Showing posts with label Miscellenia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Miscellenia. Show all posts

Thursday, 21 April 2016

Flocked and loaded

Everything is packed for the Wargames Holiday Centre weekend, and here is the traditional pre-event photo. 70 boxes of Macedonians, Romans, Celts, Greeks, Numidians, Germans and Huns, chits and terrain. I reckon there are 5,700 minis which is the most I've taken. It is at times like this that I wish that either I had a) downstairs figure storage or b) collections of plastic figures rather than lead!

I'm very much looking forward to a cracking weekend's gaming!


Thursday, 29 October 2015

Tell Cid

On Sunday I'm driving up to the Hereward Wargames Show in Peterborough to help Ibn el Scrivs and Santiago Morris run an El Cid Game featuring minis from their collections as seen in the wonderful Warhammer Historical El Cid book. We'll be using To the Strongest! rules and in particular, the new Spanish, Andalusian and Moorish lists. I do hope I'll run into some of you there!


This afternoon, by way of research and to get into the right mindset, I plan to watch the film. It's a hard life. ;-) 

Thursday, 6 August 2015

Last of the Romans

During our recent family holiday I was lucky enough to be able to visit the church of San Vitale in Ravenna, to see the stunning Byzantine mosaics there.


Above is the photo of Emperor Justinian, with religious figures on the right and guards on his left. It has been suggested that the bearded figure immediately to Justinian's left is Count Belisarius, which is partly why I wanted to see the mosaics! I very much hope to raise a Belisarian Byzantine army at some stage. The shield is stunning, such vivid colours.


Above is the Empress Theodora with ladies in waiting.


And finally Christ Pantokrator, echoing Justinian who appears to have had something of a messiah complex.

The mosaics are absolutely stunning and well worth a visit; also don't miss the small mausoleum behind the church where you can see some beautiful mosaics really close up.

I'm just finishing some basing and will have some wargames material to post soon.  Finally, if you play "To the Strongest!", I've recently been putting up a bunch of new army lists details here; there will be several more to follow over the coming week.

Friday, 10 July 2015

The Great Wargaming Survey 2015


The survey is once again upon us!  I urge you to go forth and enter, it only takes 5-10 minutes and the results are invariably interesting.  I would also like to see the few, the happy few, the band of brothers that are the Ancients and Medieval wargaming communities as fully represented as possible.

You can enter here.

Thursday, 1 January 2015

BigRedBat's 2014

For BigRedBat, 2014 was a year of much wargaming, even more painting and vast amounts of word-processing!

2014 highlights

Partizan in the Park was my favourite wargaming event of the year.There was a positively Churchillian vibe when the event had to be moved into tents at the last minute. On the day the sun shone and the atmosphere (and lighting) inside the tents was fantastic. It was a great game and I met lots of friends!


T'other Partizan was my second favourite gig of the year; me and a bunch of mates put an awful lot of lead on a table and refought the battle of Pydna 168BC. It looked good and it was a whole lot of fun! Perseus' phalanx reversed history when it managed to hack its way up Mount Olocrus. I also really enjoyed meeting Scrivs, Mog and the Wargames Illustrated crew.


On 28th November I published the "To the Strongest!" rules that I've developed to run games large and small. I'm pleased to report that these have sold very well, and I have a lot of plans to develop them next year, including a hard copy version in March and, hopefully, a Napoleonic version late in the year. If you've not picked up your set yet, you can find them here: http://bigredbatshop.co.uk/

2014 lowlights

The main (only?) 2014 lowlight was the unexpected and sad death of Allen Curtis. Allen was a brilliant chap to turn to when one had a question on anything "Ancients", and has left a very big hole in the heart of the hobby.

Scores on the doors

Last year I based 954 miniatures in 50 units. I had hoped to get a round 1,000 minis on bases, but in the event 954 feels like quite enough. Next year I resolve to base fewer miniatures! Anyhow, I'm running out of space to store the blighters.

Despite these prodigies of basing, the lead mountain grew by an alarming 559 unpainted miniatures, and now includes no less than 1,927 part-painted but un-based 28mm minis.  

