For those of you who have just subscribed to the MWAN, this column is for those of us gaming in 20th century miniatures. Although this is for primarily micro land scale (1/300th & 1/285th) items and activities, I will try and include other gaming scales as much as I can.
BATTLE STATIONS!
This section of the column is reserved for any news on games, conventions and any other events. This is your section so let me hear from you.
NICON II (May 88): Although I couldn't stay long, I did talk with a couple of game masters about what they were running. John Kinder was scheduled to run two 1/285th scale games. The first was a recreation of the tank battle at Arrancourt between 75mm Shermans of the 37th Tank Bn. and Panthers from the 113th Panzer Bde. using GDW's Command Decision rules. The second game was a modern scenario (using GDW's Combined Arms rules) between the 9th Panzer Bde. and the Soviet 74th Tank Regt. on the north German plains. Allen Hyman was to run a '69 night scenario on the Ho Chi Minh Trail using Search & Destroy rules, hidden movement and 1/87th scale models & figures. The objective of the NVA players was to get a heavily escorted NVA convoy to supply the VC in order to attack a local firebase. To aid them in this, they were equipped with Soviet late model (circa late '60s) armored personnel carriers, light tanks, SPAA guns, bridging equipment and WWII-era SP assault guns. Opposing them was a motley force of ARVN, Montagnard with SF advisors and others equipped with M48 tanks, M113 APCs and M42 Duster and supported by artillery from the firebase, UHI helicopters and Spectre aircraft.
PRO AND CON 88-1/2 (Sept 88): Lee Calaniaio refereed a micro scale liberation of Kiev (Nov '43) using Jadgpanther rules. The Germans (Bill Heiden & Randall Kriner) won a decisive victory over Ken Valentine and Ross Bentley in this encounter. Mike Brown GM'ed a Tractics 1/200th scale encounter between a mixed force of Germans and Americans in 44 France. The German task force commander, Steve Cannova, had at his disposal infantry, Nashorn, 88mm AA gun, two 50mm AT guns, and reinforced by a Tiger 1, 2 PzKfw IV H tanks and 2 armored cars. A US recon element of 3 Stuarts, 2 M8 TDs, and infantry backed up by a platoon(-) of Shermans & a squad of infantry were commanded by Tim & Tom (sorry guys but no one could remember your last names) were not successful in taking out the German force. Much thanks to Irv Mindel (Guardian Hobbies) and Russell MacPherson for their help.
QUAD CON 88 (Nov 88): An Allied armor breakthrough is met on the Franco-German border by a hodgepodge of German armor. Rick Rice ran this WWII scenario using 1/285th micro & rules by Wargames Research Group. David Kraklow ran a modern 1/285th scale game using Tabletop Games' _Challenger rules. The scenario depicted a large Soviet operational maneuver group (OMG) penetrating deep into a US divisional rear area. Their target was a major supply dump guarded by a Texas National Guard M60A3 armor company, a West German Puma unit and some "ashandtrash" support units. Mr. Chris Croissant of In Service Miniatures donated over $250 (yes, $250.00) of 1/285 scale vehicles for both of these games and these were given to the players afterwards! Thanks to Mr. Croissant and In Service Miniatures for supporting this convention in such a big way. V;nce Zaunle ran a '42 Med encounter using Seapower III rules. Sibs, light naval ships and aircraft from most of the European theater's belliger ents made scheduled.and sometimes unexpected appearances. Lastly, Brandon Wehe GM'ed a 1/87th scale mercenary reconnaissance mission into MPLA-controlled Angola using the RECON rules system, a sand table and 20mm miniatures.
The Rock Island Arsenal Military Simulations Club staged World War III at the Rock Island Arsenal Museum on 10 December. The battle was fought on a 10-by-12 foot table designed to reflect a 4-by-4.8 mile section of terrain south of Frankfuert-am-Main. The players used over 250 pieces of micro and GDW's Combined Arms. The initial movements were hidden and were refereed by two umpires who also threw in variables such as weather and ground conditions. The outcome of this part of the "war" was determined by points given for taking towns, airports and roads. NATO forces were also to prevent the capture of Frankfuert-am-Main which they succeeded in doing. NATO forces decisively beat the Warsaw Pact by a margin of 2.5 to 1. Coordinator for the event was Gene Frisbee who, along with the other participants, did an impressive job.
