REORG

Well it has been over twelve months since my last post! Where does the time go?

If anyone out there reads this humble blog you may be aware of its cousin 'Plastic Zombie' and there it outlines some issues I've been having. Despite the absence of posting I haven't been totally away from VCBW.

In November I embarked on a project to write a VCBW novel. This was going to be based on a series of encounters played on the gaming table.

The Cover

The novel got started, however, I was too ambitious as I based it around the concept of a Battalion Recce in Force. Although I wrote a quarter of the 50K words (it was a sort of competition) I never got around to the gaming element. The size of the unit was too big to develop characters.

Well March sees a new chapter opening in my life I have decided to rekindle the VCBW project. The novel (?) will be centred around a BUF platoon and their exploits in a Civil War campaign situated, where I live.

I intend there to be Batreps, chats and some modeling. So there you have it. I am keen to succeed at this after dismal failings with Plastic Zombie last year.

Here goes.

Thanks for popping by.

Lorcan.

Next Post: Meet the Platoon.

Artillery Templates, terrain markers.

In an attempt to kick start my VCBW campaign I re-read the 'Yuletide' edition of Miniature Wargames.

There was a very interesting scenario about a mini-campaign revolving around a river crossing. It is written in such a way that it is easily adapted to any period. After a little thought I shoehorned it into my concept for the 'Wirral Campaign'
I want this ready by Easter so a concerted effort to build up my forces must start now.

As a preamble, and as arty plays such a role, I wanted to get some templates up and running. So here is my concepts. 

The stuff needed.

Sealing the central hole

Although the 'World in Flames' rule set has a smaller diameter for arty. I've used CDs as they are convenient and cheap. A suitable 'saving throw' house rule for those on the edge should get over the extra coverage. 

Plasticine Sausages 

Rolled into circles.

Hot Glue to Bases

All three experiments

PVA glue wash to harden

Filler covering

Hot glue for puddling

Now leave to dry paint and base. They appear OK but not too happy with them. Let's see what happens in the future. I have some further ideas for these and others.

Catch you all soon.

LRQ.

FIBUA, OBUA, FISH Terrain.

If ever I get this project moving (which I hope to this year) I imagine doing quite a bit of FIBUA (fighting in built up areas.) Now I believe called OBUA (operations in built up areas.) My first idea for a scenario is a 'bumped' patrol at a pub. Hence this post.

I was surfing through 'YOU TUBE' the other day and I came across this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_2114248595&feature=iv&src_vid=HfM2LNIIcao&v=B4a4m_FPuww

It's a video by a character called 'DMScotty' (http://dmscraft.proboards.com/) OK I know it's D&D but the terrain techniques can be adapted.

This got me to thinking and I thought that interior action has always been difficult as the usual, papercraft, building interiors tend to be too cramped for figures once they are based. So came this project, Build a cardboard interior tile for your buildings and move the action there when appropriate.

The plan: The experiment was set on my backwoods cabin. I increased the dimensions by 1/3rd for the tile and away I went. (I had a write error  on my camera and didn't realise 'til now so the photo tutorial is a bit bare.)

Tools Required, minus hot glue gun and cardboard.

1. Draw outline on cardboard (c.f. video link for discussion on c.board).

2. Cut out pattern. 

These will be the walls.

 3. Glue the walls down

The beauty of cardboard cutting with scissors

 4. Unlike DM Scotty's idea I've built the walls up two layers. This has opportunity of giving the tile a slightly more realistic window element. It's hard to see in the picture but I hope that you get the idea.

The external and internal views.

 5. Undercoat, couldn't find my black tin.

6. Whilst it was drying I knocked up some doors, a bed and a stove.

7. Check it out, prior to painting.

Thanks for popping by and stay dry out there.

Lorcan.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas to you all and I hope that you have a pleasant and peaceful time, wherever you may be.

May you all find something in Christmas stockings.

I hope to get back to this project in the New Year.

Lorcan.

The Cheshire Division Forms Up. The Peoples' Army Gathers and a pack of cards.

There is a bit of a rant to this but that is elsewhere.

I haven't had much time for our hobby recently but I did manage to tidy up a few projects.

Firstly

I finished off  B Company  Royal regiment of Chester (Cheshire Div). These are Airfix latest WW2 British Army. Not too bad a set for that company but a bit spindly.

Secondly

Some Caesar Partisans and WW2 Resistance fighters. 

I do like Causer figures. There moulding is superb and so detailed.

I'm generally pleased with how they turned out. However, I coated them in a mahogany varnish. This darkened the flesh colours a bit too much for my liking, it didn't do the same when I last did it. I suppose they could always campaign in summer with a healthy tan!

Finally, I designed a series of 'event cards'  and got them printed up at www.PrinterStudio.com. Easy, fairly reasonable and quick.

Take care out there and thanks for checking this out.

Lorcan

Some shameless pimping

Over at the below.

www.blma.com

The fine Big Lee is celebrating a million hits and has a rather splendid
range of prizes on offer. so get yourself over there and scan through some of his posts. He is a damn good modeller.

Now for some period appropriate pimping.

I just designed my own chance cards for my game.

I just designed my own cards: Dead easy and cheap.

Standard 300gsm (smooth) Poker Size Custom Cards (Blank Cards) Playing Cards 1, 13 or 54 photos, $7.99