I may be a little biased but my local show Legionary is a great show. I do not think any one thing makes it great but what I do think helps is:
Trader Variety – too many other shows have multiple traders selling similar items. This is not too much of an issue at large shows but at small shows it is annoying. While this can be good for a buyer i.e. bartering, the rest of us wish an alternative supplier attended. I guess the trader is not too happy either as his profit margin gets hit.
Good games – good coverage of eras with good quality figures and terrain. New games appear every year, not just same games rehashed.
Good Parking – Not many shows where you can unload your game from the car at the table! For visitors plenty of level, free parking and only a 45 min walk from a park and ride.
Helpers – loads of people on hand to help and the start and end of the show.
Food – Fantastic canteen facilities run separately and professionally Great hot and cold food served nearly all day at great prices.
The Game.
As usual, living only 5 minutes drive away I was there on time and with the help of Steve, Laurie and Nathan the game was set up and we broke for a well deserved breakfast.
The format we normally have at shows were we have put a game on is a bit of wargaming and a bit of shopping while trying to keep an eye on the bring and buy, with at least one of us at the table to answer any questions.
The scenario was based on the Pegasus bridge raid of 44 in reverse, with Homeguard units holding key bridges from invading Fallschirmjager who once they have captured the bridges have to hold them against British reinforcements while holding out for German reinforcements.
The Germans landed and luckily the homeguard were on the ball, and first thing they did was race to the bridge control room and raise the bridge. There was a vicious exchange of fire and the homeguard started to receive a few casualties. They held on for a few more turns before having to retire.
The British reinforcements started to arrive but almost immediately so did the German ones. This caused a panic in the British as the first lot of Germans appeared on the same table end as the British having made good time from Exmouth beach, while others appeared at the other end having traveled from Dawlish. The only thing stopping them linking up was the bridge still be up! A group of Germans tried to board the boat and cross the canal. A yes/no/maybe dice was rolled and unfortunately Jerry could not start the boat. No worries, as a unit in rubber boats came up the canal and storming the control room they managed to lower the bridge.
The British reinforcements made slow progress though the town as Pz IIs were now arriving. The British Matilda even had to contemplate with a 5th columnist Policeman attempting to destroy it with a sticky bomb. He was soon dispatched with a burst of MG fire.
The game was eventually declared a Minor British victory as the Germans were either being pushed back or lacked reinforcements being unable to grab anymore ground. That said though, they had managed to hold on to the beaches!
A big thank you to Steve for the canal and Laurie for a last minute painting effort for the dinghies and lorry passengers. Cheers GUYS.
Many people stopped and chatted and a few were surprised that the bridges we based this game on were used to practice the Pegasus raid and that they were only a mile from the show.
Everything else was from my own collection.
Buildings – Charlie Foxtrot, Sarissa or Homemade.
Trees and Hedges – Homemade. see blog elsewhere.
Figures – Mainly Foundry with a few Artizan, Blacktree and Warlord.
Vehicles – Tamiya, Frog, Stronghold, Blitzkrieg, Blacktree and homemade (Beaverette MKIV).
Rules – House rules. They need a little refining so may be uploaded soon.
Hope you enjoy the pictures.
The Think Tank 