Lead Adventure Forum

Miniatures Adventure => The Great War => Topic started by: James Morris on 11 March 2016, 10:43:50 PM

Title: Inside Fort Vaux
Post by: James Morris on 11 March 2016, 10:43:50 PM: Over the winter I've been beavering away on a wargaming model of Fort Vaux to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the battle of June 2nd - 7th 1916. After a few late nights, it was finally ready for a run-out at the Hammerhead show last weekend, and a visit to the ever-friendly Burton And District Wargames Club on Thursday night, so here are my first pics. I should stress that the model is a work in progress and has plenty more to do on it! It's built to a 1/56 scale floorplan of the interior of the fort, although corridors have been widened slightly and some features simplified to make sure that it can accommodate 28mm models.

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1508/25082711353_45d2f77968_z.jpg)

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1639/25408640950_295eb8d006_m.jpg)

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1638/25078924174_171b3716d7_m.jpg)

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1577/25683303396_1af02dd488_b.jpg)

Simon Clarke (Lurkio) takes on Paul Scrivens-Smith in tunnel combat. Simon's luck with the dice had to be seen to be believed!

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1536/25709364685_f66f94aee7_z.jpg)

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1477/25078963384_eeb9cb12c8_c.jpg)

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1639/25082748513_fd659fc908_z.jpg)

Close combat with a flamethrower in the latrines/ powder magazine section of the fort.

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1579/25408591620_a40f33dee6_c.jpg)

It's all over! Under Simon's command, the Germans ride their luck to break into the main corridor of the fort on day 3 of the siege.

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1668/25614263161_3bb69cdeba_c.jpg)

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1686/25078891494_7839b3f986_z.jpg)

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1672/25683277656_08dd6ff4c6_z.jpg)

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1699/25614319871_a5ba034eee_c.jpg)

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1524/25082760453_b7f5dc6124_h.jpg)

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1632/25588347582_acc697ee32_z.jpg)

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1486/25078947584_8caabb44cc_h.jpg)

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1714/25683280426_ca9e0f89e1_c.jpg)

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1539/25588354222_bfbd4e0976_z.jpg)

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1593/25078908404_643c6d752a_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Inside Fort Vaux
Post by: Byblos on 11 March 2016, 10:54:45 PM: Impressive and original work ! Bravo :-*
Title: Re: Inside Fort Vaux
Post by: Emir of Askaristan on 11 March 2016, 11:42:38 PM: A very different kind of game, more akin to dungeon adventures. Well done !!!!
Title: Re: Inside Fort Vaux
Post by: von Lucky on 12 March 2016, 01:45:01 AM: I'm thinking Space Hulk, WWI-style. Where's the Verdun box from?
Title: Re: Inside Fort Vaux
Post by: Ahistorian on 12 March 2016, 02:20:24 AM: Great work James, really gutted I couldn't join you at the show :D
Title: Re: Inside Fort Vaux
Post by: jamesmanto on 12 March 2016, 04:24:42 AM: Wow! That's super cool!
I'm going to have to re-read "The Price of Glory" now
Title: Re: Inside Fort Vaux
Post by: Slayer on 12 March 2016, 04:35:21 AM: wow fantastic idea and execution
Title: Re: Inside Fort Vaux
Post by: OSHIROmodels on 12 March 2016, 07:22:33 AM: Interesting stuff :)

I'm assuming that the interior wall has been left out for easy access?

cheers

James
Title: Re: Inside Fort Vaux
Post by: James Morris on 12 March 2016, 09:14:44 AM: Quote from: jimbibbly on 12 March 2016, 07:22:33 AM
Interesting stuff :)

I'm assuming that the interior wall has been left out for easy access?

cheers

James
Yes. It's a gaming piece and it seemed the best way to get access to the main areas, though I'm about to add some more bits to add to the enclosed feel.
Title: Re: Inside Fort Vaux
Post by: James Morris on 12 March 2016, 09:17:37 AM: Quote from: von Lucky on 12 March 2016, 01:45:01 AM
I'm thinking Space Hulk, WWI-style. Where's the Verdun box from?

