The LT in his M-8 Ape suit prepares to sell his life dear, along with those of his troops.  

Surrounded. Bugs everywhere! Make ready!! 

They're heeeerrrreee!! 

The LTs last stand.  

LT goes down fighting, his men attempt to maneuver and fire - away from the bugs.  

More bugs swarm out of the multitude of holes.  

Leaving the LTs body in the dust, the warrior bugs charge the survivors of his squad. 

CPL Custer at your service sir! Last stand time. The brave MI die in place, defending a stinking planet no one wanted in the first place.  

Flying bugs. Can it get any worse?!? 

Flamer or not, losing your head means the fight's over.  

Three survivors, bloodied and hounded by flying bugs, finally make it to the LZ and evacuate to the sounds of their squadmates dying screams. 

An Introduction

Dear Gamers,
Keith has invited me to join him as a co-blogger on this site. Thanks Keith! I have been wargaming since my adolescent days. That is, if you count the old Avalon Hill board games. I guess I got into tabletop about 20 years ago. Anyway, I have done a variety of things, but my specialty these days is "The Sword and the Flame" (TSATF). Last summer I went on safari to South Africa, and yes, I mean a rifle toting safari like in the days of yore, not a photo safari. (Although I took some pictures too, of course.) During the second week of my trip I went on a battlefield tour and saw some of the more significant places from the Boer-Zulu war of 1838, the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879, and the 1900-03 Anglo-Boer War. I have posted a couple pictures from that trip; on top is Rorke's Drift and below is Isandlwana. And of course I have a large collection of 25mm figures for gaming the 1879 war. So I guess you could say I'm a bit of an aficionado on all things concerning South Africa; hence the nickname "Bwana Bill." So, if you ever have any particular questions about any of that, I'd be glad to try to help.
More later,
Bwana Bill

No More Guest Blogging!!!

Well, perhaps that is not entirely correct.

So let me restate that.

Welcome "Bwana" Bill as my cohort in crime (in a manner of speaking!) and new partner in Blogging!

Welcome aboard Bill! Keep the great AARs coming!

Kuh-Razy Keith

French Foreign Legion at Historicon - Historicon Part II

Have you ever had one of those wargaming days were everything goes right and you roll over the enemy like they were bowling pins? Doesn’t happen too often, does it? (Editers Note: I've been wargaming for five years now and am still waiting for that sort of day!) Well, I have got to tell you the tale of this cavalry troop that I commanded at Historicon. I was playing exclusively French Foreign Legion (FFL) scenarios using the TSATF rules. The second day I was part of an FFL force that was trying to reach a besieged strongpoint in the desert. I only had one unit which was this French colonial ally Spahis cavalry troop. These chaps were black colonials wearing uniforms that bore a strong resemblance to the uniform that the Brits wore in the 1879 Zulu War, which I thought made them look a bit odd. I wondered what I was getting myself into, but these chaps really gave me a big surprise.

I was leading the FFL march column and was trying to move down the right side of the long table edge since the enemy units were all coming in on the left. It looked like “clear sailing” until a random die roll brought two more enemy units onto right side of the board right in front of me. (Throughout the scenario I was appalled by how many enemy units the GM threw at us. It just seemed to be overwhelming.) Well, by the time these two units finished their arrival move they were at long range for a charge attempt, so I gave it a go thinking that my unit would meet an early end. I rolled high and completed the charge into the first unit. I was then surprised when they failed their “stand and fight” roll, which meant that they had to flee right back off the table edge. The second unit charged me on the next turn but I successfully evaded. Then on turn three I charged them as well. Everyone was amazed when they also failed their “stand and fight” test and fled off the same table edge! You should have seen the look on the face of the kid who was controlling those units! Within a matter of minutes he had been wiped out without a shot being fired, a spear being chucked, or a sword being swung! Tough luck, you little creep! (He was a nice kid actually.)

After this the enemy started to swarm across the middle of the table and assail the middle of our march column. I charged into and out and back into the flank of that mass of enemies three times. Each time I routed an entire enemy unit, or finished off one that had been whittled down by the infantry rifles. In the last attack I took heavy losses in close combat but and was forced to fall back. However, the enemy unit that had just barely defeated me failed the critical morale test they were forced to take because I had carved them down to about 20%. So they were eliminated as well! By the end of the game I only had one unwounded trooper left, but get a load of this: I calculated that these 12 cavalrymen were responsible for the elimination of about 90 enemies all together! Well worth their ration of gruel and oats, don’t you think? It was one of those days I will never forget. I wish they were my figures, I would have painted a Croix de Guerre on all of them! (With TSATF you can do that and it will actually mean something.) My only regret is that the picture I took of this valiant lot didn’t turn out very well; as you can see.

