“Warfare" Showcase 2024

"Warfare, is one of the largest [wargaming shows] in the country."

With "Warfare" traditionally being the last of my local wargaming shows for the year, I decided to once again make the hour-long trip to the Farnborough International Exhibition Centre and see what goodies were on display. This year I was particularly excited by the Wargames Association of Reading's claim that the organisers were "welcoming several first time traders", as this is precisely why I like to physically attend such events as opposed to just ordering online.

Some of the models on show by "Full Metal Miniatures" which caught my attention

Furthermore, I hoped some potential 'new stuff' might help lessen my unease at the rise in entry price to an initially off-putting £12 - something which has not gone without criticism from other hobbyists I know. I totally get that the Conference Centre is a rather splendid venue with plenty of facilities, and resultantly comes with a significantly high cost. However, a good two-thirds of the Main Hall was rather disappointingly unused, and that was despite the fact that the majority of the Tournaments were also being held there. Indeed, I ultimately left the building with an uneasy feeling that my entry fee was probably funding the twenty-two competitions taking place more than anything else.

The small Novus Mallum tabletop by "Enviro Games", and part of "Rapier Miniatures" Ancients display

To make matters worse though, parking at the venue was arguably a bit of a disaster, due to joining a long, slow-moving queue for a space. In the end I gave up waiting, and simply drove further along the access road to another turning where there were plenty of spaces. I was admittedly already a bit grumpy from the drive, as despite entering the recommended postcode into my satellite navigation, the route provided took me to one closed-off gate after another, and it was only after spotting a tiny rectangular Warfare sign attached to a lamp-post that I finally saw Gate A. Later on, I was therefore not surprised to overhear one of the club members talking about how poor the parking had become, and when I left I couldn't help but spot many a car precariously positioned at all sorts of odd angles on a variety of grass verges and escarpments.

This "Crossover Miniatures" display formed part of the "Pendraken Miniatures" booth

Setting such quibbles aside, the show itself was a bit of a triumph, with several of the promised 'fresh faces' taking a heavy toll upon my wallet. There were also some rather splendid displays by some of the show's usual stalwarts - such as "Pendraken Miniatures" showing off all the splendid-looking super-heroes and villains from "Crossover Miniatures", and "Baccus 6mm" almost tempting me with plenty of wonderfully painted World War Two armour and infantry.

Part of the "Baccus 6mm" stall, and a glimpse of Shepway Wargamers' participation tabletop

I was also taken by several of the participation games, and spent quite a while chatting to a chap from the Shepway Wargamers about his awesome scratch-built "Warhammer 40k" lite tabletop. This impressive Imperial Guard verses Chaos conflict had been specifically set-up to help get new players into the rather hefty "Games Workshop" rule-set, and resultantly had had its numerous stipulations stripped right down to their basics to encourage attendees to simply throw some dice.

A rather splendid-looking Battle of Alexandria 1801 game using the General d'Armee rule-set

Perhaps unsurprisingly, considering my spending at "Colours" 2024, I splurged most of my meagre funds at the "Sarissa Precision" stall on "The Silver Bayonet" - coming away with both the Spanish Unit and the Egyptian Unit boxed sets. I was going to leave it at that. However, I then saw a blister of Army Deserter Bandits, and thought it would be rude not to pick them up too, especially as I could always incorporate the unscrupulous soldiers into my other warbands as a Veteran Hunter or plain Infantryman, should the fancy take me.

"Athena Miniatures" range of Franco-Prussian War and Post Apocalyptic figures

Easily this show's biggest surprise for me was stumbling upon "Athena Miniatures" and their characterful range of Apocalypse Survivors. I was initially attracted to their stand in the Discover Hall by their fantastic Franco-Prussian War figures, and was thinking about picking up a small sample to test paint prior to visiting the company again at next year's "Beachhead" 2025. But then its fiendish owner directed my attention to a number of British civilians "dressed in cold weather gear armed with a variety of weapons" who were apparently "ready to do battle with Zombies or Aliens or whatever has brought about the apocalypse!"

