Well that was a bit of a damp squib in wargaming terms, although I did achieve some of the things I set out to do this time last year. On the plus side, I completed two 2mm armies for Strength and Honour - Parthians and Imperial Romans, two 1/700th scale modern FAC flotillas for an imaginations naval project using Bulldogs Away!, both the Argentinian and British air forces in 1/600th for Flames Above the Falklands, four 1/72nd scale Spad XIII scouts and four Fokker Dr1 triplanes for Knights of the Sky, a Chilean pre-dreadnought squadron in 1/2400th for Broadside and Salvo and last but not least an early war Italian naval task force in 1/3000th scale for Find, Fix and Strike.
On the downside, I got within spitting distance of completing the RFC and German aircraft in 1/600th scale for both Algernon Pulls It Off and Duel of Aces, bit didn't get round to adding the decals, so a job not done. I also dismally failed to get my Finest Hour campaign off the ground, again in 1/600th scale, despite preparing lots of 1/600th scale planes and doing all the background paperwork. The Argentinian pre-dreadnoughts and the American fleet are still in drydock or sitting on the workbench too. I also failed to do quite a lot of the other things on my 'to do' list, getting side tracked off in different directions on several occasions.
In terms of games, it's also been a bit of a non-starter, with hardly any trips to the local club and only a few solo games at home. I did play a solo game of AK47, several ironclad games with Dahlgren and Columbiad, Broadside and Ram or Dawn of Iron, one or two games of Wings at War MiG Alley and a small handful of club games including Cruel Seas and Knights of the Sky, but otherwise its been a bit of a poor show. I didn't even use any of my newly painted forces, not even once! One thing I did do, however, is devise and play a series of really enjoyable counter-factual 1939 naval games between my Italian and French fleets over the summer holidays, which I really enjoyed.
Perhaps one consolation for this non-event of a year has been setting up two pretty successful and popular Facebook groups, one for AK47 and the other for Wings at War. These have really taken off and I am now able to take a 'hands off' approach to both groups, as they seem to run themselves after a few minor speed bumps. In some ways, I am reticent about Facebook as a focus for wargaming, as it seems to dominate everything these days, squeezing out blogs and websites to the detriment of the hobby, as far as I am concerned. It just can't be ignored, however hard I've tried in the past to distance myself from it, so if you can't beat them I guess you just have to join in?
So, its on to 2023! I hope it's a more productive and enjoyable year?
Great stuff Jim, agree with you re FB.
ReplyDeleteYep FB is very much swings and roundabouts
DeleteSorry your year wasn't as successful as you'd like. It still sounds like some solid wins and productivity to me. Facebook certainly sucks the oxygen out of the room but it's incredibly difficult to find anything. Your groups (I belong to both) have done a lot of good stirring up interest and understanding in some lovely rulesets!
ReplyDeleteThanks Dave :o)
DeleteI wouldn't be too hard on yourself. Your work rate and enthusiasms have been endlessly impressive to me at least; I'm not on FB alas but this blog is high up on my list of places to check regularly for interesting ideas and eye candy. Thanks for all the inspiration, and best wishes for 2023.
ReplyDeleteColkitto
Might not have been a perfect year but huge thanks for setting up the FB group. Has really helped me get back into gaming after a serious rut. Tim Parnell (can’t sign in to comment)
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome Tim
DeleteJim - As your into wargaming figures of the Cold War as well as other 20th century wars. I wonder whether you or other wargamers have tried to 'wargame a Brixmis tour mission ?' As I reckon it has possibilities.
ReplyDeleteThe British side being one of the daily G-Wagon Brixmis tours travelling round East Germany - the opposition being the Soviets who need to transport their various vehicles, tanks & mechanised units from their barracks or deployment area's to their training areas, using road & rail transport ( and back again ), the obstacles along the way for Brixmis are the Permanent Restriction zones and the Temporary Restriction zones ( the Temp ones can crop up at any time along the Soviets route although there's always the chance that a Brixmis G-wagon or two could already be 'in theatre' & already in their OPs before the Temp zone is notified to their HQ & therefore can continue 'the hunt' ( no doubt chance cards would be a must in this game ) - aiding & abetting the Soviets will be East German Stasi & East German Police Vopo's setting traps & lying in wait to thwart the Brixmis team - wonder who manufacturers & sells miniature East German Police cars ? - not to mention trabants, wartburgs etc - so great opportunity to branch out into other 'setting the scene' model making & painting.
Points are scored when the Brixmis team catch & photo shoot a Soviet convoy from their cleverly disguised OPs and deducted whenever the opposition block or unmask one of their vehicles or OP's while lying in wait for the Soviet transports or rail transports.
That sounds like a plan!
Delete