2020 holidays - and 2021

[malachi]

Au revoir, 2020, we won't miss you! Post some pics of your better holiday memories here

A good buddy came to visit for a few days (we've both been very cautious due to covid so he's my "bubble"). We played a few chapters of The Grizzled Armistice Edition which was fun.



I was able to travel to Illinois for a very small family gathering after all us covid tested and continued social distancing. On the way I snapped a nice pic of the Christmas Star (Jupiter + Saturn).



It was great to see my parents, and a brother and sister. Managed to hook folks into a Wings game, a balloon mission where the 3 Germans attacked and us 2 Brits defended. We played twice and were soundly trounced by Mom von Richtofen & co.



Some gifts from the fam at Christmas



Upon returning to Louisville, I'd received a number of delayed packages, so Merry Christmas to me





Jasta Colors has been fun so far. A teaser:

[Dan-Sam]

I love Grizzled game - very atmospheric with an important message inside

[Stumptonian]

I was looking at the Jasta Colors book on Amazon last night, wondering if it was worth the money.

No special holiday memories this year - hardly feels as though we've even had Christmas and New Year's ...

A nice haul you have there.

[Hedeby]

Grizzled Armistice.... looks interesting, is it any good?

[malachi]

Grizzled Armistice.... looks interesting, is it any good?

It's been on my shelf a long time, but I was glad I got it out to play. The pre-painted minis are beautiful and the tone of the game is excellent. Works great as a cooperative game and you definitely get that sense of dread and mixed emotions as you try to succeed on missions in the major battles. It's a press-your-luck style and those crippling hazard cards affect your character. You begin to resent babysitting recruits and certain wounds your compatriots are carrying that impair the mission. We played it in campaign mode which is really what this version is made for (I played the previous edition once with family). We each took 2 characters, which is a bit of a "cheat" since not knowing what others will do is part of the fun, but we tried to minimize having too much info.

The rulebook is poorly written imo. The way it's split into campaign rules and basic rules can mean a lot of back and forth looking things up. This combined with the hidden nature of opening new chapter decks and not wishing to encounter spoilers made it a little fiddly at first. I should have watched some how-to-play videos. But once we got in the swing of things it went well. Check out the forums, files, and videos here:
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/...istice-edition

It's a good one

[camelbeagle]

Sounds like a fun game! I will have to check it out!

[Von Scharf]

I was looking at the Jasta Colors book on Amazon last night, wondering if it was worth the money.

I was doing the same and wondering the same thing! Does anyone own the Jasta Colors book and can offer their opinion on it?

... and then I read about three posts down from here that Chris got the very book for Christmas! Tell us all about it,please!

[Guntruck]

I would like to see someone's opinion of it as well. I would think it would have to be pretty impressive given the £52 price tag

[malachi]

Jasta Colors: I cannot defend the price tag -- normally I buy my books used at steeply discounted prices but I cracked on this one.

Someone more familiar with Schmaling's work could speak to whether he pulls from his other sources for this (I would speculate "yes" regarding Jagdstaffel markings, some pilot stories, and perhaps gray-scale interpretation), but overall I've enjoyed it very much. I'm not too far into it, only on p67 so take this with a grain of salt.

The author takes care to provide background for the research. I found the saga of developing his network of contacts interesting, including interviews in the 70's and 80's with pilots and their family members. It establishes the importance of combat reports in analyzing colors/markings and relays how he came upon some from these interviews. Also drafts of some planes were done in conjunction with pilots during this time and those are quite fun. There are planes I've not seen before, although others here may be more familiar so I'll look forward to their reports. Also, some additional background on some planes and practices relayed in the first-hand stories are great, for example, interview with Josef Jacobs where he discredits the "god of the north wind" theory regarding his "devil's head spitting fire" personal marking and provides info on how it came to be. Or neat stories like Schulz, as a young boy in 1920, sneaked past the barriers to talk to his hero Paul Baumer which resulted in being shown a 2-seater and taken for a flight.

I skimmed ahead and the chapter on gray-scale interpretation is interesting. Pretty much discredits the usage in my mind. Shows a great chart showing how dramatically different the colors appear with filters. There is also a cool image of a bullet-pierced strut from Hans Auer's Alb given to the author by Auer's wife (below).

Some of the translation is a bit awkward, and a few typos, but this seems common these days. The layout can be a bit confusing with Profile Notes appearing on different pages than the images, but once you're in the flow it's ok. The images and background on them are awesome.

I'm enjoying the book for its rigorous scholarship and the nuggets of info described. Hope this helps a little, but I'll be curious what more experienced readers think.

tldr; If wanting a book for modeling/painting planes this is decent but not necessary. If you appreciate the history of the topic, it's fascinating.

[malachi]

The Nieuport pilot should have been credited with a bulls-eye for the shot on that strut.

[malachi]

Dobie looking dubious at my Dad's planned maneuvers and was proven right as he flew off the board.

[BobP]

Chris the bood is very nice. I haven't read much yet but do enjoy the photos and color plates.

