Where am I going in 2025?

 

Happy New Year 2025


It seems that "the old order changeth" whether we like it or not.  Of course we still have egotistical madmen running countries - Putin, Trump, Kim Jon Un, et al.  

Mere wargamers, like ourselves, cannot change anything significant on the world stage so we have to concentrate on our hobby.  Trouble is that the ground is shifting even there.  Look at the number of figure manufacturers that have gone out of business and others that are following closely behind.  The cost of postage and petty (EU & US) regulations are also making everything harder.  Covid has conditioned us to get home after work and stay in.  Look around your local club to see how many of your colleagues are pensioners.

On the micro scale I find myself no longer interested in building forces for DBM.  As far as I'm concerned DBMM is a curate's egg - only good in parts.  So this leaves me with DBA.  

When I first started wargaming (1975) metal figures were hard to get. I had to travel to Peckham Rye in order to get a few Garrison and/or Hinchliffe models. On the other hand Airfix 20mm could be had in many outlets including 'paper shops'.  This is how I got into 'Ancients' - Brits & Romans.

Also available were ACW and AWI.  The former I collected, and even painted forces for both sides based on the rules in the Airfix guide.  Nobody else at the Croydon club was interested.  

From the latter I amassed considerable numbers for AWI.  Conversions were made so that I could represent Germans, French, Spanish & Native Americans.  Many rule sets were tried out but without much satisfaction.  To me, this period requires a free-flowing rule set not based on 7YW linear tactics.  It also needs to be unbiased. Recently 'Live Free or Die' has come out and WTF have a suitable sub-set.  All I need to do now is find someone who is prepared to experiment with them.

In Southampton (1977) I joined in with whatever was happening in the church opposite the Mayflower (cannot remember what it was called before that).  Renaissance, WWI Aerial dogfights, 19C Colonial, Naval under sail, etc.  By the time I had moved to Shirley (1978) the group played at the Ordinance Survey building.  Ancients were the most popular period at the time (6th Ed).  I worked near Minifigs and passed it on a (week)daily basis.  Understandably the shop was shut so I walked on by down the notorious Derby Road towards the industrial estate.

In the 80s/90s I travelled around quite a bit spending time at King's Lynn, Derby, Portsmouth, Stowmarket, Utrecht & Groeningen.  Ancients were the only constant (6th to DBM). Early 2000s saw me settled in Yorkshire and a member of the Wakefield club.

Now I'm looking at sorting out the loft and the larger bedroom - wish me luck dear readers.

Christmas - Bah! Humbug!

 

Old Age is not for Sissies

Whilst still relatively young we take our ability to carry out simple tasks for granted.  Climbing the stairs, walking in a straight line, carrying stuff, etc.  It comes as a nasty surprise when you can, no longer, casually climb a loft ladder.

I entered my third quarter this year and have been subjected to a considerable number of medical investigation since my birthday.  It feels like I am some rusty old banger that the mechanics think should not be on the road anyway.

Previously I stored most of my wargaming materials in the loft space.  Now I am 'strongly advised' not to risk steps, ladders and chairs.  Not the end of the world as I can get my 'irregular friends' to bring something down each time they visit.  

Only problem is when stuff comes down it has to go somewhere.  I have been a hoarder for so many years that finding even 'working space' is a challenge. It didn't help that some while ago the 'front room' floor collapsed owing to dry rot so everything had to be pushed out going wherever I could find space.  I have yet to recover from that particular disaster.

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Talking about old age - a recollection of a summer trip to the club:

"4 x DBA armies ready to engage for battle.  I loaded up the car and sped (well crawled actually) to the club.  The hall was like the Marie Celeste - empty.  Joel arrived a few minutes later.  Neither of us knew what was going on.

After waiting about 10 minutes, and seeing a gorgeous young lady pass by, we re-scheduled for early June.  So I had spent the morning painting Germans for nothing!  Incidentally researching the 'Germans' revealed that they were, in fact, Visigoths.

