Aspirational Goals

I don't normally do New Year's Resolutions, but this year I felt I should list some Aspirational Goals for the year.  I'm never going to be able to achieve all of these, but here's what I'd do if time (and money) was no object.  The below are in alphabetical order of ruleset.

7TV

I've always found the concept of this ruleset fascinating, and last year I picked them up in pdf on sale at Wargame Vault.
I'm keen to do these in 15mm mainly for space and cost, and luckily Khurasan have just released their 60s spy range!

Chain of Command 

The latest set from TooFatLardies.  I'm hoping to re-use my half-finished Flames of War figures from many years ago, as well as some 6mm.  The 6mm options will be more historical, but I'm wondering about doing some Achtung Cthulhu! inspired Weird War 2 as well.

Deadzone 

Since I Kickstarted it, I should probably play it.... :)
One of only two games I'll be playing in 28mm on this list.
A mate of mine also went in on this, so I have at least one other person to play it with.

Dux Britanniarum 

My Romano British army for Dux is complete, and my Saxons are based and just need painting.  Hope to get them both on the table this year.

Force on Force

I have enjoyed the FoF games I've played to date and I'd like to get some more in.  I have both 15mm and 6mm for this.  I'd like to get the 6mm finished up and on the table.  Initially I think I'd focus on the scenarios offered in the "Road to Baghdad" supplement that focuses on the early stages of the Allied engagement in Iraq.

Ghosts of Hefei

I kickstarted this and will be picking up both the Hefei book as well as the earlier "The Department" ruleset.  Gaming will be in 15mm, initially with the KS figures.
15mm cyberpunk - there's not enough of it in my opinion!

I Ain't Been Shot Mum

TooFatLardies Company Level ruleset.  I have a LOT of 6mm lead waiting to go on the table for this.  I really want to make a dent in this pile.
The focus here will be on Normandy.

Malifaux

A couple of years ago, my brother bought me a Malifaux starter box, but the figures are still in the box (and so are his!).
I recently picked up a copy of the V2 ruleset as part of a Black Friday sale.
This is a game we've been meaning to try for some time.

Mud and Blood

It's the 100 year anniversary of the start of the Great War.  I have had a copy of these rules from TooFatLardies for a couple of years, and have slowly been building a pile of unpainted 6mm lead to game them with.

Ronin

I got on the bandwagon and picked up this set from the Osprey Wargames range.  My intent is to fritter about in 6mm initially on these.

Sharpe Practice

Another ruleset I've had for a while that I want to get on the table.

First up is the "Wellington in India" period done in 6mm.

In addition, I've been hotly anticipating the Jolly Jack Tarr book from TooFatLardies and have some 6mm nautical types awaiting.

Wargods of Aegyptus / Olympus

I participated in the Crocodile Games Kickstarter last year for Wargods of Olympus.  As part of that I receive the rulebooks for all the Wargods product as pdfs.
True to form, I want to fritter around with these in 6mm to get a feel before I look at whether I need to "Go large!".



And that's it.  Much of this gaming (if it ever happens) will be solo, mainly because of my penchant for tiny figures and the difficulty matching up my time and those of my mates for a game.
Let's Go!

Dux Brit Update

I received my tablet version of the TooFatLardies Dux Britanniarum rules earlier in the week, and finished have a good read through them this morning.

Looks like a bit of fun!

As a result I'm kick off a project I'm codenaming MicroDux, which will be Dux Brit in 6mm.

My original intention had been to try out some figures from Baccus 6mm, but I discovered I had incorrectly added up the costs of that solution and I don't think it's going to be workable from a budget perspective.

Given that I'm going to be ordering the final few bits for my Argentines from H&R later this month, I figure I might just try out a number of their ancients codes.

A Distraction Enters

Well, my house guests are now on their way to Melbourne, and I've just been down setting up my desk again.
As any of you that know me would have predicted, the Falklands project is a little stalled at the moment, mainly due to the interference of work and family life.

