Tag: 1/72 metals

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Mythical Realms new additions wargame shows wargaming

You win some you lose some

I made it to the Other Partizan, so thats three trips to Newark in 2022 (hammerhead, partizan and the other partizan). I missed Fiasco in Leeds last week owing to calendar congestion – real life intervened. Fiasco has been one of my most regular show trips.

Hopefully I will make it to Recon at Pudsey in December.

I find all these shows different and maybe most people give Recon only a nod. It is a really great show – ok so the foot fall will be a lot less – but remember quantity does not always equate to quality.

Recon not only has good carparking on site, its also just 5 minutes from the national rail network – strikes permitting. It has all the facilities you need under one roof with more eateries nearby in town. The show itself is well laid out and has a variety of traders and gamers and a well run bring and buy.

I found another gamer had reported their visit to Fiasco, The Balkan Wargamer. I follow them as they often write interesting book reviews with a good mix of posts about figures and gaming. Well balanced and thought out.

Mixed views and yes the current location is not naturally lit. Mind you I was sunshine dazzled at Partizan.

You win some you lose some!

I plan to return next year.

As a kind of subsitute for missing Fiasco I indulged the High Street buying two wargame magazines in one go! Talk about pushing the boat out – you don’t get change from a tenner anymore.

I reckon magazine prices track a different cost inflation curve to wargames figures anyway and probably always have.

Three national magazines were sold at the WHSmith store – where I bought mine. I took Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy (WSS) plus Wargames Illustrated (WI). Miniature Wargames (MW) was the third option.

I tend to buy WSS and occasionally buy certain themed WI. I rarely buy MW now, I enjoyed Battlegames so did follow it into MW. Even when most of that DNA was gone I found their Table Top Gaming angles of interest. Ultimately MW does not offer me more than either WSS or WI. So thats that I guess.

You win some you lose some!

Like the Times Illustrated* WI is the king of the image. And I do think if you value the printed word alongside relevant images then WSS is the best of the bunch. Of course they are all up against the behemoth of “online” so have to push large amounts of advertising. Anyone who can reflect on Wargames history knows that magazines were always loaded with adverts – it was and is a frail business model and buyers want that info anyway – even today when all that info is available free, in tons of gigabits. That data mountain is a problem and just maybe one reason why magazines still offer value as a “data consolidator”.

What did I get for my money?

WSS offered up a Dark Age Britain and Arthur theme and profiled the second edition of Dan Mersey’s Lion Rampant. Plus you get a lot of regular features including quite a few opinion pieces.

I thought it might restart some interest in previous adventures (Dux Brittaniarum, Shieldwalls) – I am not sure though.

WI majored on Twisted History which is apparently the new name for fictious historical wargaming or imaginations wargaming even. To cover every genre and time period, perhaps Twisted History might catch on as it has no baggage or rather has not already been claimed.

I quite like the idea of a generic term for taking history and twisting it. – except that is what historians do any way, don’t they? ok many are trying to untwist twisted history. Crikey I am confused now.

One reference point is Richard III (recently even the subject of a film without a single battle scene). Despite the discovery of his body and the dismissal of many myths created by the Tudors (history goes to the victors of course) you can still consume lots of now baseless Tudor tradition.

Ever Twisting Twisted History………maybe it will catch on.

And into the bargain of not attending a show I did some kit bashing and figure mods. These tell you that 19th century gaming is still on my mind.

A lucky buy on the high street………..
Irregular Miniatures WW1 Austrians went under the knife…………

*The Post title image is from a Times Illustrated large format publication about the British Royal Family. WI is simply continuing a great tradition of image!

Britain and Russia at war – in the Crimea………….

Here is another .

The transition from Sail to Steam in three images…………

Categories
1/72 scale figures metal miniatures new additions wargame shows wargaming

Vapnartak 2022 Aquisitions

I do not normally post about what I buy to indulge my hobby. However this occasion fits nicely.

