Flatpack - VSF - Antwerp arms fair - second battle 10/5/25 pg3

[flatpack]

After putting off VSF and Steampunk for several decades, a couple of years ago, I thought I’ll see what figures are out there ?
I was surprised that I couldn’t find many companies making them, but after looking into the subject, I’ve come to the conclusion that I may of missed the boat ?

I’d attend shows and see very little VSF items.

Then I discovered Ironclad miniatures and their very nice VSF/Steampunk range of figures.
As I went to more shows, I’d pick up a few more of their figures and maybe a couple of their steam contraptions.

Then I noticed Blotz selling VSF flying machines.
“They’ll be handy” I thought, so once again, if Blotz were at a show, I’d pick up a couple of their vsf flying machines.

Well over about a 2 -3 year period, my collection of VSF has grown.

But what rules are out there ?

We, as a group, really enjoy Fistful of Lead rules by Wiley games, as they have a nice FUN element to them.
So when I read that FFOL were about to launch their own VSF rules, called Glorious adventures in the age of steam, I was on it.

This weekend sees the first installment of our GAAS games.
This is the culmination of those years, collecting and painting my VSF figures.
I’m sure we can have some fun.

Here are a few pictures of items I’ve collected, and I’ll report back with an AAR.
Wish us luck 


Prussian armored troops.


One wheel recon 


The metal men


Armored steam support


A Walker on the prowl.


British airborne Guards and naval detachment.

[Doug ex-em4]

I’m not into VSF but it’s interesting to read about and your project looks very l interesting. I look forward to seeing more. What you’ve done so far looks great.

Doug

[has.been]

Looking forward to the game Bob.

[Donkeymilkman]

Exciting stuff Bod, looking forward to tomorrow. I know what you mean about Ironclad, I have a soft spot for their martians.

[has.been]

I have a soft spot for their martians.

Could that be because they have an Ottoman vibe? 

[has.been]

Westphalia is NOT an option!

Upon the tiny Mediterranean island of Campo Alto (Highfield) an ancient Henge has revealed the secret
it has kept for millennia. Beneath the trio of standing stones lies a store of the legendary Resuscitatio Lapidis,
(Raising stone), now vital for the construction of Airships & various War Machines.

The race is on to secure the island & therefore the ore.

A small French force holds the nearby village of Caeruleum (Sky Blue). A telegraph to their Entente Cordial allies
(the British) has resulted in HMS Triumph steaming towards the Isle.

The pressing problem however is a contingent of German (Westphalian) troops, who, with typical Prussian efficiency,
are preparing to gain control of the ore. In fact some of their troops have already landed.

Let battle commence!

[The_Beast]

Not sure what you're asking luck wishes for...

You certainly seem to have it well in hand!

Having the ruleset myself, though no opponents with whom to give it a go, I shall be eagerly waiting dispatches. Everything read looks straight forward so far, but middling inconsistencies become glaring on the table.

To the glory of Westphalia!

Doug

[Captain Darling]

Nice selection of VSF figures and equipment, I look forward to seeing them in action.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again now, Ironclad miniatures are the makers of my favourite VSF miniatures and accessories!

😁

[flatpack]

Yesterday saw our first battle using FFOL GAAS rules.
5 players.
Great fun had by all.

Mission - secure the ancient stone circle on the tiny Mediterranean island of Campo Alto
Why - Beneath the stones lies a store of legendary Resuscitatio Lapidis (rising stone) now vital for the construction of airships and various war machines.

French force - Lt Beau Gest (young Sam)
Your orders are to stop the Germans getting past you in the village.
You have few troops, but as you have had a little time you have prepared a few surprises for’Les Boche’.

British flying corps - Simon Cloudshovel , Commander Royal Navy (James)
Your command is the first ashore as always 
You MUST rush to the aid of the French.
The Boche must NOT get ore.

British follow up force - Lt. Marius Argent (Me, Flatpack)
Your mission is to gain control of the ancient henge, and thereby the ore.

German assault force -Rudolf Arndt (Dave)
You are to lead the German assault.
The French (and their allies) are NOT to gain control of the island.
WESTPHALIA IS NOT AN OPTION.

