Best posts made by Tall Paul

“Coach”,

I just wanted to say thanks for your adjusting the “wording” of the units to be voted on.  Although it wouldn’t allow me to change my vote,…others will now have a better understanding of what they’re voting on.  (“Coach”-If you can,…SUBTRACT my 5 votes  from the Old BBs, the Light Cruiser, and the LSM and ADD them to the Minesweeper, LCVP Higgins boat, LST, Seaplane Tender, PT Boat, and Atlanta class anti-aircraft Cruiser).

I hope everyone will really think what would be USEFUL in a more naval developed A&A game instead of what would simply be COOL.

Examples of units that could deeply enrich our gameplay and why would be:

Oilers…by adding requirments for refueling.  These would need
                                          to be escorted.
Landing Craft(LST,LCVP,LCM)…to transport the landing force(s).
Minesweepers/Minelayers…by adding mine warfare.
Seaplane Tenders/PBY Seaplane.by adding recon, acting as a mobile base.
PT Boats…by defending bases would force the convoys to be
                                            escorted.  Also would have an offensive role.
Destroyer Escorts…a cheaper escort than a Destroyer.
Anti-Aircraft Light Cruisers…improved a/a defense for the task forces.
Heavy Cruisers…heavy firepower for the surface forces.
Light Cruisers…a less expensive firepower option.
All of the “Older Battleships”…good for bombardment and escort of convoys.  Great
                                          to show the progression of BBs and allows early war
                                          scenarios, even WW1.
the Montana Battleships…it looks like all agree they want this monster, haha.
All of the WW2 Carriers…these are just absolutely necessary!

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Let’s see.  If I adjust to include my “re-vote”,…in order of popularity the voting so far is:

14 votes…Montana class Battleship, Baltimore class Heavy Cruiser
13 votes…Midway class Carrier, Oiler, LST landing ship-tank
12 votes…PBY seaplane
11 votes…Independance class Carrier,  Destroyer Escort
10 votes…Light Cruiser, South Dakota class Battleship
9 votes…Essex class Carrier
8 votes…Tennessee class Battleship, B-29 Superfortress, Alaska class BattleCruiser
7 votes…LCM landing craft-mechanised
6 votes…Minesweeper, North Carolina class Battleship
5 votes…LCVP Higgins boat, PT boat
4 votes…Colorado class Battleship,  F-9 Cougar Jet, Atlanta class anti-aircraft Cruiser
3 votes…Seaplane Tender

Voting seems to be going about like I would’ve though so far.  I’m glad to see that the Oiler, LST, Destroyer Escort, and PBY seaplane are so popular because these aren’t necessarily the COOL units, but some of the ones that can DEEPLY ADD to our gameplay!  WOW!!!

I can see that not only should this set be VERY POPULAR,…but there will need to be a SECOND US Navy set to include the units that don’t make it into this first set,…but would add so much to our gameplay IF we had them.  Thanks again “Coach”

“Tall Paul”

LHoffman,

I really like your paint jobs and I’m especially impressed by how “crisp” your edges are, and how straight the lines are on the carrier. And the cockpit frames on the Zero,…Wow, you’re talented! CRAZY talented,…haha. I’m just enough OCD to love the details such as these. Keep up the good work!

“Tall Paul”

Reloader,

Yes, that only makes sense and I agree with that as long as the individual prices aren’t prohibitably expensive.  Maybe twice the average price in a set(?).  I think something could be worked out so that everyone can be a winner here.  I would never want or expect the “Coach” to do something that would hurt his business.  I’m a “fan” of his just like everyone else that has ever dealt with him. And I want his business to do well so he can make some money and then make some more units for us all.

I would like to have 8 of almost every unit mentioned above except the Destroyers and Destroyer Escorts which I’d want 12 each.  The “Old Battleships” I would want however many of each class were produced in real life,…but not several times that amount.  Who knows,…I could sell the extra’s on Ebay but it’s a shame someone would have to pay shipping that costs more than the units are valued at.  I’m not worried, it will all work out someway.  Just think, we might one day soon have these fantastic new units to enjoy and expand our gameplay with.  I can’t wait.  Thanks again “Coach” for even the possibility of this happenning.

“Tall Paul”

Swedo,

The decals I suggest you use are from I-94 Enterprises. They have a very wide selection,…and you can preview the decal sheets by looking at the “scans” section. I love how they make my units look.

“Tall Paul”

Gang,

I think that there are several real battles/campaigns in WW2 pacific that would be very interesting to model games after.  I would hope one could be more of an evenly matched head to head encounter of mostly Navy and Air with some Ground action, too.  I know this sounds like Guadalcanal, and I think that maybe an enlarged version of THE SOLOMONS should be looked at as option.