[camelbeagle]

I fell off the wagon and ordered one myself. Aeronaut books are usually pricey, but they are worth every penny.

[Mike George]

Thanks I just order the book "The Storks".

[Brak Morn]

I was doing the same and wondering the same thing! Does anyone own the Jasta Colors book and can offer their opinion on it?

... and then I read about three posts down from here that Chris got the very book for Christmas! Tell us all about it,please!

Got Jasta Colors, Seefrosta, Royal Prussian Js 30, and Royal Bavarian Js 23. These books, this publisher, all superb. Got so many planes to paint now having hard time to figure priorities!
Highly recommend them.

[camelbeagle]

Thanks I just order the book "The Storks".

Mike, "The Storks" is a very good book. I have it and i love it. One of my favorites.

[Von Scharf]

Chris,

Thanks for the mini review of Jasta Colors... it's going on my list.

Oh, and the caption on your pic of your Dad flying off the board... thanks for the laugh out loud moment. My wife came into my office (thereby violating the sanctity of my "Do Not Cross - Line of Death" rule... again) to see what I was laughing at. She found it quite humorous too.

[malachi]

Chris,

Thanks for the mini review of Jasta Colors... it's going on my list.

Oh, and the caption on your pic of your Dad flying off the board... thanks for the laugh out loud moment. My wife came into my office (thereby violating the sanctity of my "Do Not Cross - Line of Death" rule... again) to see what I was laughing at. She found it quite humorous too.

Jeff, I never did respond to this but glad you got a kick out of Dobie & Dad. Still cracks me up.

Jasta Colors is a goodie. If you don't yet have a copy, put it on your list for Santa.

I edited the thread title, may as well double-down in '21.

[malachi]

I put the finishing touches on this year's Christmas game

8 reindeer on my rig, for historical accuracy and because I expect at least 8 players, hopefully more. It will be a slalom course through the Alps and Christmas trees returning to the North Pole, escorted by Rudolph and Snoopy.

1992 Hallmark Ornament (Santa and sleigh) and reindeer from a couple of cake toppers.





8-point plane card modified from Mike's excellent original.


Rudolph will assist. He flies the N deck with no weapons and 16 damage points (an SE5a with no guns) but can ram other planes, because he's a magical deer. Both players draw a C card on collision, Rudolph takes half damage rounded down.

[camelbeagle]

Gorgeous Chris! Absolutely awesome!

[Stumptonian]

Funny - we have that Santa (plus the reindeer that went with it) but thought he was too big to use this way.
It will be interesting to see your AAR on this one.

[OldGuy59]

I put the finishing touches on this year's Christmas game

8 reindeer on my rig, for historical accuracy and because I expect at least 8 players, hopefully more. It will be a slalom course through the Alps and Christmas trees returning to the North Pole, escorted by Rudolph and Snoopy.

1992 Hallmark Ornament (Santa and sleigh) and reindeer from a couple of cake toppers.





8-point plane card modified from Mike's excellent original.


Rudolph will assist. He flies the N deck with no weapons and 16 damage points (an SE5a with no guns) but can ram other planes, because he's a magical deer. Both players draw a C card on collision, Rudolph takes half damage rounded down.

Serious creativity points! And the Rudolph card and rules are terminally cute, but deadly. Awesome!

[OldGuy59]

Now, if only we could get this beer to enjoy while playing the game...

[malachi]

Thanks, guys! Looking forward to having some fun with these.

Pete, the rig is about 9" long so not too bad but I'm sure the reindeer will constantly be in the way with a lot of planes circling lol. I removed the loops, plugged the hole in Santa's cap with Tamiya putty then repainted his outfit and the gold "1992" gift. Drilled out the front hole and used brass tubing for the harness rail. 5-minute epoxy to secure everything, but each pair of reindeer were not adhering too well so I also used the 50 lb braid fishing line to secure each crossbeam to the tubing. A hole is drilled in the bottom of the sleigh -- the Litko acrylic rod and stand work well with the setup.

My Black Orchestra game arrived and was packaged very nicely with these end-caps. Glad I saved them as they make a perfect sleigh holder. I also found this stucco paste I've had for years and was quick and easy to slather over the foamboard layers for snow bases for the trees that came with the cake topper set (trees are removable to store with Snoop and Rudolph).

[malachi]

lol Mike -- I dunno, Wingdeer... why is it a pale yellow?

[Flying Helmut]

Really impressive game set-up!

[CrashCraig]

Hey Chris, Per your request I have attached a pic of the Santa "Cake Topper" rig (HO scale) used in our Jingle Bells scenario this month alongside a vintage Dept 56 Santa sleigh & reindeer metal rig I got recently on ebay. Its about 4 inches long and 1 inch wide so probably N-scale. Its called "Up on the Rooftop". Will use this one next year. A Sopwith Camel is included for scale. Enjoy.




