Rising Sun, Falling Dragon

Having done some proof reading for David Manley's new campaign supplement for the Sino Japanese War, I was chuffed to recieve a complimentary copy of the rules via Wargame Vault. This is going to be my naval project this year, once the Malta Bag the Hun thing is finished, with some Tumbling Dice model assembly and basing scheduled for the Easter holidays.  It really looks like an excellent campaign system and, as it's designed for Broadside and Salvo, I already know how the rules work, which is always a bonus. Thank you David. 

Malta 1940 Forward Momentum

The Malta 1940 project is now in the offing and the background research has already identified at least four potential scenarios featuring the Gloster Gladiators of the Hal Far Fighter Flight and No.261 Squadron, alongside the Hawker Hurricanes that arrived from July 1940 onwards.

I've dug out my models from the lead pile that I've accumulated over the years, in both 1/600th and 1/300th scale, with almost everything I need already in my stash. In fact I'm only missing one CR.42 in 1/300th scale and one Hurricane in 1/600th scale, so pretty much good to go! 

I now need to decide if I'm going to go back to my Bag the Hun roots and paint up the 6mm models, which include the absolutely stunning Leasing Edge SM.79, Macchi MC.200 and Hurricanes, or go for the quick option of Tumbling Dice in 1/600th, some of which I've already assembled and based for another project. 

...answers in a postcard?

Malta Gladiator Scenario Project

I've decided to move the Bag the Hun Spanish Civil War project to one side for the moment, as it's a long term project anyway, to focus instead on some Gloster Gladiator scenarios instead. I have at least four potential historical actions to develop into play test games, which makes it a worthwhile exercise and something I can get my teeth into over the next month or so. The plan is to paint up some 1/600th scale aircraft for play testing or perhaps even some 1/300th scale models for a change, while also researching and writing the scenarios. Tally Ho!

Malta Gladiators

               

I had a query from a wargamer about Malta scenarios for Bag the Hun yesterday, specially ones involving Gladiators, or Sea Gladiators to be precise. I had written some Malta scenarios a few years for No.85 Squadron, which can be found in the 2014 Summer Special, but haven't returned to the subject since then. 

I had some spare time today so decided to investigate the subject using Fighters over Malta as a starting point. I was looking for potential historical actions that went beyond the Faith, Hope and Charity period, and it soon became apparent that there are some possibilities. In fact, I think there are at least three or four engagements that could be worked up into viable games.

I'll carry on looking into this as I'm pretty sure it would be a vote winner for Bag the Hun players. The next thing to do is a bit more digging to add some detail to the potential scenarios, specifically the Italian side of the equation, bringing it all together as a series of sketches, after which I can start writing something up for play testing. 

I am also thinking of submitting the end result to Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy magazine, if they are interested in some Malta air wargaming content. I'll contact Guy Bowers to see if he thinks it's something he'd like to explore and where it might fit into the editorial plan? If not, I'll send it all off to Nick Skinner for the Lard Mag!

Early War SCW Aircraft Extras

I wasn't really intending to add any early war aircraft to the Spanish Civil War Bag the Hun project, but I have given in and ordered a few that can be used for both the Nationalists and Republicans. These include some Nieuport Delage NiD 52 fighters, some Bregiet XIX light bombers and a handful of Dewoitine D.371 fighters. I also have some assorted models that can be used in my spares box, so they might be added to the mix if I need some bombers, reconnaissance or transport aircraft. In the meantime, I'm still working on the later war Republican stuff, most of which is Soviet supplied.

Prussian Preussen Class Ironclad Conversion

Preussen Class 

Preussen Class Profile

I had an idea out of the blue today. I was thinking about playing some naval games with my 1/2400th scale ironclads but with some new models, when I remembered some ideas I had ages ago for a Prussian flotilla. I was stumped at the time for suitable models but have now come up with a cunning plan. This is to convert the Tumbling Dice models of HMS Monarch into the three Preussen class turret ironclads, simply by removing the forward and aft section of the superstructure, adding a new turret and an extended funnel. In many respects the ships were very similar in design and dimensions, so it should work out well. I don't currently have three spare models but will order some as soon as I have some spare pocket money!

Biggles and the Black Ravens Resources

I have spent an hour or so today printing off the stuff I need to rub the club Algy game next week including the scenario briefing, aircraft record cards, the card deck, manoeuvre guide and, last but not least, the QRS. The latter was designed by fellow club member Geoff but he won't be playing in the game this time. I have five players lined up and I reckon this scenario will give them a good taste of the rules, together with a run for their money. I now need to cut out and sleeve the card deck, then fill out the aircraft record sheets with the pilot and crew details, then we're ready for Chocks Away!

Winged Sabres

I'm always looking for potential scenario material for Algernon Pulls It Off! and this book should tick a lot of the boxes. It relates the operational history of No.20 Squadron RFC / RAF from February 1916 through to November 1918, initially being equipped with the F.E.2 and latterly with the F.2b Bristol Fighter. I'd been after a good hardback copy at a decent price for quite a while, which I have now located and ordered. I'm looking forward to using it for some scenario research, the aim being to write up and play test at least one game. Tally Ho!

Utilising Speed in Algernon Pulls It Off!

I re-leaned something today that I had completely overlooked, assuming that Algernon Pulls It Off! uses the same system as Bag the Hun 2 to calculate and utilise aircraft speed.

After re-reading the relevant bit of the rules, it clearly stated that you can 'slow down or speed up within the maximum speed' but the D4 modifier has to be applied on top of that, depending on your pilot skill level.

To be honest, I have been playing using the system in Bag the Hun 2, where you have to move the full basic distance. I should have realised that this was wrong, having originally played the first edition of Bag the Hun, where the same flexibility is included.

I'm actually looking forward to playing some games with the correct speed rules to see just how it speeds up, or s possibly slows down, game play. It will certainly give players more opportunity to manoeuvre into position and get on the tail of their opponents, which is an exciting opportunity for them to shoot things down rather than spend ages plotting their moves.

Tally Ho!

Bag the MiG Card Deck

I was off work today as I wasn't required to go in, which meant I could have a go at putting together a basic, printer friendly card deck for Bag the MiG, based on one I designed for Bag the Hun play testing a long time ago. It's been tweaked a bit with a few customisations, replacing the Tally Ho! cards with something more appropriate, for example, but otherwise it's fairly generic. It can also be easily adapted to add extra character cards or scenario specific cards, so it's pretty flexible. 

The cards are quite large, as they were originally designed for multi player games, but they can be scaled down on a photocopier if preferred. They are designed for use with the original, first edition of Bag the Hun but will work fine with Bag the Hun 2 mechanics, apart from the use of blinds rather than bogeys. They are available to download from the Bag the Hun FB group files as a handy .pdf document.