Posts made by 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”

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”

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”

“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!

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

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”

“Coach”,

Would it be possible for me to re-do my vote?  The choices for the “Atlanta” A/A Cruiser, Seaplane Tender and PT Boats weren’t available when I voted.

Also,  is the listed LCV a “typo” that’s supposed to be an LCVP “Higgins” boat?  If so you might want to add “Higgins” boat to it for people who might not recognize it as such.  I didn’t realize this represented the LCVP higgins boat myself.

And is the LCT a “typo” that should be an LST (Landing Ship-Tank)?  If so, that’s 2 more changes I’d like to my vote as I think these are both very important units that deserve to be made in your 1st US Navy set.  Thanks for hearing my request.  I think it’s important to get these choices set at the start of the voting.

“Tall Paul”

OK,  I voted for my 12, although I would still VERY MUCH like to see a seaplane tender and an LCVP “Higgins” boat.  Maybe in the US Navy, set #2 (Heavy Hint, “coach”).  Also a PT boat (slightly large in scale) would be useful in forcing everyone to escort their convoys or pay a price.

Oh, and I hope you decide to make the light cruiser an Atlanta class anti-aircraft type.  An “Atlanta” would not only be cool looking, but add a dimension that would be very useful in a naval-oriented game.  Then, just as in real life, you’d have to “balance” your fleet to take into consideration anti-sub, anti-air, anti-surface, etc.

I’m going to pre-order 2 full sets.  I would like to have between 6-12 of most every naval unit other than the older Battleships which I think I’ll only need 2 or 3 of.

I hope that we will be able to buy INDIVIDUAL PIECES as I’d buy 40-70 more units if I didn’t have to buy full sets that had many more old Battleships than I need.  “Coach”, what is your opinion on the possibility of offerring individual units???  It should be obvious that everyone will need MANY more “Essex” class carriers, Cruisers, Destroyers, and Landing Craft than of the Older classes of Battleships which in reality only had 2-3 of each class.  Don’t get me wrong,…I WANT to have the Older Battleships, too,…just not as many as the “Essex” Carriers, though.  Thanks again for your effort in making us all “happier”.
                                                        “Tall Paul”

Also, here is my “list”, and why.

an AO Oiler                To add a logistics capability to the game.
    an LCVP “Higgins” boat. The most iconic and necessary of the WW2 landing craft.
    an LCM                      Especially if "Coach"s new Sherman tank will fir IN it.
    an LST                      Another iconic and very useful ship for our gameplay
    an AV Seaplane Tender  To add Recon capabilities to the game
    a  PBY seaplane            "  "      "          "        "    "    "
    an Essex class CV        A necessary item to any WW2 US Navy
    an Atlanta class CLAA  For additional anti-aircraft defense
    a Montana class BB      WOW!  Need I say more?
    as many OTHER CLASSES of (BB) Battleships, NEW and OLD as can be made.
    a B-29 Superfortress.  Would add a VLR Heavy Bomber capability to the game.

Other units such as a Alaska class BC would be welcome, and I would certainly buy it also, although it’s not on my “necessary” list.

With these new units a very real improvement/evolution can be made to our A&A gameplay.  I feel very good that the “Coach” is the one throwing out ideas for new units as HE is the one that will get them produced!

And if it would help get these units produced, I would right now be very happy to put money towards a pre-order.  I’m sure a lot of others would, too “Coach”, but it’s you’re call on that.

p.s.–I also think an OIL DERRICK would be useful but the “Coach” might be able to get the ones already made from the “Wildcatter” game(BIG HINT HINT).

What does everyone think???
                                                                              “Tall Paul”

@WARRIOR888:

Tall Paul and Coach, excellent idea, I would truly enjoy an AA Naval only game,  Might leave in Islands that you must capture using our new Marines for attack and defense air and naval bases.  Ships normally do not control a sea port or air base you have to have a small land force to maintain it.  This is where the Marines can come into play in a big way.  If Coach develops landing craft you need the proper forces to use them. THE USMC.

