Cold War spies

Started by Sunray, 05 October 2016, 07:09:50 PM

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Sunray

05 October 2016, 07:09:50 PM Last Edit: 05 October 2016, 07:13:26 PM by Sunray
Since I started using Drop Zone City scenery a few "character " style games have evolved. A sort of intelligence gathering preamble that can influence the war game proper.  Things like identifying the best LZ, the best beach, or where the conscript units are as opposed to the regulars.  
Its all decided by the dice so conceivably could become an element of Cold War Commander?  Obviously counter espionage agents are there to thwart these spies.
 
I noticed the fine espionage range by Copplestone Castings called "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang"

With the eminent arrival (God its a bit like D Day!) of post war Pendraken figures, would there be any demand for a few 10mm refinements of these 28mm beauties ?   A James Bond type, a few KGB, and Felix of the CIA ?  Also, have a look at the gangsters whilst on the Copplestone site.  Great sculpts.

FierceKitty

There are a few Copplestone 10mm fantasy figures that make useful niche-fillers for medieval armies too. Their "horse tribe" cavalry make dashing-looking Alans for my Byzantines, and there's a unit of German close-order spearmen on my muster-roll too.
I don't drink coffee to wake up. I wake up to drink coffee.

Sunray

Yes, They do good sculpts in all ranges, but its a few Cold War IPCRESS types -  Some years ago I played Peter Pig 15mm AK47 games where a series of pre game dice set up the conditions for the campaign.  Good Intel is essential to any operation.  However the more "points" you spend on gathering intel, the less you have to put on the table in terms of kit.

These factors themselves create a culture of command decision.  And its says loads for the quality of 10mm sculpts that we are now talking about personality type figures.

And yes, I do that an imposing urban jungle (thanks to Drop Zone) cityscape that is crying out for a Berlin Wall, guards, Harry Palmer and the Berlin Field Force ...and yes, you can get a Brandenburg Gate in 1/160 scale card model !

fsn

Lord Oik of Runcorn (You may refer to me as Milord Oik)

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Sunray

I can remember Berlin  Chieftains painted up is Urban  cammo patterns in the  late 1970s,  and from photos (1960s) I known Centurions were deployed - would that have been Mk5 ?  They were in the olive green finish smeared with oil to look clean and polished.

Early cold war in Berlin offers a better game as (1) the Wall area was narrower and (2) a lot more open space which Dropzone base cards depict very well.

We already have Cold War Brits (the Falklands range say 1959 onwards with correct web and SLR) All we need is the Wombat.  A few DDR types and Soviets and ......spies

Techno

I'll twist Leon's arm, if you will, James.  ;)

Cheers - Phil

fsn

1960s/1970s cars!

Can we have guard dogs as well?
Lord Oik of Runcorn (You may refer to me as Milord Oik)

Oik of the Year 2013, 2014; Prize for originality and 'having a go, bless him', 2015
3 votes in the 2016 Painting Competition!; 2017-2019 The Wilderness years
Oik of the Year 2020; 7 votes in the 2021 Painting Competition
11 votes in the 2022 Painting Competition (Double figures!)
2023 - the year of Gerald:
2024 Painting Competition - Runner-Up!

Leman

I prefer my war pies warmed up  :(
The artist formerly known as Dour Puritan!

Sunray

Quote from: fsn on 07 October 2016, 01:35:13 PM
1960s/1970s cars!

Can we have guard dogs as well?

Britains do a range of n gauge vehicles around £3-4 - I have found a wide range on ebay.   A small range of army staff cars might be popular that would have a civilian application.   If there was an Aston Martin DB5 in 1/150 would there be a market for it?  Real agents tended to be more  Harry Palmer than James Bond and drove Ford Escorts or VWs or even Trabants.

Faller do N gauge dogs. Now when CWC has an espionage section with a dice related role (pardon the pun) for K9 units, then figures will have sales potential.   I have found Drop Zone City card buildings convert nicely with cheap German card 1/160 models to represent Cold War Berlin.

Soon I will have Kampfgruppen der Arbeiterklassen troops (NKPA figures with a paint job) and GDR troops to face up the Berlin Field Force (Falklands Brits) for a Cold War scenario that's bound to escalate.......

fsn

I wasn't suggesting Pendraken do '70's cars ... I was just enthusing about including them in a game.  :D I'm thinking Cortinas, Capris and Morris 1100's, Trabants and VW Beetles.

I think a nice GDR dog handler unit would be useful. 
Lord Oik of Runcorn (You may refer to me as Milord Oik)

Oik of the Year 2013, 2014; Prize for originality and 'having a go, bless him', 2015
3 votes in the 2016 Painting Competition!; 2017-2019 The Wilderness years
Oik of the Year 2020; 7 votes in the 2021 Painting Competition
11 votes in the 2022 Painting Competition (Double figures!)
2023 - the year of Gerald:
2024 Painting Competition - Runner-Up!

Sunray

09 October 2016, 11:19:52 AM #10 Last Edit: 09 October 2016, 11:23:43 AM by Sunray
No worries.  In 20th/21st Century games, I have already used civvie transport.  It has a number of applications (1) scenic (2) barricades - there is an American sculptor (Mini-things) who does a scrap yard - of old 1960/70s vehicles and (3) vehicles can be commandeered and used for transport.

Would you be interested in rules for say VCPs ? (vehicle check points)

 I have to say, if there was an Aston DB5 model, I might buy one. With Q's gadgets it would get a +1 as the twin MGs open up!  ;)

jchaos79

yep, some spies kiss kiss bang bang will be great. Have my vote.

Also 1960 cars, could be cool

Sunray

Quote from: jchaos79 on 10 October 2016, 08:47:17 PM
yep, some spies kiss kiss bang bang will be great. Have my vote.

Also 1960 cars, could be cool


Well a few perhaps - but don't divert Marty off those post war AFVs !

Leon

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