Pendraken Miniatures Forum

Wider Wargaming => Genre/Period Discussion => 20th Century => Topic started by: NeilCFord on 13 September 2015, 04:13:48 PM

Title: [AVBCW] The latest, greatest thinking on figures?
Post by: NeilCFord on 13 September 2015, 04:13:48 PM
I am slowly working my way through all the previous threads on AVBCW on here, thanks to the advance search's ordering feature, but the thread I've found discussing suitable figures (http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,2284.0.html) is dated 2011 and I'm think more people might have done stuff since then and have found some good choices.

So I'm looking for updated opinions on what, outside those already listed as AVBCW, might make suitable choices. I'm looking to skirmish level games if that makes any difference.

- Neil.
Title: Re: [AVBCW] The latest, greatest thinking on figures?
Post by: Steve J on 13 September 2015, 08:01:46 PM
Hi Neil,
well to be honest anything that takes your fancy really. I would suggest the early stuff could be from the North West Frontier range and the Boer War, through WWI, the SCW and early WWII. My earliest stuff is WWI, but will possibly add some NWF figures.

Hope this helps?

Steve J.
Title: Re: [AVBCW] The latest, greatest thinking on figures?
Post by: GrumpyOldMan on 13 September 2015, 10:55:31 PM
Hi NCF

I've got to agree with Steve J, you can use just about anything. It might be better to come up with some desires for units and ask for proxies that can 'fit in'. Have a look at Previews and Releases sub forums to see what tickles your fancy.

Newer stuff I've thought of:-

WW1 Poles - Duke of Kent offered the Polish throne in 1937, Polish Intervention/support?
SCW Italian CTV
SCW Moroccan Falange Militia for Empire African troops in temperate gear
Some of the newer WW1 releases - including motorcycle, cavalry with sword and limbers
Romanians as Dutch interventionists
Some of the new WW2 French

Let us know your predilections and we can offer suggestions. (In VBCW I mean  :D )

Cheers

GrumpyOldMan
Title: Re: [AVBCW] The latest, greatest thinking on figures?
Post by: NeilCFord on 14 September 2015, 12:26:25 PM
Thanks gents. I will indeed figure out who the predominant players are in Wiltshire and take it from there. I'm expecting at least one force to be regular army, just need to decide who's side they came down on, or were they split?

- Neil.
Title: Re: [AVBCW] The latest, greatest thinking on figures?
Post by: toxicpixie on 14 September 2015, 03:30:48 PM
Our AVBCW games are set in the West Midlands with an occasional foray down sarf to the Free City of Bristol and the Marxist Miners of Merthyr...

My "regulars" are the "Loyal Army of King George" or LAK-GOV. They're basically all early war/BEF British, Vickers MMGs, Lee-Enfields, various carriers and A9's from the WW2 codes. Cutting edge stuff!

My local militias are a variety of the WW1 and Spanish Civil codes, used for anything in various mixtures mostly used to form Socialist troops from the Birmingham Union Militia. Fascist supporters of Edward VII are mostly other manufacturers, though the Kings German Legion are in early war Wehrmacht gear (Condor Legion captured in the Spanish Intervention, then freed by the Royalists to provide a back bone to the Fascist Blackshirts, & now armed by whatever that nice Mr Hitler can slip past the "neutral" Free Royal Navy).

I couldn't tell you what packs - but anything from the end of WW1 and Spanish Civil should do, with a smattering of early war Commonwealth/French/German as your intevention takes you. Onc echap has the Sikh State of Wolverhampton, using a variety of blokes in turbans from the Colonial to WW1 ranges!
Title: Re: [AVBCW] The latest, greatest thinking on figures?
Post by: GrumpyOldMan on 14 September 2015, 11:08:31 PM
Hello NCF

Quote from: NeilCFord on 14 September 2015, 12:26:25 PM
Thanks gents. I will indeed figure out who the predominant players are in Wiltshire and take it from there. I'm expecting at least one force to be regular army, just need to decide who's side they came down on, or were they split?

- Neil.

Wiltshire, going from the VBCW map at https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?msa=0&ie=UTF&mid=zhJu8CmxOcc0.kzK6w1CXuIU4 (https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?msa=0&ie=UTF&mid=zhJu8CmxOcc0.kzK6w1CXuIU4), it shows that Swindon is under the control of the Great Western Rifles:-

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v379/yvonneparsons/DriverTraining-1.jpg)
http://gwargamesp.fr.yuku.com/topic/8296/The-Great-Western-Rifles#.VfdKt5elaaI (http://gwargamesp.fr.yuku.com/topic/8296/The-Great-Western-Rifles#.VfdKt5elaaI)

and the rest is mainly Anglican league, with a nearby Royalist (BUF?) enclave at Bournemouth and a socialist enclave at Portsmouth & Southampton. Nearby are the Army of the Severn Valley, Somerset Freedom Fighters and a Socialist/Anarchist/Trade Union coalition.

Plenty of scope there  :)

Even just looking at the GWR there's the SCW Guardia de Asalto, with WW1 British in caps HMG and artillery.