QUAD CON 89 (Oct 89): Tenatively scheduled miniature events include WWII and modern micro, RECON, naval warfare and airto-air combat in addition to the usual RPGs and boardgames. For more information, send a SASE to Kevin Woods, P.O. Box 8421, Moline, IL 61282.
INCOMING!
In my last column, I reviewed only 1 of 4 publications sent to me by Mr. R.W. Connor, Tabletop Games (53 Mansfield Road, Daybrook, Nottingham NG5 6BB). Due to the length of these reviews, I'll have to defer reviewing one of them, Corps Commander, until next issue. All of the publications have been written by Mr. Bruce Rea-Taylor in the early- to mid-80s and are soft-bound in a 6.75"-by-9" format. Challenger (revised edition) is a set of rules covering modern warfare from the '50s to the '90s.
Included with the book is a clear artillery overlay, a heavy-stock sheet of counters, vehicle data sheet and a quick reference sheet. Although these rules can be adapted for larger figure and ground scales, the scales used in this rules set are: 1 inch = 50 meters for ground measurements; 1 move = 2 minutes with a suggested I move = 10 minutes for campaigns, and; 1/285th or 1/300th scales where vehicles and heavy weapons are represented on a one-far-one basis. The only other requirements to use these rules are dice (D20 & D10), markers or counters (enough are supplied for most small-scale actions), playing area ("at least 6 feet by 4 feet") and a playing area with terrain.
This game uses a point purchase system which (using the provided data lists and/or the Ultra Modern Army Lists and Organizations) garners can use to tailor their forces and, hopefully, balance play between opposing forces. Point suggestions and rule guide-lines are given for attack/ defense and encounter/competitive games. There are also pre-game reconnaissance rules (i.e., radio intercept and ground & air missions) to add more realistic favor to the game.
In addition there is a pre-game checklist which includes, among others, mapping out initial placement of forces & defenses, objectives, wind & weather conditions, pre-planned fires, and the inclusion of any 'optional rules such as electronic warfare. The sequence of, play is very clean with only 3 phases. In the Initial Move Phase, both players perform those actions necessary to receive air support, indirect fires and anti-aircraft (AA) overwatch. Initiative does play an important part since movements and direct & AT wire-guided fires are carried out sequentially in the second phase. The End of Move Phase (third & last phase) sees the resolution of air strikes, AA defense and indirect fires. Administrative details to include testing morale of units round out this phase.
It is recommended that general orders be given to company-size and independent units before the game starts so that changes to any orders can only be done via radio which, if you play with the electronic warfare rules, will not 'be received if your opponent successfully jams your radio nets. Target acquisition, is required in order to direct fire or call down indirect fire. Acquisition attempts are limited to one per phase (there are a few exceptions) which greatly speeds up play over most of the other micro systems I have played. Acquisition is based on many factors including target type (7 different classes which take into account the different vehicle facings), cove,r,, distance, visibility and, whether the target fired or moved.
Although this may seem like a lot, the acquisition rules are less than two pages long. After acquisition, the firing unit may engage the target using direct or direct area fire depending on target type and the purpose of the fire (i.e., direct attack, recon by fire and suppression). The fire rules are easy to understand and incorporate all ammunition types (except, of course, practice rounds). Although there are quite a few tables and modifiers, these are conveniently reprinted on the Quick Reference Sheet.