Correction to my original pic description above, sorry Chris. The maker of the smaller Santa sleigh is not Dept 56 but in fact MSR Exports out of Taiwan. This version has Santa in a sleigh but only 7 reindeer. The Dept 56 version has Santa lying on a sled (not a sleigh) but it has 8 reindeer, it's also made in Taiwan. So you guessed it, I bought both so I could have Santa in a proper sleigh pulled by 8 reindeer. Both sets are metal and interchangeable. Sorry for the confusion, too much eggnog I guess.

[malachi]

Thanks, Tim! Now to add some late-war Germans, maybe even a Seefrosta pilot

Craig, thanks for the pic. My cake topper sleigh is the same mold. The Dept 56 looks great!

[Von Scharf]

Got Jasta Colors, Seefrosta, Royal Prussian Js 30, and Royal Bavarian Js 23. These books, this publisher, all superb. Got so many planes to paint now having hard time to figure priorities!
Highly recommend them.

With both Chris AND Burton recommending Jasta Colors… Santa just put it in my stocking (aka my Amazon cart). Thanks gents!

[Teaticket]

With both Chris AND Burton recommending Jasta Colors… Santa just put it in my stocking (aka my Amazon cart). Thanks gents!

My first thought was you thinking Tim Burton was the inspiration for this game. (Sorry Brak)

Jasta Colors is a must. I forget who spotted it first but I'm sure Chris beat us all to getting it.

[Brak Morn]

My first thought was you thinking Tim Burton was the inspiration for this game. (Sorry Brak)

Jasta Colors is a must. I forget who spotted it first but I'm sure Chris beat us all to getting it.

hey!

[Brak Morn]

With both Chris AND Burton recommending Jasta Colors… Santa just put it in my stocking (aka my Amazon cart). Thanks gents!

jeez, you musta been.......VERY good?

[malachi]

Jasta Colors is a must. I forget who spotted it first...

Probably you, but you knew I'd bite Just paint this up for me and we'll call it even.


I've gone nutso on the Santa game. I ordered a Dept 56 Up on the Rooftop that Craig recommended for an even smaller scale, and took a chance on another sleigh that may pair with it.

And since it's possible there may be as many as a dozen or baker's dozen players I wanted to be prepared for Santa to have a fighting chance. This will obviously be a Pup. Yes, he'll have a 90* left turn


And a makeshift card:

[Teaticket]

[QUOTE=malachi;565634]Probably you, but you knew I'd bite Just paint this up for me and we'll call it even.



You're on. Just don't hold your breath!

[malachi]

I had a wonderful Christmas with family this year -- was great to see everyone! We kept it as limited as possible and doubleshots of ice brew coffee and vaccines with boosters were the order of the day.

Despite all my preparations, we did not get the Gaslands game to the table I wasn't too annoyed -- we had lots of games to play and never enough time, but everyone admired the terrain and cars (i.e., humored me).

Christmas Eve Santa Game
We played two games. Santa got shot down twice, both times around the second gate on the slalom course. Apologies to those of you who didn't receive the goodies you were expecting for Christmas!

The larger sleigh and reindeer were on display, but I opted for the smaller version for the game. After all my other work, I'd forgotten to put a peg on this one so Santa had to run nap-o-the-earth.


Devious Germans plotting to ruin Christmas.


You know the players are into the game when an argument erupts over whether or not it's a hit. I ruled it's not (well, I was Santa). Where's that index card?


Rudolph (my dad) was not much help in the first game and decided to again fly off the table.


Victorious annoying Germans (mom). Thanks for ruining Christmas


We also played a 4 hour game of Black Orchestra (should not have been that long but some slow players and I kept having to check rules). I loved it, very thematic, and we almost killed Hitler. The other players felt the painful experience of the game could only be superseded by being an actual WWII conspirator. Their loss!

We got on a Dead of Winter kick, I think our record was 3-2. I'd upgraded my game with various bits and additional survivor and Crossroads cards. It was a blast despite Kodiak Colby dying twice nearly instantly #RIPCOLBY.


In one game I had quite a following


Also played Stranger Things Trivial Pursuit where my niece Chase and I went head-to-head. My team ultimately prevailed on the 80's music question: "In the song by The Outfield who was on a vacation far away?"

And no gathering of Weavers is complete without games of Secret Hitler (one of my favs). My nephew-in-law Nick finally got his revenge on Chase after 4 years (we don't keep track of such things lol).
Chase and I were liberals and Nick a fascist but he suckered me and persuaded Chase (as president) to shoot one of the other liberals.
Terrible wailing and gnashing of teeth.

There was a bit of snow/slush one morning so the Cali family was happy. It led to this social media by Chase:



The day after I returned to Louisville there was some real snow. Grandnephew Andy played for over two hours:



It was a fun time, and great to see everyone. (my dad and niece Chase)


Painting of a different sort upon my return home. I'm behind in my OTT endeavors but will be catching up soon after getting things back in order!

[CrashCraig]

Chris, enjoyed your pics, especially the Santa slalom with the family. I see you got the Dept 56 version of Santa and reindeer. The attached pics show how I mounted the ensemble on a flight stand. My carrying case is in the background appropriately labelled. And Happy New Year!

[malachi]

Nicely done, Craig! Love the storage case. Happy New Year