General Update & A Question

Hello everyone!  Figured I would post a general update since there are several "irons in the fire" so to say.  I also have a minor inquiry for anyone who is reading this post. In order to organize this post better, I've broken it into sections covering:

1. Question:  To Facebook or not to Facebook?
2. KublaCon Game Convention
3. Little Round Top - Work In Progress
4. Borodino - Work In Progress
5. Bolt Action Vietnam

Another quick note --- I've added a "downloads" section to the right side list.  All the various rules references and playsheets I've created are linked there (latest versions).

Question:  To Facebook or not to Facebook?

I will always maintain my blog but I did want to ask - for minor updates (a pic and quick caption) and to inform followers of posts --- should I create a Facebook page to go along with this blog?  Please leave a comment to cast your opinion/vote.

UPDATE:  I will not Facebook at this time.  I'll just continue to post in applicable groups when I publish a related post on the blog.

KublaCon Game Convention

The KublaCon game convention fast approaches (May 26-29) and preparations are nearly complete --- or maybe in full swing is a better description?  If you are planning to attend there are a number of miniature games on the schedule from my group - stop by and say hello ... maybe even roll some dice?  In additional to myself, Roy Scaife, John Lantz, Dan Kerrick and Matt Hillzendrager will be in attendance.  Here is the schedule:

Friday @ 1PM - 28mm ACW - Pickett's Charge

Friday @ 6PM - 28mm Napoleonic - Battle of Borodino (Shevardino Redoubt)

Saturday @ 9AM - 28mm Modern - Radio Free Zambia (Chinese PLA vs. African Insurgents)

Saturday @ 3PM - 28mm ACW - McPherson's Ridge

Sunday @ 9AM - 28mm Napoleonic - Battle at Roncevaux Pass

Sunday @ 3PM - 28mm ACW - Little Round Top (& Devil's Den)

As you can see we have a lot going on - nonstop miniature mayhem!

Little Round Top - Work In Progress

This is coming together quickly.  Some WIP photos are below but I still have to finish the following:

• Got a lot more rocks to spread about the table.
• Build (assemble), base and paint Devil's Den (pic just shows loose rocks).
• Build out the low stone/rubble line used by the Union regiments on Little Round Top.
• Base my newly arrived "tree-inforcements" so I can add more trees about the table.

Getting close ... some (ok, maybe a lot ... got a little carried away with the phone) preview pictures are below.  Remember -- this is still a WORK IN PROGRESS ... I'm still futzing around with things and figuring out if I'm ok with the deployment as is.  I'll be play testing this soon so I can work out the kinks ahead of the convention game.

And fortunately my "tree-inforcements" have arrived today ...

Borodino - Shevardino Redoubt

Dan Kerrick has been busy pulling this game together, including building up an entirely new Russian army in anticipation of the game.  I'll be posting up the scenario for this game shortly.  This game should be a lot of fun.  Dan and I will be play testing the scenario next weekend (stay tuned for pictures of that game).

Quick scenario map below ...

My tables are all 8 foot by 6 foot, but Dan has gone the extra mile here and this will be played out on a 6 foot by 10 foot tabletop.  The mat for the game is all done.  You can see (no elevations yet as the foam has not been cut for the hills just yet) some preview/work in progress pictures below.  Dan is using the resin redoubt from Grand Manner.  The pictures are from some time ago but all I have handy at the moment.  Sexier pictures coming after the play test next weekend.

Bolt Action Vietnam

"I love the smell of napalm in the morning!" - Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore (Apocalypse Now)

Yup ... your're reading it right - another project I've got underway.  Fortunately this project represents what I consider a smaller side period for me.  Still waiting for most of the miniatures to arrive from the UK (they are somewhere between here and there in the lovely postal system).

I'll be creating my usual Bolt Action QRS style rules for the period.  It is mostly in my head right now.  It will have some unique things to take into account the period flavor - e.g. body count, landing zones (cold - land and take off as you please, warm - helicopters may be driven off, hot - helicopters will not land until you get the LZ under control), and more.

I did up a logo for it.

I plan to do two scenarios initially, the first being an air cavalry landing and contact/search of a nearby Vietnamese village.  The second would be a Firebase oriented engagement.  I picked up 4 x Huey slicks to ferry the troops into the combat zone.  I also picked up 4 x M113 ACAV from Parkfield Miniatures that are awesome (can do the same scenario, but have them come in mounted on the M113's).

