[Sparker]

I wouldn’t be too quick to write off TDs as abandoned after VE day – the Bundeswehr continued to put great faith in KanonenJagdPanzers right up until 1990. And arguably the much vaunted S Tank was really a posh TD…

http://sparkerswargames.blogspot.com.au/
'Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall need to be well 'ard'
Matthew 5:9

[Sparker]

Thanks General – appreciate it! Yes when you spread the battle out to discrete locations its amazing how spread out the troops can be…

http://sparkerswargames.blogspot.com.au/
'Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall need to be well 'ard'
Matthew 5:9

[Sparker]

For what its worth I just want to back up what John D Salt and other have said about the use of the 7.62mm LMG (rechambered Bren) in TAVR use. Both Bns I served with (4 RRW and 2 Wessex) were issued with these, and I was never taught anything but firing them prone. Even during live firing exercises where as the ‘gunner’ one was assessed on how rapidly one could put rounds down range when the section was ‘bumped’, it never ever occurred to me, or the Regular instructors, that our immedaite action was anything but get down whilst swinging the bipod out, and start pumping a few rounds vaguely down range. Only the second burst was aimed, that’s how imperative it was to get the gun into action fast, but never were we expected to fire from anything but prone!

Subsequently during my naval career I occasionally got to fire more modern MGs such as the GPMG and the .50. The GPMG seemed to have a similar ROF as the LMG, but seemed much heavier, so presumably could have fired longer bursts for longer… The .50 was awesome but did seem to jam fairly frequently, something that never happened with either the LMG or GPMG. (It didn’t jam as often as the godawful SA80 though…)

 

http://sparkerswargames.blogspot.com.au/
'Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall need to be well 'ard'
Matthew 5:9

[Sparker]

Yes the Chieftain comes with the STILLBREW option, and yes the Lynx comes with ITOW…

http://sparkerswargames.blogspot.com.au/
'Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall need to be well 'ard'
Matthew 5:9

[Sparker]

Thanks Iain!

http://sparkerswargames.blogspot.com.au/
'Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall need to be well 'ard'
Matthew 5:9

[Sparker]

Thanks gents, most kind! I hasten to add the ‘engineers’ were converted and painted by Mark, not myself (if only!!!)

http://sparkerswargames.blogspot.com.au/
'Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall need to be well 'ard'
Matthew 5:9

[Sparker]

Yes a lovely looking unit, well done the Silver Dandies!

http://sparkerswargames.blogspot.com.au/
'Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall need to be well 'ard'
Matthew 5:9

[Sparker]

Release date now 12th Dec. Me, I have preordered 2 Soviet and 1 US box as well as the rules. Looking forward to this immensely, it will give Cold War gaming an immense shot in the arm!

http://sparkerswargames.blogspot.com.au/
'Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall need to be well 'ard'
Matthew 5:9

[Sparker]

Thanks for you kind comments gents! Actually my T-26s are from Miniairons, I didn’t realise Zvezda did then – obvious really when you think about it. Yes, might have to see if they do BT-7s, lovely tanks! (Although my focus will likely be on WW3 for the next couple of years!)

http://sparkerswargames.blogspot.com.au/
'Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall need to be well 'ard'
Matthew 5:9

[Sparker]

Thanks Steve, very kind! Yes I see what you mean about them being unsuited to solo gaming. I did actually work through some tactical scenarios solo when we were playtesting the rules, and they work fine at that level, but of course you miss out on the whole MO activiation issue and hidden units, which together is a big part of the package. I suppose with the MO activation you could roll a sides dice in the cup, leave them concealed, estimate pessimistically how many brigades you can activiate, then check and hope for  a pleasant surprise. Cumbersome though, I admit!

http://sparkerswargames.blogspot.com.au/
'Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall need to be well 'ard'
Matthew 5:9

[Sparker]

Looking good!

http://sparkerswargames.blogspot.com.au/
'Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall need to be well 'ard'
Matthew 5:9

[Sparker]

If you don’t vote you don’t get to moan about the new Government is what I am saying.

Amen to that Sir!

You know it’ll happen anyway, right?

http://sparkerswargames.blogspot.com.au/
'Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall need to be well 'ard'
Matthew 5:9

[Sparker]

Well instead of bitchin’, here’s your chance to pitch in!

