Warhammer World, les Pompiers, and Dads Army!

The life sized Rhino and Space Marine statue under the double headed eagle of the Imperium outside the main entrance to Warhammer World

I counted them all out.....Sisters Do Battle....(or not as I was to find out!)

Last Friday morning saw me packing boxes into the boot of my car at an ungodly hour, before setting off for an appointment at Warhammer World in Nottingham. Once or twice a year I get together with an old friend Simon, who I met 20 years or so ago whilst engaging in the Warhammer 40k tournament scene with my youngest son. Those were happy times and I made many friends around the country but as is often the case, its difficult to stay in touch with everyone and life moves on. Simon and I have however stayed in touch and we meet up to play Warhammer 40k (5th edition) at Warhammer World. As Simon lives in Norwich and I live in the West Midlands, meeting at WHW is a mutually convenient travel compromise and a perfect venue for us. 

Games Workshop have many detractors and whichever side of the debate your sympathies lie, it would be hard to criticise them for the amenities that they provide there. First an foremost is the gaming hall itself. This is a huge space, with over a hundred purpose built 6' by 4' gaming tables, each one provided with a play mat and more than sufficient terrain pieces for the game of your choice. Obviously they do insist that  only their own games systems are played there but the table tops cater for fantasy, Middle earth and the grim dark future of 40k. In addition there are larger much more intricate terrain tables for use in larger multiplayer games and some specialist games like Space Hulk. 

The gaming hall itself is inside a reproduction of a medieval castle all of which adds to the atmosphere. In addition there is ample on site parking, a great restaurant/themed (Bugmans!) bar and the largest GW shop in the UK. Yes, you can spend all of your hard earned monies in the shop, the restaurant and the on site Games Workshop museum, but you don't have to spend a single penny there if you don't want to. Parking is free, there are no entrance charges and the tables and terrain are free to use as well. 

I didn't intend this article to be an advert for Games Workshop but credit where its due, this is a great venue and I have been fortunate enough to have been playing games there for over 20 years. We are also very poor in the UK at singing our own praises and talking about our successes. Games Workshop is a hugely successful British company, that still manufactures virtually all of its products here in the UK. Whether you are a fan of their games or not, (I admit to not playing any current versions of their games), their commercial success, which is worldwide, is something to be applauded and to be proud of.

So, (unpaid) advertising aside, what happened with the games I hear you ask? Well I now remember why I hardly ever saw a Sisters Of Battle army during the 10 years I was in the tournament scene playing around the UK. Their army book 'Witch Hunters' is perhaps the finest example of John Blanches vision for the 'grim dark' 40k universe. The army lists are full of weird and wonderful creatures and characters from bound daemons to fanatical penitent engines! Unfortunately whoever put the features and stats together for them did a pretty poor job and the main army elements, comprised of the female 'marines' that are the sisters of battle, just do not cut the mustard on the table top. 

I was facing off against Simons beautifully modelled and painted Tyranid army and hoped that I might be able to at least hold them to a draw. Two heavy losses later I was corrected! Simon and I are normally fairly evenly matched opponents but sadly the term 'bringing a knife to a gunfight' applied and I was shown off fairly quickly.

It is not my intention to recap either game but suffice it to say the paper thin tanks I bought to the table were very easily dispatched and it became equally obvious that my force just didn't have any long range powerful weaponry, to enable it to deal with the nastier elements of the Tyranid horde.  I will draw a veil over the sad events which unfolded with a few more photos and two final points to take away from the experience.

Firstly, I had a great day and thoroughly enjoyed bemoaning my lot with a friend I don't see enough of. I am already looking forward to our next encounter.

Secondly, there are other rules systems out there to give my 'nuns with guns' a more even chance. I am specifically thinking of you 'Xenos Rampant'! So temporary retirement until I can try them out with the Rampant system.

Postscript

The events of a few days before should have warned me not to be too optimistic about this choice of army. As I was reaching the box out of a cupboard the lid came undone and the army crashed into the corner of the box, chipping paintwork on 9 out of 10 models. As I stepped back in horror, I knocked over a second tray with another army in it, shattering and chipping a large percentage of them as well. It took me 7 hours of work to repair all of the damage and to wonder why I bother varnishing the metal figures, as it certainly didn't protect the paintwork from chipping!

As the vicar said to the actress.....Les Pompiers 

A few months back, I made an impulse buy of a fire engine with crew that was about to end on E-bay with no bids having been made. I wasn't sure of the manufacturer or even exactly what nation it represented but a bid of I think £20 plus a bit of postage secured the lot. I am sure the seller hoped for much more as I feel it was very cheap for what it is.

The origins of the models are a bit of a mystery. I know enough about toy soldiers to suspect that these splendid firemen were by CBG Minot of France. They are solid metal castings and beautifully painted, but the expected makers mark is not present on any of the bases. (I have since added wooden bases to increase stability) The fire engine itself is a curious beast as its made out of wood and metal. Again no makers marks. 

 After some research, I am fairly confident the figures and engine appear to be by CGB Mignot, but are recasts/copies. To be honest, I really don't care as I love the set for what it is and in a way, almost prefer gaming pieces not to be 'collectors items ' as I feel free to do what I like with them (such as adding bases). Should I be reliably informed that they are originals well that's all good too! I suspect they may see service as provincial fire service figures in more that one period/nationality, but can't shake myself of the names ....Pugh, Pugh, Barney McGrew, Cuthbert Dibble and Grubb! Oh and where's Captain Flack when there's work to be done?

Whilst taking the above photos, I noticed another mystery grouping of figures in the cabinet which I am very fond of.  I picked this family grouping up for the grand sum of £4 at a toy fair. All I have done to them is to place them on a base as a family unit. There is obviously an ecclesiastical element and I suspect they are meant to be Dutch or Swedish perhaps. Either way I think they have a splendid otherworldly look to them, possibly even ghostly? Any ideas anyone? 

A lick of paint.....Don't tell him Pike!

A little while ago, I stumbled across this splendid member of the home guard No idea who the manufacturer is but this figure has set me thinking about a civil defence unit as a painting project. I have already salvaged a Britains Police figure and made him into a rifle bearing Sergeant, giving orders to the rest of the unit or other Police figures. I need to start looking through my box of civilians and farm workers to look for more suitable 'recruits'. I can already see a Molotov cocktail in the raised hand of a cattle herdsman! I just need a plump bank manager figure to get them organised.........

Tara a bit!