Editers Note: Thanks again to "Bwana" Bill!

Historicon - Part 1

Robert ran a game of Flames of War at Historicon. The game was the Tractor Factory in Stalingrad. I was able to see this terrain "in the rough" the week prior when he ran a test game. Everyone who played it said it was a great game! I don't have any captions for all the photos. I'll do what I can to get updates on this.


In addition, expect an After Action Report from "Bwana" Bill on a game of The Sword and the Flame that he played in at H'con!

Enjoy!

Tin Soldiers: Alexander the Great: First Impressions

UPDATE!

Guest Blogger "Bwana" Bill is back!

UPDATE ON TIN SOLDIERS: ALEXANDER THE GREAT

Since my first article I have now played out the first three battles. It has been a very intense experience! The first battle, Thebes, isn’t too bad, but the second and third battles, Granicus River and Issus, are really hard. You go right down to the wire with both of them wondering if you will be able to eek out any sort of “victory.” With Granicus River I was able to pull it off, but with Issus I wasn’t. This seems to be one of those games where you will have to replay each battle at least once in order to “get it right.” There is a lot of “fog of war” built into this game and by that I do not mean just hidden enemy units, you also do not have an appreciation for the ground you are fighting on when the battle starts. Let me give you examples. When Granicus River starts it is apparent that you need to fight you way across the river. What I failed to realize during the set up, and first few turns, is that there are only two places where you can cross the river. I had to discover all this by trial and error after the battle had started. Fortunately, I still had time to recover from this and slog my way across the two fords. It was brutal, and I lost well over half the army by the time it was over. In the Issus battle I was aware that there were two points on the field that needed to be captured and held, but somehow I missed the fact that there was a third, which I only discovered by accident when the game was almost over. I also think that perhaps the game is set quite a bit harder than “real life.” For example, about half way through Issus a classic show-down developed between Alexander and his household cavalry, and Emperor Darius and his scythed chariots. Darius was defeated and killed, which from my reading of history would have caused a severe blow to the morale of the entire Persian army. That didn’t happen this time! Far from it! There were about 9 fresh Persian units right behind Darius and they came on like a swarm of angry hornets. As a matter of fact it was so overwhelming that I had to put the entire left flank of Alexander’s army into a full tactical withdrawal. All this is not a condemnation of the game though. The battles held my interest and I was quite emotionally involved. It takes about 3 to 4 hours to play just one battle and I was not able to tear myself away from the computer to get the sleep I needed for the upcoming work day. After all, I didn’t think I would be able to sleep until I knew the outcome! I just need to discover the secret to winning. I suspect it might have something to do with replaying each battle until you get a result that gives you enough money to upgrade the “training” of all of your units. I already know for sure that you have to replay each battle at least once, just to learn what-all you are up against in terms of enemy units, terrain, victory objectives, etc. I let you know how it goes, IF I am not battle fatigued before much longer! I tell you one thing for sure; I am already NOT looking forward to the Indian war elephants that I know are going to come up at the end of the campaign!

Editors note: Thanks Bill!



Special article by Guest Blogger "Bwana" Bill

This article is about a computer war game. Why write about a computer game in a table top blog? Well, the approach this game takes is worth mentioning in a table top setting because it tries to give you the feeling that you are playing with lead miniatures painted and mounted on movement stands! This is a good deal for those of us who sometimes get frustrated by a lack of opportunity to “push lead.” The figures even appear to be 25mm to my eye. One amusing little touch you will notice is the trees, which appear to have the same round plastic bases that you see in the hobby store variety! Also, during a battle a big “hand” descends to remove stands when they are eliminated.

I broke the game disk out of the package and started playing right away without reading anything. The manual is on the disk and I did not feel like printing it or trying to study it on the screen. Nevertheless, I was able to play the first battle all the way through and win it just by experimenting with the interface, which is pretty easy to figure out. I believe that “intuitive,” is the computer term that would apply here.

Even though the game looks like you are playing with 25mm tall pieces of lead, you still get the benefits of a computer game. By that I mean that movement is not “my move, then it’s your move.” You input you orders then indicate when you are done. Movement then happens somewhat simultaneously with the units having higher initiative ratings going first. That does not mean that you are always a helpless spectator after pushing the “Done” button. A third of the way through the turn play stops for a Reaction Phase during which the computer may give you a chance to issue new orders to units who meet certain qualifications. In addition to this, you are allowed to assign units to a tactical reserve status before the turn starts. This means that when the Reserve Phase comes up you can issue orders to them after you have had a chance to see what is happening. I like this approach, it is a good compromise between real-time strategy games (which I have never really cared for) and taking turns. I like the ability to reflect on the situation before making decisions as opposed to frantically scrolling and clicking here, there, and everywhere like a maniac! But that’s just me I suppose.

