Author: Chris

Posted on

AAR Wargames: News, Book Reviews – Russ Lockwood

Town Crier

AAR Wargames: News, Book Reviews – Russ Lockwood

Hope all is well with you. Here’s the April AAR. Per usual, miniatures gaming and a little bit extra, plus lots of book reviews.

Enjoy.

Russ Lockwood
Russ Lockwood

After Action Report Newsletter — April 2025

Voin Defense 1941: Command Decision
Tile Me! Carcassone
Return to Space Base: Pluto
Total Domination: Abstract WWII Boardgame
Star Wars: Card Game
Dominion: Pair of Card Games
Snappy Nappy: With Skirmishers
Hyperspace Hack: Spaceship Battle
Norway 1940 Part I: Double Blind
Norway 1940 Part II: Multiple Invasions
HMGS Next Gen: Elementary Gaming
NEWS: Figures, Wargames, HMGS, and more
The Mob Scene: D&D Choices
D&D Campaign Continues: White Dragons

Books I’ve Read

The Mighty A: WWII USS Atlanta
Bagration 1944: The Great Soviet Offensive
Pompey the Great: The Roman Alexander
Lockheed C-130: FlightCraft 32
The Modern British Army: V1 EuropeWar 44
The Italian Army in the Balkans 1940-41
The Blackhorse in Vietnam: 1966-1972
Why Vietnam? Reflections on Effect of War
Mercenaries, Gunslingers & Outlaws: Iraq 2004
The Hunting Falcon: WWI Ace Buddecke
Saving MacArthur: Daring Rescue 1942
The Defeat of the Damned: Dirlewanger 1944
The Pathfinder and the President: Fremont (ACW)
System Failure (sci-fi novel)
Barbarossa Victims Vol. 1: Camera On 34
Fighting Colours 5: Hawker Hunter
Fairchild A-10A: Colour & Scale 08
Wagner Group: Private Military Company V.1
Military Aircraft 1950s: Combined Volume
Covert Radio Agents 1939-1945
Operation Steinbock 1944: Air Campaign 52
A War of Their Own: Fulro Vietnam 1955-75
Convoy PQ-17 1942: Campaign 414
WWII Soviet Motor Torpedo Boats: NVangd 336
Tanks in the Gulf War 1991: New Vangard 337
The Goths AD 200-700: Elite 261
France 1940: Air Campaign 53
Raising Atlantis (novel)
B-29 vs Japanese Nightfighter: Duel 144
Luftwaffe Bombers vs British AA: Duel 145
Target London: Battle of Britain Vol. 5
British and Commonwealth Armies 1939-1943 V1
British and Commonwealth Armies 1944-1945 V2
British and Commonwealth Armies 1939-1945 S1
British and Commonwealth Armies 1939-1945 S2
Montgomery vs Rommel at El Agheila 1942
US Army 1783-1811: Defending a New Nation
M von Richthofen: Life and Times in Pictures
Ground Forces in the Korean War (2): MAA 561
Great American Marine Corps Stories
Steel Lobsters: ECW and Last Knights

pdf icon AAR_Wargames_1941Voin_WWII_StarWars_Hyperspace_Norway1940_HMGSNG_News_DnD_BookRevs_.pdf

Views: 60

Posted on

FOLLOW UP for Friendly Lion Rampant Tourney at Havoc

Lion Rampant Tourney at Havoc

Hi gentlemen,
A few items …
(1.)  My apology for having left the prizes behind.  John and Thomas will have first pick of the prizes when we see each other at Huzzah!, they having tied with 2-0 scores and number of unit points with 46 each.  Then Peter came in third with 2 wins and 34 points.  Additionally, consolation prizes of 4 figure unit packs will be awarded to Chris, Noah, and Mark when seeing folks next.
(2.)  Having given a go to using the “Alternative Rule For Failed Activation” offered in the 2nd Edition rules, let me know what your observations are using the different methods of activation … those being … if fail to activate, then “turn stops” versus if fail to activate, then “move onto next unit”.
Here’s my sense …
(A.)  The “move on to next unit” method didn’t seem to speed the game up as I hoped.
 
(B.)  With the “move on to next unit”, it seemed less important as to what unit was activated first from a rolling perspective, and presented a different dynamic that seems to make it more important as to which unit goes first, sort of like chess.  I’m a fan of chess, yet I have enjoyed the more chaotic nature of “turn stops”, particularly since these rules are meant to be more of a skirmish game for the Medieval era, and with a harder grip on “command and control” by a leader than what chess offers.
 
