As some of you may be aware I wrote a couple of the missions (scenarios) in the new Cold War Gone Hot book by Ambush Alley Games. A year or so early (when I had wriiten these scenarios) I also wrote another one that was to appear in the original version of the book.
Things changed (including a new version of Force on Force) and the third mission was dropped from the final, recently released, book. One of the reasons it was dropped was the sheer size of the mission. Once you have seen the mission, you'll know what I mean - but I also designed it to be playable - so I beleive it won't overwhelm the system.
Shawn (il supremo of AAG) has kindly given me the OK to put up on this blog the mission that didn't make it into the book.
So if you look over to your right you'll see a link to it under - "Useful Documents" - or you can link to it here
Would love to see someone give it a go.
Hope you enjoy my attempt to simulate attacking a VDV bridge-head.
Have fun...
Richard
27 November 2011
23 November 2011
Next Step
Another real quick one. Whenever I get some free painting time in between comission work, I try to move my little Warrior project along. Last night I had enough time to give the two Warriors a quick black wash with Citadel Babab Black.
Here is the result:
Should be able to take the next couple of steps this weekend - I hope...
have fun
Richard
Here is the result:
Should be able to take the next couple of steps this weekend - I hope...
have fun
Richard
21 November 2011
Experiment of the Day
Just a quick post today - more to follow soon.
This is probably nothing new to most of you - but it was the first time I've had a real crack at masking with blu-tack. My victims were a couple of Revell Warriors I had previously sprayed black.
Here they are masked up:
I gave them a reasonably solid spray with FoW's War Paint - British Armour:
Fingers crossed I carefully removed (and threw out) the blu-tack mask and hey presto:
and...
Not 100% but good enough to start work on properly and the method saved a ridiculous amount of time compared to me having to hand paint the cam scheme (like I do on 3 more Warriors...).
So - I'll definitely be doing that again!
Have fun...
Richard
This is probably nothing new to most of you - but it was the first time I've had a real crack at masking with blu-tack. My victims were a couple of Revell Warriors I had previously sprayed black.
Here they are masked up:
I gave them a reasonably solid spray with FoW's War Paint - British Armour:
Fingers crossed I carefully removed (and threw out) the blu-tack mask and hey presto:
and...
Not 100% but good enough to start work on properly and the method saved a ridiculous amount of time compared to me having to hand paint the cam scheme (like I do on 3 more Warriors...).
So - I'll definitely be doing that again!
Have fun...
Richard
17 November 2011
Cold War Gone Hot
Not exactly what I thought I'd be writing about this week - however it's come to my attention that some Amazon customers who pre-ordered "Cold War Gone Hot", a supplement for their Force-on-Force game system - have already recieved their copies of the book - which isn't due out until 22 November.
Lucky, lucky buggers is all I can say. Looking forward to getting a copy of this myself.
The last copy of this I have seen was a proof before it was sent off to Osprey. Reason I got to see the proof was because I wrote two of the scenarios in the book, and helped out a little in other areas as well.
So when you get it, have a look for a Spetsnaz mission where they try and take out a Harrier jump jet hide, and an SAS mission where they try and take out a Soviet HQ. Very interested to hear what people think of the scenarios and especially to see any After Action Reports.
I had another scenario that didn't make the book (too big) which I'd still like to try out.
There should be a broad range of other scenarios in there as well - not just special forces raiding type missions and assuming it hasn't changed much from the last time I saw it AAG have tackled the subject in a very interesting way. It is also packed full of useful info - especialy the stuff on unit TO&Es - that will be good for any Cold War gaming.
So go out and buy it now - and let me know what you think
Have fun...
Richard
Lucky, lucky buggers is all I can say. Looking forward to getting a copy of this myself.
The last copy of this I have seen was a proof before it was sent off to Osprey. Reason I got to see the proof was because I wrote two of the scenarios in the book, and helped out a little in other areas as well.