Another computer benefit that you get with this game is “fog of war.” Enemy units are revealed to you only after your units are able to spot them. The program actually projects a swirling mist; simulating “fog of war,” not weather conditions, over the areas of the battlefield that you can’t see clearly.

Right now I am studying the manual and I intend to re-play the first battle before moving on into the campaign. Other reviews I have read say that the AI is quite challenging, so I prefer to understand the mechanics and nuances of the game better before moving on. IÂ’ll let you know how it goes.

Editors Note: Thanks Bill! I'll have to try it out! If you are interested you can buy this game from the www.strategypage.com store.

Getting a few things done

It's always nice when I get more than 15 minutes in the War Room. I managed to finish a few things last night, and bring several other projects nearly to completion. Amazing what one can accomplish when one is focussed and is given some time!

The M-10 Platoon is ready for Decals. Then I'll muddy it, Dullcote it (flat, clear, protective coating) and then sell it off - since I sold off my American Paratroopers already and no longer have an American force for them to support! I'll also be selling a few trucks that I was able to completely finish last night.

For my Fallschirmjagers, I was able to get nearly done with the Panzer II Luchs (Lynx) which will be an integral part of their Recon support.

I also got General "Pip" Roberts command tank done for my Brits - or rather, ready for inking and 'muddying'.

I finished a unit of Tau Fire Warriors for 40K.

I got a good start on my Imperial Guard Officer for Inquisitor (=I=).

So, busy, productive night. And all because I was recovering from my first bike ride in ages (12 or so miles), and my girls had a "chick flick" that I had zero interest in! Serendipity really, don't you think!?

I'll be posting photos as soon as I am able.

Starship Troopers

Update!! - M-8 Ape Suit

This is a very cool model, though a little tricky to build. Note at the base, a bit of wishful thinking on my part - the ripped off arm of a 'bug'. Nope. This guy lasted two turns, got swarmed by about 8 Warrior bugs, and that was all she wrote!

That follows Murphys Laws of Wargaming. Rule #2. If it's your newest, shiniest, most impressive model, it's dead in less than three turns!

Enjoy!



I was up at our local to run a game of Trench Wars the other night, however fine weather, local schools closing for summer, and the beginning of the vacation season put a damper on our game. That is to say, I had one player show up - and he was only there for "an hour so" to watch.

My friend Bill was putting on Starship Troopers by Mongoose Publishing and with no players for Trench Wars, I was able to dive into this game.

I have always be a Heinlein fan and felt that SST was one of his better works. I hoped that the game would provide some of the feeling of the storyline.

To be honest, I'll have to play it again to get a better feel for the storyline/game/movie/CGI intersection of "feel".

I did like the game though!

My buddy Steven, who came to watch Trench Wars, played Skinnies and one squad of Mobile Infantry. I played Mobile Infantry. Rob, a new player at our shop, played Bugs with the able assistance of Bill, the Game Master.

The game seems a tad technical, but that's only because every new game we play is slightly different from every other game we play! I'll get used to it with time.

One funny incident in the game involved poor timing in shooting and a poor choice of targets.

It was our turn (MI and Skinnies) and our fort was being overrun. I had a single trooper with a triple-barrel grenade launcher and was preparing to fire grenades down a bug-hole and seal it - when my buddy Steven laid down fire with a template weapon the Skinnies use - and it killed my poor grenadier! I thought about it afterwards, that I should have fired my grenades first, then if he simply had to take the shot, fine!

He laid down fire across two Bugs and it went directly across my Grenadiers' noggin. I rolled his save - and he failed. Dead grenadier, never fired a shot.

Another interesting occurrence was when a "Hopper Bug" dropped into the fort and ripped off my Lieutenants' head. Ouch.

At the end, we had a total of 4 MI remaining, and 4-6 Skinnies, and we still had nearly 2 squads of 5 Bugs remaining - plus stinkin' Hopper Bugs. Now, the Hoppers wouldn't have been so bad, however we had no anti-aircraft weapons. Thanks Bill! ;-)

We might have been able to pull out a win, but it would have been desperately close. Much like the book and movie!

I liked this game, so I picked up an M8 Ape Suit to aid my Mobile Infantry - that I have yet to purchase! Box set is about $75.00 U.S. - but it's the best way to go. You get 16 MI (2 squads) and 20 Bugs in the box set, along with rules, templates, etc.

If you buy a box of MI, you only get 8 guys, and it runs $20.00 U.S.

In the box of Arachnids (Bugs!) you get 6 bugs for $20.00.

So, for $75.00 you get the rules and $80.00+ worth of figures! Nice Deal in my humble opinion.

Give it a go!

