After a top tip from David M. I had a crack at converting some Navwar Osa FAC models into something resembling a Komar FAC. This involved chopping off the aft section of the Osa then adding a new plastic card stern and missile rails, so nothing too complicated but still worthy off some colourful language. The end result is passable despite being aittle over length, so I might order some more of the Osa models to expand the Indonesian missile flotilla.
I downloaded a copy of Long Face Games Konfrontasi! campaign supplement for Find, Fix and Strike this morning. It's a really well thought out campaign system, with an emphasis on the political constraints for both sides which I think is a critical aspect of the conflict. There is well thought out and comprehensive campaign system to play through and a series of stand alone scenarios, most of which involve a small number of warships and aircraft, primarily based on strikes by Indonesian Komar FAC's or interdiction of attempted landings by Indonesian special forces. There are also some higher level scenarios featuring the heavy stuff including anti-shipping strikes by Tu-16's, for example, which allow use of some of the major warships including the carriers and guided missile destroyers. It's given me some ideas for a solo campaign of my own at some point, as I have a lot of what's needed apart from the Komars, a couple of carriers and the aircraft. Very good value too and well worth the price tag.
I was excited to learn that David Manley of Long Face Games has written a full campaign system for the Indonesian Confrontation, designed for Find, Fix and Strike. I've run my own solo campaign for this before using Naval Command, so have a lot of the models required and a good background grasp of the conflict, which will enable me to pick this up and run with it almost straight away. It's a fascinating subject and ideal for campaign purposes, as well as allowing for some iconic naval warships and aircraft to be deployed. Brilliant!
 |
| Almirante Latorre |
With the half term holiday over I've had to admit defeat in completing the interwar Chilean fleet, so I've decided to mothball the project and save it until another time. I have assembled, based and undercoated all of the ships required, however, so it's not a complete wash out. I now have just over a month or so in which to tinker about with before the summer holidays, so I'm not thinking of starting anything new, but will instead aim to finish off a few loose ends in existing projects when I can find the time. It's not been a very productive year so far, that's for sure!
 |
| You'll just have to imagine the Chilean roundels! |
It doesn't look like much but the Chilean Interwar fleet has now been based and undercoated in matt black, ready for the bases to be blocked in tomorrow. I've also added an oil tanker to the line up using a Japanese tanker that is not too far off the actual Chilean fleet oiler Rancagua.
 |
| O'Higgins (converted Asama) |
 |
| Almirante Latorre (original / modernised) |
 |
| Chacabuco (Takasago) |
 |
| Almirante Williams / Serrano |
 |
| Libertad / Constitucion |
 |
| Almirante Cochrane |
It's flipping hot today so all DIY has been cancelled, giving me a free afternoon to assemble the 1/3000th scale interwar Chilean fleet. I added brass masts to the models as I had some new 0.3mm rod that I ordered by mistake, but which is ideal for the top masts. I also converted the Navwar Japanese armoured cruiser Asama into something not unlike the Chilean O'Higgins. The next thing to do will be to base the models with acrylic paste, which is a different approach compared to my other 1/3000th stuff but which I use successfully for my 1/2400th scale models.
A slight change of plan after I realised that painting the Royal Navy for the Norwegian Campaign might be a little ambitious in one week? Instead, I'm going to paint and base almost the entire Chilean navy c1937-38 for an Interwar extension of my ongoing 'What If?' Chile vs Argentina naval campaign. The models are all from Navwar with some new additions making it a feasible project, along with a couple of 'might have been?' extras, including the dreadnought battleship Almirante Cochrane as converted into an aircraft carrier. I'll get cracking today!
Every summer holiday I usually run a short solo naval campaign of some sort, occasionally interspersed with an air wargaming effort. This summer I'm planning to do the same and have three potential options:
1. Napoleonic Naval
This would use my respectable collection of 1/2400th scale French, British and Spanish fleets, the latter being the only thing I'd need to paint in the run up. The rules would be Far Distant Ships or Grand Fleet Actions, so this would be for games with squadrons rather than individual ships, although a few frigate actions might well be in order.
2. WW2 Coastal Forces
This would be a mini-campaign using Torpedoes and Tides, probably set in 1942 or thereabouts on the East Coast convoy route or along the English Channel. For this I'd need to re-base and tart up my existing 1/600th scale models, paint a merchant convoy of shipping and some German convoy escorts. A bit more work required but lots of potential for some narrative campaigning.
3. South American Interwar 'What If?'
A favourite theme of mine, as evidenced by a previous pre-dreadnought campaign, is a fictional yet feasible conflict between Chile, Argentina and Brazil. This time I'd be using the 1/3000th scale Navwar fleets for Argentina and Brazil, with the Chileans possibly making an appearance too. I would need to order some additional models from Navwar, now that it is up and running, as well as painting up everything required. I'd use Find, Fix and Strike for this campaign.
A couple of years ago I started a 1/3000th scale "What If?" South American interwar naval project, based around the WW2 fleet packs from Navwar, one Brazilian and the other Argentinian. This required some replacement models for interwar destroyers and additional ships for Chile but, when Navwar went out of business temporarily, I had to postpone the project as it wasn't viable. Now, apparently, Navwar is back up and running so I'm putting in an order this week* for the missing models I need, with a view to starting the project again in 2026. I'll be using Find, Fix and Strike and also Victory at Sea First Edition but may well tinkle about with other options too.
(*assuming the web site is still functioning, that is?)
I've completed the repainting and refurbishment of the Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy ships for the Indonesian Confrontation reboot project. They look better now that the bases have been repainted and I have two additions to the fleet, HMS Zest and HMS Eagle. I still need to add a couple more models and obviously now need to paint some FAA aircraft for the carrier, but I'm moving on to something different for next month, as a break from painting 1/3000th scale bow waves and wakes, one of my least favourite things to do!