The indirect fire rules take into account everything you can imagine except the sweet smell of cordite and loud noises. You have a choice of four fire support types, six different fire support missions and a great variety of munition and sub-munition types. The indirect fire rules are laid out very well with explanations and examples of play to lead even the novice through this section with ease. A target which has been effectively hit will either be suppressed, neutralized or disabled. Suppressed and neutralized units are either restricted or limited in fire and movement; additionally, morale can be adversely affected. Units which are disabled have received severe losses (personnel) or serious damage (vehicles) arid "are considered destroyed for game purposes." If you are running a campaign game, a chart is consulted for those disabled units to determine the degree of damage which can run from slight to destroyed. Although I did not find any rules concerning the recovery or repair of disabled vehicles, it shouldn't be hard to improvise. There-are also rules for night fighting, electronic warfare (to include remotely piloted vehicles or RPVs), engineers (mines, fortifications, obstacles, bridging & demolitions), NBC and aircraft. Although there is a 12-page listing of the major vehicles, aircraft, AA missiles and infantry, a points value list is also included if you don't see your favorite weapon system in this section or in the Ultra Modern Army Lists and Organizations. This is not a game you can sit down arid start playing in a few minutes - it will take many hours, if not days, to absorb all of the rules but these are well-presented and easy to comprehend & use. However only a couple of hours of study is needed if you want to game armor against armor without any of the frills or optional rules. As you progress, you can include more rule sections until you have mastered them all.
If you are looking for a detailed but inexpensive armor rules system for the early 1950s to the present, check this one out at your local hobby store.
Digest No. 2 provides "comprehensive data on virtually all vehicles from 1954 to 1984, together with other battlefield support weapons" of over 25 countries. Although some of the information presented in this booklet can only be used in the Challenger and the WRG armor rules system, there. is more than enough information crammed into its 64 pages that it can be used with most other gaming systems or, at the very least, as an excellent reference source. The booklet is richly illustrated with approximately 150 professional line drawings of old and late-model AFVs. Each AFV entry (to include some experimental vehicles) contains 17 sections of technical data/gaming information (* - denotes that data is formatted for usage in Challenger or WRG gaming systems; weapon system data is for main armament unless otherwise noted): 1) Model Number/Designation & Name (common, nickname or official); 2) Date(s) of Service (entry & final when appropriate); 3) Caliber & Type; 4) Missile Type (& onboard quantity); 5) Ammunition Type(s) (17 different); 6) Rangefinder; 7) Gun Stabilization; 8) Caliber & Type of Secondary Armament; 9) Armor Values *; 10) Target Size Aspects *; 11) Combat Speed *; 12) Nightfighting Equipment; 13)' Smoke Discharger/Generator; 14) Other Capabilities; 15) Combat Weight; 16) Maximum Road Speed, and; 17) Point Values *. According to the booklet, the armor values (given in effective thickness in inches) take into account the type of armor & its slope, and effectiveness against chemical energy (e.g., HEAT) and kinetic energy (e.g., sabot) rounds. The "Other Capabilities" section lists whether the AFV has NBC protection, can ford or swim, and if it has any special equipment such as radar and mine-clearing. The booklet also includes appropriate gaming data by country on towed AA, mortars, towed artillery, multiple rocket launchers, antitank guided missiles and the larger tactical missiles and rockets. Range data is provided for all of these systems except the AFVs in which case you must use Challenger or other reference source. Most sections or countries are prefaced with remarks which put the information into perspective.
In the final analysis, this is a great little publication to own even if you already use another rules system.
Recently received were five packs of Scotia Micro Models (1/300 scale produced by SIMTAC, Inc., 20 Attawan Road, Niantic, CT 06357). Two of these packs (RM022 and RM023) each contained 2 trucks, 2 deployed pontoon bridge sections (2 ramps in 1 pack and 2 middle sections in the other) and 2 "folded" bridge sections (to be glued on the trucks). When using the deployed sections (2 of each type), you get a bridge about four inches in length. Of course, you can increase this length by adding more middle sections. Flash (excess lead) was present on most of the pieces but was confined to "dead" area spaces and was easily removed. Although the deployed bridge sections had small alignment pins and holes, I recommend you remove the pins for a better fit since the assembly using these is really ragged.
The last three packs contained variants of the Fast Attack Vehicle (FAV) - Mk19 automatic grenade lanucher (UM012), TOW (UM013) and machine gun (UM023) - with five vehicles per pack. The FAV is a souped up dune buggy designed at the Fort Lewis Skunk Works for light infantry units such as the US 9th Infantry Division. With the versatility, relatively low cost (more "bang for the buck"), lighter logistical requirements and low target profile that the FAVs present, I would not be surprised to see vehicles such as these in the inventory of many other countries before the end of the century. Although you can see mold lines on a few vehicles, very little trimming is required.
