"Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang, Glub Glub (Thunderball)" Topic

Greetings all of you fans of James Bond, un-James Bond, and all of the other un-well-known-spies being produced by Copplestone and Artizan:

I recently read an article on-line about a Thunderball underwater battle game played in the UK a few years back. It was a beautiful game with lots of plastic frogmen and some scratch-built sea-sleds and a bomb-carrier swimmer delivery vehicle, also scratch-built.

Having been inspired by this, needless to say, I went to work immediately – Orange and dark blue plastic frogmen (EBay), SDV from a tooth brush carrier and two pocket calculator bodies, (I am still working on making the rectangular sea sleds). In my haste and enthusiasm to start building and painting, I neglected to look for rules.

Goblintooth made, to my dismay, a set of rules and miniatures in 1/72 scale about 10 years ago. Alas, they are long out of production and print.

With all of this said, does anyone have a clue where I could perhaps locate the remnants of Goblintooth's Thunderball miniatures rules and/or even some of the figs.

Assuming that this fails I would welcome comments and suggestions.

Thanks troops!

You could post the question to BattleGroupBoston's webpage, ISTR Goblintooth was associated with BGB.

I used "Blood and Swash/Thunder and Plunder" for my "Thunder and Plunderball" aka "James Bond Scuba Action" games, using plastic frogmen from the grocery store toy aisle. I'd have used GASLIGHT if it were out when I did those games.

I have recently been thinking about getting out the frogs and adapting new rules based on Two Hour Wargames products(probably FNG, since it includes stealthy actions for recon troops which would work a treat for underwater too).

Thanks! Good suggestions.

Ok, Im crazy. Think about adapting an air combat game. Underwater movement is a lot like air movement. I am not a fan of the multiple altitude bands in most air combat games. I would simplify the bands and have a movement penalty for diving and a bonus for climbing (kind like air combat in reverse). Spearguns are a lot like missiles or torpedos and you can dodge the spear in much the same way an aircraft may try to dodge a missile. Knives can be any simple melee system.

Perhaps try getting in touch with the Staines Wargames club (http://www.staineswargamers.org.uk/)who put on this Thunderball game at a Salute past (I think): link

What about changes in atmospheres (about 30 feet of depth per), equal to 1 time the pressure of atmosphere at sea level, but increases every thirty or so feet?

That's largely immaterial in a harbor setting, since most harbors are ~60 feet deep (fjords excluded, obviously). You don't need to worry about decompression issues at those depths.

Also, a lot of decompression issues take time and specialized equipment to treat, so aren't of note in a ~5 minute long battle, unless you want to know who's going to need medical attention *immediately* after the battle.

Plus the cutting of oxygen tubes, masks and pulling off oxygen tanks too. Special rules and special rolls for that stuff- I remember a lot off that in the underwater fight scene. Also, 'NUTS' or 'chain reaction' might fit the rules bill.

Thanks troops, keep it coming.

Bah, tried to post my Thunder and PlunderBall chart but couldn't get the formatting right.

Not only did Goblintooth have rules, they had a magnificent line of divers & sea creatures, as well as a complete base/movement system with a depth (altitude) mechanism built in. It was way ahead of it's time.

I may still have a catalog around here somewhere…

Tell more Flintloque, tell more.

Does anyone know how to contact the former owners of Goblintooth Enterprises?

I might be interested in purchasing the rights to the figs and game.

Here's a place to start. I was informed the folks at

THE HOBBY BUNKER
33 Exchange Street
Malden, MA 02148

have contacts with former memebers of Goblintooth

By Phone: (781) 321-8855
By Fax: (781) 321-8866
By Email: matt@hobbybunker.com

Although they did not have any copies of the game or sets of miniatures in stock when I inquired.

Thanks Pyrate Captain for the info.

If you are successful RW, I expect to be a remote play-tester for revisions and rights to purchase one of the first of everything in the line.

I take it you have spincasting equipment? I only hope the molds, if you can acquire them, are compatible.

You got it Pyrate.

I don't have the equipment myself I would farm it out to a casting service that I know and trust.

I would love to see somthing like this back on the market. I'm an avid SCUBA diver so I have a soft spot for such things. Why can't I have a cheap hobby?

Would you like to buy my tank, BCD and regulator?

Pyrate Captain:
Tell more Flintloque, tell more.

I didn't buy any of them, and can't find the catalog, but as I recall there were multiple divers, as well as some "vehicles" (those propeller-driven sled-things), and a bunch of marine life, such as different breeds/sizes of sharks, dolphins, rays, etc… All had holes right through their center of balance for the depth rod. I don't recall how they were kept at a particular depth.

If we have to rebuild them from scratch, I will.

Well I heard back from Matt at the Hobby Bunker and he does not know anyone from Goblintooth. He said that somehow somewhere his name got linked to theirs but it shouldn't have.

Oh well, I'll dig around a bit and see what I can find. I would prefer 28mm for the figs anyway. The rules sounded promising though. I am currently working with Reality Blurs as well so I don't have the spare time to fully develope a new ruleset right now.

I'll keep everyone posted if I find out anything.

I've searched all the way to Alaska and came up zero.
What did they do, print 3 sets of rules?
Someone out there must have a copy.

Brian (the designer) is a regular on the Fanaticus Forum, user name 'Redwilde', you may be able to contact him there

I tried to contact Brian to buy up his scuba diver molds and such but had an old e-mail address that was no good. "Riverbluff Wargames" if you change your mind I might want a crack at buying the figs and game system. e-mail me directly at MegaMinis@yahoo.com as the story unfolds. I don't have much time to get online or watch forum posts.

Johnny
MegaMinis.com

Captain:

Good news! I dug through my storage facility and located my copy of the Thunderball Rules. Send me a private email and I will arrange to get a copy to you

Someone from Staines sent them to me ages ago as well. I bought some largish frogmen etc, intend to get the game going one day?! Happy to share if the Staines people are happy to let me.

link

i'm fairly sure you're probably looking for modern scuba type fellas but the ones in the link are really nice. They're more the victorian age but I've still seen them in use on occasion although more for show. I think they come painted or unpainted.

Greetings Chip,

Thanks a bunch, you have made my month. I am not certain how to contact you via TMP so I joined your group on Yahoo and sent it via message post.

I sent a message to Staines, but never received a reply.

I have some of those MB, for pulp-steam gaming. Those are great figs. The also make a diver air-pump crew to keep on the surface.

Hi Chip,

Did you get a chance to mail it yet?

If any of you want to know who a real life superhero is, you need look no farther than Chipjaxgarrison.

Thanks Chip!

Seal Team 10 Frogmen J2043 by Stan Johansen are usable. Just need a copy of the rules.

Jeff

I have some of SJ's frogmen. I converted them to Kriegsmarine K-Verband kampfschwimmers for a Remagen game.

Did anyone ever locate the owner of the rules and molds for the Thunderball game?

A buddy of mine has the Goblintooth figures. We tried their rules, but they weren't anything special. I have a bunch of underwater stuff for VSF gaming. Not surprisingly, I use GASLIGHT.

Buck
(One of the GASLIGHT authors)