Some of the models by "Conquest Games", "Parkfield Miniatures", and "Disdain Studio"

Coupled with a number of hand-sculpted "heroic British squaddies", some additional riflemen wearing NBC suits, as well as a ton of Russian Spetsnaz Special Forces (to act as the obligatory bad guys), and I simply found this all too much to resist. So ended up leaving what I thought was overall a very successful show with twice as much metal in my shopping bag as I had originally intended. Now I just need to paint all this stuff up before February next year, when I start attending wargaming events again...

“Colours" Showcase 2022

"So, the show goes on. Long live the King."

Having been bitterly disappointed by Newbury & Reading Wargaming Society's "tough decision to hold back in 2021 for the safety of our members and you the public" I was super-keen to attend this year's "Colours" at its usual venue inside Newbury Racecourse. Of course, having visited the show numerous times before, I didn't bother to read the website's "Navigating the Racecourse" guidance, so promptly spent a frustrating thirty minutes desperately trying to enter the facility via its 'traditional' western end, as opposed to the correct access point "between the flats and the course" on its eastern side.

Eventually, after much gnashing of teeth, several three-point turns at closed barricades, and some grumbling with many of the other visiting drivers who were also caught in this nightmarish spider's web of lost traffic, I found my way to Car Park Five. Possibly a sign or two explaining the change of access might not have gone amiss on the closed barriers or even along the route I eventually followed like a lemming..? Though I do appreciate there was a very precise map to the venue on the website - I'll certainly be checking that with much more attention next year..!!

Of course, being late meant that I didn't have to queue up, and in addition, discovered that it was free to enter. This decision seems to have gone down very well with the punters I mingled with, and I certainly felt overall that it was a much better attended show than the last time I visited; albeit, apart from the Bring & Buy section, I never once felt particularly jostled or cramped for room.

"ROK Minis Terrain and Minis - Made the way you want."

Obviously, the mainstay companies such as "Pendraken", "Warlord Games", "Westwind Productions", "Kallistra" and "Deep Cut Studio" were all in attendance, but perhaps the biggest thing to hit me during my repeated walk-a-rounds was the number of 3D printed models on offer from people I'd not really heard of before. Foremost of these was "ROK Miniatures", who immediately caught my attention with their gorgeous display of small-scale Fantasy forces, and ultra-impressive gothic-flavoured science fiction buildings.

I was especially tempted by their 10mm Wargame box sets for "Kings of War" and "Warmaster", which seemed a convincing way to game either rule-set both inexpensively and within a small-sized gaming area. The chap was also very keen to emphasise that he could produce the models at an even smaller sizes if requested, and explained one customer had everything 3D printed in 3mm scale so as to field some enormous armies.

Alongside the opportunity to own an eye-wateringly small "Chivalric Knights, Undead, Wood Elf, High Elf or Chaotic" warband, I was also rather mesmerised by their crisp, 6-8mm resin sci-fi terrain. The company's Airfield Control Centre and Imperial Fortress were especially gobsmacking, and are apparently printed from files by "Grim Dark Terrain" under licence. These appeared just the job for "Adeptus Titanicus" or "Epic", so in the end I quickly scampered away to pick up some Mechanical Men and Magma Apes from "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" before temptation got the better of me.

Some of the displays by "Baccus 6mm", "Broadsword Miniatures" and "Syborg 3D Printing"

Sticking with the PLA/Resin theme, I must also mention the tremendous array of fabulous WW1 aircraft sold by "Syborg 3D Printing". I actually saw this company in something of a fledgling state at "Warfare 2021" and they have clearly expanded their comprehensive range of kits exponentially over the past eleven months. As someone who has always been enticed by the pre-painted aeroplanes for "Wings Of Glory" by "Ares Games", I was very close to hitting the trigger on some of their already-assembled 3D printed Sopwith Camels.

Likewise I was similarly tempted by "Baccus 6mm" and their intriguing looking "Pony Wars" range. For just over a hundred pounds the game's Starter Set was definitely a serious financial investment, yet seemed to contain plenty of small-scale models to keep my magnifying glass busy for months. I was also rather curious to see how the rule-set's card mechanics worked, especially when a chap beside me mentioned he was playing something similar using 20mm figures by "Newline Designs".

