IPMS Avon Show, 10th August 2014

[David Manley]

Afternoon chaps,

Just heard that this year's IPMS Avon Show will be taking place on Sunday August 10th. Same venue as last year, Thornbury Leisure Centre. You may remember this is where we won the "best participation game" award for the 2013 show and as such honour dictates that we must defend our title

Unless there are any objections I will be asking for two tables, an 8x6 gaming table and a second table for displays. Wings of Glory shall be the game in play, happy with WW1 or WW2 (although I don't have any WW2 stuff myself).

So pencil this into your diaries now. I don't know how many tickets we will get for this. If you are interested in helping out please let me know.

[Boney10]

Hi Dave, I am currently on shift for that day but will see about getting the day off so put me down

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Can't promise as yet Dave, but if Mrs K takes it into here head to visit Brizol that weekend you can be assured that I will be there.
Rob.

[Flying Helmut]

I'll look into it with the rota-meisters, and let you know nearer the time.

[Burt]

I was hoping to go to this event but I think I will be in Kent then for a few days, so you better count me as a no.
If I am not away I will try to attend.

[David Manley]

Chaps, the invite to attend has just arrived. I shall be answering in the affirmative

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Good to hear Dave.
I trust you will get good support from our pilots down in the South West.
Rob.

[David Manley]

Chaps, we are confirmed with the organisers - and we have six tickets for intrepid aviators on the day.

[Boney10]

Neat, I'll be there

[bogue]

Dave,

I'll be there.

Nige

[Burt]

I should be there Dave
Don

[Boney10]

As this is a week away, we got any plans etc, what do I need to bring ?

[Lt. S.Kafloc]

Good luck and good hunting. Have a great show.

[bogue]

Chris,

Ed wants to come as well, can you pick him up?

I'll be coming straight from home so will meet you there, what time do i need to be at Thornbury?

Nige

[Boney10]

Of course not a problem, I'll mail him

[David Manley]

OK chaps, listen in.

Kick off is at 1000 so I'm aiming to be there for 0900 (which for Stuart means wheels up from my place at 0830)

We have 6 places. If we need any more I'm sure we can sort that out, within reason.

As far as the day's festivities are concerned I suggest a routine 4 game event, 1917 dogfight to start, a mid-morning bombing raid (Brits bombing, Germans defending), a lunchtime dogfight and close with the traditional AEG G.IV raid against late war Allied fighters.

Chris, can you bring your mats?

Anyone else - please bring whatever aircraft you wish to play and display. I'll bring along my two airships for display purposes.

[Burt]

See you there Dave

[David Manley]

Chaps, have been advised that kick-off is actually 0930, so could you aim to be there half an hour earlier.

[bogue]

David,

I'll be there at 0845hrs

Nige

[Boney10]

I'll leave at 08:00 so should be there around 08:30

[Flying Helmut]

I should be able to be there for around 8:30 - 9:00 ish

[Burt]

I should be there 8:30 - 9:00 ish as well.

[flash]

Hope all goes well with the show & you don't get too wet as Bertha passes through !

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Yes do have a good day chaps.
Rob.

[David Manley]

Game #1 just finished after a marathon D.VII vs. SE5a battle . Three vs three, the Hun quickly lost one when Burt decided to leg it from the battle with 15 points of damage. The Germans were reinforced however as the show organiser and Avon IPMS chairman Andy joined the fray. A tense battle ensued, planes down in flames on both sides until only Andy and I were left. We went head to head and he shot me between the eyes (two pilot wounds).

Loads of fun and we are setting up for round 2

[Flying Officer Kyte]

I believe that is the fastest show report we have ever had Dave.
Well done.
Rob.

[David Manley]

I missed game #2 as I was off doing shopping and failing to find lunch (hint: go next door to the swimming pool; cheaper, better food, no queues). Game 3 was a Halberstadt "chip shop" bombing raid - it didn't get through. Game #4 was a DH4 "bratwurst factory" raid - 3 bombers on target and 2 made it home.

Pics will be coming soon.

Oh, and we only went and won "best participation game" again

[flash]

Huzzah ! Well done you chaps !

[Guntruck]

Well done Dave & Co. If you win next year, do you get to keep the trophy a la Schneider Trophy?

