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Miniatures Adventure => VSF Adventures => Topic started by: Skrapwelder on May 26, 2009, 09:17:05 PM

Title: England Invaded, Episode 2, Ashford Station
Post by: Skrapwelder on May 26, 2009, 09:17:05 PM
The second game in the weekend series saw a Prussian attack on an English Rail depot.

Prussian Forces

Four units of Line Infantry commanded by Hauptmann Binok
Two units of Jagers commanded by Lt. Ritter
One unit of Jagermonsters led by Konstruct Hauptmann Affeonkel
Five of the mechanical men called Klankentruppen overseen by a klankmeister.
Two of the recently delivered Tesla cannon.

Reinforcements scheduled to arrive:
One Light Steam Tank
Two units of Seebatallion

English Forces

Two units from the Royal Rifle Regiment led by Sgt. Major Osgood.
Two units from the Royal East Kent Regiment led by Captain Spode.
Two units of Royal marine Light Infantry Ensign Benson.
Two of the Sgt harper class gun tractors, a light gun mounted on a steam powered tractor carriage.

Support troops in the form of:
One unit of the Fenian Free State's King's Own Light Rifles
Two Fenian Steam Tanks, one parked in a building and a second off board at the beginning of the game.

The Situation

Prussian intelligence indicated the presence of two of the technically superior Irish steam tanks they had been hearing so much about. The tanks were said to be in a train depot that was for the most part on the Prussian line of assault leading from the beach to London. If the depot could be captured it would greatly speed up the Prussian advance and give a good location for a headquarters. Capturing the Steam tanks and turning them over to Prussian klankmeisters for inspection and possible implementation would be an added bonus to the Prussians.

Photos from the battle

(http://rotanddrivel.com/ashford1.jpg)
The view of the of the depot from the English side of the field. The Irish steam tank is quartered in the large building in the background on the left. The Irish crew and its escort of Riflemen started in the public house that can just be seen on the left side of the image.

(http://rotanddrivel.com/ashford3.jpg)
The view from the Prussian side of the field. In the center of the picture can be seen the building housing the Irish steam tank, one of the Prussian objectives and the scene of heavy hand to hand fighting during the battle.

(http://rotanddrivel.com/ashford4.jpg)
Prussian Regulars on the left move forward towards the building housing the Irish tank after securing the first structure they encountered. Hauptmann Affeonkel follows up with the Jagermonsters in tow.

(http://rotanddrivel.com/ashford5.jpg)
Royal Marines and gun tractors in the foreground, Men of The Buffs in the center and Royal Riflemen in the background, move in to the depot area. The Buffs take up a defensive position in and around the buildings. The Rifles move forward to support the Irish Rifles and their tank crews trying to get to the tank before the Prussians do while the RMLI follows in support of the artillery.

(http://rotanddrivel.com/ashford6.jpg)
The first of the Prussian reinforcements come on the board in the form of a light steam tank. Its first shot narrowly misses one of the gun tractors at the end of the road. The shot takes off a large portion of the building next to the tank, the rubble creating a partial roadblock to the gun tractors.

(http://rotanddrivel.com/ashford7.jpg)
Prussian Jagers take heavy casualties after taking direct hits from both English gun tractors. The Prussian regulars discover the Irish tanks whereabouts. The front line of Regulars along with Hauptmann Affeonckel move around the building to engage the Irish and English troops while the rear line of Regulars secures the tank.

(http://rotanddrivel.com/ashford8.jpg)
The Irish tank crew moves into a building adjacent that holding the steam tank while its escort of Light Rifles moves forward to try and push the Prussians back from the recently secured steam tank. The men of the Royal Rifles moves up alongside the train in an attempt to support the over extended Irish.

(http://rotanddrivel.com/ashford9.jpg)
The English troops hold a defensive position on the right flank.

(http://rotanddrivel.com/ashford10.jpg)
Another picture of the situation on the left showing the Irish advancing on the Prussian Regulars.

(http://rotanddrivel.com/ashford11.jpg)
Prussian regulars swarm around one side to engage the English Royal Rifles while Affeonckel and his Jagermonsters charge into the Irish Light Riflemen. A row ensues.

(http://rotanddrivel.com/ashford12.jpg)
All that is left of both units of Royal Riflemen after taking a direct hit from one of the Tesla cannons. In hindsight, the Rifle's commander said that it probably wasn't such a good idea to bunch up on a railroad track when your enemy was throwing the lightening around.

(http://rotanddrivel.com/ashford13.jpg)
The Jagermonsters and Irish mix it up rather well. The Irish are completely run over but not before they take down more than half the Jagermonsters and their Simian superior as well. The Prussian regulars look on in terror.