Ultimately, I decided to pick up a Royal Navy Fleet Pack and Neo-Soviet Battle Fleet, along with the "A Billion Suns" rule-book by "Osprey Wargames", from "Brigade Models" as my main buy of the show. However, I was momentarily seduced by the large range of metal sculpts displayed by "Broadsword Miniatures". These somewhat roughly-hewn models strongly reminded me of the classic Fantasy ranges from the Eighties, and supported "The Woods: Second Edition" by "Oakbound Studio". Surprisingly though, the blokes behind the booth didn't seem inclined to give me a 'sales pitch' about them, so once I'd snapped a picture I moved to other stalls a bit perplexed...

6mm Zombicide Report: The Middle Eastern Alliance Verses The British Army

THE MIDDLE EASTERN ALLIANCE BATTLES THE BRITISH ARMY

This game was played predominantly using the ‘Season One’ rules of “Zombicide” by “Guillotine Games”. However in order to better represent the spirit of "Battlefield Evolution: Modern Combat" by "Mongoose Publishing" we used some homemade "Hurlbat" terrain tiles and a handful of resin buildings produced by "Baccus 6mm". As I wanted to try out the rules playing with modern military forces, and have plenty of painted “Micro Armour” models ready for the table, we simply swapped the Survivors and Walkers, with Fedayeen, Rifleman sections and Land Rovers.

“The story so far… The British Army have recently seized control of Carrion City. From there they plan to strike west and capture Vampiville; a heavily fortified town which comprises of inner and outer settlements. Aware of its military importance the local Revered Leader has deployed a small number of dedicated civilian troops armed with AK-103 automatic rifles to delay the British until such time as the Middle Eastern Alliance can arrive. Realising they must strike now the British have ordered the Land Rovers of Alpha Team to race west and establish a cordon around Vampiville. Whilst the riflemen of Bravo Team are to follow and once reunited with their colleagues take both parts of the town...

THE TABLETOP - EACH TILE REPRESENTS A MOVEMENT ZONE

Before we started Alpha Team were awarded the skill 2 Zones per Move Action on account of their transportation. Whilst Bravo Team started the game already armed with L85A2 assault rifles. The objective was simple in that both Teams had to reach the interior of Vampiville. All the other rules of the "Zombicide" Tutorial scenario, such as a reduced Fedayeen deck and special starting equipment, were followed. Which meant that the game started with two of the Revered Leader’s Fedayeen Squads already in play….

THE BRITISH ARMY MAKE READY IN CARRION CITY

Better equipping themselves for the task at hand Alpha Team lingered within Carrion City in order to collect some L85A2 assault rifles. While Bravo Team made contact with some local 'friendlies' who would assist them in stealthily departing the settlement. To the north and west the Fedayeen squads moved in to surround the British Army and pin them inside. Sensing that battle was about to commence the Revered Leader motivated another group of the fanatically dedicated troops to arrive.

FEDAYEEN SQUADS PREPARE TO ENCIRCLE THE BRITISH POSITION IN CARRION CITY

Bravo Team fired into the Fedayeen to Carrion City's west, before striking out along the south coast. Alpha Team took a little longer to dispatch their opponents to the north. but having done so drove their Land Rovers hard and reached the northern coast. The remaining Fedayeen squad travelled east. Whilst their Revered Leader created another group of troops.

THE BRITISH ARMY STRIKE WEST AS MIDDLE EASTERN ALLIANCE REINFORCEMENTS ARRIVE

Alpha Team drove to the outskirts of Vampiville, deployed its riflemen, and dispatched the enemy soldiers who had been travelling east from the location of the Revered Leader. Bravo Team shortly arrived at their location, and prepared to use their 'friendlies' to create an opening through the settlement's outer defences. The one remaining Fedayeen Squad travelled towards the British positions, and no new troops appeared.

