Very British Civil War Quandry: Vehicles

   I am currently caught in a dilemma. I cna really only afford to get one vehicle to start this project, though I am sure I will be getting at least one or two additional ones. These are the selections I think I have it down to, with photos from the retailers. Please vote in the poll I'll be starting to let me know which you think goes best with the Welsh Nationalists faction as described so far.

   First is an armored truck with a Heavy MG. It comes with a choice of gunners, and I think I can make either the Red or White Russian work. This model is available from Brigade Games. I like it because it shows the lack of sophistication for the Welsh Nationalists, but I worry about its actual performance as well.

   Another vehicle available from Brigade Games, this is a Mk.I Rolls Royce armored car, the 1924 model with solid wheels rather than spoked ones. Again, the armament is light, but a good deal more protection. I see this as having been posted to an RAF base in Wales for security, and then taken over by the Nationalists when they captured the airfield. Sadly, most of the aircraft were flown away by their English pilots.

   Next is a Tank, Cruiser A9. I like the multiple turrets. It is also the most heavily armed of the vehicles I am looking at purchasing. This one is available through BEF MInitaures in the UK. Disadvantage is that its pricier, and has to ship overseas, rather than possibly picked up at Historicon next week. I haven't seen a US stockist, though I may be wrong. Anyway, it's a great model.

   Last on the list, but not necessarily the last I want to buy, is this Light Tank Mk. VI, built by Vickers. Another BEF Miniatures product. Carries two machineguns, and is both fast and fairly well protected (compared to the truck and the Rolls). Only getting one, though, not the squadron shown in the photo!



   So please vote in the poll. I need something to jar me out of my indecision on this critical issue.

Welsh Nationalists in VBCW

St. David's Cross

   The symbol of the new Welsh Republic, a flag bearing the cross of Saint David waves proudly above the Senedd, the Welsh National Assembly building. Saunders Lewis has been elected to the Presidency of the Welsh Republic. The English king has vowed to re-conquer our beloved Republic, and his Prime Minister, the Fascist pig Mosely, has sent his lackeys against us. Fortunately, the Men of Harlech have deserted the English army in droves, bringing with them much needed military equipment and professional skills.

Llandovery College Crest

Armed Schoolboys [Woodbine Designs]

   The boys above are students and Llandovery College, a public school founded in 1857. Typically of the public schools system, one of the primary products of Llandovery is officers for the Army. As such, the boys are trained to march, shoot, and even have ranks within the school's forces. The boys will, in times of need, form a Corps of Cadets with young men from other schools to assist in the defense of the republic against the English king and his Fascist stooges.

Citizens' Brigade [Woodbine Designs's "Damned Poachers"]

   These chaps are members of the Citizens' Brigade. Armed with civilian firearms, they lack the hitting power of most regular militia and Welsh Army units, but make up for it in fanatical loyalty and devotion to the defense of the Republic.

   In addition to the forces shown here, the Republic has Regulars and uniformed militia, plus assistance from the Anglican League.

A Very British Civil War

   Yes, Margaret, another new project. THis is one I have been excited about for a while, ever since I head about the sourcebook. I played in a Very British Civil War game at Historicon 2010, using the Iron Ivan Disposable Heroes rules. It was great fun.

   This past weekend, at our monthly games, we discussed this setting, and decided it would be fun to do in 25/28mm. The plan currently is for several people to do small forces of perhaps three squads with a support weapon or two and a vehicle.

   So, I am currently sourcing figures. I plan to pickup the sourcebook at Historicon, and may get the Disposable Heroes rules as well. Some of my fellows are looking at Too Fat Lardies for the rules set, but I only know I Ain't Been Shot Mum from them, and I don't think it would translate well for this scale of game. If they have a skirmish set, that would be better.

   Anyway, the madness continues. But I have been making some progress on old(er) projects so far this summer, and I hope that I can justify the new lead. I'll keep you posted on my findings as we go.

Game it Forward - Napoleonic Ships

If you're interested in Age of Sail ships, I have some Portsmouth Miniatures ships that will never see a gaming table. Some painted, some still bare, no sails mounted.

Let me know if you want 'em.

World War 2 Cancelled on Account of Dance Recital

  I know, it doesn't make sense. Just listen to the story.

  Today was my monthly games day in our local club. We refuse to give it a name, as it falls apart if you name it. Anyway, we play at a local university (UHCL). We arrived to find our usual room already occupied. Shouldn't have been, but rather than force a class to relocate to the room they were supposed to be in, we contact the school and get an alternate room. It's now about 1000 hours, we have the room until 1800.

   We get to the new room, get all set up, and start playing. I was trying a new set of rules (new to me, that is) called Spearhead. 6mm World War 2, stands as platoons. Eastern Front, Operation Barbarossa. I'm the Germans. Victory conditions are destroy two battalions. By the time the Soviet players (also new to the rules) and I are ready to go, it's 1200. Skip lunch, let's play.

   Turn 1 is a lot of maneuvering. Turn 2 sees two forward recon units run into each other (literally). I call in fire from the 150s and wipe a platoon of Stalin's untermenschen bikers from the face of the recently expanded Vaterland. Turn 3 and the Soviet tank hordes are getting close enough to my pitifully small armored contingent to make me sweaty, but I have a flank march getting ready to come in behind his infantry.

   About 1400 hours, just as we are finishing Turn 3, They arrive. "They" being 50 little girls (maybe 4 to 6 years old) and their mommas. With Head Momma coming in and demanding to know what we are doing in their room that they "paid for and have been using for the last three days." Seems the scheduling people forgot when they gave us this room. We had noticed when we came in that the room was trashed, but just picked up the worst of it and got started playing.

   Five minutes later, we're picking up. Ten minutes after that, we're gone - really quick for us, especially considering that They didn't wait for us to clear out before they started pouring in. Money talks, and you-know-what walks. Ah well. The game was pretty good to that point, fairly intuitive in how things operated. I'll try it agian one of these days. Maybe next time, the Fascist invaders will crush the godless hordes of the murderous Stalin!

   Oh, and if that weren't enough, when we first arrived my son and I saw an armadillo digging up the flower beds out in front of the building. You know you're in Texas when the armadillos tear up the college landscaping.