Others could stress Carrier actions, like the Coral Sea battle, the Marianna Turkey Shoot, Midway, Santa Cruz(Eastern Guadalcanal), etc.

Others might be more of surface actions like Savo Island, Cape Esperance, Surigao Straight, Leyte Gulf, Java Sea, etc.

Anyway, I’ll offer suggestions and opinions and so we can all end up with some more FUN!

Mostly I’ve just sat back and listened to everyone else talk, learning/enjoying all the while.  I felt there wasn’t a need for any useless “cheerleading” or “yeah, me too” comments from me or anyone else but I’m glad I started voicing my hopes for a primarily Naval A&A game to others and to the “Coach” while placing another order.

I guess I need to learn how to transfer those posts.  I was hoping there would soon be enough interest to start a new thread and I guess we’re here, Yeah!

“Tall Paul”

Johnson73,

Those are some fine looking “Ruskies” you have there. Looks like they’re prepared to counter a Japanese landing.

You know, if you wanted to have some Russian as well as all other countries Paratroopers before HBG or FMG make their country-specific units you might consider using the American Paratroopers that HBG produced in their American supplement Set. I really like them as the large bulk of their parachutes are very prominant. I’ve got Paratroopers for several countries already “in the pipeline”.

Again, nice paint jobs. Here is a rear-view of the American Paratroopers “chutes”. These are USMC “Raider” para-marines. I hope this might give you some “ideas”.

“Tall Paul”

Hey Gang,

What would your opinion be as far as another new Naval unit for the “Coach” to make.  How about some Fast Attack Transports,…the WW1-era 4-pipe destroyers that were modified by taking half of the fire/boilerrooms out to make room for the MARINE RAIDERS.  These would be a natural fit for “Coach’s” Marine set as they already toting Thompsons.  A little special paint and you’d have some Marine Raiders.

This would add another level of gameplay for the new maps/games.  It might be a bit late for the voting but I think they would be popular and USEFUL units that would add even more depth to our games.  I think we NEED these, even if they have to be produced in a second US Navy set.

What do you think???
                                                                                    “Tall Paul”

Sorry,

That pic is a bit blurry. Here’s one of the U.S. Army Airborne units and their “chutes”. Please note that “Allworkandnoclay” did the painting, NOT me.

“Tall Paul”

Gang,

“Brute” Krulak’s 2nd Parachute Marines used the Fast Attack Transports to “Raise Hell”(book title) on Choiseul.  There were several differrent units that made use of the
Fast Attack Transports, although the Parachute Marines re-configured their battallions(smaller) so as to enable them to fit on their purpose-made transports.

–-----------------------------

As far as our gameplay the Raiders, 'Chutes, or “regular” Marines could make use of these Fast Attack Transports to deepen our FUN factor.  Just think of them as a Navally deployed parachute insertion.  This would work great with the “Coach’s” Marine set and help his sales, too(in turn, helping ALL OF US).

–----------------------------

Paratroops, used with either HBG’s C-46 or FMG’s C-47 would add another, albeit simular capability to our gaming.  I realize that paratroop drops didn’t occur in jungle areas except at the clearing at Nadzab on New Guinea which practically won the campaign, and later in the Phillipines.  Again, this would help HBG & FMG sales which would help ALL OF US even more).  My primary interest here is not to help the "Coach’s or FMG’s sales,…but to HAVE MORE FUN!!!  It seems logical to me that the two are mutually beneficial though.

---------------------------------

Let’s see.  I believe there were 4 Marine Raider and 2 Marine Parachute Battallions.  I’ve read about 40+ books on the Marine Raiders, ParaMarines, and their operations.

All of the Raiders ended up reconstituting the old 4th Marine Regiment and the Parachute Marines became the cadre for the new 5th Marine Division.

---------------------------------

Of course what made the Fast Attack Transports unique was their CAPABILITY as well as their distinctive profile.  I think these would be very INTERESTING and USEFUL units to have in our games!!!

–--------------------------------

Also, another point.  I hope the “new naval games” would be in a scale/size that say if it were representing the island of Guadalcanal, it would be several “tiles” or “zones” in size,…instead of just one for the whole island.  A LITTLE more of a “tactical” size rather than a “strategical” size.

--------------------------------

While I was at lunch today I was struck by the possibility of all of these new games being able to be PLAYED TOGETHER or in series (one at a time or at a tournament) to represent a WHOLE CAMPAIGN or the WHOLE WAR!  Wow, What do you think???

“Tall Paul”

Wow,

Several more very nice paint jobs were posted as I typed.  Well Done! I’m sure you feel the same as I do about painted units really adding a LOT to the game. And your units look really cool!

Keep up the good work.