(http://rotanddrivel.com/ashford14.jpg)
Prussian Klankentruppen and Seebatallion move into the depot. Seeing at least two of their units destroyed and in the face of advancing Prussian reinforcements the English forces elect to retire in good order, saving one of the two Irish steam tanks.

While consolidating the position at the Ashford depot the Prussian command learned of the Exposition of Steam Marvels that was being held in Hyde Park.  With this victory and the foothold it gave the Prussian forces, the High Command felt they might have a few steam marvels of their own to show off at the exposition. The klankmeisters had pronounced the new Irish tank relatively easy to operate and declared it ready to serve after a bit of repair. Once that was accomplished the Prussians would begin to move on London.
Title: Re: England Invaded, Episode 2, Ashford Station
Post by: answer_is_42 on May 26, 2009, 09:54:16 PM
Fantastic stuff! Really jolly good indeed!
Are all the figures your own?
Title: Re: England Invaded, Episode 2, Ashford Station
Post by: Wolf 359 on May 26, 2009, 11:06:53 PM

Wow!! Nicely done. Who manufactures the stone walls along the road?

Title: Re: England Invaded, Episode 2, Ashford Station
Post by: argsilverson on May 26, 2009, 11:09:22 PM
As always a very nice game!

More close ups please!
Title: Re: England Invaded, Episode 2, Ashford Station
Post by: Chairface on May 27, 2009, 12:37:46 AM
More close ups please!

Seconded!
Title: Re: England Invaded, Episode 2, Ashford Station
Post by: Skrapwelder on May 27, 2009, 12:50:25 AM
Thanks very much everyone.

All the figures shown are mine.  Painted over the last year or so.

The buildings are mine, painted by Alfrik, who must have broken some kind of speed record doing it. I'll let him go into that. All the stowage, containers, barricades, and leafy terrain of all kinds are Alfriks. He makes a mighty fine bit of shrubbery.

I made the walls. I used some small rocks stuck into clay and poured a latex mold over it and then cast pieces in resin.

I'm going to try and get some follow-up pictures of all the various figures and vehicles and buildings up on my website later this week.
Title: Re: England Invaded, Episode 2, Ashford Station
Post by: argsilverson on May 27, 2009, 12:57:03 AM

I'm going to try and get some follow-up pictures of all the various figures and vehicles and buildings up on my website later this week.

and ships !!!!!

Any chance to have any templates, WIP notes etc for the NEMO class submarines??
Thanks

BTW: Have you noticed that today there is lots of vessels!!!!
Title: Re: England Invaded, Episode 2, Ashford Station
Post by: Skrapwelder on May 27, 2009, 01:49:52 AM
It has been a nautical day. I have a few work in progress shots of the ships here:

http://www.arnicarealestate.com/shipyard.htm (http://www.arnicarealestate.com/shipyard.htm)

The submersible is made from a Seaquest DSV model.

(http://www.fantastic-plastic.com/SeaQuest-StingerBoxArt.jpg)
Title: Re: England Invaded, Episode 2, Ashford Station
Post by: dodge on May 27, 2009, 06:17:58 AM
I love that  :-*
Title: Re: England Invaded, Episode 2, Ashford Station
Post by: Black Cavalier on May 27, 2009, 06:30:27 AM
Being the commander of the ill-fated Rifles, I will vehemently deny any courtmartial charges that I authorized a pee break while crossing the tracks. 

Only 1 of the 2 tesla cannons hit the unit, & it killed 14 out 20 figures.

Unfortunately, our Sgt Harper classed vehicles couldn’t get moving on the right flank, which ended up blocking the road that the other half our infantry force was on. 

But I did feel slightly vindicated when the Fenian’s mascot terrier was the one that made the killing blow on the Jagermonster Ape Leader.

Title: Re: England Invaded, Episode 2, Ashford Station
Post by: gamer Mac on May 27, 2009, 07:29:37 AM
WOW  :o :-*
Great game report. With some lovely figures and scenery.
Well done on all the hard work. It does not seem that long since since you started some of these projects. Your work rate is amazing.
Love the Sgt Harper Class gun tractors. :-*
Where did the factory type buildings come from?
The dry stone walls turned out really nice. :-* A very eye catching piece of scenery.
Title: Re: England Invaded, Episode 2, Ashford Station
Post by: Malamute on May 27, 2009, 07:39:02 AM
Brilliant, this is exactly waht VSF is all about. wonderful stuff. :)
Title: Re: England Invaded, Episode 2, Ashford Station
Post by: Thunderchicken on May 27, 2009, 11:16:09 AM
What a great looking game! As usual you do VSF justice. Even more reason to emigrate across the pond.

