Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas and a happy new year!

Knights Templar in Basic Impetus 2

Now then,

I dont like to blow my own trumpet too much, im not the greatest of painters by any stretch but its always really nice when someone publishes a picture of your miniatures.

So Lorenzo Sartori, author of Impetvs, Baroque and now Basic Impetvs among others has just released the new rulebook.

A pic of some of my Crusaders are on page 37. Im very chuffed.

Basic Impetus

Cheers,
Steve

The American Civil War in 10mm

Now then,

After much discussion, and in true democratic fashion, taking it to the vote, our small group has decided the group project for 2017. It is to be the ACW in 10mm. No Particular battle has been decided on yet so everything will be generic initially.

The Plan is to put on a club demonstration game at the Battleground show in Stockton next year. The thorny subject of basing has seen lots of discussion, and we have (sort of)..almost agreed on 25mm x 20mm for the Infantry, so as close as possible to the Fire and Fury basing system as possible.

I have painted up my first 2 Regiments of Union troops, a little early I know, but there is nothing wrong with stealing a march on the Rebs!

My part in this grand plan is to collect a few brigades worth of troops for each side, so in addition to the more generic looking troops seen above, I plan on painting up some troops to represent the Irish brigade. Interesting because of their distinctive flag.

Im looking forward to really getting into the period in the new year, and am currently reading as much as I can, and watching plenty of documentary's as well.

Anyway,

Cheers for looking,
Steve

PBI WW2 game.

Now then,

I have just met up with mate Al, who kindly put on a game of Poor Bloody Infantry in his cool gaming shed. I have never played PBI before, so wasnt sure what to expect, I was pleasantly surprised.

The game plays really smoothly,(although we missed a few bits out by mistake). For those who havent a clue what im on about, PBI is a ww2 game from Peter Pig, LINK it uses a grid system, so there is no measuring, its pretty simple (a good thing) and plays really well. There is an interesting pre game system, but we didnt go into that part too much, as we just wanted to crack on with the game.

Anyway, I was the 8th army, and Al took control of the Afrika Korps.

Terrain set up, notice the dots for the grid, areas where there are squares of carpet tile are "closed" terrain, other areas are "open" terrain, but some have partial cover, ie the ones with walls etc in them.

The Brits set up, 2 rifle platoons, and an HMG platoon on the right.

 The Brits have an early success, detroying a Pz IV with sticky bombs!

The outskirts of the small town are captured, but the DAK forces are bringing up some much needed reinforcements for a counter attack.













 The Brits meanwhile manage to get 2 of their Shermans into the fight. The remaining PzIV was to end up in flames shortly after!

Results of the DAK counter attack on the buildings, lots of British casualties...

The game ended with the British forces in possession of 2 of the 3 objectives, so it was a win for me! A fun game, made better by the grid, no measuring and messing about, the terrain rules are so much easier to remember. 

Thanks for the game Al.

I want a wood burner in my gaming shed!

Steve.

An update!

Now then,

Its been a while since i updated my blog, however I have been very busy painting and gaming!

So whats new?

WW2

I have finished off my first 1000 points for my late war German list for Flames of War.

Here is a few pics of what ive been doing.

 This was my first game of FOW for years, German Grenadiers vs the 51st highland division in Normandy 1944.

I think the Brits won quite convincingly!

More terrain needed to hide behind!

Also for my WW2 FOW stuff I went back to the mid war period in Russia and added a lorried Pz Grenadier platoon for my SS forces.

And for another option I have added an armoured car patrol, with a 223 command variant and 2x 222's.

Lion Rampant in 15mm

I have started a new (very small) project, the wars of the roses in 15mm for the skirmish game lion Rampant, nice and quick and only costing a few quid.

Here's what ive got done so far -

Viscount Lovell and his band of retainers.

Miniatures are peter Pig

 Lord Dacre of the South, and his retainers.

To the Strongest

I have been playing to the strongest a fair bit as well, its such a fun, easy game to play. No brain ache.. Which can only be good!

Heres a few dodgy pics of my last game using 6mm WOTR, on a small gaming board. It worked really well, however I must replace all the little beads with proper ammo markers and victory medals/coins etc....

Anyway, thats about it for now, Ill try a bit harder to keep the blog updated in future...

Cheers,
Steve

The Old Guard Wargames Club

Afternoon all,

Last year I was lucky enough to get involved in some games with a bunch of gamers in the North Yorkshire area. Since then we have had regular Sunday games, and the odd game on an evening as well.

Word of our little group has spread about a wee bit, and there were a few others wanting to get involved. So, with a limit on how many could be hosted at one of our homes, we decided to try starting a small club.

