I was back at Recon in Pudsey for what is the year end show for me.
First a massive hats off to the Pit Gaming Shop who stepped in after last years event proved to be the last that Wakefield Gamers were able to host. https://thepitgamingshop.co.uk/
I like Recon – it is a good regional show and has that blend of traders, games to see, games to play and a bring and buy. The venue – Pudsey Civic Hall is equipped for such events so you get a nice bar and seating area and plenty of space to circulate.
Wintry but bright and sunny – the civic hall has good lighting unlike Fiasco venue in Leeds
I was late arriving this year and then played a game straight away, then discovered the bring and buy had been huge but also plundered very very quickly.
The Ottoman Turks defend a hill against impetuous Crusaders
I played two games at the Lance and Longbow Society participation table. First up I took the Crusader Centre for a Nicopolis 1396 era encounter. I quickly advanced and was promptly decimated by the defending turks led by Bob.
The crusader centre looked suitably heavy
In the second game I took a flank of the turkish army and got badly beaten up by the crusaders led by Andy.
Second game flank force – mainly bow although they did okSecond games ends abruptly when the Porte is killed! on first contact! The dreaded dice throw check for leaders in melees…….
Rules were home adapted Lion Rampant and they are fun to play.
The first floor this year contained the very much enlarged bring and buy plus a HOTT competition.
In the main hall were the traders and games. Pit Gaming were located on the large stage – but I failed to snap their offering!
1941 – Mussolini launches his Greek adventure
Attack on Height 518 from the 1941 Italian invasion of Greece caught my eye. Ironically they were using Rapid Fire Rules which I had recently started to look at – I had got a free copy of the “reloaded” booklet somewhere last year and became interested in the original ruleset. Then I passed up a secondhand copy at battleground https://wordpress.com/post/thewargamingerratic.home.blog/7155
Anyway the guy hosting gave me a lot of his time to chat about the game which I appreciated, and is one of the benefits of a demonstration game – although this was actually a game being fought by him and two other gamers. So hats off to him.
tankettes are a feature of early war combat as well as towed artillery/anti tank guns. scale was 1/72.
Hill 518 was a few metres lower after this battle simply because the Italians deluged the location with so much bombardment – neatly illustrated in the game by the shellholes and destroyed trees
Immaculate model aircraft – 1/72 does give you unlimited airpower of course
Blotz is a trader, they had some very interesting buildings on show. I liked their offerings.
Actual Size Miniatures had some interesting boats and just in the distance an impressive range of 28mm mid 19th century guns
This Sci Fi dropship I also liked along with a nicely detailed RPG gaming set up for a control centre building
Another Sci Fi game attracted me. This time the precise and colourful hexes drew you in.
What a pirate also looked engaging.
What a tanker in 15mm? was on offer
In 15mm? again were two Napoleonic games by Central London Wargames Club.
Undaunted – another grid game looked intriguing
Blucher Rules in 6mm was being fought on stage!
Archduke John and eugene peruse their options from the erie ………
All in all I had a very enjoyable day.
Once again thanks to Pit Gaming, I hope Recon is back in 2024.
Stockton on Tees and nearby Thornaby played host to a very friendly and inviting show I had never previously attended.
Located in a Sports Hall on the University site I was a bit late arriving so only just got a parking space in the adjacent carpark, although in fact there is plenty of parking around the site generally. The Railway Station at Thornaby is 800 yards away plus there are bus services to be had according to the well detailed Pendraken Show website. It even has pictures of the road junctions you will encounter on the way in.
And I have not even talked about the event itself!
I found the venue bright (something I struggle with at the Fiasco black hole in Leeds). There was less catering than many shows but enough – coffee/tea and snacks plus an outdoor food wagon. With a big shopping centre nearby you were not going to starve.
But it was the wargaming we had all come for in terms of food for the brain.
This is not a big show in the sense of a Salute or a Newark. However it has some particular aspects which make it a rich experience. Quite a few reenactors, living history groups were dotted across the show – I guess the point here being a lot more than you might normally see.
Then there were two talks in a dedicated room – one about the spanish civil war and one about anglo-scottish border warfare. I failed to get to either simply because there was so much I wanted to see elsewhere in the show.
The Sponsor is Pendraken and entry was not only free, you also got entry into a prize draw – some 20 odd prizes being offered.
So what about the show – traders, games etc.?
In that respect you would be right to say it has the same sort of mix as many other shows.