ALPHA TEAM AND BRAVO TEAM REUNITE JUST EAST OF THEIR TARGET

Bravo Team used the 'friendlies' intelligence to enter Vampiville's outermost buildings and were horrified to find two Fedayeen Squads guarding them. British surveillance also revealed a third squad of enemy troops stationed within the settlement's inner area. The town was clearly well-garrisoned. Bravo Team set to work trying to clear the buildings of the Middle Eastern Alliance forces and managed to destroy one of the squads protecting the outer dwellings. Alpha Team provided additional support and helped completely clear the immediate area of both Fedayeen Squads; including the civilian troops approaching from the south. Eager to repel the British from their settlement, the Revered Leader's soldiers deep inside Vampiville moved east to set up operations in the town's now vacant defences. Whilst their commander created two more Fedayeen Squads in the south-west.

THE BRITISH ARMY DISCOVER THE TOWN IS HEAVILY DEFENDED

Alpha Team poured all their firepower into the town's remaining defenders. But failed to budge them. It therefore fell to Bravo Team to (finally) take Vampiville's outer buildings, and garrison the place before the arrival of the imminent Fedayeen reinforcements. The troops recently created by the Revered Leader rushed north and into the settlement, inspired by the creation of yet another squad behind them.

THE OUTER BUILDINGS FINALLY FALL TO THE BRITISH ARMY

As the desperate city fighting ensued Bravo Team managed to disperse one of the Fedayeen Squads. The British's effort was not going to be enough to hold the outer town however until Alpha Team drove their Land Rovers down the settlement's streets and finally cleared them of opposition. Such a hard-fought victory was only fleeting though as more of the Middle Eastern Alliance's forces arrived to contest Vampiville from the south and the Revered Leader even managed to conjure up enough support for another squad to appear in the south-west.

DESPITE WAVES OF FEDAYEEN FORCES THE TOWN IS TAKEN BY THE BRITISH ARMY

Realising it was 'do or die' Alpha Team defeated their Fedayeen opponents in the outer buildings and pushed west to take the undefended interior area of the settlement as well. The British Army now held the entirety of Vampiville...

Baccus 6mm North African Buildings - Part Two

Continuing on with my current Middle Eastern 6mm themed project, I've painted up three more North African buildings from my old packet of "Baccus 6mm" resin Eastern Mediterranean buildings.

Having previously shied away from the 'almost bleach white' colour scheme found on the "Baccus 6mm" website, I undercoated all of the models with a double layer of "Vallejo" Iraqui Sand and then washed them with "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. Each building was then dry-brushed with more "Vallejo" Iraqui Sand before I applied a final highlight of White. The windows were 'picked out' using "Citadel" Abaddon Black, whilst the doors painted using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna" and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.

 

Disappointingly I did attempt to replicate 'picking out' the dark roof posts which protrude from the front and back facings of two of the (smaller) buildings, as per the painted examples on the company's website. However I did not have the skill to be so meticulously precise with my brush tip and ended up simply splodging black paint all over the place. As a result I decided a painting retreat was the better part of valour on this occasion and settled for simply washing around the posts in order to provide the features with some shadow.

 Finally I've finished undercoating another three of the 28mm Bakemono demons that come as part of the  "Bushido" Savage Wave Starter Set by "GCT Studios".

Painting Challenge: Week Eight - (More) 6mm Micro Armour

Having started to paint a Middle Eastern Alliance modern army last week, I've now got to paint an additional six bases of 6mm "GHQ" "Micro Armour" miniatures in order to complete this (eighth) week's painting challenge.

As a result I plan to try and finish the initial stands required to field a basic Fedayeen Squad, including a unit leader base all armed automatic rifles. I then hope to be able to build upon this core frontline asset with another six stands; four of which will either be armed with SVU sniper rifles or AT-13 Sexhorn-2 anti-tank missile systems.

In addition I also hope to finally complete a few more North African resin buildings by "Baccus 6mm" that have been stuck in my painting queue over the past few weeks.

Painting Challenge: Week Five - 6mm Micro Armour

Week Five of my painting challenge sees my three-month project's subject return to 6mm "GHQ" miniatures and five more bases of Modern British "Micro Armour". This should mean I'll be able to finish off both my second Rifleman Section and Saxon APC Battalion Asset, and thus finally field a basic British Army platoon.

