Atlantic Wall.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have scored a couple of other bits and pieces in support of this system - a couple of terrain packs and an upgrade kit that takes the core system up to the current version of the rules. In terms of the terrain boards I now have eighteen - six each from the base game featuring generic Normandy countryside, the D-Day set mentioned and also from the Carentan set - these feature a number of buildings in a village/town style setting. With the various terrain overlays I am pretty much set up for a wide variety of battlefields to fight over so my plan is that once I have organised the collection I shall be able to do exactly that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This mini project certainly satisfies many of my ongoing and circumstantial requirements in that when stored it will be be fairly compact, the production quality is very high and so is visually very good to look at and above all of this it is a fun system.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Looking forward to this!</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>David Crookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497436789811496047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4472889370304077924.post-16811619979618241732024-03-05T11:41:00.003+00:002024-03-05T11:41:40.366+00:00‘Allo, Allo’…Revisiting Heroes of Normandie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHb8Ji2A4iI6SG4InR0CS8ULuvlgaqkiD5pJDQ0Q9BZ2wj4WeWVGPe2hJCoBRhKAKEx_ZQtERL8_-OvnljTKcYeXelJRtet0jkodqIdFZpIHs0w544w9pObCzSDg5JNYNVbGgymXAafnaX009yTiXeWTkvZQxkaGC0Av7dCPxhMUBZN-vgFrW8NcJxVg/s3264/IMG_0946_Original.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHb8Ji2A4iI6SG4InR0CS8ULuvlgaqkiD5pJDQ0Q9BZ2wj4WeWVGPe2hJCoBRhKAKEx_ZQtERL8_-OvnljTKcYeXelJRtet0jkodqIdFZpIHs0w544w9pObCzSDg5JNYNVbGgymXAafnaX009yTiXeWTkvZQxkaGC0Av7dCPxhMUBZN-vgFrW8NcJxVg/s320/IMG_0946_Original.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>You can probably guess how this is going to go….</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOlLyJx0vIZYa1f6SUffUu-iPAN5RTT-xkv_OCjOo8ElsJL_Tp9ph8AKD0okz9ZuV0Ms3foVIdHd8hQPg7FkBaAR5Kb0Gjb2DHNxsTCWdAwu80KI-tYUimNdZSAoK9_5cbRa8_2ppzR5hw6IGHKNF6nTvUI6QKIpwLCoW0GvSuAX4K3cocXFMvnEUvyY/s3264/IMG_0947_Original.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOlLyJx0vIZYa1f6SUffUu-iPAN5RTT-xkv_OCjOo8ElsJL_Tp9ph8AKD0okz9ZuV0Ms3foVIdHd8hQPg7FkBaAR5Kb0Gjb2DHNxsTCWdAwu80KI-tYUimNdZSAoK9_5cbRa8_2ppzR5hw6IGHKNF6nTvUI6QKIpwLCoW0GvSuAX4K3cocXFMvnEUvyY/s320/IMG_0947_Original.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>The back of the box - very high production values and a square grid to boot. I can see myself rewatching any number of WW2 war films for inspiration….</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I have a diverse range of interests when it comes to gaming WW2. Growing up as part of the ‘Airfix’ generation, supplemented by Commando and Battle comics and umpteen war films I have probably gamed more facets of WW2 than any other period - land, sea and air from man to man skirmishes to entire strategic level campaigns - so I can safely say I have been there, done that and brought the tee shirt! Having said that I do not profess to be an authority on the period, nor do I claim to have tried every possible gaming type - just a whole lot of ‘stuff’.<div><br /></div><div>Way back in 2020 I picked up a copy of Heroes of Normandie by Devil Pig Games (sadly the company has gone but the game designers/owners will be setting up again at some point) which is WW2 gaming based on Hollywood, complete with cartoon looking characters. All very tongue in cheek but the game is surprisingly nuanced in that whilst the action is fast and furious the combat outcomes feel about right.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are umpteen expansions around although these are getting more expensive as the rarity factor kicks in. At the time I mentioned that I rather fancied the D Day scenario pack and also Civilians Under Fire - the latter for the French Resistance.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyways, I have acquired a basketful of Heroes of Normandie stuff from a gaming chum and have the D Day set and Civilians Under Fire currently winging their way to Maison Crook courtesy of eBay.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgItsHN8zY-ikc5vThE05jL5iLQb__pBEnhVlazKw_Ugdekfz9do7I7AXE3-axkYI2iWcHF5nI6_ktD_9JunWc-xKtpkHMpNx1ZIlBTLwf6vjo4qLLMloi10fcFel9IcrmEZIUDZLBJjHwPNt9JwhuYg9C9fENLAxZV4BwLUoQmm3Sq0TYVIW2OwWpzU/s3023/IMG_0123.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3023" data-original-width="2257" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgItsHN8zY-ikc5vThE05jL5iLQb__pBEnhVlazKw_Ugdekfz9do7I7AXE3-axkYI2iWcHF5nI6_ktD_9JunWc-xKtpkHMpNx1ZIlBTLwf6vjo4qLLMloi10fcFel9IcrmEZIUDZLBJjHwPNt9JwhuYg9C9fENLAxZV4BwLUoQmm3Sq0TYVIW2OwWpzU/s320/IMG_0123.jpeg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>The rules and scenarios from the core set and the campaign guide from the Carentan expansion</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsr50h8B4dsJvGd22nqM_x27_FxVWBLevO7e-YtG_sazH7erERtoJZeMlz5YjbauVwE1wVcveUJj6N3LTbNeG2owboscApKrtYbWIhMm6zGU_tqE00mKtD83shAsZ94u5WH8ZVsoldzk_1u1uBAyQ1kyFeUvaTqGL70WVzFveZ2Msqz6CEx6CIkOjjvOk/s3264/IMG_0124.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsr50h8B4dsJvGd22nqM_x27_FxVWBLevO7e-YtG_sazH7erERtoJZeMlz5YjbauVwE1wVcveUJj6N3LTbNeG2owboscApKrtYbWIhMm6zGU_tqE00mKtD83shAsZ94u5WH8ZVsoldzk_1u1uBAyQ1kyFeUvaTqGL70WVzFveZ2Msqz6CEx6CIkOjjvOk/s320/IMG_0124.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>The Operations Folder contains the play sheets and the hardback rulebook. These come togthere in a slipcase.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>The newly acquired set consists of the base game, the Carentan campaign pack, Lord Lovat’s Commandoes, a US army box and also one for the Germans. There is also the Heroes Compendium which includes a hardback updated version of the rules including the ‘Shadows over Normandie’ Weird War 2 stuff and a series of quick reference sheets. All in all a great little collection.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are other bits and pieces I could add but this little lot will be more than sufficient for the time being. There is also a lot of material on a couple of the Facebook groups I belong to in the shape of extra scenarios etc. There is even a set of counter overlays for the rangers from Saving Private Ryan if you wish although the film was far more serious than many.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>What does it all mean then?</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Well, I have a number of, for want of a better expression, serious tactical WW2 games including Lock and Load Publishing’s Heroes of North Africa, the Motherland (Eastern Front) and in Defiance (the Western European Blitzkrieg era) along with Panzer: North Africa for my desert based tank fix. I also have Combat Infantry and Combat Infantry: Eastern Front by Columbia Games which are pitched at battalion level.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>“Listen carefully, I will say this only once….”</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Heroes of Normandie is first and foremost a tongue in cheek take on WW2 in the best traditions of Hollywood and the Commando comic books - all of which have given me much pleasure over the years - and so offers me an almost cartoon style WW2 gaming experience. In short, a lot of fun!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Going forwards</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>As mentioned in my original 2020 blog post there would be scope for using figures with this game if required. The model count would be very low and so would certainly be doable if required. That is something else to think about though and certainly not just yet!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>David Crookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497436789811496047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4472889370304077924.post-5385861161525635892024-02-29T07:05:00.002+00:002024-02-29T07:05:37.133+00:00A Most Welcome Addition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJxVuZWgEVxcLZOhvGJXF3EljY_JDmdUCTKGnlV1Wm-I79bFf6b0VYHISqA2hOC6bo0ItPFvArr3PYvmpsqcJPWf1gogvjtGAMqZrB4Yw9Pit2NjyscK7E_8GL4ScBEqlFwJ6nravdodtGBeVvYxKzYK8FET9mldTmj1GEWu1jBJJWj6FOUX_6u2O570/s3264/IMG_0104.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJxVuZWgEVxcLZOhvGJXF3EljY_JDmdUCTKGnlV1Wm-I79bFf6b0VYHISqA2hOC6bo0ItPFvArr3PYvmpsqcJPWf1gogvjtGAMqZrB4Yw9Pit2NjyscK7E_8GL4ScBEqlFwJ6nravdodtGBeVvYxKzYK8FET9mldTmj1GEWu1jBJJWj6FOUX_6u2O570/s320/IMG_0104.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Back in the library - at last! Note the rather intriguing CD….</b></div><div><br /></div>As anyone that knows me will agree I tend to be rather impulsive when it comes to starting and stopping projects. I believe that age has tempered this slightly but memories of regretted disposals often come back to haunt me - especially when I end up acquiring the same at some point later. I have learned to live with the embarrassment though!<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41Sphyt6vfMRDOXT_GhK4ruet3cpELP3Ud1UeYRlUBMEhs_O8duIiA8UsQBw4DWgVNaIDPeR8cz-y5TGMZr97ssRIgG2tlo9KGM1xpjZeBNWHmPdphl2P9ivXW4iW-mf0nd5BSMOkVfhZbML5UJVy1shbPWa40byyCVVx0afaP9_TRlEkGtLOwpFowu4/s3264/IMG_0106.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41Sphyt6vfMRDOXT_GhK4ruet3cpELP3Ud1UeYRlUBMEhs_O8duIiA8UsQBw4DWgVNaIDPeR8cz-y5TGMZr97ssRIgG2tlo9KGM1xpjZeBNWHmPdphl2P9ivXW4iW-mf0nd5BSMOkVfhZbML5UJVy1shbPWa40byyCVVx0afaP9_TRlEkGtLOwpFowu4/s320/IMG_0106.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The contents and how useful is that!?</b></div><div><br /></div><div>So it was that my original copy of the above book found its way into the collection of Mr Fox sometime ago - before lockdown as I recall, so we are talking around five years ago at least. Now I have a reasonable selection of books on the warships of the American Civil War but I was keen to get a hold of this one again but the prices on a secondhand basis were frankly ludicrous. </div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, a recent trawl through eBay had a copy available on a ‘buy it now’ basis and so I did! It duly arrived this morning and a most welcome surprise was hidden, Journey to the Centre of the Earth style, in the dust jacket. </div><div><br /></div><div>I will need to play around with the CD as I am currently unable to open the files as I use a Mac and this is a Microsoft based disc so currently is unable to run EXE. I am not tech savvy enough to be able to do this easily so will try a few of my IT contacts to see what I need to do. In any event, given that this information has been added to a CD I am wondering if it is available online to download from somewhere as presumably this is in the public domain.