Here are some selected photos
The Schlieswig Holstein War (the first one!) Demonstration caught my eye and I will post again about that encounter.This RPG horror in Venice had some impressive paper buildingsThe theme of paper was to the fore with these “flats” – a massive Spanish Succession WargamePaper Buildings plus some humour all made for an engaging demonstrationNaval interests were also to the fore with this galley action being hard to missAnd this medieval naval battle was equally vibrant and a participation game into the bargain of which there were I guess 50% at the showNo daylight but a well lit arena and the viewing area allowed people to easily sit out for a while The usual traders plus some local and regional companies were present. Irregular Miniatures have a stand which itself is veteran class yet I still love to examine figures in the flesh like these 20mm metals which have character. Sorry despite the infinite ranges of newly printed 3D they seem to be too accurate for my liking when compared to say Irregular’s metal sculptures.Irregular do lots of basic ranges in lots of scales complete with guns and wagons. Late on I found this participation game I had missed several timesI have only ever dipped a toe in the 6mm water below 15mm scale but these League of Augsburg 10mm figures were quite enticingThe show was celebrating 10 years in its various formsNeedless to say no564 did not win any prizes
All in all a very enjoyable day out (that was prize enough) and a show that will be on my list for 2024.
Next week if all goes ok I plan to go to Recon 2023.
I did not go to Battleground with a shopping list and as it happens none of my usual interests drew my wallet out. However I did pick this book up at the bring and buy – yep I don’t do desert war in any scale!
These figures are by Warrior Miniatures and John@just needs varnish https://justneedsvarnish.wordpress.com/ prompted me to dig them out. They date from the mid 1970’s and they are one of a kind because I had already switched my interests to WRG Ancients plus D&D and then left the hobby altogether for a couple of decades.
I kept some of my old collection including these fine chaps. They had the weight (heft) and style I have always liked. Probably more so as 28mm ranges tend to be well overfed.
During lockdown I even managed to paint some of my Warrior figures!
It’s not often you get a major historical movie these days and even less by a mainstream producer. So Ridley Scotts “Napoleon” is a good excuse to get some figures on the pedestal.
First up is the man himself – Napoleon – as imagined back in the early 1970’s by Miniature Figurines (the Warlord of their day).
Next up is one of a kind for me…..
*the painting of the same name by edouard detaille hangs in the New South Wales art gallery showing the charge of the 4th hussars at Friedland 1807.
I had previously encountered Bob’s grid rules in the History of Wargaming publication of Joe Morschausers early 1960’s book on wargames. Although a contemporary of Donald Featherstone, Joe’s rules better resonate with 21st century rulesets in my view.
This purchase collided with my stop-start diversion into “pound store warriors” and ultimately a bit of sci fi gaming. Man of Tin had been instrumental in starting me to look at these figures that did not even look like green army men. It is a measure of my lack of progress (the figures arrived during lockdown……) that my recent first game only fielded half a “sci-fi” set up. Some WW2 Russians and Americans filled in as opponents and neatly delivered the unexpected scenario and indeed a back story into the bargain.
Captain Parker of the US 21st Army held the edge of Exetown along the river Exe. In the town were the Russian 33rd Army forces led by Senior Lieutenant Yashin.
The front such that it was involved nothing so much as a watching brief. There had been “no action” when the two forces had closed up to each other – just looking and with even the odd conversation exchanged across the river.
When the Russians were surprised by the Aliens in Exetown all that changed, Yashins troops just ran hell for leather at the Americans who fortunately hesitated to fire long enough to spot the new enemy beyond. Somehow the Americans could sense that the Russians were not trying on a surprise attack – they were genuinely running for their lives.
So the scenario made itself – The renewed Allies have to fight off the Aliens and at least hold the river line. The Aliens have to drive the humanoids off the table.
Rules
Rules used were The Portable Wargame by Bob Cordery. I used the solo option.
Only rule change of note was to assign the “alien blasters” 5 dice per firing round. So they were like super heavy machine guns in effect. But they had only a grid range of 2 instead of 3.
I also permitted some unit size differences. The Aliens had fewer units but 4 or more figures per unit. The Allies were basically 3 man units.
In the event the Allies had a higher break point for exhaustion yet got there quicker as their units were destroyed more easily.
I had just played a game so had the table set up plus some figures that in turn fed the scenario and storyline. My grid was 8 long x 12 wide, using 6 inch (150mm) grids. Not very portable!
