DrakenFyre's Blog

I’ve been looking at getting into VSF war-gaming for a couple years now but it wasn’t until earlier this year that I found a system that interested me. Actually it was two systems, Aeronef and Land Ironclads from Wessex Games, which along with the miniatures produced for them by Brigade Models looked like a good combination for was I was looking to play. I waffled back and forth about buying yet another system and more miniatures but I finally decided that trying something other than my usual sci-fi gaming would be a good change. So back at the begining of the summer I went and purchased a starter pack for both systems from Brigade.

I was impressed with what I recivied, to say the least. The rules were clear and consice, and were also simple to play but still gave lots of detail for individual units and lots of openings for tactics. Aeronef is a game of manuvering and broadsides, not the bigger hammer techniques that some sci-fi systems are prone too. The miniatures from Brigade are what impressed me the most. I’ve never had units in such a small scale (1/1200th) but these were simply amazing. The castings were crispy and really detailed, right down to believable portholes and wood decking on the ships, and there was much less trimming and cleaning required on them than I expected. If fact I was so impressed by the miniatures that when Brigade later had a sale on everything they make, I bought more, a lot more, an almost stupid amount more.

It’s taken me a while and I’ve only just now got the last of the Aeronefs assembled, but once I put them together to take pictures of the fleets I realized how truly massive and impressive these forces are.

The mighty British fleet patrols the Channel

The Brits are an impressive fleet with their array of escorts backed up by destroyers and light crusiers. At it’s core is a pair of battlecrusiers and a trio of battleships and the latest in flat-decked carriers.

The German fleet prepares for war

Opposing them are the Germans who will cause the skies to roll with the thunder of their mighty guns. Though they have near as many escorts as the British they lack the mid-sized vessels, but make up for this with heavy battleships and dreadnoughts. They may only have a captured French carrier for fighter support but they make up for it with the heavier triplane fighters.

I do also have merchant convoy for scenario play and a third fleet that will become a very special themed force, but more on them when they are painted. Which is the next step for the German and British fleets, the epic task of painting and basing all of them, maybe I’ll assmble all of my ironclads first though.