Warrior888,

Yes, in describing a “universal” naval game I expected there to be several small but important land targets, whether they be resources, bases, potential new bases or whatever.  I just meant I wanted a game where the NAVAL aspect of the game is primary, not only an accessory to the land(IPC point) game.

I’m thinking that base defense, recon, convoys, convoy escort, surface warfare, carrier warfare, bombardment, amphibious warfare, etc. would all be important facets of the NAVAL game I’m hoping for(hint hint Coach).  I also think a large open area allowing for naval battles on the map would be good.

You know, what I’m describing sounds a bit like the Solomons Campaign.  The A&A GUADALCANAL game is already out.  I have this game but have yet to play it.  My gaming group is still too engrosed in 1940-Global, right now.  I originally bought it for the Hellcat fighters and airbase markers.  The Hellcats look so much better on my CV’s than P-38s,… and I buy the Victory marker houses(from HBG) paint them Gray and decal them(I-94) for somewhat 3D air/naval bases.  although I’ve read some discussion somewhwere that either HBG or FMG were to someday make air/naval bases as well as ICs.

Anyway, with all the collective brain-power that is available on this forum I think A “universal” A&A NAVAL game would not only be possible, but FUN.  And if if would serve as another reason to develope all of these additional naval units,…great!

“Tall Paul”

“Coach”,

I’m in, definately!  I think a LOT of people would buy these additional naval units.

Also, I would like to suggest that you and/or your associates look into designing an entire A&A NAVAL game.  I would really like to see a game that wasn’t restricted to a set strategy or tactical movement such as the battle of Midway.  A game that would be much more “universal” in it’s offerring of many strategies/plans to win and would be so large in sea area would make it possible(even necesary) for several smaller battles to occur all over the map.  I imagine it would help sales of these additional naval units too.  Don’t forget about seaplane tenders and PBYs (or their enemy equivilents).

I seriously hope you’ll spend some “gray matter” on developing a NAVAL A&A game for all of us to enjoy.  It would be so differrent to have a game that the main focus was in building a navy to fight an enemy navy rather than just as an adjunct to assisting the “land campaign”.  Please consider it.

What does everyone else think about a Naval A&A game?

p.s.-my US Marines arrived and look GREAT!  your delivery speed is as always to be commended.

“Tall Paul”****

I think it would be interesting to have a naval A&A game.  It would be differrent to build a fleet to face another fleet in combat instead of to assist in accomplishment of the land combat strategy.

The games my group play tend to have as concentrated and effecient strategies as possible rather than many small conflicts all over the map leaving no time or IPC’s for little battles.  We play 1940-Global and most times the Allies go after a “Germany 1st” strategy, but we have had a few US vs. Japan major fleet engagements with all other arms assisting.  It was VERY interesting.

I’d imagine many players would also be interested in a new Naval Map/Game that was somewhat universal and not tied to only one stragey/objective (like the batlle of Midway).

What are everyone else’s thoughts on this???          “Tall Paul”

“Coach”,

The C-46 Commandoe also completely replaced the C-47 Skytrain units assigned to the 374th Troop Carrier Wing(5th AF) in New Guinea and later.

These “transport” missions were considered as COMBAT missions and most were flown without fighter support.    “Tall Paul”

Hello group,

––I was wonderring if anyone knows when the artist “Allworkandnoclay” will be rejoining this forum. He does AWESOME work painting A&A units as is shown by his pics in the 1940-Global disusion area and his “flickr” site.

––By reading through all the messages there and elsewhere concerning this talented painter I know that he sometimes takes vacations to exotic places.

----I am very interested in purchasing 100-1000 of his painted units if I could get in touch with him.

----Can anyone help me out??? Thanks everyone,

“Tall Paul”

WOW,  Great work “Coach”.  I just ordered 2 sets and I’m looking forward to receiving them and “dipping” them in some enemy blood, haha.  Thanks again, Doug for your time and effort on behalf of ALL of us Axis & Aliies fans.    “Tall Paul”****

FANTASTIC work “Coach”.  I’m looking forward to buying some of these units also as I just ordered a couple of your US Marine sets.  Just an observation, but it looks like the air transport is a C-46 Commandoe instead of a C-47 Skytrain.  Maybe I missed that in some of the forums(?).  I’m certainly NOT complaining though as I’ll be glad to have it as well as ALL of the other wonderful units you’re producing for us thankful A&A fans.  Thanks again for your SERIOUS effort, Doug.    “Tall Paul”.

