See you at WMMS Tim, Chris planning to get there by 0830 latest. Unable to get 2nd coastal mat, so it's all over land for this one. we're down to 4 Gotha's, 2 AEG's, 1 Staaken and the Zeppelin. But as we only have a 6x4 I think we'll just manage to get that lot on.
Neil
See you on the Dark Side......
I can bring Coastal mats if it helps.
Rob.
"Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."
Yes for WMMS, please. Cheers Rob.
See you on the Dark Side......
Got it.
Rob.
"Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."
Well another beautiful and busy day at a very sunny (if cold) York racecourse. The air raid siren rang out loud and long and Simon's table was pretty full all day (Have a few photo's of that but will let the right honourable Strangely Brown and Red Dragon complete the AAR - all I can say is great game guys).
A couple of decades earlier Neil and I facilitated another Battle of Britain, a Zeppelin hunt and a scout shoot (not Mr. Baden Powell - that's not what I meant) - photo's and AAR to follow. We had some well attended games and even had one of the Vapnartak organisers taking to the skies (I soon shot him down though...).
Another stirling effort from Squadron Leader Skafloc running the show. Great day Neil - thanks.
JUST WHAT IS IT WITH SMALL CHILDREN AND THE ABILITY TO ATTRACT ZERO DAMAGE CARDS?????
All in all a great day, and looks like we have secured an invite for the same spot next year (and the year after that....)
Photo's and AAR to follow- but not working tomorrow so its beers and Superbowl now.
ooh and am now the proud owner of a Lancaster... hooray (that's two WWII planes now, lol)
Sorry I couldn't make it.................
Maybe next year.
I am also sorry that I had to miss a show I have been wanting to do for several years now.
It sounds as if Neil and you chaps made our mark once again.
Two planes now then Chris. Wedge firmly inserted then.
Thanks for your early post, as a forerunner of the AARs.
Rob.
"Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."
A good day was had by all:
Our corner and nobody else'
3 of the 4 musketeers, 'Simon where is your aerodrome shirt?'
The radar station overflown by A flight
The many approach!
Whilst on the WW1 Battle of Britain table the Hun are already in contact.
Chris downs a Gotha (explosion), another on fire and an AEG peels off smoking.
A Bristol on fire too.
1 Gotha on fire, 1 AEG smoking, 3 allies on fire
(Wheres F.O. Kyte when you need him?)
DH4 down, Chris on fire and his 2nd smoking!
Chris chases the Staaken single handed as more allied aircraft are afire!
Chris downs the mighty Staaken as the main bomber force ploughs on to the Yorkshire Pudding shop near to York Railway station.
Victory for the Hun. Pudding shop bombed for the loss of 1 Staaken and 1 Gotha.
See you on the Dark Side......
Never trust a child flying a DH4!
Mark, organising committee, flying the Breguet takes on the behemoth single handed.
The control panel at work again, bombers from game 1 and the Zeppelin from game 2.
Mark is joined by Chris' two Bristols (nice pair mate).
Some of the action on the WW2 Battle of Britain table.
Chris and his wingman take an early bath!
Whilst the deadly young Frank closes in and blasts the Zeppelin from close range (See how its done Chris....)
Attachment 156572
Attachment 156572
Frank, plus VC, and his dad Kieran with his downed Zeppelin.
Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 02-02-2015 at 08:20.
See you on the Dark Side......
More to follow
See you on the Dark Side......
Very impressive setup! Great photos and description. Anxious to see more! Thanks.
Well done the Vapnartak Motley Crew - looks like all had a great day !
What a superb venue for the display. If only we got a spot like that every time we do a show.
thanks to all for a fine show. That is an example of how versatile this game is becoming.
Thank you also to Neil for the fine set of photos and the promise of more to come.
Rob.
"Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."
Rob if you are going or" gannin" North of Scotch Corner may I recommend this handy manual of technical terms and common colloquialisms.
http://www.amazon.com/Larn-Yersel-Ge.../dp/0946928010
I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
Coming down is the hardest thing
Thanks awfully for the suggestion old bean, but Squadron Leader Skafloc is almost perfect in his use of the Queens English. As for his compatriots from those Northern climbs, he is giving me a short course in the use of Geordie and its regional dialectics.
