The Men of Company B 2nd Edition By Peter Pig Miniatures (UK) for 15mm Vietnam Wargaming

So Peter Pig Miniatures (https://www.peterpig.co.uk/) have been going for a long while. I have known about them and the Men of Company B Wargames Miniature Rules for a long time, but never really had much interest as you might guess my main focus has been for many many years 28mm scale and not 15mm.. 

BUT well 'times they are a changing' as they say.. 

Firstly you can find their 15mm Vietnam Range here: 15mm Vietnam 


The Rules for Men of Company B can be found here: Hard Copy Rules and PDF Rules

Their Website does look a little dated though it is updated regularly with stock etc and functions. So don't let the look put you off. Just enjoy the slightly retro feel. 

So if you are wondering what their figures are like. Well I like them. They are not as detailed maybe as some of he Battlefront Nam or Flashpoint Miniatures 15mm ranges but they are nice and having some great sculpts you won't find elsewhere. 

Below are some Youtube videos for the 'Vietnam The Men of Company Be Rules'

They are Search and Destroy Rules where you play using a gridded battlefield. 

Part 1 Setting the Scene

Part 2 

Part 3 Doing the shoots and moves. Tanks too.

Part 4 The final part of the VIETNAM wargaming game play

As well as figures, they also make and sell some buildings and bunkers in resin. 

Here is some video of a few items in the range to give you an feel for the sculpting style

South Cheshire Militaire Show - Sunday 23 February 2014

First show of the year for me.
Though its primarily a modelling show with some fantastic models on show, with some stunning levels of detail and skill, there is usually a small war gaming element to it.

It is also a nice day out.

Alas I have no photographs. I was a little battle weary on Sunday and didn't take any photos.

The show was pretty much the same size as the previous year. There was only one empty stand, in the main hall.

The up stairs was the usual mix of wargaming, RC cars/planes and trucks! With an indoor flying area for some of the smaller electric models.

The bring and buy was a little empty.. a shame, but that is the way things go now and then.

The main hall was its usual busy self though it was noticeable that there were a few re-enactment displays filling in and less actual "modelling supplies" traders, which was a shame. As I was on the hunt for a few tools and bits and bobs.

The range of models on display were once again, massive and varied. All sorts of things, from plains, trains, trucks and sci-fi "what if" creations.. with various local and not so local clubs and groups displaying.

The venue is a little crowded first things, but it does quieten shortly after lunch most years and this year was no exception. Seems to the general trend for shows these days. I guess its time pressures on gamers and modellers alike.. spending all day is difficult to do.


Sadly the out door displays of vehicles / bb shooting range / paintballing  etc that in some previous years have been seen were not present. A shame, as me and my friends were discussing over lunch in weather spoons before returning to the show. It does seem to be a changing of the guard, as it were, for the ages.

The average age of modellers must be approaching 60-70s now, and fewer and fewer younger people entering like me. Now I don't do much modelling if at all any these days, due to wargaming being my primary interest, but I do love to and see the efforts of those far more skilled than my self. But it is alarming, that so few younger people seem interested at all.


And frankly, the poor understanding and ability to identify historic aircrafts or boats is alarming in its self amongst the younger generation.

I am now officially, by virtue of writing this post, old!
But it is scary.


Shows like the South Cheshire Militaire are facing a battle against changing times. Even our wargames shows have seen many a decline and I am not sure quite what the solution is.

It was good to see the show organisers asking people leaving, if they minded suppling their home postal area code (just the first two letters) in an endeavour to understand where their customers come from and where to focus their advertising. Though my postal code area, covers a massive area and crosses borders of England and Wales, so that one might not be as "telling" as others.


So over all I spent £6.00 and came away with a book and some dice! I would have bought some paints, apart from the offer for £1.80 or 5 for £9 or 10 for £17! A crafty bit of advertising.. as the first two are identicle value.. 5 paints for £9 is £1.80.  So I held off till WMMS in March, as that is not far away and there are usually a trader or two doing Vallejo paints.

So will we be back in 2015? I see no reason why not, timings, life etc allowing.

Dwarven Forge - A major addiction.

A few (ahem, many now) years back having just completed my Masters Degree, I was at a point where I had a reasonable income and few out goings in relative terms. Having got into the frugal student habbits and was regularly gaming AD&D 3rd Edition with a group.

