Adventures on the Wargames Table

Just a quick post to tell you a little bit about the recent Plymouth Wargames Show... It’s hosted at the YMCA in Plymouth in two large halls – one is well lit but the other was a bit too dark but it does mean the show has plenty of space for traders and games. Speaking of traders, there was a good mix of big and small and I managed to pick up most of the bits I wanted. The organisation seemed very good from my point of view, i.e. a tournament player plus helping out a trader. The tables were well laid out and clearly labelled. It also had a good, friendly ‘buzz’ about the place. Okay, so after a few hours you still get that distinctive aromatic ‘fug’ in the air but it is a wargames show after all!! ;o) The brighter hall hosted the B&B, a few traders and the tournaments; Bolt Action, Kings of War, Warband, Flames of War and 40K. All seemed well attended and there were lots of cheers, groans and laughter. The darker hall had most of the traders along with a few demo and partici...

I'm fielding British Paras at Plymouth's Bolt Action tournament this year. Here's the first 500pts almost ready... (EDIT: This pic was taken before I painted the jeeps so this force is now fully painted!) :o) It consists of: HQ: 2nd Lt & Para Light mortar team Forward Artillery Observer Medic 6 Paras with rifles 6 Paras (4 rifles and a Bren gun team) 6 Paras (2 rifles, 4 Sten) - the 'assault' team! Recce jeep with twin Vickers K There's some way to go for the 1,000pt version! This is basically the 500pt force, plus: PIAT team Regular jeep with a Vickers K 3" mortar plus observer (replacing the light mortar) Sniper team 8 Paras (6 rifles & Bren team) 8 Paras (6 rifles & Bren team) Vickers MMG Thankfully chum Colin is kindly loaning me the extra figures I need. My Paras were collected with Chain of Command in mind, so I'm a few figures away from a full 1,000pts in Bolt Action. Reinforcements will be on the way...

Here are some recently completed casualty markers for my British forces. These are ideal as 'pin' markers in Bolt Action and 'shock' markers in Chain of Command. The figures are from Black Tree. The bases are from Charlie Foxtrot. Same pics but with flash. Painted exactly the same as my non-wounded figures with the addition of some gore. That was simply some GW Khorne Red followed by GW Mephiston Red. Here's the complete set; a mix of regular British infantry and Paratroopers. Tips - The dial counters are from Charlie Foxtrot Models ( www.charliefoxtrotmodels.com ) and come unassembled; this means you can add texture to the top disc without the risk of getting grit/sand in between the dials. Basically paint and base, then assemble the dials. Also, when assembling the dials, do not squeeze them together otherwise the dial is difficult to turn.

Here they are! As mentioned in a previous post, I needed to add some extra mobility to my Paras. First Corps have a superb range of Jeeps (and other vehicles); I cannot rate these kits highly enough. The resin is crisp and detailed. The metal components (crew, guns, etc) are also well cast. The kit goes together very easily too. Here's a standard jeep with a Vickers K LMG. First Corps have a superb range of Jeeps (and other vehicles); I cannot rate these kits highly enough. The resin is crisp and detailed. The metal components (crew, guns, etc) are also well cast. The kit goes together very easily too. This is a Recce Jeep with twin Vickers K and a rather nifty basket on the back. The convoy heads towards the front lines to provide some extra firepower! I've also ordered some of their splendid resin Para casualties , more in future posts.

The third section (with two Bren Guns) is now done -- the sniper was in the previous post . So this means my basic platoon for Chain of Command is now complete! :o) Here's the third section. First Bren team including a chap with a Thompson, plus the NCO. The second Bren team. Perhaps the NCO is asking one of them to hop over the hedge and bag some poulet ? I also needed to add a 2ic. I couldn't resist this charming chap in a kilt. Here's the whole platoon mustering near a farm in Normandy. A couple of closer shots. Like all armies this one is definitely not finished. I'll be adding a couple of the superb jeeps from First Corps' excellent range. They're on the workbench right now. Then there's the MMG and cannisters I picked up a little while back. Maybe I'll add a medic and a FOO as well? Happy gaming!

The past year was a surprisingly productive one for The Wargames Table. Here's a quick list of what I achieved:- Completed a WW2 German Late War platoon. Completed a WW2 British Regulars platoon. Completed a WW2 British Paratrooper platoon. ( Last few pics up soon! ) Played a couple of new games, i.e. Bolt Action and Kings of War, and enjoyed them. Made some great new friends. Attended some very good shows. Expanded my WW2 scenery collection. Helped to play-test Orange Dave’s excellent "Zero Hour" Great War rules. What's next? Well, I'm keeping my plans for 2016 fairly modest. Here's a not-too-strict list of what I'd like to get up to:- Create a Viking force initially for Saga then aim to expand it to become a WaC and KoW army. Expand my WW2 scenery collection. ( Using Charlie Foxtrot buildings naturally! ) Add a few items to each of my WW2 forces – no army is ever truly complete ;o) – perhaps a Sherman for my British Regulars, Jeeps for t...

Been busy with the brush again! Here's the second section ... Note that four of 'em still need basing properly ;-) The figures are a mixture of Artizan, Crusader and Warlord. A (Warlord) Sniper takes careful aim. He's actually part of Section three. A PIAT team. Almost there with a full Platoon for Chain of Command. The third (support) section are nearly done. After that I'll add some supports such as a medic, a Vickers, possibly a flamethrower team. In Chain of Command it's not common for the Paras to get a lot of support options so I'll only paint up a few. In Bolt Action these troops are quite expensive, so again there's no need for lots of options. Last post of the year, so I'd just like to say "Best Wishes for a great 2016" to you all!!! Matt :o)