Yes, definitely inspired by Space Hulk and dungeon floor plans! The Verdun tin is from the Verdun Tourist Office - just right for the dice and cards.
Title: Re: Inside Fort Vaux
Post by: Genialjim on 12 March 2016, 09:27:17 AM: That is epic, what an inspiration :o
Title: Re: Inside Fort Vaux
Post by: Etranger on 12 March 2016, 10:03:27 AM: Great idea and beautifully executed.
Title: Re: Inside Fort Vaux
Post by: Mick_in_Switzerland on 12 March 2016, 10:09:32 AM: Very clever idea and brilliantly executed - well done :-*
Title: Re: Inside Fort Vaux
Post by: OSHIROmodels on 12 March 2016, 11:09:16 AM: Quote from: James Morris on 12 March 2016, 09:14:44 AM
Yes. It's a gaming piece and it seemed the best way to get access to the main areas,

Makes sense :)

cheers

James
Title: Re: Inside Fort Vaux
Post by: fred on 12 March 2016, 11:29:23 AM: This is really cool. I saw an overview shot of it on a blog about the show, and that looked good. But being able to see all the detail with the close up shots is excellent.

It must have been terrifying and deadly to fight in the narrow passage ways. A grendae would be even more deadly with the explosion and shrapnel constrained by the tunnel - let alone a flamethrower!
Title: Re: Inside Fort Vaux
Post by: nicknorthstar on 12 March 2016, 12:07:10 PM: James has written an article in Wargames Illustrated 339 on his trip to Verdun pre-fort construction. Have a read.
Title: Re: Inside Fort Vaux
Post by: jamesmanto on 12 March 2016, 04:32:12 PM: Quote from: fred on 12 March 2016, 11:29:23 AM
This is really cool. I saw an overview shot of it on a blog about the show, and that looked good. But being able to see all the detail with the close up shots is excellent.

It must have been terrifying and deadly to fight in the narrow passage ways. A grendae would be even more deadly with the explosion and shrapnel constrained by the tunnel - let alone a flamethrower!

It gives me the cold chills just thinking about it!
Title: Re: Inside Fort Vaux
Post by: S_P on 12 March 2016, 05:21:39 PM: Stunning work, saw it at Hammerhead and was really impressed.
Title: Re: Inside Fort Vaux
Post by: James Morris on 12 March 2016, 05:46:40 PM: Quote from: fred on 12 March 2016, 11:29:23 AM
This is really cool. I saw an overview shot of it on a blog about the show, and that looked good. But being able to see all the detail with the close up shots is excellent.

It must have been terrifying and deadly to fight in the narrow passage ways. A grendae would be even more deadly with the explosion and shrapnel constrained by the tunnel - let alone a flamethrower!
Yes, glad some of that claustrophobia has come across in the model! The narrowest passages (shown at the lowest point of the model) were around 90cm wide and 150cm high...very difficult to get through under fire, and the effect of grenades etc doesn't really bear thinking about. Very brave men on both sides, I think.
Title: Re: Inside Fort Vaux
Post by: moiterei_1984 on 12 March 2016, 08:15:50 PM: :o :o :o simply outstanding. Somehow I want such a thing now... really bad...
Title: Re: Inside Fort Vaux
Post by: Ray Earle on 12 March 2016, 08:59:10 PM: Amazing model James. Gutted I missed it at Hammerhead. :(
Title: Re: Inside Fort Vaux
Post by: James Morris on 12 March 2016, 10:54:23 PM: Quote from: Ray Earle on 12 March 2016, 08:59:10 PM
Amazing model James. Gutted I missed it at Hammerhead. :(

