"3mm Operation Overboard - the WIP is Over" Topic

Hi All,

I'm pleased to have this little project over with, or at least to the stage that the game board here is finished (it turned into a bit of a jigsaw puzzle effort after awhile) -

The image artwork above was derived from Avalon Hill's terrific game map for their board game Patton's Best. After digitally cleaning up and enhancing a web-available scan of that map, and photo-shopping an additional section to it to make it more rectangular, etc., the 3mm scaled file was sent off to my favorite print shop to be transferred onto vinyl banner material (that was the easy part).

Here's a few close-ups that more clearly show the duplicate overlays in place, that were cut out, flocked, and glued on top of the basic board surface to give it a 3D look -

The 3D overlays will denote terrain that'll block line of sight in the game. I believe the density of this scaled terrain will present a nuanced gaming experience to try out, when eventually I get the 3mm units and rules finished enough to present it to the guys to fight over.

These finishing game touches will have to wait (I need to 're-focus' my eyes on some bigger scale stuff for a bit of a breather).

But, hope you're liking what you see so far.

Looks really good.

Keep posting updates I'd be interested in developments.

B

Looks great, love to see more

B, & MM, thanks for your interest!

3d terrain there a stroke of genius! Love things like that which not only look great but are anything but just eye candy as it clearly lays out blocking terrain. Nicely done sir, nicely done.

Marc, I think you've hit on some of the functioning combat that'll be featured and generated on this type of layout – wood lots (and towns of course) will provide the opportunity for ensconced infantry units to hold their ground unless there's deliberate and sufficient firepower combined to dislodge them.

Defensive positions won't need to be in the shallows of wood lines or isolated copse terrain, but can be within the depths of forested sectors herein. We often can't model this terrain density in our larger figure scale scenarios, with our finite collections of terrain to use – where some of these covered platoon and company positions would actually be dominating the whole game board of a usual size 'skirmish-level' action.

I'm imagining the tempo of game action will need to be more deliberate on this map, as attacks put in will need enough supporting firepower to the troops on the ground that can carry a position – this all made more difficult by the limitations imposed to finding sufficient avenues of approach that'll offer enough direction for supporting fire.

Here's a pic showing a few of the playing pieces I'll be using with the game board. Game units will usually be platoons, or reflect smaller sections – like HQs or scout detachments (hand making the 3mm 'miniatures', because I don't need anymore WW2 lead on the shelves here) ;) -

Really looks great!

For buildings maybe some 2mm terrain from Brigade Models, just to flesh it out a little?

Brigade have some shots of a complete Arnhem layout using tiny buildings which just looks awesome.

Thanks Battler, and you know there's no argument vs. how cool it would look with miniature buildings on it too. ;)

(though gotta get it up and running 1st)

Right now shifting to the 12mm stuff for a next Blitz Action [mod] playthrough, so I can get the following game board it's first taste of action instead (all it's been doing for the past couple of years has been collecting cat hair). Basically, this following board's footprint could fit scale-wise into that fields area between those woods seen in the 3mm map above.

It's also on a 3ft. X 4ft. hardboard, but decidedly tactical (btw, already have some nice buildings to use for this one).

Fantastic looking map. Reminds me of the walkway at the Sacramento, Ca. airport.

I am impressed, looks good. After looking at a large number of rules the best terrain rules I have come across is the concept of terrain being open, clear, cluttered and rough. Open gives you no cover (desert), clear is standard, cluttered is rough terrain which impedes visibility, while rough is just rough terrain with no visibility effects. Cluttered is basically Build-Up terrain or Woods. Thus woods and BUA's (as well as hills). I can see how your terrain would suite that philosophy.

Thank you both, and for getting down into the weeds here too.

I think there's going to be a degree of difficulty that playing on these types of game boards might exact – they probably wouldn't make for good convention-style games….reading the topography and coordinating game action might not be that fast or fun to cobble together.

The bocage board above is going to serve for playing a multi-company infantry action on, and if it doesn't break the modded Bolt Action rules I'm using, then the rules ought to work on more open boards aok. This first close-terrain playtest might turn out to be just a 'grinder', and not be that entertaining for the participants (but I've got a couple friends who will give it a go….at least once). :)))

fantastic project!

Thank you Repaint!

I'm happy to relate a friend recently voiced interest in the 3mm WW2 stuff too, and in maybe collecting a little himself.

(saying, because I know you like this scale very much too)

You can try and make the terrain not fixed to the playing area, allowing for easier transportation and more flexible setup. Based on these images i created woods‌ along these lines, and built-up areas using 1:1000 building.

I have created a lot more terrain, such a wheat fields, etc, but find all i normally use is woods and built-up areas.

Peter, that's a definite – I hear ya!

This project above was a one-off (and it was almost like working on a puzzle….I'm over that now). ;)

I'm probably more excited about the areas-style mat I've made for using with the 3mm WW2 minis, because that mat inherently has much more general usefulness. Any lay-on style terrain can be placed into areas printed as the mat's graphics, and so this terrain placement can change for each scenarios specific map design. The bordered spaces on the mat will also define the extent of the edges of the 3D terrain placed within the areas. Here's a letter size image cropped from what is a larger, overall 48" X 36" size game mat -

Now for 3mm woods areas, I'm wanting to make up pieces like Mark Backhouse brainstormed from out of a bath mat -

Also, if you like Epic ancients in 2mm, check out Mark's twitter blog, for the amazing development he's been taking forward towards the eventual release of his Strength & Honour rules -

link

I've had this 3' X 4' vinyl mat for a week, and have added tufts to it, so it's ready for its TMP debut….

The buildings are Monopoly game pieces, some I cut down to give them a little variety (had these for 20 years, and feel they'll be fine for this 3mm kit). Yet to make any woods terrain up, but liking how the setup looks so far – this being for quick roll-out gaming just *drop and play* -

Looks good. Transparent bases are interesting, some of the napoleonic guys use this for their figures, although the actual figure bases don't look so good on the tranparent base. For 3mm there is no issue as the vehicles goes right on the base.

Peter, thanks Sir!

Wish we could get the looks below, but the 3mm stuff does augment the chances for panoramic potential (in small spaces).

Stuart A-7, of the 66th Armored Regt. US 2nd Armored Div., Buchet, France, 31 August 1944.

Source – link

I'm coming back to this thread when I have to retire and the wife and I sell the house and move into a condo and my space becomes nil :)

Great looking stuff,FlyXwire!

Cpt. Cold & Pete, thanks for checking out my attempt at down-sizing here. ;)

No doubt, a little project like this could pass muster as pocket-battle-ready, and will work as a travel-battle kit too. Perfect for that condo's available space, or on the tabletop where most board games would be expected to occupy.

Although our local game group covets multiplayer-size scenarios, and the social dynamics of teaming-up over the game table, things have obviously been different for us these past months.

We all also know gamer buds who enjoy "running the whole show", or would rather play 1 vs. 1 games anyway, so they can test their own tactics and strategy w/o having to share the tabletop. This little pocket battle kit is perfect for them, especially since a typical game won't run that long, and they'll be able to play another action afterwards in the same afternoon – after they've botched their first game. ;)

Seriously though, I think these kinds of tactical, small footprint style game have a lot of legs as fast fun for veteran gamers, and maybe as easy-entry for new gamers, or even might attract some board gamers who are looking for that little more 3D jazz.

Basically, this little setup is not meant to be one of those "big productions", but one which could probably be played a lot more often, and maybe even offer greater return in the long run (with the small expense and time spent painting up units for the traveling flea circus).

Stunning photographs…wow, totally blown away by this work…amazing!