25th June Games

It was another hot and sticky night, but we still managed to run two games yesterday evening. Dave K, Mark, Steve S and Andy P ran a Carnevale game, which was affected by a shortage of figures but still went ahead. I gather there was a spirited discussion over rules interpretation at some point.............

Using the tables available in our other room, I ran a further Angels 20 game for the benefit of Eddie, Nigel, Paul and Steve H. This time we went with a Pacific theme, pitching two F4 Corsairs against a selection of Japanese fighters. There was clear evidence that US fighter development was ahead of the Japanese by the latter part of the war, as all three aircraft were despatched without damage or loss to the US. Bit one sided but enjoyed by all, a further useful test of the game as a possible show participation game next year.

Next week I'll bring the Napoleonic Travel Battle game; there is an Aliens game planned plus other entertainments to be confirmed.

See yer soon,

Neil

18th June Games

It was a hot and sticky night last night, but we still had two games on the go. Steves S & H, Mark and Andy P played Pandemic; in three games I believe the lurgi won every time. 

I ran my WW2 air combat game Angels 20 for the benefit of Nigel, Nick and Eddie, the latter two who had never played the game before. I therefore ran my 'training' mission , where Nigel flew a French Dewoitine 520 against two RAF P-40 Tomahawks based on an actual combat over Syria in 1941/2. This went well enough that the P-40's were able to shoot down the Dewoitine when Nick and Eddie had an idea how the rules worked. I ran a second game for Nigel and Eddie who then flew a Focke Wulf 190 against a Russian La-5N, as I've found these are pretty evenly matched. Eddie conceded when his aircraft was damaged to an extent that he would have had to bail out.

Next week, I'll run Angels 20 again as requested, other ideas are in preparation.

See yer soon,

Neil  

28th August Games

Still down on numbers due to holidays etc., but we had three games to hand last night. Steve S, Eddie and Dave K played Fallout (SF post nuclear Armageddon type board game), Alan and Rob ran a Stargrave skirmish and I put on my Angels 20 game for Nigel and myself. This had been planned for a larger number of players around an encounter during the Allied invasion of Vichy French controlled Syria in 1941 using Curtiss P40 Tomahawks against Dewoitine 520s - based on an actual event.

I took the opportunity to let Nigel take a Dewoitine while I handled two P40's; the French fighter had the 'bounce' on the P40s, but had to survive after the first pass. I flew the P40s as a pair and tried to give Nigel the chance to manoeuvre his fighter and explain how to get into a firing position. As expected, numbers counted in the end and the Dewoitine was duly despatched, but there had been a lot of manouevring before hand. An enjoyable game overall, and I think Nigel has a better idea of the game mechanics now ; I'll keep this scenario in hand as a training game. 

Next week, I've arranged a predreadnought game, and there is a Terminator game booked for Andy P's benefit.

See yer soon,

Neil

10th July Games

We were a bit thinner on the ground last night than usual (something to do with a football match, I believe) but there were enough of us for two games. Rob, Alan and Andy P were playing Marvel Crisis Protocol again, while I ran an Angels 20 WW2 aerial game for Steves S & H, Eddie, Mark, Nigel and myself; aircraft in use were Fw190's for the Luftwaffe (Steve S, Mark and Eddie) and Spitfire IX's for the RAF (Steve H, Nigel and myself). Lousy dice rolling by the RAF saw Steve shot down, Nigel blown from the skies by hits exceeding the armour value of his aircraft, and myself barely escaping with three 190's after me.

