In the jungle...

 In the jungle, the peaceful jungle ... 

Well actually the first outing with my Japanese in a game of Crossfire with Andy, and the first table top outing for Andy's US Marines. Our armies are modelled using 20mm figures.

We got many things wrong, as we play it so rarely (unfortunately). Those errors skewed the outcome to look like a Japanese victory. It actually wasn't. Just a few photos.. we were too busy playing, drinking beer and coffee, eating savouries, and yarning, to take enough photos for an AAR.

South of the Phillipines

 South of the Phillipines.. one of two games this week... I joined Keith, Alastair, and Barry, for a battle in the Pacific naval campaign that has been the centre of naval action over this past year. The games are played using the Naval Thunder rules. The ships are Keith's, and come from the Navwar range.

Japanese Crossfire force

Last of the Crossfire Japanese for the Pacific for now is the completion of the solitary Type 97 Japanese medium tank. This entire project has been a bit of an impulsive one. It began with inspiration from Brett Simpson's work exhibited on the Crossfire Fb page, was fuelled by the impulsive purchase of a box of Airfix Japanese infantry, and then supported with some Eureka support weapons, and an Airfix Japanese Type 97 tank, all in 20mm. Finally I took the time to create the terrain scatter pieces to give a better table to aesthetic.

There would be a lot more to do if I wanted 'go the whole hog', but this will do for now. There are five Crossfire platoons (if I used them for Spearhead -which I am tempted to do - that would be not quite two battalions), three HMGs, three 50mm Grenade Launchers, and the tank. Who knows when they might actually see action on the table.

The completed selection

The Type 97 Chi Ha tank

Progress with the Japanese infantry for Crossfire

It's been a while .. the whole 'painting mojo' thing comes and goes. Finally I've finished the Japanese infantry I undercoated a month of two ago.  I opted for a more open basing aesthetic for these.. the jungle style bases may be a little overcrowded, and anyway not everyone would be fighting in dense jungle all the time, and there would be clearings in the jungle.

This adds another two platoons to the force, designed and intended for Crossfire (although they could be used equally well for Spearhead, as they share a common basing convention. In that case this would offer another two companies.

The net result of the Crossfire Pacific painting project so far

The troops in amongst the scatter terrain markers I created a few months ago.

The force lacks the support weapons. I have been trying to order some SHQ miniatures from Grubby Tanks, as others better in the know recommended that they are perhaps the best size fit with these Airfix infantry which are on the small size for 20mm figures. However I received no response at all from Grubby Tanks, who seem to be the sole supplier, so I have ordered what I think I'll need from Eureka Miniatures... they have confirmed the order and it is apparently on its way.

Crossfire in the Pacific

 Stage 1 of the Crossfire project completed - a company of Japanese infantry.

Aerial view of the company, with the jungle terrain markers I have completed so far.

I have yet to source the heavy weapons (HMGs and 2" mortars) to actually complete the company. Not sure yet what stage 2 might be, as we rarely play Crossfire above a company, but maybe an expansion to a battalion, with one or two AFV's .... maybe.

Developing the Pacific Theatre aesthetic (for Crossfire)

I'm still working on my 'prototypes' for the Pacific Crossfire project. I have made some changes to the figure bases I've already painted, and also trialled 5 terrain markers (for scatter terrain in sme way shaope or form yet to be decided).

I think I'm coming close.

The squad bases mixed in with the terrain pieces

Originally I thought I'd base the terrain markers on washers, but couldn;'t find anything in my garage that suited, so I tried a series of card pieces that were offcuts from my figure basing. This means that the marker bases vary in size, and I'm not sure I like that. I am also wondering if my original washer idea, which would have given round bases for the terrain markerts, might still be a better aesthetic.

It's stilll a work in progress.

Pacific War with Crossfire

 I've played Art Conliffe's Crossfire rules on and off for quite a few years. I've never got so into it that all else disappears from consciousness, but I do potter .. I think they are a very clever rules set. I have four armies painted and based for 20mm for Spearhead, and the same basing is correct for Crossfire (all infantry on 1.25" bases), and Andy and I have played a few Eurpoean Theatre games with these figures, and Andy's US marines, and Italians. 

I have however watched with considerable admiration the work of 'gamer Brett Simpson's work building and playing Pacific Theatre games of Crossfire, and have to say I have been inspired. I was pottering in our CBD last week (actually waiting for my car service to be competed) and happened into one of our larger miniatures retailers, where I came across a box of the Airfix Japanese infantry. I succombed, bought the box, and the sprues had been spray undercoated by the evening.

I have started with four bases that will be a company command, and three platoon commands. These are my 'prototypes', my 'proof of concept' bases. As I reflect on them, I think they need more low level vegetation (yes, I know the Japanese army also fought in China where the terrain is different, and also that not all Paficic Island terrain is dense jungle). Anyway.... here are the four prototype bases. I think I'll look to add a little more vegetation though.