(C.)  I can see if one is running a larger “big battle” game how the “move on to next unit” can make a scenario potentially easier for the typical convention player that wants more control over their force.  While at the same time, I played in Chris’ “big battle” Lion Rampant game on Saturday, and had no issue with how the “move on to next unit” method worked when both sides move all at once, and back and forth.
However, even at that level, I’ve enjoyed what happens with “turn stops” method that my scenarios for Civitate, Agincourt, Crecy, and Bouvines have seen, especially when each player gets an initiative role each turn adding to the swirling nature of the game, and gives me an impression of the chaos I imagine on a Medieval field of battle.  Things can turn quickly, as I sense from my reading of medieval battles, and the pain of “turn stops” goes away quickly when the chaos brings a reversal of fortune, and when a player suddenly finds an opportunity to creatively act when all seemed lost.
Hopefully my conciseness in viewpoint gives some food for thought, even if there could be differing opinions.
(3.)  Greatly appreciate all of you who were able to participate, as well as those who have been attending the various Lion Rampant tourneys that have been happening at New England area conventions!  I’m grateful that some drive quite a distance to jump in on the fun.  And it was great to have Noah join in for his first time, cheers!
Thank you!
Mark T.

Views: 53

Posted on

Lion Rampant 2025 Update #4 … Havoc 2025 …

Lion Rampant 2025 Update #4 … Havoc 2025 …

Hi again folks,
Only about one week until Havoc!
There is one player signed up for the Lion Rampant tourney at 9AM on Sunday, although myself, a friend, and a nephew are all planning to join in on the fun.  Plus, it’s not too late to sign up, and people can even on the day of the tourney as well!  : )
Also at Havoc … both games using Lion Rampant are currently full, my Crecy game on Sat at 9am, and the Tinchebray game on Sat at 2pm.
However, there are still “tickets” available for many of the other games featured at Havoc this year.
Hope to see you at the convention.
Cheers!
Mark T.

Venue

Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade Center

181 Boston Post Rd W, Marlborough, MA 01752, USA

Views: 29

Posted on

Republican Romans from BattleCat miniatures

Republican Romans from BattleCat miniatures

https://www.chrisparkergames.com/product/roman-republic-triari/

https://www.chrisparkergames.com/product/sword-is-defaultroman-republic-equites/

https://www.chrisparkergames.com/product/roman-republic-hatati/

https://www.chrisparkergames.com/product/roman-republic-principes/

https://www.chrisparkergames.com/product/roman-republic-velites/

https://www.chrisparkergames.com/product/roman-republic-command-group/

 

Views: 52

Posted on

The Hobby Bunker – New Toy Soldiers and more :)

Town Crier

The Hobby Bunker – New Toy Soldiers and more 🙂

Your one stop toy soldier, game and hobby shop!

 

 

 

 

 

March 26th Updates

Hello everyone! We had an average week in the shop, with heavy rain on Monday and a couple of chilly days. Thursday is one of our busiest days, as dozens of gamers start arriving around 4 PM to socialize, roll dice, and play Magic: The Gathering. Have you had a chance to check out our new and improved paint section? Hopefully, I will get my truck back tomorrow so I can head to the Wings and Wheels model show in Chicopee on Sunday. Like everything these days, my transmission cost a small fortune to replace!

A wide selection of new toy soldiers has just been added to the website (see below), and we have also received approximately 50 Gundam model kits that are now available on the shelves. Additionally, we have sorted through dozens of other model kits from various collections.

We received some game restocks this week, including miniatures, Battletech, dice, board games, and CCG supplies. I don’t believe we previously mentioned the restocks and new items that arrived from Wargames Atlantic. There are many exciting 28mm figures to assemble. This Saturday at noon, come down and play Kings of War. On Sunday, join us for a painting session with Albert. We invite everyone to come down and paint anything—gaming miniatures, model kits, or whatever you have. Don’t know how to paint? We can help, and we have some pre-primed miniatures available for free.

 

UPDATES

 

Massive King and Country Collection! Updated 3/25

LINK: K&C COLLECTION

 

Thomas Gunn Miniatures Collection just in. Updated 2/12

Check out the retired items here. LINK: GUNN COLLECTION

 

Retired W.Britains just updated on 2/11

LINK: W.BRITAINS RETIRED

 

*RARE and Retired Section updated 2/27

LINK: R and R

Lots of plastic sets just added!

