1/2400 WW1 Naval, WTJ Light Cruisers

[Yarkshire Gamer]

http://yarkshiregamer.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/12400-ww1-naval-wtj-light-cruisers.html

Hi all,

Just a little update on what has taken over as my 2015 Project, WW1 Naval. I got a nice big order from WTJ earlier this year and just got round to finishing of a batch of 10 Light Cruisers.

They have come out nice again as they say. There is a big price differential between these and GHQ making the WTJ ships a very tempting option. They also double up as handy fridge magnets (ask 4th Cuirass)

I have a batch of 30 plus Destroyers on the go at the moment which I hope to have done before the new year.

Regards, Ken
The Yarkshire Gamer

[grant]

Lovely. WW1 is one of my favourites - nicely done!

[Belizaire]

Nice. Which rules do you use? The only naval gaming I have done is ACW, which I enjoy. I wouldn't mind trying something new and those models are tempting me.

[grant]

Personally, I use and enjoy the Victory at Sea Age of Dreadnoughts rules from Mongoose. They are light enough to remember but have enough depth to be interesting. They handle smaller actions generally - you couldn't do all of say Jutland with them.

[von Lucky]

I play the WWII version of the rules and agree with what grant has said.

[von Lucky]

(Except the bit about Jutland. But I now want to convert it into a WWII what if!)

[robh]

The "Quickfire" rules that WTJ have for free on their site are really good naval rules. Easy to pick up, sufficiently nautical to give a good feel to the game and fun.

http://wtj.com/games/

They also have a more detailed set called "Battlefleet 1900" that requires more thought and attention. If you have players who enjoy giving the game a bit of thought they are very good.

[warrenpeace]

I recommend "Fleet Action Imminent" from Old Dominion GameWorks. It's "General Quarters III" for the Great War, available as either a loose leaf booklet or as a digital download:

http://www.odgw.com/forums/store/product/17-fleet-action-imminent-loose-leaf/

http://www.odgw.com/forums/store/product/26-fleet-action-imminent-digital-download/

Plays reasonably quickly, but has the level of detail that I like to see, i.e., in between super simple rules and more complex the "rivet counter" rules.

[Belizaire]

After poking around the internet and reading several rules reviews, I decided to go with "Fleet Action Imminent". While poking around I also came across  www.analogue-hobbies.blogspot.ca/2012/07/worst-case-scenario-3-battle-of-coronel.html   and thought that looked like a good scenario. I especially like the "what if" possibility of adding HMS Defence and Canopus to the British force.

Using the forces listed, I placed an order with Panzerschiffe Miniatures. Got all 11 ships listed except for HMS Otranto, which they don't make. In its place I ordered HMS Alcantara, figuring it would be close enough. Ordered them on Dec 31st and got them yesterday! I must say that Panzerschiffe's style suits me. Simple and clean. Not much in the way of detail, but I think that would be lost at gaming distance anyway. They could go straight from the box to the table as they come painted gray with the tops of the funnels blacked. I will doll them up a bit by painting the decks and ship's boats then basing them using Yarkshire Gamer's idea.

One question remains. I was looking for a gaming mat and came across one that I like. It measures 80" X 60". Is this a good size?

[von Lucky]

That's 6'8" x 5' - in my opinion (though I've never played 'Fleet Action Imminent') that's a good size for small scale naval.

[Yarkshire Gamer]

We normally play on a 12 x 6 table, rules are home brew which I keep saying I will put on the blog but never seem to get chance to finish them off. Still sorting out 2ndry Guns.

Coronel is a great introductory Scenario although it rarely goes well for the Brits, even with the 14 knt Canopus. Shame no one does a good 1/2400 Otranto I keep pestering WTJ for one.

Regards, Ken