Apart from recognising that for the first time since 2019 I attended this show, one I have rarely missed, it solved a problem.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

What do you do when your sidetrack project becomes a Cuckoo in the nest. You buy another nest, metaphorically speaking, and stick it in it. I had attempted to paint and kitbash my way through the sidetrack project Fauxterre 1930, while progressing my main project of 2021 – Wars of Italian Unification 1848/1859 (in themselves ever more complicated but still fascinating).

So, having gone round the show in quick time I felt there was little to tempt me or solve my current project woes. “Or so I thought”.

Early War Miniatures was one of many (but not all) bigger traders busy selling at VAP22. With no bring and buy or competitions, plus only a select few demo/participation games, it was easy to get around but also the smaller sellers were not too diminished as they were spread across all 4 floors.

At Early War Miniatures I encountered a sell off of some completed figures. And they were exactly what I wanted for my Fauxterre 1930 project. Although I had opted for US and Russian forces – original plan – I had drifted into the interwar period and French forces had loomed into sight complete with Char B tanks, Renault’s and various quirky looking vehicles.

Net result was I came away with a prize and of course my wallet much lighter.

The effect was that a mini deluge in buying followed. There is a lesson in there somewhere.

Photo by Ron Lach on Pexels.com

The figures come next followed by the rest of my purchases with some kit armour and finished EWM tanks to finish.

French WW2 infantry from Early War Miniatures – 4 x 12 man rifle units plus HQ + Heavy Weapons
The complete set of French WW2 figures – it was the fact that it was a useable set that caught my eye – all ready to go.

The rest of my buys were somewhat “erratic” of course……….

impulse buys at Pendraken
My Great Northern Wars “Era” project remains unrealised. I seem to find Italy ever more interesting across all periods.
tufts for basing my italian wars of unification project (1848/1859) – for when I get some figures painted again!
Pendraken again – small dice are simply too enticing – should be banned.
I like AC’s!
This Renault Truck I nearly bought in injection kit form from Hannants – but at a higher price!
tankettes are the way forward!
Some interesting armour and vehicles for Fauxterre 1930
From EWM, my slow build of a Russian WW2 force now includes some decals – very slow it would seem
As part of a show discount Early War Miniatures included these miscasts for free. They are intact enough to become part of the Fauxterre 1930 war effort.

So a big thank you to Early War Miniatures who fixed a growing problem. Pendraken as ever met my needs for all sorts of extras while Helion Books invariably come up with attractive titles to feed my reading. Great Escape Games provided the tufts and some humour.

The large ground floor flowed freely as the demo and participation tables were absent this year.
Plenty of the smaller traders were located on the higher levels

Last of all for those who stuck the journey………..

3 M11/39 Italian tanks from Early War Miniatures

Thats all folks – just maybe for patient “John the Varnish” the next post should be about Wars of the Italian Unification although Fauxterre 1930 is still squawking away!

Categories
metal miniatures wargaming world war two

Gifted

John at “just add varnish” blog was having a clear out and thought I might like some between the wars armour. That is ww1 to ww2 so 1920/30’s era.

Thank you John. These were most welcome and have allowed me to dabble in some tank or tankette gaming while I paint up my infantry.

So here they are. A wopping 15 items! Generous John or what.

three columns plus a kit

The John@justaddvarnish inventory

First Column

  • French AMR33 or AMR35 reconnaissance tank by Early War Miniatures
  • French Renault NC27 by Shapeways
  • 2 x Soviet FT17 – based on Hat kit
  • Italian L6/40 by Frontline Wargaming

Second Column

  • Mexican Revolution armoured truck by Shellhole Scenics
  • Vickers Light Dragon gun tractor maybe by Early War Miniatures
  • Laffly W15T gun tractor Paint & Glue Miniatures
  • 1930’s sedan by Frontline Wargaming

Third Column

  • Morris C8 gun tractor ex Matchbox
  • 6 wheeled Crossley armoured car by FRontline Wargaming
  • 4 wheeled Marmon Herrington armoured car may be by Wespe Models
  • Japanese type 95 Kurogane Scout Car unknown manufacture
  • Austin Putilov armoured car (in kit form)

Here are some of them in close up. They show the excellent artwork by John@justaddvarnish

Two fantastic armoured cars – Marmon Herrington to front and Crossley to rear
A pair of Soviet style FT17’s
These types of armour typify the 1920-30 period between the two world wars. Just what I need for Fauxterre 1930.