I went round to Casa Pinder to see if there was a game on there.  Sure enough I was able to join in a DBM scrap between Akkadians and Sumerians.  So I got a game anyway!  Well...not quite.  Andy & Chris flank marched onto the same side with Chris being forced back.  When time was called it was a draw...but only just.  Al and I had been little but spectators.

I mentioned the girl encounter and how such creatures had not been around in my youth.  Andy suggested that rationing wouldn't have helped."

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DBA - Gt.Houghton - 20th Dec 2024

3.63b    Early Polish                   v 4.30  Teutonic Order              4:1 win
4.61      Italian Condotta             v 413d  Medieval German        5:1 win
3.28      Carolingian Frankish     v 3.18  Breton                           4:1 win
3.30b    Magyar                           v 3.52  Normans                       4:1 loss
3.40a    Vikings                           v 2.68b Pictish                          4:1 loss

It might be helpful if I explain why my DBA battles involve such, apparently random, enemies.  We play in Ian's cellar where he has access to all his stock. I have to transport figures in the back of my boneshaker/car.  Each session I take along whatever is close to hand - 15mm and/or 20mm (based for 25mm scale).

I declare what armies I have with me and Ian checks the enemies that he can field.  The dice decide which particular enemy I am to face.  Sometimes that works to my advantage and sometimes not.

My Polish Kn were about 80% painted so they made the cut for the first game.  The 2nd to 4th games came out of the Eastern European Dark Ages tin.  Never used the Condotta before.  Carolingians are just a better army that the Bretons.  It also helped that the dice gods were on my side!

Magyar were fielded on a whim - not a good idea - totally outclassed by the opposition.  The 'solid' Vikings did not do well in the terrain and were too slow.

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I Should Open A Library!

 3 publications arrived on my 'to read' shelf this week - 2 from Osprey and one from WI.

MAA180 - Published 1986 - Martinez & McBride

I wanted some better illustrations of the ancient Spanish so I risked getting this, somewhat, venerable booklet.  The colour plates look like someone threw sand over them - a heavy greenish-yellow dusting.  Plate G shows a dead elephant - was this just a baby?  Cannot believe that African bush elephants were so small!

 

MAA475 - Published 2011 - Chartrand & Rickman

This fills out my knowledge of the Spanish forces in America during the Revolution.  Always fancied building a 20mm army for this period.  Most soldiers can be formed by re-painting existing Airfix (and other) figures.  

The only exception are the Cuera cavalry. Given the low numbers required I may end up doing some conversions.

I happened to be in Pontefract on Wednesday and thought to go look in W.H.Smiths.  The latest edition of Wargames Illustrated had a 'free' gift in the pouch entitled 'Never Mind the Matchlocks'.  Obviously related to the popular 'Never Mind the Billhooks' rules by Andy Callan.  Matchlocks concentrates on the ECW rather than the Wars of the Roses (see 'Billhooks).

I had been avoided building any DBA-RRR armies based on the ECW but many of them have figures that could be seconded.  Perhaps Jim will put on a battle at the WDW club!  

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Meanwhile back on the DBA front:

Saturday 23rd November - Gt.Houghton

2.80b   Hunnic      v  2.83b   Later Visigothic    5:0 loss
2.53      Ancient Brits    v  2.54a   Scots-Irish        5:1 loss
2.40      Numidian    v  2.32a   Later Carthaginian    5:2 win
2.39b   Ancient Spanish v  2.47a   Early German        4:1 loss

I was expecting game three to be a 5:2 result but a loss.  Still...can't complain I broke my losing streak.  Just remains to see how Sat 30th goes!

Out with the Old, In with the New

 

                                                Jewish Revolt Aux - painted by Paul Johnston

Looking into my Carthaginians box I realised that most of the painted figures are (very) old Minifigs whereas the bare metal is mainly Magister Militum.  So, if I painted up the new recruits I should be able to retire the 'veterans'.   

