Airfix Battles without the grid

 I couldn't resist trying Airfix Battles without the gridded maps so I dug out some of my 1/72nd toys and set up the board.

I converted one square on the grid to four inches on the table and went for it.

I used some very old models for this game, for example the Panzer IV has been with me since the early '70's and it is not the right mark for Normandy. But who cares, I certainly don't!.

Here are some pictures of the salient parts of the battle, there was a lot going on that I didn't get photos of like a tank assault that went badly for the Allies.

A Sherman gets a good shot at the Tiger tanks rear. Both Airfix originals, you need Airfix models for Airfix Battles!.

German Grenadiers, Revell, Italeri and a lone Airfix Panzerfaust man from the first version of Airfix Germans.

Americans take over a building close to one of the objectives.

The Tiger moves behind the Sherman but before it can shoot the Sherman gets a flank shot in and KO's the monster. Note the red Fire Interrupt card.

The American Captain calls in artillery support.

Causing casualties and pinning this German squad. They still managed to repel a Sherman tank later in the game.

The British Sergeant in his Sherman moves to outflank the German command tank.

But the Airfix Panzer IV reacts and eventually gets the better of the exchange.

The Americans improve their position with a Dig In card, from there they managed to outgun and force a German squad to retreat.

While another squad captures one of the objectives.

The Germans assault to oust the Yanks but are repelled with severe losses.

As the game nears it's end the venerable Panzer IV takes the other objective, it was painted white when I was a boy. I think I can still see a bit of white paint in this photo.

The tank survives Bazooka fire from the adjacent ruins.

After fierce fighting over the other objective the opposing Captains and their veterans engage in close combat.

The American Captain wins the melee. He looks very proud of his mould lines!.

Suddenly the American Bazookas hit the spot and the Panzer IV is toast.

A 17-11 win for the Allies and a very enjoyable afternoon. 

More Airfix Battles

 I played Airfix Battles all day today and thoroughly enjoyed it. Once again I used models from my 15mm Flames of War collection which is a bit limited in regards to matching up with the unit cards in the box. 

 I had to use StuG IIIs instead of Panzer IVs and I am short of halftracks and heavy weapons too. I could of course use the counters in the box but I'm not too keen on the infantry counters. 

Here are some pics from Scenario7 PUSH DOWN THE ROAD TO ST LO! / DEFEND THE ROUTE TO ST LO

I used some Flames of War building templates as they are bigger and have more presence on the board.

A Sherman gets itself in position to cover one of the objectives, it was KO'd in the following turns.

A Tiger tank rolls up the road to engage the Shermans but eventually gets outmanoeuvred and destroyed.

There are two objectives on the road to be captured in this scenario.

Which card to choose?, the game gives you plenty of dilemmas.

I like the Interrupt cards which can spoil a good plan.

The Yanks take one objective.

And the tanks drive the Germans from the other objective on the last turn.

An entertaining game, the Germans were struggling after their panzer commander was killed which reduced their hand of order cards drastically, a lesson learned!.

I could fancy playing this with my 1/72nd toys, I could maybe ditch the grid and measure four inches per square. I think I'll have to give it a go.

Airfix Battles

 I managed to get myself a copy of Airfix Battles for a good price and it arrived today.

My permanent games table has a game of Warmaster set up ready to go so I opened the box on the kitchen table and couldn't resist a quickie.

I grabbed some of my Flames of War stuff and some hit/casualty markers and got straight into it.

The 15mm stuff fits the map squares better than 1/72nd scale but I have a board marked with 100mm squares and plan to use that when I get used to the rules.

Below are a few shots of todays action. I had to clear the game away and go for my second Covid jab so I didn't get long with it.

I will play the game of Warmaster tonight and free up the table for more Airfix Battles tomorrow.