</div><div><br /></div><div>I shall look forward to seeing the contents though for sure!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>David Crookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497436789811496047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4472889370304077924.post-67138260602077726192024-02-28T08:20:00.004+00:002024-02-28T08:20:49.378+00:00Thoughts on Shogun 2024<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCG0wTpEnjRuLBeYGwNO0M9VoV3wKcauQKuyLqMp6ckuZP_NG7xQxa638q5Obj2sGy6eoKtuQ7ihNXrTKqpiTscsfIZHBmdm0BEeUo57blCEraP4dz9GVJlkhUQbu_QmTA9W6p0cVi4_zPOa5KmGfG64lPaZ4YpYAV7YuBZ8MRF_KpTE555x75Yohiz8M/s1500/IMG_0101.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCG0wTpEnjRuLBeYGwNO0M9VoV3wKcauQKuyLqMp6ckuZP_NG7xQxa638q5Obj2sGy6eoKtuQ7ihNXrTKqpiTscsfIZHBmdm0BEeUo57blCEraP4dz9GVJlkhUQbu_QmTA9W6p0cVi4_zPOa5KmGfG64lPaZ4YpYAV7YuBZ8MRF_KpTE555x75Yohiz8M/s320/IMG_0101.jpeg" width="256" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Oh yes indeedy….</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>“As the season dawns,</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>A TV series springs forth - </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>And in the lounge is viewed….”</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>(Drops mic, exits stage left - Basho would have been impressed - or maybe not….)</b></div><div><br /></div>My daughter Holly is a huge Disney fan, so much so that she has a subscription to Disney Plus - the magic kingdom’s streaming service. As she is living at home it means that Laurel and I are also able to avail ourselves of the prodigious amount of content they have. When it was announced that a ten part remake of James Clavell’s epic novel of sixteenth century Japan, Shogun, was being made I immediately made plans to watch it when it was launched.<div><br /></div><div>James Clavell’s novel, for those who have not read it, is a fictional retelling of the political machinations in Japan in the years leading up to the Battle of Sekigahara. It features the adventures of an English pilot - John Blackthorne, based on the real life William Adams, as he becomes a samurai<br /><div><br /></div><div>Sure enough, last night the first two episodes dropped and so I spent the evening immersed in world of the samurai with an Englishman thrown in, along with the Portuguese.</div><div><br /></div><div>Shogun has of course been given the small screen (and indeed, also the big screen) treatment with the TV series appearing in the early 1980s and starring Richard Chamberlain as John Blackthorne - the the Anjin-san - and the late, great, Toshiro Mifune as Lord Toranaga. There was film based on a heavily edited version of the TV series that was good look at but frankly a bit of mess in respect of the editing.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>So to the 2024 version. I am not going to go into specific details as I want to avoid any spoilers so have no fears that I will be giving wholesale chunks of the plot away!</div><div><br /></div><div>Visually it is stunning to look at. The visual palette is relatively subdued in terms of colour which really adds to the look. Naturally there is some CGI involved but this is not overly intrusive, at least not so far that is. The soundtrack itself is quite pleasing to the ear and complements the action in an understated but thoughtful way.</div><div><br /></div><div>So far so good then.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8-fHor-z7pF49OUPPoEJsd33zoSsGJkQPkgy5L_60fWY6en0QD61T-BOeAnLwYP0fmR85upJflRYLxc9qvZRfX03UWbEFlM4sT-v8v9d2KnzbXVHhmtsVIyMtOh9hz9YBWfqWncV7h9d1lUiMId1WDHCqv8x4k1enAzcijwhMh8lxBvFwmMUzaVh8eE/s475/IMG_0102.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8-fHor-z7pF49OUPPoEJsd33zoSsGJkQPkgy5L_60fWY6en0QD61T-BOeAnLwYP0fmR85upJflRYLxc9qvZRfX03UWbEFlM4sT-v8v9d2KnzbXVHhmtsVIyMtOh9hz9YBWfqWncV7h9d1lUiMId1WDHCqv8x4k1enAzcijwhMh8lxBvFwmMUzaVh8eE/s320/IMG_0102.jpeg" width="224" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The 1980’s TV version</b></div><div><br /></div><div>As someone that has read the book several times, seen both the original TV series and the film version, I found that the opening two episodes rather scrambled elements of the plot in terms of sequencing and the truncation of what are quite key scenes of the story. I have no real issue with mixing up the plot in terms of translating the book into a screen play in order to help with ‘setting the scene’ but I just wish that perhaps a little more thought had been put into it as many of these seem to have been trimmed back rather excessively. There are a couple of points of detail that I could take exception to as well, with one in particular that really grated!</div><div><br /></div><div>I am not expecting the series to mirror the book exactly but certain incidents are, in my opinion, key to the story and so need to be thoughtfully handled.</div><div><br /></div><div>Toshiro Mifune was always going to be a hard act to follow in the key role of Toranaga but Hiroyuki Sanada makes a very good fist of it although visually he is a little on the slim side to be wholly convincing. Cosmo Jarvis plays John Blackthorne and to me he is a little like the curate’s egg i.e. good in parts. In certain scenes he looked uncannily like Rick Grimes in the Walking Dead during his most unkempt moments! At present he comes across as a good actor but underused and in a sense this is the key to what we are seeing. The original novel and first TV series very much emphasised John Blackthorne’s story but this version appears to frame things rather more from the Japanese perspective. This is no bad thing for sure but it does take some getting used to when one is used to the more Western outlook.</div><div><br /></div><div>Of the rest of the principle characters it has been difficult to really gauge how good they are in the verbal scheme of things and so one hopes that as the series progresses we may get a better insight into their roles and how they impact on the story.</div><div><br /></div><div>Overall I found it an absorbing watch and I will certainly persevere with the rest of the series. I enjoyed the first two episodes (aforementioned issues notwithstanding) and if nothing else it has gotten me looking at my various Samurai ideas once again!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>David Crookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497436789811496047noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4472889370304077924.post-68130178818951969712024-02-26T20:35:00.001+00:002024-02-26T20:35:19.121+00:00Zulus…Dropping Sixty or More<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGC-Chwpbj-3rnKtAakEPyGKEcpsnnwtptc2ICz92Bzv9IQymh-Z4KZSYw0BNTX7oI1kc0pLsqKj5S6rAV-5au-8aN-cz_eHE2beY5iOKqAFygxHJB8YP9Vad2ZbfoAtLjl6WSA-5IJrBCNIgMSn4lTkljVDwBjCdRK2dV4WbEqhA6nVPwjlYllNdpEG4/s548/IMG_0100.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="407" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGC-Chwpbj-3rnKtAakEPyGKEcpsnnwtptc2ICz92Bzv9IQymh-Z4KZSYw0BNTX7oI1kc0pLsqKj5S6rAV-5au-8aN-cz_eHE2beY5iOKqAFygxHJB8YP9Vad2ZbfoAtLjl6WSA-5IJrBCNIgMSn4lTkljVDwBjCdRK2dV4WbEqhA6nVPwjlYllNdpEG4/s320/IMG_0100.jpeg" width="238" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>At last! Two boxes on the way!</b></div><div><br /></div>I mentioned in my earlier post that I managed to finally score some figures that I needed for a particular project. Zulus to be exact, of the unmarried variety. I had a look at the 1-72 stand at cavalier and chatted with Dave the proprietor, more in hope than expectation, about the box of figures you see above and the likelihood of seeing it again. “Fear not” he enthused, “I have six boxes of them back at base - the only reason I do not have them with me is because the box is an odd size!”<div><br /></div><div>I have been looking out for these figures since I acquired a copy of the boardgame War in the Age of Imperialism that includes a huge number of 1:72nd scale plastic figures and other useful stuff. You may recall that the base infantry figure is a very good likeness for a Zulu War period British infantryman and so taking advantage of the Hat Industries Zulu War British Command pack and a few other bits and bobs I will be able to organise a pretty reasonable looking force. Old school, soft plastic 20mm - what’s not to like?</div><div><br /></div><div>The deal has duly been struck and so I shall be getting two boxes of the above for my ‘Zulu’ inspired 1879 project which sits alongside my ‘Shogun’ inspired 1600 Samurai one and the the 1870 ‘Last Samurai’ version. Then of course there is ‘300’ and a smattering of the ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ - it does seem that much of my gaming has been Hollywood based….</div><div><br /></div><div>It doesn’t make me a bad person though!</div><div><br /></div><div>“<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: #fbfbfb; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: #fbfbfb; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sixty! We dropped at least 60, wouldn't you say?” A quote from THAT film but in my case it is 120!</span></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: #fbfbfb; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: #fbfbfb; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: #fbfbfb; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: #fbfbfb; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: #fbfbfb; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div>David Crookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497436789811496047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4472889370304077924.post-77310590580573624652024-02-26T11:11:00.002+00:002024-02-26T11:11:56.507+00:00Of Cavalier and Car Parks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJv9p5i7S0JuSFlHExaLd2A4PoG1zvBnSl4vk799CdTUhf_-ZXjv0FP307bxqUkAQjxw6YeLv2WDjs7VFpDor759B1B6NbvcOITZuvp2kgIcy7argLlGbkjEiatIxPrE0azPvkn6oO_OGifsOKAOAutwFcgoL-tX9K62y_sZ-O_Nc3YzIiNtlqkoJ4a4/s4032/IMG_3508.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJv9p5i7S0JuSFlHExaLd2A4PoG1zvBnSl4vk799CdTUhf_-ZXjv0FP307bxqUkAQjxw6YeLv2WDjs7VFpDor759B1B6NbvcOITZuvp2kgIcy7argLlGbkjEiatIxPrE0azPvkn6oO_OGifsOKAOAutwFcgoL-tX9K62y_sZ-O_Nc3YzIiNtlqkoJ4a4/s320/IMG_3508.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Rainham Wargames Club ACW nava game using Hammerin’ Iron by Peter Pig</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTr6STyuBorzxZ3xwbT7MIaFK9Z5f4wrjfmJVt-8lFQMZrt-17zOy42gILZY3SOMwOVIsAGDerxz5br712UbM7MNkjkrsFNifzmb7A0TWlo5ugTJKkpkaNqwLFifihH8yXgNrQ77pxrogJKRZZ9ndCjlvu9yvyk98YSIG6AKcRK5K8BycRvAwvcNntZzQ/s4032/IMG_3509.