German second wave - Hermann Von Alvensleben (has.been)
You are in charge of the second wave of German troops.
Rudolf(that arrogant Prussian) has been given the honour ( and all the airships !) to lead the attack.
Your main aim is to take the town.
Try to keep your loses down if possible.

The battle site.
The calm before the gas storm.

[flatpack]

Initial moves saw the Germans appearing from the top edge of the table.
French forces did well, fighting them off in the village.


French defenders at the ready.


German initial deployment.


French metal monster redeploys.


German flying forces attack the village.


British naval flying force arrive to reinforce the village.


British naval flying force deploys a little early, just before the village.

[flatpack]

German flying forces attack the French metal monster.


More German airborne forces attack the village.


French forces fought valiantly to hold the village.


Even downing a German flyer.


The battle rages in the village.

[flatpack]

British steam tank arrives.


British forces advance on the stones and village.


British naval officer advances at speed towards the village.
Pity his troops didn’t do the same 


British Walker secures the stone circle.


British flying machine downed. How did that happen ?


Stone circle successfully held by British troops.
German troops nowhere near it.
Well done French boys.

Outcome - Allied victory.
Stone circle held.
Village still held by French forces.
Germans get a bloodied nose.

Great game, played in exactly the right spirit.
Good, fun rules, and easy to use.
Pete, thanks for umpiring - GREAT JOB.

Unfortunately one of our number (John Cunningham, the elephant chaser) couldn’t be with us as he’s in hospital but we sent him thro this photo of old men wearing silly hats, to try to brighten his day.

[has.been]

As Bob has said, great fun.
Time to add my pictures, despite being German, very little from the German viewpoint.
Well it was at the other end of the table & my chair was the comfortable one.

8583 = The French Armoured Walker. The best looking thing on the table 
            And the ONLY thing I provided. EVERTHING else was from Flatpack (AKA Bob)
            Well done Bob.
8585 = "Zer iz sumzing wrung wiz le carboretta!"
8586 = Sam (French & on the left). Dave (German & on the far right) 
8587 = James, the Navy is here!
8588 = Bob, our very generous host & purveyor of fine butties (sausage & bacon) with hash browns.
8589 = Yours truly. Not looking happy, but this was before the butties.
8590 & 8591 = The Royal Navy sail in.

[has.been]

The British advance.
8592 = The Guards glide in serenely, as befits their superior status.
8593 = The impressive HMLS (Her Majesty's Land Ship)
8594 = The Heavy Armoured Walker
8595 = The Sailors land (Well short of their French Allies in the village)
8596 = The Guards look down upon the Navy. No big surprise there. 
8597 = The impressive British force gets to the Henge...& stays there!!!!
            Despite frequent pleas from the French they advance no further.

[has.been]

Meanwhile there was lots of fighting at the village.
This was Sam (French) against Dave (1st wave Germans)
I, as 2nd wave Germans, did...bugger all. By the time I'd footslogged to the village it was all over!

8598 = One of the German Air Ships (SMS Seigfried) bombs the French.
8599 & 8600 = But come under VERY effective anti-aircraft fire, mainly from the Chasseur
                       D'Afrique armed with the latest repeating carbines.

8601 = Disaster for the British!!!! 
            While Bob nipped off to put the sausages, bacon & hash browns on, James tried
            to restoke the engines on the Guard's ship. several unlucky dice later it fell from
            the skies.    (French comment at this point, ' The ONLY British casualties
            are due to their own incompetence!)

8602 = The other German Airship, SMS Beowulf, tries to build up steam to ram & board
            the last remaining British Aircraft.
A bit about the rules.
1) We all had fun, this was despite steam machinery not being very reliable. Or maybe
    because of that? 
2) Anyone familiar with any of the Fist Full of Lead stable of games will have no trouble
     playing these rules.
3) Most of the work is involved in the set up, so as I did that any errors were mine.
4) There are THREE sets of rules in GAAS.
    Skirmish, battle i.e. units & Airship v Airship.
    We were playing 'Big battles' i.e. the unit based version.
    Not helped by the rules for Aircraft are not in that section. I modified some parts
    of the Airship v Airship rules, but as Wiley games frequently point out their rules
    are a 'Sandbox' for gamers to mess about with. That we will. I already have plans
    (& am gathering figures for) Barsoom (Mars).