(http://www.pendraken.co.uk/ProductImages/SCW32.jpg)

There's Oxford diecast just begging to be used for the Rifles:-

(http://www.oxforddiecast.co.uk/shop/images/thumbnail3126.jpg)(http://www.oxforddiecast.co.uk/shop/images/thumbnail2253.jpg)(http://www.oxforddiecast.co.uk/shop/images/thumbnail2394.jpg)

Cheers

GrumpyOldMan



Title: Re: [AVBCW] The latest, greatest thinking on figures?
Post by: toxicpixie on 14 September 2015, 11:27:57 PM
There has to be a train or two as well ;)

I must add - we don't follow the "official" back ground, so anything I suggest whilst generally apt for the "period" won't necessarily have any relevance to the actual published background ;)
Title: Re: [AVBCW] The latest, greatest thinking on figures?
Post by: GrumpyOldMan on 14 September 2015, 11:56:22 PM
Quote from: toxicpixie on 14 September 2015, 11:27:57 PM
There has to be a train or two as well ;)

Of course, any excuse to get the choo choos out is always welcome  :D, but it might be harder to fit into a skirmish level game.

QuoteI must add - we don't follow the "official" back ground, so anything I suggest whilst generally apt for the "period" won't necessarily have any relevance to the actual published background ;)

Yes, the mantra with VBCW has always been that it's your VBCW and players set the agenda. I just offered up the map as a talking point (and it's actually different to the published map in the Source books  :D ) I actually have a French Intervention Force based in Hastings, along with their natural enemies the Kings German Legion at Bexhill.

Working with skirmish level, I'd stick with SCW and WW2 10 figure packs since the larger WW1 and Colonial packs of 30 figs are harder to use up.

Cheers

GrumpyOldMan
Title: Re: [AVBCW] The latest, greatest thinking on figures?
Post by: toxicpixie on 15 September 2015, 12:13:45 AM
Quote from: GrumpyOldMan on 14 September 2015, 11:56:22 PM
Of course, any excuse to get the choo choos out is always welcome  :D, but it might be harder to fit into a skirmish level game.

O dunno, there's lots of derail the train/the mail must get through! scenarios you could do. Seize the station, ambush the train as it unloads. Block the line/tunnel, clear out the partizans, force the attack with the train as a battering ram (focal point of a bigger "off table" battle), Commando raids against the railway gun/artillery carriages etc etc.

Quote from: GrumpyOldMan on 14 September 2015, 11:56:22 PM
Yes, the mantra with VBCW has always been that it's your VBCW and players set the agenda. I just offered up the map as a talking point (and it's actually different to the published map in the Source books  :D ) I actually have a French Intervention Force based in Hastings, along with their natural enemies the Kings German Legion at Bexhill.

Indeedy - that was much of the draw for us - it can be very local, and as serious or as silly as it needs to be, and exists in a milieu where you make the background and don't have to conform to anything you don't want to :D


Quote from: GrumpyOldMan on 14 September 2015, 11:56:22 PM
Working with skirmish level, I'd stick with SCW and WW2 10 figure packs since the larger WW1 and Colonial packs of 30 figs are harder to use up.

Cheers

GrumpyOldMan

That's a very wise idea - a pack of 30 would be a pretty hefty force on it's own! A couple of different ten man rifle packs, a pack of LMGs, and a MMG or mortar  (a single pack possibly split between multiple forces?) or a gun or AFV would probably do a nice sized force?
Title: Re: [AVBCW] The latest, greatest thinking on figures?
Post by: Ithoriel on 15 September 2015, 01:01:23 AM
Get a 6mm scale train and convert it to the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway's miniature armoured train!

(https://penlowry.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/7b194d2c_zpsf112bc28.jpg)
Title: Re: [AVBCW] The latest, greatest thinking on figures?
Post by: NeilCFord on 15 September 2015, 07:24:01 AM
Thanks all, some really useful resources.

Doing something with trains was definitely on the cards.

Taking the map as a rough guide, looks like good choices for forces would be:

1. Anglicans, seeing as my home town of Trowbridge is firmly in Anglican territory
2. Army of the Severn Valley under the command of The Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire
3 the GWR Rifles, because TRAINS!
4. Royalists in the south of the county.

So figure suggestions based on those would be great. I'm not overly bothered about figure pack size, as any excess will get used for something.

- Neil.
Title: Re: [AVBCW] The latest, greatest thinking on figures?
Post by: toxicpixie on 15 September 2015, 08:56:32 AM
No actual pre-war regulars or foreign interventionists so no/little "official military kit", just lots of hastily assembled militias with anything they can grab?

