So, our 3rd Game of wee ships in a month and this time we went for a more balanced game of Cruisers and Destroyers(USN/RN v IJN). Each player was to have a Cruiser and 1 or 2 Destroyers. There were 3 players a side and as I was playing this game……there are less photos then normal, and to cap it off…a few were not good enough to use in this post.

Now Russ has been working on his IJN Fleet and below here they are steaming along. The close up shoots did not work apart from one, so will need to take more the next time they grace the table. Nice Battleship line.

Pride of place is this wee beauty..the Musashi.

Onto the game and I have the lead Allied cruiser in the Northampton with a Clemson class destroyer out front also mine.

Japanese heavy cruiser and destroyer facing off to my brave destroyer trying to get in close….its torpedoes have a range of 10inches…half that of the IJN version. Next game will need to balance the quality of the IJN ships at this stage of the war better.

Now the Northampton was quickly getting smacked by the IJN Cruisers ….I was rapidly running out of hull pints…then Russ let rip and rolled…real bad as below. I survived 1 more turn!!

So my destroyer is no more..never had a chance…but still 184 left in the class! Northampton quickly followed.

The very unsporting IJN players blocked next destroyer to trying to get in close….we need more destroyers!

The game ended up being a resounding win for the IJN. The quality of their ships was just to good….next time will try and even points up a bit more.

Now that wonderful chap Stu Dobson at Magpie Designer has sent me a further order which arrived yesterday. Stu has added individual vessel names on the ships on request! How wonderful.

So this order had 4 more Japanese Destroyers of the Asashio Class, 4 USN Benson Class and 4 more Clemson Class. This gives me a good sized destroyer force for both the IJN and US Navies. Future additions need to be Capital ships for both sides and to boost up the USN cruiser force.

I also added the planes for my Essex Class Carrier and the planes for the small IJN Carrier the Ryujo.

Below is a close up of the Asashio Class destroyers

Now Stu has a dinky base on the ships so they can be safely attached to the card box in transit and also makes painting simpler. Simply to remove them once painted. I like simple.

That will be wee ships for a few weeks. This week is an ACW game at Alan’s then next week we have the first ‘Pike and Shotte’ Game in the Garage. Stephen , Russ and Alan have some beautifully painted units so will be an exciting nights gaming!

Now this weeks ‘Whisky of the Week’ is a local offering from New Zealand.

Tasting Notes: Pōkeno Origin Single Malt

Vital Stats: Mash Bill: 100% malted barley. 43% ABV. Aged in ex-bourbon casks.

Appearance: light yellow, similar to a Pinot Gris.

Nose: The nose is very citrusy with hints of lemon. It’s very light in general, with zero alcohol burn on the back end. The lightness of the citrus is then slightly offset but a honey sweetness that also grounds the overall aroma with a full-bodied-ness.

Palate: The palate loses a bit of the citrus and more prominently features the honey sweetness. It’s similarly light in flavour as it is in colour and on the nose. There’s a bit more alcohol bite than on the nose, but overall, it’s incredibly smooth. It does though lack an overall distinctive flavour that would make it interesting.

It was actually quite a pleasant dram with quite a smooth taste…recommended.

Until next time…Terry out.