PSC Battle of Britain - Take 2

 Last time I dug this game out I had a go at setting it up and learning some of the rules; however, I was a little disappointed with the aircraft models, in that the game is more strategic where the models represent a raid of multiple squadrons.  Thus, the models are purely representative. I thought it might be better to try out the type of markers used during WW2 in the Ops Rooms, which indicate a complete raid.

 I made up some markers that reflect the units in the game, but also look like the real markers.  These were printed out on card  and stuck to a wooden base. I made some sticks to push them around too!

I then play tested a scenario with a German raid being intercepted over the SW coast. The markers in the top centre of the picture below represent two British squadrons of Spitfires and one of Blenheims vs a German bomber formation of three squadrons with no fighter escort.  The Germans were wiped out.

The markers worked quite well, although it became quite difficult to work out which group each marker belonged to, so since taking these pictures I have painted the marker bases to match the various group colours.  I will give this game another go, although I need to revisit the rules to check out some minor points.

Battle of Britain Game

Some months ago I purchased the Plastic Soldier Company (PSC) game, Battle of Britain. It was going cheap and I had often thought about a game covering air combat in 1940.  This was my opportunity.

For me, the game was spoilt by the model aircraft which were quite distorted and of a nasty green and pale grey colour soft plastic. I managed to get some new aircraft from PSC made of later hard plastic that does not bend and I set about painting them.  This took a while, but I have now completed enough aircraft to play the game.

The rules are quite complex (for me anyway) involving quite a lot of simple record keeping, using markers and charts.  It took me a while to get my head around all of the rules but there are some good videos on line that cover most of the basics.

The game is not really an air combat wargame, it is rather a strategic exercise of managing resources and getting the right combat power in place at the right time.  After a couple of false starts I began to get the hang of it.  The model aircraft are purely representational and flights are made up of several types and numbers of aircraft a listed on cards. Luftwaffe missions are also card driven. Combat takes place between these flights and involves the use of radar, bombing runs, fuel management and repairing facilities and aircraft.  The game is played as four stand alone scenarios, the first being the battle for the Channel, which where I am.

Overall I am enjoying the game which can be played solo, but would be much better with a live opponent.

This is what it looks like at the initial set up phase:

 

Look at what I bought! - Battle of Britain Game

 I spotted this game for sale at around £16.  It is by Plastic Soldier Company and is a strategic game covering the Battle of Britian. :

I am sure many are familiar with this product, but I had not seen it before.  It has a rather nice Ops Room style map, some plastic aircraft markers and a load of cards which allow the management of the assets during the three campaign scenarios:

The model planes, which will have to be painted, are made of a rather odd bendy plastic, that I learned had been replaced in later games.  I sent off to PSC and was able to buy a bag of hard 100 plastic aircraft for around £10.  One of the bendy Spitfires:

I am looking forward to trying the game out.

Plastic Soldier Company 'The Great War'

 A few weeks ago I took the plunge and bought a set of PSC's 'The Great War' board game and rules.  I have been thinking about this for some time as I have an interest in WW1 but always tended to shy away from the later trench warfare.  This game appears to offer some fast play rules and the necessary pieces to make this possible. It comes in a huge box that very much matches the Command and Colors game style:

The main differences between this game and the C&C offerings are that the playing area is larger, as are the hexes.  Also, the playing pieces consist of plastic miniatures in 15mm scale, as opposed to the little wooden blocks:

My plan however, will be to transport this game onto the wargames table, with slightly larger hexes and 3D scenery.  I have also decided that the figures need to be painted.  I have completed the British, which I have mounted on bases.  In all there are 150 figures, which is quite a painting task.  This is what I have managed to do so far; British infantry:

There are three machinegun teams:

And three mortars:

I have based the Germans and will be starting the painting over the weekend.  I have also nearly finished off my badly battered medieval knights, with just some final touching up to do.