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTr6STyuBorzxZ3xwbT7MIaFK9Z5f4wrjfmJVt-8lFQMZrt-17zOy42gILZY3SOMwOVIsAGDerxz5br712UbM7MNkjkrsFNifzmb7A0TWlo5ugTJKkpkaNqwLFifihH8yXgNrQ77pxrogJKRZZ9ndCjlvu9yvyk98YSIG6AKcRK5K8BycRvAwvcNntZzQ/s320/IMG_3509.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Some of the Union vessels</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFF7MfatBWGwwy7TXU3W-TZI2Pxyfuu1Vc-uvhG3XQJ0V13H5NV8iEhNL7ai8MWSZGxqnnGXYAvgfjZrN2_UlwrQIzcjiN4wCxUWMfzjPoujzMJvbxjQueSDUTbfTdyGKSaMK1lnbsrDYEQ61CsDEPs7YQ_AgZkyDUL9rzC8O-mmn6MkkakpZpp0fKkHA/s4032/IMG_3510.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFF7MfatBWGwwy7TXU3W-TZI2Pxyfuu1Vc-uvhG3XQJ0V13H5NV8iEhNL7ai8MWSZGxqnnGXYAvgfjZrN2_UlwrQIzcjiN4wCxUWMfzjPoujzMJvbxjQueSDUTbfTdyGKSaMK1lnbsrDYEQ61CsDEPs7YQ_AgZkyDUL9rzC8O-mmn6MkkakpZpp0fKkHA/s320/IMG_3510.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>More Union vessels including the U.S.S. Indianola</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvVHuF1LDBuxakmXYYIwdW3Nx75m46__4J1D5NxLhD8255ehrzeCQfNMNRBh-Usee4wqR5F91fblvmLz9tyQNiSxDOuu3exzSzK81O4PxpOJIDN8Zl-ogmlRXxTdmkZI1c3yfuxfl90k9Tyi5EAAAP3zdj_sintRqW06fw4w81MdvaWvVRDrqv97C8K8/s4032/IMG_3511.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvVHuF1LDBuxakmXYYIwdW3Nx75m46__4J1D5NxLhD8255ehrzeCQfNMNRBh-Usee4wqR5F91fblvmLz9tyQNiSxDOuu3exzSzK81O4PxpOJIDN8Zl-ogmlRXxTdmkZI1c3yfuxfl90k9Tyi5EAAAP3zdj_sintRqW06fw4w81MdvaWvVRDrqv97C8K8/s320/IMG_3511.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The rebels including the two ironclads the C.S.S. Tennessee and the C.S.S. Albemarle</b></div><div><br /></div>It was, even by my standards, a pretty eventful morning yesterday! Cavalier is the annual wargames show organised by the <b><a href="http://www.twws.org.uk/cavalier.html" target="_blank">Tunbridge Wells Wargames Society</a> </b>and is one of the first shows on the calendar for the year. It is a great excuse to get out and about, catch up with gaming acquaintances old and new, gain inspiration from the games on display and to indulge in a spot of retail therapy. In of the above categories i would say that I was only partially successful!<div><br /></div><div>I was on very tight schedule which meant that whilst I was able to say hello to a fair few people (not as many as I would have liked to have (apologies to SEEMS and Mr Fox) my visit consisted of one walk around the main hall and then numerous trips to the car park! I was able to get pictures of one game that caught my eye and chatted briefly with the denizens of the RainhamWargames Club who were running it. The action was an American Civil War Ironclads fight using Hammerin Iron and a nice selection of Peter Pig 1:600th scale models. </div><div><br /></div><div>I also managed to pick up an item for onward delivery to Paul O’G of <b><a href="http://tasmancave.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Man Cave</a></b> fame which will feature in his latest project (check out his blog for details). He is in town so we are meeting up for beers and chinwag later in the week.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was also able to score some 1:72nd scale figures I have been after for an absolute age and the lack of which was crippling a project I have planned. More about this when they arrive, hopefully later in the week.</div><div><br /></div><div>Business was very much the order of the day and so my first stop was to drop off a box of books and have a chat with Dave Lanchester. A brief view of his stand did little other than to pour far more temptation my way than would have been good for either my wallet or domestic harmony so I quickly did an about turn and headed away!</div><div><br /></div><div>I had two deliveries to make - each being parts of Eric’s collection - and so the first was to none other than the legend that is <b><a href="https://onelover-ray.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ray Rousell</a></b> - painter of figures large and small, enamoured of the late 17th century and member of Postie’s Rejects. This particular transaction had been outstanding for around three years for one reason or another and so it was good to be able to finally pass over to Ray four boxes of goodies (he was only expecting one and so four came as quite a surprise. Given that he has only just gotten over a recent bout of the screaming awfuls I felt obliged to carry them from my car to that of Big Lee - which was in another car park the other side of the centre! For all that it was great to see him again and recovering well. Enjoy the bits and pieces Ray!</div><div><br /></div><div>No sooner had we got back into the centre and had a quick chat when our ambassador for Suffolk arrived. This of course is the esteemed David Barnes of <b><a href="https://russetcoatcpt.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Ragged Soldier</a></b> fame. Aside from being of a similar vintage to yours truly David and I also share a quite close geographical connection in that he grew up in Ken not far from the Isle of Sheppey from where I come from. Although we never met during our early years we both used the Kentish Town of Sittingbourne as a central point of reference and the two model shops it used to have - Man and Boy and Beannies. Once again another trip to the car but mercifully this time his car was at least in the same car park (and he carried his box of surprisingly heavy goodies - this time from Eric’s WW2 collection).</div><div><br /></div><div>We headed back into the centre and went our separate ways - always a pleasure chatting Mr Barnes - when I then bumped into my old friend Bob Cordery of <b><a href="http://wargamingmiscellany.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Wargaming Miscellany</a></b>, the Portable Wargame and inspirer of many fame. We spoke briefly, along with Nick Huband and also Henry Hyde - the former will be providing valuable assistance with the revised and expanded Portable Ironclads Wargame and the latter regaled us with the story of his recent restoration of a Charles Grant (Snr) Spencer Smith infantry regiment (the name escapes me but I believe it was Ostgoterland or similar) that featured on the cover of the classic book The Wargame. Henry was as engaging as ever and is firmly of the school that superglue can solve many ancient plastic woes of the brittle kind!</div><div><br /></div><div>It felt like I had only just arrived when it was time to head off to Rochester for a very special meeting. </div><div><br /></div><div>Years ago I used to live just outside of Maidstone and knew the roads etc into Rochester pretty well. In fact getting there was really easy and usually only took around fifteen minutes or so. Rather foolishly as it turned out, I relied on the the Sat Nav to get me to Rochester from Tonbridge and it took me on a rather circuitous route that took me into Rochester from the other side of the Medway, via Strood and other such places. Clearly this was to avoid Maidstone town centre but clearly the Sat Nav did not know that I knew the best way of getting through the town!</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyways, some forty five minutes later (and twenty minutes late) I arrived at my destination - another car park at the back of the main high street in Rochester and tantalisingly close to Baggins Book Bazaar - an absolute treasure trove of a secondhand book shop. The car park was full and so I cruised aimlessly around until, as luck would have, I was spotted by my contact (it sounds rather like a bad Cold War spy novel at this point!). I was not able to get a parking space and parked up by his car, hazard lights flashing.</div><div><br /></div><div>The reason for this meeting was one of collection. I have acquired the 3mm ancient collection painted by that renowned brushmeister, none other than <b><a href="http://napoleonictherapy.blogspot.com/2024/01/oh-i-forgot-to-mention.html#comment-form" target="_blank">Lee Gramson.</a> </b>It was a pleasure to finally meet Lee in person, along with his wife, daughter and granddaughter, albeit briefly. The transaction was partially completed and a large box and a bag of goodies were soon safely packed away in my car. A quick visit to the car park ticket machine - a wise precaution as although I did not technically park you need to have entered your car number plate in order to exit the car park - and a brief chat followed, with a promise to meet up in somewhat more convivial surroundings and in warmer weather. The whole exchange took around fifteen minutes or so and then it was back on the road again for the journey home. </div><div><br /></div><div>The collection is gorgeous and I will write a full blog post with pictures in due course.</div><div><br /></div><div>Overall then it was a good, albeit whirlwind kind of a day and many thanks to all that took time to have a chat - and apologies to those that I missed out!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>David Crookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497436789811496047noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4472889370304077924.post-66004374694250022182024-02-21T08:55:00.002+00:002024-02-21T08:55:38.870+00:00The Portable Ironclads Wargame….A Self Critique<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5wZzSaCnYDCYo2qj6k1HnG6ktPE9-fBq9LRpR3QrFnEzNFJ9lRlgt5rQjyImpM49TZU2UsNfsgfp0KNJPS91ihyphenhyphenZv-cZlRuQwKV3BiDZCsNTak-ncaahm8m4GcZC0Lvj9vOk7RepKMWtPO8dT5kuHf4ToQbvGnPMbd7Ll9tZOBTWZ3XRMS3MWrZ7vuyk/s4032/IMG_3464.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5wZzSaCnYDCYo2qj6k1HnG6ktPE9-fBq9LRpR3QrFnEzNFJ9lRlgt5rQjyImpM49TZU2UsNfsgfp0KNJPS91ihyphenhyphenZv-cZlRuQwKV3BiDZCsNTak-ncaahm8m4GcZC0Lvj9vOk7RepKMWtPO8dT5kuHf4ToQbvGnPMbd7Ll9tZOBTWZ3XRMS3MWrZ7vuyk/s320/IMG_3464.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>C.S.S. Tennessee heading into the fray</b></div><div><br /></div>I was, and still am, very proud of The Portable Ironclads Wargame. It was my first venture into the world of book writing and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole process. The book was always intended to be the first step in a grid based ironclad era gaming system that would combine the flavour of Bob Cordery’s Gridded Naval Wargame rules with the detail of David Manley’s Dahlgren and Colombiad set. Ideally I wanted to use squares but settled on hexagons because at the time I was not able to get squares to work in the way I wanted to. <div><br /></div><div>The format of the book - with grateful thanks to Bob Cordery for his editing and publishing skills, not to mention his contributions to the book itself - I am particularly pleased with as I wanted an ‘old school’ vibe in terms of content and so the end result ticked that particular box quite comfortably in my opinion.</div><div><br /></div><div>It is not without its faults.