I'd use the AVBCW range itself as the basis, maybe helmeted chaps for one side, and side cap chaps for another (Anglican League and AotSV?). Possibly the later WW1 figures for the Royalists with a scattering of the Upper Class Civvies & Civvies with Shotguns (toffs and their bailiffs and keepers!). For the GWR - maybe some of the earler WW1 or SCW figures in caps, with a "paint conversion" to GWR livery?
Title: Re: [AVBCW] The latest, greatest thinking on figures?
Post by: Steve J on 15 September 2015, 09:55:01 AM
This is our take on the 'period':

https://sites.google.com/site/avbcwstormcloudsgather/ (https://sites.google.com/site/avbcwstormcloudsgather/)

http://wwiiwargaming.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/dash-for-dunkirk-1938.html (http://wwiiwargaming.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/dash-for-dunkirk-1938.html)
Title: Re: [AVBCW] The latest, greatest thinking on figures?
Post by: O Dinas Powys on 15 September 2015, 10:51:01 AM
Quote from: GrumpyOldMan on 14 September 2015, 11:56:22 PM
Working with skirmish level, I'd stick with SCW and WW2 10 figure packs since the larger WW1 and Colonial packs of 30 figs are harder to use up.

Just to note that Pendraken are always happy to supply half/third packs of the 30 figure codes, I've ordered both in the past.

Cheers,

Meirion
Title: Re: [AVBCW] The latest, greatest thinking on figures?
Post by: GrumpyOldMan on 15 September 2015, 10:56:08 PM
Hello NCF

Quote from: NeilCFord on 15 September 2015, 07:24:01 AM

So figure suggestions based on those would be great.

Quote1. Anglicans, seeing as my home town of Trowbridge is firmly in Anglican territory

Source books talk about Anglicans being outfitted with a a mixture of French and British gear so maybe WW1 Italians might be handy:-

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2101/2510361692_1f81f4e7b1.jpg)

or SCW Carlists

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4114/4937670955_e4012d5917.jpg)(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/4938254352_138a491c19.jpg)


Quote2. Army of the Severn Valley under the command of The Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire

WW2 early BEF for Regulars and maybe WW1 in helmets for territorials/yeomanry:-

(http://www.pendraken.co.uk/ProductImages/BR141.jpg)(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g57/craig_welter/Miniatures/pendraken3.jpg)

(Don't forget the WW1 cavalry  :D )

Quote3 the GWR Rifles, because TRAINS!

You could use the SCW Guardia de Asalto and WW1 British in caps.

(Don't forget del Prado for trains)

Quote4. Royalists in the south of the county.

Either recycle the Severn Valley troops or maybe look at using the SCW Italian CTV as troops outfitted in Italian gear:-

(http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=11402.0;attach=4223;image)

Other bits and pieces that would come in handy:-

WW1 British motorcycle and sidecar
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3748/11164066624_b0289a4445_b.jpg)

WW1 Accessories Despatch Rider
(http://www.pendraken.co.uk/ProductImages/WW1.jpg)

SCW Personalities
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5056/5397352764_be16155c37.jpg)

Colonial Boers
(http://www.pendraken.co.uk/ProductImages/BW38.jpg)

WW1 East African German sailors, FPW French sailors or WW1 British Naval Brigade

(http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z50/Natxo_photos/Guerra%20Civil%20Rusa/RCWMarinosRojos1.jpg)(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/4790898834_d45950beb7.jpg)(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7308/10105088785_c3b1d59d76.jpg)

Cheers

GrumpyOldMan

Title: Re: [AVBCW] The latest, greatest thinking on figures?
Post by: NeilCFord on 17 September 2015, 04:35:39 PM
Quote from: Steve J on 15 September 2015, 09:55:01 AM
This is our take on the 'period':

https://sites.google.com/site/avbcwstormcloudsgather/ (https://sites.google.com/site/avbcwstormcloudsgather/)

http://wwiiwargaming.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/dash-for-dunkirk-1938.html (http://wwiiwargaming.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/dash-for-dunkirk-1938.html)

I have your blog in my feed reader and the Gathering Storm site bookmarked. They were in part my inspiration for wanting to set my games in Wiltshire. I'm just going for smaller sized engagements.

- Neil.
Title: Re: [AVBCW] The latest, greatest thinking on figures?
Post by: NeilCFord on 17 September 2015, 04:36:34 PM
Quote from: O Dinas Powys on 15 September 2015, 10:51:01 AM
Just to note that Pendraken are always happy to supply half/third packs of the 30 figure codes, I've ordered both in the past.

Cheers,

Meirion

Oooh, that's really useful to know. I can feel an email to Leon coming on.

- Neil.
Title: Re: [AVBCW] The latest, greatest thinking on figures?
Post by: NeilCFord on 17 September 2015, 04:39:32 PM
Quote from: GrumpyOldMan on 15 September 2015, 10:56:08 PM
Hello NCF

(Content snipped for brevity)

Cheers

GrumpyOldMan

You sir, are a legend! Couldn't have asked for a more comprehensive guide. Now to put together a pick list.

- Neil.
Title: Re: [AVBCW] The latest, greatest thinking on figures?
Post by: Steve J on 17 September 2015, 08:11:01 PM
Well I'm glad our stuff inspired you Neil :).

You might find the following site useful to see how things looked some 80 odd years or more ago.

http://www.ponies.me.uk/maps/osmap.html (http://www.ponies.me.uk/maps/osmap.html)

http://www.cassinimaps.co.uk/ (http://www.cassinimaps.co.uk/)