Trials & Tribulations

 

When Black Friday was on I looked at "The Little Corporal" website.  It was applying a 20% discount to their Lurkio South American range.  Being fairly well aware of which armies I lack I thought to persuaded Ian to play some trial DBA games with 'approximated' figures.

DBA v3.0 on Saturday (26th Dec):

(1)  4.71a Chimu Imperial v 2.81 Inca Imperial   4:0 win
       Dice rolls ruled this game (especially movement).

(2)  4.84a Araucanians v 4.84b Other Mapuche    7:1 win
     The (b) option is a pretty lousy army - Ax supported by fast Bw.  The terrain channelled my   opponent allowing me to double up my fast Pk.

My previous experience with the Incas showed me that 2 x Hd(F) were more effective than 2 x Pk(F) so I didn't even bother to try out 4.70  Chanca or Canari.  Maybe I should have!

Will my wallet moths be disturbed?  It seems that the Lurkio 'pack-breakers' are no longer available. This means that I have to buy full packs which will give me far too many surplus figures. Although the Chimu with copper armour are great figures I am not tempted to buy.

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 Pict Command

Scouting around further in the LC site I discovered Splintered Light figures.  Although mostly fantasy there are some historicals.  Further trials were required.  This time Ian had most of the required elements.

(3)  2.54a Scots-Irish  v  2.81a Dux Brit      4:3 loss
      A tight game that went down to the wire.

(4)  2.60 Caledonian v 2.56 Early Imperial Roman   4:1 win
     Terrain and dice rolls decided this game as well.  I could double up my Wb without being  overlapped.

(5)  2.68a Pictish v 2.73 Old Saxon          5:0 loss
      Just shows how capricious the dice gods are.  My Pk(F) were no match for massed Wb.

None of these armies seem particularly strong and my existing stocks would cover most of this group.  The exception being 6 x Pk(F) for the Picts.  Am I tempted?  Cannot remember ever buying Splintered Light figures but they look alright. Maybe purchase a few!

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Terrible Regiments of Women - unicorn riders

(6) I still need an enemy for my HotT Garden Gnomes.  Further delving into SL I noticed some female  figures.  Most 25mm sculpts that I have seen have obviously been derived from adolescent boys fantasies  These 15mm figures are much more sensible. (Seem to remember seeing a stall at shows offering realistic 25/28mm models).

Wood Elves of Wyldewood:

Wood Elf Sorceress / Wood Elf Unicorn Riders /                                                                                  Wood Elf Female / Wood Elf Maiden Guard                          

So we have some useful foot and mounted.  There are certainly other suitable creatures to be found in the other fantasy ranges!                          

HOWEVER - a recent notice says that no new orders are being taken until 3rd April 2023 so
                        I will just have to shelve yet another purchase.

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Closing Note:  On the 7th attempt I managed to introduce printer to network.  Don't know how but I'm not risking any changes.  Have printed out a copy of the naval rules and given them the once over.

Naval Gazing

 

Link to Inspiration (blog) - http://soundofficerscall.blogspot.com/2022/08/frigate-action-off-hispaniola-it-is.html

It was this blog post that attracted my attention.  I purchased 72 basic two-deckers (Risk ships) that are a lot better than anticipated.  Given 28 more by Andrew on the following Monday. Some conversions should be possible to create single and tri-deckers.  Oh Well, yet more painting!  

The only other problem is printing out the rules as I haven't had a computer printer for years.  Used to take the pdfs to a local firm but they closed during the covid epidemic. I have no intention of buying ink cartridges (that cost more than their weight in gold) ever again. 

I considered an Eco-Tank printer.  So, dear reader, I duly paid for an Epson ET-1810 from Argos on Thursday 19th January.  The local stores (Barnsley, Wakefield & Pontefract) had no stock.  I was offered a collection the following day at Shafton (a Sainsburys Local).  Confirmation came through with a receipt that I was required to print out and take to the shop)!  Foolishly I tried the Argos online help and chat bot.  A chocolate fire-guard.

At the store I collared an assistant who was doubtful that she could help as I didn't have the barcode for her to scan.  She called the manager who asked if I had a smart phone (answer - No). He played about with his smart phone which soon settled the matter and I was allowed to walk off with my purchase.  Three cheers for human intervention and common sense.

Since then I have filled the 4 chambers with ink and installed the software  So I'm up and running then?  No such luck - my Wi-Fi network is stubbornly refusing to recognise the printer.  

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Kits in the Attic -  7 x Airfix Victory models (one cut down to waterline)
                               1 x Airfix Golden Hind model
                               4 x Heller 1/600 scale Royal Louis
                               1 x Heller 1/180 Osberg Drakkar
                               1 x Heller 1/225 Bireme

I hate to think how old these models are but one of the price labels says 99p.  The brown paper bags (remember them!) came from Gamages (the only model shop  in the centre of Croydon at that time).  Supply was very erratic in that era so you grabbed what you could and stored it away for later. It has only taken 50 years to surface.  Now passed on to a keen modeller.  I wonder what else will be coming out of the attic?

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Yes, I know that I have not blogged in a while (months actually).  Many factors apply including - poor health (crazy BP), my regular DBA opponent going back into full-time employment (after 18 years of domestic duties) and the DBM group sliding over into 7YW territory. Tony Aguilar is no longer supporting DBA v3 but is into tanks.  The old order changeth!