So when you get it, have a look for a Spetsnaz mission where they try and take out a Harrier jump jet hide, and an SAS mission where they try and take out a Soviet HQ. Very interested to hear what people think of the scenarios and especially to see any After Action Reports.
I had another scenario that didn't make the book (too big) which I'd still like to try out.
There should be a broad range of other scenarios in there as well - not just special forces raiding type missions and assuming it hasn't changed much from the last time I saw it AAG have tackled the subject in a very interesting way. It is also packed full of useful info - especialy the stuff on unit TO&Es - that will be good for any Cold War gaming.
So go out and buy it now - and let me know what you think
Have fun...
Richard
10 November 2011
BAOR Late 1980s Stocktake
Continuing with my stocktake theme… this week I tried and work out exactly what I'm missing to complete my late 1980's BAOR force. This force is meant to represent a 1-for-1 reduced armoured infantry company plus some attached Battalion assets.
This force and the other BAOR force are about as large (once they are finished) as I can imagine you could reasonably play in a wargame – especially once you start adding things like recon units or armoured units.
As I understand it, most British Army units were chronically short of their established sizes – and after some limited combat a reduced company is possibly a more realistic representation to play with.
Also, these units would allow me to form a kind of infantry heavy company team, by adding in a platoon of tanks. Or by using 1 platoon of armoured/mechanised infantry I could form a tank heavy company team. Kind of a British version of “Team Yankee”.
This appears to be reasonably doctrinal, at least for the earlier 1980s.
Anyway – on with the show. Here is what I am currently able to field:
Here is the company + additional assets broken down a little diagrammatically (in my own repeatedly amateurish manner).
The Guide
(Things missing are in bold)
Blue - Company CO, Radio Operator, Company Sergeant - should perhaps have more - need to investigate that further – Command Warrior (I have the Warrior – but am waiting to get the Kingfisher Miniatures command conversion set before making them)
Light Yellow - Company 2IC, Radio Operator, Sergeant (?) - not sure about this one - need to investigate that further – Command warrior (as above)
Khaki – on left hand side – sniper section
Light Green – odd shaped box on right – 2 x GPMG Sustained Fire Team
Yellow - 1st Platoon (from Left to Right)
Platoon Leader, RTO, Platoon Sergeant, Light Mortar, Medic
3 Sections
Fireteam A - Section Leader, LSW Gunner, Rifleman, Rifleman
Fireteam B - Section 2IC, LSW Gunner, Rifleman, Rifleman
4 x Warrior
Red - 2nd Platoon (from Right to Left)
Platoon Leader, RTO, Platoon Sergeant, Light Mortar, Medic
3 Sections
Fireteam A - Section Leader, LSW Gunner, Rifleman, Rifleman
Fireteam B - Section 2IC, LSW Gunner, Rifleman, Rifleman
4 x Warrior
Bright Blue - ATGM Section
2 Milan Teams
Platoon Leader, RTO, Platoon Sergeant, 2 Milan Teams, 2 Spartan MCT
Bright Green - Mortar Battery
2 FV432M with mortar teams, Spartan, Sultan (not shown)
White - Artillery
105mm light gun + crew, tractor (not shown).
105mm light gun + crew
2 x Abbot
So that's it for the stocktake. I now have a better idea of what's missing and what I need to pursue to finish off this unit. I still have a couple of things to work out here as well – like how do Javelin Teams (the Blowpipe replacement) fit in here…
Next week – what I painted for my wife’s birthday.
Have fun...
Richard
This force and the other BAOR force are about as large (once they are finished) as I can imagine you could reasonably play in a wargame – especially once you start adding things like recon units or armoured units.
As I understand it, most British Army units were chronically short of their established sizes – and after some limited combat a reduced company is possibly a more realistic representation to play with.