Firstly I will concentrate on the Spanish.  I have plenty of new foot (helped by some donations from Ian) but little in the way of mounted.  Secondly my attention will go to the Numidians/Moorish.

So what to do with all those old Spanish LMI! Well....oval shield, bare heads, cloak & spear.  I consulted the Armies & Enemies books.  What popped out at me were the 3 'Jewish' armies.

2.43       Maccabean Jewish   168-104 bc
2.50       Hasmonean Jewish   103-63 bc
2.51       Late Judaean             63 bc – 6 ad

SUMMARY (maxima)

3Kn(g)        1            3Cv         1        
2Lh(g)        1            2Lh          3    
4Pk             4            4Bd          2    
4Ax             6            3Ax          2    
5Hd             2            7Hd          2            
2Ps (bow)    3            2Ps (jav)    2
2Ps (sling)    3                
    
32 elements

Most of these can come out  of my 'Hellenistic' tins but I could also re-paint some of the old LMI as genuine Jews. The tunic needs work including some stripes.  I should be able to manage that (weather permitting of course).  

Not a killer army amongst them but a chance to mark off 3 more from the book 2 spreadsheet.

So what to do with the rest!  Maybe later!

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On a losing streak - two recent DBA sessions have been an unmitigated disaster - 7 games, 7 losses:

Saturday 2nd November - Gt.Houghton

2.3b   Classical Indian    v 2.46b    Kushan             4:1 loss
3.10c  Hindu Indian        v 2.80c    Chionite Huns  5:4 loss  (The last time I tried to win)
3.23a  Khmer                  v 3.23b    Cham               4:0 loss
2.36a  Graeco-Bactrian   v 2.37     Parthian            4:0 loss

Saturday 9th November - Gt.Houghton

3.78  Scots Isles           v 4.58  Medieval Irish    8.3 loss [Double DBA]
2.11  Gallic                   v 2.13  Samnite             4:2 loss (lots of terrain in the centre)
4.47  Golden Horde      v 4.65  Wallachian         4:0 loss (tried out the Italian 1 4Xb)

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Nothing on my paint table - too cold.  Of course I had a hospital appointment yesterday - so it snowed!

Awaiting 2 books from Osprey (still on the 'Spanish' theme).  More news next time - I hope!

It's Been A Long Time

 ...getting from there to here!

Finally managed to extract a couple of boxes from my loft (thanks to someone else climbing the ladder).

 

The first ones out of the gates are the 'Gauls'.  As far as I'm concerned this means fast warband rather than solid - like the Germans (whose box I cannot find).

So the relevant DBA army lists are:

1.14 a-c    Early Northern Barbarians
2.11          Gallic
2.53          Ancient British


The first list has 9 x 4Bw so I'm swerving that one.  

The other lists give a more standard mix of Wb(F) plus LCh. The Gallics can substitute Cv for Lh and solid Wb for fast.  

I am puzzled by one aspect of the 1.14b army that allows for 2 x 4Bd. Cannot find any reference to such figures. The blurb says some nobles wore bronze armour but of what sort there is no indication.  

Nevertheless I will be transporting this box to Gt. Houghton tomorrow  all things being equal.  Might take another small box or two.

Next on my list is a huge mess of two tins labelled 'Indians' and 'Elephants Plus' but more on that next posting.

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For those who wonder where I have been - I have been wearing a path to various local medical facilities. Had a bad reaction to my Covid jab.  It's not good getting old.  

No DBA gaming to report on but I did manage to visit the club on Monday night and watched a DBMM game. 

A few figures have received a lick of paint as well- mainly Russian Napoleonics and some additional Isles & Highlanders.

Hopefully my health will improve so that normal service can resume asap.