If you are more interested in quantity for your dollar than high quality, these miniatures will fit the bill at $3 for a packet of five. Check out page 75 of the Sept/Oct 88 issue of the MWAN to see what else is available from SIMTAC.
Also in the mail were several packets from In Service Miniatures - Panther D tanks, Jadgpanther TDs, Sherman dozers, White 5-ton tractors with van trailers, HMMTT tank transporters, and HMMTT wreckers. All are packaged five to a card except the White tractors/trailers and HMMTT tractors and transporters which have two sets on each card; all sale for $4.75 per packet. Turrets and barrels are packaged separately from the vehicles to minimize damage. Although detailing on all of these vehicles is superb, I would like to mention a few details. The Zimmerit paste, side skirts and spare track and roadwheels on the Panthers are readily evident. The placement of the spare track sections & roadwheels lends a sort of individuality to each vehicle so that you're not looking at something that was just inspected or just came off the assembly line. On two of the tanks, a small section of track was not filled in which created a noticeable gap on the front of the vehicles; however, a small amount of putty quickly repaired this minor problem.
The detailing and quality of the Jadgpanthers are second to none I've ever seen - the sideskirts (1 or 2 sections are missing due to "combat damage") and placement of track sections (for increased AT protection) are different. This detailing is so varied that, of the five vehicles on the card I received, four are different. The hull and blade of the Sherman dozers are in one piece - no gluing needed! The wheeled vehicles contained quite a bit of detailing - for example, you can see the tread on all of the tires. The only flash I noticed on any of these vehicles was on the trailer of the HMMTT transporter.
Quality control must be real good. In Service Miniatures has recently released the following: T-72(Ml) (side skirts and anti-radiation screen), T-64B(M), BTR-80 APC, SA-10 Grumble, SNAR-10 counterybattery radar, brigade-level NBC decon unit, PMM (truck-mounted and deployed ribbon bridge), generic engineer equipment (grader, bulldozer, tractor shovel and transporter), USMC forward area air control unit, Patroit system, ADATS support platoon and M3A2 Bradley (reactive armor).
Mr. Croissant also informed me that his 18 square-inch terrain sections should be available by the time you read this (early 1989). Since In Service Miniatures does not sell directly to the public, see your nearest hobby shop, check out page 96 of the Sept/Oct 88 issue of the MWAN for the dealer closest to you, or write to Modelers Mart (see below) for their latest catalog.
The latest issue (Vol. V, No. 1) of TACNEWS arrived from GHQ (2634 Bryant Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN 55408). Announcements include: their new geomorphic terrain system; future booklets on terrain construction techniques and detailed scenarios; future video on their new terrain system; 1/2400th scale ship sets (bet you can't say that 3 times real fast) to go along with GDW's Harpoon rules, and; boxed TO&E unit packs under the name COMBAT COMMAND.
Three excellent articles and NATO vehicle camo notes round out this well-done issue. The first article is by Lorrin Bird and is the first of a two-parter dealing with lucky hits on armor vehicles. As usual, Mr. Birds's writing and thoughts are well laid out & easy to incorporate in any game system. The next article is by Donald S. Ballentine who introduces us to three modern Soviet tank battalions' TO&Es and provides tips to the gamer on tank tactics in the attack and defense. The last is by Garry Redmon and deals with the "application" of Zimmerit to micro scale vehicles. Several application styles were used by the Germans and three of these are discussed in detail and are well-illustrated.
The only problem I had with this article was that one of the illustrations depicted a hobby knife being used to etch a Tiger I while the tank was held between unprotected fingers. Given-the extremely small cuts needed and the sharpness of the blade, the tank should be placed in a small hobby vise; at the very least, protect yourself from an accident. TACNEWS is a great publication and it's free - ask GHQ to put you on their mailing list. GHQ's current price list is also available. For those of you who haven't heard, GHQ announced a price increase for all of their micro vehicle packs which went into effect July 88. The current price for these are $5.50 a pack. The unit packs contain anywhere from "18 to 25 vehicles" and cost $19.95 per set. GHQ also sells 1/2400 scale WWlI and modern ships, 1/285th Vietnam-era riverine craft, decals and vehicles, and WWII & modern decals and rules.
