1:144 Scale Armored Locomotive

Dragon recently released a 1/144 scale model kit (number 14151) with an armored locomotive (as well as other stuff which had been released more than a dozen years ago). The loco shell was modified to fit over a Bachmann Spectrum Consolidation and the tender shell to fit over a Graham Farish 3-axle tender chassis. Since the power pick-up on the GF tender did not match the one that came with the Bachmann, it was not connected. As a result, the loco does not run as well through turnouts as it originally did.

US Pacific Fleet Battleships 1941

Battleship Divisions One, Two and Four (less Colorado) of the Pacific Fleet in 1941.

These are repaints of the models from the ‘Tribute to Valor Pearl Harbor Series’ Battleship Row set. They are approximately 1/2650 scale and say ‘Legacy of Valor’ on the bottom.

The turret colors are based on this reference. The actual hull colors are subject to some controversy, e.g.:
http://archives.starbulletin.com/2006/12/07/news/story04.html
http://www.mikeashey.com/SHIP%20PROJECT%20PDFS/ARTICLE-BATTLESHIP-COLORS-AT-PEARL-HARBOR.pdf

The colors used here are just my personal preference.

Check Your Six WWII – English Channel Convoy 1940

Saturday the local HMGS-South group played a game of Check Your Six using 1/300 scale aircraft.

Summer 1940: Six Ju87s escorted by four Me109s attack a British convoy in the English Channel. They are opposed by four Hurricanes and ship-borne AA on the three merchants and one destroyer.

Three Ju87s and one Hurricane are destroyed by the time all the bombing attacks are resolved. The convoy escapes without damage.

Seekrieg 5 – Alternate Battle of Samar

This weekend the local HMGS-South group played a Second World War naval game using the Seekrieg 5 rules. The scenario was fictional, but included ships present near Leyte Gulf on 25 October 1944.

US:
Battleships West Virginia, Mississippi, Tennessee, Pennsylvania
Cruisers Louisville, Portland, Minneapolis, Indianapolis

Japanese:
Battleships Yamato, Nagato
Battlecruisers Kongo, Haruna
Cruisers Tone, Chikuma

Transport ships of the Leyte invasion fleet were present nearby and provided a potential target for the Japanese.

The models are 1/2400 scale GHQ and CinC. Seven players participated.

We played seven turns in about 4 hours. Of the US battleships, only Pennsylvania was hit and took one tier of damage. Portland took two tiers of damage. Minneapolis took one tier and lost a primary turret. The two Japanese battleships took little or no damage. Kongo took two tiers of damage and lost a primary turret. Haruna three tiers, an engine room, a boiler room, a primary gun and all primary fire control. Chikuma had significant damage and fires. Tone blew up.

Bolt Action – Aslito Airfield, Saipan

This weekend the local HMGS-South group played a Bolt Action game set during the Battle of Saipan.  The scenario was based on the Japanese counterattack on Aslito airfield on the night of 16-17 June 1944 and pitted the 23rd Marine Regiment against the Japanese 118th Infantry Regiment.

After about four hours of play, the Japanese failed to achieve the required victory conditions. As a result, the airfield was held by the Marines.