Partizan 2021

So finally I was able to go to a wargames show with real people, no daft Zoom images and to be honest it was extremely enjoyable. I can only apolgise to anyone who for whatever reason couldnt or wouldnt take the risk to meet people in a large hall. I had hoped to arrive in plenty of time as I was expecting a long queue. I was right about the queue but was a little late by my normal standards.Luckily it was a beautiful morning and a great day to take a long drive, well by UK standards. The organisers to take account of that Covid thing had opened all the fire doors etc which I hope they will continue with in the future because the place normally gets unbearably hot and smelly. Yesterday was a pleasure to walk around. I understand that punters were supposed to wear masks, but I wasnt aware of the request and I dont think the majority were aware either. To be honest I only wear a mask if Im going to see my doctor or if Im shopping in my local shop the rest of the time Ive wanted to feel as normal as possible, but I will apologise if I frightened anyone yesterday with my unmasked mug. Its never a pretty sight.

So the show itself? Well for me it was just great to be able to look at stuff, talk to wargamers I hadnt seen for a longtime and admire the games. And its fair to say the games deserved admiring for so many reasons. I must apologise that unless I personally knew the exhibitors I didnt get any details of the talented people who made a great effort to brighten up my day.

 Normally ie in the past I would have a standout favourite but at Partizan yesterday there were too many very good wargames in all scales and periods. If I was pressed my choice would be between the wonderful 60mm Ancient participation game using To the Strongest rules and...     

All the 60mm figures are Expeditionary Force from Singapore which arent cheap but in the flesh are quality. I actually looked at these several years ago but balked at the price. I really wish Id bitten the bullet they are beautiful when painted.

The elephants were Schleich toys which are very good models in their own right, repainted they look great.

Some Britains using the proper terrain for such figures, and yes there were proper shell firing guns.

Potentially my other best game and inevitably it was that annoying painting genius and all round really decent bloke, David Imrie. David and his collegus from Claymore Castings staged the Battle of Crecy.David is one of those really decent people who also is talented beyond what is fair.

                                          God how I wanted to examine each figure at a time. 

And my other best of show game, a 40mm Seven Years War game using self casts, chopped around figures and sheer hard work.

All the buildings were 3d printed in 40mm scale. They were absolutely top quality and is an example of the future as prices etc come down. Of course being a quality painter helps. Each building was in removable floors with proper interiors.

The two ships for the game apparantly were from a secondhand shop and then adapted.

                     The star fort again was a 3d printed piece that took days to download.

I was beginning to run out of superlatives and this Carthaginian/Roman ancient game was a beautiful game in its own right.   

I love elephants on a wargame. I always feel sorry for them knowing how kind they are in the main. These African elephants were perfect.

Of course the Perry Twins popped in with a game. Naturally they had hundreds of South American goodies.It is a colourful period and the figures were up to their normal brilliant standard.

The Grimsby club staged an eye-catching WW2 game, loved the ruined cinema with screen still playing.

Im not a big lover of hex battlefields but appreciate their uses. This Napoleonic game was very neat and had some quality figures on show.

                                                     Loved these Polish Lancers.
                                            

A game from the Sikh wars again with some quality painted figures, wargamers are extremely talented people.

                                                     Indian Wars done really well.

The gents from the Durham Wargames Club staged a WAB dark ages battle.I was itching to throw some dice in this game.

                             The Libyan campaign done in 1/72, some really decent tanks on show.

A very large scratch built scene from the Russian campaign in Germany, 1944/45. 

Scattered throughout the battlefield were little diorama's and odd figures telling a story.Really well executed. 

A really well staged medieval siege game in 28mm again with some lovely little vignettes.

I really enjoyed seeing several Seven Years War games on show with well painted figures and quality terrain.

                            An El Cid battle with boats and Herbert Lom dressed in black.

                                      The only Winter battle which was really well executed.

So there you have it. I can only apologise for the excessively large number of photographs but felt the games deserved being published. Oh and I did manage to spend only a small amount of money on figures and brushes so I was better disciplined than usual.