Naval gaming the ACW

That's "American Civil War".

I've just invested in some ironclads to play games based primarily on the Mississippi River and tributaries during the 1861-1865 time period. I was fortunate during the 25th annual QuinCon convention in Quincy last month to play in two games of a ruleset titled "Raiders & Blockaders" and had such a great time I decided to do some ironclad games of my own.

So, I hear you ask, what do you mean ironclads?

These:


(That one's from David Manley, a UK wargamer and naval aficionado.)


(And that's from Scott Mingus, newly into the era, like myself.)

The Manley ship is 1/1200 scale. The Mingus ships are twice as big, at 1/600.

I'm going with 1/2400, which is half the size of the Manley ship. Yes, it's pretty small, but they are also inexpensive ($1.50 each), whereas the 1/1200's run from $4 to $10 apiece, and the 1/600's run from $18 to $26 apiece. They're more detailed, but I can't justify the expense.

Plus I can use the 1/2400 ships with a board wargame I already own titled "Ironclads" and thus don't have to buy a new set of rules.

OTOH Mr. Manley has a superb set of rules titled "Iron & Fire", and I did enjoy "Raiders & Blockaders" at QuinCon.

When I get my own painted and some riverbank terrain modeled, I'll play a game and take some pictures for the blog.

So many minis, so little time. :)