Thanks John these will definitely be appearing again in my “between the wars” games I have entitled Fauxterre 1930 and Fauxterre 1930+.

Categories
garibaldi wargaming metal miniatures miniatures painting Vienna Treaty Wars wargaming

The Painting Pedestal: 1848 French at Rome

I found these excellent metal figures at Irregular Miniatures (a prolific UK figure manufacturer).

These are from their 20mm range for Garibaldi Wars.

I based them high so they would work alongside my 20-25mm 1/72 figures.

You can easily get French post Crimea as that uniform pretty much ran until 1914.

I use Field of Battle Piquet basing of 4 bases per battalion. This also neatly matches Neil Thomas rules for the 19th century european wars. I also like to have the officers separate so they can gross up to show brigade commands. Piquet also allows strong and weak battalions, 3-5 bases is possible. Neil Thomas does not like command explicitly on show, so there are no issues there.

The reality is that between 1815 and 1854 the French had uniform changes like so many cups of tea – sorry that should be coffee of course.

The Funcken shown is an excellent book that shows the colourful story of French fashions from shako to kepi and breeches to pantaloons!

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1/72 scale figures 20/25/28mm figures anglo saxons basing Carolingians lance and longbow society life metal miniatures Mid 19th Century Wargaming natural world normans in the south wargame rules wargaming

That was 2020!

Well we are at the end of a year that will become notorious.

A year when humanity staggered from the blows of a simple virus. It is perhaps a reminder that nature always has the upper hand no matter how sophisticated our societies have become.

I guess there are plenty of historical parallels to this type of massive societal correction. Not in the same vein but I read recently about how the particularly bad 9th century weather or should I say mini climate change dealt the Carolingians numerous bad harvests damaging their always vunerable Empire. Except even if it were decisive, the roaring vikings is a much more exciting concept of Empire destruction.

Yet right now the Dark Ages have become just that – the Dark Ages as in a box with a lid on it! Right now it is the 19th Century that dominates Wargames in the mind of Norber the Wargaming Erratic.

Before we go and embark on another year there is just enough time to reflect on the fact that 2020 has proven to be rather a good year for my wargaming.

The year got going with a trip to Vapnartak, notable for the fact that it proved to be my one and only show of 2020.

Lithuanian Knights gather to charge the Teutons – figures by WillWarWeb I believe

Playing (LIVE) the Lance and Longbow Society game of Tannenberg 1410 made it all the more important as it turned out. It was my last face to face gaming of 2020.

I was into Carolingians at the time of Vapnartak.

The scary plastic soldier review horses of Carolingia!

so which soldiers marched across my painting table in 2020?

well in 2018 I had managed zero painting while in 2019 I painted and based 32 “normans in the south infantry” and 11 “normans in the south” archers.

in 2020 I managed

  • 12 Carolingians including the man himself – comprising the much maligned (by plastic soldier review) horses which actually give my bases some nice dynamics – in my humble view
  • 10 Anglo Norman archers
  • 24 Normans in the South (NITS – I can’t resist an abbreviation) Cavalry
  • 21 Ottonian foot which look very much like anglo danes or could pass for NITS foot soldiers
  • 43 Anglo Danes were my biggest effort
A fine array of some Anglo Saxons, Anglo Danes and Ottonians
  • I finished the year with 4 slavs posing as Picts in my “to be” great army of Danes, Scots, Northumbrians and Norsemen which would fight Athelstan again at Brunanburh

And then the proverbial wheels came off the Dark Ages cart.

Right now the painting table has plastic Union Infantry posing as Piedmont Line Infantry along with some venerable Warrior Miniatures French Dragoons posing as – well French Dragoons. And they are metal!!!