 

 

 

Scots Wha Hae

 

 These are Gripping Beast 25mm SCOTS07 - 

My camera is playing up again now that Fuji have decided to cease supporting FinePix.  I can see my pictures on the viewer but they stubbornly refuse to import.  Will have to buy an external card reader.

 I wouldn't normally consider building 3.78 Scots Isles & Highlanders as I already have Vikings.  Another DBA army with an excess of 4Bd was, therefore, not on the cards.  So how come I have 18 elements waiting to be flocked and photographed?  

It's a question of accumulation.  Ian gave me a load of suitable axemen, Ben supplied some 'Viking' types and my own spares box ran to a few more elements.  What I didn't have I purchased from QRF - Bw & Pk (it took 23 days but at least they are still functioning).

Now I'm thinking about a double DBA army.  For that I need an additional 3 x 4Bd; 2 x 3Bw & 1 x 3Ax (Irish).  The WotR box can supply the last element.  What I am short of is 40mm x 15mm mdf bases (incidentally I highly recommend sandpapering the mdf to improve adhesion).

It is not necessary to differentiate between the 2 commands in DDBA but I'm going to do it anyway.  The painted soldiers are on wider (20mm) bases whereas the new ones will be shallower.  Doubt that it will make any practical difference but time, and experimentation, will tell.

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No wargames for me recently as I have been quite unwell - balance failures.  Discovered that part of the problem was using Cymex (for a cold sore).  Seems that when you are over 65 the medicine is not recommended (contra-indications include dizzyness).  Who would have thought?

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On the painting tray:  (a)  Napoleonic Russian horse and artillery
                                   (b)  Anglo-Saxons
                                   (c)  Oddments - 4 x Italian Xb, 8 x generic medieval Sp,  6 x Celtiberian Bd(F) &                                                             10 x Elvish HotT elements.                    

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Stray Thoughts & Scattered Dreams

 

 Atlas of the Battles of the American Revolution 1775-83 by Bonk & Anderson

 This solid tome was recently on special offer at £20 from Helion.  At that price I could not resist.  Looks like a well crafted book with plenty of maps.

Thought it might be time to get all those 20mm Americans & Brits out of loft!  Then reality stepped in and reminded me of the current ban on climbing chairs & ladders.  Unfortunately (or fortunately) until my balance improves those Airfix armies can slumber on.  

Also occurred to me that I may have some British up there as well!  15mm figures purchased decades ago from a shop in Doncaster.  Of course the model shop no longer exists (now an 'adult' premises).  

Sadly yet another wargames establishment has shut down - Janco Toys at Worsborough.  The owner needs to devote his time to looking after his sick partner.

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Something Dropped Into My Lap

I had run out of ideas for blog posts.  Inspiration was sleeping late (or later than me anyway). Maybe a look through some old box files would help!  Of course the lid of one gave way and spilled its contents all over the place.

Amongst the papers were a few things that had been 'put away for later' ...and later never came.  3 items needed further investigation:

1)  "Suggestions for HotT Naval Elements" [author unknown].  Only 2 pages - eminently sensible and easy to incorporate into HotT.

2)  D3H2 v2.0.  There were obviously pages missing - no idea where the disc is.  I contacted Thomas J Thomas (one of the authors) who kindly sent me a copy of the latest version (2.1).  This will probably be the last pro tem as he is helping to develop DBA Fantasy.  Have played D3H2 a few times in the past and found them OK.

3)  Hott With A Difference by G.Branco.  Posted to 'theminiaturespage' a few years ago (email address is no longer valid).

An attempt to add some colour/individuality to 'vanilla' HotT.  New army lists have restrictions and troop abilities.  Of course only play-testing will tell.
Now, if my camera & computer will talk to each other I could set up a trial game.......Hmm!

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On the Paint Tray:

Nap Russians - 15mm cavalry & artillery
Ancients - 15mm Anglo-Saxons - slow going and dull,
Fantasy - 20mm Elves - need some extras (about 6 points short) - time to research Elven mythology.