Sunday, 3 November 2024

Pavia inspiration and a trip to Fiasco

Last weekend saw a trip to the Fiasco wargames show and the Royal Armouries in Leeds.

Fiasco was disappointing; the games were mostly small with a lot of fantasy and sci-fi, the venue itself (across from the Armouries) a bit gloomy. Trade stands were OK and I came away with some paints and brushes. I noted a couple of tables where games had failed tom turn up (never a good look) but on the whole it had more of the feel of a club night.

While I have complained about large demonstration games, this was the opposite, small niche games or 5mm /15mm often on plain cloth. The biggest was a Battletech game with very nice scenery.

I think somewhere in between club type games and elaborate demonstration games is the answer with some of the others mixed in. At least a lot appeared to be participation.

The only temptation was Anschluss' 1:144 armour, but I resisted.

Naval landing skirmish





Cthulu Mountains of Madness




VBCW

Castles in the Sky Agean sky battle


What a Cowboy


Cold War turns Hot


Battletech Big Red Button



The Armouries was busy, and a bit dark for photos. A lot of reflected light.

Pavia














17 comments:

  1. Visiting the armory is a perfect inspiration for a Pavia project. The motion present in the pikemen is more art than a diorama of warfare. Terrific display. Could you discern the intricate pattern on the pavise?

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    1. There is a good photo of this in the Armouries catalogue.
      https://royalarmouries.org/collection/object/object-514
      It's 15th century, from Zwickau.

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  2. Thanks Jonathan,

    The Pavise is quite faded it looks to be St George and the Dragon.
    I snapped a few pics of the pavises - unfortunately on another device. I can forward you them next week (if I remember). They were all quite faded.
    Neil

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  3. Great photos from the Armouries and should feed your Pavie project nicely. Shame about the show though.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Donnie.
      The show was......underwhelming....is perhaps the most accurate description.
      Neil

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  4. I haven't been to Fiasco for years, but it was often very dark and gloomy in there. Sounds like I was saved a trip this year as well! The Armouries are always a good day out though.

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  5. The last time I went they had a room in the armouries.
    Neil

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  6. Great photos Neil, thanks for sharing.

    Willz.

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  7. Thanks Willz. Sadly very little C18th apart from weapons.
    Neil

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  8. Sorry the games were disappointing, though the ones pictured don't look bad. If i had to choose between club style small games and massive multiplayer games I think I'd choose the former as being more manageable. Most games over 6 players is kinda a waste anyway.
    The armory is cool. I like it.

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  9. Thanks Stew.
    I did picture the more photogenic games ☺
    I guess if you were looking to play (as most US gamers approach conventions) as oppose to just look and be inspired, then the games may be of interest. Sadly I don't have a huge attraction to most skirmish games. I didn't see much to inspire either....
    The armories is cool....
    Neil

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  10. Shame the show was a bit disappointing - as you say, somehwre between the small 'club night' gane and the huge spectacular, lies the perfect show game..
    Armouries look great though, that tableau of knights and landsknects especially!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks David. The Pavia display is impressive. The Yarkshire Gamer has been trying to persuade them to allow him to stage a wargame refight on the anniversary next year without much success....
      Neil

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  11. Shame about the show Neil… As has been said the last time I was at Fiasco the show was in a room in the Armouries…

    I do however enjoy a trip to the Armouries.

    All the best. Aly

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  12. Thanks Aly. I was surprised as the YG advocates " big games" and had one at Partizan. Empty tables are never a good look.
    Neil

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Back in the saddle

The lack of activity on the blog recently is due to a lack of activity at weekends generally..... Aside from the VWC, I have been unable to ...