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!