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Well done Dave & Co. If you win next year, do you get to keep the trophy a la Schneider Trophy?

If you win next year, I'll see that you get a Trophy.
Well done team.and now let us adjourn to the Mess.
Kyte.

[Flying Helmut]

From the Helmut-cam.................

Game 1 3 Fokker DVII vs 3 SE5a

I missed the beginning of this one (I was doing a quick swoop around the event when I bumped into "Oxonian's Plastic Fantastic", heepdrutt on ebay, from whom I had bought my 2 dozen boxes of Valom kits. The chap on the stall said he had his own Valoms, but hadn't built them yet; I mentioned I had my first two on the display table, and he asked to see them - this led to a twenty minute chat over the two completed minis!)

Udet in trouble


Sascheberg and Schafer chase an SE5a into a cloud (on the right - you can just see it's base)


The SE5a Immelmanns in the cloud; Udet slips out of his pursuer's arc of fire


As 5 of the protagonists dogfight, a badly damaged Udet escapes off table


Closing in for a tight furball


Four planes in a 4 inch square!


...................and breathe!


more jockeying for position


At this point, Andy, the IPMS organiser, rolled up. He said he saw the game last year, but didn't have an opportunity to play it back then. He thus accepted our offer to join in, flying a newly recycled Udet!

Andy barrels into the fight, flashing across SE5a 'H' which sets him ablaze! However, Saschenberg nails SE5a C 4


The three Fokkers extend, preparing to re-engage from different directions


WHOOPS!
Saschenberg performs an Immelmann which includes an illegal sideslip! The resulting 'A' card of structural damage takes off a wing, and he shoots himself down!
OWN GOAL!!!!


Our intrepid IPMS rookie braves the flames and guns down SE5a 'G'!


overlapping bases - too close to shoot!
<< the SE5a is in a cloud anyway>>


SE5a 'H' Immelmanns onto Schafer's tail, and Udet's fire goes out


Schafer falls to the guns of SE5a 'H'


bases overlap again!


more frantic manoeuvring


head to head again


more aerial jousting


Udet slips into the cloud


just in time!


at last, Udet gets to fire without being fired upon


2 simultaneous pilot wound hits! Dave is brought to earth!


IPMS Andy, victorious! (with medal!)



Game 1 narrowly goes to the Hun!

[Flying Helmut]

Game 2

Two punters happened upon us during a quiet lull, and opted to fly 2 SE5as against 2 Drome Fokker DVIIs. I took the opportunity to give 'Steffi' another run.

Using the clouds to set up an ambush
Attachment 140357

Teufel! The Englander approached too quickly!


I stall, preparing for a Split-S reversal


Mein Gott! These Britishers are FAST!


I pursue in vain; meanwhile my wingman tangles with the other Tommy


Both SE5as use their speed to escape


I duck through a cloud, but guess incorrectly which way my quarry will turn


However, my wingman deals out heavy damage in a head-on exchange


A hard right turn brings me back into the fight, but my wingman is already trailing smoke!


He is too close to shoot the SE5a, but I'm not! I set Tommy burning!


The Englander's wingman emerges from a cloud to help, but runs into the two of us


This time it is I who am too close to shoot


..................but my wingman shoots Tommy down!


I deal further damage to the remaining Tommy


and next card, so too does my wingman


Badly damaged, and outnumbered, the Tommy runs for home


His fire blows out, and we cannot catch his faster machine......Oh! for a BMW engine!


Game 2 to the Dastardly Hun

[Flying Helmut]

Game 3

Chris (Boney10) leads 3 Halberstadt CLIIs on a bombing raid on a British chip shop; We gallant chaps (yes, I'm flying for the R.A.F in this one!) oppose with 4 SE5as. I'm flying Bishop's 'Z'.

The Huns approach through scattered cloud cover


We spread out to block their possible lines of approach


SE5a 'G', brave chap, swoops through the middle of them, and is set to smoking; however, this brash move unnerves them, and they break formation!


WAIT! WHAT'S THIS????? A huge pink Zeppelin appears from nowhere....................!

<<no, it's a bad dream - I really must cut back on the Gin!>>

I curve in to intercept the Hun leader, and set him smoking! Another Halberstadt hides in a cloud, while the third flies around the far side of the cloud, trying to shake his assailants.