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are a a couple of known typos and some errors in a few of the combat examples - nothing major but irritating all the same. The wording of the rules in places suffers from the occasional lapse into what can best be described as ‘political bloviation’ - when the author himself has to reread sections to be sure of the meaning then you know there is a problem!</div><div><br /></div><div>I am happy with the combat/damage system overall, but there are a couple of niggles that will be addressed in the revised edition - mainly around tidying up the text to make things clearer.</div><div><br /></div><div>As mentioned previously, the existing firing arcs will be tweaked slightly and there will be the option to use a square grid as well as the original hexagonal version. Then of course there will be a suite of optional/advanced rules to use as required.</div><div><br /></div><div>The revised edition will not be reinventing the wheel and so owners of the original edition will certainly not have any concerns about wholesale changes to rules etc. Inevitably with any set of rules, gremlins of one kind or another usually surface and the Portable Ironclads Wargame is no exception.</div><div><br /></div><div>If I were marking this book as a school report I would be happy to give it a B+/A- with the following commentary:</div><div><br /></div><div>“David has grasped the essence of his chosen subject well but his natural exuberance and enthusiasm has sometimes overshadowed his grasp of the detail. With greater application and forethought I am sure he will, in time, be better placed to grasp the nuances of the subject in hand.”</div><div><br /></div><div>The above was taken from one of my actual school reports from 1972 - oh well, 52 years later and I suppose that seems like a good idea, perhaps I should try it…. :-)</div>David Crookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497436789811496047noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4472889370304077924.post-56315406520230034002024-02-14T11:44:00.007+00:002024-02-14T11:44:59.224+00:00The Frontier Ablaze<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kg_Gi2S_zbm9EeNlzOLqFe6lLDmMkOjRioHh2UjHRERqwuI2W9KUuPbzD8a6HdKFHHIrzG23Jj0Wj-ZOnvWJB4kxtehyphenhyphenHaxc8UbvwfUXx7FP35wkX7HyUpQPpZj7W29HRFfMBFOENAIFB5jL5mcgDpfGtCC55V6eWDDlMaP0uGJmcrpVi9NU58kSxLw/s4032/IMG_3470.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kg_Gi2S_zbm9EeNlzOLqFe6lLDmMkOjRioHh2UjHRERqwuI2W9KUuPbzD8a6HdKFHHIrzG23Jj0Wj-ZOnvWJB4kxtehyphenhyphenHaxc8UbvwfUXx7FP35wkX7HyUpQPpZj7W29HRFfMBFOENAIFB5jL5mcgDpfGtCC55V6eWDDlMaP0uGJmcrpVi9NU58kSxLw/s320/IMG_3470.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Very pleased - and a bargain to boot!</b></div><div><br /></div>The Afghanistan section of my library received a welcome boost with the addition you see of the above title. This is the second copy I have owned - the first was presumed missing in action as part of the great disappearing book mystery of years gone by - and so I was delighted to be able reacquire it.<div><br /></div><div>This is nice series of large format hardback books and I already own the titles covering the ‘45 and the Zulu War (covering the battles of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift). By no means are they definitive works but they certainly look nice and serve a very good primers. The plates are also vey nice - in many ways these could almost be viewed as Osprey Menat Arms on steroids.</div><div><br /></div><div>All this Afghanistan malarkey is leading up to a front loading for retirement project and so I have at least managed to secure the appropriate reference material.</div><div><br /></div><div>Felling suitably pleased and inspired by degrees!</div>David Crookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497436789811496047noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4472889370304077924.post-54513030224293462542024-02-08T10:19:00.004+00:002024-02-08T10:19:26.486+00:00Blitzkrieg and Afghanistan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoIU63FZZJnNZKMcJgUNZvIxvLSCQvFudeKDAxf1TLEk9J-U0pp4HFSrb6kseddfQ-oXy5JVjVK1oTUI5upiYuJ6vbN9ASSTrHEIoVlOVbfBfhfeFtUcKWL-ealSyrhuNQtzB4BJSVJtqWuEahf6Fpb26bSk49IICdyBkE1mdgK5gcKan3OD-HhRU71A8/s3264/IMG_0079.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoIU63FZZJnNZKMcJgUNZvIxvLSCQvFudeKDAxf1TLEk9J-U0pp4HFSrb6kseddfQ-oXy5JVjVK1oTUI5upiYuJ6vbN9ASSTrHEIoVlOVbfBfhfeFtUcKWL-ealSyrhuNQtzB4BJSVJtqWuEahf6Fpb26bSk49IICdyBkE1mdgK5gcKan3OD-HhRU71A8/s320/IMG_0079.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Two tactical boardgames from the Lock and Load stable - Heroes of North Africa 1941 to 1942 including operations in East Africa and Operation Torch whilst Heroes in Defiance covers the Blitzkrieg era, chiefly the campaign for Western Europe so the French, Dutch, Belgians and of course the British all feature.</b></div><div><br /></div>This is not the post I thought I would be writing and the one that I should have been will now not be appearing for a couple of weeks! The reasons are simple enough - a combination of starting my new deployment for work and the seven medical appointments split over two hospitals and two medical centres last week for Laurel! Phew! For the record the various outcomes of these appointments ranged from the expected to the mildly surprising. <div><br /></div><div>Anyways, continuing along the lines of ‘front loading for retirement’ I have been having a bit of a trawl across the net for some books to round out the pertinent sections of the library. These acquisitions will of course be followed by several titles heading in the opposite direction as I continue to tailor my library.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LhqoTHRDQgHN2MgbHARi6XiUBnWhQit37tXGO2GSgaVRuqT-znViKY5SbNYD1RTEzfAI3tENLZkHe-Rg2flBAbERlPihsmtfaZjoEjCVhBigpR98lSQ9M46GKq3oWDAS1SZwwCbvvrkqBgXqc2JtyUc_j6-FRnrTlAYuGukCUJrW6JbE4cRA00UhLY8/s3264/IMG_0077.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LhqoTHRDQgHN2MgbHARi6XiUBnWhQit37tXGO2GSgaVRuqT-znViKY5SbNYD1RTEzfAI3tENLZkHe-Rg2flBAbERlPihsmtfaZjoEjCVhBigpR98lSQ9M46GKq3oWDAS1SZwwCbvvrkqBgXqc2JtyUc_j6-FRnrTlAYuGukCUJrW6JbE4cRA00UhLY8/s320/IMG_0077.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Two for the early years of WW2. I have always enjoyed following military maps and so having a good atlas available on a campaign or campaigns is sure to get my vote!</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I am rather partial to the Osprey hardback series. For the most part these are compendiums of existing Men at Arms, Campaign, Vanguard or any of the other series available titles but put together, ‘greatest hits’ style, in a single hardback volume. Some are better than others for sure but the title you see above is a good single volume primer for the early years of WW2 in Europe. Poland, Scandinavia, the Low Countries and of course all feature with pictures and maps etc - most of which would be familiar to anyone with any of the underlying titles.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Blitzkrieg atlas has rather more detailed maps as one would expect but also has a nice narrative to go along with them. An added bonus is that the air and naval dimension is also explored.</div><div><br /></div><div>Taken together then, these two titles are a valuable addition to my library and I am sure to get much use out of them.</div><div><br /></div><div>And now for something completely different….</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhffLqNy2Z-4w_76xSY0mOzeHPjtuXyftpEvBWa4MDuAnCcJ4j5wSCowSfmI1VRxeRuHQcA2cQg04sOVgq5vlGU4nLtWyaNPY2-fx6tCIpghGb_BA6cSCjLj8TL0075ansAUBNL1z0zzrWSqKSPNTmJbH1T8-hmtoDwO0P96vfqk5_qxkUE5HYVIEiKI2I/s3264/IMG_0074.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhffLqNy2Z-4w_76xSY0mOzeHPjtuXyftpEvBWa4MDuAnCcJ4j5wSCowSfmI1VRxeRuHQcA2cQg04sOVgq5vlGU4nLtWyaNPY2-fx6tCIpghGb_BA6cSCjLj8TL0075ansAUBNL1z0zzrWSqKSPNTmJbH1T8-hmtoDwO0P96vfqk5_qxkUE5HYVIEiKI2I/s320/IMG_0074.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Brian Robson also penned an excellent title on the second Afghan War called the Road to Kabul which is my collection, along with Churchill’s Story of the Malakand Field Force which covers the uprising in 1897. The Action at Badama Post has all the ingredients one could wish for as the setting for a skirmish or even a small mini campaign.</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Following my recent acquisition of the excellent board game Pax Pamir, covering the wheeling and dealing amongst the players of the ‘Great Game’ for the greatest influence and control of Afghanistan, I have been revisiting the 19th century in the region with a view to gaming it in some capacity. You may recall my early flirtation with this idea using the fictional Roghan Valley occupied by the British with the fearsome Jalfrezis lurking in the hills. The potential for lots of ‘derring-do’ and manageable actions is a tempting one and so I have been seriously looking at The Men Who Would be Kings as the rules of choice and also of using 28mm figures no less! I should also mention that as part of my research I have also earmarked revisiting Carry on up the Khyber so you can see I am taking this very seriously….</div><div><br /></div><div>Crisis on the Frontier covers the period of the third AfghanWar and the operations in Waziristan after the close of the Great War. Again, it has all the elements one would expect in such a setting but with the added attraction of vehicles and aircraft. The book contains much of the information needed to game the campaign - maps, orders of battle etc - as well as some interesting observations on how modern firearms had impacted on the nature of frontier soldiering.</div><div><br /></div><div>Action at Badama Post looks like a real treat for sure! It is an account of the race to find and recover a British aircraft and the crew before they fall into enemy hands. It features the Kurram Militia, 22nd Battery Motor Machine Gun Service (originally trained for service in France) and number 20 Squadron RAF. The account is largely based on that of A/Sgt Ernest ‘Bill’ Macro and the book itself was written by his grandson, Paul Macro - a serving officer in the Royal Tank Regiment at the time of publication (2019).</div><div><br /></div><div>I shall look forward to reading this - ‘just a small piece of war’.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>David Crookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497436789811496047noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4472889370304077924.post-50418002627022061222024-02-04T11:42:00.001+00:002024-02-04T11:42:10.831+00:00Assaulting the Jailers….Game Number 76, Part 1.5<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9W6daPqkbmPoiFuuYqA8RkSGw1OQCdQRR6jYixoHl6gC_5UM4rbehm8a6xggIdYDehG8SNUjueooabCeBQ4T41sEzcxeTQ7PvIrVhj1LfNkTSj_3kGS__wOl3UdSNIgKScikhM_023t58QetubJGTi3dLBvfiSVAHPT5XJFgo0ONgzAlfkkZdiwG0_xY/s4032/IMG_3463.