Opposing Forces
Allies (Exhaustion Point is at 6 units left)
American (First Lieutenant Osteen)
CO unit 3 figures
rifle squad 3 figures each
rifle squad
rifle squad
rifle squad
rifle squad
Russian (Senior Lieutenant Yashin)
CO unit 2 figures
Machine gun unit 2 figures
machine gun unit 2 figures
rifle squad
assault squad
rifle squad
Aliens (Exhaustion Point is at 3 units left)
Blue Troop (Colonel Blue)
Colonel Blue and Heavy Machine Gun 2 figures
Blaster unit A1 3 figures (one figure armed with what looks like a bazooka)
Blaster unit A2 3 figures (one figure armed with what looks like a bazooka)
Yellow Troop (Colonel Yellow)
Colonel Yellow unit
Attack unit A3
Attack unit A4
What happened?
First up – the Allies (US/Russian) threw high in the first 6 moves for “first to move”. The Aliens took heavier losses as they advanced, then at close range they began to wear down the Allies. Exhausted the Allies had to hold their line and so my scenario backstory kicked in and the allies retired rather than simply continuing to hold under the rules.
So a new ruleset, some abandoned figures and also a new grid surface** combined with a storyline from nowhere, resulted in an excellent game.
The game played out in 12 moves and took half a day as I left it quite a few times to do some real life activity! So I guess maybe it took about 1 hour to 1h30m to play the 12 turns including set up and take down. Remember I already had the table set and in fact the US/Russian troops were from that game.
I suspect that this sort of game is easily a one hour set up, play and put away operation.
Biggest impact for me was the ease of play and how it simply connected with my rather mad scenario. So very high on the Enjoyment scale.
Here are some episodes from the game.
The Russians race across the bridge towards the stunned AmericansAs First Lieutenant Osteen gathered his men Senior Lieutenant Yashin called his men in and sent a squad to the sawmill.Lieutenant Yashin finally gets a sighting on what appear to be different types of enemy foot soldiersA brisk firefight at the edge of town as the Russians retreat across the unfordable river Exe by the main bridgeThe enemy pursue the russian squad to the sawmillOn the right flank the US troops, in the morning sun, began to get a sighting of their opponentsagain what seemed to be a mixture of enemy troops in their bright uniforms loomed into view
The brightly uniformed enemy had been easy targets and the allies gained an early advantage decimating the orange unit that tried to reach the main bridge first – the remnants retreated to the hedged half timbered house where they stayed for the remainder of the battle
The defenders in the sawmill got a shock as the blue unit and orange units combined fire felled many russiansIn the centre the firefight was heating up with one Lieutenant Osteens squad falling victim to the accurate enemy fire. On his right the remaining russian machine gun team continued to stop any enemy advance on the bridge.As Yashin crossed over to the now threatened right flank a US squad took aim at the enemyin the open the allies were decimated – Petrov and Lefebvre fell hereThings were going from bad to worse on the right flankAnd now on the left flank the orange unit stormed over the foot bridgein the centre it was still a stand offYashin managed a counter attack on the right which drove back the blue blaster unit and weakened the orange unit.but the enemy responded in turn and Yashin fellOn the left flank the footbridge looked lost as the US defenders were being overrunbut a heroic effort by the left and centre threw the enemy back, they even silenced one of those dreaded “blasters”only for the enemy to attack again – the last allied squad moving up to the footbridge at that momentThe uneven contest at the footbridge was short and the allies lost and with it their left flank as well
With both flanks destroyed Osteen, Kachalin and the remnants of both Russian and US combat teams retreated from the field.
The Aliens move on the main bridge over the River Exe as Osteen prepares to retreat.
* – tacfos or “the aliens came from outer space!”
**- for this game I used one of my new grid sheets. I have been experimenting with different surfaces when it comes to grid games. Like most Board games, the grid surface is integral to the game. So I have not yet settled on the best grid surface for any one game. Given I have quite a few cloths and boards for my “measured” table top games this should come as no surprise.
The empty field – the trees wonder what will happen next?
In part 1 we encountered 1940’s action between Americans and Russians on some unknown wargames table………………..
Osteen and Yashin briefly discussed the situation….. “who the hell are those guys Yashin?” “Lieutenant Osteen your guess is as good as mine – they appeared from nowhere and started shooting”……..
Just then a bloompf – “what the………..Drabowsky report!” Luis Drabowsky scrambled across to his Lieutenant, right now he could not get used to rubbing shoulders with these Rushkies: OK so they had fought the common enemy but now it was 1946 and a deteriorating stand off existed between the former allies.