Piedmontese in frock coats – shame about the squished stove pipe hats

I must say I had a good year with basing – finally getting a look for my mediterranean NITS – ok Normans in the South project.

Vikings aka Ottonians aka Anglo Danes aka NITS – the beauty of dark ages

In fact I have decided it will work for pretty much everything dark ages.

On the gaming front I started solo gaming with an unexpected purchase. Neil Shuck had recommended War & Conquest shortly before jumping ship with another ancients ruleset.

One of the many offspring writers/thinkers that Games Workshop brought to our wargames world.
Sea peoples and desert tribes close in on Libyian bowmen

I gave it a go with my bronze age one hour wargame figures based using my hybrid impetus basing of 80mm x 60mm for 1/72 plastics. Ever awkward – probably just as well I don’t need to satisfy a live opponent. I rather liked the feel of the rules even though the play through was so limited.

And then with Covid19 lock down in full swing and some fine weather I had other distractions including lots of gardening .

I really like simple flowers with a few petals
The colours are just fantastic

INTERMISSION

Intermission even surprised me – that was not in the plan

INTERMISSION

And of course there is always some track laying to do……………..

Eventually the dark ages gaming started in late August with numerous shieldwall rule tests – I did really enjoy them all. The biggest surprise was playing gridded wargames using Mike Smith’s Table Top Battles.

My lst shieldwall battle took place in late October and many games and rulesets later was swiftly followed by a thoroughly enjoyable game of Dux Britanniarum by Too Fat Lardies.

My vintage Garrison Vikings got a run out.

I fleshed out some campaign plans as per the rules advice and then…………nothing. I was just starting some Pictish Warriors when I read the wrong article.

On the way the renaissance troll introduced me to Faux Napoleonics for fantasy – here is my own 1970’s era Faux Fantasy Orc veering towards napoleonics?

Next minute it is baggy pants Zoaves, Spikey helms and far too much rifling. OK so it is still rather pedestrian Piedmontese – these proto Italians are quite conservative chaps – very un Napoleonic.

Will they really look like Piedmontese or just Union men on the wrong continent?

And since then two battles have been fought – one with Practical Wargaming by Charles Wesencraft and the other using 19th Century Wargames by Neil Thomas.

Whats in the container? – rescued from a dim corner of the erratic’s tardis store………
Warrior Miniatures – yes they are metal and yes the brown paint was administered back around 1975!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thats a long time on the paint table – 45 years ish. But probably not a record.

And so I wish you all a graceful end to the year 2020 and hope that 2021 brings you all that you hope for.

Categories
1/72 scale figures lance and longbow society wargame shows wargaming

Recon-structing Recon

“Recon” in New Pudsey is run by the Wakefield & District wargamers and usually happens today – the first Saturday in December.

It is not the largest show on the circuit yet it has become a regular visit for me. There is always a decent selection of traders and a variety of games.

Pudsey Civic Hall is a relaxed venue with sufficient refreshments and plenty of seating plus parking (I travel by car) on site.

I have dropped by the Lance and Longbow Society (LLBS) stand for the last two years. I think they did the battle of Lewes in 2018 and last year they did the battle of Clifton Moor 1475. Its a participation game I always join in. The team are always very welcoming and really are there to throw the dice and get some pieces moving with any interested visitor.

snapshot of LLBS Clifton Moor battle thanks to storm of steel wargaming

I have no other photos except the headline one which shows tumbling dice 1/72 metallic command sets. I like the Saxon and Norman ones in particular.

ok a poor photo but you get the idea – these are nicely crafted 1/72 metals

On youtube “storm of steel wargaming” have posted a short video of the 2019 event. so you could do a quick “recon of recon” using it.

Storm of steel posted a 6 minute mini tour of Recon 2019

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umgtgfri9VE

Here is hoping that in 2021 I will be able to visit this show again, assuming the Wakefield Gamers have the wherewithal to do it. I certainly hope so.