LITTLE WARS 2016 round up

ABOVE AND BELOW: "Let's ago Viking"! A SAGA game at LITTLE WARS

Last Sunday 29 May 2016 I made my almost 'religious pilgrimage' to my favourite event on the Australian Wargames Calendar, 'LITTLE WARS'. A one day 'Showcase' event of Wargaming.
As usual there was a swag of participation and demo games on.
The guys from League Of Ancients put on an impressive PLATAEA battle with scores of Persians and City State Greeks battling it out.
There was a least two SAGA / Cross and Crescent games being played.
Also there was at least two 'Miniature variants' of the excellent Command and Colors' games being played.
Traders were present flogging their wares and the bring and buy stall as usual was up and running though I didn't see much this year in the 'second hand' stall too get excited about.
 

I thought some of the games on display this year were a bit below par. I really dislike games that have notes, QRS and food liberally splattered around tables, or miniatures that aren't well painted at 'Showcase' events and unfortunately there were a couple like that.

Fortunately however they were the exception to the rule. Most games presented lovely miniatures on nice terrain. 

Maybe next year I'll put on a participation game, (and then someone can criticise my efforts)

BELOW: HOPLITES!!! Who doesnt love seeing massed Hoplites?

BELOW: The Battle of Plataea 479BC. An impressive game put on by the Chaps from The League Of Ancients. One of the better demo games!

 BELOW: The games and trade stalls.

 BELOW: A very nice 6mm Samurai game "To The Strongest" I believe it was called. Nice terrain, Nice miniatures. An uncluttered table. As demo games should be.

 BELOW: A '300' version of Thermopylae?

ABOVE AND BELOW: TRIBAL!An exciting new Skirmish game between ancient tribes and clans. In this case Maori Warriors have at each other! It's all about honour,... 

 For Me the highlight of the day was discovering TRIBAL. A very interesting set of Skirmish rules for pretty much any period up to the advent of firearms, (though I think they could be adapted for them).
I'll post a review of these exciting new rules soon.

 ABOVE: A very nice canoe produced by BATTLEFIELD ACCESSORIES. 
Warriors (BELOW) are 28mm EUREKA Miniatures.

Skuttlebut

Hi Guys
Well I've returned from my trip to Belgium and did the whole visit Waterloo thing.
Some good news first from Mike Parker at BATTLEFIELD ACCESSORIES who has produced MDF roofs for his outstanding La Haye Sainte Farm Set.
you can see  my review of the Original Farm set here:
LA HAYE SAINTE

Here are some photos of the new roof sets
Much easier to construct and sturdier.

 BELOW: The original 'Sheds' with card roofs in brown and the replacement set with MDF roofs. Also the replacement roof for the farm's main gate.

 BELOW: The MDF Roof kits.

 BELOW: The new MDF Sheds

I also popped into EUREKA MINIATURES and these chaps caught my eye.

I have no idea what they are, but who doesn't want a trumpet being played by a portly chap using his arse and a horse being ridden by a giant rat bursting out of a corpse?

Finally, Eureka are also producing these awesome WINGED and 'Mechanically Enhanced' GORILLAS!

Reviews a'plenty: PART TWO

Hi Team
Yet more reviews
Yesterday I was out at EUREKA MINIATURES and as usual I was treated to a sneak peek at some of the upcoming releases and some of the currently available but not well known products
Firstly a look at some cute 'Pulp' characters.
I really like the female sculpts that EUREKA produce. The always look so 'Girly' rather than simply male figures with longer hair and breasts.
These US G.I Janes' are excellent examples:
The ladies can be purchased with backpacks and Garrison Caps / bareheaded or if you're so inclined with Rocket Packs and 'Futuristic' helmets.

BELOW: The MG Team is my favourite.
I can just see this young lady lying prone behind this MMG with her feet casually swaying to and fro as she sends some tracers down range,...

BELOW: Seems Rosie the Riveter is not content on the production line anymore,...
She means to do some harm to the vile Nazis with her spanner!

Now Last time I posted I mentioned that GUNNER DUNBAR (GD) was now taking commissions to paint miniatures.
I recently sent him some EMPRESS MINIATURES 28mm Modern Australians.
The EMPRESS MINIATURES are very nice sculpts and the fit in very well with my predominantly EUREKA MINIATURES Afghanistan Campaign collection.
Firstly to the actually painting that Dan did.
I'm simply blown away at how well GD captured the Disruptive Pattern Camouflage Uniform  (DPCU) 'Oz Cam' pattern.
Not only are the colours and pattern spot on, but they subtle shading and subdued style works perfectly in this scale
He also added Goggles to the Helmets (with Green stuff I suspect) free of charge and without my prompting!!!!
How cool is that?! I mean, it hadn't even crossed my mine to request the modification but it's an obvious one really as ALL Australian Troops are issue Eye Protection as standard and no Digger would leave his FOB without them on him.
(Mods were done AFTER these photos were taken)
I could have had them painted in DigiCam, DPDU (the 2nd 'D' is for Desert) or DPCU.
I chose DPCU as it was the most common pattern used throughout Australia's commitment to OP SLIPPER (2001-14)
The photos speak for themselves.
Again, I cant recommend GD highly enough.

 BELOW: DPCU (left) DPDU (right)

Now as for the actual miniatures.

They are excellent.

As far as I know no one else does Aussie Diggers in 28mm apart from some SASR types that EUREKA do on Motorcycles and Quad Bikes

The sculpting is crisp with little flash to speak off. The range is comprehensive and there are no 'silly' poses.

One criticism,...

No self respecting Digger would EVER use his master hand to make a hand signal.

This chap below would get his arse so kicked by the Platoon Sergeant to using his master hand and taking his eyes away from where his muzzle is pointing whilst on patrol!!!

I purchased these Diggers from ELITE MINIATURES AUSTRALIA whom I HIGHLY recommend to anyone in Australia or New Zealand!
Service is OUTSTANDING and the owner Nathan is a top bloke and Ex Australian Soldier so he knows his stuff.
Anyway.
That's all for now.
More reviews shortly including a look at Chain Of Command V Bolt Action.

AB Miniatures: Netherlands High Command and Light Dragoons

 Hi Guys
I had a great time at LITTLEWARS in Melbourne last weekend.
Whilst there I picked up from Nic at EUREKA MINIATURES the latest additions to my Dutch Belgian 1815 collection.
Here we have the ADC set consisting of an ADC and Guide. Both a beautiful miniatures with the ADC handing over a message

 But for me the 'One Piece' casting of William, Prince of Orange is just magnificent.
He's accompanied by Baron Jean Victor de Constant Rebecque, a two piece casting of rider and horse.

 As you can see from these photos the detail and posing is simply brilliant.

I intend to base Prince William and Baron Jean Victor de Constant Rebecque with the ADC and Guide and a couple of British Officers including an ADC from the British 9th Light Dragoons.

I also collected some Dutch Light Dragoons. Again these are up to the usual superior standard that one can take for granted when purchasing AB Miniatures. There are both 'Charging' and 'Resting' poses. I have one 12 figure unit of each. Pictured below are just some of the charging poses.

I'll get around to posting photos of the finished painted and based collection soon I hope.
Cheers