Meanwhile Senior Lieutenant Gregori Yashin rushed over to one of his squads led by Sergei Petrov. “What was that? that noise Petrov?” “Senior Lieutenant the enemy have some sort of energy weapon – there was muzzle flash and then an unusual airburst – our men were dazed but that is all…..” Yashin nodded then ordered Petrov to organise the right flank with his new american comrades.
“We will make good communists of you Johncheeses yet” laughed Junior Sergeant Eduard Kachalin – Sergeant Wes Lefebvre was about to respond when fire erupted all along the line, “Kachalin, it looks like we will have to delay our discussion!”. The two men scuttled off to organise their squads.
The fighting was quick and one sided, the renewed allies withdrew from the edge of town as their new common enemy forged towards them.
As Osteen withdrew in the centre he met Kachalin, one of the good english speakers amongst the Russians………”Hey Kachalin where is Yashin?”, ” Kachalin between gasps “Lieutenant, he fell, they got him,,,,, he stood no chance” – Osteen – “damn, damn these monsters……..”
Captain Parker repeated his statement again “yes sir we have been attacked by a superior enemy – we have retreated from sector 6, repeat we have retreated from sector 6…………the russians? the russians are with us sir………….I can explain sir, no sir they fought with us, sir, sir……..”. “Yes Lieutenant Osteen is one of my best men – solid and dependable………..yes sir I know this hard to take………….no this is not, I repeat not a russian trick………”
“Damn it Barnes where is that link to Osteen?” Sergeant Barnes groaned – “nothing sir, nought, zilch……”
The noise of guns and other weapons invaded Captain Frank Parker’s mind – then he realised they were for real.
“Roseborough call up the jeeps we are moving, Barnes radio we are pulling back to sector Y zone 3A”
Just then a massive noise erupted near Parker/Roseborough and Barnes.
They rose dazed but uninjured. Nearby others were not so lucky.
Later in sector Y zone 3A Parker listened …..”so you see sir its an ASF situation with probably a RIM aspect……….”, “cut the crap Kouffax – give it to me in words……” Kouffax took a deep breath and continued ” Well sir it looks like an ASFI, I mean an Any Scale Figure incursion and involves Rogue Injection Moulded forces…..” meaning what exactly?” – Parker being now completed exhausted by the whole mess. Joe Kouffax took another breath, “well sir we have contacted OTO…” stop stop! “what/who is OTO” – Parker was exasperated. “well sir he is the One to One scale operator, we think there has been a WTMU, I mean a wargames table mix up”. Parker was lost for words as the line went dead………..
Barnes was incredulous “so Sir we were fighting the wrong forces? they were in the wrong place – sorta like a time travel event? and this OTO guy, he sorted it all out……….”
Parker gazed at the sky “…….Barnes……….yes, yes for gods sake if you like………anyway it is all SNAFU”. “Barnes get me Osteen on the line I want to know he got those new Russian friends off his back, that they are on their side of the line….”
With the Painting Pedestal hiatus showing no sign of being over its back to some promised 19th century troops for some light relief.
Here are some new figures I painted up to be part of my German Confederation force of 1848/49. They represent the Lippe contingent. I used Hat ww1 infantry and just tried a paint job alteration – clearly the short rifle is an obvious period error while the pickelhaube is the later squashed variety.
my standard 40mm square bases of 3 figures arranged for a Piquet Field of Battle Battalion
I am quite pleased with the paint job especially how the pickelhaube does not appear so squashed when highlighted with the brass finish spike and reinforcing strips.
I have gone for a grass finish on these bases – I used a fine sawdust brand – Javis I think?Bases still get the games workshop pva/birdgrit solution and then 3 layer brown, ochre and yellow/white paint job.I like the poses although again the revolver armed officer is a bit premature for 1848/49 period.The confederation carried tricolour rosettes which i have enlarged so they can be seen and I have just painted over the jack boot which is never shown at this time. Again at wargame distance you don’t really notice.Alongside my Parma infantry of 1851 the helmet shape is noticeable. Yet again at wargame distance its all fine.The Pickelhaube was quite the fashion mid century – Russians and of course the British all followed the Prussian style just like the Duchy of Parma.All I need now is a whole rake of these from the different states……………..
Right now Hat seem to have ceased/reduced production and whether these figures will reappear is anyones guess
Next on the Painting Pedestal statistically should be more mid 19th century figures but right now it’s back to the future as they say – hang on to your hats 23x part 2 beckons.
