Saturday, March 16, 2024

Pegasus Bridge - Chain of Command

Play-tested my buddy's Pegasus Bridge game using Chain of Command today. He'll be hosting it a Enfilade in May. Enjoyed the game - particularly as two of the players are well-versed with the rules. Although I only play the rules when others host it, and this not often, I think I've actually picked up most of the core/basic rules. My buddy, the host, and I ran the Germans. He's recreated the table using scratch-built buildings and terrain to match the actual historical ones as close as possible.

The initial "Patrol" phase lock down of units is lot easier to visualize using a cuople of laser beams.
This was the third time the others played this scenario (my first time), and it ended up a British victory after a few German units had been eliminated, and the British still holding the nearside of the bridge.
The bridge is from Sarissa.
The view from the Germans' side.
British Airborne in cover in the center of the table.
More of the British Airborne on the opposite side of the road.
I had some really good rolls during shooting - lots of 6's and 5's.
A lot of smoke was laid down by both sides.
The one hand-to-hand engagement during the game - on the British right flank. The Germans took heavy casaulties from their attack.
The was held in the historic building at Fort Steilacoom - the host is a member of the historical society there. He's actually on the hand-receipt for the buildings.
Well, it was a nice day - almost too nice weather to be inside, but as there are a lot of windows it was okay - plus there is supposed to sunny weather all next week too. Thanks for checking out the blog and wishing you all the best.

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Perry Kato Kiyomasa

This is the Perry Kato Kiyomasa command pack - along with Perry decals for the set. The Perry website shows the banner on the right looking to be hand-painted. Thankfully, they came out with this decal set.

The helmet has decals that are for small sashimono, but work well for this. I may replace the spear shaft with brass rod as this one looks a bit "bendy."
The Perry website has the helmet's "court cap" painted silver with red suns, but there are examples of it black with these gold rings - which I thought looked a bit more menacing, and appropriate for the "Devil General."
Kato was one of three senior commanders during the Imjin War, and was known to have hunted tigers in Korea. He was one of the most warlike Samurai of the time - which says a lot in itself. He died in 1611, after being possibly poisoned by rivals.
Next up are some Old Glory mounted Samuria with spears - they'll also get Perry sashimono. Thanks for stopping by and checking out the blog.

Sunday, March 10, 2024

Perry Foot Samurai (Swords & Teppo) Completed

Added on the sashimono - note, two of the teppo assistant ashigaru don't have these. 

The designs include a few with the Kiyomasa, Shimazu, and Kobayakawa clans - all participants in the invasion of Korea. Others are based upon those from the Siege of Osaka scroll painting and other sources.

Mixed them up with the earlier yari samurai - kind of grouped per colors and designs a bit, for a somewhat more uniformed look.

Still need to finish up the Kato Kiyomasa figure with his flag bearers.

Thursday, March 7, 2024

Perry Foot Samurai - WIP Update

Finished painting the figures themselves, but still need to work on their sashimono. Probably going with various examples like their previous yari brethren.

Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Perry Foot Samurai - WIP

Painted up the armor and lacing so far. Some of the lacing is a bit sketchy as the sculpting details were hard to make out.

Prior to the lacing the black basecoated figures were given a light drybrushing of bluish-grey to help define the details. Some of the armor was painted red, and some russet brown.
These will eventually join the Perry foot samurai with spears painted a very long time ago.

Friday, March 1, 2024

Imjin War Revisit Update

Completed basing the figures. Need to add sashimono to a couple of Ashigaru units once some decals from Perry arrive - also another pack of Korean bowmen. Still have some Perry foot Samurai to work on too.

Korean royal guardsmen and regular government bowmen. The guardsmen based on 20mm fender washers, and the regular bowmen based 3 figs per 40mm squared - same as the ones already in the collection.
Three of the Ashigaru spear units with sashimono painted with generic patterns - not based on any particular clan or unit.
Sashimono painted prior to attaching to the figures. One of my local gaming buddies gave me a bunch of these Warlord Games/Wargames Factory sashimono. The decals coming from Perry are for the Kiyomasa clan - hopefully they'll fit onto the plastic sashimono which are smaller than the Perry metal ones.
Thanks for stopping by and checking out the blog again. Best wishes to you all.