As a result, I have fallen prey to that virulent disease that plagues many wargamers - "ooh shiny!".
TooFatLardies are releasing their new Dark Age "Arthurian" rules at the end of this month.

Dux Britanniarum

I had been quite happy that I didn't need these rules over the last few years as reports about progress on the project known as "Beerwulf" have floated in on the TooFatLardies Yahoo Group.  I had even managed to look at all of the pretty blog posts from the final rounds of playtesting on the TooFatLardies blog, and thought to myself, "That's nice...might have a look in a few years."  I was also a little frustrated that this project seemed to have supplanted work on "Chain of Command" and the Boer War rules.

But a week or two ago Richard from TFL announced that pre-orders were open and I dutifully went and sent him about AU$50!  It's a sickness!

Having said that, from the battle reports, it looks like a good game with a good campaign system built in, and given it's TFL pedigree, I'm sure it will be worthwhile.  Note also that that investment includes the printed rules, cards in a hard plastic case, electronic copy of the rules, and (if you got in early enough) a limited edition 28mm figure of Arthur.

However it wasn't until I finally got around to listening to this chat between Neil from Meeples and Miniatures and Richard from TFL on the M&M podcast yesterday, that I realised how good the systems that TFL have put into "Dux Brit" are.  Give episode 91 of Meeples and Miniatures a listen, and if it doesn't have you heading off to order the game, you're a stronger man than I!

I had considered doing this in 15mm with figures from Splintered Light that are purpose built for the period, but instead I've decided to stick with my commitment and try it in 6mm.  I've had a natty idea for basing (more on that when the time comes) and I think it's a perfect opportunity for a first time purchase from Baccus Miniatures to see if some of their late roman and early medieval period ranges can be pressed into service in this period.

Pre-orders ship on the 31st, so it will be mid-late August by the time I get my hard copy and cards, but apparently I'll have the electronic copy in email on the day, so stand by for some early thoughts later this week.

Despite the lack of updates on the blog over the last couple of months, I have been thinking and doing hobby stuff and have purchased a few things, so there will also be some catch-up posts coming, in particular some better pictures of the Scotia minis I received recently.

New Addition

First Post for the new year, and it's actually a catch-up on the big event from just before Christmas.

Things have been pretty quiet here on the blog for a number of months now, mainly due my pre-occupation with the preparations for the arrival of our second daughter.  I had a lot of work to do renovating our bedrooms to make room for the new addition, that was only just finished in time.

On the 15th of December, Abigail was born and since then I've had even less time for the hobby between my family visiting for Christmas and adjusting to a new member of our immediate family.
I'm back at work now and imbued with the spirit of the new year ahead, I'm hoping to post more frequently, particulary since I've now gone and committed to getting my Falklands project done this year!
More on that soon.....

Stick to the Plan

I've come to the realisation that I've broken one of the fundamental rules I set for myself when I started this blog and got back into wargaming.
The rule i set for myself back then was that I had a set scale for given game size. Reinforced platoon or less (skirmish scale) was 15mm, company or larger was 6mm. I've failed to stick to this.
Personally I blame Flashpoint and their excellent 15mm figures. I got caught up on the bandwagon and now have a sizeable amount of 15mm figures for Vietnam. I took the opportunity to undercoat a number this week.
Bottom line is though that I don't have a lot of room at home, and with money tight, I need to stick to the plan.
This probably means some 15mm sell-off later this year, to bring myself back to something manageable, and to fund the expansion of my 6mm Vietnam War models for the Flashpoint rules and TFL's Charlie Don't Surf.
With the month of house guests coming to an end soon, I also hope to get a brush to the undercoated figures, and take some pics of some minor developments.

Hi all!
I know I've been pretty quiet for a while.
Mainly been loitering over at the Flashpoint Miniatures Forum in between bouts of frantic demands from work.
No progress on painting or modelling, and I haven't even managed to take any pictures of my birthday haul!
As part of the engagment with the Flashpoint forum, I've been doing a lot of vietnam reading and research, so to keep the blog going while I'm in a bit of a hobby slump I'll probably post some reasearch notes etc.
I wished I'd started doing that sooner, because I now have no idea where I found a particular table of equipment for the Viet Cong!