“Tall Paul”

Variable,

As far as being a fan of WEB Griffen’s, I really try to limit(haha) myself to Military History, unless I know it’s the “back-story” of a fictionalized history of a real event.  Let’s see, I believe I’ve read upwards of 4,000+ books on WW2 and although my Dad was in the ETO I seem to be fascinated with the Pacific mostly.  Perhaps because I’m from land-locked NorthWest Louisiana originally.  The “American engenuity” that spawned the A-20 and B-25 strafers, C-47s flying “combat missions”, and the “skip-bombing” of Gen. Kenney’s 5th AF just fascinate me to no end.

“Tall Paul”

Johnson73,

@Johnson73:

Its amazing that I’ve been playing Axis since the 80’s, and for the last 2 years I have really gotten into painting the units.  Not sure why it took me this long to figure it out.

My Dad, brothers, and I have been “playing” since I was a little kid. In the 60’s we all played Risk, which is sort of A&A with only ONE type of unit (Infantry?) for everyone that utilized a painted cube of wood. I guess this was before everything became plastic. There wasn’t much in the form of “strategy”, only hot dice or a loss, haha. Then we experienced the 80’s with the great A&A “classic” and eventually on to 1940-Global WHICH WE ALL LOVE!

I’m seriously glad you “figured out” painting your units. You do a great job of it.
Although I have painted a lot of model trains myself, most for pay, I quickly realized “Allworkandnoclay’s” talent and let him paint my Infantry. I only posted the pic to show how large the 'chutes were on the backs of the American Paratroopers and how obvious this made their identification as Paratroopers. Perhaps you might use these 'troopers to paint some other countries units(hint, hint, hint)? I have several “in the pipeline” but there are so many other projects I don’t know when they’ll be finished.

I look forward to seeing more of your great paint jobs in the future.

“Tall Paul”

Warrior888,

Welcome and I’m glad to see you get involved in the discussion here.  We think alike on several issues except:

(1.)  I hope the map for each game would be quite a bit more “localized” than everything from Pearl Harbor to Calcutta.  Think of “The Solomons”.  Although being a bit more “localized”, I hope there would be MANY, MANY sea zones.  Enough to feel-out, find, and then fight a big Naval conflict.  I would hope for a map size of 48" x 108", like my enlarged 1940-Global(Strong Hint to Variable).  If the “Coach” prints the maps he has already mentioned before on other maps that he could “adjust” sizes.

(2.)  I am TOTALLY against “tech” developement!  I feel that it completely unbalances the opponents.  If one player invests in “tech”, he either ends up with an
overwhelming advantage,…or he looses because his large investment didn’t pan-out for him.  Either way, it unbalances the gameplay,…and I prefer the head-to-head competition against my enemy where it’s my wits(or lack of them) against theirs.

I feel it would be so much more competitive as well as realistic(?) by having PHASES(?) where you start with a lesser unit and after a certain time(turn) it could be up-graded to a more modern unit.  For example:  the US starts with Stuart Tanks, P-40s, Wildcats, etc. and then later advances to Sherman Tanks, P-38s, Hellcats/Corsairs.
With all of these units (hopefully) about to be produced it seems almost wasteful
(in fun not had) not to make use of them and I think the time-line introduction of newer units would make the gameplay more INTERESTING and COMPETITIVE.

------------------------------------

Most of your thoughts seem to simular to mine, like long Convoys, SeaBees, recon, no Atomic Bomb, etc.  Just think how much more interesting it will be by having many more objectives/targets to accomplish/destroy/protect.

------------------------------------

Thanks and keep the ideas coming,

“Tall Paul”

Everyone,

––And here’s a pic of twenty “Jacks” deployed on the beach to repulse a Japanese amphibious assault. Enjoy!

“Tall Paul”

Dadler,

Yes, I couldn’t agree more.  Especially if you took the B-29 out of the equation. 
This is supposed to be a NAVAL set anyway.  I would LOVE to buy several B-29s also,…but maybe put it with some other units, like Air Bases and such.  We need them, too.

But most importantly,…Please VOTE WITH YOUR PRE-ORDER(s) of this set(s).  It will help us ALL, the “Coach” has laid it out for us…IF enough interest is shown in these units by people PLACING PRE-ORDERS, they will be produced.