Thanks Ray! It'll be back on at Partizan in Newark on May 22nd (pretty much as near as we can get to the exact 100th anniversary of the siege of the actual fort). We've knocked up a set of participation rules that play 4 days of combat in about 30-40 minutes, so no excuse not to drop by and have a go. Hoping to do some other selected shows as well later in the year.
Title: Re: Inside Fort Vaux
Post by: James Morris on 12 March 2016, 11:04:55 PM: Chum Steve Jones also took some good pics and different angles of the game at Hammerhead, you can see these at his blog http://paintingshed.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/verdun-at-hammerhead-march-5th-2016.html?showComment=1457823670086&m=1
Title: Re: Inside Fort Vaux
Post by: marianas_gamer on 13 March 2016, 01:02:08 AM: Wonderful and innovative! :-* :o :-* Can you imagine the noise? :o
LB
Title: Re: Inside Fort Vaux
Post by: Marine0846 on 13 March 2016, 01:17:13 AM: Wow and Wow again.
Just did a little reading on Verdun last year.
Will be going back and read about Fort Vaux.
Title: Re: Inside Fort Vaux
Post by: Phil Robinson on 13 March 2016, 07:30:11 AM: Excellent, nice to see something a little different. Shall look forward to seeing it in the flesh in May.
Title: Re: Inside Fort Vaux
Post by: Beast of Bukhara on 13 March 2016, 07:05:31 PM: A really interesting looking game :-* :-* :-*
Title: Re: Inside Fort Vaux
Post by: Koppi on 14 March 2016, 09:54:17 PM: Really great idea. I'm impressed.
Title: Re: Inside Fort Vaux
Post by: archiduque on 15 March 2016, 01:14:02 PM: Fantastic stuff!!!! ;) :-*
Title: Re: Inside Fort Vaux
Post by: Ray Earle on 15 March 2016, 08:20:39 PM: Quote from: James Morris on 12 March 2016, 10:54:23 PM
Thanks Ray! It'll be back on at Partizan in Newark on May 22nd (pretty much as near as we can get to the exact 100th anniversary of the siege of the actual fort). We've knocked up a set of participation rules that play 4 days of combat in about 30-40 minutes, so no excuse not to drop by and have a go. Hoping to do some other selected shows as well later in the year.

No excuse at all. I'll make sure I drop by at Partizan. :)
Title: Re: Inside Fort Vaux
Post by: Metternich on 15 March 2016, 10:08:29 PM: Brilliantly executed "slice" of the Verdun battle. Bravo. I tip my Stahlhelm to you.
Title: Re: Inside Fort Vaux
Post by: James Morris on 15 March 2016, 10:14:09 PM: Quote from: Koppi on 14 March 2016, 09:54:17 PM
Really great idea. I'm impressed.
Thanks Koppi! We're hoping to bring it Crisis but planning is still at an early stage, might see you there.
Title: Re: Inside Fort Vaux
Post by: tin shed gamer on 15 March 2016, 11:25:09 PM: Well this is definitely a must see at Partizan.
Title: Re: Inside Fort Vaux
Post by: Koppi on 16 March 2016, 11:12:50 AM: Quote from: James Morris on 15 March 2016, 10:14:09 PM
Thanks Koppi! We're hoping to bring it Crisis but planning is still at an early stage, might see you there.

Hi James,
Oh great. I will have a Look on it at CRISIS this years. Thanks for the Information.
Title: Re: Inside Fort Vaux
Post by: scrivs on 22 March 2016, 08:10:28 AM: The move has been rather getting in the way of blogging and gaming. But at last, here is my take on the events that night...

http://scrivsland.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/in-corridors-of-fort-vaux.html (http://scrivsland.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/in-corridors-of-fort-vaux.html)
Title: Re: Inside Fort Vaux
Post by: Driscoles on 22 March 2016, 10:41:30 AM: wow, this looks innovative. I like the idea very much !
Björn
Title: Re: Inside Fort Vaux
Post by: noigrim on 22 March 2016, 06:39:25 PM: Original corridors might copy the idea someday :D