Thankfully we had better news from Germany, and England are through to the finals of Euro 2024; best wishes to the squad for Sunday (I'm sure Gareth and the team will be thrilled to know this........). Next week I've prevailed on Mark to Run his Dungeon Crawl game, and Steve S will bring a boardgame

See yer soon, 

Neil 

13th March Games

We had three games on the go on Wednesday last; Rob and Alan played Marvel Protocol (beware of low-flying tuk-tuks!), Steve S, Dave K, Mark and Eddie played Pandemic, while I ran an Angels 20 mission based on Operation Judgement (the American attack on Admiral Yamamoto’s aircraft while in transit on an inspection tour) for Steve H, Nigel and myself. The Japanese fielded two ‘Betty’ bombers as transports with six Zeroes as escort commanded by Nigel and myself, while Steve played the US assault force with an initial three P38 Lightnings, and the option of a fourth if one was lost (I only have three P38s at present.....). As may be seen from the pictures, Steve got stuck in and we had some right old furballs, which cost him all three of his original force. He had the last laugh, as the fourth P38 shot down Yamamoto’s aircraft just four hexes from the table edge it had to reach to win. Thoroughly enjoyable game, I need to work out the best way to run the escort of Zeroes more effectively.

 

Next week, Andy P wants to run a game of Dead Man’s Hand, and Dave K has a set of his won Old West gunfight rules to try out.

 

See yer soon,

Neil   

1st November Games

Good turnout last night; I ran two Angels 20 games for Steves H & S and Mark set on the Eastern Front, while Andy P ran a Core Space Sci-Fi game for Mark, Rob, Dave K, Eddie and Bob. This was by all accounts a success – I suggested looking at the boards from the Star Saga game I passed on to the club recently for a change of scene.

My first game pitted two Finnish marked Morane 406’s and a Brewster 239 against three Polikarpov I-16’s and a Yak 1 in a Winter War scenario. The Russians were even more outclassed than I had allowed for in this scenario; modesty does not allow me to celebrate three kills in a Morane 406 on this (one) occasion. I redressed the balance by supplied the aggrieved players with Fw190’s while Steve H and I flew La5N’s for the Rodina. We got our arses kicked. ‘Nuff said.

 

Next week I’ve arranged a Lion Rampant game on a Dark Ages theme for various members who haven’t played the new 2^nd edition. Possible issues on attendance on my part due to onsite decorators will be resolved as necessary. There’s also another Walking Dead campaign game arranged for those involved.

 

See yer soon,

Neil

16th August Games

Thin on the ground once again this week; due to absence and illness decimating our ranks, Andy’s Samurai game fell victim to the low attendance. While Rob and Alan played Frostgrave with some very impressive painting on display, I ran an Angels 20 WW2 aerial game for the benefit of Steve H, Andy, Mark and myself. One of the game’s great strengths is the inclusion of some of the period’s lesser known aircraft. This week, I chose to feature the French Dewoitine 520, which was entering service just as German forces invaded in 1940, and subsequently saw service with Vichy forces in Syria and North Africa. The first game therefore pitted three D520’s against two Bf109E’s escorting a Stuka to attack a ground target. The D520 pilots were graded as Ace by the data card supplied, which might be a bit unfair (but since the formula for calculation is not available, I had no choice) but the aircraft certainly performed well, shooting down the Ju87 and one Bf109 and damaging the other. The second game played two D520’s against two P-51C Mustangs, which was slightly fairer, and honours were even for this game. 

 

Next week, there is a board game session planned, but I’ll bring my Napoleonic naval collection for a pickup game to benefit any others attending.

 

See yer soon,

Neil  

22rnd March Games

Busy again last night; Steve S ran a Firefly game for Dave K, Mark and Eddie, while Alan and Rob were engaged with Aeronautica Imperialis on a truly epic scale. Steve H and I settled to my planned WW2 Eastern Front Angels 20 game. This involved (one might think bizarrely) Italian Macchi 202's against Polikarpov I-16's - actually feasible as the Italian forces in South Russia in 1942 did include an air component. Both were fairly well matched, although the Macchis were faster and in the end this told (along with my tragic dice rolling) with two I-16's lost and not even a paint scratch on the Italians. Good fun though.

Next week, Dave K is running a Bolt Action WW2 game, while I'm looking at a pre-dreadnought naval game, rules to be confirmed.

