Barracks Battles Sunday Action

Just a short video of the action that took place on Sunday afternoon at DieCon, Barracks Battles. I only was able to play in Adam's General Quarters 3 WWII naval game. Great miniatures and tremendous group of guys to play with and against:
Japanese:
James, Dave, and Kevin
US
John, Joe, and me
GM
Adam

US was killed - I messed up with my torpedo laying, almost took out one of our own ships. Didn't, but the court of inquiry will be calling me in.




Interesting, seeing some of the things that Naval Thunder does similarly, but abstracted, to GQ3. This is why it's fun to play other systems to see the evolution of gaming. I really like Adam's basing. He used some aluminum found at the hardware store that has a texture to it - like what screen doors in the US have on them - paint and highlight. Perfect texture for the ocean. If I paint anymore, I will use this method.  Nice looking GHQ 1/2400 ships.

Free GHQ Rules - Sort Of

Buy $100 worth of GHQ and you get a free set of rules - not bad - also they have some sales on a few of their products - Here's the content of their email:

Spring Rules Blowout

We have decided to give you a crazy offer on rules for our miniatures rules- FREE.  This offer is for our full-blown comprehensive rules, not a watered down version.  Just order over $100.00 in merchandise, add in a set of MG-1, MG-4, or MG-9, and use one of the following discount codes:

Use this code for a FREE copy of our WWII Micro Armour rules:

FREEMG1
http://www.ghqmodels.com/store/mg1.html

Use this code for a FREE copy of our Modern Micro Armour rules:

FREEMG4
http://www.ghqmodels.com/store/mg4.html

Use this code for a FREE copy of our WWII Micronauts rules:

FREEMG9
http://www.ghqmodels.com/store/mg9.html

Those discount codes will give you a FREE copy of the rules of your choice if you place an order for over $100 worth of merchandise from now through May 21, 2012.  The cost of the rules will be subtracted from your total, and you will have some FREE rules!  You can mix and match the merchandise that you put into your cart- it does not have to be all the same, or match the type of FREE rules that you choose.

New Website Specials

We have just changed our website specials.  These specials are only available on orders that are placed through our secure website, and are only available for a limited time.  If you see something that you want, ACT QUICKLY, because these specials will only be here for a limited time.  The new Website Specials are:

P-1    TKS Tankette     Was $9.95, now only $7.80, save 22%!!
http://www.ghqmodels.com/store/p1.html

G-116    Marder II     Was $9.95, now only $7.80, save 22%!!
http://www.ghqmodels.com/store/g116.html

AC-1    P39 Airacobra     Was $9.95, now only $7.80, save 22%!!
http://www.ghqmodels.com/store/ac1.html

AC-15    MiG 23 Flogger B     Was $9.95, now only $7.80, save 22%!!
http://www.ghqmodels.com/store/ac15.html

AC-17    F15A Eagle     Was $9.95, now only $7.80, save 22%!!
http://www.ghqmodels.com/store/ac17.html

IJN-40    BBAV Hyuga     Was $13.50, now only $10.15, save 25%!!
http://www.ghqmodels.com/store/ijn40.html

GWB-5    CA Warrior     Was $9.95, now only $7.80, save 22%!!
http://www.ghqmodels.com/store/gwb5.html


GHQ on Facebook

GHQ has been on Facebook for awhile now, and has developed a very nice following.  Many of the things on our Facebook Fan Page can't be found anywhere else.  Some of the topics that have shown up lately have been: photos of pre-production models as they look when they come from our designers (many people have commented about how different they expected them to look), many postings from other GHQ customers who have shown off their work, first looks at newly painted items, special offers, customer polls (we really do use the information when planning models and release schedules), and much more!  So, check it out, see some neat things, have your opinions count, and support GHQ!  You can find our Facebook Fan Page here:

www.facebook.com/ghqminiatures

As always, please let us know if we can be of assistance to you with anything regarding GHQ products.

Thank you for your support,
GHQ
www.ghqonline.com

56th AIB - WIP and some other to-dos

Above is a picture of my progress on my first Armored Infantry Battalion (I'll call this one the 56th, since that's the one my Grandfather served in - Captain, Supply).

I've decided my next modelling project before I build or buy anything else is to check my inventory and see where I stand in my project for building an Armored Division where each stand is a platoon.

For the Germans I would like to build a Panzer Grenadier Battalion/Regiment (still learning the org charts), a Panzer Battalions, A FJ battalion, a Volksgrenadier Battalion, and some support. Won't be a perfect Division, but it will give me enough oppenents for the allies.

I'll be building a new spreadsheet to track this project.

For terrain, I would like to finish the buildings I own, build the paper terrain buildings out, build out the rest of the trees, and build a variety of hills, and oh yeah figure out a couple of small lakes, and oh yeah an orchard, and yeah, finish a few more Bocage, and oh yeah, touch up the scour pad hedges...figure out trenches...and

And, get a game on in the next 2 weeks, even if solo.

Stuff from con

Below is the great little bridge that Bill Gaynor built me...just cause. Made out of balsa wood and pink foam, this bridge saw action as a railroad bridge during my Con Game as a railroad bridge. I made a gap in my embankment and it fit perfect. Thank you Bill.

Below are some pre-painted Tigers, King Tigers, and SpKz 250/9 (with the 20mm gun)

Terrain Progress

American Engineer Platoon (4) painted, based, need id - bocage in background

Great progress in the last few days. The captions speak for themselves. Getting closer to being able to set up the table again...probably Friday night... I think, must check calendar.

Made bocage because I already had the hot glue gun heated up for my attempt at the smoke. I'm sure there will be a need for it in the future.