The Final Cut

Dave over at AIM is fantastic! I sent him an email letting him know what I needed (decals for the Hawkers, decals for my German gliders, and another assault glider) one day, sent him a paypal for it that night, and BAM!!! A box was on my steps the day after! I'm very pleased. I'm sure he went well out of his way to make that happen, and I don't expect that sort of thing from folks - it sure is nice when it happens that way!

This is it.

After months of fiddeling with other peoples models, with other game system figures and models for myself, I've finally got the Hawker IID done. The decals and clearcote (I used GWs Matte Varnish) truly put the finishing touches on this 1/100th scale wargames aircraft. Now I need to paint up some Brits for the Hawker to support!

I won't bother with captions. These decals really are a very nice touch, and historically accurate in shape, lettering, and colors, as well as being 'in scale' for the model, since they are designed by the same person that designed the model!

Enjoy the eyecandy, and pay Dave a visit over at Armaments in Miniature for your 1/100th scale (15mm) aircraft needs!

Armaments in Miniature (AIM) Hawker Hurricane IID

Update!

6 July 05 - This is as good as it gets without adding decals! So now I have to order the decals. Once again I am struck by how detailed this model is. Surface detail is so very important to the overall look of the model, and the Hawker Hurricane IID is a wonderful example of a manufacturer 'getting it right'. Enjoy the eyecandy!

Imagine this: the last thing a German Afrika Korps tank commander saw - the Hawker IID diving out of the sun, canons blazing.


Side-on shot, more detail - note the terrain clearing stand mentioned in the earlier post! I love this stuff!


Close-up of detail. Note the ribbing in the ailerons. Amazing! Look out kitchen table, he's firing!

A poorly lighted view of the undercarriage detail. No difference. Top to bottom this is just an incredible model.


And last but not least, another poorly lighted shot of the top. Oh well. I barely passed High School Photo and it shows!


Upate!

23 May 05 - I slapped another coat of paint on this beastie last evening and it looks pretty good. I absolutely must invest in a decent airbrush, or I'll never do justice to models of this quality. I'll put the camo (second) color on, then I'll snap and post! Well, if the riches ever start pouring in from the ads here, I'll be sure to put that money towards a new airbrush!

What's not to like about a tank-hunting aircraft!?

I was like a kid in a candy store when the box from David at AIM arrived. I tore it open, nearly drooling. Inside was my order of 1 DFS-230A German Assault/Cargo glider, and a terrain clearing stand, plus, David included a pair of Hawker Hurricanes for me to review!

I was so excited, I plumb forgot to start snapping pictures from the box opening on. Suffice it to say, David packed the box very well and everything arrived in pristine condition.

I've not had much experience with British fighter/bomber aircraft, so I spent some of my valuable search time looking up paint schemes. I found one that will work well for the North African desert, and will get started on that in a short while!

I pulled the models out and, as ever, was astounded by the clean lines of these magnificent little aircraft and small mold lines. Less cleaning, more painting makes for a happy Tabletop Gamer!

I knocked out the cleaning (still haven't remembered the camera at this point!) in less than 20 minutes. I took a bit longer than usual to clean it, as I'm not very experienced with the material the model is molded from and wanted to be extra careful with it.

I built the IID model, took it outside on a spitty, semi-rainy night, and primed it anyway, rolling the dice that my primer wouldn't muck up on me.

It turned out very nicely, a smooth paint job with no drips, no runs, no errors.

I'll get some paint on it and then I'll slap up some eye-candy of my work.

Also, in looking at these lovely models, I came to a serious decision; while it's less expensive and time-consuming to field the die-cast, pre-painted models (Davids aircraft run roughly $5.00 U.S. more than the die-cast models) I will start buying my attack aviation needs from David at AIM.

After drilling (which is very quick and easy, with clear and concise instructions that come with the terrain clearing stand)these incredible models fit so nicely on the terrain clearing stand, and I know that once they are painted they will be the envy of the "regulars" (and perhaps even the "Irregulars!)

Stand by - Photos to follow!

The Review:

Packaging (well protected or not): A+

Molding: A+ - The cleanest model of the cast-resin type that I've ever seen. Required little cleaning.

Detail: A+ - for a model with no interior detail (it's for gaming more than display!), this model is highly detailed. Since David deals with exterior detail, it's immaculate.

Instructions: A+ - Though there are few "bits" that need to be cleaned and glued on, if one is not familiar with the model, mistakes could have been made. The instructions were clear and correct for the model.

I built the model in just under an hour; that's slow for me for this type of model. I took my time cleaning and sanding it lightly with 600grit sandpaper. Priming showed that I missed a small spot near the trailing edge of one wing, but it isn't a big deal.

The model comes with the bits to do two variations of the same aircraft. There are two air intakes for it, one for European Theater, and one for the North African desert.

I rate this model an A+ overall. I need another one! :-)