 

JOHN JENKINS DESIGNS: New April releases

LINK: JJD

 

Damage Goods! from time to time we list broken, chipped

and wounded soldiers: LINK: DAMAGE

 

Great deals on older stock! LINK: #SALE

  

Toy soldier auctions and more in our eBay Store: Seller mhobbunker

We have really been adding items almost daily.

 

Upcoming Shows we are attending:  

Wings and Wheels -ValleyCon34

Sunday, March 30th, 2025

9AM-4PM

K of C 460 Granby Road, Chicopee, MA 01020

 

NETSS Toy Soldier, Toy, Model Kit, Military Book Show and Sale

Sunday, April 6th, 2025 9AM-3PM

5 Wheeler Rd Burlington, MA 01803 

The Gettysburg Toy Soldier Show

May 4, 2025 10AM-3PM

Eisenhower Hotel & Conference CTR

 

MFCA Show May 9 and 10***

*** We are unable to attend this year***

 

Plastic Warrior Show 2025

Saturday 7th June – 1005 Plastic toy soldiers!

The Harlequin Suite, The Winning Post,

Chertsey Road, Whitton, Twickenham, (London)

 

In store fun!

Congrats to last Saturdays Bolt Action Tourney champs!

 

This week we got a great selection of new games and restocks along with an updated inventory of Gundam model kits!

 

 

 

 

Forces of Valor collection just added!

 

Link: FOV

 

21st Century Toys

1/32 Scale Vehicles just added.

 

Link: Tanks

 

LOD Enterprises

 

new resin figures just arrived…

 

LINK: Barzso reissues

 

Team Miniatures

 

1/30 Scale Toy Soldiers

 

New Ottoman Heavy Cavalry arriving early April!

 

Ottoman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New releases just arrived!

 

Thomas Gunn Miniatures

1/30 Scale fully painted models.

 

A few new “Show Girls”

 

A relaunch of the French Foreign Legion range.

 

NOW IN STOCK!

LINK: GUNN

 

A new German Vehicle known as the “Grille” Sd Kfz 138 H Grille. The crew is sold separately. There are 3 versions.

NOW IN STOCK!

LINK: GUNN

 

War Park

1/30 Scale painted Toy Soldiers

8 new Afrika Corps Soldiers just announced!

 

LINK: Afrika Corps

 

 

 

Here are some of the unique plastic sets we have been listing

 

Rare and Retired

LINK: Rare Plastics

 

Here are some of the unique plastic sets we have been listing

 

Rare and Retired

LINK: Rare Plastics

 

New King and Country March releases just announced!

 

 

 

 

March Releases have arrived!

John Jenkins Designs

 

Above:

Item Number: WSP-123

 

“Striking Out!”, The Gold Rush–two miner figures (standing with spade and pan; kneeling with pan, head leaning on hand

 

LINK: MARCH

 

MARCH RELEASES ARE IN!

 

New April Releases from

JJD

 

Above:

Item Number: CTIB-05A

 

Celtibarian Scutarii (red tunic), The Carthaginians, The Battle of Zama, 202 BCE, Armies and Enemies of Ancient Rome–single figure with oval shield preparing to thrust spear overhand

 

LINK: JJD

 

LINK: JJD

 

 

 

 

 

Trouble with orders?

 

 

 

 

Are you experiencing difficulties checking out on our website? We have received reports of our system not processing payments, particularly for international transactions. If you encounter any issues, please feel free to call or email us. Alternatively, you can select the option to pay by “Check or Money Order” in the “Remarks/Comments” section. Simply indicate that you would like to receive a PayPal or credit card payment request.

Are you having trouble reaching us? We have discovered that users are currently unable to connect. If you are experiencing this issue, please email us, and we will respond to your inquiry promptly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hobby Bunker | www.hobbybunker.com

 

Facebook Twitter  Pinterest  Instagram  

 

Hobby Bunker | 103 Albion St | Wakefield, MA 01880 US

 

 

Views: 69

Posted on

AARs Wargaming: and Book Reviews – Russ Lockwood

Town Crier

AARs Wargaming: and Book Reviews – Russ Lockwood

Per usual, a little of everything wargaming this month, from recaps, reviews, and rules analysis to purple prose and an in-depth, hard-hitting, investigative, Pulitzer-Prize worthy article on…the Boatmobile’s License Plate and the Dept. of Motor Vehicles. Why yes, you are certainly most welcome.

Enjoy!