The then GM, Gez, introduced me to Dwarven Forge. A prepainted resin/ceramic 3D dungeon tile system.

Gez had an account with the then UK importer and so I was able to pick up some sets are a reasonable price and these have provided trusty service since.

Now, firstly I should issue a warning here - Dwarven Forge is Addictive! I meant it. Once you start, it is very unlikley you will stop!

Secondly it is not cheap. No, don't even try to justify it, by comparring to other makers, being pre-painted etc. By comparrison one set will often cost more than several sets of glossy card tile sets from other makers.

Its just a fact. Its not cheap. And you will need more than one set. Infact, almost certainly more then 2 or 3, or 4, or 5.

So why is it so addictive.. well, firstly partly because you do need more sets to expand things. Partly due to the fact, that its so dynamic. It does not replace imagination, but it helps. Its simple. Its well made and lasts for ages. And the colouring is very well done, it allows you to replicate, dungeons, catacombs, medievil buidings, churches, temples etc.

If you can imagine it, then you can generally replicate with. The room and passage sets, deal with the man/dwarf made terrain, where as the cave sets deal with more natural subterrainian lairs.
Having not been regularly gaming D&D or any thing fantasy or scifi for a while, my sets have gone a little under used in recent years, but they are still there and waiting. And I know they will get some more use in the future.

If you have never seen Dwarven Forge in use, or lacking inspiration, have a look here;

http://dungeons3d.blogspot.co.uk/

Some very nice layouts and great inspiration material.

Warrior Heroes - Tried it out for the first time.

Had my first ever game of Warrior Heroes last night at the club. Was very interesting. I have not really tried any rule sets which use a "reaction" system as such. Well one as controlling as the Warrior Heroes Armies and Adventures one. That is for sure.

The game was simple. Three hastily put togather warbands, attempting to sally forth from a city to wipe out some beseiging enemy artillery. In this case, some undead screaming skull catapults.

I dug out my D&D pre painted plastics to play the part of an Elf warband. All Rep5. Four Archers, two sword and shields and one healer with a bow on and my Hero of course.

The other two war bands were humans and dwarfs. The game started well enough. Then I moved, my band forward and promptly got a reaction test from a PEF or possible enemy force marker. The result, my archers stood and shot. My warriors piled in recklessly!

This was the start of a trend. well sort of. The humans and dwarfs then got stuck in, but my band got whittle down, as I lost one archer Dead, and one OOF.
The skeleton arhcers and warriors thankfully didn't manage to kill my hero or my warriors, before some of the skele's got drawn into other fights.

For a short while an almost grande mele broke out, but the dwarfs, charged on with some human berserk and made it o the trench line. Just as my hero finished off the last of the initial skeletons warriors. Then the artillery fired for the second time, the first having gone wide somewhere.
The deviation, meant it clouted my hero and a pants roll of the dice by me and a good one by the evil GM/monster player Colin, meant it was curtains for the brave elven hero! Splat!

Oh well, my remaining war band members, fought on, the healer helping support the human shield wall and rescuing one human as he went down to a mounted skeleton. This was short lived however, as the following round both he and the human were promptly killed.

Over the in the earthwork trenches, the Mr Big-Bad, the undead has stepped up to the dwarfs only to discover his trenches were not wide enough to allow an out numbering bonus and so, dwarf ve Mr Bad, came down to a slugging fest. One in which the Dwarf prevailed.

About now we started to worry about the dreaded reinforcement roll, and knew that any moments the undead could get more help. So as the elves and humans on the hill top tried to wipe out the lastof the undead cavalry the dwarfs piled through the trench, taking out one then the other of the war machines at last.

Just at the final roll of activation the bad guys got their double needed to bring in the reinforcements.. but but them, it was done, the siege engines were dead, Mr Big-Bad undead was down and destroyed and the survivors were hell bent on getting back to the city for beer and biscuits..

All in all a fun game.

What did I think of of WH:AA .. hmmm well.. its ok. I try and make sure I don't settle my mind on a rule set till I have played around three games as a whole.
I can see why it does things it does, but I think the randomality is a tiny bit hi on the reactions.. Its a rule set i was considering for my own fantasy campaign, and will try a game or two more but I am more likley to go with my home brew rules I think.
I will however try and get another game in. Some things we learnt.. Snori the dwarf is a killing machine! Infact, dwarfs are killing machines. Screaming skulls hurt. Shields are a must.. everyone must have a shield.. its just that simple!
Magic is risky. There is never enough loot and out numbering is always good if you have the numbers.

