VBCW - What?

[Blaker]

Howdy Yall,

I am very interested in this alternative war, VBCW, especially with all the cool minis Pendraken seems to have for this period.

Sooo, my question is - where would I find good gaming info about the VBCW?  I have not a clue and would be interested in seeing what the forum members are using for rules and armies, bands, teams, list to build the various factions?

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. 

[Steve J]

This link gives a quick overview of AVBCW.
http://www.btinternet.com/~jprice9/

The originators of the period where you can get the source books from should you require them.
http://solwaycraftsandminiatures.webs.com/

The Gentlemans Wargame Parlour forum that has loads of info on the period.
http://gwargamesp.18.forumer.com/index.php?s=a08ddda2e980399eb2ffb90589b585da&showforum=4

My Blog that has a couple of AARs of AVBCW games.
http://wwiiwargaming.blogspot.com/

For rules, I use BKCII with their SCW lists as the main guide for the protagonists, plus some of the early WWII lists, such as the BEF.

Hope this helps.

[Blaker]

Howdy Steve!

Great that is just what I needed 

Tanks 

[Leon]

Tanks 

Well we've got them!

[Blaker]

Yes U do Leon 

Steve or anyone else how are the source books?  (1938 A Very British Civil War Source book 1-3. plus all there other?)

And I see they have their own rules, Brigadier 38 - anyone played these if so how do they compare to the BKCII ? 

[Paul C]

Well, the VBCW source books are well worth getting ( I would say that, I'm one of the authors) and are full of good ideas about units, kit, uniforms etc. But they are not Sacred texts. more collections of ideas from people keen on the whole ideVBCW concept.

[Blaker]

Howdy Paul,

Welcome to the Forum, I see that was your first post 

Could you tell me a bit about the rules then?  You could post me direct if you would like.

cya

[Squirrel]

Steve or anyone else how are the source books?  (1938 A Very British Civil War Source book 1-3. plus all there other?)

I have bought all three source books, and whilst they do gather a bit of info together, most of the content is from battle reports and discussions that can be found on the Gentlemans Wargame Parlour Forum. You do of course get the benefit of photos etc without having to print yourself.

Are they worth the money? For me, as I'd already searched the GWP forum, and done a lot of my own research on the web whilst wait ing for the source books to arrive ...... I'd have been better off spending the money on Pendraken miniatures as the books gave me nothing new.

BCK rules work great as suggested by Steve.

Cheers,

Kev

[Blaker]

Thanks Kev.

I have been reading on the GWP forum and it seems that AVBCW is mainly used with 25/28mm minis and from the photos it looks more like a skirmish set of rules since the 25s are single based. However, Steve's battle report shows based minis especially since he is using BKCII.

Just curious about the big scope of BKCII armies or battles, does that make since in the AVBCW universe?  It seems more like gangs of new york fighting for control of territory other than the nation be divided in two with massive armies fighting massive battles.

Am I getting this wrong ?  Very well could be since I dont have any of the original fluff for the story line, but eagerly awaiting to read more 

[Squirrel]

No probs Blaker. The guys on the GWP forum are almost exclusively into the 28mm side of things, but still fight some reasonable sized battles, although the biggest battles tend to be hinted at rather than gamed.

They do tend to be a bit derogatory towards the concept of 10mm gaming, but quite a few of us on this forum are into 10mm VBCW, and Dave and Leon have been great in picking up the torch.

Most games I play are not that much bigger than the 28mm boys do, but it's just more practical in 10mm for me, and BKC still works fine.

Cheers,

Kev

[Blaker]

Thanks Kev. 

So Kev and Steve, do you base your minis per the BKCII rules for infantry and armor?

Was/Is  there cavalry involved in AVBCW? 

[Squirrel]

Yes I basically base per BKCII, though I do base a few minis singularly for skirmishing using other rules for when the mood takes me.

Cavalry still play a part (popular with rural militia), though usually in a 'dismount to fight' role.

I'm using WWI cavalry for regular/territorial, and odd stuff like ACW for the militia cavalry.

Cheers,

Kev

[Luddite]

Here's our 28mm AVBCW stuff.

http://www.durhamwargames.co.uk/campaigns_projects/index.asp

http://gwargamesp.18.forumer.com/index.php?showtopic=648&hl=durham

http://gwargamesp.18.forumer.com/index.php?showtopic=2312&hl=durham

http://gwargamesp.18.forumer.com/index.php?showtopic=1742&hl=durham

http://gwargamesp.18.forumer.com/index.php?showtopic=769&hl=durham



However, i'm considering converting to 10mm for 'later war' battles on a 'larger' scale.   

[Blaker]

Thanks Luddite - looks like some good reading for a while 

Is there a written campaign story line in any of the Source  books  or do you all just link battles as you go?

[republic of tolworth]

Hello Blaker.

You are not alone!
There is a small but growing group of 10mm AVBCW players. Myself,Sandanista,Hurrah and 3-4 others in the London area all play in 10mm.

Scale works well for us. We can get whole villages and areas onto a good 6x4 table. we use all troops types we can lay our hands on. And terrain is so much easier.

Below is a battle picture by leftist forces may1938 near Frimley as the evil Ed viii forces close in to crush liberty from the people!


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