2016 and the year to come

Happy new year everyone!!!
Hope everyone had a good night. Today is a new day and the start of what im hoping to be a productive hobby year.
The year just gone was probably the biggest lull in gaming ive had since a teenager. Somewhat self imposed exile and somewhat by exterior factors. But enough of that, lets look back on what was achieved.

Start of the year saw me paint up a In her majesties name skirmish force. Based this force on the Film Ghost and the Darkness. Sadly like alot of failed adventures they were sold after a single outing on the table. These are sadly missed, i was pretty chuffed with how they turned out.

Next up i painted up a small Qin Chinese army for Sword and spear. Again these only saw a single outing on the table before i moved them on. A failed project from the start that i never completely had my heart in. I believe this was the project that burnt out my hobby mojo.

1/1200 Age of sail.
Now heres a project i love dearly. I still in fact own all of these and they had there first outing recently. I painted and built these forces alongside reading Patrick O'Brien's famous Aubrey Novels. Hands down greatest series of books i have ever read. I am currently at book 18 and plan to read them again when finished. Hobby wise i still have 2 French 74s to paint up which i will get onto soonish. These definitely will not be leaving my possession.

My Modern Chain of Command project.
This project kind of heralded my return to wargaming. The idea popped into my head and i went straight at it! Not sure how i feel about it, not sure i will continue on with it, let alone keep it. For now it is out of sight out of mind.

18mm Napolenic Russians. After a mis start earlier in the year i have finally started this project. Not sure if its going anywhere but hey it has my focus. Its funny becasue i have sat on these figures for the best part of a year without selling them. Hopefully it is a project i will finish.

So that sums up the main projects for the year.
There were a few projects that never really got of the ground: 6mm naps, Warmachine, 6mm moderns. For whatever reasons these all kind of lost steam before truly getting under way.

Looking forward.
This year i will be focusing alot on my health and fitness, trying to bring some balance to my life.
In the first quarter i plan of finishing a Napoleonic army. After that Age of sail is begging for completion. As ive mentioned not sure if i will continue the 20mm kick.
On one hand i would like to do up a few different modern army's like French, US, Chinese and Australians. But on the other hand i have to ask myself "Is it a fools errand?", we shall see anyway.
Course is set and the first day of 2017 is off to a good start.

Thank you for taking time to browse blog, i do truly appreciate it.
Regards
Matt

Trafalgar, First game.

Gday,
Yesterday i ran a game of Trafalgar for my mates. This was the first outing for my 1/1200 ships ive worked on this year.
Was a simple action with 2 3rd rate ships aside. I have to say i am rather pleased with how the rule set played out. Im no sailor or rivet counter so im probably more easily please. Yes there is a bit of gaminess with saving throws but there is enough flavour of the period for my liking too.
I read alot of people are unhappy with the wind mechanics and I was told to leave it out but against their advice we played as written and found we enjoyed it.
Few mistakes here and there on my behalf but have reread those after the action, so hopefully next game will run smoother.

Some pics of the action below.
Cheers
Matt.

Napoleonic Russians

Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas

Seasons greetings to all.
Have decided to dust off an old project and have begun cracking on with my 18mm Napoleonic Russians. Been sitting on these figs for so long im shocked i hadn't sold them off LOLOLOL.
Miniatures are from AB and can say im very happy with the casts.

Have a safe and merry Christmas all.
Matt

Attack on objective.

G'day
Not a huge update, just some pics of a game we played the other night.
I wont do a big AAR for this once, being a bit lazy and a little jaded.


Forces

RUSSIAN AIRBORNE
Elite: +14
2 Squads: +6
Dice: 5 +1 Different coloured counting 1-4 only

PLATOON HEADQUARTERS
Platoon Commander: Senior Leader with an AR
Platoon 2ic: Senior Leader with an AR
2 x RPG22 per squad

Squads 1-2
Squad Commander, Junior Leader with an AR & UGL

Fire team 1
1 x PKP LMG
2 x Riflemen with AR

Fire team 2
Team Leader with an AR
1 x RPG-16 (3 Rounds) and AR
1 x Riflemen AR & UGL
1 x Riflemen AR

Squad 3
1 x Squad Commander, Junior Leader with an AR & UGL

Fire team 1
1 x PKP LMG
2 x Riflemen with AR

Fire team 2
1 x Team Leader with an AR
1 x RPG-16 (3 Rounds) and AR
1 x Rifleman with AR & UGL
1 x Designated Marksman with semi auto SVD
 

UKRAINIAN MECHANIZED PLATOON
Regular: +4
2 Squads: -1
Dice: 5

PLATOON HEADQUARTERS
Platoon Commander: Senior Leader with an AR
Platoon 2ic: Senior Leader with an AR

Squads 1-3
1 x Squad Commander, Junior Leader with an AR

Fire team 1
1 x PKP LMG
1 x Riflemen with AR

Fire team 2
1 x Team Leader with an AR
1 x Riflemen with AR
1 x Riflemen with AR & UGL
1 x RPG-7 (3 Rounds) and AR

RPG-7
AP:16  HE:3
Range bands of 12 inches

RPG-16
AP:12  HE:3
Range bands of 24 inches

RPG-22
AP:16  HE:3
Range bands of 12 inches

BMP2 (List 5)
Armour:2 AP:1 HE:8, 30 mm automatic cannon gun turret, Co-Ax MG, Fast, 3 Crew, Transport.
ATGM AP:16 HE: 4. One Shot Min range 12”.

BRDM2
Armour:1, 14.5 mm KPVT heavy machine gun turret, Co-Ax MG, Fast. 4 crew, Amphibious.

T72b3
Composite Armour:16 AP:16 HE:11, 125-mm smoothbore gun turret (Stabilised), Roof-mounted 12.7-mm HMG, Co-Ax MG, Fast, Transport, 3 Crew.

Stabilisers mean no penalty for moving and shooting.

Pics are out of order but you get the jist.

Scenario from CoC book

 Russian platoon commander encouraging the FO

 Sniper, He was the real MVP. Waited all game for that sweet sweet killshot.

 Jump off points in place and about to start.

 Moment the Ukrainians sent in there Captured T72B3.

 The Russian BMP2 having a bad day. Direct hit from an RPG7v

 Just before it brewed up.

 Russian airborne squad making a mad dash across the open road.

 Table layout.

 Lay of the land

 Ukrainian infantry deploy in cover.

 Both forces converge in the centre.

 BRDM2 supporting Ukrainian infantry.

 Russian airborne infantry engage and destroy the Ukrainian tank with RPG22s.

 Patrol phase.

Thanks for looking.
Matt

BMP-2 and BRDM

Greetings and salutations!
Today i bring you my latest work. Its nothing flash just got them done quickly and off my desk.
ACE models BMP-2 and an unknown resin BRDM2 i picked up cheaply on Facebook BSS.
Both painted using Mig Ammo paints and weathered with Oils from the same company.
Cheers
Matt

Group shot.

Modelcollect 1/72 T-72B3

Hello hello.
Today i give you the labour of my love.
Spent the last week building and painting modelcollects excellent T-72B3 kit.
A absolutely stunning kit, very easy to build great instructions and redonkulously sharp details.
Painted up in the Modern Russian green. This will serve as a high tier support choice for my CoC Russians.
Damn just noticed i haven't sprayed the exhaust, forgive me. Will fix that up.

Cheers
Matt