Unexpected obsessions

Late in the year I suffered a very severe attack of my Spanish Ulcer. Consequently I barely based any ancients in November and December, but I do now have three divisions-worth of 1814 French Napoleonics. As yet virtually no artillery, though, and no opposition apart from a lonely dozen Prussians. And not enough time to take photos.

The pen is mightier than the sword

Due to the pressure of writing my rules, I have played fewer games myself this year than usual, and less time to blog. I shall try to fix that next year!

2015 plans

I'm going to run an extended version of the big Cremona game at Salute in April; this will mean painting Romans in considerable numbers and terrain building. I'll expect be doing something at both Partizans- not quite sure what, yet, but I would love to do a bigger game, even, than Pydna.  And a massive weekend of gaming at the Wargames Holiday Centre in May. And there is talk of a "To the Strongest!" competition in February... 

And finally, Happy New Year, everyone! I hope we all have a great 2015. May all your dice roll 6's, and none of your cards be Aces!

Wednesday, 24 December 2014

Merry Christmas, everybody!


We wish you a merry Christmas,
We wish you a merry Christmas,
We wish you a merry Christmas,
And a Happy New Year!

The very best to all my fellow bloggers and visitors! 
In 2015, may all your dice be sixes and none of your cards Aces.

Best, Simon


Thursday, 6 November 2014

Poulet Marengo a la Legatus


Last night I cooked Legatus' recipe in Wargames Bloggers Quarterly Issue 2, skipping the crayfish and croutons, but adding brandy and anchovies.  The traditional eggs worked surprisingly well.  I must say it was absolutely delicious, especially as it was washed down with half a bottle of Gavi di Gavi (currently 25% off at Waitrose, fill your cellar!).

I've not posted any ancients recently because I've been working hard on my rules, daytime, and painting Napoleonics at night, of which more anon.

Monday, 21 July 2014

Lago Trasimeno

Six months ago, we booked our holiday in Italy.  The maps just arrived, and I find we are less than 5 miles from the north shore of Lake Trasimene!  What are the odds of that?  Especially with me in the middle of basing a Consular Roman army.  :-)


Friday, 14 March 2014

4Ground


I received a long-awaited package from 4Ground, today.  This is a component sprue from their Roman watchtower, and I have great plans for it (and its fellows).  It was kind of them to do a special run for me.  Watch this space...

Tuesday, 4 February 2014

Rome at War weekend

I'm teaming up with Mark Freeth, of the Wargames Holiday Centre, to put on a weekend of Roman wargaming from 27th to 29th June (not July as I posted incorrectly!).  We'll be using around 3,500 miniatures from my collection, and the "To the Strongest!" rule set that I've recently developed to play large games, quickly, in the WHC's excellent facilities near Basingstoke.


The games will include Second Chaoronea (above) and the Roman Civil War Cremona battle I'm planning for Partizan, which will be similar to the below.  


More details of the event can be found here, please contact Mark if you'd like to make a booking.

Thursday, 19 December 2013

Away day

Yesterday I traveled to the wilds of Suffolk to play a game with some wily locals and a few others who had journeyed there, from far and wide.  I won't post pics of the minis, because the game is to form the basis of an article that Simon MacDowall is writing, but here is a photo of Simon MacDowall (left) and the opposing generals (Gary, Kevin and Dave) looking contemplative.


Below are my team; John and Adam, with Daniel from Wargames Illustrated in the background. From his body language, you can tell that John wasn't having all that much luck with his dice!


A fine time was had by all, and the hospitality was very generous. I look forward to seeing the piece in the magazine, in due course! 

Wednesday, 11 December 2013

BigRedBatCaveAnnex

Back in April, I managed to get a much needed wargames storage cupboard, built into an old laundry cupboard.  Today I (finally!) got around to fitting a shelf, and I've started to pack away the gaming boards that have, for several years, stood against the wall of my dining room.


It's rather more than 8' tall and will hold all of my 4' by 2' gaming boards, in 2 stacks, one above the other.  There should also be enough additional space in case I need to add a third set of gaming boards, down the line!

Tuesday, 29 October 2013

It looked smaller...