Did players from other games take any interest in your bash?   
Title: Re: England Invaded, Episode 2, Ashford Station
Post by: Skrapwelder on May 27, 2009, 01:28:24 PM
The factory buildings were from a set of molds I put together.

TC; we did get a lot of people coming over to take a look. Quite a few people assumed (due to the "England Invaded" sign I'm sure) that we were doing Operation Sealion. All the comments I got back were very positive and quite a few people took serious interest in the availability of the rules.

All in all it was a very fun weekend.

More reports this afternoon.
Title: Re: England Invaded, Episode 2, Ashford Station
Post by: richarDISNEY on May 27, 2009, 01:41:47 PM
Gahhh....  I really rolled cruddy in that game.  Due to dice, my Jeggers were fairly noneffective.  Regular Irish troops were mopping up the place with me. 

Granted, I found the tank, but the right side of the board was collasping due to the "Uno Kid"'s luck!

I had such a great time, I got in on the third battle too!

Well done sirs Skrapwelder and Alfrik!
Title: Re: England Invaded, Episode 2, Ashford Station
Post by: Admiral Benbow on May 27, 2009, 02:39:41 PM
Grand report, nice figures, terrain and machinery extraordinaire!
 :-*
Title: Re: England Invaded, Episode 2, Ashford Station
Post by: Sinewgrab on May 27, 2009, 04:23:22 PM
The factory buildings were from a set of molds I put together.

TC; we did get a lot of people coming over to take a look. Quite a few people assumed (due to the "England Invaded" sign I'm sure) that we were doing Operation Sealion. All the comments I got back were very positive and quite a few people took serious interest in the availability of the rules.

All in all it was a very fun weekend.

More reports this afternoon.

Which system are you using again?
Title: Re: England Invaded, Episode 2, Ashford Station
Post by: Skrapwelder on May 27, 2009, 04:48:17 PM
Valor, Steel & Flesh by Bob Charrette and available from Brigade Games.
Title: Re: England Invaded, Episode 2, Ashford Station
Post by: myincubliss on May 27, 2009, 05:40:20 PM
Are there any closer-up piccies of the giant ape available?
Title: Re: England Invaded, Episode 2, Ashford Station
Post by: Bullshott on May 27, 2009, 07:50:10 PM
Excellent game Mike

This is what VSF is all about. Must get my jagermonsters finished ...
Title: Re: England Invaded, Episode 2, Ashford Station
Post by: Mr.J on May 27, 2009, 08:34:34 PM
That looks superb! I am rapidly being drawn into VSF!!
Title: Re: England Invaded, Episode 2, Ashford Station
Post by: froboyharrell on May 27, 2009, 10:18:16 PM
And my Fenians would have been victorious if not for Rich leaving the game a bit for a G&T.  Pete stepped in, and his dice-fu decimated me! 
Have no fear, my terrier is still alive and will nip at their heels in retribution!
It was a stupendous game and Mike did a great job.  I did venture in and purchased the rules at Brigade.  What a blast!  I've been a sucker for VSF since my days as a kid playing the Space 1889 RPG.
At some point, I'll put up some of the piccies I got of my side of the table.
Matt
Title: Hauptmann Affe Onkel
Post by: Skrapwelder on May 27, 2009, 10:53:20 PM
(http://www.arnicarealestate.com/Affe_Onkel.jpg)
Hauptmann Affe Onkel - Commander of the Jagermonsters. Made with minimal changes to a Reaper Chronopia figure.

I didn't see the dog chewing on the monkey's ankle until I was going through pictures on Monday.

Thanks everyone for such kind words. I'll try and get the las tthree reports up tonight.
Title: Re: England Invaded, Episode 2, Ashford Station
Post by: Alfrik on May 28, 2009, 04:52:33 AM
Brick buildings were speed painted, the walls of all the brick buildings took 20 minutes, Slate roofs took about 5 minutes as well as all of the stone walls used. Window trim and doors took Much longer though..

http://armoredink.blogspot.com/2009/05/speed-painting-brick-walls.html

More information on how to speed paint the bricks at the link.
Title: Re: England Invaded, Episode 2, Ashford Station
Post by: richarDISNEY on May 28, 2009, 01:54:35 PM
How the heck did you miss the dog?  We were laughing about it fer a while.  Thats why we asked if there were stats for the pup!

Great game, BTW...!
Title: Re: England Invaded, Episode 2, Ashford Station
Post by: Hitman on May 29, 2009, 02:33:18 AM
Once again...more great looking game table. Keep the photos coming.