02 Hundred Hours

 My wife bought me the starter set for this intriguing game as a Xmas present and I haven't had a chance to take a look at it until recently.

Whilst I've still to absorb the rules I have read a number of write ups in the wargaming press which seem to be very positive.

The quality of the game components is very good (although the box it came in is a little flimsy) there being a number of cards, press-out card counters, special dice, a vac-formed storage tray for the above and 30 Wargames Atlantic plastic multi-pose figures with 25mm circular bases.

Its the latter that I have had a chance to get to grips with and I really like them.

Firstly, as a spoiler for the "accuracy police" they are not the most accurately equipped soldiers out there. The German sentries aren't too bad as it's unlikely in their role they would need water bottles, respirators etc. but I would have thought that the rifle armed infantry would be carrying bayonets too?

The British figures can be commandos, airborne. SAS or anything similar. They wear Denison smocks and have a choice of plain, cap comforter, beret or airborne helmeted heads. Whilst they have moulded 37 pattern webbing there are no water bottles - just a curious single buckle pouch that resembles a bino's carrier. There are also 3 bergen rucksacks per sprue, but of course you'll have to scratch build straps if it worries you as to how they are carried.

But these minor observations aside, what these figures have in spades is character!

In fact almost a cartoonish character!! I could almost see Captain Hurricane in there!

There are some great poses possible. The guy with the knife in his teeth, the sentry having a cheeky fag, the six excellent German Shepherd guard dogs, the two handed pistol stance etc.

There's also a massive choice of weaponry - pistols (silenced and not), SMGs, Brens, Rifles......even a De Lisle Carbine! Loads & loads for the spares box too.

The figures are as heroic as some manufacturers but look anatomically correct. Some of the weapons (and particularly their holsters) look a little out of scale, but they seem to work.

I've enjoyed building these immensely. I then filled what gaps there were at the arm joins with liquid green stuff (a new departure for me) and sprayed them white before finishing them exclusively with Citadel Contrast and Scale 75 paints.

In fact the first 12 were painted in a single 3 hour sitting - in case you are wondering the German uniform colour is GW Creed Camo Contrast paint.

Now I've assembled the remaining 18 figures and need to find some more time to get them painted....