Lieutenant Osteen’s voice crackled over the airwaves.”……the ruskies – their rushing us…..”/ Captain Parker cut in “kill them Lieutenant, take them out – thats an order” / Lt. Osteen “……but sir their not even trying to fight their just crazy running at us…….”/ Cpt. Parker “it is a Ruskie rooze……..take ’em out – over and out!”.
“Damn it, Barnes what the hell is up with Osteen?”. Sergeant Barnes groaned, Osteen as usual had to complicate matters – shoot first ask questions later was the Barnes approach – it had kept him alive after all…..
Capt. Parker stomped out of the command tent.
Lieutenant Osteen’s voice cackled again on the radio, “Lt. Osteen reporting – russian troops have surrendered to us, repeat russian troops have surrendered to us…….”. “What the……” Sgt.Barnes began before Lt Osteen again “We are under attack – who the hell are these Yashin……..” the line fell dead but not before Yashin could be heard by Barnes responding………….. “Captain, Captain, Captaiiiiiiiinnnn Parker” – Barnes raced out the tent.
Meanwhile on the front line………
What is going on? Its only a painting pedestal after all……….
The tanks in use were the usual suspects, however the C19th game included several units which were converted – head swops or using different paint jobs.
Here are some of the units that were in play.
For 1859 Piedmontese I basically used these Hat ACW Infantry Firing, a paint job adaption. Crucially the kepi gradually replaced the tapered stove pipe in Piedmont/Sardinian Armies between 1848 and 1870 so ACW sets are a good source for these forces and require little adaption. And at a squint can cover Danish troops in their German wars 1848-1864, but thats another story.Hat Napoleonic Russian Militia were simply painted as Milan Civil Guard. A couple of figures had flat hats created to replace their busby like hats. The Flag is a home made effort using artists acrylic pens on dried out glasses cleaner material. Yep some “value” glasses cleaner wipes don’t have a long shelf life – and I have packets of them! However oddly they are a bit like tough crepe paper so of course ended up in the hobby spares box.
The biggest conversion on show was my 1849 Piedmontese or Sardinians – rapidly expanded infantry were sent into battle with simple frockcoats and larger red tapered shakoes. (the regulars had double breasted frockcoats and smaller tapered stove pipe hats). I used Hat marching ACW union troops and took the Shakoes and back packs from Hat Dutch Napoleonic Infantry. These lancers are circa early 1970’s Minifigs – conversion is in my “minds eye” to some Piedmont Lancers who of course did not wear green! or had combs on the helmets, red on their pennants……oh well its amazing what you can forgive.
These figures are Strelets 1877 Russian Artillery posing as french artillery circa 1850. The “piece” is I think a Zvezda item from their Great Northern Wars rangeThese trusty Hussars date from the 1970’s and are French Napoleonic. They regularly turn up as Austrian Hussars in my games.The river is from S&A Scenics and the bridge is a laser wood cut kit from 4ground
My last unit on show is the 1860 British Legion – that sailed to Sicily with Garibaldi’s Mediterranean Invasion Army. The figures are Strelets Russian Turkish war of 1877 Russians in summer uniform.
Even in these days of a truly massive games market the more obscure historical events being modelled benefit from some conversion and adaption in order to capture the flavour of uniforms.
Well David Stones’ challenge finally got this piece of scenery done. Credit really goes to john@justneedsvarnish who alerted me to this challenge plus Frank tank rants who suggested that posting about fabulous pro-cycling scenery ought to translate into building some stuff!
Either way I finally completed this 2021 model. Better late than never as the saying goes.
Final touches were a ochre (rowney acrylic tube) whitened (MP Paints) dry brush to suggest some sun bleaching plus a bit of black (MP Paints) in the mix to dry brush the base area suggesting dirt.
Then some gamers grass (2mm summer green tufts) and an ancient pot of games workshop grit to finish the base.
Of course the unbelievably extravagant archway and door are round the back!
Thanks to John, Frank and Dave, I now have a new piece of terrain to use and enjoy.
out of the archive for john just needs varnish, looks like knife work and maybe not cutting before stripping outer card layers.
For those who made it this far…………….
Leaning tower of Parma! For scale here are some 1/72 miniatures – new kids on the block 1848 German Confederacy no less……….which can also double as Rifleman from Duchy of Parma 1851.
You can guess whats next on the Painting Table.
Finally, the question is, whether this will now lead to some more scenery making on my part?
The Wargaming Erratic 