See yer soon

Neil

12th October Games

Sufficient people were onsite to run the proposed refresher game before we run the Battle of Britain participation game at SEWLG this coming Sunday. Steve H and Andy P ran the Luftwaffe, while Dave K, Steve S and Mark were the Brylcreem Boys. I wanted to try giving the RAF a +1 on firing dice against bombers, in an effort to simplify or increase (depending on your point of view) the chance of downing a bomber. This seemed to work, as the Boche lost a Heinkel 111 and had significant damage on the others as a result of this modification. I'll certainly use it on Sunday.

Rob was playing Necromunda.

We'll be thin on the ground again next week, so I've booked a table for a Napoleonic naval game for those present.

See yer soon

Neil

21st September Games

A few more bodies onsite this week thankfully; I ran the planned Angels 20 game for the benefit of Steve H and Matt flying Fw190's and Steve S and Dave K flying P-51B's. Matt exited swiftly as his Fw190 was shot down, Steve H fought on but was eventually despatched as a probable. 

Paul and Andy were also present but took no part. Andy and the aircrew played a card game to wind up the evening, while I checked in on Rob who was playing Necromunda in the bar area.

Next week, I'll run a Space Hulk game for as many people as possible. If we run two Astartes squads, this should be possible.

See yer soon

Neil

31st August Games

Reduced numbers again last night - with a welcome visit from Dave C - left me with enough players to run the WW2 Eastern Front Angels 20 game planned. Dave K, Steve S and Bob flew Bf 109 F's against Steve H and Matt in Soviet La5-FN's. Some of those present had not played the games before, so a briefing on movement and manoeuvring was necessary before play commenced.

Matt promptly shot down Dave K's 109 and had to leave as he had an early working start on Thursday, but handed his La5 to Dave, who took to the aircraft like a duck to water. Suffice to say the Luftwaffe did not fare well, as by the game's end only Bob was left and was advised to head for home.

Rob was playing Warcry as usual, and when I saw him had been trounced by a dwarvern warband. No sizeist jokes.

Table space is short at Wayland next week, so we are playing Battlemech in the bar area. What could possibly go wrong?

See yer soon

Neil

3rd August Games

 'Twas a hot, sticky and noisy night at Wayland yesterday. Andy P, Mark, Paul, Dave K, Steve S and Bob played Zombicide and were mostly killed. Alan and Rob were playing in separate Warcry games, and were both alive when I checked in. 

Steve H and I settled in for some Angels 20 action, this time over Northern France in 1944. I took two Spitfire Mk IX and two Typhoons on a ground strafing mission, while Steve took four Fw190's to prevent this. I lost the lot in about three moves. We started again with two Spitfires and two 190's apiece; I lost the pair of them in equally short order. I then decided that a losing streak should not be indulged and generously granted Steve the victory.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Next week, Bob has offered to run an Aliens game. Mike has a Lion Rampant game planned around his Late Roman forces which I fancy a go at. I'll bring a couple of board games as backup; BattleCry seems like a good idea.

See yer soon

Neil

20th July Games

 We were a bit scattered last night. Steve S, Mark, Andy P and Dave K played Zombicide, and Rob was involved with a Warcry game in the bar area.

Whilst I ran an Angels 20 game for Steve H, Matt and myself in the main hall. Having recently recieved a new dedicated cloth with the correct hex grid for the game from Tiny Wargames, it seemed appropriate to christen the cloth with an Eastern Front scenario. Steve and Matt 'flew' a bf109-E apiece while I ran a brace of Yak 1's. Losses mounted fairly quickly for both sides (sorry Matt!), then Steve and I settled to a real dogfight, with lots of manoeuvring and snap shots - most of which missed. Eventually we found ourselves in a head on pass and my dice finally came good and Steve was shot down. Brilliant game and the new cloth really added a dimension to the game.

Next week, we're planning a Battletech game and Steve S wants to run a Mars Attacks! game.

See yer soon

Neil

1st June Games

Steve S, Mark, Dave K and Andy P played Kill Dr. Lucky last night (I gather the Doctor was scragged early on by Dave - this would make a great show game if it could be converted to figures . . .), while Rob and Alan were involved in another Necromunda game using the Wayland dungeon setup. I gather that Alan's Peelers (in the blue and yellow livery) survived the game this week.

