Starting BoB as a new project?

[Sir Rodney Ffing]

I am thinking of making a foray into BoB and would welcome some advice from old hands on where to start if I do go ahead. 

Rules wise, I have looked at Triumph & Tragedy and would probably go with that unless there are better options I haven't heard of.  My aim would not be massed battles, at least initially, but something with more of a character/narrative element to it and perhaps up to 100 figures on the table. For figures, I am a fan of Mr. Copplestone's work on the Darkest Africa range (WF and CC) and the BoB sculpts look very good indeed. I would take some persuading not to choose them. But what should I buy first if I want to make a start, and what should I read to get me in the mood?

Thanks in anticipation

Sir Rodney   

[elysium64]

The main book to read is "Setting the East Ablaze" Peter Hopkirk, this is the book that inspired Mark Copplestone and is brilliant reads like a boy's own adventure. From there I would choose the forces that interest you, but red Russians  and Chinese Warlord are a good start.

[Johnno]

Buy it all! From someone who is 6 months into the start of my own BoB adventure.

Don't be afraid to look at Brigade Games RCW range either. I believe several members here have experience in mixing them together and it works. Don't forget that Copplestone's WWI Turks may also fit the time frame.

Do you want massed infantry or cavalry or some combo?

What I would do, if doing it again:

For character driven scenarios, start with 2 of the Adventurer packs (German Mercenaries and European Adventurers etc) and then add a command set, 2-10 man infantry packs and a MG for 2 forces (Reds/Whites etc) Gives you 25-30 figures per side and then you can add more for flavour with specialist troops (dare-to-die fanatics/ Russian naval troops) or cavalry or additional artillery.

[Sir Rodney Ffing]

The main book to read is "Setting the East Ablaze" Peter Hopkirk, this is the book that inspired Mark Copplestone and is brilliant reads like a boy's own adventure. From there I would choose the forces that interest you, but red Russians  and Chinese Warlord are a good start.

Very helpful, thank you.  I will order the book and start reading!

[Sir Rodney Ffing]

Buy it all! From someone who is 6 months into the start of my own BoB adventure.

That is my usual strategy too!    But I decided I would have to take this one slowly as I don't really know what I am getting into.

Your buying suggestions are very helpful, thanks.  I do want some Chinese (warlord and bandit) and will probably buy Reds to go up against them.  Having three choices of force to field plus characters sounds like a good mix to me.

Any 'must have' suggestions on vehicles?

[Dr Bogo]

Austin Putilov or Garford Putilov armoured cars are a must have for Reds and Whites and can be used for any number of armies if you give them generic markings and paint schemes. Other than that, 1920s civilian trucks and cars tooled up with baggage and a healthy blast of sandy weathering are always good to have - as always the more customised and weathered they look, the better!

[Sir Rodney Ffing]

Hi there Dr B - thanks for your suggestions.  Do you know who makes suitable models in 28mm compatible scale by any chance?

[Dr Bogo]

The Copplestone Castings section of North Star Figures has a great selection of armoured vehicles as does Empress Miniatures' 'Jazz-Age Imperialism' range. For soft skins it's best to scout around for diecast matchbox type vehicles on eBay and the like. If anyone knows a shop that sells them that'd be ideal!

[traveller]

The BoB is indeed an interesting period. I have bought more or less all BoB lead available out there but I have still not decided where to start. Top of my lists are though:

-The Mad Baron ( my User picture   )
-Third Afghan War

Beside Copplestones wonderful miniatures I use Empress and Brigade. WW1 models are generally useful as well. I would like to have some Siberia Miniatures as well if they were available in Europe. Old Glory has also a lot of useful figures hidden in various ranges.

For vehicles there is so much available but I prefer diecast if you can find them. My favourite is the Corgi Rolls Royce  with a Copplestone commander

[FramFramson]

The Corgi Rolls Royce is about as perfect as can be. I really need to repaint mine!

[Sir Rodney Ffing]

Some great tips there chaps.  Thanks to all concerned.

[tin shed gamer]

Cheers Fram,not feeling the love ,
Take a look at the 1st Corps Miniatures WW1 vehicles,There's a fair few vehicles that are suitable for BOB.
Including Three turret variant Lanchester,Two variants of mk3 Austins( and a third which is only available on request which covers the Dunster force vehicles),Two turret versions for the Rolls Royce .Both the Rolls and the Lanchesters have the additional options of spoked or wire wheels.Theres a couple of useable soft skins too.
( This is a few of mine but not the entire range )
As for figures you can't go far wrong with the manufacturers mentioned(I'll be picking some up at Partizan next Sunday just to kick start my own stalled project as it's got no further than a. Land train and two armoured cars.
Mark.

[FramFramson]

 

Sorry Tin Shed - but the RR Corgi is even something like 1:52 scale! Works perfect even if you're using 1:56 or 1:48 for vehicles. Plus die-cast is always going to be dead sturdy. It really is lovely.

However, you can take solace in the fact that they've become hard to find and somewhat pricey, so there's plenty of room for a competitor... the LAF BoB crowd may in fact be mostly responsible for this! And of course the Corgi version does not come with a nicely-sculpted crewman the way the 1st corps one does.

Say, that reminds me... did you make 1st Corps' Whippet? I have that and it's great!

[tin shed gamer]

  it is nice.But for me it's selling sand to Arabs.
As for the Whippet it's one of mine the whole range is me,as are their Airborne jeeps and guns,The kublewagon and whole lot more.

  if you like the whippet then the Austins are good option The driver is the picture is a standard part ,not a conversion .
Mark.

[Yankeepedlar01]

You could always locate to the NWFrontier with Imperial, Bolshevik & Afghan forces as in ~
http://talesfromrhanzlistan.blogspot.co.uk

David