First set of models and miniatures have arrived.

I did up the map for the first scenario.  I'll be doing up a ton of palm trees to go with my normal trees I use so I can represent the jungle areas more appropriately.

Map for my first scenario.

For the village I picked up some awesome buildings from Barrage Miniatures ... pic below ...

I have Artmaster Studio all lined up to paint through all the troops for me - and I know Toby will do a spectacular job on them.  Once the last of the miniatures arrive (hopefully next week) I'll organize them and send them over to Artmaster.

I think that is everything that is top of mind.  If you are wondering about Helm's Deep - fear not - I'm still working on this one.  All the forces of good are finished.  There are 300 Uruk-hai that need to be painted and I'll be contracting the talented Steve Dake for that effort in the fall while I work to finish the Helm's Deep model.

Stay tuned for lots more wargaming fun!

ACW Collection - Taking Stock

Well, it must have been 3 years ago when Roy Scaife and I had a serious conversation about doing American Civil War.  Roy has been a great friend and wargaming buddy for 17 years (and ironically was the first wargamer I met when I moved down to California in 2000).

As a side note as it relates to gaming groups/friends.  Roy and I have both worked together to build out this collection. One of the great blessings I have living in Fremont is a great group of wargamers --- which is not only important for playing games - but because we all have an agreement that we provide and work together as a group to bring different periods and games to life.  For small projects (for example, Muskets and Tomahawks) we do these individually, collecting both sides and terrain then hosting games for the group as a whole - but for much larger periods like Napoleonic's, we all chip in to get breadth and scale to the period in question.  I've been lucky to have this type of setting throughout my wargaming life (even back in Halifax, Canada as my father's group was very similar).

Anyways ... figured since I had most of the collection out for the McPherson's Ridge game I might as well take some pictures of the whole lot.

The Union army ...

Union army completed to date.

Still finishing up the limber team
for the gun battery.

Side view.

The Confederate army ...

Confederate army completed to date.

I'd say it is just about done.  At this point I think it is just minor small things remaining --- I want to add about 20 more casualties per side, finish the wagons, camp sets - all those cool odds and ends that Perry Miniatures sells.  Maybe a couple of fluffier units like the Louisiana Fire Zouves.  We'll see.

Battle Report - McPherson's Ridge

Apologies ... this post is very picture heavy.  As planned we played through the McPherson's Ridge scenario yesterday.  It turned out great.  The game developed as expected with the Confederate's pushing Buford off McPherson's Ridge then pushing onward.  Lots of maneuver.

Starting positions and entry points.

Thompson's Farm, Thompson's Field and Seminary Field are worth 10 points each for the Confederates and 5 points each for the Union.  McPherson's Farm and McPherson's Field are worth 10 points each for the Union and 5 points each for the Confederates.  3 points are awarded for each broken infantry and cavalry unit, 2 for each broken artillery unit.  2 points are awarded for each shaken infantry and cavalry unit at games end and 1 point for each shaken artillery unit at games end.

John Lantz (Archer), Matt Hillzendrager (Davis and Brockenbrough) and myself (Pettigrew) played Confederates.  Roy Scaife (Meredith and Rowley) and Dan Kerrick (Buford and Cutler) played Union.  I always forget to take a picture of us ... but this time I remembered ...

(from left-to-right)
Jay White, Matt Hillzendrager, John Lantz, Dan Kerrick and Roy Scaife

The Union forces managed to pull off a victory.  My dice were exceptionally terrible ... I can only say that at least I was only running a single Confederate brigade so the damage was a least limited to just my brigade ... lol.

The Confederates held McPherson's Farm and Field and contested Thompson's Field by games end.  The Union held Thompson's Farm and Seminary Field at games end.  The Confederates decided to conduct a holding action on the Seminary Field side of the table while pushing hard against both Thompson's Farm and Field.

Union Final VPs:  38
Confederate Final VPs: 32

Forces waiting to enter the game.

Union forces waiting to enter.

Confederate forces waiting to enter.

Buford's cavalry at McPherson's Farm.

Meredith arriving in the area.

Buford's dismounted cavalry on
McPherson's Ridge.

 

 
It begins ...

Pictures below from the "real" camera ... although I have to say the phone is working well for the broader pictures ...

There you have it.  Next up is Little Round Top.