"Considering breaking the rule..." Topic

…the No New Scale Rule that is!

With the wife buying a naval/air game mat bigger then any table in the house (!) I am pondering if this qualifies as an unusual enough event to break the above rule. At 6' x 8' or thereabouts my 1/300th and 1/600th planes much less my 1:6K ships – Java WW2 1941 forces – will be somewhat 'lost' in/on the Mat, especially the last two scales.

So, here are my choices:

1) Buy a bunch of Modern 1:6K ships (but what scale planes would look best? 1:600 or yet a second new scale?) and find a set of rules (currently I only own previous edition GQ and Mal's "CIC Modern Naval Wargames rules" he wrote to update GQ, which may be enough for me.)

2) Buy a new scale (and break the self-imposed rule above) of ships to fight the java campaign – but which ones?

1:3K?

1:2.4K? (um, unlikely unless that scale nowdays includes the ships for the PTO in 1941…)

1:1.2K?

1:700 or 1:600? (very 'skirmishy' IMO but possible.)

3) just suck it up and expand my 1:1200 Aeronefs? (Pretty much on hold until I see serious indications of progress on Aquanef rules…)

Suggestions about scale issues and comments (preferably semi-serious and intended to be helpful) are requested.

Things to Note:

1) My painting is one of my least favorite aspects of the hobby, I lack serious painting skills and I have no problem over that. Since I usually supply both sides of a scenario the figures are 'consistent' in that respect.

2) I am interested in the 1941 PTO Java campaign and very small 'Modern' (as in 1960's/1970's period) naval/air actions with the former as 'serious targets with attitudes' mostly.

3) 'Bang for the buck' is a highly valued part of my gaming.

4) I take the No New Scale Rule seriously and without this mat I would not even consider a new naval scale.

Gracias,

Glenn

Hi Glenn,

I like the modern ships in 1/2400th, 1/3000th, and 1/6000th scales. Generally, bigger is better, in my opinion, but the 1/1200th and larger scale vessels can get rather pricey. Missile boat actions are great in this scale though.

1/6000th scale is good for more realistic ranges on the table in relation to the miniatures scales.

For the modern aircraft, you can go with either the 1/2400th scale GHQ ones (limited availability of types), 1/1200th scale (a wider selection), or the wonderful little 1/600th scale jets by Tumbling Dice. I would avoid the 1/3000th scale aircraft, since I am unimpressed by them – counters look better, in my opinion.

I recently ran a Falklands Battle using the 1/600th scale jets, and 1/600th – 1/700th scale vessels, and it was a lot of fun.

I think you could probably do WWII in 1/2400th scale. Not sure about the 1941 vessels, but many are available from GHQ, CinC (now Pfc.), Viking Forge, and Panzerschiffes.

I hope that helps.

Best regards,

Rob
Topgun Marketing LLC

GHQ makes every class for the Java Sea campaign in 1/2400 I believe. Ah, wait, GHQ doesn't make Langley or Sea Witch.

CNC makes most of them too but only one Dutch class: De Ruyter

Panzerschiffe makes all of them.

Viking Forge makes some of them.

The Java campaign is well supported in 1/2400. GHQ makes aircraft for this scale. Beautiful but tiny.

Modern 1/2400 is well supported, in spots, too.

GHQ has small American and Russian fleets covering the '80s to early '90s. They also have a smaller British contingent covering the Falklands engagement.

CNC has American and Russian fleet units from the '70s to late '80s.

Viking Forge (mostly SeaBattles models) covers the American fleet from the '50s to the late '80s (a few later, especially amphibians). VF includes auxiliaries. VF also covers the German navy from the late '70s to the early '90s and also the Japanese fleet (also SeaBattles models. Very nice)

Superior (Alnavco) has Russian and American fleets covering the '70s to the late '80s. A few Italian and French over the same period and some British ships covering the Falklands.

Alnavco also imports some SeaBattles models that VF doesn't carry. Mostly American auxiliaries.

Sea Wulf (LKM) supports, in 1/2400, the British for the Falklands and intends to add the Argentines.

GHQ also provides aircraft for moderns in 1/2400. Not a wide or comprehensive range but some.

Bang for the buck. Panzerschiffes are cheap. When well painted and vertical detail added (masts) they are pretty much indistinguishable from GHQ at a distance of several feet.

VF are reasonable. I think CNC are very nice (but their WW2 ships, and some of the moderns, don't have masts).

Because of the exchange rate Sea Wulfs tend to be almost as expensive as GHQ but of lessor quality. But where else can you get Leanders (of many flavours and Counties?)

Or instead of buying a new scale, use only half of the mat and run an airgame on one half while playing a sea game on the other half!!!! ;-)