Russ Lockwood
About Russ Lockwood

After Action Report Newsletter — March 2025

 

VC Lockwood Strikes Again: 1848 Shako II

 

US Marines in Iraq 2004: RUSE Warfare

 

Meeting Engagement: Epic Space Marines

 

Triumph & Tragedy: Relearning

 

Chevauchée: Hundred Years War RUSE

 

HMGS Next Gen: Historical Gaming Marches On

 

Conundrums: Ongoing D&D Adventure

 

NEWS: Figures, wargames, tiles, and more.

 

Batman’s License Plate: BatCave Consequences

 

Epic Space Marine: NetEpic Version

Books I’ve Read

Crescent Dawn: Rise of the Ottoman Empire
Fighting for the Butcher: Jul-Aug 1918
Guam: Battle for an American Island WWII
German Troops in American Rev 2: M-A-A 543
Wars and Soldiers Louis XIV: CentSold 98
The Galacian Division: 1943-45
Nighthawk One: N. Ireland UK Helo Pilot
The Berlin Blitz: By Those Who Were There
Elizabeth of York: Birth of Tudor Dynasty
Boots on the Ground: Modern Land Warfare
Waterloo: The Truth At Last
Leyte Gulf: New History of Sea Battle
The History of Roman Legion VI Victrix
The German Navy 1939-45: Elite 260
Mechanical Failure (sci-fi novel)
Communication Failure (sci-fi novel)
Mukden 1905: Manchuria Campaign 413
Royal Navy Grand Fleet 1914-18: Fleet 10
USN PT Boat vs IJN Destroyer: Duel 141
B-26 Marauder vs Me 262: Duel 142
People’s History of the Cold War
History of Military Encounters with UFOs
Roman Soldier Vs Dacian Warrior: Combat 80
The Battle of Pinkie: 1547
Second Arakan 1943-44: Campaign 407
Hurtgen Forest 1944 (1): Campaign 412

pdf icon AAR_SikhWar_Modern_SpaceMar_HYW_HMGSNG_News_DnD_Batman_BookRevs_.pdf

Views: 57

Posted on

MHWA – Club Updates and the Winter Newsletter

MHWA – Club Updates and the Winter Newsletter

Hi all! There are 65 of you! Renewed members for 2025! We appreciate everyone being here. As a reminder – keep this email – and feel free to reply all if you are looking for someone to game with you. Also watch for a reply all from our Vice President with more details for the March Games Day. One of the things we have not been repeating – but should are any monthly events – like the Bolt Action In Maine group meeting the third Saturday of every month, etc.

As a reminder – Huzzah! is open for game masters, vendors, and registrations. We look to have ticketing open soon – and you as a member will get the notice first. You can also contact me about being a volunteer for the convention. The hotel room blocks are open for signup through the links provided by the hotel.

The Newsletter has a bunch of good info to go through.

For the Spring Newsletter – to come out after Huzzah! – we hope to get some great battle reports from our game masters and may put out a jumbo issue pending content. I’d even take a battle report or event report from Carnage! or Havoc! or Mayhem! (its pretty funny how we collectively name the New England gaming events).

Our next Huzzah! planning (zoom) call is next week (March 4th). There will be a separate email with a Zoom link if you’d like to attend. 7 PM.

Our next MHWA Board meeting will be March 11th.

This is a great time to be gaming with friends, see you at the table.

Brian Butler

MHWA President – 2025

Face Book Page

pdf icon Gaming-the-Way-Life-Should-Be-MHWS-Newsletter-Winter-2025.pdf

Views: 39

Posted on

AAR Wargames with Russ Lockwood

Town Crier

AAR Wargames with Russ Lockwood

It may have been a polar vortex outside for most of the month, but inside was some hot wargaming — A little of everything ending with the usual variety of book reviews.

Enjoy.

Russ Lockwood

After Action Report Newsletter February 2025

War of Austrian Succession: Tricorn

D-Day: Axis & Allies
A&A D-Day: Wild Game
HMGS Next Gen: Gaming Goodness
Normandy 1944: A Skirmish RUSE
Back to the Chateau: WWI To The Last Man
Snappy Nappy: A Quick Try
1814 Campaign: One Pager
RUSE II: WWII Factory Fortress

NEWS: Figures, wargames, tiles, and more. 