My quarry escapes into a cloud (by the skin of his teeth!)


Dave, in SE5a 'H', and I line up for his inevitable re-emergence.


And there he is! We pour bullets into him, and his rear gunner hits Dave's aircraft, causing it to leave a smoke trail


Beyond the clouds, our wingman sets the third Halberstadt aflame, while our other wingman punishes Halberstadt 2


Dave and I both shred the Halberstadt leader, just short of releasing his bombs! The chip shop (lower right on mat) escapes damage, for now!


Beset by 3 SE5as, Hun #2 swerves away from his target


Dave and I perform a succession of synchronised Immelmanns - when one of us is too close to fire, the other leathers the Hun!


I shoot down Hun #"2!


4 vs 1; Hun #3 is easy to find; he's still ablaze!


His fire having blown out, Halberstadt #3 heads for a cloud - is he leaving?


Strewth, no!!! One Immelmann later, he's coming straight for us, and is back on course to hit the chippy!


The Hun evades C 4, but can't evade me - I shoot him down, and the chippy is safe!



Final result - no SE5s down, all three Halbersatdts down, no bombs on the Chippy.

RAF VICTORY!!!

Well done chaps; home for tea & medals!

[Flying Helmut]

Game 4

A retaliation raid on a Bratwurst Factory, located on a farmstead. 4 British DH4s from 27 Squadron, opposed on this occasion by 4 Albatros DVa planes from Jasta 37.

I take 'P' and 'Q' to the right of the target, using the clouds to mask my approach.


Stuart takes 'N' and Dave takes 'O' to the left of the target


The Huns patrol the gaps between the clouds


First Contact for 'Q'! A long range exchange, in which my front gun jams, then a close range exchange, in which my rear gun jams! 'Q' takes heavy damage


'P' and Haustein, the Albatros leader, both enter the cloud


'Q' hides in the cloud as well, trying to clear the gun jams


On the North edge, Dave's defensive fire flames an Albatros


The burning DVa Immelmanns, while both DH4s swoop right, towards the Bratwurst factory.


I emerge from the cloud, only to get hosed again by Haustein!


Across the table, the Albatros pilots realise that they can't catch the DH4s in time to save the factory.


Haustein blasts 'Q' again, and 2 'A' cards at +1 is just too much for the crate to absorb.


the bottom row is the +1 double-death-knell


'P' swings to the left, trying to shake off the pursuit. It is around now that the pilot is wounded, and the rear gun jams!


Stuart and Dave both fly a stall manoeuvre over the target, and drop their bombs.


'P' is once more enveloped in cloud


"Round and round the mulberry bush......................"


All 4 Albatros scouts fall on Stuart and Dave - Dave is set on fire!


Stuart's 'N' heads into a cloud, while Haustein fires on my 'P';- ENGINE DAMAGE!! Now all 4 of the DVas can catch me!
On the plus side, Stuart and Dave's bombs explode on target, destroying the Bratwurst factory


Stuart is still in cloud, but Dave's pursuer hangs doggedly on


Dave is shot down in flames, while I line up my damaged 'P' on the target (the small buildings, about a base length in front of 'P')


I use my compulsory stall from engine damage to pass over the factory and drop my bombs, then turn away to the right to follow Stuart


The burning Albatros Immelmanns, and I'm too close to shoot him!
Behind me, my bombs flatten the ruins of the Bratwurst factory.


I turn into the nearest cloud - the Huns continue to hunt us both down


I hop from cloud to cloud, playing sideslips with my compulsory stall, trying to wring every last inch of speed out of my damaged engine


The Huns realise they won't catch up to Stuart's 'N'


I duck into another cloud, chased by 3 DVas


make that 4 DVas!


fortunately, I had just enough of a lead, so that, using the last cloud as a shield, I slipped off the Entente home edge without further damage.

Game 4 result; 2 DH4s lost, but 3 bomb loads on target - Bratwurst factory destroyed! RAF victory!



2 : 2 on the day! We need a rematch!


An excellent day's flying; thanks to all who attended and flew with such great skill and banter!
Thanks to Dave for organising our prescence.


And yes, at the day's end we were awarded the Best Participation Game trophy which the IPMS lads had swiped off us earlier in the day!


Great fun; can't wait to do it all again!