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Minwax Tudor Satin Sweatshop

Minwax sweatshop was opened this morning. 60 OG Ashigaru Yari; 50 OG Ashigaru Teppo; 30 OG Ashigaru Bows; 30 Perry Armored Koreans; and 12 Korean Bows. 


Need to work on the sashimono for the Ashigaru Yari guys - short 4 though. Have a few more Perry Korean Bows arriving soon too. Thanks for stopping by the sweatshop.

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Old Glory Ashigaru Teppo

Picked these 50 figs up off of ebay thanks to one of my buddies giving me a head's up on them. A very basic block paint job - soon to be given a Minwax stain along with the previously painted figures. Yes, Amazon delivered a can of Tudor Satin stain today!


Planning on a large Minwax staining production line tomorrow on the 180 or so figures in the queue.

Monday, February 26, 2024

Perry Joseon Korean Shields

Used the image on the Perry website as a guide. Gave the shields a wash of sepia ink to help define the details before painting the gaudy colors per the guide.

I think these would have been more for ceremonial purposes than for actual warfare, but they are eye-catching.

Sunday, February 25, 2024

Perry Joseon Korean Armored Infantry - WIP +1

Just a quick update on the Perry Korean armored infantry. Finished block painting the figures, but still need to paint up the shields for the swordsmen.

A can of Minwax Tudor Satin stain should be arriving in the next day or two, to stain these guys and the previous Old Glory Ashigaru and Perry Korean bowmen. After these, there a few Perry Samurai to finish up the project - at least for the time being. Thanks again for checking out the blog.

Saturday, February 24, 2024

Drumbeat 2024 Gameday

Attended my first Drumbeat gameday in many years. It used to be held up in Seattle at a couple of different places, the last place was being torn down. This year is the first time it was held down in Tacoma (15 minutes away for me), at a nice gaming store called Silver King Games and Hobby. I've been to this location of few times last year for Saga game days, but hadn't been back in a while there too. I hosted my RJW skirmish game in the morning period with 5 players - 3 for the Japanese and 2 for the Russians. In the afternoon period I played in my buddy David's Height of Battle Imjin War naval game. David will likely have his own report of today's gaming on his own "I Live With Cats" blog. There were about 35 folks in attendance - most of whom I've know over the years. In fact, I was honored to have Bruce Meyer of Company B Miniatures in my RJW game in the morning. Without further ado, here are pictures from today.

My RJW game using TMWWBK for rules. The players all said they enjoyed the game - only one player had prior experience playing, but another had the rules and had read through it. The table was a foot short width-wise so the opposing sides started closer and got engagements in sooner. We played for 6 turns with the Japanese winning by making into the first line of trench works. They had taken out one of the Maxim gun teams early in the game with helped their advance.
The usual suspects catching up with each other prior to the first session. The gaming area is the upstairs of a former bank - very plush accomodations.
Kevin Smyth's "Hand of Captain Danjou" game in the first session. I'm sure he'll also have a report on his own blog - "A Gamer's Tale".
A Chain of Command WW2 game, also in the first period.
French and Indian War skirmish game using homebrew rules.
My RJW game nearing the end of Turn 6 with Japanese forces inside the Russian first line of defense.
Wings of War game.
The "Height of Battle" Imjin War naval game in the second period. I ran a squadron of Korean ships and took over another squadron after one of the players had to leave. We called the game after a few turns calling it a close Japanese victory as they had captured a few more ships than the Koreans had. If we continued to play, it could've went either way. I haven't played the rules since running game a couple of years ago at another game day. In fact, David was a player in that game and ended up ordering up the rules and a couple of fleets of ships.
A Battle Tech game run by the son of my buddy James. He's trying to get more experience GMing as he'll be running this game at Enfilade in May.

It was another nice gathering of old friends, and meeting new ones, all the while playing great games. Until next time, wishing you all the best.

Thursday, February 22, 2024

Perry Joseon Korean Armored Infantry - WIP

Finished the armored coats of these armored foot - swordsmen, halberdiers, archers, and handgunners.
Very nicely detailed figures - as expected from Perry. Just a quick update to show the progress on these figures. Thanks for checking out the blog, and hoping you're doing well.