Wargames Atlantic 28mm Multi-part Sci-Fi Cannon Fodder

       Wargames Atlantic provides us with yet another great multi-pose set of sci-fi/near-future minis. This time we have a set of thirty figures entitled "Cannon Fodder" (I assume that morale isn't an issue for these lads). Looking past the rather chilling unit title we see that they are infantry equipped with what would be "low-tech" weapons and minimalist, coverall style, uniforms; either penal battalions or local militia for a 40K sort of environment. They could easily stand in as Imperial Guard or planetary troops in some Grim Dark future. 

       What really makes this set pop (as with so many other Wargames Atlantic sets) is the simply huge selection of heads and weapons; from bare-headed to helmets that look like 1970's space suit helmets. Each box contains twelves sprues; six each of a small one with the bodies and some heads and a second larger one with an oversized helping of heads, guns, backpacks and arms. The standard weapon looks like a cross between an AK-47 and the Imperial Guard flashlight (err...lasgun) from 40K. Included is a massive underslung gun to give the troops some extra firepower. Realistically proportioned and convincingly posed this set is cast in a hard gray plastic with no trace of flash and very little by way of mold-lines. The selection of poses means that it would a simple thing to build an entire unit of individuals with no two poses the same.

 

at last somebody is using picture of nicely painted minis on the front cover

28mm Gunfighters from Great Escape Games

        At first I was a bit surprised by this box, mostly by the low figure-count. But a more thoughtful moment left me to realize that I am used to building armies of hundreds of figures at a time while a gunfight is a small, quick skirmish. In that regard this box is perfectly sized; I can't think of a single "gun fight" that had more than ten shooters involved (certainly not in any of the movies that I did my "research" in). Inside the box you will find two matching sprues cast in a hard gray plastic that assemble into eight standing and two kneeling gunslingers. The casting work is first-rate with no trace of flash and nearly invisible mold-lines. The figure break-down will allow almost any combination of legs/torso/arms/head which means you could build several boxes of these without any two figures being alike. The selection of weapon is is comprehensive and includes neat items like a bundle of dynamite, an ox skull and a lasso.

 

the front of the box, less than inspiring artwork

The Convention Season Carries On! Battlefields 2022 coming 12MAR22

 

my ACW ironclads game from Battlefields 2020 

        That jolly bunch of guys that are the Pro or Con gaming group are hosting Battlefields the 12th of March starting at 8am at the Elk's Lodge in Livonia Michigan. This con  has an eclectic mix of historical, sci-fi and fantasy games and always has an interesting Flea Market.  You can find a list of events at the Tabletop Events site where you can also sign up for a game or register to run a game.  I will be running another Thirty Years War At Sea game in the afternoon session and perhaps a 1939 Air War in the Far East  if there is space in the first session. This is a great opportunity to get together with old friends and make new one; be there!

Tabletop Events just click this link to go to the Battlefields page

Pro or Con gaming group; here is their website and this is their Facebook page

Flintcon 2022 some photos and observations

       Flintcon 2022 has come and gone, and what a good time it was! R.U.P. and I set out in the early hours that Saturday morning (despite the 2F temps) and made the trip northward from Detroit to Flint. Rod Cain (the relentlessly energetic organizer of the convention) was on hand to greet everyone as they arrived and pressed me into running my Thirty Years War naval game in the first session as there had been a cancellation. As a naval game is easy to set up I happily agreed and found myself with seven players before I had finished setting things up. 

       The hall was busy but not too crowded and the usual excellent Flea Market was well stocked and busy (I confess to buying a few items despite my commitment to reducing the Lead Mountain). There was a wide array of historical, fantasy and science-fiction games to choose from simple two-player games to large multi-player formats. Some truly excellent games were on show (as you will see below). I ended up running my game in the second session as well which left me little time to check out the other games on display so I handed my phone to my assistant editor J&R who was kind enough to gather some photographs of the action. I do apologize to anyone whose game was overlooked.

 

to my eye this was the winner for "most attractive" game

 a representation of the fight for Little Round Top with beautifully rendered terrain and troops

Convention Update, the Return of Flintcon!

