Friday, 7 February 2014

Ukraine 1944*

* Huddersfield 2014 actually, but who's counting?
A couple of weeks ago I accepted an invitation from Pete (see his blog) to explain some of the mysteries on Megablitz to him and Evan.  Based on the toys I knew Pete had to hand I dusted off the Ukraine 1944 scenario I had used to demo the game at shows in back in 2002.  See the WD/Megablitz site for more chat about the scenario which was basically a means of gently running players through a few game turns.  I brought a few extra toys - including the 1/144 B-25 which finally turned up for it's 'dawn raid' at noon...
We only played a few turns - let in with a great deal of chatting, tea, biccies and other such essentials.  The few photos make no attempt to tell the full story but I thought you might like to seen them.
A division of my Romanians bravely trying to defend a 30km frontage - the 'Thin Brown Streak' perhaps?
One of the two Soviet Rifle Corps.
More Sovs, including the front end of 8th Guards Tank Corps on the road.
The Romanian artillery regiment, engineers (centre) and Div HQ (right).  Mostly Raventhorpe figures.  100 points if you can identify the gun model.
Finally:  The B-25 should have been accompanied by my Il-4.  But it was broken again.  Here it is under repair.  See also it's inglorious appearance at Kharkov in 2012: link
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12 comments:

  1. The Ferrymen7 February 2014 at 17:27

    Hi Tim,
    Isn't that an Airfix WWI Royal Horse Artillery piece? I have a few of those serving as Soviet 76mm infantry guns.

    Regards,
    John

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  2. Tim Gow7 February 2014 at 17:55

    The Ferrymen
    Only 20 points for that answer, I'm afraid! Keep trying.

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  3. Mad Padre7 February 2014 at 19:04

    I'm no help on the gun, but I do love that B-25 in Soviet livery. Very unusual.
    Poor Romanians - "Thin Brown Skidmark" maybe?

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  4. Tim Gow7 February 2014 at 20:01

    Michael Peterson
    I have 2 Soviet B-25s. What can I say - I needed a pair of Sov bombers in a hurry and I had the kits in stock.

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  5. Archduke Piccolo7 February 2014 at 21:38

    Gun: Airfic ACW artillery with some add ons (shield and breech block... thingy). I like the this brown streak line (and the Mad Padre's skidmark - which might actually be as much literal as figurative in the circumstances).

    I might have to start rethinking all my projects, and Megablitz is starting to look like the sort of option I should go for given my limited spatial resources.
    Cheers,
    Ion

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  6. Tim Gow7 February 2014 at 22:25

    Archduke Piccolo
    Full marks sir! It is indeed the Airfix ACW gun (and limber and wagon) with a shield added. My poor old Romanians!

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  7. Pete.7 February 2014 at 23:41

    Great stuff Tim, was an ideal introduction to the rules, many thanks.

    You'd be more than welcome back up to the wilds of West Yorkshire anytime.

    Cheers,

    Pete.

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  8. Paul Foster8 February 2014 at 10:41

    Nice pics. The B25 is a real treat in VVS colours.

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  9. Chris Kemp8 February 2014 at 22:48

    The IL-4 is living up to the reputation that it forged at Shrivenham then?

    Regards, Chris

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  10. Tim Gow9 February 2014 at 19:48

    Pete
    Glad you enjoyed it - thanks again for your hospitality.

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  11. Tim Gow9 February 2014 at 19:49

    Paul Foster
    Given that it was a rush job I'm glad it still looks OK.

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  12. Tim Gow9 February 2014 at 19:51

    Chris Kemp
    It's serviceability seems to be in keeping with its accuracy....

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