With all the expertise demonstrated here, and Leon’s appeal for ideas and feedback, the revamped rules should be the best wargames ruleset evah:

http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,12845.0.html

http://sparkerswargames.blogspot.com.au/
'Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall need to be well 'ard'
Matthew 5:9

[Sparker]

Thanks Mate!

http://sparkerswargames.blogspot.com.au/
'Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall need to be well 'ard'
Matthew 5:9

[Sparker]

Jack’s scenery is awesome for micro scale – I think his approach to coniferous woods is as good as any I’ve seen in that scale, but the massed lichen looks superb for deciduous woods.

http://sparkerswargames.blogspot.com.au/
'Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall need to be well 'ard'
Matthew 5:9

[Sparker]

Thanks All – most kind. Always good when one’s blog post reawakens interest in a period – makes up for all the inspiration I’ve taken from others.

The game certainly plays fast with the lethality of modern weapons – Firepower check on a 2+! It means that unlike WW2, once things start to go wrong there’s not a lot you can do to rethink and reset – but it does make for a fast game!

http://sparkerswargames.blogspot.com.au/
'Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall need to be well 'ard'
Matthew 5:9

[Sparker]

Different! Gorgeous painting, but, well, different!

http://sparkerswargames.blogspot.com.au/
'Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall need to be well 'ard'
Matthew 5:9

[Sparker]

Wow! I am not alone in my febrile switching from painting WW2 to ancients to Cold War to Mediaeval to WW2! I feel much more ‘normal’ now, thanks! (Of course ‘normal’ is a relative term amongst the ranks of grown men who play with toy soldiers!)

Currently on the work bench? – 28mm Gauls, 1:100th Jagdpanthers, and late last night packed away some still wet 1:100th T-55s for this evenings 1967 Six Day War game…

http://sparkerswargames.blogspot.com.au/
'Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall need to be well 'ard'
Matthew 5:9

[Sparker]

Yes I’m no tournaments fan myself – if you want a fair evenly balanced games to pit your wits and nothing else against an opponent, then I can’t see how chess can be improved upon – but if it brings more people into the Cold War period, well and good. You don’t have to stick to the points system if you’re having a ‘historical’ game with a like minded opponent…and I rarely do when playing Flames of War. I just like the simplicity of the rules and the authenticity of the overall outcome, without having to invest too much bandwidth into administering the rules. It sounds as if Team Yankee will be even simpler…

http://sparkerswargames.blogspot.com.au/
'Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall need to be well 'ard'
Matthew 5:9

[Sparker]

Thanks Norm! Yes it is hard to consciously paint random swirls – but kind of relaxing!

http://sparkerswargames.blogspot.com.au/
'Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall need to be well 'ard'
Matthew 5:9

[Sparker]

“Interesting, could you expand on how the speed Tanks fight at is slower?”

Well obviously I haven’t seen the rules yet – but then again that hasn’t stopped most FOW detractors from sounding off, so here goes:

I think with increased engagement ranges and lethality in modern warfare, they intend putting more emphasis on target acquisition and firing solutions. So perhaps split out the current firing phase, which in the WW2 rules includes observation, ranging, fire orders, firing and effect, into 2 or more phases, possibly acquisition, then firing and penetration. This would allow some sort of reaction to LRATGW launches, too…

But pure speculation on my part!

http://sparkerswargames.blogspot.com.au/
'Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall need to be well 'ard'
Matthew 5:9

[Sparker]

Yep I’m with Nick on this one – Mid 80’s for me:

1. Good mix of gear changing over within armies: UK Chieftain/Chally1 and FV432/Warrior; US M60/M1, M113/Brads, W Germans and clients can have Leo 1s or 2s (still not made up my mind with I prefer aesthetically) and the GSFG had a handful of T-80s.

2. The quasi historical framework is there for you, Gen Sir John Hacketts WW3, within which you find all the relevant novels, Red Army, Chieftains, The Red – Black – Green Effect, and of course Team Yankee which is the basis for the first Battlefront ruleset.

3. Good soundtrack in the 80s, including the classic Nena’s 99 Luftbalon!

3. Its when I was wearing (temperate) DPM!

http://sparkerswargames.blogspot.com.au/
'Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall need to be well 'ard'
Matthew 5:9

[Sparker]

A great post and some lovely looking kit. Good to see the Zvezda SPG’s raw in the flesh so to speak. Thanks.

http://sparkerswargames.blogspot.com.au/
'Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall need to be well 'ard'
Matthew 5:9

[Sparker]

We’ve got us a convoy! Cold War gaming is back!

http://sparkerswargames.blogspot.com.au/
'Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall need to be well 'ard'
Matthew 5:9

[Sparker]

Outstanding scenario and batrep work there mate! BRAVO ZULU

http://sparkerswargames.blogspot.com.au/
'Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall need to be well 'ard'
Matthew 5:9

[Sparker]

Hi Tim – First off all the best with the job hunting – you can’t keep a good man down for long, your job is out there, just keep at it – easy to say but hard to do, but you have what it takes in spades.

