Wooden Wars Task Force: Flat Tops

" Midway thrust the warlords back on their heels, caused their ambitious plans... to be cancelled, and force them on an unexpected, defensive role. 

~ S.E. Morison, U.S. Navy's official historian

 

This flat top is "based"  off the hornet class

Flat Top

Look at that grain! 

I've finally gotten around to a commission a pal of mine has wanted for a while- his own carrier to play Wooden Wars Task Force. 

The ship is made mostly of a lovely piece of poplar that I got at my local lumber yard, simply because it was such a nice piece of wood. Bit of a shame to paint it, so I made sure I got pics of it raw. 

She measures in at 22 inches, and with a compliment of planes, has been hand delivered by the finest shop girl  my Mrs.) to my pal in  Montreal. 

 Guest Shipwrights 

Heres a few shots of fellow bloggers who are playing WoodenWars Task Force and have built up some cool ships!  

"Croc" is a Joey Scout leader in Australia- He's working with his troop in building ships. He tells me that his fine battleship actually floats! 

So cool- and look at all those guns!

Chris is a local teacher and a member of my local, the South Bay Game Club, who has taken on an entire couple of navies and kids to match as an after school program. He has the kids making ships using foam and straws. Very cool- I love the dreadnought designs

This kind of thing inspires me to do more! Thanks Chris!

Thanks guys for sending the pics, and the Enthusiasm to spread making and gaming to our younger arm chair generals!  If you out there in bloggerland have made any ships, or painted up wooden troops, I'd love to see pics!

Rules and Blue prints 

I've been getting  quite a few emails and requests for blue prints and rules. As to blue prints I don't have anythign official, but have sent tracings of my ships. The rules however are in a good working state and I'd be glad to send you a free copy.

That being said, I'm working towards putting the rules and some blue prints (as well as how to's) up in one of the major gaming mags.  Stay tuned and we'll see if anything pans out!

Coolness in one picture!

Wooden Wars Task Force: New Battle ship launched at Fossywick Ship Yards

 “Why is the Rum always gone? !”
- Cptn Jack Sparrow

Ship yard in action, with the USS Battley in the background.

Fossywick Ship yards

Nothing gets a shipyards production up and running faster than a war. Unless it’s a two year olds birthday party you kinda forgot about (Or an upcoming convention).  Last year I gave the 1 year old midshipman a cruiser, so wanted to add to the fleet, and had about 4 hours before the party to do so.  Luckily for me I have a few ship hulls (wooden rough cut blanks) in the ship yards, and a new belt sander, so away I went. 

The party was at 2pm, and she was dry and ready to put a ribbon on her at 1:30. Plenty of time for a cup of tea while shop-vacccing the dust. 

 

Dubbed the USS Wolflair, she measure about 18 inches long.

True colors

Now those of you with an astute historical acumen would call me out saying, “Thomas- that is a dreadnaught era design, and as such the colors are all off!”  Well, you’d be right, but I’ve been kinda just keeping all the ships grey for now for ease of well, painting. That and I have no qualms of mixing pre WW1 ships with WW2 designs in my Task force games.  At some point soon I do want to paint up a dreadnaught style ship in those true black, white and yellow ochre colors.  Such a curious choice, Yellow Ochre. ..

Back to the Oars!

That’s all for this week- I need to get back to cleaning up my Galleys Guns and Glory rules so they can be sent to the printer.  Again thanks to all of you who have playtested or just read the rules and provided me with great feedback. Rules sets are made to be played, and if they don’t work for you they wouldn’t be any fun.