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9W6daPqkbmPoiFuuYqA8RkSGw1OQCdQRR6jYixoHl6gC_5UM4rbehm8a6xggIdYDehG8SNUjueooabCeBQ4T41sEzcxeTQ7PvIrVhj1LfNkTSj_3kGS__wOl3UdSNIgKScikhM_023t58QetubJGTi3dLBvfiSVAHPT5XJFgo0ONgzAlfkkZdiwG0_xY/s320/IMG_3463.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Something wicked this way comes….C.S.S. Tennessee heading into the fray.</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGoGZP3UJaax3fuW7TEVigvthhesG_SBijpX2ZZm-zuO2G2sICIZLGHZ01dlpVA61KNLmFoBTV5vAWrbSpKekeg0pOS1M3xfOVZG7U9RBh_Edflw0UXzZS562UUTY-4wMcfh3qv-rhYvqxuNBRWb2U03XGsp5_gr6jfzpazoA6x4B5WhxskdgpczU0Efo/s4032/IMG_3464.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGoGZP3UJaax3fuW7TEVigvthhesG_SBijpX2ZZm-zuO2G2sICIZLGHZ01dlpVA61KNLmFoBTV5vAWrbSpKekeg0pOS1M3xfOVZG7U9RBh_Edflw0UXzZS562UUTY-4wMcfh3qv-rhYvqxuNBRWb2U03XGsp5_gr6jfzpazoA6x4B5WhxskdgpczU0Efo/s320/IMG_3464.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>C.S.S. Tennessee viewed from her starboard aft quarter</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQwzcDsiwNINXho6vh3RnmyRONj7rs6r_wW_dBohisBysYi1geR8s9c1zEAzeDgcp20Qa5S8IbTeuycPfnxJv8igqirQB8lRfUHPV6kg5lsg89MckRueE4Ehy_cCA354kFLCiDtUIPz-qCP4RpJUX2frM_qX3HvJENFx9otWZ0ADhABNPSzpFqwfgLCU/s4032/IMG_3465.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQwzcDsiwNINXho6vh3RnmyRONj7rs6r_wW_dBohisBysYi1geR8s9c1zEAzeDgcp20Qa5S8IbTeuycPfnxJv8igqirQB8lRfUHPV6kg5lsg89MckRueE4Ehy_cCA354kFLCiDtUIPz-qCP4RpJUX2frM_qX3HvJENFx9otWZ0ADhABNPSzpFqwfgLCU/s320/IMG_3465.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Meanwhile, the U.S.S. Hartford and the U.S.S. Manhattan look to make the Confederate ironclad their next project…. ;-) </b></div><div><br /></div>For a variety of reasons, too tedious to mention, the first run out of this scenario was abandoned around game turn 3. It is never a good sign when one gets in a tangle over one’s own set of rules! In my defence I was kind of thinking ahead of myself in that I was using rules that had nt even been written down, let alone tested.<div><br /></div><div>Anyways, all is now OK and so I shall be running the action over the course of the next day or so - and with the correct rules in place!</div><div><br /></div><div>As a taster though, I have included the starting set up pictures - these are far better than the original, rather dull version featured in an earlier blog post.</div><div><br /></div><div>On with the action!</div><div><br /></div><div> </div>David Crookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497436789811496047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4472889370304077924.post-5259442977577146092024-01-30T08:56:00.004+00:002024-01-30T08:56:51.292+00:00Thoughts on Firing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQ8Q7rt45-5jgntRio00qSkf6Xoq8NNHhvO7GnFArFJEYz6i5cwTMYCvGPYWlHdYOs0Vsz0bo5smKxLzDeJKmYE8Bj3T1ppa7Sg4S2LrkAEplGIooyGlGjTvE8u-ZUWGKH4PD_4uMsAhtyZfUG0l68l73TcTDD86fPy-0_axNQohBFlUGmf9pkcvV6WY/s3264/IMG_0064.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQ8Q7rt45-5jgntRio00qSkf6Xoq8NNHhvO7GnFArFJEYz6i5cwTMYCvGPYWlHdYOs0Vsz0bo5smKxLzDeJKmYE8Bj3T1ppa7Sg4S2LrkAEplGIooyGlGjTvE8u-ZUWGKH4PD_4uMsAhtyZfUG0l68l73TcTDD86fPy-0_axNQohBFlUGmf9pkcvV6WY/s320/IMG_0064.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Pipe cleaner bow waves and cotton wool gunsmoke - the former indicating ships that have moved this turn, the latter for ships that have fired after their movement. Looking at the above you can see that the current game turn has ended and only the sloop would be free to fire at the start or end of its next move, the other two would have to wait until the end of their movement. If a ship does not fire at all during their turn then any smoke markers are removed. The markers you see will be replaced with something a little more aesthetically pleasing in due course!</b></div><div><br /></div>During the recent test of the alternate move sequence and move/fire, fire/move idea - both of which seemed to work quite well - I was reminded of one of the small niggles that seems to have grown into something requiring a bit of a rethink. The offending system is of course that of firing.<div><br /></div><div>I am happy with the two step approach - rolling to hit and then rolling for damage based on any successful hits scored - and would still like to use this but I am now less convinced that reducing the number of D6 rolled to hit by range makes for a fun game. All too often ships are rolling single D6s at range which just seems a little flat. I am now leaning towards allowing the full number of gun dice to be rolled, regardless of range but with modifiers to the D6 rolls to reflect diminishing accuracy. This is complicated by two things. Firstly, under the existing system potential hits are scored with a roll of 4 or 5 for a single hit and a roll of 6 for two hits. Clearly this is problem when using specific scores to hit because one could then have the situation where a maximum range shot requiring a 6 to score a hit would in fact mean that the roll of a 6 would score two hits! </div><div><br /></div><div>My solution would be to shift the 4 or 5 equalling a single hit and 6 being two hits to the damage resolution rolls so that firing to hit would be the number of gun dice the ship carries modified by range. The idea I have in mind looks something like this:</div><div><br /></div><div>Guns with a range of 4 (penetration factor of 2 or less)</div><div><br /></div><div>1 - 3, 4, 5 or 6</div><div>2 - 4, 5 or 6</div><div>3 - 5 or 6</div><div>4 - 6</div><div><br /></div><div>Guns with a range of 6 (penetration factor of 3 or more)</div><div><br /></div><div>1 - 3, 4, 5 or 6</div><div>2, 3 - 4, 5 or 6</div><div>4, 5 - 5 or 6</div><div>6 - 6</div><div><br /></div><div>Damage rolls would follow the normal 4 or 5 for a single damage point and 6 for two damage points - this of course being modified by the penetration factor versus the armour factor. </div><div><br /></div><div>It is very early on with this alternative idea but I believe it has potential. My rationale is that rolling great handfuls of dice is an enjoyable mechanic and makes for a banter filled game! </div>David Crookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497436789811496047noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4472889370304077924.post-486793505478777532024-01-29T12:11:00.002+00:002024-01-29T12:11:42.880+00:00Front Loading for Retirement*<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOxlkHS8z0NMzaZhoi8JFnH0LffTwYYijgz0XymwFWAV0Dq-sq4VYUZ1jRd5G2H9W2sib_FjRIdy7Gqo26RyFF3CJTlbdZ1DAsJKJk7D26qWjqDgjmHIDTXoxcIt13nzgOYF49I8xcOL35e_9ctlAd7EKui6JdfR6MRVrdlgObvzeon35EA53qmuDDiY/s3264/IMG_3275.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOxlkHS8z0NMzaZhoi8JFnH0LffTwYYijgz0XymwFWAV0Dq-sq4VYUZ1jRd5G2H9W2sib_FjRIdy7Gqo26RyFF3CJTlbdZ1DAsJKJk7D26qWjqDgjmHIDTXoxcIt13nzgOYF49I8xcOL35e_9ctlAd7EKui6JdfR6MRVrdlgObvzeon35EA53qmuDDiY/s320/IMG_3275.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>An excellent book and crying out to be Portable Ironclads Wargamed! But how or even when?</b></div><div><br /></div>Assuming I ‘go the distance’ then at the time of writing I have 973 days until I retire - not that I am counting! I will retire when I am able to and if my current employment sees fit to put me out to pasture sooner then so be it. It would not be the end of the world if that happened - the house is paid for and we are financially ok in a modest way. From a personal perspective it would mean that I could spend more quality time with Laurel - which seems an odd viewpoint when I am working fully remote at home - and the pace of our lives would be a good deal less frenetic. I will have to see how things go but the relative nearness to the big ‘R’ means that decisions need to be made in respect of many things - the inevitable down or right size into a more manageable property - and of course, my collection.<div><br /></div><div>In many ways I have been moving towards this over recent months, years even, with a series of disposals and selected acquisitions, all of which are designed to be as compact as possible. There are several decisions that have already been reached - more by chance than design - but I seem to heading in the right direction. More or less….</div><div><br /></div><div>1. No more large armies 15mm or upwards. Aside from lacking the inclination to build large armies the associated cost and space requirement is too high. Any ‘armies’ I look to build will be confined to 6mm or smaller (more of which later). I shall still use 28mm for skirmish sized actions - 0200 being a case in point - or possibly even a dabble into Rampant territory but of necessity this will need to be carefully planned and managed. I have a WoFun ACW collection in 18mm which will go against this ruling, mainly because the armies take up so little space. I may even dabble further with WoFun but who knows?</div><div><br /></div><div>2. Aircraft and ships will remain a constant as either take up little space and terrain requirements are fairly modest. I especially enjoy making ships and so see no reason to stop!</div><div><br /></div><div>3. Boardgames. I have a long history with boardgames and with the choice and selection available there is plenty to keep me going. I have consciously moved towards tactical boardgames or specifically designed solo types. I have a couple that qualify as strategic level and indeed, I may well explore this further but ina measured way. The tactical games I have chosen are mainly those that cover periods of history I am unlikely to ever translate into miniatures based games. As a confirmed grid based wargamer the transition from miniatures to counters/blocks or back again is a very easy one to make!</div><div><br /></div><div>For Tactical combat on land these include various Command and Colours titles (Samurai Battles, Jacobite Rising and American Revolution), Lock and Load (Heroes of North Africa) and Flying Pig Games (‘65, Night of Man). I also have both editions of Combat Infantry by Columbia Games - NW Europe and the Eastern Front for WW2. Finally, I have the full set of the Undaunted series.</div><div><br /></div><div>4. Small but perfectly formed. I have acquired a collection from the painting legend and all round good chap ‘<b><a href="http://napoleonictherapy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Lee Gramsom</a></b> of nine 3mm ancient DBA armies with camps terrain and a set of painted gaming boards as well. I shall be meeting up with him to take collection of these probably on 25/02 - the day of the Cavalier show at Tonbridge in Kent. These are quite exquisite and painted to Lee’s usual outrageously high standard! I used to play a lot of ancients back in the day and enjoy DBA so this collection, in its bespoke storage box will be an ideal way for me to dabble once again. </div><div><br /></div><div>5. Mention of skirmish/Rampant style set ups includes such things as the aforementioned 0200 (WW2 night raids) along with Sci Fi Stargrave/Five Parsecs from Home/ Another Glorious Day in the Corps style games. Rampant will be reserved for something special - I have not decided yet but I have a few things in mind.