Its a real shame about the website, wish I’d paid more attention now! But I totally understand your logic, I work in the HE sector myself, hence all my online presence is anymouse, but hope to see it back up once you’re back in work.

http://sparkerswargames.blogspot.com.au/
'Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall need to be well 'ard'
Matthew 5:9

[Sparker]

Beautifully presented batrep – particularly liking the missile ‘telltales’ – thanks for posting!

http://sparkerswargames.blogspot.com.au/
'Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall need to be well 'ard'
Matthew 5:9

[Sparker]

Thank you all for your kind comments! Yes by any measure the Centurion is a fine tank, probably still in service somewhere in the world, and a fine looking vehicle too! I agree that 1968 does seem to have been a bit of a low point in the Cold War, definitely plenty more scenario fodder to be found…

Yes, 2 Troop took no casualties, but 1 Troop probably left it too late to pull back to their second set of fall back positions and lost 2 Centurions unassing the village. NATO got away with it with some useful artillery shoots, whereas the Soviet artillery was a real let-down – I may have to rethink the ‘Conscript’ label for the Red Gunners….

http://sparkerswargames.blogspot.com.au/
'Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall need to be well 'ard'
Matthew 5:9

[Sparker]

Yes similar stories to yours above really. Lots of experience in 6mm back in the day using Challenger 2000 or WRG Modern rules, but after 1989 a dearth of opponents so my activity long ago faded away, just the occasional solo 20mm game when inspired by Nick’s amazing Gyros Teller series of games, but nothing of significance.

So really very excited about the impending Battlefront Team Yankee project, I already have a large and varied range of 15mm figures and vehicles from a variety of sources so have something of a head start. Perfectly happy with the Flames of War ruleset myself – I know that intuitively it seems that rules so easy to play, so popular with ‘da yoof’, and with such a bent toward tourney play, must have something wrong with them! But actually, a little like ‘Black Powder’, once you’ve played a few times and analysed the outcomes taken in the round, at the holistic level they do consistently give credible outcomes.

Like ’em or loath ’em, I do think the net effect of BF’s Team Yankee will be to popularise a genre that has long been in decline apart from a few stellar outposts such as Nick’s efforts, and I think this can only be a Good Thing!

I will also be watching Ironfist Publishing’s purported ‘BattleGroup NORTHAG’ project with interest, again a rules system which consistently delivers credible results. It may be that, like my WW2 gaming, the BattleGroup rules become my default 20mm set and Flames of War my 15mm set…

http://sparkerswargames.blogspot.com.au/
'Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall need to be well 'ard'
Matthew 5:9

[Sparker]

Deep breath – this is going to be controversial! Is there a correlation to educational standards?

I know nothing of US education, other than what was accepted in 2008 as common knowledge around the 5th Fleet O Clubs , the US Navy was struggling to fill the higher end of its enlisted ranks with suitably educated high school grads. – No shortage of smart kids, when it came to aceing educationally neutral tests, but a distinct lack of kids able to demonstrate basic elementary maths and physics understanding sufficient to be able to succeed in technical trade training, without receiving considerable elementary remediation training. Manipulation and substitution of formulae sort of thing, not calculus, and basics of electricity, what is meant by voltage, current, resistance etc. This was really impacting the engineering, communications and electronic warfare trades, despite lean manning…

I just wonder if trad. historical wargaming, with its requirement of basic English and arithmetic, might now present a barrier to entry to the average US High school graduate? Whereas in the UK, the implosion of the education system in the 70’s, after the damage of the 60’s, resulted in a return to core values in the 80’s, which has now paid off, at least in terms of very basic knowledge…Before you scoff, consider – to wargame at the very least you have to have an inherent understanding of scale and ratio, probability, and often be able to cross index charts and even, god forbid, if playing Empire V, apply a flow chart…

http://sparkerswargames.blogspot.com.au/
'Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall need to be well 'ard'
Matthew 5:9

[Sparker]

I was amazed at the wargaming opportunities open to me as a new arrival in Australia, with a small and diffuse population. At least three historical wargaming shops in Sydney, a medium sized city by global standards. A small but thriving wargames club in Wollongong, a tiny ‘city’, and similar cells of regular activity up and down the SE Australian coast from Melbourne up to Brisbane, if not beyond. Amazing really.