Matt and I settled in for a final trial game of Angels 20 in preparation for the Broadside show on Saturday. There were a few changes to the move procedure which we'd been getting wrong, and it was also a good chance to run Matt through at a reasonable pace before the event. Hopefully the game will be well received.

We are down on numbers next week, but I've booked a table in advance, so I'll bring Battlefleet Gothic for the entertainment of those around.

See yer soon

Neil

2rnd February Games

Fair turnout last night; Rob was playing Warcry with some friends in the bar area, Dave K, Mark and Steve S played Mad Dogs with Guns while Steve H and I gave the Pacific warbirds a runout in Angels 20. The Warcry game had its usual level of utter carnage, while the Made Dogs game generated some 'spirited discussion' of rules interpretation (if I have the facts right). 

Steve and I ran three games during the evening - a Pearl Harbour based P40's vs Zero-sen was a walk over for the Japanese (not that this was a surprise), followed by F4-U Corsairs against the Zeros then Ki-61 Hien. The Corsairs were an eye opener and took out the Zeros in the second game so quickly that I literally didn't have time to take any pictures! The third game against the Ki-61's took a bit longer but the Corsairs showed why they were such a successful aircraft at the time.

We've decided to run some board games next week; Zombicide and Ludis Gladiatorius have been suggest. I've also submitted a proposal for a Battle of Britain game to be run at the Broadside show in the 4th June. This will use the Angels 20 rules (hence the play tests) and the 1/144 scale aircraft built by Graham for the game we ran some time in the 1990's - more on this as news comes in.

See yer soon

Neil

26th January Games

 Bit low on numbers last night for various reasons; Alan and Rob continued their Warcry extravaganza and I ran an introductory Angels 20 game for Matt, Mark and Steve H as part of the games's reboot regarding the proposed Battle of Britain game (for which I have acquired Graham's 1/144 scale aircraft collection from the game's last outing). We fitted in three games during the vening with honours more or less even for both sides.

Dave K's Mad Dogs game has been rescheduled for next week, and I've agreed to run Angels 20 again - this time on a Pacific War basis to allow the USE and Japanese some table time.

See yer soon

Neil

12th June Games

Greetings

Waylands was a bit busy last night, but we were able to grab two tables. Steve S ran a Doctor Who game, whilst I brought along my Angels 20 WW2 aerial game, which 'entertained' Rob, Steves H and B and Matt for the evening. The idea was that two USAAF P-38 Lightnings were exiting an air raid after performing escort to a bomber force, and encountered Romanian interceptors in the form of two Bf109 E's provided by the Germans and two locally produced LAR 80's. This is the first time I'd been able to field the Romanians and it seemed like an interesting game bases on the raids on the Ploesti air fields in 1943/44.

Predictably the P-38's waltzed both games, destroying all the Romanians in the first game and only suffering minor damage in the second. In fairness to Matt and Steve B, neither had played the game before but both said they enjoyed it and liked the way it played, so all in all it went well.

Next week, Mark has offered to run his Gothic Horror game. Following a trek to Frinton on Sea today (yes, it IS on the map!) I am now the proud owner of seven beautifully painted and fully rigged Spanish Napoleonic ships of the line; I intend that they should therefore see action action against the heretic British next week, Commands will be available to discerning gamers on the night.

See yer soon

Neil

5th December Games

Greetings

Pretty good turnout this week; Dave K, Mark and Steve S played Mad Dogs With Guns again, while Rob ran a game of Fallout (think 50's post apocalyptic sci fi). Steve H and I played three games of Angels 20 to test the new mats I recently received. Since the hex size has been reduced, I wasn't sure if it would be necessary to double movement to maintain the scale. It appears that the game works well with the current hex size and by doubling movement and ranges - so much that I lost all three games . . .

Next week, I intend to run a game of The Men Who Would Be Kings to introduce some new units. Not sure what else we have planned at present, could someone advise in due course?


See yer soon

Neil