Also, these units would allow me to form a kind of infantry heavy company team, by adding in a platoon of tanks. Or by using 1 platoon of armoured/mechanised infantry I could form a tank heavy company team. Kind of a British version of “Team Yankee”.
This appears to be reasonably doctrinal, at least for the earlier 1980s.
Anyway – on with the show. Here is what I am currently able to field:
Here is the company + additional assets broken down a little diagrammatically (in my own repeatedly amateurish manner).
The Guide
(Things missing are in bold)
Blue - Company CO, Radio Operator, Company Sergeant - should perhaps have more - need to investigate that further – Command Warrior (I have the Warrior – but am waiting to get the Kingfisher Miniatures command conversion set before making them)
Light Yellow - Company 2IC, Radio Operator, Sergeant (?) - not sure about this one - need to investigate that further – Command warrior (as above)
Khaki – on left hand side – sniper section
Light Green – odd shaped box on right – 2 x GPMG Sustained Fire Team
Yellow - 1st Platoon (from Left to Right)
Platoon Leader, RTO, Platoon Sergeant, Light Mortar, Medic
3 Sections
Fireteam A - Section Leader, LSW Gunner, Rifleman, Rifleman
Fireteam B - Section 2IC, LSW Gunner, Rifleman, Rifleman
4 x Warrior
Red - 2nd Platoon (from Right to Left)
Platoon Leader, RTO, Platoon Sergeant, Light Mortar, Medic
3 Sections
Fireteam A - Section Leader, LSW Gunner, Rifleman, Rifleman
Fireteam B - Section 2IC, LSW Gunner, Rifleman, Rifleman
4 x Warrior
Bright Blue - ATGM Section
2 Milan Teams
Platoon Leader, RTO, Platoon Sergeant, 2 Milan Teams, 2 Spartan MCT
Bright Green - Mortar Battery
2 FV432M with mortar teams, Spartan, Sultan (not shown)
White - Artillery
105mm light gun + crew, tractor (not shown).
105mm light gun + crew
2 x Abbot
So that's it for the stocktake. I now have a better idea of what's missing and what I need to pursue to finish off this unit. I still have a couple of things to work out here as well – like how do Javelin Teams (the Blowpipe replacement) fit in here…
Next week – what I painted for my wife’s birthday.
Have fun...
Richard
01 November 2011
BAOR mid 1980's Stocktake
Well October was officially "No Blog Month" - my first month without an update. But I had a reasonable excuse - a holiday in New Zealand during the Rugby World Cup. Didn't get to any of the games - wrong part of the country - but did enjoy soaking up the experience. And have found the perfect retirement destination.
I'm not sure how much or how regularly I'll be getting updates up for the next little while either with real life and other competing events getting in the way of getting much done - and no one wants to read a blog of just waffle... so, we'll see what I can do.
Enough excuse making. I've needed to do a decent stocktake for a while now and find out exactly what I'm missing to complete my mid 1980's BAOR force. This force represents (in my imagination anyway) a 1-for-1 reduced mechanised company plus some attached Battalion assets.
Here is what I am currently able to field:
Here is the company + additional assets broken down a little diagramatically (and kind of amateurish manner as well!)
The Guide
(Things missing are in bold)
Green - Company CO, Radio Operator, Company Sergeant - should perhaps have more - need to investigate that further - FV432
Blue - Company 2IC, Radio Operator, Sergeant (?) - not sure about this one - need to investigate that further - FV432
Not sure about what other assets the Company HQ might be able to bring to the party - like a sniper section...
