West Wind - Secrets of the Third Reich

The Spear of Destiny & Frau Tear

This week I have placed up Leroy Simpson's' latest painting commission. The figures have been painted for Jeff Smith, which he has based for the "Hoards & Things" rules. The figures themselves are from West Winds great range miniatures from the 'Secrets of the Third Reich'. I'm going to miss Leroy's' great painting as we will be moving down to NSW next week and the old Lonely Gamers will be off the air for at least a month or more until we get set back up again. However I will try have Leroy send down images of his latest painting when ever I can. So I hope you all have a safe Christmas and Happy New Year. Hope to hear from you all in 2010.

Vinnie

Mech Grenadiers

Grenadier Snipers

Jager Werewolf's

German Zombies

Pinger & Controller

Vendel Miniatures - Parthian Horse Archers

I have just placed up a few images of Vendel Miniatures great new Parthian Horse Archers. The figures are supplied four figures to a pack and come in four different poses. One figure is reaching for another arrow, another notching the arrow, a third figures is drawing the bow and firing and the last figure has just released an arrow. All the casting are beautifully designed. However they are on the small side and closer to the true 25mm then the main Vendel range of 30mm figures. They would not really fit in with the old range. But with only a small number of manufactures designing Parthians these guys are definitely up there with the best of them. Plus with more figures on the way from Vendel I would have to say that I might have to hit the credit card again after Christmas. The figures have been painted by Leroy Simpson and based by me.

The Bovington Gaming Convention - 2006

I have placed up some of the images I took back in 2006 of the convention at the Bovington Tank Museum. I only wish I had taken more, there were so many great games played and demonstrated that day - enjoy

Bovington Tank Museum - 2006

Some more images from my little trip to the UK in 2006. This day I decided to take the boys on sight seeing trip around the area we were stay and ended up stumbling into the Bovington Tank Museum. However there also so happened to be warganing convention on at the same time. I will put those images up next. But for now I have posted a few shots of some the fantastic collection at the museum - enjoy.

A weekend at Peter Morbey's - 2006

Peter and Myself just outside the gaming room (2006)

I was going through some boxes just the other day and I found a few old disks. I was nearly going to throw them in the trash but thought I'd better have a look on them first. Found a gold mine of old photos from when I went over to the UK for a trip with the Army. One of the most notable moments of the trip was spending the weekend with Peter Morbey (of Elite Miniatures UK). It was a fine weekend of looking over the new ranges he was working on, checking out his fine collection of figures and playing a game on his table - great weekend. Anyway I thought it would be rude to share this time with myself - so I have placed up a few images from the game and Peter's collection.

Elite Miniatures - French Light Infantry

Just thought I would put up a few more images of some Elite Miniatures French Light Infantry, which have been painted by Leroy. The figures are now part of John Williams collection, so I have only got to see them twice in three years. The figures have been designed to depict Legere charging and advancing. Both poses can be and are probably best used in the same unit. The range also includes an Officer, Standard Bearer, Drummer, Mounted Officer and Grenadiers in bearskin. Peter Moreby has also designed legere standing firing and loading. They are a nice little figure, well designed and animated - enjoy.

Fortune & Glory - Napoleonics

Last Saturday the boys and I managed to crack out a 900pt Napoleonic game of Fortune & Glory. John Williams playing the French, with his own nicely painted army -I have been trying to drag him along to a game for about six months but he has either been doing family things or away. Anyway John managed to dust his boys off and brought them over for a little game. Peter Power played the opposition with my Spanish Army and I ran the game. The rules are starting to come along nicely now (once I gave them a decent read) and I have to admit for a friendly game which can be played in an afternoon and does not require a set scenario, I prefer them to any other rule sets I have played over the years.

The armies played were basically made up of two infantry brigades and one cavalry brigade with the Spanish brigades being bigger due too the cheaper troop types. The French on the other hand were able to field two heavy cavalry regiments one of dragoons, the other cuirassier plus a lancer regiment. Both sides fielded one large foot battery of heavy guns. After the armies were sorted out the terrain was placed out onto the table. Both Peter and John taking turns placing out the six pieces of terrain for the game. Objectives were then placed and the guys deployed their troops. Peter took up a defensive posture and John deployed his troops for the attack. Each side was also required to have at least one brigade, off table, as reserve and if conducting a flank march then they too were not placed on the table, but had to be diced for on consecutive turns.

A unit of Johns French Lancers.

The average game normally lasts for six turns but you also have the option to roll for two more turns at the end of the sixth turn. This we did and so played to the eight turn. I think Andrews' thinking behind the games lasting only six turns is to get the game moving instead of being just a stand back and shoot game. The objectives are extra bonus points and the only way you can get to them is to roll up the enemy on the way. This more or less what happened in our game. John with the better troop type eventually powered over Peter in the last turn and gained a overwhelming victory for the French. But not to say it was all one sided. Peter did manage to catch a few French units with their pants down.

The Spanish Grand Battery.

Johns French Line Infantry

The 13th Cuirassier Regiment prepares to charge a Spanish square.

Spanish 2nd rate cavalry.

One of the French units catch with their pants down.

French Middle Guard crash into one of the Spanish line regiments.

A Spanish Militia Battalion goes into square, supported by the Spanish Artillery.

The French foot battery pounds the Spanish positions in the distance.

Another Spanish units is about to feel the impact of French columns.

Yet another French unit catch napping.