I wouldn’t say the hobby is dying, if anything I think the internet, home publishing, blogging and podcasting, hard plastic technology has all conspired to make our present a golden age of wargaming. Even if you are completely isolated from other wargamers, its still entirely possible to be ‘connected’ and a major contributor to the community online…

I don’t think its growing, in terms of headcount, but its becoming richer and more ‘enabled’, and definitely not in its death throes…

http://sparkerswargames.blogspot.com.au/
'Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall need to be well 'ard'
Matthew 5:9

[Sparker]

Well your FROGFOOT is just outstanding, and should scale up nicely with the BF Helos!

http://sparkerswargames.blogspot.com.au/
'Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall need to be well 'ard'
Matthew 5:9

[Sparker]

Good luck with this project!

http://sparkerswargames.blogspot.com.au/
'Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall need to be well 'ard'
Matthew 5:9

[Sparker]

Sparker, unrelated but as a metal worker by trade I got a big f’n kick out of your Ersatz Bergepanther

Thanks mate, very kind. Its actually very hard to render the look of a hard working, well bashed workshop vehicle!

(So if you have any tips on how to get that authentic look, please pass on in a fresh post!)

http://sparkerswargames.blogspot.com.au/
'Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall need to be well 'ard'
Matthew 5:9

[Sparker]

I used to be pretty free and easy with dumping detail and adding ‘house rules’, but I’ve found that it can have unintended consequences, to the point where a series of ‘fixes’ will bring you back around to the original ruleset – at that point you have to dump the rules!

http://sparkerswargames.blogspot.com.au/
'Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall need to be well 'ard'
Matthew 5:9

[Sparker]

I don’t mind plenty of detail and granularity as long as all that is pushed to the pre-game preparations – during the actual game I want to be concentrating on tactics and orders, not administering the rules. So a set of rules where all the flavour that makes that era, that campaign, that battle, emerges in the troops stats and special rule selection for that game, that can all be chosen and calculated and balanced beforehand. Then the minimum of rules effort or thought during the actual game, and most of what is required concentrating on C2.

During the game, I want my thought processes concentrating on tactics, and my social interaction on working within the team, not paging through charts or arguing over details of move sequences or bookkeeping…

Now that the Hail Caesar – Black Powder stable of rules sets has enabled this, I am going to struggle with any other rulesets.

http://sparkerswargames.blogspot.com.au/
'Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall need to be well 'ard'
Matthew 5:9

[Sparker]

I just wanted to say that where my comments about ‘may as well use unit cards or counters’ have been linked to snarkiness, there was none intended, but I can see how it sounded that way. Sorry!

As I said in my post, I do actually use 6mil in situations of low terrain requirements such as the Russian steppes or Desert, and where, for me, the era is not about the glories of the uniforms and regimental variations, such as modern or WW2 – and very nice it is to get that sweeping field of action.

And no, I don’t wargame in 54mm, but if I had longer arms, or younger knees, I would probably consider it!

http://sparkerswargames.blogspot.com.au/
'Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall need to be well 'ard'
Matthew 5:9

[Sparker]

Yes come to think of it that small scale stuff would be useful….

http://sparkerswargames.blogspot.com.au/
'Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall need to be well 'ard'
Matthew 5:9

[Sparker]

The only rules-generic product out there, apart from the dozens of rules-specific campaign guides with scenarios, as put out by General de Brigade and Black Powder, is the short volume by James R Arnold, which I bought only because I respect his historical volumes so much. I still haven’t played any of the scenarios therein!

There are also plenty of free rules-specific scenarios available in the various rules forum ‘scenario buckets’ such as those for Lasalle and Blucher on Sam Mustafa’s Honour forum. I have even contributed some!

Personally I wouldn’t be too interested in such a product, as for me part of the pleasure in a game is researching a campaign or battle and then trying to recreate an aspect of it into a game, and I am lucky that enough of my Napoleonic gaming buddies do the same that we actually have a ‘waiting list’ of scenarios.

But of course one opinion is not market research! And all the best if you decide to go ahead – maybe talk to some of the online publishers such as Shilka…

http://sparkerswargames.blogspot.com.au/
'Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall need to be well 'ard'
Matthew 5:9

[Sparker]

They did – Wellington and Blucher!

http://sparkerswargames.blogspot.com.au/
'Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall need to be well 'ard'
Matthew 5:9

[Author]

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