Quality Castings, Inc. (P.O. Box 11714, Alexandria, VA 22312) have released several new lines of lead 15mm figures and 1:108 scale (approximately 15mm) vehicles. These are: USSR - BTR-60, BTR-50 & PT-76; German - PzJg IV, Brummbar and SdKfz 234/1, 234/2 (Puma) & 234/3 armored cars; US - infantry (Vietnam) advancing & defending and 4.2" mortars; VC and NVA - infantry advancing & defending and NVA infantry weapons. The listed prices for these are $5.25 per vehicle and $3.75 for each infantry pack (15 figures), NVA weapons (15) and US mortar (4). All are unpainted and the vehicles are unassembled and unpainted. Future plans include: USSR - ZSU-23/4 and T26 light tank; French - H35 tank, 25mm AT gun and infantry ('40); US - M20 AC and M16 Quad .50; German - Tiger II (Porsche turret). They have an illustrated catalog for the asking.
Modelers Mart (2071 Range Rd., Clearwater, FL 34625) recently sent me updated price lists (Sep & Oct). Included in these are: 25mm Outpost Miniatures; new Hovels (15nm Spanish village); 15mm, 25mm & 1/285th scale field works and fortifications; In Service Miniatures (1/285th WWII & modern vehicles); Replica Models terrain & structures in 1/285th, 15rrrn & 25mm scales from Battleground Ltd. (the first I've heard of these - a better description is provided below); new DAVCO 1/3000th modern British & US ships; Skytrex 1/144th WWI aircraft; new Action 1/200th WWII and modern vehicles and infantry; new GHQ 1/285th WWII _and modern vehicles and a 1/2400 ship; 10 new Firefight 20 (20mm) team packs - US, mercs, guerilla, SFG, Rangers and VC; new Hinchliffe 20nm WWII British, Russian and German vehicles and AT guns; 7 new Gallia USA 10/15mm buildings, and; many publications.
According to this listing, the Replica Models (Battleground Ltd.) are made from double density urethane, are finely detailed, and were designed by Ian Weekly! If you've never heard of Mr. Weekly or seen anything he has done, then you're in for a great surprise if you buy any of these. Their 1989 catalog will cost $3.50 and I believe it will be available after January.
CinC (8090 University Ave. NE, Fridley, MN 55432) latest offerings include: 1/285th WW II Italian, French and US armored vehicles, landing craft and dragon teeth; USMC Osprey and Soviet Mil-28 Havoc aircraft from Croissant Miniatures, and; two different, inexpensive rule sets for the modern battlefield - Total Conflict and Panzertruppen 1990.
The last item in the mail bag is a copy of Wargames Illustrated magazine (May 88). There was no accompanying letter but I assume it was sent by the-publisher since it had an English postmark. Although my primary interest is in armored warfare, I am an avid reader of military history from any period. Without exception, the articles were wellwritten and most were accompanied by professional looking illustrations or photographs (usually full color). The subjects in this issue ran the spectrum of military history from ancient times to World War II. The article I enjoyed the most was an extremely well-researched and clearly presented article by Mr. Jim Webster on scythed chariots and their role in ancient warfare. Of primary interest to most of you who read this column would be the articles on WWII warfare in Greenland and "The Death Ride of the Battleship Yamato" by Mr. Peter P.H. Heath.
The later article promised that details for running a campaign would be released in the next issue. For subscription details write to the following distributors: Europe - Magnum Distribution Ltd., Cloister Court, 22-26 Farringdon Lane, London ECIR 3AU, England US - The Armory, 4145 Amos Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21215 Canada - RAFM Company, Inc., 109 Concession St., Cambridge, Ontario, Canada NIR 2G6 Australia - Essex Miniatures Ltd., 9 Lowanna Place, Hornsby, NSW 2077
UNTIL NEXT TIME...
If you have any news on warfare gaming (try and keep it in this century), write tome at 701 10th Street, Silvis, IL 61282 and it will be included in this column.
If you are asking for information, please include a SASE or postcard. If you would like to see certain items of interest in this column, let me know. I must submit each completed column 1.5 months prior to publication. Therefore if you have an announcement which must be in a particular issue, let me know as soon as possible.
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© Copyright 1989 Hal Thinglum
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