“Tall Paul”

Fellow Axis and Allies gamers,

––This thread will eventually contain all of the German units that I’ve had the “WarMachine Team” do for me. I hope you enjoy seeing them and that they might inspire you to paint your units.
air
–german --Already completed are:

GERMANY

GERMAN AIR FORCE
German Aircraft
––FW-190 (Fighter)…German Green camo scheme…(Starting at message #1)
––ME-110 (Fighter, Long-Range)…German Green camo scheme…
––ME-262 (Fighter, Jet)…German Green camo scheme
----JU-87 (Bomber, Dive)…German Green camo scheme
----HE-111 (Bomber, Medium)…German Green camo scheme
----DO-17 (Bomber, Medium)…German Green camo scheme
----JU-488 (Bomber, Heavy)…German Green camo scheme
----JU-52 (Air Transport)…German Green camo scheme

“Tall Paul”

Darn it,

I just put about 30 minutes worth of ideas onto a “post” and then I guess I deleted it!
I guess I just had to show my human side(G).  Well, here I go again……

“Tall Paul”

Gar,

––As I really value your opinion I wanted to know what you thought of the “Alpha” decals on the sides of aircraft to denote their “Type” of unit. Please remember 3 things:

1.) We play on an enlarged global map, 48" x 108"
2.) I want my game to be “user friendly” to rookie players.
3.) My Dad, an 89 year old WW2 vet, plays with us a lot.

––I try to make everything as logical and unconfusing as possible. Imagine having several aircraft in the same territory all painted in the same scheme, German Green camo in this case. Some of them very simular in appearance from more than 3 feet away such as the HE-111, DO-17, and ME-210. My idea was to add “Alpha” decals to the fuselages of the aircraft not only as a “detail”,….but to serve as a “Type” identifier as outlined at the bottom of this post.

@Tall:

@Gargantua:

These units are painted so well, that I can see the pilots in the cockpits…

––Were they Smiling??? (big grin).
––By the way,…What is YOUR opinion of the “Alpha Designator” decals that I had him apply to the fuselages of the aircraft in order to differentiate the different TYPES quickly? Do you think they help? Just imagine several aircraft all in the same paint scheme located very closely together. I’ll post a close-up pic below.
––Also,…the Air Transports are the only a/c with White coloring, and also the only a/c with colored wingtips. I did this to make them VERY obvious to all players that an a/c with Paratroop/Troop Transport capabilities was on the scene. The White coloring also subliminally reflects the White parachutes that the “troopers” carry.

E…Early Fighter
F…Fighter
L…Long-range Fighter (two-engine)
J…Jet Fighter
D…Bomber, Dive
M…Bomber, Medium
H…Bomber, Heavy
R…Recon
T…Transport

----What do you think? I really value your opinion,…although I still believe you to be somewhat “touched”, haha.  :-D

“Tall Paul”

Gang,

I might suggest that we all discuss one or two ideas at a time so as to better
“flesh-out” our thought processes.

How about we start out with the area each map/game should encompass.

–--------------------------

I’m of the opinion that each of the maps/games should be of a regional size including a whole battle/campaign area.  Think of EACH of these maps/games encompasing the entire map area of a 1940-Global map and you’ll realize the amount of sea and land zones I’m contemplating for EACH of these games.

We could ULTIMATELY put a patchwork together of all of these maps/games to play the ENTIRE Pacific in a long-term game OR in a tournament.

For instance,…The Solomons Campaign.

I would like to see the Solomons game cover:

In the North,…the Admiralties, New Ireland, New Britain and the Bismark Sea

In the Northeast,…Truk(off-board)

In the Center,…ALL of the islands in “the slot” including Savo, Florida, Tulagi, Gavutu, and Tanambogo

In the East,…the Santa Cruz islands OR at least the ocean in this area

In the Southeast,…the New Hebrides and New Caladonia

In the Southwest,…some parts of New Guinea and possibly Australia(off-board)

Think of the area just described laid-out diagonally across the mapboard equivilents of a 1940-Global game.  Basically using a mapboard the size of the whole world to represent a more detailed map of only the Solomons Campaign area.  By reducing the scale somewhat from the STRATEGIC to a little more of the TACTICAL size we would have more sea and land zones.

A LOT of these decisions would have to be thoroughly discussed and depend a GREAT deal on gameplay issues.  Our “Map Master” will SAVE us here.

OK,…What do ya’ll think about the map/game size and area covered???

By the way,…I’m from the South and YA’LL is a contraction for you all.

“Tall Paul”

Guys,

––I e-mailed “LHoffman” and the German Luftwaffe is finished and will be ‘winging’ it’s way home to me. That’s what I call a Christmas present(from me-to me)!
––We still need to do the JU-88s, ME-109s, and the Afrika Korps, Winter War, and Naval paint schemes. And whatever units come out in “HBG’s Global War Expansion Sets”.
––I don’t know if any of us will live long enough to see the completion of this ever-enlarging massive project,…but as long as HBG makes them, “WilTan” will modify anything necessary, and “LHoffman” and others will paint them. We will have FUN,….which should be the goal of ALL of us A&A gamers!

“Tall Paul”  :-D