Sunday 17 March 2024

Best Laid Plans on the Beach

           

I wouldn't blame you if you were thinking that not much has been happening at the workbench over the last week or so. This is due to an avalanche of work related things including an Ofsted inspection, end of term assessments and extra hours, combined with family related distractions involving a visit by my father and a weekend away at the Six Nations rugby match in Cardiff. 

I've also got a horrible chest infection and cold, which has knocked me for six and won't bugger off. All of this has completely scuppered my plan to get the Napoleonic Royal Navy fleet painted by the end of term, so instead I'm going to take the models with me on holiday and paint them in Brittany, perhaps even squeezing in a game or two of Nick Jones excellent rules, albeit with unfinished ships. Sounds like a plan!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day


Saturday 16 March 2024

The Beagle Conflict

 



Another of the excellent Helion Publishing Latin America at War titles just added to the library. I've had an interest in this conflict for 'What If?" naval wargaming but I'm also thinking of branching out into the air warfare side of things as well.

Here's the blurb: 

The Beagle conflict was a territorial dispute between Argentina and Chile over the determination of the layout of the eastern mouth of the Beagle Channel, which affected the sovereignty of the islands located south of the channel, and east of Cape Horn and its adjacent maritime spaces.

The first antecedents of the conflict date back to 1888, seven years after the signing of the Treaty of Limits. In 1901, the first Argentine map appeared in which some of the islands in question were drawn as within Argentina’s control. Despite the small size of the islands, their strategic value between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans caused a long conflict between the two South American states that went on for  much of the 20th century, causing a number of ‘minor’ incidents, and almost culminating in a major war.

The conflict focused on the dispute over the sovereignty of the islands and the oceanic rights generated by them to Chile, but it was not limited exclusively to these islands.

Volume 1 of The Beagle Conflict mini-series covers the origins of the dispute and border clashes between the two countries from the time of the independence of Chile and Argentina from the Spanish Crown, until early 1978, and is illustrated with original photographs, custom-drawn artworks and maps.

Friday 15 March 2024

Arena of Blood Preorder


There's a special preorder discount on the new Arena of Blood gladiatorial rules, which means a long, long week at work can be finished off with a spot of retail therapy. I've had the pleasure of an Ofsted inspection to deal with this week, as well as lots of family related stuff, so I've rewarded a successful but busy few days with a pdf copy of the rules. May the games commence!

Thursday 14 March 2024

Eureka Miniatures British

The post colonial Aden 1967 British figures arrived in the post from Eureka Miniatures today and they are excellent. I only have a section of them for the moment but it's enough for a skirmish game using Wars of Insurgency or similar rules. I will put these away for a holiday project but hope to sort something out later this year at some point. 

Wednesday 13 March 2024

Pre-Dreadnought Game Plan

 


I've been really busy over the last week with loads of work and family things, but a game at the club has now been lined up for next week. It's going to be a pre-dreadnought game of some sort, although the exact details are yet to be decided. It will be in 1/2400th using the Tumbling Dice range of models, whatever happens, so I'm really looking forward to it.

Monday 11 March 2024

Digging In the Back of Beyond


My opponent for the Back of Beyond game thought my army list was a little overcooked for Turkmenistan in 1920, so I suggested that we play a Prepared Attack style defensive game instead of a Meeting Engagement, with the Bolsheviks reduced in strength to half the original points total, or thereabouts. If we did this, my army would now look something like this:

One unit (12 figures) – Cheka, T3 / M5, stubborn with bombs @ 10 points = 120

Two units (12 figures) – Red Infantry with bombs, T2 / M3 @ 5 points = 120

Plus one LMG per unit @ 12 points = 36

Two HMG, T2 / M4 @ 48 points = 96

One Field Gun, T2 / M3 @ 30 points = 30

Total = 402 points

The Bolsheviks would have some trenches or buildings to use as hard cover but otherwise would have to make do when the British launch their assault, backed up by their armoured cars, mountain guns, machine guns and top notch infantry. I can't say I fancy my chances!

Sunday 10 March 2024

Happy Mother's Day

           

I think she might be into Napoleonics?

Setting the East Ablaze Again


The chap I'm playing the Contemptible Little Armies game with in a couple of weeks is very much a historical wargamer, so although we are using the Back of Beyond army lists, I get the impression he's not that comfortable with their semi historical 'whatiffery. Horses for courses I suppose...?

As a result, I've suggested that we try out Setting the East Ablaze, which is similar to Contemptible Little Armies but perhaps more suitable for historical scenarios. I've also pointed him in the direction of the Dunsterforce scenario supplement, although from what I gather he's focussed more on the Malleson Mission in Soviet Turkestan.

https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/87659/04_apr.pdf

Saturday 9 March 2024

Back to Africa

 


I had a nice parcel of Eureka Miniatures ZANLA guerrillas in the post today, with sufficient figures to kit out three sections of six and a commander. I thought some opposition would be a good idea but, rather than the obvious Rhodesian or Portuguese option, I decided to go for some British from the Aden range. I've ordered a section of ten figures to use as a patrol in a counter factual 'imaginations' type setting akin to my 15mm Sandbox Skirmish project, making use of the resin Humber Pigs from Warbases that I already have in the bits box. A bit pricey but very nice figures.

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