River Plate using Naval Thunder

[Fencing Frog]

http://fencingfrog.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-river-platt.html

My friend John comanded the British and I had comand of the Graf Spee. you can read the full AAR at the link above.


Graff Spee takes aim at HMS EXeter at long range


After batterign the Graff Spee the British Light Cruisers close in for the kill.

[carlos marighela]

Nice report, one of my favourite naval battles. Played it with some friends years ago using the old General Quarters rule.  I should point out that it's the River Plate or Río de la Plata  if you prefer. Actually for a 'River of Silver' it's remarkably brown.

[Fencing Frog]

Nice report, one of my favourite naval battles. Played it with some friends years ago using the old General Quarters rule.  I should point out that it's the River Plate or Río de la Plata  if you prefer. Actually for a 'River of Silver' it's remarkably brown.

Yeah sorry about the missspelling.

[von Lucky]

Thanks for sharing, I'm hosting a game tomorrow using a more simple ruleset (Victory at Sea), as it's exactly the 76th anniversary.

I too think the tactic for the Graf Spee is to go for the Exeter and then run. Let's see if the lights catch her.

My opponent is probably reading this - if that's the case, the above is a double bluff.

[carlos marighela]

I thought the DS solution was to head to Montevideo, torch the boat and then shoot yourself in the head. Very Germanic, very er... Wagnerian.

[Marine0846]

Always a great little battle to fight.
What to do, is a question for both sides?
I find it is a favorite naval battle of mine to fight.

[von Lucky]

Went for the Exeter, took her down at the same time the light cruisers got me.

[werekake]

Aha! So this is where you made your secret plans to defeat the British force.

Thanks for the game, Von Lucky - really enjoyed it.

Victory at Sea provides a game that's pretty quick to pick up and play...  Not too sure about torpedoes being able to fire under friendly ships, but I guess the rationale for abstraction of ship-location is fair enough.

I reckon it was the cruisers' torpedoes which did the Graf Spree in, although the Exeter's missed. Didn't realise it was the anniversary of the Battle of River Plate. Guess it was appropriate we had a Harwood commanding one of the Commonwealth ships as well!

[dhtandco]

Anyone know of a manufacturer who makes all of the ships required in a largish scale ?

[von Lucky]

What scale were you thinking? 1/600 or 1/700 or larger?

[dhtandco]

Yes either of those would do

[von Lucky]

Airfix, Dragon, Trumpeter, Academy, etc seem to cover the range in 1/600 and 1/700.

Can't find any wargaming manufacturers (i.e. in resin, metal) in this scale that covers all 3-4 ships in the larger scales.

[carlos marighela]

Airfix, Dragon, Trumpeter, Academy, etc seem to cover the range in 1/600 and 1/700.

Can't find any wargaming manufacturers (i.e. in resin, metal) in this scale that covers all 3-4 ships in the larger scales.

You won't find a single manufacturer for all not in those scales. if it were me I'd go with 1/700. The ancient 1/600 Airfix Ajax is a full hull kit, with all that entails for wargaming.

If you search around on ebay, you'll find the almost as ancient Matchbox Exeter. Waterline model, not a bad model in its day. Also re-boxed by AMT and a few others. Don't think Revell picked it up though. They also did a waterline 1/700 Graf Spee, probably your best gaming option although there are more options available and Trumpeter do a couple of very detailed full hull kits in 1700.


You are looking at resin for Ajax in 1/700. I can't think of anyone who did this in plastic in this scale, which is a real mystery to me. B-Resina apparently do/did one.

Better, compromise, option might be to look at 1/1200 - 1/1250 scale. All vessels were done by at least one, often more than one manufacturer, Navis, Eaglewall, Triang and they will be waterline kits. The trouble is that 1/1200 scale ships tend to be more expensive than their plastic 1/700 counterparts.

[dhtandco]

Thanks for your help I am amazed they are not sold as a set by at least one manufacturer !