Image from the Iron mitten blog-Click Here!

The old guard wargames club is based in Tunstall village hall near Catterick. After trying out a few Friday evenings as games night, it has been decided that Fridays really should be pub night, so we have gone for Sunday afternoons instead.

At the moment we are planning to meet up every fortnight, 13.00 until 17.00.

Here is a link to a thread about the club on the lead adventure forum - LINK
And here is a link to the clubs activities on the Pendraken forum - LINK
Here is another link, to the Steve Dean Forum, (Thanks Roy). LINK

Want to get involved, get in touch... or just leave me a comment!

Cheers
Steve

Late War German Grenadiers FOW

Now then,

I thought Id post an update on the FOW madness that seems to have gripped me. I have sorted out the start of a Late war Grenadier list, there is obviously some way to go with this little project and it will no doubt be delayed because of the Soviet hordes I have waiting in the wings....

Anyway, here's what I have so far -

First up is the Company headquarters, The Company commander and his second in command both have panzer fausts, and with an attached Panzerschrek team they should be able to look after themselves.

 Next is my first Grenadier platoon, standard 3 squads and commander, with Panzerfaust.

Ive tried to give these guys a battle worn look, with mismatched uniforms etc.

Here is my small MG 42 Platoon, only 1 squad, but I may add more later. The command team has a panzerfaust as well, I expect to face plenty of Allied armour, so a good investment I think.

Thanks for looking!
Steve

Waffen SS Eastern front 1943 (A return to Flames of War)

Now then,

Last year I got hold of the new (not new anymore...im behind the times it seems) Flames of war V3 rules. I started reading them yesterday.

Much seems to be the same, although it would seem that bits and pieces have been clarified and streamlined somewhat. I wont give any kind of review as im not familiar enough with the rules yet. Suffice to say im liking what im reading so far.

I have decided, after speaking to my brother that it would be the way forward to sort out my (fairly extensive and generally unorganised) 15mm WW2 collection.

WAFFEN SS GEPANZERTE PANZERGRENADIER COMPANY 1943

 The Company Headquarters.

For the armoured Pz Grenadier units all the fighting troops are mounted in Sdkfz 251/c halftracks

I have the Company commander and the company 2nd in command along with the optional anti tank rifle team.

The list allows you to swap out the anti tank rifle team for a sPzB41 anti tank rifle, which is mounted on a small gun carriage.

I like to have all the options if I can, but im short a halftrack to mount them in at the moment so they are either hitching a ride with boss or they are jumping in a spare truck! Ill get them their own (proper) transport soon enough.

Combat Platoons

Platoon Commander

Here is the first Pz Grenadier platoon. It has 3 squads and a platoon commander, all mounted in halftracks.

The Platoon commanders vehicle is a Sdkfz 251/10, which mounts a 3.7mm AT gun in place of the normal MG34.

Squad 1 ( I must swap that bent antenna!)

Squad 2

Squad 3

Platoon Commander

 Here is Pz Grenadier platoon 2. Identical to 1 platoon.

I have tried to break up the monotony of the halftracks by adding air recognition flags (made out of green stuff) and ive added stowage here and there as well.

 Squad 1

 Squad 2

 Squad 3

Platoon Commander

 Gepanzarte Heavy platoon

This is the single largest platoon in the company, it contains all the organic support elements.

 Mortar section 2 x Sdkfz 251/2c 8cm mortar carriers and an observer team in a kubelwagon

 Gun Section 2 x Sdkfz 251/9c 7.5cm halftracks

 2 x Machine gun sections. Armed with tripod mounted MG34's

Support Options

Weapons Platoons

 PAK 38 AT platoon

Here is a bit of support for the troops, 2 x 50mm Pak 38's with their prime movers and a command team.

 Light Anti Aircraft platoon

These are Sdkfz 10/5 2cm AA guns.

Customised a bit with bits of stowage and air recognition flags etc.

Divisional Support

 Assault Gun Platoon

2 x Stug IIIG, armed with 7.5cm stuK40 gun.

Tank Hunter Platoon

3 x Marder IIIM

Armed with a 7.5cm Pak 40 AT gun.

I have again tried to customise each model with stowage and ammo etc.

Thats them all for now, although I do have more painted, ill save them for a future post. I painted this army in 2006, and im surprised it hasnt been damaged with all the house moves ive had!

On the painting table now I have a lorried Panzergrenadier platoon, I think the company could do with some more infantry to move up after the halftracks and hold onto any ground they capture.

Here a link to my Eastern front page - LINK

Anyway, thanks for looking,
Steve