Picking up those brushes again.

Hi and welcome to the occasional mutterings of Dave Doc, a military modeller and some time gamer. Gaming and model making has given me a real education, History & Geography(obvious really), Artistry, Politics, Economics, Logistics, Project Management -you try building miniature armies without the last 3.

I will use the blog to record my creations & the odd occasion I actually do some gaming.

I have always been inspired by the aesthetic side of gaming. Playing on well constructed terrain using excellently painted units is always a joy.

Friday, 18 August 2023

Gaming - ‘Nam - Going Up Country

 Last weekend saw the first Vietnam Mega Game. It’s taken Martin and I just over 3 years to build all the stuff needed . 500+ figures , 30+ vehicles /choppers/boats/planes and well over a 100 cubic litres of “jungle” 

9 of us met up at Gerry’s Situation Room for 3 days of linked games . We used the two 24x6 table and used the central aisle as a major river . 

Given the scale of the game we were using a home brew set of rules that allow the players to just play the Free World and Martin and I ran the NVA/VC/Civilians , using the malevolence of cards and dice and a little curation . We will tweak these and may publish later in the year . 

Two tables - each 24x6 . 


Choppers !
 
The approximate map .

We had a range of scenarios that built in size . Good friend Bob (whose dad served in Vietnam) recorded a series of orders from MACV .


So here are some the pictures I managed to capture over the period 


Kill the rogue Colonel - scenario 

Snipers / Tunnel Entrances 

Tunnel fight!



Downed aircraft, rescue scenario .









Capture “Hot Dog” hill.


Hearts and Minds in the village.
 
Not sure Napalm on the headman’s house is going to help!

 

The NVA base in the hills 
 




The defence of , then relief of the Michelin plantation 









Some really great interactions and classic gaming moments - some great feedback and happy gamers .! 

Thanks must go to Anne and Gerry for the facilitation and all the tea and sandwiches / Gin/ Beer / restaurant booking ! 


Phew - that’s the itch scratched - just tweaks left on this project 










Thursday, 17 August 2023

Museums - Smithsonian Air at Dulles

 While returning the hire car to the airport we also visited the air museum.


 It covered from the start of flight , the plane that dropped the A bomb , jets , to breaking the sound barrier to space flight all under one roof . A fantastic collection the SR71 was personal favourite .

























Museums - Marine Corps - part 2 Korea and Recent Wars

 Some more areas 


Korea
The Korean War gallery was very well done - in particular the Chosin Reservoir area had the air turn turned way down cold to represent the bitter winter fighting - cleverly done , along with light and sound accompanying it. 





 









It also covered the landings at Inchon 






Recent Wars 












Plenty of great stuff to look at