I bought a static grass applicator I saw on eBay.  It's just a leeeetle bit bigger than I'd imagined... that is a 28mm chariot.  However it should be very useful for the terrain building I need to start soon.


I'll test it later this week, on the chariots, and post my findings...

Wednesday, 28 August 2013

Le WS&S 68 est arrive


It looks very interesting, not least because it includes this blogger's own spread on Caesar vs. Scipio; the Battle of Thapsus (page 24). I note that there is also an article by BatMate Roger Murrow, on Leipzig, and a bonus piece about his Leipzig re-fight, and several other very promising looking articles... If you don't have a copy on its way in the post, you can buy it here.

Monday, 26 August 2013

Rules Writing Retreat


Mrs Bat is on business in Antwerp, and I have two days in the Executive Lounge of the Hilton, to:-

  • finish an expanded version of my "To the Strongest" Lite Rules
  • sort out the deployment for the enlarged Thapsus Game, next Sunday
  • design a Caesarian campaign, set in North Africa, that is suitable for non-gamers

The Executive Lounge is very nice; unlimited coffee, beers and soft drinks, and food turns up from time to time.  There is a Happy Hour in the early evening.  The only downside is the Muzak, which is ghastly; at the time of writing a CD of Orchestral versions of Simon and Garfunkel is stuck and looping endlessly through the same line of "Rosemary and Thyme".  It could be a long 48 hours...

Friday, 2 August 2013

Hi-definition Romans


I'd noticed that the quality of my painting had been suffering, particularly when I didn't wear my specs, but even when wearing the glasses I have been using (an old prescription).  Today I have taken delivery of a new pair of bifocals, with a focal length of around 12" that is perfect for painting, and a long distance prescription that will help me focus on my other favourite hobby, watching the box! They are glare free which should also help whilst painting under my lamp, and lightweight.

When I just looked at these minis, painted by Andres of Einar Olafson, I could see detail I've never noticed before!  :-)   On the downside, my painting rate will slow right down...  :-(

Sunday, 28 July 2013

BigRedBatmobile

I recently wrote my ancient 1999 Galaxy off in a minor accident, and have been vehicle-less for a month.  This was becoming a looming problem, what with Partizan and Colours beckoning.


Here's my new battle taxi- literally a taxi- until last month it was roaring around London as a minicab. I knew I had to had it when the chap showed me how all the rear seats fold into the floor, creating a very large "hold".  I reckon I could get all my terrain boards and all my 28mm minis and terrain in there....  

Thursday, 18 July 2013

A ship!

This arrived in the post today...  I'm not really a kit builder, nor much interested in the renaissance, and am strictly 28mm.  But I do have a cunning plan.  :-)


Sunday, 26 May 2013

500K!

I’m delighted to report that the counter on the front page of the BigRedBatCave ticked past half a million, last night.  Can I say a huge thank you to everyone who pops by and makes it worth my while posting!  It is a great pleasure to run the blog, and I have some ambitious plans for games and other ventures, during the rest of this year...

I’m minded to celebrate with a promotion, but WargamingGirl’s is still running, and I don’t want to clash with that; also I’m frantic in the run up to Raphia at Partizan on Sunday.  But I will do something in due course... please watch this space.


In the meanwhile, in the finest tradition of the BigRedBatCave, I shall celebrate by posting some minis that someone else has painted, far better than I ever could.  I bought these lovely Aventine Roman Allied cavalry from Redzed last year (as part of a small Republican Roman army), and gave them suitable shields and based them,  yesterday.  Luvverly!

Saturday, 25 May 2013

Dug's Stalingrad

My mate Dug has been sending me shots of the stunning Stalingrad game that he and mates ran at the recent Milton Keynes show.  All the models are 1/35th scale; many were made by his mate Mark.  As usual, all photos are clickable.


Above and below, Germans massing for the attack; note the snipers on top of the oil tanks, and the .

 


Below, the Russian defenders, some in the tank factory.





I beleive they play it using the "Crossfire" rules.  I am very much looking forward to seeing the game, in the flesh, at Colours in Newbury, in the Autumn.