TPLC Update

Initial page of the new comic is up.

Just had a cracking game!

Just in the middle of packing up from another Ambush Alley game.
We played Turkey shoot again, but with some modifications.
The previous play last week (which I still have yet to write up) was a bit of a walk in the park for the Regulars.
This week we down-scaled the regulars and became a far more challenging proposition.  And a lot of fun!
This week's game is going to get a proper write-up.  The game from last week is now going to receive an abridged AAR.
Stay tuned.....

AAR still pending....

In a relentless return to form, work has gotten busy and I haven't had time this week to put together the AAR for the "Turkey Shoot" Ambush Alley game.
Thankfully with Australia Day coming up next week, I intend to rectify this.
Return to your duties......

Birthday Present Arrives!!

I just had my Birthday present from my wife and daughter turn up at work.
You'll all just have to wait until Feb 23rd to see what it is!
Unfortunately, I'm also going to have to wait that long....... :(

100th post!!

It's taken me two years, but I'm finally at the 100th post!

I realised that this post was going to be number 100 back in Nov last year, and I've been planning on doing something big since then.
Unfortunately work took a decidedly busy turn and I haven't gotten anything done since the start of December.
Rather than having it linger, I'm just going to post and move on.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year!
I got a pile of "dolls" from my wife for Christmas, and I'll post them up in a following post.

At the moment I'm sick as a dog from over-extending myself at work prior to Christmas.  Third round of anti-biotics and it's not shifting from my chest. uck...

I'm planning on trying to minimise the purchases this year and focus on tackling the lead mountain that has accumulated.  We'll see how long that resolution lasts.....

Two key focus areas for gaming this year:

1. on-going Middle East and Africa games with Ambush Alley and Force-on-Force
2. Vietnam games with Ambush Valley and Flashpoint Vietnam.  This year is shaping up to be a big one for Vietnam with TooFatLardies also promising to release their "Charlie Don't Surf" rules (finally!).

Have a Great Year!
Paul

TPLC Update

I've done a quick revamp on TPLC, and also debuted the new format. Hmmm.....Can it actually be a new format if it's really the first post?

Tiny Metal Men is intended to remain as a "hobby" page with figures, painting and modelling. Tin Pot Little Country will be a narrative page for AARs and other supporting material for my games (when I find time to play any!).

For the near period, TMM will certainly remain the busier site whilst I get through the current pile of figures I need to paint!

Gaming Plans - Moderns 2009

Inspired by Dave's post over at the War Depot, I started to plot out my plans for gaming. At the time when I started this post, I hadn't gotten anything done, subsquently I've actually started moving forward again. I am going to post however, as it puts a good "stake in the ground" to come back and review projects.

Because I'm sneaking these posts in when I can, I'm going to break it down into periods that I'm working on and post them separately. Starting with.....

Moderns
I'm actually working on a number of projects for the post-war/moderns period. This period is my major focus at the moment.

Somali Civil War 1992-1996
This is the period of the UN intervention in Somalia. The current focus is on the period around the events of Operation Gothic Serpent (Blackhawk Down).

Recently I've become more aware of the involvement of 1RAR during the intervention and I'm now keen to game some actions based on their involvement in the conflict. This is currently hampered by a lack of 15mm Australia figures. However Flashpoint Miniatures are promising something soon (apparently around the Christmas timeframe?).

I also have a fair bit of work ahead of my trying to research records and accounts in an attempt to create some realistic scenarios for this.

I the interim, check out the following links for some pictures and narrative of the "Big Blue One" in Somalia:

www.firstbattalion.au.com/somalia.htm
http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-conflicts-periods/other/somalia.htm
http://www.australiandefender.com.au/stories/ad_som.htm http://www.anzacday.org.au/history/peacekeeping/anecdotes/somalia.html

Australians in Afghanistan 2001 to current
Ambush Alley's Operation Uruzghan book as a starting point.
Stalled on this until someone offers a 15mm modern Australian range.
I have some CannonFodder Afghan figures for use as Taliban.
Also looking at Brits in Afghanistan as well. This is most likely to happen first as I already have a significant number of 15mm modern Brits from QRF and Old Glory.