</div><div><br /></div><div>I do not own vast armies of painted figures and so by keeping to skirmish sized actions in 28mm I can keep things within modest bounds - an important consideration for storage space when the inevitable down/right size comes and for being doable. The biggest single part of my collection is probably the library. Again, I have made strenuous efforts over the last couple of years to keep this within sensible bounds. It is slightly larger than I would like but I have in mind some disposals that should get it to where it should be. This will also have the advantage of enabling me to organise it rather more effectively. As with every part of my collection there is an element of ‘churn’ as things come into or drift out of fashion - the butterfly will o doubt still be fluttering!</div><div><br /></div><div>If I was to score myself out of ten as to where I am at with this overall retirement vision I would probably give myself a 6, bordering on a 7. There is work to be done but I at least have a handle on what needs attending to and so the overall picture is slowly coming into focus. At least I still have potentially 973 days to get where I need to!</div><div><br /></div><div>* I am indebted to <b><a href="https://alystoysoldiers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Aly Morrison</a></b> for introducing me to the concept of Front Loading for Retirement - many thanks old chap!</div>David Crookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497436789811496047noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4472889370304077924.post-43805964320728514342024-01-25T16:52:00.003+00:002024-01-25T16:52:34.921+00:00Thoughts on the Revised and Expanded Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQxPXzVqxRuXWT93WGSv3S5MPj0v0Rs_ixeXvbr7f0VR2ODnxp6cBnTV0t86S7m9lidJRjsuqPziCGMqVqRj4E7Q6KGjGh7i6EPb_QAjEtq8PUzEe2QUHyd7of7kXgf0uRac4qlyTcUF2jX9DBlNo8yvXMTAzVU9SoL-F23sUvmsp6Nf8VVpdGD1SCYI/s3264/IMG_0058.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQxPXzVqxRuXWT93WGSv3S5MPj0v0Rs_ixeXvbr7f0VR2ODnxp6cBnTV0t86S7m9lidJRjsuqPziCGMqVqRj4E7Q6KGjGh7i6EPb_QAjEtq8PUzEe2QUHyd7of7kXgf0uRac4qlyTcUF2jX9DBlNo8yvXMTAzVU9SoL-F23sUvmsp6Nf8VVpdGD1SCYI/s320/IMG_0058.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><b>With apologies for the poor picture quality, the newly commissioned C.S.S. Tennessee steams gallantly towards the Union blockading ships.</b></p><p>As mentioned in my recent post I am planning to fight a small test action this weekend, pitting the newly commissioned C.S.S. Tennessee trying her luck against a Union sloop and a monitor. In many ways this will be similar to Hampton Roads with the exception that the old navy sloop will not be aground! I also mentioned that there are a couple of optional rules I am trying out that, assuming they are successful, will appear in the Portable Ironclads Wargame Revised and Expanded edition later in the year.</p><p>The two rules cover the turn sequence and firing and remember, these are optional.</p><p><b>Alternate Movement.</b></p><p>In the original version of the rules players rolled for initiative with the winner having the choice of moving first or second with all their ships. As an option I am allowing players to alternate movement based on the initiative roll. My rationale for this is that I believe it will better reflect the organised chaos of most ACW naval actions as ships jockey for position whilst being mindful of the opposition. If using this method then some means of marking a ship that has moved is required and for this I shall be using sort lengths of white pipe cleaner folded into a ‘V’ shape and placed on the ship’s bow. This represents a bow wave and so as each ships moves it will become clear who has and it is an easy way to keep track. When all the ships are thus adorned the turn is over and these markers are then removed during the first phase of the next game turn.</p><p><b>Move and Fire, Fire and Move.</b></p><p>This option changes the sequence of play in that the firing phase is dispensed with as it now fits in with movement. The plan is for ships to be able to fire at the start of their move or at the end. Ships that opt to do the latter should have a marker representing gun smoke placed by them which then stays in place until the end of the ships next move (these are not removed at the start of the next turn. In effect a ship that fires at the end of a turn will not be able to fire again until the end of the next turn, assuming it wants to. If it does not then the smoke marker is removed and the ship is then free to fire either at the start or the end of the following move.</p><p>Both of these rules will force extra decision making on the respective commanders as timing suddenly becomes critical. In truth I was a little wary of these ideas as I figured that it may slow things down a little but but careful ‘marker management’ all will be later and besides, seeing bow waves and gun smoke adds to the visual appeal which is no bad thing.</p><p><br /></p>David Crookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497436789811496047noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4472889370304077924.post-10663987814393150632024-01-24T17:07:00.002+00:002024-01-24T17:07:09.136+00:00‘65….A Bump in the Boonies*<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi535DoWOEWTn2tf28NEO_4PRjpebvCI2cQmZe6pyK8z4GQHnDxgzjHcbHpnCZbOS0MKAvhoJsRn00BpPFRrBmVVtx4coLx3m6FJNQarxm9rDs5S7Jv7JGy4gjm6RDMv17P-ocpmxfZpaC1RU1vK_UJAPRBCpBwouStE8j01uMmSZ_WM4qc_LYY9MU3ieI/s3264/IMG_0059.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi535DoWOEWTn2tf28NEO_4PRjpebvCI2cQmZe6pyK8z4GQHnDxgzjHcbHpnCZbOS0MKAvhoJsRn00BpPFRrBmVVtx4coLx3m6FJNQarxm9rDs5S7Jv7JGy4gjm6RDMv17P-ocpmxfZpaC1RU1vK_UJAPRBCpBwouStE8j01uMmSZ_WM4qc_LYY9MU3ieI/s320/IMG_0059.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>The box featuring a ‘grunt’ suitably festooned with ammunition….</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7U2F8b6cpWfyFC1GszGsL0V4uK2YZDspMYdWn-oLTcXTUve0wLfCJ9D4i_cq6HC_u-54G8_GivhbiehTlgriHXaMX8BC7QRpypfhUIKDvHBvQ25H1ETvSSQ1aG5TrVsfOLQB1Bgp9SXYo3zhqZzELN2CQVu5JFthywKRfbYOgTBWL31TYdJBzmsvQnw/s3264/IMG_0060.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7U2F8b6cpWfyFC1GszGsL0V4uK2YZDspMYdWn-oLTcXTUve0wLfCJ9D4i_cq6HC_u-54G8_GivhbiehTlgriHXaMX8BC7QRpypfhUIKDvHBvQ25H1ETvSSQ1aG5TrVsfOLQB1Bgp9SXYo3zhqZzELN2CQVu5JFthywKRfbYOgTBWL31TYdJBzmsvQnw/s320/IMG_0060.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><b>….and the rear of the box featuring an area of ‘bandit country’.</b></p><p>With one eye on the inevitable ‘right-sizing’ in a few years I have been realigning much of my collection so that it is portable and does not take up vast amounts of space. For me this translates into boardgames rather than models - with of course some notable exceptions - so that the eventual move should be as painless as possible. Large armies will no longer feature so the block armies or 2/3mm will be the order of the day. 28mm will be for skirmishes up to ‘Rampant’ level. Note that ships, aircraft, starships or Battlemechs are not included in this!</p><p>As part of this process you may recall a while ago I acquired a whole bunch of WW2 tactical games published by Lock and Load. The rules are outstanding but for a variety of reasons they never really caught my imagination. Everyone I know that games the system swears by them but somewhat perversely I suppose, I am not one of them! What had caught my eye though, was a boardgame published by Flying Pig Games called ‘65 - Squad Level Combat In The Jungles Of Vietnam. This was might up my street in terms of the scale of the game and so I attempted to source a copy. It proved to be an almost impossible task to get a copy in the UK and I was on the verge of giving up when a gaming chum pointed out that a set was up for grabs on Ebay.</p><p>I duly ‘watched’ the listing and then on the last day entered a bid, then another, then another after that until eventually the auction finished and guess what? I had won it! It was a little higher than I expected but still an absolute bargain.</p><p>The game itself contained all the currently available expansions and although the counters were punched out it was unused. I am a little fastidious about boardgames in that I much prefer mounted map boards and chunky counters and so ‘65 delivers this in spades. The counters are 1” squares or larger and the map boards are suitably ‘Nam looking - loads of trees, rice paddies, small villages and so on. One of the expansions features a cityscape - Hue in this case - so going full on “Full Metal Jacket’ could be fun to try out.</p><p>The other expansions include the USMC and ANZAC forces as well as some additional cards and, best of all, a solo system. Gameplay and combat is driven by cards and is quite fast paced and with plenty of decisions to be made every turn. In short, it is a great tactical game.</p><p>In years gone by I would have thought about how to use figures for ths and indeed, I acquired a whole pile of ESCI US and VC 20mm figures and developed a version of Memoir ‘44 to use with them but, like so many ‘good ideas at the time’ the enthusiasm faded, mainly due to the work involved to get it to the table.</p><p>I can feel a re-reading of ‘We Were Soldiers Once….’ Coming on - I might even watch the film again!</p><p>*A Bump in the Boonies was the title of a set of Vietnam wargame rules by Cliff Mitchell and published by Gosling Press. </p>David Crookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497436789811496047noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4472889370304077924.post-38289358614654825802024-01-22T15:11:00.001+00:002024-01-22T15:11:04.139+00:00Assaulting the Jailers….Game Number 76, Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkoShol60KNIWdahecIKfnRBmRGAQfXRg9aE2aCxmnQq2dBfhjnNnTuVgGnZPHopJZ7HpCxsQi2GveCUA-npBW3DyzUD43lRtqXaHTTltkb1GiOEImYkUgZSHDa0gmWNevXTLonB4FWVF6eGzIuXEJ5BXHxTTVTP97NF1TrspT90M3FCcT8q2FfRAAFRQ/s1001/IMG_0050.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkoShol60KNIWdahecIKfnRBmRGAQfXRg9aE2aCxmnQq2dBfhjnNnTuVgGnZPHopJZ7HpCxsQi2GveCUA-npBW3DyzUD43lRtqXaHTTltkb1GiOEImYkUgZSHDa0gmWNevXTLonB4FWVF6eGzIuXEJ5BXHxTTVTP97NF1TrspT90M3FCcT8q2FfRAAFRQ/s320/IMG_0050.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>An early plan of the fort….</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzy1jkON1ljAAojDO7h0UM5b_42BqDGh1_D8xkdB32srD7aKZ-BqLla2KWaUGsIzyCNttQpFPMYxTu4BnqRdFVuVjmSTe6M-DCkhwE9uKlx9XxcFP46Sj2n-d5opV_x9sEA6aF2Yvj-mJubQbiBMJ9Suc4BcYPAHNMIizHpBgVa3J9tvFd6jG46ma5GI/s700/IMG_0051.