Smoke, bocage truck and engineers

Bocage: hot glued Woodland Scenics clump foliage to small popsicle sticks. Follow up with 50/50 or so glue/water mixture spread over them and sprinkle some woodland scenics flocking. Will paint the bases brown and maybe glue some sand to them.

Smoke: hot glue cotton balls, after a gentle shredding/tearing apart. Then sprayed them with matt rust-o-leum black paint - spray - very light dusting - that stuff comes out quick.

Engineers near new smoke and fire

The paper terrain is great, however, I'm having a tough time fiddling with the tiny folds and gluing them together. The buildings are tough, but the gun pits - crazy. I want more buildings for the con game coming up in November in St Louis. I probably won't mess with any more of the earthworks for now. I cut the ones you see out of the blue home siding insulation, painted brown, and flocked. More detail work is needed, but it'll do pig...it'll do.

Bridges are JR Miniatures. The gray ones are fine. The brown one is not so fine, but again, will do.

Sorry about the pics, iPhone 3G. I want to get these taken and posted quickly. So, the compromise is made. I took some test photos with coworkers iphone 4S. Wow! close ups will be great.

Bridges near complete

First attempt at trench and gun pits next to paper terrain

109 based stands

109 stands based tonight. Oh yeah, painted the flesh on 40+ infantry stands. All that in 2.5 hours. Man, it's late.  Paint, label, and matte varnish and I'm complete with those.

Next, I'm just going to make a couple touch up US stands and that will be done. The biggest chunk of these had been started and I just wanted to get them off the table. Though I may use some of them for the upcoming Con game.

Which appears to be all I'm doing for the hobby - which is true.

My biggest goal out of all this: come away with 3-4 potential regular players. I'm tempted to buy a few of the rule books so that people can get them right away, if they're interested. Sometimes finding rule books can be a challenge and the easier it is to get, the more likely someone will get into it.

I'm also considering putting together a 750 point each army battle on Sunday as a demo game. Easy terrain, hodge podge army. Another chance to rope people in. I was thinking of a FWC battle, but that would be a lot more work. Maybe a samurai game using some rule set and paper...too much to learn by then.

Any ideas?

Nordwind Minis Progress

Was unable to do any work this weekend, so now, I'm having to work like crazy during the week.
Tonight:
Painted camo on Panther Company
and depleted assault gun battalion (5 hetzers, 2 stugs, and 2 Jagdpanthers)
Also painted olive drab shirts on Engineer Battalion (such thing?)
and volksgrenadier/late war Battalion
and 6 gun crew
and 3 spare HQs
and 2 stands of PanzerShreks
3 stands of COs (one engineer, one panzer faust, and one generic)
3 stands of observers
3 HMGs
4 L/MMGs

Also painted tracks on 76mm Sherman company.

The details on this set of tanks is incredible.

Will also update my spreadsheet.

Photos and Miniature Manufacturers

Saw this great post on photos or lack of photos on miniature producers websites.

I get that it takes awhile to get them up there and some of these businesses are part time ventures, but seriously, you need pics of your models.

As I mentioned in my comment, I also have this issue with rules producers. I would like some page samples, more detailed explanations of how the game plays and works.

Since I can't go into a store and browse this sort of thing, for the most part, then I need some info, please.

One reason I like GHQ, the photos. They could be bigger and perhaps from some different angles, but keep 'em coming.

CDTOB West Front Scenario 1 Last Report

Finished the game.

Turn 5 is here.

German Victory by about 12cm!

ACo was the most likely to pull this off. They were slowed down by H&I fire in turn 7 because I had only placed them under Cautious advance.

Their halftrack was going to be able to make it to the exit point objective - with a possible fight on it's hands with 2 German platoons from 1Co. So, in the orders for turn 8 they were put under cautious advance - my thinking - they would need more favorable numbers when battling and didn't need the negative die roll modifier that is applied when you hasty advance. Well, good H&I rolling for turn 8 landed smack in front of the Halftrack! They can't move.

For the Germans, this was a good thing because the 2 platoons they'd sent out to defend that space ended up being pinned and suppressed about 10cm from the point. They wouldn't have been able to lay down any effective fire.

Definitely learned more about the game and things to think about when playing. I would not favor this as a solo game. A lot going on and each turn took me about 45 minutes a pop.

I feel a lot better about being on the attack. Though I had a heck of a time with the city. Next time I wonder if I should concentrate on the center with more of the force.

I received some great answers to my questions over at the Test of Battle forums - go check them out - mainly from the author - not bad.

I was going to replay this in Blitzkrieg Commander to test the differences. A couple things has changed my mind about this: 1. I'm done with this scenario - I took too long to play it. 2. and most important - I'm sent in my registration to do my first ever GMing of a game at a small con held here in St Louis called Command Con in November. I will be running a BKC II game! Nervous and excited. More in an upcoming post.

World War II 6mm WIP

Working on the following 6mm forces (GHQ) for BkC, CDTOB, and IABSM.
German
9 stands of engineers
3 engineer HQs
1 Engineer Co (with borrowed US Jeep)
9 stands of Infantry
3 HQs
1 CO (w Kublewagen)
5 HMGs
5 LMGs
5 Light mortars
3 Individual Flamethrowers
2 CO stands (Battalion commands for CDTOB scenarios) (1 will have 250 HT and the other will have a ?. I like to base the COs with a vehicle.)
4 HQ (big men) stands
4 75mm infantry guns
2 20mm guns (? need to check what those are again.)
6 crew stands

US
15 M5 Stuarts
1 Recovery vehicle
1 Greyhound
6 M3 Halftracks
10 Jeeps

Lots of painting ahead of me.

I'm trying to nail my method to paint these so I can factory paint. I've been testing 4 different methods with my US halftracks. Will outline what I find, when I'm done.