Small Scale Operations - 20 mm Wargaming

Hi Guys,

Chris runs probably my favourite blog on the web (even prior to my interest in Ambush Alley).

It is well worth a visit if you have not done so already!


Small Scale Operations 20 mm Wargaming

Chris is a great resource to all players.

• He maintains good links to manufacturers of 20 mm scale.
• He is more than happy to answer questions about his hobby or how he painted a model.
• Updates regularly!

If only we could all be that good :)

Happy Gaming,

Allan

What am I working on?

Hi guys,

Here is a snapshot of some of the projects I have at the moment:

Infinity the Game - Ariadna Highlander


I have only played a few games.  The rules are free for download and the models are incredible.

This is one Caledonian Volunteer that I am mucking around with.  Still a ways to go yet.

Ambush Alley - Modern Skirmish gaming


So I took the plunge and bought the new Ambush Alley Games Force on Force Rulebook.  The book is extremely good value for money and I have no regrets buying it even if I did not ever play it.

Plenty of Examples, diagrams, photos and did I mention an Index and Contents?  Rules that are cross-referenced are always given a page number so you can follow up on it.

I have not decided on a setting and am thinking of a Fictional Country using both COIN (Counter Insurgency Missions) and Conventional Warfare.  A Battlefield LA scenario might be worked on as well.

Seen here is a Dragon Armour pre-paint to use with my US Forces.  Humvee with TOW.  Happy with that for $15 Australian!

At this stage the plan is to use 20mm scale miniatures which match nicely with 1/72 plastic model kits and there is a healthy range of product out there for us to use as well.  This should save of space and cost.  The smallest area for game play would be 2' x 2' which means you could play this game almost anywhere.

Further updates soon.  I have placed an order with Elhiem Figures.  These are extremely nice miniatures that are well details, affordable and the range is constantly updated.



Early Imperial Romans - Praetorian Guard


These guys are nice to assembled but I would have preferred more Gladius (Swords) or Pilia in an upright pose.  Warlord Games does produce wonderful miniature kits and their after sales service has been great the two time I have used it.

I am using the Back 2 Base-ix movement Trays and magnets that come in a number of kits.  These have save me so much time, frustration and money (compared to a GW's basing).  One more company that gives great service and has useful products.

I love the fact the miniatures will not slide or tip over during a game.

Flames of War - Wittman's Tiger Tank

Hi guys,

I finished Wittman's Tiger tank for my Late War German Armies.  I do not plan to use many tiger tanks in my lists and picked this one up for fun.

Mostly I play Heer (normal german army) lists.

Hope you like it.  I like it a lot better than my Irish Guards :)

happy Gaming,

Allan

Irish Guards - Hells Highway

Hi guys,

I promised update so I had better deliver otherwise what is the point of blogging right?

After so much Nerd Rage over GW prices and policies this week I have decided to dedicate more of this blog to other mainstream games and miniatures that most players used to GW games are not aware of.

I would much prefer to focus on something productive than promote the negative.


Here are pictures of my Flames of War Irish Guards models.  A fair bit below my normal standard but time was short and I had a tourney to go to at AUSCON.


Colonel Joe Vandeluer and RAAF Forward Air Controller:

Headquarters:

Armoured Platoon 1:

Armoured Platoon 2:

Armoured Recce Platoon:

Guards Column Platoon:

Army Shot (minus Vandeleuer and FAC):

I painted the Army over 3 days to a basic tabletop standard and hit them with a quick Gloss Varnish to protect them.

With so many half finished projects I had forgotten how good it feels to play with and against painted armies on a nice table.  The plan is to take more time on my other Armies since I am in no rush to play at tournaments for a while.

I am selling some of my Flames of War to make way for a new project:  Ambush Alley


Until next post, Happy Gaming!


Allan

16 Spitfires flying together

Hi Guys,

If you grew up watching Battle of Britain movies and comic books you will love this.

Lots of collectors hard work coming together for an Airshow in Britain.

Certainly not something I ever thought I would see.



Happy Gaming,

Allan

Put on my Fighting Trousers!

Hi Guys,


Had a great time at AUSCON.

Played in the Flames of War - Late War Tournament on the Saturday but missed the Sunday due to an old Army Injury (3 back operations slows me down some days).

A great effort by the organisers of AUSCON and not to forget Garry Wait the Flames of War Tournament Organiser.

The terrain was great although I hate bogging tanks on hedges.

Out of three games I lost the first against a Dogs and Devils HG Pioneer List, won the second against Germans Fallschirmjager's and lost the last against 78th Sturm Division.




I took Irish Guards from Hell's Highway Briefing using:

HQ:

2 Shermans
1 Sherman ARV

Combat Platoons: (four of the below)

2 Shermans
1 Firefly

Weapons Platoon:


3x Stuart (recce)

Support:


Guards Column Platoon - 3 Universal Carriers

What did I learn?

More practice needed on placing objectives.

They are pretty light on in assaults.  Especially against pioneers and Sturm Division.  

Assaults are hard when you have to go over hedges rather than minefields and into pioneers.

I love objective based games that stop you from just standing back and shooting.

I wish I had taken a more balanced list with Infantry and Artillery like I normally do.

What did I buy:

• Force on Force rulebook Ambush Alley Games published by Osprey.
• 1 box of Warlord Games Praetorian Guard Legionaries to help complete my Early Imperial Roman Army.
• River of Heroes Briefing Book - Flames of War
• King Tigers boxed set - Flames of War - to go with River of Heroes

The Vendors were fantastic and had a wide selection of stock to the point that Games Workshop and Warmachine items were the exception rather than the rule.  I was in heaven looking at all the historical figures as well as the very nice fantasy and Sci-fi/Pulp figures on offer.

I nearly picked up a copy of Dust Tactics for the lovely Mech walkers for 28mm Wierd War gaming.

Pheonix Forge ran some great Demo games of Pulp City, Infinity, Dystopian Wars and a few others I was not familiar with.  Their Demo tables were fantastic!!!  I wish I had a camera with me as a picture tells a thousand words.

Irresistible Force stocked a great range of figures and even displayed a few new figures from Battlefront (Flames of War).

Anyway here is a fun Video I found on the web:

Thanks for reading my rambling.  I promise more eye candy next post including some pictures of my Irish Guards Army next post as well as some of the miniatures I am working on.

Until next time, Happy Gaming!

Allan