Vapnartak, York Wargames Show Report, 01.02.15

There I was up early on a Sunday morning having made my mind up not to visit Vapnartak for the first time, bar once, in about eight years. I had a funny feeling, like I had made the wrong decision...... that nagging feeling. So, I jumped up, had a quick wash, fitting the description of the great unwashed that seem to linger around the Bring and Buy stands at all shows(!) and was out of the door at the bus stop and half an hour later on the train to York. I managed to get to the show sometime between 12:30 and 1:30..... I was just happy to be there, it being the first show I have attended since Vapnartak last year! That is, if I don't count the local Durham show that was held in June.

Immediately I headed for Dave T's stand to try to fill the list that I had worked out a week or so earlier! I managed to get everything except the 10th Hussars for the Sudan and a few Artizan Designs North West Frontier range that I was looking for to add a little interest to one unit and to add a Highland unit to my yet unpainted collection. For more details on what I've labelled Sudan Swag go to my Shooting Leave blog which concentrates on Late Victorian Warfare.

It would be silly of me not to say that it felt a little strange as this was the first show in 13 years that I had attended without my ex and at times I did feel like I was really missing her. I was asked on a few occasions where she was and had to explain what had happened which was emotional but not unbearable. It was great to see a number of old friends, Andy S, The Curteys just to name a couple.

As far as games went it was a bit of a mixed bag. I believe there was some kind of competition on the second floor, so I avoided that as time was of the essence and if I was going to get any pics of some of the better looking games I'd need to speed things up a little.

Here's are the pics of the games that did strike a chord with me and a short description to boot:

Assault Across Suez 1915

The League of Extraordinary Kriegspielers

A great well thought out layout and some wonderfully well painted miniatures contributed at least for me this was the pick of the show. On display there were many of Mark Hargreaves of Open the Sights beautifully rendered conversion and painting work. Many of the close ups that I tried to get are of his work. Incidentally Mark also does free WWI Painting guides on his blog which you will find HERE! Overall, a fabulous looking game and I would have spent watching more action unfold had i not been in a rush. I think the pictures speak for them selves.

Dux Britannium Game

Curteys Mi niatures

Again, this game was a real treat for the eye with (I think) much of the buildings being hand made especially for the day. The terrain was great, the players very friendly (what else would one expect from a chap known as Nice John?)., the game seemed to be running smoothly as Dux Britannium tends to do.

The boat below really was made out of a cornflakes packet!! Seriously!!! John Noakes eat your heart out!

Shaun of the Dead

Bingham and Disrtict Wargamers

For anyone familiar with the very funny Shaun of the Dead movie this will need no introduction. There was a frenzy of gaming activity around the table and I was not able to get any close ups. Hopefully the few shots i got indicate what a nice looking and fun game this was.

John Paul Jones Raid on Leith Septemner 1779

M. Wheatly

This game was purely a display game by a chap that puts on game every year and seems to add more detail every year, not that the display stays the same, it doesn't. Very impressive scenery and terrain- my favourites are the details in all the buildings and the duel at the side of the building.

Pistols at Dawn Sir!

Lance and Longbow Society

Battle of Hexam

The oft overlooked Battle of Hexam was an important event in the Wars of the Roses/Cousins War as is marked the end of any serious Lancastrian resistance in the North of England during the reign of Edward IV. It's also very near to where I live so was interesting in that respect too.

Donnybrook

League of Augsburg

That's about it for now. I really wish that I'd had the time to get to see more games but I had to be back in home at a certain time so I had to leg it along the road to get the bus. It must have looked comical, man  running in thick woolly hoody with puffa jacked and backpackladen down with miniatures, none of which were plastic!

Bye for now.