 

In addition I also hope to complete a few more North African resin buildings by "Baccus 6mm" so I can populate a couple of recently acquired MDF bases and create some 'Built Up Areas' for my battlefield.

 

Meanwhile, behind the scenes, I'm still slowly trying to complete a few more bases of "The Ion Age" 15mm Prydian Army models. Once finished I'll be able to game some small 'Rogue Trader era' exchanges between the 'Imperial Guard' and LV-426 Aliens, using the "Science-Fiction Companion" setting of "Savage Worlds".

Baccus 6mm North African Buildings - Part One

These three North African buildings are from an old packet of "Baccus 6mm" resin Eastern Mediterranean buildings I've actually owned for a couple of years. Despite some numerous (and in some cases obvious) bubbles in the cats, the models are packed full of detail and proved reasonably quick to finish.

On the "Baccus 6mm" website the buildings have been painted using a simple 'almost bleach white' colour scheme, but because I may well use these models to represent built up areas for other areas conflict zones (and periods) I went with a less stark cream choice. In addition, because of the level of detail on the miniatures, I even dry-brushed a second colour over the buildings, to really help 'bring out' the stairs, windows, and shop fronts; something I wouldn't ordinarily consider even for 28mm scale scenery.

As a result the models were all undercoated with two layers of "Vallejo" Iraqui Sand. I've had this bottle hanging around for some (bought as part of a boxed set for Afrika Korps models) and thought it'd give me the cream effect I was after. Once dry, each building was then washed with "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade; a Shade which has been consigned to simple scenery and basing duties since I discovered Strong Tone Quickshade by "The Army Painter".

Each model was then dry-brushed with more "Vallejo" Iraqui Sand before I applied a final highlight of White. The windows were then 'picked out' using "Coat D'Arms" Black, whilst the doors painted using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna" and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.

I also made the decision to base the buildings using the same 'mud and grass' colour scheme I predominantly base all of my models in this 'day and age'. I must confess to being somewhat tempted to go with a desert basing scheme, but that would have meant either re-basing my 6mm British Modern Army (a depressing nightmare of a scenario) or having my scenery 'jar' with the force's fighting over them.

In addition I've also managed to squeeze in painting another base containing two armoured personnel carriers from the "GHQ" 6mm modern "Micro Armour" range. This means my Modern British Army will now be able to field two complete Spartan Armour assets (i.e. eight models based upon four stands).

"...In Defence Of The Law"

I've managed to finish one of the 'newer' "Mongoose Publishing" Street Judge models in my collection and it's definitely been the easiest to paint of the handful I've so far painted. Certainly I've not needed to 'sculpt' any missing details on the figure with green stuff on this occasion and even the casting's flash was minimal. However, just like the large artistic variance of the future lawman's look found within his actual comic books, the sculpting style of this 28mm metal miniature is strikingly different to both the 'older' models I've already painted, as well as the new models produced by the "Judge Dredd" Kickstarter. Indeed the helmet badge, square knee pads and boot knives all smack of Brian Bolland's legendary artwork.

What with "Salute 2014" and the many discounts/offers currently available through wargaming websites, this really has been the week of adding to my lead/resin/plastic mountain as opposed to 'whittling' it down through painting. But I'm still persevering with some 6mm "Baccus 6mm" buildings; albeit my interest in this scale has significantly diminished due to my latest "Salute" purchases.

Painting Challenge: Week Two - 6mm Baccus Scenics

The subject of my second week's painting challenge will actually follow on nicely from the 1:285 scale "GHQ" "Modern Micro Armour" I've painted over the past week or so. It's going to be more 6mm but this time from the North African Building range of "Baccus 6mm"; plus I need only complete a single stand over the next few days.

I actually bought these nine splendidly detailed resin buildings around the same time as my "GHQ" British Army, and believe that some of the models are now actually out of production; as the "Baccus 6mm" website would only seem to be selling them these days as a collection of six Eastern Mediterranean buildings.

I've already based them on similar plastic stands to those I use for my 6mm collection, flocked them and even started undercoating and washing a few of them ready for their windows and doors to be picked out, and the models dry-brushed with cream and then white.