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="700" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzy1jkON1ljAAojDO7h0UM5b_42BqDGh1_D8xkdB32srD7aKZ-BqLla2KWaUGsIzyCNttQpFPMYxTu4BnqRdFVuVjmSTe6M-DCkhwE9uKlx9XxcFP46Sj2n-d5opV_x9sEA6aF2Yvj-mJubQbiBMJ9Suc4BcYPAHNMIizHpBgVa3J9tvFd6jG46ma5GI/s320/IMG_0051.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>….and an aerial view - probably a drone shot methinks.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>After having finished the C.S.S. Tennessee it would be somewhat churlish to not put her through her paces on the tabletop. Whilst I will refight Mobile Bay in due course (I will need to model Fort Morgan first) in the interim I will look to pit the Confederate ironclad against a monitor and a sloop, almost Hampton Roads like. It will also be a good way of testing a couple of the optional rules that will be appearing in the Portable Ironclads Wargame Revised and Expanded Edition.<div><br /></div><div>The action will be fought using the revised firing arcs - this is a minor change fro the original rules and is the only one of any impact - and the optional rules will cover alternate movement and changes to the firing. I will not go into details here but I reckon that these will certainly add to the decision making!</div><div><br /></div><div>This will be a simple battle but in my experience games involving fewer ships (or indeed any type of unit being represented) tend to focus the mind somewhat - at least that is my opinion!</div><div><br /></div><div>In the meantime though, I will need to think about how best to model <b><a href="http://www.starforts.com/morgan.html" target="_blank">Fort Morgan</a></b>. An idea I have been pondering is to make a baseline style model - David Manley suggested something similar to a DBA style camp or BUA (built up area) which seems like a good idea.</div><div><br /></div><div>As far as this test action is concerned it will be the first time I have tried the optional rules so keeping it fairly simple seemed like a sensible approach. The plan is to fight the action over the coming weekend so I shall get the necessary paperwork ready over the next few days.</div><div><br /></div><div>Looking forward to it!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>David Crookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497436789811496047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4472889370304077924.post-50417813493659550522024-01-19T14:13:00.000+00:002024-01-19T14:13:17.976+00:00C.S.S. Tennessee - Mobile at Last!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUtrueS4mEswocwnmgtddvyQhx_bFHnTcb7t3z1uajjB7TaD-o5J7Q4jAFbtoqTsVyqbiAv0W7Z9NDhs6UORqVJItvO8DnVqrrTF1BU6xkkkNaIIl2bFp00_yE0SZ2PEfqalj-mvv76aSZK261GKbPq2JMdvjvabWLArzxFssHGo2kD4eAaf7ZbEm9TZc/s4032/IMG_3454.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUtrueS4mEswocwnmgtddvyQhx_bFHnTcb7t3z1uajjB7TaD-o5J7Q4jAFbtoqTsVyqbiAv0W7Z9NDhs6UORqVJItvO8DnVqrrTF1BU6xkkkNaIIl2bFp00_yE0SZ2PEfqalj-mvv76aSZK261GKbPq2JMdvjvabWLArzxFssHGo2kD4eAaf7ZbEm9TZc/s320/IMG_3454.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>There she is - C.S.S. Tennessee all set to take on the Union fleet in Mobile Bay</b></div><div><br /></div>After a largely straightforward build - helped by the somewhat more measured approach I adopted rather than my usual ‘headlong, bull in a china shop’ technique - the Confederate ironclad the C.S.S. Tennessee is ready to join the rest of the collection. As ever the model is more ‘based upon’ rather than strictly accurate but I think she conveys the overall sense of menace that the original ship had. So, the hull is the wrong shape - as are the gun port covers - and she has the earlier pattern naval ensign as well as missing the deck cowl vents (also missing from the other models in the collection!) but other than that she is good to go! <div><br /></div><div>‘Purely Representational’ a wise man once said….repeatedly!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFeRuffM3i6IxkypKmdPVeqanjUoOjrlyGITQOoCY13vCx4fBvM5nnvnCLJdaCn_Nqhhx5YYajfiHzyM5X4vfLrcKbCtQT2O2aBep3EXZxv9lS1myNxbvlpxAt3epnGr3XIgtZSSPrkzM3Xlw4oaMm23qDCjxTviBgFUPGMWiFGnkvAYbbQaj8LhKrjZs/s4028/IMG_3452.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2627" data-original-width="4028" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFeRuffM3i6IxkypKmdPVeqanjUoOjrlyGITQOoCY13vCx4fBvM5nnvnCLJdaCn_Nqhhx5YYajfiHzyM5X4vfLrcKbCtQT2O2aBep3EXZxv9lS1myNxbvlpxAt3epnGr3XIgtZSSPrkzM3Xlw4oaMm23qDCjxTviBgFUPGMWiFGnkvAYbbQaj8LhKrjZs/s320/IMG_3452.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>As deployed on my hexed cloth</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I really enjoyed this build, certainly more than I expected to given the shape of the casemate. She will make a powerful addition to the Confederate fleet and it means that I now have all the Rebel ships for Mobile Bay - the others being the C.S.S. Selma, the C.S.S. Morgan and the C.S.S. Gaines. I could probably rustle up sufficient Union ships for the battle although the ‘lashed together’ wooden vessels may require a little thought, not to mention the Confederate Fort Morgan. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigesgkCB0sSonlWGm4OiYQXKsFoHTYrZkBQoDsqWRzgi6MHJNOWRR7wxrYooUOe7j0KycVBdkPkAo8LoZ4qUMfaoYONHZwZPbLdb36eznu3NT7jnh8qBcRicqqE9PKukSBywiLBX7xKGygj2rf03l_N1XpQ2GRkW6QUff8ZrGL6fhIaRelv8CuxEy_LYc/s4032/IMG_3453.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigesgkCB0sSonlWGm4OiYQXKsFoHTYrZkBQoDsqWRzgi6MHJNOWRR7wxrYooUOe7j0KycVBdkPkAo8LoZ4qUMfaoYONHZwZPbLdb36eznu3NT7jnh8qBcRicqqE9PKukSBywiLBX7xKGygj2rf03l_N1XpQ2GRkW6QUff8ZrGL6fhIaRelv8CuxEy_LYc/s320/IMG_3453.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>C.S.S. Tennessee in the van with the C.S.S. Selma following closely. In flanking positions are the C.S.S. Morgan and the C.S.S. Gaines</b></div><div><br /></div><div>During the course of this build I have been thinking a lot about the ACW collection and what else is needed for it. The answer is of course, plenty! There are ships I want to model as well as some terrain pieces but in the short term I am thinking around half a dozen more models (three of which are already under construction) and a large fort will suffice. The other bits and pieces can be dropped in as and when the mood takes me. The important thing is that I now have a sufficient variety of models to fight just about anything from the war between the states. </div><div><br /></div><div>It is a great place to be in!</div></div>David Crookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497436789811496047noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4472889370304077924.post-78242631349144926782024-01-17T16:08:00.002+00:002024-01-17T16:08:46.828+00:00Assembly finished….Now for the painting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFdKTVWFTxHDvosUy9lJ2Wz0gjWhOz0g2SVz85FR4-zf1aCPj2OflUu-Iwb2D13Jx4NYwpMkaGPHrznoE5Sb8BgGSjMG5WVIwmDqH4iqxZo3ClMdRaUBVPtdhdzI7qT8JtYHyk68hSabCLuc3Rr4C28_PpBkS9H1gI56GamWiOuTPe6J5bI32jQ-jwUQw/s3463/FullSizeRender.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2651" data-original-width="3463" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFdKTVWFTxHDvosUy9lJ2Wz0gjWhOz0g2SVz85FR4-zf1aCPj2OflUu-Iwb2D13Jx4NYwpMkaGPHrznoE5Sb8BgGSjMG5WVIwmDqH4iqxZo3ClMdRaUBVPtdhdzI7qT8JtYHyk68hSabCLuc3Rr4C28_PpBkS9H1gI56GamWiOuTPe6J5bI32jQ-jwUQw/s320/FullSizeRender.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Sealed and ready to paint. The actual ship appeared to have a rather tall and quite slim funnel although this may have been a replacement after she was captured. The flagstaff I found in a spares box and was originally going to be used to fashion gun barrels from. Note the hole drilled for the flagstaff - the funnel is glued directly to the roof of the casemate. The ruler is so you can see how big she is.</b></p><p>After a quick half hour session in the man cave at lunchtime the C.S.S. Tennessee is now ready to be painted. I had some deck detail, cut a suitable length for the funnel and managed to find a piece of previously painted cocktail stick to use for the flagstaff - very much a case of ‘here’s one I prepared earlier!’ </p><p>The whole thing was coated with a sealer which is now drying prior to undercoating and then the final paint job.</p><p>According to most of the pictures and plans I have seen of the actual ship itself there should be a pair of funnels forward and two pairs aft, along with the deck mounted chains leading to the rudder aft and he anchors on the bow. As I have not depicted either of these parts on any of my previous models it seemed fairly pointless starting now despite the actual ship becoming unmanageable due to having the steering chains severed by gunfire during the fateful battle of Mobile Bay. I have instead opted for my default deck detail of hatch covers! </p><p>Strictly speaking the hull should also have an angle leading to the waterline which I probably could have done using my Dremel but for the fact that by the time I had thought about this the models was more or less complete - especially the casemate.</p><p>Once again then we have a ‘purely representational’ or Hollywood ‘based upon’ style of model - a fact of which I offer no apologies for! ;-)</p>David Crookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497436789811496047noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4472889370304077924.post-17179071004030244392024-01-16T22:03:00.007+00:002024-01-16T22:11:02.167+00:00Fitting out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx125-Mz-rQtd0kz81gFn0b4H-eA_xwOgsAPO7KsxiWusBXoK35bXhIAoILzCtXtIdCP78c4LJqYqZ4baIrPotV58QPP8Eiv8mO0JDguniKF033gHQx6nvJLa7tkeeOaein0OB1cyC0pWzZlOGb0HliJ6o3TdkSOFfH1WwiNBIrn1cKxxgHUFNMEiZtzs/s4032/IMG_3446.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx125-Mz-rQtd0kz81gFn0b4H-eA_xwOgsAPO7KsxiWusBXoK35bXhIAoILzCtXtIdCP78c4LJqYqZ4baIrPotV58QPP8Eiv8mO0JDguniKF033gHQx6nvJLa7tkeeOaein0OB1cyC0pWzZlOGb0HliJ6o3TdkSOFfH1WwiNBIrn1cKxxgHUFNMEiZtzs/s320/IMG_3446.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>The business end - I was struck by the angular shape that seems to feature in more and more modern warship designs.</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRhXYKFij1ssqm1tKB28lVzHAM9Vucqb1C3htbSnkHGsr_1ri2S230lYiyCEn95npX2hnAeM1jmNhM8SXfQXqAMyv_0akSnS9Uxhm2Fym30qGq9-TlKZO1gYyMb1_9PFzqwuz6OH00rJ1x_vB_HtGYYPme3I8j5NT7Fj2o-MWAWLfYf1bxMhU9PZUjZk/s4032/IMG_3447.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRhXYKFij1ssqm1tKB28lVzHAM9Vucqb1C3htbSnkHGsr_1ri2S230lYiyCEn95npX2hnAeM1jmNhM8SXfQXqAMyv_0akSnS9Uxhm2Fym30qGq9-TlKZO1gYyMb1_9PFzqwuz6OH00rJ1x_vB_HtGYYPme3I8j5NT7Fj2o-MWAWLfYf1bxMhU9PZUjZk/s320/IMG_3447.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>The view from the stern. Note the steering cover on the stern.