Kyte.
"Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."
Whey I man, gaen canny if'n ahdivn't sayitmesel furst, like.
See you on the Dark Side......
End Game: Well it was for one of us....
Started out 3 on 3. Albatros Dva's v Camels (ended up 4 on 4 with late comers)
Camels strike first: Pilot wounded and heavy damage!
Albatros on fire!
Albatros trailing smoke
Albatros number 1 bites the dust.
Handing my aircraft over to a novice....a spectacular kill. 1 all.
Spoke too soon...2:1 to the Huns in the sun!
3 on 2 but with guns jammed or facing the wrong way no firing from the Hun team this go.
Head to head, more guns jammed!
and England score a late equalizer.....it's nearly over.
and Germany take back the lead in dramatic style, 3:2.
Englands last hope (Chris) takes on the German defenders.
They think its all over.....it is now. Germany 4: England 2.
Bravo Chris for flying right to the end.
Link to all the photo's I took at York: http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/album.php?albumid=3241
See you on the Dark Side......
Bloody Camels, no reverse gear...
All that effort the RFC went to in the dark days of 1916 and 1917, the trials and tribulations (and crashes) of training, the Gosport method - all a waste of time, should have just sent up squadrons of 10 year olds, Gerry wouldn't have stood a chance...we would have won the war by Christmas !!!!
Right here we go then....
A display worthy of a 75th anniversary tribute
There'll be blue birds (well brown and green birds) over, the white cliff of Dover...
Simon pointing out to the organisers, that this is OUR spot, last year, this year and for all eternity and woe betide anyone who tries to dislodge us..... Red Dragon chews his knuckles in anticipation whilst Neil is about to take off his belt and administer a damn good thrashing to the unfortunate official... what do you mean he only popped up to say hello?
The air raid siren has lured yet more players to the most exciting spot at the venue.....
Last edited by Hedeby; 02-02-2015 at 13:54.
Meanwhile decades earlier....
Neil amuses himself with a little jig of excitement.....
Check out the view - this really is a great spot
And we are off... a mass force of Gothas, AEGs supporting a Staaken on a bombing run over the channel...
But chip shop owners of the South coast fear not for I have a lovely pair of Bristols.....
What's that my Bristols are smoking? nice of you to mention it...
One down... what do you mean my Bristols are over gunned?
Lets see that again .... if only we had some ack ack to call upon - then I could get in a comment about a double D deck....
Right - memories of an ignominious exit at Doncaster come to the fore - I am gonna get that bloody Staaken this time.. the rest of the squadron can deal with the remaining bombers...
Zooming in behind the giant seaplane - ooh look lots of jam counters... oh dear Neil
On the tail of the giant - I have a good feeling about this
Whats the phrase I am looking for? .... REDEMPTION>>> DAKKA DAKKA DAKKA !!!!!
Sea plane? I see no plane.. only flames..
Check this out - ten zeros and I'm not even eight years old....
Just a pity that whilst I was having fun the rest of the squadron managed to get itself shot down, and allowed the chippy to get flattened - so my celebration dinner was alas cold.....
Last edited by Hedeby; 02-02-2015 at 14:20.
Game two... the Zeppelin hunt...
Well after a glorious start with my magnificent Bristols I was on a roll....
BUGGER !!!
Thankfully we had one of the show organisers.... a small child..... and his dad (names omitted to throw off the paparazzi)
A boom card.. surely not
another boom card... this can only mean one thing... the small person has engaged the gas filled behemoth and is giving it what for in a manner unknown and alien to all grown up 'experts'
Alas that's it for the the heroic Frenchman - a stirling effort from our organiser player and despite rapidly running out of crew as well as hit points the wounded giant continues to lash out
The battered and flaming Zeppelin strikes back again and the valiant RNAS DH.4 cops it (that's dad in the drink) ... only small child left to save the day (as Hedeby's re-spawned Bristols come screaming in from across the map to grab the glory shot)
The Bristol's arrive only in time to witness the fiery end of the zeppelin... bugger ! (I mean hooray of course)
The hero of the hour (with dad) - the smile on his face a complete contrast to the look of sheer horror on Neil's face as a kindly old lady says in passing... look at what that little boy has won, he must be pleased... priceless...