Penkridge Table Top Sale - 22nd Jan - Staffordshire

Like many folks I love hunting for a bargain. And today I managed to pick up a few. My self and a few club mates, have been to a number of the Warboot Shows organised by Paul Ried at MAWS club, in manchester (see previous show reports) and have generally managed to find a bargain or two, and deal to be done that makes a trip out for half a day or a day worth the effort.

So today four of us, piled or should be crammed into my car and headed over to Penkridge in Staffordshire. From North Wales it took 1h,20mns to get to Penkridge. Straight off J13 of the M6.

Parking at first was a problem, being a Sunday and the church being just next door as such, but a local gamer pointed us in the right direction, namely, a bit further up the main road, a hundred yards or so and on the left next to the Methodist church.. Free car parking. And only a slight walk to the hall.

There were a mix of private sellers, shops/business's and semi traders as I tend to call them. People who regularly part time trade in minis or games etc.
So here are some photos of the show, firstly, before you say "not many people there", these were taken at 1pm after I got tired feet and a lot of visitors had already come and gone. I didn't manage to get any shots of the re-enactors either. It was quite busy till around 12hr.

I will discuss my bargains later.. :)

(Click on the images to expand them & Apologies if I have miss labelled any traders)

The central area, with Lesleys Bits Box on left. Demonstration game on stage.

Minisryou - Selling painted GW figures

Left wing area, with snack bar at end.

Minisryou definitely the smartest table, next to the South Stafford Models.

Minisryou 40K painted army for sale. Looked impressive.

Errrr central area again and trader I have forgotten the name of. Sorry!

Chaps from www.magicgeek.co.uk with lots of card games

www.tritex-games.co.uk Stand, selling prepainted plastics individually and sets.

Tritex-Games again.

Magic Geek stand. Lots of CCG stuff and games.

e-collectica games stand. Really really nice suppliers of boards games. They have a website!

And a market stall soon too! With an openning day discount. Seriously if you play board games, gives these folks a try.

Wargames Miniatures stand, lots of resin items, and scenery. Inc some build buildings.

South Stafford Model Club display. Some very nice pieces on show.

Un known trader, with mix of stuff, mostly in westwind and dystopean wars.

Stafford Games stand. FOW and Warlord Games and Mantic etc.

The other view of model stand.

James Resins Stand, a mix of resin terrain pieces mostly for 15 and 20mm scales. Some nice stuff, but too small obviously..!

James resins price lists. Always good to see an upfront and clear pricing.

KRGames 1:600th figures - www.krgames.co.uk

The organisers own stand with lots of GW, BTD and other bits and bobs.

Well my shopping haul for the morning was;
9 x LOTR metal figures, bought loose for 50p to £2ea depending.
1 x LOTR strategy battle hardback book (worn) for £2.
2 x Boxes of plastic LOTR figures for £10
1 x 2.5oz Pot of Masters Brush Cleaner £3 (The stuff is brilliant btw)
And..

1 x Figures in Comfort Legion Case! (RRP £200) for £40.

The case contained three triple depth vehicle trays, a couple of un-used single depth pick and pluck trays and another used, figure case in side. Looking very similar to battlefoams stuff from the USA. Though not quite sure its the same. Anyhow, for £40! The case alone empty was worth it, as it will happily store and transport my FIC Correx "Company Boxes" that I have.

So all in all a great trip out. The tea and coffee, food and snacks were well supplied throughout the morning, with burgers and cup cakes available to purchase from the snack counter too.

I did feel however the show was maybe a bit heavy on the "Business Traders", rather than the individual sellers, but then someone has to help pay for the hall and tables etc.

So all in all a great day out, some good bargains grabbed and, apparently the organiser is considering maybe doing another in 6 months or so. As long as it does not clash with anything else I am going too and I have some pennies to spare, it is one I will definitely consider again!

Thank to the organisers

28mm Zombie Miniatures Review by FG

No point in re-inventing the wheel they say. So here is a blog I ran across the other day, when looking at 28mm zombie miniature suppliers and makers.

http://fgminis.blogspot.com/2006/10/modern-day-zombies.html

It is a little dated. 2006. But not too much has changed. Most of the makers mentioned are still about. Though it does not include Victory Force Miniatures I don't think.

