PAW 20132-3 February 2013 . by Paul Davies

Before introducing a small selection of the games on show this year, I would just like to say that PAW seems to be unique in certain respects in making my job much easier than at ANY other UK show that I attend, but more of that after my brief coverage of PAW 2013.

The organisers of PaW, the Plymouth association of Wargamers, have long been making it their ‘mission’ to make their show bigger and better each year. Judging by this year’s event, with around 30 games and 20 traders, they are clearly well ‘on track’. Like any wargames show in the south west, distance and the obscenely high price of fuel combine to work against it on many levels, and certainly some of the larger traders were noticeable by their absence this year, albeit because they were no doubt at Vapnartak at the other end of the country, but having said that PaW was supported by a good range of traders and I for one, found more than enough on which to spend my money!

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baTTLe oF HamPTon roaDs, 1862 This magnificent recreation of the first clash of the ironclads was presented by Phil Martin and Adam Williams of the Bideford and District Wargamers, and featured an impressive collection of 1:150th scale ships, some converted from plastic kits, others card models and scratchbuilt. This game could not fail to catch the eye. And as well as the two opposing fleets there were also forts manned by 15mm figures; a mix of QRF and Minifigs. Special mention should also be made of the very clear and informative information sheets supporting this game, which provided a thorough and easily understandable explanation of the battle, and helped visitors to understand what happened historically, and also get more involved in what was happening on the table.

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Corunna

John Soper of the Plymouth Association of Wargamers (PAW) created his interpretation of the battle of Corunna during the Peninsular War, using 28mm figures from Victrix, Elite Miniatures and Front Rank, and buildings from the Tablescape range.

War anD ConQuesT

Rob Broom of Scarab Miniatures showcased his popular War and Conquest rules and 28mm figures, with a small display of figures and buildings.

someWHere near CaIro

A fictional battle from Napoleon’s campaign in Egypt was the basis for this 28mm game by the Exmouth Imperials Wargames Society. Figures were a real mixture and included Assault Group, Black Tree, Brigade, Dixon’s, Elite, Essex, Gripping Beast, Hinchliffe and Old Glory!

HoLD unTIL reLIeVeD - Pegasus brIDge 1944

Don McHugh of The Society of Gentlemen Gamers, ably supported by Willz Harley, presented a recreation in 20mm of Major John Howard’s attempt to capture Pegasus Bridge which was inspired by an article written by Colin Rumford in Wargames Ilustrated. Figures were a mixture of Britannia and Raventhorpe, with vehicles by Britannia, Skytrex, Raventhorpe and Moonlight Works, and buildings by Sentry and Byzantine. Rules used were Rapid Fire. Whilst all the important actions of the day were built into the game, the sequence in which they occurred was controlled by a completely random card based system, making for an interestingly unpredictable game.

oVerVIeW:

So that’s it, a small selection of historical or vaguely ‘alternate’ history games from this year’s PAW; a show that really does seem to get better every year. As a measure of the success and popularity of PAW this year, the ‘Bring and Buy’ took over £5,000, and every trader reported that they had a good weekend; one even exceeded his weekend target by 11am on Saturday!

As regular readers of my show reports will be aware, I am always asking that anyone presenting a game spends a little time preparing a handout explaining the thinking behind their game, acknowledging the wargamers or modelmakers who have played a major part in creating the game, as well giving due credit to the manufacturers of any commercially available items being used.

My reasoning is two fold. Firstly I want to spend my time concentrating on taking photographs for us all to enjoy, not scribbling down notes or hanging around waiting for the only person who actually has all the information to get back from the ‘Bring and Buy’, the café or a

‘comfort break! Secondly a pre-printed information sheet also reduces the chance of me misreading my handwriting and getting important details wrong, and it’s also something that visitors can take away with them and which may even inspire them to try the period or recreate the game for their own enjoyment.

Whilst a few wargamers can see the advantages to them, and the hobby, of producing handouts, most unfortunately, do not. However, Clive Dudley, organiser of PAW took my comments of previous years to heart, and this year, went a significant step further. Not only did he get everyone putting on a game to supply him with a completed form detailing their game well before the event, but he then collated all this information, together with a floorplan and list of traders and supplied it as a ‘Press Pack’!! Brilliant! A definite ‘first’, and very much appreciated. So thanks Clive, for helping to make my work easier. Who knows, perhaps you might even start a trend….

Of course PAW isn’t just about participation and demonstration

games. Like most two-day events there were several competitions and tournaments running over the weekend including Field of Glory Ancients 15mm and 25mm, Flames of War WW2 15mm, Warhammer 40K and Warhammer Fantasy, as well as a one-day Warmachine/Hordes tournament. I’m always reluctant to photograph, and possibly distract the competitors during tournament games having had a few rather bad experiences in the past, but for further details of the competition winners, check out the PAW website: www.paw2013.co.uk

Finally, to leave no doubt that the guys at PAW are definitely getting their marketing machine into gear, visitors even got a free pen which ‘discreetly’ advised that PAW 2014 would be taking place on 1st/2nd February 2014, at the same venue; The Kitto Centre, Honicknowle Lane, Plymouth PL5 3NG.

To keep up to date with the plans for next years events keep an eye on the website dedicated to PAW 2014:

www.paw2014.co.uk

LasT raID

A 15mm French and Indian Wars game by the Berkeley Vale Wargames Club used the Muskets & Tomahawks rules. Figures were 15mm Peter Pig. The terrain was a ‘fur throw’ enhanced with various terrain features by K&M, Steve Barber, Timecast and Dreamholme. Particular mention should be made of the superb 15mm laser cut mdf buildings by 4Ground.

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