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Two posts in one day?! I can’t remember the last time I managed that!</div><div><br /></div>Further progress with the C.S.S. Tennessee. After having cleaned up the filled sections I then set about adding the gun port covers. These are not the right shape but hey ho - neither are the vast majority of all the others in the collection! I drilled out a hole for the flagstaff and added a piece of plastic card to the stern - this is the cover for the steering assembly. <div><br /></div><div>The next step will be to organise the funnel and the flagstaff. I always paint these before I fix them to the model as I find easier than having to paint around a circle! Once these have been sourced the whole lot can be sealed prior to undercoating.</div><div><br /></div><div>She will be ready to join the rest of the collection by the weekend.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, about Mobile Bay….</div>David Crookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497436789811496047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4472889370304077924.post-46415588021823341152024-01-16T07:34:00.005+00:002024-01-16T07:34:33.182+00:00More on C.S.S. Tennessee <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOt23Ca1sTdR-8WDP48z1KhKW4YuVSp_Jv87YHtfyYvYqDqvyvKoR0Uhb5SL7pBxU522IhlhY5_5LuAE8i8Kjpkvh-Ky6hd6CuYroTVtSdQvv_ilstR-XBlTbYrLE2cLdBBh2mRbs7Pg4hPuohyrKD7m6JXw7bx69p8N6Mnm2MkExXcdIKHz12MfiPLMY/s500/IMG_0031.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="232" data-original-width="500" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOt23Ca1sTdR-8WDP48z1KhKW4YuVSp_Jv87YHtfyYvYqDqvyvKoR0Uhb5SL7pBxU522IhlhY5_5LuAE8i8Kjpkvh-Ky6hd6CuYroTVtSdQvv_ilstR-XBlTbYrLE2cLdBBh2mRbs7Pg4hPuohyrKD7m6JXw7bx69p8N6Mnm2MkExXcdIKHz12MfiPLMY/s320/IMG_0031.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>A plan of the actual ship. Due to constraints of my available modelling material - I use a uniform hull template for most of the models I have built - the final model will be ‘based upon’ rather than an accurate depiction.</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybYzqNUj_VZaEfeZleMJ45GQl2T2VRVN1iLQ7ZxZE8EMsVPtiYWxnr7jKguiprhQvzM71zOF6mUJ0QJSfUaP1TcreZTeu1uchQsPjK6xtmln1vSJFgTeKm2cLr4doQ7pG2T3jPG9Qg1Ql9wXRmmZ3_vn4bz_l_VU3Y5rGHGhicOFoQQoHlVxJRhmQOCI/s4032/IMG_3443.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybYzqNUj_VZaEfeZleMJ45GQl2T2VRVN1iLQ7ZxZE8EMsVPtiYWxnr7jKguiprhQvzM71zOF6mUJ0QJSfUaP1TcreZTeu1uchQsPjK6xtmln1vSJFgTeKm2cLr4doQ7pG2T3jPG9Qg1Ql9wXRmmZ3_vn4bz_l_VU3Y5rGHGhicOFoQQoHlVxJRhmQOCI/s320/IMG_3443.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>The view from the forward port quarter….</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMyt7875RrYeFZQmZX5VT9phtWPgM6J56JX2LsaOPVMRZm8yQ9zrY5R59XMnYyE4fyxr3NZTSUK6zHPO_BtV8O-ANy5S0Cv2XaGtDlqXTtYgI7iNDSth3_1czraJj63B3zFxEA8mKvkryGDwZ1JdOCuGqXxleZCtBR8lT-8_OY_XHp6Eynzdtj8nhSJ8/s4032/IMG_3444.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMyt7875RrYeFZQmZX5VT9phtWPgM6J56JX2LsaOPVMRZm8yQ9zrY5R59XMnYyE4fyxr3NZTSUK6zHPO_BtV8O-ANy5S0Cv2XaGtDlqXTtYgI7iNDSth3_1czraJj63B3zFxEA8mKvkryGDwZ1JdOCuGqXxleZCtBR8lT-8_OY_XHp6Eynzdtj8nhSJ8/s320/IMG_3444.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>….and the same from the aft starboard quarter.</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJsMQ9oujJbUOlURYcrbCVgCspcdAzjNGaFhXUF23fktYSVpjAbHVkDG9xjjnBfym8emxV9HA65DCSK3fMayRwoBIbBe6kK7T9P7Pth3BPbmHmKdfVWy0i5XNdR0U8QkvvPrGx2W7cLgOCuFgI2rs9bnF_7g2ylqHgzdVF6XBPFwsO642Ouw72qtRrMg/s4032/IMG_3445.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJsMQ9oujJbUOlURYcrbCVgCspcdAzjNGaFhXUF23fktYSVpjAbHVkDG9xjjnBfym8emxV9HA65DCSK3fMayRwoBIbBe6kK7T9P7Pth3BPbmHmKdfVWy0i5XNdR0U8QkvvPrGx2W7cLgOCuFgI2rs9bnF_7g2ylqHgzdVF6XBPFwsO642Ouw72qtRrMg/s320/IMG_3445.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Finally an overhead view showing the distinctive pilot house. Note the ‘softer’ sweep of the stern - a big improvement on the rather dumpy version I have used for the rest of the collection. Ho hum…. I will certainly NOT be rebuilding the earlier models!</b></div><p>The new routine in have settled into seems to work quite well in that by spending the half an hour or so on hobby time - the practical side of it, that is - it is quite surprising what one can get done! The case in point is of course the current build of the Confederate ironclad the C.S.S. Tennessee.</p><p>Yesterday evening I was able to apply filler to the casemate angles as well as modelling the pilot house. The plan for today is to give the filler a final smooth over with some fine grade sandpaper (more likely an emery board!) and this evening I shall apply the gunports and the stern rudder housing. I shall also be thinking about the final and flagstaff. Assuming all this is completed satisfactorily then tomorrow will see the sealing taking place with a view to starting the painting on Thursday. In any event she will be ready either by or over the weekend.</p><p>More pictures will follow in due course.</p><p><br /></p>David Crookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497436789811496047noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4472889370304077924.post-29686896140773614112024-01-14T19:27:00.000+00:002024-01-14T19:27:01.640+00:00Building and BoxingI am feeling rather virtuous today as I not only made a major step forwards with Eric’s WW2 collection but I was also able to get some modelling in.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMn78WrfF7tKgo9fqaPLtcoF2GyI0FOvAVffIVc-tHYfc9rl7X5FzVzVHGX5V_cGrZeABnk57wjQvyKbEA7OtuH_B-FoNBScBfHUi15DMn557AidFqjL8Tb3yHS0nIrsi21f1OCGhe9SP7VVFpABk-zsS3GzP2TKNffEldKZer7qasr10mVp5XMSazzQ/s4032/IMG_3441.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMn78WrfF7tKgo9fqaPLtcoF2GyI0FOvAVffIVc-tHYfc9rl7X5FzVzVHGX5V_cGrZeABnk57wjQvyKbEA7OtuH_B-FoNBScBfHUi15DMn557AidFqjL8Tb3yHS0nIrsi21f1OCGhe9SP7VVFpABk-zsS3GzP2TKNffEldKZer7qasr10mVp5XMSazzQ/s320/IMG_3441.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>From the bow - the yawning gap you see will be filled.</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGbDt6YQC0eJ8Ao55LqFfzq1_iwcAMqILsNQntZLspgguxJMs80G8bLyrsBDFETvf7LELDX62kSm_CNdX-_QSJ36EUdWBrZeBYriWZ_ogR5hCk5KKF-cBIFg28asjXt9NZ5ctAta2K4Jf_6sdGXmu2Gi14MTandp5DnGs9k2G714UHQ1HCVbf7rnF29E/s4032/IMG_3442.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGbDt6YQC0eJ8Ao55LqFfzq1_iwcAMqILsNQntZLspgguxJMs80G8bLyrsBDFETvf7LELDX62kSm_CNdX-_QSJ36EUdWBrZeBYriWZ_ogR5hCk5KKF-cBIFg28asjXt9NZ5ctAta2K4Jf_6sdGXmu2Gi14MTandp5DnGs9k2G714UHQ1HCVbf7rnF29E/s320/IMG_3442.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>The view from the stern. The pilot house will fully enclosed once I have decided how best to do that. Again, notice the yawning chasm of the casemate corner crying out for lashings of filler!</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Eric's collection previously made use of a wide variety of box sizes as well as some wooden drawers - most of which were solidly built (meaning heavy) but had seen better days. The upshot of this rather haphazard system was that it took up a substantial amount of space. Eric was meticulous in respect of his organisation so every box and drawer clearly identified the contents so the random selection of storage worked well enough but I needed to be able to properly tidy things up so took the decision to decant the collection into boxes of a uniform size. I duly ordered a pack of 20 boxes from Amazon and somewhat naively thought that would be enough….</div><div><br /></div><div>I have filled 19 of them - 9 British, 5 American and 5 German but the latter also have 2 box files and 8 Airfix series two boxes. The German collection is very ‘Eric’ in that the artillery component is prodigious along with an impressive amount of armour - no Tiger 1s or Panthers though which was a surprise. Mind you, the pair of Jagdtigers, a Sturmtiger and a trio of King Tigers made up for this shortfall. Did I mention the eleven 88mm guns?</div><div><br /></div><div>Now that I have decanted this lot it will be a whole lot easier for me to tidy the whole lot up into some kind of order for disposal but that will be for another day. I can now organise each box full in a far more leisurely fashion and without battling precariously balanced piles of odd sized boxes - rather like playing Jenga with odd shaped blocks. At least doing this has reduced the footprint of the collection in the man cave!</div><div><br /></div><div>On the building front I was able to get some more work in on the C.S.S. Tennessee. As you can see the main parts of the casemate are not in place and the angles will be filled with filler. The plan is to tackle the pilot house tomorrow along with the filling so by the middle of the week she should be finished bar the painting. My building technique struggles with angles so it was quite a relief that this went relatively smoothly - I am crossing my fingers when I say that!</div>David Crookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497436789811496047noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4472889370304077924.post-78529835300068668442024-01-12T12:01:00.000+00:002024-01-12T12:01:12.977+00:00More on the Great Game<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1YB7wvWhd7FGbTCPK81iMWgsh-mDhBm6hvM67bbFcp7LCsEusd7QesZ2HfsC2zDU0HMm-ZBx5PKSI6BQMP-nIxd068KcgdrTJ6Bda5NVi_CdUI0SU7_C12Y8OGIWrz7R1z_NkYSPV5RLm2l938uWUniPk-Mo6ReAWgUg6MbrNdLadXulG2rOIqoXbO1E/s3264/IMG_0025.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1YB7wvWhd7FGbTCPK81iMWgsh-mDhBm6hvM67bbFcp7LCsEusd7QesZ2HfsC2zDU0HMm-ZBx5PKSI6BQMP-nIxd068KcgdrTJ6Bda5NVi_CdUI0SU7_C12Y8OGIWrz7R1z_NkYSPV5RLm2l938uWUniPk-Mo6ReAWgUg6MbrNdLadXulG2rOIqoXbO1E/s320/IMG_0025.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>At last - back in the library! A secondhand hardback edition that set me back the princely sum of £7.45. What a bargain!</b></div><div><br /></div>My copy of Peter Hopkirk’s magisterial book: The Great Game - On Secret Service in High Asia arrived this morning and so I am ready to plunge in to Pax Pamir and its head spinning subtlety and nuance filled gameplay.<div><br /></div><div>The book is in pretty good condition with the dust jacket intact except for some slightly scuffed corners. It also has that ‘secondhand book from an indeterminate origin’ smell but nothing to be upset about.</div><div><br /></div><div>The high regard in which this book is held in is best summed up by the comment on the rear of the dust jacket by no less a personage than Patrick Leigh Fermor, the famous travel writer and kidnapper of German Generals.</div><div><br /></div><div>“The Great Game is absolutely marvellous, the best thing I’ve read for ages”.</div><div><br /></div><div>High praise indeed!</div>David Crookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497436789811496047noreply@blogger.com8