26th May Games

A distinct nautical theme to last night's meeting; thanks to Dave Kightly for the War at Sea game, using his USN and IJN collections. I started rather later than expected with a play test of a set of predreadnought rules due to the late arrival of Messrs. Fosker and Crook, together with the usual business transactions etc. Pictures of both games are attached; the War at Sea game ran twice and my play test went well, but there are changes and rewrites planned for this and a set of rules for the earlier ironclads.

Next week has an Old West game planned using the Warhammer Historical rules. I have had these for some time but have never played them. I believe I have a batch of player aids squirreled away on the PC, and will send these out when I can find them which might help to get things moving on the night.

See yer soon,
Neil

5th September Games

Pretty good turnout last night. Thanks to Steve Slater for running a Wings of War game, and to Dave Kightly for a War at Sea game set in the Pacific. The WW1 aerial appeared to generate its usual level of mayhem, while Laurie in USN guise was victorious in a particularly bloody gun duel with the IJN.

Dave Crook and I played the inevitable Angels 20 game, this week involving P40's and Me109's in an African scenario. This was a surprisingly evenly-matched game given the Me109's manoeuvrability, and the gunnery dice were exceptionally unkind to both sides. I scraped a win, but Mr. Crook is vowing vengeance!

We also had a visit from Gary Moore, the Venue and Events Manager at the new Wayland Games wargames hall down the road. He has made some very attractive offers concerning table and venue use for the future. While I do not think this is something we should decide on without prior discussion, I would welcome feedback from anybody who has the time to visit the venue and take a look.

In show related news, I have just been informed that we are definitely in for SELWG on the 14th October. The organisers have accepted Dave K's zombie game as our entry, so work will now commence on the setup etc. for the game.

While I remember, other events coming up are the Milton Hundred club's open day over at Sittingbourne on the 15th September (NOT a wargames show I hasten to add), the Skirmish 2012 show over at Sidcup on the 23rd September (www.harfields.com/Skirmish.html for details), and the Essex Warriors open day on the 30th September - this will be an Angels 20 gamefest for those attending.

Think I covered everything...............

See yer soon
Neil

20th June Games

Bit quiet yesterday, but thanks to Steve Slater for stepping up and running a War at Sea game since Dave Kightly couldn't make it. Likewise my thanks to Andy for his Dogs of War game.

Next week's offerings to date are a Malifaux game, together with the Angels 20 scenario I had planned for this week. Any other offers are appreciated. I might try to see if we can get three tables provided on a regular basis while we have multiple games on offer, but will have to speak to the centre staff about this.

See yer soon,
Neil

6th June Games

A busy night last night - thanks again to Dave Kightly for providing another War at Sea game as Laurie's projected Napoleonic game hit a snag. Noisy lot, these naval gamers - must all be deaf due to the guns :)

I ran an Eastern Front Angels 20 game, which was based on an actual mission. It all seemed to work out OK, and I think everybody enjoyed themselves. One or two rules tweaks to amend, but otherwise a good game.

This weekend sees the Broadside show over at Sittingbourne. If you are intending to pop over, the link to the host club's website is

http://www.mhwc.co.uk/

from which full details of routes etc. can be obtained.

Next week, I understand that Laurie's Napoleonic game is lined up, and a Warhammer 40K game has been proposed as well. I have a Normandy based Angels 20 scenario in mind - we may need some extra tables!

Anybody getting to Hockley early that evening, could you speak to the caretaker and grab a couple of extra tables just in case, please?

See yer soon
Neil

A few pictures from the games - 

In the Angels 20 game was a Russian Front battle between a German Bf110 (as a spotter plane) supported by two FW190's up against a rather desperate rabble of Russian's made up of two Polikarpov I-16's, four Yak 1's (one with a short lived rookie pilot) and a lend-lease P40.

The first rookie Yak 1 doesn't get far on its maiden flight...

...nobody is coming back from that.

The Bf110 completes its objective with a lend-lease P40 in pursuit...

...as more Polikarpov I-16's ("Ishaks") join the fray.

Two more Yak 1's join the growing Russian force.

The Bf110 was constantly harried throughout the game.

But even this much fire-power could not bring it down!

It is finally destroyed but good support from the two FW190's has taken its toll on the Russians.

Final result was five Russian's downed (four Yak 1's and an I-16) to one German (the Bf110)

Focke-Wulf FW190.

Messerschmitt Bf110.

Polikarpov I-16 "Ishak"

Tomahawk P-40.

Yakovlev Yak 1.

A couple of pics from the boisterous War at Sea game on the other table -

See Dave Crook's blog for a write up of the Angels 20 game.

30th May Games

Bit quieter this week but two decent games. Thanks to Dave Kightly for stepping up and running a War at Sea game to cover the gap left by Laurie's postponed Napoleonic game. I ran my customary Angels 20 game, set over Malta with a dustup featuring Hurricanes and assorted Macchi fighters. Both went well so far as I can tell.

Next week, Laurie intends to run the Napoleonic game previously promised. I will offer Angels 20 ( a specific scenario requested by Dave Crook featuring Fw190's and mass destruction is promised). A further reminder concerning the Broadside show on the 10th June at this point;

Those attending for the full day, please speak to me re. parking as I may be able to help with reduced charges for three vehicles.

See yer soon,
Neil

A few pics from the Angels 20 game -

The Italian and Polish pilots fight for the airspace.

The damaged Macchi tries to escape but is soon shot down...

RF0 attacks as the Italian makes evasive moves!

The Italian fighter ace chases a damaged Hurricane only to be hazed by the other two!

Final result was one Macchi destroyed and one damaged (the Italian 'Ace' who survived several attacks) and two severely damaged Hurricanes.

A Macchi C.200

A Hawker Hurricane Mk1