I’m a “people” person and I think it’s very hard to beat the interaction between players when playing in a face to face situation.  The Fun & Fellowship to me is much more important than who wins,…although I’m a very competitive person.    Tall Paul

DARN!  This pic of my Dad is 423 instead of 256 and so it’s too large a file.  Sorry guys, I appologize.  Maybe I can find some of them that are small enough.    Tall Paul

Allright!  Thanks for the help “IRock”.  In my book,…you do ROCK

This is my favorite picture of my Dad in WW2.  It’s wintertime just before the Battle of the Bulge.  Notice that my Dad is wearing a white snow cover.  It was rather unusual for US Army soldiers at that time to have them.  Since he was on an out-post on the front lines or even sometimes inside the German lines it was issued to him, along with the Thompson.  When the Germans overan his OP at the start of the “Bulge” he had to make his way 20 or so miles back to the American lines.  Once there the M.P.‘s noticed the white snow cover which was more common for the German troops, his being quite tall(6’-7"), angular, and being of English/German descent all made the M.P.'s suspicious of him and so they held him for questioning until someone from his unit could be located and vouch for him.  Remember, the Germans had parachuted  several American-speaking German commandoes into the American lines at the start of the battle to create confusion.  My Dad said he was very glad to get back to his unit alive not having been  shot by either the Germans OR the Americans, haha.

Of course I’m just paraphrasing.  His article on this was probably 5-7 pages if I remember correctly and had several other “happennings” as well.

By the way, my Dad would NEVER consider himself a hero and has told me so many stories of the infantrymen that he encountered that were ALWAYS facing death every minute of there lives.  Sure, he had his moments of sufferring artillery, sniper fire, and fighter-bombers(ME-262)…but not 24/7 like the line infantry did.  He really respected those guys and helped them out ANYTIME he could.  My point is that my Dad was a soldier that although he voluntered for some hazardous duty, simply just did his duty, and was fortunate enough to live through it.

I hope I didn’t get too long-winded for anyone.  I’m sorry if I did.  I’m sure everyone won’t hesitate to let me know their opinions on this.    Later,    Tall Paul

Great info.  I had read very brief references to this incident before but not with this much detail.  Thanks for the entertaining, educational piece.    Tall Paul

Hello,

Does one have to have a minumum number of posts to be able to up-load pics(of my Dad in WW2) or is it that I just don’t know the process???  You’re allowed to call me ignorant(grin) if you inform me how to accomplish it.

I was able to change my settings and add a pic of my Dad there, but it is so small and it feels a little unusual having his pic on my account.  If it were his account, it would be named “Big H” as that’s what he’s been called for decades.  Thanks,  Tall Paul

Well, the Japanese would have undoubtably sunk a large percentage of the transports, escorts, and support ships.  This would have made it even more dificult for the Marines(if that’s possible) and potentially lengthened the campaign , but not necessarily so.

With FDR already showing his tendencies to alter policy decisions, and then with orders from him as Commander in Chief to find all supply/equipment necessary to support the Guadalcanal operation, my opinion is it would have turned out much as it actually did.

Don’t forget that Adm. King had already won an enlargement of the total available forces able to be diverted from the Europe 1st policy.

FDR as you well know was a “Navy” man.  His political power and Navy interest is what brought about the creation of the Marine Raider Battalions, Marine Parachute Battalions, and other pro-Navy units.

Not to “oversimplify” things, or my reasoning behind my thoughts, but I think this wouldn’t necesarily have had a major impact on the Final Outcome of the campaign.    I respect anyone having a diferring opinion, especially if it is an educated one that knows his history and understands it.          “Tall Paul”