Targe 2014

Saturday saw Arabiansquire and myself drive up to Kirriemuir, birthplace of J.M. Barrie (Peter Pan), Bon Scott (AC\DC) and the site of one of the most bawdy dances in history (if you believe the song!).

Arabiansquire looks down as his Tiger wrecks
my Sherman.

Kirriemuir Wargaming Club host a much more family friendly affair, Targe, every year. I managed to attend many years ago, and they have since moved from the Town Hall to the local High School, giving much more space. there were a good collection of traders in the main hall with quite a few handsome tables set out. Another large room down another corridor housed some more games.

It was here that we played our first game of the day, Dambusters. We'd seen this being played at the other shows this year, carefully and enthusiastically set up by the Leuchar's Veteran's club (formerly RAF Leuchars Wargaming club). A big board documenting the various runs made all day was next to a Dam. 3 crew members (pilot, bomb aimer, and front gunner) were required to climb into the Lancaster cockpit (yes, they had built a 3 seat camouflaged cockpit setup complete with dials) pull on flight helmets (yes they had rubber flight helmets for the crew to wear) and with simple guided rules try and fly a successful bombing run to take out a Dam (to the background Dambusters soundtrack).

The table centre tank scrap yard acquires stock at a rapid rate. 

A trip across the room had us at a second game, a hybrid of Flames of War and the World of Tanks video game (rules downloadable here ). As there were only 2 of us to play at that point it was a straight off battle over a single objective point. All good fun with Arabiansquire coming a slightly manipulated first (not that I'm bitter). I suspect that this could be a lot of fun with a decent number of players so will have to look into it in the future.

For the last bit of dice rolling action at the end of our visit Arabiansquire sat down to re-play a Pegasus Bridge assault game that we'd enjoyed at Claymore earlier in the year. Whether his previous experience helped more than the poor shooting from the German forces I don't know, but the young lad  ran out winner and walked away with a 6th Airborne Pegasus Bridge patch as a trophy.

And did I buy anything? Well with Crooked Dice and Studio Miniatures both in attendance I was more hard pushed to choose what not to buy! In the end Crooked Dice supplied me with some figures for Dr Who (their Rose Tyler, Madame Vastra, Jenny Flint and Strax) and the Ghostbusters. After some deliberation I plumped for Studio miniatures Tiny Terrors pack (6 child zombies) and a Walking Dead Michonne figure (complete with chastened undead pets). The Bring and Buy also threw up a bargain pack of 14 zeds from a few manufacturers for £4. So happy shiny time.

A good day out. Thanks to the club for hosting and all the clubs and traders in attendance for making the effort to be there at the end of a long show season. The only down part of the day is that I didn't have to to buy a proper Bridie (they don't stray much further away from Forfar than the 7 miles to Kirriemuir!). Next time...