Yesterday I managed to get along to the Woking Wargames Day, once more an annual event since the passing of the Covid pandemic lockdown (that seems a long time ago now!). Organised by Mike Lewis for members of the Little Wars Revisited Forum it seeks to promote wargaming with 54mm toy soldiers. I could only stay for the morning session but 5 games were in play and this is what they looked like:
I took part in this Northewest Frontier game using "The Men Who Would Be Kings" ruleset, and jolly good fun it was too, a bit dice heavy for my tastes but the system is easy to pick up and quick to play once you get the hang of it.
The Armies in Plastic figures have appeared here before but the Armoured Train is a new addition and is very impressive, the scenario has the train ambushed and immobilised by the tribesmen who must hold off a flying column of British infantry and cavalry that are riding to the rescue.
The game opened with both sides sniping at each other from cover while their artillery kept up a desultory but largely ineffective covering fire.
Afghan tribesmen and irregular infantry made good use of cover to move in on the train from both flanks but took casualties which resulted in four units running from the field, despite this they eventually overran the train to narrowly win the game but at great cost.
Anthony brought along his Expeditionary Force, Dark Ages collection for a game using a grid terrain and the "Age of Penda" rule system designed by Daniel Mersey.
It was great to finally meet Mark, who brought along his Snowball Fight game, ably assisted by the Tradgardmastre. I didn't get to watch the game in play but you can see more about it here on Mark's Man of Tin blog
Pat brought along his collection of Anglo-Normans for another Daniel Mersey designed game, this time Lion Rampant.
And finally the other Brian C brought along his skirmish game of Smugglers and Revenue Men which uses his own rules, the figures above are Charbens and Replicants.
More of Brian C's beautifully painted figures, these are Marx and Historex.
To my thinking, choosing 54mm for a smuggling game is quite a clever choice. The paintwork looks good too! Thanks for the report.
ReplyDeleteMichael
Brian Cameron’s Smuggling game was indeed good fun - Alan and I played this with him in the afternoon, simple but swashbuckling - and well painted, individually named figures. After a promising start my smugglers were reduced to just the Captain who wisely snuck off through the woods, despite having loaded several barrels in the cart which had to be left behind. A triumph for the forces of law and order ... this time.
DeleteI like the visual impact of wargames with 54mm figures, that and playing with toy soldiers like we used to in simpler times. The smugglers and snowballers made for great skirmish games where you could really appreciate the individuality of each figure.
DeleteI do like the idea that all the figures are named, and could even be linked to a smuggling story that has been published, or a film. The numbers required wouldn't be too large either. (Have participated in several smuggling re-enactments set in the 1780-90 period, commanding the Revenue Service and Marines.
DeleteMichael
Thanks for the comments. The game was largely inspired by the old black-and-white Dr Syn movie and I think 54mm works well with naming the figures for a bit more character. A number also had a trait so important to identify which figure was which. Mark, Man-of-low-dice-rolls, had such poor luck. Hopefully Cap'n Smudge found the teddy bears having a picnic in the woods and got a reviving cup of tea and a bun. The Snowball fight was great fun. And good to meet up again Brian.
DeleteIt was good to finally meet you at last, forty years after reading your Big Wars article! https://poundstoreplasticwarriors.wordpress.com/2017/06/30/brian-carricks-big-wars/
ReplyDeleteIt was great talking to you too Mark, it's always good to be able to put a face to a name and I found the frozen terrain in your game was quite a magical wonderland!
DeleteGood to see you again Brian. A splendid day indeed.
ReplyDeleteAlan Tradgardland
Great too see you too Alan, the Games Day and good company was just what I needed to lift my flagging mojo!
DeleteThank you for an excellent report Brian! That armoured train is one of the best that I've ever seen! The AIP figures work perfectly with it. Is it a homemade train or commercially available?
ReplyDeleteBrad, The armoured Train is the Kit I designed and made when I ran Imperial Miniatures. it is still available from Antony who bought Imperial. it is a mix of metal, plastic and laser cut ply.
DeleteThank you for the information Mike. You did a marvelous job on that train!
DeleteGlad you enjoyed the report Brad, I need to get back in the frame of playing games, and thanks Mike for clarifying the situation about that great train.
DeleteLooks like a good day.
ReplyDeleteI've only played one game since the 2022 Woking Games Day so it was nice to get back in the saddle!
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