Purple - GPMG Sustained Fire Team - possibly party of the Company HQ - 2nd GPMG Sustained Fire Team
Yellow - 1st Platoon (from Right to Left)
Platoon Leader, RTO, Platoon Sergeant, Light Mortar, Medic
3 Sections
Fireteam A - Section Leader, MAW Gunner, Assistant Gunner, Rifleman
Fireteam B - Section 2IC, GPMG Gunner, Assistant Gunner, Rifleman
4 x FV432
2 FV432, 1 x MAW Gunner
Red - 2nd Platoon (from Left to Right)
Platoon Leader, RTO, Platoon Sergeant, Light Mortar, Medic
3 Sections
Fireteam A - Section Leader, MAW Gunner, Assistant Gunner, Rifleman
Fireteam B - Section 2IC, GPMG Gunner, Assistant Gunner, Rifleman
4 x FV432
White - ATGM Section
So far just the 1 Milan Team
Platoon Leader, RTO, Platoon Sergeant, 3 Milan Teams, 3 FV432, 2 Spartan MCT
Orange Brown - Mortar Battery
2 FV432M with mortar teams, Sultan & Spartan (not shown)
Light Blue - ADA Section
2 Blowpipe Teams - need to do further reseacrh on how these would have been transported, did they have command element etc.
Grey - Artillery
105mm light gun + crew, tractor (not shown).
105mm light gun + crew
2 x Abbot
2 x GPMG Turreted FV432 (for use as Platoon Leader vehicles - just to tell them apart)
So that's it for the stocktake. I now have a better idea of what's missing and what I need to pursue to finish off this unit. Fortunately, possession of a large number of FV432s will also help me with my next unit - but more on that next week
Have fun...
Richard
I'm not sure how much or how regularly I'll be getting updates up for the next little while either with real life and other competing events getting in the way of getting much done - and no one wants to read a blog of just waffle... so, we'll see what I can do.
Enough excuse making. I've needed to do a decent stocktake for a while now and find out exactly what I'm missing to complete my mid 1980's BAOR force. This force represents (in my imagination anyway) a 1-for-1 reduced mechanised company plus some attached Battalion assets.
Here is what I am currently able to field:
Here is the company + additional assets broken down a little diagramatically (and kind of amateurish manner as well!)
The Guide
(Things missing are in bold)
Green - Company CO, Radio Operator, Company Sergeant - should perhaps have more - need to investigate that further - FV432
Blue - Company 2IC, Radio Operator, Sergeant (?) - not sure about this one - need to investigate that further - FV432
Not sure about what other assets the Company HQ might be able to bring to the party - like a sniper section...
Purple - GPMG Sustained Fire Team - possibly party of the Company HQ - 2nd GPMG Sustained Fire Team
Yellow - 1st Platoon (from Right to Left)
Platoon Leader, RTO, Platoon Sergeant, Light Mortar, Medic
3 Sections
Fireteam A - Section Leader, MAW Gunner, Assistant Gunner, Rifleman
Fireteam B - Section 2IC, GPMG Gunner, Assistant Gunner, Rifleman
4 x FV432
2 FV432, 1 x MAW Gunner
Red - 2nd Platoon (from Left to Right)
Platoon Leader, RTO, Platoon Sergeant, Light Mortar, Medic
3 Sections
Fireteam A - Section Leader, MAW Gunner, Assistant Gunner, Rifleman
Fireteam B - Section 2IC, GPMG Gunner, Assistant Gunner, Rifleman
4 x FV432
White - ATGM Section
So far just the 1 Milan Team
Platoon Leader, RTO, Platoon Sergeant, 3 Milan Teams, 3 FV432, 2 Spartan MCT
Orange Brown - Mortar Battery
2 FV432M with mortar teams, Sultan & Spartan (not shown)
Light Blue - ADA Section
2 Blowpipe Teams - need to do further reseacrh on how these would have been transported, did they have command element etc.
Grey - Artillery
105mm light gun + crew, tractor (not shown).
105mm light gun + crew
2 x Abbot
2 x GPMG Turreted FV432 (for use as Platoon Leader vehicles - just to tell them apart)
So that's it for the stocktake. I now have a better idea of what's missing and what I need to pursue to finish off this unit. Fortunately, possession of a large number of FV432s will also help me with my next unit - but more on that next week
Have fun...
Richard