       Rod Cain  just emailed me to report that, after a Covid-induced hiatus, Flintcon returns this coming February 5th, 2022! Along with a host of historical games there will be the usual Pathfinder and Starfinder tournaments. Excellent food and drink are available on site and there are several good restaurants nearby.

       Check out the Flintcon Facebook page or take a look at  https://sites.google.com/site/flintgameconvention/ and you can always reach Rod at flintgameconvention@gmail.com

 

        I will be running a game of naval combat set in the Thirty Years War

 using 1/350 scale ships and modified Ship of the Line rules

Spartacon Resurgent

        Spartacon dodged the weather bullet this year (much to my relief) and saw about  seventy-five gamers gather to breathe life in to the convention scene once more. With about a dozen games in the first two sessions there was plenty of games to participate in, I confess to skipping the third session as I had to drive home that evening. It was reassuring to see gamers gathering together and sharing a good time, the "new normal" notwithstanding.

 

I ran a game of Red Stars and Rising Suns 

with the Russians and the Japanese slugging it out over Nomonhan

 

 

this was a frantic battle between the nimble Japanese fighters and the rugged Russian aircraft

 and saw the superior skill of the Japanese give them a slight edge

Gaming Update Two Games; 15JAN22 and 16JAN22

              Gaming will be happening this Saturday 15JAN22 at 7pm at my place with The Housemartin's Spanish taking on my Prussians using Black Powder rules. This should inspire the rest of the guys that are painting armies to move ahead with their work!

              Tom from Texas will be running a Cold War game at Bastion Gaming Center with Allied troops squaring off against Warsaw Pact troops using Team Yankee rules. This is slated to start at 1pm and is open to all. Check their Facebook page for further info.

Packing Up for the Haul to Spartacon

        I am pretty sure that I am ready for Spartacon 2022. I have gotten all of my aircraft completed, printed out additional aircraft data books so that I can accommodate up to eight players and built six brand-new adjustable flight stands (bringing my current total up sixteen) so as to allow for a full bomber formation to be on the table. All that is left is to pray for nice weather so that the 90 mile trip doesn't turn into a multi-hour nightmare. 

       The problem with being ready early is that I am constantly tempted to add things to the game (some trees would be nice, just for decoration......) that just increase the amount of stuff I have to transport and keep track of! I'm sure that I will forget something, I just hope it isn't something important.

 

the opposing air fleets

Getting Ready for Spartacon2022

 

 

the Japanese forces gain two  more bombers and another Claude

       I am (as always) in a rush to get things squared away for Spartacon 2022. I have added a few more planes to the Imperial Japanese forces and have another Polikarpov I-153 to complete. Then all that remains is to print up a couple more data books and ensure that I have enough flight stands. With any luck I can get it all sorted out and run another test game at Bastion Gaming Center this coming Tuesday, 4JAN22 at 6pm. I will be running this game in the morning session using my Red Stars and Rising Suns rules.

Warlord Games Napoleonics

 

 

cavalry and cannons individual castings well detailed for single-piece models

 I am left to wonder if the infantry come in blocks like the ACW stuff

       I just picked up the latest issue of Wargames Illustrated and affixed to the front was a sprue of Warlord's latest offering; plastic Napoleonics. To my delight and surprise they appeared to be 15mm figures! So I got home and dug out a few of my 15mm figures for a quick size comparison and my suspicions were confirmed, they match nicely with the Minifig 15mm figures in my collection. Mind you, they are probably a tad small by "modern" standards where it is easy to find figures marketed as "15mm" that tower nearly 20mm tall, but they would be an easy mix with my existing armies.

chariots

 

Upcoming Gaming Events; Spartacon 2022, Lansing Michigan

        It is hard to think about but Spartacon is just a month away. This has been a very good local convention for despite being plagued by what I will gently call "Weather Events". You can see the game schedule and also sign up to host games at the Tabletop Events site. I will be bringing my Red Stars and Rising Suns WW2 air combat game with a scenario that pits a Japanese air raid against a Russian air base and the Russian fighters trying to protect their homeland.