Some nice photos and good comparisons.

So worth a look if you feel a zombie outbreak is likley.
Enjoy!

Victory Force Miniatures - 28mm Zombie Horde Figure Review

Those who have read my previous post here on the 50 for $50 deal by Victory Force Miniatures will know that I decided to invest in some.

So after an anxious wait, a little box arrived with two bubble wrapped sealed baggies inside. Each containing 25 miniatures and their supplied black plastic slotta bases.

Now the horde deal (which is due to end very soon by the way) is for fifty 28mm white metal zombie figures, for the grand price of $50. Thats about £40 ish with the current exchange rates.

The horde you recieve is not always the same. VFM have abouut 140 or so zombie figures in the range. Some are unique. Others are variants on the same model where arms or legs have been moved or reposed. And you pay for pennies and they pick a random assortment. Meaning you can get some duplicated.
On TMP there was much debate about the level of duplicates. Now I have to say it did not worry me overly. And as you will see from the photos. I don't think I actually got any duplicates. If I did, I have not found them yet..

So to start with. Here are the horde!

Part 1 of the horde 24 male 28mm Zombies

Part 2 of the horde 15 more male 28mm Zombies

Part 3 of the Horde 11 Female 28mm Zombies

As you can see from the three photos above. The pack contained 11 female zombies miniatures and 39 male zombie miniatures. If there are any duplicates I have not spotted them so far. And wouldn't be bothered if I did have a few.

The figures have a range of builds and sizes. Some are obviously variants and do have a similarity to others, but nothing too noticeable. The build of the figures varies, some are slim others more chunky, but are all good fits for the "28mm" category. If you pick your opponent figures from any of the current swathe of makers such as hassle free, EM4, TAG etc I don't think you will find a major disparity.

The casting quality is good. Its not the greatest, as in there is some flash and mould tags that need removing. But frankly I have had much worse from other makers. So given the price. Top marks to VFM so far.

Now onto a few close ups.

VFM 28mm Zombie Female Miniatures

As you can see above. The female figures are easily identifiable. The posing is good. The faces are not the most expressive or detailed, but then they are zombies after all.

Close up of VFM Male Zombie Body Builder

 The figures have an integral stand tag and come with a 25mm round slotta base provided. These also provide a handy scale reference for photos.

This figure stood out when I looked through. Firstly because it is slightly chunkier due to the subject matter. But also has some good detailing. As you can see to its left the other figure is more representative of the majority. With what I would say as a medium level of detail and texture detailing. Now I don't wish that to come across to harsh. We have to keep in mind VFM have obviously set out to make them a "horde" set. I was actually expecting a lower level of detailing when I ordered. So am pleasantly surprised.

Range of poses.

 The above photo was an attempt to show some of the poses in the range. The majority are the a-typical stand up shambler pose. Some have out stretched hands and there is one in the set with no legs or kneeling.

Variety of VFM Zombies

 So the variety of subjects is good. Some are clothed, some partially, some with whole or complete limbs, some missing limbs. Some with very obvious zombie "bite" marks some with far less obvious ones.

In fact if you were nifty with a Green stuff, a few hole fillers and you have some very good civilians or hapless survivors/victims. Something I am considering possibly doing.

Detail close up VFM zombies

 Close up you can see there is some nice room for paint detailing. There are few "hard edges", so dry brushing  will have to be done with care. Every sculptor has their own style and most of the type its faces that stand out. There is a general similarity in many of the figures faces, and this may be from the use of standard dollies and many of the faces are looking upwards. I may tweak a few to lean forward. But that is personal choice. 

So.. if I had to give points out of ten.. One being "I could do better with play-do" and ten being "its too good to go near the gaming table, ever!"  then;

Figure Proportions: 6/10
Figure Variety/Poses: 7/10
Figure Detailing: 5/10
Production Quality: 6/10
Value for money: 9/10

Conclusion - I think as a range of figures. They are good. They are moderately well detailed and their style is definitely in keeping with their purpose. They should fit well with just about any other zombie range figures out there at present.
They are cleanly cast and will not require too long to clean up. There are no separate parts. Which for me is a bonus as they are a horde and that means speed of painting. So less time required for assembly the better.

And value for money! - I think these are about the best you can get. Definitely in white metal. Though with the caveat that this is the last time the 50 for $50 deal is running before a price rise. So hats off to VFM