Something Old, Something New and Something Blue and Green (Mostly!)…..

Something New - I can safely say that I have never owned a board game with only five unit counters - until now that is!

Designed as an introductory level training tool - solo and two player - the premise is that the blue platoon has to take the hill. Over open ground. It is fiendishly challenging, fast playing and a lot of fun.

Last Wednesday afternoon I headed to London for meet up with the esteemed David Manley for dinner, beers and discussions about all manner of stuff along with gaming. As ever, it was a terrific evening and I came away full of ideas and Naga Chilli Chicken! We exchanged a few items with some books heading his way and the rather intriguing game you see above heading my way.

The conversation covered many topics and for me the biggest takeaway is that Mr Manley, has been graced with god-given patience as he answered my numerous questions and partially formed observations with tact, diplomacy and insight. I consider myself to be both fortunate and privileged to be counted as a friend. It was a really pleasant evening which has cemented a couple of ideas I have been juggling around with as well as being a much needed mojo boost.

Many thanks Mr Manley and for sure we will meet up again before the turn of the year.

Something Old - “Row well and live number 41!” A game that had its origins in 1971 and was originally designed by Ed Smith. This is the Avalon Hill version which was essentially that published by Battleline and rebadged.

I had been after a copy of the above for ages but the prices it was going for were a little on the high side. This copy was partially punched and had some age related wear on the box but was competitively priced at £20. It has two rules sets therein - a fleet based set and a ‘ship’ set - with the more complex ‘ship’ variant requiring a detailed log sheet and written orders - how very 1980s! It forms a nice counterpoint to the copy of Wargalley I own which is far more, dare I say it? Modern, in its game mechanics. As an aside I took the time out to punch out the remaining counters and had forgotten just how tedious trimming 1980 vintage Avalon Hill counters could be! It is done now and everything is safely in the appropriate grip top polythene bag.

Sometime ago, arguably in a galaxy far, far away, a mutual arrangement was made between myself and that all round good guy and painter extraordinaire Lee Gramson of A Figure Painting Therapy Project blog fame whereby in exchange for a copy of the ACW board game Battle Cry he agreed to paint around 60 odd plastic vintage GW Space Hulk and Advanced Space Crusade figures. Well, they have arrived and boy oh boy are they GOOD! Lee has done an outstanding job with these and all I now need to do is to add the transfers and they are “Ready to get it on!” 

Lee liaised closely with me during the painting process and was really helpful with colour suggestions etc. Full details of his commission service are available on his blog but be warned - he is pretty tied up for a few months!

Take a look at these bad boys - complete with a few of my Terminator conversions.

Terminators. The bae game of Space Hulk contained 10 of these, basically the figures in the back row. Three have the original flamer attachment and I have converted two to carry assault cannons, two with chain fists (these are sergeants) and a captain with a power sword. There are also a pair of Librarians - the figures armed with power axes. Librarians and assault cannons appeared in the Death Wing expansion.

Genestealers aka aliens. The base game of Space Hulk contained 20 of these but there are 24 above.

Advanced Space Crusade Tyrannids - three armed with bone swords and three with ‘death spitter’ bio cannons. There were 6 of these in the game.

Fifteen scout marines in squads of five, each with a sergeant, a bolt cannon and three troopers. Each squad has hair highlighted with the squad colour - red, yellow or green.

The plan is now to add the transfers to the models and to tidy a few things up - absolutely minor stuff, a few base dings etc - and they will then be ready to rock and roll. In truth they are good to go as is but I want to get the transfers on to finish them off.

Lee has done a fantastic job on these and I can’t wait to get them in action - the Portable Space Hulk Wargame anyone?

Hmmm…. ;-)