Last edited by Hedeby; 02-02-2015 at 14:46. Reason: messed it up - need to delete
The entrance to the show (foyer) was on the ground floor Rob. Or were you asking something else there?
See you on the Dark Side......
Now Chris, watch and listen to the young lad...."and that's how you bring a Zeppelin down Dad!"
Yes I did have a sharp intake of breath from the passing Lady's comment. As I replied quickly....
"Have a Victoria Cross instead better than a burned up, shot down Zeppelin any day."
See you on the Dark Side......
The final scrap of the day, short range scout scrap (no Mr. Baden Powell.. that's not what I mean)
Camels vs. Albatrosses (or is it Albatrei?)
Anyway...
Great turn by the Camel... cop this Fritz
Capt, Hedeby (wondering where his rear gunner and extra machine guns have gone) dives in on a Hun, and chalks up another kill
This will be a walk in the park for the RFC.... oops
Spoke to soon
What's this the Hun is anticipating my every move.. oh crap he's only 10 (ish)
Aah I have more opponents than I do hit points....(where is reverse on these things?)
Now that's what I call flying
Hooray a wingman I'm saved. What do you mean your guns are jammed
If you need a job doing, you may as well do it yourself.. another brace for Hedeby. We are going to win this
Bugger
Pah- there's only two left and both flown by adults, I'll see them off in time for tea and tiffin
Bugger....
Last edited by Hedeby; 02-02-2015 at 15:00.
Great day and for those that missed it... you don't know man, you weren't there !!!
Round of applause please for those that made it all possible.. I give you the very splendid Strangely Brown, the Red Dragon and Squadron Leader Skafloc.
Right I'm off for a single malt and to see where I could have included more Bristol gags....
You missed 'What a nice pair sticking out in front of everything else'......'Here's my Bristols taking an early bath'.........and lastly 'What do you think of those two beauties Neil?'
Right I'm off for a single malt and to see where I could have included more Bristol gags....
See you on the Dark Side......
As for your commentary on the game Chris, it was very amusing.
Thanks for posting those very emotive pictures of Hell fire and mayhem.
Rob.
"Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."
Hi chaps
Nice to meet you at the show - impressive WW2 game - haven't seen so many He111's on the tabletop before. Unfortunately I couldn't hang around too long as I was running a trade stand on the ground floor.
My business partner called round to have a look at the games during the day but each time he tipped up he couldn't get near the tables due to the crowds playing/watching.
We might have a chance to join a game at Sheffield in May if you are running a game.
Max
Received this today:
"Hi Simon,
A thank you from myself and the York Wargames Society for putting on a game at Vapnartak 2015. I hope that you enjoyed the show. If you have any comments about where you were in the show and what worked, did not work for your game please feel free to email back
Great to meet you and your fellow players on Sunday. Great to know that your spot on the 2nd floor works for your games.
Cheers
Stuart Adams on behalf of York Wargames Society"
Following on from that, I will be looking to sucure the Aerodrome Corner for next year. Skafloc has asked for 6'x8' though i think he'd appreciate some more ground crew. So pencil in the end of January for Northern Ops.
And from me,thanks to Skafloc, Hedeby and The Red Dragon for making 2015 such a success.
Sorry that I was not able to make it along for a game this year. See you at Carronade (Falkirk)
Deets for the day:
Access for setup
Sunday 2nd February 07:30
Use Gate 9 for entry into the racecourse.
After unloading parking for trader vehicles is on the hard standing between the stand and the course. Please park neatly so we can fit everybody.
Public opening times
09:00 for competition games must go direct to 3rd floor
10:00 for standard visitors
Show closes
16:00 for traders
17:00 (ish) for competitions
For general access
Network name: YorkRaces-Free
Login and register for free access
We’ll be in our usual spots (2nd Mezzanie, right hand corner)
I should be there from 8.00, any issues let me know.
Look forward to see you all.
Simon
Time travel Simon..? Impressive !
"He is wise who watches"
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