Wings of Glory (1)

Yesterday, Saturday, we did a couple of campaign games of WW1 WofG, we randomised the scanarios using the campaign system Solo rules and campaign rules

With a lot of the usual club players away in Scotland, we had an addition to our happy band, Jimi (Yes, as in Hendrix!) - and Phil (right), not working for once!

 We started with our aircraft on one side of the table, my Nieuport 17, in the colours of Albert Ball on the left, Lawrence, in a camel with hearts on the wings, next then Phil and Ian, flying SE5a's and Jimi in another camel.

 The Germans, run by the  Solo rules comprised an Albatross and four Fokker DR1's

 Jimi's Camel turned right to outflank the Germans.

Unimpressed, the Germans kept formation, though the Albatrosses greater speed took it in front of their line. 

I engaged 2 Fokkers, and got the better of the exchange! 

 Lawrence Ian and Phil attacked the other wing. 

 ..and took as good as they got.

 A confused melee ensued as all sides turned on each other.

The same happened to me and the two Fokkers! 

 Jimi, realising the battle was elsewhere (!) turned back to join the battle!

 I got on the tail of the Fokkers as Ian moved to support me.

 (An Overview at this point)

 I was following a Fokker and hit it again. 

 On the other side 3 German scouts were mixing it with 3 Allied ones.

 I was lucky to not get hit as the nippy Fokkers turned on me!

 Lawrence got a long shot at another Fokker...BANG!

..good job there are 2 in our double A damage deck! 

 Phil went nose to nose with the Albatross!

 (Another overview)

On my side, we wheeled and turned, getting shots on each other. 

 I unluckily got a hard knock from the Fokker I had been tormenting!

Jimi hit Lothar von Richtofen. 

 Ian was jammed, but my Nieuport hit the Albatross hard!

 The Fokkers were turning into our attacks.

(Another overview) 

We turned to attack each other again. 

Lawrence unluckily got bracketed by several German scouts.  

 More turning and wheeling...

 Ian got a good shot at Werner Voss's triplane.

 Who in turn shot at me, while I got a BANG on the Albatross!

 (Overview)

 Jimi engaged the Tripe we had been fighting..

 ..It went down in flames!

With 50% losses, the Germans made their escape! 

It was a good game, we had been lucky that our shooting was always heavier than the Germans  especially mine!. In all, the Germans got slightly less shots on target than we got on them. The Solo system played well, but it can never be quite as good as a real player!

Battleground 2014

Today, we went to the new incarnation of the old Smoggycon, Battleground. This is now held in Stockton - on - Tees, at the University of Durham Queens campus sports hall.
The new venue is larger than the old hall, and the lighting is not too yellow, which makes everything look better to my poor old camera!
Still, on with the pictures I took...

Pendraken miniatures, who kindly sponsored the show, was my first stop.

 As usual, they had nice displays of their 10mm figures...

...together with some nicely painted ones to whet your appetite! 

 The Durham Pals were here again...

 ...with their lovely WW1 period equipment.

Dang! - there is always a punter ready to get in the way of the camera! 

 The Pals are always ready to interact with the public and perform period weapons drill etc.

Iacta Alea est's Bionicle wars game. 

Strange and colourful! 

Games and Gums - exotic snacks for the hungry shoppers! 

 Colonel Bill's. 

Nice models!

As ever, I was tempted to get some of the lovely 4ground buildings they sell! 

 Our lads, and their WW1 strategic game depicting the opening moves of the Schlieffen plan in 1914. That's Pete on the left with Craig and Frankie.

 Ah, the B.E.F. have arrived!

 All the games had these excellent signs, which saves asking 'what battle is this?'

In this case, Durham wargamers impressive 54mm Waterloo game!

 These figures looked really colourful and dynamic.

  The French centre.

 ..And of course, Hougoumont, or is that La Haye Saint?

 Guess who?

 CMG, with the wargamer's perennial problem, looking for figures in dense terrain!

 Dave Thomas's huge display, lots I wanted, but my money was being saved for other projects today (sigh!)

(sigh!) 

(sigh!) 

Ah, Figures in comfort, another thing I should get for all my toys!

 Is that 'Tron' on the left here?

 Ainsty castings (nice) and their friendly staff.

 Gateshead gaming (and Ainsty castings on the right)

Warbases. 

 they always have interesting stuff!

Midlam Miniatures, honestly, I did ask before taking this picture! 

I am always tempted by more X-Wing minis! 

 Another stall I had to visit to pick up figures for my friend Ian, who wasn't well enough to attend. 

 I was especially taken by their gorgeous 'Tsu Shima' Japanese pre-dreds!

 Worley books. I was looking for some painting guides, but didnt have time to look properly. there were a lot of book sellers at the show.

 Warlord games. They sell a lot of very tempting stuff! 

 Baccus' 6mm stand.

 Wargames Emporium. 

Anyone want to build Hadrian's wall?

I had a good look at this stand! Who would sell the 'Sails of Glory' ships cheapest?

MTFGs stand. They always have a great range of kits on sale.

Caliver Books. Great company, they have a huge range of things, only a small selection appears at shows!

You just want to rummage, don't you!

Hawk wargames, I haven't seen them before I don't think, but they seem very friendly and have a lovely display.

After a chat, they kindly gave me a copy of their 'Valhalla' dark age skirmish rules to try. I will report back on this blog when we have tried them!

Northumbria games.

They are always worth visiting...

...and I found the cheapest SofG ships! My wallet left here rather lighter!

Eagle figures, they do a nice line in metal 7 years war figures.

Operation winter storm - a lovely looking game, by Monty's Wargaming world.

Redcar Ironbeards, like it says on the sign!

A nice 15mm 1945 Eastern front game.

Seen these before, but they are nice!

Great Northern war Russians.

Their dreaded Swedish opponents. A 'Beneath the Lily Banners' (which I like) - - game.

An Old School, Spencer Smith 7YW game, ah, this takes me back, and yes, I am that old!

68th DLI society, and their Kreigspeil game.

Generals and Kings nice looking 20mm WW2 game.

Lots of burning T-34s!

Independent Wargames.

I have always had a soft spot...

...for Italian wars Renaissance armies!

Malifaux's Gothic Horror, cum Wild West game.

Beanie games, demo-ing X-Wing.

Beanie games again, a very competent young man selling media related stuff. I picked up a nice 'Game of Thrones' mug from here.

What were these guys up to?

Ah, 'In Her Majesties name' - looks very nice!

Crucible of lead- and their Sons of Anarchy game.

Border Reiver's Vietnam game. Quite impressive! (Airfix F4?)

Gotta love them 'Slicks' (Huey UH-1)

Graham's Wuerkshoppe

Northumbrian painting services..some nice scenery here.

Dashing Dice's nice looking game.

Dashing Dice's trade stand.

Dashing Dice's attractive game.

At the end of my visit, I went to my favourite terrain retailer, 'The Last Valley'

I got some of these roads with the last of my money!

I love these trees!

He does nice fields too!

The proprietor!

More of his lovely river sections and bridges!

After this, I went with Lawrence to the cafe, for lunch and then home!

I thoroughly enjoyed this show, it seemed well organised and run, and the selection of traders and quality of the games was very high.

Well done everyone!

I will definitely be back for Battleground 2015!!!