Iraq War 2003
Ambush Alley is planning on publishing a "Road to Baghdad" book in 2010 (?) and this is likely to be a good source for this.

I already have US moderns, and I have some Bradley's coming for Christmas, along with some troops to use as Iraqi Republican Guard or regular army for early in the conflict. Figures for Fedayeen are available from Rebel, but I don't have any of these yet.

On the subject of Fedayeen, I'm also keen to look at gaming the insurgency as well.

Vietnam War

Ambush Alley are releasing Ambush Valley for Christmas 09, and I'm hoping to pick up a copy when I can find some cash in the new year. I already have a number of Vietnam 15mm, courtesy of the old Flashpoint range that I picked up from Drew at Dragonfire. These are packed away for Christmas, and will hopefully getting some attention in the new year.

Flashpoint are also re-doing their Vietnam rules, which are more at the company level, whereas Ambush Valley is more of a platoon sized game. Keen to keep an eye on these as they develop...

French Colonial Decline (Algeria, Indochina)

No fixed plans here, but I've always been interested in these conflicts.
Eureka also have a great range of figures to work with here.
For Indochina I can probably look to recycle some of my VC as Viet Minh.

African Republics

This is where my whole interest in the Moderns period started, with the Peter Pig AK47 Republic rules. I'm keen to look at this again. For the bigger games I'm still planning on using 6mm, but my 15mm collection is slowly growing and eventually I should be able to play somewhere between platoon and company level. As I'm reading more and learning more, I'm keen to look at some games based on Rhodesia, Mozambique and others. I'm very keen on some 15mm Rhodesian Fireforce games.

Miscellaneous

Some others where I'm interested, but haven't got anything firm in mind:

• Arab-Israeli War and Lebanon
• Northern Ireland and the troubles 1970s/80s
• Malaysian Emergency, Indonesian Confrontation

And that's about it!

It's a girl!

Not a lot going on (on the miniatures front) at the moment, because of the recent arrival of our first-born, "Elora May", on the 15th.

I had vast plans about trying to use a little bit of my leave to get some more painting or terrain done, but it was not to be so.
I addition, my powerbook hard disk up and died so I've lost all previous stuff completely.
New drive now though, so at least I'm up and running again.
Back at work and busy, so I'll leave you with a few delights until I can get into action again...

I've just seen two posts by an amazing 15mm painter over at the Ambush Alley forums.
Check them out!
http://http://www.ambushalleygames.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2925
http://www.ambushalleygames.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2871

Also while I've been "offline" Rebel minis have released more Sahadeen!

QRF have also expanded their modern British line (no pics yet, unfortunately).

And finally, the local guys at Flashpoint have pics up of stuff coming into the range:

Vietnam Civilians
The watchtower

and also pictures from the recent playtest of the new rules!

Still Here!

I have not had much of a chance to do any updates to the blog for quite some time.  Mrs Scannablegoose required some renovation work to be conducted at Castle Goosenstein (aka The Goose’s Nest) so that we have a nursery ready for the arrival of our first gosling (okay the goose thing is becoming a little strained!) in October.  The lounge room also required some rework, as the paint was showing its age (peeling) and we needed to do some remodelling so that the air-conditioner would be more efficient in that space.

The major refurbishment works are coming to a close, but I probably still have another couple of weekends fully booked (including a trip to the Baby Expo this weekend).

Once I’ve finished the final touches to the nursery and lounge I’m hoping to get straight into a whole heap of stuff;  Ambush Alley Force on Force, my recent acquisition of some Too Fat Lardies content, and the strange tale of cork tiles…

Break

I've got to focus on some work around the house for the next few weeks which is going to prevent any further work on miniatures or blog updates during that time.
Once everything is done, however, we hope to have the "hobby room" set up, which should mean more painting and modelling!