I love it when a parcel arrives on the doorstep. The thunk on the mat today was the Spearhead rules - so I can now start wargaming WW2 properly and build up my Russian army (having said that, looking at all the fantastic toys the Germans get...)
So - what do you get? The rules (obviously) but also the Tables of Organisation and Equipment - essentially orders of battle to provide guidance on building an army of choice. You also get fast reference sheets with a roster on the back (these are for photocopying, obviously) and quick reference sheets (for all participants). these come with a dotted line to detach the required section. This will be photocopied and laminated before midday!
A quick scan of the TO&E for mid-late Russians (say 1943) shows that I need a shedload of models! For example a motorized Rifle Brigade requires
Brigade HQ
1 HQ stand (car / truck)
3 motorized rifle battalions each of
HQ : 1 HQ stand (car / truck)
3 Infantry companies comprising 3 rifle stands in trucks
1 MG company (1 HMG stand in truck)
1 81mm Mortar stand in truck
1 AT Gun company (45/66 ATG tractor or Truck)
(I make that 27 rifle stands, 9 HMG stands, 9 mortar stands, 9 AT stands and 36 trucks plus 4 cars).
In addition a Rifle Brigade can also call on :-
1 submachine gun company (3 SMG stands in trucks)
1 recon company (1 BA 32 armoured car, 1 SMG stand in M3 Scout car, 2 jeeps with .50 cal MG)
1 Artillery battalion (3 76/41 Field gunds with tractors)
1 Mortar Battalion (1 120mm mortar stand, 2 81mm mortar stands - all in Trucks)
1 Anti Aircraft company (2 AA MG stands in trucks)
So that's 44 trucks, 5 cars, 1 BA 32 armoured car, 2 jeeps, and 34 stands of infantry and 26 other stands of assorted hardware!
Luckily its 6mm - if this was FoW I'd need a second mortgage!
And that's just one Rifle Brigade! I need to go to a quiet room to work out the tanks required. Lets just assume 'lots' for now and see how we get on.
Ian suggested starting off small (i.e. build an army for a small scenario and then build up the forces gradually. He's right of course, but as my birthday is coming up I can see a big splurge coming up and either Scotia or H&R benefitting (despite my rant of a couple of days ago) as GHQ are just too expensive.
The Delivery
What threw me was that I ordered it from Caliver Books but it came in an Amazon package - and Mrs B was first to the door (d'oh)
"A package from Amazon?! What have you been wasting your money on now?" shrieks the harpy
"Nothing"
"Liar! Open it now!
rip tear rip
"Oh - more bloody wargames rubbish!"
Women just don't understand....