[Flying Officer Kyte]

First of all let me say what a superb set of photographs you took to represent the games Tim.
Secondly well done for taking my cloud idea literally to a new level.
Details are however required before I give rep for that. How do yo affix the stands to the underside of the cloud?
How do you store the clouds for traveling, or do you just fluff them up on site as I do with mine?
The answers to this will gain Kudos for the designer of the cloud idea.
Thanks for posting.
Rob.

[Lt. S.Kafloc]

That was a fantastic write up of the show (Tim). The fastest game show report (Dave) and great pics of the action to boot. Well done to all and for winning the prestigious best Participation Game trophy for the 2nd year.

[bogue]

Tim,

Great pictures, the explosion aid looks really good and adds to the pictures. The clouds not only looked good but made the game even more fun with being able to escape into when your guns got jammed or being pursued by several of the bad guys.

Forgot to ask you at the show, but where did you get all the bits to make the clouds? ta

Are you putting up the photo of the team proudly displaying the trophy?

Nige

[Flying Helmut]

Glad you like the report, chaps!
I'm putting together a response to your questions - hope to post it up soon!

[Guntruck]

Excellent write-up. Shows how well-deserved the trophy was.

[flash]

Thanks for the pics & write up Tim - terrific action

[Naharaht]

A great set of photographs and 'After Action Reports', Tim. Well sone!

[Flying Helmut]

Hi all

For an explanation of my Cloud use, please see the thread in the Hobby Room entitled "Parting of the Clouds"
I will post a link to it here, as soon as somebody shows me how!

[Flying Helmut]

First of all let me say what a superb set of photographs you took to represent the games Tim.
Secondly well done for taking my cloud idea literally to a new level.
Details are however required before I give rep for that. How do yo affix the stands to the underside of the cloud?
How do you store the clouds for traveling, or do you just fluff them up on site as I do with mine?
The answers to this will gain Kudos for the designer of the cloud idea.
Thanks for posting.
Rob.

The "Parting of the Clouds" thread should answer all your queries (I hope!).

Glad you enjoyed the AAR - I worked harder than I expected on that one!

[Flying Helmut]

Tim,

Great pictures, the explosion aid looks really good and adds to the pictures. The clouds not only looked good but made the game even more fun with being able to escape into when your guns got jammed or being pursued by several of the bad guys.

Forgot to ask you at the show, but where did you get all the bits to make the clouds? ta

Are you putting up the photo of the team proudly displaying the trophy?

Nige

The explosion marker is also a Litko product - I'm sorry, I don't have an unbuilt example, so I can't photograph the packet.

The Kapok was sent to me, as ballast packaging for some wargaming items I bought on ebay; it is much finer and wispier than cotton wool, so I thought it would make good cloud models. I have enough for just one more (a fifth), hence the still-packaged Litko Cloud marker.

Unfortunately, I don't have the photo of the IPMS trophy crew "rogues gallery" lineup- it was taken with someone else's camera; maybe Boney10s? Maybe Dave's?

Glad you like the AAR - it was fun to do.

I really enjoyed the day - excellent games, and great to meet new acquaintances such as yourself.

Looking forward to Doncaster!

[Boney10]

I hope to post some pics later today, unfortunately my car gave up the ghost getting to the show and so Li have been busy trying to sort a new one

[Boney10]

Some more views of IPMS 2014

Game 1



The first pass






C4 lives up to its name


Game 2
Steffi and co gang up on .. oh C4






The Chippy Raid


SE5 en-route


A good start, using cloud cover and set a SE5 a smoking




we have fooled the Tommies


oops maybe not






The Brattie Raid










Bang goes the Schnellimbis


And to cap it all, we got best participation game, for the second year. Apparently we were the only game that actively encouraged people to take part and made the game fun.


From L- R
Flying Helmut (Tim), Ed, Bogue (Nige), David Manley, Lordflashheart (Stuart) and yours Truly Boney10 (Chris)..... Also Burt ( Don) who unfortunately had left






Thanks chaps

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Superb shots of the games Chris, and a fine body of men surrounding the trophy.
You must bring it up to Doncaster for all to ogle at.
Thanks again for Dave, your own and the other chaps efforts to once again achieve this accolade.
It reflects well on all the U.K. membership when we can achieve this for the second year running.
Rob.