A World Aflame.

Despite not pursuing the project as much as I had hoped, I still have an interest in A Very British Civil War and indeed anything set during the interwar period of 1918 to 1939. I have quite a collection of miniatures to suit the period from Artizan, Empress, Musketeer and Mutton Chop etc, but sadly most of these remain unpainted.

One of the rulesets I was considering was Triumph and Tragedy and with my interest still alive for the period I have just picked up the new ruleset from Osprey "A World Aflame: Interwar Wargaming Rules 1918-39". After reading a review of them by Whisperin' Al on The Wargame Shed I liked the sound of them and certainly the more relaxed tone they seem to offer. The book looks good with lots of pictures and Osprey plates and the rules seem pretty simple with lots of scope for in house additions etc. This is old school gaming at heart and they are definitely not tournament rules!

To summarise (from the Osprey website) -

About this book
Often called the ”Pulp Era”, the years between the two World Wars have seen a tremendous surge in interest among wargamers. A World Aflame captures the adventurous nature of the time period to present a fun, fast-paced set of tabletop miniatures rules that can handle the many diverse conflicts of the period, from the Chinese Civil Wars and the “Great Game” in Central Asia, to the Irish War of Independence and the bitter ideological warfare of the Russian and Spanish Civil Wars. The rules also contain options for the “Very British Civil War”. This gaming trend has sprung up in recent years, following a “what-if” scenario that has Edward VIII refusing to abdicate the throne, thrusting the country into civil war in 1938. It is a quirky, fun setting, and one that is surprisingly popular. Written by a life-long wargamer, A World Aflame focuses on the daring and heroism of battles fought in the last great era of adventure.

With my interest up again I decided it was a good time to post a couple of pics of my Musketeer WW1 / Civil War Russian infantry. I finished these chaps ages ago but never got around to posting any pictures.

Quite pleased with them but I kind of wish I had done what is now my standard bases and put them on 2ps. Doubt I will rebase them now! Not sure what I will use them for yet but I know the Zombie Master has a reasonable sized Chinese contingent for 'Back of Beyond'...

Call of Cthulhu - Strange Aeons.

Call of Cthulhu RPG.

I have been a Lovecraft fan for so many years now and Call of Cthulhu was one of the first RPG's I really got into and to this day it is still my favourite, although I don't really get the opportunity to play these days. More recently I tried to run the first scenario from 'Walker in the Wastes' as I sort of prelude to the 'Beyond the Mountains of Madness' campaign but despite positive feedback from a couple of the players I struggled to commit to being a Keeper again and had a nagging feeling in the back of my mind that another couple from our RPG group are just not really into Cthulhu in the same way. Perhaps I will try again one day with just a couple of the players I know really like it but for now it is tucked back onto the shelf with all the other unused campaign books!

Strange Aeons.

I have collected many Call of Cthulhu figures over the years, most of these admittedly remain unpainted, from a few ranges but predominantly Grenadier. Having picked up a few more packs recently when I realised they were still available through Mirliton or Velillia Ltd I have been thinking about digging these out and getting around to painting them. Well, some of them anyway! I have also picked up some other 20's-30's period figures from Musketeer, Woodbine Design, Mutton Chop, Copplestone and Artizan plus a horde of Deep Ones from Black Cat Bases, Grenadier and RAFM. Perhaps a Raid on Innsmouth is needed?

Innsmouth Docks.

With this in mind we have been discussing Strange Aeons for ages and I know the Zombie Master has wanted to play for a long while but I believe the postage costs always put him off! I have finally picked up a copy of the rules from Black Hat Miniatures along with the scenario book Morbid Adventures.

Black Cat Bases Deep One.

I also like the idea of some 'High Adventure' settings in the far flung corners of the Earth.

RAFM Deep Ones.

Between us we already have plenty of scenery and terrain and you only need a small playing area and a handful of figures. ZM has a lot of Cthulhu stuff painted up, especially monster types so I am putting together some figures for a team of Agents. Next will be the Deep Ones (not that you need that many) and we definitely need some cultists but Artizan or Pulp?

Next up - Investigators / Agents.

VBCW - The Yorkist Front.

The Duke of Yorks (Own) Regiment.

A unit from York has joined the fight in East Anglia! Supporters of The Duke of York, Earl of Inverness and Baron Killarney – the rightful heir to the Throne as the True King of the United Kingdom & the Dominions of the British Commonwealth.

Albert, Duke of York (holding pipe) and Sir Stanley Birch (to his left) with their senior command.

The Yorkist Front is centred around the Duke of Yorks (Own) Regt (DoYoR)- garrisoned in York. There is one regular battalion and 2 of TA at the depot - the rest of the regulars are overseas. The Fulford Barracks, York and Strensall Camp (just a couple of miles north of York) was/is a significant base.

The Yorkist Front effectively control the City, with support from the local Anglican League militia. The YF is led by a retired General, Sir Stanley Birch.

The Rowntrees Sweet Factory and Railway Union both have militia's, but they are onside, due to the overwhelming local strength of the DoYoR, who have provided training for them. A key strategy is to keep the road open to Hull, where the Anglicans have access to the Port and to harrass Catterick (A major garrison to the North, held by the King) and prevent BUF forces moving up the Great North Road.

The 'Essex' Brigade with transport. The Dukes Silver Shadow sits to the left of the picture with the Rev. Henry J. Crealock, an important contact with the Anglican League, beside it.

With their three Battalions they effectively have one Btn. to defend the City, one to protect various local key points around York, such as the airfields, and one Btn. for offensive action. A detachment of this Btn. currently finds itself in North Essex, drumming up support from the local Anglican League leaders and militia's.

Observant guards discover a cunning BUF spy and his accomplice! 

Character - professionals, military tactics, mobile punches against government lines.

Current transport is provided by four converted buses, although the unit is hoping for more support vehicles to join them in the near future.

(figures and unit history courtesy of AKULA)

VBCW - BUF Command Group.

My first picture of some newly arrived minis that shall form the main command group of my BUF unit!

(l-r) Major Otis Wright, Colonel Barnaby Coghill, The Honourable Cecil Cathcart Marchbanks, General 'Binkie' Beauchamp and Captain John Scrope.

Figures are from Musketeer & Mutton Chop Miniatures.