The River of Wrath: More D&D Adventure

Books I’ve Read
The Last Charge of the Rough Rider: T Roosevelt
From Trenton to Yorktown: AWI Turning Points
War in Ukraine: Volume 6 Air War — Feb-Mar 2022
Operation Title: Sink the Tirpitz
Rome’s Greatest Emperor: Vespasian
True for the Cause of Liberty: SC 2nd Spartan Regt
Don Troiani’s Black Soldiers: 1754-1865
Fighting the Invasion: German Army at D-Day
Battle Flags of Wars North America 1754-83
Best of All Appointments? WWI UK Brigade Command
The Silent Service’s First Hero: Medal Honor
The Shiloh Campaign 1862: Casemate Illustrated
The First Day at Gettysburg: July 1, 1863
Peredur: Truth of the Nazi Grail Quest
The Vickburg Campaign 1863: Volume 1
The Vickburg Campaign 1863: Volume 2
The Law of War (sci-fi novel)
Tigers in Normandy
Steam Yachts at War: 1898-1918
Thunderbolt to the Rebels: ACW US Sharpshooters
Altered Starscape: Andromeda Dark 1 (sci-fi)
Battle for Monte Natale: Gustav Line 1944

Russ

Russ Lockwood

About Russ Lockwood >>>

pdf icon AAR_Wargaming_WAS_DDay_WWII_WWI_SNap_News_HMGSNG_DnD_BookRev.pdf

Views: 61

Posted on

AAR Wargaming: Russ Lockwood

Town Crier

AAR Wargaming: Russ Lockwood

After being crunched by a miserable flu-like bug (so much for my flu shot), I kept warm with chicken soup and more than the usual wargaming reading. With recovery came actual face-to-face wargaming — a little bit of everything this month.

 

Enjoy.

Russ Lockwood
Russ Lockwood

After Action Report Newsletter: January 2025

 

WWII Firepower: Chain of Command
Company Level Battle: Chain of Command

 

SpaceBase: Enthusiasm
SpaceBase: Genesis and Biodome

 

HMGS-Next Gen: Gaming A Plenty
Battle of Edington 878: Rye, NY
AWI Battle of Freeman’s Farm: Larchmont, NY
WWI Battle of Verdun: Darien, CT

 

WWI: An Attrition of Souls Wargame
The Big Push: WWI Card Game
The Big Push: Next Time

 

Havoc: 100 Years War Card Game
Napoleon Saga: Waterloo Cards

 

Blackbrim 1876: Escape Puzzle Mystery Game

 

NEWS : Figures, wargames, websites, and more.

 

Kobold Caverns: The D&D Adventure Continues
Hilltop Abbey: Worse Than D&D Undead

 

Books I’ve Read
Solomons Air War: Volume 3 (Nov-Dec 1942)

The Stand: Final Flight of Frank Luke jr
Savage Skies, Emerald Hell: WWII Air P-NG
Pigs, Missiles and the CIA: V2 LatAm 37
Midway: Pacific War’s Most Famous Battle
The First British Army: 1624-1628 (CSold114)
Allied Neutralization of Rabaul: WWII
Model Dioramas Handbook
Back Into Focus: Real Story Capa’s D-Day
Panzer Aces: Wehrmacht and the Waffen-SS
The City Who Fought (sci-fi novel)
USN Submarine vs IJN CV: Duel 139
The Athenian Army: 507-322BC (Elite 259)
South Atlantic 1982: Air Campaign 51
Black Star Renegades (sci-fi novel)
AH-1 Cobra Gunship vs NVA Armor: Duel 140

Soviet Battle for Berlin 1945
US Air Power 1945-1990: Vol2 TechAtWar 3

Spying for Hitler: Nazis Infiltrated America
The Story of the Spitfire: History

The Farthest Valley: Chosin Korean War
Beachhead Assault: Royal Naval Commandos

Pilots and Painted Ladies: WWII 493 Bomb Sqdn
Night Fighter Aces of Luftwaffe 1940-43

American Experimental Fighters of WWII
Panzer Crewman: Casemate Illustrated
Of Kerns and Galloglasses: Ret to Regt 24
Hitler’s Miracle Weapons: Vol 1 – Nukes

Hitler’s Miracle Weapons: Vol 2 – Rockets

The Kraken Wakes (sci-fi novel)

Star Corpsman: Bloodstar Book One (sci-fi novel)

Star Corpsman: Bloodstar Book Two (sci-fi novel)
The Waffen-SS at Kharkov: Feb-Mar 1943

Make Germany Great Again: 1930s-40s

Kamenets-Podolsky Pocket 1944: Camp 411

Russ

Russ Lockwood >>>

 

pdf icon AAR_Wargaming_ChainCmd_SpBase_WW1_Nap_News_HMGSNG_DnD_BookRev.pdf

Views: 64